Chapter 186: Re-enter Shrouding Heaven, the Path to Immortality Opens

Shrouding Heaven Universe, Northern Dipper Ancient Star.

Countless beams of brilliant immortal light shot straight to the Nine Heavens, penetrating the boundless star sea and tearing apart the vast universe.

In the extraterritorial starry space of Northern Dipper, countless races gathered, and more than half of the mighty ones assembled here.

The extraterritorial powerhouses who came from beyond Northern Dipper Ancient Star stared at this scene with fiery eyes, feeling their blood surge and their anticipation and tension reach the extreme.

Because this scene signifies that the path to immortality, once deduced by the ancient emperors and great emperors, is about to appear!

Immortality!

The dream of all cultivators throughout the ages in the entire universe.

Ask whether there are immortals in this world.

Now is the moment to truly verify the problem that has troubled countless ancient emperors and great emperors.

In the extraterritorial starry space, not only those powerhouses whose lifespans are nearing their end, but also many who are at the peak of their lives constantly adjust their state, waiting to forcefully break into the path to immortality for a chance at immortality.

In such a great age, if we do not seize this opportunity, how can we justify our countless years of cultivation and pursuit of the Dao?

At the same time, the various life forbidden zones of Northern Dipper appeared in the world, with divine light mist emerging, occasionally emitting a terrifying aura that oppresses the universe, as if a primordial beast were about to awaken.

Eastern Wasteland, Yan State.

The Ancient Forbidden Land, one of the seven great forbidden zones of Eastern Wasteland, with towering ancient trees and lofty mountains, presents a desolate and ancient scene.

However, at this moment the Ancient Forbidden Land contains no trace of ferocious beasts or vicious birds; instead, it is replaced by a terrifying great rift.

This rift is like a scar on the universe, like a flash of lightning in the night, a gleam of light in the gloomy sky, extraordinarily conspicuous and dazzling.

Strands of immortal light surge out from it, emitting a mysterious aura that makes people's hearts burn hot.

This is an immortal realm rift!

The surroundings of the Ancient Forbidden Land are occupied by figures of cultivators, all gazing fervently at that terrifying great rift.

Although many cultivators look on with fervent eyes, none dare to step beyond the Lei Chi, truly approaching that immortal realm rift.

Because previously saints and even great sages had warned with their lives that the path to immortality is not yet truly opened, and that immortal realm rift cannot be entered.

On a mountain peak outside the Ancient Forbidden Land.

A stout black dog with a bull-like build, square head, large ears, and snow‑white teeth sat cross‑legged here—it was the Black Emperor.

At this moment the Black Emperor seemed a little anxious, constantly wagging its tail, as if waiting for something.

Just then, the void split open and a youth with a refined appearance and extraordinary temperament stepped out—it was Ye Fan.

"Ye Xiaozi, how is it?"

As Ye Fan's figure appeared, the Black Emperor, who had long been waiting here, rushed forward anxiously and asked: "How is the Empress now? Is she willing to act?"

Setting down the little Niannian on his shoulder, Ye Fan's eyes showed a hint of disappointment as he said: "Just as Fuxi the Great Emperor once said, the Empress has fallen into the transformation of the Red Dust Immortal Path, as if she has no will of her own; even if I bring little Niannian to her, I cannot awaken her will."

"This"

Hearing Ye Fan's words, the Black Emperor became even more restless and uneasy, saying: "What should we do? Has Fuxi the Great Emperor still no news?"

"No."

Ye Fan shook his head again, somewhat helplessly saying: "Since the matter of Lingbao Heavenly Venerable's appearance, Fuxi the Great Emperor has completely vanished, and the Feng family has not received any news from their ancestors for many years; not only Fuxi the Great Emperor, but Lady Nüwa has also completely disappeared from the world."

The Black Emperor actually already knew all this; it was merely asking unwillingly. Hearing Ye Fan's words, its mouth twitched slightly, but its expression did not change much.

