Chapter 212: Kunyun
The Imperial Jade in Ye Fan's hand was slightly warm. He carefully put it away, glanced back at Profound Moon Cave, and then disappeared over the horizon. He returned to Green Xia, only to find that he couldn't even go into seclusion. The Li Fire Sect, Falling Sunset Gate, and Seven Stars Pavilion couldn't hold back any longer, looking ready to make a move at any moment.
Green Xia had just been taken by him, and these sects already wanted to pluck the ripe fruit, snatching it halfway. This made him feel quite displeased. "Someone from the Li Fire Sect has come to pay respects," a disciple of Green Xia reported.
"Throw them out!" Ye Fan didn't wait for the three elders to say anything and directly ordered. "It's the head disciple of the Li Fire Sect's sect leader... this... should we really throw him out?" The disciples hesitated, looking at Green Xia's three elders.
"What's so great about a head disciple? Kick him out and say we're not seeing anyone," Ye Fan waved his hand.
"This... isn't very appropriate, is it?" The three elders of Green Xia stood up one after another, patiently explaining, "The Li Fire Sect is very powerful, no weaker than Profound Moon Cave."
"Don't tell me they also have old monsters like a Supreme Elder," Ye Fan looked at the three.
One of the elders smiled bitterly and said, "As a matter of fact, they do. They have two old monsters who were already experts at the third level of the Dao Palace eight years ago."
"Not just one, but two can pop out at once?" Ye Fan felt speechless. He had just stabilized Profound Moon Cave, and now the Li Fire Sect was here.
"Du Chengkun, the head disciple of the Li Fire Sect's sect leader, requests an audience." A leisurely voice came from the mountain gate, reaching straight to Green Xia's main peak.
"They really think Green Xia is weak and dare to act like this, standing outside the mountain gate and directly disturbing Green Xia's peace." The three elders were all furious.
For a sect, this was an extremely rude move. First Li Youran, now Du Chengkun—such voice transmissions were a blatant show of contempt for Green Xia.
"They've already figured out our situation, so naturally they're no longer afraid," Ye Fan sneered, then showed a strange expression. "The surrounding sects are all so ambitious, with experts at the third level of the Dao Palace sitting in charge. I really don't know how you managed to survive."
"Green Xia also had such an expert."
"What?" Ye Fan was shocked. "A few months ago, he went mad from cultivation deviation and passed away," one of the elders said with a helpless bitter smile.
"Du Chengkun, the head disciple of the Li Fire Sect's sect leader, requests an audience." The leisurely voice came again, noticeably closer this time.
"Let him in," Ye Fan sneered, then stood up and said, "I'll go call a friend." A moment later, he appeared in the guise of the unscrupulous Taoist Duan De.
The three elders of Green Xia exchanged glances, opened their mouths as if to say something, but remained silent. Soon after, the head disciple of the Li Fire Sect's sect leader arrived at the foot of Green Xia's main peak. Instead of climbing the steps, he flew straight up. This was another form of contempt—if a sect were strong enough, a visitor paying respects wouldn't dare fly around freely inside.
Arriving at the main peak, Du Chengkun didn't perform the courtesy of a junior. He very perfunctorily cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, several elders. My master has sent me with a letter that must be personally handed to your sect leader."
"The sect leader is in seclusion. You can leave the letter, and we will pass it on," one of Green Xia's elders said in a deep voice.
"That won't do. This is a matter of great importance. My master repeatedly stressed that it must be personally handed to the Green Xia sect leader," Du Chengkun shook his head.
"Isn't it the same if we pass it on? This is Green Xia. The sect leader is in seclusion. Do you expect him to come out of seclusion just for you?" One of Green Xia's elders darkened his face, feeling very displeased.
A hint of arrogance appeared on Du Chengkun's face as he said, "This is the sect leader's letter. Naturally, your sect leader must receive it in person. No one else will do."
"Enough with all the nonsense!" Ye Fan sneered, directly reaching out a large hand that turned into a millstone-sized palm and slapped down.
This was a very heavy blow. With one slap, Du Chengkun was knocked to the ground, with multiple bones broken throughout his body.
"Who are you, daring to lay hands on me? You should know I represent the Li Fire Sect. Are you trying to start a war between our two sects?" Du Chengkun, with blood at the corner of his mouth, struggled to his feet. His arrogance had somewhat subsided, but he still appeared confident.
"I am Duan De!" Ye Fan announced his name.
"Where did you come from, and why did you attack me for no reason?" Du Chengkun stood up, wiped the blood from his lips, and raised his eyebrows. As the head disciple of the Li Fire Sect, he was proud and arrogant and had never suffered such humiliation.
"Go back and tell your sect leader that my master is staying at Green Xia for a while and doesn't want any small fry to bother him. If you haven't cultivated to the third secret realm—the Four Extremes—don't come seeking death."
Ye Fan swung his palm again, and the millstone-sized hand slapped down once more, sending Du Chengkun flying off Green Xia's main peak.
He had used the Nine Secrets' offensive sacred art, leaving very peculiar injuries on Du Chengkun's body. If the other party investigated, they would surely be greatly shocked.
