Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 432: Chapter 437: A Massacre

The small tavern was desolate, with no other customers. Zhang Wenchang appeared even older, his eyes dull, standing there rigidly like a heartless scarecrow.

He was engulfed in a morose aura, with not a hint of light in his eyes. Enduring constant humiliation and an unsatisfactory life, he always responded with silence. His world was a gray expanse.

“Useless old man, did you see the Sacred Body and fail to tell us?” a young man coldly inquired.

“No, I haven’t seen him,” Zhang Wenchang responded woodenly, a hint of melancholy in his eyes, his entire being steeped in despair.

“Could he really be dead? That would be letting him off too easily,” another young man said discontentedly, glaring at Zhang Wenchang. “If you dare deceive us, you’ll pay dearly!”

“A few months ago, he battled the prodigies of the Central States’ younger generation, but he hasn’t been seen for three months. Many are saying he’s already dead.”

Ji Hui sneered, “He’s definitely not dead. Three months ago, he appeared 1.5 million li away. His goal was clearly Yan, the only place with which he had any significant connection.”

“Granny Xuan, you always say he’s not dead, but why hasn’t he shown himself?” a young man, a direct descendant of Ji Hui, asked in confusion.

“That boy is very cunning. I suspect he has already returned but simply hasn’t revealed himself yet,” Ji Hui’s eyes were sharp as she stared intently at Zhang Wenchang.

“He’s bound to die anyway. Why mobilize so many people for a dead man?” a grandnephew of Ji Hui spoke up.

“That little beast burned half of my body; I underwent a death-seclusion for over a year just to recover. If I can’t peel his skin with my own hands, how can I vent this burning hatred?” Ji Hui slammed her dragon-headed cane on the ground and then sneered meaningfully, “The clash of different civilizations can create brilliant sparks. For cultivators, imprinting his experiences would be a supreme opportunity.”

“Ancestor, what are you talking about?” Several young members of the Ji Family asked, puzzled.

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand!” Ji Hui’s face grew cold, and she spoke no more.

A short distance away, Ye Fan’s heart was shaken, sending immense waves through him. The Ji Family’s upper echelons must know he came from the other side of the starry sky; otherwise, they wouldn’t speak this way.

In the Northern Region, Ji Haoyue had once revealed similar information, hypothesizing whether the Sacred Body could break the curse if he were not from this world.

“But, if we kill him, that individual from the Jiang Family… we can’t afford to provoke him,” a middle-aged man in his forties said, a trace of worry in his voice.

“Who said I was going to kill him?” Ji Hui’s face twisted into a sinister smile. “He’s going to die anyway. Killing him outright would be too merciful. I want to slowly peel his skin, extract his bones, and properly refine him.”

“Old Undead!” From afar, Ye Fan sneered.

“Even so, it might provoke that person. It’s better to think thrice,” the middle-aged man advised.

“I know my limits. I won’t kill him. Even if something truly goes wrong, it will have nothing to do with the family. I’ll bear the consequences alone,” Ji Hui said coldly.

The middle-aged man fell silent. Ji Hui’s father was an immensely powerful Grand Elder, someone even the Ji Family’s Sacred Master had to show some deference.

He had already discerned the underlying meaning: the Sacred Body came from an unknown place, and his experiences represented a supreme opportunity for cultivators—details most likely revealed by that very Grand Elder.

“The peerless Divine King of the Jiang Family might no longer be in this world…” a young man sneered, his voice devoid of reverence.

“Shut up! Don’t speak so carelessly!” the middle-aged man scolded.

Although he too believed Divine King Jiang had likely long since passed away, the older generation still harbored misgivings, fearing the Divine King’s potential rebirth. Indeed, the more powerful one was, the greater their apprehension.

“Why are we still guarding this half-useless old man? It’s obvious the Sacred Body isn’t coming,” a young man swept a glance over Zhang Wenchang before shoving him aside. “Get out of the way! Can’t you see I’m coming through?”

Zhang Wenchang stumbled, nearly falling. His temples were streaked with white, and crow’s feet bunched at the corners of his eyes. Frail and thin, he collided heavily with a table before managing to steady himself.

He stood woodenly to the side, saying nothing, utterly dejected, a hint of melancholy in his eyes as he silently endured it all.

Ji Hui’s expression was cold as she said, “The Sacred Body must have already arrived. He’s proficient in Source Technique and has surely changed his appearance. He doesn’t have much time left; he’ll surely try to see his old friends.”

“But if he doesn’t show himself, there’s nothing we can do,” a young man mumbled.

Ji Hui disdainfully glanced at Zhang Wenchang and said to the young men, “Chop off one of his arms, but keep him alive. His experiences are also a supreme opportunity. If that little beast doesn’t show up soon, then chop off one of this waste’s legs. Let’s see just how ruthless that boy is and how long he can bear it.”

