Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 340 - 341 Chapter 346 The Emergence of Divine Sources

341: Chapter 346: The Emergence of Divine Sources 341: Chapter 346: The Emergence of Divine Sources Chapter 3 After the Jade Cocoon was opened, an item was revealed.

It emitted a resplendent nine-colored light and was about the size of a chicken egg, perfectly round and divinely formed, with nine apertures that sang when the wind passed through.

The music it produced was extraordinarily mystical, tempting one to fall into a trance, to hold it close and listen attentively; it possessed an almost demonic allure.

It was entirely crystalline, dazzling in nine colors, extraordinarily beautiful and radiant, like the most precious treasure in the world.

At the center of the small island, beneath the Ancient Tree, the old man who resembled a deity shook his head, saying, “What a pity.

Born into the mundane world.” “Senior, what is this?” many people inquired, utterly perplexed.

Even those elderly gentlemen didn’t know and looked towards the Guardian of the Ji Family’s Holy Stone Garden.

“This is the Celestial Nine-Pore Jewel,” the elder of the Ji Family explained.

“If nourished with Immortal Qi, it could imprint part of the Dao’s markings; it is an Immortal Book formed by heaven and earth.” He shook his head, saying, “In this mortal realm, it’s unknown if an Immortal Capital even exists.

How could one find Immortal Qi to nourish it?

Ultimately, it’s just a precious musical instrument, unrelated to cultivation.” “It’s actually the Celestial Nine-Pore Jewel!

I’ve heard of it!” some of the elderly gentlemen exclaimed.

Indeed, just as the Guardian of the Ji Family’s Stone Garden described, this item was born into the mundane world.

If it had been born in the immortal world and nourished by Immortal Qi, it would be an ancient scripture, imprinting some of the world’s patterns.

Now, it had merely played the Divine Sound of the Great Dao upon its emergence, but that was all.

Without Immortal Qi, nothing more could manifest.

“Such a pity.

Otherwise, it truly would be an ancient scripture, possibly an earth-shattering Immortal Scripture!” “Why did this happen?

To be born in the mundane world!” No one was free from regret.

Otherwise, it would have been a Heavenly Dao Immortal Book, a magnificent opportunity.

Ye Fan cradled the Celestial Nine-Pore Jewel in his palm.

It was crystalline and warm, its nine-colored radiance flickering.

If gifted to a mortal emperor, it would surely be a national treasure, yet it held no practical use for cultivators.

The Celestial Nine-Pore Jewel he had cut, much like that wisp of Dragon Qi in the Stone Pearl, was a mere “chicken rib”—of little practical use, simply a curiosity.

Tuoba Chang had cut the Dragon Head Stone with 100,000 jin of Source, while Ye Fan had spent 80,000 jin of Source cutting the Immortal Sound Stone; both attempts were futile and yielded nothing of value.

“Brother Gu Feng, Miao Yi is quite interested in the Celestial Nine-Pore Jewel.

Don’t gift it to others; make sure to keep it for Miao Yi,” An Miaoyi’s voice, as gentle and intoxicating as a spring breeze, transmitted to him secretly.

Stone gambling was like this: out of a hundred bets, ninety-nine would fail.

Even if one’s Source Techniques were astounding, they could still be deceived by strange black stones.

Everyone sighed with emotion.

These two geniuses in Source Techniques had both been mistaken, needlessly spending exorbitant sums.

One could only imagine how it would be for others.

“The Sacred Lands’ exorbitantly priced strange black stones have always brought them considerable profits each year; they reliably make gains.

If truly rare treasures could be easily cut from them, the Dragon Head Stone and the Immortal Sound Stone wouldn’t have been left sitting here for so many years.” Many people shuddered, cautioning their friends and companions.

“The Sacred Lands established these Stone Workshops purely to maximize profit.

If there were even the slightest assurance of finding something, these strange black stones wouldn’t be sent here.

The major Sacred Lands have no shortage of stone-cutting experts.” At this moment, Ye Fan and Tuoba Chang remained calm.

They reacted swiftly, dashing towards the other garden’s signature treasures.

In just a dozen steps, Ye Fan reached the Peerless Beauty Stone, while Tuoba Chang raced towards the Innate Eight Diagrams Dao Map Stone.

