Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 556: Chapter 560: 1 Flower 1 World

In Lu City, everyone knew that this City Lord was neglecting his duties; he had recently crafted a Great Bow and begun hunting in his own territory.

“Do we have any prey here?”

“It seems not. It’s very barren within a hundred-mile radius; there are no large beasts, at most just a few rabbits.”

The people in the city were very surprised, not understanding why he would do this. However, within a few days, they were utterly dumbfounded.

“Oh my gods! Is this the prey the City Lord hunted? It’s as big as a mountain… That… that seems to be a Tiger Dragon!”

Everyone was stunned. Hunting legendary, rare, and strange beasts in this barren land seemed like something out of a fairy tale, leaving them all in a daze.

In the Deserted House, villagers had lately been eating wild game. Many found they couldn’t physically handle it because these strange and powerful beasts were too precious; they were all Replenishing Essence Sacred Products, worth a fortune. Flood Dragon skins, Tiger Dragon skins, and Simurgh feathers were hung out to dry on the ancient locust trees, a very conspicuous sight, their scales and feathers shimmering with multicolored light.

Ye Fan had already defeated many masters consecutively. Some of these individuals possessed extraordinary cultivation bases and endless Strange Techniques, providing him with great inspiration. After many fierce battles, he had gained much, and his entry into the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm seemed imminent.

In recent days, he often meditated outside the Ancient Locust Forest, sensing a special Qi Mechanism, yet unable to fully grasp it.

What secrets did this place hold, where the Great Emperor had built his dwelling in his later years? Since ancient times, no one could say for certain, and many Lords had perished trying to uncover them. Ye Fan had once cautiously tried to comprehend these secrets within the forest but had felt a hint of crisis. Daring not to continue, he had moved his meditations outside the forest; he had no desire to perish so inexplicably.

“Ye—Zhe—tian! Come out!”

Just then, a sharp cry echoed from outside the Deserted House. Clouds and mist surged, and indistinct figures could be seen in the direction of the immortal mountain. It was unclear how many masters had arrived, but all were heroes from the Five Great Domains. This group of people all had extraordinary experiences. Each one was a legend in their own domain, and gathering them all together was no easy feat.

Now, over one hundred and fifty people had come to the Deserted House. They formed a mighty pressure, with waves of immortal mist and rolling clouds, resembling an endless celestial army descending.

“Ye Zhetian, come out!” a woman’s voice called out. It was very cold; although melodious, it carried an distinct chill.

“Brother City Lord has returned to the city; he’s not here,” a runny-nosed child yelled up at the sky, wiping his nose with a sleeve. “You all rode so many spiritual beasts here, and we’re already sick of eating them!”

“Glutton!” a servant beside Commandery Princess Qi seethed, snorting coldly.

“Let’s go!” Commandery Princess Qi flicked her Immortal Robe and, a five-colored cloud, flew towards Lu City. The entire group followed at a distance, having come specifically to watch the battle. This was because great waves were certain to follow once Commandery Princess Qi emerged from her retreat. Not only was she as beautiful as an immortal, but she was also a ‘chili pepper-level’ captivating beauty who often stirred up trouble even when nothing was amiss—especially now that her beloved Dragon Horse had been eaten.

Outside Lu City, clouds of various colors drifted over, pressing down on the outskirts of the city. Luminous mist lingered, as if the gates to the Heavenly Realm had opened.

“City Lord, it’s terrible! Many Daoist saints have arrived!”

Many people panicked and rushed to report. Hearing this, Ye Fan took down the Great Bow from the wall, slung on his quiver, and strode outside.

“City Lord, what are you doing? Shouldn’t you be fleeing?”

“Hunting. I’m going to treat you all to a feast!” Ye Fan responded.

“Ye Zhetian, get out here!” Commandery Princess Qi shouted. Her voice was crisp, like large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate, yet it was laced with a palpable killing intent.

Ye Fan was also stunned when he came out. So many people had arrived. Wasn’t Qi Shi Mansion supposed to be off-limits?

If these over one hundred and fifty people attacked together, even a few sovereigns would have to flee. These were not ordinary powerhouses; they were future Kings and elites from the Five Great Domains.

“Give us back our Dragon Horse!” a servant yelled, full of confidence now that his master was present, all fear gone.

“Are you here to cause trouble in my territory again?” Ye Fan asked. He wasn’t afraid; at worst, he could just pack up and leave, and return to the Deserted House to continue his cultivation whenever he pleased.

