Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 434: Chapter 439: Reentering the Taixuan Sect

Everyone thought Ye Fan was dead, but months later, he reappeared and accomplished a major feat. As soon as the news spread, it naturally triggered a commotion.

“The young man named Ye single-handedly confronted the strong contenders of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm and nailed Ji Hui in front of everyone; it’s astonishing!”

“Unbelievable! It’s been several months, and the sacred body hasn’t perished yet. Could he possibly have survived?”

“This is an era of upheaval, with many kings rising. Without the sacred body, it would appear imperfect; even the heavens seem unwilling to take him away.”

People discussed the matter fervently, all in shock. The forceful return of the sacred body stirred many nerves, and even some major forces couldn’t remain seated.

The younger generation was even more restless; Ye Fan was undoubtedly a major threat, especially to the various kings. This was very bad news.

If the sacred body survived, the kings would inevitably face him one day. No one dared claim they could absolutely overpower him; it would surely be an extremely fierce and world-shaking battle.

However, very soon, someone reported confirmed news: as Ye Fan left, not only did golden blood trickle from the corner of his mouth, but he also spat out three mouthfuls of blood where no one could see.

“What? He coughed up so much blood! Truly a turn of events!”

“‘He is clearly severely injured and hasn’t escaped death’s grasp at all. It seems he’s truly beyond saving, hehe…ʼ”

With this news, many people let out a sigh of relief. Otherwise, they would have truly felt pressured. If the Great Success Holy Body were to reappear in the world, many super-powerful forces would be uneasy.

Some lamented that though he broke a curse lasting over a hundred thousand years, his life was short. He had hoped to rival the ancient Great Emperors, yet fate was unkind, and he ultimately could not live on.

All sorts of people existed; naturally, there were some who rejoiced in his misfortune, laughing and waiting to see the sacred body perish, watching him fade from the mortal world.

“Heaven wants to take him away; even a peerless divine king couldn’t defy fate and mend his broken road for him. With only half a year of life to begin with, and several months already consumed, he could live for a little over a month at most now.”

“For now, it’s best not to provoke him. After all, he’s almost dead; there’s no need to fuss over a dead man. He’s already recklessly cut down people from Ancient Nobilities as if slicing vegetables, fearless of anything.”

Many said this, naturally also due to fear of the peerless divine king. Ye Fan had swept through Ji Hui and the others, and the Divine King Mark had once erupted, truly subduing many old-timers.

Many secretly cursed, puzzled as to why the divine king was so lucky, not knowing that it was Ye Fan who had uniquely fortified the mark with his sacred body’s Source.

When Ye Fan heard these rumors, a smile played at the corners of his mouth. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you all, he muttered to himself. I always manage to resurrect just in time.

Regarding how to “live on,” he had far too many reasons and excuses, which he could display seamlessly to the world. Thinking of what might happen in the future, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

Big figures from the Ji Family arrived immediately; two Grand Elders came to a small tavern to understand everything in detail.

Ye Fan nearly ran into them head-on. It’s a pity I can’t see the pitiful little girl for now, he thought with regret. Though the other party would likely hesitate to act due to the Divine King Mark, he still didn’t want to be in the same place as them.

He calmly headed north. There’s someone who can take Zhang Wenchang in, he thought. That place is very suitable for him to live quietly.

Along the way, he heard a lot of news, much of it related to him. People everywhere were discussing him, and his reappearance caused quite a stir.

Meanwhile, news that several Sacred Lands and the supreme Great Sects in the Central States were planning to harvest Ancient Divine Medicine was circulating intensely.

News about kings from the young generation in the Central States and several young prodigies in the Eastern Wastelands was also abundant. The Yin Yang Sect’s Saint Heir had battled Ji Haoyue and had been beaten back by the Divine King Body, retreating while vomiting blood.

During Ye Huiling and Wang Chongxiao’s life-and-death struggle, both were ambushed by a mysterious figure. Now their fates were unknown, and they had vanished from sight.

Moreover, the Yin Yang Sect’s “Yin Maiden” appeared. She visited Flickering Light Sacred Land and sparred with Yao Xi. The outcome, who was stronger or weaker, remained unknown to outsiders.

