Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 275: Chapter 280: 9 Secret Clues

Ji Ziyue drifted over like a purple cloud. Her long hair reached her waist, her skin was as fair as snow, and she smiled adorably. Her large eyes nearly curved into crescent moons, and dimples appeared, adding a touch of playfulness and cunning, embodying the spirit of heaven and earth.

Ji Haoyue, true to his name, resembled a Divine Moon. A faint, radiant glow seemed to overflow from his body, and with his innate Divine King Body, he exuded an extraordinary aura, giving one the feeling of facing a deity.

"Sister Ziyue..." Yao Xi’s smile was equally captivating, her slender figure like a piece of divine jade, radiating with divine splendor, as she approached and held Ji Ziyue’s hand.

"Sister Yao Xi, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other." Ji Ziyue’s smile was sweet.

Ji Haoyue also nodded in greeting, saying, "I didn’t expect Fairy Yao to come to Li City, too."

"I’m just here to take a look. But as for Senior brother Haoyue being here, I suspect you have your sights set on something?" Yao Xi’s eyes sparkled. As the Flickering Light Sacred Lady, she exuded a certain allure. She remarked, "Your presence will likely make many people anxious. When the Divine King Body appears, many powerful cultivators must give way."

Ji Haoyue shook his head and said, "Everything depends on fate. Priceless treasures are desired by everyone, but most will probably be disappointed. I don’t intend to hold out too much hope either."

"And this is..." Upon seeing Ye Fan again, Ji Ziyue was a bit surprised. She always felt that this young Daoist was somewhat special, but she couldn’t pinpoint why.𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Yao Xi laughed and said, "This is the famous Daoist Duan. However, this little Daoist is not known to me."

"I am Zhengde," Ye Fan replied.

Duan De glanced at him sidelong and said, "So, we’re both people with the character ’De’ in our names."

"Duan De, could it be you’re that shameless Daoist?" Ji Ziyue opened her mouth in an "O" shape, her long eyelashes fluttering lightly.

"I am Daoist Duan De, known as the Righteous Daoist." Duan De recited his title solemnly, appearing dignified and sage-like.

Yao Xi chuckled softly, her face glowing with charm, saying, "Whatever title he goes by, it’s surely the person you’re thinking of."

"Ah, so it’s you!" Ji Ziyue looked at him with puffed cheeks.

Ji Haoyue’s expression also darkened as he said, "Daoist Duan, you’ve repeatedly gone to the Jishui River, spying on our Ji family’s ancestral Tombyard. What are your intentions?"

Ye Fan was somewhat taken aback. This fat Daoist truly had audacity, even daring to eye the ancestral Tombyard of the Ji family. Was he not afraid of being struck down?

"Infinite Heavenly Venerate, future Divine King of the Ji family, you shouldn’t wrong me." Duan De appeared upright, saying, "The Jishui has flowed for hundreds of thousands of years. Although it’s called Ji, it doesn’t belong to your Ji family. I merely passed by, yet your family clamored to chase me away. It’s truly lamentable."

"We don’t oppose you passing by the Jishui River, but why were you always glancing toward our Ji family’s Tombyard?" Ji Ziyue asked, pouting her small cheeks.

"I saw the graves spread out, and their grandeur naturally made me take a second look. Imagine the Void Great Emperor of the Ancient Desolation, enduring myriad tribulations yet undefeated, unmatched in solitude, desiring to challenge all heavens. I felt a deep reverence."

Ye Fan was shocked. The Demon Emperor’s tomb had left a profound impression on him. The Ji family once had a Great Emperor—could there be a Great Emperor’s tomb left behind as well?

The remains of ancient sages could be refined into supreme weapons. A young ancient Great Emperor could suppress all opponents of the same rank; wouldn’t their remains be even more powerful, absolutely a precious treasure for weapon refinement?

