Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 627: Chapter 631 Reunion with an Old Friend

“Who are you?” The Yin Yang Saint Heir’s face was unsightly, his expression as grim as still water. This was a sore spot for the Yin Yang Sect, and its members hated it when others brought it up.

Beside him, those Saint Heir-level and Saintess-level individuals also turned their gazes, all with unfriendly expressions, staring at Ye Fan together.

“I’m just a passerby. Or do you intend to destroy my sect as well?” Ye Fan chuckled.

“One doesn’t need to think hard to know you’re standing up for those people. With such an attitude, it’s clear you have no regard for us. Truly arrogant,” the Yin Yang Saint Heir said coldly, attempting to drag Wang Teng and the others into it and incite shared animosity against a common enemy.

Nearby, Ji Ziyue’s large eyes blinked. She eyed Ye Fan suspiciously, wrinkling her delicate nose slightly as she carefully observed his every move.

More than two years had passed, yet she hadn’t changed much, remaining just as she was back then. Her large, jet-black eyes were extremely lively, with long eyelashes and a pair of small dimples on her face, exuding a playful and cute demeanor.

On her other side, Ji Haoyue’s black hair draped over his shoulders, with sword-like eyebrows extending into his temples. His tiger eyes were spirited, his bearing majestic, and his Divine King aura even more intense. He had concealed his cultivation base with a secret treasure, making him unfathomable.

What surprised Ye Fan the most was Pang Bo. He, like Ye Fan, had reached the eighth transformation of the Dragon Transformation realm. Ye Fan couldn’t fathom how Pang Bo had cultivated to progress so quickly, not lagging behind him in the slightest.

Pang Bo was naturally imposing, standing a head or two taller than others. He was majestic and robust, with thick brows and large eyes. Each of his arms was as thick as another person’s leg, incredibly strong—a true natural prodigy.

How did you progress so quickly? You haven’t suffered a cultivation deviation, have you? Ye Fan couldn’t help but transmit mentally.

Leafy, it’s you… Pang Bo was overjoyed, responding mentally.

Ye Fan currently looked to be seventeen or eighteen years old. He was handsome and spirited, like an exiled Immortal. He had consumed sacred medicine, hence he always retained his youthful appearance.

Fortunately, he no longer looked fifteen or sixteen. He had finally matured a bit, a testament to the sacred medicine’s impact.

Ye Fan entered Qin City, naturally masking his true appearance to avoid complications. He transmitted mentally, How is your progress so fast?

Pang Bo was elated but remained outwardly calm, showing no sign of his inner excitement. Mentally, however, he was howling, For the sake of cultivation, I went all out! In these past two years, I ate a large piece of that coffin lid!

Hearing this, Ye Fan’s jaw nearly dropped. He hadn’t expected Pang Bo to still be so audacious, acting on his thoughts without any reservations.

Ye Fan had acquired half of the Undying Emperor’s coffin. After bringing it out, he had given it all to Pang Bo, as he himself possessed a Bodhi seed and had no need for the coffin material.

Pang Bo gave Li Heishui a piece. As for the rest, besides meditating on it, he had actually ingested and completely refined a large chunk over the past two years.

You’re really something else… Ye Fan could only think this. However, upon further reflection, he wasn’t worried. It was undoubtedly a priceless treasure and certainly edible.

In Ancient times, the Undying Emperor was revered by all races as a being who surpassed even gods. He was unmatched throughout history. He felled an Enlightenment Ancient Tree to craft his coffin. These were all displays of divine might; only he had ever done such things.

What was the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree? It was an Undying Tree, the rarest spiritual root in the world. Even its leaves, which contained Dao Seals, could be used for enlightenment—let alone its trunk!

Pang Bo grumbled mentally, Damn it, I must be suffering karmic retribution for eating a piece of that coffin lid! I’ve been struck by lightning quite a few times these past two years!

Ye Fan was almost speechless. My brother is too reckless! He actually ate enough to trigger a Heavenly Tribulation! This just goes to show the miraculous nature of the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree and the numerous Dao Fragments embedded within it.

As long as your cultivation can advance, that’s all that matters, Ye Fan transmitted.

