Shrouded Sky

Chapter 146 - All Eyes On Him

At this moment, only Ye Fan truly understood why he had managed to withstand the God-King Physique’s assault, it was purely an instinctive reaction of the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique.

As he was being suppressed, a strange energy overflowed from within his Oceanic Wheel, pushing back against the “Moon Rises Over the Sea” Celestial Phenomenon. Even he couldn’t explain what kind of mysterious force it was.

Of course, the key reason was that Ji Haoyue had deliberately suppressed his cultivation. They were on equal footing in terms of realm. If Ji Haoyue had used his full power, then no matter how unique Ye Fan’s physique was, he would’ve been doomed.

To fight him to a draw while both were at the Oceanic Wheel Realm, Ye Fan was deeply shaken. The God-King Physique of the Eastern Wilderness was truly terrifying. It had triggered his Sacred Physique’s natural resistance. What he didn’t know was that Ji Haoyue was even more shocked and had yet to calm down.

From the moment he first laid eyes on Ye Fan, the God-King Physique had an odd reaction, as though it had encountered a natural enemy. Nine divine rings of light appeared above his head, instinctively triggering his innate powers in resistance.

Hua Yunfei, dressed in flowing blue robes, stood tall with an ethereal aura. He raised a cup and said, “Everyone here is a rare talent. One day, each of you will make your mark in the Eastern Wilderness. Since we all reside in the Southern Region, may we never become enemies.”

In truth, the so-called Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness was vast beyond measure. Strictly speaking, they were merely occupying a small corner of it.

Everyone raised their cups. Aside from the disciples of Star Peak, the rest were elite geniuses from various sects, if not the absolute top, then not far from it.

Everyone understood that “never becoming enemies” was an ideal. In reality, conflicts between factions were inevitable, and these rising stars would eventually clash.

Still, the atmosphere at the moment was warm. They toasted repeatedly, exchanging stories of their cultivation journeys and revealing many hidden secrets.

“That mad old man… In his prime, he was peerless, crushing all rivals. Back then, even our Radiant Light Sacred Lord was defeated by him and stood no chance. Six thousand years have passed. So much has changed. Our former Sacred Lord has long turned to dust, yet the madman from Heavenly Jade still lives, utterly unbelievable,” said the Saintess of Radiant Light, her flawless white hand raising a cup. She took a delicate sip, her graceful neck like that of a swan, with a faint and alluring smile on her face as she made her remark.

Ji Haoyue nodded. “Time spares no one. No matter how earth-shattering a person was, they eventually return to dust. Long ago, my Ji Clan had three extraordinary figures who joined forces to fight the madman, but still lost. Even with their long lifespans, they passed away four thousand years ago. Thinking back, so many geniuses, graceful and radiant, so many powerful beings who once shook the world, all eventually vanished into history.”

These words did not diminish the prestige of the Ji Clan or the Radiant Light Sacred Ground. Instead, they hinted at the immense depth of their legacies. Even though they once lost to the madman, they still stood tall.

Indeed, every ancient force that had survived since the Desolate Era had once given rise to invincible legends. There was no need to boast, they all knew this truth.

“This madman is unfathomable. I wonder if there’s anyone in today’s Eastern Wilderness who could rival him…” Hua Yunfei mused. “He carved the Dao Runes himself at Supreme Mystery, intending to cross the void. Those Runes are deeply profound. He must be heading to an unimaginably distant place. I wonder where exactly.”

The conversation soon turned to the Forbidden Ancient Realm. Even the combined forces of the Ji Clan, Radiant Light, and the Jiang Clan had failed and were completely wiped out. Everyone sighed at the tale.

Ye Fan had personally experienced it, but he couldn’t reveal a word. Otherwise, Ji Haoyue and the Radiant Light Saintess might kill him on the spot.

As the discussion shifted to the Forbidden Lands of the Desolate Era, someone mentioned the Primordial Mine, located in the Northern Region of the Eastern Wilderness. The name “Primordial” alone showed how ancient it was.

Eons ago, it was the most famous source mine in the Eastern Wilderness, until something ominous was unearthed, turning it into one of the Seven Forbidden Burial Grounds.

“It’s said that some supreme divine sources were discovered there, with powerful beings sealed inside, some in human form. They killed everyone around them. It’s unbelievable.”

“Sources take an unimaginably long time to form. The youngest of them started forming in the Primeval Era, possibly even the Nether Antiquity. It’s beyond imagination…”

As the group of young cultivators chatted, they naturally discussed the mysteries of cultivation and their own physiques.

Before long, the conversation turned to special constitutions. Years ago, there had been rumors of God-King Physiques emerging in the Eastern Wilderness, not just one, but multiple.

Everyone naturally glanced at Ji Haoyue, asking if he knew more. Many also looked toward Ye Fan, suspecting he might also have such a constitution.

“There should be two. As far as I know, the other is in the Jiang Clan of the Northern Region,” Ji Haoyue replied.

The Jiang Clan, an ancient house by the River Jiang, was renowned across the Eastern Wilderness, one of its greatest and most powerful forces.

Ye Fan immediately thought of Little Tingting and Old Jiang. He wondered how they were doing after being taken to the Jiang Clan, and whether they had adjusted to life there.

