Shrouded Sky

Chapter 328 - Uproar In Celestial City

In this age, godly medicines are nowhere to be found. Not a single sacred ground has been able to obtain one, and even the ancient imperial dynasties that have endured for over a hundred thousand years have failed to discover such a thing. When the old Sacred Lord of the Eastern Wilderness and the aged Imperial Lord of the Middle Continent reached the end of their lifespans, they both chose to venture into the Grand Desolation, clinging to the faintest chance of finding a godly medicine, but no one has ever returned with one. Perhaps only within the Forbidden Burial Grounds could such a thing still exist, but those are not places where mortals can tread, nor where even the great sects have the means to enter.

Grand Xia Prince shouted again, raising the price once more.

Two elderly men joined forces, calling out together, determined to buy it jointly.

“It’s not that I don’t wish to sell,” Ye Fan said righteously, “but as the elder said earlier, a godly medicine like this should be revived if possible, otherwise, it would be the loss of the entire Eastern Wilderness.”

Many in the crowd cursed him inwardly, believing he was just being sly, trying to drive up the price.

One of the elders shook his head and said, “Once the source is cut open, ordinary herbs will turn to ash. Even godly medicines must be handled with care, let alone revived.”

Another elder added, “It has been endless ages. Even if this godly medicine’s roots remain intact, there is no way it can be brought back to life.”

Ye Fan smiled and said, “I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Aren’t there legends of ancient creatures sealed within source stones who revived after being freed? This is a godly medicine, it must be extraordinary. I believe it might live again.”

Blackwater chimed in, “That’s right. If it revives, it could regrow perfect godly medicines over time. With this immortal root, you could harvest them year after year.”

The Illusion-Destruction Palace’s Grand Elder, Ji Yishui, looked displeased. “Even if a godly medicine could revive,” he said coldly, “it would take thousands of years to mature again. Can you wait that long?”

Everyone was shaken. Even though the herb was incomplete, it was still unimaginably precious, rarer than Godsource itself.

“What unbelievable luck, this is enough to make anyone jealous. If I’d cut out such a treasure, I’d be bragging every day!”

“How many years has it been since the world last saw a godly medicine? To see one cut from a stone today, it’s astonishing.”

Outside the Stone Workshop, people were in a frenzy. Everyone wished they were in Ye Fan’s place. This was a godly medicine that defied reason, a treasure one might not encounter in ten lifetimes.

Grand Xia Prince called out again, not bothering to argue, only raising the price higher.

The white-clad little nun widened her dark eyes beside him, clearly yearning for the humanoid godly medicine.

“What can I say,” Ye Fan sighed, “I truly believe this godly medicine can be revived.”

“You just want more source!” many cursed silently.

“Five hundred thousand kilo of source!” The Absolute Dao Sacred Ground’s old Daoist finally spoke, his voice calm and without emotion.

Ye Fan hesitated. It was indeed a peerless immortal root, and though it might be possible to replant it, waiting thousands of years for it to mature was not practical, he couldn’t wait that long.

Not only those outside the garden, but even the elders inside were stunned. If the Absolute Dao Sacred Ground had made an offer, no one else could compete.

“Can this godly medicine truly be replanted?” Blackwater asked, trying to stall for time and push the price higher.

The old Daoist said flatly, “What I’ve offered is already the highest price. That’s all it’s worth.”

At that moment, the Godfiend Palace’s young master, Yao Yuekong, stepped forward. His aura was extraordinary, though male, he had a captivating, almost demonic beauty, but without any effeminate softness. His eyes were deep, like a demon god’s.

“This immortal root is unique in all the world, truly priceless. But reviving it will be difficult, only sacred spring water could restore its life.”

“That’s not realistic,” Ji Yishui of the Illusion-Destruction Palace sneered. “To obtain sacred spring water, one would have to venture into the Forbidden Burial Grounds of the Eastern Wilderness.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Blackwater countered. “Perhaps one of the great spirit springs of the East could suffice.”

Ye Fan smiled. “The Sacred Grounds have endured for hundreds of thousands of years. For them, waiting a few millennia for such a treasure to mature again is nothing. The long-term benefits would be boundless.”

