Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 537: Chapter 542: Descendants of the Gods

“Heavens, is this an Immortal Egg?!” everyone exclaimed, utterly shocked.

This strange black stone, as large as a grinding disc, gently trembled; its seal had long ceased to exist and could no longer restrain it. Inside, there was an egg, mysterious and unpredictable. It projected its form clearly through the stone’s surface and into the void, exuding ten thousand rays of auspicious brilliance.

In the field of Source, many divine artifacts often exhibited the “Stone Flying Immortal” phenomenon before they emerged, reflecting a part of the true situation. This Stone King was clearly different. It was nearly transparent at this time, everything inside visible, far removed from the typical Stone Flying Immortal phenomenon. It pulsed with a powerful life force.

“Could this be the only egg the True Dragon left in the world?” someone excitedly speculated.

“The divine flame is like a tide! Look, the radiance burns like fire! This is very much like the egg of the Undying Phoenix Bird, identical to the legends!” another person exclaimed in surprise.

Inside the strange black stone, the egg was as large as a sea bowl, perfectly round and brilliantly crystalline. It exuded a mysterious Qi mechanism, and various Dao Glyphs occasionally appeared upon its surface, only to quickly vanish. In that short instant, it had already shifted through various colors, endlessly flowing with Innate Essence Qi, astonishing everyone.

“A divine artifact! Perhaps this really is an egg left by the True Dragon, Phoenix, or other immortal spirits!”

“Perhaps it truly is an Immortal Treasure. There are many legends in the world, and not all are necessarily false.”

No one could remain calm; all were discussing it excitedly. This Stone King’s origins were incredibly mysterious, making any judgment impossible.

The monkey was muttering non-stop, but sadly, no one could understand the ancient language, having no idea what he was saying.

“Hey, Demani?” the big black dog joined in the fun, speaking a few half-baked words of the ancient language next to the monkey, trying to get to the bottom of it.

“This stone has emerged. It really exists!” the monkey declared. “Jade Lake certainly can’t guard it. If it’s not sent away, it will cause a great catastrophe in the future!”

Is it really that significant? Why does it look a bit familiar? the big black dog wondered, its gaze suspicious. It circled the stone a few times, then suddenly raised its head, its eyes flickering with an unfixed light as it murmured to itself, “That piece of rotten stone from the corner?!”

“What are you muttering about?” Ye Fan asked it.

“The Heavenly Source Master… he wasn’t a good sort either!” the big black dog cursed under its breath. Then, as if remembering something, it asked a Grand Elder of Jade Lake, “What’s the origin of this Stone King?”

Out of consideration for Ye Fan, the people of Jade Lake didn’t hold a grudge against the dog. Since they wanted Ye Fan’s help, they naturally had to explain the stone’s origin.

“In the past, the Heavenly Source Master gifted Jade Lake three Stone Kings. This is the most peculiar one among them.”

“Demani!” the big black dog gritted its teeth, spitting out a word in the ancient tongue, cursing repeatedly.

“What are you talking about?” Li Heishui asked.

The big black dog’s face darkened, and it stubbornly refused to speak, staring fixedly at the Stone King, occasionally tapping it once or twice.

Jade Lake did not want the egg within this stone to emerge and intended for everyone to seal it. However, though all the remarkable individuals present tried, no one succeeded.

“Unless the Forbidden Immortal Six Seals are used, it cannot be subdued,” members of the ancient Source Technique families made this judgment, simultaneously looking towards Ye Fan.

The people of Jade Lake immediately understood their meaning, and others also showed expressions of realization. This was the Supreme Divine Technique of the Heavenly Source Master, and only its Inheritor could perform it.

“The Forbidden Immortal Six Seals is a hypothetical Supreme Source Technique, capable of sealing mountains and rivers, the sun, moon, and stars, and suppressing peerless masters, but it has not yet reached perfection.”

Ye Fan shook his head, indicating that he could only perform the Forbidden Immortal Two Seals; it was impossible for him to manifest the miracles of all six seals.

Ouyang Ye spoke up. He was close to the Source Earth Master realm and expressed confidence in demonstrating the Supreme Source Technique if he had the incantation, certain he could succeed.

“Source Technique needs to develop! We can’t just hoard it selfishly. We can jointly consult the ancient scriptures,” another from the ancient Source Technique families said, voicing what Ouyang Ye had left unsaid.

