Shrouding the Heavens - Chapter 211

Great Xia, an Immortal Ancient Dynasty, has flourished for over a hundred thousand years.

Great mountains collapse, long rivers dry up, the great sea turns into mulberry fields; time flows quietly, and everything changes.

Yet, Great Xia remains as prosperous as before, unchanged. Since the Great Emperor founded this Immortal Dynasty before Ancient Desolation, it has stood unyielding.

How many shifts in ancient history have been recorded, how many secret histories borne? No one can clearly say.

Ye Fan thought of many things: what happened more than two thousand years ago? Did Siddhartha Gautama come to this world? What story did he share with the natives? Why did it make the Great Xia Prince turn pale?

If there is any hidden truth within, it surely sparks the imagination. Great Xia must be aware of everything; it is an Immortal Dynasty, and every major event that happens in this world should be recorded within its annals.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir smiled gently, his teeth sparkling, even his hair emitting a golden light. He was very approachable as he looked forward.

"Infinite Heavenly Venerate." Ye Fan recited the Daoist salutation, shook his head, and said, "This humble Daoist is merely a scattered cultivator, traveling in all directions. I heard of this by chance and, being bewildered, thus I ask."

He was not disguised as Daoist Duan De. At this moment, he was tall and slender, his Daoist robe fluttering, his appearance transcendent. Although very young, he indeed bore some Immortal Charm.

"Daoist Elder, you are too modest. Could you enlighten me? Where does Siddhartha Gautama come from? What kind of existence is he? How much do you know?" the Flickering Light Saint Heir smiled, like a gentle spring breeze.

Siddhartha Gautama comes from beyond the Paramita of the Starry Sky. How could Ye Fan reveal this? He said, "I only know the name Tathagata, not his life story. Why not the Saint Heir enlighten me instead? What is the origin of this Shakyamuni?"

"Shakyamuni..." The Flickering Light Saint Heir’s pupils gleamed with a dreamlike radiance. Evidently, these two words held a mysterious power, causing his expression to change each time they were uttered.

Consider this: people like him and the Great Xia Prince wouldn’t change their expression even if Mt. Tai collapsed before them, yet the name Tathagata unsettled their hearts.

"I originally sought to ask you, yet you turned to question me instead. Daoist Elder, you are truly impeccable," the Flickering Light Saint Heir smiled warmly, then shook his head.

"I have merely heard hearsay and am unaware of the details. I hope Your Highness will not hesitate to enlighten me. Infinite Heavenly Venerate." Ye Fan’s sleeves fluttered.

This kid truly thinks he’s a Daoist now; he’s quite the charlatan, Liu Kou secretly muttered.

It’s all because of that nun, Li Heishui concluded.

Such heavy tastes! Jiang Huairen stated even more succinctly.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir’s eyes were deep, as though capable of piercing through the skies of history, gazing into the eternally unknown. He said, "This name has a demonic nature. More than two thousand years ago, it was as if a spatio-temporal fracture suddenly occurred. Everything related to it ceased to exist. I only know that it once existed."

Ye Fan smiled like the dawn, nodding in understanding, yet his heart was filled with a myriad of thoughts, his mind racing.

What did Tathagata do more than two thousand years ago? What marks were left in this world? Do they still exist today?

All of this was a mystery, filled with the unknown, making him deeply curious. He urgently desired to explore everything about it.

This was too important to him. The Paramita of the Starry Sky, the Star Gates left by the ancients, crossing endless star systems—what was the ultimate destination of this journey?

He harbored too many questions. Were the nine dragons pulling the coffin a coincidence, or were they retracing the path of predecessors? Had Buddha also accidentally arrived at the other side of the Star Universe?

Tathagata likely truly came to this world; I just don’t know what dreadful change occurred, Ye Fan mused inwardly, turning to look at the Great Xia Prince, only to find the other extremely indifferent.

Why is he acting like this? There must be a hidden reason. Siddhartha Gautama makes him wary, unwilling to speak more of him!

The Flickering Light Saint Heir showed a calm smile, turned to face the Great Xia Prince, and said, "Your Highness’s Dragon Qi soars to the skies. As Great Xia’s Dragon Child, you must have some knowledge of Tathagata. What exactly happened more than two thousand years ago? Why did everything about this person vanish into thin air, as if he never appeared at all?"

