Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 585: Chapter 589: Battling the Sovereign with Power

The immense Jade Platform stood, ascending step by step, dragons leaping and phoenixes soaring, surrounded by primal chaos. Even though they knew it wasn’t real, it still left them awestruck.

The Azure Dragons and Divine Phoenixes appeared incredibly lifelike, numbering in the tens of thousands. Formed from Immortal Qi, they added a mysterious aura to the Five-Colored Jade Platform.

If mortals were to look up, they would see nothing, for the Jade Platform was towering. Yet, with their Divine Eyes like lightning, they could vaguely see through clouds and mist.

Above, an ancient coffin, worn and timeless, exuded endless archaic majesty. Though only about three meters long, it seemed to embrace eternity, holding the essence of ages.

What were the rise and fall of seas, the vast earth, the endless Starry Sky, compared to a mere corner of the coffin? It seemed to condense past, present, and future, spanning eons!

Upon reaching this place, no one could pass through unscathed. Their bodies were on the brink of collapse, suffering intense pain as their bones resonated.

On this Five-Colored Jade Platform, a boundless, terrifying pressure surged like tidal waves, overwhelming the vast heavens and earth, threatening to shatter bodies.

Could it be that the Extreme Dao of an ancient Great Emperor had awakened?

This was the question on everyone’s mind. Such unparalleled pressure had only appeared during the battle at the Northern Divine City, overwhelming for any cultivator.

“Is this…emitted by a mere corpse? What terror must he have commanded when alive!”

They were seized by fear. Now at a close distance to the Five-Colored Jade Platform, they were unable to advance a single step further. No ancient treasure was of use.

At this moment, everyone’s divine energy was severely suppressed. Although they could still wield magical power, it no longer flowed smoothly.

Presently, Ye Fan and Dongfang Ye were undoubtedly the best adapted to the environment. Their physical bodies were stronger than even the Peacock King. Though their divine energy diminished, their combat power didn’t falter.

An ancient coffin, likely existing since before Ancient times, would today unveil the mystery of whether divine spirits existed in this world.

The coffin did not lay across the towering Jade Platform but floated in the void above, suspended in primal chaos and Immortal Qi, as if bearing life.

“It’s over; we can only stop here. There’s no way to move forward any further. What do we do now?” Dongfang Ye said.

The immense platform lay ahead, yet it couldn’t be approached. The overwhelming aura from above pressed down on them, threatening the obliteration of both form and spirit.

“A bunch of small fry made it here, unaware of their impending doom,” a young man’s voice sounded as he approached with hands behind his back.

“Who are you calling small fry?” Dongfang Ye licked his lips—a sign that the barbarian was about to attack—and raised his massive Wolf-toothed Stick.

“Don’t be hasty; this is a sovereign!” The old blind man stopped him.

“A group of small fry!” The young man looked over with disdain, approaching slowly, carrying an overpowering presence.

Ye Fan and his companions sensed danger. This was a sovereign with an ill-tempered disposition, paying no mind to them and seemingly intent on clearing the area.

“Uncle!”

Just then, another voice echoed. A middle-aged man, struggling under great pressure, approached; the towering Jade Platform clearly weighed heavily on him.

Ye Fan’s heart cried out in distress; trouble was brewing. Members of the Xiao Family had arrived—none other than the half-step sovereign Xiao Zhi, who had repeatedly sought to end him.

“Ye Zhetian!” Xiao Zhi, having reached the vicinity, spotted Ye Fan instantly. His eyes widened as he charged.

“Was he the one who killed Ming Yuan?” Beside him, the young sovereign’s expression darkened instantly as he gazed down at Ye Fan. “Will you take your own life, or shall I do it for you?”

Ye Fan snorted coldly, saying nothing. His steps were light, like an exiled Immortal, as he glided swiftly toward the towering Jade Platform.

Pressing forward against great pressure, he arrived in the platform’s proximity. Here, he suffered even greater constraints on his divine energy, barely able to wield it.

