Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 316 - 317 Chapter 322 Sacred City

317: Chapter 322 Sacred City 317: Chapter 322 Sacred City Ye Fan journeyed northward, flying for more than ten days.

He crossed countless mountains and rivers, traveling an unmeasurable number of miles before finally nearing the Sacred City of the northern region.

The Northern Domain Holy City, an absolute center, was as renowned on this crimson land as the Great Primordial Mine.

It was held in reverence by the residents of the northern region as a Divine Land.

Deep autumn had arrived, and the weather was already quite cool.

On the bare branches, one or two remaining leaves occasionally hung on stubbornly.

The oasis where the Sacred City was located was extremely vast, spanning tens of thousands of miles and containing many towns.

Compared to other states, the Holy State was the most peaceful.

Even the most daring bandits did not dare to raid this oasis, as major forces had stationed personnel here.

The north wind swept the land, bending the white grass.

The snowy season was not far off, and many travelers seen on the road were already wearing beast-skin clothing.

The main road leading to the Sacred City was very wide, capable of accommodating more than ten carriages traveling side-by-side.

Apart from residents of the northern region, cultivators could also be seen occasionally flying across the sky.

At this moment, Ye Fan was less than six hundred miles from the Sacred City.

On either side of the road stood towering mountains and fractured stone cliffs, all majestic in spirit.

This green stone road seemed as if it had been carved by cleaving mountains and splitting cliffs.

When he was less than two hundred miles from the Sacred City, noticeably more travelers appeared on the road.

Strange and powerful beasts galloped like wind and lightning, their riders mostly cultivators.

Suddenly, a sound like muffled thunder echoed as dozens of riders charged forth like a tidal wave.

Undeniably, these people were very arrogant, riding their beasts at a low altitude, only a few meters above the ground, as they advanced along the road.

The ferocious beasts roared, and a wild wind howled past, disheveling the hair of many people on the road and causing them to glare angrily.

One could clearly see Dragon Horse hooves and the claws of scaly leopards stepping through the void only a few meters overhead—a great disrespect to the travelers on the road below.

Those riding the beasts in mid-air paid no mind to the feelings of the people on the main road.

They charged towards the Sacred City, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Ordinary people would absolutely not dare to act so, as the majority of those traveling to the Sacred City were cultivators, and such actions risked causing offense.

“Which ancient family’s disciples are these?

They’re truly too arrogant, treading right over our heads as they go!” someone on the road complained.

“Let it be.

Say less.

In case they hear you and come back to cause trouble, it will be a catastrophe,” someone advised.

“I think they might be from the Northern Plains’ Golden Family.

Perhaps it was unintentional; maybe they’re in a hurry.” “A descendant of a Golden Family sovereign offended a Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Palace.

The two sides fought a great battle, and both suffered injuries.

They are probably hurrying because of this matter.” Though he had not yet truly entered the Sacred City, Ye Fan already sensed that a place where storms gathered lay ahead.

This city, a focal point for the world’s powers, hosted the Royal Family of the Central States, the Golden Family from the Northern Plains, sovereigns from the Southern Mountains, and even the various Sacred Lands from the Eastern Wastelands.

Soon after, Ye Fan finally approached the foremost city of the northern region.

This was a Pure Land.

For one hundred and fifty miles around the Sacred City, the land was lush and vibrant, seemingly untouched by seasonal changes.

Though it was already deep autumn, everything here was verdant, with no trace of coldness.

It was like a spring day: a warm wind brushed the face, vegetation was abundant, and Spiritual Springs gushed.

The Spiritual Qi was incredibly dense, many times richer than in other places.

Ancient trees soared skyward, some over a hundred meters high, resembling small mountains with branches stretching towards the heavens.

Ancient vines, like coiled dragons, crawled over cliff faces.

“It’s already deep autumn.

Why is it still so vibrant?” someone, as puzzled as Ye Fan, asked others on the main road.