“I’ll choose this stone!” Ye Fan declared, tossing out 150,000 jin of Source and purchasing the stone outright.

“I’m out of Source,” Tuoba Chang stated, “but as the primary heir of the Tuoba Family, I hereby leave a promissory note.

I promise to deliver the Source in a few days.” Having spent 100,000 jin of Source earlier, Tuoba Chang was now penniless.

Everyone was flabbergasted.

They didn’t understand why the two were acting this way, seemingly scrambling for stones—indeed, appearing to compete for peerless holy divine relics.

The Peerless Beauty Stone stood over two meters tall, quietly situated beside a blossoming tree.

Falling petals drifted down, imparting an ethereal feeling.

Valued at 150,000 jin of Source.

The Eight Diagrams Dao Map Stone was table-sized, primitive yet natural, with Dao markings seemingly embedded within it.

Valued at 120,000 jin of Source.

“Have they gone mad?” “Why are they competing for another stone right after cutting an empty one?” Everyone was perplexed.

Only the Ji Family’s people remained composed, knowing that if several more exorbitantly priced strange black stones were cut empty, their profits would only increase.

The two vigorously began cutting the stones, their blades a blur, sending stone chips flying like swirling snowflakes.

“This old one has truly broadened his horizons today!

Witnessing several of the garden’s signature treasures being cut open in my lifetime…

it fulfills a long-held wish.” Facing the Peerless Beauty Stone, Ye Fan showed no gentleness.

He wielded the Dragon Pattern Black Gold Sword, hacking and slashing as if racing against time.

If it contained a rare treasure, this was the fastest one could go without damaging it.

Almost instantly, the massive strange black stone was cleaved open.

Unfortunately, the Peerless Beauty Stone was empty inside.

This time, not even a “chicken rib” was produced—there was absolutely nothing.

Meanwhile, Tuoba Chang had completely stripped bare the Eight Diagrams Dao Map Stone.

Apart from a scattering of stone powder on the ground, it too contained nothing of substance.

Instantly, the two moved like lightning, darting towards other stone materials.

Five of the garden’s signature treasures remained.

Their targets were clear as they raced towards them, each claiming one.

The stone Ye Fan chose was called the Immortal Pot.

It was more than a meter high and shaped like a gourd.

Some speculated that “gourd seeds”—an incomparable rarity—might exist inside.

It was valued at 100,000 jin of Source.

The stone Tuoba Chang chose resembled a mighty tiger, seemingly poised to leap into the void.

It was named White Tiger Ascension and valued at 120,000 jin of Source.

“Little kid Ye, have you gone mad?!” Li Heishui asked in confusion via a secret voice transmission.

This was utterly insane!

The combined expense for the Immortal Sound Stone and the Peerless Beauty Stone had been 230,000 jin of Source, all for nothing.

Yet now, Ye Fan seemed utterly unaffected, tossing out another 100,000 jin of Source as if bewitched, completely disregarding the cost.

“It’s not me who’s mad,” Ye Fan responded.

“There’s an insanely precious stone here, definitely containing an incomparable rarity!

If it’s cut out, everything will be worth it!” “Brother Tuoba, what’s going on with you?” Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian also inquired.

However, the prodigy of the Tuoba Family paid them no heed.

Once again, he engraved an IOU on a stone tablet and swiftly began cutting.

The Ji Family naturally wasn’t afraid he would default.

In this era, no one dared to defraud the Ji Family, not even the ancient families skilled in Source Techniques.

“What on earth is happening?” Li Heishui wondered, puzzled.

Ye Fan had now spent 330,000 jin of Source and was rapidly cutting the Immortal Pot stone.

Everyone felt the mounting frenzy.

“It’s too complicated to explain right now.

I’ll tell you later.” Both Ye Fan and Tuoba Chang sensed the peculiarity of this place.

They were certain that there was a stone here that could drive people to madness—a stone that contained something extraordinary.

Their Source Techniques were exquisite, already showing glimpses of a Heavenly Source Master’s prowess.

Their mastery of techniques like the Source Heavenly Origin Treasure Wheel and Source Heaven Divine Sense was nearing the Dao.

Yet, they had been deceived, their judgment misled by a peculiar aura.

This was highly unusual.