“Ye whelp, let’s see where you run now!” Xiao Zhi moved sinisterly, as if playing cat and mouse, advancing without rush to close in.

Xiao Yunsheng, the younger brother of Grandmaster Xiao, appeared youthful, but this didn’t reflect his true age. With his hands behind his back and an unconcerned air, he walked over, towering above Ye Fan. “Kneel.”

“Ye pup, let’s see how you survive this time!” Xiao Zhi’s voice was chilling as he swiftly closed in, wielding the Eight Diagrams Purple Copper Furnace and slamming it down forcefully.

At that moment, Ye Fan felt no fear but revealed a trace of mockery. Casually, he deployed his left hand, forming the Mountain Embracing Seal, and struck forward.

This was no ordinary Seal Technique. It was a Flawless Secret Technique acquired from the cliffs of the Barbaric World, known as the Earth Seal of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Three Seals.

BUZZ!

The pinnacle of force, unbelievably vigorous, as if an entire expanse of land pressed forth. The left hand forming the seal filled the sky, terrifying beyond measure.

Xiao Zhi sneered. He was a half-step sovereign; how could a Dragon Transformation Secret Realm cultivator be his match? Purple brilliance flowed from his Purple Copper Furnace as he pressed it down.

But then, he sensed something was amiss. His divine energy stumbled; here, his powers were severely suppressed, and he was unable to activate his weapon.

He suddenly became alert. This wasn’t the cause of his unease; his opponent was much weaker and should be even more suppressed.

However, the opposing hand seal was unhindered. As the Mountain Embracing Seal was cast, it loomed like an airborne expanse of land, massive and oppressive, a dark hand descending.

CLANG!

Before the towering Jade Platform, everyone’s power of the Dao was restrained, unable to be wielded smoothly. Yet Ye Fan’s physical body was solid; this was pure bodily strength.

Mountain Embracing Seal!

Ye Fan’s left hand, akin to a black peak, struck the Purple Copper Furnace, producing a loud crash. Cracking, the furnace split and fell to the ground.

Behind him, everyone was astounded. A weapon intertwined with Law Order was thus destroyed by bodily strength. How formidable was his physique?

“Retreat!” Xiao Yunsheng shouted, rushing forward and unleashing immense magical power to block Ye Fan.

Ye Fan’s mouth curled into a cold smile. His left hand’s Mountain Embracing Seal shook once more, projecting the shadow of a towering black mountain that pressed forward.

Xiao Zhi cried out, retreating with effort, pushing both hands to resist the dark seal, yet unable to stop it.

PFFT!

His hands instantly turned to bloody pulp, crushed under the black peak. Then his arms, like tofu, shattered with a POP as Ye Fan’s left hand brushed against them; blood and bone fragments flew.

Behind, everyone was astonished. But Xiao Yunsheng’s magical power finally surged forward, halting Ye Fan’s assault.

BOOM!

With a powerful shock, Ye Fan was forced back. Xiao Zhi staggered away, his arms reduced to pulp, ceasing to exist.

In this Burial Land of Immortals, everyone’s divine energy was suppressed. Ye Fan had relied solely on bodily strength to severely wound a half-step sovereign.

“Ah…” Xiao Zhi screamed, nearly driven insane, unable to believe the situation. Given his strength, he could slay a hundred Ye Fans.

Yet, here was the outcome: losing both arms in a single encounter to an opponent’s bare hands. He was furious, humiliated, and pained; cold sweat dripped from him.

Xiao Yunsheng’s face darkened. Though youthful in appearance, he bore a presence comparable to a Sect Hierarch. His black hair danced wildly, eyes like lightning as he charged.

SWISH!

Ye Fan was quicker. Using Nine Steps to Heaven, he swiftly ascended eighteen steps of the Jade Platform, feeling unyielding pressure descending from above.

Stopping at this point, his right hand moved, revealing Dao Marks as he formed the Human King Seal!