“The Sacred City has existed since antiquity.

It’s the city itself that has affected the regional environment,” someone answered.

Half an hour later, Ye Fan finally saw the legendary Sacred City, and its sight gave him a profound shock.

The Ancient City was extremely magnificent.

Its city walls lay like a resting Azure Dragon, continuous and endless, seemingly cast from molten bronze and glistening with a metallic light.

The grand city gate tower, a hundred meters high, was imposing and majestic.

From afar, the colossal Ancient City exuded an overwhelming sense of oppression.

So this is the eye of the storm in the northern region…

Ye Fan thought.

Since ancient times, there had been many legends about the Sacred City.

Consulting various records, people would be amazed to discover just how truly ancient it was.

Its origins were impossible to trace to a specific era.

Since written records began, this city had never changed location, and no one knew for how many ages it had existed.

Divine City was also its name.

It was said that in ages past, it had hung in the air, only sinking to the earth during the Ancient Desolation.

This Ancient City was many times larger than the capitals of great nations and was utterly magnificent.

If one did not fly, walking through it as an ordinary person would take an entire day.

Inside, the city was bustling.

Temples stood like a forest, and ancient streets were wide.

Gambling Stone Workshops, Immortal Towers, Wind Moon Palaces, Holy Master Palaces, and Demon King Pavilions were all present, showcasing extreme luxury.

Mortals and cultivators mingled throughout.

In the city, people came and went, about half of them cultivators.

In such a place, no one dared to act rashly, lest they accidentally offend a descendant of an ancient family.

If one were even more unfortunate, they might directly step on the foot of a Grand Elder from a Sacred Land.

Such incidents were not unlikely, as many such important figures frequented the Sacred City.

Ye Fan found his eyes could hardly take it all in.

The Ancient City was enormous, its layout intricate and quite mystical.

He suspected some halls and palaces were as ancient as the city itself.

Beside the flourishing main streets, vast palace complexes would occasionally appear, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, like an imperial palace.

“What place is this?” he would occasionally inquire of passers-by.

“This is an inn operated by the Five Elements Palace.

It’s quite good.” An entire palace used as an inn…

and it’s just ‘quite good’?

Ye Fan was somewhat speechless.

Walking a short distance further, he saw another palace garden.

The scenery was magnificent, the towers grand, and it was splendidly decorated.

“And what place is this?” Ye Fan asked again.

“This is a Gambling Stone Workshop, but it’s quite small in scale.

I suggest you visit the ones run by the Sacred Lands,” the person next to him replied.

Such a palace, yet it’s considered a small Gambling Stone Workshop…

Ye Fan was truly at a loss for words.

Not long after, he saw some pavilions suspended in mid-air.

They were not chaotically placed but arranged with regularity and elegance.

“Excuse me, old sir,” Ye Fan had to inquire again, “could you enlighten me as to what place this is?” “First time in the Sacred City, right?” The middle-aged man by the roadside, perhaps in his fifties, glanced at him and said, “This is a restaurant.

Not bad at all.” Ye Fan stroked his chin, truly not knowing what to say.

Everything was extremely luxurious.

The man continued, “If you have enough Source, you can go up for a meal.

All kinds of delicacies from around the world are available, and young women cultivators pour wine and play the zither for guests.” No one flew within the city; even cultivators strictly adhered to city regulations.

On the bustling streets, people came and go, streams of them brushing shoulders.

Ye Fan walked for a while before finally arriving at a quiet place.

It was a Daoist temple, not particularly grand or tall, but occupying a vast area.

Ancient trees were planted all around, lush and green.

The temple was a haven hidden from the vast Red Dust, quieter than elsewhere, with a sense of returning to authenticity.

This was a very special place.

It felt as if the aura of the Great Dao circulated within.

Despite many people coming and going, it remained tranquil.

“Uncle,” Ye Fan asked a portly, middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties, “may I ask what place this is?

Why is there a Daoist temple here?” “Newcomer, right?

