Chapter 377: Heritage

Ye Fan concealed the biting aura surrounding his body.

He suppressed his cultivation base to the Mid Foundation Establishment stage.

Following the sparse flow of people entering the city, he walked toward the gates.

The Sima Family cultivators guarding the gate wore dark red leather armor, their gazes as sharp as eagles.

While checking identities and collecting the city entrance fee, seeing that Ye Fan was a new face, they took the opportunity to demand an extra three Spirit Stones.

No one around him offered any warning.

Ye Fan shot the guard a nonchalant glance, too lazy to bicker, and pulled out four Spirit Stones to hand over.

"Go on in."

The dark-armored cultivator weighed the Spirit Stones in his hand and let him pass.

This drew a burst of roaring laughter from the others.

Upon entering the city, the scene was slightly different from the strict exterior.

The streets were wide and paved with black stone. The buildings on both sides were equally tall and solid, featuring a rugged style, and the hanging banners were mostly dark red and profound black.

There were quite a few pedestrians, but their voices were deliberately kept low.

A peculiar scent permeated the air—a mixture of rust, a faint metallic tang of blood, and some unknown spice.

Even if the Sima Family walked the Demonic Dao, having orderly conduct in their own territory was undoubtedly more beneficial to them.

If it were truly chaotic.

Naturally, fewer people would come.

He rose into the air, and with a sweep of his divine sense, immediately locked onto the largest estate in the center of the city.

Then, transforming into a streak of light, he flew toward the mansion.

In barely a few minutes.

He arrived above the main entrance of the Sima estate.

He hovered just outside the edge of the flowing spiritual light of its grand array.

Without wasting a single word, he took a deep breath. His Golden Core Stage pressure mixed with a billowing shockwave of sound, detonating with a deafening boom:

"Old ghosts of the Sima Family, get the hell out here!"

This roar was like a thunder striking a stagnant pond.

The Sima estate below first fell into a momentary, deathly silence.

Immediately after, like a kicked hornet's nest, streaks of figures rushed out from various courtyards and watchtowers.

Taking the lead were dozens of Qi Condensation Cultivators, either riding their Dharma Tools or sprinting forward.

Closely following them were over a dozen Sima Family disciples and guest elders at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Leading them was a bearded, burly man at the Late Foundation Establishment stage. With a fierce glint in his eyes, he shouted harshly, "What kind of madman dares to run wild in the Sima Family! Kill him for me!"

In an instant.

Various colored spiritual lights, Dharma Tools, and Talismans rained down toward Ye Fan with an aggressive momentum.

Ye Fan's expression remained unchanged.

He did not even use a Divine Ability, simply throwing seven or eight punches into the empty air.

The majestic fist aura did not target anyone in particular, but pushed forward like an invisible, raging tide.

The attacks from those Qi Condensation Cultivators crumbled upon contact.

The Dharma Tools in the hands of the few rushing at the very front shattered with a sharp crack.

Their bodies, as if struck by heavy hammers, flew backward while they screamed and spat blood.

The attacks from the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the rear were slightly stronger, but they too were like flickering candles in the wind, easily deflected and scattered by the fist wind.

If Ye Fan's punches were meant to slaughter rather than intimidate, and if they hadn't used their Dharma Tools and mana to protect their bodies, corpses would already be littering the ground.

"Form the array! Send the warning signal!"

The bearded, burly man roared hoarsely, both shocked and furious.

Even more Sima Family cultivators surged out from the estate.

In the sky and on the ground, flickering figures gathered, swelling to an assembly of several hundred in the blink of an eye.

They surrounded Ye Fan in three tight layers.

Countless gazes filled with hostility and murderous intent locked onto him.

Right at this moment of explosive tension.

Deep within the Sima estate, an aura as profound as the sea, containing a sharp and baleful intent, suddenly rose.

A gray figure appeared silently in the sky outside the mansion.

It was an old man wearing a simple gray robe.

His hair was grizzled and his face gaunt, making him look unremarkable at first glance. However, his eyes were as sharp as blades, currently staring coldly at the surrounded Ye Fan.

It was exactly the Sima Clan Ancestor, Sima Chengdao.

"Daoist Friend."