At this moment, he seemed like the sovereign ruler of the human race, transcendent over the world, peering across the vast earth with an aura of absolute invincibility.

This was the Human King Seal. Once unleashed, a person’s temperament transformed; he stood like a king among humanity, aloft, surveying all beings!

BOOM!

Ye Fan formed the seal and unleashed it. With a loud bang, he stumbled backward. Though his body shook, it bore no scars.

On the other side, Xiao Yunsheng’s expression changed. Although he was a supreme sovereign, his overwhelming magical power couldn’t take down his opponent.

“Again!” Ye Fan climbed nine more steps up the platform, shouting from above.

This is bad! Xiao Yunsheng realized the severity of the situation for the first time. The opponent’s physical prowess was abnormally strong, even surpassing his own—this was beyond his expectations.

In this place, magical power was suppressed, and physical strength would fully manifest. If they reached the top of the Jade Platform, who would live or die was uncertain.

“Small fry, come up and fight!” Ye Fan taunted coldly.

Xiao Yunsheng’s face immediately darkened. Without a word, he ascended the Jade Steps.

A cultivator from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm challenging a Sovereign left the few below in awe. This was truly imposing!

“Ah…” Below, Xiao Zhi cried out. Having lost his arms, he was in immense pain. Seeing this scene, the sight sent him into a fit of rage.

“What are you shouting about!” The barbarian wielded the Wolf-toothed Stick and walked forward fiercely, intimidating this half-step sovereign.

“You…” Xiao Zhi was almost choked with resentment. His prowess was profound and respected everywhere he went, yet today he was being slighted repeatedly.

However, he knew Dongfang Ye’s origins. He was a savage who had emerged from a primitive Ancient Tribe, possessing a supernaturally strong physique. In this cursed place, Xiao Zhi would surely suffer greatly if they clashed.

“What happened?” At this moment, a clear voice sounded, and a spirited elderly man arrived—none other than Grandmaster Xiao, accompanied by another elder.

“Father, you’re finally here…” Xiao Zhi spat blood, soaking his clothes.

Without a word, the barbarian, with a SWOOSH, rushed up the Jade Platform. Below, he would surely suffer a great loss, so he imitated Ye Fan, relying on his physique to ascend.

BANG!

Above, Ye Fan formed the Human King Seal, his black hair thick and wildly flowing. He engaged in another fierce exchange with Xiao Yunsheng and still emerged unscathed.

Seeing him confront the Sovereign head-on left those who had just arrived astonished, especially Grandmaster Xiao and others, whose expressions continually changed.

At this moment, four Emperors of the Central States, the Demon Lord of the Southern Mountains, and the Divine Monk of the Western Desert had all arrived, each revealing a look of surprise.

“Enough.” Grandmaster Xiao waved his hand, gesturing for Xiao Yunsheng to retreat. Two barbarian-like juniors were relying on their physical strength to contend against Sovereigns on the Jade Platform. If two Sovereigns were killed here, it wouldn’t be worth it.

“What a spectacle…”

More Sect Hierarchs arrived. All were formidable figures renowned in the world. Some of these cultivators were troublesome even for the Four Immortal Divine Dynasties of the Central States, hailing from various sects and schools.

Ye Fan’s heart tightened as he recognized some familiar faces from the Peach Blossom Festival in Jade Lake. For example, there was the old Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect from the Central States, a man over three thousand years old—a character akin to a living fossil.

At this moment, apart from Ye Fan and his few companions, no juniors were present; all were beings of Sect Leader Level, celebrated across the vast earth.

The arrival of these people clearly indicated an impending battle of Heroic Lords. Even the flesh and bones of Ancient Saints were astounding divine objects, to say nothing of ancient divine beings.

Upon the ten-thousand-zhang-high Jade Platform, the floating ancient coffin was a priceless Immortal Treasure. No one would let it pass, and a fierce struggle would surely ensue.

At this time, people scattered, each beginning their ascent from different directions, walking up the jade steps.

