Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 242: Chapter 247: Killing the Genius

The Yunduan Mountain Range soared into the sky, piercing the white clouds. Some peaks were lush and green at their base, while their summits were crowned with snow, presenting two marvelous sights.

Broken Mountain was located in the central region of the mountain range. Numerous flickering silhouettes could be seen as young cultivators continuously descended. The outstanding young cultivators of Quzhou were gathering here in increasing numbers.

Situ Feng’s expression was cold; his tall figure stood outside the crowd, radiating a conceited air. He fixed his gaze on Ye Fan and said, "This joke isn’t very amusing."

Ye Fan was only a few yards away from him and stood calmly. His joints shifted and crackled, and he quickly regained his true appearance.

"It really is you!" Situ Feng was somewhat surprised but soon sneered, "You actually dare to come here? Quite bold indeed."

Mist rose from Ye Fan’s body, enveloping him entirely and concealing his True Body. He stepped forward a few paces and said, "The world is vast; is there anywhere I cannot go? Why shouldn’t I dare to come to a mere gathering of Quzhou cultivators?"

Situ Feng’s expression grew colder, and he said, "Now that you’ve come today, I doubt you’ll be able to leave."

"Do you plan to slap me to death?" Ye Fan retorted, stepping forward a few more paces.

"Killing you is as easy as flipping my hand; a single slap is enough!" As a genius of the Yan Cloud Sect, Situ Feng was over twenty years old and already a Third Layer Heaven expert of the Dao Palace, which made him exceedingly arrogant.𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Ye Fan stroked his chin and said, "Am I so easy to bully? You think you can slap me to death as if I’m just a blade of grass."

"Aside from relying on that flame, you’re nothing in my eyes. Killing you would be no more difficult than plucking grass and leaves, as easy as turning my hand," Situ Feng remarked, his expression impassive.

"Then come and try slapping me to death," Ye Fan stepped forward again.

At this moment, the surrounding cultivators noticed the disturbance and turned their heads to look.

"Isn’t that Situ Feng from the Yan Cloud Sect? He’s reputed as the most outstanding genius of his Sect in a hundred years. He’s a mere twenty-one years old and already a powerful expert of the Dao Palace’s third realm!"

"In the southern part of Quzhou, Situ Feng is quite famous among the younger generation. Many speculate that he will inevitably break into the Four Extremes secret realm before he reaches thirty."

Many cultivators discussed this, holding him in high regard.

Situ Feng, only twenty-one years old, was not a descendant of the Sacred Lands. Possessing such a cultivation base at his age was indeed remarkable, as few among the young generation truly reached the Four Extremes secret realm.

He was likely to break into the Four Extremes secret realm before thirty; his talent could be described as truly extraordinary.

"You’re quite famous in Quzhou; so many people know you." Ye Fan became even more ethereal as mist swirled around, covering his entire body.

"Who is this person daring to confront Situ Feng? Does he really think he can contend with the Yan Cloud Sect’s genius?" someone questioned with a dubious expression.

"He must be a challenger. After Situ Feng gained fame in southern Quzhou, some young cultivators became resentful. Such situations occur frequently."

"Fame and fortune are deadly. For renown, one doesn’t hesitate to fight. However, challenging the Yan Cloud Sect’s genius is courting death. Few in Quzhou around twenty years old could rival him."

Hearing the crowd’s sentiments, Ye Fan muttered self-deprecatingly, "Looks like I’m in for a tough time. Everyone says I’m far from being your match."

Right then, Broken Mountain was filled with young cultivators. Many of them were looking over, sensing the tense atmosphere.

"What a pity. I actually didn’t wish to kill you, yet here you are before me. I don’t mind sending you on your way with a slap," Situ Feng responded calmly. His body transformed into a phantom, drifting over like a character from a painting.

Just as he had said, he simply raised a hand. His right hand, lifted high, emanated a crystalline azure halo, bright and glistening.

At this moment, many eyes were gathered on this spot; onlookers both near and far turned to watch. This was a gathering of Quzhou’s young cultivators. Such confrontations were expected, and nobody felt surprised.

