Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 270: Chapter 275 Accidentally Ate a Swan

In the palace, it was brilliantly lit. Fairies danced, their white clothes fluttering, as if they were in the mythical Guanghan Palace. Everyone drank and reveled.

Behind each White Jade Table sat strong young members of the demon clan, toasting one another. Ye Fan and Tu Fei also clinked glasses frequently, thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere.

"The Yaochi Grand Gathering is about to begin. I wonder who from our group will be attending?" someone asked.

"Her Highness the Princess and Qingyi will both be going. In total, perhaps six or seven people from here."

"There are many powerful members of the demon clan in the northern region, not just limited to our small world. Many more will surely attend."

"Even the Golden-winged Little Peng King, all the way from the Central Eastern Desolate, has come. One can only imagine how lively this Yaochi Grand Gathering will be."

"Speaking of which, the Golden-winged Little Peng King is obviously targeting the two Divine Bodies and the Flickering Light Saint Heir. I wonder what kind of world-shaking battle it will be."

As the crowd discussed this, they inevitably looked towards Ye Fan. His ability to defeat the prodigiously talented Little Peng King at the same cultivation level was astonishing, a testament to the power of the sacred body.

"The Golden-winged Little Peng King can likely suppress a Divine Body. He might not be quite on par with a Great Emperor in their youth, but he’s not far off either. Is the sacred body truly that terrifying?" Many wore peculiar expressions.

"According to the records in the Ancient Books, only a peerless genius destined to become a Great Emperor can suppress the sacred body when at the same cultivation level."

The demon clan maiden Jin Yan sneered, "Unfortunately, the sacred body can only progress as far as the Dao Palace secret realm."

No one delved too deeply into this issue, as most understood that even if one’s physique was incredibly powerful, being trapped in a specific secret boundary, forever unable to advance, meant it was essentially a useless physique.

Jin Yan continued, "Actually, the Golden-winged Little Peng King’s most powerful Innate Divine Technique can only be utilized after reaching the Four Extremes secret realm. His last defeat was truly unjust."

"That’s true. The Celestial Roc Clan becomes more terrifying the further they progress. ’When the Dragon Fighting Skill emerges, all other techniques are eclipsed’—wasn’t there such a legend in the past?"

"Indeed, there is such a saying. The Supreme Celestial Roc Dragon Fighting Technique is said to be capable of slaying True Dragons. Once this technique is unleashed, all other arts pale in comparison. If they were to battle in the Four Extremes secret realm, the Golden-winged Little Peng King should be able to contend with the sacred body."

Ye Fan and Tu Fei, who were clinking glasses nearby, felt nothing regarding such remarks. As long as he couldn’t enter the Four Extremes secret realm, he wouldn’t be able to shed the label of having a ’useless physique.’

"Damn these birdmen!" Tu Fei cursed in a low voice. "I really want to see what your Combat Power will be like after you enter the Four Extremes secret realm."

"Can you provide me with ten million jin of Source?" Ye Fan picked up some food with his chopsticks, unaffected, enjoying the delicacies.

"That much Source? Unless we rob the Sacred Lands or enter the Taichu Forbidden Area." Tu Fei shook his head. "I really hope you can enter the Four Extremes secret realm and suppress all those Saint Heirs and Sacred Ladies."

"The Sacred Ladies should be spared," Ye Fan smiled. "We’ll build a grand harem."

"It’s hard to believe you can still smile." Tu Fei shook his wine pot. "Then again, being unable to cultivate might also be a blessing in disguise. Otherwise, some of the Sacred Lands would have likely tried to eliminate you."

"Is there any difference now? The Ji Family is hunting me all over the world."

"What are your plans for the future?"

Ye Fan smiled. "I still have some confidence in my Source Technique. After a while, I plan to go to the sacred city to appraise stones, visiting the Gambling Stone Workshops of the major Sacred Lands one by one."

The big black dog was already drunk, squinting at him, his words slurred, "I can tell you’re a troublemaker just by looking at you. When the time comes, win This Emperor a Sacred Lady to be my pet..."

"Get lost!"

"WOOF!"

The bark startled everyone nearby. Then, with a THUD, the big black dog collapsed, dead drunk.

