Chapter 1563: Unreceived Orders

The sky was bright, with warm sunlight bathing Xuan Huang Zhongzhou, making this vast land gleam with radiance.

The Heavenly Court immortal mountains were shrouded in mist, serene and peaceful.

Outside the immortal mountains, peaks were crowded with people, each with bloodshot eyes from staying up all night.

A few were still yawning incessantly.

They had waited eagerly outside the mountains for an entire night, yet they saw no sign of anger from the Tian Xu forbidden zone.

Everything was eerily calm, unnaturally so.

“The forbidden zone didn't make a move—it's unbelievable.” Many rubbed their eyes and muttered endlessly.

“Could the Heavenly Court and Tian Xu have some close connection?”

“Who knows.” Quite a few stood up, supporting their aching backs. “You all carry on; I'm heading back to sleep.”

As soon as one person left, groups followed suit.

We must have lost our minds, waiting here all night like idiots with nothing better to do.

More and more people departed, grumbling as they went, while others scratched their heads, utterly perplexed.

This strange event quickly spread across Xuan Huang, with cultivators in gathering spots discussing it fervently.

The origin of the Heavenly Court became their main point of confusion—it had fifty million cultivators and dared to establish a sect right at the doorstep of Tian Xu, yet Tian Xu showed no reaction at all.

“In all our calculations, we never anticipated such a twist.” In an obscure small city, Feng Xian and Jin Wu sat at a tea stall, their faces dark with displeasure.

“The spotlight is too intense; I think it's best to flee to the starry skies.” Tai Qing Shen Zi said, his face pale.

Earlier in the Xuan Huang Star Sea, they had been relentlessly pursued by Ye Chen and his group, with nine out of ten Tai Qing Palace warships destroyed.

If he hadn't escaped quickly, he would likely have met his end on the Yellow Springs.

He was truly afraid now, terrified of the Heavenly Court's might—fifty million people pressing down like a mountain, suffocating him.

Now, with the Heavenly Court building its sect at the entrance of Tian Xu and still no response, his fear only grew.

“Let's hide in the starry skies. Xuan Huang has become a place of endless trouble.” Tian Fa Shen Zi added, his expression grim.

“You're giving up already?” Feng Xian sneered at the two.

“The situation is against us; we don't want to be wiped out.”

“Fifty million cultivators—that's an overwhelming force.”

“What's fifty million? Without a single Da Sheng, they're just a ragtag mob.” Feng Xian laughed mockingly. “My Phoenix Clan will return soon, and no matter how many people the Heavenly Court has, they won't stand against an Di Bing.”

These words made everyone's eyes light up.

Feng Xian was right; the Heavenly Court only had numbers on its side, no peak experts. Even a quasi-emperor could inflict heavy losses, let alone a world-shattering Di Bing.

“What are your plans, Princess?” the others asked eagerly.

“Hide away and wait for changes.” Feng Xian smiled faintly, her lips curving with a wicked charm. “Xuan Huang is vast; finding us would be like searching for a needle in the ocean. We just need to wait until our clan returns, with Di Bing to aid us—then it'll be a grave for fifty million people.”

“Excellent plan.” Everyone bared their white teeth in grins, their eyes gleaming with a sinister light, their expressions twisted and terrifying.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen had returned from Tian Xu to the Heavenly Court immortal mountains.

A new day brought vitality to the Heavenly Court, with smiles on every face. People wandered between the peaks, creating a harmonious scene.

At that moment, no one harbored resentment over past grudges.

Yet Ye Chen could sense the barely concealed killing intent in them all. It appeared harmonious, but danger lurked beneath.

That killing intent wasn't directed at their own, but at their enemies—more precisely, at Feng Xian and her group.

The entire Heavenly Court was waiting for his command as the Sheng Zhu. Once he gave the order, fifty million people would charge out without hesitation to avenge the spirits of the dead.

Clearly, he wouldn't issue the command, for he had no idea where Feng Xian and her group were hiding. Fifty million people were many, but Xuan Huang Continent was vast enough to swallow them whole.

He understood the principle that even a strong dragon can't suppress a local snake.

This was Xuan Huang, after all; provoking a terrifying existence could bring catastrophe to the Heavenly Court.

As the Sheng Zhu of the Heavenly Court, and with the cultivators of Da Chu having come to save him, he had to take responsibility for their lives.

“Greetings, Sheng Zhu.” Along the way, anyone he encountered bowed respectfully to him.

“Focus on your cultivation.” Ye Chen smiled in response.

Those he met wanted to say more but hesitated, holding back their words.

Just as he thought, they were all waiting for his command.