Knowing it was Situ Feng, the people on Broken Mountain assumed there wouldn’t be any suspense. They believed the unfamiliar challenger would surely be killed by the Yan Cloud Sect’s genius.

Ye Fan stood still. He awaited Situ Feng’s advance, then met the incoming azure palm with his own outstretched right hand.

PAH!

The sound was extremely loud, like a thunderclap erupting and echoing throughout Broken Mountain. The two palms collided, unleashing ripples of azure light that spread like a shimmering veil, engulfing the area.

"It’s long been said that Situ Feng possesses extraordinarily high talent. Challenging him will surely bring severe consequences, likely costing one’s life."

"Azure light like electricity, divine energy overflowing—the power of this palm is truly terrifying!"

Many were astonished.

However, when the azure mist dispersed, everyone was stunned, left speechless, unable to finish their words.

In the center of the scene, Ye Fan’s long sleeves fluttered, his figure hazy as he stood calmly. Situ Feng, however, had a ghastly expression and had retreated a great distance. His entire right palm was mangled beyond recognition, with beads of blood dripping to the ground.

"This... How can this be?!"

"Who is he, to injure the Yan Cloud Sect’s genius, shattering every bone in his right palm?"

"What kind of person is he? I’ve never heard of him before. Can there really be such a figure in Quzhou?"

"In all of Quzhou, a vast region spanning thousands of miles, there’s never been talk of such a person. Could he be a cultivator from another oasis?"

Many around wore astonished expressions. That an unknown person could heavily injure Situ Feng with a single palm was a shock to everyone.

Ye Fan remained calm. Who in the Dao Palace secret realm could compare with him in terms of physical prowess alone? He possessed Copper Tendons and Iron Bones, more fearsome than spiritual treasures, unrivaled in the Dao Palace.

Many speculated about his identity, but with mist enveloping him, the crowd could not see or discern him clearly.

"You..." Situ Feng’s face turned deathly pale. Not only was his right palm fractured, but his entire right arm had been broken into eight segments. No one was more astonished than him; it felt as if he had crashed into a great mountain, an irresistible force.

"You seem to be finding it very difficult to slap me to death," Ye Fan remarked, remaining in place and not pursuing.

Situ Feng’s face tightened. His right arm trembled as he gritted his teeth, attempting to mend the bones. He then spat out a pearl that hovered above his head, releasing a cascading watery curtain that completely shielded him.

"It’s the Yan Cloud Sect’s Water Blue Pearl!" someone exclaimed.

Simultaneously, Situ Feng spat out a green lotus that glowed with myriad rays. It was as heavy as a mountain, its pressure nearly suffocating those nearby.

The green lotus was completely translucent and brilliantly azure. Its overwhelming pressure made many people feel an immense pressure, their faces paling. The ground of Broken Mountain itself began to emit cracking sounds as large fissures spread across it.

Ye Fan’s expression changed, not only because the green lotus was so heavy, but also because of the cracking ground of Broken Mountain. If anything went wrong here, on this notorious figure’s Dao Field, the consequences would be dire.

Without holding back, he rushed forward, his palm-fingers like blades, striking continuously and shattering the azure aura.

Despite this, the green lotus remained undamaged and shone even brighter, pressing downward. He thrust a single hand skyward to meet it. The lotus was indeed as heavy as a mountain, and his physical body strained under the effort to resist its descent.

The Water Blue Pearl rose, flew towards the green lotus, and as the two merged, the weight instantly doubled, causing Ye Fan to sink slightly.

"This is a precious treasure of the Yan Cloud Sect, almost unbearable! Yet this person is withstanding it with his physical body. What kind of background does he have?" Everyone around was astonished.

However, what left them dumbfounded was still to come. Ye Fan shook his hands repeatedly, and golden Great Hand Seals materialized, striking the very sky until it seemed to collapse.

Situ Feng’s expression changed. His left hand shot out three blue rays, converging to form a Blue Lightning Saber. It grew tremendously, extending tens of yards long, and slashed towards Ye Fan.

