"What?"
The several Old Divine Monarchs could hardly believe it. The Demon Clan’s sages taking action was already beyond their expectations, let alone the thought that the inauspicious creatures from the Outer Realm had also made a move. This completely surpassed their imagination. As individuals who had survived since the Ancient Times, they knew exactly what the inauspicious creatures of the Outer Realm were.
They were terrifying existences. The Outer Domain, it could be said, was the most dangerous place in the entire Divine Domain precisely because of these creatures. Some of them were so powerful that even these Old Divine Monarchs were no match for them.
"Then what is your purpose in coming here?" the leading Old Divine Monarch asked calmly, his composure regained.
The Hu Ben Main God spoke respectfully, "Seniors, I need you to intimidate the inauspicious creatures within the Outer Realm! With them in the way, it’s impossible for us to defeat the Righteous Divine Lineage!"
This was the Hu Ben Main God’s condition, but to his confusion, the Old Divine Monarchs simply shook their heads.
"You do not understand the terror of the Outer Realm," the leading Old Divine Monarch explained. "Once those ancient, inauspicious beings slumbering since antiquity are angered, the entire Divine Domain could be annihilated by them. Therefore, we cannot act. If those creatures awaken, then even the combined forces of the Demon Clan, the Righteous Gods, and the Evil Gods would be no match for them!"
The Hu Ben Main God was shocked to hear such high praise for the inauspicious creatures from these venerable figures.
He spoke again, "Seniors, there is actually one more thing!"
"What is it?" one of them asked.
"In truth, these inauspicious creatures all serve a master," he revealed. "They all obey one person’s command!"
"And who might this person be?" the Old Divine Monarchs questioned.
"He is the one who killed the Little Divine Monarch—Ye Fan! He is garrisoned in the Outer Realm, and all those inauspicious creatures fight for him!"
Upon hearing this, the Old Divine Monarchs were startled. So such a legendary figure truly exists. This world is not as simple as we thought. Everything is beyond our expectations.
Realizing this young man possessed such power, they finally understood that the person they had looked down upon the most was, in fact, the most dangerous of all.
At this, the leading Old Divine Monarch declared, "Say no more. We understand. Since that boy has such abilities, he must die!"
"But he’s hiding in the Outer Realm, guarded by those inauspicious creatures. Killing him would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens!" the Hu Ben Main God immediately protested. They had already sacrificed two Main Gods and were still powerless against Ye Fan. To successfully execute him would likely require two or three of these six Old Divine Monarchs to descend personally. However, such an act would undoubtedly enrage the inauspicious creatures, and the Evil God lineage might never know peace again.
The leading Old Divine Monarch stated nonchalantly, "In the Divine Domain, there is no one the Divine Monarch Palace cannot kill."
"You may return for now. Regarding the war with the Righteous Gods, you are not to attack. You need only hold your position!"
The Hu Ben Main God was taken aback, not having expected these old titans to be so accommodating.
"Yes!" He had to agree, for he would never dare to talk back to them.
The Old Divine Monarch continued, "Actually, those inauspicious creatures are not so fearsome. While their combat strength is formidable, if we can find one particular item, their doom is certain!"
"Oh?" The Hu Ben Main God was puzzled. What could possibly subdue such beings?
The Old Divine Monarch explained, "That item is the Divine Talisman. Several thousand years ago, it appeared in the mortal world, but our divinations and calculations show that its whereabouts have since become unknown again. Therefore, the most critical task now is to find it. The Divine Talisman is the nemesis of those inauspicious creatures! Whoever obtains it can dominate the Divine Domain!"
The Hu Ben Main God was astounded. Of course, he had heard of the Divine Talisman, but he had always dismissed it as an exaggerated myth and never thought it was real. This will not be an easy task.
For this reason, he promised, "I will do my utmost to find it!"
"Enough. We have searched for so many years without success; it’s not something you can find merely through effort. However, our calculations predict that the Divine Talisman will resurface before long! When that time comes, it will be the moment for the Divine Monarch Palace to act."
