After resolving the issues with the God Clan, Yun Fan felt greatly relieved, though the biggest boss, the Lord of the Gods, remained unresolved.
He became a thorn in his side, and after much deliberation, Yun Fan decided to take the initiative.
This was because he analyzed the current situation: the Lord of the Gods was on the defensive, while he was on the offensive.
One should never attack when the opponent is on the offensive, as it would lead to a direct collapse with little chance of victory.
Therefore, Yun Fan decided to proactively strike at the Lord of the Gods, who was currently on the defensive.
If he didn't attack now, when the Lord of the Gods went on the offensive, he would be the one in trouble.
Coincidentally, on this very day, Yun Fan arrived at the former territory of the God Clan and captured Tian Lin's soul memory.
That's right, before his death, Tian Lin had prepared his soul memory, hoping to assist Yun Fan one day.
As expected, Yun Fan deciphered Tian Lin's soul memory.
It revealed that the Lord of the Gods resided in a separate dimension, where a black tower stood. Within this black tower was the Lord of the Gods' secluded cultivation chamber.
This resolved Yun Fan's headache of not knowing where the Lord of the Gods was hiding.
Following Tian Lin's memories, Yun Fan arrived at this separate dimension and indeed found the legendary black tower.
However, the surroundings were filled with malevolent energy.
Anyone normal would surely perish upon arrival.
But fortunately, Yun Fan possessed the Battle Heaven Power, which could resist malevolent energy, so he was unaffected.
Thus, Yun Fan broke through a barrier of malevolent energy, causing all other malevolent energies to shy away from him.
Then, Yun Fan smoothly reached the exterior of the black tower.
Upon entering the first level of the black tower, Yun Fan discovered that it was far less ordinary than he had imagined.
It could be said that the black tower contained wonders within wonders, with each level representing a myriad of worlds.
The myriad worlds were compressed within the black tower.
As Yun Fan stepped inside, he felt an immense vastness, though not as large as the Final Epoch.
However, each level was the size of a Dragon Realm.
It could only be said that the Lord of the Gods' ambition was truly immense.
Of course, for Yun Fan, the immediate task was to find the route to the second level, because although he sensed a lot of malevolent energy on the first level, he did not sense the Lord of the Gods at all.
From this, he could deduce that the Lord of the Gods was not on the first level.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, a figure appeared on the first level, possessing immense power.
Even a single aura from this being was beyond anything Yun Fan had faced before, surpassing the strength of the Lord of the Gods' avatars.
This was terrifying. Such a powerful martial artist was guarding the first level, much to Yun Fan's surprise.
However, it was understandable that the opponent was powerful, given that this place was constantly influenced by malevolent energy.
Any god clan member here could possess profound cultivation.
"You have finally arrived, First God!"
The opponent clearly recognized Yun Fan, as he addressed him directly, revealing Yun Fan's identity.
"Who are you?"
Yun Fan asked.
"I never thought that after countless ages, you would not recognize me!"
He said to Yun Fan, "Great War God!"
"What a vulgar name!"
The first thing Yun Fan could think of was vulgarity.
However, the name was unimportant; what mattered was the opponent's strength.
At this point, the Great War God said to Yun Fan, "I am the third brother of the Lord of the Gods. I guard this first level. Even if you wish to breach the black tower, you must first pass me!"
The opponent was not arrogant, but rather humble. However, based on Yun Fan's experience in combat, the more humble a person was, the more terrifyingly powerful they tended to be.
"Are we very familiar?"
Yun Fan continued to ask.
"Of course, we are very familiar!"
The Great War God said to Yun Fan, "Because you were once my target. Unfortunately, I pursued you my entire life but never reached your strength. It is a great regret!"
"And now?"
"Now, I believe I can surpass you. Unfortunately, surpassing the current you is not an honorable feat! After all, you are no longer at your peak!"
The Great War God said with regret.
Even if he defeated the current Yun Fan, he would not feel any sense of accomplishment, as the current Yun Fan was far from his peak state.
Yun Fan then said, "But I want to defeat you, because you are blocking my path!"
"The road ahead is perilous. I advise you to leave as soon as possible!"
The Great War God warned Yun Fan.