"Our family’s Elders saw you with their own eyes, plotting against our Ji family’s deceased Divine King’s tomb." Ji Ziyue’s small sharp teeth glistened as she stared at the shameless Daoist.

"That’s not true. I was merely curious and glanced twice. As a result, those old men chased me for three thousand miles, nearly costing me my life. Next time I’ll definitely keep my eyes straight ahead."

Though Ji Haoyue’s expression was unfriendly, he did not intend to conflict with him since he didn’t want to make a formidable enemy at such a crucial moment. He knew deeply that this Daoist was no simpleton.

"Are you with the fat Daoist?" Ji Ziyue eyed Ye Fan again.

"He wanted to bet with me, claiming to have news of the Nine Secret Arts." Ye Fan stated outright; he did not trust that the shameless Daoist would give him valuable information.

"So, Daoist Duan must know some important clues?" Yao Xi asked with a smile.

"Could that grave robber be Daoist Duan?" Ji Ziyue teased with a smile.

Duan De, brimming with confidence, stated, "I know a little, just a bit, hence the bet with Daoist Zhengde."

Out of goodwill, Ji Ziyue advised, "Little Daoist, don’t bet with him. He’s the notorious shameless Daoist, always cheating and deceiving, never losing in a trade."

"Princess of the Ji family, you shouldn’t defame me. I’m full of righteousness, always forthright and open." Duan De boasted without shame.

"Pfft!" Ji Ziyue gave him a sidelong glance before turning to Ye Fan. "Little Daoist, I’ll tell you the news for free, no need to listen to his nonsense."

"This humble Daoist thanks Miss Ji." Ye Fan nodded in thanks.

Indeed, there was news about the Nine Secret Arts circulating in Li City, all started by a grave robber.

Not long ago, an Ancient Weapon Shop in the northern region acquired a broken bronze bell, whereupon they discovered the words "Nine Secret Arts," immediately causing a sensation.

They painstakingly restored and repaired the ancient bell, finding over a hundred ancient characters on it. They speculated it was a burial item, unearthed from an ancient cultivator’s grave pit.

The inscriptions on the broken bronze bell were few, and the record was vague, roughly documenting some deeds of the tomb owner. The last simple sentence mentioned that their family’s inheritance included the heart technique inheritance.

The Nine Secret Arts, each possessing incredible functions, are Supreme Divine Techniques longed for by all across time.

Because they were so powerful, they were divided in the distant past and scattered across the world, never to be gathered together again.

The emergence of the bronze bell struck the Heart Spirit like a tsunami, stirring people, because only three or four of the known Nine Secret Arts are still passed down today; the rest are almost entirely lost.

If this resulted in one of them being revealed, any sect would go mad. Such a divine art would absolutely be a priceless treasure.

"So, a grave robber dug up a broken bronze bell, sparking rumors of the Nine Secret Arts returning?" Ye Fan was amazed.

Ji Ziyue nodded and said, "It’s a pity; when we found that tomb raider, he had already mysteriously died."

"Silenced?"

"No, it seemed like he was cursed; tombs of ancient cultivators often had such an Evil Technique laid within them," Ji Ziyue replied.

That Ancient Weapon Shop couldn’t keep the secret, and news soon spread. Many, through the vague records on the bronze bell, speculated the approximate location, which should be in Li City.

Ye Fan stared at Daoist Duan De with a grim expression and said, "This news will spread quickly, and you actually have the nerve to sell it to me for ten thousand pounds of Source?"

Daoist Duan De, with a beaming face, said, "Once the news is out, it loses its value. Right now, the key is in being ’early.’ Knowing a day earlier gives you a few steps ahead. In my opinion, it’s worth ten thousand pounds of Source."

"You’re really full of nonsense." Ye Fan didn’t want to talk more with him.

The heart technique inheritance, a broken lineage, might very well be found here, reappearing in the world. Ye Fan was very tempted. He already possessed two of the Nine Secret Arts, and no one understood better than him just how terrifying these divine arts were. He would willingly trade ancient scriptures for another!

