Chapter 1194: Quasi-Emperor

Seeing everyone looking at him, Ye Chen just smiled, but then felt his vision go black and collapsed.

Ye Chen!

Bi You hurriedly stepped forward and administered a spiritual medicine into Ye Chen's body.

Take him to Lingxiao Xianchi!

The Lingxiao Gongzhu spoke immediately, causing a stir among all present, as if they knew exactly what that place was.

Lingxiao Xianchi was a sacred land that only successive Lingxiao Gongzhu could enter before taking office. No one expected the Lingxiao Gongzhu to grant such an honor to Ye Chen, leaving people astonished and sighing in disbelief.

Thank you, Master!

Bi You didn't have time to bow and immediately took Ye Chen, rushing straight to Lingxiao Xian Mountain.

He's the son-in-law, so how did we end up like this!

Watching Ye Chen leave, the Lingxiao Gongzhu's sons-in-law all coughed awkwardly. Comparing themselves to him was just too disheartening!

The show is over; everyone go back!

The Lingxiao Gongzhu glanced around, and her sons-in-law all understood the implication. They chuckled sheepishly, bowed in respect, and turned to walk toward the outside of the immortal mountain. Before leaving, they couldn't help but glance at their own wives.

Though they were married couples, the rules of Lingxiao Gong forced them to live apart, which was truly frustrating.

The Lingxiao Gongzhu sighed as well, looking at one figure among the crowd—her own cultivation partner. Helplessly bound by the palace rules, even as the Gongzhu, she had no choice but to endure such cruelty.

Let's go to the Xianchi!

A Taishang Elder spoke gravely, drawing the Lingxiao Gongzhu's attention back.

The Lingxiao Gongzhu coughed lightly, pretending nothing was amiss, and flew toward the depths of the immortal mountain. Before departing, she couldn't resist glancing in the direction of Biyue.

As for Biyue, her face was now quite unpleasant, filled with resentment and even a hint of ferocity. Yet, she was powerless to do anything more. Even the mighty Guihuang Shenzi had been defeated, so what chance did she have?

Deep within Lingxiao Gong, immortal light overflowed, radiant colors burst forth, clouds swirled, and mist enveloped everything in a hazy glow.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be an Xianchi, the sacred land of Lingxiao Gong.

Outside Lingxiao Xianchi, Bi You stood gracefully.

As for Ye Chen, he was already in the Xianchi, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.

In this battle, he had sustained serious injuries. The strength of Guihuang Shenzi far exceeded his expectations, making him an incredibly formidable opponent, especially with that Qiongqi refined bone, which ignored the Shengti bloodline.

Of course, his injuries didn't all come from Guihuang Shenzi; there was also the powerful Zhunsheng who had pursued him.

No one would have guessed that before fighting Guihuang Shenzi, he had already battled a powerful Zhunsheng and activated more than one forbidden technique. This led to continuous backlash during his fight with Guihuang Shenzi, which was why he had been knocked down from the void multiple times.

I almost knelt!

With his eyes closed, Ye Chen sighed inwardly.

Still, no matter what, the outcome was good. He had defeated Guihuang Shenzi, and the injury was worse for him.

Ye Chen slowly cleared his mind and focused.

The waters of the Xianchi surged, wave after wave crashing against his body, seeping through his wounds and every pore, nourishing his internal organs, meridians, and limbs.

Ye Chen was surprised, sensing the profound wonders of the Xianchi. It contained a mysterious power that merged into his Shengti, healing his wounds and even refining his Shengxue.

Not bad!

Ye Chen smiled and sank into meditation once more.

Outside the Xianchi, the Lingxiao Gongzhu and many elders had arrived, smiling as they watched Ye Chen in the pool. "He's truly an unexpected young man, defeating Guihuang Shenzi even while gravely injured."

"He's the Huanggu Shengti, so he can't be measured by ordinary standards."

"The Shennu's judgment is indeed spot-on."

"You're too kind, Elders." Bi You replied with a gentle smile, still gazing at Ye Chen in the Xianchi.

"You should go in too." The Lingxiao Gongzhu smiled. "As the successor to the next Lingxiao Gongzhu, you qualify to enter this Xianchi. Once you emerge from it, you will be the ninety-seventh generation Gongzhu of Lingxiao Gong."

"Master, I..."

"Don't disappoint that young man's efforts."

"I understand." Bi You bit her lip lightly, then stepped gracefully into the Xianchi and sat cross-legged opposite Ye Chen. Looking at his weary and weathered face, she felt a faint ache in her heart.

"Thank you, Ye Chen." Bi You's eyes were full of tenderness, and then she slowly closed her eyes.

"Honestly, they really are a good match." Outside the Xianchi, the elders all wore warm smiles.

"Whether they match or not can wait." The Lingxiao Gongzhu took a deep breath. "Guihuang Shenzi's defeat has severely damaged his Daogen. Guihuang Zong won't let this slide, so we need to be cautious."

"Surely he wouldn't use this as an excuse to start a war over a sparring match."

"That might not happen." The Lingxiao Gongzhu said calmly, "But I'm worried they might target Ye Chen."

"Let's go see the ancestor; she will have the final say." A Taishang Elder spoke and turned to leave. The Lingxiao Gongzhu and the other elders glanced once more at the Xianchi before following.

The night fell into tranquility.

The waters of Lingxiao Xianchi rippled gently, creating layers of waves, with immortal light radiating everywhere.

Ye Chen remained seated in meditation, like an ancient monk, while Bi You opposite him was equally still. Bathed in moonlight and starlight amid the flowing immortal glow, they formed a warm and serene picture.

