Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 437: Chapter 442: Confusion

Yan’s capital, a city with a long and storied history. This land had witnessed the rise and fall of countless dynasties, many of which chose to establish their capitals here, making it the center of this region since ancient times.

To mortals, the change of a dynasty was a momentous event, but cultivators paid it little heed; some powerful experts might witness the cycle of nine dynasties in their lifetime.

The ancient city walls, etched with the vicissitudes of time, bore the scars of blades and swords—testaments to the rise and fall of successive dynasties.

Ye Fan released various smokescreens and coughed blood upon entering Yan’s capital, deliberately creating a false impression. His aim was to lure out a cunning and calculating enemy and kill them once they reached the capital.

His opponent had sent top-tier experts to assassinate him, a testament to their terrifying power. A half-step sovereign was even protecting them!

Perhaps the deceased, emaciated elder was not his True Body, but merely a humanoid weapon. This was a conjecture made by Li Ruoyu, as the corpse had seemed far too ancient.

With such powerful figures protecting his enemy, Ye Fan preferred not to risk direct combat. Instead, he decided to set a trap to draw them out; killing them from a distance was the most suitable approach.

He assumed his opponent had acquired the Ruthless One’s inheritance from the Northern Region and desperately coveted the Holy Body Origin. He deduced that upon learning of his impending entry into the Ancient Desolation Forbidden Land, they would certainly rush over. Otherwise, they might never get another opportunity.

Though top-tier experts protected them, the half-step sovereign’s Demonic Technique could not be exposed to light. If such a person were to appear in Yan’s capital, it would undoubtedly provoke a joint suppression by the major Sacred Lands and the supreme Great Sects of the Central States.

Ye Fan was borrowing their influence. Several supreme Great Sects had gathered in Yan’s capital to harvest the Undying Divine Medicine, a force sufficient to deter the half-step sovereign from revealing themselves.

Should the Ruthless One’s inheritance manifest, it would cause monumental waves. Its ability to devour the origin of other physiques would lead to its condemnation by the entire world. The Ruthless One of yesteryear was an enemy to the entire world, enduring a path even more arduous than that of the Great Emperor Wu Shi, single-handedly resisting the whole realm.

Whether in the Central States or the Eastern Wastelands, all cultivators would seek to destroy such an inheritance. It gravely damaged the harmony of Heaven and Earth, strengthening itself by exterminating other cultivators, making it incompatible with all existing sects in the world.

“I will vanish from this mortal world. Let’s see how long you can maintain your composure! If you dare to prey on my dying self, I will slaughter you until your blood runs dry!”

Ye Fan, too, was wary of such an inheritance; it was truly heaven-defying, capable of endlessly strengthening oneself. If one were to gather the origins of all the Kings under Heaven into a single body, how powerful would that be?

Whenever he pondered this question, chills ran down his spine. He wondered how powerful that Ruthless One of old had become after attaining the rank of Great Emperor.

The inheritance and weapons of the Ruthless Great Emperor made even the Black Emperor, an undying old fairy, drool over them incessantly; he had coveted them for far longer than a day or two.

I wonder what kind of sparks would fly if the Great Emperor Wu Shi and the Ruthless One had been born in the same era? Both were heaven-defying prodigies who were frequently struck by lightning… Ye Fan mused to himself. He yearned for such a grand era; it would be an absolute honor to witness these two ancient Great Emperors.

Unfortunately, since ancient times, the Central States, Southern Mountains, Northern Plains, Western Desert, and Eastern Wastelands had never seen two Great Emperors born in the same era.

Perhaps becoming a Great Emperor was simply too difficult; after all, only a handful had succeeded throughout history. Yet, Ye Fan still harbored doubts, feeling that it wasn’t quite so simple.

Throughout endless eons, countless billions of beings had been born. Was it truly possible that no two individuals with the bearing of a Great Emperor had ever emerged in the same era?

Could it be related to this Heaven and Earth? Ye Fan pondered. Many thoughts crossed his mind, but he couldn’t arrive at a true understanding.

After making all his arrangements, Ye Fan walked along the main street and arrived at an inn situated next to Zhang Wenchang’s small pub.

Little Nannan…

Ye Fan dearly wished to see the little girl. If not for her Seven-Colored Little Stone, he would most likely have perished in the Ancient Desolation Forbidden Land this time; survival would have been impossible.

However, he knew he wouldn’t be able to see her anytime soon. Zhang Wenchang had already told him that the pitiful little girl had been taken away by a woman.

