Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 438: Chapter 443: Ruthless Inheritor

“DANG!”

The man towered ten feet tall, his presence majestic and imposing. He was a force that could pull mountains; his disheveled black hair and piercing eyes were intimidating. He wielded the Heaven-piercing Halberd, tearing apart the heavens and earth, his valor unmatched!

Ye Fan countered with his golden fists, causing the Heaven-piercing Halberd to tremble continually, the sound piercing metal and shattering stone, echoing beneath the heavens.

“BOOM!”

The purple-haired man descended like a Demon God, his skin as lustrous as white jade, his eyes as terrifying as an abyss, occasionally glowing with purple light.

He commanded the Nine-Layered Ancient Tower to shroud Ye Fan below, repeatedly activating it. The Copper Tower, engraved with Innate Dao Patterns, descended several times, almost capturing Ye Fan inside.

“DONG!”

The earth cracked open into a bottomless pit as the ancient pagoda bore down, piercing the earth and swallowing endless earth and stone.

“CLANG!”

A chill gripped Ye Fan’s heart. He did his utmost to neutralize the threat. He had already been drawn into the first layer of the ancient pagoda, his golden hands continuously slashing out.

“DONG!”

His left hand transformed into a golden Heavenly Stele and his right into a golden Big Grinding Disc. He struck out with both simultaneously, finally sending the weapon flying.

He was wary. Little did he know, the others were utterly astounded. To oppose a Heavy Artifact interwoven with the patterns of heaven and earth barehanded—how many would dare to even attempt it?

“The sacred body is too powerful! His physique is comparable to a Heavy Artifact; he inherently stands in an undefeatable position. Among his peers, who could harm him?”

“To deal with him, one can only use overwhelming magical power to suppress him and then slowly refine him. Otherwise, it would be easy to suffer a great loss!”

Numerous cultivators had gathered in the distance, all discussing in low voices. The sounds of such a great battle in the dead of night carried for dozens of miles; anyone in Yan’s capital would surely have heard it.

At this time, Ye Fan was most wary of the woman wielding the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel. Not only did she possess the Vessel’s body, but she also held a lid, both interwoven with the Dao and its principles.

It was rumored that the most terrifying aspect of the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel was its lid. It was said to be crafted from the skull of a Great Emperor after they had shed their mortal coil, possessing unimaginable power.

Even if it’s just a replica, it’s likely more terrifying than the Vessel’s body. Ye Fan had been constantly on guard against it, yet the fair-looking woman hadn’t used it. This was an intangible form of deterrence.

The origins of these three were shrouded in mystery. Each was a formidable enemy, comparable to any Saint Heir, yet he had never heard of them before. This truly unsettled him.

“CHIH!”

Suddenly, a golden radiance shot from between Ye Fan’s eyebrows. That small lake of golden light, like a miniature sun, erupted, and a Golden Small Tripod condensed from divine sense emerged.

His divine scan was renowned among the younger generation for its exceptional power. When that small lake of golden light manifested a three-legged Golden Small Tripod, everyone’s expression changed.

Even the three powerful adversaries revealed looks of astonishment. Brilliance flashed between their eyebrows as powerful treasures emerged, blocking the space before them.

“HMPH!”

The delicate woman gave a cold snort and suddenly flipped her hand, bringing out the lid of the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel and pressing it down towards the Golden Small Tripod.

Ye Fan felt a sharp pain between his eyebrows; the Golden Small Tripod was on the verge of being sucked in by the demonic lid. The lid bore the imprint of a ghostly face that seemed to be both laughing and crying simultaneously—an incredibly bizarre sight.

“HEH HEH… HA HA…”

A terrifying laugh echoed out, chillingly dreadful, as if the world’s most ruthless figure stood before the Ancient Desolation, their cold laughter traversing time and space.

Then, an incredibly arrogant laugh followed, one that seemed capable of trampling all the Immortals of the heavens underfoot—a demonic sound that could be called the most conceited in the world.

Even someone as powerful as Ye Fan felt his hair stand on end. This is merely a replica, yet it has even managed to engrave such a demonic sound? Is this the voice of that unparalleled ruthless person? Fortunately, it’s just a replica; it only has the sound, not the world-annihilating might. Otherwise, it would be a great calamity, and Yan’s capital would not have been preserved!