“For Jade Lake, we are willing to give our all and collectively explore a complete solution,” others also nodded.

Ye Fan smiled indifferently and recited the theoretical aspects of the third seal of the Forbidden Immortal Six Seals, letting the several men ponder and consider it.

“Just that little secret? It’s too little! How can we derive anything from it? It’s utterly impossible to complete!”

Those from the ancient Source Technique families all coveted the Heavenly Source Book. To them, this ancient scripture was as vital as the quintessential teachings left by ancient emperors. Ouyang Ye dreamed of seizing it, but now he dared not go too far, fearing being torn apart by the monkey. So, he hesitantly addressed the people of Jade Lake, “It’s too brief. It cannot be extrapolated.”

Ye Fan sneered. “This is only a portion I’ve managed to deduce. The original text is even more abstruse. As I’ve said, such a Source Technique doesn’t truly exist yet; it requires future generations to evolve and perfect it.”

BUZZ!

The strange black stone quaked violently, shooting out nine rays of Divine Light. The imprint on the egg revived, engraving itself entirely onto the void and exuding terrifying fluctuations.

BOOM!

A mysterious Qi mechanism transmitted from Jade Lake. Light pierced the heavens, visible in all directions. If not for the suppression of the Immortal Tear Tower, it would likely have rent the firmament.

“Emperor’s Blood…” Thousands of miles away, an ancient creature walked out of a subterranean crypt, gazing at Jade Lake in shock. These patterns, this inherited imprint… he stood in a daze, feeling it was remarkably similar to a certain record in ancient mythology. “I must report to the King!” he thought, then quickly flew away.

In Jade Lake, many were startled, not understanding what was happening.

The monkey solemnly spoke, “Send this egg away quickly! The fluctuations have spread. Ancient Kings will surely come to claim it.”

“What? It will attract the covetous attention of ancient creatures?” Everyone’s expression changed.

「In the following days, many remarkable individuals intervened, jointly sealing three Stone Kings, expending considerable effort.」

It had to be said, the lineage of the Source King was very powerful. They individually sealed one Stone King, ensuring it could not emerge for a long time. Ye Fan then suppressed half of another. His Source Technique was profound, but he still hadn’t reached the Source Earth Master realm. It was only with the help of other extraordinary individuals that this stone was completely sealed. The ancient Source Technique families, pooling the strength of several houses, also sealed one Stone King, much to the satisfaction and anticipation of Jade Lake.

During these days, the Black Emperor, clutching the Ancient Emperor Order, hovered around the strange black stone that contained the Immortal Egg, muttering and babbling. “Did you sense the Ancient Emperor Order? We originate from the same Source…”

Ye Fan listened and was utterly speechless. What was this damn dog thinking? Could it actually be trying to steal this strange black stone?

“Stop your scheming; don’t cause a disaster.”

“Damn it, this stone has always been fated with me! Back in the day, it was tossed into some corner with the Ancient Emperor Order!” the big black dog grumbled irritably.

BOOM!

「On the fifth day, a menacing Qi Mechanism surged into Jade Lake. A disciple hurried in to report.」

“Queen Mother, a grave matter has occurred! A large number of ancient creatures are blocking the entrance to Jade Lake!”

“What? Why is this happening?” many exclaimed in shock.

Outside Yaochi Pure Land, clouds churned. In the void, a massive, dark horde of ancient creatures had appeared, surprisingly launching a large-scale intrusion. Purple clouds, gray mists, and white vapors all interlinked. Amidst them, Scale Armor gleamed, colorful feathers flowed, and all sorts of creatures never before seen or heard of appeared.

In the center of those heavy clouds was a large block of Divine Source. Its brilliance was overwhelming, rendering it impossible to look directly at the figure of an unparalleled beauty sealed within. Chaos Fog Silk surrounded her, making it difficult to see her clearly. Undoubtedly, this was an Ancient King!

The experts of the human race all felt their hearts sink. Such a host of ancient creatures, with an Ancient King personally arriving, exerted truly crushing pressure. Their only solace was that they were within Jade Lake, where the Immortal Tear Tower, left by The Queen Mother of the West, could suppress all threats, serving as their ultimate safeguard.

“They appeared in the divine city, causing quite a stir that day!”

