Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 298 - Tricking The Holy Lands

“Just you? And you think you can make the two of us leave?!” Tu Fei squinted at Xia Jiuyou, his expression dark and unfriendly.

“Do you want me to flick you away with a single finger?” Xia Jiuyou said coldly.

Tu Fei nearly spat blood from anger. To be belittled by a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy made him want to kill.

“Even that so-called expert from Radiant Light wasn’t much. Do you think you’re better than him?” the white-clad boy sneered, as arrogant as ever.

The crowd fell into stunned silence. Xia Jiuyou was truly insufferably proud, utterly fearless of offending anyone. Even Li Rui of Radiant Light had been casually dismissed by him.

Tu Fei choked on his fury for a long while before snapping, “Your balls haven’t even dropped yet, what the fuck are you so arrogant about?!”

“Pffft.”

Everyone around burst out laughing. No one had expected Tu Fei to say such a thing in public. Xia Jiuyou’s face froze, then instantly went cold.

Tu Fei really was depressed. He felt he might actually lose to this boy. The other party was only thirteen or fourteen, yet his strength was frighteningly monstrous.

“Then let me see how powerful you really are!” the white-clad boy said icily.

“Why would I lower myself to spar with a child? I won’t bully you.” Tu Fei shamelessly tried to back out, truth was, he really was afraid of being thrashed.

“Fine, then I’ll bully you instead.” Xia Jiuyou stood up.

Tu Fei waved a hand. “Forget it. Since you insist, let’s have a contest of wits instead. Otherwise, looking at your delicate skin, prettier than a girl’s, if you got hurt, it’d be a pity.”

“How do we fight with words?” someone in the crowd jeered, eager for chaos.

“Of course, a battle of divine sense,” Tu Fei answered carelessly.

“That’s no ‘contest of wits’, that’s the most dangerous duel of all. Sounds like it’ll be a life-and-death battle.” The onlookers all grew tense, thinking Tu Fei had been pushed too far.

“Fine. If you want your spirit destroyed, I’ll grant your wish.” Xia Jiuyou calmly sat back down.

“If I strike, it would be bullying. Let my brother take the field.” Tu Fei clapped Ye Fan on the shoulder and pushed him forward.

“Too shameless, sending your own brother to die,” someone muttered under their breath.

“Why don’t the two of you come at me together?” Xia Jiuyou mocked.

“Brat, stop putting on airs. You can’t even handle one of us, let alone two,” Tu Fei boasted.

Killing intent flickered in Xia Jiuyou’s eyes, twin beams of light shooting forth so bright none dared look directly.

Zzzzt!

From between his brows burst a dazzling ray, more brilliant than a rainbow, lancing toward Tu Fei. The force of that spiritual will was frightening.

Clang!

From Ye Fan’s forehead shot a violet beam, like a divine sword drawn from its sheath, ringing with metallic resonance.

He deliberately concealed his golden divine sense. The Earth-Swapping Heaven-Changing Technique recorded in the Celestial Source Tome allowed him to change his aura and bearing.

Zzzzt!

Their divine senses clashed, tables and chairs around them silently crumbling to dust, reduced to ash. This was a battle where a single misstep could mean destruction of the spirit, eternal damnation.

Violet light met rainbow light in midair, a dazzling contest. Divine sense manifested like blades, deadlier than a real fight. Both foreheads glowed brilliantly.

The spectators’ hearts trembled. If such divine force swept over them, many would die instantly.

Clang, clang, clang!

Ye Fan’s divine sense transformed into a three-inch-tall violet figure, holding a war spear, like a tiny violet war god, advancing step by step to kill.

Xia Jiuyou’s divine sense became a rainbow figure holding a divine bell, ethereal and graceful. As the bell rang, waves of rainbow ripples rippled outward.

Divine sense taking human form to duel in the void, it was the most primal kind of combat, and many shuddered to watch.

Clang!

The violet figure fought ever more fiercely, like a god, thrusting its spear, then sweeping it wide.

The rainbow figure, nimble and airy, carried its divine bell. Unable to dodge, it raised the bell to block.

