Chapter Seventy: Leaving the Mountain Stronghold

The Heaven-defying Pavilion had already been established between Clear Water Mountain and the adjacent range, yet this was merely a fragment of the whole—scarcely a drop in the ocean compared to what was to come. In the future, Ye Zihan would have to expand his power across the entire Illusion God Continent; this was his destined path. Before long, Huang He and Song Tielin had set up the branch of the Heaven-defying Pavilion in the mountain range. The Liuguang Stronghold was no more, and the Clear Water Stronghold had long since been uprooted—now, only the Heaven-defying Pavilion remained, and the other strongholds were nothing but memories.

Yan Chen and Ye Zihan busied themselves for a time in the mountain range, then made ready to depart. Ye Zihan wished to venture into the Demon Prison, and now they possessed a map of the place. Though incomplete, it outlined the thirteen chambers of the Demon Prison well enough, so this time, success seemed within their grasp.

Mo You had become Ye Zihan’s contracted beast, and wherever Ye Zihan went, Mo You followed. Mo You was now Ye Zihan’s hidden ace, a most reliable enforcer whose strength could overwhelm foes of higher cultivation—worthy indeed of his reputation among the three great demon clans. As a Blood Phantom Dragon, renowned across the Illusion God Continent, Mo You’s formidable power was only to be expected.

Now, with preparations complete, Ye Zihan and his companions prepared to leave the mountain range. Their mission was urgent: to restore their mentors Hong Yan and Lan Yu to life. For this, Ye Zihan had no other choice but to seek out the forbidden arts hidden within the Demon Prison. There was no other path.

The legendary Demon Prison was said to be a living hell, and its inhabitants, though monstrous in appearance, were no less powerful than the strongest mortals. In fact, the power structure within the Demon Prison mirrored that of the mortal world, differing only in cultivation methods. This alone made Ye Zihan determined to visit that place.

Most of the demons there practiced the dark arts, their spells unlike anything known to mortals. It was precisely these arts that Ye Zihan sought—who could say, perhaps he might truly find what he was searching for?

At the foot of the mountain range, Huang He and Song Tielin gathered to see Ye Zihan and his companions off. The time to part had come, for Ye Zihan needed to reach the Demon Prison and secure the arts that might save his two teachers. Even if the odds were slim, he would never give up.

“Master,” Song Tielin said, “we part ways today, not knowing when we’ll meet again. Our Heaven-defying Pavilion will establish branches across the Illusion God Continent. It’s time we changed our ways, left behind the life of mountain bandits, and transformed our future.”

He had long sought change. Following the old path of the Liuguang Stronghold could only lead to doom. But now, with Ye Zihan’s arrival, Song Tielin saw hope—tangible, attainable hope, not some distant fantasy but a real plan.

Huang He and Song Tielin had already laid out their plans: they would establish branches of the Heaven-defying Pavilion across the Illusion God Continent, enabling them to coordinate activities. Even if this drew the attention of other powers, they first needed to solve the problem of communications.

Ye Zihan clapped Song Tielin on the shoulder. “Brother Song, follow our plan. First, set up contact points for the Heaven-defying Pavilion across the continent. Don’t worry too much for now. You can also absorb the remaining forces from Clear Water Stronghold. That will greatly increase our strength.” Ye Zihan was putting everything on the line; he knew he needed talented people like Song Tielin to revive the Pavilion.

Huang He grinned. “Master, rest assured. My brother and I won’t let you down. We already have brothers outside the continent, so establishing contact points won’t be difficult. Building power locally, though, will be much harder.” He understood the difference: setting up contacts and establishing true influence were not the same, so their goals were clear.

Currently, the Pavilion’s power came from absorbing the forces of the two former strongholds, and its main strength remained in the mountains. As for the lands beyond, Heaven-defying Pavilion’s influence had yet to reach them. But Ye Zihan’s objective was clear: to establish his own power base in the outer regions.

