Chapter 1154: Vermilion Bird Saint Lord

At night, Ye Chen returned to Danfu.

Though Danfu was quiet at night, many alchemists were still diligently refining pills. For instance, even from a distance, Ye Chen could see Nian Wei and Mu Wanqing covered in sweat. Their achievements had truly shocked him; in such a short time, they were already able to produce five-pattern pills.

Withdrawing his gaze, Ye Chen turned and entered the grand hall. He waved his hand to seal the hall doors before taking out the Qinglong Ancient Seal, along with the Chaos God Cauldron.

Compared to the Qinglong Ancient Seal, it was far superior to the copper furnace of Yinshi Wang. It was forged from special divine materials and soaked in dragon blood. Even the two Qinglong kings needed to combine their strength to activate it, highlighting the immense power of this sacred weapon.

The stronger, the better!

Ye Chen smiled and used the Chaos Dao principles as a sword to sever the Qinglong Ancient Seal. The Chaos God Cauldron trembled with excitement as it swallowed the seal, voraciously absorbing its essence.

Ye Chen didn't idle either; he leaped into the cauldron himself. While the cauldron absorbed the essence, he used his Dao principles to draw in and integrate the Dao principles imprinted on the Qinglong Seal into his own Chaos Dao, treating them as nourishment.

In this manner, three days passed quietly.

Over these three days, news of a saint emerging on Zhuque Star spread throughout the entire Tianyuan Star Domain. People continuously crossed the stars to arrive, coming from distant places, mostly quasi-saints seeking enlightenment.

Ruotian Zhuque was quite generous, willingly sharing the Dao without reservation, which could be seen as planting karmic seeds for future cultivation benefits. The quasi-saints who came to seek the Dao were naturally grateful, forging many good connections in the process.

Day and night alternated, the sun and moon cycled.

Time slipped away quietly, and another three days passed.

On the morning of the fourth day, before dawn fully broke, figures began flying into the eighth level of Youdu Main City. This time, they were not seekers of the Dao, but the sacred lords and ancestors of the nine great families, along with many supreme elders.

Today was a major event: the day Ruotian Zhonghuang would step down, and the next Zhuque Shengzhu would be selected. It was always a grand occasion, and this time was no exception, as it concerned the inheritance of the Zhuque family.

When Ye Chen arrived, the spiritual mountain in the eighth level of Youdu was already packed with people. His arrival drew everyone's attention. As the master of Danfu, overseeing more than thirty thousand alchemists in Youdu, his status was highly esteemed, and he held significant influence in the selection of the Shengzhu.

Ye Chen made his way through a series of greetings before reaching his exclusive seat as the master of Danfu. Seated around him were the ancestors of the nine great families. At such a young age and with such cultivation, being able to sit as an equal among these elders was an honor not everyone possessed.

Outside the spiritual mountain, more people continued to fly in, all elders of the Zhuque family. From afar, the eight imperial princes arrived together, maintaining a facade of harmony while secretly engaging in overt and covert struggles.

Seeing the eight imperial princes, many in attendance couldn't help but sigh. The Zhuque family's direct descendants of the Xuan generation numbered nine, but only eight had come, reminding people of Ruotian Xuanyu, the most promising prince who might surpass his predecessors—yet he was absent today.

"What do you all think? Who will be the winner today?"

As soon as the eight imperial princes sat down, discussions erupted below.

"Most likely the big imperial prince," someone pondered.

"I favor the third imperial prince more," another laughed. "And don't forget the fourth imperial prince; his bloodline isn't weak either."

"Young friend, I wonder whom you support to take the position," the Xuan family ancestor asked Ye Chen amid the discussions.

"In that case, senior, who do you think has the best chance?" Ye Chen smiled and countered the Xuan family ancestor.

"Well," the Xuan family ancestor stroked his beard, "if Ruotian Xuanyu hadn't met with disaster, he would have been the most suitable. But as things stand now, I believe the big imperial prince is the most appropriate to succeed as Zhuque Shengzhu."

"That's not quite right," the Yang family ancestor interjected, waving his hand. "Though the big imperial prince is the eldest, he's too aggressive and arrogant. In my view, the third imperial prince is a better fit."

"I think the fourth imperial prince is the ideal candidate," the Xing family ancestor added. "He's steady and reserved, and his Zhuque bloodline isn't weak."

"How about this—am I the only one favoring the second imperial prince?" the Gu family ancestor raised an eyebrow.