"I don’t know either. Buddhism has sages in the world. If you wish to know, you can ask them yourself." The Great Xia Prince’s expression was indifferent, and he made no further comment.

Nearby, Yao Xi pondered. She had never heard the name Tathagata. Apparently, the Saint Heir knew more than she did. After all, he was Flickering Light’s future master. This realization stirred slight ripples in her heart.

Ye Fan completely calmed down. Wishing to learn anything from the Flickering Light Saint Heir seemed harder than scaling heaven; the other evidently wouldn’t reveal his secrets.

As for the Great Xia Prince, there was even less hope. Even without probing deeply, he already wore an expression designed to keep others a thousand miles away.

He thought that in the future, it might be necessary to visit the Western Desert and go to the legendary Sumeru Mountain to understand the truth.

Of course, before that, he could first try to inquire from the innocent young nun.

Ye Fan turned to look. She really was just a loli-like young nun, dressed in white that surpassed snow, her eyes pure. Her large, black eyes darted around timidly. When he turned to gaze at her, she hid behind the Great Xia Prince like a startled little rabbit.

The Great Xia Prince frowned. He adored his younger sister very much and, as an older brother, was most unwilling to see men like Ye Fan around her, always feeling they were trying to flirt with his sister.

"Infinite Heavenly Venerate. This humble Daoist is a monastic. I sweep the floor without harming an ant’s life and cherish the moth drawn to a lampshade, harboring no worldly thoughts," Ye Fan spoke earnestly, his words carrying an implicit meaning.

The Great Xia Prince remained expressionless, but inwardly he felt incredibly irked. The young nun in white, however, pursed her lips to hide a giggle, her large dark eyes darting towards him several times.

He’s really gotten addicted to playing the Daoist. I’d say he’s a match for that unscrupulous Daoist. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s another shameless Daoist, Liu Kou muttered, almost equating him with Daoist Duan De.

"Have you heard of Siddhartha Gautama?" Tu Fei asked quietly.

"Never heard of him. Those bald-headed monks are too mysterious; you can’t find any trace of them. If it weren’t for people from the Central States coming to the sacred city and occasionally mentioning it, I wouldn’t even know such a sect exists," Li Heishui shook his head.

"I’ve heard of this sect, but I’m unclear on the details." Wu Zhongtian frowned and said, "My grandfather talked about it. Apparently, this sect is extremely powerful, having some Ancient Buddha within its ranks, truly unfathomable."

"That’s all I know, nothing else," Jiang Huairen shook his head.

Ye Fan’s heart was calm. Regarding Siddhartha Gautama, he would need to inquire slowly. His thoughts returned to the present. With light Immortal Steps, a Dao Wind swirling around him, he traversed a circle there. He found Yao Xi showed no sign of recognition; she clearly didn’t know him.

So, my Heaven and Earth Changing Technique has reached a certain realm; she cannot sense my presence, he thought.

Ye Fan moved with light steps, his demeanor one of Immortal grace and Dao Bone, and floated near Yao Xi. He said, "Fairy, you are like a lotus emerging from the water, radiant and stunning. You clearly possess Immortal Bone and a natural Taoist Body. Indeed, a rarity of our Daoist ways."

The Flickering Light Sacred Lady heard this, smiled faintly, and said, "Daoist Elder, you praise too much. Is there something you wish?"

"Not at all. What I said is true." Ye Fan solemnly declared, "I sensed the aura of an Ancient Emperor upon you, Fairy. Your cultivation base has not yet reached its peak, yet you possess such rich Immortal Qi. You are truly no ordinary person."

The Flickering Light Sacred Lady was slightly surprised internally. Her brow concealed a Moon Palace, an ancient secret treasure of indeterminate grade, known to almost no one. Could this Daoist have sensed it?

She remained composed and said, "Daoist Elder, you truly have a knack for humor. May I ask which sect’s master you are?"

"This humble Daoist belongs to no sect. I am but a wandering cloud, a wild crane. I have emerged this time solely to find a martial nephew," Ye Fan recited a Daoist salutation.

"May I ask who your martial nephew is? I may have heard of him," Yao Xi said, clearly not believing Ye Fan, assuming he was spouting nonsense.