"I didn't expect you to be so kind as to warn me!"
This point truly surprised Yun Fan.
He said to Yun Fan, "Because I still have a fantasy: I hope to defeat you personally in the future. Therefore, I don't want you to die so soon!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan understood his meaning.
With that, Yun Fan immediately said, "It won't be that easy to kill me, but I won't retreat. Since I've come, let's seek a conclusion!"
"Are you not afraid of dying in the black tower?"
The Great War God asked Yun Fan.
Yun Fan replied, "If I truly die in the black tower, I will have no regrets! Because this is the path I chose myself!"
"I understand!"
The Great War God said to Yun Fan, "I will grant your wish. Attack! I hope you don't disappoint me! After all, you were once the peak of an era!"
"Alright!"
Yun Fan nodded and then made the first move, unleashing a wave of Battle Heaven Power.
*Boom!*
His power was easily blocked by the Great War God.
"I truly admire you. Even if you had to start over, you possess such formidable strength!"
The Great War God praised Yun Fan.
The next moment, he attacked, and like his name suggested, he was a battle god capable of anything. Even though his status and background were noble, he did not rely on them to prove his position in the God Clan; he had achieved it through his own strength, step by painstaking step.
Yun Fan attacked, and the two engaged in a world-shattering battle on the first level of the black tower.
The Great War God unleashed power that shook heaven and earth, striking fear into all who heard of it.
He did not leave the black tower. Otherwise, in Yun Fan's early, unrisen days, no one would have been his match, including Tian Ao, Qing Tian, and later the foremost expert, the Great God Bai Tian.
It was precisely to protect the Lord of the Gods that, despite his immense power, he did not leave the black tower.
He remained within the black tower eternally until Yun Fan's arrival, where he engaged in an ultimate contest with Yun Fan.
The next moment, a colossal phantom appeared behind both of them, clearly signaling the beginning of this peak confrontation.
At this point, the Great War God brandished a giant axe and brought it down.
Yun Fan held his divine sword horizontally before him, blocking the axe's strike.
However, the world behind him vanished under the force of that single axe blow.
Of course, Yun Fan's arm felt slightly numb, as the axe strike was truly terrifying.
It could be described as cleaving heaven and earth.
Despite this, Yun Fan did not take half a step back; such was the dominance of his power.
Subsequently, the Great War God unleashed several more moves, all of which were blocked by Yun Fan. It could be said that their strengths were on the same level.
The more such powerful individuals there were, the harder it was to reach a conclusion; it might take a considerable amount of time.
The battle between the two continued as usual.
At this moment, after enduring dozens of moves passively, Yun Fan unleashed his divine sword with overwhelming force.
Seeing this, the Great War God prepared to trade a final blow with Yun Fan.
This blow would be the one to determine the outcome.
Finally, the two fell silent, as Yun Fan's divine sword was positioned at his throat.
Meanwhile, the Great War God's giant axe was still a considerable distance from Yun Fan.
This was the difference between them; Yun Fan had won by a slim margin.
"You have won!"
The Great War God said to Yun Fan, lowering his giant axe.
Yun Fan was somewhat surprised, as he had not encountered such a principled warrior among the God Clan.
The Great War God was indeed a man of his word.
"So, you are no longer blocking my path?"
Yun Fan pressed.
The Great War God replied, "There is no need. Since the outcome was decided in one move, I can accept defeat! However, at this moment, I might need your help!"
"What help?"
Yun Fan asked, confused.
He said to Yun Fan, "Send me on my way!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan was stunned, unable to believe that the Great War God would say such a thing.
"Are you surprised?"
The Great War God asked Yun Fan.
"Quite surprised!"
Yun Fan said, "If we were to fight to the death, even if I killed you in the end, I would have paid a considerable price!"
This was Yun Fan's assessment.
He knew that while he was indeed stronger than the Great War God, killing him would likely cost him half his life.
The Great War God said to Yun Fan, "Not everyone yearns to live. For me, I wish to die. Before countless ages, I was no match for you, and I am not your match now!"
"And because of this, you wish to die?"
Yun Fan asked curiously.
"Of course not!"
He said to Yun Fan, "There is a more important reason: I do not want to be a puppet!"
