Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 621: Chapter 625: Confrontation with Li Xiaoman

The colossal mountain collapsed, sending shattered rocks piercing through the clouds. The earth sank, revealing a scene of utter devastation—a barren, lifeless wasteland, scorched black. All vitality was extinguished; nothing remained.

Li Xiaoman, dressed in Snow Clothes, approached from the distance. Her skirt danced, and her black hair billowed as she glided through the air. She looked much the same as before.

Ye Fan said nothing, merely watching her calmly. Whether she intended to attack or retreat, whether this encounter would be peaceful or filled with enmity, all depended on her next thought.

Li Xiaoman drew near, halting in the void. She remained silent, but a hint of coldness in her eyes made the atmosphere subtly tense.

Although Hua Yunfei was gravely injured, he remained composed and calm. Yet, for someone of his renowned character, using a woman to eliminate a formidable enemy seemed somewhat dishonorable.

Ye Fan’s heart tightened. This person is cunning. He must have discovered my past relationship with Li Xiaoman. He’s trying to unsettle my mind, shatter my composure, and disrupt my Dao.

Former lovers now turned adversaries, facing each other in a life-and-death struggle… no one could remain calm in such a situation. This must be Hua Yunfei’s divine sense attack, a deliberate ploy. Otherwise, how could he not know that the Sacred Body possesses abundant Blood Qi and inexhaustible divine energy?

“Junior Sister Xiaoman,” Hua Yunfei said, his voice calm, “if you wish for your Heaven-devouring Demon Technique to reach Great Success, you must completely sever your past, clarify your heart, and transcend your former self. Only then can you attain your Dao.”

The mountain range, transformed into a desolate wasteland by the battle, was now a barren expanse. Not even a whisper of wind stirred; everything was static, submerged in a deathly silence.

CHING!

A faint sound cut through the stillness, traveling remarkably far. A layer of the Lotus Battle Robe materialized around Li Xiaoman, shimmering with a metallic luster and radiating a five-colored divine brilliance.

CHING! CHING!

The sounds continued as the Lotus Battle Robe chimed softly, its notes clear and sonorous. The five-colored metallic sheen flowed around Li Xiaoman, highlighting her graceful and statuesque figure, now clad in divine armor. In her hand, she held a silver Phoenix Spear.

She slowly raised the Phoenix Spear. Silver light streamed from it, like a cascade of Moonlight. A Phoenix Cry emanated—clear, melodious, and carrying an icy chill from the silver weapon.

Covered by the Five-Colored Divine Robe, Li Xiaoman exuded an ethereal quality. Her skin itself seemed to turn crystalline and sacred. She held the Battle Halberd, pointing it towards Ye Fan from afar as a trace of killing intent emanated from her.

“I never thought that you, of all people, would end up pointing a weapon at me,” Ye Fan said, looking at her, at this beautiful woman who was at once so familiar and yet so strange.

They had both come from the other side of the Starry Sky and had once shared a romance. Ultimately, however, they were to face each other in a battle to the death. He had never imagined such a day would come.

Li Xiaoman said nothing, merely advancing step by step, the silver Phoenix Spear aimed at Ye Fan’s chest. Killing intent filled the air.

Ye Fan knew that everything between them was long past. He had originally thought that if they were to meet again, it would be an encounter as bland as water. He had never anticipated such a life-or-death confrontation.

We have no deep-seated grievances, Ye Fan thought. For things to reach this point is truly unexpected, somewhat inexplicable, with no logical reason for it.

“Are you truly so heartless? Are you really going to attack me?” Ye Fan asked, looking at her calmly.

A moment of silence. CLINK! Li Xiaoman lowered the Phoenix Spear. “Leave,” she said plainly.

“Why should I leave? I haven’t eliminated Hua Yunfei yet.”

“So you intend to stay and fight me?” Li Xiaoman’s voice was level, yet it carried an icy edge.

“Do you think I’m afraid of you both?” Ye Fan declared, standing alone on the black War Chariot, facing the two of them.

“You’re forcing my hand.” Li Xiaoman’s Lotus Battle Robe shimmered, ripples of lighting outwards. The silver Battle Halberd in her hand grew increasingly brilliant.

Ye Fan laughed, though there was a hint of desolation in it. After all, they had come from the same Starry Sky, and they shared a past. Yet now, they faced each other like this. “Both of you, come at me together!”

“Help me pin down that black Dragon Vehicle,” Li Xiaoman said to Hua Yunfei. She showed a slight apprehension towards the King’s Divine Weapon but wasn’t overly concerned, as the Phoenix Spear in her hand was extraordinary.