Dong!

A resonant peal rang out, and many felt their spirits sting, just being caught in the aftershock was unbearable.

Swish!

The two little figures separated, violet and rainbow lights streaking across the air to clash again.

“Stop!” At this moment, a gray-robed elder behind Xia Jiuyou suddenly intervened. From his brow shot a beam of murky gray light that swept toward Ye Fan’s divine sense.

The moment that aura spread, many upstairs turned pale, it felt like the end of the world. This divine sense was vast as an abyss, terrifying.

Swish!

In a flash, the violet figure retreated into Ye Fan’s forehead, which gleamed like jade.

“What do you mean by this?” Ye Fan asked in a low voice.

For an instant he had felt pinned by a wild beast. This old man was extremely dangerous, his divine sense no weaker than Ye Fan’s own.

“My young master is cultivating a divine art and cannot recklessly use his divine sense. So I put an end to this battle,” the gray-robed elder replied.

“My divine art isn’t yet complete, it is inconvenient.” Xia Jiuyou spoke, his black gemstone-like eyes blinking as he stared at Ye Fan. “You’ve surprised me. Your divine sense is strong. How much of your strength did you use? If it was more than sixty percent, then you’re not my match.”

Ye Fan only smiled, saying nothing, though inwardly he was startled. This boy was truly a monster. At his age, his full divine sense could probably rival Yao Xi’s.

Who could have trained such a freak? Was he truly the personal disciple of an ancient Sacred Lord?

After this clash, Xia Jiuyou’s expression eased somewhat. He no longer spoke of driving everyone away.

Many gazes turned toward Ye Fan. To fight Xia Jiuyou to a draw was shocking. That arrogant boy had changed his tune, astonishing everyone upstairs.

Absolute Dao Sacred Ground’s young priestess, Grand Ascension Sacred Ground’s Xiang Yifei, and the Ji Clan’s Ji Biyue all revealed curious expressions, their eyes lingering on Ye Fan.

“Boundless Heavenly Lord!”

An old Daoist arrived, climbing the stairs. He looked fifty or sixty, body dry and thin but spirit vibrant. A small goat beard, eyes like golden beads, he was no ordinary man, clearly a formidable cultivator.

“Daoist, you’ve finally come. Do you have definite news?” Ji Biyue asked sweetly.

“A monk does not speak falsehood. Very soon I will determine his whereabouts,” the old Daoist said solemnly.

Ye Fan and Tu Fei’s hearts leapt. They exchanged a glance, so this was the swindler targeting the Sacred Grounds?

“This ox-nose is a real talent,” Tu Fei ground out. “He even thought of deceiving the Sacred Grounds, more convincing than the real conman. He’s beating us to it.”

The old Daoist seemed wooden and taciturn, answering only when asked, simple and honest, nothing like a schemer.

Ye Fan nodded, secretly transmitting, “If he fools the Sacred Grounds before we act, we’ll have no chance. We only get one shot.”

Tu Fei fumed, “Look at that ox-nose, so honest-looking. Damn, I really want to slap him!”

“Boundless Heavenly Lord. I truly don’t know his location. The time has not yet come. Even if you gave me source stones now, I wouldn’t accept them,” the old Daoist said earnestly.

“I really want to hit him. What a villain, acting so sincere. People even offered him source stones, and he sternly refused!” Tu Fei was enraged.

“He’s setting up for a huge con. A few source stones? He wouldn’t even glance at them,” Ye Fan admitted, impressed. “This old Daoist is a real talent, posing as a guileless man, refusing bribes, all while preparing to fleece everyone.”

Half an hour later, the crowd dispersed. Only Ye Fan remained seated. Tu Fei urged, “Quick, let’s follow, see how this ox-nose pulls his trick.”

“Following is useless. If he dared to come, he has a backup plan,” Ye Fan shook his head. He went to the chair the Daoist had sat in, swept his sleeve, and stowed it away.

“Why take the chair? You think you can trace him with that?” Tu Fei was puzzled.

“We can’t, but the dog surely can.” Ye Fan smiled.

