Shrouded Sky

Chapter 159 - Big Brother Madman

The Ji Clan was pursuing Ye Fan to reclaim the Grand Void Art, but the presence of the Radiant Light Saintess and Hua Yunfei in the chase was an ominous sign. Soon, Ye Fan also noticed Li Youyou, the most talented disciple of the Freespirit Sect, following like a wisp of smoke.

At the same time, he saw over a dozen familiar figures, all young elites he had seen at the Supreme Mystery Sect before. In addition, many unfamiliar cultivators also appeared, chasing him from afar.

Now the trouble was immense. The Ji Clan wanted to reclaim the Grand Void Art, while other forces harbored their own ambitions and wanted a share of the spoils. Ye Fan felt his future was uncertain, his life and death unpredictable, it was almost impossible to shake off his pursuers.

“Little Brother Ye, come with me. In this land, only the Radiant Light Sacred Ground can truly protect you,” the Radiant Light Saintess sent a voice transmission, her tone gentle and slightly seductive.

Ye Fan was tempted to go all-in, expose the Grand Void Art and spark a conflict between the two major factions. But that would be like throwing himself into a fire. His current situation was perilous; everyone viewed him as a piece of meat from a divine monk.

While he was distracted, the Radiant Light Saintess’ feet lit up with light, each step blooming with golden lotuses. She swayed gracefully like a willow in the wind, rapidly closing the gap between them.

Ye Fan widened his eyes and poured all his strength into boosting his speed. This Saintess, with a face that could topple nations, was incredibly mysterious and almost overtook him.

A heavenly laugh sounded as the Saintess extended a jade arm, her delicate fingers imbued with a strange power, gently brushing toward Ye Fan’s back, even from hundreds of meters away, he felt a soft fragrance and a chilling sense of danger.

Cold sweat broke out on Ye Fan. He shouted, “Radiant Light Saintess, how old are you?”

Everyone froze, puzzled.

The Saintess paused in mild surprise, then laughed, “You little rascal.”

Ye Fan did this purely to distract her and dodge the danger. Her jade hand was deflected, and he quickly picked up speed again.

Hua Yunfei caught up in his fluttering blue robes, transmitting, “Junior Brother Ye, as a disciple of Dull Peak, you’re from the Supreme Mystery Sect. Return with me to the sect.”

Clouds drifted as Li Youyou from the Freespirit Sect also approached, never falling behind.

“Brat, let’s see who can save you today!” Ji Hui’s face was cold, her killing intent intense as she rapidly closed in.

Of all the pursuers, Ye Fan could not afford to be caught by this old woman. If he did, even death would be a luxury, he would endure untold torture before the end.

“Hehehe... Little Ye, don’t run. Big Sister won’t hurt you,” Ji Biyue said with a coquettish laugh, her bare jade feet stepping on flashing five-colored lightning, quickly closing the distance.

Ye Fan was alarmed. The young elites chasing him had all reached beyond the Dao Palace Realm, no weaker than veteran cultivators.

Looking back, aside from Ji Clan elders, the pursuers included many young elites: Hua Yunfei, Li Youyou, Ji Biyue, the Radiant Light Saintess...

By now, nearly twenty cultivators were chasing him, most familiar, some unknown.

“Little Ye, let Big Sister take care of you...” Ji Biyue’s watery gaze, seductive curves, and the green moon above her head all emanated charm. That green moon flew out, aiming to trap Ye Fan beneath it.

“Beautiful lady, let’s talk privately. Doing this in public isn’t appropriate,” Ye Fan joked. At the same time, he shivered and stepped into a more profound footwork, each step laced with Dao Resonance. After several strides, he finally escaped the moon’s grasp.

State of Jin, a well-known place in the Southern Region, was famous among cultivators solely because of one thing: the Flame Domain.

No one knew why the Flame Domain had burned for eternity, from ancient times to now, through countless eras. It had existed for an uncountable number of years.

