Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 332 - 333 Chapter 338 The No Beginning Bell Rings Again

333: Chapter 338: The No Beginning Bell Rings Again 333: Chapter 338: The No Beginning Bell Rings Again An Miaoyi gracefully sat down, exuding a natural body fragrance that resembled orchids and musk.

She occasionally sipped her drink lightly, her conversation sparkling like jewels.

Clinking glasses with a few people, she quickly blended in without the slightest sense of intrusion.

The Prince of Great Xia and Yao Yuekong were extraordinary individuals, naturally not swayed by common beauty.

However, An Miaoyi possessed a peculiar charm that involuntarily drew people to her.

“Brother Gu Feng, Miaoyi offers you a toast.

Surely you won’t refuse this time?” Her smile was sweet.

Ye Fan took a light sip of the fine wine and said, “Next time, I will invite Fairy An to admire flowers under the moon as an apology.” Yao Yuekong immediately laughed aloud.

“Flowers under the moonlight, you mean?” “Brother Gu, you’re young.

Make sure not to pick up any bad habits.” An Miaoyi gave him a sidelong glance, full of charm.

Though she came from the Miao Yu Temple, she was usually as pure as a snow lotus on a high, cold peak—sacred and untouchable.

Yet now, her smile was like a blooming flower, exuding a captivating grace.

Ye Fan smiled and said, “How could I dare?

Brother Yuekong, you’ve misunderstood me.

Fairy An is comparable to the cold fairy.

The zither she played on that moonlit night left a deep impression on me.

I was thinking that if I apologized under the moonlight, I might have another chance to witness her ethereal dance.” The Prince of Great Xia smiled.

“Why not have Fairy An perform her ethereal dance for us now?” “Snow is falling so heavily.

Are you all heartless enough to make me dance in this cold wind?” An Miaoyi chuckled, but eventually, she stood up and went to the plum trees beyond the palace hall.

She danced as lightly as a cloud, her robes purer than snow.

Like a spirit in the auspicious snowfall, her graceful form displayed a gentle elegance to its fullest.

Plum blossoms danced in the air, crystalline flakes swirling around her.

The white, interspersed with specks of red from the blossoms, enhanced her ethereal presence.

“Bravo!” “Bravo!” …

Cheers erupted from other palace halls, as many witnessed the fairy dancing in the snow, a flawless silhouette.

Before long, An Miaoyi floated lightly back into the hall.

Even the young nun in white was moved and grew much closer to An Miaoyi.

“Brother Gu Feng, your Source Technique is astonishing!

How did you cultivate it?” As they enjoyed their drinks and conversation, they finally broached the question on everyone’s mind.

“Just some ancient techniques passed down in my family.

They’re nothing remarkable,” Ye Fan replied.

Yao Yuekong said, “Brother Gu, you’re too modest.

Though you’ve only acted two or three times, one glimpse is enough to see the whole picture.

You must possess a world-shocking technique!” The Prince of Great Xia, Xia Yiming, said, “So, you inherited it from a Source Technique family?

Which noble family might that be?” Ye Fan already knew that the Northern Region had several renowned Source Technique families.

These families had long-standing legacies and were closely connected with the various Sacred Lands.

“We’re just a humble household, not worth mentioning.

Not a noble family, just some simple Source Techniques passed down by my ancestors, which we rarely use.” Hearing this, Yao Yuekong said, “Truly a master from a discreet noble family that doesn’t flaunt its strength.

Could it be a branch of the most ancient Heavenly Source Master lineage, the strongest in Source Techniques in the world?” “Not at all.

My techniques cannot compare to those of the Heavenly Source Master lineage,” Ye Fan said, shaking his head.

“Brother Gu, you’re far too modest.

I observe an ancient style in your Source Technique; it might not be much inferior to that of the Heavenly Source Master lineage,” the Prince of Great Xia said.

“The Northern Region has several major Source Technique families.

I believe your Source Technique surpasses theirs.

I’ve met successors from two of those families, and they are definitely no match for you,” Yao Yuekong said.

An Miaoyi smiled.

“That goes without saying.

I heard that some people from a Source Technique family came once.

They examined the Nine-Orifice Stone Man closely but ultimately gave up.

They certainly couldn’t compare with Brother Gu.” “To be honest, I was just guessing.

Since a divine medicine had already been cut out, I decided to take a bold gamble,” Ye Fan laughed, then began to change the subject, not wanting to dwell on it.

Li Heishui asked, “Your Highness, your Great Xia Dynasty always has members of the Royal Family stationed in the Northern Divine City.

Are they so intent on Source?” “Indeed, it is greatly needed,” the Prince of Great Xia replied.

