Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 511: Chapter 516: Heading to Jade Lake

“I suppressed you once before and eventually let you go. You really haven’t learned your lesson, have you? Do you think having a supreme sovereign for a grandfather and a powerful family makes you untouchable?” Ye Fan smiled.

On the blood-colored sacrificial platform, Jiang Yichen’s face was pale. He was truly scared this time. Falling into the hands of these “demons,” he was even considering suicide.

“What… do you want?” His voice trembled. He had once believed they wanted to make him a living sacrifice. Otherwise, why bind him to such a blood sacrificial platform?

“Nephew, look at your sorry state, so timid you can’t even speak properly. No worries, your Uncle is here; no one will kill you.” Jiang Huairen laughed brightly.

“Little Uncle, I was wrong. Please let me go.” Jiang Yichen was fearful, biting his lip and humbly bowing his head.

“What? I didn’t hear you,” Jiang Huairen said, digging his ear and asking loudly.

“Little Uncle, please let me go!” Jiang Yichen raised his voice, his face slightly flushed. Addressing someone around his own age like that made him feel utterly disgusted.

“Good nephew, so you don’t want to kill your Uncle this time? And you’re not calling your Uncle a bastard anymore, huh?” Jiang Huairen asked with a smile.

“We’re all Jiang Huairen’s brothers. Nephew, shouldn’t you address us respectfully too?” Liu Kao asked.

A fierce glint flashed in Jiang Yichen’s eyes but was quickly concealed. He said, “Just say what you want.”

“Don’t overthink it, Nephew. We just want to catch up,” Li Heishui smiled.

Jiang Yichen felt suffocated. “As long as you let me go,” he said, “my grandfather will give you enough Source. Even Saint Master Level weapons won’t be a problem.”

“Your Jiang Clan produced some Saints in ancient times. It’s such a waste to leave them buried in your tombyard.” Black Emperor boldly demanded, “I don’t want the corpse of Great Emperor Hengyu, but giving me the remains of a Saint should be fine, right?”

Jiang Yichen’s expression stiffened. If a dog makes such demands, won’t the conditions of those demons be even harsher? He didn’t understand that this dog was, in fact, the greediest of them all.

Jiang Huairen shot a sidelong glance at the big black dog. The ancient Saints of the Jiang Clan were undoubtedly his ancestors too, so he naturally wouldn’t let it act so recklessly.

Ye Fan thought for a moment, then stepped forward and asked, “Who exactly is the Jiang Clan’s Divine Body?”

“For two Divine King Bodies to appear in the Eastern Wastelands simultaneously is unprecedented. Who exactly is the Jiang Clan’s Divine King Body—male or female?” Wu Zhongtian was also eager to know the answer.

“Could it be that Jiang Yifei? I’ve always felt his strength is unfathomable,” Liu Kao said.

“I don’t know who he is either,” Jiang Yichen answered.

“Still being stubborn? Slap him until he talks! If anything goes wrong, I, his uncle, will take responsibility,” Jiang Huairen declared.

“You… don’t!” Jiang Yichen cried out.

WHAP! WHAP!

Neither Li Heishui nor Liu Kao were soft-hearted. They naturally showed no mercy to this Jiang Clan successor who had once tried to kill them, and their slaps resounded loudly.

Jiang Yichen’s eyes were sinister, his heart filled with endless killing intent. However, he could only endure for now, not daring to challenge them. He said, “He is very mysterious. All I know is that he belongs to the Jiang Family Head’s direct line.”

“Nonsense!” Jiang Huairen rewarded him with another hard slap. “The Divine King Blood flows in our branch of the family! How could it have gone to the Jiang Family Head’s lineage? You dare try to deceive me with this?”

“I’m not lying, it’s true! There are rumors in the clan that the Divine Body was adopted by the Jiang Family Head from the outside. He’s not actually a member of our Jiang Clan!” Jiang Yichen shouted, desperate to avoid more slaps.

“What? They adopted a Divine Body from outside?!” The group was greatly shocked and pondered this for a long while.

In the end, neither Jiang Yichen’s pleas nor his curses had any effect; the group decided to suppress him.

“If we suppress him for a thousand years, not even his bone dust will be left. Let’s just suppress him for five hundred years,” Black Emperor said, its large paws already rummaging around and snatching away all sorts of treasures from Jiang Yichen.

“You can’t do this to me…” Jiang Yichen felt like dying. He never imagined they would actually decide to suppress him in a latrine pit.

“Damn it, what are you screaming about? Your uncle has already gone into ‘retirement’ ahead of you. Now it’s just your turn,” Li Heishui said, kicking him.

SPLASH!

Jiang Yichen plummeted into the latrine pit. Covered in filth, he screamed miserably. Though he had no physical injuries, the experience was agonizing, and the veins on his forehead throbbed wildly.

