Chapter 280: Clues to the Nine Secrets
Ji Ziyue drifted over lightly like a purple cloud, her hair reaching her waist, her skin fairer than snow. Her smile was adorable, her eyes curving into crescent moons, small dimples appearing, carrying a hint of playfulness and cunning, embodying the world's spiritual wisdom.
Ji Haoyue lived up to his name, truly like a divine moon, with a faint, pure radiance spilling from his body. His Divine King Physique naturally exuded a special majesty, making one feel as if facing a deity.
"Ziyue, little sister..." Yao Xi also smiled charmingly, her slender figure like a piece of divine jade, radiating faint divine rays as she approached and took Ji Ziyue's hand.
"Yao Xi, big sister, we haven't seen each other in a long time," Ji Ziyue said, her smile sweet.
Ji Haoyue nodded in greeting and said, "I didn't expect the Fairy Yao Xi to come to Li City as well."
"I just came to take a look. But Brother Haoyue's arrival here is probably with a firm purpose, right?" Yao Xi's eyes sparkled. As the Holy Maiden of Yaoguang, she still carried a hint of captivating charm, adding, "Your presence will likely make many people nervous. With the Divine King Physique appearing, many experts will have to retreat."
Ji Haoyue shook his head and said, "Everything depends on fate. Everyone wants a priceless treasure, but I'm afraid most people will be disappointed. I won't hold out too much hope either."
"And this is..." Yao Xi's gaze fell on Ye Fan. "We meet again."
"The poor Daoist thanks Miss Ji," Ye Fan said, nodding in thanks.
In Li City, news about the Nine Secrets had indeed spread, all because of a tomb raider.
Not long ago, an ancient weapon shop in the Northern Domain purchased a broken bronze bell. On it, they discovered the words "Nine Secrets," immediately causing a stir.
They carefully restored and repaired the ancient bell, finding over a hundred ancient characters on it. They deduced it was a burial item, unearthed from the tomb of an ancient cultivator.
The broken bronze bell had few inscriptions, and the records were vague, roughly documenting some deeds of the tomb's owner. The final line briefly mentioned that their family lineage possessed one of the Nine Secrets.
Each of the Nine Secrets possessed incredible powers, making them the supreme divine arts that people dreamed of, shaking both ancient and modern times.
It was precisely because they were so powerful that they were split apart in the distant past, scattered across the world, never to be gathered again.
The emergence of the bronze bell struck people's minds like a tsunami, causing shock. Of the Nine Secrets known to be passed down in the world today, only three or four remained; the rest were almost entirely lost.
If this led to one of them resurfacing, any sect would go mad. This was absolutely a priceless, peerless divine art.
"So, a tomb raider dug up a broken bronze bell, sparking news of the Nine Secrets' emergence?" Ye Fan asked in surprise.
Ji Ziyue nodded and said, "Unfortunately, by the time they found that tomb raider, he had already died mysteriously."
"Silenced?"
"No, it seemed like he was cursed. Ancient cultivators' tombs often have such evil arts laid down," Ji Ziyue replied.
That ancient weapon shop couldn't keep the secret. News quickly spread, and many people deduced from the vague records on the bronze bell that the approximate location should be in Li City.
Ye Fan stared at Duan De with displeasure and said, "This news will spread soon enough, and you still have the nerve to sell it to me for ten thousand catties of Source?"
Duan De's face was flushed with satisfaction as he said, "When the news spreads, it loses its value. Now, the premium is on 'early.' Knowing a day earlier gives you a few steps ahead. In this poor Daoist's view, it's worth ten thousand catties of Source."
"You really can spin a tale," Ye Fan said, not wanting to argue with him further.
The Nine Secrets—one of the lost lineages—might be found here, reappearing in the world. Ye Fan was very tempted. He already possessed two of them, and no one understood better than him how terrifying such divine arts were. He would rather trade ancient scriptures for them!
"Daoist Duan, your footsteps cover the world. Do you have any other clues to follow? How about we cooperate, the few of us?" Yao Xi said with a smile.
"I'm afraid I'll be silenced by your Holy Land at the critical moment," Duan De said with a sly chuckle.
"How could that be? I meant just the few of us. The forces behind us haven't arrived yet," Yao Xi said, her smile blooming like a flower.
"This poor Daoist has some ideas in mind and indeed needs some help..." Duan De's fat face showed a hint of interest.
"Brother Haoyue, what do you think?" Yao Xi asked Ji Haoyue.
The future Divine King of the Ji Family didn't think much of Duan De, but he knew that this fat Daoist was mysterious and had some special methods. Cooperating with him wouldn't be a loss.
"Alright," Ji Haoyue nodded.
Ji Ziyue wrinkled her nose and said, "Daoist Duan, what ideas do you have? What clues have you gathered?"
"I know that a long time ago, a supreme figure once came to Li City to seek the Nine Secrets. I have some knowledge of the route he took."
"You can even know the whereabouts of a supreme figure?" Ji Ziyue didn't believe it.
"This is from records I found in a rare ancient book, so naturally I know."
"In that case, it must be from a very long time ago," Yao Xi said in surprise.
Duan De nodded and said, "Yes, very long ago. It indirectly proves that Li City absolutely has one of the Nine Secrets. Unfortunately, it's been lost for endless ages, likely buried underground."
"That supreme figure didn't find the Nine Secrets either. What use is knowing his clues?" Ye Fan asked.
"He didn't come away empty-handed. He left behind some very valuable clues," Duan De replied with a sly grin.
"Who exactly is this supreme figure you're talking about?" Ji Haoyue frowned.
"Future Divine King of the Ji Family, you never trust me. Fine, I'll tell you. He was Gai Jiuyou from eight thousand years ago."
"What?!"
"Gai Jiuyou of the Central Province..."
Everyone was shocked. That name was too famous. Eight thousand years ago, Gai Jiuyou shook the Central Province, his fame spreading even to the Eastern Wasteland. He was unmatched under heaven, and some even thought he might become a Great Emperor.
"In his later years, he came to our Eastern Wasteland. I think he most likely ended up buried in this land," Duan De replied.
The few of them looked at Duan De with strange expressions, making him feel a bit uneasy. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Daoist Duan, you didn't dig up Gai Jiuyou's tomb, did you?"
"You think too poorly of me. Am I that kind of person? Why would I dig up someone's grave for no reason? Besides, no one in the world knows where Gai Jiuyou died."
"Enough of this useless talk. Let's just find the Nine Secrets," Ji Haoyue said in a deep voice.
According to the records Duan De had discovered, Gai Jiuyou had indeed come here and left behind precious clues.
Fifteen thousand years ago, there was an ancient aristocratic family in Li Prefecture. They were very mysterious and low-key, suspected of cultivating one of the Nine Secrets.
As time passed, this ancient family had long since vanished into history.
"There are many ancient tombs outside Li City. We don't need to dig them all up. We just need to find the cemetery of that ancient family, and we might make a startling discovery."
When they left Li City, they saw many cultivators arriving.
Ye Fan first spotted Wu Zhongtian, Jiang Huairen, Liu Kou, and Li Heishui, and then even caught sight of the Golden Wing Little Peng King.
"This guy is here too. Could he be here to kill the Holy Son Yao Guang and Ji Haoyue?" He knew all too well how terrifying the Golden Wing Little Peng King was.
In the outskirts of Li City, there were already many figures in the burial grounds. Yao Xi immediately frowned.
Duan De said, "No matter. In the past fifteen thousand years, Li City has changed its location several times. The burial areas are vast. They won't find it."