"Actually, I was about to ask for your help, Fairy, to inquire about my rather unconventional martial nephew. After all, Flickering Light is an Eastern Wilderness Sacred Land." Ye Fan wished to learn of the shameless Daoist’s past from these Sacred Land successors. He continued, "His name is Duan De, Daoist title ’Infinite.’"

"The shameless Daoist is your martial nephew?" Yao Xi showed surprise.

"His conduct is improper. Being called shameless is, unfortunately, quite fitting."

"May I ask Daoist Elder your age?" Yao Xi inquired.

"This humble Daoist has been in Cultivation for over three hundred years. Thinking carefully, I have idly passed three hundred and eighteen springs and autumns."

PFFT!

In the distance, Li Heishui spat out a mouthful of wine, the broken gourd in his hand nearly falling to the ground. He muttered under his breath, "That kid is truly a beast!"

I’ve seen thick-skinned people, but never anyone this thick-skinned! Damn it, first he steals a girl’s undergarment, and now he’s pretending to be an enlightened sage, discussing immortality and the Dao, Tu Fei cursed, hoping he would expose himself.

"Do you think the Flickering Light Sacred Lady would cough up blood if she knew that kid’s true identity? How about we shout it out a couple of times?" Jiang Huairen laughed.

Wu Zhongtian frowned and said, "Don’t fool around."

You want to know what sanctimonious hypocrisy looks like? What a wolf in sheep’s clothing is? This is a living example! Liu Kou thought indignantly, then whispered, "A real beast!"

Not far away, the Flickering Light Saint Heir and the Prince of Great Xia walked side by side towards the nine strange black stones displayed by the Immortal Stone Workshop.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir’s entire body was emitting light. His flying hair turned golden, as if cast from gold, resembling a Divine Son of the Taiyang God descending to earth, radiant as the sun.

Wu Zhongtian frowned and said, "He feels like a Heaven and Earth Fire Furnace, with blood and energy as vast and boiling as an ocean. The Flickering Light Saint Heir might not be the number one of his generation, but he’s close."

Upon hearing this, Li Heishui and the others’ expressions changed. They had invited Wu Zhongtian precisely to counterbalance the Flickering Light Saint Heir, not expecting him to make such an appraisal.

Tu Fei sighed, "Once he uses his Holy Light Technique, it’s truly unbeatable. It illuminates the Heavenly Universe, purifying all ten directions. It’s truly Immune to All Techniques. No Attack Skill can tear it apart."

Li Heishui revealed a worried look and said, "His Holy Light is growing stronger and more intense, as blazing as the sun. I feel that even a divine body would have difficulty breaking through it. In this world, I believe only one Attack Technique could restrain him, but unfortunately, it has been lost forever."

"Are you referring to the Fighting Saint Technique of Divine King Jiang Taixu, the person with the greatest Attack Power in the past five thousand years?!" Tu Fei frowned.

"Yes. Otherwise, even a divine body might not tear through that kind of Holy Light; most likely, it could only fight him to a draw. At his age, to cultivate this supreme secret art to such a realm is truly astounding!" Li Heishui replied.

Beside him, Jiang Huairen remained silent. Jiang Taixu was his ancestor, but unfortunately, the foremost mysterious art of attack had become a bygone echo.

"Perhaps another great Attack Technique could break through this Holy Light of Great Success," Wu Zhongtian said thoughtfully.

"Is there another?" The others were uncertain.

"You are limited to the Eastern Wastelands and forget about the Central States." Wu Zhongtian glanced toward the Prince of Great Xia, who was walking alongside the Flickering Light Saint Heir, and said, "The Emperor’s Dragon Qi of Great Xia is powerful enough to dominate the heavens and earth. It’s reputed to be invincible and all-penetrating, capable of shaking the heavens. I think it could likely handle the Flickering Light Saint Heir."

The Prince of Great Xia shimmered in his Iron Armor, resplendent and dazzling, with Dragon Qi swirling around him. Vaguely, nine True Dragons could be seen coiling around his body, their heads held high, positioned on his shoulders, imbuing him with an incomparable martial divinity, as if the Heavenly Emperor himself had descended to the mortal world.

Tu Fei said with immense regret, "I wonder which is stronger: the Emperor’s Dragon Qi or the Attack Holy Technique of Divine King Jiang? The people of the Central States have always been proud, but the two have never faced off directly. A great pity through the ages, never to witness the pinnacle duel of these two great Attack Techniques again!"

