Chapter 402: A Romantic Affair

Ye Fan was set to attempt a breakthrough on the night of the full moon, an event that had stirred the nerves of many major powers and attracted worldwide attention. Numerous cultivators were watching, as the forces of the world converged on the Divine City.

Yet, at this sensitive juncture, Ye Fan was not calmly preparing himself. Instead, he was busy searching for Divine Source Stone skins, having already collected items such as the Immortal Tomb and the Blood Altar.

Through various channels, he also acquired some from the Sacred Land Stone Workshops, all of which were discarded remnants from previous stone-cuttings.

“Kid, what are you up to?” the big black dog asked suspiciously. Then, as if remembering something, its large, bell-like eyes widened, fixing on Ye Fan. “You’re insane!” it yelped in alarm.

“What are you yelling about?” Ye Fan glared at it.

“Are you tired of living?” the big black dog warned. “Even with your astonishing Source Techniques, you cannot go to that place twice. Many peerless figures have only been able to sigh in despair…”

“You don’t need to worry about this time; it’s not what you imagine,” Ye Fan replied, saying little more. He continued to frequent the various stone workshops, subtly collecting stone skins.

“Are you as good as Li Mu? Or Jiang Taixu? Or Gu Tianshu?” the big black dog snapped, baring its teeth. “Entering the Purple Mountain again will only lead to death!”

“You’ve guessed wrong,” Ye Fan stated. “I won’t walk into death. Don’t say anything more.” He did not want to alarm others; this time, he was determined to break into the Four Extremities Secret Realm.

He had accumulated a staggering thirteen million jin of Source—an astronomical sum. Yet, a deep uncertainty lingered within him. He contemplated every possibility: what if he succeeded, and what if he failed?

Ye Fan did not want to be obstructed. No matter what, he was determined to break into the Four Extremities Secret Realm. If his attempt in the Dragon Transformation Pool were to end in failure, he resolved to carve out his own future.

Without entering the Four Extremities Secret Realm, the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body would become ordinary. On the vast, boundless land, experts were as numerous as clouds, and cultivators in the Dao Palace Secret Realm could only gaze up at others.

The Saintess of Jade Lake appeared. She was tall and graceful, just as before, her body veiled in an ethereal mist like a celestial flower swaying in snow, or a divine lotus touched by water—as if a proud daughter of the heavens had descended.

She handed Ye Fan a sandalwood box and said, “This is a gift from Jade Lake, to help you succeed in your breakthrough.”

In the past, Jade Lake and the Source Heavenly Master had an exceptionally close relationship. Now, there was no conflict with Ye Fan either. The Sacred Land hoped he would visit Jade Lake to handle a few Stone Kings using the Six Seals of Immortal Ban.

“What is this?” Ye Fan asked, puzzled.

“Three leaves from the ancient Bodhi Tea Tree,” the Saintess of Jade Lake replied, her red lips parting slightly.

Ye Fan was astonished by the ancient tree in the Undying Mountain; each leaf was unique, imbued with Dao patterns, making them divine artifacts even for Saint Lord-level figures.

He was genuinely surprised. The ancient Bodhi Tea Tree was fortunate to produce thirty leaves from the Undying Mountain each year. He wondered how many Saint Lord-level figures were coveting them; for the vast Eastern Wasteland, they were simply not enough to go around.

For Ye Fan, who was about to attempt his breakthrough, these three ancient Bodhi Tea leaves were a magnificent gift.

Two divine rays shot from Ye Fan’s eyes, startling the Saintess of Jade Lake. Believing he was activating his divine clairvoyant eyes, she let out a soft, delicate cry and, with a swift movement of her fair hand, conjured a Dao diagram to shield herself.

Hidden in the mist, her face flushed crimson, and she was visibly annoyed. Recalling their last encounter, she scolded, “What are you doing?”

“Fairy, please don’t misunderstand,” Ye Fan explained. “I didn’t use my Source Heavenly Divine Sense; I was merely a little surprised. For such a great kindness, words of thanks are insufficient. One day, I will surely go and resolve the issue of Jade Lake’s Stone Kings.”

Inside the purple sandalwood box, the three leaves were distinctly different.

One shimmered with purple light, shaped like a fan, bearing a lifelike small dragon entwined with numerous Dao patterns.

The second leaf was blood-red and fan-shaped, displaying a blurry human figure seated high in the nine heavens, enveloped by profound yellow energy, with Dao patterns like clouds and smoke densely covering its form.

