Chapter 1592: Worshiping the Nine Emperors

Early in the morning, Ye Chen embarked on his journey again, leaving Heng Yue Zong behind. He stepped onto the vast land, quietly listening to all things. Da Chu's origin had returned, bringing everything back to life with a surge of vibrant energy. However, he didn't sense that powerful, intangible suppression. In other words, Da Chu no longer had reincarnation; the highest cultivation level was no longer the Heavenly Realm but the Great Emperor, just like in the myriad heavens.

The three-hundred-year invasion by the heavenly demons had been devastating for Da Chu, causing its origin to collapse and even reincarnation to falter. He visited Qing Yun Zong and Zheng Yang Zong, standing outside the mountains and gazing quietly, as if everything had returned to the past. He was still a traveler, his figure appearing in many places across Southern Chu, and he paid visits to the major clans under the Heavenly Court's command.

Three hundred years later, he stood once more at the edge of the Illusion Sea. The Xuan Yuan Jian was there, ancient and unadorned, a masterpiece of simplicity. As the artifact of the strongest Great Emperor, it was like Tian Xuan Men, a symbol of Da Chu, guarding this magnificent land and rivers. He also visited the other four forbidden grounds, standing in the distance and gazing quietly, his eyes filled with reverence.

Da Chu had indeed imitated the Xuan Huang Continent, as the rumors suggested. The forbidden grounds of Da Chu and the restricted areas of Xuan Huang were both shrouded in mystery; back then, he could not see through them, and even now, it was the same. At Luo Shen Yuan, he was invited into the valley by Chen Huang and Yan Fei.

This was the humble home of the two ancestors, without lavish palaces or overflowing immortal light, just pure simplicity. "The feeling of home, is it good?" Xuan Chen smiled warmly and personally poured tea for Ye Chen, the junior emperor.

"Good." Ye Chen dryly laughed and buried his head in drinking tea.

He wondered if Xuan Chen would slap him if he knew that he had once accidentally seen Yan Fei's body. It had been an accident; thinking back, Tian Zhuque had indeed been in grave danger, nearly perishing in the black hole.

"Keep these well; they'll be useful for your cultivation later." Yan Fei smiled lightly and handed Ye Chen a storage bag.

"How could I accept this?" Ye Chen hurriedly took it.

The storage bag was heavy, filled with many pills, immortal herbs, and other essentials for cultivation, all of exceptional quality. After finishing a pot of tea, Ye Chen rose to leave. The old couple might have other activities, and staying too long could get him thrown out.

Leaving Luo Shen Yuan, his next stop was Dong Ling Gu Yuan. In the deep mountains, Zhou Tian Yi was fishing like a worldly recluse, with Qing Yue Xian Zi and Dong Yang Zhen Ren seated on either side. As for Dong Huang, he was playing chess, and his opponent was an old acquaintance: Yao Wang.

It was astonishing to see these former mortal enemies sitting together peacefully, a scene that evoked deep emotion. Ye Chen stood outside the mountains and bowed respectfully, a gesture to his seniors and to fellow emperors. He then left, stepping on immortal fire clouds and crossing the sky.

Dong Huang placed a chess piece and glanced slightly at Ye Chen's departing figure, smiling with contentment. Compared to Dong Ling Gu Yuan, Xi Ling You Gu was much more lively. When Ye Chen arrived, two figures were locked in intense battle: Kui Yu Jiang and Yan Huang, their cultivations suppressed to the same level.

This was not a fight to the death but a sparring of their Dao, something Kui Yu Jiang had been doing for many years. The followers of Yan Huang and the demon realm were equally enthusiastic, crowding on both sides with thunderous cheers.

"Where are all your beautiful companions?" Hong Chen Xue also appeared at Yan Huang's headquarters, gracefully landing and smiling at Ye Chen.

"They're at home washing clothes." Ye Chen replied casually.

Hong Chen Xue smiled with pursed lips, but her gaze at Ye Chen carried a hint of distraction, as if she were looking at her master, Hong Chen. Whenever this happened, Ye Chen felt inexplicably awkward; in her eyes, he was always the shadow of Hong Chen.

As they spoke, Yan Huang and the demon king stopped fighting. Their evenly matched battle in the same realm left them laughing heartily, free of past grudges, more like close friends.

"I have seen the seniors." Ye Chen stepped forward, bowing with hands clasped, showing respect to Yan Huang and the demon king.

"It is the great fortune of Yan Huang to have Hong Chen before and Ye Chen after; it makes me feel ashamed." Yan Huang laughed warmly and kindly.

"You flatter me, Yan Huang." Ye Chen removed the Xuan Cang Jade Ring. "This belongs to you, senior; now, I return it to its rightful owner."

"You are also the holy lord of Yan Huang; this ring should be passed down to you." Yan Huang smiled. "We are already old."

Ye Chen did not refuse and accepted the jade ring, bowing in farewell. "The younger generation is formidable," Yan Huang said with a contented laugh. "Come on, let's continue." Kui Yu Jiang dragged Yan Huang away, determined not to stop until he had him beaten.

The fourth emperor Ye Chen visited was Chu Huang. As the first emperor of Da Chu, he was like a living fossil, with an extraordinarily high seniority. When he was born, Zhan Gu Great Emperor was still alive; when he sealed himself, Xian Wu Emperor had not yet gone to the ancient wilderness.

His existence perfectly witnessed the changes of eras, having lived through two emperors—a supreme honor. "I've seen you, big brother-in-law." Ning Cai Chen was as proper as ever, his address making Ye Chen feel uncomfortable.