There was no vegetation on the ground, no magma beneath, nothing to fuel the flames. Yet the fire burned endlessly, unextinguishable by any means.

Ordinary cultivators dared not approach, but top-tier cultivators would often come here to refine weapons. The flames had mysterious power, able to forge divine tools and inscribe “Dao” and “Principles.”

Of course, the Flame Domain wasn’t a peaceful place. When dormant, it was fine. But once the flames surged and engulfed the sky, even top powerhouses had to retreat.

Ancient records spoke of this place, some vague texts even linked it to immortals and the Desolate Tower. But the references were scarce and unclear.

Ye Fan had traveled 3,000 miles from the Sunset Glow Mountains to the westernmost edge of the State of Jin. Before him, a blazing red expanse stretched out, an inferno covering over a hundred miles.

“Brat, you have nowhere to run now!” Ji Hui’s face was icy, her eyes filled with murderous intent. She blocked the rear, no longer in a hurry to chase.

The others stopped as well, surrounding him on three sides, trapping him before the Flame Domain.

Ye Fan considered flying over but hesitated upon seeing their stance. He didn’t act rashly.

“You old hag, what can you do to me? It’s just a patch of fire. You think that can stop me?” he said, observing their reactions carefully.

“Foolish courage. Not fearing the Flame Domain only shows your ignorance,” Ji Hui sneered. From her demeanor, Ye Fan immediately knew this place was no joke and shouldn’t be entered recklessly.

“Little Brother Ye, stop hesitating. Come with me. Radiant Light will nurture you,” the Saintess transmitted again, painting a tempting picture.

Ji Hui moved forward, other elders following. They were no longer giving him a chance.

Ahead, flames danced, the heat scorching the earth. The outer region was cracked and parched.

Ye Fan clenched his teeth and decided to risk it. He backed into the Flame Domain, there was no other path.

“Little Ye, don’t be so stubborn...” Ji Biyue smiled, her bare feet on flashing lightning as she floated in after him.

Whoosh,

Ye Fan charged into the fire. The heat slammed into him, flames swirling. He cloaked himself in godlight and ran quickly, aiming to exit through another direction.

“It’s useless. If you don’t die today, how will we have peace?” Ji Hui followed him into the flames like a ghost.

A dozen others followed too. Those who hesitated quickly chased after them. Together, they sealed all exits, forcing Ye Fan deeper into the Flame Domain.

Within moments, he had gone seven or eight miles in. The flames turned from red to pale blue, the heat increasing. Even with his godpower’s protection, Ye Fan felt the searing pain.

“Hey, you all want to become jerky? Keep chasing me and we’ll all burn together!” Ye Fan shouted behind him.

“Little Ye, Big Sister doesn’t want to see you roasted. Come back. I’ll secretly let you go, I’m not as heartless as Aunt Ji Hui,” Ji Biyue sent a seductive message.

Several more miles in, the flames turned milky white, like flowing cream. The air was thick and dry, Ye Fan felt parched, as if he might actually be roasted.

The terrain changed, stone forests appeared. This helped him hide and maneuver.

“Don’t go further! This is a weapon-forging ground for powerhouses. Go any deeper, and you’ll be ashes,” Hua Yunfei warned via transmission.

Ye Fan ignored him and charged ahead. After a few more miles, a fourth flame appeared, glowing black like ghost fire, silent and terrifying.

Strangely, even at this temperature, the rocks didn’t melt.

Entering the black fire, Ye Fan immediately felt his skin splitting, it was unbearably hot, even for his powerful body.

If not for his incredibly strong physique, he’d be dead already. Even so, he was in immense pain.

Behind, Ji Hui and others began to hesitate. Li Youyou and other elites with weaker bodies used their divine power to resist.

Whoosh,

The Radiant Light Saintess entered the black fire. Her body glowed, each step blooming with golden lotuses. Her movement art was beautiful beyond compare.