"I understand!"
Yun Fan nodded.
At this point, the Great War God continued, "My conscious time is limited. While I am still lucid, kill me! From its rise to its present state, the God Clan was led astray by the Lord of the Gods, plunging it into an abyss of eternal damnation, betraying our ancestors! Although I also walked that path, I still have my principles!"
This was his frank answer to Yun Fan.
"I thought that Fierce God was the only clear-headed person in the God Clan. I didn't expect you to still be lucid!"
Yun Fan said in shock.
"Do not waste any more time. End me, or I guarantee you will regret it!"
"Alright!"
Without further ado, Yun Fan imbued his divine sword with Battle Heaven Power and pierced the Great War God.
"Ugh!"
The Great War God let out a muffled groan. Although the malevolent thoughts within him reacted, it was too late.
"How liberating this moment is! The God Clan has wronged you!"
The Great War God said sincerely, "If it weren't for you, who defeated the four strongest malevolent thoughts, the myriad races of the heavens and earth would not have a later era. Unfortunately, the God Clan has ultimately fallen!"
With that, the Great War God dissipated into smoke.
Yun Fan could feel that he departed with great ease.
It could be said that the Great War God was the only god different from the rest of the God Clan.
After the Great War God's death, the malevolent thought attempted to resist further, but Yun Fan would not give it the chance.
Yun Fan attacked, activating his Eye of Devourment and absorbing the malevolent thought.
"Traitor, traitor!"
The malevolent thought was furious. If the Great War God had not betrayed him, he would not have ended up in this situation.
He was easily subdued by Yun Fan before any battle could even commence. He was not the weakest malevolent thought, but he was certainly the most unfortunate.
He never had a chance to resist Yun Fan.
This was also the easiest victory Yun Fan had ever achieved against any malevolent powerhouse.
Thus, this malevolent thought was refined by him and became his strength.
Yun Fan did not rush to the second level because, upon arriving at the black tower, he discovered that his current strength was insufficient.
He had to fully refine the power of this malevolent thought into his own before proceeding to the second level.
Otherwise, it would not be safe.
As he willed it, Yun Fan acted without hesitation.
He spent roughly a hundred years on the first level.
During this century, as his strength gradually increased, he was now a level stronger than when he first entered the black tower.
Perhaps he was on his way to regaining his peak state.
However, Yun Fan did not force it. Reaching his peak state without the opportune time, place, and human factors was simply impossible.
At this point, Yun Fan arrived at the second level.
Upon reaching the second level, the world here seemed much smaller.
It was only one-third the size of the Dragon Realm.
Moreover, upon arriving here, he discovered that the opponent seemed to be waiting specifically for him, perhaps knowing of his impending arrival.
"I have been waiting for you here for a long time!"
She said to Yun Fan, "You are late!"
"I am extremely sorry! A minor matter caused a delay!"
Yun Fan sat opposite the woman.
"What is your relationship with Saintess Tian Yuan?"
Because he had noticed that the woman bore a strong resemblance to Saintess Tian Yuan, but her power was not on the same level.
Saintess Tian Yuan was at least three or four tiers below her.
She said to Yun Fan, "Saintess Xian Yuan!"
"Saintess Tian Yuan is my younger sister!"
"It seems you and she are both women of the Lord of the Gods!"
Yun Fan deduced.
"That's right!"
Saintess Xian Yuan said to Yun Fan, "Although she and I are both women of the Lord of the Gods, I am not as favored as my sister. She can leave the black tower and go outside freely, but I cannot. The Lord of the Gods seems to have almost forgotten me!"
This, Yun Fan found, was understandable. Despite being sisters, it was undeniable that Saintess Xian Yuan's appearance was rather ordinary.
She was not even half as attractive as Saintess Tian Yuan.
As expected, the Lord of the Gods, like himself, was a superficial man, concerned with appearance.
Yun Fan believed this was a flaw of his own that he needed to rectify.
The main reason was that he had yet to encounter a plain woman who truly moved him.
Therefore, whether he was a superficial person or not remained to be seen.
"What is the challenge on the second level?"
Yun Fan asked Saintess Xian Yuan.
