Chapter 1229: Little Couple

Chapter 1229: Little Couple

"Senior, when and where did you see my wife?" Ye Chen's body trembled as he looked at Ji Jia Laozu with excitement.

"Sixty years ago, in Wu Lei Zhi Cheng."

"Which star domain is Wu Lei Zhi Cheng in?" Ye Chen asked hastily, perhaps too agitated, as his actions were forceful. Even with Ji Jia Laozu's saintly cultivation, he struggled to endure the pain in his primordial spirit.

"I don't know." Ji Jia Laozu shook his head slightly and gently wiped the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth. "Wu Lei Zhi Cheng isn't a fixed existence. It's an ancient city that moves constantly. No one knows which star domain it will appear in next, or how long it will stay in one place—perhaps an instant, or a day, a year, three years, ten years, a hundred years, or even a thousand."

"This..."

"Sixty years ago, I encountered Wu Lei Zhi Cheng by sheer chance." Ji Jia Laozu recounted the ancient events. "It was truly a dreamlike immortal city, incredibly ethereal."

"It moves constantly." Ye Chen's brows furrowed tightly. The vastness of the myriad heavens and domains was overwhelming—where could he even begin to search?

"Young friend, are you certain she is your wife?" Ji Jia Laozu looked at Ye Chen with a profound gaze.

"I dare not deceive you, senior."

"Do you know why that immortal city is called Wu Lei Zhi Cheng?" Ji Jia Laozu sighed softly. "The people there all cultivate a technique called Tai Shang Wang Qing. The so-called 'no tears' means no emotions. I find it hard to believe that a woman without emotions could become your wife."

"Tai Shang Wang Qing." Ye Chen murmured to himself, unaware that such a technique existed in the world.

"Young friend, allow me to speak frankly—forget that woman." Ji Jia Laozu's words were calm and direct. "Wu Lei Zhi Cheng is not as simple as you imagine. It's an existence even the heavenly myths dare not lightly provoke. Even if you find the city, you won't be able to take your wife away."

"I will never forget her until death." Ye Chen's voice was hoarse and weary.

"What is love in this world!" Ji Jia Laozu sighed and slowly closed his turbid old eyes.

Ji Jia Laozu said no more.

Ye Chen fell silent as well, and the small bamboo grove became quiet, with only the occasional crackling sound of thunder breaking the silence.

Ji Jia Laozu's aura stabilized, and the wounds on his primordial spirit had healed under the tempering of the heavenly thunder.

It wasn't until nightfall that Ye Chen slowly lowered his hands.

Ji Jia Laozu remained seated in meditation. His primordial spirit injuries were healed, but he still had to contend with the backlash of the Zhun Di realm. That wasn't something that could be erased overnight. For many years to come, he couldn't overuse his peak strength. If he weakened or suffered another hidden injury, the Zhun Di laws would backlash again.

After a final glance at Ji Jia Laozu, Ye Chen turned and left the small bamboo grove.

Outside the bamboo grove, Ji Ruxue and the Ji Family experts were still waiting.

As soon as Ye Chen emerged, they hurried over. "Young friend, has my family's old ancestor been healed?"

"Of course." Ye Chen smiled and nodded.

"Young friend, your great kindness is something the Ji Family will never forget." The group of elders were deeply moved and collectively bowed to Ye Chen.

"It was just a small effort."

"The Ji Family has prepared a banquet. Please join us in the Qing Luan Hall."

"There's no need for that, senior." Ye Chen smiled and turned to Ji Ruxue. "Ji Ruxue, could you show me around the Ji Family?"

"Of course." Ji Ruxue was slightly stunned, then gave a faint smile.

"In that case, I'll take my leave." Ye Chen smiled and cupped his hands in salute before turning to leave with Ji Ruxue. Before departing, he didn't forget to pick up the crystal-clear stone outside the small bamboo grove.

The Ji Family elders wouldn't object to this. Although the stone was extraordinary, it paled in comparison to the two great favors Ye Chen had done them.

As they walked, Ji Ruxue looked at Ye Chen carrying the stone, feeling puzzled. She thought to herself that this young man was a bit odd—he could have asked for more valuable treasures, yet he chose only this stone.

Ye Chen just smiled and gently stroked the stone. After all, this was the reincarnation of someone from Da Chu.

Next, the two wandered through various parts of the Ji Family.

However, it wasn't Ji Ruxue leading Ye Chen; it was Ye Chen leading Ji Ruxue around, as if she were the outsider and he the true Ji Family disciple.

Ye Chen was searching for the reincarnated ones.

From the moment he entered the Ji Family, he had accurately located the positions of each reincarnated person. Bringing Ji Ruxue along was to avoid unnecessary trouble—she served as his pass.

Now, not only were Ye Chen and Ji Ruxue strolling, but a group of over a dozen Ji Family members followed behind them.

Ji Ruxue occasionally glanced back at the Ji Family disciples trailing them, her expression full of confusion.

The dozen or so Ji Family disciples following behind were equally baffled, exchanging awkward looks. They didn't understand why Ji Ruxue had them tag along—were they meant to act as guards?

As the group paused, Ye Chen pointed to a disciple meditating on a nearby rock. "You, come here."