Despite this, Ye Fan’s Golden Small Tripod was almost completely sucked in and was rapidly dimming. With a soft cry, the golden light between his eyebrows blazed brightly.

The Golden Small Tripod transformed into a streak of light and shot towards the three of them. They hurriedly defended, fearing it would touch them, as everyone knew this was one of Ye Fan’s killing techniques.

“DONG!”

Simultaneously, the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel vibrated. The woman flipped her hand, aiming it at Ye Fan, and a mysterious beam of light shot out directly at him.

It was a beam of black light that devoured everything. Moreover, strands of Dao Glyphs cascaded down, like a heavenly screen, intent on annihilating all in their path.

“AH…”

Ye Fan was unharmed, but in the distance, cultivators cried out miserably as they fell. A large number of people were affected, with trickles of blood seeping from between their eyebrows. The demonic lid’s might was exceedingly great.

Moreover, at this very moment, the ghostly face imprint on the lid of the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel seemed to come alive, crying and laughing. Ye Fan’s heart pounded violently.

Chaos Seed Green Lotus!

He unleashed his Variation, intending to suppress all three simultaneously. His main target was the Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel; this Vessel was too malevolent, and who knew what other powers it had yet to display.

He didn’t want to deal with their attacks one by one and decided to take the initiative, aiming to capture and kill all three. Primal chaos mist swirled around, and the Golden Small Tripod returned to the space between his eyebrows.

As Ye Fan moved, the green lotus manifested with him, taking root in the void. It was like an ancient scripture of the Great Dao; its three leaves swayed gently, and all of creation seemed to be revitalized. Heaven and earth appeared to return to their initial state.

“BUZZ!”

Ye Fan’s hands swayed, and a Yin Yang Dao Map appeared between his golden palms—the Yin Diagram in his left hand, the Yang Diagram in his right—like the Sun and Moon moving in concert.

The aura of the world’s genesis permeated the air. Ye Fan’s golden hands, transformed into the Yin Yang Diagram, sought to cover the three of them below.

Clearly, they knew how formidable it was and did not dare to enter the range of the Variation, all decisively retreating.

“DANG!”

The majestic man wielding the Heaven-piercing Halberd was abruptly sent flying, his tall figure flung far away, the Great Halberd in his hand trembling violently and incessantly.

Had it been any other Weapon, it would have already turned to dust; it simply could not have withstood a single blow from the Yin Yang Diagram!

“BOOM!”

The Nine-Layered Ancient Tower, massive as a mountain, was struck by the Yang Diagram from Ye Fan’s right hand. It transformed into a streak of light, like a comet streaking across the sky, and disappeared beyond the horizon.

Only the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel was terrifying. Even as a faint replica, it displayed unforeseeable might, withstanding the blow from the Yin Diagram as its body radiated myriad streaks of black light.

“The sacred body is so powerful! Without using any Weapons, he can contend with three great enemies…” The onlookers felt a chill in their hearts.

“These three are peak experts of the younger generation. Where did they come from?” someone wondered.

Ye Fan stood there, his expression calm, facing the three. If the battle continued, he was prepared to capture and kill them!

He was filled with doubts. These three had appeared and disrupted his deductions. Were they sent by his opponents to test him? But how could young experts capable of contending with him possibly obey orders and remain unknown figures? What exactly were their origins? They were definitely comparable to Saint Son Level figures. Such individuals were rare in the younger generation, whether in the Central States or the Eastern Wastelands.

To possess a replica of the Ancient Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel, including a flawless lid—even a Saint Master Level figure would find it very difficult to create or replicate such a thing. This was somewhat unusual. His heart trembled. Could the other party have obtained the inheritance of that ruthless one? It was possible.

Ye Fan let out a soft cry. Under the night sky, his golden physique flickered. With one hand pressing down upon the void, shielded by the green lotus, he unleashed the Yin Diagram and Yang Diagram, intending to capture the three of them.

“SWISH! SWISH…”

The majestic man wielding the Heaven-piercing Halberd and the purple-haired man who resembled a Demon God both retreated. Only the woman swung the Heaven-devouring Demon Vessel, striking towards him.