Zhang Wenchang hadn’t seen the woman, but Ye Fan guessed it might be Ye Huiling. He had come here merely to verify this. Entering the inn, he found the owner and immediately probed his Sea of Consciousness.

A pang of heartache struck Ye Fan. During that period, the pitiful little girl had frequently fallen ill, constantly murmuring about a “little stone.” This had terrified the people at the inn, who feared she might die there; they had considered driving her out several times.

This is… By probing the inn owner’s memories, Ye Fan discovered a startling fact: every time the pitiful little girl fell critically ill coincided with the times he had used the Seven-Colored Little Stone.

Especially the first time he held the stone on the sacred mountains, when it had dimmed and lost its luster, the pitiful little girl had fallen gravely ill, nearly dying. This realization filled him with immense remorse.

This little stone must not be lost; Little Nannan cannot be without it! Ye Fan was alarmed. Although the Seven-Colored Little Stone was currently vibrant, he still placed it into a jade bottle containing Divine Spring to nourish it.

Even as he left, Ye Fan remained puzzled. Had Ye Huiling indeed taken the pitiful little girl away? He searched the memories of everyone in the inn but found no clues. It was as if a fog obscured the truth; someone had deliberately erased the imprints.

Based on the timing, it should have been Ye Huiling. But soon after, she and Wang Chongxiao were attacked and disappeared. They haven’t been seen since. Where could they have gone?

Yan’s capital was in turmoil. Veteran experts emerged, and young prodigies made their appearances, generating countless discussions and daily news.

On this day, Flickering Light Saint Heir arrived, attracting considerable attention. He was a figure nearly unbeatable among the younger generation, favored by all. Many believed he could be compared to a Great Emperor in his youth.

Fairy Yao Xi also appeared. Together, they looked like a perfect couple, their charm captivating and drawing admiring gazes.

“Flickering Light Saint Heir is broad-minded and truly possesses great magnanimity. He holds no past grudges and has come solely to visit the dying Sacred Body.”

“Perhaps he harbors some regret. For one who aspires to walk the path of the ancient Great Emperors, the Sacred Body is the best whetstone, a great enemy that must be defeated. Unfortunately, this opponent is now on the verge of death.”

People held Flickering Light Saint Heir in extremely high regard. Many veteran figures believed he would inevitably reach the peak in the future, overlooking the Eastern Wastelands.

On the same day, Divine King Body Ji Haoyue arrived. The Divine King Body, hailed as the King of the Eastern Wilderness, was undeniably a focal point of everyone’s attention.

The peerless Divine King Jiang Taixu had been trapped in the Purple Mountain for four thousand years and was nearly depleted. Yet, upon emerging, he swept across the realm, with none able to rival him. This highlighted the terror of the Divine King Body.

If Ji Haoyue matured without suffering a great tribulation like Divine King Jiang, his future would undoubtedly be incomparably brilliant.

Beside him, Ji Ziyue, the Ji Family’s “Little Moon,” accompanied him. With her bright eyes, perfect teeth, and dimples gracing her face, she exuded a lively and witty aura and also drew much discussion.

“I’ve heard that Ji Ziyue also possesses a special constitution; the Great Sovereign Nong Gongzheng of old even wanted to take her as his disciple.”

“Nong Gongzheng’s lifespan is nearing its end. Some say he followed dozens of living fossils from the Eastern Wastelands into the Bronze Immortal Palace, but whether this is true or not is unknown.”

Ji Haoyue, the Divine King Body, merely watched Ye Fan from afar. His expression remained calm, showing no intention of approaching.

Tears welled in Ji Ziyue’s eyes. She wanted to go over, but Ji Haoyue firmly gripped her arm, preventing her from taking a single step.

“I just want to go see him. I won’t say anything. He’s about to die…” Ji Ziyue whispered, unable to hold back her tears as she saw Ye Fan cough up blood.

“You can only watch; you cannot go over. After all, he killed our clansmen, even though I dislike that ancestral aunt of ours,” Ji Haoyue said, refusing to let go, his face devoid of expression. He cautioned, “Being too kind makes you vulnerable to getting hurt!”

Ye Fan wandered aimlessly down the street, naturally sensing the siblings behind him. His expression was calm; he didn’t look back, merely sighing softly.

Although Ji Haoyue did not approach, Flickering Light Saint Heir did. He had a serene face and gleaming white teeth, exuding a radiant aura, with a gentle golden light flowing around him.

“Brother Ye, would you care to sit down and catch up?” Flickering Light Saint Heir asked. Even his hair seemed to flow with golden light, like a Taiyang God Divine Son.

Ye Fan paused, surprised that he was the first to approach. He unconsciously stroked his chin, contemplated for a moment, then made a gesture inviting him to sit.