Yan Chen laughed. “Brother Ye Zihan, my Yan family can help you, too. The Illusion God Hall on the continent is already despised—a bunch of old fools. If not for their strength, they would have been toppled long ago.” The Yan family was one of the famed hidden clans, their name enough to send tremors across the land.

Ye Zihan smiled. “Yes, let’s go. I have the map of the Demon Prison—imperfect, but enough for our needs. I believe all will go smoothly.” He was no longer the youth who first set out on his journey, but now a powerful cultivator of the Four Symbols Realm.

Indeed, Ye Zihan’s rise was nothing short of legendary: from a hopeless weakling to the Four Symbols Realm—a miracle few could have imagined, least of all the Ye family, who would never have dreamed that their former disgrace could become such a prodigy.

His cultivation speed was astounding, unmatched by his peers. Even Yan Chen, after years of effort, had only achieved his current strength, while Ye Zihan had reached this level in a mere span of time—truly remarkable.

“Until we meet again, Brother Song, Huang He—return now, and carry out our plan. I am certain that one day, the Heaven-defying Pavilion will astonish the world.” Ye Zihan’s ambitions were vast—beyond the imagination of ordinary men. He even meant to overthrow the Illusion God Hall. If the great sects and families knew, they would surely cough up blood in envy, for comparison is the thief of joy.

Song Tielin waved farewell. “Until we meet again. We won’t let you down!” He had longed to change. Life as a mountain bandit had no future; now, they would turn over a new leaf and follow Ye Zihan.

“Farewell, Master. Take care!” Huang He stepped forward as well. With a grand ambition before them, the pressure was on—but at last, they had found a cause worth striving for.

“Farewell,” Yan Chen echoed, waving to Huang He and Song Tielin. As a disciple of a hidden clan, Yan Chen kept a low profile, and few knew his true identity. But such titles meant nothing to him; so long as others left him be, he had no intention of showing mercy.

Soon, Ye Zihan led Yan Chen and the others away from the mountain range, making for the Demon Prison as mapped. For Ye Zihan, this was a tremendous challenge—his first true foray, and the Demon Prison was fraught with peril. He steeled himself for what lay ahead.

Behind them, the vast mountain range receded, and they pressed onward. For the sake of his mentors, Ye Zihan would not turn back; he had no reason to hesitate.

“Zihan, we’ll need someone to guide us into the Demon Prison,” Yan Chen said. “We’ve never been there, and rushing in blindly would be dangerous. Why don’t we explore the Beast Domain first, and go to the Demon Prison once we’re better prepared?” He was concerned for their safety; after all, this was his first time as well, and it would be no simple feat.

The Demon Prison was separated from the world by a sea of demons, isolated in the south—across the water from both the mortal world and the Beast Domain. Still, many ventured there despite the danger, drawn by the promise of adventure and reward for those who returned.

Ye Zihan smiled. “You’re right. It would be reckless to go now. Let’s explore the Beast Domain first. I believe we can develop our strength there. After all, the Heaven-defying Pavilion intends to establish itself in the Beast Domain, too. Perhaps we’ll find worthy allies for our cause.” Now, Ye Zihan’s goal was not merely to revive his teachers, but to expand the Pavilion’s influence.

Even in the Demon Prison, Ye Zihan would seek to build his own power, creating opportunities where none existed. In time, a mighty force would rise upon the Illusion God Continent: the Heaven-defying Pavilion.

Though the Pavilion was yet unknown, Ye Zihan had faith in his abilities. One day, its flag would fly across the whole continent. As long as the Illusion God Hall stood, he would not cease his efforts, for the Pavilion was born in defiance of that very power. Already, the Pavilion’s roots had taken hold between the mountains, and it would only grow stronger.

“Don’t worry, brothers. With me, the Blood Phantom Dragon, you have nothing to fear!” Mo You declared, puffing with pride. “On this continent, there is no problem I cannot solve. Any danger you speak of is mere child’s play to me—I’ll turn it all to nothing!”

Hearing Yan Chen and Ye Zihan discuss the dangers ahead, Mo You felt indignant, for they had seemed to overlook his presence—a grave slight to one as proud as he.