Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 231: Chapter 236: Aspiring to the West Emperor Scripture

The night moon was cool and clear; the reddish-brown earth stretched endlessly, vast and distant.

"What is the meaning of this?" Ye Fan looked at them, discreetly holding the one-inch-tall Fire God Furnace in his palm.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir’s smile did not diminish. "Daoist, don’t misunderstand," he said. "I have no malicious intent; I simply wish to discuss a matter with you."

"What do you wish to discuss?"

"I wish to exchange the Phoenix Blood Red Gold with you," the Flickering Light Saint Heir replied.

"What do you have to offer in exchange?" Ye Fan stood under the moonlight, asking calmly.

"I have the authority to open the treasure vault of the Flickering Light Sacred Land for you, allowing you to select whatever you wish," said the Flickering Light Saint Heir. This offer was so astonishing it was almost unparalleled. The Flickering Light Sacred Land had thrived for over a hundred thousand years, with an unimaginable depth and accumulation.

After over a hundred thousand years of collection, who knows how many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures have been amassed? It’s enough to entice anyone. However, Ye Fan could not agree. How could any other Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures compare to Phoenix Blood Red Gold, a holy divine relic of the ancient Great Emperors!

"Do you think anything can be of equivalent value to the Phoenix Blood Red Gold?" Ye Fan asked.

"The value of the Phoenix Blood Red Gold is indeed immeasurable, but I never force others to do the impossible. I wonder if an ancient scripture would interest you?" The night wind brushed by, and the Flickering Light Saint Heir glowed, his whole person seeming to be edged with a golden halo.

"An ancient scripture?!" Ye Fan was moved.

Beside him, Old Knife Handle and the Yaochi Saintess were also surprised. Yao Xi, too, displayed shock, not expecting their fellow Saint Heir to make such an offer.

"I’ve observed you’re in the Dao Palace secret realm. I wish to give you a scroll of the ’Four Extremes’ ancient scripture. Would you be satisfied?" the Flickering Light Saint Heir asked with a smile.

"So, it’s not a full ancient scripture, but just a scroll from a certain secret boundary," Ye Fan replied noncommittally.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir shook his head. "Daoist, you’re being greedy. Although the Phoenix Blood Red Gold is a peerless rarity, it’s only the size of a fist—truly too little."

"Is it an ancient scripture from the Flickering Light Sacred Land?" Ye Fan asked.

Yao Xi, who had been paying close attention, believed that although the Flickering Light Saint Heir held a high status, there was no way he could give the Sacred Land’s scriptures to an outsider; the old guard of their sect would never agree.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir shook his head again. "It’s not my Flickering Light Nine Secret Arts; it’s a Fragmented Scripture I unexpectedly obtained during my travels."

Everyone’s expression changed; the Flickering Light Saint Heir indeed had great fortune. He was already versed in one of Eastern Wastelands’ most profound ancient scriptures, yet he had managed to obtain a Fragmented Scripture during his travels.

"Can it rival the Dao Scripture of Flickering Light?" Ye Fan asked, genuinely interested.

"Absolutely comparable!" the Flickering Light Saint Heir answered affirmatively.

Ye Fan sighed. Such was the disparity. Others possessed a complete ancient scripture and a Fragmented Scripture for reference, while he struggled to find cultivation methods for later stages.

"Actually, I wish for cultivation methods for both the Dao Palace and Four Extremes secret boundaries. I wonder if the Saint Heir can provide them?" Ye Fan asked with a smile.

"Daoist, you’re asking for too much. This is a Fragmented Scripture; it lacks Chapters on the Dao Palace secret realm," the Flickering Light Saint Heir replied.

"Alas, it truly is difficult," Ye Fan said, then looked at Old Knife Handle, smiling. "Old fellow, I see you possess an inner Divine Radiance; you must be a remarkable character. Do you have anything to trade with me? Or do you intend to forcefully take it? You must know, with these remarkable individuals from the Sacred Lands present, they wouldn’t stand by idly."

