Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 532: Chapter 537: Confrontation of Heroes at Heaven Temple

Children’s words are the most sincere; what can a two-year-old possibly understand? Maybe she truly overheard such words, and that’s why she said them.

The old madman of Celestial Jade, a being comparable to an ancient Saint, weighed heavily on everyone’s mind like a towering mountain. Who wouldn’t be afraid? Silence fell upon the great hall.

“What does a little slip of a girl know? She’s just talking nonsense!” A Grand Elder of Wanchu spoke up, unwilling to let everyone be intimidated by this, and he harbored thoughts of flaying Ye Fan.

But no one chimed in. It was better to be safe than sorry, as everyone knew the old madman used to accompany Ye Fan, who had long been unrivaled in the Eastern Wastelands.

It is said that the magical power of the ancient Saints was boundless and omnipotent, unfathomable to all, making them appear as living deities on earth.

Such beings were rare even in ancient times, and thus revered as Saints, honored by all clans and respected through the ages!

“The sacred body must die, or else it will be hard to pacify the anger of the world!” A Grand Elder of the Purple Mansion spoke; he was the second person to voice this.

However, the others still did not express their stance, because there was indeed deep apprehension, fearing the old madman might truly emerge.

The ancient Saints’ gazes could obliterate all things; a single drop of their essential blood could strike down a sovereign, and they could command the winds and rains on the ancient lands, omnipotent in their might.

Even a single strand of hair naturally shed by them was like a Divine Mountain of ancient times, weighing as much as billions of jun, capable of annihilating thousands of troops.

One could say ancient Saints were almost divine; every drop of their blood, every inch of their flesh and organs, every bone was a supreme divine object. Their power was terrifying to an unimaginable degree!

“Even with a Saint’s protection, reason must prevail. This child is ruthless and cruel, having caused the deaths of so many fellow cultivators, all of whom were our old friends. How can we let him go unpunished? He must be executed!”

Finally, a sovereign of the Northern Plains’ Golden Family spoke. He sat upright and imposing, his words righteous as he declared the necessity of killing Ye Fan.

The old Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect in the Central States did not have much of his lifespan remaining, yet his magical power was overwhelming, making people’s hearts tremble. At this moment, his expression was calm, yet his words were cold and detached, “As Saints, we distinguish great right from wrong. Slaying this child to offer sacrifice to the vengeful souls does not go against the principles of Saints. Why should any of you worry? All of us here can execute him!”

In the great hall, white mist billowed across the ground, rising past everyone’s knees. Behind every Jade Table sat a Heroic Lord, each like a hibernating barbaric dragon, their bodies concealing frightening Qi and blood, emitting terrifying fluctuations.

At this moment, everyone was stirred, and a killing intent pervaded the air. Many began to speak in agreement.

“Now, he even dares to kill a Peacock King! If allowed to grow, wouldn’t he overturn the entire Eastern Wastelands? How can the grieving souls be comforted if he is not slain!”

“Luring various Heroic Lords into a deadly trap and plotting against them—so many have died! How can this fury be appeased if he is not killed?”

The gunpowder was ignited. Although those Heroic Lords remained silent, the Elders and other subordinates seated below them began to speak out, demanding Ye Fan’s immediate execution.

“You are all bad people, bullying Big Brother! Crazy Uncle will come to save us!” The pitiful little girl wrinkled her nose, her childish words echoing throughout the great hall.

Ye Fan laughed, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and asked, “Why did you appear at the Dragon Nest?”

“It was naturally you who led us there!,” a Grand Elder of the Purple Mansion shouted.

“Who forced me to lead the way to clear my name?,” Ye Fan calmly asked.

“…” Many people were rendered speechless, only killing intent remaining.

“And who was it that repeatedly said it was a place of great peril, not to be ventured into?,” Ye Fan asked, his voice devoid of emotion, as if speaking of something entirely unrelated to himself.

“You clearly knew a great catastrophe was about to occur! Why didn’t you speak clearly and stop everyone?,” Wanchu’s Grand Elder roared.

