Chapter 135: Secret Art Revealed
Clumsy Peak was utterly ordinary, devoid of any remarkable features. Even the ancient bow in Ye Fan’s hand appeared simple and unadorned. Pitch-black, as if scorched by fire, it even had a few wormholes, giving it a somewhat decayed look, as if it might crumble at any moment.
Yet it was precisely this broken bow that emitted a fluctuation distorting the sky, as if an invisible force field spread in all directions. The many disciples of Star Peak stood trembling, their faces pale as paper.
Several elders from Star Peak descended and paid respects to Li Ruoyu in the dilapidated hall. One of them said, “Congratulations, Senior Brother. The Clumsy Peak lineage is about to shine brilliantly.” Li Ruoyu stepped out and returned the greeting, asking, “What makes you say that?”
“The Clumsy Bow has appeared, and it seems the inheritance is about to be unlocked. Once the Nine Secrets emerge, all other main peaks will pale in comparison. Clumsy Peak will illuminate Grand Mystery, its radiance soaring to the heavens.” Li Ruoyu shook his head and said, “The Clumsy Bow was obtained by chance; it does not foretell the opening of the inheritance.”
“Where did Senior Brother Li find the Clumsy Bow?” The several elders of Star Peak all showed astonished expressions. “In a badger’s den halfway up the mountain. The badgers had used it as firewood for their nest.”
Upon hearing this, everyone was dumbfounded. Clumsy Peak was truly peculiar—a treasured mountain-guarding artifact being used by wild badgers as kindling for a nest was utterly speechless. “The ancient bow has appeared; Clumsy Peak’s rise is not far off. It will soar to the skies,” one of Star Peak’s elders said.
“For Clumsy Peak to rise, it’s easier said than done. The inheritance has been severed for five hundred years, with no disciples and the mountain desolate. Reconnecting the broken thread is exceedingly difficult.” Li Ruoyu sighed. One of Star Peak’s elders glanced lightly at Ye Fan and said, “This should be considered a decent seedling.”
Ye Fan felt uneasy. These old men were not simple. He feared revealing any flaws. Having just used the Clumsy Bow to intimidate dozens of Star Peak disciples, he wondered what these elders thought. If they were displeased with him, it would be troublesome.
At this moment, he had already put away the ancient bow, dispersing the terrifying pressure. A few old crows cawed loudly, rising from beside him and landing on a withered tree not far away.
Soon after, the several elders of Star Peak took their leave. Li Ruoyu called out from behind, stopping them: “Clumsy Peak will reorganize its mountain gate. Please inform the master of Star Peak to restrain the disciples a bit. Clumsy Peak is, after all, a main peak; let no one trespass again.” The elders of Star Peak paused at these words, and one of them said, “We will relay the message.”
Only after they were far from Clumsy Peak did the elders of Star Peak speak in low voices. One frowned and said, “Why did the Clumsy Bow appear like this?”
“It seems our Senior Brother Li is not simple. In the past, we underestimated him, thinking his talent was poor and he could achieve little. Who would have thought that after guarding Clumsy Peak alone for so many years, we can no longer see through his depth?”
“Clumsy Peak is a strange place; many things cannot be judged by common sense. Could Li Ruoyu become the second Great Power of Clumsy Peak?” They recalled Clumsy Peak’s past, where a former sage, despite mediocre talent, obtained a cultivation method when the inheritance was absent, ultimately achieving a level comparable to ancient Great Powers with overwhelming magical power.
“Clumsy Peak—outstanding yet unassuming, brilliance hidden within. Its resurgence is not far off. I have that feeling,” said one of Star Peak’s older elders.
“Even if Clumsy Peak rises again and reaches its peak, so what? Star Peak is the foundation of Grand Mystery Sect, one of the strongest inheritances. Half of the sect masters in history have come from our lineage.”
At this moment, Ye Fan was very glad he had only roasted a wild rabbit and not shot down the nine old crows. He didn’t know what would have happened if he had done that.