“Yes, they attacked Purple Mountain, stirring up many ancient creatures! They come from the place where Great Emperor Wushi passed away!”

The crowd gasped, recognizing this group of ancient creatures.

Ye Fan’s heart trembled further. He saw the Divine Source block again, and the maiden sealed within was as pure as jade. Though he couldn’t get a close look, she seemed familiar. Could she truly be the one recorded in the Purple Mountain stone inscriptions, the woman suppressed by Great Emperor Wushi? After over a hundred thousand years, has she reemerged?

Such an imposing group surrounding Jade Lake truly unsettled everyone, and each person prepared for the worst.

“What guidance do you offer?” a Grand Elder from Jade Lake asked.

“We have not come to attack Jade Lake, only to retrieve the descendant of our god,” a nearly human-shaped ancient creature replied.

“There are no descendants of any god in our Jade Lake. You’ve come to the wrong place,” the Grand Elder from Jade Lake retorted.

“Impossible. We sensed the aura outside the Pure Land. He is within Jade Lake,” a formidable creature advanced, eight pairs of wings sprouting from its back, its body shimmering with azure scales.

At this moment, myriad auspicious colors soared into the sky from within Jade Lake. The racial heritage imprints projected into the void, a scene of profound mystery and splendor.

“It’s him!” Some ancient creatures pointed towards the auspicious colors and the imprints.

Now, everyone understood: they had come for the Stone King. The egg contained within it was connected to these ancient creatures.

“The Undying Emperor truly existed…” Several humanoid ancient creatures trembled with excitement.

“This is a divine artifact of Jade Lake,” several Grand Elders declared successively.

“I do not intend to take it without giving something in return. I can offer you compensation,” transmitted the divine scan of the unparalleled maiden sealed within the Great Divine Source Block.

SWISH!

In the void, a large block of Divine Source materialized, spanning two or three cubic units. It outshone even the sun with its dazzling Immortal Radiance, like a piece of Eternal Light.

Everyone was stunned. Such a large block of Divine Source, what is its worth? It was an astronomical figure, terrifyingly so! No one had anticipated such a grand gesture from an Ancient King, going to such lengths to retrieve the so-called descendant of their “god.”

“If we had not come, others surely would have. And I do not wish to war with the human race…” The true voice of the Maiden in the Divine Source block echoed like a wisp of an Immortal Song. She made it clear: should other kings receive news and arrive, a bloody battle would most likely ensue.

“I’ll give you one hour to consider…”

Clouds churned, concealing all the ancient creatures from view, but their immense Qi Mechanism remained, like an Abyss ready to erupt.

“The Heavenly Source Master once said that if an Ancient King comes to claim this strange stone, it must be handed over.”

“Presumably, he knew the stone’s origin and feared it would lead to disaster.”

Within Yaochi Pure Land, The Queen Mother of the West consulted with others, ultimately deciding to hand over the strange black stone, unwilling to incite a bloody battle over it.

「One hour later, a dozen or so ancient creatures entered Jade Lake. The maiden sealed in the Divine Source block was at their center, floating forward to retrieve the Stone King herself.」

Numerous Heroic Lords gathered around. Everyone felt an immense pressure, facing an Ancient King so closely for the first time. However, the maiden deliberately concealed her Qi Mechanism, not revealing her true form. The immense, two-meter-long Divine Source block was wreathed in wisps of fog, rendering divine scan penetration impossible. Beside her, a dozen or so nearly humanoid ancient creatures—some towering and heroic, others elegant and graceful, each unique—emitted an awe-inspiring pressure.

“The Undying Emperor truly existed… This is his sole descendant!” an ancient creature said, its voice trembling.

“The imprint is identical to the one in the legends of our heritage!” another ancient creature exclaimed in awe.

To the ancient creatures, the Undying Emperor was an immensely distant, supreme Ancient Emperor, whose very existence was uncertain. To the myriad ancient races, he was a supreme god, far exceeding the realm of Ancient Emperors.

“It was a stone from within Ancient Emperor Mountain. To think it held a descendant of the Undying Emperor,” the Maiden in the Divine Source block sighed.

THUMP!

The strange black stone vibrated, its flowing enormous Qi surging even more vigorously, like a tsunami.

“Indeed, the descendant of the god! So, did the Undying Emperor truly exist and perish within Ancient Emperor Mountain? How could we not have known!”