Chapter 1293: Vast Starry Sky

In the vast starry sky, crowds surged like an endless sea.

In the Bei Dou Star Domain, all cultivators had gathered, and not only that—powerful figures from neighboring star domains had also rushed over, their numbers so vast that they filled nearly a million li of the surrounding space.

At that moment, everyone stood outside that desolate, lifeless star, their expressions full of reverence as they waited quietly for Jian Shen to emerge. The myths of the heavens were too ancient and distant, making them feel almost unreal.

"Earlier, that chilling killing intent—what was it about?" During the wait, too many people had pale faces, all because Jian Shen had viewed the scenes of Da Chu's resistance against the heavenly demons and revealed a terrifying killing intent. As a result, the Bei Dou Star Domain was still shrouded in frost, with a bone-chilling cold that pierced to the marrow.

"That killing intent, which covered the entire Bei Dou Star Domain in ice, must have come from Jian Shen of the heavens."

"Who could have provoked Jian Shen and made the elder so furious?"

"Most likely Da Luo Jian Zong." An elder cultivator stroked his beard and said, not forgetting to glance at the Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong and his group. "Ye Chen must have informed Jian Shen of all the misdeeds Da Luo Jian Zong has committed over the years, which is why Jian Shen is enraged and has unleashed such overwhelming killing intent."

"This guess makes sense. They've been acting recklessly under Jian Shen's name, and now that Jian Shen has arrived in person, there will surely be a reckoning."

"Every cause has its effect. Da Luo Jian Zong has brought about many bloody disasters in recent years, with countless innocent lives lost. It's time they tasted the bitter fruit, or how else can we console the spirits of the dead?"

"Old... Old Ancestor." Listening to the discussions from all sides, the Saint Lord of Da Luo Jian Zong looked pale as he turned to the Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong.

"Let's just wait and see." The Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong wiped away some cold sweat, his own expression deathly pale, his aged body trembling. The surrounding discussions made him feel utterly chilled to the bone.

"Is this retribution?" At this point, many from Da Luo Jian Zong finally understood what regret meant. Who would have thought that Ye Chen, at the imperial level, actually knew Jian Shen? If they had known, they never would have provoked him.

"He's coming out." Amid the discussions, someone suddenly spoke, prompting everyone present to hurriedly straighten their clothes and prepare to bow, standing tall with solemn expressions, not daring to show any disrespect.

Under the watchful eyes of all, Ye Chen and Jian Shen's manifestation emerged, their figures hazy in the glow of the stars and moonlight.

"It's quite lively." Ye Chen glanced around and couldn't help but smile. "When will I ever be revered by all sides like Jian Shen? That kind of supreme glory must feel pretty good."

"It's all empty fame." Jian Shen's manifestation replied faintly.

"Even empty fame would be fine!"

"We have seen Jian Shen." As the two chatted, countless figures stepped forward together, cupping their hands in respect, their expressions full of deference. Their voices roared like ocean waves, echoing through the vast starry sky.

"No need for such formalities." Jian Shen's manifestation responded lightly.

"Jian Shen above, this junior is guilty." The Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong stepped forward and knelt with a thud. Like him, the saints, quasi-saints, and millions of cultivators from Da Luo Jian Zong also knelt down.

"Using Jian Shen's name to create massive bloodshed—you are indeed guilty." Jian Shen's manifestation spoke with a cold tone, his words like rolling thunder from ancient times, shaking the starry sky.

"Jian Shen, please forgive us." The people of Da Luo Jian Zong prostrated themselves on the ground, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.

"Death may be pardoned, but living crimes cannot be forgiven." From Jian Shen's manifestation, a wisp of immortal light flew out, transforming into an immortal pattern that sealed itself into the brow of the Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong. It was a technique targeting the primordial spirit, carrying seals of extinction and suppression. "If you commit evil again, this immortal seal will drag you to the underworld."

"Thank you, Jian Shen, for your mercy." The Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong hurriedly kowtowed, and the Saint Lord and others felt as if they had been granted a great pardon. Jian Shen was still merciful; otherwise, they would have been reduced to ashes.

"I'll leave this to you." Jian Shen's manifestation said leisurely, addressing Ye Chen.

"Of course." Ye Chen adjusted his collar, cleared his throat, and turned to the Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong. "Xuan Luo predecessor, this junior needs to go on a long journey with Jian Shen. Could you perhaps take care of a few old friends for me? Or rather, can you guarantee their safety?"

"That can certainly be arranged." The Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong gave a dry laugh, wiping away more cold sweat as he spoke.

"Excellent." Ye Chen waved his hand, bringing out Duan Yu and many reincarnated individuals from the Chaos Divine Cauldron.

Nie Feng arrived as well, joining the ranks of the reincarnated ones. The group mingled together, leaving the people of Da Luo Jian Zong, including their Saint King, looking puzzled—especially Zi Zhu Zhen Ren, who was stunned.

Though puzzled, the Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong didn't dare show any defiance. Not only him, but everyone in Da Luo Jian Zong felt the same. They resolved to protect Ye Chen's friends, with some even thinking that once they returned to the sect, they would treat these people like honored ancestors.

Ye Chen took a deep breath and smiled. He was about to leave and had used Jian Shen's authority to find a safe haven for the reincarnated ones. Only then could he depart with peace of mind.

Nie Feng, Duan Yu, and the others all looked at Ye Chen, knowing he was setting off on his journey. Once he left, they might not meet again for a hundred years—a long and rugged stretch of time.

"Junior Brother Ye, safe travels." Nie Feng and Duan Yu both cupped their hands.

"Saint Lord, safe travels." The reincarnated people from Da Chu also cupped their hands in respect, bidding Ye Chen farewell.

"Until then, let's return to our homeland together." Ye Chen smiled, turned, and stepped into the starry sky, leaving behind a desolate silhouette for the world and this expanse of space. To Bei Dou, he was ultimately just a passing traveler.

"We bid farewell to Jian Shen." As Jian Shen's manifestation departed, voices like crashing waves rose behind him, shaking the starry sky.

"Jian Shen has left." Many elder cultivators gazed hazily at the two fading figures.

"In this life, having seen the myths of the heavens, we have no regrets." It wasn't until Ye Chen and Jian Shen's manifestation had vanished for a long time that the crowd of cultivators, like a tide, slowly dispersed, their expressions somewhat dazed.

"Come on, let's head back to the sect." The Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong, along with the eighteen saints and over two hundred quasi-saints, surrounded Nie Feng. Notably, they all wore extremely fawning smiles—they couldn't afford to offend these people, or their fate would be dire.

"Let's go." Nie Feng smiled and took the lead, with Duan Yu also smiling as he followed with the reincarnated ones.

"Make sure to treat them with the utmost respect." The Saint King of Da Luo Jian Zong hurriedly followed, not forgetting to instruct the Saint Lord and the others. He didn't want anything to happen to the people Ye Chen had entrusted to them.

"Understood." The Saint Lord of Da Luo Jian Zong replied immediately, though many of them were still wiping away cold sweat. The main concern was that those entrusted by Ye Chen were the very people who had once been captured by the Da Luo Divine Son and taken to the Burial Sea—they didn't know if these individuals might settle old scores later.

The million cultivators moved along in a grand procession, the atmosphere fairly lively, with many from Da Luo Jian Zong trying to get close to Nie Feng, Duan Yu, and the others. After all, people under Jian Shen's protection had to be served with the greatest care.

In response, Nie Feng and Duan Yu only nodded politely, especially the reincarnated ones who had been captured to the Burial Sea by the Da Luo Divine Son—they still harbored resentment and weren't about to show any kindness.