The pitch-black ancient bow, with its few conspicuous wormholes, struck Ye Fan as strange. If it were a treasure, how could insects have gnawed through it?
Li Ruoyu stood before the Nine-Step Heavenly Staircase, took the Clumsy Bow from Ye Fan’s hand, gently stroked it, and finally placed the ancient bow on the ancient jade steps.
Nine-colored jade rippled like water, engulfing the Clumsy Bow. Then flames leaped, and the pitch-black ancient bow began to burn. “Senior, what are you doing?!” Ye Fan was shocked.
“Legend has it that the mountain is the scripture, and the bow is the root. This bow is a key to Clumsy Peak; perhaps it can make the inheritance reappear.” Ye Fan saw the ancient bow burning and exclaimed, “This is a precious treasure! Won’t it be destroyed?”
“It won’t be destroyed. It will only merge into Clumsy Peak, becoming even more powerful. The mountain and bow as one can rival the heavens.” Li Ruoyu sighed, “The inheritance should indeed reappear. I don’t know if this will unlock it.”
Flames danced, and the Clumsy Bow merged into the Nine-Step Heavenly Staircase, vanishing completely. Eventually, everything calmed down, and Ye Fan sensed a subtle change.
The peak became even more restrained, plain and unremarkable, as if it had shrunk by several hundred meters, now less than two thousand six hundred meters high. Many surrounding subsidiary peaks stood taller than it.
“If I sit here in meditation until my end, you may leave.” After saying this, Li Ruoyu sat cross-legged before the Nine-Step Heavenly Staircase, motionless as dead wood. “Senior Li…” Ye Fan was startled and wanted to advise him but found no words.
In the end, he walked aside and flipped through the yellowed booklet the old man had given him. It contained some cultivation methods but mostly insights and experiences.
Ye Fan was quickly captivated. He didn’t lack cultivation techniques; the Dao Scripture was an ancient Eastern Wasteland classic, the supreme heart method for cultivating the Wheel Sea Secret Realm. He had been exploring on his own, lacking experience and guidance. This yellowed ancient booklet was a timely gift. He immersed himself in it all night, reading with fascination, and many doubts in his mind were completely resolved.
Inside Ye Fan’s body, a divine vein extended, like a bridge leading forward, spanning above the golden Sea of Suffering, surrounded by mist. The Divine Bridge extended by a chi overnight. This was a rare gain after clearing his confusion. If it could cross the Sea of Suffering and reach the other end, he would break into the Other Shore realm.
“Caw, caw, caw…”
In the following days, Ye Fan felt speechless. It was like a crow’s shadow hanging over him, very ominous. Several crows circled above his head from time to time. It was said they were spirits born from the ancient bow. If shot, they could pierce clouds and split the sky, unstoppable.
Ye Fan guessed these so-called spirits were “deities” born from the “artifact.” He didn’t know what rank such a divine artifact was, but it must be terrifying.
As for the nine arrows, they were merely carriers, not particularly special. The key was the combination of the ancient bow and the nine spirits, which was extremely fearsome.
These days, Star Peak’s disciples didn’t trespass on Clumsy Peak, but many were resentful and often loitered nearby.
Ye Fan ignored them. During this time, he kept exploring. He felt that such a superpower, though not as strong as the Ji Family or Yaoguang Holy Land, could likely traverse half the Eastern Wasteland if they opened a Domain Gate.
Half a month later, Li Ruoyu awakened, muttering to himself: “Great perfection seems flawed; great fullness seems empty; great skill seems clumsy…” Ye Fan quickly approached and bowed, asking, “Senior, have you gained anything?”
“Clumsy Peak should be like this. There’s no need for immortal mist or auspicious radiance. I think I’ve found some reasons.” Li Ruoyu seemed to have gained insight. “The mountain is the scripture. The inherited secret arts require a corresponding state of mind to merge with it and imprint the divine techniques.”
The old man’s life was not in danger; he hadn’t passed away, which relieved Ye Fan. He began to focus on the mountain gate matters. Over the past half month, Star Peak disciples often appeared, seemingly waiting for him to descend the mountain.
