Chapter 365: 透视神眼

Those frequenting the Illusionary Dining House and Drunken Immortal Pavilion were all people of considerable standing, often including prominent figures such as venerable masters and Grand Elders from major sects.

The dispute in the Purple Pavilion naturally caught the attention of others. Not only did Yao Yuekong and An Miaoyi come, but several elders also observed the scene.

The Great Xia Prince approached, laughing heartily, "Little Brother Gu, it's been over a month since we parted. Every time I visit the stone gambling dens, I find myself wishing you were there."

Ye Fan stood up with a smile, filled a cup of wine, and personally offered it to Xia Yiming, completely ignoring Li Yishui and the disciples from the Origin Technique families standing nearby.

Li Heishui also rose, instructing the Illusionary Dining House staff to bring new food and drinks, and invited Yao Yuekong and the others to be seated, completely disregarding the people from the Origin Technique families.

"Hmph!" one of them scoffed heavily, his expression instantly turning cold.

Li Yishui, a Grand Elder from the Palace of Illusionary Demise, stepped forward and declared, "I do not wish to bully the young, but you two youngsters have shown me utter disrespect. Today, I shall discipline you on behalf of your elders."

Nearby, several disciples from the ancient Origin Technique family wore cold sneers, eager to see Ye Fan and Li Heishui thoroughly humiliated.

"Old geezer, who do you think you are?" Li Heishui retorted fearlessly. "Oppressing whomever you please? Do you imagine yourself a Holy Lord or the Divine King of the Eastern Wasteland?"

A disciple trailing Li Yishui rebuked, "You're asking for death!"

Some words were inappropriate for Li Yishui to utter, as he was a Grand Elder of a sect. His disciples, however, had no such compunctions and yelled out loudly.

Li Yishui's face darkened. He approached coldly, fixing his gaze on Ye Fan and Li Heishui, seemingly poised for a swift, powerful strike at any moment.

The Great Xia Prince, with a dignified demeanor, stood up and said, "Senior, even if they are in the wrong, surely it doesn't warrant taking action to suppress them?"

Yao Yuekong also put down his wine cup, stood up, and stated, "Elder, this is the Illusionary Dining House; no one is permitted to engage in combat here."

"They were the first to disrespect Elder Li," chimed in a disciple from the Origin Technique family. "Even if he were to teach them a lesson, it would be justifiable."

Ye Fan said nothing further. He gestured to a young woman serving nearby and instructed, "Please escort these people out."

"You..."

The young members of the Origin Technique family and Li Yishui watched their faces change repeatedly; they had never before been so summarily dismissed.

"Esteemed guests, please leave," several beautiful young women carefully explained as they stepped forward. "The Illusionary Dining House genuinely has a rule against disturbing other patrons."

"Hmph!"

Li Yishui flicked his sleeve, turned, and left with a grim face. Though he yearned to strike Ye Fan and Li Heishui dead with a single blow, he was forced to restrain himself. The patrons backing the Illusionary Dining House were not to be trifled with, and the Great Xia Imperial Family was among them.

"Haha..." Li Heishui roared with laughter, feeling utterly delighted.

The disciples of the Origin Technique family, their faces ashen, turned and departed without a word.

"If you want to challenge me in origin techniques," Ye Fan transmitted his voice from behind, "prepare a million catties of Origin beforehand. Otherwise, don't go around boasting."

"Good, good, good!" several disciples from the Origin Technique family sneered, looking back once before saying nothing further and stomping away in a huff.

"What a pleasure, let's toast!" Li Heishui exclaimed, raising his cup and inviting everyone to drink together.

In the Purple Pavilion, everyone present was of extraordinary status and feared neither Li Yishui nor his group. Thus, they had no reservations and drank fine wine together.

"Little darling, don't be angry," the young nun in white, Loli, murmured beside them, comforting the golden sprite, which was currently glaring at Ye Fan.

"Little fellow, why are you still dwelling on it? It was just a piece of divine source, wasn't it?" Ye Fan said with a smile, reaching out to grab it.

"Swoosh!"

