Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 296 - Xia Jiuyou

An autumn wind swept through, scattering yellow leaves and chilling the mountains and rivers.

The Northern Region was a land of bitter cold. The seasons shifted harshly, with autumn and winter lasting long. For half the year, it was lifeless, nothing but withering and frost.

In Chaos Cloud Prefecture, the mountain ranges stretched endlessly, one after another, with hardly a flat piece of land to be found. Peaks pierced the heavens, high enough to brush against the drifting clouds, thus the prefecture had earned its name.

“I think this prefecture isn’t bad,” Ye Fan said.

Tu Fei nodded. “The mountains are steep, the terrain rugged, definitely a good place to take refuge.”

Chaos Cloud Prefecture lay eleven or twelve days’ travel from the Celestial City. Separated from Fire Cloud Prefecture by one oasis and two stretches of red-brown desert, it had taken them half a month of scouting before deciding this was the place to make their move, and wait to be “discovered.”

The Black Emperor hid among the mountain ridges, busy carving Dao Runes, while Ye Fan and Tu Fei wandered about, gathering information on the prefecture.

Mountain Rock City, though nestled deep within the mountains, was the central city of Chaos Cloud Prefecture. With no flat ground for construction, it had been built among the rugged terrain itself.

The city wasn’t grand. Its streets were paved with mountain rock, and the old roads were lined with trees now almost bare, yellow leaves tumbling in the chill of autumn.

Ye Fan walked along the narrow stone street, circling the city, and quickly picked up much local gossip.

The Supreme Giants of the sacred lands were all deeply absorbed by that ancient scroll. Their attention was fixed entirely on Purple Mountain, with each faction constantly deducing and calculating, hoping to one day open it smoothly.

Ye Fan climbed to a tavern, ordered a pot of aged wine and a few small dishes, pouring for himself while eavesdropping on the conversations of cultivators.

“The Celestial City has cut out another treasure, a rare item, I heard, bought up by the royal clan of the Middle Continent.”

“Plenty of people are still searching for that Ye Fan. Any clues? Don’t forget, he’s worth fifty thousand kilo of source.”

“Fifty thousand? Too little! Think about what he carries, the Motherly Energy of All Things. That’s a priceless treasure, something that would tempt even an ancient emperor.”

“All the big shots are studying Purple Mountain. Looks like there’ll be a huge upheaval before long.”

“Many prodigies from the sacred grounds have come, not just from Radiant Light and the Ji Clan. No matter how vast the Northern Region is, there’s no place for him to hide. The Motherly Energy of All Things is destined to fall into their hands.”

“Truth is, many elders are also searching for that boy named Ye. They just don’t make it obvious. The Motherly Energy is simply too precious.”

“Remember, the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique once reigned supreme, sweeping all before him. But now, this so-called body has stopped at the Dao Palace realm. If he’d grown further, competing with the Sons and Daughters of the Sacred Grounds, the Eastern Wilderness would be unimaginably lively.”

Ye Fan’s heart stirred. He heard many names, both of the younger generation and of veterans, all had come to the Northern Region, their eyes on his cauldron.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Measured footsteps resounded, as if striking the hearts of everyone upstairs, their pulse echoing with the sound.

Many felt a sudden tightness in their chest, as though their throat was being constricted and their breath controlled.

At the stairway, a boy of thirteen or fourteen appeared. Dressed in spotless white, his black hair glossy, his skin pale as snow, his eyes like dark gemstones, lips red and teeth white, strikingly handsome, almost to the point of demonic charm.

“What Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique? What so-called invincible peer? In my eyes, he’s just a mongrel. If I ever meet him, I’ll drag him back as my slave.”

The youth’s looks were like a jade tree in bloom, yet his words were unbearably arrogant, drawing frowns all around.

Behind him followed two elderly men, gray-robed, stooped with age, looking every bit the loyal old servants.

One of them stepped forward, chose a table, wiped it carefully with his sleeve until spotless, then allowed the youth to sit. The two old men stood behind him, heads slightly bowed.

“Whose child is this? What kind of upbringing? At such a young age, spouting such wild talk without restraint. Doesn’t he fear straying down the wrong path?” Though most could guess this youth’s identity was extraordinary, someone couldn’t help but rebuke him.

“Am I wrong?” the youth asked coolly, glancing over without much interest.

“Child, better speak humbly. Many geniuses die young.”

“Hmph!” The youth snorted, like a great bell ringing, making many cough blood and struggle with their essence. “The Sacred Physique is overhyped. Even tens of thousands of years ago, it wasn’t necessarily unbeatable.”

Among the gathered travelers, there were of course strong cultivators. One immediately retorted: “In those days, the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique swept all foes, that’s an undeniable fact. Even now, that ‘crippled body’ has shown power beyond ordinary, and almost no one of the same realm can suppress him.”

The white-clad boy sneered. “Cripple or sacred, it makes no difference. He’s meant to be used.”

“You’re talking bigger and bigger, little brother. How old are you? What right do you have to defeat the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique? Even crippled, he’s nearly unmatched among his peers.” Someone tried to provoke him.

“A frog in a well cannot fathom the sky. I can kill him just the same.” The boy’s voice was icy.

“What exactly is your background, to have such confidence in beating the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique?” someone asked in shock.