“Hey, aren’t you guys annoying? Hanging around Clumsy Peak all day, are you here to steal?”
At the foot of Clumsy Peak, a Star Peak disciple sneered, “The competition between main peaks is about to start. Counting the time, there are still over two months. I hope you won’t chicken out then.”
“What’s that got to do with me? I never said I’d participate. You guys go fight; I’ll come cheer.” Ye Fan stood on Clumsy Peak, smiling at the people below.
“Since you’ve joined Clumsy Peak and become its only disciple, you can’t avoid it even if you want to. I hope you can still smile when the time comes.” The Star Peak disciples had suffered a great loss at Ye Fan’s hands and were hostile toward him. It was easy to imagine that once the competition began, they would target him.
“Is that so? I forfeit!” Ye Fan said without any shame.
“Where did this guy come from? How is his face so thick? He can actually say that.” The group below was dumbfounded.
“Too bad, you have to fight at least ten matches before you can forfeit…” Someone shook their head with a gloating expression. “When the time comes, plenty of people will take good care of you. Enjoy it slowly.”
“Is it same-realm combat or cross-realm combat?” Ye Fan asked.
“Do you think you’re a Divine Body? Wanting cross-realm combat…” The Star Peak disciples below all showed contempt.
“So it’s same-realm cultivator duels. How about we spar a few rounds now?” Ye Fan chuckled. “Cultivators at the Sea of Suffering realm are welcome to exchange pointers on Clumsy Peak.”
Below, most of these Star Peak disciples were at the Life Spring realm. They had come looking for a chance to deal with Ye Fan. Hearing this, they exchanged glances.
Several Life Spring realm cultivators stepped forward with friendly smiles, saying, “We are all Sea of Suffering realm cultivators. Let’s spar a few rounds.”
Half an hour later, news reached Star Peak: over a dozen disciples had been beaten black and blue and detained on Clumsy Peak, where they were repairing the mountain path.
Many Star Peak disciples were in an uproar. Some immediately flew toward Clumsy Peak, but others stopped them from forcing their way in, all landing at the mountain gate.
“A bet is a bet; I didn’t force them…” Ye Fan stood on the mountain and shouted down, “Are you all here to help build Clumsy Peak too?”
“Where did this kid come from? Why is he so unconventional? He even dares to detain our Star Peak disciples.”
“Don’t you know? Half a month ago, he severely injured several of our Star Peak people. Later, he used a demonic bow to confront dozens of our disciples, even alerting the elders.”
“Before the big competition, Clumsy Peak is holding a small competition. Cultivators at the Sea of Suffering realm are welcome to spar.” Ye Fan, looking harmless, shouted from above. “But come one at a time.”
On Clumsy Peak, the detained Star Peak disciples cursed Ye Fan for his shamelessness. This bastard was “fishing” again.
However, this time, no one rashly stepped forward. With the previous lesson, they naturally sensed something was off, believing Ye Fan must have an ancient treasure similar to the Clumsy Bow.
Star Peak disciples flew over one after another, wanting to see who dared to detain their people. Among the crowd, a woman in white was stunned, finding it hard to believe. It was Li Xiaoman.
At this moment, Ye Fan didn’t notice her. He quickly rushed up the mountain, sensing something unusual.
The Bodhi seed in his bosom trembled slightly, growing warm. A strange feeling surged in his heart. “Could that secret art be about to appear?!” Ye Fan moved at top speed, dashing to the mountain peak.
At the summit of Clumsy Peak, a void appeared, extremely tranquil. Inside, vegetation flourished and withered, leaves dripping green one moment and withering into desolation the next.
The Nine-Step Heavenly Staircase was hazy, continuously expanding, with jade pavilions and towers emerging above it, suspended in the void. Li Ruoyu sat like a fossil, cross-legged, facing the Nine-Step Heavenly Staircase.
My thoughts aren’t flowing smoothly today; just this chapter.