“These people are well-prepared, bringing so many powerful forbidden items!” exclaimed the old blind man.

Daoist Duan De sighed. “Inscribed with some Laws of Ancient Saints—the Yin Yang Mirror, Heaven-Flipping Seal, Southern Demon Bell, Central Emperor Cauldron—so many powerful forbidden items! These could allow them to ascend to the ten-thousand-zhang Jade Platform.”

“Having reached here, are we destined to fail?” Dongfang Ye was unwilling and took out the golden Saint Arm Bone.

The old blind man nudged Daoist Duan De. “Don’t hide your skills, chubby one. You have many treasures; hurry and take one out. We can’t let them ascend the Jade Platform first.”

“Old miser, you have treasures too! Bring one out; it’ll be enough to protect our advance,” Daoist Duan De replied.

The two swindlers started bickering. Eventually, Daoist Duan De grew anxious and brought forth the Saint Oil Lamp, pairing it with Dongfang Ye’s golden Saint Arm Bone.

“Old miser, hurry and summon a treasure!”

The old blind man chanted a spell, and an Ancient Shield flew out, also joining with the Saint Arm Bone. To be precise, it was a turtle shell.

Jue Youqing said nothing, extended the Bodhi Branch, and added it to the collection. It immediately brought forth endless vitality, surprising them all.

Ye Fan contemplated, then brought out the Rotten Copper Plate and crossed it with the other items. An inexplicable Dao charm instantly coursed through them; the Immortal Tears Green Gold Paper was engraved with Divine Symbols.

These items weren’t Ancient Saints’ Weapons, nor were they replicas, but some were Saint Relics. Combined, they created a mysterious flow of energy.

Step by step, they temporarily resisted the pressure on the Jade Platform, ascending to a height of three thousand zhang. However, at five thousand zhang, these items could no longer hold against the pressure.

The group struggled. The overwhelming pressure from the divine being’s remains engulfed them, threatening to tear them apart; it was hard to withstand.

A pity, someone thought. This is the only Saint Bone left from an Ancient Saint’s Transformation, forged repeatedly—an unparalleled divine object. It just lacks the corresponding Array Patterns; otherwise, it could shield us on our way up.

My Saint Oil Lamp is the same, another lamented. It’s truly made of Divine Material but lacks the corresponding Law imprint.

“What do we do? Can we not ascend any further?”

They stopped at five thousand zhang high, exactly at the Jade Platform’s halfway point. Advancing further was challenging, and even Ye Fan dared not easily attempt it.

CRASH!

Elsewhere, sounds of shattering echoed continuously as superb forbidden items cracked, forcing many to stop.

“Hmm, something’s not right. Some major forces are still progressing; they surely possess unknown divine items!”

I’ll fight for it! These ancient divine beings’ relics are mine! I must obtain them! Daoist Duan De gritted his teeth and finally summoned his Supreme Treasure.

SHIMMER!

Light flickered, and a broken bowl appeared above his head, casting down countless strands of black light that enveloped the group.

“Once we’re up there, I’ll use the secret arts of Tombology to alter heaven and earth and steal the divine coffin. You must cooperate with me,” Daoist Duan De instructed.

The broken bowl isolated the overwhelming pressure. It was imbued with mysterious and unfathomable power, rendering the area within a three-zhang radius around them perfectly calm, without a ripple.

One step, two steps, three steps…

They advanced upward. Despite the terrifying Qi Mechanism spreading around them, their steps remained unhindered, and they slowly reached the top of the Jade Platform.

“Heh heh… Small fry!” someone sneered. It was Xiao Yunsheng, who looked young but was a supreme sovereign.

Grandmaster Xiao and the people from the Yin Yang Sect had joined forces and arrived first, though it was unknown what kind of divine object they had used to resist the divine pressure.

At the ten-thousand-zhang-high platform, dragons soared and phoenixes flew, and the ancient coffin floated. Several groups had already ascended, and Immortal Qi swirled around.