Shrouded Sky

Within the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven, a cloud of gray mist surged up, instantly shaking off the Purple Gold Gourd and holding it in place, preventing it from continuing to absorb cultivators.

A gray figure rushed over, an old man of indeterminate age with white hair and beard, yet rosy cheeks, appearing youthful despite his age. He brought the Purple Gold Gourd with him and said, "Please calm down, everyone." He pushed the Purple Gold Gourd forward. Jiang Yichen snorted coldly and retrieved his treasure.

"Who are you?" Jiang Yifei asked.

"I am the head of the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven."

"No wonder you have the strength to suppress the Purple Gold Gourd," Jiang Yifei nodded. "But I'm afraid even you can't stop us."

"Yes, I understand," the head of the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven admitted frankly, then continued, "I'd like to ask, what exactly has my sect done to offend you all, to cause such a powerful response? If we have committed a serious crime, I am willing to dissolve the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven and accept whatever punishment is deemed necessary."

The gray-clothed elder spoke honestly, he had no choice. If they truly went up against an ancient bloodline like the Jiangs, the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven would be annihilated in an instant. There was no comparison between the two forces, and no suspense in the outcome of a conflict.

"Since you are so forthright, I won't make too much of a scene."

Jiang Yifei looked about twenty-four or twenty-five, yet he spoke in such a tone to the sect master of the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven. The old man did not find it rude, power was everything.

"You are wise, young master. Please tell me, what exactly brings you here to question us?"

"Did a disciple surnamed Jiang die in your sect two years ago?"

The sect master's expression changed, then he nodded. "If it were someone else, I might not recall. But that young man left a deep impression, he was highly talented."

"That was a member of our Jiang Clan, and he was killed by someone in your sect," Jiang Yifei said calmly.

"What? He was murdered?" The sect master was stunned. "Who had such audacity?!"

"Now you know why I came."

The old sect master was suddenly stricken with a headache. How could someone from the Jiang Clan have entered his sect and then be killed? This was truly a thorny problem.

"You don't need to be overly anxious. I'm not here to cause trouble without reason."

"Please rest assured, young master Jiang. I will severely punish the culprit, there will be no leniency!"

"The main offender has already been dealt with, but I suspect their teacher turned a blind eye. And whoever provided them with medicines must also be found…"

"Young master Jiang, please come into the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven. I will ensure a full and satisfactory resolution. The true culprits will be punished."

Jiang Yifei nodded. "The most important thing is to give this old man and this child justice."

At this moment, the old man and little Tingting were already in tears.

"I understand…"

Jiang Yifei ordered Jiang Yichen to release all the people captured by the Purple Gold Gourd. Then he led the old man and Tingting into the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven with the old sect master. The rest remained outside to wait.

At that moment, Ye Fan once again felt he was being watched, and as before, it was Jiang Yichen, the arrogant youth. What was going on? Ye Fan was sure he had done nothing to offend this heir of an ancient Clan, yet the latter had taken a strange interest in him.

Jiang Caixuan approached with elegant steps, smiling softly. "Ye Fan, once this is settled, Tingting will return to the Jiang Clan with us. If you're willing, you can come along."

"Well…" At first, Ye Fan did consider it. The Jiang Clan was an ancient lineage dating back to the Desolate Era, he might even uncover secrets about the Primeval Ancient Sacred Physique. But thinking it over, he hesitated. What if his secrets were exposed? The mysterious green copper fragment inside him once threw the Eastern Wilderness into chaos. If one of the Jiang Clan's mighty experts discovered it, the consequences could be disastrous. Not to mention the Dao Scripture, which would also cause trouble if revealed.

"What's wrong? You're not willing?" Jiang Caixuan was somewhat surprised. Many cultivators would do anything to get into the Jiang Clan, yet this boy was hesitating.

Ye Fan declined politely. "Thank you, Miss Jiang. I truly appreciate the offer. But I'm used to wandering freely. I'd probably make mistakes if I joined the Jiang Clan. I'd rather keep traveling. If someday I fall on hard times and come looking, I hope you'll still take me in."

At that moment, Jiang Yichen sneered from the side. "You think the Jiang Clan is a guesthouse you can come and go from as you please? If you want to join, stop talking nonsense and decide now."

"Shut up, Yichen!" Jiang Caixuan snapped. Then she turned back and smiled. "Don't mind him, Ye Fan. He's just spoiled. You're always welcome in the Jiang Clan. If you ever need anything, just come find me."

"Thank you, Miss Jiang," Ye Fan said with gratitude, though inwardly puzzled, he hadn't provoked Jiang Yichen. Why was the guy acting this way? It only made Ye Fan more resolute. He could not enter the Jiang Clan right now. The Sacred Physique, Dao Scripture, and mysterious copper were all forbidden topics, he wasn't about to risk it.

