Shrouded Sky

Chapter 349 - Supreme Lunar-Yin Physique

Years ago, when Ye Fan first met little Tingting, she was only about four years old. Despite her young age, she was remarkably sensible and well-behaved. Her patched clothes couldn’t hide her cuteness, her small face was rosy like a red apple.

When old Grandpa Jiang, with his head full of white hair, was beaten and fell bleeding to the ground, she burst into tears, her big eyes brimming with sorrow as she pleaded in her childish voice for them to stop hitting her grandfather.

Time flew by. More than four years had passed, and when Ye Fan thought back to that moment, he still felt a pang in his chest.

“Tingting, did you come back on your own?” Grandpa Jiang asked kindly.

“Yes,” the little girl answered crisply.

“Come in quickly. See who’s here.” Grandpa Jiang took her small hand and led her inside.

“Wah! Big brother?!” Tingting exclaimed, her eyes widening in astonishment.

Ye Fan smiled, reached out, and patted her head. The once tiny girl with rosy cheeks had grown a little taller.

“Big brother, why are you here? Quick, hide! Don’t go outside! I heard that a lot of people are trying to catch you.” She looked up at him, her long lashes trembling slightly. There was worry in her eyes, but also joy, the pure happiness of reunion.

She had indeed grown. The little Tingting was now a delicate porcelain doll, bright-eyed, graceful, and dressed in white like fresh snow. Her black hair was smooth and shiny, her big eyes full of spirit. She was lovely and charming beyond words.

Outside, the snow fell thick and endless, the cold wind howling through the mountains. But inside the house, warmth filled the air. The wrinkles on Grandpa Jiang’s face seemed to smooth out as he smiled gently, his expression full of contentment.

Tingting was lively and cheerful, a little angel carved from jade, the kind of child who melted hearts with her presence.

Ye Fan relaxed a little. He had worried that her health might affect her temperament, but clearly, he had worried too much.

“Big brother, are you really safe?” Tingting asked, blinking up at him with her wide eyes.

“Don’t worry,” Ye Fan smiled. “No one can catch me.” He gently tapped her delicate nose.

“Tingting will train hard so she can help big brother in the future,” she said earnestly.

Ye Fan couldn’t help but laugh. “You don’t need to think about that. As long as you and Grandpa are happy, that’s all that matters.”

But inwardly, he was amazed, Tingting had already reached the Other Shore stage of the Oceanic Wheel Realm. For such a young child, to progress so fast in just a few years was truly astonishing.

He wanted to give her a gift, but realized nothing he had was suitable. The Diamond Bracelet and the Dragon-Rune Black Gold Sword were too famous, giving them to her would draw dangerous attention. As for divine treasures like Motherly Energy or Phoenix-Blood Red-Gold, those were out of the question; the Jiang Clan would seize them instantly.

“Damn... I can’t even find a simple gift for you…” he murmured, shaking his head helplessly.

“Tingting doesn’t want gifts. Seeing big brother is already enough,” she said sweetly, smiling with genuine joy.

Ye Fan thought for a moment and decided to guide her instead. He couldn’t teach her the ultimate secret arts or ancient scriptures, the Jiang Clan would immediately notice, and that would cause endless trouble.

Tingting was already cultivating the Eternal Universe Scripture. She didn’t need other methods. Ye Fan decided to teach her one thing.

One Artifact Shatters Myriad Daos.

At her current realm, before she entered the Dao Palace Realm, it was still early enough to learn.

“Tingting,” he said, “I’ll teach you a method for refining and mastering a weapon.”

The phrase One Artifact Shatters Myriad Daos was an ancient legend, countless had tried to understand it, with varying results. Even if Tingting practiced this technique, it wouldn’t expose her identity.

She was incredibly gifted, she grasped the essence almost immediately. With time, she would surely master it deeply.

“Tingting, remember, if you can, forge and temper one weapon only. One day, I’ll give you a supreme weapon made from the relics of a Grand Emperor.”

“Tingting understands.” She nodded solemnly.

Ye Fan took out a small piece of Godsource, though he sealed its brilliance so it wouldn’t harm Grandpa Jiang’s eyes.

“Tingting, have you ever seen this before?”

“Ah!” she gasped, her cheeks flushing red. “Is that… Godsource?”

“So you have seen it.” Ye Fan smiled.

“The Jiang Clan’s little princess, she’s my age. She’s spoiled and favored, I’ve seen her use Godsource before.”

“They never gave you any?”

“No. But I don’t need them, I cultivate fast enough.” She tried to sound indifferent, but Ye Fan could hear the faint sadness beneath her words.

“Godsource isn’t that special. I can give some to you,” he said, wanting to protect her from the unfairness she endured.

But he hesitated. He was being hunted by almost every Sacred Ground and Ancient Desolate Clan. If he left such a treasure behind, it might bring her disaster.

“I’ll leave it with Grandpa Jiang. You can use it whenever you visit,” he said at last.

“Big brother should keep it. Tingting doesn’t need it.” She shook her head stubbornly, like a tiny adult.

After much persuasion, she finally accepted, holding the fist-sized Godsource in her palms, eyes shining with delight.

