Chapter 24

Hua Yunfei's blue robes fluttered as he danced, like a banished immortal, divine and gentle.

Who could have imagined that someone so outstanding would cultivate the Heaven‑Swallowing Demonic Art, which enhances one's cultivation by devouring other powerful physiques and transforming oneself.

"Brother Yunfei's musical skill is superb; it truly makes us reluctant to leave."

"In the vast Eastern Wasteland, few can match Brother Yunfei's musical skill—probably not more than can be counted on one hand."

After the piece ended, everyone was still unsatisfied and repeatedly praised his superb skill.

"Everyone, I invited you here for a small gathering because I have something to announce."

This gathering was proposed by Ye Fan, because he has an important matter to share with everyone.

"I believe everyone here has heard of the Bronze Immortal Palace, and it has appeared again……"

Ye Fan's words were shocking; as soon as he spoke, everyone became unsettled.

The Bronze Immortal Palace, one of the most mysterious existences, is said to hold the chance to become an immortal; each time it appears, it causes a huge commotion in the Five Domains.

At that time, all the major transcendent forces and peerless experts will be dispatched, even risking their fall, just to investigate.

Afterwards Ye Fan revealed all the details and said they could go verify it anytime.

Yang Zhu knew that Ye Fan revealing this secret was merely to create an opportunity to leave this place.

"Is this true?"

The Yaoguang Holy Maiden widened her beautiful eyes, she who possessed a face that could hide the moon and shame the flowers, and suddenly rose to her feet.

"Brother Ye, what you said is indeed true?"

Hua Yunfei sprang to his feet, gazing at Ye Fan, and he too could not remain calm.

"Ziyue and I saw it with our own eyes; we would not joke about such a thing." Ye Fan answered firmly.

The crowd dared not believe it, turning their gazes toward Ji Ziyue.

"Ziyue, how come you never mentioned such an important matter before?" Ji Haoyue was the first to speak.

"This isn't a good thing; every time the Bronze Immortal Palace appears, blood flows like a river, and we originally wanted to keep it hidden."

Ji Ziyue muttered softly, she hadn't expected Ye Fan to blurt this out, truly catching her off guard.

Afterwards Ye Fan also announced the news of the Mother Qi of All Things, like a pair of bombs, shocking the crowd once again.

"The Mother Qi of All Things is the supreme treasure for tempering magical artifacts!"

Everyone's eyes burned with heat; the Bronze Immortal Palace might seem too illusory to them, but the Mother Qi of All Things is truly a precious treasure, and many experts want to obtain it for forging weapons.

After explaining everything, this group of heaven‑chosen ones each withdrew, then hurried back.

This news was too shocking for them to decide on their own; it had to be reported upward for a figure of patriarch level to decide.

According to the original story, after Ye Fan pierced the heavens, it was time to leave.

Yang Zhu then went first to the direction he was fleeing and waited there silently.

"How is that possible?"

Ye Fan, stepping with the Heavenly Splendor Step, after running for a long time, suddenly saw Yang Zhu's figure appear before him, his face full of shock.

Even Ji Ziyue, whose cultivation was higher than his, could not catch up to him, yet Yang Zhu arrived before him soundlessly; he could not fathom what secret technique could make time faster than the Heavenly Splendor Step.

"Brother Ye, why are you in such a hurry? Where are you headed?"

Yang Zhu's smile was gentle, giving a kind impression, yet it made Ye Fan's scalp tingle, thinking he might have come to settle things with him—"No… no, I just have some business to attend to before leaving."

Ye Fan dared not be careless; his bitter sea quietly turned, and the small cauldron was ready to strike at any moment—this was his most effective attack at present.

He believed that neither his strength nor his speed matched Yang Zhu's; only the small cauldron could give him a sliver of hope.

"You don't need to be so nervous; I harbor no ill will toward you." Yang Zhu explained.

"Then Brother Yang Zhu, what do you want with me?"

"I want to learn more news about the Bronze Immortal Palace."

