Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 575: Chapter 579: Dragon Transformation, First Strike

The old trickster was extremely sly, diving headlong off the cliff and disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Many people from the Great Xia Dynasty arrived, led by a man wearing a Nine Dragon Crown and a Purple Dragon Robe. He exuded a heroic aura, Dragon Qi swirling around him. His powerful divine sense swept across the Immortal Cliff, yet he found nothing.

“Where is he?” The Great Xia imperial uncle’s face was as dark as water.

“Where did you buy the Immortal Burial Map?” One of the Commanders pushed forward a cultivator who had previously purchased a worn-out map.

“He was just here.” This person, trembling, went to where the old blind man had been sitting, picked up a few pebbles, and said, “He sold these too, 1,000 pounds of Source per piece.”

This cliff was vast, with many cultivators coming and going. Some had simple stalls, while others had luxurious Jade Palaces. At this moment, everyone was alarmed and looked over.

“He can’t have gone far! Chase him down!” The Great Xia’s imperial uncle was the first to leap off the cliff in pursuit, and the others followed.

“What’s happening? What’s going on? People from the Four Immortal Dynasties of the Central States have come; this is truly unexpected.”

“Just now, an old blind man was selling Immortal Burial Maps…”

Before long, everyone on this Immortal Cliff knew what had transpired. The map sold by the old blind man had shocked the Great Xia Dynasty, triggering their apprehension.

“It’s a real map, not some fake to fool people.”

People were shocked to discover a fact: this was a Secret Map, and how it came into circulation was unknown. It seemed only a few superpowers possessed it.

“I understand now. Perhaps the Immortal Mansion World truly contains ancient scriptures left by the Grand Emperor. That’s why the Great Xia Dynasty is so anxious; he’s their ancestor.”

In recent days, various people had entered and exited the Immortal Mansion World, uncovering many hidden places. However, creating such a Secret Map would still be exceedingly difficult, undoubtedly costing endless effort.

“Someone discovered the final resting place of an ancient Great Emperor. The next entry into the Immortal Mansion World will surely be incredibly fierce, with many likely vying for it.”

However, people quickly realized that the place was likely extremely dangerous. Otherwise, why would they need to draw a map and bring it out? Couldn’t they have just taken everything left by the ancient Great Emperor directly?

The cliff was in chaos; no one could remain calm. This was a world-shocking Immortal Burial Ground where ancient scriptures would likely emerge, and there might even be Extreme Dao Holy Weapons.

“Where did the old blind man go?”

“Who bought his map earlier?”

Above the cliff, everyone was searching. Over thirty people had bought maps earlier, but now they had all quietly slipped away, feeling it was a great pity.

Ye Fan stashed the Immortal Burial Map and wandered through this Free Marketplace. What background could this old blind man have, to procure 1,000 copies of such a Treasure Map to sell?

Two hours later, the place finally calmed down. Needless to say, this matter couldn’t be kept secret, and many people would undoubtedly try to obtain the Immortal Burial Map.

Isn’t that Xiao Mingyuan? Ye Fan saw a familiar face: the grandson of Grandmaster Xiao from Anping Country, from the same Dynasty as Princess Yu Die.

This fiefdom had originally belonged to the Xiao Family. Xiao Mingyuan had set a trap for him, using the place where an ancient Great Emperor had spent his later years as bait, intending for Ye Fan to perish in the Deserted House.

That bastard!

Ye Fan didn’t approach. He squatted before a stall, fiddling with a spiritual beast in a cage, observing a few people nearby.

Xiao Mingyuan had several powerful individuals by his side. They were constantly asking about the old blind man, obviously here for the Immortal Burial Map and hoping for a share of the spoils.

It seems that once the beast kings’ rebellion in the Immortal Mansion World ceases, a bloody storm is inevitable. The divine treasures of the ancient Great Emperor will attract countless experts.

Ye Fan pondered for a long time. He then vaguely heard Xiao Mingyuan mention his name and Lu City. So, he’s still ‘concerned’ about me.

Soon after, those people left. Ye Fan watched their retreating figures with a cold sneer. He paid them little mind; now that he had entered the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm and mastered the Movement Art, he had nothing to fear.

“Treasure Hunting Rat! A genuine treasure-hunting spiritual beast! Sold for just 5,000 pounds of Source!”

In front of a stall, a middle-aged man sat on the ground. A small rat, radiating a faint glow, was in a little iron cage.

Many people gathered around, clicking their tongues in wonder. But one of them sneered, “Here we go again with the deception. Feeding a few wild rats with spiritual medicines and daring to pass them off as Treasure Hunting Rats.”

“Indeed! Just two days ago, he sold eighteen of them in one day. A Treasure Hunting Rat might not be born for centuries, if not millennia. How could so many be sold at once?”

“In this place, it’s buyer beware. All transactions are voluntary. Everyone be careful, don’t fall for it.”

Many people nearby discussed and pointed fingers. Ye Fan was speechless. This place has so many con artists! Even though that old blind man sold the Immortal Burial Map, he still didn’t seem like a good person.

