Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 531: Chapter 536 Gathering of Heroes

The earth-shattering news spread quickly through the Domain Gates, reaching all parts instantly and causing widespread chaos. Many Great Sects were left stunned.

This catastrophic disaster was tantamount to a world-shaking massacre. Numerous significant figures fell, causing a veritable earthquake in the Eastern Wastelands.

“Did you know? The Ancient Kings are about to emerge. Soon, the world will change, and the Sacred Lands may no longer be supreme.”

“Even pinnacle Saint Masters can be slain. Those ancient creatures are terrifying. In those distant Ancient Times, they were the true rulers of this land.”

The news that ancient creatures were about to appear spread as if on wings, quickly traversing the boundless land and making many uneasy.

Even after endless ages, the human race still possessed records indicating that these ancient creatures were not opponents ordinary cultivators could face.

“Rumor has it this catastrophe was caused by the sacred body, Ye Fan. This kid is truly a jinx!”

The name “Ye Fan” became a frequent term on people’s lips; whenever this matter was mentioned, he was inevitably brought up.

“Heroic Lords have died one after another; the Eastern Wastelands will not be calm anytime soon. Is all of this related to that jinx?”

The full truth was not yet understood, but it was widely believed to be largely associated with Ye Fan, and everyone discussed it in shock.

The blood of heroes stained the Dragon Nest, sparking a massive wave of discussion. All cultivators were fervently debating it; every corner buzzed with the topic.

“Did all of this happen because of the sacred body? It’s truly astounding and unbelievable!”

“Let’s wait for more news. If it really is this jinx, then the Eastern Wastelands will no longer have a place for him!”

People continued to discuss. Many cultivators sought the truth, waiting for the Sacred Lands and those top-tier Great Sects to make their move.

Finally, someone from Wanchu Sacred Land was the first to step forward. A Grand Elder, speaking in a personal capacity, declared his intent to utterly destroy Ye Fan, body and soul.

Subsequently, powerful figures from Purple Mansion Sacred Land, True Demon Hall, the Northern Plains Golden Family, Piaomiao Peak, and the Central States Yin Yang Sect all declared they would slay the sacred body.

At this moment, who couldn’t understand that this calamity was definitely stirred by Ye Fan? Otherwise, the many Great Sects wouldn’t be so furious, one by one declaring their intent to kill him.

“This young Ye is incredibly audacious, daring to provoke Heroic Lords from all factions. Truly formidable for one so young.”

“That all of this was triggered by a mere junior cultivator was truly shocking.”

“He’s incredibly bold, causing such a calamity and resulting in the deaths of so many Heroic Lords!”

“This… it’s hard to believe. This young Ye is terrifying, to have sparked such a disaster. He truly lives up to his reputation as a jinx!”

People were dumbfounded, nearly unable to believe it all.

Soon, people discovered something peculiar: although many Great Sects had members fiercely declare their intent to slay Ye Fan, these declarations were all made in a personal capacity, not officially by the sects themselves.

As of yet, no supreme Sect Hierarchs or major forces had made a decisive move to issue an official pursuit order.

“Those Great Sects must be in the wrong somehow, or they wouldn’t choose to remain so restrained!”

“This is quite interesting. Could it be that this time the Sacred Lands and those supreme Great Sects suffered a loss they couldn’t speak of, unable to justify their position?”

Many people’s inner flames of gossip burned brightly. Eager for turmoil, they did their utmost to uncover every detail.

This matter could not be concealed. Far too many people had attended the Yaochi Grand Gathering; it was impossible to silence so many voices, and so, everything leaked out.

“The Heroic Lords forced his hand, so young Ye led them into the slumbering place of an Ancient King!”

As the metaphorical fog gradually lifted and the truth emerged, people were dumbfounded. They could only blame those individuals for insisting on charging into that Desolate Land.

“Logically speaking, these people brought it upon themselves and got what they deserved. However, they’re unlikely to let this rest so easily!”

“How rare! For these Great Sects to suffer such a loss they couldn’t speak of, haha…”

Cultivators across the Eastern Wastelands discussed the matter, knowing that these Great Sects had suffered a tremendous loss and would surely seek to kill someone in retaliation.

Merely two days later, numerous powerful figures at Jade Lake began to voice their demands, calling for Ye Fan to come forth for a confrontation and clarify the matter.

“Confrontation? What a joke! Let them stew in their own frustration and go mad!” the Black Emperor laughed heartily.

