Chapter 137: Unfathomably Deep
Ye Fan’s heart shook. The other party hadn’t even touched his Sea of Suffering, so how could he have seen through his physique? “The Primordial Saint Body is indeed extraordinary. A golden Sea of Suffering interwoven with lightning—unheard of, unseen.” Li Ruoyu spoke calmly.
But to Ye Fan’s ears, it was like a thunderclap. He felt uneasy, unsure what other secrets the man had discovered. The green copper block absolutely could not see the light of day, and the Mother Qi of All Things and the Golden Scripture were also extraordinary, not fit to be revealed. “Don’t be nervous. I mean no harm.” As if reading his thoughts, Li Ruoyu’s wrinkled face revealed a kind smile.
Ye Fan felt the man was unfathomably deep. After obtaining the true inheritance of Clumsy Peak, he was even harder to gauge. Ye Fan asked, “Senior… how did you see through it?” “Just now, you and I were both one with Clumsy Peak, the Great Dao flowing. Naturally, I could perceive it.” Li Ruoyu smiled slightly.
The Primordial Saint Body was extraordinary. If deliberately concealed, the Sea of Suffering would be still and almost impossible to see through. Not long ago, when the Clumsy Peak inheritance was activated, the natural Great Dao flowed, and the two were within it. Ye Fan speculated that perhaps this was indeed the case—his own aura had leaked out and been sensed by the other party. “Please keep this secret for me, Senior.” Ye Fan didn’t know what attitude the old man would take toward him. Although they had been harmonious before, their time together was short, and he didn’t truly understand him yet. “You can rest assured.”
In fact, by now, even if the Primordial Saint Body were discovered, it wouldn’t matter much. In the current era, people only cared about the Eastern Wasteland Divine Body. However, if it became known that Ye Fan could cultivate without any hindrance, that would be a huge problem. “Not simple. Cultivating the Primordial Saint Body to the Divine Bridge realm is no easy feat.” Li Ruoyu nodded.
Ye Fan’s heart grew heavy. This was the root of his worry. Having the Primordial Saint Body yet cultivating so smoothly—if discovered, people would surely investigate. He felt the old man had seen even more. Now, like Clumsy Peak, the man appeared ordinary but was profoundly unfathomable.
“Try not to let the Holy Lands and Primordial Aristocratic Clans know.” Li Ruoyu said this. “They…” Hearing this, Ye Fan’s heart tightened. The Holy Lands and Primordial Aristocratic Clans, passed down from the Primordial Era, certainly knew many secrets. “No need to worry too much. Time has passed, the Saint Body is now crippled. The great powers inherited from the Primordial Era don’t care much anymore. The world has even forgotten this physique.”
In the past, the Primordial Saint Body had shone brilliantly across the ages. Now, even if some knew of it, they understood that the Saint Body could no longer cultivate. “Senior, do you know exactly why the Saint Body is no longer suitable for cultivation?” Ye Fan asked. “As for the reason, it’s too long ago. Hard for anyone to know.” Li Ruoyu looked at Ye Fan. “The Primordial Saint Body might not necessarily block your path. Everything in the world has its fate…”
Ye Fan nodded at this. In fact, he had never been hindered in cultivation. Since stepping onto the immortal path, he had always been smooth. “As long as you firmly believe you can cultivate, nothing can stop you.” Li Ruoyu sighed. “My physique is very ordinary and common, but I kept persisting, and eventually achieved something.” “Congratulations, Senior, on obtaining the Clumpy Peak inheritance and greatly advancing your cultivation.” Ye Fan stepped forward to offer his congratulations. “Cultivation requires down-to-earth effort. Obtaining a powerful inheritance alone doesn’t guarantee progress. No matter how profound the mystic arts, they must be understood through personal insight.” Li Ruoyu seemed to be instructing Ye Fan. “In years past, I was lost and ignorant, wasting decades cultivating here before waking up as if from a dream, realizing the true meaning of Clumsy Peak.”
According to the old man, it was only in the last hundred years that he had found peace of mind, gradually becoming one with Clumsy Peak, comprehending the state of mind of the ancient sages, and grasping the Dao of Clumsy Peak.
Before obtaining the inheritance, aside from that supreme secret technique, he had already experienced the myriad subtle truths left by predecessors, merging with Clumsy Peak and contemplating the natural Great Dao.
Hearing this, Ye Fan was shocked. This old man was truly remarkable, extraordinary. His bone structure was not good—in fact, it could be said to be quite poor—yet he had comprehended the Dao here, sensed nature, and grasped supreme subtle truths.
Today, after the inheritance was activated, Li Ruoyu merely confirmed those so-called subtle truths. He was truly an exceptional person, possessing great wisdom in cultivation. “Bone structure is not the issue. A Divine Body is not necessarily invincible under heaven.” Li Ruoyu said this to Ye Fan, as if encouraging him.
