Chapter 1146: Dreaming Back to the Great Chu

Late at night, Xie Yun, holding the Zhanlu Sword, left and found a cave in Danfu. He entered seclusion once more.

As for Mu Wanqing and Nian Wei, they remained seated cross-legged in the grand hall, quietly integrating the divine sense that Ye Chen had transmitted to them.

Ye Chen was not idle either. He sifted through the mountain of treasures, setting aside the magical artifacts of good quality. The rest were all absorbed by the Chaos Ding to nourish its advancement to Chaos Shen Ding.

Having finished that, Ye Chen sat down cross-legged and placed the Yuan Shen Dan in his mouth.

As soon as the Yuan Shen Dan entered his body, it dissolved instantly, releasing a surge of energy that flowed into his divine sea and enveloped his yuan shen.

The dark night fell into deep silence.

It was not until near dawn that Mu Wanqing and Nian Wei awoke, one after the other.

After a night of comprehension, the two of them had grasped some basics of alchemy, though the true essence would require further practice over time.

Before them floated two dan furnaces, carefully chosen by Ye Chen and refined with immortal fire and heavenly thunder—high-quality items indeed, perfect for their alchemy work.

The two women each took their furnace, glanced at Ye Chen, took a deep breath, and quietly exited.

After they left, Ye Chen remained perfectly still, like a monk in deep meditation.

The next day, many people came to visit, but they were all turned away at the mountain gate by Nian Wei's guards.

In Danfu, the alchemists continued their diligent work, with groups of three or five gathered everywhere, discussing the concepts of alchemy intent.

In Youdu, things were bustling as well. With Ku Yue overthrown, the Zhuque family had swiftly taken over his operations, and the sheer scale and influence left even Ruotian Zhuque astonished.

Everything proceeded smoothly and orderly.

Another quiet night passed, and Ye Chen still had not awakened.

A gentle breeze blew into the grand hall, brushing against Ye Chen and stirring a lock of his black hair. His body trembled slightly, and his consciousness inexplicably drifted away, to an unknown place.

Where is this?

In a haze, Ye Chen opened his eyes and gazed around at the misty world, where swirling clouds obscured his view.

As he murmured, the blurry world gradually cleared. Vast rivers and towering mountains revealed themselves, shedding their mysterious veil. The vast landscape exuded an ancient, rugged aura—a magnificent expanse of land stretching endlessly.

This is Da Chu!

Ye Chen's body shuddered, and he quickly looked around.

It's Da Chu! It's Da Chu!

Ye Chen was overcome with excitement, utterly certain of his location, his eyes brimming with tears.

Without hesitation, he took to the skies, soaring like a divine ray across the rivers and mountains, over the vast lands, taking in all of Bei Chu and gazing into the distance of Nan Chu. Every mountain, river, flower, blade of grass, tree, and branch felt as familiar as in his memories.

At some point, he stopped at the base of a spiritual mountain.

The mountain was immense, shrouded in mist and haze, like a celestial paradise on earth.

Hengyue!

Ye Chen choked back emotion and rushed up the mountain.

Hengyue at night should have been peaceful, yet many figures stood atop it.

Ye Chen saw Yang Dingtian, Xu Fu, Pang Dachuan, Daojie Zhenren, Zhou Dafu, Huo Teng, Tang Ruxuan, and Qi Yue. Each face was so familiar, matching perfectly with his deepest memories, unchanged even after a century.

A hundred years have passed, Ye Chen. Have you found them?

As Ye Chen's body trembled, he heard murmurs all around. He tried to reach out and touch them, but they were mere illusions. He called out, but no one heard, as if he did not exist in this world at all.

A dream!

Ye Chen gave a weary smile, stopping his calls and touches.

He climbed to Yunu Peak and stood there for a long time, not moving an inch. Even in a dream, it felt utterly real.

Ye... Ye Chen?

While he was gazing, Ye Chen suddenly heard a surprised voice from behind.

He turned around abruptly.

Through the misty clouds, Ye Chen saw a vague, graceful figure in snow-white robes, untainted by dust. Upon closer look, it was Ruotian Zhuque.

You...!

Ye Chen was stunned.

Ruotian Zhuque was stunned too.

The two stood there, one like a spear and the other like a pole, straight and rigid, their expressions full of shock.

This... is a dream?

They both asked the same question.

Buzz!

No sooner had the words been spoken than the world shattered into pieces, and everything before their eyes faded into haze.

Ah...!

In the Danfu grand hall, Ye Chen suddenly opened his eyes.

After a few seconds of daze, he quickly scanned his surroundings and realized he was in the Danfu hall.

Young friend?

While Ye Chen was still in a stupor, he heard an urgent, elderly voice calling from outside the hall.

Ye Chen immediately got up, lifted the hall's seal, and saw Mu Xuan Gong standing outside, looking quite anxious.

Follow me!

Before Ye Chen could speak, Mu Xuan Gong stepped forward without another word and pulled him along.

The two reappeared in the bamboo grove on the ninth heaven, where Ruotian Zhuque resided.

Such thick death energy!

Even before entering the bamboo grove, Ye Chen furrowed his brow. The entire grove was enveloped in dense death energy, wilting the once-lush bamboo and leaving the place barren.

Ye Chen said nothing and hurried inside.

From afar, he saw an old woman sitting cross-legged there, her hair white and skin wrinkled, her face aged and haggard, surrounded by death energy. It was unmistakably Ruotian Zhuque.

At the sight, Ye Chen's brow furrowed deeper. He activated his Xianlun Eye and focused on her—her yuan shen was withering.

"She needs to undergo the Tianren Wushuai Jie as soon as possible," Mu Xuan Gong said, full of worry.

"I can see that," Ye Chen replied, taking a deep breath.

"Young friend, we need your master's help," Mu Xuan Gong said, looking at Ye Chen with hope in his eyes.

"I do have a master, but he's not a Zhun Sheng," Ye Chen said, shaking his head helplessly.

"Not a Zhun Sheng?"

"It's a matter of life and death—I wouldn't dare lie," Ye Chen said.

"I believe you," Mu Xuan Gong nodded solemnly. He knew Ye Chen well; if help were possible, he would not stand by.

"With Zhuque Xing's influence, can't you find a Zhun Sheng from another ancient star to assist?" Ye Chen asked, eyeing Mu Xuan Gong tentatively.

"There are many ancient stars in the Tianyuan Star Domain, and plenty of Zhun Sheng," Mu Xuan Gong explained. "But the Tianren Wushuai Jie isn't an ordinary tribulation—it takes more than a day or two to overcome. Asking a Zhun Sheng for help introduces too many variables; who can guarantee they won't use the opportunity to swallow up Zhuque Xing?"

"That is tricky," Ye Chen said, his expression turning serious.

"In no more than three days, the signs of Zhuque's tribulation will appear. By then, not just Qinglong Ancient Star, but other stars will likely notice too. They won't let Zhuque advance to sainthood peacefully. If they unite, Zhuque Xing will be in danger. We need at least two Zhun Sheng to maintain the protective barrier."

"The signs will appear," Ye Chen murmured, his eyes darting around thoughtfully.

"Perhaps there's a method we can try," Ye Chen said after a couple of seconds, stroking his chin.