"I prefer the eighth imperial prince," the Yang family ancestor smoothed his beard.

"Of course you do," the Yue family ancestor glanced at him. "I've heard your Yang family has formed a marriage alliance with the eighth imperial prince. You're just an old schemer hoping he'll rise to power."

"You're no better yourself," the Yang family ancestor replied dismissively. "I've also heard the seventh imperial prince has been visiting your Yue family frequently."

"No denying it—Yun family supports the sixth imperial prince," the Yun family ancestor chuckled heartily.

"Then Baili family will have to back the fifth imperial prince," the Baili family ancestor said with a smile.

"Mu family supports Ruotian Xuanyu. With the nine great families each backing one, it's quite interesting," Ye Chen remarked with a smile as he quietly sipped his drink. "Today should be quite a spectacle."

"That's why the decisions of the Zhuque main family and your Danfu are especially crucial," Mu Xuan'gong transmitted with a laugh.

"Senior, you see it clearly—support is just external help. To rise to power, one still needs real strength," Ye Chen replied with a smile. "Even without our support, Ruotian Xuanyu could still take the position."

"That makes sense."

"It's even more lively than I imagined," Ruotian Zhuque arrived, taking a seat higher than theirs, the highest position today, to display the dignity of an ancestor.

"But we wonder, ancestor, whom do you favor more?" the ancestors of the nine great families asked, turning to Ruotian Zhuque.

"Let the capable one hold the position," Ruotian Zhuque replied with a light smile, her answer strikingly similar to Ye Chen's.

"I'm curious to know whom you support," Ruotian Zhuque transmitted to Ye Chen. "I've heard my eight nephews have been frequenting your Danfu, showering you with gifts until you're almost embarrassed."

"Nonsense, they're the ones forcing them on me," Ye Chen coughed dryly.

"So, what's your decision?" Ruotian Zhuque looked at him with interest.

"Ruotian Xuanyu."

"Ruotian Xuanyu?" Ruotian Zhuque paused.

"Is there a problem?"

"You're helping him take the position?"

"Why would I need to help? His rise is what the people want and what everyone expects."

"That's fresh," Ruotian Zhuque said, eyeing Ye Chen up and down, her beautiful eyes flashing with deeper meaning. She was certain Ye Chen was hiding something from her, likely related to Ruotian Xuanyu.

"Hmm? The ninth imperial prince."

"I didn't expect the ninth imperial prince to come as well."

"What are you saying? He's also an imperial prince."

"Even if he comes, it's pointless."

Under everyone's gaze, Xie Yun slowly entered, dressed in imperial prince robes. He was different now compared to the other eight imperial princes; there was no trace of immortal light around him, everything about him seemed ordinary. Yet, his calm, unwavering eyes were as deep as the starry sky.

Seeing this, many elders furrowed their brows slightly, sensing something off. The current Ruotian Xuanyu felt inscrutable, his ordinariness almost like a return to simplicity.

Xie Yun ignored the surprised looks from all sides and, after sitting down, even glanced remotely toward Ye Chen.

"Looks like he's very confident!"

"This act is a must; otherwise, heaven wouldn't tolerate it." Xie Yun casually flipped his hair and adjusted his collar, leaving many people stunned and thinking that the former Ruotian Xuanyu wasn't this self-absorbed or playful.

"How is that possible? He's actually recovered." Up on the high seat, Ruotian Zhuque was stunned, as a saint, she could see clearly.

"Surprised? Not expecting it?" Ye Chen blinked.

"You cured him?" Ruotian Zhuque probed Ye Chen.

"Otherwise?"

"That's truly unexpected." Ruotian Zhuque took a deep breath, her face showing joy. "I thought I knew everything about Youdu, but I overlooked my own grandson."

"The Zhuque family owes me another favor," Ye Chen transmitted to Ruotian Zhuque. "Later, you should reward me with something great. I saved the Zhuque family's prodigious talent; this favor can't go unpaid."

"Easy enough. After today, I'll give you another sacred weapon."

"A sacred weapon." Ye Chen's eyes lit up, and he turned his head with a grin, looking at Ruotian Zhuque with bright eyes. "I've also helped Youdu save a quasi-saint, toppled Ku Yue for the Zhuque family, and trained a large group of alchemists. These are all favors—don't give too much, just add another sacred weapon. I'm easy to satisfy."

"By that logic, since you saw my entire body in the black hole, shouldn't you reward me with something? Your cauldron isn't bad."

"Never mind, forget I said anything."