"Daoist Duan, this is..." The elders of Green Xia were truly speechless. This guy was even more reckless than the young demon king, slapping away the head disciple of the Li Fire Sect's sect leader. This was inviting great trouble.
"It's fine. The more you humble yourselves, the more they'll attack," Ye Fan sneered. "I predict that once they see Du Chengkun's injuries, they won't dare to attack."
"Reporting to the elders, disciples from the Seven Stars Pavilion and Falling Sunset Gate request an audience."
"Let them in," Ye Fan waved his hand.
"Daoist, you're not thinking of..." The three elders of Green Xia asked in low voices.
Sure enough, as they expected, Ye Fan called the two in, gave them a beating, made them wail like ghosts and howl like wolves, broke their bones and tendons, and kicked them out of Green Xia.
"This..." The disciples of Green Xia exchanged glances. Which temple did this guy come from? He was way too ferocious.
"If I didn't teach them a lesson, I wouldn't be able to vent my anger. They really think they're holy sons, coming to boss me around. Leaving them alive is already generous."
"Daoist, you're too... direct. This will cause big trouble," the three elders said, their hearts pounding.
"I'm doing this to solve the problem," Ye Fan said.
He had no choice but to act this way. Otherwise, if he showed any weakness, he was sure Green Xia would be destroyed immediately.
Others pretended to be pigs to eat tigers, but he had to pretend to be a tiger to eat pigs. By showing enough strength and fabricating a nonexistent master, he could temporarily intimidate the other side.
"I'm going to invite some friends to help. I'll be away for half a month. I believe they won't dare to attack during this time," Ye Fan decided to find a place to go into seclusion.
"If you leave like this, Daoist..." The people of Green Xia were dumbfounded.
"It's fine. Don't worry. I'll visit those three sects and suppress them."
That very day, Ye Fan left again, successively visiting the Li Fire Sect, Seven Stars Pavilion, and Falling Sunset Gate, acting very high-profile, like a holy land heir.
Of course, he didn't dare go inside. He just strolled around outside the mountain gates. He didn't want to take risks—if those old monsters cornered him, it would be trouble.
Even so, it made the three sects suspicious and uncertain, feeling that Green Xia probably really had a cultivator from the third secret realm sitting in charge. Otherwise, how would this unscrupulous Taoist dare to act like this?
Before going into seclusion, Ye Fan made a long trip to Pingyan City. He needed to know the movements of the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi, so as not to miss her.
He unexpectedly learned that the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi was passing through city after city and might soon return to Yao Chi.
"Why do all these things have to happen at the same time..." Ye Fan felt somewhat helpless. If he went into seclusion, he might miss this opportunity.
After careful inquiry, some said it was a rumor and not true. In fact, the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi was likely going to the outskirts of the Primordial Ancient Mine.
"What is she going to the outskirts of the Primordial Ancient Mine for? Which piece of news is true?" Ye Fan found it hard to determine.
"It seems I have to go myself." He absolutely didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Only by being invited by the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi because of his expertise in stone appraisal would it be safest. Otherwise, sneaking in afterward would be very easy to expose.
Ye Fan traveled like the wind, arriving days later at an ancient city called Kunyun, nine thousand miles away. The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi had already reached this place.
Kunyun City was located in a barren, desolate area. The oasis here was small, but there were many legends. The locals believed that ancient gods were protecting them.
The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi had been staying here for over half a month without leaving, which puzzled many. They didn't know what was attracting her to Kunyun Ancient City.
By now, her followers had reached an astonishing number. Many young talents had been following her all the way, and the numbers kept growing.
It had to be said that the charm of the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi was truly immense. Young disciples from the Jiang Family, Ji Family, and Yao Guang had all come to follow her, and there were even imperial princes from the Central Province.
"Come on, I've heard that the Central Province doesn't have holy lands but has imperial dynasties that have lasted for over a hundred thousand years. Those titled as imperial princes are all extraordinary figures. Would they come all the way from the Central Province to the Northern Domain of the Eastern Wasteland for a woman?" Ye Fan shook his head, not quite believing it.
He was already inside Kunyun Ancient City. The cultivator who had said those words glanced at him and said, "I say, fat Taoist, your information is too outdated."
"How is it outdated?"
"It's absolutely true. Although the imperial prince didn't come specifically from the Central Province, it's close enough. He was supposed to appear in the Holy City of the Northern Domain but chased after the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi all the way here."
Ye Fan stroked his chin. Did the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi really have such charm? How beautiful was she? Holy sons from various holy lands and imperial princes from dynasties that had lasted over a hundred thousand years were all following her. He really couldn't understand.
"Isn't she just a woman?" he muttered.
"Fat Daoist, you're a monk, so you can't understand. But if you saw the true face of the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi, you'd probably return to secular life."
"I'm not that pathetic. Even if the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden descended to the mortal world, I'd only see her as an ordinary woman, not worship her."
"This cow-nose has a point. Isn't she just a holy maiden? When I'm in a good mood one day, I'll just grab her and make her my concubine," a young man with a full beard spoke up from the side.