The Primordial Mine, the Jiang Clan, and the Jade Pool Sacred Ground were all in the Northern Region. Ye Fan had long planned to head that way, but hadn’t had the chance.

There was also an enemy waiting, Jiang Yichen, who once sent soldiers from the Jiang Clan to hunt Ye Fan across nations for his treasure, leaving him no place to hide.

Thinking of all this, Ye Fan's expression became dazed. It was time to leave. Supreme Mystery was no longer safe for him.

“Brother Ye, are you also a God-King Physique?” asked a young woman in green robes.

All eyes turned to Ye Fan. Many were eager to know.

“If I were a God-King Physique, would I be living so freely? I’d have been sealed away for cultivation long ago, just like Brother Ji. Without full mastery of the God-King Physique, I couldn’t have blocked that blow,” Ye Fan replied calmly.

“That’s true,” someone nodded.

“But it makes it even more shocking. Brother Ye, if you aren’t a God-King Physique, how did you block Brother Haoyue’s supreme might with just your physical body?” the green-robed woman pressed again.

She was Li Youyou, a genius from the Free Spirit Sect, located sixty thousand miles away across dozens of nations. It was a top-tier sect, second only to a Sacred Ground, equal in status to Supreme Mystery.

“It’s a long story. Maybe it has something to do with a strange fruit I ate as a child, which caused some changes. But it’s not something outsiders would understand,” Ye Fan replied. He knew trouble was brewing and he had to leave as soon as possible.

Hua Yunfei smiled and said, “Let me play another tune to liven the mood.” He defused the tension, preventing Li Youyou from continuing her questions.

The gathering resumed with light conversation and wine. Hua Yunfei’s music flowed like mountain streams, resembling a heavenly melody, captivating everyone.

There was no denying it, his skill was near perfection. His agile fingers plucked divine harmonies from the strings, painting a vivid scene like a poetic landscape.

Soft and clear, like a spring in the mountains. Gentle and smooth, like a trickle among pine roots. Listening brought joy and tranquility, the melody like drifting clouds and flowing water.

Then, the sound became dreamlike, like night falling, moonlight pouring down, a celestial palace faintly visible, goddesses dancing, flowing like mist in the divine breeze. It was mesmerizing.

When the song ended, everyone saw that all the flower buds around the meadow had bloomed, releasing rich fragrance. The music held mystical power, causing all flowers to bloom in unison. The crowd burst into applause and praise.

The Saintess of Radiant Light sat near Ye Fan, radiant like a blossoming divine lotus. Her skin glowed, and her smile was as graceful as a passing cloud, charming and ethereal.

Her watery eyes twinkled as she secretly transmitted a message to Ye Fan: “Brother Ye, don’t worry. If you encounter trouble, you can come to me.”

Ye Fan’s heart stirred. “Will someone cause me trouble?” he asked in return.

“Perhaps. Your physique seems special. Someone may want to... ‘invite’ you to be their guest,” she said with a teasing smile, her red lips glistening.

“I just want to cultivate in peace, without being disturbed,” Ye Fan replied casually.

“No problem. If anyone tries, I’ll handle it,” she said warmly, making it clear she was extending a hand to recruit him.

At the same time, Ji Ziyue’s eyes sparkled as she whispered, “After this gathering, my brother wants to invite you to the Ji Clan.”

Unlike the Saintess, Ji Haoyue was direct, he had too many questions. He couldn’t rest until he understood Ye Fan’s physique.

To be courted by two of the most powerful factions would have thrilled anyone else, but Ye Fan felt a massive headache coming on. He could not step into a Sacred Ground or an Ancient Desolate Clan.

Otherwise, the green copper block would be lost for sure. More importantly, they would try to probe his constitution. If his Oceanic Wheel was examined, all his secrets would be exposed.

And most importantly, Li Ruoyu had once warned him: never reveal the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique to these ancient powers.

Just then, the Saintess of Radiant Light smiled and whispered, “Brother Ye, would you take a walk with me later? I have something to say.”

At the same moment, Ji Haoyue’s eyes flashed with divine light as he personally transmitted a message: “I wish to invite you to the Ji Clan as a guest.”

Simultaneously, several other divine senses reached out, trying to befriend Ye Fan and engage him further.

Ye Fan knew things were bad, really bad. He answered them all patiently but vaguely, trying to delay and deflect.

“Ji Haoyue, you’re a God-King Physique. Why did you test me and cause all this mess?” Ye Fan muttered to himself. He didn’t know that Ji Haoyue’s God-King Physique had reacted uncontrollably, it had to be tested.

“I need to create a distraction, something huge, so they stop focusing on me. I have to stir up a sensational event and slip away in the chaos.”

After thinking for a moment, Ye Fan suddenly raised his head and said: “Everyone, perhaps you haven’t heard yet, but something big is about to happen. Something that will shake the entire Eastern Wilderness.”

“Oh?” The Saintess’s black hair fluttered. Her face was flawless, and her eyes sparkled like stars. “What kind of event?”

“I believe many of you have heard of the Bronze Immortal Palace. It’s reappeared…” Ye Fan dropped the bomb.

The Bronze Immortal Palace, rumored to hold the secret to immortality, was recorded in the ancient texts of the Eastern Wilderness. Every time it surfaced, it stirred up massive upheaval. Peerless experts would rush toward it like moths to a flame.