Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 418 - 419 Chapter 424 The Young King

419: Chapter 424 The Young King 419: Chapter 424 The Young King The sky was azure, like a vast crystal, untainted by a single impurity.

A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it the fresh scent of flora, filled with boundless life.

The northern region was monotonous and dull, devoid of vitality; the land was crimson red for hundreds of thousands of miles without a trace of human habitation, desolate and bleak, with no birds to be seen.

Now, it had entered the depths of winter.

Snow drifted across a million miles, draping the land in silver—a vast expanse of white.

At this moment, the environment Ye Fan found himself in was vastly different.

Spring had arrived with blooming flowers, the scenery was poetic and picturesque, birds chirped sweetly, and various animals occasionally appeared.

He had left the northern region and arrived in a vibrant world.

Everything was pleasing to the eye; the thriving aura of life made his spirits optimistic and cheerful.

“Damn dog…” Ye Fan cursed aloud.

He had traversed the void, only to find himself a full 1,500,000 miles from his intended destination.

The Black Emperor had previously vowed that the deviation wouldn’t exceed 2,000 miles, yet the actual difference was astronomical.

This dog is really unreliable!

If the Black Emperor were here, Ye Fan felt an urge to pummel it.

The Black Emperor, Pang Bo, Tu Fei, Li Heishui, and others had not followed him; otherwise, their large group would have been too conspicuous and could easily arouse suspicion.

Fortunately, it was not entirely unacceptable, as he had at least entered the region where his destination was located.

Although 1,500,000 miles was exceedingly distant, it was merely a short stretch relative to the vastness of this region.

If he hadn’t entered this area, it would truly have been a tragedy.

He didn’t have much time left—less than half a year to live—and had no time to waste on the journey.

The boat drifted calmly, floating on the water, moving downstream.

Ye Fan did not rush his journey.

Lying on the solitary boat, he carefully contemplated the various difficulties he would face and the methods to overcome them.

The river was not wide, nor was its current particularly turbulent.

The banks were lush with aquatic plants, and the scent of grass mixed with earthy aromas, immersing him in an endless sense of nature.

Occasionally, fish leaped from the water, their splashes showing their white underbellies, a very lively sight.

As night fell, Ye Fan took out a wineskin, drank a few gulps of wine, ate half a roasted chicken, and then lay down on the solitary boat to sleep peacefully, allowing the small vessel to drift downstream naturally.

“BANG!” In the latter half of the night, Ye Fan’s small, flat boat collided with another vessel ahead, waking him.

He realized he had unknowingly entered a wide river.

Under the starlit sky, a large boat in the river stretched dozens of meters in length, its lights twinkling.

Many people were looking down from its deck, and someone called out, “Who bumped into our boat?” “My apologies, everyone.” Ye Fan cupped his fists in apology.

The people on the boat were quite understanding.

Seeing that Ye Fan’s small boat was damaged, they lowered a rope for him to come aboard.

“Thank you all very much.” Ye Fan wanted to gather some information about this region from these people, so he did not refuse their goodwill.

This was a large boat that sailed the river year-round.

Onboard were ordinary mortals as well as many cultivators.

Unable to sleep, many stood on the deck chatting in the night.

Ye Fan paid the boat’s owner some silver coins and officially became a passenger, quietly listening to the discussions around him.

“Recently, all the heroes of the world gathered in the northern region.

First came the shocking news of a Great Emperor’s inheritance, then rumors of the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel.

It has truly stirred up the entire world.” Some cultivators sighed as they discussed these recent major events.

The Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel is really about to appear!

What An Miaoyi said was true, Ye Fan thought with surprise.

However, he had strayed far from the center of the storm and had not joined the commotion.

There were undoubtedly great dangers involved.

Although An Miaoyi hadn’t spoken explicitly, she had given him sufficient hints not to go and not to ask why.

“Speaking of which, the sacred body is truly unfortunate.

After breaking a curse that lasted for over one hundred thousand years, he ultimately still cannot avoid death.” “Indeed.

Not long ago, he drew the world’s attention, yet this is his end.

It’s a pity and a deep regret; he possessed Combat Power that could overlook an entire younger generation, yet he couldn’t endure long in this world.” “It counts as the fall of a generational talent.

The future will lack one promising contender for the title of Great Emperor, which allows the various Saint Heirs to breathe a sigh of relief.” Many people mentioned the sacred body with regret.

Otherwise, the future clashes among the younger generation—true dragon-and-tiger fights—would surely have resulted in endless battles.

This outcome meant much less excitement to look forward to.