Ahead, a dense crowd had gathered, though most were merely spectators. Many began to whisper amongst themselves.

“This Lord isn’t very old, yet he has defeated several masters. He really is a monster. Why hasn’t he entered Qi Shi Mansion?”

“I represent the cultivators of the Eastern Wastelands, here to watch!” a voice grumbled from the back; it was unclear who had shouted.

The voice sounded familiar to Ye Fan, and he suddenly realized it was Jiang Huairen. He couldn’t believe they had actually managed to mingle in. Considering their cultivation bases, it should have been quite difficult, yet they had succeeded.

“I represent the cultivators of the Southern Mountains, here to watch!” someone else jeered.

This time, Ye Fan watched closely. He saw a pale, chubby fellow he didn’t recognize at all, but his instincts told him it was someone familiar. He secretly activated his Divine Eye, and a moment later, he was stunned.

Damn it, it’s Daoist Duan De!

Ye Fan had never expected that the shameless Daoist had managed to infiltrate Qi Shi Mansion. He looked very wealthy, with an oily and plump appearance, quite different from before.

“I represent the stunning Bodhisattvas of the Western Desert, here to watch!” Daoist Duan De had changed positions and was transmitting his voice secretly, but Ye Fan’s Divine Eye saw him clearly.

That bastard. He’s definitely an old fogey pretending to be young to get in. A rotten egg, surely up to no good and plotting some mischief.

“Ye Zhetian, the Commandery Princess is speaking to you! Did you hear?!” a servant bellowed, yelling at Ye Fan.

“Speak. What do you want?” Ye Fan asked nonchalantly.

“Return the Commandery Princess’s Dragon Horse! If you can’t, you’ll be buried alive!” After arriving, Commandery Princess Qi had stopped speaking; it was her servants who were doing all the shouting.

“Alright, let’s go find a pit then,” Ye Fan said, flying off towards the desolate outskirts.

“You certainly have foresight, digging your own grave first. To think you even dared to eat the Commandery Princess’s Dragon Horse, you must really be tired of living,” someone mocked.

“You’re mistaken,” Ye Fan said with a smile, not even turning his head as he rushed forward. “I meant, I’m going to find a pit to bury all of you.”

“This audacious Lord is really composed. Even with trouble at his doorstep, he doesn’t seem to care.”

“Let’s go and see what his strength is really like.”

The crowd of spectators buzzed with curiosity. Even many female cultivators had arrived to witness the unfolding events.

The surrounding hundred-mile area was very barren. Though not scorched earth, there were no Spirit Veins here either—only barren hills, lacking even proper fruit trees, mostly covered in thorns.

The crowd rode their clouds and stopped above a Desolate Vein. Commandery Princess Qi stepped forward, her radiance dazzling. She was indeed an exceedingly beautiful woman, truly deserving of the title “Calamity Level” beauty.

No wonder there are so many Flower Protectors. The main party hasn’t even emerged from seclusion, yet they’re already rushing to stand up for her. Ye Fan finally understood; she was a Calamity Level beauty capable of making kings of the mortal realm abandon their kingdoms.

She appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old. Her eyes shimmered, her features exuded a divine allure, her skin was white and tender, her lips sparkled, and her hair, black as a waterfall, was adorned with dangling golden hairpins that trembled with each step; their entwined pearls, jade, and gold shimmered, and long tassels swayed.

“Was it you… who ate my Dragon Horse?!” Commandery Princess Qi frowned, biting her lip, her gaze as cold and sharp as a spiritual rainbow.

“Well? What do you want? You people keep coming to my territory to cause trouble for no reason. I’m really sick of it,” Ye Fan said, his impatience evident.

“You…” A flicker of anger crossed Commandery Princess Qi’s beautiful, jade-like face, enough to topple nations, but it quickly dissolved into a spring-breeze smile. “You’re quite something. Eating my Dragon Horse and still acting so righteous. Today, I will capture you and make you pull my carriage henceforth!”

“You want me to be your Dragon Horse?” Ye Fan squinted at this calamity.

“You’re not as dumb as you look. That’s exactly what I mean,” Commandery Princess Qi said, her smile enchanting, her eyes full of spiritual brilliance that could dim the colors of a thousand flowers.

“That’s not very fair. How about we make a gentleman’s agreement?” Ye Fan suggested, arms crossed, almost teasing as he looked her up and down.

“What agreement?” Commandery Princess Qi glanced at him, her expression wary.

“A fair duel between us. If I lose, I’ll pull your carriage. If you lose, you’ll become my spiritual beast,” Ye Fan proposed casually.

