Ch. 293 - Comprehending Dao & Gaining Source

Fire Cloud City’s streets were ancient. The bluestone slabs beneath people’s feet were full of pits and grooves, worn down by countless years of trampling, one could easily imagine just how long this city had stood.

Life thrived within the city. Everywhere shone with fiery red hues. People of this state loved the Firecloud Trees. They lined both sides of the streets, like blazing torches or fire dragons resting beside the road.

Ye Fan strolled down the main avenue, completely relaxed, as though he were just an ordinary traveler. He wandered the old city at ease, seemingly careless and unhurried.

Long ago, this city had produced an ancient and powerful clan. Though that Clan was long gone, each year young cultivators would still visit, hoping for some stroke of fortune, some legacy left behind.

But alas, even an immortal clan that had endured over a hundred thousand years had eventually become nothing but dust in history, leaving not even a trace for posterity.

Ye Fan was in no rush to act. He didn’t go searching for members of the Ji Clan but instead slowly explored the ancient streets, carefully observing the city and sensing the weight of ages.

This was the sediment of time, the accumulation of years. Truly, the old city was extraordinary, its endurance through endless ages gave it a depth one could almost taste.

The city was prosperous, a fitting heart of this desert oasis. Yet it wasn’t noisy. The broad avenues were shaded by the towering Firecloud Trees. Though there were many pedestrians, it never felt crowded.

Ye Fan had spent much time in relentless cultivation. Now, relaxing for once and meandering through the city, he suddenly felt a hint of ethereal clarity.

The flow of people could not disturb him. He drifted along with the crowd, yet walked with no destination in mind. With every step he grew lighter, his spirit, essence, and energy harmonizing, until he entered a wondrous state.

His clothes seemed unstained by dust, his presence airy and transcendent. Each movement carried the impression of harmony with heaven and earth. Though moving among the masses, he was utterly natural, every step emanating Dao rhythm.

Within his Dao Palace, his “Departed Self” was chanting scriptures for this life, while his “Dao Self” stirred the world, resonating with the Grand Dao and nourishing his true self. The cultivation mantras from the Western Emperor Scripture circulated on their own.

At the same time, Ye Fan’s golden Bitter Sea rippled. A green lotus quivered in the mist. The secret art he had gained from the Desolate Ancient Sacred Physique’s remains began operating in concert with the Dao Scripture.

In this instant, multiple profound methods flowed together in natural harmony. The Bitter Sea and Dao Palace pulsed as one. Godpower threaded through him, giving him the sense of communion with heaven and earth, of soaring freely across the firmament.

Ye Fan became ethereal like the Heavenly Dao itself. Though standing in a sea of humanity, it was as if he stood high above, detached and transcendent.

He understood this was a wondrous mystical state, a deepening of his comprehension of cultivation. The resonance between his Bitter Sea and Dao Palace made his Daoforce ceaseless and abundant.

Wandering without intent, Ye Fan eventually reached a special part of the city. Though at the very center, this place bore no grand architecture.

Instead, many ancient trees grew there, not only Firecloud Trees but also evergreens and great vines of many kinds. Some trunks were so wide that a dozen people could not encircle them. Some vines were as thick as a man’s waist. For such vegetation to thrive at a city’s heart was truly astonishing.

This was the remnant left behind by that ancient clan. Beneath the old trees and tangled vines lay rubble and ruins, silent witnesses to their rise and fall.

In truth, the entire city was once but a small corner of that clan’s domain. But all else had vanished; only this grove remained.

Naturally, Ye Fan wandered into this place, his mind serene. Though he did not break into the Fourth Stage of the Dao Palace realm, he nevertheless tasted a sense of oneness with heaven and earth, as if the world itself existed for him, myriad, infinite creations becoming one.

He was undergoing a spiritual baptism. His body gleamed with crystalline luster, his spirit brimmed with vitality. His flesh and soul were refined, elevated, approaching perfection.

Though still at the Third Stage of the Dao Palace realm, he felt utterly different. The pulsing of his Bitter Sea and Dao Palace was now synchronized. He had caught the trail of the Dao.

