Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 295 - 296 Chapter 301 Xia 9 You

296: Chapter 301: Xia 9 You 296: Chapter 301: Xia 9 You An autumn wind blew, scattering the yellow leaves and making the mountains and rivers desolate.

The northern region is a bitterly cold place, with long autumns and winters.

For half the year, it is lifeless, bleak, and cold.

Chaotic Cloud State featured endless, continuous mountains, leaving hardly any flat land.

Its peaks pierced the sky, seemingly capable of disturbing the clouds, which is how it earned its name.

“I think this state is pretty good,” Ye Fan said.

Tu Fei nodded.

“With towering mountains everywhere, it’s indeed a good place to seek refuge.” Chaotic Cloud State was about an eleven or twelve-day journey from the Northern Domain Holy City and was separated from Fire Cloud State by an oasis and two stretches of reddish-brown desert.

After more than half a month of searching, they finally decided to make their move in this state, waiting to be “discovered.” The Black Emperor hid among a mountain range, responsible for engraving Dao Glyphs, while Ye Fan and Tu Fei roamed around to gather detailed information about the state’s situation.

Mountain Rock City, despite its location amidst towering peaks, served as the central city of Chaotic Cloud State.

It was entirely surrounded by mountains, offering no flat ground upon which to build.

This city was not majestic.

Mountain rocks paved the roads, and the ancient streets were lined with large trees that were almost bare.

Yellow leaves drifted about, conveying the chill of autumn.

Ye Fan walked along the narrow stone street that wound around the city, quickly learning a great deal of information.

The great figures of the various Sacred Lands were deeply captivated by the Ancient Scroll.

They were now focusing all their efforts on the purple mountain.

Multiple factions continuously made deductions, hoping to successfully breach it in the future.

Ye Fan went up to a tavern, ordered a pot of aged wine and several small dishes, and drank by himself while listening to the conversations of some cultivators.

“The sacred city has produced something good again!

It seems to be a rare treasure, bought by the Royal Family of the Central States.” “Many people are searching for that Ye Fan.

Are there any clues?

You know, he’s worth a hundred thousand catties of Source.” “A hundred thousand catties of Source is too little!

Think about what he possesses—that’s Origin Qi!

A priceless treasure, a holy divine relic that even Ancient Great Emperors would covet.” “The major figures are researching the purple mountain.

It looks like there will be a grand event in the near future.” “Many geniuses from various Sacred Lands have arrived, not limited to those from Flickering Light and the Ji Family.

As vast as the northern region is, he likely has no place to hide.

The Origin Qi will eventually fall into the hands of the Sacred Lands.” “Actually, many older figures are also secretly searching for the youth named Ye; they just haven’t revealed themselves.

After all, Origin Qi is far too precious.” “Speaking of which, the sacred body once dominated the world, invincible in its time.

Now, however, it can only progress to the Dao Palace secret realm.

If it were to fully mature, it would undoubtedly contend with those Saint Heirs and sacred ladies, and the future of the Eastern Wastelands would certainly be incredibly eventful.” So many famous figures, from both the younger and older generations, have come to the northern region, all aiming for my cauldron, Ye Fan thought, his heart stirring.

TAP, TAP, TAP…

A rhythmic sound of footsteps drifted up, seeming to echo in the hearts of everyone on the upper floor, causing their own heartbeats to throb in sync.

Many felt a tightness in their chests, a suffocating sensation, as if someone had seized them by the throat, restricting their breath.

At the head of the stairs, a boy of thirteen or fourteen appeared.

He was dressed in spotless white robes, his hair jet-black, his skin like snow.

His eyes resembled black gems, and his lips were red against white teeth.

He was exceptionally handsome, a truly refined and beautiful youth.

“Sacred body?

Undefeated in the same realm?

In my view, he’s just a mutt.

If I meet him one day, I’ll capture him and make him my servant.” This boy was like an Immortal Flower from a jade tree, almost preternaturally handsome, yet his words were exceedingly rude, causing many to frown.

Following behind him were two old men in gray robes.

They were stooped and frail, like two loyal old servants.

One of them stepped forward and selected a table for the boy.

He meticulously wiped it with his sleeve before allowing the boy to sit.

