Shrouded Sky

Chapter 169 - Shockwaves

Ye Fan knew this was an excuse. The Radiant Light Saintess had no intention of acting immediately, and whether she would truly save him was uncertain. Her motives were far from pure, likely driven by curiosity about his physique and his cauldron.

In the sky, a terrifying black flag loomed, dark and ominous, shrouding the clouds and blocking the sun.

Ye Fan hurriedly summoned his cauldron, suspending it above his head to protect himself.

The black flag fluttered loudly, black mist roiling, dark clouds surging. A tremendous pressure descended like mercury spilling across the ground. Ye Fan’s body felt as if it would split apart. Had he not summoned the cauldron in advance, he might have already met with disaster.

Having burned a Ji Clan Supreme Giant with the Five Elements True Fire, Ye Fan had made Ji Haiyue cautious, preventing him from going all out.

Ji Haiyue snorted coldly. He was unwilling to take risks. If Ye Fan still had Five Elements True Fire, it could incinerate his flag, a loss he couldn’t afford.

At that moment, his expression grew solemn. Behind him, a vast expanse of white appeared, endless snow and ice materializing in the void. Bone-chilling cold swept forward like blades.

“A Celestial Phenomenon!” Ye Fan was startled. The Ji Clan was indeed formidable; another of their younger generation had cultivated a Celestial Phenomenon.

Snow fell endlessly, connecting to the sky, boundless and white, with biting cold winds howling. Ji Haiyue stood in a world of ice and snow, like a god of ice.

“Snow Dances Across the World!” Ji Haiyue shouted.

His Celestial Phenomenon carried unfathomable power, pressing forward. In this region, massive snowflakes fell, each the size of a palm, glinting with cold light, sharp as swords, sweeping toward Ye Fan.

The sky resounded with metallic clashing as countless blades of ice danced, shredding the heavens, completely enveloping the area.

Ye Fan’s heart grew heavy. The cauldron above his head rapidly expanded, the Motherly Energy of All Things flowing, shielding him below.

“Without the Five Elements True Fire, a mere Oceanic Wheel cultivator like you thinks to block me?!” Ji Haiyue’s expression was cold. Standing high in the sky, like a deity from an ice age, he shouted, “Glacier Seals the Heavens!”

Behind him, the snowy world unleashed endless white mist, surging toward Ye Fan like a tsunami.

The grassland trembled, vegetation withered and shattered, and even rocks froze and crumbled. The terrifying, extreme cold destroyed everything in its path, unstoppable.

The grassland split with massive cracks stretching into the distance, a horrifying sight. Everything tangible was reduced to dust. The icy, snow-covered world replaced all vitality.

“Radiant Light Saintess, if you don’t act now, when will you?!” Ye Fan transmitted secretly.

A sweet, intoxicating laugh replied, “Little Brother Ye, hold on. I’m still preparing.”

Ye Fan understood, she had no intention of helping. It was all excuses.

The white mist surged like an ocean, reaching him. Everything around Ye Fan turned to ash in an instant.

In a blink, Ye Fan was engulfed by the endless white mist, instantly frozen into a crystalline ice statue, gleaming brightly. The cauldron floated unaffected above the ice.

“Even a cultivator at the third realm would perish once sealed. He’s done for,” Ji Haiyue said.

“He dared challenge Brother Haiyue. Without the Five Elements True Fire, he’s nothing,” several Ji Clan members said, circling the ice statue.

“What a pity. Our elders were burned by him. Such a waste!” one said.

“Brother Haiyue’s Snow Celestial Phenomenon is indeed formidable. He took him down in one move. Can we still extract that supreme footwork with soul-searching?” another asked.

“His soul hasn’t been destroyed. I was measured,” Ji Haiyue replied. He reached for the cauldron but suddenly paled, shouting, “Retreat!”

The massive ice block shattered, cold air raging. Ye Fan broke free, immediately shaking the cauldron above.

Three Ji Clan members were instantly killed, crushed to dust by the cauldron’s power, leaving only wisps of blood mist in the air.

Ye Fan sighed with regret. He had deliberately let himself be sealed, hoping to lure everyone close and crush them all with the Motherly Energy of All Things cauldron. But Ji Haiyue’s keen senses detected the anomaly, calling for a retreat, so only three were killed.

“This kid is as despicable as Aunt Ji Hui said…” the remaining dozen Ji Clan members muttered, their faces dark with anger. Losing three in a sure-win situation was humiliating.

“Your physique is indeed special, resisting my Snow Celestial Phenomenon,” Ji Haiyue said coldly.

“Didn’t Ji Haoyue tell you? I can even withstand his God-King Physique’s Celestial Phenomenon, let alone your Snow Celestial Phenomenon,” Ye Fan said truthfully. His body was unique, automatically countering Celestial Phenomenons with a strange force, as if inviolable.

He drew a green twig from the jade bottle, the branch of the Sacred Tree. With little divine spring water left, he consumed the tree’s buds to replenish his godpower.