The gathering of strong young members of the demon clan in the small world was a place where anything could be discussed. Just then, Bai Feng stood up and said, "Golden Feathers, Ku Zhu, and I discovered a ruin during our recent excursion. We unearthed some ancient items whose origins we can’t identify, and we’d like to ask for everyone’s opinions."

He clapped his hands, and a few young demons carried in a large iron box, so heavy it cracked the jade tiles on the floor.

When the large iron box was opened, a musty, decaying odor wafted out. Inside were dozens of bronze relics, all utterly dilapidated.

There were fragments of a bronze bell, tattered gourds, and rusted bronze cauldrons... a heap of Vessels, all damaged beyond repair, completely unusable.

Everyone gathered around, picking them up to examine them, and discussed them animatedly.

"Could it be a treasure trove of some minor sect from Ancient Times? What a pity they’re all damaged."

"Something feels off. These Vessels are incredibly heavy, and the remaining Dao Glyphs are complicated and hard to fathom; they might have some significant origin."

"Could these be Vessels left behind by some ancient Great Sect?"

Yan Ruyu and Qingyi also stepped forward, scrutinizing these Vessels, yet they couldn’t deduce anything conclusive.

Ye Fan woke up the Black Emperor, and also squeezed forward to observe them.

The big black dog immediately became excited. At that moment, Ye Fan also noticed that two or three of the Vessels bore ghost-face imprints, identical to those on the bronze pot from earlier in the day.

Although everyone present noticed the ghost-face imprints, they had never heard of or seen them before and couldn’t speculate anything substantial.

"Where were these unearthed?" Qingyi asked.

"They were discovered in Quzhou," Bai Feng replied.

"Indeed..." The big black dog took a deep breath, its nose glowed faintly, and then it retreated silently.

Ye Fan was somewhat speechless. A dog’s nose was incredibly sensitive, and this creature had become exceptionally cunning. Now that it knew they were dug up in Quzhou, the damn dog would definitely be able to find the exact spot in the future.

Bai Feng inquired of Ye Fan, but he couldn’t provide any definitive answers. In the end, no one knew the origin of these Vessels, yielding no valuable information, and the large iron box was carried away.

In the palace, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and jade, many young cultivators of the demon clan gathered, raising toasts to one another in a very lively atmosphere.

A group of beautiful young maidens danced in the center, true to their name as fairies. Each was alluring and captivating; every frown and smile could bewitch souls and steal spirits.

Each fairy maiden possessed a devilish figure, their slender, jade-like bodies partially visible beneath their gauze skirts. They had swan-like necks and black hair, the two forming a striking contrast. Their jade-like faces looked so tender they might break at a touch, and they were full of myriad charms.

Tu Fei tilted his head back and downed a cup of fine wine. "What’s the use of cultivation? In the end, it’s all just a mound of yellow earth. I’ve never seen anyone achieve Immortal Ascension. It’s better to lose oneself to the bewitching Red Dust."

"If you didn’t cultivate, would you even have the right to sit here?" Ye Fan poured himself a drink and sipped it.

His purpose for cultivation was survival, and then to traverse the void, returning to the other end of the starry sky. The path ahead seemed very long.

The big black dog squinted its eyes, looking aloof, and said, "None of you understand the true essence of cultivation."

"We don’t understand? Do you, then?" Tu Fei glanced askance at him. Ever since being bitten by the Black Emperor, he hadn’t felt kindly towards the big black dog.

"Throughout history, millions upon millions have cultivated, but only a handful achieved the Dao. For This Emperor, this is a path filled with hope, and I am one of those on it."

Tu Fei sneered, "And what of achieving the Dao? Becoming an Ancient Sage, living a few thousand years longer than others—don’t they still become dust in the annals of history? The original master of this small world is a perfect example."

"Him? What kind of Dao did he achieve?" the big black dog mumbled indistinctly around a mouthful of roasted lamb leg.

"So you have quite high standards. Are you perhaps speaking of the Great Emperors of old?" Ye Fan asked.

"Naturally, it’s them," the big black dog said proudly.