The golden sprite instantly darted behind the little nun in white, clutching a strand of her hair, and peeked at Ye Fan, its large eyes round and black, yet with a somewhat mischievous glint.

Seeing this, everyone burst into laughter. An Miaoyi was particularly envious, repeatedly exclaiming how cute the little creature was and expressing a desire to hold it.

"When I returned, I saw the Divine Silkworm outside the city. What's going on with that?" Ye Fan asked with a smile.

"Oh, that one," the little nun said, tapping the Divine Silkworm's forehead. "It spends most of its day running around. I truly worry it might get captured. Little darling, be obedient, don't be naughty anymore."

As the banquet drew to a close, someone from the Azure Palace delivered a startling piece of news: a grand origin technique duel would be held against Ye Fan, with a stake of one and a half million catties of pure Origin.

The stake had been increased by a full five hundred thousand catties!

A group of people emerged from the Azure Palace, casting a deep glance in their direction. Several old men, accompanied by a group of younger individuals, then turned and departed.

Ye Fan watched the retreating figures of the old men and frowned. Their aged eyes seemed dim, yet they concealed a divine radiance, and their fingertips had completely turned a faint golden hue.

"How was it?" Li Heishui asked.

Ye Fan replied, "This is big trouble. Those old men are highly skilled in origin techniques. Their Heavenly Origin Treasure Wheel must have already reached a profound level, and it's very likely they've also cultivated Spirit Eyes."

"What should we do then? Can you handle them?" Li Heishui asked, frowning.

"I hope they haven't cultivated the Heavenly Eye," Ye Fan murmured to himself.

Ye Fan and his companions also left the Illusionary Dining House, bidding farewell to the Great Xia Prince, Yao Yuekong, and others. They encountered Li Yishui again, but he did not make a move.

"In this Divine City, hidden dragons and crouching tigers abound," he said. "It's better for youngsters to keep a low profile, lest they be crushed by someone's finger without ever knowing why."

After speaking, he rode away on a cloud, a cold sneer on his face.

"That old geezer is definitely not someone to be trifled with," Li Heishui muttered. "His not acting now surely means he's plotting something; he might strike us at any moment."

"What worries me more is that the Holy Lands won't be able to sit still," Ye Fan added. "This time, I'm betting ten million catties of Origin; that will surely make people think of the Origin Master."

"Let's go back, think carefully, and prepare our escape routes," Ye Fan continued. "This event is destined to cause an earth-shattering commotion."

The news that the elders of the ancient Origin Technique family had emerged to challenge the young origin technique prodigy, Gu Feng, in a duel with a stake of one and a half million catties of Origin, shook the Divine City.

As soon as this news broke, the entire city erupted in an uproar. It was an astonishingly extravagant gamble, a scale unseen in thousands of years; the mere thought of it made people gasp in disbelief.

The news spread immediately, not only within the Divine City but also alarming all major sects in the Northern Region. Even the Holy Lands found themselves unsettled.

Undoubtedly, this earth-shattering origin technique duel would take place in the stone gambling dens of the various Holy Lands, a truly dreadful piece of news for them.

To force Ye Fan into action, the young members of the ancient Origin Technique family had spent the past month boasting that they would utterly defeat the origin technique prodigy, Gu Feng.

Now, with the grand origin technique duel finally about to commence, everyone had a premonition that it would surely shake the entire world.

As the news spread far and wide, many rushed to the Divine City, eager to witness this earth-shattering origin technique duel. Many had a premonition that something truly extraordinary would likely be cut open this time.

It was widely known that last time, a heaven-defying creature like the Divine Silkworm had been cut out. With experienced origin technique masters personally attending this time, the event was sure to be even more magnificent and awe-inspiring.

Everyone at the major stone gambling dens looked dismayed. They knew that whoever was chosen would be unlucky, and they secretly cursed, hoping these two groups would encounter some misfortune, ideally being driven out of the Divine City.

Otherwise, it would undoubtedly be a "catastrophe" for them. In their eyes, Gu Feng and the origin technique masters were nothing short of "locusts," the most unwelcome of individuals.