Both immediately recalled a scenario described in ancient Source Technique books: this place surely harbored an astonishing treasure!

Clear records of this existed, whether in the Tuoba Family’s treasured texts or the Supreme Source Book left by Heavenly Source Masters.

Peerless rarities capable of Spirit Communication could interfere with a Source Master’s judgment, causing them to repeatedly cut the wrong stones as a means of self-preservation.

This was the legendary Stone King, undoubtedly nurturing an unimaginable holy divine relic!

One had cultivated Source Heaven Divine Sense, the other the Source Heavenly Origin Treasure Wheel.

Both possessed unimaginably keen perception and had detected the anomaly, capturing that bizarre aura.

If that peerless rarity, capable of Spirit Communication, was cut out, all their expenditures would be recouped.

Therefore, they spared no expense, cutting the strange black stones most likely to contain such a divine object.

Now, it was no longer just Ye Fan versus Tuoba Chang; it was also a contest of wits against an astonishing strange black stone.

“They’ve gone crazy, truly insane!” Everyone was dumbfounded.

The two had already spent over 300,000 jin of Source, yet they didn’t seem to care and looked intent on continuing.

The Great Xia Prince, Jiang Yifei, and others from immortal dynasties and eternal noble families were equally astonished by this scene.

Even they could not bear such an expense.

An Miaoyi’s beautiful eyes sparkled.

She smiled faintly and said, “Indeed, a Source Technique duel that shakes the Divine City.

All of this is truly shocking.” Even the usually quiet little nun in white blinked her large eyes, her expression filled with disbelief.

“Could there be a Stone King here?!” some of the more perceptive elderly gentlemen immediately guessed this possibility.

“Heavens!

If there is a Stone King, then cutting out ancient scriptures, holy divine relics of a Great Emperor, or even a young True Dragon wouldn’t be impossible!” A group of elderly gentlemen paled, then scattered, looking around as if they too wanted to join in.

After the exorbitantly priced strange black stones named Immortal Lake and White Tiger Ascension were cut open, they too remained empty, containing nothing.

Everyone shivered.

The Stone Workshops of the Sacred Lands were indeed deep pits; once you jumped in, it was hard to get out, and you’d likely cut nothing.

“Little kid Ye, stop this madness!

You’re actually…

still picking stones?!” Li Heishui was aghast.

Ye Fan threw down another 120,000 jin of Source, which piled up on the ground shimmering like a small, crystalline mountain.

He then began selecting strange black stones again.

Only three of the garden’s signature treasures remained in the Stone Garden, each priced at 120,000 jin of Source.

This time, he didn’t immediately make a move but chose patiently.

Tuoba Chang was equally frantic.

After chiseling another IOU onto a green stone tablet, he quickly rushed over to choose his stone material.

“Too crazy!

They’re truly insane!” “It’s been many years since such high-stakes gambling, wagering hundreds of thousands of jin of Source at a time!

It’s nerve-wracking!” Everyone was shocked.

It was all too insane, leaving them utterly flabbergasted.

By this point, Ye Fan had spent a total of 450,000 jin of Source, yet he hadn’t even furrowed his brow.

Eventually, Tuoba Chang selected his stone material first.

It was precisely one of the exorbitantly priced strange black stones, named Divine Moon!

This strange black stone resembled a crescent moon.

It was very distinctive, over two meters long, and its entire surface shimmered with faint, crystalline points of light.

The stone material was smooth and fine, a rare Source Stone Jade Material.

It seemed to flow with radiance under the sunlight, truly like a divine moon.

Tuoba Chang began cutting quickly, without any delay.

Layers of stone skin shed, jade-like flakes flying off, as the strange black stone named Divine Moon continuously shrank.

Suddenly, a streak of Divine Radiance shot straight up, illuminating the entire island and casting a crystalline reflection upon the pale blue lake.

The radiance was dazzling, and a sacred aura surged skyward, causing everyone’s pores to open and their entire bodies to feel refreshed, as if enveloped by Immortal Qi.

“What is this?!” “A divine object has been cut out!” At this moment, the island erupted into a frenzy.

No one could remain calm; everyone was ecstatic.

That thing was too astonishing!

Even a single wisp of Divine Radiance leaking from a crack in the stone was this potent; it surely had to be a peerless rarity.

