Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 368 - 369 Chapter 374 Cutting Out a Qilin Seed

369: Chapter 374 Cutting Out a Qilin Seed 369: Chapter 374 Cutting Out a Qilin Seed The Divine Wheels of four Grandmasters melded together, illuminating the Blood Sacrifice Platform, where the visage of a young maiden appeared vividly, as if she were peacefully sleeping.

SWISH.

The Source Heaven Divine Wheel vanished, the strange black stone dimmed, and everything became blurred and indistinct, impossible to see clearly again.

“Why was the Divine Wheel withdrawn?

We didn’t see clearly.

Please continue, seniors, let us take a closer look.” “Exactly, it was so mysterious.

Just a glimpse, and then it disappeared…” Nangong Qi shook his head and said, “The four of us old men are not Heavenly Source Masters; we could only persist to this point.” Inside and outside the Stone Garden, there was a complete uproar.

People were unable to control their emotions; the spectacle they had just witnessed was shocking—someone inside the strange black stone, it was like something from a fairytale.

Although there had been such rumors, they were too ancient, and people had almost stopped believing them.

Now that they saw it with their own eyes, no one could remain calm.

“Over one hundred thousand years ago, there were legends of people cutting out peerless beauties from stones, but not even all the Sacred Lands combined could stop her from escaping.” The past events were too ancient, almost mythical.

Nothing was more persuasive or more shocking than witnessing it firsthand.

The people of the Shaking Light Stone Workshop couldn’t muster a smile.

This dealt them a heavy blow; everything was going terribly.

In those days, they had worked tirelessly, sparing no effort to move the collapsed Ancient Divine Temple from the Taichu Forbidden Area.

They had cut six of the nine Blood Stones without any rare treasures appearing.

Ultimately, they placed what seemed like scraps, the smallest Blood Stone, into the Stone Workshop for auction, never expecting this “waste” to contain a startlingly rare treasure.

The people from Shaking Light felt deeply wounded, to the point of feeling like vomiting blood.

The old man guarding the Heavenly Stone Garden was also unsettled, his emotions in turmoil.

With such a significant event, the divine city was in an uproar, requiring the presence of Saint Master Level figures to handle the situation.

Not long after, the Emperor’s uncle of Great Xia arrived.

He was clad in golden battle armor, wearing a Nine Dragon Crown, striding like a dragon and a tiger, appearing divinely valiant, as if the Heavenly Emperor had descended, with an Ancestor Dragon Head manifesting above him.

This was a Saint Master Level figure.

Upon his arrival, everyone’s spirits trembled, and they involuntarily cleared a path for him.

SWISH.

In a flash of light, another figure silently appeared in the Heavenly Stone Garden—it was Xu Tianxiong, the third great bandit of the northern region, whose power exceeded even that of the Green Flood Dragon King.

He stood in the arena clad in a plain robe, his appearance gaunt.

Those nearby immediately fell silent.

He had been in the divine city recently and had arrived at a convenient time.

Moments later, a tall shadow flashed into the Stone Garden—it was the Guardian of the Ji Family’s Stone Garden, the white-haired, jade-skinned old man.

The older generation knew of him.

However, the younger generation was shocked.

They had not expected him to be a sovereign, guarding a remote Stone Garden, which was beyond their expectations.

Now, with experts from all walks of life gathering at Purple Mountain, having three Saint Master Level figures in the divine city was already surprising and unexpected to many.

“The Red Dragon Daoist is also in the divine city.

Go invite him…” suggested an old man.

Yet, almost no one responded, as if they were extremely apprehensive about the Red Dragon Daoist, unwilling to involve themselves with him.

“I, the old Daoist, have come myself!” Suddenly, silently, another presence emerged in the field—a worn Daoist robe, a withered body, as if he had long been standing there.

Many shuddered, including the older generation; even the Grand Elders of the Sacred Lands stepped back involuntarily.

Even the Emperor’s uncle of Great Xia, the Ji Family’s sovereign, and Xu Tianxiong, the third great bandit who surpassed the Green Flood Dragon King, kept a respectful distance from him, clearly wary.

Ye Fan and Li Heishui glanced at each other.

