Primordial Era: The Great Celestial Venerable on the Road to Mythology

Chapter 44 Ye Fan Seeks Help, The Mark of the Southern Heavenly Gate

Ye Fan was shaken to his core. Even with his iron will, he couldn't help but catch his breath.

Venus (Taibai Xingjun)? The Primordial Heavenly Court?

He was born on Earth and had heard countless myths and legends since childhood, knowing what the primordial world was and what the Heavenly Court was.

The Primordial World was the supreme world created by Pangu, the Heavenly King, after he slew three thousand Chaos Demons. Its vast power far surpasses that of the world he currently inhabits.

What is the proof? Just look at the matter of immortality—in the primordial world, immortality was as easy as pie for cultivators; basically, any cultivator could easily attain it. But in his world, even Immortal Kings had an end to their lifespan; only by reaching the Immortal Emperor realm could one truly achieve immortality.

Then there are the powerful figures in the primordial world: Hongjun Daozu, Luohou Mozu, the patriarchs of the three races, the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, the two Western Saints, Donghuang Taiyi, the Twelve Ancestral Witches, Zhen Yuanzi... the list goes on and on, each one of them is enough to suppress all ages.

According to mythology, the power of the primordial world was unparalleled in all the heavens. That was originally just a legend, a vague and ethereal story. But now, he had personally witnessed immortals from the primordial heavenly court.

In the primordial world, Venus was not even ranked. There were countless beings more powerful than Venus.

Yet this seemingly insignificant Venus, with a single sword strike, was able to contend with a corpse at the level of a Celestial Emperor. What does this signify? It signifies that the power of the primordial world far exceeds his imagination.

Then there is the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court is the place that maintains order in the primordial world, and it has several masters: Di Jun, Tai Yi, Haotian, and Zhang Bairen in later generations. It's hard to say who the latter is, but the former ones are all top-tier powerhouses in the primordial world.

Ye Fan's gaze lingered on Venus for a moment before turning to the two people beside him.

The one holding the twenty-four five-colored pearls of radiant light is the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, a renowned innate spiritual treasure from the Investiture of the Gods. Its owner, Zhao Gongming, was the senior disciple of the outer sect of the Intercepting Sect and was later enshrined as the God of Wealth.

The golden-armored youth, holding a yellow gourd, shouted "Please turn around, my darling!" It was clearly the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife, whose owner was Lu Ya Dao Ren, the ancient demon prince, mysterious and unpredictable.

Judging from Zhao Gongming holding the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, this should be before the Investiture of the Gods, and the ruler of the Heavenly Court is most likely the Jade Emperor.

The question is—how did these people end up together? According to mythology, Zhao Gongming and Lu Ya should be enemies, yet they are fighting side-by-side in a harmonious atmosphere. What exactly happened?

Ye Fan was filled with doubts.

---

"Does fellow Daoist recognize me?" Taibai Jinxing asked with a smile, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

Ye Fan composed himself, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "I have long admired the name of Venus, and it is an honor to meet you today. However... I have many questions in my mind, and I do not know where to begin."

Venus stroked his beard and smiled, "Fellow Daoist, please speak freely."

Ye Fan pondered for a moment, then glanced at the people in the Heavenly Court.

"I learned from ancient texts of later generations that the Primordial Heavenly Court was the legitimate ruler of all realms, governing all heavens and overseeing all saints. However, as time passed, the name of the Heavenly Court gradually faded into the river of time, leaving only fragments of information," Ye Fan said slowly. "Today, having met you all, I know that the legends are not unfounded. May I ask, will the Heavenly Court intervene to help pacify this realm?"

"Yes. However, it requires His Majesty's decision."

A clear and dignified voice came from behind.

Ye Fan looked in the direction of the voice and saw the woman at the head of the group quietly watching him. She was dressed in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, with starlight swirling around her, exuding a dignified and noble air, and radiating an aura of authority without anger.

Venus then introduced, "This is the Jade Pool of the Heavenly Empress and Princess Yaoji of the Heavenly Court."

Ye Fan's heart skipped a beat. He immediately straightened his clothes and composed himself, bowing solemnly: "This humble one, Ye Fan, pays his respects to the Empress Dowager and Her Highness the Princess."

Yaochi nodded slightly and raised her hand in a gesture of support: "No need for such formalities."

Yao Ji stood beside Yao Chi, looking Ye Fan up and down with curiosity in her eyes. This was the first time she had ever seen someone who had emerged from the River of Time, and this person possessed a powerful aura. Although he did not cultivate the primordial Dao, he had a fierce and resilient spirit that came from surviving countless battles.