“Your physique is special. The world considers it a waste body, but I feel that within the ordinary lies the extraordinary. Perhaps you can cultivate the Saint Body.” Li Ruoyu gazed at him. “Are you willing to sincerely join Clumsy Peak?”
Ye Fan’s heart stirred. The old man’s words were very deliberate. He hesitated for a moment, not answering immediately. “I understand your intentions…” Li Ruoyu sighed softly.
“Senior, I am willing to join Clumsy Peak.” “No need for that.” Li Ruoyu nodded, then shook his head. “For now, consider yourself an ordinary disciple of Clumsy Peak. My Dao may not necessarily suit you. You may leave at any time.”
Ye Fan was surprised. He felt the old man had definitely seen more than what he had just said. “Senior, in fact, I have already received part of the Clumsy Peak inheritance.” Ye Fan said this, feeling that this old man was too extraordinary to hide things from. “I already understand.” Li Ruoyu nodded. “You have obtained the secret technique. You may cultivate it, but you can never pass it on.”
Ye Fan increasingly felt that the old man was extraordinary. After confirming the Clumsy Peak inheritance, he had truly returned to simplicity. “You and I are both disciples of Clumsy Peak. Follow me down the mountain to accept disciples.” Li Ruoyu did not fly but walked down the mountain step by step, with Ye Fan following behind.
At the mountain gate, many people had gathered. Some elders were even waiting there, not daring to ascend recklessly.
The dozen or so Star Peak disciples whom Ye Fan had detained on the mountain were now feeling mixed emotions. Originally dismissive of Clumsy Peak, they now saw outstanding disciples from various main peaks gathered here, their hearts filled with a hundred emotions.
Ye Fan walked over and removed the restrictions on them, letting them go down the mountain. But at this point, the dozen or so people dawdled, unwilling to leave directly.
The Grand Mystery Sect had rules: joining other main peaks allowed for the chance to choose another inheritance, but once one joined Clumsy Peak, it could not be changed. This had been the case since ancient times, indirectly illustrating Clumsy Peak’s uniqueness. Li Ruoyu arrived at the mountain gate, swept his gaze over the crowd, and said, “Are you all willing to join my Clumsy Peak?” “Yes!” Many people answered loudly.
At this moment, Li Ruoyu had no transcendent aura or ethereal charm. He merely looked like an ordinary village elder, causing many disciples to feel doubtful.
Elders from other main peaks stepped forward to greet Li Ruoyu, all very polite. These senior experts, with divine eyes like lightning, could not see through Li Ruoyu, naturally knowing his realm was unfathomably deep. In everyone’s view, Clumsy Peak’s rise was a foregone conclusion. “We are here to send disciples. The peak master ordered it, so we had no choice but to part with them.” Some elders felt bitter. “In fact, there’s no need for this.” Li Ruoyu lacked the demeanor of a Dao-achieving master. “Everyone has their own different Dao. The Dao of Clumsy Peak may not suit them.” “The sect leader also said that selecting disciples is voluntary.” Another very old elder nodded. “We sincerely wish to join Clumsy Peak.” Many clever disciples shouted loudly, kneeling forward.
Ye Fan felt speechless. Before today, Clumsy Peak had been deserted, but after the inheritance was activated, so many people had flooded in. “Don’t stop me. I am the senior disciple of Clumsy Peak.” At that moment, a crisp, pleasant voice rang out. Ji Ziyue, who had been missing for days, appeared. Her big eyes were sparkling, full of smiles, and her tender cheeks were still smeared with streaks, as if she didn’t want to reveal her true face.
Ji Ziyue’s small dimples appeared. With a sweet smile, she hugged Li Ruoyu’s arm and said, “Senior Li, I’m back.” “Good. From today on, you are a disciple of Clumsy Peak.” Li Ruoyu nodded to her.
Ji Ziyue had crossed the Nine-Stair Heavenly Ladder, her physique truly astonishing. She had wanted to stay on Clumsy Peak that day, and if not for the Star Peak elder’s interference, she would have remained here like Ye Fan. The old man had a good impression of her. “Senior, we also wish to join Clumsy Peak.” Some disciples at the mountain gate bowed again. “Contemplate at the foot of Clumsy Peak. If you gain some insight within half a month, you may join.” Li Ruoyu said this, then walked up the mountain, with some elders following him.
At that moment, a Star Peak elder stepped forward and said to Li Ruoyu, “That girl is a member of the Ji Family. You must not teach her the supreme technique.”
In the following days, young disciples gathered at the foot of Clumsy Peak. Many from the one hundred and eight main peaks came here.
Now, rumors circulated within the Grand Mystery Sect that Li Ruoyu had comprehended the natural Great Dao and might one day rival the ancient Great Powers. If one followed such a master, their future achievements would surely be limitless.
Among the one hundred and eight main peaks, after many peak masters personally visited Li Ruoyu, some indeed made this judgment—it was not baseless.
Ye Fan never expected that the desolate and lonely Clumsy Peak would become so lively. It made one sigh that the world of cultivation was just as realistic as the mortal world, not much better.
