Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 264: After Modification: Chapter 269 Meeting Pang Bo

The Immortal Hall, a name that seemed filled with the profound essence of eternal life, was actually the renowned "Yellow Spring Tomb" recorded in the Heavenly Source Book.

The Black Emperor was startled and exclaimed, "Kid, you can’t be mistaken, can you?"

"I’ve seen the Fire Dragon Tomb and personally experienced the Dragon Blood Land. I wouldn’t be mistaken about the Yellow Spring Tomb, which is on the same level as them." By now, Ye Fan’s understanding of Source Technique had reached a very high realm.

The spacious great hall was utterly silent and extremely tranquil, devoid of any fluctuations of life.

"There’s no danger. If it were truly the Yellow Spring Tomb, big trouble would have erupted by now," the Black Emperor said doubtfully.

The Yellow Spring Tomb was undoubtedly an exceptionally perilous Desolate Land. The Ancient Sages had exerted great effort to carve such a Source Mountain into a palace; it truly was a grand undertaking.

Ye Fan and the Black Emperor returned to the first great hall. They did not want to act recklessly and knew careful observation was required.

"Dao Glyphs! I’ve finally sensed them! There are immensely powerful Dao Glyphs here!" the Black Emperor suddenly exclaimed. "They mobilize some kind of unknowable power for their own use, granting this place its properties of longevity!"

"Where does that power originate from?" Ye Fan asked.

The Black Emperor closed its eyes. A long time passed before it abruptly opened them and said, "Right in the center of this great hall!"

Ye Fan controlled the cauldron and advanced to the central part of the ancient palace. The floor there was covered with Source Stones, carved with diverse patterns of birds, fish, insects, and beasts.

Ye Fan stepped out from the cauldron and lifted a stone tablet from the ground, revealing a pitch-black Ancient Well before his eyes.

"Indeed... What a tremendous undertaking by the Ancient Sages, to convert a Desolate Land for their own use!"

"Where does this blasted well lead?"

"Naturally, it connects to the Yellow Springs, drawing divine energy for the Immortal Hall’s use."

Faintly, the sound of flowing water emanated from below, accompanied by waves of netherworld aura that wafted upward.

"What exactly is special about the Yellow Spring Tomb?" the Black Emperor asked.

"According to the records in the book, it contains the waters of the Nine Netherworld Yellow Springs, sealed within a Source Vein. It’s said to nurture unimaginable things within," Ye Fan replied.

Suddenly, yin aura surged upward like a blade, and spots of light began to shimmer from below; it was no longer a pitch-black expanse.

Ye Fan quickly retreated into the cauldron, gazing down into the Ancient Well.

The Black Emperor also stretched its neck, its ancient eyes wide, observing intently.

CLANG! CLANG!

The sound of water was like that of metal and stone, seeming immensely heavy. It clanged resoundingly as it flowed, emitting a hazy halo.

"It truly is the Yellow Springs!" the Black Emperor exclaimed in astonishment.

Below, there was a waterway sealed within a translucent Source Vein. A yellow river surged past, like a roaring yellow dragon.

"Legend has it that when the Nine Netherworld Yellow Springs receded from the human world, some remnants were left underground. Could this be true?" the Black Emperor asked in surprise.

Ye Fan watched the Yellow Springs below with a solemn expression, remaining silent. He was not concerned about the waters themselves, as they were merely lifeless things; what he truly cared about were the things gestating within the Yellow Springs.

SWISH!

Spiritual Qi surged up like a dragon along the Ancient Well, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

"Damn it! That’s the aura of Divine Sources!" the Black Emperor exclaimed. "Kid, quick, think of a way! There are Divine Sources down there! Get them up here, hurry!"

"You think I don’t want to? But do we have the strength to break open the Source Vein? If we try, we’ll both die here," Ye Fan said in a deep voice.

At this moment, a gleam of light appeared within the surging Yellow Springs. Faintly, a long, rectangular Source Stone could be seen being carried away by the current.

"Why does that look like a Stone Coffin to me?" the Black Emperor said, astounded.

