Shrouded Sky

Chapter 151 - Different Paths

A massive hand like an iron cage locked down the surrounding space. It was a mysterious technique, five fingers spread to suppress everything within.

Once again, a god glow flared from Ji Ziyue’s body. Her mysterious treasure blocked the giant hand. The void trembled, and the hand failed to fall.

But the other five cultivators regrouped and surrounded them again, raining down weapons and suppression.

“Little rascal, listen carefully…” Ji Ziyue transmitted mentally.

“Attain ultimate void. Remain absolutely still.”

The Grand Void Technique’s incantation wasn’t long. It was one of the ultimate arts recorded in the ancient Void Scripture, a sacred text created by sages of old through observation of all things and eternal laws.

Ji Ziyue’s voice was gentle, like a spring breeze flowing into Ye Fan’s heart. He listened intently, mentally comparing it to the fragmented version he had previously studied.

Ye Fan already understood the scripture’s core: achieving absolute void and maintaining profound stillness. That was its essence.

The Grand Void Technique was unpredictable and incredibly mysterious. When mastered, it allowed brief passage through space.

Of course, this so-called “space travel” was limited, true long-distance teleportation was impossible, or else teleportation gates would be obsolete.

Even mighty figures at the peak of cultivation could only traverse short distances with this art. But in close combat, it was an unmatched trump card.

When perfected, the Grand Void Technique rendered one’s form undetectable, appearing and vanishing like a ghost, granting overwhelming initiative.

Obtaining the complete incantation was a massive gain for Ye Fan.

Though talented, he wasn’t some unprecedented genius who could fully comprehend it at a glance, it was, after all, from one of the Eastern Wilderness’ oldest scriptures.

The ancient scriptures were revered as god tomes, difficult to comprehend even for the most powerful.

“No need to fully master it, just let your body become like smoke, dissolving into the void. I’ll guide it. Just help me avoid their suppression,” Ji Ziyue said.

Her treasure was truly formidable, blocking wave after wave of attacks. But the robed man was terrifying, every strike distorted space, nearly tearing it open.

Ye Fan activated the incomplete version of the Grand Void Technique he had once practiced. His body became a streak of black smoke, fading and blending with the void.

“Channel godpower into me, we’ll cast the Grand Void Technique together,” Ji Ziyue said softly.

Their fingers linked, and in a flash, their forms grew hazy like drifting black mist.

“I’m about to activate the treasure. It’ll help us hide in the void. Don’t lose focus, if your mind drifts, we’ll be torn to pieces!” she warned.

Buzz, The space shook like a beehive humming. In an instant, the two vanished!

Ye Fan was stunned, her treasure could amplify the Grand Void Technique to this extent? They were truly hidden in the void.

It was bizarre. Around him was endless darkness. Time felt frozen. No sound. Pure emptiness.

“Don’t lose focus, keep circulating the incantation. If anything happens here, not even immortals can save us,” Ji Ziyue reminded.

No need to warn him again. Just one moment of distraction had left Ye Fan feeling a terrifying tearing sensation. He quickly centered himself and focused.

Back in the real world, the five cultivators (excluding the robed man) were stunned.

“They escaped through the void! What now?!”

“Ji Clan’s Grand Void Technique really lives up to its name… an ultimate art indeed.”

Only the robed man remained calm. “No rush. They haven’t fully mastered it, just relied on a treasure to briefly hide in the void.”

“What if they don’t come out?”

“They won’t last long in there. We just need patience. Spread out and surround the area. The Grand Void Technique has limited range, they can’t get far.”

He was right. The void was dangerous. No one could stay inside forever.

“We’ll burst out, then keep teleporting to break the encirclement. Once we’re clear, use the madman’s footwork to escape,” Ji Ziyue said.

The next instant, they reappeared in the light, but were still surrounded.

“This is bad…” Ji Ziyue frowned. “That robed man knows the Grand Void Technique well, definitely not ordinary.”

