Chapter 1125: Return to Vermilion Bird

Chapter 1125: Return to Zhu Que

In the dead of night, Fa Hai and the various Buddhas, unable to catch up to Ye Chen, all returned to Jin Shan Temple.

Now, Jin Shan Temple was in utter ruins, with the Lei Feng Tower and everything in sight reduced to shattered Buddha statues lying in disarray. Not a single thing in the entire temple remained intact.

"We must eliminate the demon!"

Fa Hai gripped his Zen staff tightly, and though he embodied Buddhist compassion, a cold glint flashed in his golden eyes.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen had circled the ancient star extensively before returning to the deep mountains.

"Holy Lord!"

Seeing Ye Chen's return, Li Xiao hurried forward to greet him.

"Truly, many hands make light work!"

Ye Chen wiped the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, waved his hand, and summoned the Hun Dun Shen Ding, releasing Xiao Ying and Bai Su Su from within.

"Husband!"

"My dear!"

Their reunion was tearful, with the two of them sobbing uncontrollably.

Ye Chen coughed awkwardly and turned away, pulling out his flask to drink while leaning against a boulder, gazing toward Jin Shan Temple. He was lucky to have escaped quickly; otherwise, another group beating would likely have ended him.

He hadn't wanted to start a fight in the first place—everything could have been discussed peacefully—but Fa Hai had to bring up that ridiculous Buddhist doctrine, so what choice did he have but to fight?

*Nianli*!

As he thought about it, Ye Chen recalled the power of Buddhist *nianli*—vast and endless, truly an eye-opener for him.

Only now did he truly understand the words of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon from the past: among the 130 emperors of Xuan Huang, the Buddha was indeed the most enigmatic. As a great emperor revered and supplied with faith by countless beings across the domains, his *nianli* must be overwhelmingly immense. Emperors of the same level would likely be no match.

"Ah!"

As he pondered, Ye Chen sighed helplessly, regretting that he hadn't managed to take the 卍 character from Fa Hai's alms bowl.

Ye Chen had already planned it out: once his cultivation advanced further, he would return to this ancient star named Fo Tuo, have a proper chat with Fa Hai about enlightening all beings and Buddhist compassion, and conveniently take Fa Hai's alms bowl back for a thorough study.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist, for saving me!"

While Ye Chen was scheming, Bai Su Su wiped away her tears and bowed respectfully to him.

Li Xiao was equally moved, never expecting that Ye Chen would risk causing chaos at Jin Shan Temple just to save his wife. This kindness was like a lifelong debt, one he would never forget.

"Just a small effort!"

Ye Chen smiled. He hadn't intended to get involved, but who asked her to be Li Xiao's wife? Anyone who bullies people from our Da Chu won't be ignored by me as the Holy Lord. If provoked, next time I'll bring over Ruo Tian Zhu Que.

"This place isn't safe anymore. Come with me."

"Holy Lord, give us a little time."

"Still have matters to attend to?"

"Bring our child along."

"Another child?" Ye Chen paused, instinctively glancing at Bai Su Su beside him, his mind conjuring up a strange image—would their child be born as a human or an egg?

"His name is Xu Shi Lin. He's very cute." As Li Xiao spoke, he gently took Bai Su Su's hand.

"It should be... very cute." Ye Chen replied, following their steps, though his thoughts still lingered on the human-or-egg dilemma.

Before long, the three arrived at a small mortal town.

The town at night was far from quiet—it was bustling. Every household had brought out their incense burners, lit sandalwood sticks, and prayed to the heavens for blessings, their devotion etched on their faces.

Ye Chen couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"It's right here!"

Li Xiao pushed open the door of a shop called Bao An Tang and led them to the courtyard behind it.

Once inside, Ye Chen learned that Li Xiao had an older sister here, who also carried Bai Su Su's vital energy within her. Despite being over a hundred years old, they remained youthful, and Li Xiao and Bai Su Su's child was being cared for by his sister and her husband.

Li Xiao left in tears, unsure when he would return, while his sister and brother-in-law chose to remain as ordinary mortals.

In the dead of night, Ye Chen took Li Xiao and the others away from the ancient star by flight.

Bai Su Su was fine with it; as a thousand-year-old snake demon with Quasi-Emperor cultivation, she could fly and had seen the vastness of the stars.

Li Xiao, however, was quite unadjusted after entering the starry space.

As the three set off, the atmosphere on Zhu Que Star was extremely oppressive.