Bastard!

That night, Senluo Xing was far from peaceful. Looking at the badly beaten Guihuang Shenzi, the Guihuang erupted in fury, his voice booming like thunder and shaking the entire hall. His oppressive aura made everyone's hearts tremble.

Below, everyone knelt in silence, not daring to breathe.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't believe that the powerful Guihuang Shenzi could be reduced to such a state.

After all, Guihuang Shenzi had fused with the Qiongqi refined bone—that was the blood bone of an ancient Qiongqi, allowing rebirth and a surge in combat power. Yet, at the Huangjing level, he had been beaten like this by someone in the Tianjing.

Guihuang's eyes were blood-red, filled with endless killing intent. "Lingxiao Gong has gone too far."

"Sect Master, what should we do?"

"Issue the order: place a bounty of ninety million. I want Ye Chen's head." In the grand hall of Guihuang Zong, a voice rang out, icy and murderous, covering the entire hall in frost.

The night passed without incident, and dawn arrived.

The morning sunlight was still gentle, bathing all of Lingxiao Gong in a radiant glow and draping the ancient star in a splendid immortal veil.

The female immortals of Lingxiao Gong emerged from their caves, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon.

It's worth noting that whether elders or disciples, the first thing they did upon leaving their caves was to look toward the depths of Lingxiao Gong, as if they could see through the distance to Lingxiao Xianchi.

Even after a night, the events of the previous day still lingered in their minds.

It had been an exquisite and magnificent battle, one that would surely be recorded in Lingxiao Gong's history. Ye Chen would become the most dazzling son-in-law in Lingxiao Gong's thousand-year legacy—a legend.

Hm?

As everyone gazed from afar, a golden divine light suddenly shot up from the depths of Lingxiao Gong's Xianchi.

Has he broken through?

The Lingxiao Gongzhu stared in astonishment at the sky, where the golden light dispersed, transforming into a vast vision. Divine dragons coiled, phoenixes cried, white tigers roared, and black tortoises paved the way.

The scene was incredibly grand, with the shadows of the four divine beasts filling the heavens, leaving many in awe, as few had ever witnessed such a sight.

Immediately, the Lingxiao Gongzhu ascended into the sky, with the elders rushing straight to the Xianchi.

At that moment, Lingxiao Xianchi was far from calm. The crystal-clear waters churned up waves, immortal light swirling around the heavens and forming a massive vortex centered on Ye Chen.

In the vortex's heart, Ye Chen sat with his eyes closed, his body radiating flowing light and brilliant divine glow.

His injuries had fully healed under the Xianchi's purification, granting him an unexpected opportunity.

Outside the Xianchi, the Lingxiao Gongzhu and the others had arrived, their expressions a mix of surprise and amusement.

This was Lingxiao Gong's Xianchi, containing countless divine medicines gathered by their ancestors, yet Ye Chen was absorbing them endlessly. The crystallization of generations was now serving as his foundation, which was hard not to feel a pang about.

I'll go pull him out!

One elder said at once, about to step into the Xianchi.

Forget it!

The Lingxiao Gongzhu smiled and shook her head. Ye Chen was on the verge of a breakthrough; interrupting him now would harm him. Since the Xianchi had given him this chance, as the Gongzhu, she wouldn't stop it.

Besides, he was Lingxiao Gong's son-in-law, so pulling him out would be rather unkind.

Most importantly, the Lingxiao Gongzhu had keen insight and saw Ye Chen's potential. If the Huanggu Shengti grew to its full power, it would be a eternal titan, undoubtedly beneficial to Lingxiao Gong.

This might just be fate!

The Lingxiao Gongzhu smiled again and didn't interfere, and the other elders present also refrained from entering.

Pop!

In the void, something seemed to shatter.

Then, a brilliant immortal light emerged, shooting from Ye Chen's Tianling Gai into the sky and transforming into a scene of all things: vast rivers and mountains, ancient trees towering. It was like a real world, majestic and imposing.

That was Ye Chen's Chaos Dao, with its principles manifesting as a world of Chaos and all creation.

Lingxiao Xianchi surged once more, waves of water crashing onto Ye Chen and pouring into his body.

Ye Chen accepted it all, his pores breathing in the immortal energy. The vast essence, like tides and seas, surged wildly into him, circulating before flowing into his Dantian.

His aura was rising, his Shengxue boiling like fire, the powerful Shengti bloodline pressure making even the Lingxiao Gongzhu and elders feel suppressed—that was the might of a heaven-defying bloodline.

Until nightfall, the heavens returned to calm.

The myriad immortal lights converged into Ye Chen's body, and he opened his eyes.

A stroke of fortune!

Ye Chen smiled slightly, stood up, and stretched his Shengti vigorously. Cracking sounds echoed as a surge of power filled him with confidence—he could now take on a Zhunsheng.

However, to his regret, although he had broken through to Zhunhuang, it hadn't unsealed his Xianlun Eye.

What a pity!

He shook his head helplessly and looked at Bi You beside him.

Bi You had a faint smile on her lips, as if aware of Ye Chen's breakthrough, but she hadn't awakened. Her consciousness and Yuan Shen were fully merged with the Xianchi and couldn't be withdrawn until the time was right.

Through the Xianchi's purification, she had become extraordinary, her body surrounded by immortal glow, untouched by worldly dust. Her bloodline and Yuan Shen had evolved, unlocking another divine repository.

Not bad!

Ye Chen chuckled, not disturbing her, and turned to leave the Xianchi.