Ji Ziyue was unhappy. Li Ruoyu had directly asked her if she was a member of the Ji Family. She had no choice but to admit it. The old man was also frank, clearly telling her that he could not teach her that supreme secret technique. “Little brat, you really didn’t learn that secret technique? I don’t believe it!” Ji Ziyue glanced sideways at Ye Fan with her big eyes, her smile very sweet and captivating. “That day, when the Clumsy Peak inheritance was activated, you were on this mountain. You must have had some opportunity. Didn’t you gain anything?” “Hmph, I learned some natural Dao.” Ye Fan chuckled. “You can trade the Void Ancient Scripture for it.” “Deserving a beating!” Ji Ziyue wrinkled her nose and began grinding her teeth, remembering the time she was captured by Ye Fan. “Forget it, I’ll just teach you directly.” Ye Fan began to expound on the natural Dao, changing the subject. He dared not teach that secret technique, as Li Ruoyu had solemnly warned him.
After her identity was revealed, Ji Ziyue washed off the colorful streaks on her face, transforming from a little kitten into a sweet and lively young girl, with a peerless bearing.
Once the Grand Mystery Sect learned of her identity, they naturally wanted to protect her vigorously, ensuring no mishap befell her here. She was no longer afraid of Ji Biyue coming to kill her.
Soon, over thirty disciples were added to Clumsy Peak, all sent up by various elders. Li Ruoyu found it hard to refuse.
Ji Ziyue was very displeased. Some of them surrounded her, following her around, which annoyed her endlessly. She understood that her identity must have leaked, and these people wanted to get close to her, to form a connection with the Primordial Aristocratic Clan.
As for Ye Fan, he hid from her every day, studying the Dao Scripture and practicing the newly obtained supreme secret technique. Ji Ziyue was annoyed, feeling that this guy was too eccentric, actually avoiding her like this, even more detestable than those who followed her. “Little brat, you dare hide from me…” Ji Ziyue ground her little tiger teeth in threat, her big eyes full of mischief, planning to use Ye Fan as a shield.
Ye Fan naturally understood. He then vanished without a trace all day, not wanting to be targeted by other disciples. Now, he had already begun to think of leaving. In recent days, he had been searching for the Grand Mystery Sect’s “Domain Gate,” hoping to cross the void from here.
Ye Fan once again left Clumsy Peak, wandering around the Grand Mystery Sect for most of the day, passing many main peaks but still not finding the so-called Domain Gate, unsure where it was.
He did learn from some disciples that if one made great contributions to the sect or could provide enough “Source,” they could use the Domain Gate to cross the void, with the sect offering convenience.
On his way back to Clumsy Peak, Ye Fan was spotted by Ji Ziyue, who blocked his path. “Little brat, you’ve been sneaking around these past few days. Are you trying to escape?” Ji Ziyue was very clever, keenly sensing something amiss. “Could it be that you obtained a supreme secret technique and have been hiding it from me? Otherwise, why would you have such thoughts?” “No such thing!” Ye Fan quickly denied. “If you dare try to escape, I’ll tell everyone all your secrets—like the Demon Emperor’s Sacred Heart, the Mother Qi of All Things, the mysterious green copper block…” Ji Ziyue smiled sweetly, her big eyes curving into crescent moons, her small dimples appearing, looking playful and lively. “Stop!” Ye Fan hurriedly stopped her from continuing. If anyone overheard, his situation would be dire. “Let’s go somewhere else for a stroll.” Ji Ziyue was bored, having been pestered by the young disciples on Clumsy Peak, and had fled down the mountain. “Alright, let’s just walk around.” Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue headed toward the “subsidiary peaks” ahead, passing through a series of beautiful peaks, and unknowingly arrived near Star Peak.
At that moment, a familiar figure caught Ye Fan’s eye. Li Xiaoman’s white clothes fluttered, her black hair like a waterfall, her features clear and beautiful, her figure graceful and upright—spotless and ethereal. She was with a few Star Peak disciples, walking in this direction from not far away. The two sides happened to meet. Ye Fan and Li Xiaoman naturally both saw each other, not expecting to meet here.
Beside him, Ji Ziyue immediately noticed something unusual and whispered in Ye Fan’s ear, “An acquaintance?” “Yes.” Ye Fan nodded. “Not an enemy, is she? Should I take care of her for you?” Ji Ziyue smiled as she looked ahead. She had been to Star Peak before, but with so many disciples there, she couldn’t have met everyone. “Not an enemy. Don’t cause trouble.” Ye Fan quickly stopped her, not wanting to stir up trouble.
Li Xiaoman, now a Life Spring realm cultivator, could naturally hear their conversation, as they weren’t far apart.
Ji Ziyue took Ye Fan’s hand and walked forward lightly, smiling sweetly. “How should I address this elder sister?”
The few people opposite all noticed Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue. Especially Ji Ziyue, who was very lively and could be called stunningly beautiful, like a spirit—impossible not to attract attention.