"Daoist Duan, your footprints are all over the world. I wonder if you have any other clues to seek out? How about we cooperate?" Yao Xi said with a smile.

"I’m afraid at the last moment you’ll have your Sacred Lands silence me," Daoist Duan De chuckled.

"How could that be? I’m just talking about us few; our backing forces haven’t arrived yet," Yao Xi smiled brilliantly.

"I have some clues in mind, and indeed, I need some helpers..." Daoist Duan De’s plump face showed a hint of excitement.

"Senior brother Haoyue, what do you think?" Yao Xi asked Jia Haoyue.

The future Divine King of the Ji Family wasn’t fond of Daoist Duan. However, he knew this fat Daoist was very mysterious and possessed some special means, so cooperating with him wouldn’t result in a loss.

"Alright." Ji Haoyue nodded.

Ji Ziyue wrinkled her delicate nose and said, "Daoist Duan, what clues do you have? What information have you gathered?"

"I know that a long time ago, a supreme figure once came to Li City seeking the Nine Secret Arts, and I know his route, more or less."

"You can even know the whereabouts of a supreme figure?" Ji Ziyue was skeptical.

"I found records of this in a rare ancient book, so naturally, I’m clear about it."

"So it must have been a long time ago," Yao Xi said in surprise.

Daoist Duan De nodded and said, "Yes, very long ago. It indirectly proves that Li City absolutely has the heart technique inheritance, except it has been lost for countless ages, likely buried underground."

"That supreme figure didn’t find the Nine Secret Arts, so what’s the point of the clues you know?" Ye Fan asked.

"He didn’t leave empty-handed; he left some highly valuable clues," Daoist Duan De answered with a laugh.

"Who exactly is this supreme figure you’re talking about?" Ji Haoyue frowned.

"The future Divine King of the Ji Family always doesn’t believe me. Alright, I’ll tell you. He is Gai Jiuyou from eight thousand years ago."

"What?!"

"Gai Jiuyou of the Central States..."

Everyone was shocked. That name was too resonant. Eight thousand years ago, Gai Jiuyou was renowned throughout the Central States, his fame even reaching the Eastern Wastelands. He was invincible in the world, and some even thought he might become a Great Emperor.

"In his later years, he came to our Eastern Wastelands. I think he most likely ended up buried in this land," Daoist Duan De replied.

Their expressions changed, all staring at Daoist Duan De, making him a little uneasy. "What are you looking at me like that for?"

"Daoist Duan, you didn’t happen to dig up Gai Jiuyou’s tomb, did you?"

"You’re assuming the worst of me. Am I such a person? How could I arbitrarily dig people’s tombs? Besides, where Gai Jiuyou died is unknown to all."

"Enough of this useless talk. Let’s seek out the Nine Secret Arts," Ji Haoyue said solemnly.

According to the record Daoist Duan De found, Gai Jiuyou indeed had come here and left behind valuable clues.

Fifteen thousand years ago, there was a very mysterious ancient family in Li State. They were extremely low-key and suspected of cultivating the Nine Secret Arts.

As the years passed, this ancient family has long vanished into history.

"There are many ancient tombs outside Li City. We don’t need to dig them all open; just find that ancient family’s burial grounds, and we might make astonishing discoveries."

As they left Li City, they saw many cultivators flocking to it.

Ye Fan first spotted Wu Zhongtian, Jiang Huairen, roving bandits, and Li Heishui, and then even saw traces of the Golden-winged Little Peng King.

This guy’s here too. Could it be to kill the Flickering Light Saint Heir and Ji Haoyue? he wondered. He knew well how dreadful the Golden-winged Little Peng King was.

In the suburbs of Li City, many shadows already haunted the burial grounds, causing Yao Xi to frown immediately.

Daoist Duan De said, "No worries. In these fifteen thousand years, Li City has relocated several times, and the tomb areas are widespread; they won’t find it."