Chapter 31: Raising Doubts

After Chen Qingshuang departed, Ye Fan immersed himself in secluded cultivation. A small mountain of various resources obtained from the secret realm lay piled before him. Even with the Heaven-Swallowing Sacred Body, it would take several days to fully absorb and digest such a bounty.

Having previously broken through the Golden Core stage to enter the Nascent Soul realm, he had effectively crossed the threshold into the world of the powerful. At this level, every subsequent advancement required an immense consumption of resources. For an ordinary cultivator, ascending from the Nascent Soul stage to the Spirit Severing stage could take years of patient accumulation. Yet, for Ye Fan, as long as he had a continuous supply of resources, he could achieve breakthroughs in a relatively short time.

Two days slipped by unnoticed. The "small hill" of resources had been more than half consumed, with only the "foothills" remaining. Ye Fan’s cultivation soared, climbing from the early Nascent Soul stage to the middle stage, with clear momentum for further growth. Another day later, after absorbing the final, most precious items—a thousand-year Frost-Quenching Snow Lotus and a Golden Flame Sacred Fruit—his cultivation surged once more, breaking through to the late Nascent Soul stage in one fell swoop.

"Hoo..." Ye Fan slowly opened his eyes, feeling the spiritual energy within him significantly more potent than it had been three days prior. However, he was somewhat surprised; he had expected that absorbing such a massive amount of resources would at least bring him to the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage. Instead, he had only just managed to enter the late stage. If these same resources were given to others, they might have had a chance to reach the Spirit Severing stage directly. Ye Fan faintly suspected this had much to do with his Heaven-Swallowing Sacred Body. Precisely because of the body's immense power, the resources required for each breakthrough were far greater than those needed by an average person.

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Lingxiao Sect, the Third Elder bowed to Ye Wumian, who sat on the main throne. "Sect Master, the young master’s cultivation seems to have broken through again. I just sensed a powerful aura emanating from his room."

Ye Wumian’s brows furrowed tightly. This time, he could no longer sit still. He began to worry increasingly that Ye Fan might be practicing some form of forbidden, evil art. This was a matter of grave importance, and he felt compelled to confront Ye Fan to get to the truth. In order to test Ye Fan's current strength, Ye Wumian donned dark night-traveler attire once night fell and disguised himself as he approached Ye Fan’s quarters.

Ye Fan sensed the powerful aura immediately. "Who’s there?"

The person outside did not speak but quickly retreated toward the back mountain. Ye Fan pursued them instantly; in the dead of night, he wanted to see who dared to run wild in the Lingxiao Sect.

Upon reaching the back mountain, the figure in black suddenly stopped and, without warning, turned and threw a punch at Ye Fan. Ye Fan’s expression darkened; he felt a tremendously powerful force behind the strike. The strength of this individual was certainly not inferior to his own, and even having just reached the late Nascent Soul stage, he dared not be careless. Ye Fan channeled all his spiritual energy and countered with a punch of his own.

"Bang!"

As their fists collided, a violent shockwave erupted from the point of impact, sweeping outward and causing a thunderous explosion. Under the force of the blow, Ye Fan was forced to retreat several steps before regaining his footing. The figure in black, however, stood motionless, appearing entirely at ease.

"Spirit Severing stage!" Ye Fan stared at the person in front of him with a solemn expression, feeling the depth of their power was truly unfathomable. Yet, just as he prepared to strike again, the figure in black removed his disguise, revealing his true face. When Ye Fan recognized the features, he was stunned.

"Father? Why are you..." Ye Fan asked, failing to understand his father's actions.

Ye Wumian nodded. "It is nothing, really. I merely heard you have been training with great intensity lately, so I came to test your strength. Fan’er, I am gratified that you have been able to refine your cultivation to this level in such a short time. However, I wonder what method you used? Could you teach your father?"

At these words, Ye Fan realized his father’s true intent. Indeed, his progress had been so rapid that it inevitably invited suspicion. If he were in his father's position, he would be suspicious too. However, the secret of his Heaven-Swallowing Bloodline could not be easily revealed, not even to his own father. If news of it were to spread, it would cause a massive stir across the Xuantian Continent. Then, those so-called powerhouses would surely view him with malice and take measures against him.

Thinking of this, Ye Fan replied, "There is no special method. I simply obtained some fortune in the Qishan Secret Realm, and with the abundance of resources provided, I have been able to make rapid progress."

Such a vague explanation might fool others, but how could someone as powerful as Ye Wumian, a master of the Spirit Severing stage, be so easily deceived? However, since Ye Fan was unwilling to say more, he found it difficult to press the matter further and decided to make other plans.

"I see. I understand now," Ye Wumian said. "By the way, I have to make a trip to the Central Province in the next few days. You are grown now; keep a close watch on the affairs of the sect."

Ye Wumian remained uneasy and decided to go to the Central Province to discuss the matter in detail with Ye Fan’s mother.

...

"What? You say Ye Fan is practicing an evil art?"

"My lady, please don't be agitated. I only suspect it, but Fan’er is unwilling to discuss it with me, so I wanted you to look into it."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go now!"

Two days later, the couple hurried back to the Lingxiao Sect. Upon meeting Ye Fan, his mother immediately dragged him into a confinement room.

"Ye Fan, how have you become so bold? You dare to practice evil arts!" In the confinement room, his mother scolded him angrily, leaving Ye Fan completely bewildered. Evil arts? When had he ever practiced such a thing? He suddenly recalled his father’s mention of going to the Central Province and immediately understood. So, the "errand" he spoke of was actually to have his mother interrogate him...

Ye Fan felt quite helpless. "Mother, you’ve misunderstood. I truly haven't practiced any evil arts. Besides, those who practice such arts would show signs of it, or even suffer a deviation of their cultivation. Do I look like someone who practices evil arts?"

Hearing this, his mother immediately began to examine him. After a thorough inspection, she found nothing suspicious. Could it be that they had been overthinking? Perhaps Ye Fan really had found some rare fortune in the secret realm. Having confirmed this carefully, his mother finally set her mind at ease.

A short while later, when Ye Wumian saw the two of them walking out of the confinement room, chatting and laughing, he immediately stepped forward to ask about the result. He was met with a fierce glare from his wife: "I think you’re just looking for trouble where there is none! Our son is doing just fine!"

Chastened, Ye Wumian dared not ask further, only muttering softly, "I was only worried about Fan’er..."