The Taixuan Sect has one hundred and eight main peaks, representing one hundred and eight types of inheritance. It is flourishing mightily, one of the strongest factions beneath the Sacred Lands.

From afar, they looked like one hundred and eight Great Dragons soaring skyward, a magnificent and grand spectacle.

In this region, even the Ji Family and Flickering Light Sacred Land regarded them with apprehension. They generally avoided provoking them, so conflicts rarely occurred.

Ye Fan silently sneaked in, arriving at Zhuo Peak.

This peak was just as before, very different from other main peaks. It was overgrown with weeds, old vines clung to withered trees, and shattered walls and ruins created an overall desolate scene.

Wasn’t Zhuo Peak supposed to be prospering? Why is it still like this? Ye Fan was puzzled.

“You’ve returned.” A calm voice echoed in his ears. Ye Fan was startled. He had concealed his Qi Mechanism, yet as soon as he neared Zhuo Peak, Elder Li Ruoyu had sensed him.

On Zhuo Peak, an elder dressed in gray stood with a calm and ordinary expression. He lacked the transcendent air of a reclusive master, far from exhibiting an immortal-like aura or Dao Bones.

“Greetings, Senior!” Ye Fan instantly raced up Zhuo Peak and performed a grand salute. This elder had shown him great kindness; his All Secret originated from this place.

“Rise. I’ve heard about your affairs. You can stay at Zhuo Peak.” The elder’s words were few. Standing before an ancient palace on the verge of collapse, he didn’t resemble a cultivator at all.

Inside and outside the ancient palace, weeds grew rampant. Not far away stood a dead old tree, upon which nine crows cawed loudly, yet it did not feel ominous.

They were the treasures of Zhuo Peak, “gods” nurtured by the mountain-guarding weapon, incredibly powerful—something most people would never imagine.

Ye Fan did not hide anything. He recounted his experiences over the past year or so in detail. Finally, he mentioned Zhang Wenchang, stating his purpose and hoping the elder would take him in.

“Let him come out,” Li Ruoyu said.

Ye Fan invoked the pure jade bottle. With a flash of light, Zhang Wenchang appeared on Zhuo Peak, momentarily confused and somewhat dazed.

“Wake up! Don’t just stand there foolishly,” Ye Fan laughed and gave him a gentle push, prompting him to greet Li Ruoyu.

“Ye Fan, I finally see you again…” As Zhang Wenchang came to his senses, his expression was one of immense excitement, no longer as lifeless as before.

He was extremely weary of this world and had been despondent for years. He was not suited for cultivation and missed the past dearly, even entertaining thoughts of leaving this world. His own world was bleak.

“Don’t worry, everything will change,” Ye Fan patted his shoulder, offering comfort. “Let’s get thoroughly drunk together later.”

Li Ruoyu looked at Zhang Wenchang and said, “Indeed, his roots and bones are poor.”

Zhang Wenchang already knew why Ye Fan had brought him here. Upon hearing this, he sighed deeply. “I have disappointed you.”

“Why would I be disappointed?” Li Ruoyu shook his head. “Seeing you, it’s as if I see my past self.”

“Why do you say that?” Zhang Wenchang’s wooden expression was filled with puzzlement.

Ye Fan chuckled. He had heard people at the Taixuan Sect say that Li Ruoyu lacked natural talent and had extremely poor roots and bones. The various main peaks had been unwilling to take him as a disciple, so he eventually came to the declining Zhuo Peak.

He was considered a late bloomer. For the first hundred years, he couldn’t even compare to the disciples of other main peaks. It wasn’t until he later comprehended the natural Grand Dao of Zhuo Peak that he astounded all one hundred and eight main peaks.

“I spent hundreds of years here before achieving anything. Your roots and bones are like mine; though not very good, that doesn’t matter,” Li Ruoyu said.

Do roots and bones really not matter? Zhang Wenchang was lost in thought, dazed.

“If you achieve enlightenment, even heaven and earth can be used by us. What then do our own roots and bones count for?” Li Ruoyu responded calmly.

