Chapter 1667: Archaic Dark General

Seeing Ye Chen muttering to himself, Chu Ling poked at her lips with her finger and looked him up and down: This guy must be sick!

Earlier, he had been watching her cry, tears streaming down his face, sobbing uncontrollably.

Now, he was acting all mysterious on his own, mumbling while snacking on her sunflower seeds, as if he were completely at ease.

She strongly suspected that he wasn't here to flirt, but to munch on seeds, cracking them rhythmically.

"Thinking about it here won't do any good. Let's go outside and talk."

As Chu Ling was watching, Ye Chen slapped his thigh and stood up. Without asking if she was willing, he grabbed her hand and started heading out.

"Where are you dragging me?"

Chu Ling shook off his hand.

"Of course, we're going home. Forget about the Naihe Bridge god position."

"You say forget it, and it's forgotten?" Chu Ling pouted. "Without an order from Qin Guang Wang, how dare I leave the Naihe Bridge?"

"I almost forgot about that. Wait here; I'll be back soon."

Ye Chen said, then vanished like a ghost.

"What a strange person."

Behind him, Chu Ling scratched her head.

In the underworld, plenty of people admired her, but Ye Chen was the first to bring a bunch of Bianhua Flowers.

He was also the first to watch her cry.

And the first to hold her in his arms.

This feeling was wonderfully odd, hard to describe, making her heart flutter for a moment.

Unconsciously, she picked up the bunch of Bianhua Flowers and gently sniffed them. The flowers were vibrant and beautiful, their fragrance enchanting.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen left the pass and hurried straight to Yanluo Hall.

The Naihe Bridge god belonged to the first hall, directly under the judge's command. To take Chu Ling away, he only needed an order from the judge.

When he arrived at Yanluo Hall, the two ghost kings guarding it quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, their expressions full of deference. "We greet the Huanggu Mingjiang."

"Huanggu Mingjiang?"

Ye Chen was taken aback.

"Qin Guang Wang personally bestowed the title, using 'Huanggu' as your epithet and granting you the divine position," the two ghost kings chuckled. "Everyone in the underworld knows it."

"This title is quite fitting."

Ye Chen grinned, in high spirits, and rewarded each of them with a storage bag.

Feeling generous, he was quite lavish with his gifts. The two ghost kings were overjoyed, beaming, and found Ye Chen much more approachable than the previous Guiquan Mingjiang.

Ye Chen smiled and flicked his sleeve, stepping into Yanluo Hall in one stride.

As soon as he entered, he saw the judge, one hand propping up his cheek, dozing off.

These days, this fellow seemed idle. Every time Ye Chen came, he was either napping or sleeping, never getting any real work done.

Still, this proved one thing: he was relaxed, which meant few ghosts around, and few ghosts meant few deaths.

Glancing further, he saw Black and White Impermanence diligently sorting documents. When they noticed Ye Chen enter, they both coughed lightly.

This was a signal, waking the judge. Seeing it was Ye Chen, the judge stretched and yawned. "You again?"

"I missed you, so I came to pay a visit."

Ye Chen chuckled, not forgetting to present a treasure.

It was a divine pearl, radiating golden light. Not only did Black and White Impermanence's eyes light up, but the judge's too.

It was indeed a treasure. For Chu Ling's sake, Ye Chen had spared no expense. Any problem that money could solve wasn't a problem.

The judge tore his gaze from the divine pearl and glanced at Ye Chen. "You're being so generous this time—must be something you want from me."

"It's nothing major, really."

Ye Chen rubbed his hands and grinned. "I just want to take the Naihe Bridge god with me."

"I say, have I been too nice to you?"

The judge looked at Ye Chen with a smile. "I already bent the rules by giving you the travel document. What, now you're getting bold and pushing your luck?"

"She is my wife. I hope the judge can help us out."

Ye Chen bowed with his hands clasped, his demeanor humbly respectful for once.

"Wife?"

The judge raised an eyebrow and instinctively glanced at Black and White Impermanence. The new Naihe Bridge god had gotten married?

Not just him, but Black and White Impermanence were also scratching their heads in confusion.

Finally, all three turned their eyes to Ye Chen below. "When did the Naihe Bridge god get married? How come we didn't know?"

"We both came from the various heavens. Before death, we were husband and wife."

Ye Chen didn't hide it, his eyes tinged with sadness.

"Past-life spouses—this is fresh."

The judge sighed, seeing from Ye Chen's expression that he wasn't lying.

No wonder this guy had been clamoring for a travel document. Turns out, he and the Naihe Bridge god had this connection.

"My lord, I beg you."

Ye Chen bowed again.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

The judge shook his head with a smile. "Earlier, when you disrupted the cycle of reincarnation, Qin Guang Wang was furious. He's paying special attention to the Naihe Bridge matter and has decreed that without his orders, no one is to involve themselves with the Naihe Bridge god."

"Then I'll go ask Qin Guang Wang."

Ye Chen turned abruptly.

"Instead of asking Qin Guang Wang, you might as well get the emperor to step in."

The judge said casually, "His word carries more weight than Qin Guang Wang's. Given your connection, he'll help."

Ye Chen nodded lightly but said nothing, flying out of Yanluo Hall.

Seeking Di Huang would indeed work. When he wanted the travel document before, he had thought of asking Di Huang, but Di Huang was on the level of an emperor—unlikely to bother with such trifles.