The last leaf was as white as jade, crystal clear, and remarkably unique. It was circular, adorned with a Yin-Yang diagram where the yang pole embraced the yin, and the yin pole embraced the yang. Furthermore, scattered stars dotted its surface, resembling a miniature cosmos with interwoven innate patterns.

This was Ye Fan’s first encounter with leaves from the ancient Bodhi Tea Tree, and he was quite astonished. It was difficult to imagine what kind of ancient tree could possibly grow such incredible leaves.

The big black dog immediately started drooling. Offering unsolicited help, it said, “I’ll help you put them away.”

“Giving these to you would be truly throwing meat buns to a dog.”

“Woof…”

Soon after, Tu Fei and Li Heishui delivered news: several great bandits had collectively contributed one million jin of Source, sending it to Ye Fan through their descendants.

This was yet another magnificent gift!

“Ye Fan, you can accept it with a clear conscience,” Tu Fei said, patting his shoulder and shaking his head. “These old men are each as shrewd as a ghost…”

In this world, there is no enthusiasm without reason. When the Sacred Lands were hunting Ye Fan, Tu Fei and Li Heishui stepped forward to offer significant assistance, and several great bandits had been observing the situation closely.

All the past events had been too subtle. Upon closer reflection, they revealed layers of schemes and careful planning. If Ye Fan’s Sacred Body were to fully develop, everything would proceed smoothly. However, if he failed, the true intentions of those great bandits would become truly difficult to ascertain.

Tu Fei and Li Heishui had not concealed any of this. Long ago, they had hinted that if their elders harbored any ill intentions, they would immediately inform him to flee.

This world is indeed very realistic, and human hearts are complex. However, it is not devoid of genuine friendships. Tu Fei and Li Heishui had sought nothing for themselves; their willingness to honestly inform him so long ago was proof of their loyalty.

“An Miaoyi invited you?” Tu Fei exclaimed in surprise.

It was less than a day until the full moon. An Miaoyi’s request to see Ye Fan at this time could only mean she intended to win him over and forge an alliance.

Li Heishui pondered for a moment. “This is unusual, very unusual!” he remarked. “How so?” Tu Fei asked.

“An Miaoyi has courage; she’s likely making a big gamble,” Li Heishui replied.

“What are you trying to say?” Tu Fei questioned. Li Heishui explained, “Adding flowers to brocade is far less impactful than offering charcoal in the snow. If An Miaoyi were to try to win over Ye Fan *after* he breaks the curse, it would be unremarkable. But if she does it before, it’s entirely different.” Tu Fei’s expression shifted. “An Miaoyi couldn’t possibly be…?” he murmured. “She’s likely wagering herself. Missing a fully developed Sacred Body means missing it forever. Given the Monastery of Wonderful Desires’ tradition, this move is far more significant than merely selecting a Saint Son.”

“I don’t have time to go,” Ye Fan said, shaking his head, unmoved.

However, at that very moment, An Miaoyi sent a jade box, presenting it as a grand gift for his upcoming breakthrough.

“Another leaf from the ancient Bodhi Tea Tree!” Inside the jade box lay a golden leaf, gleaming brilliantly as if cast from pure gold. Its fresh fragrance permeated the air, and on its surface was a landscape painting adorned with numerous innate patterns, filling the entire room with its scent.

“This is a peerless treasure!” Tu Fei exclaimed. “You absolutely must go now.”

Li Heishui cried out strangely, “Little Ye Zi, how about I just take over your body and go in your place…”

As night fell, the divine moon hung high, casting silver light down like drifting clouds and smoke. The entire landscape was shrouded in a haze, as if draped in a fine veil.

The Monastery of Wonderful Desires was suspended in the air. Below, the lake was pristine, shimmering like sapphires, while above, the moonlight flowed gently like water.

Enveloped by the divine moon, the buildings took on a dreamy hue, appearing highly mysterious against the night sky.

Ye Fan ascended into the air, where someone invited him into a magnificent palace. There, a beautiful, peerless woman stood, appearing almost divine in the moonlight—like a fairy who had descended from the silver moon, untouched by worldly dust.

“Is Miaoyi truly so bothersome?” An Miaoyi asked with a smile, her snow-white robes gently fluttering in the night breeze, as if she might float away with the wind.

“Fairy An, your charm is too great,” Ye Fan replied, though not truly meaning it. “I dared not come, fearing I might offend such a beauty.”

An Miaoyi’s eyes sparkled, and she chuckled softly. “Lying,” she teased.