Pang Bo replied mentally with a laugh, Exactly, that’s what I think too! I’ve saved a large piece for you. We can eat it together later.

Ye Fan wanted to laugh but suppressed it. Forget it, I don’t need it. You… you should eat the rest of it.

Pang Bo transmitted mentally, Last time, that old blind man chewed me out, saying I was recklessly wasting a priceless treasure. He said such an Undying Tree shouldn’t be eaten but preserved and passed down to ensure the prosperity of a Great Sect.

The old blind man, carrying the Heaven-devouring Demon Jar, had visited Qi Shi Mansion several times to support the ‘little bandit.’ This was why Wang Chong and the others were wary and didn’t dare to make any real moves against him.

“What are you dazed for? Scared silly?” someone nearby ridiculed when Ye Fan didn’t respond for a while, unaware of his thoughts.

“I don’t want to make things difficult for you,” Wang Chong said. “Come over, perform a grand salutation as an apology, and I won’t pursue the matter.”

“You little twerp, go cool off somewhere,” Ye Fan retorted, ceasing his mental exchange with Pang Bo. He then walked alone towards the dozen or so Saint Son-level figures.

“You’re far too arrogant! Do you even know who these people are? Do you have no regard for anyone present?” the Yin Yang Saint Heir goaded, hoping Wang Chong and the others would attack together.

“The Yin Yang Sect really never learns its lesson, does it? Constantly selecting Saint Heirs. Haven’t you become enough of a laughingstock? Are you planning to select a fourth one?” Ye Fan remarked casually.

“You… deserve to die!” The Yin Yang Saint Heir’s face darkened. “That Sacred Body won’t live long. He can’t hide like a tortoise his entire life!”

“It’s so troublesome to keep replacing them. I think your Yin Yang Sect doesn’t need a Saint Heir at all,” Ye Fan said. Then, he took a step forward, his large hand chopping down.

Everyone was shocked. He moved as if through an unguarded realm, making evasion impossible. His speed was incredible, and a crystalline hand, like jade, descended.

The Yin Yang Saint Heir, unable to evade, raised both hands to meet the attack. In the air, the crystalline palm and fingers flowed with Dao Glyphs. Each rune shimmered, imbued with the power of the Dao.

A soft sound echoed. The Saint Heir’s hands snapped, inch by inch, as if made of paper. Then, his entire body slumped as the large hand in the air struck down, leaving him powerless to resist.

SPLAT!

The Yin Yang Saint Heir couldn’t even utter a scream before the palm strike crashed down, crushing him into a bloody pulp. His bones shattered, and he was mangled beyond recognition.

Everyone nearby quickly retreated, breaking out in a cold sweat. That was the Saint Heir of the Yin Yang Sect, killed with a single palm strike—a truly horrifying sight.

The scene descended into chaos. Li Heishui and his group were naturally delighted, while the opposing party felt a deep sense of unease. Even Wang Chong involuntarily stepped back, fear gripping his heart.

Amidst the uproar, everyone knew the Yin Yang Sect would surely be driven to madness. Within just a few years, three of their Saint Heirs had perished in succession. This was utterly disgraceful and would undoubtedly make them a laughingstock in the Central States.

Pang Bo transmitted mentally with a chuckle, Ye Fan, you’re really too ruthless. The old Sect Hierarch of the Yin Yang Sect is already at the end of his lifespan. Even if he doesn’t die of old age, you might just anger him to death!

Ye Fan replied mentally with a smile, They’re always looking for trouble with me, eager to eliminate me. I have no choice. I’ll make sure they don’t dare select another Saint Heir in the future.

Then, he advanced step by step, pressing towards Wang Chong and his group. The dozen or so Saint Son-level individuals all retreated. No one dared to confront him; all were somewhat fearful.

In the past, Wang Teng had personally suppressed the ‘little fiend.’ Now, having emerged from his own period of seclusion, Wang Chong, though still arrogant, was much stronger than he had been two years prior. Facing Ye Fan, however, he didn’t dare to talk tough.

Qin City teemed with cultivators, and the onlookers were amazed. They hadn’t expected a single young man to force back over a dozen prodigies from the Five Great Domains, none of whom dared to make a move.