Ye Fan swirled the wine in his jade cup and said, “I’ve heard some rumors, but I’m not sure if they’re true or false.” Hearing this, Yao Yuekong also spoke up, “I’ve heard them as well.

Brother Xia, could you perhaps enlighten us?” The Prince of Great Xia, Xia Yiming, set down his wine cup.

“What you’ve heard must be the tale that our ancestors obtained an ancient scripture from a stone when they were cutting Source.

This supposedly led to our family’s unstoppable rise and the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Is that it?” “Yes, that’s the legend precisely,” Li Heishui nodded.

An Miaoyi was also very attentive.

She smiled softly and said, “Your Highness, please tell us in detail.

We’d like to understand the truth of it.” “That is all just a rumor!

How could the Grand Emperor Scripture be cut from a stone?

It was created by our ancestor, the Grand Emperor himself!

It represents an accomplishment of the Extreme Dao!” the Prince of Great Xia exclaimed.

The Grand Emperor Scripture is one of the Four Great Books of the Central States.

Its attack power is unmatched in the Central States, and it is subtly considered to have the potential to be the foremost technique in the world.

It is said that the only technique that can rival it is the ‘Dou’ secret art, one of the Nine Secret Arts.

Unfortunately, this Supreme Sacred Technique only appears once every several hundred generations, so its lineage is almost broken.

These two supreme offensive Holy Techniques have never truly clashed.

People have always wanted to know which is stronger, but unfortunately, that wish has never been fulfilled.

Yao Yuekong nodded.

“I thought so too.

Given the Grand Emperor’s fame throughout history, how could his ancient techniques possibly originate from someone else?” The Grand Emperor was a legendary figure, almost divine.

Some say he could achieve Reverse Immortal Slaying, an unparalleled feat for an exceptional individual.

Back then, his attack power made the entire world tremble; it was unparalleled.

When his Emperor’s Dragon Qi was unleashed, no one in the world could contend with him.

The Great Emperors of old looked down upon the world, and the Grand Emperor left an indelible, brilliant mark on ancient history!

Xia Yiming said, “My Great Xia Royal Family is stationed in the Northern Divine City purely because we need Source, as well as the rare treasures found within it.” Of course, the others didn’t quite believe him.

There were other rumors.

Some said they collected divine items from Source with the intention of refining an immortal pill; others claimed they were trying to repair a sacred weapon.

Yao Yuekong said, “According to the ancient records of the Northern Region, more than a hundred thousand years ago, during the Ancient Desolation era, a peerless beauty was cut from a stone.

Do you think it might have been something similar to the Nine-Orifice Stone Man?” Li Heishui shook his head.

“It’s hard to say.

Perhaps it was an ancient creature sealed within Source.” “It’s said that back then, even the great Sacred Lands couldn’t stop her.

She escaped and vanished,” An Miaoyi said.

“This business involving Source isn’t just about gambling; there are far more precious things to be found within,” Li Heishui said.

When it came to Source, the conversation naturally turned to the rare treasures Ye Fan had obtained, and the group began to estimate their value.

“That human-shaped divine medicine is severely incomplete.

Only its two medicinal feet remain.

It’s worth, at most, just over one hundred thousand pounds of Source,” the Prince of Great Xia assessed.

Yao Yuekong nodded and said, “Its true value does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand pounds of Source.

While Ancient Divine Medicine is more precious than Divine Sources, this one is far too incomplete.” Undoubtedly, he had significant authority in such matters, considering the Heavenly Demon Treasure Pavilion was one of the seven major auction houses in the divine city.

Ye Fan smiled.

“But if someone desperately needs it, I believe its price could greatly increase at auction.” An Miaoyi, who possessed a Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart, quickly guessed his intention.

“If the great Sacred Lands suffer major casualties in their attack on Purple Mountain,” she said, “they will definitely compete fiercely to bid for it upon hearing that an Ancient Divine Medicine has surfaced.” “Indeed,” Ye Fan smiled and nodded.

“Crafty merchant!” murmured the young nun in white.

“Little sister, you mustn’t speak so thoughtlessly.

I’m saving lives here,” Ye Fan chuckled.

“Who are you calling little sister?” The young nun, a loli, wrinkled her nose and rolled her eyes at him.

“If that’s the case, I think it might fetch as much as three hundred thousand pounds of Source,” Yao Yuekong opined.

GULP!

Li Heishui quickly swallowed a mouthful of wine, trying to cover the sound of his gulping.

This is truly astounding!

An incomplete Ancient Divine Medicine is still so valuable!

“And what about the Dragon Pattern Black Gold Small Sword?

What’s its value?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“Brothers, could you perhaps sell this small sword to me?

I will offer you a satisfactory price,” the Prince of Great Xia pleaded sincerely.

