Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 307 - Too Much Bullying

Around the great cauldron, the grasses and trees flourished, sprouting leaves, full of vitality and vigor. This was a pure land brimming with life and hope. Chanting resounded deep in the mountains, mantra recitations and prayers rising and falling, as though it truly was the Desolate Era, with several ancient emperors discussing the Dao.

On the twenty-first day, the great cauldron grew hazy. Though the Dao scriptures still echoed, they had already become different, and this stretch of mountains seemed infused with an indescribable aura.

Tu Fei and the black dog raised their eyes and looked around, lush greenery everywhere, as if midsummer had arrived, vines and vegetation thriving to the utmost.

Above the Motherly Energy Cauldron, Ye Fan sat cross-legged. He had finally appeared; this seclusion was ending.

He opened his eyes, divine radiance shooting out like true dragons, sharper than lightning.

But in the next instant, he calmed, descending lightly to the ground, blending into the surrounding scenery, as though one with the plants and trees.

The chanting ceased. The cauldron shrank to only a meter high, floating above his head. Ye Fan carried the God-Striking Whip, standing quietly, serene and natural.

No oppressive aura, no ethereal demeanour, only a natural presence. He looked like a bright, 16-year-old boy next door, standing cheerfully in the clearing.

One could not sense his power; he didn’t resemble a cultivator, only a mortal youth of flesh and blood, with a harmonious air about him.

“Finally out of seclusion, entering the Fourth Stage of the Dao Palace, not far from great completion,” Tu Fei laughed.

The black dog circled around him, drooling, saying: “I’ve heard once the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique reaches Minor Completion, its blood becomes different, a divine treasure for alchemy. Kid, how about giving me some blood?”

Tu Fei shot it a glance and said, “Sure. Tonight, prepare a toilet, leave it by Ye Fan. Tomorrow collect the Sacred Liquid. The effect will be greater.”

“Woof!”

Man and dog clashed, the two of them spent half their time bickering.

“Stop fighting,” Ye Fan intervened.

This time, he had indeed entered the Fourth Stage of the Dao Palace, as he had anticipated, cultivating the Spleen’s Divine Treasury, aligned with the element of Earth, reversing the Five Elements in building his Dao Palace.

The Spleen's Divine Treasury governs transformation, manages essence and blood, distributes nourishment, is the source of life essence and blood production, moistens organs and bones, and is the foundation of postnatal existence.

This Divine Treasury was crucial, birthing many of the needs of the body. Ye Fan felt his life essence and blood surge even stronger, his flesh reaching a terrifying resilience.

Now he feared no blades or weapons. Any treasure or artifact, he could resist with his body and smash apart with a single punch. Unless a weapon was extraordinary, it was useless against him.

Tu Fei tested him by summoning a treasure, but under Ye Fan’s golden fist it shattered into dust, leaving nothing behind.

“I think anyone fighting you physically is doomed. Only ranged attacks would work!” Tu Fei concluded.

This time, Ye Fan refined 50,000 Kg of source plus one Godsource, exceeding all expectations. The results were evident. Even without testing, he knew the terrifying strength he now possessed.

“This feeling… truly is wonderful…”

Ye Fan and his companions did not leave the prefecture immediately. Two days later, they arrived at the last cliff, the stronghold of the last of the Five Great Bandit Gangs.

Stone cliffs stretched in sheets, jagged peaks everywhere, stone forests rising, the place silent and desolate.

Within this rocky land, a main peak loomed tall, home of the fifth gang. Figures moved upon it, the stronghold of no small scale.

Under the starry night, winds whistled through the cliffs, producing ghostly sounds. Ye Fan and Tu Fei climbed the main peak under cover of darkness.

Outside the stockade, two large banners snapped in the wind. Several cultivators clutched wine jars, drinking merrily, oblivious to the intruders.

Ye Fan and Tu Fei did not strike immediately, but slipped into the stockade, aiming to kill the bandit chief directly. Firelight flickered on the mountain, the stronghold bustling with noise.

Many drank and feasted, wine fragrance drifting far, bonfires gathered with crowds, drums and music playing. Carefree and indulgent, they reveled.

Above, a few young maidens danced in the moonlight, ethereal like fairies from the Moon Palace.

Immortal music floated, the scene oddly peaceful.

“This stockade is indeed no small affair, even having female cultivators sing and dance.”

Ye Fan strode in with the God-Striking Whip on his back, Tu Fei at his side. The black dog waited outside, unseen.

“What audacity!” Suddenly, by a bonfire, a cold shout rang out: “Fools who court death, you’ve finally shown yourselves. Not in vain that we waited twenty days!”

A crowd filed out from the inner stronghold, while more rose from the bonfires, quickly surrounding them.

Ye Fan’s true face was shrouded in mist, no disguise technique used. He and Tu Fei stood shoulder to shoulder.

“So it was you two who wiped out all the bandits in Tranquil Prefecture?” A middle-aged man, about thirty-five or thirty-six, gazed at them coldly.

Tu Fei was startled, this was a cultivator of the Four Pillars Realm, no weaker than himself. He retorted, “They were steeped in blood and sin, and deserved their fate. Were they yours, by chance?”