"That’s a Divine Source, and there’s something sealed within it!" Ye Fan’s expression was grave.

The long Source Stone sank to the bottom of the Yellow Springs, making it difficult to see clearly. It was then swept away, rushing into the depths of the Source Vein, and the area below darkened.

"Divine Sources! There are Divine Sources beneath this Immortal Hall!" the Black Emperor yelped, jumping in agitation.

Of course, their exchange was not through actual words; they were continuously using their divine sense to communicate.

Ye Fan replaced the stone tablet, sealing the mouth of the well again. He murmured to himself, "The Ancient Sages were truly extraordinary figures, converting a Desolate Land for their own use and sealing the Yellow Spring Tomb."

At the same time, he frowned. From this, he deduced that a single Divine Source could not possibly compare to ten million jin of Source. Otherwise, those Ancient Desolation Holy Body Remains would surely have been taken for refinement long ago and not left behind.

The Dao Palace secret realm truly is an insurmountable chasm...

Ye Fan and the Black Emperor proceeded through four great halls. Each great hall had an Ancient Well at its center, leading directly to the Source Vein underground that sealed the Yellow Springs.

Below every well, complex Dao Glyphs were inscribed. These transformed the divine energy within the Desolate Land into the Power of Longevity. This intrigued the Black Emperor deeply, yet even after prolonged research, comprehension eluded it.

"It truly leaves one speechless. Below lies the Yellow Springs, and above, the Immortal Hall..." Ye Fan sighed.

Originally a deadly Desolate Land, it had been transformed by the Ancient Sages into a treasure trove capable of extending lifespan through unfathomable and profound Dao Glyphs.

Life and death were so close, separated only by a single well.

After entering six halls and finding six Ancient Wells, Ye Fan finally felt relieved. The Yellow Spring Tomb was thoroughly sealed; even after such a long passage of time, the Dao Glyphs had not failed.

Otherwise, if the seal of this Desolate Land were to break even slightly, he and the Black Emperor would undoubtedly perish, with no chance of survival.𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

In the seventh great hall, Ye Fan and the Black Emperor vaguely made out what was in the Yellow Springs. It was truly a Stone Coffin, connected to a Divine Source.

"How could such a thing exist?"

"A Stone Coffin within the Yellow Springs..." Ye Fan was also greatly surprised. What kind of figure from among the Ancient creatures could this be?

He only knew that certain Divine Sources sealed Ancient creatures; this was the first time he had seen one sealing a Stone Coffin.

I feel this is a bit off; it’s likely not some Ancient creature! The Black Emperor’s eyes flickered as if it had recalled something.

Upon entering the eighth ancient hall, Ye Fan was somewhat disappointed, as he saw no stone carvings related to cultivation.

Did the Ancient Sages leave nothing behind? He was puzzled.

This Immortal Hall was clearly an important place, one that would never fall, the place where that sacred body had passed away in meditation. Yet, astoundingly, nothing had been left behind.

"There is mysterious art here, but you won’t be able to obtain it. Even this emperor can only stare blankly."

"What have you discovered?" Ye Fan asked.

"Dao Glyphs, naturally. The great sovereigns of ancient times, when they comprehended the Dao of Heaven and Earth, would inscribe it in the form of Dao Glyphs. They rarely recorded it in text," the Black Emperor said.

Ye Fan frowned. He could not yet thoroughly study Dao Glyphs, and even the Black Emperor, with its profound understanding, was helpless. However, he was not dejected, as he had already obtained the Dao Secret Technique from those remains.

Only the final great hall remained. Ye Fan was about to reunite with Pang Bo and deeply feared that some accident might have befallen him.

Ye Fan and the Black Emperor, still within the cauldron, slowly flew towards the Ninth Ancient Hall. During this process, they noticed the Spiritual Qi becoming richer, and faintly, a light appeared ahead.

They were on high alert because a great battle might be imminent. Divine sense combat was the most perilous; a slight carelessness could lead to total ruin!