Sima Chengdao spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it clearly overpowered the noise of the scene. With the indifference of one who had long held a high position, he asked, "Trespassing into my Sima Family and injuring my clansmen, for what purpose have you come?"

Ye Fan grinned, the scar on his face twisting to look exceptionally sinister. "Just now when I entered the city, your Sima Family overcharged me three Spirit Stones. So, I've come to collect my debt."

A fierce gleam flashed in Sima Chengdao's eyes, though his face didn't show much anger. Instead, he revealed a cold, mocking smirk. "You're courting death."

With a flick of his sleeve robe, he ordered frostily, "Kill him."

With the command given, the Sima Family cultivators who had long been unable to hold back roared in unison.

Hundreds of attacks converged into a destructive tide of light, blasting toward Ye Fan with overwhelming force!

At the same time, Sima Chengdao formed hand seals, causing the grand array enveloping the estate to abruptly change.

A dense, blood-colored mist materialized out of thin air and spread rapidly. It not only obscured vision but also interfered with divine sense.

As the mist churned, twisted and agonized vengeful spirits bared their fangs and claws, shrieking as they lunged to devour Ye Fan's soul!

Sima Chengdao himself hid within the blood mist.

His movements were erratic as a slender, grayish-white Bone Thorn Artifact silently thrust toward the center of Ye Fan's back, its timing and angle vicious and cunning.

Faced with such a formation, if it were an ordinary Early-Stage Golden Core cultivator, being trapped by the grand array, harassed by vengeful spirits, and pinned down by hundreds of low-level cultivators.

Coupled with the sharp sneak attack of an Ancestor at the same stage.

They would probably suffer a massive loss, perhaps even being forced to retreat with heavy injuries.

However, Ye Fan merely frowned slightly.

Facing the surging frenzy of attacks, he unleashed his movement techniques, mixing punches and palm strikes to effortlessly shatter most of the incoming strikes.

His primary focus remained on countering Sima Chengdao's sneak attack.

Occasionally, a dozen or so Flying Swords and bone blades slipped through his defenses and slashed his body.

Yet, only the sounds of tearing fabric could be heard as his black robe was ripped open in several places. It revealed the bronze skin beneath, which remarkably didn't even have a single white mark left on it!

Leaving a mark on his physical body would require at least the full-powered strike of a Perfected Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Hmm?"

A faint sound of surprise and suspicion escaped Sima Chengdao from within the blood mist.

The next instant.

The fierce glint in his eyes intensified as he slapped the Storage Pouch at his waist.

A highly condensed streak of bloody rainbow light shot out. It was so fast it only left a trailing blur in the air, piercing straight toward the vital spot on Ye Fan's back!

Faintly visible within that rainbow light was a three-inch-long Blood-Colored Spike.

The surface of the spike was engraved with densely packed, eerie runes.

It radiated a heart-palpitating sharpness and a defiling aura.

Ye Fan's divine sense had consistently blanketed his surroundings, allowing him to perceive this sneak attack well in advance.

He surprisingly didn't dodge. Instead, he spun around abruptly and thrust his right fist, brimming with true yang power, to fiercely meet the Blood-Colored Spike!

"BOOM!"

A muffled explosion akin to striking tough leather echoed out.

The Blood-Colored Spike was sent flying backward.

Ye Fan also slid back a few dozen feet.

Retracting his fist, he saw that a shallow cut had actually been sliced open on his knuckles.

A trace of pale golden blood seeped out.

But it healed in the blink of an eye.

"A Mid-Grade Magic Treasure?"

Ye Fan glanced at the incessantly humming blood spike hovering in front of Sima Chengdao.

He thought to himself, 'Is this one of the Sima Family's heritages? However... it shouldn't be limited to just this, right?'

Suddenly.

A crisp bell chime that pierced straight into the soul suddenly echoed within the blood mist.

Ding-ding.

It carried a bizarre rhythm, attempting to shake and bewilder Ye Fan's mind.

Ye Fan's body paused slightly, a trace of confusion surfacing in his eyes.

But this lasted for less than a breath's time before his eyes regained their clarity, looking even sharper than before.

The strength of his soul far exceeded those at his stage, even approaching that of a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.