The ghostly face was still crying and laughing, black light piercing from the depths of its eyes, causing Ye Fan to feel a wave of coldness wash over his body. He gave a powerful jolt, and his Blood Qi surged to the heavens, neutralizing the chill.

“If these are all the tricks you have, then prepare to die!” Ye Fan charged forward.

“Brother Ye, your body… heh heh…” the woman chuckled softly.

A chill ran through Ye Fan’s heart. Is she trying to probe the extent of my injuries? Thinking back on everything that just happened, there were indeed traces and clues. Who could be so terrifying as to suspect him? He was sure he hadn’t revealed any flaws; he had been constantly on guard and had acted perfectly. He had even simulated the Qi Mechanism of the Great Dao cracks, unintentionally allowing a wisp of it to circulate.

“You don’t need to concern yourselves. I won’t die so easily!” Ye Fan raised his hand to strike, determined to capture and kill his opponent.

“SWISH!”

However, the figures of the three suddenly became indistinct as they stepped into the void, preparing to traverse it. Ye Fan’s expression changed. He punched towards the sky while Divine Radiance shot from his eyes, using his Source Heaven Divine Sense to see through their true nature.

“This is a divine art where Dao Glyphs are inscribed upon the body, allowing one to traverse the void and vanish without a trace for hundreds of miles! It was thought to have been lost for many years, but unexpectedly, it has reappeared in the world,” an elderly figure exclaimed in amazement.

No matter how deep your schemes are, you probably don’t know that I’ve cultivated the Divine Eye… Ye Fan thought to himself.

He found it hard to calm down. This opponent was very difficult to deal with—a terrifying enemy!

Those three were not their True Bodies but three gods manifested from the Dao Palace, all from the same source and indistinguishable from one another.

However, after careful consideration, he frowned. This person was extremely crafty and cautious. The three gods had not left behind any special imprints, making it impossible to ascertain their true identity.

What a powerful individual! The three gods they manifested could each contend with a Saint Heir. Moreover, these manifested gods could take male or female form, indistinguishable from flesh and blood. Without the Divine Eye, it would be impossible to see through them. Trying to find such a person was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Ye Fan fell into deep thought, meticulously mulling things over and recalling various past events.

He couldn’t rely on life imprints; he could only search for traces and clues from the details. He desperately wanted to expose this person; otherwise, his mind would not be at ease.

He stood there for a long time, then his eyes suddenly lit up. Similar… there’s a slight similarity!

When the majestic man wielded the Heaven-piercing Halberd, tearing apart heaven and earth, there was a moment when that domineering aura of being unrivaled bore a trace of similarity to a scene he had witnessed before. This was thanks to his powerful divine sense, which had firmly seared past scenes into his memory.

Back in the northern region, not long after he had emerged from the Taichu Forbidden Area, there had been two terrifying beings covered in long hair, suspected to be Ancient creatures. They wielded Great Swords, slashed the heavens and sundered the earth, as if they alone were supreme in all existence!

At that time, everyone speculated that they were not Ancient creatures, but rather that old rogue. Later suspicious points also seemed to confirm this; that old rogue had vanished, and various signs pointed to him.

However, Ye Fan felt a chill creep into his heart. He thought of the Flickering Light Saint Heir, even though the chance of it being him, based on that slight similarity, was less than one in ten thousand. That day, those two beings had even cleaved the Elders of Flickering Light, killing a person every ten steps…

Thinking of how the Flickering Light Saint Heir was like a god walking in the mortal world, untainted by dust, perpetually enveloped by a Divine Ring, he felt a shiver run down his spine.

Even if there’s only a sliver of a possibility, I still have to be on guard… Ye Fan’s heart pounded.

He considered everything in relation to the Flickering Light Saint Heir, musing internally, Did he also obtain the ruthless one’s inheritance? He too entered the ruthless one’s Dao Field, suffered grievous injuries, and nearly died. Did he also experience that ‘utter darkness’?

Ye Fan frowned. Previously, he hadn’t suspected the Flickering Light Saint Heir, but now he had to be wary. This person had inexplicably become entangled in this. However, another person is even more likely!