“Little Brother Ye, stop resisting. There’s no way out. Come with me, Radiant Light is your only chance.”

She glowed like jade. Her white dress was striking in the black flames. Godlight shimmered on her skin as she smiled: “You can’t escape. Even overlords frown at this place.”

“Can Saintesses marry?” Ye Fan teased. “If I can become Radiant Light’s son-in-law, maybe I’ll come with you.”

“If you can defeat the Sacred Lord, it’s not impossible,” she laughed, unoffended. “With your physique, you’re bound to rise. Come.”

Ye Fan ran through the stone forest. She followed with blooming lotuses beneath her feet, moving like spring breeze, graceful as a dancing celestial.

The others hesitated, then braved the black fire to follow.

Records said the Flame Domain had nine layers. The fourth was already very dangerous. No one wanted to go further, but they had no choice.

Ahead, golden flames appeared. Ye Fan panicked. The black fire was already unbearable, if he entered the fifth layer, he feared being incinerated.

Even the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique might not survive. Indeed, even the Saintess avoided the gold flames, circling cautiously.

“Little Brother Ye, it’s over. Come with me or become ash,” she said sweetly, reaching out with her delicate hand.

“Radiant Light Saintess, I’ll come propose marriage someday. Please leave,” Ye Fan gritted his teeth and rushed into the golden flames.

Instantly, even his Sacred Physique began to fail. His skin cracked. He felt like he was burning into nothingness.

His divine power couldn’t hold up. His treasure body was failing.

Panicked, Ye Fan quickly pulled out the Jade Purification Vase and drank from it. Divine spring water entered his body, easing the feeling of being reduced to ash.

But his danger remained. The divine spring was limited. His body would eventually ignite and burn completely.

Outside, everyone stared in disbelief. Ye Fan hadn’t turned to ash, he survived.

They could see that he was relying on his powerful flesh to endure. It was shocking.

Ji Hui and several elders gathered, coldly smiling. Together, they summoned a Jade Leaf, aiming to slash at Ye Fan in the golden flames.

He was slow from the heat. Though he dodged, the Jade Leaf still tore the void beside him.

Whoosh! Ye Fan vanished, into the Void.

The Radiant Light Saintess gasped. “That’s an artifact inscribed with the Grand Void Art!”

“Yes,” Ji Hui nodded. “Too bad it only moves forward, otherwise, we’d have caught him.”

Another Ji elder added, “He’ll land in the sixth flame layer. Even we would die there. He’s doomed.”

“The sixth layer is called Purple Mist Comes from the East. Powerhouses forge weapons there. He has no hope,” said Ji Biyue.

“Let’s go. Even we can’t endure this black fire for long,” Ji Hui said and turned to leave.

“Such a pity...” others sighed and quickly withdrew.

“I don’t think he’ll die so easily...” the Radiant Light Saintess lingered at the edge of the gold flames. Seeing no movement inside, she whispered, “Such a shame,” and left.

Hua Yunfei waited briefly, listened, then also left as the black fire quieted.

Outside the Flame Domain, Ji Hui ordered Ji clan disciples to guard the area. She didn’t want any surprises. She even considered asking a Clan elder to explore the sixth flame layer.

Sixth Layer – Purple Mist Comes from the East.

Unlike roaring fire, this flame resembled purple mist, swirling in waves.

The Jade Leaf, a forbidden artifact, had torn through the void with the Grand Void Art. It crossed the golden fire, bringing Ye Fan straight into the purple flame.

As he crossed the void, Ye Fan knew something was terribly wrong!

He quickly summoned the Allheaven Net, shielding his body. With one hand gripping the Jade Purification Vase, he was ready to pour it over himself at any moment.

This place, where top powerhouses forged divine tools, was beyond what he could survive.

As the void cracked open, only a wisp of purple fire leaked in, but Ye Fan already felt like he was about to explode.

At the same time, the Motherly Energy of All Things inside him began to stir.