Chapter 497: The Desire to Grow Stronger

"As expected… the plan is huge! And… it looks like they succeeded?!" Ye Zhengrong's voice was hoarse.

Ye Shizu nodded slowly, without detailing the complex plot involving traitors, sacrifices and the ultimate existence, and said in a deep voice, "The Dark Gate has been pried open. The shadow of disaster is spreading from No Return. I must set out at once; there… needs me even more."

He looked at Ye Wuque, his gaze profound: "Wuque, you have done well, far exceeding my expectations. But time… may be short. Seize this temporary calm on the Other Shore, at any cost, and quickly strengthen yourself! The future storms will be far more ferocious than imagined. The future of the Ye Clan, the hope of Nine Heavens Ten Earth… a great part rests on your generation."

Finally, he left a weighty, prophetic remark: "Darkness Has Arrived… take care of yourselves."

As his words fell, Ye Shizu did not linger, nor did he converse further with Ye Zhengrong; his figure flickered and turned into a brilliant supreme light, soaring skyward, smashing through the celestial dome of the stars, plunging into the endless lofty void, heading toward the dreaded No Return that even the Supreme dare not name, and set out on the journey without hesitation.

In the hall, silence fell again, but the air was oppressively heavy.

Ye Zhengrong and Ye Wuque faced each other in silence, each seeing shock, weight, and an imminent sense of crisis in the other's eyes.

No Return is in trouble!

The Other Shore and the ominous terrifying plot have succeeded!

Even the founder bluntly says Darkness Has Arrived, time is short!

What does this mean?

It means that the boundless darkness that has shrouded ancient histories, causing countless sages to bleed, the endless despair symbolizing the end of civilization, the cataclysm that can destroy heaven and earth… are no longer merely legends and warnings, but truly emanating from the source of No Return, spreading toward the Zhutian Wanjie.

This is a terrifying beginning!

It is the prelude of a nightmare invading reality!

In Ye Wuque's mind, an image involuntarily resurfaced—a fleeting glimpse, by chance within a Time‑Space Fragment, of a possible future fragment:

It was endless darkness devouring the Star River, the Wanjie shattered, the ashes of civilization drifting in the cold wind, living beings scorched, wails filling the fields, an absolute deathly silence with no glimmer of light or hope… Though it was merely one of countless possible futures, not guaranteed to occur, that desperate vision had already been deeply imprinted on his soul, becoming one of the motivations for his relentless strengthening and desire to break fate.

And now, the founder's warning, the upheaval of No Return, seem to be thrusting that terrifying future violently toward reality!

"This dark future… I absolutely do not want to see it happen!"

Ye Wuque let out a silent roar in his heart, his hands instinctively clenching into fists, nails digging deep into his palms, sending stabs of pain, yet far less than the burning resolve within.

He recalled a saying from Kong: if one becomes strong enough to surpass all, strong enough that a single ray of light can pierce immortal time, a fingertip can crush the heavens and ages, strong enough to truly transcend the shackles of fate and causality… then the future… might be altered!

Yet at this moment, Ye Wuque, though he can effortlessly slay the immortal, hailed as the Bianhuang War God, with a hundred‑year achievement that astonishes the world…

But he knows clearly that facing the darkness that can emanate from the depths of No Return, making even the founder solemn, facing the possibly revived ultimate existence and the Era Great Calamity… he is still like a small boat in a raging storm, like a speck of dust before a cataclysmic flood!

Too weak! Still too weak!

The cultivation time is ultimately too short!

A hundred years of brilliance appears so hurried, so powerless before darkness and calamities measured in eras.

In this instant, Ye Wuque's yearning for supreme power, his urgency to become stronger faster, reached an unprecedented peak!

It was a fierce flame mixing the thought of protection, unyielding fighting spirit, and heavy responsibility, raging in his chest, almost bursting out of his body!

Beside him, Ye Zhengrong's expression was equally severe to the extreme.

At his level, the scope of contact is higher, allowing him to better perceive how precarious the current situation of the Zhutian Wanjie truly is.