Grandpa Jiang then asked Ye Fan about his journeys these past years, full of concern. Tingting, curious as always, asked countless questions about his training and adventures.

Ye Fan spoke only of the simple parts, keeping many things vague, but even that left the old man and the girl deeply astonished.

After a long pause, Tingting said softly, “Big brother, I want to give you a gift too.”

She ran into her room and didn’t come out for half an hour. When she did, she solemnly handed him ten sheets of paper filled with elegant handwriting.

“Big brother, read it and then burn it. Never, ever show it to anyone.” Her tone was serious and firm.

The moment Ye Fan took them, his eyes widened. The first five ancient characters read.

‘Eternal Universe Scripture, The Four Pillars Chapter.’

“Tingting, this... This is too valuable.”

“Big brother, don’t say anything. Just read, then destroy it. Please?” Her eyes were steady and full of determination.

Ye Fan nodded. He said no more and began to read.

He was immediately drawn in. Though it was only one chapter, it was vast and profound beyond measure.

The Four Pillars Realm, in ancient myth, these referred to the four pillars that supported the heavens. But in the human body, they represented the four limbs. The name itself captured the essence of this stage. To cultivate boundless strength and connect the body directly to the Dao, the arms and legs stretching infinitely, merging heaven and earth.

The opening passages were already breathtaking, and the further he read, the more he was awed. The scripture spoke of manifesting Dao Spirits, of merging with the Grand Dao, of imprinting one’s will upon the void.

Ye Fan was completely entranced. The Four Pillars Chapter of the Eternal Universe Scripture was so deep it defied imagination.

When he finally looked up, he flicked his fingers lightly, and the papers turned instantly to ash, but the scripture was now forever engraved in his mind.

“Did big brother remember everything?” Tingting asked seriously.

“I did. You’ve done so much for me, Tingting,” he said softly, patting her head. “One day, I’ll forge you a weapon made from a Grand Emperor’s relic.”

He stayed with them for a few days. During that time, he used a rare type of Godsource to cleanse Grandpa Jiang’s body, rejuvenating his blood and marrow.

The results were remarkable. Grandpa Jiang looked years younger, his energy renewed.

The Jiang Clan did possess elixirs that could prolong mortal life, and Tingting had secretly brought some home before, but Grandpa Jiang had always refused. He feared the pain of seeing his granddaughter die before him.

Only after Ye Fan promised to find the legendary Earth Life Fruit, said to grant longevity, did the old man’s heart begin to ease.

Still, Ye Fan knew the truth. Earth Life Fruit, like Primordial Godly Medicines, was virtually extinct. Finding one would be near impossible.

“This cursed weather,” someone muttered. “It’s been snowing for seven days and nights without stopping. The North truly is a bitter land, aside from Godsources, there’s nothing here worth having.”

“Hey, isn’t that little tavern run by that old man? Let’s stop there for some food and wine before continuing.”

“Which old man?”

“The one with the dying granddaughter.”

Ye Fan’s expression darkened. He moved his joints slightly, changing his appearance in an instant.

“Grandpa, don’t be angry,” Tingting said softly, clutching his rough hand.

“Good child, I’m not angry, I just hate to see you wronged,” Grandpa Jiang said, stroking her hair.

“Tingting’s not sad. When I grow up, I’ll live forever, I’ll show them,” she replied with childish confidence.

At that moment, the tavern door swung open. A group of young men stepped in, bringing a gust of icy wind with them.

“Well, business is good. Even in this ghost weather you’ve got customers,” one said mockingly.

Tingting turned, her small face proud and firm. “You’re not welcome here.”

“Oh, the little genius is here too,” one sneered. They were clearly all from the Jiang Clan.

Tingting, born with the Supreme Lunar-Yin Physique, was doomed to die young, so they didn’t bother hiding their contempt. The only reason they were cautious was because she had recently attracted the attention of a powerful ancestor from the line of God-King Jiang Taixu.

“We’re just passing by, grabbing a bite to eat. Don’t take it the wrong way,” one of them said casually.

“Then leave. The kitchen’s closed,” Tingting replied coldly.

“Closed? In the middle of the day?” one muttered.

“Forget it, let’s go,” another said.

As they walked out into the snow, their voices drifted back.

“Why bother being polite to a dying girl?”

“If she mentions that old ancestor again, we’ll be in trouble. Better play it safe.”

“If they really rescue that God-King during the attack on Purple Mountain, that little girl might become a true princess. With his power, he could change her fate, maybe even cure her body.”

Their voices faded into the howling wind.

But before long, the door opened again, they had returned, and this time, they brought someone with them.

Ye Fan’s eyes narrowed. The newcomer was an old acquaintance, Jiang Yichen.

Even after years, Ye Fan recognized him instantly.

Back in the Southern Region, Jiang Yichen had incited the Jiang Clan’s soldiers to chase Ye Fan across a thousand miles, nearly killing him, all to seize his treasures.

Ye Fan still remembered that dark time, the pursuit, the blood, the danger. He had good impressions of Jiang Yifei and Jiang Caitong, but this Jiang Yichen… he was cruel and ruthless.

That man had almost ended his life.