“You ruined my lord’s affairs. Even if skinned alive, you could not atone,” the man growled.

Tu Fei, being the descendant of a Warlord, never lowered his voice. He barked back, “And who are you? In the Northern Region, no one dares threaten me like that!”

The man sneered: “You scattered all of Tranquil Prefecture’s bandits, and now act arrogant? Do you think I can’t skin you alive?”

“Chen De, show some respect. That’s the direct grandson of Lord Heaven-Massacre. Hurry and apologize.”

At that moment, an androgynous voice floated from within.

From the inner stockade came two cultivators of the Dao Palace Realm, carrying a soft chair. A dozen experts flanked them.

On the chair lounged a pale, effeminate youth, swirling a wine cup. Four maidens attended him; one wiped his lips with a silk scarf.

He waved slightly, sending the women back, and tossed his wine cup aside.

“Brother Tu, long time no see,” the effeminate youth greeted.

“You... Xu Yuan!” Tu Fei’s face darkened.

“Who is he?” Ye Fan asked quietly.

“A vile character hard to provoke. Grandson of the third Warlord Xu Tianxiong. Extremely pampered, rotten to the core, never did a good deed!” Tu Fei muttered.

“Strong?” Ye Fan pressed.

Tu Fei whispered, “Not particularly. Likely in the Fifth Stage of the Dao Palace. But his grandfather Xu Tianxiong is monstrously powerful, ranked above the mighty Azure Flood Dragon Monarch. No one dares offend him. Worse, his elder brother Xu Heng is the foremost expert among the thirteen Bandit Princes, even suppressing Wu Zhongtian. This one, Xu Yuan, is reckless, vengeful, and depraved, he’s even laid hands on women of Desolate Ancient Clans.”

Ye Fan frowned. A classic villain, hard to deal with, backed by power and connections.

Tu Fei added: “If possible, best avoid conflict. He never forgets grudges.”

“Brother Tu, do you bear me ill will? Today we meet, why so cold?” Xu Yuan asked lightly.

Though Tu Fei disliked him, he replied, “How could that be? Just surprised to see you here.”

“Hmph!” Xu Yuan snorted, sitting up, glaring: “You came to Tranquil Prefecture and slaughtered all my men?”

Tu Fei said, “A misunderstanding. I saw them burning and plundering, committing atrocities. I never imagined they were yours.”

“You accuse me then?” Xu Yuan’s eyes glinted. He gestured, and a maiden served him wine.

“The Thirteen Warlords still follow a code. As their heirs, we should not act otherwise,” Tu Fei argued.

Crack!

Xu Yuan smashed his jade cup on the ground, face dark: “You meddle too much. Don’t think being a Bandit Prince keeps me from killing you!”

“You motherfu-!” Tu Fei’s temper flared. He was stronger than Xu Yuan and prepared to fight.

Four figures shot forward, blocking him, murderous intent thick.

“Stand down,” Xu Yuan sighed. “Forget it. My temper is hot. Though you killed so many of my men, though you ruined my foundation here, I’ll endure it, because our families are old allies.”

Tu Fei blinked, Xu Yuan, the infamous petty, vindictive villain, acting magnanimous? Impossible. Soon he realized the ploy.

Xu Yuan tapped his soft chair with slender fingers, his tone icy: “Because of our ties, I won’t pursue you. But him, I cannot forgive.” He fixed his eyes on Ye Fan.

“Xu Yuan, you’re scheming against him. Surely you know who he is?” Tu Fei said coldly, realizing Xu Yuan wanted the sacred treasure.

Xu Yuan sneered, “I don’t care who he is. He killed too many of my people. Today, I must suppress him.”

Ye Fan understood, Xu Yuan had deduced his identity from Tu Fei. He revealed his true face and said, “What do you want?”

“What do I want? You took so many lives. Naturally, your life must pay!” Xu Yuan’s tone was venomous.

Tu Fei stepped forward: “He’s my friend. If you want him, count me in.”

“Don’t force me, Tu Fei. Old ties or not, he destroyed my foundation here. Today, I must take his life!” Xu Yuan’s face was grim.

“And if I refuse?” Tu Fei’s voice sank.

“Then forgive me. I’ll tie you up, and deliver you before Lord Heaven-Massacre. But him, I will kill.” Xu Yuan smiled, sipping wine.

“Then I’ll fight you.” Tu Fei’s voice was icy.

“I don’t want us to fight. Let me step back once more…” Xu Yuan leaned into his chair. “Let him apologize. But with sincerity.”

“What sincerity?” Tu Fei asked.

The Four Pillars Realm cultivator, Chen De, stepped up: “Naturally, kowtow and beg forgiveness. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a joke?”

“Indeed, it should have some sincerity,” Xu Yuan smirked.

“He has the Motherly Energy Cauldron. He robbed us of so much. Let him hand it over.” Another Four Pillars cultivator spoke.

“Good.” Xu Yuan reclined, voice calm: “Let him kowtow, and present the Cauldron. I’ll spare his life, and let him go.”

“Too much bullying!” Tu Fei roared.

“You’re sure you’ve got me cornered?” Ye Fan’s voice was steady, a cold smile tugging at his lips. Striding forward, the entire mountain quaked.