“Alright!” Hua Yunfei nodded. The great star suspended above his head blazed with increasing intensity, filling the sky as it pressed down towards the black ancient War Chariot.

Li Xiaoman’s Lotus Battle Robe billowed, emitting a sonorous clang. She finally wielded the silver Battle Halberd and attacked; a Pilean, like a river of stars, swirled forth.

The Phoenix Battle Spear in her hand seemed alive, devouring the energy of heaven and earth. It let out a Phoenix Cry, and then a silver Divine Phoenix surged forward to attack.

Li Xiaoman swung the Battle Halberd, slashing towards Ye Fan’s neck. It was a ruthless, unhesitating blow, aimed at decapitating him—decisive and clean.

At the same time, Hua Yunfei urged the great star to fully suppress the black ancient War Chariot, preventing Ye Fan from using the King’s Divine Weapon and leaving him struggling to cope.

Ye Fan sneered. He swung the God-beating Whip, striking the silver Battle Halberd. A clear sound, like the resonant tolling of a great bell, pierced the clouds.

He remained unmoving, standing on the War Chariot, and said, “You’re still not good enough!”

Li Xiaoman’s body trembled violently, and she was flung far backward, though she appeared largely unharmed. Two golden beams shot from her pupils, and a powerful aura emanated from her as she let out a soft cry.

At that moment, a mysterious wave of divine energy surged forth. Her eyes transformed into Golden Pupils, and her entire being took on an inexplicable divine aura, as if a Holy Spirit had descended.

This was an eerie transformation. Her entire body radiated a golden glow, like a deity gracing the mortal world. A terrifying scene materialized behind her: an unknown existence, lofty as a god, with numerous Golden Body Arhats and even Bodhisattvas prostrate at its feet, their sacred blood flowing freely.

Li Xiaoman became somewhat bewitching. Her pale-golden eyes, as they opened and closed, shot out two terrifying beams of light. Yet, her entire presence grew increasingly sacred and inviolable.

Her cloud-like hair had almost turned golden. The Lotus Battle Robe, too, began to change color, resembling molten gold. Only the extraordinary Phoenix Spear in her hand remained silver, though it now shone with Holy Light.

This powerful force… it definitely surpasses the Dao Palace secret realm… Ye Fan’s heart skipped a beat; he sensed something was terribly amiss with Li Xiaoman.

Li Xiaoman seemed cast in gold. Her skin was crystalline and enveloped in Golden Holy Light. She stepped forward, one step at a time, devoid of any earthly aura and carrying an indescribable pressure, a stark contrast to her original disposition.

“Whose power is this?!” Ye Fan shouted, taking the initiative. He maneuvered the black War Chariot and swung the God-beating Whip forward.

In the sky, the massive star trembled, obstructing the ancient War Chariot. Hua Yunfei utilized Immortal Flying Power to intercept, preventing Ye Fan from drawing near.

Ye Fan let out a long cry. The resplendent Golden Tai Chi Circle around him blazed, dazzlingly bright, rotating Yin and Yang, channeling the forces of life and death. The Gate of Life faced himself, while the Gate of Death turned towards the Immortal Flying Power.

CLANG!

Li Xiaoman attacked. The Phoenix Battle Spear in her hand let out a soft cry, transforming into a Divine Phoenix that charged forward. It fiercely collided with the God-beating Whip, and this time, they were surprisingly evenly matched.

Ye Fan couldn’t believe she had reached such a Realm. That golden Holy Power was definitely not her own; it was eerie and mysterious, making even him extremely apprehensive, yet he was unable to discern the situation.

He was not afraid. Using the Dou Character Technique to manifest the Tai Chi Circle, he stood atop the Dragon Vehicle, wielding the God-beating Whip to battle Li Xiaoman. His divine energy was unceasing, his Blood Qi like an Eternal Divine Furnace, burning fiercely.

“You two, come and face your deaths together!” Ye Fan sneered coldly, elevating his Combat Power into the Eight Forbidden Domain.

Hua Yunfei laughed heartily. The Dao Treasure Bottle rose and fell as he decisively wielded the Phoenix Wing Golden Mace. He was not a pedantic person; to him, solitary combat was mere smoke and mirrors, and he acted without any taboos.

Ye Fan was already battling a formidable adversary in him. Now, with powerful reinforcements, the fight became even more challenging.

HUMMM!

The void trembled. Li Xiaoman’s body flowed with pure Divine Radiance, as if draped in a Divine Map. One after another, small golden vortexes manifested on the surface of her skin.

Each golden vortex seemed connected to an unfathomable world. Inside each sat a golden figure, dignified in appearance, like divine beings slumbering.

