Shrouding the Heavens - Chapter 207

Below Qingxia Main Peak, green waters wound around, full of vibrancy. Clusters of Maple Orchid trees swayed, adorned with white blossoms, their fragrance floating in the air.

A gentle breeze passed through the Maple Orchid trees. Petals rustled down, dancing all around, crystal-clear like snowflakes and intensifying the aroma.

Streamwaters murmured, flowing through the Maple Orchid Forest, carrying fragrant petals toward the distance.

With the scent of flowers and birdsong, the scenery was like a painting. Near Qingxia Main Peak, all was bright and natural, yet the three Elders in the forest and the twenty-three disciples remained worried.

Ye Fan stood quietly in the Maple Orchid Forest. Crystal petals flew, and pieces of Maple Orchid blossoms surrounded him, filling the air with rich clarity. Being here, he felt increasingly attuned to the Dao of emptiness.

After a long while, he turned around and said, "If what you say is true, there could indeed be some trouble."

Xuanyue Cave also supported some bandits, albeit more secretly. In terms of scale and strength, it was comparable to the Qingxia sect. The only thing that made Ye Fan wary was that they had a Supreme Sect Leader who was still in the mortal realm.

Ten years ago, when Xuanyue Cave’s old Head Elder retired, his Dao Palace already housed three gods. He had a certain reputation in this region and was quite daunting to a sect of Qingxia’s size.

Ye Fan’s physique was unique, his Combat Power astonishing. Among cultivators of the same level, he could be considered a top figure, but facing such old monsters, he was still somewhat inexperienced.

Between different Realms, the power gap is substantial. It is like ascending the Heaven-Ascending Ladder: one step up leads to "Immortal," one step down returns to "Mortal," absolutely suppressing those of lower Realms.

Ye Fan, with his astonishing talent, could fight against dozens of same-tier powerhouses, which was quite remarkable. Should he reach the Realm of a Sacred Lands’ heir, it would mean he could fight several Saint Heirs alone.

If word of this got out, it would surely cause a stir in the region!

He could face an "Immortal" as a "Mortal" and still have a chance of winning. With his current terrifying Attack Power, he wasn’t afraid of fighting a character housing two gods in their Dao Palace.

Yes, even a lower Realm cultivator facing an "Immortal" on the Heaven-Ascending Ladder could have a chance of winning!

However, that Supreme Sect Leader already housed three gods ten years ago. Attacking across a two-Realm difference posed an exceedingly great risk, with almost no chance of victory.

No matter how much of a peerless genius you are, if the difference in Realms is significant, it’s like a heavenly chasm, making "Reverse Immortal Slaying" impossible.

The key is that ten years have passed. If that former Head Elder has made no progress, it’s simply not plausible. Facing such seasoned figures, the best choice is to retreat. Wanting to eliminate them is too difficult.

Everyone from Qingxia was worried. If Xuanyue Cave was determined to eliminate them, even this young great evil person couldn’t withstand it.

The Li Huo Sect, Luoxia Sect, Xuanyue Cave, and Seven Stars Pavilion—these four sects were eyeing them covetously. Qingxia was indeed in a precarious situation.

"No worries, you don’t need to be concerned. I’ll take a trip to Xuanyue and make a decision when I return." Ye Fan wanted to ascertain the true situation. If possible, he intended to use special Combat Skills to directly assassinate that former Head Elder.

Xuanyue Cave was nine hundred miles from the Qingxia sect, also situated in an oasis. It was filled with Ancient Caves and secluded streams. Compared to Qingxia’s elegance, this place held a special, mystical aura.

Ye Fan landed dozens of miles away, his body crackling as his form changed greatly. At this moment, he appeared obese; compared to his original elegant look, the change was tremendous.

He used the Heaven and Earth Changing Technique from the Heavenly Source Book to drastically alter his appearance. Pulling on a Daoist robe, his face became ruddy and radiant.

"Infinite Heavenly Venerate, Daoist Duan De at your service." Ye Fan gestured several times, feeling he was rather convincing.