Since the Flickering Light Saint Heir hadn’t resorted to force, Ye Fan addressed Old Knife Handle more comfortably, testing his intentions.

"I’m just an old man nearing the end of his life. How could I do such a thing? What do you want?" Old Knife Handle responded casually, appearing enigmatic.

Ye Fan felt a chill in his heart; he sensed that this old man had no fear of the Sacred Land prodigies present. The old fellow seemed to be hiding his true capabilities very deeply.

"I mentioned earlier, I wish for nine secret arts recorded in an ancient scripture."

"There are only a few ancient scriptures in Eastern Wastelands, and I can’t provide one," Old Knife Handle shook his head.

Ye Fan looked at Yao Xi and the Yaochi Saintess, smiling. "Do the two fairies have any interest in the Phoenix Blood Red Gold?"

Yao Xi immediately laughed. "Why does it feel like you’re tempting me?" she said.

Even though she was a sacred lady of Flickering Light, pure and otherworldly, her smile carried a seductive allure, with her snow-white neck and a beautiful face full of charm.

"I was merely asking. If Fairy Yao is uninterested, then that’s fine." He did not jest, as the Flickering Light Saint Heir was present. Joking with the future Saintess might give him another reason to intervene.

The Yaochi Saintess pondered briefly. "Perhaps our Jade Lake could also offer a scripture scroll," she said.

"Are you serious? Is it the West Emperor Scripture of Jade Lake?" Ye Fan was intrigued. His main purpose in coming to the northern region was to target the ancient scripture handed down by the Yaochi West Emperor Mother.

"That’s not the case; the West Emperor Scripture cannot be externally transmitted. However, Jade Lake does have half a volume of a Fragmented Scripture," the Yaochi Saintess replied.

Ye Fan was indeed surprised; there were only a few ancient scriptures in Eastern Wastelands, yet Jade Lake also possessed half a volume of a Fragmented Scripture.

However, his goal was the Dao Palace Chapter of the West Emperor Scripture, and a Fragmented Scripture likely could not compare.

"I will consider it," he said. He did not refuse because he didn’t want these people to lose hope; otherwise, they might take action directly.

Among these five people, he trusted the Yaochi Saintess the most. This Sacred Land had a very good reputation, and its Disciples were indifferent to fame and fortune. Throughout history, there had never been any mention of them committing evil deeds.

He was most wary of the Flickering Light Saint Heir. This person was indeed a natural prodigy and gave him a very dangerous feeling. Ye Fan did not quite believe he would truly offer an ancient scripture in exchange.

At the same time, he was also wary of Old Knife Handle; this old codger was quite enigmatic and made him uneasy.

"Daoist, regardless of the Phoenix Blood Red Gold, just for your Source Technique, you are a distinguished guest of my Jade Lake," the Yaochi Saintess smiled and said subtly.

At this moment, for her to speak like this was undoubtedly to assist Ye Fan, indirectly clarifying her stance.

"We walked out of the Taichu Forbidden Area together and can be considered comrades in adversity, so naturally, we won’t ruin our relationship. Whether or not the Daoist wishes to exchange, we have a connection," the Flickering Light Saint Heir smiled, his golden hair shining.

"Not good, they are coming!" Li Desheng trembled, his words sounding unnatural.

He had been watching from the side and had not participated. His sudden words shocked everyone.

At the edge of the Taichu Forbidden Area, two figures stood side by side like tombstones—tall, terrifying, powerful, and robust.

One creature had grey hair that touched the ground, covering its body. It emitted an aura that made one’s hair stand on end, creating a sensation of extreme danger. It had appeared before, chasing them to the Red Moon Cave before stopping.

The other creature was covered in pale white fur, even its face. Standing upright like a humanoid, it stared at them with deep blue eyes, emitting a fierce aura like an Ancient Desolation Fierce Beast, making people feel a chill.