Tuoba Chang was incredibly excited.

He slowed his cutting speed, proceeding with extreme caution, terrified of damaging whatever lay within.

A stone sphere, the size of a human head, was cut out.

Beams of Divine Radiance shot out from its crevices; a thin layer of stone skin could no longer conceal the Divine Light within.

This stone sphere actually floated in the air, refusing to fall.

“Heavens, Divine Sources!

It’s actually Divine Sources!” “That’s right, Divine Sources, and a piece as large as a human head!” Even the elder figures were in an uproar.

Such divine objects were exceedingly rare in the world, eternally coveted by all the Sacred Lands.

“By the most conservative estimate, its value is definitely over 500,000 jin of Source!” When an elder stated such a value, everyone gasped.

This was Divine Sources!

A piece this size rivaled a mountain composed of ordinary Pure Source!

Tuoba Chang didn’t peel off the thin stone skin; he was afraid the brilliance would blind him.

Even so, the dozens of beams of Divine Radiance shooting out already made the entire island resplendent, and even the blue lake waters shimmered with reflected glory.

“Hahaha…” He couldn’t stop himself from roaring with laughter.

The emergence of Divine Sources!

The Divine City hadn’t witnessed such a thing for many years.

This was absolutely sensational news, shocking everyone.

“You worthless punks, let’s see how you turn this around!

You think you can compete with a Source Technique noble family?!” Li Chongtian laughed heartily.

“Forget about it in this lifetime!

With such a piece of Divine Sources, what do they possibly have to compete?” Wu Ziming also mocked.

“I’ve been eagerly awaiting your expressions of dismay.

Finally, it’s time to see your faces turn green with despair!” Everyone was ecstatic, all shouting and discussing.

The Divine Sources were simply too astonishing.

Li Heishui was stunned speechless, now completely deflated.

The appearance of Divine Sources had thoroughly subdued him.

At this moment, only Ye Fan remained relatively calm.

He said, “In this world, Divine Sources are not the most precious thing.

Among these strange black stones, there are even more sacred objects.” Upon hearing this, An Miaoyi, the Great Xia Prince, Jiang Yifei, and the little nun all looked over.

Even the elder figures turned to stare.

More people simply shook their heads.

Some sympathized, while others gloated.

With such a piece of Divine Sources cut out, turning the tables would be harder than ascending to the heavens.

Wu Ziming laughed wildly.

“Then cut out one of those ‘more sacred objects’ for me to see!” “Alright,” Ye Fan said calmly.

“Today, I’ll give it a try.

Perhaps I really can cut out something even more precious.” As soon as these words were spoken, the Stone Garden fell silent.

All eyes focused on him.

An Miaoyi’s beautiful eyes shifted, filled with immense surprise.

The little nun in white blinked her large eyes, her small mouth forming a perfect ‘O’, resembling an adorable Yan bird, as she stared at him in shock.

Even resolute individuals like Jin Chixiao, the Wanchu Saint Heir, and Yaoyue Kong revealed expressions of utter astonishment.

“Haha…

still refusing to shed a tear until you see the coffin!

Even at this point, you’re still hoping for a miracle?

I see you truly don’t know your own limitations!” Li Chongtian laughed.

“Cut out something more precious?” someone muttered.

Almost no one believed it possible.

Divine Sources were too precious.

Everyone present thought a miracle was virtually impossible.

At this very moment, with the emergence of Divine Sources, the news seemed to sprout wings and fly, shocking the Divine City.

More and more people began to hurry over.

Ye Fan remained very calm, earnestly tapping an exorbitantly priced strange black stone.

Even at this critical juncture, he was unperturbed.

“Little kid Ye, you absolutely must cut out an astonishing, world-shaking rarity!

Otherwise, we’re doomed!” Li Heishui transmitted to him secretly.

“We’ll be waiting to see you cry when you finally face that coffin!” Wu Ziming jeered, then burst into loud laughter.

Hearing this, Ye Fan stood up and said, “Since that’s the case, why don’t you join in as well?

How about a high-stakes gamble with me?” Then, he scanned the surroundings and added, “Of course, if anyone else is willing, feel free to participate.” “I refuse to believe that you can still turn the tables, even now!”