Chapter 48: Going to Quzhou

Under the night sky, soft moonlight fell on Yang Zhu's white robes, like a layer of silver gauze, flowing and crystal‑clear.

"Unfortunately, I was a step slow and he got away."

That creature's speed was astonishing; Yang Zhu kicked at empty air, yet it still got away.

This place is over a thousand li from the Taichu Ancient Mine, already outside the danger zone, yet I never expected to attract a mysterious creature.

Yang Zhu guessed it was likely that the mysterious creature sensed his aura and deliberately followed him out of the ancient mine.

The world knows nothing of Yang Zhu's origins, but the few beings in the ancient mine cannot be fooled—his bloodline power is an existence they all dread.

The Wushi Great Emperor suppressed the several great life forbidden zones, exterminated extraterritorial deities, quelled the dark turmoil, made the heavens tremble, and all sources of chaos lay dormant.

In his era, no great calamity arose.

Among the forbidden zones, the supremes are also emperors; thus they understand better than anyone how terrifying the Wushi Great Emperor was at his peak.

Even before attaining emperorhood, the Sacred Body Dao Embryo possessed the qualification to fight an emperor; after becoming emperor, there's no need to say more.

Only an undying heavenly emperor who has lived for millions of years and has not severed a path of his own can contend with him.

The Black Emperor and Ye Fan followed up; when they both saw the huge pit left on the crimson earth, they were utterly astonished.

"Aren't you worried about an accident? After all, that thing comes from……"

Ye Fan hasn't even come to his senses yet; you know, those several heavenly prideful ones, including the Yaoguang Holy Son and Yaochi Holy Maiden, were all chased and forced to run by the mysterious creature, extremely perilous.

However, Yang Zhu, after just a single glance, struck out domineeringly, seemingly intending to slay the mysterious creature on the spot.

Recently there have been rumors that the Sacred Body Dao Embryo is overwhelmingly strong; only upon seeing Ye Fan today did I truly feel it.

"Damn, just seeing that thing even frightened this emperor."

That gaze was too eerie; it made the Black Emperor's fur stand on end, and even though he has lived long, he still does not dare to slight the forbidden zone in the slightest.

"Can he even wound me? If his realm were a bit higher, today I would surely cut him down."

Yang Zhu spoke; he and the forbidden zone are destined by birth to stand on opposite sides—this is an unchangeable fact.

"What are your plans from now on?"

The Yaochi party had concluded; Yang Zhu asked Ye Fan what his next plans were.

Upon hearing that, Ye Fan pondered a moment and said: "I also don't know where to go; why not follow you?"

Ye Fan is now wanted by the Ji clan; his notices are posted everywhere, and upon entering any town he must disguise himself.

Besides the Stone Stronghold, he truly has no better place to go; it would be better to find someone to travel with.

"You little brat, really sly; how about this: hand over your green tortoise shell for me to play with for two days, and we'll barely put up with you."

The Black Emperor is exceedingly perceptive; he instantly saw through Ye Fan's thoughts—nothing more than wanting companionship on the road, at least to have someone to look out for each other.

"That's just how Xiaohei is; no need to mind."

Yang Zhu sighed in his heart; this damned dog really never rests.

Ye Fan froze upon hearing that nickname, given the Black Emperor's spiteful, grudge‑holding nature—how dare someone call him Xiaohei?

"What? Xiaohei……"

But as Ye Fan's words reached his lips, a sudden sharp pain shot through his thigh; even with a body like refined iron, he grimaced in agony.

"Release your bite! You damned dog, you nearly killed me with pain!"

It turned out that the instant he uttered that nickname, the Black Emperor suddenly bit him without mercy, instantly bruising his thigh.

"If you let the Black Emperor hear you be disrespectful again, he will surely make you look bad!"

The Black Emperor spoke viciously, baring a mouthful of bright white teeth, extremely chilling. As an imperial son, Yang Zhu naturally calls him Xiaohei just like Wushi does; but for anyone else to dare do so would surely spark a human‑dog war, exacting a heavy toll.

After the two of them and the dog lingered nearby for a while, they then departed.

The Northern Territory stretches millions of li of bare red earth, bald and desolate as far as the eye can see, devoid of any vitality.

After several days of effort, the few of them finally left the barren region and entered an oasis.

The oasis lies in the Northern Territory, the sole place with vegetation; whether cities or other factions, all reside within it.

Upon just entering the oasis, one is still in a sparsely populated area; occasionally a cultivator passing by will be drawn to Yang Zhu and the black dog, attracting much attention.

Yang Zhu bears an ethereal, otherworldly grace, his bearing like jade; he naturally exudes a transcendent aura, making it easy to think he is a heavenly pride inheritor of some lineage.

As for the big black dog, needless to say, it is stout as a bull, almost like a cultivated spirit; it simply cannot avoid drawing eyes.

Ye Fan, worried about being recognized, altered his original appearance, looking merely like an ordinary, unremarkable youth.

"What the hell are you looking at? You've never seen a creature as charming and supremely talented as this emperor!"

The Black Emperor was very confident, raising his head proudly.

"Don't embarrass yourself; quickly change your appearance."

Yang Zhu couldn't stand it any longer; he had the Black Emperor shrink to the size of a mongrel, which finally calmed things a bit.

This oasis is named Youzhou, spanning over three thousand li; it's not a great continent, and in the boundless Northern Territory there are many such oases.

The central town of Quzhou is named Chaoyang City, with a population of several hundred thousand, the most prosperous ancient city in the prefecture.

Chaoyang City has existed for many years; its walls and gates are full of the marks of time.

Just upon entering the gate, one sees Ye Fan's wanted notice; not only here, but throughout the Northern Territory, every city posts similar notices.

"You little brat, you're worth quite a bit." The Black Emperor saw that the bounty reward was a considerable amount of source, and remarked sarcastically.

"Get out of the way!"

Yang Zhu chose a teahouse to sit down, for Chaoyang City is the most prosperous nearby city, with a constant flow of cultivators.

"Have you heard? Recently a grand gathering will be held on the Cloud Summit Mountain Range, personally hosted by the Ji clan; many young powerhouses of Quzhou will rush there."

"That's right; there are rumors that important figures from the Yaoguang Holy Son and the Ji clan will personally attend."

"If it weren't for the need to apprehend the Sacred Body Ye Fan, it wouldn't have stirred up so many people."

Just after sitting down, I heard people discussing animatedly, undoubtedly related to the recent major event.

Ye Fan slew the Ji clan's Supreme Elder, provoking the Ji clan to fury; they dispatched many strong ones seeking to subdue him and issued a bounty.

Like the Ji family, such a transcendent power can be described as one call bringing a hundred responses; many cities are sending people to search for his trace.

There are many such gatherings; they are all orchestrated by the Ji family, who have put in considerable effort to better ferret out Ye Fan.

By the window on the second floor sat a young man in green robes, no older than twenty-one or twenty-two, with fair skin, lacking masculine vigor, somewhat feminine.

"Being able to burn to death the Ji Family Supreme Elder, Ye Fan is merely relying on some strange flame; without it, he is nothing."

This is obviously a disciple of a noble family; beside him are two maidservants dedicated to pouring wine and laying out dishes, attending to him very attentively.

"Not necessarily; after all, that is a Holy Body—how could it be as worthless as you say?"

Some hold a differing opinion, believing that Ye Fan has some tricks up his sleeve.

(End of chapter)