Shrouded Sky

Chapter 212 - Discussing Immortals & The Dao

“Boundless Heavenly Lord, I indeed chose these two stones. I didn’t mean to disturb you, fairy,” Ye Fan said, reciting his Daoist title and offering a respectful gesture.

The Jade Pool Saintess returned a graceful bow, shrouded in misty breezes, her white robes fluttering. Her silky hair cascaded like water, shimmering softly. Around her, a cascade of petals, exotic blossoms, rare stamens, and jade-like leaves, fell gently, sparkling like multicolored gems, fragrant as orchids or musk. Enveloped in this floral rain, she appeared ethereal and radiant, stirring the heart.

Her skin was as smooth and delicate as a newborn’s, glowing with a translucent, rosy sheen. Her slender waist, not flat but elegantly curved, swayed with a serpentine grace, captivatingly alluring. Her long, lithe legs, a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship, enhanced her peerless elegance, outshining all flowers. Her bare jade feet, glimpsed fleetingly beneath her trailing gown, sparkled flawlessly, toes aglow with faint light. Yet, as light bloomed beneath her, forming immortal blossoms to cradle her feet, each step was a vision of charm, her allure boundless and breathtaking.

Regrettably, her face remained veiled by immortal mist, impossible to discern, like a delicate shroud. Even so, her hidden visage and half-concealed form exuded infinite charm, leaving one marveling that such a captivating woman existed in this vast, mortal world.

This was Ye Fan’s first close encounter with the Jade Pool Saintess. Her fragrance, intoxicating and subtle, filled his senses, prompting an involuntary deep breath. The slight gesture didn’t escape her notice. She glided back lightly and asked, “Priest, what’s your basis for choosing these stones?”

The crowd was astonished. Could this unreliable young priest be right? Why else would the Saintess appear, when she rarely did? “I relied on intuition alone. These two stones stir my blood, unsettling me,” Ye Fan said, hinting at Wang Shu and Er Lengzi’s sensations.

Even Yao Xi, a formidable foe, hadn’t recognized him, proving his Heaven-Swapping Earth-Changing technique neared mastery. He could perform before the Saintess without fear of exposure, confident for a future visit to Jade Pool. “Oh, that’s intriguing…” she nodded, offering no further comment.

Turning to the Grand Xia prince, she asked, “Your Highness, have you discerned anything and chosen your stones?”

The prince, majestic with nine strands of dragon energy coiling around him, resembled a descended deity. With a nod, he pointed to the largest stone, weighing 1,000 kilos, and tapped a smaller one, about 50 kilos. “Your Highness has keen insight. One has been confirmed to contain divine essence,” the Saintess said, smiling.

Humbly, the prince replied, “Just luck. My Imperial Dragonforce naturally senses certain special sources.”

“The Supreme Emperor Scripture, one of Middle Continent’s four greatest ancient texts, is truly profound. But Your Highness’ brilliance is key, only a rare genius can master its mysteries. Not everyone can cultivate it,” she said, her voice melodic, like a harmonious tune.

The crowd stirred, murmuring. “The Supreme Emperor Scripture is Middle Continent’s most renowned text, its power unmatched, earth-shaking, especially in attack, said to break all worldly laws.”

“One of the four wondrous books, it’s unparalleled, a supreme secret art, demanding extraordinary talent. This prince’s depth is unfathomable, rivaled by few peers,” they said.

Even those unfamiliar with the scripture grasped its terror through the discussions. A young man, puzzled, asked, “Is the Supreme Emperor Scripture really so mystical, sensing sources with dragon energy? That’s incredible.”

An elderly gambler-monk, of notable status, said, “If you knew its origins, you wouldn’t doubt. Its emergence is shrouded in mystery, with many legends.”

“Is its origin so secretive?” the young man asked.