“What’s so special about the sacred body?

In a great age where numerous kings rise, it too would fade into the crowd, nothing remarkable.” A man dressed in black Iron Armor abruptly spoke.

Many were greatly surprised.

No one had noticed when he appeared; he seemed like a ghost, manifesting out of thin air.

Only Ye Fan saw him step out of the void.

He was extraordinarily formidable, making even Ye Fan feel a sense of astonishment.

Definitely an outstanding expert of the younger generation, Ye Fan thought.

“Who are you, and why do you say such things?” someone asked, clearly dissatisfied with his statement.

“Who I am doesn’t matter.

I am merely stating a fact: in the bygone Ancient Desolation, no sacred body ever became a Great Emperor.

When various kings rose to prominence, the sacred body was definitely not the most brilliant among them.” This was a very young man, tall and slender, with a handsome appearance.

His eyes shone like stars in the night sky, and he wore black battle armor that shimmered with a cold, metallic sheen.

In his hand, he held a black Battle Halberd.

Its blade was exceedingly sharp, with a faint, bloody glow emanating from it.

It seemed to seal an endless murderous intent, as if it had drunk the blood of countless living beings.

“Throughout history, very few have become Great Emperors.

In an era without an Emperor, I’m afraid few could truly compete with the sacred body,” someone on the boat remarked, having noticed the man was not ordinary and thus daring not to speak too harshly.

“This era will surely birth a Great Emperor; otherwise, it would not do justice to so many ancient King Bodies emerging simultaneously.

The sacred body won’t make it; it’s unable to stand out.” The young man’s face was cold and stern as he continuously shook his head.

Under the flickering black light of his Iron Armor, his skin appeared very pale, yet there was no trace of effeminacy about him.

With his black hair flowing, he seemed like a deity from the Nine Netherworld.

“Young man, you are very confident and powerful.

But throughout history, out of billions of people, only a few Great Emperors have ever emerged.

To claim that one will arise in this current era is surely too fanciful.” “This era is very much like it was over one hundred thousand years ago, with various powerful constitutions appearing one after another.

A character like Great Emperor Wu Shi will certainly be born!” the young man declared with utmost certainty, his eyes flickering with a fiery brilliance.

“This…” The others were stunned; many had already heard such rumors before.

“Ye Huiling, aren’t you coming out?

Our battle shouldn’t be delayed too long; I think it’s time we reached a conclusion soon!” the young man in Black Iron Battle Armor said, standing on the deck and transmitting his voice, Battle Halberd in hand.

“Wang Chongxiao, you’ve arrived quickly indeed!” A woman stepped out from the second deck of the ship, her movements light and graceful.

She wore a blue dress that fluttered in the night wind.

She was no more than twenty years old.

Her appearance and demeanor perfectly matched her name—stunningly beautiful, wise, and ethereal.

She had black hair like a waterfall, skin so smooth it seemed a touch might break it, and lively, intelligent eyes.

She gracefully descended onto the deck, standing there like an orchid in a secluded valley.

Her extraordinary beauty possessed a serene and transcendent aura.

“What?

They are the young Kings of the Central States?

It is said they fought their way all theto the Eastern Wastelands!” “Indeed!

I’ve heard that the young generation of the Central States are engaged in kingly battles that shake the heavens and the earth!

Each of them possesses gifted secret arts; even elder-generation figures are unable to stop them.” The cultivators on the large ship were all shocked.

They hadn’t expected to see the young Kings of the Central States here.

They were indeed extraordinary, and a fierce dragon-and-tiger battle was certain to occur.

“I don’t wish to have a life-and-death duel with you in the near future, Wang Chongxiao.

Why do you persistently pursue me?” Ye Huiling’s voice was soft and melodious.

“I have learned that you’ve obtained the legendary ‘Heaven Covering Treasure Robe.’ You intend to use it to isolate your Qi Mechanism and enter the Ancient Desolation Forbidden Land to harvest the Undying Divine Medicine.

Am I correct?” Wang Chongxiao’s voice was calm.

The young Kings of the Central States have come with an unparalleled treasure robe, and for the same purpose as me!

This is not good news, Ye Fan thought, his heart suddenly skipping a beat.

They’ve come to this region, most likely with the same goal, intending to enter the same destination.

They will be formidable competitors.

“You are mistaken,” Ye Huiling said, shaking her head, her beauty astonishing.

“I wouldn’t enter so lightly.

I merely wish to rely on the Heaven Covering Treasure Robe to take a look at the edge of the Ancient Desolation Forbidden Land.” “Since you dare not enter, then hand over the Heaven Covering Treasure Robe to me.