Ye Fan had no intention of going out. He decided to continue his secluded cultivation; such a matter couldn’t be clarified even if he tried. He understood their feelings—they likely wanted to tear out his tendons and break his bones.

The Wanchu Sacred Land, Purple Mansion Sacred Land, Central States Yin Yang Sect, and Northern Plains Golden Family were all furious. They officially declared that if Ye Fan did not appear to offer an explanation, a Killing Order would be issued.

“Brother Heishui, Brother Trouble, have your grandfathers protect the pitiful little girl. Absolutely no mistakes can be made.” Ye Fan only had this one concern; everything else was irrelevant.

“Indeed! Let those Sacred Lands continue their bluster. Yelling themselves hoarse will do no good—we’re not going!” the big black dog cackled.

“Rest assured, they won’t act rashly. After all, we’re in Jade Lake; the pitiful little girl will be fine,” Wu Zhongtian and the others said.

The people from those few undying legacies were indeed furious. However, Ye Fan had no intention of appearing, treating their words as inconsequential as floating clouds, utterly unfearful of their so-called Killing Order.

“If Ye Fan does not appear soon, then from this day forward, he will be killed without mercy!” Finally, a Sacred Land roared in fury, its voice echoing throughout the Eastern Wastelands.

Ye Fan sneered disdainfully, utterly indifferent. He believed that as long as his power grew significantly, to the point of reaching the Saint Master Realm, he would fear no one and could roam the world unfettered.

However, a few days later, Liu Kou brought news that made Ye Fan frown. The old Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect had asked Liu Kou’s grandfather to relay a message.

“My Life Essence is draining. Soon I will return to the dust, and I no longer fear anything,” the old Sect Hierarch said kindly, looking at the pitiful little girl beside him.

“That old bastard!” Ye Fan fumed. The old Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect was trying to force him to submit and go to Jade Lake.

“I am still young! Though the pitiful little girl is unwell, I am confident I can found an immortal Dynasty! And, of course, destruction is always easier than construction!” This was Ye Fan’s fierce response, which he had Liu Kou and the others relay back.

“My time is short. Once I die, what do I care if the world is drowned in a deluge? I shall wait peacefully.” This was the message the supreme old Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect had them bring back.

At the same time, several Sacred Lands and top Great Sects also voiced their grim determination, threatening to issue a Killing Order soon.

“The Queen Mother of the West from Jade Lake wants to take the pitiful little girl, but the old Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect refuses to budge, not letting the little girl leave his side for even half a step,” Jiang Huairen said with a frown.

“He doesn’t have much time left; he won’t live much longer. If this old fiend decides to go to extremes… His chosen successor already died in the Dragon Nest. This is truly dire,” Li Heishui worried, fearing he might harm the pitiful little girl.

Ye Fan stood on a sheer cliff, gazing into the distance. He stood silently for a long time before turning around and saying, “I’ll take a trip to Jade Lake.”

“Absolutely not! If you go, Sacred Lands like Wanchu and Purple Mansion will surely flay you alive!” Wu Zhongtian and the others tried to stop him.

“Don’t worry, I won’t walk into a deathtrap.” Ye Fan asked the Black Emperor to carve Array Patterns and then went to the former lands of the Celestial Jade Sect to see if he could find the old madman.

However, they were disappointed. This Heaven-Reaching Land was utterly tranquil. Ancient Wood reached for the sky, and the rustling of falling leaves was audible, but there was no trace of the old madman, nor any response to their calls.

“Since the Saints of this era cannot be summoned, I will bring Saints from an ancient era to Jade Lake! If they dare to move against me, I’ll ensure they are all annihilated!”

Ye Fan was truly enraged. They were using the pitiful little girl’s life to threaten him! He steeled his resolve. If there was no room for negotiation, he would not hesitate to go all out and turn the heavens upside down.

They returned to the Northern Region silently. Ye Fan then discreetly contacted people from Jade Lake, informing them of his intention to enter.

Not long after, the Yaochi Saintess appeared, bringing a message from the Queen Mother of the West, assuring him that his life would be safe.

Afterward, Ye Fan made his move with great fanfare, as if fearing the world wouldn’t know. He boldly set off for Jade Lake, arriving openly and fearlessly at this Pure Land.

Mist and rosy clouds billowed. Upon brilliant golden clouds stood the Heaven Temple—tall, magnificent, awe-inspiring, and sacred.

On either side of the jade steps, mist swirled. Exotic flowers bloomed, and celestial grasses carpeted the ground. Various Lightning Birds, resembling Golden Crows and Divine Phoenixes, danced in the air, creating a dazzling spectacle.