Upon returning to his residence, Ye Fan immediately took out the purple stone gall. He had originally planned to use it later when cultivating the Heavenly Eye, but it seemed there was no time for that now.

The stone gall could be replaced, but he absolutely could not lose this time!

If he didn't elevate his Heavenly Origin Divine Sense to a higher level, he might very well be defeated by those old men. After all, he had practiced origin techniques for only a short time, while they had been immersed in them for most of their lives.

The stone gall was taken out, shimmering with purple radiance that filled the room with a crystalline glow. Li Heishui stood guard beside him.

The moment the purple stone gall was cut open, a rich aroma filled the entire room, permeating one's very bones. Even Li Heishui couldn't help but grumble and swallow.

Purple liquid, like streaks of purple mist, overflowed, its fragrance assailing his nostrils. Ye Fan carefully squeezed it out, letting the crystalline droplets flow into his eyes, where he felt a refreshing coolness.

But in the very next moment, his sensation was entirely different. He felt waves of searing pain, as if intense flames were burning, his eyes pricked like needles, and tears streamed down his face.

"Little Yezi, are you alright?" Li Heishui asked, growing tense.

"I'm fine, this is a necessary process!"

Ye Fan endured the stinging pain, wiped away his tears, squeezed all the liquid from the stone gall into his eyes, then closed them, and calmly circulated his origin technique, beginning to refine his vision.

At this moment, his eyelids turned purple, becoming almost transparent and sparkling, a truly peculiar sight.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a sound of something tearing through the air came. A golden thread shot into the room with extreme speed, darting straight towards Ye Fan.

Li Heishui roared in anger, but he was a beat too slow, unable to match the golden thread's speed. He watched helplessly as it snatched the stone gall skin from Ye Fan's hand.

"It's the Divine Silkworm!"

Li Heishui was both startled and angry. He reached out to grab, but unfortunately, he couldn't even catch its afterimage as it "whooshed" away.

"Don't chase it, the stone gall skin is useless," Ye Fan said, shaking his head to stop him.

"That little thief is too fast," Li Heishui grumbled, pushing open the door. He saw that the golden sprite had not left.

Gleaming golden all over, it stood on the courtyard wall, clutching the stone gall skin. It wiggled back and forth, made faces at Ye Fan and him, occasionally did a few somersaults, and even wiggled its little bottom at them.

Ye Fan narrowed his eyes, and seeing all this, couldn't help but smile. "This little creature is quite interesting," he remarked.

Li Heishui also chuckled and cursed, "This little rascal is intentionally provoking us."

The Divine Silkworm's large eyes sparkled. Seeing that the two weren't angry and hadn't pursued it, it ceased its antics. It held the stone gall skin, vigorously inhaled its fragrant scent, revealing a look of ecstasy, and then happily took a bite.

However, in the very next moment, its joyous expression instantly froze. It threw the stone gall skin to the ground with a "splat," its tiny face contorted in bitter agony, having completely changed color.

The golden sprite continuously spat, jumping wildly on the courtyard wall, its golden lips turned purple from bitterness. It then lay there, retching violently.

"Hahahaha..."

"You dare to eat even a bitter gall? Don't you know all galls are bitter?"

Ye Fan and Li Heishui roared with laughter.

The Divine Silkworm was furious. It silently pointed a tiny paw at Ye Fan and Li Heishui, its large eyes welling up with tears, then swayed, toppled onto the wall, and passed out from the bitterness.

"Well, well, now let's see where you'll run!" Li Heishui exclaimed, laughing heartily as he chased after it.

Startled, the Divine Silkworm scrambled to its feet, struggled to stay conscious, and shot into the sky. Though it swayed like a drunkard, its speed did not diminish, and it vanished in the blink of an eye.

An hour later, Ye Fan stopped circulating his origin technique and opened his eyes. Two streaks of purple light flashed and disappeared, his eyes now as deep as the starry sky.

"How is it? Did it work?" Li Heishui asked.

"Why are you so flashy, wearing flowered underwear?" Ye Fan burst into laughter.

"Damn it, you've got x-ray vision!" Li Heishui cursed, his old face slightly flushed as he turned halfway around. "Aren't you afraid of getting a stye?!"