Her pure white gown trailed along the ground, accentuating her graceful, jade-like figure, which rose and fell like mountain ranges—firm, ample breasts, a slender waist, and perfectly rounded, flawless hips, outlining a flawless silhouette.

Despite her alluring figure, her demeanor was noble and ethereal. Under the night moon, she seemed like an elf, her jade-like face devoid of any makeup, pure white and translucent. Her eyes were like autumn waters, and her aquiline nose and cherry lips appeared meticulously sculpted by divine craftsmanship. Such beauty was truly breathtaking.

Inside the palace, carved beams and painted pillars gleamed with gold and splendor. Swirling clouds and mist created an unreal atmosphere, as if one had inadvertently stepped into a celestial abode.

This was a bedchamber adorned with embedded pearls and exquisite jade. Elegant calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls. On a white jade table, enticing delicacies and fragrant wines were laid out.

“You are attempting your breakthrough tomorrow. Are you confident?” An Miaoyi asked as she poured wine, her bright red lips alluring and her pearly teeth gleaming. Her slender hand, holding the jade cup, shimmered, equally translucent.

“I will enter the Four Extremities,” Ye Fan replied with a smile.

“A perfected Sacred Body hasn’t appeared for over a hundred thousand years,” An Miaoyi said with a sweet smile. “Such a figure can contend with ancient Great Emperors—what magnificent bearing, truly inspiring longing! And now, a Sacred Body sits before me. I must observe closely, examine thoroughly…”

“Even if I succeed in this breakthrough, it will only be a minor accomplishment for the Sacred Body,” Ye Fan said, shaking his head with a smile. “How could it compare to a Great Emperor?”

“That day won’t be far off; Miaoyi is looking forward to it,” An Miaoyi replied, her dark hair fluttering. Her eyes were like water, her lashes long, and her skin snow-white and translucent. A luminous moon pearl adorned her brow, gleaming under the crystal lamp, creating a breathtakingly beautiful and vibrant interplay of nobility and magnificence.

“Many thanks, Fairy Miaoyi, for the Bodhi Tea,” Ye Fan said, raising his cup in respect.

“Miaoyi merely exerted a small effort,” An Miaoyi replied, her captivating smile made even more vibrant by her wine-stained red lips. “May Brother Ye break the curse, soar to new heights, and one day contend for glory with the Great Emperors.”

As night deepened, moonlight streamed through the glazed windows into the palace chambers, rendering everything dreamlike and illusory.

Overcome by the alcohol, An Miaoyi’s fair face flushed red, and her eyes shimmered alluringly. Soft and seemingly boneless, she murmured, “I want… a perfected Sacred Body…”

Ye Fan, also slightly intoxicated, teased, “I’m right here; how would you like it?”

“Miaoyi meant, I want a perfected Sacred Body… to protect my Dao in the future, and I too will become a Great Emperor,” An Miaoyi clarified. Her smile bloomed with a hundred charms, eclipsing even the bright moon in the sky.

She was already one of the most beautiful women in the Eastern Wasteland, even hailed as its number one beauty. Now, lightly flushed with wine, her skin appeared rosy and translucent, exuding an irresistible charm.

Deep into the night, they had lost count of how much wine they had consumed. The goblets had long since fallen to the floor, and they gradually became entwined.

“Hehe…” An Miaoyi’s sweet laughter, melodious as silver bells, resonated, stirring the heart.

Ye Fan embraced her delicate form, holding a gleaming silver wine pot. He poured wine into it, then tipped the pot towards An Miaoyi’s sensuous red lips.

Everything unfolded naturally. Ye Fan was not a rigid, old-fashioned scholar; he felt no inhibitions, unafraid of the rose’s thorns, and determined to savor the sweet coating.

Not far away stood a white jade bed, draped with pink gauze curtains, giving off an unusual aura. The two tumbled onto the soft, pink, inviting bed.

Soon after, a snow-white form was revealed, its skin soft and delicate, shimmering translucently, rosy and lustrous—a captivating and peerless temptation.

An Miaoyi’s beautiful hair lay disheveled, her peerless face seemed hazy, and a faint glow shimmered across her entire body. Her skin was flushed, creating a mesmerizing effect.

Ye Fan’s heart trembled. He lowered the pink gauze curtain, finding himself unable to resist such unparalleled temptation.

*Whoosh*

A flick of a finger extinguished the candle. Only the soft moonlight streamed through, vaguely illuminating the passion on the jade bed.

Soft moans, minds lost in passion, desire burgeoning, the two became intimately entwined. It was a sleepless night, a night consumed by intoxicating passion.