Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 577: Chapter 581: God-Slaying Insect

In the swamp, there were some Ancient Trees, sparse but towering, casting large shadows. The place was very damp, with a heavy presence of yin energy.

A lotus platform flowed with an exotic light, pure as jade, translucent and radiant. Upon it sat a woman in white, her black hair like clouds, reciting Buddhist Scriptures, transcendent and unsullied.

The old blind man stood beside the lotus platform, vigorously waving his hand in this direction. His raspy voice penetrated through, and those here heard him but hesitated to move.

Daoist Duan De glanced sideways at him, muttering, Who is this old fellow? He looks more like an old hooligan than a decent person.

“Could he be more dubious and untrustworthy than you? He’s the one who sold the Immortal Burial Map,” Ye Fan whispered. In his view, the old blind man seemed a bit more honest than Daoist Duan De.

Dongfang Ye was quite surprised and said, “He sold the Immortal Burial Map?”

“Gentlemen, how about we move forward together? There’s strength in numbers; the ancient scriptures can be evenly divided, and each takes their own chance with the sacred weapon,” the old blind man beckoned to the three of them.

Eventually, Ye Fan, Dongfang Ye, and Daoist Duan De walked forward to join those two, only to be greatly shocked as they approached.

They had already spotted supernatural insects swarming but hadn’t expected them to be so terrifying. Each insect, as long as a finger and clad in what looked like Golden Armor, could consume divine energy.

Though the young girl had refined dozens of insects, thirty still remained, devouring a large swath of Buddha Light. The light shield around the old blind man’s body was also riddled with holes from their gnawing.

“What kind of bugs are these?” the barbarian was shocked. Despite living for years in the wilds, he had never seen this before.

“Could these… be the legendary God-slaying Insects spoken of in ancient tales?” Daoist Duan De retreated several steps in alarm.

“Indeed, they are God-slaying Insects, though their blood is not pure and not as terrifying as rumored,” the old blind man called them over to help with refinement.

God-slaying Insects are said to devour even deities. Almost nothing can stop them; they can bite through anything and consume everything.

“These are legendary spiritual items, as valuable as an ancient scripture. If cultivated for thousands of years, one might truly breed a genuine God-slaying Insect!” the old blind man urged the group to capture some for domestication.

“You old codger, you’re so unscrupulous! Unless raised from eggs, these insects will turn on their master. There’s no good end to it,” Daoist Duan De gritted his teeth.

“Old scoundrel!” Dongfang Ye exclaimed. Upon hearing this, he felt like beating the old man.

It was the first time Ye Fan thought that this old trickster might be even worse than Daoist Duan De. He was the kind of scoundrel who deserved a beating, so vile that even dogs would bite him and geese would peck him.

“What I mean is, help us refine these God-slaying Insects quickly, then we look for their nest together,” the old blind man rolled his eyes, looking very innocent.

CLANG!

The barbarian swung his stick down onto a God-slaying Insect but couldn’t break it. It rang out with a metallic vibration, showing just how hard it was.

These insects, as big as a thumb, were covered in tiny golden scales, resembling little flood dragons, though hornless.

“You can’t break these things; you can only refine them with magical power. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be called God-slaying Insects,” the old trickster reminded them.

These divine insects, with their Ancestor Blood so diluted it was almost extinct, remained in a primitive state. They were unrefined and lacked spirituality, yet their current capabilities attested to their terror.

“If a few Ancestor Insects emerged…” Daoist Duan De’s eyes glowed, and he rubbed his hands with excitement.

If they could raise a few authentic God-slaying Insects, they could dominate the heavens and earth. Yet, he could only dream of such a thing, as no one had ever succeeded.

According to legend, only a Saint in Ancient Times had successfully raised a few demi-insects. Together with him, they had dismantled and destroyed an awakened Ancient King from an Ancient Royal Capital.