Ye Fan’s appearance surprised everyone before the Heaven Temple. They never expected him to actually dare to come.

The younger generation could not enter the Heaven Temple and stood at its gates. All the Saint Heirs and sacred ladies, as well as the strongest successors of the supreme Great Sects, looked over.

Ye Fan had slain Saint Heirs and sacred ladies before, which was one thing. But this time, he had indirectly caused the deaths of several Heroic Lords, shaking the Eastern Wastelands. Thus, the onlookers all wore complex expressions.

“Ye, you cruel-hearted bastard! You caused our Grandmaster’s death!” a disciple of Wanchu Sacred Land shouted, his eyes full of venomous hatred.

“Give us back our Sect Hierarch’s life!” disciples of the Yin Yang Sect also roared in unison, their combined voices creating a shocking momentum.

…

Ye Fan remained calm, not even glancing at them as he strode towards the Heaven Temple. Facing the various Heroic Lords, he was composed and steady as he announced, “I, Ye Fan, have arrived!”

“Grand Martial Uncle, kill him to avenge the Saint Master!”

“Our Grandmaster died so unjustly! If the sacred body is not killed, the anger of the world cannot be quelled!”

At the temple doors, many disciples clamored, all harboring killing intent, their shouts directed into the Heaven Temple.

“Brother Ye, how could you act in such a way, causing the demise of so many seniors? This is truly an incalculable loss for our Eastern Wastelands,” Xiang Yifei, the Dayan Saint Heir, lamented.

“All of them were outstanding figures in the world, Heroic Lords of their respective territories, reigning for ages. Yet, they ended up dying so ignominiously,” the Dao Yi Saint Heir also sighed deeply.

“Kill him! What are you waiting for?”

“Slay him to honor the spirits of those seniors in heaven!”

At the temple gates, many disciples from the various Great Sects and Sacred Lands shouted.

“Shut up!” Ye Fan swept a cool glance over them. “I am speaking with your elders. It is not your place to interrupt!”

Outside the hall, everyone was first stunned, then furious. Ye Fan had completely disregarded them, daring to imply he was on equal footing with their sect elders!

“I have come. Let the pitiful little girl come to me.” Ye Fan fixed his gaze on an old man with white hair and beard in the grand hall.

Within the Heaven Temple, white mist coiled around the floor. Numerous Jade Tables were laden with fruits and Immortal Brew.

The old Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect sat cross-legged behind a White Jade Table. He had a benevolent expression, and with mist swirling around him, he was as motionless as an Immortal statue.

His body flashed with Divine Light. The pitiful little girl, who had been sitting quietly beside him, suddenly found herself free. She quickly ran to Ye Fan’s side, grabbing a corner of his robe. Her large eyes blinked as she glanced back, afraid of being caught again.

“Are you alright, pitiful little girl?” Ye Fan asked softly.

“I’m fine. I just missed Big Brother and Doggy a bit,” the pitiful little girl answered innocently. The little one, just over two years old, was like a porcelain doll, exquisitely carved and incredibly cute.

“You have colossal audacity! After causing such a devastating calamity, you still dare to be arrogant and show no respect to the seniors in this hall!”

“Kill him! And imprison his living soul in the Sea Suppressing Eye forever!”

Many young people shouted at the temple gates.

Ye Fan completely ignored them, not even deigning to look their way. Such a dismissive attitude made many of the arrogant disciples seethe with uncontrollable rage.

This was utter disdain, a blatant disregard. He clearly looked down on them.

“You certainly have guts, causing such a great calamity and still daring to come here!” Finally, a Heroic Lord spoke.

“I stand tall and have a clear conscience. Why should I not dare to come?” Ye Fan declared, standing proudly without a trace of fear.

“Good, good, good! Such courage!” a Grand Elder from Wanchu Sacred Land said, his face like still water. Their Saint Master had fallen—a heaven-shattering event for them. This matter could not end amicably.

Killing intent permeated the grand hall. Many eyes were fixed on Ye Fan, and intangible murderous thoughts surged through the air.

“You mustn’t bully Big Brother!” the pitiful little girl cried out. She scrunched up her dainty nose, her large, limpid eyes blinking under long lashes. In a soft but clear voice, she continued, “Crazy Uncle said that if anyone harms Big Brother, he will come find them and settle the score!”

The hall fell into a dead silence. Everyone was momentarily speechless. Ye Fan himself was taken aback, not expecting the little one to be so quick-witted.