Without a doubt, he absolutely did not believe Saintess Xian Yuan was simply chatting with him; she must have prepared a killing move.
As expected, Saintess Xian Yuan said, "Play chess with me! If you lose, you will die! However, you helped me kill someone I detest, so you have two chances. If you lose one game, I will only take half your life!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan asked, "And if I win?"
"If you win, you will have the opportunity to fight me. If you defeat me, you will pass the second trial!"
To Yun Fan, Saintess Xian Yuan was being unnecessarily complicated.
"Then I might as well fight you directly. Wouldn't killing you be more straightforward and efficient?"
Facing Yun Fan's question, Saintess Xian Yuan continued, "You don't understand. Only by defeating me and obtaining the white and black pieces can you open the third level!"
"I see!"
Yun Fan said, "Let's begin! After all, everyone is busy, so let's not waste this precious time!"
"Please!"
A chessboard was set up between Saintess Xian Yuan and Yun Fan.
Then, the two began their match. The first game, Yun Fan won.
Although Saintess Xian Yuan's skills were extraordinary, her overall strategic view was not as good as Yun Fan's. In the end, Yun Fan narrowly won by half a point.
Then, a white chess piece appeared in Yun Fan's hand, the reward for the victor.
Subsequently, the two engaged in the second game.
In this match, Saintess Xian Yuan learned from her previous mistake and launched a fierce offensive against Yun Fan from the start.
But unfortunately, Yun Fan was not to be trifled with either.
He used a strategy of appearing weak to lure the enemy deep.
In the end, Saintess Xian Yuan was defeated even faster.
While she could hold on until the end in the first game, she performed poorly in the second.
With more than half the game played, Yun Fan easily won.
"Ultimately, I underestimated you!"
Saintess Xian Yuan was extremely angry.
After all, Yun Fan had not just defeated her; she had not just lost, but she had also lost her dignity to Yun Fan.
"So, I have won!"
Yun Fan said, "Attack! I want to go to the third level!"
Upon hearing this, Saintess Xian Yuan said to Yun Fan, "Then let me see if you have the qualifications to go to the third level!"
The next moment, she lunged at Yun Fan, moving with lightning speed. Especially since she used chess moves as combat tactics, making her unpredictable.
Although her strength was not as great as Yun Fan's, in the early stages of the battle, Yun Fan found himself on the defensive.
"It is impossible to break my True Spirit Chess Formation!"
Saintess Xian Yuan said coldly to Yun Fan, "I will play one last game with you, a life-or-death match!"
There was no doubt that having lost her dignity just now, she was extremely angry, and she was determined to reclaim it in this game.
But Yun Fan said, "There is no need for such trouble. Your so-called True Spirit Chess Formation is merely child's play in front of me!"
To be honest, he didn't find the True Spirit Chess Formation particularly advanced.
Perhaps it was because his mastery in this area had reached a state of perfection, making the True Spirit Chess Formation seem very simple to him.
"Stop boasting! Watch this!"
Saintess Xian Yuan waved black and white chess pieces, continuously attacking Yun Fan, who was trapped within the formation.
The effect was quite satisfactory, causing Yun Fan significant trouble.
This made Saintess Xian Yuan start to feel confident. The so-called First God was nothing more than this.
But just as she was preparing to completely overwhelm Yun Fan, Yun Fan got serious.
Yun Fan flicked a black chess piece within the black and white life-or-death struggle, sending it flying.
Saintess Xian Yuan, still basking in her arrogance, was pierced through the forehead by Yun Fan's chess piece.
Even her soul was pierced. The malevolent thoughts within her were too weak for Yun Fan to be very interested in.
Even the malevolent thoughts shattered.
"Damn it! I lost in the end!"
Saintess Xian Yuan said dejectedly. Although the Lord of the Gods had not favored her for a long time, she had still maintained her duty.
Unfortunately, her opponent was Yun Fan, so her defeat, while seemingly coincidental, was inevitable.
After dealing with Saintess Xian Yuan, Yun Fan opened the passage to the second level.
By merging the black and white pieces, he arrived at the third level.
Yun Fan had initially expected the third level to be guarded by powerful experts, but upon arriving, he wore a look of confusion.