As his words fell, the Divine Monarch Palace grew completely dark. When the Hu Ben Main God came to his senses, he found himself back at the foot of the steps he had intended to climb. He then turned and retreated.
...
In the Outer Realm, the army from the Guardian Realm was in high spirits. In the recent battle, the Evil God lineage had unexpectedly lost two of its Main Gods—a truly substantial victory. However, this didn’t seem to be the outcome Ye Fan had ultimately desired. What excited his forces even more was that Ye Fan was using the Immortal Mines to advance their cultivation. Under the nourishment of these resources, their strength was increasing exponentially.
Whenever he had free time, Ye Fan would spend it with his women, as several of them had come to the Divine Domain.
One day, Su Qingxue suddenly asked, "Honey, what kind of world lies beyond the Outer Domain?"
"You want to go?" Ye Fan inquired.
"No, that’s not it. I just have this feeling that someone is calling to me! So, I really want to go out and have a look!" Su Qingxue said directly.
"Alright! I can go with you!" said Ye Fan.
"No, you’re safest here in the Outer Realm for now. Wait until you break through to the Main God realm, then you can accompany me!" Su Qingxue refused decisively.
Ye Fan laughed. "It’s no problem. We can sneak out. We’ll be able to evade the spies of the Evil God lineage!"
"Really? Can we actually do that?" Su Qingxue was still incredulous.
"Don’t you trust me to handle things?" Ye Fan asked.
"Mhm!" Su Qingxue was very content. Even after so much time had passed, Ye Fan was as good to her as ever. She felt completely satisfied.
The two of them quietly left the Outer Realm and traveled to Thunder State, the territory ruled by God Slaying. After arriving and seeing the unique style of the Divine Domain, Su Qingxue was filled with longing for this world, having grown tired of her high-tech era. While the age of technology was convenient, it could feel tiresome. A world like this was far more captivating.
At that moment, Ye Fan said, "Honey, since we’re here, I’ll go pay a visit to Senior Brother God Slaying!"
"Okay!"
Su Qingxue accompanied Ye Fan to God Slaying Mansion. However, God Slaying was busy leading a counterattack against the Evil Gods and was not in Thunder State. Disappointed, Ye Fan and Su Qingxue could only leave.
That evening, they found an inn to stay the night. Ye Fan held Su Qingxue close, a feeling of immense happiness washing over him. Amidst these years of relentless war, he still had his beloved by his side.
However, he noticed something was off with Su Qingxue. Ever since they left God Slaying Mansion, she had become unusually quiet. Although the Su Qingxue he knew could be reserved, this current version lacked her usual aloof aura, which left Ye Fan puzzled.
He replayed the scene at God Slaying Mansion in his mind. He and Su Qingxue hadn’t been separated, except for the brief moment she had excused herself to use the restroom. At that thought, Ye Fan instantly realized what might have happened.
Just as he was about to restrain her, she had already pressed two fingers onto his Spiritual Spring—the very foundation of a Martial Artist. With his Spiritual Spring sealed, Ye Fan was unable to draw upon his power.
Suddenly, Su Qingxue smiled, a strange and unsettling expression on her face.
Ye Fan knew that the real Su Qingxue had likely been replaced. He could break the seal on his Spiritual Spring, but it would take time.
"Honey, what are you doing?" he said, forcing a calm tone. "Our bond is deep, but this kind of joke isn’t funny, is it? A joke like this wounds our pride!"
In the next instant, her fingers clasped his neck. She laughed. "Look how clever you are. You almost figured it out! I’ve placed the Six Paths Heavenly Lock on you. You won’t be able to break it!"
"Who are you?" Ye Fan’s voice was cold as ice.
This person’s disguise was terrifying. He hadn’t noticed a single thing amiss during their entire journey. If not for that faint, intermittent aura he had detected, he would never have been able to determine that this person was not Su Qingxue.