Urging the cauldron consumed immense energy. Without these resources, he couldn’t hold out.

Ji Haiyue’s face darkened. “Are you saying no Celestial Phenomenon can affect you? Let’s test that!”

In the snowy world, vibrant life suddenly emerged. A jade tree, vigorous as a dragon, burst forth, freezing everyone in place.

Time seemed to stop, no snow, no ice mountains, only the jade tree, locking the space.

In an instant, it reached Ye Fan’s Oceanic Wheel, about to break in!

Ye Fan was shocked. This Celestial Phenomenon was bizarre, after extreme snow, it could seal space, unheard of. Suddenly, the green lotus in his Oceanic Wheel trembled, its roots entwining, releasing a mysterious force.

The jade tree shattered before Ye Fan, dissolving into faint glimmers.

Ji Haiyue staggered back, his snowy world’s jade tree reappearing, but dimmer. “Impossible!” he exclaimed, incredulous. “Can your physique naturally counter all Celestial Phenomenons?!”

The others, now free, felt lingering fear from the terrifying force that had immobilized them.

“This Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique is increasingly intriguing,” the Radiant Light Saintess’s melodious voice reached Ye Fan.

Ji Haiyue’s expression grew colder. “I’ll kill you with raw power!”

Though only in his twenties, his strength rivaled elders, easily capable of crushing Ye Fan. Stalemating against an Other Shore cultivator was humiliating.

The black flag waved, covering the sky, pressing toward Ye Fan.

The ground shattered. Ye Fan couldn’t withstand this absolute pressure. His cauldron protected him as he fell into a crevice.

Each wave of the flag cracked the earth, burying Ye Fan dozens of meters underground in moments.

Without the Godrune Cauldron, he’d have been reduced to ash. The gap between realms was a chasm; his godpower was insignificant against a third realm master.

Ye Fan stuffed sacred tree buds into his mouth, replenishing godpower to urge the cauldron’s Source Root to resist. Without these, he’d have perished instantly.

“Radiant Light Saintess, if you don’t act now, will you carry my corpse back?” Ye Fan transmitted.

“No rush. I see Little Brother Ye can still hold on. I need more time to prepare,” her soft voice replied.

“Fuck your grandma!” Ye Fan wanted to curse but changed tack.

“My dear, if you don’t act, your husband will ascend to the heavens, unable to propose at Radiant Light Sacred Ground.”

The Saintess showed no anger, her voice magnetic and alluring. “Hold on a bit longer, and your sister will save you…”

Ji Haiyue, cold-faced, raised his hand and slashed downward. A massive ice sword shot from his arm, splitting the earth toward Ye Fan.

His bones trembled. Though the cauldron blocked it, the pressure was immense, nearly shattering his powerful body.

The cauldron still held some Five Elements True Fire, but Ye Fan hesitated to use it, wary of the Saintess.

“Radiant Light Saintess, if you don’t act, I’ll give this cauldron to the Ji Clan,” he transmitted, then shouted, “Ji Haiyue, I’ll give you all of my Motherly Energy of All Things!”

The heavens seemed to tear apart. A powerful divine force broke in, shattering Ji Haiyue’s Dao Runes, restoring clarity.

A figure of pure light, wielding a great sword, slashed through the Ji Clan members like straw, each strike bursting them into blood mist.

It was less a sword than a thunder god’s hammer, heavy as mountains, crushing all treasures and foes alike. In moments, over a dozen Ji Clan members were obliterated, none escaping.

Ji Haiyue’s eyes nearly split with rage, but he was too late to save them.

He grabbed the black flag, shaking it fiercely. Thunder and clouds roiled, the earth trembling. Enraged, he charged at the light figure, unleashing the Void Palm, Grand Void Art, and other supreme secrets, nearly shattering the heavens.

Ye Fan’s heart grew heavy. A third realm master was terrifying, urging him to grow stronger.

Though such young prodigies numbered only a dozen in this region, they pressured him greatly.

With the terrain’s momentum broken, nothing stopped Ye Fan’s escape. Using his mysterious footwork, he vanished, covering a hundred miles in moments.

“Little Brother Ye, you’re heartless. I fought for you, yet you flee without a care,” the Saintess’s sweet voice called, as she appeared ahead, blocking his path.

Like a blooming divine lotus, her crystalline skin and flowing black hair were ethereal. Her eyes, like black gems, and curved brows exuded charm with every glance.

Her fluttering dress outlined her curvaceous figure, devilish yet radiating holy light, half angel, half temptress, creating a mesmerizing illusion.

“I didn’t want to burden you, so I left first. But you caught up,” Ye Fan said, suspicious. “That light figure was…”

“A god-spirit nurtured in my Dao Palace. What do you think? It’s bold swordplay fooled Ji Haiyue, didn’t it?” she said with a sweet smile, her unpainted face more radiant than flowers, a smile that could topple cities.

A divine light shot from the distance, its inner glow revealing a figure resembling the Saintess, clad in shimmering silver armor, exuding a unique aura. It merged into her chest, leaving faint divine undulations.

