Chapter 1240: Nine-Thousand-Year-Old Painting

Next, Ye Chen continued to appear frequently in the Chu family's immortal mountain.

On Wu Xuan Star, besides Qin Yu, Wei Wenzhuo, and Dongfang Yuyan, there were over a dozen other reincarnated individuals from Da Chu, all coincidentally gathered in the Chu family's immortal mountain. Regrettably, none of them were particularly familiar to Ye Chen; they were all disciples of the Xuan generation from Da Chu, and none held a high rank.

At some point, the Chu family ancestor and the Ji family ancestor returned, covered in blood and radiating an intense aura of killing intent.

Everyone, including Ye Chen, refrained from asking questions. From the murderous energy surrounding the two, it was clear that Shixue Zong had been completely annihilated.

That night, the Chu family's immortal mountain hosted a banquet to entertain the Ji family ancestor, and also to honor Ye Chen.

In the incident where the Chu family goddess was kidnapped, both Ye Chen and the Ji family ancestor had provided significant help. Otherwise, the Chu family would have been at the mercy of the Shixue old demon. Whether they could have ransomed back the goddess was uncertain, but the losses would have been devastating. Thus, both Ye Chen and the Ji family ancestor were considered great benefactors.

After the banquet, the Ji family ancestor set off on his journey, arranging for the two families to formalize their alliance in three days.

The night sky was profound, with shattered stars like dust.

Ye Chen arrived at the small bamboo grove where the Chu family ancestor resided.

The Chu family ancestor remained very welcoming, his eyes filled with gratified admiration for Ye Chen, along with an indescribable sense of astonishment. Having cultivated for over two thousand years and achieved the status of a saint, even he had never encountered a junior as extraordinarily talented as Ye Chen.

After downing a cup of bitter tea, Ye Chen turned to the Chu family ancestor and said, "Senior, I have some matters I'd like to inquire about."

"My young friend, feel free to speak. I will answer everything I know."

"Have you heard of these?" Ye Chen directly presented a scroll, which was inscribed with various terms: Da Chu, Zhutian Men, Da Luo Zhutian, Jiu Huang Tian, Kunlun Xu, Da Xiao Huangchao, Shendian, Xuan Huang Dalu, Chu Huang, Yue Huang, Yan Huang, Tian Zang Huang, Dong Huang, Xuan Huang, Chen Huang, Zhan Wang, Tai Wang, Zhutian Jian Shen, Dan Zun, Donghuang Tai Xin, Wu Lei Zhi Cheng.

The Chu family ancestor glanced over it and gently stroked his beard. "I've heard of Zhutian Jian Shen, Dan Zun, and Wu Lei Zhi Cheng."

"Then, do you know where Zhutian Jian Shen, Dan Zun, and Wu Lei Zhi Cheng are located?"

"For Zhutian Jian Shen, you should ask the Da Luo Jian Zong in the Beidou Star Domain—they might know." The Chu family ancestor smiled warmly. "As for Dan Zun, he is like Zhutian Jian Shen—elusive and rarely seen. Wu Lei Zhi Cheng is even more mysterious; it's a floating immortal city that moves constantly, seldom encountered by anyone. Even if mentioned, few would believe it, as it sounds too fantastical."

"Thank you for the information." Ye Chen smiled on the surface, but he felt a sense of regret inside.

"My young friend, to be honest, when I first met you, I was quite surprised." As Ye Chen felt disappointed, the Chu family ancestor smiled kindly.

"What do you mean by that, senior?"

"Take a look at this painting scroll." The Chu family ancestor waved his hand and produced a scroll, depicting a white-haired youth who looked exactly like Ye Chen, even wearing a Xuan Cang jade ring.

"It's the mortal world again." Ye Chen murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"You and the person in this painting are likely connected by fate." The Chu family ancestor spoke gently, subtly glancing at the Xuan Cang jade ring on Ye Chen's finger.

"Where did you obtain this painting scroll, senior?"

"It's from a very long time ago." The Chu family ancestor chuckled. "It was acquired by one of my Chu family ancestors during their travels. Calculating from now, it's at least nine thousand years old—a truly ancient artifact."

"Nine thousand years." Ye Chen furrowed his brow. The painting scroll given to him by the Mo family ancestor was five thousand years old, but this one from the Chu family was even more astonishing, dating back nine thousand years, which shocked him deeply.