“Who was it that slandered me as the inheritor of the Ruthless One? I resisted with all my might, yet I was reviled, and they wanted to kill me. Would they have allowed me to explain in detail?,” Ye Fan’s expression was indifferent.

“So now you think you’re justified? You caused the deaths of so many Heroic Lords, yet you want to wash your hands clean of it all. Heaven’s law will not tolerate it if you are not killed!,” someone from the True Demon Hall rebuked.

The Wanchu Peacock King, the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect, the younger brother of the Golden Family’s lord, the master of Piaomiao Peak, and the Hall Master of the True Demon Hall were all dead.

The Peacock King of the Purple Mansion was left with only a head. Grand Elders from all factions had also suffered disastrous losses; indeed, too many significant figures had died, and the survivors were unwilling to let the matter rest.

Ye Fan said nothing, merely taking out a piece of beautiful jade and suspending it in the void. Within it, scenes began to flicker, accompanied by the voices of the crowd.

“Why you entered the Dragon Nest, and what exactly happened then—it’s all clearly recorded here.”

This was everything Ye Fan had recorded with the divine jade. The events of that day replayed rapidly, clearly showing all the instances where he had been forced into a corner.

This left many speechless. Honestly, they had all brought it upon themselves; the word “deserved” was not an exaggeration to describe their fate!

“No matter what you say, you’ve killed so many people! You must pay with your life!,” a Grand Elder of the Yin Yang Sect shouted.

Wanchu, the Purple Mansion, the Golden Family, the True Demon Hall, Piaomiao Peak, and others all voiced their agreement, their expressions and tones severe.

“Pay—pay—pay your mother’s head!” a big black dog muttered. It was barely audible, yet given the caliber of those present, many heard it.

“Where did this dog come from? Throw it out!” The Grand Elder of the Yin Yang Sect was nearly exploding with rage.

“Shut your mouth!” The monkey heavily struck the ground with a battered, almost ruined weapon, producing a loud THUD.

Now, everyone was aware that the Ancient Royal Clan was about to emerge, and all harbored apprehension towards them, truly fearing that they might summon several terrifying Ancient Kings in the future.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have already duplicated this piece of divine jade many times and have widely distributed it across the world,” Ye Fan said nonchalantly. “If you believe I am in the wrong, then let these jade records circulate throughout the lands, and let the people of the world be the judge.”

The expressions of the crowd froze. Such matters, when merely spoken of, lacked weight. If Ye Fan were to die, the various Great Sects could easily fabricate any number of crimes against him.

However, if solid evidence were to spread throughout the world, it would indeed cause many powerful forces a great deal of trouble.

Ye Fan felt no fear. If worst comes to worst, it’s mutual destruction. I’ll bring out the Ancient Saint, break the seal, and let blood flow like rivers!

“The dead are gone, and the fault does not lie with Ye Fan. Everyone, it would be better to focus your concerns on the situation the human race will face after the ancient races emerge,” said The Queen Mother of the West.

Many wanted to speak, but they found it difficult to openly refute the Jade Lake’s Female Saint Master. This time, The Queen Mother of the West had made a significant effort, using the Divine City Stone Order to rescue them.

BOOM!

The Heaven Temple trembled, and many disciples of the Sacred Lands at the entrance of the great hall were sent flying. Three powerful figures strode inside, all possessing an intimidating and composed aura that inspired awe and fear.

The Peacock King, his hair light and flowing, looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen years old, with a very delicate appearance. Yet, his demon might shook the world, capable of shattering mountains and rivers with a single roar.

“Those people deserved to die; they brought it entirely upon themselves!” He entered with these words, clearly here to support Ye Fan.

This was a sovereign at the apex, like Non Gongzheng, and he had the potential to break through this realm into a higher domain.

Beside him, the Green Flood Dragon King stood tall and imposing, appearing as a middle-aged man, his Blood Qi as vast as the sea—a truly frightening presence.

The third individual was even more terrifying. He wore an old, tattered Daoist robe that looked as if it had been worn for millennia, and his skin was dry and bronze-colored. Yet, his spirit was vigorous; this was none other than the Scarlet Dragon Taoist.