Yang Zhu knew Ye Fan's move was to create an opportunity to escape, so he did not insist that Ye Fan go in with him again; he only wanted to know more details.

"Good." With the Holy Body resonating, after probing, Ye Fan sensed no malice at all and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Afterwards Ye Fan did not conceal anything, revealing everything about his situation.

"Thank you; besides that, I also want to make a deal with you."

"What?" Ye Fan asked, puzzled.

After speaking, Yang Zhu stepped forward a few paces; each step he lifted left behind extremely clear golden patterns, each containing endless profound mysteries.

"This is… the complete Striding Character Secret?!"

Ye Fan was shocked beyond measure; these patterns felt inexplicably familiar to him, and they were connected in countless ways to the All Character Secret he had obtained in the Taixuan Sect.

As one of the Nine Secrets, the Striding Character Secret, once it appears, is enough to cause an uproar, making those great sects fight over it, for each secret is a supreme existence comparable to the Great Emperor's scriptures! He merely mastered Lao Fengzi's Heavenly Splendor Step, which is enough to make it hard for anyone at his level to keep up with his speed.

The Heavenly Splendor Step and the Striding Character Secret are not even on the same level; to say the latter completely crushes the former is no exaggeration.

Now Yang Zhu placed the complete Striding Character Secret before him, and Ye Fan's face was shocked, his breathing involuntarily becoming hurried.

Only then did he realize why Yang Zhu's speed was greater than his.

"I want to exchange the Striding Character Secret for your Holy Fruit and……"

"No problem!"

After hearing the terms, Ye Fan readily agreed, and without delay he quickly recorded these patterns at the fastest speed, planning to study them later.

"Why are you helping me?"

Ye Fan did not understand; they had only met once, so why would Yang Zhu pass such a secret art to him?

Though called an exchange, Ye Fan clearly felt he was getting the better end of the deal; besides shock, he felt mainly gratitude.

"Because you resemble an old friend of mine."

Yang Zhu smiled, saying that anyone who has read "Shrouding the Heavens" cannot help but sigh at Ye Tiandi's experiences—immensely powerful yet also immensely arduous.

His physique was not acknowledged by the Great Dao, he had no background, the whole world was against him, and he repeatedly faced life‑or‑death situations.

Of course, the background spoken of here is superficial; otherwise, it wouldn't be pursued by so many forces.

Yang Zhu gave him the complete Walking Word Technique, obtaining what he wanted, and also hoping that Ye Fan, when encountering danger in the future, could better extricate himself.

"Thank you, this favor of yours, I, Ye Fan, will surely remember."

Ye Fan saluted the youth of similar age; this hurried departure was simply because he worried about too much trouble and feared his secret would be discovered.

Having now obtained the complete Walking Word Technique, it will greatly reduce his burden later; this kindness is certainly not small.

Ye Fan is not an ungrateful person; he will keep this favor in his heart.

"You cultivate a flawed Void Scripture; you may soon be pursued by the Ji Clan—take care."

Ye Fan's previous encounter in combat has already been known by many, which is very disadvantageous for him.

"Thanks for the warning; I'll take my leave now." Ye Fan expressed gratitude again; in fact, he had already anticipated this.

"Hmm."

Watching Ye Fan's receding back, Yang Zhu stood in place for a long time before leaving.

After the Shaking Light Holy Maiden and others brought the news back, it indeed caused a great uproar.

The opportunity to become immortal presents an irresistible temptation to everyone; even if it means moths flying into the flame, they will not hesitate.

In a short time, all major sects took action, summoning strong individuals and elders, wanting to investigate.

That day, many places opened Domain Gates, and crowds of people headed toward the Grand Mystery Gate, a mighty spectacle.

Those ordinary cultivators, likewise with fiery eyes, all wanted to try their luck, but after thinking it over they ultimately decided to give up.

Several great holy lands dispatched numerous peerless masters; ordinary cultivators going there would gain no benefit.

Moreover, the Bronze Immortal Palace is extremely dangerous; each opening results in rivers of blood, and they do not wish to needlessly sacrifice their lives.

(End of Chapter)