Chapter 1674: I'm Here Again

Ye Chen panted, his face pale and bloodless. He quickly employed a secret technique to heal his sacred body.

Qin Guang Wang smiled kindly, "The young are truly formidable."

Ye Chen laughed, "Qin Guang Wang overpraises me. It was merely luck."

This was no exaggeration. If Qin Guang Wang had subtly manipulated the Nine-Layer Cloud Stairs earlier, increasing the pressure, Ye Chen would never have succeeded. In that instant, he had clearly sensed the aura of death; even a slight increase in pressure would have been enough to kill him.

"Go on!" Qin Guang Wang waved his hand, no longer appearing fierce.

"This subordinate bids farewell," Ye Chen said with a smile, then walked toward the hall's exit. He didn't forget to cup his hands in a bow, though his steps were unsteady and stumbling.

Although he had climbed the Nine-Layer Cloud Stairs, he was severely injured. The lingering, immense pressure in his body was tormenting his sacred body.

"Your Majesty, the person you chose truly amazes us!"

Behind him, Qin Guang Wang took a deep breath, feeling both gratified and newly impressed by this junior.

Qin Guang Wang composed himself and summoned a Gui Wang. "Go find Meng Po and reinstate her as the spirit of the Nai He Bridge."

The Gui Wang accepted the order and departed immediately, vanishing in an instant.

By now, Ye Chen had exited Qin Guang Wang's hall. He nearly stumbled and fell, but Lei Ming Jiang stepped forward to steady him.

"You went in looking perfectly fine, how did you come out like this?"

"Did Qin Guang Wang beat you? And leave you with hidden injuries?"

"From the looks of it, our Yan Luo must have lost his temper again."

The nine Ming Jiangs crowded around, chattering endlessly.

The main reason was Ye Chen's severe injuries—even his desolate ancient sacred body was damaged—which naturally led them to assume Qin Guang Wang had inflicted them.

"I have other matters to attend to. We'll chat another day," Ye Chen said with a laugh, gathering his Qi and blood before soaring into the sky toward the Nai He Bridge.

The nine Ming Jiangs scratched their heads, baffled and confused.

Soon, they were all summoned into the hall by Yan Luo, each one as docile as a lamb, fearing they would be beaten like Ye Chen.

Ye Chen flew swiftly through the air, blood still trickling from the corners of his mouth no matter how he wiped it away. His injuries were truly grave.

Still, his trip to Qin Guang Wang's hall had been a success. He had obtained the Yan Luo Order, which meant he could now take Chu Ling away.

With that thought, he accelerated even more.

As he reached the checkpoint of Huang Quan Road, the two Gui Wangs guarding the gate spotted him from afar and hurriedly bowed with cupped hands.

"Here's a reward for you," Ye Chen said cheerfully, flashing past like a divine light. Although he entered, he left behind two storage bags.

The two Gui Wangs' eyes lit up as they caught them. A desolate ancient Ming Jiang was incredibly generous—this was a substantial fortune.

Crossing Huang Quan Road, Ye Chen arrived once more at the Nai He Bridge.

This time, Chu Ling wasn't sleeping. Instead, she was lounging with her legs crossed, cracking sunflower seeds—she was terribly bored, with nothing to do all day.

"I'm back again," Ye Chen said as he descended from the sky. Due to his severe injuries, he lost his balance and toppled to the ground.

Chu Ling was startled. She jumped down from the Wang Xiang Platform, her expression full of astonishment.

With her keen eyesight, she could see at a glance that Ye Chen had suffered serious wounds—his powerful desolate ancient sacred body was even covered in bloody gashes and bones.

Ye Chen swayed unsteadily, fresh blood surging from his mouth. Though his face was pale, he wore a full smile, his mood excellent.

"Who did this to you?" Chu Ling asked, supporting him.

"It doesn't matter who. Come, look what I brought," Ye Chen said with a silly grin, pulling out the Yan Luo Order.

Chu Ling was stunned. As someone from the Yin Cao Underworld, how could she not recognize the Yan Luo Order? With it, one could move freely through the underworld.

Yan Luo's orders were never given lightly. She couldn't imagine how Ye Chen had obtained it—it was an enormous favor.

"Here, take it," Chu Ling said, still in a daze. Ye Chen smiled and handed her the blood-stained Yan Luo Order.

"For me?" Chu Ling asked, startled and surprised. The Yan Luo Order was incredibly precious, like a priceless treasure.

"With this, no one should dare stop you," Ye Chen said with a laugh.

Chu Ling opened her mouth, momentarily speechless. He had risked his life to get the Yan Luo Order just to take her away.

In that moment, ripples stirred in her heart once more.

In the underworld, many admired her, but Ye Chen was the first to defy Yan Luo Wang's authority for her sake.

After all, challenging Yan Luo's dignity could mean instant death, yet he had done it, trading his life for the Yan Luo Order.

"We're just acquaintances—why are you so good to me?" Chu Ling asked, lowering her head and biting her lip lightly.

"To take you home!" Ye Chen smiled warmly, taking her hand and leading her outward.

Chu Ling seemed entranced and didn't resist, letting him pull her along.

His hand was very warm, giving her a sense of security.

Gazing at Ye Chen's back, the young woman felt her heart moved. He was willing to risk his life for her—he would be someone worth entrusting her future to.

Suddenly, she smiled, her expression radiant and full of tender affection.

At the end of Huang Quan Road, an old woman arrived, leaning on a cane.

It was Meng Po, the former spirit of the Nai He Bridge. She had been reinstated by Qin Guang Wang's command and was now returning to her post.

"Youth is wonderful!" Meng Po said with a gentle smile, full of warmth, as she saw Ye Chen and Chu Ling holding hands.