Then, the two old men stood deferentially behind him.

“Whose child is this?

How was he raised?

So young, yet so arrogant and unrestrained in his speech.

Isn’t he afraid of straying onto the wrong path?” Although the people upstairs guessed the boy’s identity was not ordinary, someone couldn’t help but mock him.

“What, am I wrong?” the boy asked, glancing coolly at the speaker.

“Child, you should speak with more humility.

Many geniuses meet an early end in their youth.” “Humph!” The boy snorted coldly.

The sound was like a Golden Bell ringing, causing many people’s blood and vital energy to surge.

He said, “The sacred body has been deified.

But don’t speak of now; even over a hundred thousand years ago, it wasn’t necessarily absolutely invincible.” Among the cultivators from all corners, there was naturally no lack of experts.

One of them retorted, “In the past, the sacred body was invincible; that’s an indisputable fact.

Even now, that ‘waste body’ has demonstrated extraordinary combat power.

Few at the same rank can suppress him.” The white-robed boy sneered.

“Whether it’s a ‘waste body’ or a sacred body, they are all meant to be suppressed.” “Little brother, your claims are getting more outrageous.

How old are you?

What makes you think you can defeat the sacred body?

Even as a ‘waste body,’ he is almost undefeated within the same cultivation rank,” someone provoked.

“A frog in a well knows nothing of the vast sky.

At the same rank, I could kill him just as easily,” the white-robed boy said, his voice cold.

“What is your background?

Are you truly confident you can defeat the sacred body at the same rank?” someone asked in astonishment.

“I am from a humble mountain dwelling, a mere commoner with no great lineage.

Does one need a pedigree to suppress a sacred body?

He truly amounts to nothing,” the white-robed boy stated, his expression frigid.

The Eastern Wastelands are vast and boundless; its deep mountains and great rivers are home to many extraordinary individuals.

Not all experts reside in the Sacred Lands.

Hearing this, everyone present showed expressions of surprise, wondering if this youth truly hailed from such a hidden lineage.

Someone couldn’t resist sending out their divine scan, wanting to test the white-robed boy’s cultivation base.

But before it could get close, the prober felt as if struck by lightning.

One of the old servants in gray robes, his eyes suddenly flashing, emitted a terrifying light that forced back seven or eight of the divine scans.

“Who’s this, bragging so shamelessly?

Aren’t you afraid of the wind twisting your tongue?” Tu Fei came up the stairs, found a table for himself, and glanced at Ye Fan, who wasn’t far away.

They had entered the city together to gather information but hadn’t stayed together.

Only now had he arrived at this tavern.

He looked at the youth and asked, “May I know your name?” “Xia Jiuyou.” As the son of a great bandit, Tu Fei wasn’t intimidated even by people from the Sacred Lands, so he naturally wouldn’t be polite to a mere youth.

“I’ve heard of Gai Jiuyou, but never of Xia Jiuyou.” Eight thousand years ago, Gai Jiuyou had been undefeated throughout the Central States.

Many believed he could become a Great Emperor, but he eventually journeyed to the Eastern Wastelands and vanished there.

“From now on, you will remember this name,” the white-robed youth, Xia Jiuyou, sneered repeatedly.

“You seem to look down on everyone.

How about I spar with you for a couple of moves?” Tu Fei eyed him skeptically.

“I have no interest in you.

This time, I’ve come down from the mountain mainly for the sacred body,” Xia Jiuyou said, without even glancing at Tu Fei.

Tu Fei, known for his big mouth, wanted to slap the youth senseless but couldn’t act on his desire.

He asked, “Has the sacred body offended you?” “Even if he hasn’t offended me, I still want to capture him.

I read in an ancient book that the blood of the sacred body can be used for refining medicine.

I’ve come specifically for him, to refine a cauldron of divine medicine.” “Truly a young hero,” Ye Fan remarked, pouring himself a cup of wine and downing it.

Actually, I really want to teach this young man a lesson.

It’s the first time I’ve seen someone so arrogant.

He’s so young yet continually talks about refining my sacred body.

“You’ve also come for the sacred body?

The Ji Family and Flickering Light are both offering bounties.