This Soul-Capturing Bell's chime couldn't easily affect him.

Deep within the blood mist, Sima Chengdao's expression finally changed.

A physical body as tyrannical as a Magic Treasure, and a soul as stable as a mountain; how was this an ordinary Early-Stage Golden Core cultivator?

This was clearly a Demonic Beast wearing human skin!

'Dual Cultivation of Dharma and Body!'

The thought flashed through his mind.

With his mind racing, he had already made a decision.

Those of the Demonic Dao understood the times best; weighing interests far surpassed preserving meaningless face.

The blood mist scattered slightly, revealing Sima Chengdao's figure. The cold killing intent on his face had remarkably been largely restrained, replaced by a smiling expression.

"Daoist Friend possesses astonishing methods, this old man is full of admiration. Why don't we stop at the right point for this spar and both lower our hands, how about it?"

Hearing this, Ye Fan sneered inwardly.

This old ghost sure changed his tune quickly.

His divine sense swept over the rest of the Sima Family crowd, who were eyeing him like tigers watching their prey.

He didn't care about these people.

But this blood mist grand array possessed quite some profundity; he truly couldn't think of how to break it in a short amount of time.

'Perhaps my strength isn't enough. If I had battle prowess like Honored Master, I could certainly shatter it with raw power!'

'Never mind, the goal of probing them has basically been achieved. It's time to check out Great Liang.'

Following Sima Chengdao's words, Ye Fan snorted coldly. "The Sima Family certainly has a lot of tricks. I've experienced them today.

"Since Daoist Friend Sima has said so, I will give you a sliver of face and stop here for today.

"Please withdraw the grand array and let me leave."

"It's a deal."

Sima Chengdao replied straightforwardly, but he didn't loosen the hand seals he held. He merely slowly commanded the blood mist to retract into the estate.

The spiritual light of the array didn't extinguish completely, clearly still maintaining its guard.

Ye Fan couldn't be bothered to argue about it. Seeing that a path out had appeared, He immediately turned into a crimson streak of light and soared into the sky without any hesitation, flying straight toward the city gates.

While rushing out of the gates, he casually condensed several motes of mana and flicked his fingers, shooting them at the armored guards.

Before they could even react, their foreheads were pierced through.

"You overcharged me for my Spirit Stones, so pay for it with your lives."

He muttered to himself as he flew off toward the distant sky.

Sima Chengdao watched the direction Ye Fan disappeared in, his brows furrowed tightly and his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

"Ancestor..." The bearded, burly man stepped forward, hesitating to speak.

"Investigate." Sima Chengdao's voice was deep and icy. "Use all our hidden informants and find out the truth! Check if any new Golden Core cultivators have recently emerged in Great Wei or Great Liang."

"Yes!" The bearded, burly man hastily bowed in compliance and hurried away.

Sima Chengdao cast another glance at the injured, wailing disciples and the destroyed Dharma Tools in front of the estate.

There was little heartache on his face; there was only a deep suspicion regarding Ye Fan's sudden appearance, as well as a trace of hidden worry.

He turned around, his gray robe fluttering, and his figure vanished into the Sima estate in the blink of an eye.

——————————

Leaving the territory of Great Jin, Ye Fan headed all the way east.

After entering Great Liang.

He made a brief stop along the way.

At a Marketplace where Rogue Cultivators gathered, he made a few inquiries and learned the direction of the Great Liang Imperial City.

He continued his journey.

By the time he arrived, dusk was falling from all sides.

Looking from afar, a colossal and imposing city crouched atop the vast plains.

The city walls were built entirely of massive, earth-yellow boulders. The stone surfaces were rough and hadn't been finely polished, yet this only highlighted a majestic momentum—heavy as a mountain and immovable throughout eternity.

The watchtowers towered high, their silhouettes resembling the spine of a crouching behemoth against the sunset's afterglow.

The entire city exuded a steady and vigorous oppressive aura, entirely different from the Great Wei Imperial City or Great Jin's Demon-Controlling City.

'Great Liang Imperial City. Its imposing manner truly surpasses both Great Wei and Great Jin!'

'It's getting late. I'll stay a night in the city.'

Ye Fan pondered internally.

He then entered the city and found a rather bustling inn to stay at.