“I refuse to believe you’re so tough!” The barbarian, his stubborn streak surfacing, cast aside his Wolf-toothed Stick, grabbed a golden insect in his hand, and squeezed hard.

“Wild boy, don’t mess around!” the old trickster cried out, shocked, telling him to let go.

“Even a sovereign’s flesh can be bitten through! Don’t fool around,” Daoist Duan De also exclaimed.

CREAK! CREAK! The barbarian ground the golden divine insect between his fingers, the noise shrill.

PFFT!

In the end, he actually crushed a God-slaying Insect alive. Golden light scattered and blood sprayed, shocking the old blind man so much his eyes rolled back.

“You freak!” Daoist Duan De grumbled.

The old trickster said, “Help us refine them quickly; we can’t delay here. Even if we don’t find the ancient scriptures, finding the God-slaying Insect nest will be a great harvest.”

Daoist Duan De joined in the refining effort, while Dongfang Ye simply crushed them by hand. It was laborious, yet they slowly made progress.

Ye Fan also squeezed one, and with a PFFT, shattered it in his sleeve. The others saw it and stared at him as if they had seen a ghost.

“Uh, I was just trying it out.”

“When do we spar?” The barbarian’s eyes lit up, filled with a burning desire. His physical prowess was unparalleled, and he had always sought a worthy opponent.

“I only shoot arrows. If you’re the target, I guarantee I won’t miss,” Ye Fan joked.

Dongfang Ye was speechless.

Ultimately, the dozens of God-slaying Insects were eliminated. They searched the swamp thoroughly but couldn’t find any trace of a nest.

It’s most likely in the Immortal Burial Ground. I have a bad feeling… what if a pure-blood Ancestor Insect has really emerged? It could probably gnaw clean through a Saint’s bones! Daoist Duan De muttered.

“I observe that your whole body is suffused with yin energy, as if you’ve frequented tombs. Is that so?” the old trickster asked, rolling his eyes.

“Old codger, you talk too much!” Daoist Duan De showed no deference to age.

“The Buddha is compassionate. Thank you, benefactors, for your assistance,” the white-dressed woman on the radiant lotus platform spoke with a faint smile.

She possessed an aura that seemed beyond the Three Realms. Even a Divine Buddha smiling with a flower would not surpass her, as if she existed beyond this mortal world—ethereal yet vivid.

At her brow was a golden lotus blossom, complementing her Mutton Fat Jade-like complexion, shining brilliantly. Her figure was slender, her black hair like clouds, possessing a pure and moving beauty.

“Are you Jue Youqing from the Western Desert?” Dongfang Ye asked.

Jue Youqing. It was an odd name indeed, but one of great significance in Western Desert Buddhism; few had dared to claim it throughout history. It was another term for Bodhisattva, embodying self-awareness and the enlightenment of others—one who is awakened and takes on the responsibility of awakening others, compassionate yet enlightened.

It had long been rumored that Jue Youqing would one day achieve the path to become a Bodhisattva. She was a rare being from the ancient Western Desert, close to Buddhahood, destined to achieve the Great Way.

Jue Youqing put away the lotus platform and stood in the swamp. Her white garments fluttered, her skin pristine as colored glass, emanating Buddha Light, dreamlike and illusory.

She spoke no needless words, maintaining a Buddhist serenity, peaceful and gentle. She nodded and smiled at the group without further comment.

“AHH…”

From the distance came cries of anguish. An Ichthyosaur Crocodile, two hundred zhang long, lurking mysteriously in the swamp, had slain dozens of masters. It was more fearsome than even a supreme Peacock King.

CROAK!

Tens of miles away, a hundred-zhang tall toad roared, shaking mountains and rivers. It devoured over a hundred strong warriors in an even bloodier scene, causing the entire swamp to tremble.

“This won’t work. With two fierce spirits guarding here, there’s simply no way around them,” Ye Fan frowned.