Suddenly, Ye Fan was taken aback. He saw an acquaintance: Daoist Duan De, wiggling his large backside, squeezed people aside. He came to the stall, squatted down, and said, “This rat, why does it look so thievish?”

“What’s so surprising? Don’t rats naturally look thievish?” the middle-aged man at the stall retorted, rolling his eyes.

Seeing Daoist Duan De made Ye Fan’s mouth twitch. A few days ago, he had stripped this fatty clean and made off with a pile of his treasures.

Seeing him again now, Ye Fan felt an urge to laugh out loud, but he ultimately suppressed it with a twitch of his lips, though his cheeks ached from the effort.

“I mean, this rat’s eyes are too cunning. It doesn’t look like a Treasure Hunting Rat, more like a rat demon,” Daoist Duan De said, shaking his head.

“Anyone with a discerning eye will buy it. The people yesterday were scrambling to buy them. This is the last one left,” the middle-aged man said unhurriedly.

“You’re really addicted to swindling, aren’t you? If this were a real Treasure Hunting Rat, would you be willing to sell it?” someone scoffed.

“I’m not lying. Who would sell a real Treasure Hunting Rat for 5,000 pounds of Source? No one would sell it for ten times, even a hundred times that price!” The middle-aged man was very composed. “This is a descendant of a Treasure Hunting Rat. If cultivated properly, perhaps in hundreds or thousands of years, a divine rat might be born.”

“Not even in hundreds or thousands of years will you get a divine rat from this,” Daoist Duan De said, tossing down a few pieces of Exotic Source. “I’ll buy it. I have other important uses for it.”

What’s this fatty up to? Ye Fan wondered. He probably intends to target the Immortal Burial Ground.

After wandering on the high cliff for half a day, Ye Fan departed, returning to Lu City and descending.

BOOM!

Suddenly, endless killing intent surged upward. The entire city blazed with brilliance as all its Array Patterns activated. Countless sword auras swept towards him.

Ye Fan was immediately startled. Someone had seized control of Lu City, causing all the ancient Array Patterns inscribed on the walls to manifest, seeking to kill him, the City Lord.

SWISH!

Like a streak of light, he burst out through multiple Illusion Destructions. He was neither trapped nor pierced by the sword auras, all thanks to the miraculous Movement Art.

Otherwise, even a half-step Sovereign wouldn’t be able to break through this Ancient City’s Array Patterns. If delayed for long, their survival would be highly unlikely.

“Who are you?” Ye Fan stood high in the air, overlooking everything within Lu City.

“This little whelp has advanced to the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm. His cultivation base has risen quite quickly,” a middle-aged man with an indifferent expression appeared on the city wall.

“Was it you who seized my Xiao Family’s city and injured our disciples?” another person stepped out, a cold sneer at the corner of his mouth.

Ye Fan’s expression was calm. He recognized these men; he had seen them with Xiao Mingyuan not long ago. He understood the situation without needing further explanation.

“Enough talk! Kill him quickly! We still need to find the Immortal Burial Map!”

“This is my city,” Ye Fan said calmly. “You’ve barged in recklessly and even attacked me. Do you really think I’m an easy target?”

“What do you think you are? This city has belonged to the Xiao Family since ancient times. We merely let you stay for a couple of days. Now, we’ll kill you and take it back,” another person sneered, glancing at him disdainfully.

“Do you really think you can deal with me so easily?” Ye Fan stared at the group: two experts at the Dragon Transformation Sixth Layer Heaven, three at the Dragon Transformation Seventh Layer Heaven, and the last two had even reached the Dragon Transformation Eighth Layer Heaven.

One of them spoke, his voice flat and devoid of emotion, “You injured disciples of my Xiao Family and still dare to linger here? You court death. We are taking back the city. Kneel, kowtow, and beg for forgiveness. We won’t make it difficult for you; we’ll just sever your head to spare you any suffering.”

The seven men flew out of the Ancient City, pressing forward step by step. They weren’t underestimating him; these seven experts intended to attack together and eliminate him instantly.

Ye Fan said no more. His hand glowed as he held the Myriad Wounds Bow. He continuously circulated the All Secret. After dozens of attempts, he finally succeeded, his Combat Power instantly multiplying tenfold.

The Myriad Wounds Bow shone brilliantly. The bowstring trembled lightly as three arrows shot out consecutively, reaching extreme speed, rushing towards one of the Dragon Transformation Sixth Layer Heaven experts.

DANG!

Initially, a metallic clang resounded, but it was immediately followed by a wretched scream. The arrows pierced through his ancient treasure and embedded themselves in his body.

“Ah…”

All three arrows, one after another, pierced into his body. He was powerless to stop them; they tore through him with destructive ease.

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Three sprays of blood blossomed, and then, with a BOOM, the man’s body exploded. Bone fragments and shredded flesh splattered everywhere. He was utterly annihilated, body and spirit.

“What?!” His companions were astounded, never imagining one of them would fall so quickly.

Ye Fan sneered. He could slay a Dragon Transformation Sixth Layer cultivator even without using the All Secret, let alone with his Combat Power increased tenfold.

“Weren’t you trying to kill me?” He held the Myriad Wounds Bow, his expression cold, and continued to rapidly draw his bow, shooting at them.