Because here, there was truly no malevolent energy; it was extremely clean.
"This is strange!"
Yun Fan was dumbfounded. He never expected there to be such a miraculous place within the black tower. It was impossible for him not to be surprised.
As expected, at this moment, two maids walked over. Yun Fan carefully sensed them and found that they had no malevolent thoughts within them.
"First God, my master has been waiting for a long time. Please follow us!"
The two maids led the way, and Yun Fan followed behind. Before long, they arrived at a grand hall.
The hall was also remarkably clean. If there was a last sanctuary in the God Clan, this was undoubtedly it.
It filled Yun Fan's heart with shock.
At this point, a man appeared, drawing Yun Fan's attention.
His strength was deeply concealed, and he was an exceptionally handsome man.
Yun Fan did not know who he was, but he was certain that he was the only god who had not been infected by malevolent thoughts.
Even though he, like Yun Fan, had not been infected by malevolent thoughts, this did not mean they were not enemies.
"First God, you have arrived!"
He spoke indifferently.
"And who are you?"
Yun Fan asked, confused.
"It's understandable that you don't know my identity!"
He said to Yun Fan, "Because in the past, I didn't know your identity either!"
"What a coincidence?"
Yun Fan looked at him doubtfully, not understanding what he meant.
He said to Yun Fan, "To be precise, I only knew of your great name as the First God, but I never met you. Because I didn't want to meet you!"
Such a peculiar reason left Yun Fan speechless, unsure how to respond.
He could only ask, "Why didn't you want to meet me?"
"Because you stole everything from me!"
"That's an exaggeration!"
Yun Fan said, "You are you, and I am me. How could I have stolen everything from you?"
"You stole my fiancée. She was my everything. Do you deny that you stole what belonged to me?"
"Who is your fiancée?"
Yun Fan felt extremely awkward, as this accusation was quite serious and completely baseless. This was not good.
"Saintess Zang Tian!"
The man said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan was instantly speechless, not knowing what to say.
Finally, he asked Yun Fan, "Now you cannot deny it, can you?"
"Yes! I truly cannot deny it!"
Yun Fan said, "I want to know why!"
"Since you wish to know, I will tell you!"
He said to Yun Fan, "I was once the most dazzling young generation in this heaven and earth, Prince Xian. I was the heir of one of the two great aristocratic families of the God Clan. My fiancée was the daughter of the Lord of the Gods, Saintess Zang Tian!"
"And then?"
"Then my fiancée was snatched away by you. On our wedding day, you suddenly appeared and took my fiancée! This is the past that infuriates me!"
"Uh..."
Yun Fan was utterly speechless. "Setting aside whether this incident even happened, even if it did, it was done by the First God, not me. What does it have to do with me?"
"You don't want to admit it, do you?"
Prince Xian said angrily, "I never thought that the renowned First God would have moments of cowardice. Your character is even more deplorable!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan said, "Even the First God was not lacking in women, right? Why would he snatch your fiancée? Do you intend to conceal the secrets behind it?"
At this point, Prince Xian did not know how to respond.
Because in that era, the Lord of the Gods wanted to completely rule all the myriad races of the heavens and earth, but the First God emerged and completely thwarted the Lord of the Gods' plan.
Therefore, the Lord of the Gods kidnapped many warriors under the First God, intending to force the First God to submit.
However, the Lord of the Gods never expected that the First God would target his daughter and abduct her on her wedding day.
In the end, the Lord of the Gods had no choice but to compromise, releasing the First God's subordinates and ransoming his daughter back.
Unfortunately, after being ransomed back, Saintess Zang Tian actually fell in love with the First God.
This was something no one had anticipated.
Initially, Prince Xian did not intend to hold it against Saintess Zang Tian for being abducted by the First God. He thought nothing had happened. In reality, nothing had.
But Saintess Zang Tian refused to marry him anymore and directly broke off the engagement.
This was the most truthful reason. For Prince Xian, this was a deeply heartbreaking matter.
Yet, it had truly happened. It could only be said that life was truly tragic.
Upon learning the full truth, Yun Fan said, "A forced relationship is never sweet. You don't need to be so persistent!"
"Silence!"