Ye Fan used the Golden Tai Chi Circle to repel Hua Yunfei, dismantling the Immortal Flying Power and inflicting another minor injury upon him. Then, like a Flood Dragon, he charged towards Li Xiaoman.

A vast Heavenly Sound resonated. Li Xiaoman was shrouded in golden brilliance. From those three hundred sixty-five golden vortexes emanated a Divine Sound akin to Zen Chanting.

“What is this?!”

Ye Fan’s body trembled violently. Though he was typically impervious to myriad techniques, if not for the Golden Tai Chi Circle shielding him, this mysterious Heavenly Sound would likely have pierced his eardrums and invaded his very sea of consciousness.

BOOM!

He executed the Dou Character Technique, swinging the God-beating Whip towards Li Xiaoman’s head with unstoppable divine power, shattering all opposition and crushing the void itself!

The sky seemed to crumble. Li Xiaoman retreated, yet the three hundred sixty-five golden vortexes on her body deepened, blooming with a radiant light that soared to the heavens.

The vast Heavenly Sound, like a world-ending Big Grinding Disc in motion, its divine resonance capable of shredding everything, constantly crashed against the Golden Tai Chi Circle, possessing immeasurable power.

BANG!

The endless void shattered, torn apart by this vast Divine Sound. Only the three hundred sixty-five golden vortexes continued to spin.

BOOM!

The Golden Tai Chi Circle shuddered violently. Ye Fan, unleashing his full strength within the Eight Forbidden Domain, pushed his power to its absolute limit. He smashed through the radiant golden light, bringing the God-beating Whip crashing down.

BANG!

A terrifying event occurred. Each of the three hundred sixty-five golden vortexes emitted a Divine Light, which transformed into a golden palm, blocking the God-beating Whip.

Otherwise, the Wooden Whip, shaped like a sword-club, would undoubtedly have shattered Li Xiaoman’s bones and torn her tendons. She could not possibly have withstood such a blow.

This isn’t your power! Ye Fan’s heart pounded. He sensed a dangerous aura, one that felt vaguely familiar, yet he couldn’t pinpoint its origin.

Li Xiaoman let out a soft cry. Her eyes shone with intense golden light, making her resemble a Female War God. A sheet of golden light, resembling an Ancient Scroll, flew out from her body.

The three hundred sixty-five golden vortexes were all upon it. Detaching from her skin, they transformed into a map that unfurled towards Ye Fan, aiming to suppress him beneath it.

In that instant, Daoist chants, Zen Chanting, and sacrificial hymns, seemingly penetrating through time from the Ancient Times, descended from the golden Ancient Scroll—vast and solemn, sacred and harmonious!

Ye Fan vaguely saw that in those three hundred sixty-five golden vortexes, the seated golden figures all opened their eyes. Each was unmistakably the same entity, for their eyes were identical, belonging to a singular divine being.

BOOM!

Zen Chanting echoed across the heavens. A Golden Temple formed from Heavenly Sound descended from above. Inside, Golden Body Arhats shed blood, and Bodhisattvas lay dead, with seven-colored divine blood flowing profusely. It was terrifying beyond compare as it pressed down to suppress Ye Fan.

Whose power is this? I must have encountered it before… A hint of unease crept into Ye Fan’s heart.

BOOM!

At the same time, Hua Yunfei directed the great star to descend as well, wielding his King’s Divine Weapon to annihilate Ye Fan’s divine energy, attacking with merciless killing intent.

Ye Fan roared. Within the Golden Tai Chi Circle, he transformed into a dragon-shaped Dao Mark. Pushing Yin and Yang with both hands, he manipulated the forces of life and death, standing alone against the two masters!

At that moment, the Golden Tai Chi Circle, the Dragon Vehicle, and the God-beating Whip united, merging into a cohesive whole.

The great star above Hua Yunfei trembled, and cracks appeared on his form. The golden Divine Temple also shook violently, struggling to maintain stability.

Ye Fan let out a long cry, his Combat Power boiling as he elevated it to the Eight Forbidden Domain. He soared into the sky, fiercely confronting the two powerful experts.

BOOM!

A massive explosion erupted as the complete Golden Tai Chi Circle and the Dragon Vehicle, now one, surged forth with a force akin to a vast ocean.

BANG!

Hua Yunfei suffered grievous injuries and was sent flying backward along with the great star. Simultaneously, Li Xiaoman’s body also shook violently, and she spat out several mouthfuls of fresh blood.

Ye Fan’s eyes were cold and indifferent. He transformed into a Divine Light and pursued them, intending to kill them both, and said, “Even if you join forces, it’s futile!”