He was over three thousand years old, half a generation older than the average Peacock King, and had almost stepped beyond the realm of sovereigns. He was someone who could move unhindered in the Eastern Wastelands, daring to boldly hunt down Peacock Kings.

Even the monkey frowned upon seeing him; the last time in the divine city, he had suffered a great loss at the hands of the old Scarlet Dragon Taoist.

“Killed is killed, dead is dead. What more do you want?,” the Scarlet Dragon Taoist said coldly, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

The arrival of these three world-shaking Demon Kings brought with it a powerful sense of oppression, making every person present feel an immense sense of dread.

“Scarlet Dragon, it’s been fifteen hundred years since we last parted. You’re still the same, meddling far too much,” said the supreme old Sect Hierarch of the Central States Yin Yang Sect.

“Not convinced? Then come over and fight!” The Scarlet Dragon Taoist laughed coldly, utterly fearless, and said, “Treating a junior like this, aren’t you ashamed? I’ve sworn to protect the sacred body!”

“Scarlet Dragon, don’t think you’re invincible. We might just have to battle it out between us,” said the Yin Yang old Sect Hierarch. His lifespan was nearly exhausted, so he had nothing to fear.

At this moment, Yan Ruyu, descendant of the Green Emperor, also appeared at the entrance of the great hall. Her black hair was like a cloud, adorned with the Nine Phoenix Hairpin, and she wore the Brocade River and Mountain Jade Threaded Robe. She was as pure and holy as a divine lotus, her beauty stunning and her grace unparalleled.

However, her appearance caused many hearts to pound violently, a premonition of something deeply unfavorable.

Everyone knew that several Greater Demons protected her, representing a certain will of the demon clan. Both the Peacock King and the Scarlet Dragon Taoist could easily borrow an Extreme Dao Holy Weapon from her.

Currently, only the sacred weapon left by the Green Emperor could be easily wielded without needing to suppress its so-called “foundations.” It was the most unstable factor at present, deeply feared by many Great Sects.

“Greetings, esteemed seniors,” Ye Fan stepped forward and performed a grand salute.

The Peacock King patted his shoulder and then looked at some Sect Hierarchs, saying, “You like to use your power to pressure others? You think I’m afraid of you? If you’re not convinced, come out and fight!”

The master of the Northern Plains Golden Clan, his body surging with golden enormous Qi, said, “What’s wrong with a battle? You think we’ll be afraid of you?”

“Indeed, a fight it is! With so many fellow cultivators here, do you three intend to disrupt the Jade Lake’s Peach Blossom Festival?,” people from Piaomiao Peak also chimed in.

In the great hall, many powerhouses stood up, and numerous Heroic Lords also began to speak, their words targeting the three kings of the demon clan as killing intent permeated the air.

“The Jade Lake holds its grand assembly only once every five hundred years, and each time there’s a Saint Master Level battle. If words fail, then let’s settle it on the life-and-death battle stage!”

Wu Dao, the Flickering Light Sacred Master, Jiang Hi, and others from the Northern Domain Thirteen Great Bandits all stood up, aligning themselves with the Peacock King and his companions.

Different factions, harboring many years of resentment, were now on the verge of an explosion that threatened to draw in numerous Heroic Lords.

“Everyone, why resort to this?” The Queen Mother of the West said, trying to dissuade them. She did not want to see a bloody battle. Although Jade Lake always prepared battle stages for such eventualities, she still hoped to avoid their use.

“Brother Scarlet Dragon, it’s been two thousand years since we parted, yet we’re both still alive…,” Daoist Crow spoke, his voice tinged with deep sentiment.

“You’re still alive too. Of our old friends from those years, only you and I remain,” Scarlet Dragon Taoist nodded, feeling a wave of emotion.

The crowd felt a growing unease. This living fossil clearly stood on that side as well. If they were truly to test their strength on the battle stage, this would be a very difficult hurdle to overcome.

Daoist Crow was an absolutely terrifyingly powerful figure!

“Still not convinced? Why don’t we fight?!,” The Peacock King once more surveyed everyone, laughing coldly.