He murmured softly, his voice carrying a deep awareness and urgency:

"Other Shore, ominous, Darkness Has Arrived… this is truly a sign that the great edifice will collapse, the Era will end…"

He saw a flash of resolute light in his eyes, "We can no longer proceed step by step. It's time… to find a way to strike that step. Otherwise, when the true great calamity fully descends, we won't even have the qualification to partake in the game, to be a piece; how can we speak of protection, of change?"

He suddenly turned, his eyes bright as he looked at Ye Wuque, his tone unprecedentedly solemn:

"Wuque!"

Ye Wuque looked up, meeting his father's stern gaze.

"I originally planned to wait a few more years, prepare more thoroughly, then head to a dangerous ancient Forbidden Land, the Closed Death Gate, to attempt a breakthrough. But now the situation has changed dramatically; not a single day can be delayed!" Ye Zhengrong accelerated his speech, "I will set out at once!"

He carefully instructed: "You must depart immediately, return to the Jiutian Ten Earth Homeland. Stay as much as possible in the Ye Clan Ancestral Land, or go to the Great Thousand Divine Universe. There the seals are numerous, the foundation profound, relatively safe. If the chance arises… you may also go to the Xuanhuang World, Jiang Clan, to find your mother. The Jiang Clan is an Undying Aristocratic Family, its depth unfathomable, possibly offering you greater protection and opportunities."

His gaze revealed deep worry: "Remember, the undercurrents are raging; too many seek your life! The treacherous ones of the Other Shore, the ominous minions, and… those hidden traitors! They will never allow a seed like you to grow. If you venture out for training later, be extremely cautious, do not trust others lightly, stay vigilant at all times!"

As he spoke, Ye Zhengrong flipped his hand and produced an object—a simple jade talisman, its texture warm and icy, its surface coursing with extremely intricate, arcane dark‑gold Dao patterns, faintly exuding a heart‑pounding aura.

He placed the jade talisman solemnly into Ye Wuque's hand: "Take this. It is a rare treasure, containing an immensely powerful force; use it cautiously, but when the time comes, do not hesitate!"

Ye Wuque grasped the jade talisman still warm with his father's body heat, feeling the overwhelming power and deep paternal love, and nodded heavily: "I understand, Father! Rest assured, I will act cautiously and become strong as soon as possible!"

Ye Zhengrong, pleased, patted his son's shoulder, then turned to the ever‑watchful Fu Bo and Huangfu Huang, carefully assigning them to guard the Bianhuang, handle subsequent affairs, and covertly monitor Ye Wuque's movements.

Having finished his instructions, Ye Zhengrong felt no lingering attachment.

He gave Ye Wuque a deep look, his gaze filled with expectation, worry, and unparalleled resolve.

Instantly, a vast, magnificent Star River power erupted around him; with a single step, his figure vanished above the stars, leaving only a fading spatial ripple, heading toward an ancient Forbidden Land of unknown danger and opportunity even to Ye Wuque.

The father departed, the founder headed to No Return, the Bianhuang war temporarily ceased…

Ye Wuque stood alone in the hall, holding the jade talisman, gazing at the starry sky.

In the distance, countless streaks of light could be seen leaving Bianhuang, returning to the Jiutian Ten Earth Homeland, a surviving army after the calamity, yet bewildered about the future.

He knew that one era had ended, and a harsher, darker era… was knocking at the door.

"Power… I need even stronger power!"

Ye Wuque inhaled deeply, pressing the surging emotions and fierce yearning deep into his heart, his gaze once again calm and resolute.

He turned, bowing to Fu Bo: "Fu Bo, regarding the Bianhuang affairs, I have trouble you. Wuque will now return to the Ye Clan."

Fu Bo looked at him kindly, his eyes full of encouragement: "Young Master, go without worry. This old servant will guard this place. Young Master… take care!"

After bidding farewell to Fu Bo, Ye Wuque transformed into a brilliant golden stream of light, bursting from this star, merging into the vast torrent returning to the Jiutian Ten Earth Homeland.

His goal was clear—Ye Clan Ancestral Land.