Chapter 1568: Team Up?

Taiqing Shenzi and the others all revealed their secrets.

Yuhua Shenzi was no exception. He had been severely tortured and finally couldn't hold out anymore, losing all his previous defiance.

Though he couldn't speak, he still had one hand, and with it trembling, he wrote down a series of characters.

Although the intelligence was obtained, the captives were not executed. Instead, they were all locked up together in a dungeon at the base of the mountain.

People like them were to face collective punishment, which would be a highly publicized event.

The cultivators of Tianting were all energized, their blood boiling, as they anticipated a great battle.

Everyone gazed at Yunu Feng, waiting for Ye Chen's command. Once the Shengzhu gave the order, Tianting would unleash a massacre.

Ye Chen sat steadily, still not issuing the command, quietly sipping tea.

He needed to give Hongchen Xue time to verify the intelligence.

Only if the information was completely accurate would he feel at ease to give the order, because every command of his concerned the lives of the Da Chu cultivators, and this required extreme caution.

This wait lasted nine days, a very long time.

For nine days, not a single Tianting cultivator closed their eyes; most were sharpening their weapons until they shone brightly.

It wasn't until the tenth day, at night, that Hongchen Xue ascended Yunu Feng, accompanied by the various department leaders.

Tian Zhuque was also there; she was now the only Dasheng in Tianting and wouldn't just sit idle.

"There are good and bad news; which one do you want to hear first?"

"Don't beat around the bush."

"Then I'll start with the bad news." Hongchen Xue set down her teacup. "According to reliable intelligence, Yuhua Shen Chao, Taiqing Gong, and Zhizun Cheng have all left Xuan Huang and crossed the star sea to the depths of the starry sky."

"Great, we captured their Shenzi, but got nothing out of it. What a waste of effort."

"They probably lost contact with their own Shenzi and that's why they fled."

"I knew we'd stir the grass and scare the snakes—they sure ran fast!"

"What about the good news?" Xie Yun looked at Hongchen Xue.

"Seven sacred grounds, and three have fled, but Miaomiao Gong, Tianfa Shengdi, Cangling Dian, and Riyue Shenjiao are still in Xuan Huang, and their hiding spots have all been found." As Hongchen Xue spoke, she crushed a jade slip, and strands of divine sense drifted into the minds of those present.

"One in Dong Huang, one in Nan Yu, one in Xi Mo, and one in Bei Yue—the four are spread out quite evenly!" The Yao Wang read the divine sense and couldn't help but sigh.

"The Miaomiao Shenzi, Tianfa Shenzi, Cangling Shenzi, and Riyue Shenzi are all in their respective home bases. That's convenient; saves us the trouble of searching everywhere."

"What about the Jinwu and Kunpeng groups? They're a real pain!" Kui Niu and Xiao Yuan Huang chattered noisily.

"We've found them too." Hongchen Xue smiled lightly and crushed another jade slip, sending out more strands of divine sense.

"The intelligence network of Da Chu Tianting is truly formidable." Nan Di and Bei Sheng sighed, while Long Jie Qinglong clicked his tongue in amazement.

In just a few days, they had managed to track down every enemy in the vast Xuan Huang—it was impressive.

They had no idea that this intelligence network was made up of ten million people; if they knew, they might be stunned on the spot. Such a lineup was incredibly massive.

"Unfortunately, we haven't found Fengxian." Hongchen Xue sighed. "It's as if she's vanished from the world."

"No need to look for her anymore; I know where she's hiding." Ye Chen said calmly, his tone full of certainty.

"You know?" Everyone present turned to look at him.

"For now, leave her aside; we'll deal with her last."

"Just say it straight—how are we going to do this?" Gu Santong rolled up his sleeves. "We've been waiting for this battle."

"Boss, leave the Jinwu, Kunpeng, and their people to you." Ye Chen looked at Kui Niu. "Pick any experts from Tianting; bring them all back, not a single one missing."

"Don't worry, I'll handle this perfectly." Kui Niu thumped his chest, full of confidence.

"Then, next up are the four major sacred grounds still in Xuan Huang." Ye Chen continued. "To avoid stirring the grass and scaring off more, I've decided we'll hit them all at once."

"Hit them all at once?" Everyone frowned.

"Though Tianting has many people, we only have one Dasheng, Yanfei. Attacking four at the same time would likely result in heavy losses." The Xue Wang said. "We need to think this through carefully."

"Hongchen Xue, tell everyone about the strength of these four." Ye Chen took a sip of tea.

"A hundred years ago, each of these four had three Dasheng-level experts killed by Ye Chen, and their town-guarding Zhundi weapons were also seized by him. Even now, their lineup is not to be underestimated; each still has three Dasheng, and there are plenty of Shengwang and Zhunshengwang as well." Hongchen Xue spoke softly.

"Even so, Tianting's peak experts can't compare." Kui Yujiang pondered and shook his head.

"The terror of Dasheng is something we've already experienced." The Gui Wang said slowly. "We can take them down, but the problem is, Tianting will suffer casualties in the process."

"I've thought about this and have a plan." Ye Chen smiled. "They have their strategies; Tianting has its ways around."

"I've calculated with my fingers—this guy's about to pull some shady tricks again." Wuya Daoren said with a meaningful expression.