This Red Dragon Daoist is far more terrifying than we imagined, unsettling even Saint Master Level figures.

Upon deeper thought, it was understandable.

The old Red Dragon Daoist had lived for three thousand years, older by half a generation than all the Saint Masters, and possessed unfathomable strength, allowing him to roam freely across the Eastern Wastelands.

“That head is indistinguishable from a human; it’s likely an ancient Royal Family member or a Holy Spirit!” said the Emperor’s uncle of Great Xia.

The third great bandit Xu Tianxiong said, “We only saw a head, without glimpsing the full body.

It’s unlikely to be a living Holy Spirit or an ancient king.” The sovereign of the Ji Family said, “It is better to proceed cautiously.

We should first carve Array Patterns.

If it is a living king of an ancient race, we can transport her to the divine city’s Heavenly Prison.” “Alright!” The Emperor’s uncle of Great Xia nodded.

In the field, only the Red Dragon Daoist remained silent, standing still like a wooden stake.

Yet, no one dared say more.

The sovereign of the Ji Family, Xu Tianxiong, and the Emperor’s uncle of Great Xia worked together, spreading out mysterious jade and carving Array Patterns, carefully and deliberately.

Many people were hearing of the divine city’s Heavenly Prison for the first time.

But seeing the concentrated expressions of the three Saint Master Level figures as they inscribed the patterns, everyone felt this prison must be extraordinary.

Although such a matter occurred, the stone-gambling was not interrupted.

Ye Fan and Nangong Qi began cutting stones.

Many people were anticipating the outcome.

Despite the presence of Saint Master Level figures, it did not affect people’s moods; instead, their eagerness increased.

“Cut open the strange black stones!

A world-shaking divine item will surely emerge today!” “Inside the Blood Sacrifice Platform is a peerless Goddess; what might other stones contain?

Could there be unimaginable beings in the Immortal Tomb?” Everyone was excited, wanting to witness a miracle.

The Stone Garden was abuzz with excitement, and even the presence of sovereigns was momentarily overlooked.

CRACK!

Nangong Qi wielded a Silver Blade, his motions skillful, as if a dragon was dancing, with silver radiance flashing as he cut the Fiery Sun Stone.

A Grandmaster Level figure in action was extraordinary; the blade in his hand seemed to possess a spirit, exuding beauty, like an artistic sublimation, his skill approaching the Dao.

CLANG!

The blade rang like a dragon’s roar as the Silver Blade returned to its sheath.

He completed the stone-cutting action in almost an instant, then stepped back a few paces and gently blew out a breath.

The Fiery Sun Stone disintegrated into fragments that fluttered like snowflakes, scattering like dust.

A small sun emerged, suspended in mid-air, blazing with immense radiance that illuminated the entire Stone Garden, so bright that no one could look at it directly.

A Divine Source the size of a human head!

The first stone cut revealed such a world-shocking item, astonishing everyone.

His Sword Skill was unparalleled, completing the task in an instant without damaging the Divine Source in the slightest.

Inside and outside the Stone Garden, there was an uproar; no one could remain calm.

The people of the Shaking Light Stone Workshop felt their hearts, lungs, and livers ache…

their entire bodies ached!

No one was more wounded than them.

This first stone alone could recoup all of Nangong Qi’s expenses, worth five hundred thousand jin of Source.

“Inconceivable!

The Source Technique Master inspires awe.” “I might as well stop cultivating and go apprentice under a Source Technique Master.

With such exceptional skills, one could roam the world proudly.” …

No one wasn’t envious.

In casual conversation, a world-shocking Divine Source had been cut out, something many small and medium-sized sects could not match even if they exhausted all their resources.

“Young friend, it’s your turn,” Nangong Qi smiled.

Ye Fan’s slicing was not as skillful as his, but it was also full of beauty, extremely agile and ethereal, like playing an Immortal Song, interpreting the rhythm of the Dao.

Suddenly, his body trembled, and the knife in his hand nearly split the Wind Cave Stone.

Dragon Qi had assailed him just then, coursing through the earth veins, almost triggering the Wind Cave Stone to collapse and injure him.

He coldly snorted, glancing at Nangong Qi and the others, seeing them all smiling silently, offering no indication.