Never mind Zhang Wenchang’s reaction, even Ye Fan was astonished. He had long sensed that the old man’s cultivation base was very high and that he had comprehended the true meaning of the natural Grand Dao, making him unfathomably profound.

Although Zhuo Peak looked desolate, if one sensed carefully, one would discover that it secretly conformed to the principles of heaven and earth. Life and death coexisted, prosperity and decline were intertwined, and there was a Dao Qi of returning to fundamental simplicity.

“You’re willing to take me as a disciple?” Zhang Wenchang was uncertain. For the past few years, he had endured bullying from his fellow disciples, and nothing had gone his way. He had long since given up on cultivation.

“The size of your heart determines the size of your world. Don’t always confine yourself to your own bleak world,” Li Ruoyu said, then tapped a finger between Zhang Wenchang’s brows.

Suddenly, the old man’s expression changed dramatically. He then stared blankly at Zhang Wenchang and Ye Fan. After a long while, he sighed, “A civilization from beyond the stars… You two…”

Ye Fan immediately understood. The old man had seen everything and knew they came from the other side of the starry sky. This was truly no longer a secret; even the Ji Family’s upper echelons knew.

“Your past, your experiences, are so wondrous. The world of your heart is so vast. You should be confident. Let us be mentor and friend to each other,” Li Ruoyu said, somewhat unsettled as he uttered these words.

Zhang Wenchang hurriedly performed a grand obeisance, formally becoming a disciple of Zhuo Peak.

Li Ruoyu was very moved. He said that if Zhang Wenchang achieved great things in the future, it would be significantly related to this day’s insight into everything. He encouraged Zhang Wenchang, telling him that as long as he persevered, his roots and bones would not be an issue.

Restoring Zhang Wenchang’s appearance was not difficult; Ye Fan’s own methods were sufficient. However, he took out a sacred fruit, helped him refine it into his body, and assisted him in a complete rebirth.

Ye Fan took out another fruit and gifted it to Li Ruoyu, intending to repay his great kindness. Yet, the elder shook his head and refused, saying, “I don’t need it.”

Although Ye Fan had picked many sacred fruits, he still felt they were insufficient. Rescuing the divine king and Little Tingting required him to piece together a flawless Undying Divine Medicine.

Ultimately, he pressed ten pounds of Divine Spring upon the elder, insisting on giving it and refusing to take it back.

“What? Elder Yun Ma has passed away?” On Zhuo Peak, while Ye Fan and Zhang Wenchang were drinking and reminiscing about old times, Ye Fan received this news. No wonder Zhang Wenchang had fallen into such a state.

He was filled with emotion. The fate of cultivators is unpredictable—life, death, sickness, and old age are beyond human control. Everyone faces such a day, unless they achieve Immortal Ascension. But had the ancient Great Emperors even managed that?

Ye Fan wandered with Zhang Wenchang near Zhuo Peak, familiarizing him with everything. Then, he prepared to depart to find the pitiful little girl.

“Isn’t that Li Xiaoman?” Zhang Wenchang exclaimed in surprise, pointing at a white-clad woman flying across the sky in the distance.

Ye Fan nodded but said nothing. Li Xiaoman was a disciple of Star Peak; of course, he knew, but he had no intention of greeting her.

“Junior Sister, that person is your old friend—Ye Fan!”

“That’s right! It’s the sacred body who’s causing such a stir now. Truly unimaginable! He used to stay at our Taixuan Sect, and now he’s stirred up such enormous waves!”

“Senior Brother Hua is exceptionally talented and enjoys discussing scriptures and the Dao with others. This time, he has invited young kings from the Central States and several other remarkable figures. If he knew the sacred body was here, he would surely invite him too.”

Beside Li Xiaoman, three young women spoke one after another. They all stopped, and one of them said, “I’ll go inform Senior Brother Yun Fei.” With that, she flew off.

Li Xiaoman turned, glanced back at Ye Fan and Zhang Wenchang, then descended to the ground. “Long time no see,” she said calmly.

Ye Fan chuckled and walked over with Zhang Wenchang, appearing at the foot of Star Peak. He looked at this woman who was so familiar yet somehow a little distant.