At this moment, Yun Fan began to sever Xi Huang’s origin.
It was evident that Xi Huang was in great pain. After all, her origin had been the most crucial part of her cultivation from the very beginning.
It was also an inseparable part.
To sever it now was, for a martial artist, akin to a fatal blow.
Yet, she had no choice but to do so.
This was not an exceedingly long, nor a short process. During this time, Xi Huang had to endure pain hundreds of times greater than ordinary people.
Most individuals could not withstand it.
Fortunately, Xi Huang was a powerhouse of the Void Realm.
Unexpectedly, at this very moment, a powerful force erupted from behind Yun Fan.
Yun Fan immediately turned and saw a figure clad in pure gold. His very bloodline was golden.
"Golden Ancient Clan!"
Xi Huang's expression changed. She was by no means unfamiliar with the Golden Ancient Clan, as they were one of the Ten Great Ancient Clans of the Final Era.
Being entirely golden was their unique characteristic.
He said to Yun Fan, "I didn't expect you to return!"
As he looked at Yun Fan, his eyes blazed with an endless fighting spirit.
Yun Fan then asked, "You know me?"
Though he had been the supreme expert of the Final Era, so many cycles of reincarnation had passed, he thought others would surely have forgotten him!
The other replied, "Of course I know you. When I was young, I once glimpsed your power. I never imagined I would have the chance to fight you again in this lifetime!"
"My name is Jin Sheng!"
He told Yun Fan, "Please remember my name, for I will be the one to send you on your way personally!"
His words were imbued with immense dominance.
Yun Fan responded, "That remains to be seen. Since you know me, you should also know how terrifying I am!"
"Your terror was in the past, not the present!"
Jin Sheng said to Yun Fan, "In this era, you will ultimately be eliminated!"
"Is that so?"
Yun Fan moved decisively, charging straight at Jin Sheng. He had done what he needed to do. Now, his task was to stall Jin Sheng and give Xi Huang ample time to break free.
Of course, if the opportunity arose, he wished to kill Jin Sheng.
With that, Yun Fan threw a punch at Jin Sheng. He poured all his strength into this strike; it could not be called weak.
It could only be said that anything standing in Yun Fan's path was unlikely to withstand this punch.
Boom!
As the punch landed, it struck Jin Sheng squarely. Perhaps Jin Sheng had never considered evading it.
Under the backlash of the force, Yun Fan was sent staggering backward repeatedly.
"Hiss!"
Yun Fan gasped, astonished at how incredibly strong Jin Sheng's physical body was. His punch had caused no damage whatsoever.
This greatly moved Yun Fan.
"So strong!"
Even Yun Fan could not help but exclaim at this moment.
Jin Sheng said, "You no longer possess the ferocity of your past. In those days, I witnessed with my own eyes my father being slain by you! Now, you cannot even break through my defenses!"
These words dripped with mockery.
After all, in that era, Yun Fan had been too brilliant. Even the patriarch of the Golden Ancient Clan, known for having the strongest defense, had been killed by him.
To think that in this era, he could not even breach Jin Sheng's defense.
It wasn't that Jin Sheng had become stronger, but that Yun Fan had grown weaker.
Yun Fan then said, "Even if your defense is invincible, I believe you must have a weakness!"
As a cultivator, his physique could not possibly be this terrifyingly robust. Every advantage must have a corresponding disadvantage.
He simply didn't know where Jin Sheng's weakness lay.
Jin Sheng said, "No need to look. Even if I gave you time, you would never find it! For I am perfect and without flaw!"
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Yun Fan kicked his origin.
To Jin Sheng's surprise, this minor pain was insignificant, lacking even a trace of destructive power.
"Even his origin is this resilient!"
Yun Fan gasped again. He felt as though he wasn't fighting a person. Of course, strictly speaking, Jin Sheng wasn't entirely human.
The Golden Ancient Clan were spirits born from metal in the primordial first mine, who then rose to prominence.
They were not human, nor beast, but a mine.
At the very least, their origins were derived from mines.
Jin Sheng then said, "I told you, everything you do is futile in my eyes. I will give you one more chance to attack!"
At this point, he was exceedingly arrogant. To recall, Yun Fan had been the supreme expert back then. Now, he was being insulted like this.
Yun Fan's pride was etched into his bones. He absolutely could not tolerate this.
Yun Fan then said, "You said it yourself!"
"I did!"
Jin Sheng replied, "You are my senior, so I will grant you three moves. However, in my eyes, even with three moves, you won't change the outcome!"
It could be said that Jin Sheng's arrogance had reached its zenith at this moment.
He had personally felt Yun Fan's current strength to be mediocre, and thus, did not take him seriously.
For this final move, Yun Fan did not act immediately. It was precisely because he had lacked composure earlier that he had failed to inflict any damage on Jin Sheng.
