Chapter 1143: Going Home

On Ling Dan Shan, waves of surprise and joy erupted like a surging tide, mostly because Mu Xuan Gong was still alive.

"Does this mean You Du now has two quasi-saints?"

"We don't need to fear an invasion from Qing Long Xing anymore. With two quasi-saints guarding us, what is there to worry about?"

"It must have been Ye Chen who saved him. His divine abilities are truly mysterious. He was the one who took Mu Xuan Gong away that night. It seems it's true now. This is the greatest happy event in You Du in a thousand years!"

Amidst the voices of astonishment, Mu Xuan Gong looked at Ku Yue with a cold sneer.

"Impossible, this is impossible." Ku Yue roared hysterically, his pupils shrinking into pinpricks.

"There's nothing impossible about it." Mu Xuan Gong scoffed. "Back then, you plotted against me and planted a curse seal on my Mu family. Today, this is your retribution."

"Impossible, this is impossible." Ku Yue continued to yell wildly, perhaps only now truly realizing that he was the one who had been completely fooled.

Mu Xuan Gong let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeve, stepping aside.

As soon as Mu Xuan Gong moved, a tidal wave of people surged forward.

No... no!

Ku Yue was terrified, his eyes wide with fear as he backed away. He had lost, and even his final trump card was gone. Would Ruo Tian Zhu Que spare him? Would the Zhu Que family let him live? Would the Jiu Da Shi Jia forgive him? Would the people of You Du show him mercy?

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The shouts of slaughter on Ling Dan Shan roared like a tsunami, growing louder with each surge, even including Ku Yue's own disciples.

This scene caused everyone watching to sigh in amazement. Who was Ku Yue? A seventh-tier alchemist! Even the old ancestor of Zhu Que had to treat him with respect. He was like a god high above, yet now he was reduced to a miserable fugitive.

Listening to the thunderous shouts, a faint smile appeared on Ruo Tian Zhu Que's lips.

This was precisely the effect she wanted—to force out Ku Yue's trump card and incite widespread public anger. Only then would killing him be perfectly justified. It would stabilize the hearts of the people and prevent any united rebellion from his forces.

And indeed, she had succeeded. Ku Yue's trump card was exposed, truly provoking the fury of everyone in You Du.

Ku Yue was dead, not even a trace left.

Sighs filled the air everywhere.

Today was supposed to be Ku Yue's birthday celebration, and it truly had turned into a funeral, just as Ye Chen had predicted.

Although Ku Yue was dead, the matter was not yet over.

Now, those who had previously pleaded for Ku Yue were all kneeling before the grand hall of Ling Dan Shan, each one anxious and fearful, afraid that Ruo Tian Zhu Que's anger might lead to further executions as a warning.

"You have all disappointed me greatly." Ruo Tian Zhu Que spoke slowly, her words carrying the authority of an old ancestor.

"We know our mistake, we know our mistake."

"I wonder, if I had truly swung my sword and killed Ku Yue earlier, would you all have united in rebellion?"

"Old ancestor, you must see clearly—we would never dare."

"As long as you wouldn't dare, that's good." Ruo Tian Zhu Que chuckled coldly. "Considering you were all deceived by Ku Yue, I will give you a chance for now. But your military powers are all revoked."

"Thank you so much, old ancestor." Everyone felt as if they had received a great pardon, wiping away their cold sweat profusely.

"From today onward, there will be no more Ling Dan Ge in You Du." Ruo Tian Zhu Que spoke again. "All the alchemists of Ling Dan Ge will now fall under the command of Dan Fu. Furthermore, if I learn that any of you harbor thoughts of rebellion again, I will show no mercy."

As she spoke, Ruo Tian Zhu Que glanced pointedly at Yue Shan, Yue Hai, and Ku Yue's loyal followers, her words carrying the dignity of an old ancestor and the pressure of a quasi-saint.

