Shrouded Sky

Chapter 167 - Awe-Inspiring

Outside the Flame Domain, over a hundred soldiers guarded Ji Ziyue. Ye Fan surmised that with Hua Yunfei’s cunning, he would not act recklessly and leave any traces.

Ji Ziyue stood quietly before a solitary grave, like a celestial maiden fallen to the mortal world, as if a thin cloud veiled the bright moon or a gentle breeze caressed a jade flower, embodying ethereal grace.

A light breeze passed, and within the first layer of the Flame Domain, crimson flames roared.

At that moment, the golden lake in Ye Fan’s forehead, deep as an abyss, projected his divine sense, forming a thin thread that transmitted, “The linen-clad man who hunted you before was under Hua Yunfei’s command.”

After sending the message through divine sense, Ye Fan rushed toward the depths of the Flame Domain. He trusted that with Ji Ziyue on guard, her opponent would find it difficult to seize an opportunity.

He headed straight to the seventh layer of the Flame Domain, where he summoned his cauldron to collect the five-colored cloud flames. The terrifying fire energy flowed into the cauldron like a stream or a river.

Preparing to leave, he sought to secure some life-preserving means. He didn’t refine his Godrune Cauldron but merely stored the flames within. Even when kept in his Oceanic Wheel, it wouldn’t harm him.

In the end, the five-colored cloud flames filled the cauldron completely, leaving no space unused. Sealed with the Motherly Energy of All Things, Ye Fan stored the cauldron in his body.

After leaving the Flame Domain, Ye Fan cast a deep glance back before heading north.

Days later, Ye Fan received news that filled him with excitement.

The Northern Region was in turmoil, all because of the “Source.” Many cultivators from the Southern Region wanted to try their luck there.

The Radiant Light Sacred Ground and the Ji Clan had sent groups of experts to the Northern Region half a year ago. As towering forces in the world, their profound foundations allowed them to open Domain Gates to cross directly to the Northern Region.

For rogue cultivators, however, it was far more troublesome. Traveling to the Northern Region would take years of flight. Most had to find alternative methods, such as paying a steep price to borrow a passage.

Half a month later, Ye Fan arrived at the Freespirit Sect. Legend had it that this place was formed by the convergence of two dragon veins, with towering peaks resembling dragon bones, undulating gracefully, adorned with rare trees and herbs, majestic yet elegant.

In this region, the Freespirit Sect was a superpower second only to the Sacred Grounds, on par with the Supreme Mystery Sect, currently at its peak with numerous experts.

Ye Fan came here to “smuggle” his way through. According to his information, by paying a hefty price, he could use their Domain Gate to cross the void.

Outside the sect’s gate, over a thousand people waited.

“Brother, you’re so young, and you’re heading to the Northern Region to try your luck?” a burly man with a full beard asked.

“Yeah, I want to take a chance,” Ye Fan replied.

“The journey is long, and the Northern Region is dangerous. At your age, it’s better not to take the risk,” an emaciated old man advised.

The thousand-plus people varied in gender and cultivation, their strengths uneven.

The sect’s gate opened, and several cultivators emerged, led by a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion and unsteady steps.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you’re in luck. This may be the last chance, as the sect leader was displeased upon learning of this after coming out of seclusion,” he announced.

The crowd buzzed with discussion, many feeling fortunate.

People stepped forward one by one, presenting treasures without needing much prompting from the sallow-faced man. Crossing the void required a steep price.

“A weapon from a Life Spring cultivator? You dare present this?” The sallow-faced man glanced disdainfully, rejecting the first cultivator outright.

“Please, show some leniency,” the cultivator pleaded. “This weapon has been refined for over a decade; it’s my most precious possession.”

“Even if you refined it for a hundred years, it’s useless. Even weapons from Other Shore cultivators, if ordinary, we won’t accept,” the sallow-faced man said with contempt.

The cultivator left reluctantly, not daring to argue.

The second cultivator offered an ancient bronze mirror, flawed with three cracks.