The crowd fell silent. The two of them, Ye Fan and Blackwater, were clearly playing the rogue to the end.

Yao Yuekong laughed. “It seems the two brothers are in a difficult position, unsure whom to sell to for fear of offending someone. I think the best solution is to send the godly medicine to my Godfiend Palace for auction.”

“That makes sense,” Blackwater said, pretending to agree.

“I support that idea!” someone outside the garden called out.

Everyone turned to see several elders arriving, all with white hair and youthful faces, their eyes gleaming with vitality. They were clearly no ordinary people.

Exquisite Desire Temple, Vast Cold Palace, and several of the major Sacred Grounds had received the news. Senior figures were arriving from all directions.

The appearance of a godly medicine, even a damaged one, was enough to shake the world. For the elderly whose lifespans were nearing their end, it was even more irresistible.

Soon, the area outside the Stone Workshop was packed with white-haired elders, all staring eagerly inside.

Though they were all old, their ages varied greatly. In small sects, a person of three or four hundred years was considered ancient, while in the Sacred Grounds, even someone seven or eight hundred years old might still be in their prime. Their powers differed vastly.

Ji Yishui of the Illusion-Destruction Palace snorted coldly, glared once at Ye Fan and Blackwater, and then left with a flick of his sleeve. He knew he had no chance.

“That old man won’t come after us for revenge, will he?” Ye Fan asked telepathically.

Blackwater sneered. “Don’t worry. The Black Iron Token I hold is enough to suppress him. If he dares make trouble, I’ll make him eat his words.”

Ye Fan didn’t care much. The Red Dragon Daoist owed him a favor and had already said that if anything happened, he should come find him.

Such storms were inevitable, anyone trying to make a name for themselves in the Celestial City would face them. This was just the beginning.

“If you brothers agree,” Yao Yuekong said smoothly, “my Godfiend Palace can take custody of the godly medicine right now.”

“Alright,” Ye Fan said. “I’ll entrust it to the Godfiend Palace, but it won’t be auctioned yet. It should wait for the right time.”

He wanted the news to spread further, to stir up an even greater storm. Ideally, he’d wait until the great Sacred Lords returned from their campaign against Purple Mountain before holding the auction.

He still had a human-shaped fruit that had been bitten once by a mysterious being. With such rare treasures appearing one after another, the excitement would be unmatched, and perhaps draw even more powerful figures to him.

“Very well, we’ll do as you say,” Yao Yuekong replied. He immediately summoned attendants to take the godly medicine into custody.

If it were lost or damaged, the Godfiend Palace would compensate with two hundred thousand kilo of source. That assurance made Ye Fan feel at ease.

But he didn’t worry much, after all, the Godfiend Palace would never risk its reputation. They handled countless precious treasures; their credibility was beyond doubt.

“Damn it, is there no justice? That dark brat walked in with fifty kilo of source and cut out a miracle! It’s enough to make me vomit blood!” Wu Ziming scowled bitterly.

Ji Zhongtian was equally furious. “He just grabbed a random rock, and it turned out to hold a godly medicine! It’s infuriating!”

The group of a dozen onlookers all cursed Ye Fan and Blackwater for their absurd luck.

“That’s called skill, you bumpkins!” Blackwater said smugly, raising his head high before turning away, leaving them to stare at the back of his head.

“Damn it, that brat’s mocking us now!”

“The nerve! That bumpkin is actually looking down on us?!”

“Your Highness,” Ye Fan said politely, “please, go ahead and cut your stone.”

Even without cutting, the Grand Xia Prince knew the outcome was already decided. An ancient godly medicine was a miracle beyond compare, he had no chance of winning.

Without hesitation, he sliced open his stone, revealing a small piece of rare source, roughly the size of a human head, worth perhaps a few hundred kilo. Nowhere near Ye Fan’s result.

The Grand Xia Prince smiled and handed Ye Fan three hundred kilo of source. “Brothers, let me treat you both to lunch at the Drunken Immortal Tower.”