Ye Fan felt refreshed and clear-eyed. His Heavenly Origin Divine Sense had greatly improved; although he hadn't cultivated the Heavenly Eye, his vision had reached an astonishing level, almost allowing him to see through walls.

He pushed open the door and looked into the distant sky, catching sight of even a mosquito in the boundless distance. This was a qualitative leap in his abilities.

"I've figured it out, Little Yezi, you're naturally cut out to be a lecherous thief!" Li Heishui exclaimed. "If you meet An Miaoyi, the Great Xia Princess, and the Saintesses from the Holy Lands again, how embarrassing would that be for them and for others? Your lecherous eyes will definitely be staring!"

"Am I really that impure?" Ye Fan asked with a smile.

"You're as pure as a lecherous thief!" Li Heishui said enviously. "I finally understand why the former Origin Master liked to frequent the stone gambling dens of the Holy Lands: gambling on stones was a pretense; he was definitely after the Saintesses. Your profession truly has a tradition!"

"The grand origin technique duel is in three days," Ye Fan said. "Let's go, let's visit the major stone gambling dens now."

"Little Yezi, I despise you!" Li Heishui cursed. "You've just cultivated lecherous eyes and already want to go see Saintesses?! Be careful, you'll get a stye if you stare too much."

"I'm just preparing for the stone gambling," Ye Fan replied. "Today, I'm simply looking around, not making any moves."

"Tsk! Don't be so hypocritical," Li Heishui scoffed, curling his lip. "You definitely want to see the Saintesses."

Ye Fan and Li Heishui first walked towards the Ji Family Stone Den, hoping to find the mysterious Stone King.

On their way, they heard much news about Purple Mountain: the various Holy Lands and the Hundred Schools of Central Plains were about to make their move, and a storm was brewing there.

Even before they reached the Ji Family Stone Den, they spotted several familiar faces. The young members of the Origin Technique family had also just arrived, including Wu Ziming, Li Chongtian, and Tuobachang.

It was clear that their purpose was the same as Ye Fan's: they were scouting the stone dens, trying to determine the most suitable place to make their move.

"These two bastards really have it in for us!" Li Heishui declared bluntly, staring directly at Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian.

"You..." Both men were furious.

"Isn't that right? You first sought out Tuobachang," Li Heishui sneered. "And this time, through him, you invited this group of undesirables. Am I wrong?"

"I won't argue with you now," Li Chongtian said viciously. "This time, I defy fate; you won't be able to turn the tables!"

"This time, I must personally witness you being utterly crushed in origin techniques by several seniors!" Wu Ziming said through gritted teeth.

"Last time, you made grand threats," Li Heishui laughed heartily. "And in the end, you simply gratuitously gifted us Origin. This time, I look forward to your selfless contribution again."

The young members of the Origin Technique family all sneered. One of them said, "This time, I'm afraid you might even lose your lives."

"Are you still thinking of resorting to violence, to kill us?" Li Heishui asked, fearless.

"Ignorant ones, even origin technique duels can be a matter of life and death!" one of them retorted. "Don't you even know that? Perhaps you might drop dead during the process of selecting stones!"

"Our previous threats to crush you were not empty words," another added. "Whether you survive will depend on your own methods. Don't come kneeling at our feet begging for your lives then."

The people from the Origin Technique family sneered, and having finished their taunts, they strode forward.

"Can life and death really be decided during stone gambling?" Li Heishui asked Ye Fan.

"Yes!" Ye Fan nodded, a hint of solemnity on his face.

At that moment, they arrived in front of the Ji Family Stone Den. Ye Fan saw two familiar figures: a young man and woman, the man heroic and the woman beautiful.

The man was like a deity, with black hair cascading like a waterfall and a halo encircling his body. He resembled a born divine king, looking down upon the mortal world with an imposing aura of peerless dominance. It was Ji Haoyue.

Beside him stood a young woman, graceful and slender, her purple robes fluttering. When she smiled, her intelligent eyes would curve into crescents, cute dimples would appear on her face, and her small canine teeth would sparkle brightly. It was Ji Ziyue.