Yes, the Dao Scripture and Western Emperor Scripture were, for the first time, blending seamlessly. Their harmony cleared his mind and soul. Every gesture, every step, felt like moving with the Dao itself.

“The Bitter Sea and Dao Palace resonate. The Dao Scripture and Western Emperor Scripture operate as one. Flawless and complete, truly the strongest of cultivation scriptures.”

Ye Fan emerged from this wondrous state, murmuring to himself. With the scriptures harmonized, his combat power had risen significantly. He felt closer to the Dao.

Lightly testing his moves, he sensed that even without unleashing them, the offensive hidden arts of the Nine Secrets were far stronger now, a subtle transformation from mere technique toward true Dao.

“The power of the Dao…” Ye Fan whispered as he left the grove, continuing down the ancient street.

After circling the city and gathering enough information, he departed Fire Cloud City, vanishing at the horizon.

Before long, Ye Fan returned again, this time heading for the Ji Clan’s stone-gambling workshop. The compound was built like a garden, inhabited by dozens of mounted knights.

“What, someone’s brought us a lead?!”

The estate was vast. Stone piles and grand pavilions filled it. Dozens of fierce, exotic beasts were tethered in the courtyards, each one menacing and formidable.

Ye Fan stood within the garden. Soon, dozens of young men rushed out, the very ones he had seen at the city gates before.

“You saw that useless body? Where was he? How far from Fire Cloud City?” demanded their leader.

This man was Ji Yunge, a cultivator of the Fifth Stage of the Dao Palace. He was calm, and the others clearly deferred to him.

“If I provide the lead, will you give me fifty thousand kilo of source immediately?” Ye Fan asked.

“What did you say?” one Ji clansman snapped coldly. “A lead is worth five thousand kilo of source at most. How dare you open your mouth like a lion before my Ji Clan?”

Others were secretly delighted. Ji Yunteng sneered: “So that brat surnamed Ye has finally been spotted. This time, I’ll turn him to ash.”

“About time. We’ve been chasing after that waste body endlessly, with nothing to show for it. He should’ve been killed long ago.”

“Just a Dao Palace Second Stage ant. Killing him should be like plucking a flower. Only his hiding has spared him. This time, we’ll refine him alive!”

Their resentment was palpable. Not only had they been forced into endless, fruitless searching, but one of the Ji clan’s Grand Elders had been burned to death, by none other than Ye Fan. To them, this was unbearable humiliation. The only way to cleanse their shame was by utterly destroying him.

Ye Fan demanded the promised reward.

“First take us to the mountains. If the lead proves true, your reward will be delivered,” Ji Yunge said with a calm smile.

Many scowled in disgust. None expected anyone to actually dare demand reward from the Ji Clan. In the past, all leads were given freely, in hopes of currying favor.

“I saw clearly on the reward notice, whoever provides a lead will be paid in source stones.” Ye Fan did not yield.

“What if your lead proves false?” Ji Yunteng mocked.

“Who in this world dares toy with the Ji Clan? And besides, I’m taking you there myself. Would I risk my own life if I were lying?” Ye Fan retorted.

“You’re bold, I’ll give you that,” Ji Yunteng sneered. “To still demand reward… you’re not afraid of courting death?”

“We have no time to waste. Go to the stone hall and fetch two-thousand five-hundred kilo of source!” Ji Yunge ordered. “If the lead is true, you’ll get the rest. Should we catch Ye Fan, even fifty thousand will not be an issue.”

Before long, radiant source was brought out. Ye Fan swept it all into his sleeve without hesitation.

“Now, lead us to the mountains,” Ji Yunteng said coldly, eyes flashing with killing intent.

Ji Yunfeng only smiled faintly and ordered the soldiers to mount their desolate beasts. They even provided Ye Fan a mount of his own.

Dozens of riders thundered out of Fire Cloud City. Spectators watched in awe, knowing something major was afoot.

The beasts soared into the sky, galloping through the air like a flood, rumbling as they raced toward the mountains Ye Fan had indicated.

“There, the mountain range ahead,” Ye Fan pointed.

The riders spread out, surrounding the peak he indicated.

“There really are cultivation traces here. Dao Runes were laid down…” one disciple declared. Quickly, he broke the protective seal.