They slipped into the void again. Repeating this several times drained a lot of godpower.

“This won’t work,” Ji Ziyue whispered. “Eventually I’ll become the beautiful bird in a cage.”

Any ordinary cultivator would have long since run dry from such repeated use. Only Ye Fan’s monstrous body could keep going, like a bottomless well of godpower.

“Why aren’t you running anymore?” the robed man mocked coldly. “Tired of hiding? Then let me send you off to the next world.”

Boom, The silver tower rumbled. Ancient and imposing, it emanated a faint Black-Gold Dualforce, much stronger than before.

This time, motherly energy flowed through it!

“That’s a true god-weapon!” Ji Ziyue cried out.

Ye Fan’s expression changed. Only someone extraordinary could forge a weapon with Black-Gold Dualforce.

The silver tower descended like a mountain. Heaven and earth cracked. It was trying to suck them inside.

“Your body contains a large amount of motherly energy source. Stir it, it may interfere with the tower. This might be our only chance!” Ji Ziyue said urgently.

“Got it.” Ye Fan nodded and activated a mental technique from the Dao Scripture.

Though he couldn’t control the motherly energy, he could at least trigger its vibrations.

He had once given a portion to Ji Ziyue, but the bulk of it still surrounded the green bronze piece in his Oceanic Wheel, ever regenerating.

Boom!

He forced the motherly energy to tremble. The aura of creation surged, and the world quivered.

Dong!

The silver tower shook, as if caught in mud, stalled for a moment.

“Go!”

Ji Ziyue flared with light, activated her treasure, and shot forward, breaking free of the robed man’s trap and the tower’s suppression.

The other five couldn’t react in time, their weapons stuttered, and the two escaped.

“Chase them! They carry treasures cultivators dream of!” the robed man shouted.

His cultivation and insight were terrifying. He guessed that motherly energy had interfered.

Even so, he was stunned, so much motherly energy?! The very idea was mythic.

Ye Fan then activated his footwork technique, soaring like a rainbow. Once he got moving, there was no catching him.

The madman’s supreme technique approached the pinnacle of speed. In several flashes, mountains and rivers vanished behind them.

After an hour of fleeing, they finally paused to rest.

“Who’s after you?” Ye Fan asked. “That robed man is no ordinary person, how could he forge with Black-Gold Dualforce?”

“I don’t know. Anyone could be behind this. Even the Radiant Light Sacred Ground might be involved. Right now, no sect is trustworthy,” Ji Ziyue replied, deep in thought.

Ye Fan said grimly, “That robed man won’t be easy to shake. I suspect they can track us.”

“He’s the one I fear most. Like a wooden puppet, cold and lifeless. He might be a construct housing someone’s spiritual imprint,” Ji Ziyue said. “As for that silver tower, it’s probably a temporary creation, infused with a bit of Black-Gold Dualforce.”

“Meaning someone extraordinary is behind all this?”

“That’s the worst-case scenario. If that person steps in, we’re finished.”

Despite the Ji Clan’s power, Ji Ziyue trusted no one now. She could only flee toward home.

“Little rascal, are you planning to ditch me?” she asked.

“I’ll get you somewhere safe, then I’ll leave.”

“Come to our clan. No one will harm you. I even taught you the Grand Void Technique. If you slip away now, you’ll regret it,” she said, flashing her sharp little teeth.

After resting, Ye Fan stood. “Isn’t your Ji Clan one of the Eastern Wilderness’ strongest forces? Why haven’t your elders found you yet?”

“The Southern Region is vast, dozens of countries. Even our clan can’t search every inch. Besides, no one knows where I fled.”

For two more days, Ye Fan guided the still-injured Ji Ziyue through dangerous terrain, across multiple nations. They dodged pursuers, surviving several near-death encounters.

Clearly, a powerful force was trying to kill her. Otherwise, such large-scale pursuit made no sense.

