Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 362 - 363 Chapter 368 A Shocking Bet

363: Chapter 368: A Shocking Bet 363: Chapter 368: A Shocking Bet It had been over a month since Ye Fan left the divine city, and upon returning, he felt a sense of familiarity.

This was a city brimming with passion.

He had returned quietly, thinking no one would notice.

However, soon after he entered the city, numerous people greeted him with fervent eyes and enthusiasm.

“Little Brother Gu Feng, you’re finally back!

We’ve been eagerly awaiting the chance to witness your Source Technique again.” “Say no more, Brother Gu, let’s go to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion!

It’s on me, and we won’t leave until we’re drunk!” “Without you, Little Brother Gu, the divine city has felt so lonely!

Many of us have been eagerly awaiting your return, hahaha…” Many people fervently tried to curry favor with Ye Fan.

In the Northern Region, where Source was abundant, a master of Source Technique held a very high status and could become an esteemed guest of the Great Sects.

Ye Fan smiled.

Although he didn’t recognize most of these people, he responded to each one.

He wondered what expressions these people would have when his identity as the Sacred Body was revealed one day.

Perhaps some would battle fiercely for the holy divine relics, some might help him escape, while others might kill him to gain favor with the Sacred Lands.

“Little Brother Gu, you’re finally back!

You don’t know, someone has publicly challenged you to a Source Technique duel.

You were away for so long, they claim you ran off out of fear.” “They’ve said many unpleasant things, likely to provoke you.

Now that you’re back, Brother Gu, you need to crush them in Source Technique so they’ll stop their incessant jabbering.” “Indeed, some people are truly arrogant, claiming they will crush Brother Gu in Source Technique.

You must teach them a good lesson; we can’t stand it any longer!” Ye Fan smiled, thanked them, and finally managed to break away from the crowd.

Shortly afterward, he arrived at Li Heishui’s residence.

Li Heishui laughed heartily, satisfaction written all over his dark face.

“Little kid Ye, you really are something, capturing a Sacred Lady alive!

That truly shocked me.” “Has the Red Dragon Daoist left the divine city?” Ye Fan asked.

He needed strong support, anticipating some kind of turmoil.

Li Heishui laughed and said, “All the old diehards in the divine city hope he leaves.

With him here, many feel uneasy, but he has no intention of leaving.” “Great!” Ye Fan was elated.

If trouble arose, he could rely on the Red Dragon Daoist to intervene, believing he wouldn’t stand idly by.

“You’re finally back!

Today is worth celebrating.

Should we go to Miao Yu Temple, Shuiyue Small Building, or Guanghan Palace?” Li Heishui chuckled, mentioning the three great pleasure grounds of the divine city.

“Let’s skip those places.

We should keep a low profile,” Ye Fan smiled and shook his head.

“You’ve subdued two Sacred Ladies, so naturally, you’d look down on these three places.

But don’t underestimate them; for example, An Miaoyi is in no way inferior to a Sacred Lady.” “You’re never serious!” Ye Fan punched his arm.

“Who’s the one not being serious here, little kid Ye?

You have the nerve to say that when you’re carrying two Sacred Ladies around with you?” “Those two Sacred Ladies are like flowers in a mirror, the moon in the water—alluring but illusory.

If released, they’d spell great disaster.” Li Heishui laughed.

“Then let’s go to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion or the Illusionary Food Mansion.” Ye Fan nodded and said, “We’ve already been to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, so let’s go to the Illusionary Food Mansion to celebrate.

Today, I’m going all out and treating you to an Immortal Banquet!” “Even Saint Master Level figures rarely order an Immortal Banquet, as it can cost tens of thousands of jin of Source.

We should probably skip it.” “Don’t worry about it, let’s go check it out.” The two of them soared into the sky, flying towards the Illusionary Food Mansion.

It was a vibrant complex of jade structures, each heavenly watchtower a different hue, constructed from Green Jade, Purple Jade, White Jade, and more.

From afar, it sat nestled amidst the clouds, sparkling and crystalline, like a palace from the Immortal World.

Before each building, Yao Grass and Immortal Flowers grew, with spirits and Lightning Birds flitting about.

“Little Brother Gu Feng, you’re back!” Upon arriving, a familiar person spotted them from a White Jade Palace in the distance.

Yao Yuekong walked out, laughing, “I have guests here.