Beside Flickering Light Saint Heir, Yao Xi stood gracefully. Poised and enchanting, her every movement captivating, she attracted the attention of many.

On the bustling street, filled with passersby, a cultivator who witnessed this scene remarked, “The meeting of Flickering Light Saint Heir and the Doomsday Holy Body… I believe this scene will be recalled for many years to come. One wonders whose regret it will ultimately be.”

In a very quiet teahouse, Ye Fan, Flickering Light Saint Heir, and Yao Xi sat opposite each other. Despite being great enemies, they now shared a peculiarly awkward atmosphere.

“Brother Ye, don’t be pessimistic,” Flickering Light Saint Heir began. “Perhaps you can overcome this tribulation. From then on, the vast sea will be yours to leap in, and the boundless sky yours to soar through.”

Ye Fan said, “Back in the Northern Region, the Divine Doctor once told me that if I were to sever my cultivation base, I should be able to survive. I might make such a choice.”

Flickering Light Saint Heir immediately smiled and said, “Based on my understanding of you, Brother Ye, you would never choose such a path, even in death.”

This remark sent a jolt through Ye Fan. Even after Flickering Light Saint Heir and Yao Xi had departed, he mused to himself, Why was he the first to approach me?

Ye Fan meditated in an inn in Yan’s capital for three days. Late one night, an overwhelming killing intent suddenly surged into the sky as three figures appeared. Like three eternal Divine Furnaces, their Qi Mechanisms were incomparably powerful as they burst into his room.

The inn instantly turned to dust. Under such terrifying fluctuations, all surrounding buildings ceased to exist.

The leader was a full ten feet tall, with a bear-like physique—robust, sturdy, and of unrivaled strength. His wild black hair danced as he wielded a Heaven-piercing Halberd that seemed capable of tearing the very heavens apart.

His tremendous Blood Qi transformed into a True Dragon that soared into the night. Enveloped in blood-red light, he descended like a Demon God, swinging the Great Halberd down.

The space itself was instantly torn apart, as if an Ancient Fierce Beast was emerging from the abyss, or like an unparalleled Holy Spirit stepping out from one of the Ancient Desolation Forbidden Lands. The power was overwhelmingly terrifying.

CLANG!

Ye Fan met the attack with his golden fist, colliding with the Heaven-piercing Halberd. The deafening impact reverberated throughout Yan’s capital.

Ye Fan’s heart grew cold. The weapon wielded by this person was interwoven with the Rules of Heaven and Earth, and the man himself was immensely powerful. This was a formidable enemy.

BOOM!

From the side, another person attacked. His presence was equally daunting, perhaps even surpassing the first. He was a man with wild purple hair, resembling a Demon God or a deity descended to the mortal world.

He summoned an ancient pagoda, bringing it down to suppress Ye Fan. His deep-set eyes flashed with an eerie purple light, and his aura was terrifying.

The ancient pagoda had nine layers, and Great Dao patterns flickered across its surface. It was undoubtedly a weapon interwoven with Dao and principles. Before it even landed, the ground beneath began to crack and shatter!

CLANG!

Ye Fan confronted this Heavy Artifact bare-handed. His golden hand transformed into a golden Heavenly Stele, Dao Glyphs flowing across its surface, as he struck the ancient pagoda. The impact resonated throughout Yan’s capital.

Could my deduction have been wrong… Doubts began to surface in Ye Fan’s mind.

BOOM!

A third terrifying presence assaulted him, like a river of stars falling from the Nine Heavens. This was a woman with a face as beautiful as the moon and flowers. Her slender, jade-like hands struck out, unleashing a wave of radiant brilliance.

Ye Fan sneered. Are they trying to engage me in close combat? His right hand transformed into a golden Dao Stele, runes flickering upon it, as if representing the will of Heaven and Earth, and he brought it crashing down.

HUM!

Suddenly, behind the dazzling radiance, the woman wielded a black jar. It transformed into a black hole, attempting to swallow him.

Ye Fan’s heart skipped a beat. This was another formidable opponent, no weaker than the previous two. The jar she held looked terribly familiar.

A replica of the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel, interwoven with Dao and principles… Ye Fan was shocked; it was even more formidable than Tu Fei’s jar.

Has my deduction truly missed its mark?! Confusion gnawed at him as his Golden Blood Qi erupted, and he battled the three formidable experts bare-handed.

This clash alarmed many powerful cultivators in Yan’s capital. Numerous cultivators rushed over, astounded by the sudden appearance of three such unparalleled young experts.