"You said there are ancient books from later generations that record the Heavenly Court?" Yao Ji couldn't help but ask, "What did they record?"

Ye Fan pondered for a moment and said, "Most of them are fragments and incomplete records, with vague details. It is only known that the Heavenly Court once ruled the Three Realms, but gradually disappeared due to various changes. As for the specifics, I am not very clear either."

Yao Ji nodded thoughtfully.

Yaochi spoke, "Ye Fan, what brings you here across the river of time?"

Ye Fan cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have come here because a strange race is causing trouble in future generations. I have crossed time and space to find help." As he spoke, he glanced in the direction of the Imperial Pass—it seemed he had arrived a little early, but weren't there other helpers already?

"I humbly request the Heavenly Court's assistance to restore a bright and clear world to this realm."

Yaochi did not answer immediately, but instead looked into the void.

In the void, a mark slowly condensed and fell into Ye Fan's hand.

"This mark can open the Southern Heavenly Gate," Haotian's voice rang out, calm and profound.

Of course, the fact that the South Heavenly Gate is controlled by Haotian does not mean that this mark can be used to directly open the South Heavenly Gate and enter and exit at will.

What if that happens? What if that strange race manages to infiltrate the Heavenly Court? Although I'm not afraid, there will always be trouble. This mark is just a location; it is Haotian himself who truly opens the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Ye Fan was taken aback.

"This is His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor!" Taibai reminded him at the right moment.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ye Fan bowed.

Haotian did not respond and continued to comprehend the Great Dao.

---

Just then, Lu Ya suddenly spoke, his tone tinged with amusement: "Ye Fan, the way you looked at me just now was a bit strange. What, do you recognize me?"

Ye Fan was slightly taken aback, then smiled wryly. This Daoist Lu Ya's senses were indeed sharp. He thought for a moment, then said frankly, "I have heard in later legends that the ancient demon prince, Daoist Lu Ya, wielded the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife and shone brightly in the Investiture of the Gods. Seeing him today fills me with admiration."

Lu Ya raised an eyebrow: "The Investiture of the Gods? What's that? A great calamity?"

Ye Fan was taken aback, realizing he had let something slip. The Investiture of the Gods hadn't even taken place yet; mentioning it now might disrupt the cause and effect. He quickly said, "I misspoke, please forgive me."

Lu Ya, however, persisted: "Explain yourself! What Investiture of the Gods? What did I do afterward?"

Ye Fan looked troubled, but Venus intervened to smooth things over, laughing, "Sun Star Lord, this person comes from the future, and what he knows is uncertain. You and I are Heavenly Star Lords; even a great calamity won't affect us. Why trouble yourselves?"

With power and merit flowing in, they are immune to great calamities. Moreover, they are under the protection of the Heavenly Emperor, who will surely intervene if anything happens.

If His Majesty also suffers a defeat, they will be powerless to stop him, so why bother making trouble for themselves?

Lu Ya snorted, but ultimately did not press the matter. He merely looked at Ye Fan with a more scrutinizing gaze.

Zhao Gongming was much more gentle. He put away the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, walked up to Ye Fan, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "I am deeply grateful for your help earlier, fellow Daoist."

Ye Fan quickly returned the greeting: "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. That Corpse Immortal Emperor is the common enemy of this realm, so it is only right that I take action."

Zhao Gongming smiled, his gaze falling on the Myriad Things Mother Qi Cauldron, and praised, "Fellow Daoist, this cauldron is indeed extraordinary."

Ye Fan said, "This cauldron is the result of my years of refinement. Although it cannot compare to your Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, it is still quite handy."

After exchanging a few polite words, Ye Fan did not linger. He stepped onto the Cauldron of the Mother Qi of All Things, bowed to the people of the Heavenly Court, opened the River of Time, and flowed downstream to return to his own era.

---

At this moment, on the Imperial Pass, Meng Tianzheng, Huang, and others were eagerly awaiting their arrival.

In that battle just now, the Corpse Immortal Emperor was killed, An Lan perished, and the alien army was routed. All of this happened too fast, so fast that they could hardly believe it.

"We...we really won?" a monk murmured, his voice trembling.

"We won! We really won!" someone shouted, tears welling up in their eyes.

Shi Hao gazed at the Heavenly Court figures in the void, his eyes filled with reverence and longing. He clenched his fist, secretly vowing that one day he too would become so powerful, protecting this world.