Prince Xian said angrily to Yun Fan, "The reason I waited here for you is to settle our past grievances!"
"We can discuss that later!"
Yun Fan said, "Let's not even talk about whether the First God was wrong. He was merely trying to save his people, and he didn't do anything to Saintess Zang Tian!"
Did he not know whether anything had happened or not? After all, before Saintess Zang Tian was captured by him, nothing had transpired!
"Even if the First God was wrong, he was still the First God. I have severed all ties with the past. All that happened before has nothing to do with me!"
"Are you trying to escape reality?"
Prince Xian said coldly to Yun Fan, "Actually, I should thank you!"
"Thank me?"
Yun Fan was dumbfounded. Had this Prince Xian lost his mind from anger? Otherwise, why would he say such a shocking thing?
Prince Xian said to Yun Fan, "In fact, I appeared very happy about this arranged marriage, but inwardly, I was unwilling!"
"Why?"
Yun Fan asked, confused.
"Because the decline of my clan was the doing of the Lord of the Gods. Do you think the Lord of the Gods only targets outsiders? In reality, the decline of my clan was orchestrated by the Lord of the Gods. Only by completely controlling the God Clan could he rule all the myriad races of the heavens and earth. Even my parents were schemed against and died by the Lord of the Gods. He thought I didn't know, but I knew everything! The reason he married Saintess Zang Tian to me was merely to lull me into a false sense of security!"
Prince Xian revealed this truth.
Yun Fan was greatly surprised. From this perspective, Prince Xian was also a pitiable figure.
"So, I want to know, why were you not invaded by malevolent energy?"
Yun Fan asked the question he most wanted to know.
Prince Xian said, "Because I am from one of the two great divine clans. My clan is naturally powerful; why would we need to rely on crooked ways to increase our strength? Therefore, I will not collude with the Lord of the Gods!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan was dumbfounded. It seemed there were still quite a few clear-headed individuals in the God Clan, and Prince Xian was clearly the most lucid among them.
"I am quite surprised that you managed to remain lucid under the Lord of the Gods' nose!"
Yun Fan said in shock.
"This is also because of you!"
Prince Xian said to Yun Fan.
"My reason again?"
Yun Fan was once again dumbfounded.
"That's right!"
Prince Xian said, "After you fought to a mutual destruction with the four great malevolent powerhouses, I was overjoyed and even celebrated wildly!"
"Uh..."
Yun Fan felt that this Prince Xian, despite his dignified appearance, was not a good person at heart.
Prince Xian continued, "But just in case, I personally went to the battlefield and found your blood spilled there. Although it was only a few drops, it was enough!"
"Then the Lord of the Gods colluded with the last malevolent powerhouse and naturally sent a malevolent thought to infect me. Unfortunately, that malevolent thought was killed by the few drops of your blood that you left behind. Therefore, I was not infected, and the remaining members of my lineage were also not infected!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan understood. He never expected that the few drops of blood he had left on the battlefield had changed the fate of Prince Xian's lineage.
At this point, Prince Xian said to Yun Fan, "The reason I have been talking to you for so long is actually to form an alliance with you!"
"Sorry, I have never liked cooperating with others!"
Yun Fan's personality was inherently proud. He did not cooperate with others when he was strong, and he would not cooperate with others when he was weak.
Upon hearing this, Prince Xian became very angry. This guy was too ungrateful.
His offer of cooperation was sincere, but he never expected that even in his current fallen state, this guy would still refuse to cooperate.
Therefore, he immediately said, "You need to know your current strength. You are no match for the Lord of the Gods. Even though you defeated the Lord of the Gods before countless ages, you are nothing now!"
"I defeated the Lord of the Gods?"
Yun Fan looked at Prince Xian in shock. The outside world only knew that he and the Lord of the Gods were on equal footing, but no one knew who was stronger.
Unexpectedly, he had found the answer from Prince Xian today. It was impossible for him not to be shocked.
He never imagined that even the strongest Lord of the Gods in countless ages had been defeated before.
"That's right!"
Prince Xian said with certainty, "Others may not know, but I do! Although I did not witness it firsthand, I can infer it!"
Yun Fan listened intently, wanting to hear Prince Xian's analysis.