"From ancient times to the present, how many such people can there be?" Tu Fei poured himself another glass of wine, drank it in one gulp, and said, "Even the Void Emperor, the Everlasting Emperor, and the West Emperor Mother, though they achieved the Dao and lived far longer than ordinary people, didn’t they eventually return to dust, ashes to ashes, dust to dust!"

The big black dog looked as if it wanted to say something, but ultimately, it offered no rebuttal and began to ponder.

Beside a nearby White Jade Table, a young man sat cross-legged. He had a fair complexion and wore a golden Daoist robe that shone brilliantly. He too sighed, "The Great Emperors of old... one can hardly look up to their achievements. Even the various Peacock Kings can only bow their heads in helplessness, feeling as insignificant as ants."

Qin Yao, sitting not far away, laughed when she heard this. "Brother Golden Feathers, have you forgotten? Our Princess Yan Ruyu is a descendant of the Demon Emperor; she surely knows a thing or two about Great Emperors."

Golden Feathers, dressed in his golden Daoist robe, offered a gentle smile and raised his cup to Qin Yao.

At this moment, others around were also drawn to this topic and began discussing it.

Bai Feng, clothed in snow-white robes, addressed Yan Ruyu, who was in the center of the hall, "Your Highness, could you share some stories about the Great Emperor? What realm did he ultimately achieve?"

Yan Ruyu, true to her name, was like warm, sentient jade, graceful and peerless, perfect and flawless. Her pearly white teeth gleamed as her red lips parted slightly. "After my ancestor became a Great Emperor, no one could fathom his realm. Even those closest to him could not speculate, nor did they know just how powerful he truly was."

Everyone gasped. If even those closest to him couldn’t gauge his depth, let alone others, then the Great Emperors of old truly stood as unsurpassable monuments.

The Demon Emperor was the last Great Emperor of the Eastern Wastelands, the one closest in time to the present. If even he couldn’t be fully understood, it was to say nothing of those from before the Ancient Desolation period.

The young man in the golden Daoist robe, Golden Feathers, asked, "How formidable was the Great Emperor in his youth?"

"It was too long ago. My ancestor passed away ten thousand years ago, and many things are now vague and unclear." Yan Ruyu, her black hair lustrous and her skin snow-white and tender, mused for a moment before saying, "He possessed heaven-bestowed talent. After his emergence, he defeated all opponents of his generation. Not many years passed before he began to create some Supreme Divine Techniques."

Not far away, a young man in a green robe, named Ku Zhu, said, "I heard that the Great Emperor was a prodigy of heaven-defying talent. By studying ancient records of every kind, he took some theoretically imagined ancient techniques and truly brought them into existence. Is this true?"

Yan Ruyu smiled faintly and nodded. "Indeed. The first half of the Demon Emperor Ancient Scripture was created by the Great Emperor in this way."

"Alas, time is merciless. Everything flows eastward like a river, its waves washing away heroes," lamented a slightly drunk member of the demon clan.

"Regardless, the Green Lotus Great Emperor is among the strongest few throughout the ages; only a handful could stand shoulder to shoulder with him," said another demon clan cultivator.

There were so many topics of conversation concerning the Great Emperors; everyone present felt a sense of yearning, and all joined in the discussion.

Ku Zhu continued to ask, "Many Ancient Books have mentioned that ten thousand years ago, the Great Emperor intended to establish the demon clan’s Ancient Heavenly Court. Is this true or false?"

Golden Feathers also nodded. "There are indeed many such rumors. Historical records of the human race, as well as the accounts of our own demon clan, have touched upon this issue."

"Unfortunately, it never materialized," Yan Ruyu shook her head.

The Black Emperor muttered under his breath, "Damn, this Demon Emperor was truly terrifying!"

"The demon clan’s Ancient Heavenly Court..." Although Ye Fan had heard some rumors about it, he was still deeply shocked to hear it discussed openly.

The gathering lasted until late at night before dispersing. Many were heavily drunk; even the demon clan maiden Jin Yan was completely inebriated and performing a drunken dance.

A few drunken demon clan members staggered about, conspiring to eat black dog meat. The drunken big black dog cursed up a storm before bolting off and vanishing.

