Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 436: Chapter 411: Different Paths

Ye Fan’s heart skipped a beat. This haggard old man was fearless, not responding at all to Li Ruoyu, but merely staring at him.

“It’s impossible to detain me!”

The haggard old man’s words were cold, revealing a mouthful of snowy white teeth, making him seem very eerie. His spine emitted a sky-piercing light, shredding the surrounding vegetation to pieces.

It was a soul-shaking sword aura that severed a mountain peak, causing rubble to collapse and clouds to scatter. Sword Qi pierced the heavens and then swept in all directions.

BOOM.

The spine shot out sword aura, utterly unique yet overwhelmingly destructive, crushing everything in its path, terrifying beyond words!

A mountain peak was sliced at the waist, collapsing as if the sky itself had shattered. Soil and rocks splashed like tumultuous waves crashing ashore, surging forcefully.

The entire world trembled, suffocatingly oppressive, as a fearsome energy storm raged, its grandeur overwhelming, intimidating hearts.

BOOM!

Like a deluge, the soaring clouds of Sword Qi obliterated the mountain terrain, erasing it entirely, leaving not a trace, transforming it into a desolate wasteland.

PUFF! PUFF!…

The vegetation rooted in the void continually shattered. Even while absorbing Void Power and possessing an indestructible divine radiance, it couldn’t withstand such sword aura.

Various ancient vines and towering ancient trees, initially imprinted in the void like natural images of the Dao, profound and unfathomable, were still cut out, shattering one by one.

A Half-step sovereign! Ye Fan was astonished. This haggard and mysterious old man’s power was unparalleled, shocking; just half a step more and he would be a figure comparable to a Peacock King.

“I will send you all on your way!” His smile was chilling, murderous intent overwhelming. An invisible killing thought transformed into unrivaled sharpness, aimed at the source of others.

POP!

Li Ruoyu furrowed his brows and extended a finger forward. A refreshing aura of vegetation permeated the air as his finger transformed into a towering tree, blocking the invisible killing thought.

PUFF! PUFF!…

The towering old tree soared into the sky, its branches like Coiled Dragons, its verdant leaves lush. Yet, it constantly took damage. Scattered leaves fluttered down as streams of terrifying divine energy burst forth.

The natural Grand Dao opposed the invisible killing thought, extinguishing the unrivaled sharpness, slowly defusing the powerful killing force.

These were two extremes: the haggard and mysterious old man exuded a murderous aura, his entire being like an unsheathed peerless vicious sword, while Li Ruoyu was calm and casual, as if strolling through a picturesque landscape.

“Li Ruoyu, don’t think understanding Zhuo Peak’s essence allows you to stand firm in the southern region; I will show you what constitutes an immortal legacy!”

The mysterious old man grew ever more formidable, his entire being revealing killing intent, like a resurrected world-slaughtering devilish blade. The powerful aura was so mighty it made one’s flesh and blood convulse uncontrollably.

BOOM!

His body radiated intensely, terrifying Divine Radiance shooting forth, dazzling like a sun, leveling the area to the ground.

CLANG.

The haggard old man’s spine crackled as a Holy Sword appeared. He grasped the hilt with his right hand, slowly drawing it outward.

ZHENG! ZHENG!…

The blinding divine light, the terrifying sword cry that could shatter gold and split stone, almost sundered souls—this was an indestructible Sword Intent that threatened to fragment one’s mind.

He used his spine as a sheath, nurturing a terrifying divine sword. Drawing every inch incrementally increased its terrifying aura, causing numerous great rifts, many meters wide, to crack open across the land.

BOOM!

The sword was not completely unsheathed, but the killing intent already swept through the world, Sword Qi everywhere—or perhaps it should be called a terrifying Sword Wave!

The haggard old man slowly drew the sword. The exposed three-inch blade vibrated with ripple-like undulations, sweeping in all directions, obliterating all tangible matter it encountered!