The Ji clan charged up, smashing the mountaintop. Dust and smoke filled the sky.

“No one’s here!” A disciple’s face darkened as they glared at Ye Fan.

“Don’t look at me like that. I only gave the lead. Who knew he’d suddenly leave?” Ye Fan replied innocently.

Ji Yunge waved them off and personally investigated the cave. The others followed.

“This robe, it’s identical to the one he wore!”

“Look here, marks of the Void Palm! This cave was carved with it!”

Quickly, they uncovered many damning traces, confirming Ye Fan’s presence.

“Damn it! He slipped away again. Otherwise, I’d crush him underfoot!”

Frustration boiled over. Time and again, this waste body of only Dao Palace Second Stage had caused chaos and somehow escaped. They longed to grind him into dust.

“Now do you believe me? I wouldn’t dare lie. Pay me the other half,” Ye Fan said calmly, though he felt killing intent around him. “Back in the city, many people saw me leave with you. I trust the Ji Clan keeps its word.”

Ji Yunge smiled. “Once we return, you’ll get the other half. The Ji Clan does as it says.”

After scouring the mountains to no avail, they returned. Ye Fan followed into the Ji compound.

“That brat has guts, to actually claim the reward!” one disciple muttered.

Ji Yunge glared. “This was our clan’s bounty. Do not damage our reputation, or you’ll answer to me.”

Soon, the second payment was brought. Ji Yunge personally handed it to Ye Fan, who thanked him and left smiling.

“He really got five thousand kilo, and yet we didn’t even glimpse that Ye brat!” some grumbled.

Ji Yunge replied coldly: “All Fire Cloud City is watching. You’d rather kill him openly here? At least this way, it’s like spending gold to buy bones, others will bring us better leads in the future.”

Suddenly, his expression shifted. “Where are Ji Yunteng and Ji Yunbiao?”

“They followed after him. Most likely…”

“Fools! If word spreads, how will others see the Ji Clan?!” Ji Yunge roared, smashing a stone table with his palm. After a pause, he said, “It’s too late now. Send some men to make the matter look clean. I don’t want rumors.”

Outside the city, Ye Fan stopped and turned back with a smile. “Friends of the Ji Clan, so warm-hearted, you’ve escorted me beyond the walls, yet still won’t leave?”

Swish, swish.

Ji Yunteng and Ji Yunbiao emerged from the shadows, murder in their eyes as they closed in.

“You mean to kill me? Why? I offered you leads in good faith, and this is how you repay me?” Ye Fan’s face darkened.

“Brat, you think Ji Clan’s source comes so easily? Just flapping your lips and walking off with five thousand? There’s no such cheap fortune!” Ji Yunteng sneered.

“You’re truly cold-blooded. Even though I helped you, you want me dead?”

“And why not? You led us to an empty cave and took our source. Doesn’t it burn your hands?” Ji Yunbiao’s killing intent surged.

Ye Fan suddenly laughed heartily.

“Laughing at death? Then I’ll send you off!”

“You think you can kill me?” Ye Fan’s lips curled into a cold smile. “More likely, you’ll throw your own lives away.”

“You? A mere Dao Palace novice? Firefly daring to challenge the full moon?” Ji Yunteng spat, killing intent erupting.

“Ending you is like squashing a bug!” Ji Yunbiao lunged, unleashing the Void Palm.

A black palm blotted the sky, crashing down with thunder.

Crack!

Ye Fan struck back. A golden palm burst forth, smashing through the black hand, then slammed down upon Ji Yunbiao.

Puff!

No one could imagine the godpower behind that golden palm. Ji Yunbiao was obliterated instantly, reduced to bloody pulp.

“You… who are you really?!” Ji Yunteng shouted, horrified.

A Dao Palace Third Stage cultivator, slain in one strike!

“I am none other than the Ye Fan you claimed you could crush beneath your foot.”

“What?! You?!” Ji Yunteng staggered back, face ashen.

“Hahaha…” Ye Fan laughed. “Indeed, it is I. Thank you for the source stones. I’ll make good use of them in cultivation.”

“You bastard!” Ji Yunteng trembled in fury, his whole body shaking, fingers quivering with rage as he realized the cruel truth.

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