Now, he was much calmer.
"You should leave! Don't worry about me!"
Xi Huang warned Yun Fan, lest he fail to rescue her and end up trapped here himself.
"Shut up, you nagging woman!"
Yun Fan said impatiently.
Instantly, Xi Huang froze. It wasn't for any other reason than that no one had ever spoken to her in such an arrogant tone.
Logically, she should have been furious at this moment, but looking at Yun Fan again, she felt no anger whatsoever.
If Yun Fan could have known her inner thoughts, he would have said that it was his sheer dominance that had subdued her.
Yun Fan then pondered carefully before deciding to try something.
Since Jin Sheng was a metallic being, he needed to find a corresponding countermeasure.
Therefore, at this moment, he prepared the power of Samsara's Heaven-Battling Force. Of course, that was not enough. Fueled by these two powers, the Boundless Karma Fire began to burn fiercely.
Yun Fan then attacked swiftly. This surge of power, carrying the formidable Boundless Karma Fire, directly ignited Jin Sheng.
Initially, Jin Sheng paid it no mind. At his level of power, no flame, no matter how intense, could harm him.
However, when the Boundless Karma Fire began to burn his origin, Jin Sheng could no longer remain seated.
If it continued to burn, it would damage his origin.
No matter how he tried to extinguish it, he could not put out the Boundless Karma Fire.
This was the terrifying nature of the Boundless Karma Fire; it could even burn the soul.
With no other option, Jin Sheng had to make a choice.
He directly severed the burning part of his body, thus freeing himself.
Jin Sheng panted heavily. He had never expected to be injured by Yun Fan, something he had not anticipated.
The golden blood dripping onto the ground proved that Jin Sheng was wounded.
Yun Fan then asked, "Do you still think you have no weaknesses?"
This sight left Xi Huang dumbfounded. No matter what, she had never imagined Yun Fan could achieve this.
Even she, in her prime, might not have been able to accomplish it.
This alone was enough to prove that Yun Fan's rise was becoming increasingly evident.
"Damn it!"
Jin Sheng glared at Yun Fan in fury. He had believed himself to be perfect and without flaw, only to be found out by Yun Fan.
It wasn't so much that Yun Fan had found his weakness, but rather that Yun Fan possessed the precise means to counter him.
Therefore, at this moment, he resolved internally that Yun Fan must not be allowed to live, or the doom of the Golden Ancient Clan would continue.
To this end, he immediately unleashed his golden power. Countless energies coalesced into beams of light, illuminating realms beyond measure.
Under the shroud of these lights, Yun Fan's movements became exceedingly slow, while Jin Sheng skillfully concealed himself within the golden radiance.
He absolutely could not be discovered by Yun Fan.
Then, the golden light surged, with beams aiming to pierce Yun Fan's body.
Ultimately, Yun Fan dodged them all.
"Are you resorting to being a turtle in a shell now?"
Yun Fan cursed angrily.
Jin Sheng's strength was already formidable, but even so, to resort to sneak attacks was borderline bullying.
The hidden Jin Sheng responded, "To deal with you, I must go all out!"
Jin Sheng knew how terrifying Yun Fan's former self had been. He had been too careless earlier, which led to his injury. This time, he would not give Yun Fan any further opportunities.
Just then, countless golden lights transformed into golden dragons, descending upon Yun Fan.
Yun Fan shattered one golden dragon with a punch, but another immediately attacked.
Even with his immense power, he could not withstand such a barrage.
Eventually, he was pierced through the body by a golden dragon.
"Ugh!"
Yun Fan let out a muffled groan. At this moment, the situation was far from optimistic.
"Not good!"
Xi Huang's expression changed. Seeing Yun Fan's state, it was impossible for her not to worry.
She knew Yun Fan was buying her time, but she couldn't accelerate the severing of her origin; it required a process.
Jin Sheng said, "As long as I don't fight you head-on, I can slowly wear you down. Your continued existence is detrimental to the Final Era. You cannot live!"
This was Jin Sheng's stance.
"Then I will defiantly defy your wishes!"
At this, Yun Fan forced himself to stand. He then noticed that the sky was filled with countless golden dragons.
Clearly, Jin Sheng was preparing a fatal blow.
Yun Fan's body erupted in flames. These were the Boundless Karma Fire, and countless purple fire dragons separated from him.
They engaged the golden dragons in the sky in a fierce battle.
"Do you think you can defeat me by hiding in the shadows?"
Yun Fan said coldly, "You underestimate me!"
The myriad of blue-purple fire dragons were locked in a mutually destructive assault with the golden dragons.
Yun Fan finally gained a brief respite. For him, all of this had been incredibly arduous.
Jin Sheng was furious. His tactics had been foiled by Yun Fan, which sent an ominous premonition through him.
After all, he had been ordered to kill Yun Fan this time.