Tu Fei clapped and laughed. “The dog’s nose is the best. That damned mutt will definitely manage.”

They lingered in the city, gathering information. They learned the Ji Clan had three Grand Elders present, Radiant Light had also dispatched experts, and even Primordial Beginning Sacred Ground had sent an elder.

And those were only the ones rumored. Who knew how many other powers or rogue cultivators had arrived?

Absolute Dao’s priestess was here, Grand Ascension’s Xiang Yifei, and even the heir of Purple Mansion Sacred Ground. It was unclear if their Grand Elders had come as well.

“The Motherly Energy of All Things is too tempting. A swarm of old monsters has arrived. This is trouble,” Tu Fei muttered.

Ye Fan frowned too. He had planned to act while the Sacred Lords were distracted by the ancient scroll, but hadn’t expected so many to come.

The old Daoist’s scheme to trick the Sacred Grounds overlapped with his own plans, giving him a headache.

“Should we move before that ox-nose does?” Tu Fei asked.

Ye Fan thought for a while. “We can’t act. I suspect even some Sacred Lords themselves might come. The risk is too great.”

“So we just sit by and watch that cunning ox-nose swindle them?” Tu Fei was indignant.

Ye Fan stroked his chin, then smiled. “It’s perfect that he’s here. Let him do all the work. In the end, we just seize the source stones. We only need to keep track of him.”

Tu Fei’s eyes lit up, and he laughed loudly. “Let him perform, we’ll take the prize. But we must track his every move to strike at the right moment.”

Ye Fan nodded. “We’ll have to rely on the dog’s nose.”

“And we still need a reliable plan to thrash that Xia Jiuyou kid,” Tu Fei grumbled, unwilling to let go.

An hour later, Ye Fan and Tu Fei returned to the mountains. Autumn wind blew, yellow leaves swirled, the valley bleak.

In a gorge, the black dog lay sprawled, panting heavily. He had just finished carving Dao Runes, enough to traverse the void.

“Just a few lines carved, and you’re worn out like this?” Tu Fei mocked.

“You know nothing!” the dog snapped without even looking at him.

These two had never gotten along. From their first man-dog ass-biting battle until now, every meeting ended in squabbling.

“What exactly did you carve?” Ye Fan asked in surprise.

The black dog puffed up. “I carved a set of linked Dao Runes. Even if someone locks the void, even if some almighty figure chases us, I’m not afraid.”

“How far can you jump?” Ye Fan asked.

“I just tested it, sixty thousand miles,” the dog declared.

“You’re lying! You went sixty thousand miles away and back in this short time?” Tu Fei’s jaw dropped.

Ye Fan’s forehead darkened. “...Did you burn through all the source stones I gave you?!”

“Do you even know what an inter-linked Dao Rune is? I had to do over a dozen mid-way transfers, constantly hopping through the void to lay the teleportation formation,” the dog retorted indignantly.

Ye Fan and Tu Fei wanted to smack him. That mutt had burned through their pile of source stones, half of them probably into his stomach.

“Unreliable dog!” Tu Fei cursed.

“Woof!” The dog lunged at him.

“Stop,” Ye Fan pulled them apart. “Did you set any traps along the way? We might face terrifying opponents this time.”

“Relax. If any big shot chases, I’ll make him suffer. I’ve had bad luck following you, but this time I’ve gone all out. Even if a God-King comes, he won’t catch me,” the dog growled.

“Since you say so, maybe we can lure Xia Jiuyou and trap him, skin him alive,” Tu Fei said.

“Should be doable.” Ye Fan nodded. Then he pulled out the chair with a sweep of his sleeve. “Now I need you to find someone for me.”

“What do you mean?” the dog asked, puzzled.

“He wants to use your nose to sniff a man,” Tu Fei explained.

“Woof!” The dog pounced, sparking another man-dog brawl.

“Damn mutt, I was telling the truth!” Tu Fei screamed.

“Stop! We’re not swindling the Sacred Grounds ourselves. We need to find this man,” Ye Fan quickly explained.