“Don’t push us too far!” Wang Chong gritted his teeth.

Ye Fan remained unmoved. He launched a palm strike, like a fierce wind scattering fallen leaves. Over ten people coughed up blood and were sent flying.

Only Wang Chong was unharmed. He was shielded by two powerful ancient beings: one, about ten feet tall and looking as if cast from gold; the other, resembling silver, was exceedingly fierce.

Ultimately, the battle did not continue. A golden ancient war chariot streaked across the sky, with Wang Teng aboard, appearing like a Heavenly Emperor as he rushed towards the depths of the Qinling Mountains.

“Our master has received a secret report with critical clues! Let’s go!” the two ancient beings exclaimed, then took Wang Chong and swiftly departed.

“Could it be that Wang Teng has learned about the place we discovered?!” Pang Bo exclaimed.

“Oh dear! We need to leave quickly! We can’t let them get there first! Anyway, the items we need are almost ready. Let’s head back immediately!” Ji Ziyue urged.

“What did you discover?” Ye Fan asked in surprise.

“We saw the imprint of a monk and a mark left by someone riding a green bull, leading to a lake that’s about to dry up,” Pang Bo replied.

“What?!” Ye Fan exclaimed.

Ye Fan secretly transmitted a message, revealing his identity to Li Heishui and the others. They were overjoyed and nearly shouted out in surprise, thrilled by the reunion with their old friend.

Soon after, they left Qin City, venturing deep into the vast Qinling Mountains, heading towards the mysterious place discovered by Ji Haoyue, Pang Bo, and Li Heishui.

It had to be said, Ji Ziyue’s spiritual perception was extraordinarily keen. After they had traveled for less than fifteen minutes, she wrinkled her delicate nose, bared her small, crystal-like incisors, grabbed Ye Fan, and declared, “It *is* you! Why did you hide your identity? Did you think of us as outsiders? I don’t want to talk to you anymore!”

Ye Fan revealed his true appearance, pinched her delicate nose, and chuckled, “I was afraid the elders of your family would chase me down.”

“How dare you pinch me…” Ji Ziyue ground her sparkling silver teeth. Her large, gem-like eyes blinked as she grabbed Ye Fan’s ear.

“Let go,” Ye Fan said, still pinching her delicate nose.

Meanwhile, Ji Haoyue, the Eastern Wastelands Divine King, wore a dark expression. He wanted to say something and felt an urge to push Ye Fan aside, so he strode forward.

“Your sister is pulling my ear! I haven’t hurt her. Hurry and tell her to let go,” Ye Fan said quickly, speaking first.

“Take your hand off my sister’s nose,” Ji Haoyue demanded, his face still dark.

“Ji Haoyue, I saved your life, you know. You could be a little more polite to your benefactor,” Ye Fan grumbled.

“Those are two different matters!” Ji Haoyue, normally astute, retorted, veins throbbing on his forehead.

Ji Ziyue’s large eyes curved into crescents as she laughed ceaselessly. She tugged Ye Fan’s ear a few more times before gracefully drifting away.

Pang Bo, Li Heishui, and the others also started laughing, their expressions mischievous. Only Ji Haoyue and Ye Fan remained, glaring at each other.

「Soon after.」

They traversed the void and entered the depths of the Qinling Mountains, arriving at a Stone Forest. Here, beside a dried-up lake, they found a monk’s imprint on a large rock. On another side, they saw a depiction of an old man riding a green bull.

“If I’m not mistaken, this must be Siddhartha Gautama. The one riding the green bull westward must be Laozi. Look, Purple Qi from the East! There’s even a purple aura on the stone wall!” Ye Fan exclaimed, deeply moved.

“This…” Pang Bo was shaken. Only he and Ye Fan truly understood the profound significance of these two names.

These ancient figures from twenty-five hundred years ago… appearing here on this side of the starry sky. Where were they headed along the ancient path of the starry sky?

Pang Bo found it incredible. Laozi departed through Han Valley, vanishing from ancient China. Who would have thought he once passed through this place? His ‘westward journey’ was truly immense!

Could this place be the Immortal Transformation Pool? Ye Fan mused.