Most were unaware, turning to the elder for explanation. Ye Fan listened intently. His War Paragon Art, an unmatched attack art, was legendary. Hearing the Supreme Emperor Scripture rivaled it, claiming to shatter all daos, piqued his interest. He sensed these supreme attack arts would one day clash to prove which was strongest, an inevitable contest beyond his control.

“One legend says the Supreme Emperor Scripture was unearthed from a source stone, the most mysterious ancient text,” the elder said, shocking all.

“That’s too fantastical!”

“From a source stone? It’s natural it senses special sources.”

“Grand Xia denies it came from a stone, claiming their first ancient emperor created it,” another elder said. “Its true origins remain unclear.”

All eyes turned to the prince, who remained impassive. Meanwhile, the Radiant Light Saint, conversing with the Saintess, had chosen his stones. Radiant Light and Jade Pool were allied, soon heading to Primordial Mine’s outskirts with mysterious stones.

“My masters have ordered the nine stones’ exhibition to end,” the Saintess announced. “This is the final display.”

“What? We haven’t had our chance!” some protested.

“We traveled far, how can it end so abruptly?” Many requested an extension.

Her voice, like celestial music, rang clear: “Everyone will have a chance. Select stones and state your reasoning. If sound, Jade Pool will reward generously.”

Relieved, the crowd surged forward, their judgments recorded by Jade Pool disciples. The Saintess then invited the prince and holy son aside. “Your Highness, Radiant Light Saint, please examine these other stones.”

“Long time no see, Your Highness,” Tu Fei greeted the prince with a smile.

Wu Zhongtian, Blackwater, Liu Kou, and Jiang Huairen, invited to view these stones, were present. The prince responded courteously, while the Saint, despite enmity, smiled warmly, avoiding conflict on Jade Pool’s grounds.

Besides them, over thirty others were invited. The Saintess had toured the Northern Region’s cities, and many passed the nine-stone test, some following her, others destined for Jade Pool. The bandits’ inclusion surprised some, but Jade Pool’s neutral stance, unplundered even by the Thirteen Warlords, explained it.

Ye Fan was stunned not to be invited after choosing his stones. As he puzzled, the Jade Pool Saintess approached, smiling brightly. “My Jade Pool sisters extend an invitation. Stay, they’ll summon you soon.”

Relieved, Ye Fan nodded. Today was the final exhibition; missing it would cost him his chance. Nearby, the white-robed nun glanced curiously. Smiling kindly, Ye Fan said, “Young master, I have three Buddhist artifacts for you to examine.”

He produced a broken vajra scepter, ancient and grand, exuding a unique aura, like the Buddha’s clenched fist suspended in air. Yao Xi, beside him, was astonished, sensing its extraordinary, lingering Dao charm despite damage.

The nun’s eyes widened, her expression odd, as if to speak or approach, but guards, under the prince’s orders, kept her in place. “What is it?” Yao Xi asked.

“I don’t know, perhaps a Buddhist relic. The princess could identify it. Can you invite her over, fairy?” Ye Fan asked.

Yao Xi smiled. “You’re clever, priest, trying to lure Grand Xia’s princess.”

As they chatted, Ye Fan produced an intact ancient bronze lamp, waving it at the nun. Her eyes widened further, her mouth agape, whispering to the guard leader, eager to approach. “What is this?” Yao Xi asked, moved by the lamp’s mottled green rust and profound aura.

“Fairy, please bring the princess. She might recognize them, perhaps linked to Tathagata or the Buddha,” Ye Fan said gravely.

“Buddha?” Yao Xi was shocked. Hearing “Tathagata” today, and the prince and saint’s reactions, suggested a formidable figure. A historical rift 2,000 years ago, erasing his traces, fueled her curiosity. What was Tathagata’s origin, and his place in Buddhism, to unsettle an eternal dynasty’s prince?

Yao Xi paused, then smiled. “Tricking the princess here isn’t easy. Why not go to her and discuss?”