I will go and collect the Undying Divine Medicine!” Wang Chongxiao sneered.

They had fought all the way from the Central States to the Eastern Wastelands; who knew how many times they had clashed?

They were equally matched, but the closer they got to their goals, the fiercer their battles would become.

The rivalry between Kings was a battle of life and death.

“Since there’s no choice, what’s the harm in fighting!” Although Ye Huiling’s words were gentle, they showed no weakness.

“All of you, leave!

No one is to turn back and watch the battle, or you will be killed without mercy!” Wang Chongxiao’s words were cold as his gaze swept across everyone on the ship.

The owner of the large ship hastily ordered it to set sail.

He didn’t want to provoke the young Kings of the Central States; across the entire world, there were few in the younger generation who could rival them.

Wang Chongxiao leaped into the void.

The Black Iron Battle Armor on him flashed with a cold light, his hair dancing in the wind, as he stood with the Battle Halberd in hand, resembling a Netherworld King.

Ye Huiling’s blue dress fluttered.

Ethereal and pure, she stood quietly under the night sky.

A Jade Flute appeared in her hand—crystalline and translucent, carved with complex and profound Dao Glyphs.

An aura of the Great Dao flowed from it, and she seemed to merge, becoming one with Heaven and Earth.

“How arrogant!

Daring to act like this in our Eastern Wastelands!

By what right does he forbid us from watching?” some young cultivators voiced their dissatisfaction.

“Are they truly Kings who can stand alongside the Divine King Body?” “Say no more.

Indeed, they possess the heritage of ancient King Bodies.

Such physiques haven’t appeared for many years.

Do not conflict with them, or no one here will be able to withstand a single blow.” Wang Chongxiao cast a cold glance at the large ship in the river and said frostily, “Disappear instantly, all of you!” “How utterly overbearing!

Does he truly think he has already conquered the world, giving orders here in my Eastern Wastelands!” someone exclaimed, extremely dissatisfied.

Wang Chongxiao sneered.

“Though I have not yet conquered the world, I am not someone that ants like you can point fingers at from behind the scenes.

In this generation of the Eastern Wastelands, there are few who can even enter my sight.” “Too outrageous!” Someone shot up into the sky, his body exuding a purple light, like a shining star.

He was a heroic-looking young man, and he shouted, “By what right do you look down on us Eastern Wasteland cultivators?” “Simply because I am a King of the young generation in the Central States!” Wang Chongxiao’s expression was cold, completely ignoring him.

“That’s Xu Yuming, the Sect Leader’s Disciple of the super-faction Moon Worship Sect!

He’s a cultivator at the Four Extremes Great Perfection Realm, a top expert among the younger generation!” someone exclaimed, not having expected such a powerful figure to be on the large ship.

“Let me see if you, this so-called King, are truly worthy of the title!” Xu Yuming charged forward.

“A mere grain of rice also dares to shine!” Wang Chongxiao sneered.

He didn’t wield his Battle Halberd.

Instead, a terrifying black wall appeared behind him, a divine aura spreading from it.

Endless divine swords and spiritual treasures were embedded in it, exuding an air of mystery and haziness!

Without turning his head, he slowly drew out a divine sword, crimson as blood.

Its tip emitted a scarlet glow that rushed skyward as he slashed down.

“PUFF!” Blood splattered everywhere.

Xu Yuming was cleaved in two.

It was as if he were facing a deity, powerless to reverse the outcome, utterly unable to withstand the blow.

Even his weapon was shattered into fragments.

“This…” Everyone was stunned, their hearts chilling to the core.

The young King from the Central States was too terrifying!

With just one strike, he had cleaved an expert of the Four Extremes Great Perfection Realm in two!

“CLANG!” Wang Chongxiao did not turn.

He thrust the blood-red divine sword back into the black wall behind him.

The various Divine Weapons and spiritual treasures flashed with light and then disappeared along with the terrifying black, demonic wall.

“Cough…” On the large ship, Ye Fan coughed up blood.

He wiped it clean with a silk handkerchief and quietly gazed into the sky.

“In my view, apart from the Ji Family Divine King Body, Flickering Light’s Saint Heir, and a few other limited individuals, everyone else in the Eastern Wastelands is not worth a single strike!” Wang Chongxiao’s black hair danced, his eyes deep and profound.

Like a Netherworld King, his Black Iron Battle Armor exuded a cold, menacing aura as he looked down upon everyone on the large ship.