“Rogue!” Commandery Princess Qi’s flawless, jade-like face flushed crimson. Her dark eyebrows bristled, and her large eyes, usually full of poetic charm, now blazed with fury.

WHOA!

The crowd at the rear erupted. This Lord was indeed audacious, daring to imply that Commandery Princess Qi should become his mount!

“I say, where did this young Lord come from? Did he eat the gall of a Daoist saint?”

“He lives near Qi Shi Mansion, yet he’s anything but low-key, acting so recklessly. Isn’t he afraid the Chili Pepper Army will annihilate him?”

“Did I hear that right? This kid is truly fierce!”

The group of spectators at the back, initially dumbstruck, now broke into fervent discussion. Commandery Princess Qi’s fiery temper was well-known; few dared to cross her.

“What do you mean, ‘rogue’? Isn’t this perfectly fair? If I lose, I’ll be your Dragon Horse. If you lose, you’ll be my spiritual beast. What’s wrong with that?”

“Go to hell!” Commandery Princess Qi was utterly enraged; she was truly furious now.

SWISH!

A rain of flowers fluttered down from the sky, splendid and crystalline. An endless fragrance, intoxicating to the very bones, suffused the air, making everyone feel utterly at ease.

Yet, within these beautiful Immortal Flowers lay an endless killing intent. Every petal was capable of killing. One after another, small worlds began to open, appearing out of the void.

“Three thousand small worlds! How can such an ancient secret art, long thought lost, reappear in the world?”

“This is the supreme secret art of the Southern Mountains, possessing terrifying and unparalleled power!”

“Legend has it that this was created by the Southern Mountains Heavenly Emperor. This ancient secret art has further stages; in its next evolution, it will manifest as three thousand Great Worlds, allowing one to command all the heavens for their own use!”

Ye Fan heard their discussions and felt a headache coming on. According to Princess Yu Die, the Southern Mountains Heavenly Emperor was a formidable figure from the Eastern Wastelands, and the Holy Techniques he had left behind in the world were extremely scarce. However, each technique was an unmatched Holy Technique, incredibly difficult to break. He had never expected Commandery Princess Qi to have mastered one, apparently even reaching the Transformation Realm with it.

“If we fight and you lose, will you honor your side of the bet?” Ye Fan shouted loudly as he dodged, attempting to unsettle her Heart Spirit.

Commandery Princess Qi’s long dress danced as fallen flowers rained down, veiling the sky. She stood at the center, ethereal and pure, her delicate hand moving, each Immortal Flower transforming.

POP! POP!

One flower, one world. Three thousand Immortal Flowers evolved into three thousand small worlds, making the scene dreamlike and nearly impossible to discern.

Ye Fan swung his fists, smashing his way through these myriad small worlds, attempting to break through to her. But as one flower shattered, another bloomed; the worlds renewed themselves endlessly.

“The Southern Mountains Heavenly Emperor is truly invincible throughout history! Every Holy Technique he created is unparalleled in the world!”

Everyone was astounded. Such a technique inherently placed its user in an undefeatable position, isolating them from their enemy and suppressing their foe with the power of myriad heavens.

However, the crowd was also shocked by Ye Fan’s terrifying Combat Power. He actually crushed a small world with each punch, striding through the void like an ancient god of battle, pressing forward relentlessly towards Commandery Princess Qi.

“Your efforts are futile!” Commandery Princess Qi declared, her smile captivating enough to topple nations. Her hair, her eyes flowed with light, mesmerizing all who beheld her—a true calamity indeed.

Flowers bloomed and faded. Small worlds shattered only to re-form, more perfect and resilient than before, transforming into a vast expanse of heavens intent on trapping Ye Fan within.

“Do you dare to make the bet?” Ye Fan taunted.

“Fine! If you lose, you’ll be my Dragon Horse! Now, die!” Commandery Princess Qi’s laughter was intoxicating to the soul. She raised a slender,, her fair jade arm glowing. Her long legs, partially visible beneath her skirt, moved with a light, graceful dance.

The peerless beauty danced across the sky, a rain of crystalline flowers falling around her, each one blossoming into a small world. A dreamlike voice issued from her lips: “One flower, one world; a blade of grass, a paradise!”

Ye Fan charged forward relentlessly, battling Commandery Princess Qi, confronting the Holy Technique passed down by the Southern Mountains Heavenly Emperor. He unleashed his Extreme Power, shattering all obstacles in his path!