Meanwhile, far away in some unknown place, the shameless Daoist Duan De stood up in a ruin and sneezed, muttering to himself, "Which bastard is cursing me?"

Ye Fan leisurely arrived at Xuanyue Cave. This place was filled with many ravines and long-flowing streams. Ancient Woods shaded the sun, and Immortal Vines formed bridges spanning the various broken cliffs, becoming pathways.

"Fat Daoist, halt! Who are you, and what brings you here?" a young disciple at the Mountain Gate interrogated.

"Infinite Heavenly Venerate, I have long heard of Xuanyue Cave’s great name. I, a humble Daoist, have come to discuss the Dao with your Head Elder." Ye Fan flicked his horsetail whisk and recited a Daoist salutation, indeed carrying the air of an enlightened master.

The disciple guarding the Mountain Gate was indeed intimidated upon hearing this. This person, who from his opening words wanted to discuss the Dao with their Head Elder, seemed to be no ordinary figure. Not daring to cause offense, he hastily went inside to report.

Ye Fan had cultivated the Heaven and Earth Changing Technique to a certain level. If he had any remaining concerns, it was about his demeanor and spiritual aura; he always felt it wasn’t quite perfect. This was why he hadn’t rushed to Jade Lake.

Not long had passed when a Xuanyue Cave Elder came out to greet him, saying, "Which Dao friend has come to visit Xuanyue?"

"I am the humble Daoist Duan De, known as Infinite. I am just a scattered cultivator, a rootless wanderer."

"Infinite? Such audacity!" the Xuanyue Cave Elder complained inwardly, What a ridiculous Daoist name. Why does it sound like ’Shameless’?

"What guidance does Dao friend bring?" the Elder asked again.

"I have long heard that Xuanyue’s mysterious arts are profound and wished to discuss them with your esteemed experts." As he said this, Ye Fan recited a Daoist salutation.

"Dao friend, please come inside." The Xuanyue Cave Elder was genuinely taken in, courteously inviting him into the Mountain Gate. He explained very politely, "Our Head Elder has important matters to attend to and cannot get away. He has instructed me to entertain you well, Daoist master."

This Elder led Ye Fan deeper into Xuanyue. There were numerous cliffs, all covered in vines, and many Ancient Caves, giving one the feeling of being in an extraordinary, hidden paradise.

Ye Fan was somewhat surprised. He found this place quite unusual, unable to quite describe the feeling. It was unlike any worldly place.

In an area of Stone Mountains and clear springs, where towering Ancient Woods also grew, Ye Fan was invited into a pavilion. He sat opposite this Elder, and a Child served fragrant tea.

After chatting for a short while, Ye Fan discovered he couldn’t even meet the Sect Leader, let alone that old Sect Hierarch. There was no way to launch a surprise attack.

"This humble Daoist has a sincere heart and pursues the Great Dao. Seeing that this mountain is extraordinary and rich with spiritual essence, I came to observe. Is your esteemed Head Elder truly unable to make time?"

"Oh, what has the esteemed Daoist observed?" the Elder asked with a smile.

"From what I observe, Dragon Qi subtly flows here, and the Ancient Caves seem to hum with the legacy of sages who once resided within." Ye Fan spouted utter nonsense.

Unexpectedly, the Elder shot up and said, "You... Daoist, you are indeed remarkable!"

Are they really buying my flattery? Ye Fan smirked inwardly. But as he focused his will and unleashed a powerful divine scan, he was suddenly dumbfounded.

His words had come true; he wasn’t mistaken! His divine sense took form, sweeping across the Ancient Caves, over the cliffs, brushing past immortal vines and Ancient Woods, and he truly perceived something extraordinary.

This region, with its numerous cliff carvings, held many ancient sites. What shocked him the most was the faint mist swirling around, invisible to an ordinary person; only those with extraordinary divine sense could perceive it, and it resembled the form of a dragon.

"Which sage resided here?" Ye Fan asked in astonishment.

"He was nameless and left only an Ancient Cave with a few inscriptions. Unfortunately, no Dao law has been passed down."

Ye Fan remained silent, concentrating his divine sense and observing carefully. The more he looked, the more extraordinary the place seemed.