“We don’t accept defective goods!” the sallow-faced man declared.

“This was refined by a peak Dao Palace Realm cultivator; its power is extraordinary,” the cultivator explained cautiously.

“No matter how great, fatal cracks render it useless. Even nurturing it for a century won’t restore it,” the sallow-faced man said impatiently, waving him away.

“A Scarlet Moon Fruit!” The third cultivator presented a jade box containing a glowing, crescent-shaped red fruit, fragrant and crystalline.

The sallow-faced man’s eyes gleamed with greed. He snapped the box shut and said, “A rare spiritual fruit. You pass.”

“A piece of Purple Radiance Copper Essence!” After several rejections, the ninth cultivator offered a piece of purple copper with faint glimmers.

“It’s really Purple Radiance Copper Essence, highly sought by masters in the third realm for refining. You pass,” the sallow-faced man said, eyes burning as he reluctantly handed the copper to an aide.

To borrow passage here, one had to pay an exorbitant price. Over half the offered treasures and elixirs were rejected.

“It’s not even a direct route to the Northern Region, yet they demand such a steep price!” those rejected grumbled.

Except for the Sacred Grounds, no sect could cross directly to the Northern Region, yet many rogue cultivators still came to borrow passage.

When it was Ye Fan’s turn, he presented a piece of divine iron, white as mutton-fat jade, the size of a dragon’s eye. The sallow-faced man jumped in shock, his eyes filled with greed, trembling as he said, “This… could it be… the legendary divine iron?”

The small iron piece, white as jade, drew many gazes. The sallow-faced man held it, examining it repeatedly before sighing, “What a pity, it’s been ruined. The divine essence is gone. Such a waste!”

“Senior, is this iron valuable enough?” Ye Fan asked.

This was the divine iron ruined by the Dark Crow. Though Ye Fan hadn’t entered the eighth layer of the Flame Domain, he had used his cauldron, expending immense effort to retrieve these white iron pieces.

Upon closer inspection, he confirmed it was indeed ruined, its essence nearly depleted, no longer a peerless treasure.

“Do you have more of this divine iron?” the sallow-faced man asked.

Ye Fan shook his head. “How could I possess such divine iron? I found this by chance in an ancient cave.”

The sallow-faced man sighed, his waxen face flickering with emotion. “Though ruined, it’s still a treasure. For a master refining a weapon, adding it can enhance quality. You pass.”

Half an hour later, the process ended. Of the thousand-plus rogue cultivators, only over four hundred remained, each paying a steep price.

“Come back in three days. Don’t be late,” the sallow-faced man said, asking them to leave their marks before heading back to the sect.

Crossing the void was no simple task. The Dao Runes had to be meticulously inscribed, as any flaw could lead to disaster. With so many rogue cultivators borrowing passage, the Freespirit Sect took no chances, preparing for days each time.

“Brother Huang, long time no see,” came a voice as several figures descended from the sky.

The sallow-faced man, surnamed Huang, fitting his complexion, turned with a smile. “It’s the young talents of the Ji Clan. Here to inspect again?”

“We’re no talents, just errand runners,” a young man replied, stepping forward. “We’re just following orders.”

The sallow-faced man smiled warmly, very courteous. “Everyone crossing the void is here. No greater demons, I assure you. See for yourselves.”

For months, the Ji Clan had swept the Southern Region in fury, failing to catch the Peacock Monarch or the Dark Crow but slaying dozens of great demons.

“No misunderstanding, Brother Huang. We’re just passing through,” the Ji Clan members said, not wishing to offend a major power like the Freespirit Sect.

The Ji Clan youths scanned the crowd, detecting no demonic aura, and left after a polite gesture.

Ye Fan, prepared for a fight, breathed a sigh of relief.

The crowd dispersed, and Ye Fan walked slowly, avoiding the Ji Clan members.

“Young friend, wait,” came a transmission from behind. The sallow-faced man caught up, wearing a fake smile.

“Senior, is something wrong?” Ye Fan asked calmly.