The disciple was puzzled but, seeing Ji Ruxue with them, didn't dare refuse. He jumped down from the rock and joined the group.

Continuing on, Ye Chen led the growing entourage through the Ji Family. Each time they stopped at a place, another person was added to the group, along with a spirit herb and a spirit crane.

By now, over twenty-three people followed them: nine women and fourteen men, all reincarnated from Da Chu.

Eventually, Ji Ruxue couldn't hold back her curiosity and tentatively asked Ye Chen, "Fellow Daoist, what are you doing?"

"I have a connection with them." Ye Chen smiled casually.

"You have a connection?"

"Oh, right, I forgot to ask you." Ye Chen seemed to remember something and turned to Ji Ruxue with a smile. "You're a hundred years old, but you still look like a young girl. That's a bit strange."

"It's due to the Ji Family's cultivation techniques." Ji Ruxue replied with a light smile. "Female disciples of the Ji Family practice special methods that slow aging until around two hundred years old, after which it gradually returns to normal."

"That's quite novel." Ye Chen sighed with a smile and stopped again, quietly gazing at a spot in the distance.

There was a cave dwelling there, flanked by two peak Huang Jing experts sitting in meditation, as if guarding it. Anyone approaching would be swiftly driven away.

Ye Chen smiled, looking toward the cave. It was as if he could see through the sealed stone door to Luo Xi meditating inside.

A hundred years later, seeing that little girl again, his heart still ached faintly, just like when he had consumed the Tian Ji Dan in the past. He could clearly recall the resolute figures of Xuan Nu and Luo Xi entering the alchemy furnace.

"Fellow Daoist?"

Seeing Ye Chen lost in thought at the cave, Ji Ruxue called out softly.

Ye Chen snapped out of it and smiled, deciding not to disturb Luo Xi. "Ji Ruxue, you've been walking around for so long—you must be tired. Go rest. I'll chat with these Ji Family disciples."

"In that case, chat well." Ji Ruxue smiled lightly and turned to leave.

After she left, Ye Chen turned to the twenty-three Ji Family disciples. They were all still in a daze, looking at each other in confusion, unsure what was happening.

"Follow me!"

Ye Chen smiled slightly and led the way.

The twenty-three Ji Family disciples scratched their heads and followed.

The group stopped in a bamboo grove deep in the Ji Family—this was the residence prepared for Ye Chen.

As soon as they entered, Ye Chen sealed the entire bamboo grove. Then, he smiled at the group.

The disciples stood straight, showing respect.

Ye Chen smiled again and raised his hand, sending out a beam of immortal light. The light split into twenty-three streams, each merging into the foreheads of the twenty-three people, integrating with their life-source divine platforms.

Immediately, the twenty-three trembled, clutching their heads in pain, their expressions twisting.

Ye Chen withdrew his gaze and took out the stone and a purple spirit herb. Using a great divine ability, he transformed them into human forms: the stone became a young man, and the spirit herb became a young woman.

"Thank you, senior!"

The young man and young woman bowed respectfully, sensing Ye Chen's immense power.

"Zhao Ziyu, Nangong Ziyue, return to your places!"

Ye Chen smiled faintly and sent two beams of immortal light into their foreheads.

Indeed, the stone was Zhao Ziyu, the young master of the Zhao Family from Da Chu, and the purple spirit herb was Nangong Ziyue, the holy maiden of the Nangong Family.

In the past, during the Xuan character generation's great competition among the three sects, they had created a romantic tale on the battle stage. If not for the invasion by the heavenly demons that turned it into war, they would have made a fine immortal couple.

Fortunately, they were lucky enough to reincarnate in the same place, allowing them to continue their fate and mend their past regrets.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

Zhao Ziyu and Nangong Ziyue groaned in pain.

Like them, the twenty-three Ji Family disciples were also suffering, as ancient memories flooded into their divine seas.

After some time, everyone's bodies stopped trembling one by one. They stared at Ye Chen in a daze, while Zhao Ziyu and Nangong Ziyue exchanged teary glances before looking at him as well.

"Holy Lord!"

In the next instant, all twenty-five knelt down with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Get up!"

Ye Chen hurried forward, channeling a gentle force to lift them, his smile mixed with tears. They were all from Da Chu, his homeland, reunited after a hundred years of trials.

Night deepened.

Yet, the small bamboo grove was filled with the aroma of wine. As before, everyone held a wine jug, quietly gazing at the stars, as if seeing through the vast domains to their beautiful homeland.

Ye Chen felt warmth in his heart. As he looked at the stars, he couldn't help glancing at Zhao Ziyu and Nangong Ziyue.

That little couple leaned against each other.

The scene was heartwarming. The once mischievous Nangong Ziyue was now crying like a tearful mess.

Conversations filled the bamboo grove. Although the twenty-five came from various forces in Da Chu and many didn't know each other, they shared common topics, speaking most about their homeland.

As dawn approached, they were still there.

Ji Ruxue arrived, but upon entering the bamboo grove, she froze, staring at everyone in astonishment, especially the tears on their faces, completely baffled.

"What is this?"

Ji Ruxue glanced around, her eyes settling on Ye Chen.