After I’m done, I’ll come find you.

Save me a seat.” “Alright, see you soon!

We’ll drink to our heart’s content today!” the two of them laughed in response.

The Illusionary Food Mansion had significant backing, one of which was the Central States’ Great Xia Royal Family.

They had people stationed in the divine city year-round and had ultimately participated in founding this expanse of palaces.

Eighteen young women, all with considerable cultivation bases, dressed in Five-Colored Feather Robes and wearing sweet smiles, led the two of them into a Purple Jade Immortal Palace.

“Wouldn’t you know it,” Li Heishui muttered, “I think I see a bunch of those bastards in a nearby palace.” “What’s going on?” Ye Fan asked.

“They’re all here for you.

Last time, when you cut out a fragment of an Ancient Divine Medicine, the Dragon Pattern Black Gold Sacred Spirit Sword, and a Divine Silkworm, it caused a sensation in the divine city and word spread like wildfire among the Source Technique noble families.” That previous world-shocking gamble where Ye Fan defeated Tuoba Chang was still fresh in mind.

This time, not only had the Tuoba Family sent experts, but several other ancient families from the Source Technique realm had also dispatched their own unparalleled figures to the divine city.

Ye Fan did not mind.

This time, it was bound to be an even greater commotion, as he aimed to acquire ten million jin of Source.

Keeping a low profile was already impossible!

“Many Source Technique experts have come to the divine city; these are just some of them.

However, they’ve gone too far.

During your absence, they’ve threatened to crush you in Source Technique just to force you out.” “I welcome them to try stepping on me, but without one million jin of Source, I won’t engage.

Anyone looking to challenge should weigh themselves first.” Ye Fan and Li Heishui entered the Purple Palace.

They didn’t order an Immortal Banquet, as that would have been too ostentatious and might have attracted the ire of many prominent figures.

Outside the palace, mist enshrouded the Lotus Immortal Pond, where several women danced with elegant movements, as if they were fairies in the Jade Lake.

The wine itself wasn’t intoxicating, but the scene was enough to enrapture anyone.

The two of them were downing cup after cup of wine when a young maiden approached.

“Honored guests,” she said, “the Great Xia Prince has learned you are here.

He will come by shortly and hopes you might wait for a while.” “Rest assured, we won’t be leaving anytime soon,” Ye Fan nodded.

The Great Xia Royal Family was one of the backers of the Illusionary Food Mansion.

It wasn’t surprising that the Great Xia Prince knew they were here.

Not long after, another young woman stepped forward and bowed gracefully, saying, “Honored guests, the visitors from the Qing Palace across the way would like you to come over.” “People from the Qing Palace?” Li Heishui sneered.

He recognized them as the members of the Source Technique families he had mentioned earlier.

“Did they say ‘want us to come over’ instead of ‘invite us over’?” Ye Fan asked with a smile, noting the young woman’s careful choice of words.

The opposing party had clearly spoken disrespectfully.

The young woman, in relaying the message, had deliberately avoided using the word “invite,” instead using “want,” subtly indicating the situation.

“Yes,” the young woman nodded.

Having often seen influential figures here, they were quite worldly-wise despite their young age.

“Who do they think they are, summoning us over at their whim?

Tell them we’re busy!” Li Heishui snapped.

“This…” The young woman looked troubled but obediently retreated.

Although the people in the Qing Palace received a somewhat softened report, some were still displeased.

The fact that Ye Fan and Li Heishui hadn’t come over clearly indicated their response.

“How arrogant!

Seniors from the Source Technique Realm are present, and they were asked to come over to offer a toast, yet they put on such airs!

Do they really think they’re Heavenly Source Masters?” “They completely disregard the seniors!

Utterly arrogant, without a shred of decorum!” Several young men sneered and stood up, looking towards the Purple Palace.

Ye Fan and Li Heishui, looking across the Lotus Immortal Pond, saw people watching them from the other side.

They paid it no mind and continued to clink their cups, admiring the graceful dances of the young women.

“They’re coming over.” Ye Fan noticed several young men approaching, about to enter their Purple Palace.

The one leading them sneered as soon as he stepped into the Purple Palace.

“You two certainly put on grand airs!

Elders of the Source Technique Realm are here, and you don’t even budge when asked to come over and offer a toast!” Ye Fan looked up at them.

“What ‘toasting’?

You arrogantly summon us over.