“You’re truly a flower raised in a greenhouse! Back in the day, your ancestor—Great Emperor Hengyu—dared to venture into the Taichu Forbidden Land to forge the Holy Furnace, even annihilating a supreme existence comparable to a Great Emperor! You’ve merely fallen into a latrine pit; what’s the big deal? If you were to actually fall into the Great Primordial Mine, you’d probably die of fright on the spot!” Black Emperor lectured, standing upright, clearly speaking from a position of detached amusement.

“Why don’t you come in here and try it yourself!” Jiang Yichen was about to go mad with rage, nearly vomiting as he cursed furiously.

“Stop wasting words on him! Suppress him quickly!” Liu Kao urged.

Ye Fan carved a stone tablet and threw it into the pit. “Cultivate well in here,” he said. “If you can survive for five hundred years and emerge alive, you will have attained true achievement.”

“I’ll haunt you! I won’t let you go even if I become a ghost…!” Jiang Yichen shrieked, but the stone tablet slammed down, sealing him at the bottom of the latrine pit.

“Do you think this kid will die of anger? Can he even endure five hundred years? There’s hardly any Spiritual Qi here.”

“Why worry so far ahead? This blasted fellow deserves to be suppressed in a latrine pit.”

“How about this: we make a treasure map, tear it into several pieces, and scatter them. Maybe in eighty or a hundred years, someone will find their way here.”

“That’s too wicked…”

Discussing among themselves, the group departed, leaving Jiang Yichen to begin his long and arduous ordeal, with no telling when, or if, he would ever see the light of day again.

「Half a month later」

News spread that Jin Chixiao, the foremost successor of the Northern Plains Golden Family, had been assassinated and was gravely injured.

“This kid’s cultivation base is terrifying! Even a Seeded King from the Mortal World failed to kill him?” Li Heishui and the others were shocked.

“With the Golden Blood of an Ancient King flowing in his veins, how could he be ordinary? His strength must be absolutely terrifying!” the big black dog exclaimed.

Ye Fan nodded. During that night of bloody battle, Jin Chixiao had manifested a god from his Dao Palace. He was definitely no weaker than the various Saint Heirs, which spoke volumes about the formidable strength of his true self.

「At this time」

They found themselves in an oasis spanning eight thousand miles. It was vibrant with life, surrounded by primeval mountain ranges that undulated like coiling dragons and serpents, presenting a very tranquil scene.

“It is said that the Old Immortal resides in this oasis. Absolutely no one dares to cause trouble here,” Wu Zhongtian remarked.

The Old Immortal was a legendary figure, considered the foremost bandit of the Northern Region. His true appearance was unknown, nor did anyone know how long he had lived. All the Sacred Lands held him in dread.

“Big Brother, what’s a hermit?” the pitiful little girl asked.

“We’re about to become hermits,” Ye Fan chuckled, patting her head. He had set up an Absolute Killing Array, causing a river of blood to flow overnight and annihilating so many experts; it was impossible for him to move about openly anymore.

“How many years will we have to remain in seclusion?” Li Heishui asked him.

“Probably until I reach the Saint Master Level,” Ye Fan replied with a smile.

“The Sacred Body reaching the Saint Master Level…” The group gasped in unison.

If that were to happen, not even the various Saint Masters would dare to confront him. Even knowing he possessed the Origin Qi Cauldron, they would surely give him a wide berth.

A Sacred Body at the Sovereign Level could undoubtedly sweep through all the Saint Masters. No one would dare to pick a fight. At that realm, there would likely be very few people who would dare to try and suppress him.

“Nannan is a hermit now, so Doggy, you have to be a hermit too, okay? No more biting people,” the pitiful little girl gently patted the big black dog.

「At this moment」

They arrived in a range of beautiful mountains. The peaks were verdant, the valleys lush, Spiritual Springs gurgled, and ancient trees towered towards the sky—a place perfectly suited for seclusion.

“Aren’t you going to attend the Jade Lake Grand Gathering? Everyone who’s supposed to be there has almost arrived. It’s about to start soon.”

“Yes, it would truly be a pity not to go.”

Liu Kao and the others chimed in.

“If I were to go, some Saint Masters would likely try to ambush me. After all, I slaughtered so many experts from supreme sects, including five half-step sovereigns and two Saint Heirs…” Ye Fan said with a grin, revealing a mouthful of snow-white teeth.

The others all laughed. If Ye Fan were to attend the Jade Lake Grand Gathering, it would undoubtedly trigger a massive conflict, possibly even leading to him killing another Saint Heir or two.

“Such a pity! We’ll miss out on the Immortal Peaches of the Queen Mother of the West…” the big black dog lamented.

Ye Fan intended to remain there in seclusion. Li Heishui and the others prepared to take their leave; they would accompany their elders to the Jade Lake Grand Gathering, an event to which prominent figures from all over the world would be flocking. They wanted to go and broaden their horizons.