“Raised in the mountains, just a commoner. What need is there to rely on lineage to defeat a so-called Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique? He’s really nothing.” The youth’s tone was cold.

The Eastern Wilderness was vast, filled with deep mountains and rivers where hidden masters resided. It wasn’t impossible. Many nodded, thinking this boy perhaps really came from some obscure but terrifying lineage.

Someone reached out with divine sense to test the boy’s cultivation, but before even nearing him, it was as if struck by lightning.

One of the two gray-robed servants’ eyes flashed with light, shooting out terrifying beams that forced back seven or eight probing divine senses at once.

“Who dares spout such arrogance? Not afraid the wind will slice your tongue?” Tu Fei came upstairs, found a table, and glanced toward Ye Fan.

They had entered the city separately to gather information, only now both arriving at this tavern. Tu Fei looked the youth over and asked, “And your name is?”

“Xia Jiuyou.”

Tu Fei, son of a Warlord, never feared the sacred grounds, let alone a mere boy. “I’ve heard of Gai Jiuyou, but never Xia Jiuyou.”

Eight thousand years ago, Gai Jiuyou had defeated every opponent in the Middle Continent. Many thought he would become a Grand Emperor, but he vanished into the Eastern Wilderness, disappearing ever since.

“From now on, you’ll remember my name.” Xia Jiuyou sneered.

“You look down on all beneath heaven. Why don’t I spar a few moves with you?” Tu Fei squinted at him.

“You’re not worth my time. I came out this time for the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique.” Xia Jiuyou didn’t even glance at him.

Tu Fei itched to slap the boy to death, but restrained himself. “Did the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique offend you somehow?”

“He didn’t need to. I read in an ancient text that Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique blood can be refined into medicine. I came to make a divine pill.”

“Young heroes indeed,” Ye Fan spoke up, pouring himself another cup. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to thrash the boy. Never before had he met someone so brazen, still just a youth, yet already talking about refining his Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique into medicine.

“You’re also hunting the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique? The Ji Clan and Radiant Light are offering bounties. If you have clues, what price will you pay?” Tu Fei asked slyly.

“Whatever they pay, I’ll pay.” Xia Jiuyou answered coldly.

At this, everyone upstairs was shaken. This boy wasn’t from any sacred land, so where did he get such resources? The two great sacred grounds had placed the bounty at fifty thousand kilo of source. How could a mere youth afford that?

All eyes turned to him, astonished. His background had to be extraordinary.

“Fifty thousand kilo is no small sum,” Ye Fan said lazily.

“You can afford it?” Tu Fei pressed.

“It’s a lot, but not beyond me.” Xia Jiuyou’s voice was flat.

“Could it be he’s the disciple of some old Sacred Lord who wandered into the wilderness late in life?” Some speculated.

“Heh…” A clear laugh rang out. Fragrance wafted as a tall, voluptuous girl ascended the stairs, her green dress flowing, her headdress glowing with rainbow light, every movement enchanting, eyes rippling like water.

Ji Biyue!

Ye Fan’s heart jolted. She was one of the Ji Clan’s three great prodigies of the younger generation, second only to Ji Haoyue. Though seductive and charming, she was ruthless, the sort who would even kill her own kin.

Xia Jiuyou asked coldly, “And you are?”

“Your servant, Ji Biyue.” Her smile was dazzling, leaving many entranced.

“So you’ll contend with me for the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique?” Xia Jiuyou asked.

“There’s no ‘contend’ or ‘not contend.’ He killed my clan’s elder, I only want him dead.” Her smile was sweet as honey.

“But I may not kill him. I want his blood for my pill. I’ll make him my slave.” Xia Jiuyou said.

Tu Fei sent a secret voice transmission to Ye Fan: “See this punk? He’s got me fuming. What’s his deal? How do we whoop his ass?”

Ye Fan, calm, replied via transmission: “Don’t act rashly. Finish the big plan first, then we’ll beat the crap out of him later. He probably really has a powerful background.”

Footsteps sounded again. A young man in blue climbed the stairs, dignified, with restrained aura and eyes occasionally flashing with divine light.

“Brother Li Rui of Radiant Light, you’ve come too,” Ji Biyue said with a smile.

This was a Four Pillars realm expert, a top prodigy of Radiant Light. With the Radiant Light Saint taken by Ye Fan, he was a strong candidate to be named the new one.

“Seems we’ve all received the same message, someone is selling to us simultaneously.” Li Rui smiled.

Tu Fei’s appearance had changed long ago, though not as thoroughly as Ye Fan’s. Still, he wasn’t worried about recognition, none of these people had met them directly.

Through secret voice, he said to Ye Fan: “Damn, which bastard is feeding them info? Maybe someone’s trying to trap them, like us, and we just happened to cross paths?”

Ye Fan too was uneasy. Both Radiant Light and Ji Clan members had converged here, this was no coincidence.

“No matter who else comes, the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique is mine. He will be my slave,” Xia Jiuyou declared coldly.

“This kid needs to be chopped into pieces first. Didn’t he say he has fifty thousand kilo of source? Let’s rob him!” Tu Fei muttered viciously.

Ye Fan also longed to beat him bloody. This Xia Jiuyou was too arrogant. Yet, with the way he dared to contend even with the sacred grounds, his background was surely deep.