Ye Fan sneered inwardly.

He continued to cut the stone, but once again, several strands of Dragon Qi burst up from the ground, thunderous and powerful, wholly intent on taking his life.

“You seniors sure think highly of me!” He lowered his knife, thrusting it into the Wind Cave Stone and striking into the earth veins.

A Great Dragon manifested, charging toward the Divine Source Nangong Qi had just cut.

Nangong Qi and his companions were shocked, not expecting him to retaliate so openly.

If the head-sized Divine Source were detonated, not only they but most of those present would suffer heavy casualties.

Valued at five hundred thousand jin of Pure Source, the divine energy it contained was unimaginable, enough to level the Shaking Light Stone Workshop and obliterate numerous cultivators, body and spirit.

The four of them struck simultaneously, severing the Great Dragon and protecting that piece of Divine Source.

“Youngster, such brazenness!

Do you want to get everyone killed?” Nangong Qi reprimanded in a low voice.

“Though I am young, I am open and candid; this was merely passive retaliation.

You, though aged, are overly sinister and base, repeatedly trying to harm my life.

What face do you have to criticize me?” Ye Fan showed no restraint, speaking such words boldly in public.

“Life and death are a part of Source Technique duels; these are ancestral rules.

It’s not a matter of sinister or upright methods—if your skills are inferior, death is the only outcome!” Nangong Qi sneered.

“Then don’t blame me for my so-called ‘brazenness’!” Ye Fan retorted.

DING!

At that moment, he sheathed his blade.

Stone flakes scattered like a Flower Rain, drifting in all directions, as beams of Divine Radiance shot out, vying with the sun in brilliance.

He had cut open the Wind Cave Stone, revealing a fist-sized piece of Divine Source, exceedingly dazzling, causing murmurs of astonishment from the crowd.

Many senior figures were stunned.

“Ancient Insect Divine Source!” “Indeed, it’s the rare spiritual medicine, Ancient Insect Divine Source!” Within the fist-sized Divine Source, there were as many as forty-odd small insects, each no bigger than a fingernail, all gleaming gold and radiating Divine Radiance.

“These ancient insects feed on Source and can expel Source Essence.

They are the finest materials for crafting various Ancient Pills!” The so-called Ancient Pills referred to ancient pill formulas with miraculous effects whose ingredients could no longer be fully gathered, as many required spiritual items had long disappeared from the world.

“Oh heavens, they feed on Divine Sources!

These are ancient insect kings; their value is immeasurable.” When these ancient insects consume Divine Sources, they become insect kings.

They can almost replace the herbs required for various Ancient Pill Recipes and are one of the most precious spiritual items below divine medicine.

Not far away, the Divine Silkworm struggled desperately, wanting to rush over.

Ji Ziyue held onto its small, dragon-shaped tail, refusing to let it go, while the young nun softly consoled it.

“Don’t move around, little one.

That’s not ours.” They dared not release the Divine Silkworm.

If this Golden Little Spirit were to swallow the Pure Source worth several hundred thousand jin in one gulp, they wouldn’t be able to compensate for the loss.

The Golden Little Spirit looked very aggrieved, its eyes welling with tears.

It gestured silently at Ye Fan’s Divine Source, then pointed to itself, complaining to the young nun and Little Moon (Ji Ziyue), still upset about Ye Fan taking its Divine Source in the past.

“This piece of Divine Source, though only the size of a fist, with these dozens of ancient insect kings, is worth six hundred thousand jin of Pure Source!” proclaimed a Grand Elder from one of the Sacred Lands.

BOOM!

The area inside and outside the Stone Garden erupted into excitement once again.

Treasures of astronomical value were truly being unearthed, and this was merely the first stone from both sides.

Originally, many people did not think highly of Ye Fan.

Since there was a chance the Blood Sacrifice Platform could reveal a Goddess, almost everyone believed he would lose.

But now, people were changing their minds; anything was possible!

Ye Fan’s Source Technique was astonishing—his first stone had suppressed Grandmaster Level figures.

Perhaps there might be a world-shaking Immortal Treasure in the Immortal Tomb, rivaling an ancient Goddess.

The people from the Shaking Light Stone Workshop turned completely pale green.