Having escaped Ji Haiyue only to be intercepted by the Saintess, Ye Fan felt this was even trickier. She was extraordinary and hard to handle.

“How can you help me escape the Ji Clan? Hundreds of powerful cultivators are hunting me on this grassland,” Ye Fan said.

The Saintess smiled charmingly, her eyes sparkling. “Come with me. I guarantee no danger.”

Ye Fan frowned. He didn’t want to go to Radiant Light Sacred Ground, but her strength made escape unlikely.

“Rest assured, Little Brother Ye. Not Radiant Light Sacred Ground. I’m headed to the Northern Region. We can travel together,” she said, her lips glossy and alluring. “Let’s leave this grassland first.”

Ye Fan said nothing, following her to a barren land with ruined palaces.

The Saintess stepped lightly inside, beckoning Ye Fan. “The Domain Gate here has been repaired. It can teleport us tens of thousands of miles, escaping the Ji Clan.”

“Not to Radiant Light Sacred Ground?” Ye Fan asked.

“I won’t deceive you. Definitely not.”

Ye Fan examined the Dao Runes, confirming they didn’t lead to Radiant Light Sacred Ground. With no better option to escape the Ji Clan, he took the risk, stepping onto the jade platform.

Once Source was placed, divine light soared, and powerful energy fluctuations erupted. The Domain Gate opened, space tore, and both stepped in, keeping a cautious distance.

Soon, the endless darkness faded, and light appeared. They successfully crossed the void, arriving in a fragrant, bird-filled paradise.

Streams flowed, flora bloomed, and pavilions dotted the scenic landscape, serene and natural.

“This is one of my residences, thirty thousand miles from that region. You can relax,” the Saintess said.

Relax? Ye Fan scoffed inwardly, scanning the surroundings, ready to flee. He found her difficult to deal with.

“Little Brother Ye, I’ve shown enough sincerity. No need to be so wary,” she said, brushing her hair with a radiant smile. “I don’t want your Motherly Energy of All Things. I just want to see what’s so special about your body.”

Ye Fan didn’t see her as a savior. Despite her title, her actions were more demonic. Now, she was indeed targeting him. Still, it was better than being hunted by the Ji Clan. He had a chance, and the outcome was uncertain.

“My physique is poor, called a waste body now. Nothing worth seeing,” Ye Fan said, unwilling to let her probe his body.

“You’re too modest, Little Brother Ye. The Primeval Desolate Sacred Physique holds great secrets. Though it can’t be cultivated now, Sacred Grounds never gave up on it. They’d take you in if they knew,” she said with a charming smile. “I won’t hand you to the Sacred Ground for study. I just want to see what’s so mysterious.”

Staring at her crystalline face, Ye Fan said, “What if I refuse?”

“Then I’ll have to trouble you to sleep while I examine closely,” she replied, her hair fluttering, her slender neck snowy and alluring.

“You’ve set up Dao Runes here, using the terrain’s momentum to trap me?” Ye Fan asked, eyeing the scenic surroundings.

Her eyelashes fluttered, glancing at him seductively. “Don’t think so badly of me. How could I do that to you?”

Ye Fan prepared to summon his cauldron and flee. He didn’t want to tangle with this enchanting Saintess.

“You…” He was shocked. His godpower felt heavy, sluggish, unable to summon the cauldron. “What did you do?” he demanded.

Her laughter was like silver bells. “It seems Little Brother Ye had killing intent, trying to use godpower and sensing the change.”

Ye Fan stared silently.

“When you fought Ji Haiyue, I accidentally spilled some ‘Immortal-Sealing Powder,’ refined by our Supreme Elder over decades. In sufficient doses, it can dry up even a Supreme Giant’s godpower,” she said with a faint smile. “I did this to avoid unpleasantness. If we fought, I might accidentally kill you, and that’d be no fun.”

“You’re ruthless,” Ye Fan said, walking slowly forward.

She smiled sweetly. “I know your body is as strong as a treasure, but don’t waste your strength. Stay back.”

Her figure was curvaceous, full hips, slender waist, proud chest, graceful neck, and a gorgeous face. She swayed lightly, retreating with a charming smile.

Ye Fan’s teeth itched with frustration. The distance was too great; she was too cautious.

At that moment, he focused, his golden lake at his forehead trembling, divine sense transforming and attacking forward.

“Ah!” The Saintess gasped, her stunning face showing pain, swaying as if about to fall.

Ye Fan rushed forward, his powerful divine sense attacking relentlessly, reaching her in a flash. With a tiger’s leap, he tackled her onto the grassy ground.

But she only cried out once, showing no mental collapse. Her forehead glowed brilliantly, countering his attack.

Her eyes snapped open, gazing at Ye Fan, her soft body radiating terrifying godpower, nearly throwing him off.

His divine sense attack persisted, his golden lake shining like a sun. Adopting psychological tactics, he bit her ear, refusing to let go.

“You!” she cried, her face a mix of shame and anger. Her divine light wavered, and Ye Fan intensified his divine sense attack.