The Great Liang Imperial City was exceptionally lively.

The commoners and cultivators in the city lived in harmony, giving off quite a peaceful and prosperous atmosphere.

But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was out of place.

Ye Fan didn't delve too deeply into it.

Finding the source of this dissonance would probably take some time.

His trip here was merely to probe the heritage of Great Liang's Liu Family.

Everything else had nothing to do with him.

The next day.

At the break of dawn, as the thin mist had just dissipated.

In the center of the Imperial City.

Above the magnificent and solemn palace complex, which was covered by a semi-transparent, pale yellow array light screen.

A black-robed figure abruptly appeared, hovering in the air.

Without any unnecessary chatter.

Ye Fan took a deep breath, and his surging Golden Core Stage mana ferociously erupted.

Brahma Sacred Fist, three punches combined into one.

A pale golden fist aura dozens of feet wide coalesced. With an overbearing momentum that dominated the world, it smashed viciously against the array light screen encircling the palace!

"BOOM!!!"

Like a massive mallet striking a heavenly bell, a dull yet thunderous roar instantly echoed throughout the entire Imperial City.

The light screen shook violently, ripples surging wildly across it.

It startled countless birds into the air and shocked all the cultivators in the city, making them look toward the Great Liang Imperial Palace.

"What happened?"

"Someone is attacking the imperial palace? Are they courting death?"

Many cultivators broke into widespread discussion.

They all took to the air, gazing out from afar.

"Who dares attack the imperial palace's grand array?!"

A sharp shout erupted from within the palace.

Following that, streaks of figures dashed over from all corners of the palace and from every direction within the city.

They hovered in the air, staring in shock and uncertainty at the audacious, black-robed, scarred man.

More and more onlookers gathered.

Right at this moment.

From deep within the palace, a majestic and tyrannical aura, as imposing as a looming mountain, soared into the sky.

A figure dressed in a dazzling dragon robe stepped out into the empty air.

The arrival looked to be middle-aged, with a burly and towering stature.

His face was half-hidden by an imperial crown adorned with twelve tassels of white jade beads, revealing only his square jaw and neatly trimmed short beard.

He wore a bright yellow robe embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons that looked incredibly lifelike. A jade dragon belt wrapped around his waist, accentuating his dignity.

Just by standing there, he exuded a sovereign majesty that commanded the mountains and rivers, demanding absolute inviolability.

His gaze pierced through the jade beads, shooting toward Ye Fan like cold lightning.

It was none other than the current emperor of Great Liang, Liu Qiankun.

"Who might you be, sir? Why are you trespassing at my Great Liang Imperial Palace?"

Liu Qiankun's voice was loud and steady, carrying a metallic resonance that echoed in the sky above the Imperial City.

Ye Fan rolled his neck, letting out a soft crack, and grinned. "I heard that the Emperor of Great Liang possesses peerless cultivation, so I've specifically come to experience it!"

"Those who offend my Great Liang shall die!"

Liu Qiankun's gaze sharpened. As the sovereign of a nation, he naturally had his pride.

The other party was clearly a Golden Core Cultivator and came with ill intentions; there was no point in saying more.

He took a step forward, and without any visible gesturing, an entirely golden jade seal, four inches square and topped with nine intertwined dragons, appeared in his palm.

This was exactly one of Great Liang's nation-suppressing Magic Treasures, the Nine Dragons Seal.

"Suppress!"

Liu Qiankun raised the seal. The Nine Dragons Seal expanded with the wind, transforming to the size of a house.

On the bottom of the seal, the eight archaic seal characters—"Mandate of Heaven, Longevity and Eternal Prosperity"—blazed with golden light. Carrying the crushing weight that could suppress mountains, rivers, and states, it smashed down right on top of Ye Fan's head!

The air emitted a hum, unable to bear the overwhelming burden.

The Foundation Establishment Cultivators spectating from afar felt their breath hitch.

"A Mid-Grade Magic Treasure?!"

Ye Fan's gaze narrowed slightly, but he didn't dodge or evade.

The Qi and Blood in his entire body roared. Mana poured into his right arm, causing the whole limb to radiate a pale golden hue as he blasted a punch upward!