“You really don’t have more of that mutton-fat jade iron?” the sallow-faced man pressed, staring at him.

“I only found one piece in an ancient cave,” Ye Fan replied.

“Fair enough. With your cultivation, you couldn’t obtain such a rare item,” the sallow-faced man nodded. “Take me to that cave.”

Ye Fan frowned. “The cave is too far. It’d take days to fly there. I can’t comply.”

The sallow-faced man’s face darkened. “I’m just asking you to lead the way. Don’t you want to go to the Northern Region?”

This was a true villain, openly threatening.

“Three days from now, we cross the void. If I take you, I’ll miss my chance,” Ye Fan said calmly.

“If you lead me, there’ll be another opportunity.”

Ye Fan sneered inwardly. This was clearly the last chance, yet this man was shameless.

Seeing Ye Fan’s silence, the sallow-faced man’s expression grew colder. “That divine iron is vital to me. You’re taking me there today.”

“I really can’t,” Ye Fan refused.

“You refuse the toast, you’ll drink the penalty!” the sallow-faced man said menacingly. “Don’t force my hand.”

Ye Fan had been concealing his godpower, showing only Life Spring-level strength. Sensing the man was at the peak of Other Shore, he nodded.

“Fine, I’ll lead the way.”

He flew forward.

The sallow-faced man, satisfied, hid his killing intent, showing a false smile. “That’s right. I won’t mistreat you.”

Seeing no one around, Ye Fan flew dozens of miles further and stopped in midair.

“Why stop?” the sallow-faced man asked, his expression sour, killing intent resurfacing.

“To send you to your death.” Ye Fan replied.

The incomplete Void Palm appeared, a massive black hand covering the sky, crashing down.

Crack!

The sallow-faced man was shattered in midair, unable to even groan. For such a villain, Ye Fan didn’t bother with words, one slap ended it.

In the distant sky, several figures paled, the Ji Clan youths who had just left. They cried out in shock.

“The fluctuation of the Void Palm!”

“No, it’s not the true Void Palm. The force is chaotic!”

Three days later, Ye Fan returned to the Freespirit Sect, joining the hundreds to enter the sect.

Two dragon veins converged, peaks stood tall, majestic yet graceful.

The group was led to a wide valley with a massive altar, the site for opening the Domain Gate.

“Wishing you all a smooth journey!” an elder of the Freespirit Sect announced loudly.

Hundreds ascended the altar, preparing to cross the void.

Ye Fan exhaled, finally about to leave the Southern Region and escape all troubles.

“Wait!” A shout came from outside the Freespirit Sect as dozens of figures swiftly approached.

The Domain Gate hadn’t opened, and the figures arrived in an instant.

Most were elders, their vitality like vast oceans, exuding a terrifying aura, not ordinary experts.

Freespirit Sect elders accompanied them, flying to the scene.

“We apologize,” the newcomers said politely, not acting arrogantly, saluting everyone, especially the Freespirit Sect elders.

Ye Fan’s face turned green. The Ji Clan had arrived, over twenty elders, including a familiar face: Ji Hui.

What alarmed Ye Fan most was the central elder, as vast as an abyss, as deep as the sea, unfathomable.

“Could this be a major figure?” Ye Fan sensed trouble.

“Are you Senior Ji Changkong?” a Freespirit Sect elder asked, eyeing the central elder with doubt.

“Indeed, it is I,” the elder replied.

The Freespirit Sect members were shocked. “We heard Senior Ji Changkong retired decades ago. To think you’ve emerged again to visit our sect. I’ll inform the sect leader.”

“No need. We’ll leave shortly,” the central elder said, apologizing and explaining.

The Ji Clan had traced the Dark Crow. Not only did the Ji Clan’s Patriarch act personally, but six Supreme Elders were dispatched to slay the old crow.

Ji Changkong, one of those Supreme Elders, stopped here after learning an unknown cultivator had used the incomplete Void Palm.

This raised suspicions in the Ji Clan. They had long doubted Ye Fan might have passed the Grand Void Art to demon cultivators like the Peacock Monarch.

