Chapter 788: The Path of Invincibility

BZZZZ—

Standing before the ancient castle, Ye Tianling gathered his Bloodline Power and pushed, but the door didn’t budge.

The castle gate remained completely still.

However, several bloodline totems began to shift and change on the castle’s surface.

Emperor Patterns gathered and dispersed, transforming into the totemic forms of twelve incomparably ancient Divine Beasts, which swirled in a continuous cycle.

The ancient gate vibrated, but it did not open.

In the sky, layers of clouds suddenly pressed down, as if an apocalyptic crisis was about to descend.

"These are Emperor Patterns evolving into War Beast Totems. We don’t understand their meaning. Tianling, let’s retreat. We can return when we’re stronger."

Que De’s expression became incredibly grave. He saw the potential danger at a glance and immediately tried to dissuade him.

Ye Tianling, however, said nothing.

His eyes were glued to the transformations of the twelve Ancient Divine Beasts, his heart filled with shock.

"These are the Twelve Shapes."

Ye Tianling spoke suddenly.

"What ’Twelve Shapes’?"

Wan Jimie and Que De were stunned, not understanding what Ye Tianling meant.

But from his tone, they could tell that Ye Tianling seemed to recognize these War Beast Totem Emperor Patterns.

"It’s nothing. Let me give it a try."

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Tianling channeled Yanyan’s Bloodline Power and attempted to manifest the twelve forms of the Shape and Intent Battle Beasts.

As expected, the moment the thought arose, he barely had to do anything himself. Yanyan’s body acted instinctively, using her bloodline to perform a Transformation and carve out the corresponding War Beast Totems.

Dragon Soul, Tiger Soul, Snake Soul, Eagle Soul...

This time, the Emperor Patterns were manifested through bloodline.

But the bloodline was not Ye Tianling’s; it was Yanyan’s.

’Yanyan is the one in control this time. What is she trying to tell me? What secrets are hidden in this Emperor’s Burial Land?’

’Why does Yanyan know the Twelve Shapes of Shape and Intent Fist? And how can she execute them at such a high level?’

’Aren’t the Twelve Shapes part of Huaxia’s National Martial Arts Xingyi Fist?’

’Could it be that the Great Emperor buried here was one of the Huaxia People, who died in this place?’

It was impossible to imagine the shock in Ye Tianling’s heart.

Unfortunately, he had no answers.

While he was lost in thought, his body had already instinctively completed the condensation of the totem transformations. He couldn’t even remember the process of how these Emperor Patterns were formed.

The castle door opened.

An unexpected scene appeared before Ye Tianling and the others.

It was a blood-red starry sky.

Yes, it was as if the curtain to a corner of the cosmos had been thrown open in an instant, revealing the vast, starry expanse.

A lonely and cold cosmos, distant and profound.

In the distance, stars shone brilliantly.

Up close, within a blood-colored world, an Ancient Coffin stood silently.

The Ancient Coffin was massive, shackled on all sides by totem chains that resembled various ancient Exotic Beasts.

Ye Tianling instinctively started to fly over, but Que De grabbed him and held him back.

"Don’t go over there."

Que De called out instinctively, his voice low.

He used his Ancestral Dao Soul-Suppressing Sound. His voice was hoarse, yet exceptionally grave.

The hair on his entire body stood on end.

The sense of crisis was so extreme that he acted without regard for his own safety.

Wan Jimie stared intently at the blood-colored world and the immense Ancient Coffin.

"We must retreat. We can’t go any further."

Wan Jimie also grabbed Ye Tianling.

Ye Tianling froze, then inexplicably reached up to wipe the corner of his eye.

A streak of blood fell onto his hand.

It seemed to be a tear of blood shed by this physical shell.

Ye Tianling shuddered. He looked up at the faintly trembling Purple Flame Lotus above his head and said, "Send us out... We are powerless right now."

His words were tinged with an inexplicable sadness and sincerity.

BZZZZ—

The Purple Flame Lotus transformed into a streak of purple light and instantly shot into the space between Ye Tianling’s eyebrows.