Ye Fan could tell at a glance that this big beard was definitely a bandit. The rogue aura was too strong. He was probably a descendant of one of the great bandits.
The people around them scattered with a "whoosh," leaving only the big beard and Ye Fan. "Cow-nose, what you said really suits my taste. How about we find a place to have a few drinks?" the bearded young man invited.
Being called cow-nose, Ye Fan could only nod, since he was now disguised as Duan De.
The two went up to a tavern, ordered some wine and food, and the big beard said, "Let's eat first. I have friends coming later, and they can order their own."
The bearded young man was very generous, clinking bowls with Ye Fan and downing eighteen bowls in a row, all strong liquor.
"Refreshing!" He wiped the wine from his mouth and laughed loudly. "I say, are you really a Taoist? You don't refuse pig trotters or roast lamb. You're a real meat-and-wine Taoist. Oh, I haven't asked your name yet."
"I am Duan De, with the Taoist name Boundless," Ye Fan replied.
"The Daoist and I are truly fated. Not only does your face look familiar, but your name also sounds familiar," the bearded young man said with a leopard head and round eyes, tall and sturdy. He laughed and introduced himself, "My name is Wu Zhongtian."
Ye Fan's heart stirred. Wasn't the fifth great bandit of the Northern Domain named Wu Dao? This rogue-filled, burly man was probably really a descendant of the great bandit.
The fourth great bandit was Azure Dragon King, a famous great power of the demon clan. The seventh great bandit was Tu Tian, who wielded the extreme weapon of an ancient great emperor.
Wu Dao, ranked fifth, was between the two and possessed immense magical power. His descendants would surely be extremely formidable. In fact, Ye Fan could already feel the other's unfathomable depth. His bold and generous personality made him a person worth befriending.
Sure enough, not long after, Ye Fan's guess was confirmed.
Tu Fei came up to the tavern, followed by several very tough young men, all of whom he had seen before at the Yao Chi Immortal Stone Pavilion in Pingyan City.
They were all descendants of the great bandits—a gathering of little bandits. Not one of them was a pushover, and they were hardly inferior to those holy sons.
"I say, who is this Daoist? I've never seen him before," one of them asked.
Tu Fei took a gulp of wine and also asked, "Brother Zhongtian, who is this Daoist? Introduce him."
It was clear that Wu Zhongtian had some prestige among these people. After downing a large bowl of wine, he introduced, "I just met this Daoist. He feels familiar, like we're fated. His name is Duan De, with the Taoist name Boundless."
"Yeah, the name sounds familiar to me too," Tu Fei muttered.
Ye Fan cursed inwardly. Was this unscrupulous Taoist really that well-connected? Making a name for himself in the Southern Domain was one thing, but could he cross the void and have connections in the Northern Domain too?
If so, that was really extraordinary. Crossing such a distance was extremely difficult, and domain gates were all controlled by the holy lands.
"Brother Zhongtian, the name Duan De sounds more and more familiar. I remember you cursing him out a few years ago," one of the descendants of the great bandits muttered beside him.
Wu Zhongtian seemed to remember something. His eyes immediately widened as he stared at Ye Fan and said angrily, "I said you looked familiar. Damn it, it's you!"
"Do we know each other?" Ye Fan sensed big trouble. Instead of putting a black pot on the unscrupulous Taoist, it seemed he was about to carry one for him.
"I've never seen you in person, but I've seen your portrait. Even if I didn't recognize your bones, I'd recognize your ashes!" Wu Zhongtian was furious. He shouted and had his men surround Ye Fan, pointing at him with trembling fingers. "Damn it, you bastard Taoist, you're so audacious! You even dared to rob my ancestor's grave! I'll throw you into the Primordial Ancient Mine!"
Ye Fan's mouth twitched. This unscrupulous Taoist was too reckless. Who didn't he dare to provoke? Robbing the ancestral grave of the fifth great bandit—that was truly digging up the ancestral grave.
"I say, everyone, this has nothing to do with me..." Ye Fan protested. This was a huge black pot, and he absolutely couldn't carry it. He cursed Duan De in his heart for being too unscrupulous.
Wu Zhongtian was truly furious. He thought he had found a kindred spirit, invited this bastard to eat meat and drink heavily, never expecting an old grudge. He slammed the table so hard it cracked.
"I say, you unscrupulous Taoist are too wicked. Even if Brother Zhongtian's ancestor was a great power, you can't just rob his grave. If word gets out, how can Grandpa Wu Dao, one of the five great bandits, face anyone?" Tu Fei squinted his eyes, adding fuel to the fire.
At the far end of the world, in an unknown ancient ruin, the fat Taoist Duan De sneezed three times in a row and cursed, "Who's cursing me? Don't let me find out, or I'll make you pay."
At this moment, Ye Fan was truly speechless. The unscrupulous Taoist had committed countless sins. Seeing that the little bandits wanted to skin him alive, he quickly explained, "I'm not Duan De. I also have an old score to settle with him."
He had no choice but to reveal his true form. If he delayed any longer, these bandits would surely tear him apart.
"Genius brother, I say, are you real or fake? When has someone in our line of work ever produced such an all-round talent?"