Learning of this, they paused their pursuit to investigate, coinciding with the Freespirit Sect’s Domain Gate opening. They hurried over, connecting the dots.

“We’ll just take a look and leave,” Ji Changkong said, his divine eyes scanning the crowd.

Ye Fan cursed inwardly. Escaping within the Freespirit Sect was impossible, with barriers all around and the Ji Clan blocking the gate. His heart sank.

Ji Hui scanned the crowd, spotting Ye Fan. She cried out, “It’s you… how is this possible?!”

“You old hag, your eyes are sharp,” Ye Fan said helplessly, stepping forward. Escape was impossible, trapped in the sect.

“You’re… still alive?” Ji Hui’s face was full of disbelief.

“You old crone aren’t dead, so why would I be?” Ye Fan was frustrated. After surviving countless crises, he faced tragedy just as he was about to leave.

“Damn it, I’ve made it through ninety-nine steps, only to stumble at the last!” Ye Fan cursed the heavens.

“It’s him, that little thief!”

“Unbelievable. He fell into the sixth layer of the Flame Domain and didn’t burn, yet here he is, alive and well.”

The Ji Clan elders were stunned. They never expected to see Ye Fan, a boy they thought had turned to ash, alive before them.

“How did you survive, you little beast?” Ji Hui’s killing intent flared, her eyes cold.

“You shameless old hag, call me Young Master, and I’ll tell you,” Ye Fan said, fearless now.

The crowd realized Ye Fan’s identity, showing surprise.

Half a year ago, Ye Fan’s name had spread across the region. His bold shout for Ji Clan elders to “get lost” made him an enemy of their younger generation. They chased him across the land but only drove him into the Flame Domain.

Now, after half a year, he reappeared alive, a slap to the Ji Clan’s face.

Failing to kill the Peacock Monarch was one thing, but failing to slay a boy like him, who now stood before them, was humiliating.

The crowd was in an uproar, stunned.

Whoosh!

The hundreds on the altar retreated, leaving Ye Fan alone. Crossing the void was now impossible.

The Freespirit Sect members exchanged glances, unsure what to do. Some rushed to inform the sect leader and Supreme Elders.

The Ji Clan’s faces darkened.

“Your life is tenacious, little beast. Even the Flame Domain couldn’t kill you,” Ji Hui said, advancing. Others surrounded him, ensuring he couldn’t escape.

“You ungrateful, snobbish old hag!” Ye Fan pondered, refusing to give up until the end.

“No wonder Ziyue hasn’t been upset lately. She must know you’re alive…” Ji Hui’s face grew uglier.

“Want to know why I didn’t die?” Ye Fan scanned the crowd.

Everyone, including Ji Changkong, looked at him. Even he, a Supreme Elder for only thirty years, had to be cautious in the sixth layer of the Flame Domain.

“I was saved by a great power who was guided by my Big Brother, the Old Madman,” Ye Fan boasted shamelessly.

Many knew he practiced the Old Madman’s footwork. The Ji Clan understood he was invoking the Old Madman to save himself.

“Little beast, no one you name can save you!” Ji Hui said coldly. “A crazy old man, even if an immortal, can’t help you. Today, I’ll tear you apart.”

“You all heard her insult the last elder of the Heavenly Jade Sacred Ground…” Ye Fan shouted.

Ji Changkong, seemingly wary, glanced at Ji Hui. “Don’t speak recklessly!”

“He’s already mad. What can he do to us? Today, we’ll kill this little beast, search his soul, and seize that footwork. The Ji Clan will gain another supreme secret,” Ji Hui muttered, barely audible.

Ye Fan, standing close, heard clearly. “Not only ungrateful, but you want to steal my secret? Shameless old hag!”

“Little beast!” Ji Hui’s face turned livid, slapping at him.

Ye Fan didn’t summon his cauldron. Revealing it too soon would leave no hope.

Whoosh!

No matter how fast he was, he couldn’t dodge the sky-covering hand.

Boom!