POP!

In the sky, scattered leaves wilted and shattered wood fell. The Sword Intent pierced the natural Dao, destroying everything, pressing forcibly forward.

“Die!” The haggard old man shouted, his right hand swiftly drawing the sword. His entire being radiated blinding brilliance, Sword Qi tearing the firmament.

CLANG!

The divine sword nurtured in his spine was entirely drawn, more dazzling than ten combined suns.

“Sword of Man!” The haggard old man roared. The earth shook, and the ground beneath him split open into countless abysses, many meters wide, spreading to the distance, extremely frightening.

The divine sword in his hand slashed downward, aiming at Li Ruoyu and Ye Fan. Known as the Sword of Man, it unleashed the body’s power to the fullest, cleaving the void in half!

The scorching Sword Qi became the sole presence between heaven and earth, eclipsing everything else. At that moment, the “Sword of Man” transformed into Eternity.

The world-shocking Sword Qi divided the void asunder, cleaving the land into a peerless Great Rift Valley, with no end in sight!

RUSTLE…

Green leaves quivered. An Ancient Vine emerged, thick as a mountain range, rooted in the void. It encircled Li Ruoyu and Ye Fan at the center, blocking the unrivaled Killing Sword.

“It’s useless! Sword of Man, break for me!” The haggard old man roared.

The terrifying Great Sword pressed down. The void buckled under its weight, melting away, completely unstoppable.

Ye Fan’s heart startled. No wonder this old man hadn’t responded to Li Ruoyu’s words earlier when trapped, but rather focused only on him, wanting to kill.

Clearly, this old man had a strong backup, utterly fearless. A Half-step sovereign is indeed terrifying!

BUZZ.

The world trembled. The Ancient Vine, thick as a mountain range, like a dormant Coiled Dragon, shook. Giant leaves sparkled with verdant light, a fresh natural aura permeating.

CRACK.

The Ancient Vine was exceptionally robust, its bark rough as Dragon Scales. Its roots plunged into the void, merging with heaven and earth, evoking the Power of the Dao.

“Cut for me!” The haggard old man shouted. The peerless Sword Qi slashed downward. The void was disintegrating, but the Ancient Vine did not fracture.

It was like a Coiled Dragon, vigorous and grandiose, blooming with numerous vine flowers, its life force immeasurable. Each flower was a natural image of the Dao, condensing in the void.

The world suddenly stabilized, thoroughly fixed, unshakeable. The aura of the natural Grand Dao permeated.

Roots anchored in the void ceaselessly refined the Void Power, connecting to the Dao, forming a unified entity.

This is the strength of the natural Grand Dao, a magnificent natural image of the Dao that envelops this small world, everything harmonious and natural.

The Sword of Man could not penetrate, and yet the Ancient Vine, like a True Dragon, spread towards him, seeking to bind and eternally seal him within this realm.

Heaven high beyond measure, earth vast beyond exploration. Within this small world of the natural Dao, Li Ruoyu became a god, wielding irresistible power of the Dao.

BOOM!

With a wave of his hand, the Ancient Vine extended, penetrating the void, extinguishing the Sword of Man, encircling the haggard old man in the center. Vine flowers shimmered, the natural image of the Dao profound as an Abyss, pressing forward to suppress him.

“Li Ruoyu, you are indeed formidable!” The haggard old man’s expression changed. He then struggled with all his might but to no avail.

Suddenly, he stopped moving, his body emitting terrifying Qi Mechanism. “I don’t believe you can truly suppress me!” he said chillingly.

The massive surge was like a mountain flood that destroyed the plains, waves crashing into the high heavens. The mysterious old man suddenly became dim, the area around him growing increasingly darker.

Eventually, he transformed into a black hole. Terrifying waves emanated from its dark center, beginning to devour everything, insanely.

BOOM!

The Ancient Vine snapped. Withered branches scattered, all rushing forward, swallowed by the black hole. The power of the natural Dao surged like a bursting tsunami.

