Shrouded Sky

Chapter 231 - Temptation

The night was cold under the moonlight. The reddish-brown earth stretched out endlessly, silent and vast.

“What are you all doing?” Ye Fan looked at the group, calmly gripping the inch-tall Departing Fire God Furnace in his palm.

The Radiant Light Saint smiled faintly and said, “Daoist, don’t misunderstand. I have no ill intentions, just a matter I’d like to discuss with you.”

“What matter?”

“I want to exchange for your Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold,” replied the Radiant Light Saint.

“What do you have to offer in return?” Ye Fan asked, standing calmly under the moonlight.

“I can make the decision to open the Radiant Light Sacred Ground’s treasury and let you pick anything you like.” His offer was shocking, letting Ye Fan choose freely from the treasure vault of a sacred ground with over a hundred thousand years of legacy, filled with countless rare heavenly and earthly treasures. The depth of their collection was unimaginable.

Such a proposal was tempting, but Ye Fan would never agree. No other treasure could compare to Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold, it was a sacred relic tied to the ancient Grand Emperors.

“You think anything could be of equal value to Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold?” Ye Fan asked.

“The Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold is indeed priceless,” the Radiant Light Saint admitted. “But I never force others. Perhaps a volume of an ancient scripture would interest you?” The night wind rustled as the Radiant Light Saint glowed faintly, like his entire body was outlined in golden light.

“An ancient scripture?!” Ye Fan was moved.

Beside him, Old Blade and the Jade Pool Saintess were equally shocked. Even Yao Xi revealed a look of surprise, none of them expected the Radiant Light Saint to offer such a thing.

“I noticed you cultivate the Dao Palace realm technique,” the Radiant Light Saint said. “So I thought perhaps a volume from the ‘Four Pillars’ realm would interest you?”

“So it's not a full scripture, just a portion from one secret realm,” Ye Fan said indifferently.

The Radiant Light Saint shook his head and said, “Daoist, you're being unreasonable. Though the Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold is exceedingly rare, it's only the size of a fist, far too little.”

“Is it a scripture from Radiant Light Sacred Ground?” Ye Fan asked.

Yao Xi had been watching closely. She thought that although the Radiant Light Saint held great status, there was no way he could offer the sacred ground’s scripture to an outsider. The elders would never allow it.

“No,” the Radiant Light Saint replied, “it’s a fragmented scripture I obtained by chance during my travels.”

Everyone was astonished. The Radiant Light Saint truly had immense fortune. He already cultivated one of the most profound ancient scriptures in the Eastern Wilderness, and yet he still acquired another one while out adventuring.

“Can it compare to the Radiant Light Scripture?” Ye Fan asked, clearly intrigued.

“It’s no less!” the Radiant Light Saint replied firmly.

Ye Fan couldn’t help but sigh, this was the difference. Others had complete ancient scriptures and even fragments for reference. Meanwhile, he was still struggling to find his next cultivation method.

“Actually, I want both the Dao Palace and Four Pillars realm scriptures. Can you provide those?” Ye Fan asked with a smile.

“You’re too greedy, Daoist. This is only a fragmented scripture, it doesn’t contain the Dao Palace portion,” the Radiant Light Saint replied.

“Sigh, such a shame,” Ye Fan said, turning to Old Blade. “Elder, I see your aura is deep and mysterious, you must be an extraordinary figure. Do you have anything to trade? Don’t tell me you plan to take it by force? You should know that the elites of the sacred grounds are here, they won’t stand by.”

Since the Radiant Light Saint hadn’t tried to rob him, Ye Fan felt more at ease and decided to test the old man’s intentions with words.

“I’m just an old man near the end of his life,” Old Blade replied calmly. “What would you want?”

“I’ve already said, a cultivation method recorded in an ancient scripture.”

“There are only a few ancient scriptures in the Eastern Wilderness. I don’t have one,” the old man shook his head.

Ye Fan turned to Yao Xi and the Jade Pool Saintess. “Do you two also have an interest in the Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold?”

Yao Xi laughed. “Why do I feel like you're tempting me?”

Though she was the holy and pure Radiant Light Saintess, her laughter carried a hint of charm. Her fair neck and stunning beauty had an almost seductive quality.

“I was just asking casually. If you’re not interested, then forget it,” Ye Fan said, avoiding any teasing tone. The Radiant Light Saint was right there, flirting with the future Sacred Lord’s wife might give him an excuse to strike.

The Jade Pool Saintess paused for a moment. “Perhaps, my Jade Pool could also offer a fragment of an ancient scripture.”

“Truly? Is it the ‘Western Grand Emperor Scripture’ of Jade Pool?” Ye Fan’s interest piqued. This was the main reason he came to the Northern Region, to seek the ancient scripture passed down by the Sage Mother of Jade Pool.

“No, not that one. The ‘Western Grand Emperor Scripture’ cannot be shared. But we do have half a fragmented scripture,” she replied.