Ye Fan had never hated someone so intensely. He wanted to dismember Ji Hui and nail her to the gates of Yan’s capital for all to see.

His mental fortitude was considerable, but at this moment, fury surged through him, and he clenched his teeth so hard they nearly shattered. He couldn’t just stand by and watch Zhang Wenchang’s arm be severed. He had already accomplished a major feat: collecting sacred medicine and successfully emerging from the Ancient Desolation Forbidden Land. Now, in the Southern Region, he no longer had any scruples and revealed his true appearance as he strode into the small tavern, bearing the Divine Whip.

“Ji Hui, you wretched old woman!” Ye Fan’s voice was ice-cold, chilling to the core.

On the street, everyone felt the temperature plummet. An invisible murderous intent made people shiver uncontrollably, a chill emanating from the depths of their hearts, their teeth chattering and lips trembling.

“Little beast, you finally dare to show yourself! I should have had his arm severed sooner; you would have emerged much earlier then!” Ji Hui’s eyes were glacial as she rose, supporting herself with her dragon-headed cane.

The other members of the Ji Family looked on in shock, staring at the young man in blue clothing before them. So this is the Sacred Body? Many were seeing him for the first time.

On the street, everyone was astonished. Every cultivator in the vicinity surged forward, quickly surrounding the small tavern until it was hermetically sealed by the crowd.

“The Sacred Body is actually still alive! Wasn’t it said he died three months ago?”

Everyone was profoundly shocked. This was explosive news that spread rapidly, attracting even more cultivators, drawing such a crowd that it seemed to empty the city, alerting everyone in Yan’s capital.

Before long, countless cultivators had arrived.

“Is he the Sacred Body? The one who caused such a monstrous upheaval in the Northern Region, even alarming Sect Hierarchs of the Central States? But he looks like a mere boy!”

“The world has been saying that the youth surnamed Ye died three months ago! How has he reappeared?!”

…

Numerous cultivators from Yan’s capital rushed over, all buzzing with discussion.

Ye Fan, dressed in blue clothing with dark hair and clear, bright eyes, appeared quite refined, making it difficult to reconcile his image with the legends of surging Golden Blood Qi and a physique comparable to a True Dragon.

Inside the small tavern, a flicker of light returned to Zhang Wenchang’s dull eyes. Extremely anxious, he shouted to Ye Fan, “You must leave! Quickly!”

“Old trash, what are you yelling about!” a young man from the Ji Family scolded, shoving him so hard that he tumbled over, falling heavily amidst the tables and chairs.

Ye Fan’s expression turned instantly glacial. Staring at the young man, he said, “I’ll kill you first!”

“Such arrogance! Little beast, since you’re here today, don’t even think about leaving!” Ji Hui declared sinisterly.

SWISH!

Ye Fan vanished in an instant, reappearing before Zhang Wenchang. He swiftly drew him into the pure jade bottle, then flicked a finger. With a PUFF, his finger pierced through the forehead of the young man beside Zhang Wenchang.

He had said he would kill this man first, and he did so with a single, decisive strike!

The young man screamed, his eyes wide with terror. Blood and brain matter spilled from the hole in his forehead as he collapsed rigidly to the ground, utterly lifeless.

Ye Fan flickered out of existence again, exiting the tavern to coldly stare at those within. His movements had been too fast; no one had time to react.

“The Great Void Art!” everyone exclaimed.

The mysterious art Ye Fan employed was indeed the Ji Family’s Great Void Art. He was even more proficient in it than the Ji Family members themselves—appearing and vanishing without a trace, formless, and impossible to guard against!

“Don’t let him escape!” Ji Hui’s face was ashen with rage.

She hated Ye Fan to the bone. More than a year ago, Ye Fan had incinerated a Ji Family Grand Elder and scorched half her own body, nearly crippling her. She craved revenge every waking moment, having completely forgotten what had instigated the conflict in the first place.

“Escape? The thought never even crossed my mind. How could I leave without killing you?!” Ye Fan’s voice was frigid.

Silently, several more figures appeared within the small tavern. They were all Elders of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, powerful individuals who had been lying in wait here for days, specifically to ambush Ye Fan.

“You must all be Ji Hui’s descendants, her nephews and grandchildren, correct? I’ll kill you one by one, and I’ll make her watch!” Ye Fan’s gaze swept over the young people in the tavern.

At the same time, a resplendent sigil erupted from his body, its aura as vast and profound as the ocean, inspiring awe and fear.

“That’s… the Divine King Mark!”

“Heavens, could it be that the peerless Divine King is still alive?”