The debts of reincarnation were his debts, and they remembered them well. Since it was a blood debt, it had to be repaid in blood.

Yet Ye Chen acted as if nothing had happened, not mentioning it at all, and showing no sign of ordering an attack.

Before long, Ye Chen reached the summit of Jade Maiden Peak.

There, he saw a graceful figure—it was Hong Chen Xue.

The former Huang Sheng Zhu, now the divine maiden of Dan Zun Hall, she remained as ethereal and peerless as ever, untouched by worldly dust.

In the past, outside the ancient city of Dong Huang, she had publicly slain the Dan Zun divine son, an act still celebrated by the world.

It was unknown whether Dan Zun would return to settle the score; killing a divine son was no small crime for a divine maiden.

“Have you found your master?” Ye Chen asked with a smile.

“Not yet.” Hong Chen Xue shook her head helplessly.

“You'll find her eventually.” Ye Chen sat down on a stone chair. “Any news on Feng Xian and her group?”

“Just as you expected—they've vanished without a trace.”

“As I thought. So, what's your idea?”

“That's exactly why I'm here.” Hong Chen Xue gathered her thoughts and said, “Xuan Huang is too vast; I need more manpower to build a larger intelligence network.”

“I authorize you one million people. Spare no expense—find her for me in the shortest time possible.”

“The Sheng Zhu of the Heavenly Court is as bold as ever.” Hong Chen Xue accepted the token Ye Chen handed her.

“One million people will draw too much attention. Don't leave through the main gate; use teleportation domain gates in batches. And above all, ensure everyone's safety.”

“This isn't my first time handling intelligence work.” Hong Chen Xue smiled and turned to leave, token in hand, to muster the forces.

Even with her composure, she felt a hint of excitement at that moment.

A intelligence network of one million people—this scale was unprecedented and would be incredibly formidable once established.

No sooner had Hong Chen Xue left than two bald figures bounded up.

No need to guess—it was Long Yi and Long Wu, their heads shining as brightly as in their past lives.

“Come on! We'll take you to visit some brothels.” The two winked at Ye Chen, their grins lewd.

“Do I need you two to show me around brothels?” Ye Chen scolded.

“True, you've got plenty of beauties waiting for you anyway.”

“Cut the nonsense and get to the point.” Ye Chen coughed and took a breath before looking at them. “My Tian Zui—it's vanished without a trace. What's going on?”

“That's what we were about to ask you.” Long Yi and Long Wu circled around Ye Chen. “It's strange—how could Tian Zui just disappear? Quite the surprise.”

“Say something useful.”

“We guess it was absorbed by some kind of existence.” The two grew serious. “This explanation makes the most sense, and we think you'll accept it easily.”

“The question is, who absorbed it?” Ye Chen furrowed his brow. From the moment Tian Zui vanished, he had suspected as much, but he couldn't figure out where it went.

The disappearance of Tian Zui was a good thing; if it were still on him, he would likely have been reduced to ashes by now.

He owed a great debt of gratitude to whoever took it away, even if he didn't know who it was.

“Don't dwell on it if you can't figure it out. The most important thing right now is your lifespan.” Long Yi and Long Wu each pulled out a spirit talisman—one stuck it on Ye Chen's chest, the other on his back. “These are Sheng Si Fu; they absorb death energy. They can't extend your life, but they can slow your aging.”

Without their explanation, Ye Chen had already guessed as much. The death energy clinging to him was largely consumed by the Sheng Si Fu, making him feel much lighter.

As he examined them, Long Yi's hand casually dipped into Ye Chen's storage bag and pulled out an object.

It was a lamp, more precisely, a Chang Ming Lamp.

Ye Chen had obtained the Chang Ming Lamp from an ancient ruin, and for it, he had even clashed with Xi Zun using their divine senses, ending in a draw.

“This is a real treasure.” Long Wu plucked a wisp of Ye Chen's soul, pinched it between his fingers, and lit the Chang Ming Lamp.

Then, the lit Chang Ming Lamp was fused into Ye Chen's body, instantly revitalizing his spirit.

“Even with the Chang Ming Lamp, it won't extend your lifespan.” Long Wu said slowly, “But it could be a hope—a hope for reviving you in the future.”

“I'm not dead yet.” Ye Chen pursed his lips.

“You're not far from it. Don't worry; if you die, we'll take good care of your girlfriends.” Long Yi and Long Wu patted Ye Chen's shoulder.

“Good thing I'm only at Ren Yuan realm now. If I were still a quasi-saint, I'd send you both flying into outer space.”

“We figured that line was pretty badass.”