“No worries, we just need to wait here. If the sky falls, there are bigger people to hold it up.” The old swindler was utterly composed, saying this spot could help them avoid the two Primordial Strange Species and was very safe.

BOOM!

Mud splashed high into the sky as an Emperor and a sovereign engaged the Ichthyosaur Crocodile. A Great Cauldron descended from above, pressing down on it.

ROAR…

The Ichthyosaur Crocodile roared, shattering the clouds on the horizon. With a mighty blow, its two-hundred-zhang long body flung the Great Cauldron into the distance, sending it crashing into a mountain range.

BOOM!

Dust shot skyward as rocks pierced the air. Seven or eight peaks in that mountain range collapsed, and the Great Cauldron fell to the ground.

“Damn beast!”

A great seal descended from the sky, pressing down and transforming into a Jade Peak, lush with plants, with silver waterfalls cascading, and vivid depictions of birds and beasts. It was incredibly lifelike and majestic.

THUD!

The Jade Seal transformed into a Great Mountain, pressing heavily on the Ichthyosaur Crocodile, causing the entire swamp to sink. Yet suddenly, a terrifying baleful air erupted skyward.

BANG!

The Ichthyosaur Crocodile resisted the great seal head-on, flinging it away again. The seal crashed into a distant mountain ridge, breaking it and turning the area into a barren land.

“This ancient strange species, the Ichthyosaur Crocodile, is terrifying!”

Ye Fan and the others were shocked. Even the combined effort of an Emperor and a sovereign could not suppress it. Before long, another Peacock King flew in, wielding a pair of Dragon Jiao Scissors to help subdue it.

CLANG! CHING!..

Sparks flew, and mud surged to the sky as three pinnacle figures battled the Ichthyosaur Crocodile. It was a chaotic, desperate, and incredibly fierce fight.

Meanwhile, on the other side, three supreme Sect Hierarch level figures were taking action, trying to subdue the toad. It was also terrifying, bearing nine golden lines on its back from which it shot nine Divine Arrows, nearly piercing one Sect Hierarch to death.

“This Immortal Burial Ground is truly frightening! Saint Master Level Barbaric Ancient Beast Kings guard it on all sides. This swamp alone has revealed two Primordial Strange Species; who knows what awaits inside!”

“Now’s our chance! Let’s move!” The old swindler called out, leading the group towards the Heaven-Reaching Land first.

In this place, other than pinnacle-level sovereigns, no one else could fly; they had to proceed on foot.

This time, they encountered no strange and powerful beasts and arrived directly at the Heaven-Reaching Land: a vast expanse of Immortal Cliffs, brimming with purple energy.

Here, there were few plants, yet life was not scarce. The herbs growing were not ordinary but included Dragon Grass, rare trees, and the like; there were no common species among them.

On the cliff walls, Ten Thousand Years Spirit Medicines blossomed, giving off a subtle fragrance. Before Ancient Caves, Divine Vines coiled, their blossoms crystal-clear, some even bearing exotic fruits.

Many cultivators had already rushed in, searching for an Ancient Emperor Scripture. This place, suffused with purple mist, held a mysterious Dao rhythm that was being broken by the crowd.

“AHH…”

Among the Human Race Cultivators, strife broke out. Someone discovered a cave dwelling, and a mob rushed in, fighting fiercely. In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen had perished.

“See that? Who knows how many will die today—and it’s just for a Sword Technique. If an Ancient Emperor Scripture were to emerge, even peerless Emperors would battle to the death,” the old blind man remarked.

“Have you discovered anything?” Ye Fan nudged Daoist Duan De. This guy has been robbing tombs for years; he surely has unique insights about this place.

Fatty Duan was composed, hands behind his back, pacing among the Immortal Cliffs. He was measuring, meticulously calculating, and deducing.

After a long while, he sighed and said, “This place is too vast, with endless cliffs and an overwhelming abundance of spiritual auspiciousness. It would take me at least half a year to deduce everything.”