"Did your father-in-law give you a hard time?" Ye Chen teased, glancing at Da Chu Huang Yan.

"My father is not one to be stubborn." Da Chu Huang Yan smiled lightly, standing beside Ning Cai Chen, a perfect match.

"His achievements in the future will not be beneath mine." Chu Huang emerged with a warm smile, appearing as a youthful figure, majestic like a god king. For Chu Huang to speak so highly was a testament to Ning Cai Chen's extraordinary cultivation talent, rare in Da Chu and unmatched in the myriad heavens, at least not inferior to the Nine Immortals of the Emperor Clan.

The two emperors had much to discuss, from the great Dao of cultivation to everyday trivialities, talking about everything. It was not until nightfall that Ye Chen took to the skies and left.

Guang Han Gong hung in the ethereal void, bathed in moonlight. It was a palace like a dream, visible but unattainable when looking up, even more distant than a dream. Yue Huang was extraordinarily elegant, like an immortal mother or a peerless queen; her stunning presence was not inferior to any emperor of Da Chu.

When Ye Chen arrived at Guang Han Gong, he first saw Qian Shang Yue, leaning on the railing and quietly gazing at the stars. No need to say it; she was thinking of Shen Xuan Feng. As the daughter of Yue Huang, she had fallen in love with someone who had once nearly killed her mother.

"The affairs of the heart have always been hard to fathom in this world." Yue Huang appeared, smiling at her daughter. "When she told me, as her mother, I was quite surprised."

"Ancient matters, ancient emotions, just like the title of emperor, are very distant." Ye Chen smiled and bowed in respect.

"You and she both have your stories." Yue Huang also gazed into the distance; she had her own stories, reminiscing about ancient times.

Ye Chen left with a sigh, not revealing his connection to Shen Xuan Feng; those things no longer mattered. Jiu Tian Zhan Long Zong was lively even in the quiet night. There were fluctuations of battle as two emperors of Da Chu clashed: Zhan Wang and Tai Wang.

Both were warriors at heart, aggressive in their conquests throughout their lives. Due to the restrictions of Da Chu, emperors of the past could not emerge in the same era, but now that they had all returned, this sparring fulfilled an ancient regret. Xiao Chen and Long Teng stood watching their elders fight, their blood boiling with the urge to join in.

Ye Chen's arrival made the two of them shake their heads and smile. Wherever Ye Chen went, he carried an aura of his own; his feat of slaying emperors was destined to overshadow this era, unbeatable by anyone.

"The two emperors will likely be fighting for a while; I'll come back another day." Ye Chen bowed toward them and left, heading to the former grounds of Tian Zang Huang.

This emperor was unique, holding a broom in the dead of night and sweeping the fallen leaves around his statue. The scene reminded one of Di Fan from the past. "These endless fallen leaves of the mortal world mean the great Dao of humanity is never fully comprehended," Tian Zang Huang said with a warm smile.

"This visit was not in vain for me." Ye Chen bowed sincerely; Tian Zang Huang's insights into the Dao opened another world for him, elevating his state of mind. Emperors were truly emperors; living long meant seeing clearly, a level of understanding Ye Chen had yet to reach.

He left again, walking on fire across the vast sky. Tian Long Gu Cheng remained as grand and ancient as ever; he had gained many opportunities there in the past. In a bamboo grove, he saw Xuan Huang, carving wood sculptures. Compared to other emperors, Xuan Huang appeared more aged, like a decrepit elder with somewhat cloudy eyes.

The way he looked at Ye Chen carried a strange emotion, as if gazing at his own child. "Junior Ye Chen pays respects to Xuan Huang." Ye Chen felt uneasy under the stare and coughed dryly, bowing.

"Come, sit down." Xuan Huang's smile was hoarse.

"Where is Princess Yu Shu?" Ye Chen sat down and casually brought up a topic, looking around.

"She gained some insight from yesterday's enlightenment and went into seclusion." Xuan Huang smiled slightly and continued carving. "I heard from Shu Er about the events in the Hundred Thousand Mountains; it was my haste that nearly harmed you all."

"That was long ago." Ye Chen glanced at the wood carving in Xuan Huang's hands, which seemed to be of a person, though he could not tell who.

They sat and talked through the night without pause. As dawn approached, Ye Chen rose to leave; before departing, Xuan Huang gave him a wood carving, lifelike and detailed.

Leaving Tian Long Gu Cheng, he hurried to the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Then, he visited many families, including Hao Tian Shi Jia, Chan Yuan Gu Cheng, Zhu Jian Cheng, Qi Xi Gong, Bei Hai Shi Jia, and Hei Long Dao, going to each one in turn.

The immortal fire was incredibly fast, like immortal light soaring through the sky, bringing warmth wherever he went—a wonderful feeling. Finally, he stood before the Hero's Tomb of Zhong Tong Da Di.

The densely packed names were carved one by one in the past; many had returned, but many remained just names. Behind him, nine figures arrived together, identical to him—the nine Dao bodies he had left behind in the past.

"Got a full house of descendants, have you?" Ye Chen smiled at the nine.

"Not bad." The nine collectively smoothed their hair, their shameless demeanor just like his.

Ye Chen stepped forward and kicked each one before turning to leave. He returned to Southern Chu, heading straight for Tian Xuan Men, where he had many matters to consult with Dong Huang Tai Xin.

The moment he entered Tian Xuan Men, he glanced back involuntarily, his brow furrowing slightly. He felt as if someone was watching him—a sensation that was faint yet familiar, and also strange.