“Just go, little rascal. You don’t need to protect me anymore…” Ji Ziyue said, seeing Ye Fan bloodied.

“You gave me the Grand Void Technique, I can’t leave in good conscience…”

“You already saved me once with that spring water. We’re even. Go!” she urged. “I suspect someone from inside the clan is colluding with outsiders. Otherwise, an elder should’ve found me by now.”

On the third day, after traveling nearly ten thousand miles, they were ambushed again.

“A hidden force is directing this,” Ji Ziyue concluded. “These attackers aren’t too strong, easy to eliminate afterward. Perfect pawns.”

“So sinister,” Ye Fan muttered.

“No need to speculate…” she said quietly.

At noon on the third day, they were attacked again. Using the Grand Void Technique, the madman’s footwork, and their treasures, they narrowly escaped.

“Grand Void Technique…” someone cried in the distance as figures appeared.

Finally, Ji Clan members arrived. Though young, they were enough to scare off the attackers.

“Who’s that boy with Miss Ziyue? How does he know the Grand Void Technique, none of us are allowed to learn it!”

“Stop talking, go save her first!”

The group rushed over and surrounded the pale Ji Ziyue protectively.

“Greetings, Miss Ziyue!” they saluted.

She finally smiled, relieved that the nightmare was over.

“Who are you? How do you know the Grand Void Technique?” several asked Ye Fan warily. The technique was a clan secret, even elites like them had no access.

Ji Ziyue’s eyes narrowed. “Mind your manners. He protected me across ten thousand miles. Without him, I’d be dead. Do you not see the blood on him? Get some medicine.”

Indeed, Ye Fan was heavily wounded, covered in blood.

“I’m fine. Now that you’re safe, I’ll take my leave.” Ye Fan turned to go.

“Don’t leave!” Ji Ziyue blocked him. Her companions stepped in too.

“What are you doing?!” she scolded, then whispered to Ye Fan, “You’re injured. If you leave now, it’s dangerous. Stay with me for now.”

He was conflicted. He couldn’t go to the Ji Clan, but leaving alone was also risky. He nodded reluctantly to rest for now.

“Miss Ziyue, Ancestor Ji Hui is up ahead,” a youth reported.

“Good. I’ll meet her,” Ji Ziyue said, walking alongside Ye Fan.

Ten miles ahead was a small city. Ji Hui, a powerful Ji elder, had arrived and occupied an entire inn with her people.

When she heard the news, she came out personally. White-haired and sharp-eyed, she looked strict, but smiled warmly upon seeing Ji Ziyue safe.

“Good, good, you’re safe. That’s all that matters.” She pulled Ji Ziyue close and led her inside, ignoring Ye Fan.

“Auntie, he’s the one who saved me.” Ji Ziyue smiled sweetly and motioned Ye Fan forward.

“Greetings, senior,” Ye Fan said respectfully.

Ji Hui nodded, her warm smile vanishing. “Thank you for escorting her. You won’t be unrewarded, we’ll compensate you fairly.”

To Ye Fan, it felt like a formality. The gratitude lacked sincerity. He suddenly realized, those young disciples had likely reported his use of the Grand Void Technique.

“Auntie, don’t be so stiff! He protected me across ten thousand miles! Look at him, he’s drenched in blood, seriously hurt…” Ji Ziyue said playfully.

“Yes, that was quite the effort. Young man, please come in,” Ji Hui finally said, forcing a faint smile.

Ji Ziyue whispered to Ye Fan, “Don’t mind her. I know teaching you the Grand Void Technique is a big deal. Let me explain later, she’ll understand.”

Ye Fan nodded silently.

Ji Ziyue took his hand and led him into the inn.

At that moment, Ye Fan sensed Ji Hui’s expression darken. A mental voice reached him:

“Young man, don’t get too close to Ziyue. You must understand, a daughter of the Ji Clan is like a moon hanging in the sky. You saved her, and we will reward you. But beyond that… you know what to do.”