Ye Fan thought of Hua Yunfei. If he hadn’t overheard Hua Yunfei’s conversation with an old man in the Flame Region back then, he would never have imagined that Hua Yunfei wanted to kill Ji Ziyue. He would never forget those words. Hua Yunfei had mused to himself at the time, “The sacred body… its physique contains a peculiar and great power. If I were to obtain it, it would be even better than seizing its Source.”

As an outsider to that situation, Ye Fan could only see through the mist because he had heard it with his own ears. Otherwise, who in this world could have imagined that the ethereal and otherworldly Hua Yunfei was very likely the inheritor of that ruthless one?! Hua Yunfei was as renowned as an exiled Immortal, pure, noble, and exceedingly low-key. He never stirred up any trouble, almost as if he were draped in a blemish-free Holy Robe. The world would never suspect him!

Whether or not he has obtained the ruthless one’s inheritance, he definitely intends to harm me. He wants to take Ji Ziyue’s Source, and that includes mine… When Elder Li Ruoyu fought against that half-step sovereign, he had been surprised, noting that the opponent’s Qi Mechanism felt somewhat familiar. Elder Li Ruoyu had been in seclusion on Zhuo Peak for many years, which was adjacent to Star Peak. This further strengthened Ye Fan’s conviction.

As for the Flickering Light Saint Heir, the situation is baffling and confusing. It’s also possible that it’s him… Nevertheless, the opponent’s main goal tonight was to ascertain the true state of the sacred body’s injuries. Their intentions were clearly profound. Whether or not he was involved, Ye Fan needed to be on guard.

I am convinced that Hua Yunfei wants to kill me! A murderous glint flashed in Ye Fan’s eyes. What he had witnessed in the Flame Region alone was enough to indicate that a life-and-death struggle between him and Hua Yunfei was inevitable.

「The next day,」

Hua Yunfei and Li Xiaoman entered Yan’s capital together. Ye Fan went up to them and acted immediately, not wanting the other party to have time for meticulous arrangements.

Otherwise, given Hua Yunfei’s scheming nature, he would definitely start plotting once he entered Yan’s capital, and would most likely have formidable backup plans to eliminate him. Rather than let that happen, Ye Fan decided to strike first and not give him the opportunity. Besides, this was the trap he had laid for Hua Yunfei. The sooner it was resolved, the sooner he could be at ease!

“Brother Ye, why are you doing this?” Hua Yunfei, enveloped in surging Golden Blood Qi, his expression changed drastically.

“Ye Fan, what are you doing? Why are you repaying kindness with enmity?” Li Xiaoman, who was beside him, also exclaimed in alarm.

Ye Fan remained silent. He had come only to kill and did not want to be distracted. Only by obliterating this person with thunderous might could he feel at ease.

The Immortal King Over Nine Heavens, Chaos Seed Green Lotus, and other Variations all emerged, sweeping towards Hua Yunfei. As long as he could trap Hua Yunfei within them, everything would be easy to handle.

The Nine Layer Heavens emerged, with a supreme Immortal King seated high above, exuding an air of peerless dominance. The Yin Yang Diagram sealed the heavens, transforming this region into something like an Immortal Soil. Golden light erupted from Ye Fan’s entire body, shooting into the sky, making him appear as powerful as a Holy Spirit.

“BOOM!”

Naturally, Hua Yunfei would not sit idly by and wait for death. A star shot out from between his eyebrows, circulating endless Immortal Light and submerging him within it.

“Why has the sacred body started a great battle with Hua Yunfei of Taixuan Sect?” All the cultivators were astonished and very confused.

“Heavens, that’s Star Peak’s Supreme Treasure! Legend says it was refined from an actual star!” some of the older generation figures exclaimed in shock.

“Ye Fan, what are you doing? Senior Brother Hua gave you the Nine Orifice Exquisite Pill to save your life! How can you repay kindness with enmity?” Li Xiaoman’s expression changed.

“Him…” Ye Fan gave a disdainful smile, not caring in the slightest. He strode forward, still exuding a thunderous might, determined to kill Hua Yunfei. He advanced like a god from Ancient Times, causing heaven and earth to tremble.