Let me observe the grand layout, Ye Fan murmured to himself. Using the Source Heavenly Divine Technique, he viewed the entire Immortal Burial Ground. His Divine Eye radiated light, scanning in all directions.

Within moments, his heart quaked. This place was mysterious to the extreme, resembling a Daoist saint reclining here in slumber—unbelievably eerie.

Ye Fan sketched on the ground, mapping out the great natural forces and the most spiritually abundant spots. He also highlighted several deadly Dragon Caves.

“Amazing! You’ve visualized such a grand terrestrial layout! If we collaborate, there won’t be any Ancient Mausoleum we can’t enter. We could even try to breach a Great Emperor’s place of demise!” Daoist Duan De’s eyes shone brightly.

However, there were still too many potential locations, and they found it difficult to decide.

“Let me try a divination.” The old blind man picked up dozens of Ancient Turtle Shells, muttered incantations, then scattered them on the ground.

“What? The Nine Extremes! Certain death!” The old blind man shuddered upon reading the divination on the ground.

“What do you mean?” the barbarian asked.

“The divination indicates it’s extreme for heaven, extreme for earth, extreme for man, extreme for ghosts, extreme for Immortals… Essentially, anything that enters is destined for obliteration,” the old blind man said, his voice strained.

“Isn’t this supposed to be an ancient Great Emperor’s place of passing? How did it become the Nine Extremes?” Daoist Duan De was doubtful and confused.

Ye Fan stood up and observed again with the Source Heavenly Divine Technique. The more he looked, the more alarmed he became. This expanse of Immortal Cliffs did indeed resemble a reclining Daoist saint, lying horizontally here.

However, upon closer inspection, a chilling realization struck him. This Daoist saint wasn’t merely slumbering but seemed to have been sealed here, to meet their doom in this very place.

This truly is an Immortal Burial Ground in every sense of the word… he murmured, sketching this depiction in the dirt. The others were also awestruck and dismayed.

The old blind man gathered the dozens of turtle shells, shook them, and cast a second divination. With a CLATTER, they scattered, landing directly on Ye Fan’s sketch of the Immortal Burial.

“There are Immortal Treasures here, quite possibly a Great Emperor’s Holy Weapon or even their remains. But it is undeniably the Nine Extremes,” the old blind man deduced from the divination once more.

“Are your divinations accurate?” Dongfang Ye was extremely skeptical of this old geezer, suspecting he was up to no good.

The old blind man declared, “There’s no mistake. It’s certainly an Immortal-burying Desolate Land. However, there’s also a sliver of life. If we find the Great Emperor’s Holy Weapon or the ancient scriptures, a path to survival will most likely manifest.”

“AHH…” Distant screams echoed intermittently.

Endless cliffs stretched, one after another, shrouded in purple mist, with clouds steaming and rosy. Countless cultivators had entered, fighting over Ten Thousand Years Spirit Medicine, battling to the death for cave dwellings engraved with texts.

This was only the beginning, and already sixty to seventy people had lost their lives, their blood staining the cliffs.

“Let’s go! The divination indicates the sole sliver of life lies in this direction. We head there to find Immortal Treasures!” the old blind man urged, pointing.

Although apprehensive, they pressed on rather than withdraw. After passing several stone cliffs, they spotted numerous bloodstains and corpses.

Quite a few people were moving about in this direction, including some supreme figures, but no large-scale massacre had occurred yet.

“Oh no!” At that very moment, every hair on Daoist Duan De’s body stood on end. He stared at the bend of the cliff ahead and said, “Did you see anything just now?”

“It looked like someone flashed by and disappeared,” Dongfang Ye also stared at the spot.

“That wasn’t human. To think such things truly exist… I’ve ventured into countless subterranean Ancient Tombs for over twenty years and never encountered anything like it. I can’t believe I’ve run into one here today.” Daoist Duan De’s face turned pale.