"Grandma, what happened half a year ago was my fault," Ye Chen said sheepishly, recalling the incident with over a hundred bowls of Meng Po Soup.

"I should be the one thanking you," Meng Po replied with a slight smile.

Without Ye Chen, she wouldn't have lost her position. And without losing it, she wouldn't have achieved enlightenment and broken through her cultivation bottleneck.

The ups and downs had come quickly, with calamity and fortune intertwined.

Their karma with Ye Chen had begun at the Nai He Bridge and now ended on Huang Quan Road. It was complete, with both gaining something from it.

"Grandma Meng Po, here are the sunflower seeds for you," Chu Ling said, handing over a storage bag that contained the Meng Po Soup, which induced forgetfulness.

Now that she was no longer the spirit of the Nai He Bridge, she needed to hand over what belonged to the role, including the Meng Po Soup.

"May you grow old together and enjoy a hundred years of happiness," Meng Po said, taking it and walking toward the Nai He Bridge, leaving behind her blessing.

The two turned back for a glance, then shared a knowing smile.

It was clear that a faint blush still colored Chu Ling's cheeks.

Meng Po had experienced great rises and falls, gaining her opportunity. And what about Chu Ling? She had found romance at the Nai He Bridge—it was also a twist of fate and fortune.

"Let's go home," Ye Chen said with a smile, stepping out of the checkpoint.

The guarding Gui Wangs watched and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

So many Ming Jiangs had tried and failed to win Chu Ling's heart, but Ye Chen had succeeded—it was mutual and willing, not forced.

No wonder he was known as a heaven-defying prodigy. He was formidable in battle and unmatched in charming others.

The two walked in silence, stepping into the void and heading straight for the Ghost City.

Chu Ling's beauty was renowned throughout the underworld, and Ye Chen's unmatched combat prowess shook the Yin Cao. With them hand in hand, they drew attention from all sides.

As they passed, people exclaimed in surprise, "The spirit of the Nai He Bridge and the desolate ancient Ming Jiang—they're together now?"

"It's no surprise—they look perfect for each other."

"Who knows, we might get to attend their wedding banquet soon."

"Beauty and hero, a match made in heaven—true love has finally borne fruit."

Listening to the well-wishes around them, Ye Chen beamed with joy, while Chu Ling smiled radiantly, a blush rising again, showing her demure nature.

A talented man and a beautiful woman—who could say they weren't a perfect pair?

Boom! Just as they walked, a thunderous rumble echoed through the underworld.

Ye Chen looked up instinctively, gazing toward the eastern heavens.

The boom came from the east, as if a battle was raging, shaking the very fabric of the world and heading their way.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he focused. He recognized the fighters.

One was Zhao Yun, with a majestic and elegant bearing, like an immortal king, his Qi and blood surging and dominating the eight directions.

The other was a youth with blood-red hair, clad in armor like a war god, his aura piercing the skies and overshadowing the nine heavens.

The two clashed fiercely, shattering the sky and earth, toppling mountains in their wake. Everywhere they went, fierce ghosts wailed, throwing the universe into chaos.

"He can actually fight Zhao Yun on equal terms," Ye Chen said in surprise. While he was impressed by Zhao Yun, his attention was more on the blood-haired youth.

The youth's bloodline was something Ye Chen had never seen before—it was incredibly strange, like an endless abyss with no end in sight.

Within him lurked an exceptionally mysterious power, somewhat similar to that of Di Huang's disciples, yet impossible to discern.

"The underworld is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers," Ye Chen sighed.

"That's Ming Jue, the disciple of Ming Di. In the Yin Cao, he's known as such," Chu Ling said softly, a hint of wariness in her eyes.

"No wonder," Ye Chen said, stroking his chin and clicking his tongue.

A true disciple of a great emperor—what an exalted and proud status, far beyond what a Ming Jiang under Yan Luo could compare to.

Facts proved it: the Ming Jiangs under Yan Luo indeed couldn't measure up.

A great emperor ruled an entire realm, a supreme existence. Anyone connected to an emperor was extraordinarily powerful.

For Ming Jue to be Ming Di's disciple meant he was no ordinary foe.

Ye Chen felt this deeply—among his peers, few could escape his scrutiny, and they were all exceptionally strong.

More and more people gathered, crowding the ground and the skies, a dense sea of onlookers.

"So it's Ming Di's disciple," the spectators said, their eyes gleaming with awe as they recognized Ming Jue.

"The disciple taught by Ming Di is truly extraordinary."

"Who's that fighting Ming Jue? I've never seen him before."

"He's holding his own against Ming Jue—impressive!"

"Impressive or not, he can't outdo Zhao Yun," Ye Chen said dismissively. Ming Jue was strong, and with Ye Chen's own power, he could likely defeat him.

Since even Ye Chen couldn't beat Zhao Yun, Ming Jue stood no chance. The great emperor's disciple was fated to lose today.

But Ye Chen had no idea why Zhao Yun and Ming Jue were fighting.

Amid the discussions, Ming Jue and Zhao Yun battled into the misty void.

Thunderous booms followed from the nine heavens, with fresh blood raining down.

Zhao Yun stood in a golden divine realm, while Ming Jue backed by the boundless demonic land, unleashing secret techniques in a furious exchange. Both were masters of offense.

One was Ming Di's disciple, the other a prodigy from another universe—invincible in their ranks. This fight was truly spectacular.

"I heard that when Hell collapsed back then, there was another person with you. It couldn't be him, could it?" Chu Ling asked, glancing at Ye Chen.

"That kid's a tough fighter," Ye Chen said, tucking his hands into his sleeves.

"Tougher than you?" Chu Ling blinked her beautiful eyes.

"We're evenly matched—he can't beat me, and I can't beat him. I avoid fighting him at all costs," Ye Chen shrugged.