The hand struck, sending him flying. If not for his recent cultivation surge and monstrous physical strength, he’d have been crushed.

“I won’t kill you yet, little beast. I need the Old Madman’s supreme footwork. You’ll wish for death!” Ji Hui sneered, her voice so low only Ji Clan members could hear.

Boom!

Ji Hui struck again, her hand covering the sky.

Ye Fan endured, dodging passively without summoning his cauldron.

“Keep running, little beast,” Ji Hui sneered coldly. “Where will you escape to?”

“Don’t harm his body,” Ji Changkong interrupted. “Haoyue told me this boy’s physique is special. Don’t destroy it. Let me examine him.”

Whoosh!

Ji Changkong, vast as a mountain, deep as an abyss, grabbed Ye Fan effortlessly, like plucking a flower.

Ye Fan stayed calm, still waiting.

Ji Changkong didn’t restrain him. To a figure like him, a Other Shore cultivator was an ant, unworthy of concern.

He probed Ye Fan’s Bitter Sea, and his expression changed instantly. “How is this possible?!”

Everyone, Ji Clan members, Freespirit Sect elders, and rogue cultivators, looked in shock at him and Ye Fan.

What physique could shock a Ji Clan Supreme Elder? All were eager to know.

“This little beast is truly a demon!” Ji Changkong said, astonished. “If this were the Desolate Era, this fiend could cause big trouble for our Ji Clan. But now… he’s nothing.”

“What’s his physique?” a Ji Clan elder asked.

“It’s the Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique, recorded in ancient texts. In ancient times, this body was unrivaled, matchless under the heavens. Even the Desolate Tower needed years to suppress it,” Ji Changkong said, marveling. “To think this fiend has such a physique. Truly shocking.”

The crowd was stunned. They hadn’t expected Ye Fan to possess such a physique. But they soon relaxed, the Sacred Physique was a relic of the past, now merely a “waste body” in the era of the Eastern Desolation God-King Physique.

“This fiend exceeds my expectations,” Ji Changkong said, intrigued. “Reaching Other Shore with this physique is remarkable. Extracting his Source could elevate Haoyue’s God-King Physique further.”

Ji Changkong’s repeated “fiend” remarks irked Ye Fan, who wanted to smack the old man’s teeth out of his face.

The crowd paled, while Ji Clan members rejoiced.

“His physical strength is astonishing,” Ji Changkong continued, still shocked. “There’s a treasure in his Oceanic Wheel. Let me see what it is!”

Ye Fan sneered inwardly, remaining still as the old man worked his magic.

Ji Changkong’s five fingers spread, like dragon claws, radiating a strange, irresistible force.

Ye Fan didn’t resist, cooperating fully, summoning his cauldron.

Silently, the small cauldron appeared in the void. Ji Changkong grabbed it, exclaiming in shock, far more stunned than before.

In the cauldron, mist swirled, dark yellow energy flowing, sealed at the mouth.

“Motherly Energy of All Things, no, it’s the Source Root of the Motherly Energy of All Things!”

Even he, a mighty figure, lost composure. This legendary treasure, seen only in mythic histories, thrilled him beyond measure.

“To think this little fiend obtained such a godly relic!” Ji Changkong laughed uncontrollably.

The crowd was deeply shocked, all staring at the cauldron.

Ji Clan elders crowded forward, eager to examine it, yearning to touch it.

Ji Changkong wanted to inspect the cauldron closely, urging the Motherly Energy of All Things to flow freely.

At that moment, Ye Fan acted, urging the cauldron to unseal the Motherly Energy.

Boom!

A sound like a tsunami erupted, blinding light flooding the area!

A scorching heat made distant cultivators’ souls tremble, forcing them to retreat rapidly.

Even so, some turned to ash.

At the center, a dazzling spectacle unfolded. Five-colored light shot skyward, like the gates of the immortal realm opening, with five-colored clouds surging, enveloping the area.

This was unimaginable, terrifying energy. The five-colored light became the sole force in the world, burning fiercely!