After a long while, the Black Emperor seemed to think of something, looking at Ye Fan with resentment, and said bitterly: "It's all your fault, you pretentious brat; if I had followed my original plan and united with the Innate Dao Embryo, the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo would have already been born, and we could have used the means left by the great emperor to eliminate the supremes born from the various life forbidden zones—how could things have come to this pass?"

"Uh"

Hearing the Black Emperor's words, recalling the underhanded tactics it once used to try to make me unite with the Innate Dao Embryo, even though the situation is now unfavorable, Ye Fan's face inevitably darkened.

If he had not been on guard against this depraved, smoking big black dog, he might really have fallen for its tricks.

However, looking at the cultivators gathered outside the Ancient Forbidden Land and in the extraterritorial starry space of Northern Dipper Ancient Star, Ye Fan's mind involuntarily conjured up scenes of extreme cruelty.

That is the scene where the forbidden zone supreme emerges, taking all living beings of the universe as blood food to replenish its own vitality, and bathing the whole universe in blood.

Although these scenes are only the blurry future Ye Fan once saw on Fuxi the Great Emperor's Luo Scroll, his experiences over the years have told him that most of what he saw on the Luo Scroll will indeed come to pass.

Those cultivators awaiting the opening of the path to immortality do not know that the rare golden age they see in their eyes actually heralds a new round of dark turmoil; the universe's myriad spirits will once again face the darkest times.

Thinking of this, Ye Fan faintly felt a trace of regret.

If he had listened to the Black Emperor's advice back then and united with the Innate Sacred Body, would this grim future have changed?

In fact, Ye Fan's cultivation progress over these years has not been slow.

As an Innate Sacred Body, his physique is peerless; moreover, after seeing the future on the Luo Scroll, his comprehension underwent a complete transformation, as if he were born knowing, his grasp of the Great Dao's principles surpassing ordinary imagination—even the Innate Dao Embryo cannot match him.

In this life Ye Fan has virtually swept aside all obstacles on the ancient path of humanity, truly deserving the title of invincible under heaven; neither the sons and daughters of ancient emperors nor the sealed prodigies of antiquity can stop his way among the younger generation.

He has already surpassed the Secret Realm of the Immortal Platform and attained the quasi‑emperor rank; among the younger generation he is truly invincible.

However, the time Ye Fan has spent cultivating is still too short; even with his peerless talent, without sufficient accumulation he cannot match those who have sealed themselves in the life forbidden zones—those who once oppressed the whole universe and were invincible in an era.

'Or am I still, as in the memory of the future, watching helplessly as the entire universe is bathed in blood while my elders fall to stop the forbidden zone supreme?'

This thought arose in his heart, and Ye Fan's eyes involuntarily showed a hint of dimness.

Even though he is now countless times stronger than his former self in memory, to a supreme being the difference is still negligible.

Unless he can achieve the Great Completion of the Sacred Body in a short time, whether quasi‑emperor or great sage, they are merely food for the supreme.

'If only Fuxi the Ancestor and Lady Nüwa the Holy Mother were still here!'

Just as this thought rose in his heart, a thunderous boom rang out, instantly drawing Ye Fan's gaze.

He instinctively looked toward the not‑far Ancient Forbidden Land, and his expression froze slightly.

As one of the seven great life forbidden zones of Eastern Wasteland, the Ancient Forbidden Land has collapsed!

The nine holy mountains crumbled, the nine divine springs dried up, and the nine divine herbs directly merged into the Nine Marvelous Immortal Divine Herb, which fell into the hands of a peerlessly beautiful woman.

In the midst of the collapsed Ancient Forbidden Land, a huge stone tablet appeared, bearing three ancient characters:

Immortality Path!

Immortality Path has opened!

Boom

The entire Beidou ancient star trembled; in almost an instant, every major life forbidden zone burst forth with an awe-inspiring qi capable of suppressing the whole universe, sweeping across the cosmos and engulfing heaven and earth, causing all living beings' hearts to shudder.

As the Road to Immortality opened, the supremes who had sealed themselves within the major life forbidden zones emerged!

Seeing this, Ye Fan's eyes involuntarily flashed a hint of resolve.

Even if he were no match for the forbidden zone's supreme, he would not stand by and watch the supreme launch a dark turmoil.