PFFT! PFFT!…

The next moment, he loosed nine arrows in succession, again triggering the All Secret. This time, a Dragon Transformation Seventh Layer expert was hit. Unable to withstand the Divine Arrow’s might, he disintegrated on the spot.

The remaining men had long since paled. They scattered in all directions, each conjuring their spiritual treasures to attack Ye Fan. The situation was dire; they sensed that things were going terribly wrong.

This young man before them was too decisive in his killing, possessing such frightening Combat Power. They felt gravely threatened, their minds in turmoil.

Ye Fan remained indifferent. He used the Movement Art to swiftly evade, then continuously drew his bow and loosed arrows. This time, he fired a full 108 arrows, eighteen of which triggered the All Secret, all aimed at a Dragon Transformation Eighth Layer expert.

DANG! DANG!…

The Dragon Transformation Eighth Layer expert was indeed powerful. He continuously blocked and destroyed many arrows, but he couldn’t nullify those special eighteen. He was in a very sorry state.

If Ye Fan hadn’t advanced to the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, killing this expert would indeed have been very difficult. But now things were vastly different. He drew the bow again, loosing another eighteen Divine Arrows, all successfully triggered.

Thirty-six special Divine Arrows, each with the power to shake mountains, contained unparalleled, potent divine energy. Murderous intent soared to the heavens. Each arrow stretched for several miles as they streaked through the air, an utterly terrifying sight.

PFFT! PFFT!…

Finally, the Dragon Transformation Eighth Layer expert could no longer withstand the assault. He was struck repeatedly by arrows, screaming as he turned into a blood mist, not even a fragment of bone remaining.

The others were all dumbstruck. This was a Dragon Transformation Eighth Layer expert, yet Ye Fan had shot him down so quickly. What kind of terrifying ability was this? It was simply monstrous!

At this point, all the ancient treasures they had deployed were pierced by the Divine Arrows and reduced to dust; not a single one remained intact.

“Run!”

Another Dragon Transformation Eighth Layer expert turned to flee. The others, already terrified, also flew away, none daring to stop.

“Weren’t you trying to kill me? Since you’ve come, don’t even think of leaving!”

Ye Fan spoke calmly, relentlessly pursuing them. The men quickly split up, but it changed nothing; they couldn’t escape the shadow of death.

Because Ye Fan had mastered the Movement Art, his speed was unmatched, and they couldn’t escape. Moreover, arrows shot from the Myriad Wounds Bow, once loosed, were nearly impossible to stop unless they found their mark.

PFFT!

A flower of blood bloomed, tragic yet beautiful.

“Ah…” A scream rang out.

PFFT!

Soon after, another spray of vibrant blossoms erupted. A scream had just begun when it was extinguished as a man was torn to pieces.

Chasing them down, Ye Fan shot all seven men dead. Not a single one escaped.

He sneered coldly, slung the Myriad Wounds Bow over his back, and flew directly towards Qi Shi Mansion, taking up a position on a mountain peak outside it.

A day later, he finally saw Xiao Mingyuan again. He was accompanied by a half-step Sovereign. But Ye Fan didn’t retreat; he drew his bow and began to shoot.

“Who is it?!” The half-step Sovereign was extremely alert and detected him instantly, swiftly pouncing forward.

“It’s you, Ye Zhetian!” Xiao Mingyuan was shocked. He hadn’t expected Ye Fan to be so audacious as to come to Qi Shi Mansion to kill him.

“Yes, it’s me.” Ye Fan used the Movement Art to evade the half-step Sovereign, not wanting to clash with him directly. After all, the difference between their cultivation in terms of Great Secret Realms was still too vast.

“You have some nerve, daring to come here!” Xiao Mingyuan naturally knew why Ye Fan had come, but he hadn’t expected him to be so overwhelmingly powerful as to attack Qi Shi Mansion directly. He shouted, “Sixth Uncle, kill him! Don’t let him escape!”

The half-step Sovereign was furious. Ye Fan’s speed was too great; he simply couldn’t catch up, making it impossible to land a killing blow.

“Xiao Mingyuan, I’ll send you on your way!”

Ye Fan wasted no time. The Myriad Wounds Bow trembled lightly as divine rainbows shot out one after another—a full forty-nine arrows—piercing the void.

The half-step Sovereign was very strong. Though he stood close by, he couldn’t stop them. The forty-nine arrows shot out like a meteor shower, scattering in all directions before finally converging on a single point: Xiao Mingyuan.

“No!”

“Sixth Uncle, save me!”

It was all too late. This was the terrifying aspect of the Myriad Wounds Bow, a power Ye Fan had only recently discovered: once his mind locked onto a target, the arrows didn’t need to fly straight; they could still strike down the enemy.

Now that Ye Fan had stepped into the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm, killing Xiao Mingyuan was naturally effortless. Forty-nine arrows loosed simultaneously were like his name being inscribed in the Book of Life and Death.

PFFT! PFFT!…

“Ah…”

Xiao Mingyuan only managed to utter a single, wretched scream before the Divine Arrows tore him apart. His body was reduced to pulp, then vaporized. He died a violent death.