Ye Tianling shuddered as he felt the world turn upside down.

The next moment, it felt as though the entire world was spinning endlessly, plunging time and again into a bottomless abyss.

Yet, Ye Tianling’s heart was unusually calm. Beside him, Que De and Wan Jimie seemed to have lost all consciousness.

Perhaps only a moment passed, or perhaps an entire eon. Ye Tianling, Wan Jimie, and Que De found themselves back at Nine Dragon Ridge. Not far off, he could still sense Qianyu in the middle of her epiphany, comprehending the ’Nine Dragon Venerable’ Power of Laws from the ridge.

"We have to return to the Land of the Celestial Desolate Forbidden Array. The Array can’t be maintained, and we feel its summons. Tianling, don’t come back here. If you’re not careful, you’ll be damned for all eternity. Erase these memories, or seal them away permanently."

Que De instructed him earnestly.

He seemed to have thought of something but didn’t dare to say it.

Wan Jimie also nodded. Though he said nothing, his expression was just as grave.

"I know. This is probably the karmic consequence of me obtaining the Venerable Female Corpse."

Having returned to Nine Dragon Ridge, the three felt as though they had just survived a terrifying True Void, and they were filled with emotion.

As for the Venerable Female Corpse that Ye Tianling possessed, her life potential had once again fallen into a state of depletion after this incident.

She was still withered and haggard, looking like a Fierce Ghost, her hair still dry and her features still hideous.

Ye Tianling knew this wasn’t her fault. Rather, the exertion from this excursion had caused the Venerable Female Corpse to nearly exhaust all of her potential.

’Yanyan... I will definitely help you resolve all your hidden troubles. Since you can still shed tears of blood, there will surely come a day when you are resurrected. I, Ye Tianling, will forever remember in my heart the grace you showed by saving my life during the Hell Celestial Tribulation and passing on your teachings!’

Ye Tianling consoled Yanyan in his heart.

He knew that somewhere in the unseen world, the Venerable, perhaps even Empress Level, Yanyan could definitely hear him.

...

Having fulfilled the promise in his heart, Ye Tianling’s thoughts became clearer and more focused. His Strong Heart grew even more brilliant and crystalline, untainted by a speck of dust.

He exhaled a breath of turbid air, feeling as if he had undergone another baptism of life. His entire Essence, Qi, and Spirit felt more refined and settled.

"Tianling, take care of yourself. Think about Ouyang Ruoxue, about Ye Yuemei and Ancient Fairy. Don’t lose heart. You are already so strong. As Daoist Ancestors at the Great Perfection realm, even we feel ashamed of our inferiority. What regrets could you possibly have?"

Que De patted Ye Tianling’s shoulder, comforting him again.

Wan Jimie also spoke up, "Tianling, I’ll be waiting for you to open the Ancestor Dragon Holy Land. When that day comes, I will bring the Inheritors under my command to pledge allegiance to you. The honor and disgrace of my Ten Thousand Races and the Fang Family will depend on you.

As for the setback you’ve just faced, it’s not truly a setback. At the very least, you now understand the path of the Ten Thousand Ancient Essence Blood, and you’ve witnessed what true invincibility looks like.

Comparatively, for us Daoist Ancestors to undergo the Ten Thousand Ancient Essence Blood transformation is even more difficult—it is a path of blood and tears.

None of us are discouraged, so you must look on the bright side."

Hearing this, Ye Tianling felt a sense of relief and smiled confidently. "I’m not discouraged. My fighting spirit has only grown stronger. I originally thought my Dao was a lonely one, but now I see I am far from qualified to think that way! Only after witnessing such an invincible expert do I now understand how the path to invincibility should be walked!

My brothers, we will meet again at the Taiyin Ancient Tomb!"

Ye Tianling bid farewell to Que De and Wan Jimie, then walked out of Nine Dragon Ridge and approached Qianyu.

This time, Qianyu still sensed his presence but paid him no mind.

She clearly knew that Ye Tianling would not do anything to her.