"Doesn't matter what the trick is, as long as it works." Gu Santong glanced at Ye Chen. "Come on, tell us about your way around."

"Go find some mercenary groups." Ye Chen smiled slightly.

As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"A hundred years ago, I attacked the Kunpeng clan's source stone mines with the help of mercenary groups, and it went off flawlessly."

"We know about that." Kui Niu and Wu Xiong laughed.

"It was indeed flawless." Nan Di and Qinglong shook their heads with a smile. "That battle is still being talked about today."

"Hiring experts won't be cheap; everyone here will have to chip in." Ye Chen chuckled dryly. "I don't even have a single piece of source stone left."

"Chip in? Absolutely. Tianting has five million cultivators; if each gives ten pieces, that's fifty million. If each gives a hundred, that's five billion. If each gives a thousand, that's fifty billion."

"No problem, Tianting has plenty of money. There are mercenary groups all over Xuan Huang Continent; we'll hire them all."

"With money, you can be so bold. You're the one with all the clever ideas." Xiao Jiuxian giggled. "I'll join in too."

"Have Ren Huang contact them." Hongchen Xue said with a smile.

"Alright, let's discuss the arrangements." Ye Chen spread out a map, a rough terrain map of Xuan Huang Continent.

"The five kings of Da Chu, lead one million to Dong Huang."

"The descendants of the emperors, lead one million to Nan Yu."

"Long Yi and Long Wu, lead one million to Xi Mo."

"Chu Lingyu and Xie Yun, lead one million to Bei Yue."

"The rest will stay with Yanfei to guard Da Chu Tianting."

Ye Chen issued the commands one by one, like a general, his words firm and resounding.

Though he was only at Renyuan realm, he exuded the full authority of a Shengzhu.

Most importantly, his personal charisma made the many women present gaze at him with admiration. Though the hero was in his twilight, his spirit was unmatched; he was a born emperor.

"Look at that—talking about leading a million here and a million there; that's how you wage war." Long Jie grinned. "Even at the height of my Canglong clan, we didn't have this kind of grand scale."

"Who would've thought such a massive war would be commanded by someone at Renyuan realm?" Nan Di sighed.

"This upcoming battle will be recorded in the annals of Xuan Huang history." Bei Sheng smiled lightly, her clear eyes somewhat dazed and enchanted, influenced by his presence.

"Everyone, go prepare." Ye Chen stood up and smiled slightly. "Don't go through the main gate; use the teleportation portals. I'll have a banquet ready in Tianting, waiting for the triumphant return of the army."

"You got it!" Everyone laughed and turned to descend the mountain.

Immediately, Tianting shook with excitement, shouts echoing to the skies.

After waiting so long, the Shengzhu's command had finally come; no one showed fear—all were filled with high spirits.

Soon, the Tianting army set out, with over a hundred thousand domain gates opening simultaneously. Groups of people surged in and disappeared in waves.

The vast Tianting suddenly felt much emptier.

Ye Chen stood at the peak of Yunu Feng, watching them depart.

He must have felt regretful; as the Shengzhu, he couldn't lead the charge in such a grand war.

A breeze blew by, and fresh blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth once more.

That damned Zhoutian had tormented him to the point of ruin, devouring more of his lifespan and cultivation.

Night fell quietly, and Tianting welcomed a distinguished guest.

It was a little old man, somewhat sleazy but with extraordinarily high cultivation—a genuine Zhundi-level expert.

No need to say it; this was undoubtedly Chiyang Zi from Donghua.

Ye Chen always held gratitude toward Chiyang Zi.

Back in the day, when he was being hunted by Taiqing Gong, Zhizun Cheng, and Miaomiao Gong, if not for Chiyang Zi's rescue, he probably would have perished.

"A hundred years since we last met; I hope you're well, senior." Ye Chen poured a cup of fragrant tea for Chiyang Zi.

"Not bad." Chiyang Zi replied casually, his eyes darting around Tianting, amazed by its restrictions. Even with his Zhundi cultivation, they were hard to breach.

"Da Chu truly has an abundance of talent."

"Isn't it five million? How come there are so few left?" As he sighed, he couldn't help but mutter.

Only after glancing around did he focus on Ye Chen.

Seeing Ye Chen so aged, his cultivation fallen to Renyuan realm, and his lifespan nearly spent, he sighed again.

Ye Chen was the most astonishing junior he had ever seen—bar none. He had slain great emperors and achieved feats unmatched in history.

But seeing him again after a hundred years, the once vibrant youth was now so withered, evoking sorrow.

"What a blade time is!" As he watched, Chiyang Zi shook his head helplessly. "I once searched for Renwang, but alas, after a hundred years, there's no trace of him."

"To have a senior like you concerned for me is a great honor." Ye Chen smiled. "This kindness, I'll never forget."

"You don't need to repay this kindness, but could you grant me one thing?" Chiyang Zi looked straight at Ye Chen.

"Go ahead, senior. If I can do it, I won't refuse."

"Let Fengxian go."

"Did Fenghuang senior send you?" Ye Chen looked at Chiyang Zi with a smile.

"She was still in self-seal. Wuji Zi and I called out for over ten days, but the door never opened."

"So, it's you seeking mercy for her."

"Consider it my plea; spare her life." Chiyang Zi looked at Ye Chen, his old eyes filled with hope.