When they pushed open the heavy Stone Gate and entered this great hall, their eyes were met with a flood of light; all darkness was swept away.

"This..."

It did not resemble a great hall at all; it was extremely spacious, wider than the previous eight halls combined.

Here, the vegetation was lush. Colorful flowers bloomed everywhere. Various Ancient Trees stretched out their branches, laden with vines.

A stream murmured, its banks paved with pebbles. Ancient pavilions stood amidst towering green pines.

Rather than a great hall, it was more like a natural garden.

"This place is a self-contained space!" the Black Emperor exclaimed.

Ancient Sages were capable of creating small worlds, so carving out an even smaller space within a great hall was certainly not an issue for them.

This was a world brimming with light and vitality. To suddenly enter such a verdant space after being in the pitch-black great halls where one could not see one’s hand in front of one’s face was startling; the contrast was immense.

Ye Fan scanned his surroundings, searching for Pang Bo’s figure. His powerful divine sense was formed into golden swords, ready to strike at any moment.

The pebble path led into an ancient forest. Vines were everywhere, trailing down from the Ancient Trees to the ground, adorned with small white flowers.

"Pang Bo!"

Ye Fan’s eyes lit up as he looked towards the forest.

Ahead, in the ancient forest, there was an altar, partially concealed by the trees. A tall figure sat silently cross-legged upon it, covered with fallen leaves, as if he had not moved for a very long time.

His physique was extraordinarily powerful, far more robust than that of an ordinary person. His upper body was bare, his bronze skin gleamed with a healthy luster, and his thick black hair cascaded down to his waist.

It was Pang Bo. They had been separated for several years, having parted ways less than a year after arriving in this world. Only today were they reunited.

SWISH!

Pang Bo, sitting cross-legged on the altar, suddenly opened his eyes. His gaze was as sharp as two bolts of lightning.

Seeing such a piercing gaze, Ye Fan’s heart immediately sank. This was definitely not Pang Bo; he felt an extreme sense of danger.

The person before him, though possessing the body of his dearest friend, was like a Fierce Beast, exuding a terrifying aura.

"Attack!" Ye Fan shouted.

The Black Emperor let out a tremendous roar, like a savage dragon shaking the land, causing this space to tremble violently.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!...

Hundreds of large flags were thrown out, completely encircling the forest area and the altar, sealing off any escape routes for their opponent.

HUMPH!

A heavy, cold snort echoed. The strong figure on the altar had eyes as sharp as daggers. He stared at Ye Fan and said, "Are you here to return the Dao Scripture?"

"What have you done to Pang Bo?!" Ye Fan roared.

"I am Pang Bo. Am I not perfectly fine right now?" The powerful body on the altar remained motionless, sitting quietly cross-legged, but the terrifying aura it exuded grew even more intimidating.

"Kid, are you sure this is really just some wandering spirit whose lifespan is about to end? Why do I feel like I’m facing a True Dragon?" the Black Emperor urgently transmitted via divine sense.

At this moment, Pang Bo, bare-chested, truly resembled an ancient Fierce Beast, radiating an immense, oppressive aura.

"He’s bluffing! He doesn’t have long to live! Let’s attack together and finish him!" Ye Fan shouted, taking the initiative to strike. The small golden lake between his brows manifested a golden sword, which instantly slashed outward.

CLANG!

A ray of Divine Light also shot out from between Pang Bo’s brows, colliding with Ye Fan’s golden sword. The impact produced a burst of brilliant and terrifying light, like two great iron hammers smashing together.

"Such powerful divine sense! After not seeing you for several years, you’ve actually reached this level of achievement." This Pang Bo’s eyes gleamed with Divine Light as he continued, "I’ve never forgotten my desire for your body. Since you’ve delivered yourself to my doorstep today, I’ll gladly take it!"

ROAR!

The Black Emperor roared, like a savage dragon shaking rivers and mountains. It was hard to imagine what kind of power resided within it, causing the space to shudder intensely.

A crack split open on its forehead, revealing a third, vertical eye. A terrifying beam of black light shot out from it, slashing towards the person on the altar!