The two creatures did not chase them. They stopped at the edge of the Taichu Forbidden Area, coldly watching them. Even though separated by a great distance, the sight made people’s hearts tremble.

They immediately flew away, no longer mentioning the Phoenix Blood Red Gold. If those two creatures chased after them, they might be completely wiped out here.

Having escaped the Taichu Forbidden Area with great difficulty, if they perished outside, they would truly die with regrets.

Suddenly, a dozen figures appeared ahead, quickly approaching.

"Junior brothers, junior sisters, is that you?" They transmitted sound from afar.

Ye Fan secretly cursed his luck; the people from Flickering Light had appeared, blocking the way ahead.

The Flickering Light Saint Heir and Yao Xi went forward to meet them, inadvertently blocking Ye Fan’s path.

In the distance, elegant skirts fluttering, a group of fairy-like figures flew over. Disciples from Jade Lake had also arrived, finding this place.

"Thank heavens you are safe and sound!"

The young Disciples gathered around, inquiring about what they had encountered.

"This is not the place to talk; let’s leave here first," the Flickering Light Saint Heir said. He had great prestige; even though many were his senior brothers, they showed respect, as he was the future Peacock King.

"Daoist, come with us," the Flickering Light Saint Heir cordially invited with a smile.

"I think we should forget it. Since we’re already out of danger, let’s go our separate ways," Ye Fan replied.

"How can that be? The Daoist led the way in the Taichu Forbidden Area and did us a great service. Let us escort you for a bit," the Flickering Light Saint Heir said, still smiling.

Ye Fan rubbed his chin, feeling uneasy. He thought that if he traveled with the people from Flickering Light, there might not even be ashes left of him in the end.

"Old fellow, how will you go?" Ye Fan asked Old Knife Handle.

"I wish to travel alone. Why don’t you come with me?" Old Knife Handle replied.

"Forget it; the road you take is too desolate. I’ll go with the Jade Lake fairies instead." Ye Fan walked directly towards the Disciples of Jade Lake.

Yao Xi smiled sweetly, approached, and said, "Daoist, why is that? Could Flickering Light eat you?"

The Yaochi Saintess came over, and with a gentle smile, said, "Since the Daoist is willing to travel with us, then let’s go together. We were just about to invite you to Jade Lake. The Gem Appraisal Festival is about to begin."

"I couldn’t ask for more!" Ye Fan nodded quickly.

Yao Xi’s smile was as bright as a flower. "Flickering Light and Jade Lake have always advanced and retreated together; why make such distinctions? Let’s travel together," she said.

In the end, everyone traveled together; even Old Knife Handle did not go alone.

A little over a thousand miles away, there was a Sacred Land mining area with many people.

After arriving at the mining area, they did not linger but directly embarked on the mysterious jade platform engraved with Dao Glyphs to traverse the void to Yuan City.

"A black whirlwind has inexplicably emerged from the Taichu Forbidden Area. We are temporarily evacuating this place to avoid accidents." This was the explanation given by an Elder from Jade Lake.

Yuan City, located amidst patches of mining areas, was about thirty thousand miles from the Great Primordial Mine. After entering the dark void, it wasn’t long before they completed their journey through space.

「After entering Yuan City, dawn was breaking in the east, the sky gradually brightening.」

Ye Fan actually wanted to leave alone but found himself unable to do so at the moment, as he noticed people from the Flickering Light Sacred Land looking at him from time to time. Reluctantly, he followed behind the members of the Jade Lake Sacred Land, not wanting to walk with those from Flickering Light.

Later, Ye Fan was arranged by several women from Jade Lake into a small courtyard to rest.

Ah, Phoenix Blood Red Gold, your allure is too great!

Ye Fan made up his mind: this time, he would enter Jade Lake and get his hands on the Dao Palace Chapter of the West Emperor Scripture.

You all are aiming for the Phoenix Blood Red Gold, a holy divine relic exclusive to the ancient Great Emperors, while I just want to see your ancient scriptures...