“Excellent!” Ye Fan agreed, holding the vajra in his left hand and the lamp in his right, striding forward. He considered revealing the Grand Thunderclap Temple’s plaque but refrained. To ordinary eyes, it was nothing, but to Buddhist experts, it was a world-shaking thunderbolt. If recognized, it could unleash chaos.

“Stop!” The guards eyed Ye Fan like a wolf. Yao Xi, radiant as blooming jade, her beauty outshining all, whispered to the guards, who relented, letting them pass. Still, they watched Ye Fan warily, like a thief.

“Honored princess…” Ye Fan greeted.

The nun ignored him, her eyes fixed on the vajra. “Little nun sister, want a closer look?” he asked calmly.

The guards glared.

“Mind your words!”

“How dare you disrespect the princess!”

They saw him as a wolf eyeing a rabbit.

“Liar, it’s fake!” the nun spoke, her voice like an oriole’s song, melodic and clear.

“Guaranteed authentic, a Tathagata relic,” Ye Fan said, tossing the vajra lightly.

“I… want to see,” she said shyly, lacking confidence.

Ye Fan handed it over casually, as if it were trivial. “This…” Her eyes widened, stammering, “It… has a trace of the Buddha’s aura.”

Yao Xi’s eyes flickered with divine light, quickly concealed. “Which Buddha?” Ye Fan asked, retrieving the vajra.

“The Honored One, naturally,” the nun said, as if he were ignorant.

“Is that Siddhartha Gautama?” Ye Fan pressed, seizing the chance.

“Who’s Siddhartha Gautama? I don’t know,” she said, her innocent eyes turning, making it hard to tell truth from naivety.

“Does your Buddha have no titles or names?”

“The Buddha is you, the Buddha is me. He says all beings have Buddha-nature and can become Buddhas. He has no special name,” she answered innocently.

“Oh!” she exclaimed suddenly. “These artifacts have demonic nature, not true Buddha.”

“What?” Ye Fan raised the vajra and lamp. “They’re full of holy aura, how could they be demonic?”

“They are,” she insisted, grasping them, eyes closed, sensing. “They carry a traitor’s aura. His power was vast, unmatched, but he’s no Buddha.”

Ye Fan scoffed. Was Tathagata a Buddhist traitor? Impossible! “This is Siddhartha Gautama’s aura. Are you saying it’s him?”

“Ahh, Buddhism’s greatest traitor!” she yelped, dropping them like they burned.

“You don’t know Siddhartha Gautama but call him the greatest traitor?”

“I feel that his aura is a traitor’s...” she huffed, cheeks puffed.

“Fine, I’ll show you something else.” Ye Fan stored the vajra and lamp, producing a rosary of six Buddhist relics, slipping it onto his wrist. The nun’s eyes locked onto it, unblinking, grabbing his hand.

“If Your Highness wants to see, just say so. I have questions to ask…” Ye Fan said.

Far off, Blackwater’s eyes bulged. “He’s done it, targeting the nun!”

“Beast! Heavy taste! A nun!” Tu Fei muttered, wringing his hands.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?” Jiang Huairen asked the prince.

The prince’s face was grim, unable to smile even before the Saintess. In moments away, this unscrupulous priest had latched onto his sister, daring to flirt with Grand Xia’s imperial daughter. He’d never met such a bold priest.

“I…” The prince opened his mouth but found no words.

The nun, excited, clutched Ye Fan’s hand, inspecting the rosary. “This… feels like the Buddha’s true presence. Take it off, let me see!”

“Go on, you mentioned Tathagata,” Ye Fan urged.

“Over 2,000 years ago, a man named Tathagata appeared suddenly, shook the world, and then all traces vanished,” she said, tilting her head. “Take off the rosary, and I’ll remember more.”

Ye Fan grinned. “Alright.”

“Not true Buddha, still a traitor’s aura,” she pouted, examining the beads.

“What did Siddhartha Gautama do?” Ye Fan pressed.

“His power was limitless, founding Mount Sumeru…”