The Evil You Ancestor said, "In the end, it seems I’m not as capable as I once was. To think we let the two Divine Monarchs escape!"
"They won’t live much longer," Ye Fan said.
The Evil You Ancestor agreed, "Yes, they indeed won’t live much longer, but if we can’t locate them, we’re still in a great deal of trouble!"
Ye Fan nodded. Then he said, "Once my injuries have healed, I will make my push into the Divine Monarch Realm!"
"The Divine Monarch Realm? Don’t you still need more time to consolidate your power?" the Evil You Ancestor asked curiously.
Ye Fan replied, "If I don’t make any progress, what’s the point of further consolidation? That’s just like fishing with my eyes closed. So, even if my Main God Realm has flaws, I must break through to the Divine Monarch Realm. I believe that with my methods, I can make up for any flaws after I arrive. If I don’t try, how will I ever know if there’s a problem with my Main God Realm to begin with?"
The Evil You Ancestor said, "You’re right. It seems your mindset has matured. That’s good. Once you break through to the Divine Monarch Realm, I believe victory will be in your grasp even without my intervention!"
However, Ye Fan remarked, "You worry too much, Senior. This world cannot do without you!"
"Hahaha, it looks like a peaceful life is out of the question," the Evil You Ancestor said with a laugh.
Ye Fan also laughed. The two of them quickly left the ruins of the God Monarch Palace. Since the palace itself was no longer there, it was only natural for them to depart.
「Three days later, the world was shaken.」
The Evil Divine Lineage had been completely defeated, and even the once-unassailable God Monarch Palace had vanished. This news had an enormous impact on the Divine Domain. They had believed the struggle between the Righteous Gods and the Evil Divine Lineage would last a thousand years, yet no one had expected that the Evil Divine Lineage, which once ruled the Divine Domain, would be annihilated so quickly. The Righteous Divine Lineage had taken control of the entire domain, and the long war between righteousness and evil had finally come to an end.
The armies of the Evil Divine Lineage scattered. They wanted to flee, but where in the vast Divine Domain could they call home? They once had the Outer Realm, but that place had long since become Ye Fan’s territory. Their last refuge had been destroyed. Could they possibly seek asylum with the Demon Clan? Of course, the Demon Clan would never accept them.
Ye Fan did not order the Righteous Divine Lineage to carry out a massacre. They were all people of this world. With the masterminds dead, there was no need to trouble the small fry. To this end, Ye Fan began a purge, targeting only those Martial Artists who refused to submit to the Righteous Divine Lineage. This campaign lasted for a full decade. During those ten years, the remnants of the Evil Divine Lineage rebelled countless times, but they were brutally suppressed with each attempt.
「After ten years, Ye Fan emerged from seclusion.」
He had recovered from all his injuries. He never expected it would take so long just to heal. A full ten years! It seems a Divine Monarch’s strike is truly extraordinary! Otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed a decade to recover. After ten years, Ye Fan prepared for a momentous event: his breakthrough.
He was ready to ascend to the Divine Monarch Realm.
Once he broke through, Ye Fan believed that, aside from the Evil You Ancestor, no one else in this world would be his match. However, he didn’t dare underestimate the Divine Domain. After all, there was always someone stronger out there.
He spent another three years on his preparations. Then, one day, Ye Fan disappeared alone. No one knew where he had gone. At that moment, he was in the deepest part of the Outer Realm.
The Evil You Ancestor asked him, "Are you ready?"
"Senior, I have prepared for three years. All is in order," Ye Fan said resolutely.
"Good. This breakthrough might end in failure, because you haven’t identified the flaws in your Main God Realm," the Evil You Ancestor said. "But that’s just a possibility. I believe you have a way to handle it!"
Ye Fan nodded. "Senior, I will do my utmost to break through and perfect my Cultivation Technique in the process! I believe my realm is complete!"
"Good. Since you are ready, I will ensure no one comes within a thousand miles of this place. I will stand guard for you!"
"Thank you for your trouble, Senior!" Ye Fan said gratefully.
In reality, he was worried. The two Divine Monarchs from the Evil Divine Lineage had been missing for ten years. If they chose this moment to launch a surprise attack, the consequences would be catastrophic. It was impossible for him not to be concerned. However, with the Evil You Ancestor standing guard, it was a different story. With him present, even a combined attack from both Divine Monarchs could be easily neutralized.
"Protecting you is my duty!" the Evil You Ancestor said. "When do you plan to begin your breakthrough?"
Ye Fan replied, "I will begin in three days!"
"Alright. For the next three days, I will not disturb you."
「Three days later, it was time.」
Ye Fan was already in a meditative state, preparing to face the tribulation, but the Heavenly Tribulation had not yet descended. The Evil You Ancestor was filled with anticipation. He was about to witness Ye Fan’s spectacular Heavenly Tribulation once again. Ever since he saw it the last time, he had been eagerly awaiting this moment. Now, his anticipation was becoming reality.
Just then, the sky filled with dark clouds. Flashes of lightning were followed by peals of thunder. Following a familiar pattern, bolts of lightning crashed down upon Ye Fan. He began to endure it all. After the initial barrage, his entire body was scorched black. He gasped. The current Heavenly Tribulation was terrifying. But he knew this was merely a prelude—it couldn’t even be called an appetizer.
Finally, the Heavenly Tribulation roared to life. One after another, great executioner’s blades formed and fell from the sky, shocking Ye Fan. He withstood countless strikes, his head nearly being severed, but he successfully weathered the calamity.
The Evil You Ancestor’s heart pounded in his chest. Such a bizarre Heavenly Tribulation... he no longer had the courage to even think of interfering. The last time he helped Ye Fan, the tribulation had nearly killed him in response. Ye Fan, as a heaven-defier, could withstand its baptism. But he could not; he was a far cry from a true heaven-defier.
In the end, Ye Fan successfully survived the Heavenly Tribulation.
But the dark clouds in the sky had not dispersed. His physique had become even stronger than before, which was why he had the courage to face the tribulation head-on. This time was strange. He had expected the tribulation to coalesce an ancient phantom to battle him, but none appeared.
How strange! Is it over? the Evil You Ancestor wondered. From the looks of it, that seemed to be the case.
Ye Fan also breathed a sigh of relief as the dark clouds began to recede.
Could I have become so strong that even the Heavenly Tribulation can no longer contend with me? he thought joyfully.
Of course, this thought was laughably arrogant. It was pure self-flattery. Though he was powerful, who in history had ever dared claim to be stronger than the Heavenly Tribulation itself? It was utter nonsense.
At that moment, Ye Fan quietly rose to his feet, ready to receive the baptism of the Dao.
But the next moment, a tyrannical aura saturated the entire sky.
The Evil You Ancestor’s relaxed expression vanished, replaced by shock and an unprecedented sense of dread. He was terrified of this horrifying power.