Moreover, Ye Chen saw things clearly: ever since he came to the underworld, it was as if Di Huang had arranged everything for him, like the eighteen levels of hell, or the Bayuan Sacred Bone.

Even this time's sinful sea opportunity had Di Huang's shadow.

How wise Di Huang was—by now, Ye Chen knew his purpose. Di Huang was training him, pushing him to grow step by step, to achieve rebirth through crises, not rely on his ancestors' protection.

The eighteen levels of hell were one trial, the travel document another, and the so-called sinful sea his third transformation.

So, Ye Chen was certain that even if he had asked Di Huang for the travel document back then, Di Huang wouldn't have given it.

Rising to the heavens in one step was easy, but it would mean missing out on valuable trials. He understood Di Huang's intentions all too well.

And facts proved Di Huang was right—he was indeed growing, transforming and rebirth through each opportunity.

But this time, he had no choice but to seek Di Huang. The Naihe Bridge god matter was too significant; he had to ask his ancestor for help.

Rushing over mountains and rivers, he stopped at the foot of Jieming Mountain.

However, Jieming Mountain was enveloped in an invisible barrier, with emperor dao laws swirling about—this was Di Huang's divine power.

"Junior Ye Chen seeks an audience with the senior."

Ye Chen called out.

The barrier trembled, and a figure emerged, but it wasn't Di Huang. It was a graceful figure in white robes, stunningly beautiful.

Her face was peerless, breathtakingly so, with strands of divine radiance swirling around her, radiant and pure, like a exiled immortal from the mortal world, untouched by dust or worldly affairs.

Her eyes were calm as water, coldly indifferent, as if nothing in the world could stir her emotions.

She was no ordinary person, Di Huang's disciple, his only one.

Her name was Bai Zhi, a mysterious woman. Otherwise, Di Huang wouldn't have taken her as his disciple. The underworld was full of monsters and hidden talents, and she was one of them, known to few.

Ye Chen looked her over; her bloodline was extremely strange, ancient to the point of being terrifying, even making his sacred blood stir.

He had never seen such a bloodline before and knew she harbored a dreadful power within, which would be world-shaking if awakened.

Last time he came, he hadn't seen this woman. He thought Jieming Mountain had only Di Huang, but there was also this beauty.

He had to admit, she was truly stunning, though still a bit short of Zixuan. The East Hua Empress's remnant soul was the real masterpiece; others couldn't compare.

"Master is wandering in the void and sees no guests."

Bai Zhi said lightly, her tone cold, yet like the sound of heavenly chimes.

"Master?"

Ye Chen was startled, surprised by Bai Zhi's identity. The legendary ruthless figure actually had a disciple.

No wonder she was Di Huang's disciple—truly extraordinary. Even with his current strength and cultivation, he felt a hint of wariness.

His thoughts quickly returned, and Ye Chen bowed. "I ask the immortal to pass on the message: it's Ye Chen seeking an audience, with an urgent matter."

"No one is seen."

Bai Zhi's tone was utterly indifferent.

Ye Chen wanted to say more, but Bai Zhi had already soared upward, her form elegant and fleeting, vanishing in an instant.

"Senior, did you know I was coming, so you're refusing to see me?"

Ye Chen murmured, gazing quietly at the peak.

Since Di Huang wouldn't see him, it meant his trials weren't over yet—this was another test, and Di Huang wouldn't help.

Helpless, he turned to leave, not forgetting to glance back at the top of Jieming Mountain, as if he could still see a silhouette.

That person was undoubtedly Di Huang, watching Ye Chen.

Just as Ye Chen had guessed, from the moment Ye Chen entered the underworld, Di Huang had arranged everything for him.

Now, not helping wasn't out of cruelty, but to force Ye Chen to grow. He needed to transform and achieve rebirth.

"Master, are you really betting everything on him?"

Bai Zhi looked at Di Huang, her beautiful eyes full of respect.

"He will succeed."

Di Huang said softly, smiling faintly.

"Even Master failed—your disciple doesn't think he can succeed."

"I can hear it, you don't accept him."

Di Huang smiled warmly. "In the near future, you two will have a battle. The myth of being unbeatable in the same realm isn't just a legend."

Bai Zhi said nothing, turning silently, a glint of sharpness in her eyes, eager for that battle with Ye Chen.

As Di Huang's disciple, her pride overlooked the world. So what if he was a sacred body? She believed she could suppress him.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen didn't return to the Naihe Bridge; he went to Guicheng.

He stayed for half a year. The streets of Guicheng were still bustling.

Most importantly, whether it was great ghosts, small ghosts, puzzled ghost kings, or ordinary mingjiang, they all bowed to him.

The Huanggu Mingjiang title, personally bestowed by Qin Guang Wang, was incredibly prestigious.

Of course, they respected him not just for his title, but for his strength. In the world of the strong, fists were the ultimate rule.

In the garden, Kui Niu was waiting, looking utterly dejected.

Besides him, there were two others: a man and a woman, Zhao Yun and Qin Mengyao. He hadn't seen them in half a year.

Qin Mengyao was fine, but when Ye Chen looked at Zhao Yun, his eyes narrowed slightly, with a meaningful glint.

In half a year, Zhao Yun seemed to have gained some kind of fortune and had advanced to a saint, even more extraordinary than before.

Even with Ye Chen's hegemonic body and his sacred body source fully repaired, he still couldn't see through Zhao Yun—he was unfathomably deep.

As before, if he fought Zhao Yun to the death, Ye Chen had no confidence in winning; it would end in mutual destruction.