At this moment, the Flickering Light Saint Heir and the Prince of Great Xia were both evaluating the stone materials. Those nine strange black stones had been displayed for many days, and this was their first time physically touching them.

Meanwhile, Ye Fan and Yao Xi, having a pleasant conversation, laughing and chatting, also walked over, causing the few young bandits to sigh repeatedly, constantly muttering "wolf in sheep’s clothing."

"Daoist, do you also have some understanding of Source Stones?" Yao Xi asked.

"This humble Daoist has learned many things, yet mastered none. I have only dabbled slightly in the Way of Source," Ye Fan smiled.

"I find the Daoist to be modest. Why not step forward and offer some commentary on these nine stone materials?" Yao Xi smiled slightly, her lashes quivering, her dark eyes like stars, her jade teeth gleaming, her lips bright and charming.

As soon as these words were spoken, both the Prince of Great Xia and the Flickering Light Saint Heir looked over, their expressions different.

The Prince of Great Xia had no fondness for him at all; this was perhaps a common ailment of older brothers, always fearing some scoundrel would try to woo his sister.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir, however, smiled very peacefully, revealing nothing. He possessed a special charm that attracted the gazes of the vast majority of young female cultivators.

The demure young nun was also secretly watching Ye Fan, filled with curiosity, appearing entirely naïve and innocent.

"Very well, this humble Daoist shall make a fool of himself." Ye Fan stepped forward but didn’t reach out his hand, instead circling around the nine stone materials twice.

At this moment, among the jade towers and pavilions not far away, a graceful figure appeared. The Fairy of the Jade Lake had manifested, personally observing Ye Fan appraise the stones. However, she was shrouded by immortal clouds, and no one could see her true appearance.

Ever since Ye Fan had uttered the word ’Tathagata’ and spoken the name ’Siddhartha Gautama,’ she had been quietly watching, something Ye Fan could not have anticipated.

After circling several times, Ye Fan patted the largest stone and then tapped the smallest one. He said nonchalantly, "These two stone materials contain divine essence sealed within; the others are just ordinary stubborn stones."

Immediately, sounds of derisive laughter came from the surroundings.

"What shameless boasting! Does he really think he’s a Heavenly Source Master? Are the Immortal Stones of Jade Lake so easily identified?"

"I think he’s talking utter nonsense. Based on my years of experience in stone gambling, those two stone materials are definitely blank stones, with nothing inside."

"There are too many self-righteous people; there’s no need for us to pay him any mind."

This was hardly surprising. In the eyes of the crowd, Ye Fan hadn’t seemed to examine the stones carefully at all. He had merely tapped them a few times and then declared that those two contained mystical essence, which was indeed difficult to believe.

"Oh, Daoist, are you so certain?" the Prince of Great Xia looked over and asked flatly.

"This humble Daoist’s learning is limited; I was merely offering a random commentary," Ye Fan replied humbly.

The Prince of Great Xia shook his head and said, "If I were to choose, one of those two would be my first pick, but the other would need to be replaced."

It was widely known that he was here for the Yaochi Saintess. That he only offered his assessment today meant he was naturally well-prepared.

Ye Fan laughed and said, "How about Your Highness and I make a wager?"

"Oh? And what sort of wager?" the Prince of Great Xia asked.

"If I succeed in ’turning stone into gold,’ I only wish for a moment to converse with this young nun," Ye Fan said, pointing at the little nun.

The Prince of Great Xia had initially been quite interested, but upon hearing this, he immediately turned away, feeling an indescribable exasperation.

The little nun, however, wrinkled her nose and waved a small fist at Ye Fan.

"Daoist, are you certain these two stone materials contain divine essence?" the Flickering Light Saint Heir asked.

"That is merely this humble Daoist’s opinion."

Yao Xi also stepped forward and said with a smile, "I believe the Daoist possesses extraordinary insight."

At that moment, something unexpected happened: the Yaochi Saintess herself descended from the sky. Like a fairy treading on waves, she moved with an elegance and ethereal grace that was pushed to the extreme, bringing with her a Flower Rain that sparkled and scattered downwards.

"Esteemed Daoist, did you truly choose these two stone materials?" Her voice was like a song from heaven, beautiful and captivating.

Everyone around was astonished. They had never imagined the Yaochi Saintess would personally arrive; this was an unprecedented event.