Even after several days, the air was still filled with grief. Many people sighed in lamentation, for it was rare for someone to advance to Quasi-Saint, only to meet with disaster—a tremendous loss for Zhu Que Star.

At Dan Fu Ling Mountain, the alchemists continued their diligent work, with a massive number advancing in cultivation and an energetic atmosphere. Every day, people came to claim their advancement rewards.

Yet, at the peak of Dan Fu Mountain stood a tombstone, and no one knew it was Ye Chen's.

Nian Wei stood before Ye Chen's tombstone, tears occasionally streaming down her beautiful face.

Beside her, Xie Yun stood like a statue. Though he believed in Ye Chen's strength, facing a Quasi-Saint and not returning for so long likely meant he had perished, and tears glistened in his eyes too.

"Ah!"

In the Nine Heavens, Ruo Tian Zhu Que sighed more than once. The deaths of Ye Chen and Mu Xuan Gong were indeed a major blow to Zhu Que Star, leaving her vision of the future shrouded in darkness.

Days turned into nights, and time cycled on.

In the blink of an eye, four days passed quietly.

It wasn't until the fifth night's darkness that Ye Chen and his companions descended upon Zhu Que Star.

"Is this Zhu Que Star?"

Bai Su Su held her swaddled child, curiously taking in her surroundings. This place was much larger than their ancient star, and though she had only heard of it before, it was her first time here.

"We'll settle here from now on!"

Li Xiao took her hand, his eyes full of anticipation for the future.

"Stay here and don't wander around!"

After finding a suitable location, Ye Chen left those words and vanished using the Xian Lun Tian Dao.

However, upon arriving, Ye Chen paused, scanning the area but finding no sign of Mu Xuan Gong.

He immediately extended his divine sense, searching unrestrictedly. Space black holes were no simple places—full of traps—and a single mishap could mean death with no return.

"Don't let anything go wrong!"

Ye Chen scratched his head vigorously and shot off like a divine light, spreading his divine sense and calling out as he went.

After some time, he finally stopped, spotting Mu Xuan Gong in the distance. Mu Xuan Gong wasn't standing; he was lying there, floating and unconscious.

Ye Chen rushed over and, seeing that Mu Xuan Gong was unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief. He flicked a ray of divine light to awaken him.

"Whoa!"

Mu Xuan Gong awoke, rubbing his head fiercely. It seemed he hadn't fallen asleep naturally but had suffered a terrifying blow, as his head was still buzzing.

"Senior, I told you not to move around recklessly before I left!"

"Nonsense, I didn't move at all. I was hit by a terrifying wave." Mu Xuan Gong quickly explained, "This space black hole is too eerie. I felt like a pair of eyes was watching me the whole time."

"A terrifying wave." Ye Chen frowned, instinctively scanning the surroundings. He sensed that something dreadful must be nearby—perhaps a artifact or an unknown monster. In any case, it was dangerous.

"Let's go." Ye Chen set off immediately, leading Mu Xuan Gong to a safe position before escaping the space black hole.

The moment they emerged, Mu Xuan Gong spotted Li Xiao and Bai Su Su, his expression turning puzzled. What an odd group—a mortal, a snake demon, and a baby in swaddling clothes, making up a half-human, half-demon family of three. It caught him off guard.

"Greetings, Senior."

Li Xiao and Bai Su Su both bowed in respect, recognizing that Mu Xuan Gong was no ordinary person.

"No need for formalities."

Mu Xuan Gong smiled warmly, without the air of a superior.

"Senior, once we return, don't let too many people know you're still alive."

"I'm alive, aren't I?" Mu Xuan Gong was taken aback.

"In fact, in everyone's eyes at You Du, you're already dead." Ye Chen explained slowly, "The space black hole is different from the outside world—it can sever the connection between your true self and your clone, as well as between your true self and your primordial spirit jade token. The moment I took you into the space black hole, your jade token shattered, meaning to all, you've perished."

"I see." Mu Xuan Gong suddenly understood, feeling a mix of emotion and awe at the strangeness of the space black hole.

"It's better for everyone to think you're dead." Ye Chen continued, "That way, we can catch Ku Yue off guard in the future."

"You make a good point; I understand the strategy." Mu Xuan Gong stroked his beard, a glint of cold light in his old eyes.

"Very well, see you at You Du then." With that, Ye Chen took Li Xiao and Bai Su Su and left.