"Since it resembles you so closely, I'll give it to you." The Chu family ancestor rolled up the painting and handed it to Ye Chen.

"Thank you, senior." Ye Chen didn't refuse; the scroll was of great significance, and he needed to study it carefully.

In the dead of night, Ye Chen left, clutching the painting scroll tightly, his brow furrowed the entire way. The scroll itself was trivial, but what it represented was profound, adding even more mystery to the already foggy situation.

Ah, be gentle!

As he walked, Ye Chen's thoughts were interrupted, and he glanced in surprise toward one side.

That was a villa in the immortal mountain, and the sound came from a pavilion inside it. It was Dongfang Yuyan's voice, and from a distance, he could see the pavilion shaking rhythmically.

How dedicated!

Ye Chen sighed, but thinking about it, this couple had suffered enough over a hundred years in their past and present lives.

Withdrawing his gaze, Ye Chen headed to a garden where the reincarnated individuals from Da Chu resided.

He didn't idle; he summoned immortal fire, heavenly thunder, Dan Zu's dragon soul, and his sacred body essence to refine their bloodlines while they slept.

As dawn approached, Ye Chen left the garden.

Time to go.

After one last look at the Chu family's immortal mountain, Ye Chen embarked on his journey once more.

Flying out of Wu Xuan Star, Ye Chen followed the star map to the last few ancient stars in this star domain.

To his great regret, he found no reincarnated individuals from Da Chu.

With no other choice, Ye Chen flew toward another region; he had searched this entire star domain and now needed to move to the next one.

This was a lonely journey, and in the vast starry sky, his silhouette appeared somewhat desolate.

After three to five days, he finally left this star domain, crossed a star river, and entered a place called the Zang Shen Star Domain.

This star domain was no ordinary place; legend had it that a deity was buried here—an ancient quasi-emperor who was just one step away from becoming the supreme great emperor, but ultimately failed to overcome that heavenly chasm.

The night sky was deep, and the stars stretched endlessly.

Ye Chen stopped on a desolate star and descended into the dim underground, taking out the painting scroll given by the Chu family ancestor.

Once again, he activated his Xian Lun Eye and stared intently at the scroll, piercing through layers of mist. What he saw was still the ethereal figure of Donghuang Tai Xin, the Kunlun goddess.

Just as before, Ye Chen suffered a terrifying backlash, struck by a mysterious force from the void. He clutched his head and roared in pain, blood overflowing from his seven orifices as his consciousness blurred.

Soon, he collapsed and fell into a coma.

His consciousness was pulled into a dream realm. When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the soul-stirring Da Chu.

Without a second thought, Ye Chen rushed straight to Tian Xuan Men.

This time, he didn't encounter the alluring scene of Donghuang Tai Xin bathing. She still lay on the ice jade bed, like an icy beauty in deep slumber, motionless except for the overflowing immortal light.

Fu Ya stood guard there, occasionally waving his hand to send waves of immortal light into Donghuang Tai Xin's body.

Ye Chen glanced at Donghuang Tai Xin, then at Fu Ya, before looking around as if searching for something. After scanning the area, he found nothing.

Can't you see me?

Unable to find what he sought, Ye Chen stared directly at Fu Ya, hoping to catch his attention.

Remarkably, Fu Ya furrowed his brow slightly, surveyed the surroundings, murmured to himself, and then returned to normal, continuing to wave immortal light. This made Ye Chen truly anxious.

Damn it!

Cursing under his breath, Ye Chen turned and left.

He reappeared at Hengyue Zong.

The Hengyue Zong at night was very peaceful, but one could always spot a figure or two on the mountain peaks, sitting there—some hugging their knees, others holding wine jugs—as they gazed up at the starry sky.

Ye Chen smiled faintly and landed on Jade Maiden Peak.

At the top of Jade Maiden Peak, there was a graceful figure in white robes, with hair as white as snow, bathed in the pure moonlight. She looked dreamlike and beautiful, like a fairy from the Guanghan Palace, untouched by the mundane world.

A hundred years have passed!

She murmured softly, tears glistening on her sorrowful cheeks.

A hundred years, how could you be in Da Chu?

Tears welled in Ye Chen's eyes as he gently raised his hand, trying to wipe away the tears on her face.

However, he only touched emptiness. She was real, but he was an illusion. He could see her, yet he couldn't touch her. They were from two different worlds, separated by the dream realm, a distance even greater than life and death.