Chapter 537: Chapter 536: The Existence of Fear

Afterward, Ye Fan looked toward the Spirit Domain. Although distant from the Spirit Suppressing Domain, the once-bustling region was now a scene of dismal wailing.

I will soon step into that place to thoroughly stabilize the situation in the Spirit Suppressing Domain. Yet, he felt no joy in his heart. He knew that once the Spirit Domain was dealt with, even stronger enemies awaited, such as the Divine World—the most troublesome of them all.

In a sense, the Spirit Domain was merely a spokesperson for the Divine Race. In harsher terms, it was their puppet. The ultimate root of the chaos lay in the Divine World.

He wondered if he could ever be like the mighty figure from ancient times, who dominated gods and demons and awed the heavens. Even if he could, that would likely be many years in the future, as he had not yet even reached the threshold of godhood. The idea of slaying gods seems rather far-fetched for now.

To continue growing stronger, he would need to undergo repeated transformations through Nirvana, a long and arduous process of cultivation.

However, Ye Fan still held some confidence. Though he admitted he could not compare with the ancient powers, he knew that as long as he persisted on this path of cultivation, he would one day reach their level. He gazed toward the Divine World that lay beyond the Spirit Domain. That is the place I must conquer.

He set a grand vow for himself: he would rise by stepping on the heads of the Divine Race. The Divine Race would be nothing more than training material for his growth.

On the fifth day, Ye Fan gathered several great Reincarnation Realm experts. They knew Ye Fan was preparing for a major move; otherwise, he would not have summoned them all.

Indeed, Ye Fan had a major action planned. It was a significant one that would turn the tide for the Spirit Suppressing Domain. This would be its most glorious battle—a battle to completely eliminate the Divine Race’s lackeys, the Spirit Domain.

At that moment, Zhuang Zhou asked Ye Fan, "Brother Ye, are you preparing for an all-out assault?"

"Yes!" Ye Fan nodded.

General Rushuang, Cain, and the two women by his side all nodded. They understood Ye Fan very well; when he said he would act, he meant it, without the slightest hesitation.

At this, Fa Ming and Zhuang Zhou both looked troubled.

Ye Fan asked, "What seems to be the matter, esteemed seniors?"

Fa Ming spoke up, "Brother Ye, although the Spirit Domain’s strongest enemy, the West Spirit King, has been eliminated, we must still proceed with caution!"

The others looked at the two in confusion. Fa Ming and Zhuang Zhou had guarded this place for a thousand years, so they obviously had a deeper understanding of this world and its secrets.

"If there’s a problem, just say it!" Cain urged. Not being a patient man, he was eager to get going.

Fa Ming explained, "This story goes back more than a thousand years. At that time, the West Spirit King was merely a Spirit Clan Commander, not yet a Spirit King. My master had already broken through the ultimate limit, reaching a level of strength similar to yours now! He defeated many Spirit Clan Commanders and was preparing to attack the Spirit Domain’s headquarters, but he was trapped by their Slaying Spirit Array. He perished within it, torn apart and killed by the array!"

Fa Ming’s point was simple: there was once someone as powerful as you—our master—who attacked the Spirit Domain headquarters and was slain by the Slaying Spirit Array.

Ye Fan and the others fell silent. This was indeed a grave danger. It now made sense why the Spirit Domain martial artists had been so desperate in their recent assaults; their ultimate goal must have been to activate the Slaying Spirit Array.

At that moment, Ye Fan countered, "If that’s the case, is it possible the West Spirit King didn’t attack the Spirit Suppressing Domain all these years because he had things he was wary of as well?"

That was a point worth contemplating.

Zhuang Zhou said, "That was because of the Spirit Suppressing Domain’s barrier! But just before he launched his final attack, the barrier suddenly shattered. The heavens are about to change!"

The abrupt shattering of the Spirit Suppressing Domain’s barrier was no coincidence in Zhuang Zhou’s eyes. It was likely tied to many hidden secrets.

Ye Fan immediately nodded.

Then Heather asked, "Senior, what is the origin of this Spirit Suppressing Barrier?"

Everyone turned to look at Zhuang Zhou.

He explained, "The Spirit Suppressing Barrier was set up by that mighty being before his demise. It was only through the repairs of the Five Ancestors of the Yan Clan that we managed to barely hold on!"

"What was that mighty being’s name?"

Until now, they still didn’t know the name of the being who was capable of slaying gods.

Fa Ming answered, "The Ancestor of Tianyuan!"

The name was indeed terrifying. Although not an Ancestor Realm powerhouse, being granted the title of ’Ancestor’ proved that the Ancestor of Tianyuan was an exceptionally formidable figure.

"Furthermore, our master, Master Fazhuang, was one of the Ancestor of Tianyuan’s disciples!"

No one had expected such a complex connection. It certainly broadened their horizons. However, they couldn’t deny the facts. While Master Fazhuang could stand shoulder to shoulder with a Spirit King, the Ancestor of Tianyuan was capable of slaying gods. In the entire Divine World, no one dared to defy him.

This means Master Fazhuang was likely the Ancestor of Tianyuan’s weakest disciple, or if not the absolute weakest, he was among the lowest-ranking. Of course, this was not to mock Master Fazhuang. He had sacrificed himself for the entire Spirit Suppressing Domain. Such a person, no matter how weak their cultivation, was worthy of respect.

The group nodded in agreement.

Ye Fan then brought the conversation back to the present issue. He asked, "What is the origin of this Slaying Spirit Array?"

"The Slaying Spirit Array was left behind by the Divine Race," Zhuang Zhou explained. "Although they have always wanted to enslave mortals and use them as test subjects, they also fear that one day a mortal might arise who is as formidable as the Ancestor of Tianyuan! Therefore, the four great Divine Thrones of the Divine Race created the Slaying Spirit Formation. Once the Slaying Spirit Formation is broken, it will alert all four of them!"

Ye Fan said, "I still stand by my decision. The Divine World has oppressed our mortal realm for thousands of years. Even if there is a Slaying Spirit Array, I will challenge it!"

"As will I!" General Rushuang promptly declared.

The others all voiced their support.

Zhuang Zhou and Fa Ming also said, "Brother Ye, you are the one most likely to surpass the Ancestor of Tianyuan. You are the best chance the Human Clan’s secular world has against the Divine Race! Therefore, we support you. We are even willing to test the array with our own lives to help you find its weaknesses!"

Their stance was unmistakable. They didn’t just support Ye Fan; they were willing to sacrifice themselves to help him find a flaw in the Slaying Spirit Array. Their resolve was enough to shock everyone present.

Ye Fan said, "There’s no need. Although the Slaying Spirit Array can kill Spirit King-level Martial Artists, I still have confidence."

The two men had no choice but to acquiesce. Perhaps this is the bearing of one destined to become an Ancestor! they thought. They said no more, choosing instead to support Ye Fan in silence.

Ye Fan said, "Go and make the arrangements. Tomorrow, we attack the Spirit Domain!"

"Yes!"

The group immediately departed to carry out his orders.

That night, Ye Fan stood in an ancient pavilion in the Spirit Suppressing Domain, poring over the legends of the Ancestor of Tianyuan.