Bai Feng, Golden Feathers, and Ku Zhu swayed as they approached to help Qin Yao up, but she giggled and pushed their hands away.

Tu Fei, leaning on the fairy maiden he had been with, approached Yan Ruyu and Qingyi, saying, "Your Highness, Qingyi... we bid you farewell. We’ll be leaving tomorrow."

In fact, the original plan was to leave the day after tomorrow, but Tu Fei felt it would be too dangerous for Ye Fan to stay any longer, so he decided they should leave earlier.

Ye Fan also cupped his hands. "Thank you for your hospitality, and I apologize for any trouble I’ve caused..."

Finally, the group didn’t fully disperse until very late.

Under the night sky, a clear spring flowed within the pine forest, adding a touch of vitality to the tranquil mountain peak.

Tu Fei didn’t return, having left with that fairy maiden. The big black dog had also disappeared somewhere, leaving the palace on the mountaintop very quiet.

"You arrived suddenly, and now you’re leaving just as suddenly. You haven’t done anything wicked, have you?" Just then, Qin Yao entered the palace, her enchanting figure swaying, slightly intoxicated.

Her figure was fiery and alluring, like a beautiful serpent; long and slender, with full, rounded hips and a slim waist. Her jade-like arms were partially bare, her hair disheveled, and her eyes shimmering like water.

"Why would you think that? There’s nothing of the sort. The reason I’m leaving is that some members of your demon clan have designs on my Profound Yellow Root," Ye Fan, also somewhat intoxicated like her, replied.

"Stop trying to cover it up; there’s definitely something amiss." Qin Yao, graceful as a willow swaying in the wind, her supple body moving with captivating charm, giggled, her voice laced with slight intoxication: "The Princess suspects you must be here for Pang Bo. Now that you’re about to leave, you’ve probably done something you shouldn’t have. She’s already rushed to the Immortal Hall and told me to keep an eye on you. You can’t escape, little brat!"

Ye Fan was instantly startled, the alcohol’s effects halving in an instant. Yan Ruyu is indeed perceptive. If Pang Bo hadn’t remained in the Immortal Hall, I would have truly been in danger this time.

However, he soon relaxed. He believed Pang Bo wouldn’t slip up. No matter how shrewd Yan Ruyu was, she wouldn’t be able to detect anything.

"Are you the beauty assigned to guard me? A man and a woman, all alone late at night... it’s a very dangerous situation," Ye Fan teased, his voice still tinged with intoxication.

Qin Yao laughed, her smile captivating. "You’re a prisoner now. Don’t think you can pull any tricks and escape. If you really did go to the Immortal Hall, you might not keep your life, you know."

Ye Fan’s heart tightened. Thankfully, he hadn’t left any flaws in his plan; otherwise, things would likely have ended badly.

"Beauty Qin, is this any way to guard a prisoner? You’re practically tempting me to commit a crime..." Ye Fan said nonchalantly, feeling more relaxed.

"What does a little brat like you know? Even though you’re a sacred body at the Second Layer Heaven of the Dao Palace, you still can’t escape from my grasp. You can’t run away," Qin Yao shot him a disdainful glance.

"If I try to escape, you won’t really kill me, will you?"

"Of course, I’d kill you."

"But we’re old flames! How could you be so heartless?" Ye Fan shook his head, smiling. "I don’t believe you."

Qin Yao’s curvaceous figure undulated, her gauze dress accentuating her devilish physique, revealing its exquisite, graceful contours. She was utterly seductive.

Her laugh was bewitching, capable of toppling nations. Pinching Ye Fan’s cheek, she said, "If you really dare to run, I’ll really dare to make a move. Try me if you don’t believe it."

"Great Beauty Qin, you’re teasing me. If something happens, you’ll have to take responsibility for the consequences." Ye Fan brushed her hand away and, in turn, playfully lifted her jade-like chin.

Qin Yao’s breath was fragrant as orchids. She licked her rosy lips, leaned closer, and whispered, "You... you can’t handle it."

The warm breath tickled Ye Fan’s ear, causing his cheeks to flush. He laughed drunkenly, "If I can’t... who can?"