At the moment Ye Fan's thoughts turned, a childish voice suddenly sounded in his ear: "Go to the Undying Mountain!"

"Xiao Nannan"

Upon hearing the childish voice, Ye Fan instinctively looked toward the delicately carved Xiao Nannan beside him.

At that moment, Xiao Nannan's body faintly glowed with immortal light, transcendent and worldly, she seemed like a little fairy.

In a daze, Ye Fan felt that Xiao Nannan's figure seemed to overlap with that peerless elegance within the ancient forbidden zone.

However, Xiao Nannan's big eyes seemed a little dazed, and she merely uttered a childish voice: "Go to the Undying Mountain!"

"Undying Mountain"

Upon hearing these three words, the Black Emperor's eyes lit up; he instantly exchanged a glance with Ye Fan, past memories surfacing, vaguely understanding something.

"Come on, let's go to the Undying Mountain!"

The moment his words fell, Ye Fan placed Xiao Nannan on his shoulder and began to deduce the whereabouts of the Undying Mountain.

After a while, Ye Fan's eyes brightened slightly; he instantly tore through the void with the Black Emperor, disappearing outside the ancient forbidden zone.

Undying Mountain.

Once one of the seven great life forbidden zones of the Eastern Wasteland, it is a forbidden zone for living beings.

However, after that ancient anomaly, the Undying Mountain was shrouded by a supreme grand formation, completely vanishing from the world; aside from those supremes, no one could perceive its trace.

Within the Undying Mountain, stone statues lived like living beings, dwelling throughout the mountain range, all of them Holy Spirits.

The entire Undying Mountain life forbidden zone resembled a kingdom of Holy Spirits.

In the depths of the Undying Mountain lay a natural, leisurely peach orchard, within which stood several thatched cottages resembling rural farmhouses.

An extremely aged old man stood beside the thatched cottage, his turbid gaze fixed on the distant void, his eyes reflecting the collapsed ancient forbidden zone and the stone tablet inscribed with the Road to Immortality.

"Road to Immortality!"

A low murmur sounded, and the old man's eyes grew ever darker.

To say he did not wish to campaign for the Road to Immortality would be absolutely false.

Why else would he cut himself with a blade and seal himself within the Undying Mountain life forbidden zone, if not to become an immortal?

But now he is truly too old, nearly at the brink of dissipating into the Dao; his flesh has rotted, his primordial spirit has extinguished, and even the Imperial Dao principles begin to disintegrate.

Were it not for the Undying Mountain life forbidden zone's environment differing from the outer universe, which greatly benefits a Holy Spirit like him, he would have long since completely passed away in meditation.

Now he lacks the ability to campaign for the Road to Immortality.

"Ah"

After an unknown period, the old man let out a deep sigh.

He once was an emperor who overawed the universe, revered by all races, invincible of an era.

But to become an immortal, he relinquished all former glory, choosing to cut himself with a blade and seal himself within a life forbidden zone.

After finally awaiting the opening of the Road to Immortality, he is now utterly aged, lacking the ability to campaign for the immortal path; to him, this is how helpless and how cruel.

Nevertheless, no matter how unwilling the old man's heart may be, he clearly understands that his era has completely passed.

Now he has reached the end of his life; as long as he can see someone breakthrough the Road to Immortality, see a true immortal, and understand his inner obsession, he will be satisfied.

After a while, the old man gathered his thoughts and gazed toward the deepest part of the Undying Mountain.

"I wonder whether Daoist Nüwa will emerge and choose to campaign for the Road to Immortality?"

Before his thought had fully settled, the old man sensed something amiss and abruptly looked to his side.

Only then did he notice that a familiar figure in dark robes had appeared beside him at some point, something even he, a supreme, had not detected at first.

"Daoist Fuxi"

He instinctively prepared to salute, but the moment his gaze fell upon that dark-robed figure, the old man's mind began to tremble violently.

At this moment, as a supreme, he actually felt an inner illusion of his own insignificance.

Although the dark-robed figure before him emitted no aura, it gave the old man an instinctive feeling of reverence, as if facing a far stronger cultivator when his own cultivation was low.