“Absorb your power for my use, let’s see how you resist!” the gaunt old man coldly chuckled.

At this moment, he had become a black Abyss that devoured everything, impossible to see anymore, drawing all the natural forces in the void cleanly.

Extremely terrifying waves were destroying everything. Li Ruoyu and Ye Fan could not stand firm; the space around them collapsed, the earth even more shattered.

BOOM!

In the distance, a mountain peak split into pieces, as if the end of the world had come, frantically being swallowed, consumed by the black hole.

Li Ruoyu and Ye Fan were also engulfed by the black hole, about to be swallowed. A massive crisis loomed. Ye Fan’s heart pounded. This strange Demon Technique is indeed terrifying!

BOOM!

A surge of life force exploded. An Ancient Wood appeared, towering and with lush branches, imprinted in the void. Its leaves rustled as nine natural images of the Dao descended.

It was as if they grew from this Ancient Tree, hanging from the crown all the way to the roots, fused with the void, intertwined with the Dao.

The natural Qi Mechanism, reaching its peak, the universal Dao for my use—this was the true manifestation at this moment. Li Ruoyu sat cross-legged on the treetop, motionless.

“It’s useless nonetheless!” the gaunt old man shouted from within the black hole. “My mystical arts are unrivaled in the world, enough to overpower your Dao Source!”

“The mystical arts aren’t important; it’s the person that matters,” Li Ruoyu replied.

The Ancient Wood swayed, connecting with the Dao. The nine image scrolls unfurled, transforming into nine small gates to worlds, profound and mysterious, emanating enigmatic Qi Mechanism.

BOOM!

In the distance, another mountain peak collapsed, swallowed into the black hole formed by the mysterious old man. The earth trembled, the sky seemingly about to fall.

The Ancient Wood rooted in the void, its vitality growing more prosperous. Nine natural images of the Dao rotated, merging with Li Ruoyu and the Great World, surprisingly emitting the sounds of Scripture chanting.

It was unclear whether it came from the Ancient Tree or from the small gates of worlds formed by the nine natural images of the Dao, as if echoing from Ancient Times, profound and unfathomable.

It was as if ancient spirits were resonating with the Dao, or ancient gods perceiving the nature of heaven and earth, chanting ancient Scripture.

In the nine natural images of the Dao, each unexpectedly revealed a Li Ruoyu. He became the absolute god of this natural world, his Qi Mechanism everywhere.

“You…” the gaunt old man was astonished, struggling to resist. Yet, the black hole was cracking, slowly disintegrating.

BOOM!

In the end, after a loud crash, the immense black hole vanished. The world became serene, filled with vigorous life. Green sprouts emerged from the devastated mountain land.

“You… Zhuo Peak’s heritage is indeed not simple! You old man with poor aptitude, you actually reached this step!” the gaunt old man was deeply shocked.

“Mystical arts and heritage aren’t important,” Li Ruoyu still said. He turned his hand and pressed down.

The gaunt old man’s eyes emitted sinister light beams, intensely bright. Then, suddenly two rays shot out, piercing through the void, trying to escape.

However, under the cover of Li Ruoyu’s large hand, he had nowhere to escape; both divine lights were confined in his palm.

BOOM.

Suddenly, he self-immolated, instantly becoming dazzling light, so piercingly bright one couldn’t open their eyes. Then, in a moment, he dimmed, turning into ashes, with nothing left.

He destroyed his divine scan! Ye Fan’s heart skipped. To have cultivated to such a Realm, yet so decisively self-destruct… so ruthless, even to oneself.

The body on the ground was utterly lifeless, as if it had died decades ago, exuding a sense of antiquity and ancientness, further filled with wickedness.

Ye Fan and Li Ruoyu descended, carefully observing. This corpse had an astonishing strength, almost equal to a divine soldier’s blade; it clanged when struck.