Ye Fan was surprised. That was one of the Eight Great Restaurants of the Celestial City, a place of outrageous luxury, the top-tier private halls were reserved for Sacred Lords and Supreme Giants.

“That’s too generous.”

“It’s just a meal among friends,” the prince said with a smile.

The Grand Xia royal clan was particularly obsessed with source. It was said that their supreme scripture, the Supreme Emperor Sutra, was itself discovered within a source stone. Members of the royal family were permanently stationed in the Celestial City to acquire rare stones.

Ye Fan understood. This prince was no ordinary man. Even though he’d only seen Ye Fan cut a stone once, he must have discerned something unusual, thus he sought friendship.

Beside them, Yao Yuekong laughed. “I’d like to treat these brothers too! Let’s all drink together at noon, no one leaves sober!”

“Then we’ll gladly accept!” Ye Fan and Blackwater laughed heartily.

Only the white-clad little nun frowned, puffing her cheeks and glaring at them with a big, annoyed pout.

“Are you still cutting stones?” the old Daoist asked nearby.

This was the Heavenly-Rank Stone Workshop, every stone was precious, and no one was allowed to linger too long.

“I’d like to,” Ye Fan said, “but I’m a bit short on source. These stones are too expensive.”

The crowd outside rolled their eyes, especially Wu Ziming and Ji Zhongtian. After earning so much source, he still dared to act poor, it was maddening.

“If the young master wishes to gamble on a higher-grade stone,” the old Daoist said, “but lacks the source for now, it’s fine. You can use the godly medicine as collateral.”

“But I’ve already entrusted it to the Godfiend Palace,” Ye Fan said.

“The source can be deducted later from the auction proceeds,” the Daoist replied.

“Alright,” Ye Fan nodded.

“Are you not stopping yet?” Blackwater whispered. “Don’t overextend yourself, otherwise Absolute Dao will end up with the godly medicine for nothing.”

Ye Fan shook his head. “No. I intend to make a real name for myself in the Celestial City today. This chance won’t come again.”

Yao Yuekong smiled. “The brothers are bold indeed.”

The Grand Xia Prince laughed too. “Good! I’ll watch closely and learn a thing or two.”

“Young man, you’re still cutting?” the old men nearby said in surprise. One after another, influential elders entered the garden, their eyes full of eager anticipation.

“When fortune comes, nothing can stop it,” one of them said with a laugh. “If you find another treasure, remember us old men first!”

“Indeed! May your luck hold strong!”

The elders followed closely behind, filling the space with lively chatter. Even the old Daoist didn’t stop them, many of them were long-time patrons.

“Who cut out the godly medicine? Let me see!” shouted a new voice as more elders rushed in.

“Where is it? I’ll pay eighteen thousand kilo!” another cried, his thinning hair almost gone.

The crowd was stunned, these elders were all powerful figures, ancient and formidable.

A godly medicine from the Primordial Era, unheard of in the current age, was enough to stir even the oldest of powers. Holy lands, grand elders, and great names all came running.

Ye Fan’s discovery had shaken the entire Celestial City, rivaling even the commotion caused by Godsource itself.

“Make way, make way for this old man!”

Within the Heavenly-Rank Stone Workshop, a sea of white-haired elders filled the space. Some even began selecting stones themselves.

The once tranquil garden was now bustling beyond belief.

Among them lay a colossal vine as thick as a man’s torso, coiling like a dragon. Ye Fan wandered among the stones, stopping by a strange rock near an old well. He tapped it, then moved on.

“Be careful,” Blackwater warned quietly. “If you fail, we’ll lose that godly medicine. Didn’t you hear? Someone’s already offering eighteen thousand kilo!”

“Don’t be anxious,” Ye Fan said calmly. “If I lose, I’ll simply start over.”

“Good mindset,” Yao Yuekong said admiringly.

The Grand Xia Prince nodded in agreement, until Ye Fan smiled and asked the little nun to help him move a few stones, which made her glare again in irritation.

“Young man, fine cultivation of the heart,” one elder said approvingly. “Stone-cutting depends seventy percent on luck. May fortune smile upon you again.”

They followed as Ye Fan strolled through the stone paths, eventually reaching a quiet bamboo grove.