They found this result hard to accept; their losses today were disastrous.

After this battle, the Heavenly Stone Garden would likely hold no more rare treasures!

The rest might all be waste stones.

“This Ancient Insect Divine Source is extremely valuable!

It could be used according to Ancient Pill Recipes to refine Life-extending Pills!” A group of old men surged forward with red eyes, nearly coming to blows.

Many among them had lifespans that were almost exhausted, and this kind of spiritual item was what they desired most.

“No hurry, seniors.

It is not too late to consider the Ancient Insect Divine Source after the stone-gambling battle ends,” Ye Fan said with a smile.

“That’s true.

Now is not the time to fight over it.” “Let’s not harm our good relations.

We can discuss it again after the Source Technique battle ends.” The group of elderly figures with little time left gradually calmed down.

All the Saint Heirs and sacred ladies were shaken.

It seemed that a Source Technique Master had even brighter prospects than them, as even powerful figures from the older generation had to make requests of them.

“Little Brother Gu Feng, at such a young age, you’re already comparable to a Grandmaster Level figure.

You will undoubtedly become a Heavenly Source Master in the future,” An Miaoyin secretly transmitted.

Ye Fan didn’t know if she was also complimenting the members of the ancient families skilled in Source Technique but smiled and nodded in response.

Yet, the instant he turned around, his expression froze.

Several sacred ladies were right in front of him.

He saw “heaven’s secrets” again; what’s more captivating than one peerless beauty is surely two or more.

A field of snow-white, crystalline skin was before him, leaving him feeling dazzled.

Out of politeness, he couldn’t immediately turn away.

The Saint Heirs and sacred ladies all smiled at him, conveying goodwill because they felt there was a real possibility that this youth could become a Heavenly Source Master.

Such a prodigy would be honored by every Sacred Land, and many would likely seek his help in the future.

Ye Fan could handle the smiles from the Saint Heirs, but the smiles from the sacred ladies made his heart pound.

No normal man could remain calm when confronted with several peerless, alluring figures.

To his surprise, he found the Yaochi Saintess to be exceptionally unique this time; he hadn’t managed to see through her.

He was greatly astonished.

The Yaochi Saintess’s close-fitting silken garment was sheer and indistinct, clearly a divine item.

A cold snort sounded in his ears.

He acutely sensed it was from the Yaochi Saintess, who was clearly displeased, perhaps recalling the events from three days prior.

Ye Fan turned back and faced Nangong Qi and the others, not looking around again.

“So what if the Ancient Insect Divine Source is precious?

Even if you unearth it, it can only be left to the victor,” a young disciple from one of the ancient families skilled in Source Technique sneered.

“That’s right, merely doing the work for others.

We can just take it to refine a batch of Ancient Pills to enhance our cultivation base,” another young disciple laughed aloud.

“You can brag after you’ve truly beaten us,” Li Heishui quipped, though inside, he felt very unsure.

The idea that the Blood Sacrifice Platform contained a peerless Goddess was still somewhat hard for him to fully believe.

“More talk is useless.

Let’s continue cutting stones!” Ye Fan said.

“Yes, hurry and cut the stones!

Let’s determine the victor!” “We want to see what’s in the Immortal Tomb!” All the围观的人 shouted this, eagerly anticipating the emergence of an Immortal Treasure.

Nangong Qi once again showcased his exquisite Sword Skill.

The Silver Blade danced like a dragon and flew like a phoenix.

In just a few breaths, he cut open the second stone, which was the size of a house.

With a sweep of his sleeve, stone debris filled the air,簌簌 falling, leaving only a piece of Divine Source suspended in mid-air, its Divine Radiance刺目.

It was slightly larger than a human head and, to everyone’s shock, contained an actual head, barely enveloped by the Divine Source.

“Heavens, a human head!” everyone cried out in shock.

“Indistinguishable from a human!

It must belong to an ancient Royal Family!” Many people exclaimed, their faces paling completely.

Rumors of corpses being found in Divine Sources had always existed.

However, apart from Ye Fan, who had seen such things in Purple Mountain and the Ten Thousand Dragon Nest, very few in this world had ever witnessed it.