Ye Fan was genuinely surprised. There were only a handful of ancient scriptures in the Eastern Wilderness, yet Jade Pool had half of one.

Still, he aimed to get the Dao Palace chapter of the Western Grand Emperor Scripture, a mere fragment likely couldn’t compare.

“I’ll consider it,” he said. He didn’t outright refuse, after all, if they lost hope, they might resort to force.

Among all present, he trusted the Jade Pool Saintess the most. Jade Pool’s reputation was excellent. Their disciples were known to be modest and virtuous, with no history of foul deeds.

He was most wary of the Radiant Light Saint. Though immensely gifted, the man radiated danger. Ye Fan didn’t believe he’d truly offer a scripture in exchange.

And that old man, Old Blade, he was equally concerning. His mysterious nature was deeply unsettling.

“Daoist, regardless of the Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold, your mastery of source techniques alone makes you a valued guest of Jade Pool,” the Saintess said with a gentle smile, subtly expressing support for Ye Fan.

“We survived the Primordial Mine together. We’re comrades-in-hardship now, and no matter whether you want to trade or not, we’re still allies,” said the Radiant Light Saint, smiling, his hair glowing with golden light.

“Something’s wrong, they’re coming!” Li Desheng suddenly trembled, his voice shaking.

He had been silent all this time, simply watching. His sudden warning startled everyone.

At the edge of the Primordial Mine stood two figures like twin tombstones, tall and terrifying.

One had hair ashen-gray, dragging on the ground and covering its body. It exuded a chilling aura of death. It had previously chased them all the way to the Crimson Moon Hollow before stopping.

The other was covered entirely in ghastly white fur, even its face. Standing upright like a humanoid beast, it stared at them with ghostly green eyes. Its aura was terrifying, like an ancient desolate beast.

The two creatures did not advance, they stopped at the edge of the Forbidden Burial Ground. But even from a distance, their presence made everyone’s hearts pound.

The group immediately fled without another word about the Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold. If the creatures gave chase, they could all perish.

After such effort to escape the Forbidden Burial Ground, dying outside would be truly tragic.

Suddenly, a dozen figures appeared ahead, quickly moving toward them.

“Junior brothers, junior sisters, is that you?” a voice transmitted across the distance.

Ye Fan cursed silently. More people from Radiant Light had shown up, blocking the path.

The Radiant Light Saint and Yao Xi stepped forward to meet them, subtly positioning themselves to cut off Ye Fan’s retreat.

In the distance, another group arrived, Jade Pool’s disciples, dressed in fluttering robes like fairies.

“Thank heavens you’re safe!”

The young disciples gathered around, asking about their experiences.

“This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s leave first,” said the Radiant Light Saint. His authority was evident, though many of those present were technically his seniors, they still treated him with respect as the future Sacred Lord.

“Daoist, why not travel with us?” the Radiant Light Saint asked warmly.

“I think I’ll pass. The danger’s over, better we go our separate ways,” Ye Fan replied.

“How could we? You led the way through the Primordial Mine, we owe you. Allow us to escort you,” the Radiant Light Saint insisted with a smile.

Ye Fan stroked his chin, feeling uneasy. Traveling with Radiant Light might end with him reduced to ashes.

“How about you, elder?” he asked Old Blade.

“I plan to go alone. Care to come with me?” the old man offered.

“No thanks, your path’s too remote. I’ll go with the Jade Pool fairies,” Ye Fan replied, walking toward Jade Pool’s disciples.

Yao Xi smiled sweetly. “Why, Daoist, do you think we at Radiant Light will eat you?”

The Jade Pool Saintess also smiled. “Since the Daoist prefers our company, let’s go together. The Stone Appreciation Festival is starting soon, we were planning to invite you anyway.”

“Delighted!” Ye Fan nodded quickly.

Yao Xi grinned. “Radiant Light and Jade Pool have always stood together. Why draw lines? Let’s all travel together.”

In the end, everyone set off as one. Even Old Blade didn’t go solo.

A thousand miles away was a sacred ground’s mining area, well-manned with workers.

They didn’t stay long and soon boarded a Profound Jade Platform engraved with Dao Runes to traverse the void toward Source City.

“The Primordial Mine has birthed a strange black storm. We’re evacuating to avoid unexpected danger,” explained one of Jade Pool’s elders.

Source City lay among many mining zones, thirty thousand miles from the ancient Primordial Mine. Entering the black void, they soon emerged again.

When they arrived, dawn was breaking, the sky in the east already turning pale.

Ye Fan wanted to slip away, but it was impossible. He noticed members of Radiant Light were watching him closely. So, unwillingly, he stayed close to Jade Pool’s people to avoid the Radiant Light group.

Later, the Jade Pool disciples arranged a small courtyard for him to rest in.

“Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold… your allure is too great.”

Ye Fan had made up his mind. This time, he would enter Jade Pool and get his hands on the Dao Palace chapter of the Western Grand Emperor Scripture.

“They all want Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold, an ancient Grand Emperor’s sacred relic. I only want to read their ancient scriptures…”