Everyone cried out in shock, their faces etched with disbelief.

Ye Fan had done this deliberately to intimidate them, hoping to deter any old, powerful figures from intervening. In truth, this mark had long since ceased to have any connection to the Divine King; Ye Fan had enhanced it himself, and he no longer knew whether the Divine King was alive or dead.

WHOOSH!

Ye Fan vanished again, slipping back into the tavern. An Elder from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm tried to intercept him but was nowhere near fast enough.

THUMP!

With a single slap, Ye Fan obliterated Ji Hui’s great-grandson, who died instantly. Then, Ye Fan flashed back out to the street, confronting them once more.

“You…” Ji Hui was livid. This was her direct descendant, a child she cherished! And Ye Fan had just slaughtered him!

“You enjoy hunting me down, don’t you? Today, I’ll try my hand at hunting too. Let’s see how you like the taste of it!” A mocking smile played on Ye Fan’s lips.

“Let’s kill him together!” Ji Hui trembled with uncontrollable rage, her fingers shaking.

However, the Elders from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm dared not deliver a killing blow. Instead, they rushed forward, attempting to suppress Ye Fan first.

But they had clearly underestimated Ye Fan’s strength. They couldn’t even catch his shadow; the Old Madman’s footwork, representing the pinnacle of speed in the world, was unleashed.

WHOOSH!

Ye Fan slipped back into the tavern, seized a young man by the neck, and lifted him up. “Is this one your grandnephew?” he asked coldly. “I believe I heard someone mention it.”

“Let him go!” Ji Hui shrieked.

“Alright. Here you go!” Ye Fan nodded.

“Spare me! This has nothing to do with me!” the young man screamed.

SQUELCH!

Ye Fan smashed the young man’s head into his own chest cavity before tossing the corpse to Ji Hui. Then, he coldly charged toward the next person.

“Quick, kill him!” Ji Hui, her hair disheveled, looked utterly crazed as she brandished her dragon-headed cane and lunged forward.

Several Elders from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm moved in unison, trying to shield the remaining young people.

BANG!

Ye Fan’s golden hand shot out, sending one Elder from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm flying. He then grabbed another young man, who was nearly paralyzed with terror.

“Ji Hui, you old witch! Catch!”

SPLAT!

The young man’s skull was already cracked open as Ye Fan threw him before Ji Hui.

“You little beast…” Ji Hui was beside herself with fury; this was another of her descendants. Her entire body trembled violently.

Killing one person every ten steps, Ye Fan moved as if through an undefended territory. He deliberately refrained from attacking Ji Hui directly. Inspired by the old witch’s words, he realized that sometimes, tormenting a person was far more terrifying than merely killing them.

SQUELCH! SQUELCH!…

In the small tavern, Ye Fan slaughtered all the remaining young Ji Family members without a shred of mercy. He had witnessed how they had treated Zhang Wenchang, and there was simply no reason to show them any leniency.

“Old witch, now it’s your turn!” Ye Fan’s words were laced with ice.

The Elders from the Ji Family’s Dragon Transformation Secret Realm were mortified. Ye Fan was committing a massacre right before their eyes, and they were powerless to stop him. This was an utter disgrace.

“With us here, you’d best abandon your arrogance!” several of them shouted, their voices cold and menacing.

“So what if you’re in the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm?!” Ye Fan remained unmoved, pressing forward.

“Kill him!” Ji Hui, hair in wild disarray, was truly on the verge of madness.

The Elders from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm positioned themselves in front of her, shielding her. If she were killed while under their protection, they too would be disgraced.

BOOM!

Suddenly, Ye Fan erupted with a terrifying surge of power. Variations such as the Chaos Seed Green Lotus and the Immortal King Over Nine Heavens manifested simultaneously, their power blasting the Elders backward.

“Kill!”

Ye Fan snatched a golden lance and thrust it forward. No one could withstand its peerless edge as he surpassed the limits of speed.

SHLINK!

He pierced Ji Hui instantly. She was unable to resist this peerless, sharp thrust, a display of truly unmatched, divine valor.

BOOM!

Ye Fan’s entire body blazed with a brilliant light, golden radiance burning like a divine flame. He resembled an ancient god of battle, radiating an aura that made others tremble involuntarily.

“You… let her go!” The Elders from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm all rushed forward.

Ji Hui was not yet dead. She struggled on the golden lance, desperately trying to break free.

Ye Fan strode forward, charging towards the city gate. Still hundreds of meters away, he fiercely hurled the golden lance. Like a streak of golden lightning, the lance soared through the air, carrying Ji Hui with it.

THUD!

The lance, like a golden thunderbolt, embedded itself deep into the city gate tower, quivering continuously as it pinned Ji Hui high upon it.