Naturally, it caused a great shock.

“The head of an ancient Royal Family member is incredibly valuable, beyond measure!” a Grand Elder from one of the Sacred Lands exclaimed.

Even the Ji Family’s sovereign, the third great bandit Xu Tianxiong, and the Emperor’s uncle of Great Xia—the three Saint Master Level figures who were inscribing Dao Glyphs nearby—were alarmed.

They stopped their work and strode closer.

“It is indeed the head of an ancient Royal Family member!” This head belonged to a middle-aged man.

He had thick, purple hair, bronze-colored skin, and chiseled features.

His eyes were closed, and his neck had been cleanly severed by a sharp blade, an extremely clean cut, indicating it was绝非 natural death.

“It’s tremendously useful for studying ancient races and their weaknesses!” “Incredibly rare!

Throughout history, only a few corpses of upper-echelon Royal Family members have been obtained.

This is truly precious!” The Saint Master Level figures made such comments, and everyone else was shaken.

It was clear that this head was exceptionally valuable.

CRACK!

At that moment, Ye Fan cut open the second strange black stone—the devil fetus.

This ‘devil fetus’, rumored to absorb Sun and Moon Essence and contain a Holy Spirit, was once a highly sought-after strange black stone.

However, after a Source Technique Master refuted these claims, its value plummeted, with its price dropping several times.

Now valued at one hundred twenty thousand jin of Source, it might have depreciated further if no one had shown interest.

Finally, it was cut open.

BANG.

With a gentle tremor from Ye Fan, stone chips fell away.

Purple Divine Radiance soared to the sky, and an astonishing amount of Spiritual Qi overflowed.

This time, even the Red Dragon Daoist was startled and instantly rushed closer.

As he approached, a group of old men who were about to rush forward froze in their tracks.

Even the other three Saint Master Level figures maintained a certain distance from him.

They seemed to be avoiding him as if he were a Primordial Fierce Beast, wary of an attack from the Red Dragon Daoist, a testament to his terrifying presence.

This was a bowl-sized Divine Source.

It should have originally been golden, but it contained a rare treasure that had dyed it purple, making it brilliantly radiant.

It emanated wisps of purple mist and was suffused with Spiritual Qi, exuding a sacred aura, as if it could purify one’s mind and heart, cleansing both soul and body.

Many people had this feeling and were completely astonished.

All of them stared with eyes radiating Divine Light, looking at this Divine Source, trying to see through it to discover what lay within.

“Powerful life fluctuations!” “Indeed, there’s an unparalleled sacred aura!

What is this?

There’s a living creature inside!” The crowd grew anxious, finding it difficult to truly see through it.

Inside, purple light shimmered, and radiance soared to the sky; only a vague silhouette could be discerned.

“This is a… Qilin!” The Emperor’s uncle of Great Xia exclaimed, his face filled with shock as he saw the life form within the Divine Source.

The Ji Family’s sovereign was also dumbfounded.

“Indeed, a purple Qilin!” The Red Dragon Daoist became exceptionally excited.

He appeared beside Ye Fan, staring intently at the bowl-sized Divine Source.

At this moment, the Divine Source’s radiance began to recede as it started to absorb the energy of heaven and earth and the Sun and Moon Essence.

The others finally saw the life form within, and all were utterly shocked.

“Heavens, it’s really a Qilin!” “This is too unbelievable!

How can such a creature exist?

This is an existence on par with True Dragons and the Immortal!” “But…

it’s so small, smaller than a baby’s fist.” The Stone Garden resounded with a tumultuous uproar; no one could remain calm.

Throughout history, no one had been able to clearly explain the Immortal, and the same applied to immortal spirits.

Many speculated that True Dragons did not exist, only flood dragons that resembled them.

Similar conclusions were drawn about Qilins.

“It’s so tiny!

Could it be a young True Qilin birthed by Heaven and Earth before the Ancient Era?!” The sacred aura was extremely potent, making everyone in the Stone Garden feel as if they had undergone a baptism, as if they had been purified.

“This is not a Qilin; it’s a seed!” the Red Dragon Daoist suddenly spoke.

However, there was no disappointment in his expression; on the contrary, his excitement seemed to intensify.