There stood a stone worth ten thousand kilo of source. Its surface shimmered faintly with Daoist patterns, it was truly extraordinary. Ye Fan and Blackwater had discussed it before.

“Someone’s finally going to touch that stone! No one’s dared to try in years,” one elder whispered.

Ye Fan crouched down, brushing his hands over it, studying every line, every ripple of energy. But in the end, he stood and stepped back. The stone seemed both hollow and full, as if hiding something he couldn’t quite perceive.

When he looked up, he noticed an Absolute Dao Sacred Ground maiden standing quietly in the distance, serene as a newly blossomed lotus, one with the scenery itself, ethereal and pure.

He still couldn’t clearly see her face, not because of mist or divine light, but because her presence itself seemed to blur the senses, suffused with Daoist aura.

Ye Fan turned away and continued selecting stones. Blackwater, Yao Yuekong, the Grand Xia Prince, and the little nun followed.

Before long, they emerged into a sunlit clearing. There, on a stone platform, lay a one-foot-tall humanoid stone figure with nine visible apertures.

“Why is this placed on a pedestal?” Ye Fan asked.

The source master replied, “It’s a naturally formed humanoid stone. Legends say that if such a stone absorbs the essence of sun and moon long enough, it may one day become a sentient spirit.”

The stone deeply intrigued Ye Fan. It was small, only a foot long, but perfectly human-shaped and marked with nine apertures.

Ancient lore spoke of ‘Nine-Aperture Immortal Stones’ capable of evolving into sacred beings, but this one was so small that few believed it possible.

Ye Fan pondered deeply, then finally made his decision. He picked up the stone figure, examining it carefully.

“Many source masters have studied this Nine-Aperture Stone Man,” one elder said, “but none have dared cut it.”

“Young man, you really intend to cut that stone?” another asked in surprise.

The group of elders was stunned. They had all examined this very stone before, but none had ever risked it.

It was only a foot long, yet valued at nine thousand kilo of source, an outrageous price. No one could confidently judge what was inside.

“Someone’s really cutting the Nine-Aperture Stone Man? Perfect timing, I’ve always wanted to see it opened!” another elder exclaimed as more arrived.

“Last time, several masters studied it for an entire day, only to give up. Could it finally be opened today?”

Ye Fan’s cutting of the godly medicine had drawn even greater attention than he realized. One after another, cultivators came rushing to watch. The Celestial City was in an uproar.

He lifted the strange stone and held it up to the sunlight, studying each of its nine apertures carefully, deep in thought.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that it was extraordinary, sometimes giving off an ethereal, illusionary vibe, and at other times, a dense and weighty presence, as though something priceless was hidden within.

The elders murmured among themselves.

“The godly medicine’s been taken away, it’ll be auctioned later at the Godfiend Palace. But this alone makes the trip worthwhile. If we can finally see what’s inside the Nine-Aperture Stone Man, it will fulfill a long-held wish.”

“Indeed. I’ve always wanted to know its secret, but even the most skilled source masters gave up on it.”

They crowded around Ye Fan eagerly, watching closely, their eyes bright with expectation.

“Do you have confidence?” Blackwater asked telepathically.

“No,” Ye Fan replied. “But it’s worth the risk.”

He lifted the strange stone again, holding each of its apertures toward the sunlight, one by one.

When he glanced back, he was startled, the Stone Workshop outside was now packed solid with onlookers. No one made a sound; everyone watched in silence.

Among them stood a white-clad young man, elegant as jade, Jiang Yifei of the Jiang Clan.

And on the opposite side stood a woman in white, her eyes bright, her beauty flawless and radiant like crystal, it was An Miaoyi. She too had come.

Only then did Ye Fan realize how far the news had spread. His discovery of the godly medicine had shaken the entire Celestial City.

Yet only the group of old men nearby seemed unfazed, still chatting excitedly, while all others remained in hushed awe.

Ye Fan took a deep breath, forcing his mind to calm. Then, with steady hands, he began examining the Nine-Aperture Stone Man once more, measuring each aperture carefully under the sunlight.