Yue Shan and the others trembled in their hearts and hastily knelt down. What thoughts of rebellion could they possibly have now? Even someone like Ku Yue had fallen—they had no power to resist. To survive, they had to remain obedient.

The show was over—everyone returned home!

Ruo Tian Zhu Que's words echoed boundlessly through the heavens and earth.

With that, all the guests who had come to celebrate the birthday or simply to watch the spectacle departed, each one sighing in amazement. Today had been quite the drama: Ling Dan Ge was crushed by Dan Fu, Ku Yue was defeated by Ye Chen and then executed.

The events of today were truly a millennium-rare occurrence. Ye Chen's brilliance had shattered their limits of shock. In the years to come, Ye Chen would take Ku Yue's place—and do even better than him.

The world of You Du was about to change!

Amidst the sighs, people instinctively glanced at Ye Chen as they left.

Of course, there were always a few who, after looking at Ye Chen, couldn't help but glance elsewhere.

What were they looking at? Naturally, the birthday gifts they had presented.

By now, too many were inwardly slapping themselves. If they had known things would turn out this way, they would never have given gifts to Ku Yue no matter what. These were treasures they had spent a fortune on, items they had painstakingly acquired and hated to part with, yet they had handed them over to their enemy for nothing.

Heartache! Regret! The urge to cry!

Many left clutching their chests, too embarrassed to take their gifts back.

Just because they didn't take them didn't mean someone else wouldn't.

At that moment, Ye Chen was casually picking through the gifts one by one, stuffing anything he wanted into a sack. The sight made Ruo Tian Zhu Que and Mu Xuan Gong twitch their lips in amusement.

It had to be said, those who came to celebrate Ku Yue's birthday were incredibly generous—all top-notch treasures.

Ruo Tian Zhu Que and the others, of course, wouldn't stop him. Ye Chen had helped You Du eliminate a major threat like Ku Yue, so taking some rewards was only fair. Compared to resolving the Zhu Que family's internal troubles, these items were insignificant.

It wasn't until sometime later that Ye Chen finished packing his sack to the brim. He swaggered over to the front of the Ling Dan Ge hall.

"Not taking any more?" Ruo Tian Zhu Que asked with interest, eyeing Ye Chen.

"That's about enough." Ye Chen grinned.

"You're still not planning to let me meet your master?" Ruo Tian Zhu Que asked with a smile.

"I'd have to ask her first." Ye Chen coughed lightly. "As I told you before, my master has a bit of a temper. She can't stand seeing anyone more beautiful than her, and if she came and picked a fight with you, that would be awkward."

"Your master is a woman?" Ruo Tian Zhu Que and Mu Xuan Gong both paused in surprise.

"A great beauty." Ye Chen said meaningfully.

"Now that's something new." Ruo Tian Zhu Que looked puzzled. If Ye Chen's master really came looking for a fight, that would be quite the novelty.

"Young friend, if possible, I hope you can introduce us." Mu Xuan Gong looked at Ye Chen with great anticipation. "Though You Du's internal threats are gone, external dangers remain. Zhu Que urgently needs to overcome the Tian Ren Wu Shui tribulation and will be in a weakened state for a long time. Zhu Que Xing needs two quasi-saints to hold the fort."

"I understand." Ye Chen stopped joking and glanced at Ruo Tian Zhu Que's yuan shen. It was indeed withering, with her lifespan at most less than ten years left—no time to delay.

"For now, let's head back!" Ruo Tian Zhu Que smiled. "These days, the major forces in You Du need to reorganize, and Dan Fu must suppress the Ba Chong Tian. Once everything is settled, we can discuss my tribulation."

"Understood." Ye Chen replied, then turned and walked toward the mountain path, not forgetting to grab another treasure box from the gifts on his way out.

"I just hope his master will come." Watching Ye Chen's retreating figure, Mu Xuan Gong took a deep breath.

"It's up to fate." Ruo Tian Zhu Que replied with composure.