Is that what you call ‘respect’?

Why should we show any respect to you?” Li Heishui put down his chopsticks and swept his gaze over them.

“And who are you?

Are we supposed to be familiar with you?

On what grounds do you summon us to offer you a toast?” “Don’t you recognize us?

We’ve been waiting in the divine city for over a month to challenge Gu Feng to a Source Technique duel!” another one sneered.

“So it’s you.” Li Heishui casually glanced at them, took another sip of wine, and then said, “For days now, I’ve heard people talking about how you lot have been boasting you’ll trample Gu Feng in Source Technique.

After making such audacious threats, you still have the gall to summon us over for a toast?!” “We did say a few things,” one of the young men said disrespectfully.

“It was just to get you to come out.

Stop cowering and being afraid to show your faces!” “Where did these flies come from, buzzing around and ruining the mood?” Li Heishui waved his hand dismissively as if swatting them away.

“If you don’t leave now, I’ll have the Illusionary Food Mansion staff escort you out.” “Fine, fine, fine!

You want to be arrogant?

Then let’s meet at the Sacred Land Stone Workshop!” They clearly wanted to make a move, but then they remembered where they were and restrained themselves.

“And who might you be?

Do I know you?

Do you think I have to agree just because any Tom, Dick, or Harry pops up?” Ye Fan casually picked up a piece of food, put it in his mouth, and then sneered.

“If you want to challenge me in Source Technique, fine.

But prepare your Divine Sources first.

If what you’re offering is worth less than one million jin of Pure Source, don’t even think about betting against me!” They were all stunned.

One million jin of Source!

This was an absolutely colossal gamble!

Such a large stake had almost never been seen before.

“Each of you is brimming with arrogance, summoning us around, yet you can’t even put up the Source?

If that’s the case, then stop your empty bragging.

Quit acting so high and mighty and go back where you came from!” Ye Fan said coldly.

“Do you even have one million jin of Source yourself?!” “Do you really know anything about us?

Go ask around about Gu Feng’s track record!

People from your own Source Technique noble families have gifted us a Divine Source the size of a human head!” Li Heishui laughed heartily.

They were instantly rendered speechless, not knowing what to say.

There was no way they could produce one million jin of Source on their own.

“You’re from different Source Technique noble families, aren’t you?

Since your elders are here, go back and tell them: if they want to have a major gamble with me, then bring one million jin of Source.

Otherwise, don’t bother provoking me!” Ye Fan declared fiercely.

Nearby, the serving young women were stunned.

One million jin of Source—such an astronomical sum was simply too shocking.

Many distinguished guests in the other palaces were stirred by the commotion.

A colossal gamble—one million jin of Source!

To dare make such a claim was truly astounding.

Not far away, several people passed by and happened to see Ye Fan and his group.

They sneered, saying, “I wondered who it was.

Turns out it’s you two reckless juniors, truly arrogant!” Ye Fan glanced over and recognized them: it was Li Yishui, a Grand Elder from the Illusion Destruction Palace—an old adversary.

“We’re discussing a Source Technique duel and naming the stakes.

What’s it to you?” Li Heishui was completely unafraid; he had long wanted to throw that Black Iron Order in Li Yishui’s face.

“Ignorant juniors, are you talking to me?” Li Yishui’s face darkened.

“And who do you think you are?!” Ye Fan and Li Heishui retorted simultaneously.

This stone-betting venture was destined to cause a huge stir anyway; they might as well intimidate anyone who dared to step forward first.

“You two juniors are courting death!” “Stop putting on airs, old geezer!” the two shot back, utterly fearless.

Just then, Prince Xia Yiming of Great Xia and the young nun in white arrived.

Xia Yiming laughed heartily from a distance, calling out, “Brother Gu Feng, you’re finally back!” Ye Fan was surprised to see that the Golden Little Spirit had also appeared.

It was clinging to the young nun’s shoulder and angrily waving its tiny paws at him.

“Is there really going to be a colossal gamble?

One million jin of Source—that’s enough to shake the entire Northern Region!” Yao Yuekong laughed heartily as he walked in.

“Such a grand gesture!” In other palaces, some older figures who had heard the commotion all marveled.

“Is Little Brother Gu Feng going to make another astonishing move?” A gentle laugh drifted over, and the ethereally beautiful An Miaoyi appeared; she too was at the Illusionary Food Mansion.