“What did you say?!” The black dog grew more upset. “I worked my ass off carving all these Dao Runes, and now you’re telling me we won’t even use them?!”

“They’ll be our lifeline when we retreat,” Ye Fan reassured quickly, or else the dog would rebel.

The black dog calmed down. “Another ox-nose? These bastards are all scum. Still, you’re quite shameless, letting me do the work while you sit back. But I like it, hehe…”

“Don’t laugh so disgustingly.”

The dog snickered, tail wagging. Sniffing the chair, he frowned. “Pure godpower, very pure.”

The Black Emperor transformed into a cat, then followed Ye Fan and Tu Fei back to Mountain Rock City. Starting from the tavern, he began tracking.

The trail went smoothly until a cliff, where the dog stopped. “Gone.”

“Hidden here?” Tu Fei asked.

“No. He seems to have… shattered here,” the dog said, confused.

“What nonsense are you spouting-”

Suddenly the dog stiffened. “I understand. That wasn’t a real person.”

“What then, some kind of spirit?” Ye Fan asked.

“He was a God-Spirit born from someone’s Dao Palace, using an ancient method from over a hundred thousand years ago. To avoid being tracked, he dissolved himself here, scattered into the world, then reformed his body dozens of miles away,” the dog judged.

“That powerful?” Ye Fan and Tu Fei were shocked.

“Yes. I sensed that aura. He’s no ordinary figure,” the dog confirmed.

“We must see who he is,” Ye Fan said firmly.

They tracked for dozens of miles, searching heaven and earth, until at last they found the trail again.

The dog’s nose was unmatched. With the faintest trace, he could lock on, and they followed relentlessly.

It was the pure godpower left by a Dao Palace God-Spirit. They knew they were close.

They pursued over three thousand miles, deeper into the mountains, until the dog halted.

“Damn, I smell something familiar,” the dog said.

“Familiar?”

“Yes. Besides the godpower, I smell the man’s true aura. He’s someone we know,” the dog replied.

“What, someone we know?!” Ye Fan and Tu Fei were stunned.

“Don’t get close. This one is very dangerous. We can only watch from afar,” the dog warned.

Half an hour later, the three hid in a secret spot, peering toward a distant mountain peak.

“He looks exactly like you!” Tu Fei exclaimed.

Ye Fan frowned. On that peak, another “him” was carving something.

“That’s the ox-nose I bit back in the Emperor’s tomb, it’s his aura, without a doubt,” the dog said.

“That damned fatty!” Ye Fan couldn’t believe it. It was Duan De!

“What? That shameless Daoist? Didn’t Grandpa Wu Dao chase him toward Middle Continent? How did he come back alive?!” Tu Fei was shocked.

“That fat fuck…” Ye Fan gnashed his teeth. Truly worthy of the name “Shameless Daoist”, he dared scam anyone, even now scheming against the Sacred Grounds.

Tu Fei cursed too. “We’ve finally caught him. We’ll make him pay! That scum is fearless beyond belief!”

Ye Fan almost vomited blood. This damned Daoist never ceased his antics, even impersonating him to swindle people! “Using my face to scam, how dare he?!”

Tu Fei snarled, “That bastard blocked our path, and now he’s exploiting your likeness. I’ve never seen a more shameless Daoist.”

“What’s he carving, Dao Runes too?” Ye Fan wondered.

The black dog nodded. “Yes. They’re quite unusual, though he’s clumsy and slow at it.”

Ye Fan rubbed his chin. “I want to crush that fatty. When he leaves, Black Emperor, sneak over and alter his runes. Let’s see him stranded in the void.”

“That could kill him,” the dog said, but chuckled wickedly anyway.

“When the Sacred Grounds surround him, he won’t be able to escape,” Tu Fei laughed darkly.

At that moment, five figures emerged from Duan De’s body, helping him carve the Dao Runes. Among them was the dry, wooden-faced, honest-looking Daoist they had seen earlier.

“Now I finally understand why I wanted to smack that wooden Daoist. Turns out he was this damned fatty’s Dao Palace God-Spirit…”