Clearly, the young nun in white truly liked the small sword, which was less than an inch long.

Upon hearing this, her large eyes immediately sparkled.

“Miaoyi is cultivating a Strange Technique and urgently needs an indestructible weapon.

She also wishes to acquire this sword,” An Miaoyi said with a soft smile.

Ye Fan flipped his hand, and the Dragon Pattern Black Gold Sword appeared on his palm.

He presented it to the group for their appraisal.

Yao Yuekong said, “Not long ago, someone brought a piece of Dragon Pattern Black Gold, smaller than a fingernail, to the Heavenly Demon Treasure Pavilion.

It was auctioned for eighty thousand pounds of Source.” HISS!

Everyone gasped.

The holy divine relics exclusive to a Great Emperor were indeed unbelievably expensive, countless times more precious than Divine Sources of the same volume.

The vast amount of material required to forge an Extreme Dao Holy Weapon could clearly never be measured in such tiny pieces.

Thinking about it further, the material alone for an Extreme Dao Holy Weapon was of immeasurable value, to say nothing of the Dao and principles interwoven within it.

“No wonder even Great Emperors of ancient times had to scour the world and still might not gather enough materials.

This is too absurd!” After everyone had examined the small sword, the Prince of Great Xia said, “This sword, after all, has had limited time to gestate.

It is far from the time it should have naturally emerged and has only just begun to interweave Dao and principles.” An Miaoyi said, “This sword is less than an inch long.

If it were melted down into a single piece, it would be comparable in size to that speck of Dragon Pattern Black Gold that was auctioned for eighty thousand pounds of Source.

Considering the Laws it has begun to nurture, we could add another seventy thousand pounds of Source to its value.” “It couldn’t be that cheap, could it?” Li Heishui remarked.

An Miaoyi smiled.

“If we also consider that it was birthed from a Nine-Orifice Stone Man—a Holy Spirit Sword created by Heaven and Earth—we can add another one hundred thousand pounds of Source.” “Two hundred fifty thousand pounds of Source?” Li Heishui’s heart pounded.

Yao Yuekong said, “Actually, it’s even more valuable.

A Holy Sword birthed from a Nine-Orifice Stone Man could be auctioned for as much as three hundred fifty thousand pounds of Source at its peak.” Forget An Miaoyi; even the Prince of Great Xia felt a bit overwhelmed by this figure.

Although they were backed by super-powerful factions, they couldn’t just recklessly spend to acquire rare treasures.

“Three hundred thousand plus three hundred fifty thousand…

that’s six hundred fifty thousand pounds of Source all at once!” Li Heishui felt a little dizzy.

Ye Fan thought for a moment and said, “If it’s auctioned, I don’t want ordinary Pure Source.

Can it be exchanged for Exotic Source?” Yao Yuekong said, “That would be difficult.

No one is willing to trade away Exotic Source.

If you insist on exchanging, I estimate the value would diminish by about two-thirds.” “What?

Such a huge difference?!” Ye Fan was astonished.

“For those with profound cultivation bases, Pure Source has a minimal effect—its Spiritual Qi concentration might even be lower than what’s within their own bodies.

Exotic Source, however, is different.

It is concentrated essence.

Even if it’s not significantly useful for further cultivation at high realms, it’s still excellent for restoring divine energy.” “So, six hundred fifty thousand pounds of Pure Source, if exchanged for Exotic Source, would ultimately be worth only around two hundred thousand pounds?” Ye Fan was truly shocked.

“That’s about right,” the Prince of Great Xia nodded in agreement.

“This…” Ye Fan was left speechless.

But he had no choice.

Otherwise, the one million pounds of Source required for his advancement, if piled up, would form a mountain.

How could he possibly refine all of that?

He’d be buried underneath it!

His only consolation was that his Source Technique was accomplished.

He could continue stone gambling in the Stone Workshops of other Sacred Lands to gather what he needed.

That shouldn’t be a problem.

DONG…

Suddenly, a resonant bell toll echoed across the heavens and the earth.

The entire divine city reverberated and trembled with it.

That bell toll…

Ye Fan was startled.

The No Beginning Bell of Purple Mountain was ringing again!

“It’s just like last time!” Everyone stood up, utterly shocked, feeling an unparalleled sense of immensity and power.

Undoubtedly, the various Peacock Kings had attacked Purple Mountain for a second time and had ultimately fled back.

Who knows what happened this time!

“Brother Yuekong, let’s start the auction for the Ancient Divine Medicine now!” Ye Fan said.

Then, Li Heishui sent a voice transmission to Ye Fan, “That Human Essence Fruit, the one gnawed by the dog, should also be put up for auction.” He couldn’t help but laugh.