If he could kill Yun Fan, the Tai Hua Saintess would grant him the position of patriarch of the Golden Ancient Clan.
For this opportunity, he had to kill Yun Fan at all costs.
To this end, with a roar,
Countless golden dragons converged to form an enormous golden dragon. This dragon was so vast it could span an entire Dao Province.
Clearly, this was his ultimate move. Yun Fan, naturally, was not one to back down.
Yun Fan gathered countless blue-purple fire dragons, forming a fire dragon no less imposing than the golden dragon.
"You have a killer move, you think I don't?"
Yun Fan sneered. Knowing Jin Sheng's capabilities, his pressure had significantly reduced.
"Then let's see whose killer move is stronger!"
Jin Sheng roared in rage.
Instantly, the two colossal dragons engaged in their final confrontation. Gold and purple stretched across countless Dao Provinces.
The battle between two Void Realm powerhouses caused an immense upheaval.
As expected, once their ultimate moves collided, the victor was quickly determined.
The golden dragon was directly crushed by the purple fire dragon.
Of course, the fire dragon also disintegrated, but at this moment, the entire sky was instantly darkened.
Even Jin Sheng's golden light was almost completely depleted.
And at this moment, Yun Fan finally located Jin Sheng.
"Now, what other tricks do you have?"
Yun Fan asked disdainfully.
Even with Jin Sheng's myriad of tactics, they had all been perfectly neutralized by him. Therefore, he was undoubtedly the man at the pinnacle.
Jin Sheng was enraged.
If he failed to kill Yun Fan this time, he knew the consequences. He would lose all hope of inheriting the patriarch's position.
Of course, this was only on the surface. It was possible the Tai Hua Saintess would not spare him either, as he had promised her upon his arrival that he would definitely take Yun Fan's head.
If he couldn't bring back Yun Fan's head, he would bring back his own.
Therefore, he had no other choice.
"Since your methods are so formidable, I too must use my final move!"
As his words fell, Jin Sheng cut open his own bloodline, and countless golden blood poured forth.
That's right, this was the ultimate bloodline killing move.
This technique was rarely seen. Yun Fan had witnessed many instances of bloodline suppression throughout his journey,
He had even performed many such feats himself.
However, fighting with bloodline was a first for him. In worlds below the Origin level, no matter how strong the bloodline, it couldn't reach combat capability.
This was why, despite seeming ordinary, Yun Fan was greatly shocked.
"Fighting with bloodline? I like it!"
Yun Fan sneered. After all, his bloodline was not weak, especially after merging with the ultimate power. His Heaven-Battling Bloodline had been pushed to its absolute limit.
Thus, as the golden blood sprinkled upon him, he quickly activated his Heaven-Battling Bloodline to resist.
When the two bloodlines clashed, Yun Fan could feel the golden bloodline being dissolved by his Heaven-Battling Bloodline.
This development was undeniably significant.
Ultimately, Yun Fan emerged victorious. The golden blood dissipated, proving that the Heaven-Battling Bloodline was the true ultimate power.
"Hiss!"
Jin Sheng gasped. He hadn't expected to be defeated in the end.
He had used his last resort, yet still could not subdue Yun Fan. No matter how unwilling he was, he had to bow to absolute reality.
At this, he said to Yun Fan, "I have lost!"
"I never imagined that no matter how you change, you will always remain number one!"
Jin Sheng said with great sadness.
Everyone said that Yun Fan, even if he rose again, would be a spent force. But now, it seemed that was not the case.
A true powerhouse's essence remained unchanged, regardless of how many cycles of reincarnation they endured.
Even if he wasn't weaker than Yun Fan, with the fierce battle commencing, he would ultimately be defeated by Yun Fan.
At this, Yun Fan's blood dripped, piercing Jin Sheng's glabella. And so, Jin Sheng died before Yun Fan's eyes.
"Hoo!"
Yun Fan let out a long sigh. Throughout the battle with Jin Sheng until his defeat, Yun Fan had exchanged no unnecessary words with him.
This was because he clearly understood how strong Jin Sheng was. If Jin Sheng were given more time, Yun Fan would have been the one to fall.
Though it appeared to be a crushing victory, only Yun Fan knew that even he couldn't have held on much longer.
Therefore, Yun Fan collapsed onto the ground.
"What?"
Xi Huang was stunned. She hadn't expected Yun Fan to be at his limit either. She immediately rushed over to help him up.
However, having just broken free from her origin, she was no different from an ordinary person and could not lift Yun Fan's body.
"I'm fine, I just need to rest for a bit!"
Yun Fan told Xi Huang.
Xi Huang breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm just an ordinary person now, I can't do anything. You'll have to take me away from here."
"No problem!"
Yun Fan said, "Let's go!"
At this, Yun Fan stood up, ready to escort Xi Huang across space-time, only to discover that even space-time had been sealed.