His divine sense took form, extending outward. Though somewhat concealed, it still made the Elder feel a hint of pressure. The Elder said, "This way, Daoist."

The Elder of Xuanyue Cave guided Ye Fan to a secluded place. Not a blade of grass grew there; only stone cliffs stood tall. It was barren, with nothing to see.

Yet, it was this desolate place that imparted a feeling of timelessness, boundless and endless.

The Elder felt nothing, but Ye Fan sharply captured a hint of extraordinary charm—endless and boundless, arousing suspicion in his heart.

"Years ago, some figures from Great Sects passed by and sensed that sages had once resided here. They came to explore but found nothing. This place is not a secret land. Does the Daoist see anything?" the Xuanyue Elder explained.

"When Xuanyue established their sect here, did they make no special discoveries?" Ye Fan asked, feeling that this place must be of great significance.

"No, nothing was discovered. In fact, even the Grand Elders of Jade Lake occasionally stayed here for years without any gain. They believed ancient sages truly resided here, yet no Dao law was passed down."

Ye Fan’s heart suddenly sank. The fact that those from the Sacred Lands had found nothing proved that there was truly no profound Dao to be found here.

Ahead, there was a fractured Stone Mountain with an Ancient Cave. Time seemed to flow like water, and the void hummed as if emanating from there.

"The Dao is vast and unknowable, is it not? The heart is untamed and without restraint, is it not? All things are ever-changing, yet none are exempt, are they not?"

Beside the Ancient Cave, on the cliff face, only these three lines were inscribed. The characters were nearly worn away, and it was impossible to tell how long they had existed.

Ye Fan’s heart trembled. He knew he had reached a Sacred Land, arrived at a divine land. This place was immensely important to him!

He hadn’t discovered any mysterious art, nor had he sensed any profound Dao. It was all because of those inscriptions.

Those three lines were too familiar. He could never forget them—it was the handwriting of the Great Emperor No Beginning!

He had seen it before in the purple mountain: that Stone Book, over ten meters long, was clearly inscribed with three large characters: "No Beginning Scripture." The handwriting was identical to these.

No wonder this place was extraordinary, with a mystical aura circulating. A Great Emperor had once resided here!

Over a hundred thousand years had passed, yet the traces he left remained, a faint immortal mist swirling, allowing one to feel the supreme majesty of the ancient Great Emperor.

Ye Fan secretly decided, This place must be taken. It is extremely important to me.

Xuanyue Cave, like the Qingxia sect, supported bandits who plundered the surroundings. He felt no guilt about taking down such a sect, as it would be akin to removing a scourge for the people.

"This humble Daoist has another matter. I have come on my master’s order to discuss something with your esteemed Head Elder."

Ye Fan didn’t linger long at the Ancient Cave. After returning to the pavilion, he spoke these words.

"Your master is..." the Xuanyue Elder said, surprised.

"My master is currently residing temporarily at Qingxia. He hopes to live harmoniously with Xuanyue as neighbors." After speaking, Ye Fan concentrated his Essence, Qi, and Spirit, inscribing the character "Harmony" on the stone table.

Then, he stood up to leave, as light as a falling leaf, disappearing beyond the Mountain Gate in the blink of an eye.

He couldn’t even meet the Sect Leader of Xuanyue, let alone assassinate the old Sect Hierarch. For now, he could only buy time and prevent them from acting rashly.

He decided to return and immediately enter seclusion to refine that Half Square Source and advance to the Second Realm of the Dao Palace. He needed this time to create a buffer.

A short while later, the Head Elder of Xuanyue Cave personally visited the pavilion. After seeing the character for "Harmony," he frowned and said, "This Daoist is no ordinary figure. I fear I am not his match. And he even has a master? This... unless the Supreme Sect Leader emerges from seclusion."

The journey to Xuanyue had resulted in great gains for Ye Fan. The relics of the Great Emperor No Beginning left there were of utmost importance to him.

"At the end of the immortal path, who stands at the peak? Upon seeing No Beginning Dao, all becomes void..." This phrase echoed in his mind, and Ye Fan found it difficult to remain calm.