“Reaching such a cultivation base isn’t easy.” Li Ruoyu sighed lightly. He gently waved his hand, and a flame jumped out, fresh and natural.

PUFF.

The corpse was submerged, in an instant turning into ashes, nothing left. Ye Fan was very shocked. The old man’s cultivation base exceeded his expectations, comparable to a Peacock King. He was a late bloomer, indeed.

Li Ruoyu had remained in seclusion for hundreds of years before achieving Enlightenment. His cultivation base advanced a thousand miles a day, alarming the Supreme Mysterious One Hundred and Eight Peaks. He was deemed capable of surpassing predecessors.

Ye Fan witnessed his unfathomable strength and became completely relieved about Zhang Wenchang. They are of the same kind, naturally master and disciple; their future achievements need no worry.

“Take care. If you can’t handle it, come with me to Zhuo Peak,” Li Ruoyu spoke.

Ye Fan expressed his gratitude, filled with respect for the old man, then departed.

「That same day,」

Rumors spread across the southern region that the Sacred Body was about to pass away. Many saw someone vomiting blood, staggering towards Yan’s capital.

The Sacred Body’s Dao injury has worsened; it seems he can’t survive!

Almost everyone in the southern region knew this news, and many were discussing it ceaselessly.

「On the same day,」

Ye Fan arrived at Yan’s capital and found several Sacred Lands and the supreme Great Sects from the Central States. He expressed his willingness to traverse the void into the Ancient Desolation Forbidden Land on their behalf to pick Undying Divine Medicine.

Upon hearing this news, the southern region was in an uproar. Everyone believed Ye Fan was forced to the brink, sensing little life left, willing to be a Medicine Gathering Boy for the Sacred Lands in exchange for a last chance at life.

「On this day,」

The Flickering Light Saint Heir emerged, his form indistinct, enveloped in Holy Light, like a deity. He opened his eyes under a great waterfall, filled with a divine aura.

It was uncertain what he was contemplating, his expression somewhat uneasy. He then found Yao Xi and said, “The Sacred Body is about to pass away. Let’s go see.”

Yao Xi, with her exceptional charm and sparkling eyes, let out a breath in her heart. If Ye Fan were to die, it would be her relief. Otherwise, that bra would always unsettle her, afraid one day Ye Fan might toss it out.

“I’m about to disappear from this world. The Sacred Body shall perish. You should emerge now, shouldn’t you? I’m waiting to kill you!” Ye Fan smirked, gazing northward.

He believed those shameful “reliances” of the opponent dared not enter Yan’s capital, because several Sacred Lands and the supreme Great Sects from the Central States were currently there.

The Ji Family. The Divine King Body, Ji Haoyue, gazed southward. “He’s going to die. Ultimately, he couldn’t defy fate. What a pity. A Great Success Holy Body can never appear in this world. Let’s go see,” he said.

Ji Ziyue wrinkled her cute nose, her large,灵动 eyes somewhat dim. “He really is going to die after all,” she muttered. Then she turned around, head bowed, and said, “But he killed great-aunt.”

Ji Haoyue lovingly stroked her hair. “That was Ji Biyue’s great-aunt,” he said.

“But she was also a direct descendant of our Ji Family.”

Ji Haoyue’s eyes were incredibly deep as he looked into the distance. “Being too kind makes one vulnerable,” he said.

Taixuan Sect. Hua Yunfei stood on a precipice, his blue clothes fluttering, ethereal like an exiled Immortal. He sighed, “What a pity, Brother Ye is departing this world. Junior Sister Xiaoman, let’s go see him off.”

Li Xiaoman stood on the cliffside, her white dress fluttering. Her eyes gazed towards the southern region, lost in thought, before she nodded solemnly.

The first chapter is here, with two more to come tonight. Chen Dong is working hard! The monthly tickets depend on all you brothers and sisters. The beginning of the month is crucial, so please support me.