Qin Yao giggled, one hand resting on his shoulder, her soft body pressing close. Her other hand traced light patterns on his chest as she teased, "Little brat, you’re too young."

With that, she pinched Ye Fan’s cheek again, giggling. "Your skin is so smooth and tender, just like a child’s."

Ye Fan, not standing on ceremony, also pinched her tender, jade-like cheek. "Beauty, you’re playing with fire. I’m a normal man..."

Qin Yao’s breath was sweet and fragrant. Her eyes were hazy with intoxication as she smiled sweetly. "If I say you’re young, you’re young. Don’t try to change the subject, and don’t even think about escaping."

"If there’s trouble at the Immortal Hall, will you really kill me?" Ye Fan asked, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"So you really have been to the Immortal Hall?!" Qin Yao’s eyes gleamed as she stared at him. Divine energy began to surge from the hand she had placed on his chest.

"Please, I’m just a mere little cultivator in the Dao Palace secret realm. How could I possibly get into a place like that? I’m sure you have powerful Restrictions set up, right?"

"That’s good. Be a good boy, okay?" Qin Yao smiled bewitchingly again. Her eyelashes were long, her gaze hazy, her black hair swayed, and her skin was snow-white and delicate, exuding a subtle fragrance.

"Beauty, could you not lean so close? I’m afraid I might accidentally... devour you. It would be troublesome if you came after my life for it later," Ye Fan teased, tilting her chin up.

"You think *you* can devour me?" Qin Yao laughed so hard her body swayed like a blossoming branch, her alluring curves moving beneath the gauze of her dress, an incredibly enticing sight.

"Since that’s the case," Ye Fan chuckled, "I have no more reservations. I might as well go all out."

"Impudent brat, still trying to tease me..." Qin Yao struggled free, then reached out to stroke his cheek. "It’s more like *I’m* the one teasing *you*, little brother."

As she said this, she boldly kissed Ye Fan on the cheek. Then, laughing, she stepped back, wagging a slender, jade-like finger at him. "Don’t even think about escaping. Wait quietly for the Princess to return. Otherwise, I’ll really kill you, you know."

"I won’t run." Ye Fan hailed from the other side of the starry sky; his way of thinking was hardly conservative. After being teased so relentlessly by Qin Yao, he naturally wouldn’t remain indifferent.

He reached out, wrapped his arm around Qin Yao’s slender, supple waist, and pulled her close, pressing his lips against her enchanting cheek.

Qin Yao giggled, her partially bare, jade-like arm brushing past his ear, then his neck. Her breath was fragrant as she said, "It’s *I* who am teasing *you*, not the other way around."

Hearing this, Ye Fan no longer held back. He lowered his head and sealed her vibrant, rosy lips with his own.

"Mmph..."

Qin Yao’s slender, supple, jade-like body struggled, writhing like a water snake, but Ye Fan’s arms were like iron. The physique of the sacred body was immensely powerful; she had no way to break free.

Her fierce struggles gradually subsided, and her exquisite, undulating jade-like body softened. Qin Yao stopped resisting and began to respond passionately, her hair disheveled, her skin glistening like crystal, flushed a delicate, jade-like pink.

They tumbled onto the large purple sandalwood bed, clothes flying, their breathing growing ragged.

"Little brat, get up, quick! Or don’t blame me for getting rough," Qin Yao threatened, starting to struggle again.

"Please, beauty," Ye Fan gasped. "If you kick me off the bed now, you’d practically be murdering me! My blood feels like it’s about to boil dry."

"Get up!" Qin Yao’s graceful, jade-like body twisted like a serpent as she tried to push Ye Fan away.

"If I actually left now, you’d surely call me worse than an animal afterward," Ye Fan said, his arm still around her slender waist, her skin smooth and soft to the touch.

"Get up!"

"No!"

"Get up!"

"No!"

...

In their battle of words and bodies, their clothes gradually diminished, pieces flying off one by one to land on the floor, the sound of their panting filling the air.

Ye Fan discovered, to his exasperation, that Qin Yao was now on top, pinning him down.

"I say, Great Beauty Qin, it seems things have gotten reversed," he said. With a gentle movement, he turned them over, taking the dominant position and pressing Qin Yao beneath him.