Just arrived in the Sacred City, haven’t you?” There it is again, Ye Fan thought.

The same thing I hear every time I ask someone for directions.

The portly middle-aged man chuckled.

“This is the Stone Workshop of the Dao Yi Sacred Land.

It’s quite famous and a very nice place.

Recently, their sacred lady has been making frequent appearances.

Young men looking to glimpse her beauty shouldn’t miss the chance.” “Uncle, why is your laugh so…

lecherous?” Ye Fan asked.

“Hehe…

You don’t know, but it’s been very lively here recently.

Eight lunatics suddenly appeared from who-knows-where, claiming they want to gamble stones at the Dao Yi Sacred Land and win their sacred lady.” “Uncle, you certainly are quite the gossip,” Ye Fan remarked, glancing at the portly man.

“These eight lunatics have significant backgrounds.

Even a Grand Elder from the Jiang Family couldn’t subdue them.

After the eight of them produced a Red Jade Order, that old fellow from the Jiang Family just turned and left.” “What is the background of these eight people?” Ye Fan asked curiously.

“Who knows,” the portly man muttered.

Then he suggested, “Shall we go in and check it out?” Ye Fan declined.

The portly man chuckled, swaying his large backside as he headed into the Stone Workshop of the Dao Yi Sacred Land alone.

Who are these people trying to win the sacred lady of a Sacred Land?

Trying to steal my business, are they?

Still, it’s good to have more people like this.

It’ll make it easier for me to fish in troubled waters in the Sacred City, Ye Fan muttered to himself.

After rounding a corner, a large lake suddenly appeared ahead.

The water was azure blue, like a giant sapphire embedded in the earth.

Crowds of people strolled along the lakeside, where willows swayed and a warm wind brushed past.

Many Dragon Ships and Phoenix Pavilions were moored on the lake, and the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments wafted from them.

Ye Fan noticed that most of the people on the shore were young.

He raised his eyes and was further astonished.

Deep over the lake, misty clouds swirled in the sky, among which floated many large ships, as well as palaces and towers.

What place is this now?

Ye Fan wondered.

This time, instead of being told it was his first visit, he was met with disdain.

“You’re already here, and you’re still pretending to be an innocent young man?” someone scoffed.

“Brother,” Ye Fan said humbly, “I really don’t know what this place is.

Could you tell me about it?” Amidst the throng of people, with willows lining the lake, the man glanced at him and said, “This is the famous Miao Yu Temple of the Sacred City.

How could you not know?” “Miao Yu Temple?

What’s that?

I’ve never been to the Sacred City before,” Ye Fan said.

“Of course, it’s one of the ten famous Wind and Moon Lands in the Sacred City,” the man replied.

“Recently, the successor of Miao Yu Temple is said to be making an appearance.

I reckon some Saint Heirs and heirs of the Ancient Nobilities have secretly snuck here.

And you, on your first visit to the Sacred City, head straight for this place…” “I am interested in seeing it, but I truly didn’t know about this place beforehand,” Ye Fan admitted.

The man glanced at him again.

“It only gets lively here at night.

The lights are brilliant, the Immortal Lake sparkles, celestial towers and jade palaces emerge in the sky, and jade ships float across it.

When the most outstanding successor of Miao Yu Temple makes her appearance, certain Saint Heirs and young scions of the Ancient Nobilities might secretly come.” “Is Miao Yu Temple really that famous?” Ye Fan asked, surprised.

“Miao Yu Temple has an ancient legacy and wields colossal power.

Naturally, its fame is extreme; it’s not much weaker than the Sacred Lands.” The Sacred City had ten such Wind and Moon Lands.

Not even mentioning its heritage and power, Miao Yu Temple ranked in the top three for its ‘wind and moon’ aspects alone.

It was said that their successive Nunnery Masters, in their youth, all had…

complicated relationships with certain Saint Heirs, some of whom later became Holy Masters.