「That day」

A graceful, ethereal figure arrived in the mountain range. Dressed in white robes that fluttered about her, she was as pure and unsullied as a celestial fairy from the Moon Palace, seemingly untouched by the mortal world.

They had not expected the Yaochi Saintess to arrive; she had actually sought out this remote location to personally invite Ye Fan.

“Rest assured, Brother Ye. Once you enter Jade Lake, no one will dare to harm you. Our Jade Lake will ensure your complete safety,” the Yaochi Saintess’s voice was as melodious as celestial music.

Apart from Ye Fan, no one else could see her true features. She was veiled in a hazy mist, appearing transcendent, otherworldly, and as graceful as an immortal.

“Will there be Immortal Peaches to eat?” the big black dog asked, its large tongue lolling out.

“The fruits in the Immortal Peach Orchard are all ripe. All participants of the Grand Gathering will be able to enjoy them,” the Yaochi Saintess replied with a smile.

“I’m not talking about those ordinary Spiritual Peaches. I mean the true, ancient Peach Tree—it should have borne fruit by now, right?” the big black dog said, its eyes burning with eagerness.

The Yaochi Saintess was inwardly surprised but showed no change in her expression. She looked at Ye Fan and said, “Brother Ye, regardless of anything, you absolutely must make a trip to Jade Lake.”

Her invitation was sincere. The ancient Source Technique families and the reclusive lineage of the Source King had already been invited to Jade Lake. The Stone King left behind by the Queen Mother of the West, as well as the strange black stone left by the Heavenly Source Master, could no longer maintain their seals and required supreme Source Techniques to be resealed.

“How did you find this place?” Ye Fan asked.

“Please forgive my methods, Brother Ye,” the Yaochi Saintess apologized. “I was concerned you might not attend the gathering, so I left a subtle mark on the previous invitation to help me locate you.”

“Little Ye, let’s go! There shouldn’t be any problems this time. We’ll all go to the Jade Lake Grand Gathering together!” Li Heishui urged.

「Ultimately」

Ye Fan decided to set out for Jade Lake, traveling with them, personally escorted by the Yaochi Saintess.

The Jade Lake Pure Land was shrouded in mist, its scenery picturesque, like a veritable immortal land.

By now, cultivators from all corners of the land had already arrived and gathered, making it a truly grand and prestigious event.

Not to mention the famous figures of the older generation, even the lineup of the younger generation was extraordinarily powerful. The Flickering Light Saint Heir, the Ji Family’s Divine King Body, the Purple Mansion Sacred Lady—nearly all the young Saint Heirs and Sacred Ladies of the Eastern Wastelands were present.

Furthermore, outstanding young talents from the Central States such as Wang Chongxiao, Ye Huiling, the Twin Kings, and the Feathered King were also in attendance, truly a gathering of brilliant prodigies.

“The Sacred Body is here…!” Ye Fan’s appearance instantly caused a commotion.

“He annihilated numerous powerful experts and killed two Saint Heirs in a single night, yet he still dares to attend the Jade Lake Grand Gathering!” Many people were astounded.

Ye Fan had recently stirred up immense turmoil, becoming an undeniable focus of discussion everywhere. His appearance naturally caused quite a stir.

“The Yaochi Saintess personally went to greet him to bring him here. He certainly puts on airs,” a young man from one of the ancient Source Technique families remarked sardonically.

“This Jade Lake Grand Gathering won’t be peaceful, Little Ye. You must be careful,” Li Heishui reminded him.

「On the very day they arrived」

Within the Jade Lake Immortal Land, the roar of wind and thunder suddenly echoed as peerless experts were seen chasing a streak of golden light.

“The Fighting Saint Ape!” Ye Fan was stunned.

“That monkey! It went to the Immortal Peach Orchard to steal Immortal Peaches…!” someone exclaimed.

“Things are truly getting lively. Could there be something extraordinary within the Stone King that has drawn even the Fighting Saint Ape here?” Ye Fan mused to himself.

The Jade Lake Grand Gathering was indeed shaping up to be exceptionally grand. Even before it officially began, this Pure Land was already teeming with extraordinary individuals, a convergence of experts from all over the world.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir, the Divine King Body, Jin Chixiao, the Twin Kings, the Feathered King, the Purple Mansion Sacred Lady, the Yaochi Saintess, and of course, Ye Fan—these individuals became the focus of everyone’s discussions.

Without a doubt, these were some of the most powerful young experts of the current generation. Gathered together in one place, they were bound to create some dazzling sparks.

Moreover, the competition of Source Techniques was anticipated to be a major highlight. The most ancient Source Technique families had all arrived, guaranteeing fierce contention. Everyone was eagerly awaiting it.