Yun Fan couldn't open any pathways.
"Not good!"
Both of them gasped. The fact that even space-time could be sealed made it clear who the perpetrator was.
"It's her, I can sense a familiar aura!"
Xi Huang said with despair.
She was one of the Tai Hua Saintess's pawns and was thus very familiar with her. The visitor was none other than the Tai Hua Saintess herself.
"What?"
Yun Fan's breath hitched. Frankly, he was not yet strong enough to contend with the Tai Hua Saintess.
It was like a novice encountering a ceiling-level existence. How could he possibly fight?
But the critical point was that there was no opportunity to surrender!
Therefore, at this moment, even Yun Fan felt a tremor of fear.
As expected, at that very instant, a holy figure stood in the firmament, looking down upon them both.
In her presence, they were less than ants.
Yun Fan then shielded Xi Huang behind him.
"What do you want?"
This was undoubtedly the most unconfident question Yun Fan had ever uttered. In the face of this being, it was perfectly normal.
The Tai Hua Saintess glanced dismissively at Xi Huang behind Yun Fan.
"When did your standards drop so low that you would risk your life to protect such withered branches and leaves!"
Faced with the Tai Hua Saintess's taunt, Xi Huang was almost overcome. What withered branches and leaves? She was original equipment, thank you very much!
But alas, the situation was beyond her control, and she dared not utter a word of retort.
Yun Fan then said, "As long as it's someone I like, they are not withered branches and leaves. On the contrary, you are the withered branches and leaves, merely cast aside by me!"
Hearing this, the Tai Hua Saintess instantly became enraged. An invisible force struck Yun Fan.
"Pfft!"
Yun Fan spat out a mouthful of blood, appearing utterly half-dead.
Xi Huang trembled. She had not expected Yun Fan to be so brave. However, Yun Fan quickly learned the consequences.
Yun Fan struggled to his feet. "If you want to kill us, then do it! Why must you humiliate us!"
At this, Xi Huang also grabbed Yun Fan. Indeed, even if she couldn't win over Yun Fan, dying alongside him might be the best outcome.
Seeing this scene, the Tai Hua Saintess immediately said, "As long as you hand her over to me, I will spare your life, at least granting you a reprieve!"
Yun Fan's response was direct: "Absolutely not! My woman, I will protect her to the very end!"
This was Yun Fan's decisiveness.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, Xi Huang directly released Yun Fan's hand and pushed him aside.
"What are you doing?"
Yun Fan had not anticipated Xi Huang acting this way.
Xi Huang said, "You cannot sacrifice your life for me. As long as you live, there are infinite possibilities!"
This was Xi Huang's stance.
She couldn't be selfish and drag Yun Fan to his death with her.
Earlier, she had still held hope, but from the moment the Tai Hua Saintess appeared, she knew all hope was lost.
This was why she had acted as she did.
"You scoundrels!"
The Tai Hua Saintess roared in fury, "I never expected you to change your womanizing ways even after reincarnation! You deserve to die!"
It was clear her rage was reaching its boiling point.
Unexpectedly, Yun Fan walked up with an imposing air, embraced Xi Huang, and kissed her.
Instantly, the Tai Hua Saintess froze.
"I choose her over you!"
Yun Fan declared, "Are you jealous?"
At these words, the Tai Hua Saintess became strangely calm. "You want to provoke me? Impossible. Our relationship is not what you think!"
"What do you mean?"
Yun Fan pushed the stunned Xi Huang aside and looked at the Tai Hua Saintess.
"At least for now, you are not qualified to know!"
The Tai Hua Saintess said disdainfully.
"It's over, now you'll die here too!"
Xi Huang said in despair.
But Yun Fan shook his head, "Don't be afraid! This is not her clone, merely a wisp of her obsession. She will soon dissipate!"
"What?"
Xi Huang was surprised that Yun Fan had seen through everything.
Yun Fan said, "I was almost tricked by her!"
The Tai Hua Saintess replied, "It seems you still have a trace of intelligence. I thought you had lost your mind entirely!"
"You cannot harm us, so stop wasting your efforts!"
Yun Fan said triumphantly. Knowing that the Tai Hua Saintess could not harm them, he became even more arrogant.
The Tai Hua Saintess said, "This is only temporary. Do you think you have truly risen? In fact, I could crush you with a single finger!"
"Very well!"
Yun Fan said, "If you have the ability now, I will submit to your disposal!"
At this very instant, taking advantage of the Tai Hua Saintess's lack of vigilance, Yun Fan rapidly broke through space-time and vanished with Xi Huang.
He knew well that the Tai Hua Saintess was stalling for time. If even one of her clones arrived, he would be dead.
Therefore, a hasty escape was his only recourse. For someone like her, fleeing in disarray was still a testament to his skill.