This is a gap in the level of life!

Even when he had faced Daoist Nüwa before, it had never produced this feeling.

This had never happened since he attained the Dao.

"Fuxi."

Hearing the old man's words, Feng Yi withdrew his gaze from the Road to Immortality, calmly glanced at him, and gave a slight nod.

Boom

In the instant their gazes met, the old man's mind shook with a boom; dazed, he seemed to see a chaotic green lotus standing firm in the Hongmeng, a vast universe constantly evolving, and the vicissitudes of the river of fate.

In that fleeting moment of eternity, he seemed to glimpse the path above the Great Emperor, his heart stirred with an indescribable palpitation.

Immortal!

A thought that made the old man's mind tremble arose in his heart.

The Daoist Fuxi before him had surpassed the Great Emperor and become a true immortal!

Once this thought arose, it clung to his heart like a vine, plunging him into a dazed state.

Meanwhile, Feng Yi paid little heed to the old man, instead directly gazing into the depths of the Undying Mountain, toward the place where Nüwa had originally been in seclusion.

A hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes; Feng Yi's figure instantly vanished before the old man, entering Nüwa's secluded chamber.

Only after Feng Yi's figure had disappeared for a long while did the old man regain his senses, his eyes still retaining an undisguisable shock.

"Fuxi Daoist friend actually seems to have already become an immortal!"

Saying this subconsciously, the old man's eyes became unprecedentedly bright.

"There really are immortals in this world!"

The source place deep within Undying Mountain.

Feng Yi's figure appeared from the void, silently gazing at the secluded cultivation spot with no one present.

After an unknown amount of time, as if thinking of something, Feng Yi's eyes grew deep, his internal qi shifted, and he drew upon the power of the Law of Fate.

Rush—

Illusory water sounds arose, countless black-and-white light points appeared, forming an endless river of fate, within which countless scenes flowed.

At the same time, Feng Yi's eyes turned a pale gold, within which countless trigrams flowed, deducing Nüwa's whereabouts.

"Indeed, there isn't."

After an unknown time, a mysteriously toned whisper sounded, the river of fate before Feng Yi vanished, and the trigrams in his eyes also dissipated.

He merely gazed silently at the place where Nüwa had been in seclusion, saying nothing, his whole body seeming to turn into a stone statue.

"Younger sister."

After an unknown time, a low whisper sounded, and Feng Yi's figure vanished from the spot.

Outside Undying Mountain.

The void split open on its own, and the figures of Ye Fan and Heihuang appeared here.

Looking at the seemingly harmless life-forbidden zone of Undying Mountain ahead, Ye Fan felt an inexplicable palpitation in his heart.

At his current level, he had long since innovated upon the Source Heavenly Scripture, even surpassing the realm of the Source Heavenly Master; naturally he could clearly see that within Undying Mountain lay a terrifyingly extreme grand formation guarding it, even more fearsome than ordinary imperial formations, far beyond what he could now force his way through.

Gazing at distant Undying Mountain, Ye Fan's fingers shifted constantly as he continually deduced the formation's situation, seeking a possible safe entry.

But after a long while, he deeply exhaled and subconsciously shook his head.

Even having reached his current realm, he still could not deduce the formation's situation.

Afterward, he turned his gaze to the big black dog beside him, somewhat expectantly asking, "Heihuang, how is it? Can you deduce the changes of the grand formation?"

Although he understood that even he could not deduce the formation's situation, Heihuang was unlikely to either, yet Ye Fan still held a sliver of hope.

Hearing Ye Fan's words, Heihuang gave him a speechless look and shook his head.

"What should we do?"

Gazing into the distant void, seeing one supreme life after another emerge, Ye Fan's eyes involuntarily showed a hint of anxiety.

But just as Ye Fan and Heihuang were at a loss, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in their minds, startling both of them.

Subconsciously glancing at each other, their faces showed expressions of surprise and joy.

"Fuxi."

Hum—

Before the words faded, the surrounding void suddenly became hazy, as if a door to a special dimension had opened, and the two figures entered it directly, disappearing.

(End of chapter)