"Situ Feng actually refined the Three Yin True Water! Each drop of this water can pierce gold and stone!"

"Even more terrifying, he turned True Water into a Spirit Blade! This mysterious art is incredibly dreadful, capable of severing divine souls!"

"This is the Three Yin True Spirit Blade! It’s appearing again—so unexpected and astonishing!"

All those observing turned pale, their attention fixed on the unfolding clash.

Three Yin True Water could extinguish True Fire and dissolve refined gold. It was immensely heavy and, when refined into the Three Yin True Spirit Blade, possessed unmatched power.

Ye Fan gave a low shout and shook his arms nine times. After the ninth strike, both the Yan Cloud Sect’s precious Water Blue Pearl and the green lotus cracked.

BOOM!

The final punch was delivered. Azure light scattered everywhere, and the two treasures were pulverized, crushed by his golden fist!

"Who is this person, to possess such incredible strength?"

"His physical body is harder than a spiritual treasure! How has he cultivated? Could he be from the demon clan?"

"So terrifying!"

Everyone was dumbfounded, stunned beyond belief.

The Three Yin True Spirit Blade descended, its azure rays like lightning, casting a pale blue hue on the skin of nearby onlookers. Its chill was biting to the bone.

CLANG!

Ye Fan grasped the blade’s edge, his entire right hand shining like red gold, leaving five deep finger imprints on it.

"The Three Yin True Spirit Blade can annihilate divine souls! Heavens, he grabbed it bare-handed, utterly fearless!"

"Is this someone whose physical body can attain sainthood in the future? How could he have such an astonishing physique?!"

BOOM!

Situ Feng urged the Three Yin True Spirit Blade. Azure light soared, and watery light surged forth, threatening to engulf Ye Fan.

This was Three Yin True Water, capable of melting gold and devouring iron. Each drop was enough to pierce a cultivator’s body. With so much of it surging forth, its terrifying power was incalculable.

However, Ye Fan’s body radiated brilliant light. All the True Water evaporated, transforming into azure vapor; it was utterly unable to harm him.

Divine energy surged. He stood like an immortal Divine Furnace, burning and destroying everything.

CRACK! CRACK!

The Three Yin True Spirit Blade broke in his hand, transformed back into True Water, and then became azure mist, fully refined by him.

The scene was horrifying. The True Spirit Blade, crafted with mysterious arts, was effortlessly shattered by his golden hand.

"You..." Situ Feng’s face turned deathly pale. He turned to flee, his heart filled with the ashes of despair; such a foe crushed his spirit.

"The Yan Cloud Sect’s genius was defeated, forced to flee!"

"That was the renowned genius from the southern part of Quzhou, yet he was so easily defeated by this person! Who is this man? So terrifying!"

On Broken Mountain, many were overcome with shock.

"Now you try my palm strike!" Ye Fan’s speed was astonishing. He caught up in an instant, his golden palm-fingers expanding like a Grinding Disc, slamming down and causing the void to hum and tremble.

"Show mercy!" an outstanding disciple of the Ancient Nobilities Ji Family shouted, his figure shooting forward.

At the same time, Situ Feng resisted with all his might, hoping to avert disaster.

The golden Great Hand Seal was unparalleled, draining all the energy of heaven and earth in the surroundings and creating a vast expanse of hazy black space!

SMACK!

The sound was like muffled thunder cleaving through the air.

Situ Feng’s resistance was futile. His entire being was utterly smashed apart and sent flying horizontally.

"You..." The young expert of the Ji Family was furious, not expecting the other party to completely disregard him and kill someone right before his eyes.

He tried to catch Situ Fei’s broken body, but as soon as his hands touched it, the corpse immediately turned into flying ashes, both form and spirit annihilated!

"Who are you, to dare to kill someone right in front of me! Didn’t you hear what I just said?!" the Ji Family’s young expert demanded.

"And who do you think you are? You tell me to stop, so I should stop? Are the Ancient Nobilities really all that?" Ye Fan stood with his hands clasped behind his back.