"Kid, you really should know this, people would kill for a chance to join the Jiang Clan. Give it up now, and you'll regret it forever," Jiang Yichen said with a cold smile.

Ye Fan's heart tensed. He was growing more and more suspicious, was this Jiang heir trying to lure him in?

Jiang Caixuan again scolded Jiang Yichen, and he quieted down, though he continued watching Ye Fan from a distance.

"This bastard… he's like a damn rabbit with rabies," Ye Fan muttered inwardly.

Eventually, Jiang Yichen stopped staring and began walking around the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven. Ye Fan breathed easier. He soon recalled two of his classmates might be inside the cave, but who exactly, he wasn't sure.

An hour passed before Jiang Yifei returned with the old man and little Tingting. The sect master and his key elders escorted them out. The two had clearly cried their eyes out, both had swollen red eyes.

"You may return, old master. No need to escort us. The Jiang Clan is not unreasonable. This matter is settled. You needn't worry anymore," Jiang Yifei said.

The sect master sighed with relief. Anyone dealing with the Jiang Clan would feel intense pressure, there were few powers in the Eastern Wilderness who dared oppose them.

The members of the Red Mist Grotto-Heaven watched until the Jiang Clan disappeared from view before returning to their sect.

Jiang Yifei and the others went straight back to Clear Wind Town, fulfilling the old man's wish to see the town again. For the sake of Tingting's future, the old man decided to go with them to the Jiang Clan. He didn't want his granddaughter to suffer anymore.

"Big brother, come with us," Tingting pleaded, looking up at Ye Fan.

Ye Fan tapped her little nose and said, "I've done all I can. The Jiang Clan is full of experts. I'd be less than a foot soldier there. You'll have a great life."

"But I don't want to leave you, big brother. Come with us. Otherwise, I'll miss you every day." Her eyes welled with tears.

"I have other things to do. I promise I'll visit you in the future," Ye Fan comforted her gently.

"No! If you don't come, I won't go either!" she insisted.

"You're still young. Someday you'll understand. Go to the Jiang Clan and train hard. Maybe one day I'll need your help."

Even the old man couldn't persuade Ye Fan, though he hoped he'd come along.

At the parting outside Clear Wind Town, little Tingting wept uncontrollably, clinging to Ye Fan's leg and refusing to let go.

Ye Fan wiped her tears. "Don't cry. Remember what I said, we'll meet again."

Tingting sobbed, "I'll train hard and find you someday. If anyone bullies you, I'll beat them all up!"

Ye Fan laughed. "Go now, they're all waiting for you."

At that moment, he noticed a cold glint in Jiang Yichen's gaze, and his heart sank.

"Jiang Yichen, what's that look supposed to mean…" Jiang Caixuan suddenly asked.

"What do you mean, sister?" Jiang Yichen was startled.

"Don't do anything shady. I've been watching you. You were about to attack Ye Fan. What did he ever do to you?" she asked coldly.

Jiang Yifei looked back and said, "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Jiang Yichen muttered nervously.

"Speak!" Jiang Yifei's voice carried authority, Jiang Yichen feared him.

"I…" he stammered.

"Speak up!"

Jiang Yichen finally confessed. "That kid has a powerful treasure, not an ordinary one. You know, my mount's greatest ability isn't its combat power, it's that spiritual jade horn. It can sense god items. Today, it glowed brilliantly, blindingly so!"

His mount was a green beast, lion-like but with long, glossy fur. On its forehead grew a jade horn that sparkled with five-colored light, capable of sensing magical artifacts.

"I might be in real trouble…" Ye Fan realized the three were now looking his way.

"What's wrong, child?" the old man asked.

Tingting wiped her tears and said, "Did something happen to big brother? I'll ask sister Caixuan to help!"

Ye Fan smiled wryly.

Jiang Yichen walked over with a cold grin, followed by Jiang Yifei and Jiang Caixuan.

"I'm really curious, what treasure are you hiding?" Jiang Yichen asked.

Ye Fan was shaken. Had he actually been discovered?

Jiang Yifei smiled. "Don't worry, Ye Fan. We mean no harm. The Jiang Clan is full of treasures, we don't covet yours."

Jiang Caixuan warned, "But be careful in the future… Carrying something valuable can bring danger."

Ye Fan finally understood the mount's unusual power. It could sense god items. Cold sweat ran down his back. If the green copper or Dao Scripture were exposed…

"Good thing I didn't join the Jiang Clan," he thought.

"Well, let's part ways here. Don't worry, I've warned Jiang Yichen. He won't cause you trouble," Jiang Caixuan said with a smile.

Eventually, they mounted their beasts and took to the skies. Little Tingting cried her heart out, waving until they disappeared into the heavens.

Feeling a deep sense of danger, Ye Fan did not return to the town. He turned and headed into the mountains, he needed to get far away, and fast.