In the seventh layer of the Flame Domain, Ye Fan had collected an immense amount of fire energy. His cauldron, capable of expanding or shrinking, was filled entirely with five-colored cloud flames, leaving no space unused.

Now, releasing all the flames was a catastrophic disaster!

This was fire energy that could burn even great figures to death!

“Ah…”

Ji Changkong, the Ji Clan Supreme Elder, screamed, becoming a man of fire, soaring upward, struggling desperately.

Over a dozen Ji Clan elders turned to ash instantly, unable to struggle.

“Time to go for broke!” Ye Fan’s eyes blazed. He drank divine springwater from the jade bottle, frantically urging the cauldron, directing endless flames at Ji Changkong.

Boom!

Ji Changkong could withstand the cauldron’s strike but not the flames. The five-colored cloud flames, concentrated by the cauldron, engulfed him completely.

Having been a Supreme Elder for only thirty years, he was among the Ji Clan’s weaker Supreme Giants.

The purple flames of the sixth layer could already threaten the lives of Supreme Giants, Ye Fan had seen human-shaped ashes there. The seventh layer’s flames were even deadlier!

Poor Ji Changkong, enveloped by five-colored cloud flames, roared in agony, unable to extinguish them. His godpower ignited, his skin charred, bones broke, and his soul began to fade.

“Ah…” he wailed. “This is the legendary Five Elements True Fire!”

Hearing this, distant cultivators shuddered. The Five Elements True Fire was unimaginably terrifying, within the Five Elements, it burned all to ash, unquenchable, irresistible!

“Ah…” Ji Changkong, reduced to a charred husk, fell, rolling on the ground.

Most Ji Clan elders turned to ash, with only a few, farther away, surviving.

Some, half-burned, severed their own bodies to survive, rolling in agony.

Everyone was horrified, this was too terrifying!

They were also shocked. Ye Fan, a mere youth with modest cultivation, was burning a Ji Clan’s Supreme Elder alive. This would shake the Southern Region!

Ye Fan shouted, “First the Peacock Monarch, then the Dark Crow, slaying your Ji Clan’s Supreme Giants. Today, I join them!”

He drank divine springwater, urging the cauldron, focusing all flames on Ji Changkong.

Nearby, Ji Hui’s lower body was charred. She severed it, her godpower nearly burned out, but she survived.

“Old hag, this is your final day!” Ye Fan moved toward her.

Surviving Ji Clan elders quickly pulled Ji Hui away.

From the distance, a shout rang out: “Who dares cause trouble in my Freespirit Sect?!”

The Freespirit Sect’s leader and Supreme Elders were alerted.

Ye Fan glanced at Ji Changkong, now charred, his soul nearly extinguished. No immortal could save him now.

Using his supreme footwork, Ye Fan reached the altar, placing a large amount of Source into it. The Dao Runes were ready; with Source energy, the gate could open.

Ye Fan leaped onto the altar.

A vast energy fluctuation erupted, divine light soaring as the Domain Gate opened, tearing space apart!

Ye Fan rushed in, crossing the void!

When the Freespirit Sect leader arrived, seeing this, his mind reeled. This was a monumental event!

His head pounded. A dozen Ji Clan elders burned to ash, a Supreme Giant charred, this would shock the Southern Region.

The Ji Clan would go mad. Three Supreme Elders dead in less than a year, this would unleash a storm in the Southern Region!

“Destroy the altar! Don’t let him escape!” someone shouted.

Beams of light struck the altar, which collapsed into dust with a boom.

The void shattered, but no one fell out.

“He’s probably tens of thousands of miles away by now.”

“With his cultivation, a shattered void would likely turn him to dust.”

Ye Fan had prepared, entering his cauldron the moment he crossed the void, anticipating this.

Protected by the Motherly Energy of All Things in his Godrune Cauldron, he was unharmed as the void collapsed.

“That despicable little beast!”

“Ah…”

The surviving Ji Clan elders roared to the heavens.

This event would undoubtedly shake the Southern Region and spread worldwide.

A storm was coming!