If you have a clue, what price will you offer?” Tu Fei asked with a smirk.

“Whatever price they offer, I will match it,” Xia Jiuyou replied, glancing at him.

At this, everyone upstairs was stirred.

What was this youth’s background?

The highest bounty from the two Sacred Lands was one hundred thousand catties of Source.

How could a mere youth possibly afford that?

All eyes turned to him, filled with astonishment.

He didn’t seem like someone from any Sacred Land.

Whose disciple could he be?

“One hundred thousand catties of Source is no small sum,” Ye Fan commented nonchalantly.

“Can you actually produce it?” Tu Fei also questioned.

“Although one hundred thousand catties of Source is a considerable amount, I am not so destitute that I cannot afford it,” Xia Jiuyou stated, his expression cool.

“What exactly is this youth’s background?” Some speculated that he might be a disciple an old Peacock King had taken after venturing into the Great Wilderness in his later years.

“Hehe…” A charming laugh drifted from the staircase.

A fragrant breeze wafted through as a stunningly beautiful young woman ascended.

Her voice, clear and pleasant like large and small pearls cascading onto a jade plate, said, “This little brother in white has quite the spirit.” She was a tall and exceptionally alluring woman, dressed in green.

A verdant mist seemed to shimmer above her head, and five-colored jade light glowed beneath her feet.

She exuded charm, her eyes like limpid water, her beautiful hair flowing.

Ji Biyue!

It’s Ji Biyue!

Ye Fan’s heart stirred.

She’s one of the three top experts of the Ji Family’s younger generation, second only to Ji Haoyue.

Though charming, this woman is definitely ruthless; she even wanted to kill a younger sister from her own clan.

The white-robed youth, Xia Jiuyou, asked, “And who are you?” “This humble one is Ji Biyue,” she replied with an enchanting smile that left many men on the floor momentarily dazed.

“So, you intend to compete with me for the sacred body?” Xia Jiuyou asked.

“There’s no talk of competition.

He killed a Grand Elder of my Ji Family.

I just want to kill him.” Ji Biyue’s smile was very sweet.

“However, I don’t necessarily intend to kill him.

I want his blood to refine divine medicine.

I intend to take him as my slave,” Xia Jiuyou declared.

Tu Fei secretly sent a voice transmission to Ye Fan: “See this kid?

He’s making me fume!

What’s his background?

How should we deal with him?” Ye Fan remained outwardly calm and replied via voice transmission: “Don’t act recklessly.

Once our main business is concluded, we can deal with him slowly.

He most likely has a significant background.” Footsteps sounded on the stairs again, and a young man in blue ascended.

He had an extraordinary bearing, his heroic spirit restrained, and his eyes occasionally flashed with Divine Light.

“Brother Li Rui of Flickering Light, you’ve come as well,” Ji Biyue said with a light laugh.

This was a young powerhouse from the Four Extremes secret boundary and a top expert of Flickering Light’s current generation.

After Ye Fan captured the Saint Heir of Flickering Light, this Li Rui was considered very likely to be appointed as the new Saint Heir.

“It seems everyone received the same information.

Someone offered it to all of us simultaneously,” Li Rui replied with a smile.

Tu Fei’s appearance had already been altered.

While not as thorough a transformation as Ye Fan’s change in aura, he wasn’t worried about being recognized since he hadn’t truly interacted with these particular individuals before.

He sent a voice transmission to Ye Fan: “Damn it, which bastard is feeding them information?

Are they like us, trying to set a trap, and we’ve just coincidentally ended up here at the same time?” Ye Fan also found it strange.

The arrival of people from both Flickering Light and the Ji Family in this remote mountain city clearly indicated an unusual situation.

“No matter who comes, I am determined to have the sacred body.

He will be my future slave,” Xia Jiuyou stated coldly.

“This time, forget everything else!

We absolutely must chop this white-robed brat into pieces first!

Doesn’t he claim to have a hundred thousand catties of Source?

Let’s rob him!” Tu Fei declared fiercely.

I also want to give him a good beating.

This Xia Jiuyou is far too arrogant.

Still, he seems to have significant backing, daring to contend with people from the Sacred Lands.