Chapter 1675: Demons Rampage

"Is it real or fake?" Chu Ling asked in surprise, finding it hard to believe. After all, Ye Chen had single-handedly defeated the nine hall Ming Jiang, yet this mighty Huang Gu Sheng Ti claimed he couldn't match Zhao Yun.

"This battle will be the best proof," Ye Chen said with a smile, gazing up at the hazy void with absolute confidence in Zhao Yun. Ye Chen could take down the nine hall Ming Jiang, and Zhao Yun could do the same. Zhao Yun could defeat the Ming Di's disciple, and Ye Chen could achieve it too. A peak genius from another universe was no simple matter; even in the myriad realms of the heavens, he was unbeatable at the same level.

As they spoke, the scene above the void grew even more magnificent. The vast sky had been split into two worlds. One was a golden divine realm, encircled by galaxies and woven with various omens, where Zhao Yun stood like a supreme immortal king. The other was the boundless Ming Tu, rampant with yin and Ming forces, outlining omens of destruction, where Ming Jue stood like an eight-desert war god.

The two worlds collided repeatedly, each clash causing the heavens to collapse and the earth to shatter. The onlookers all gazed upward, their expressions filled with awe and shock—awed by Ming Di's disciple Ming Jue, and shocked by Zhao Yun's combat prowess. Anyone who could fight Ming Jue on equal footing was clearly a formidable figure; even without thinking, one knew Zhao Yun was no weaker than the Sheng Ti. It truly lived up to that old saying: the underworld was full of hidden talents, with the younger generation's prodigies outshining one another.

"Will Ming Di hold a grudge against Zhao Yun?" a little ghost stroked his chin and asked. "If Ming Jue loses, it would be embarrassing for him."

"Ming Jue will lose? Don't you know he's Ming Di's disciple?" another replied.

"Besides, Ming Di is far above such petty concerns. He wouldn't stoop to the level of juniors," an old Ming Jiang said, adjusting his sleeves.

"That's true, just like the Di Jun. Back when Ye Chen was ganged up on, he didn't say a word—let the younger ones handle their own affairs."

"Ming Di is probably watching too, and he'd be impressed by Zhao Yun."

"Good heavens, when did the Ming Realm produce such a fierce expert?" The nine Ming Jiang under Qin Guang Wang arrived. The nine of them were bruised and swollen, with black eyes like pandas, clearly having been beaten by the irritable Qin Guang Wang.

Mu Ming Jiang spotted Ye Chen and Chu Ling Er quickly, and the nine crowded around, surrounding them.

"You two really make a great pair," Feng Ming Jiang said, stroking his chin.

"We have to celebrate with wedding wine," Lei Ming Jiang grinned.

"Don't forget the gift money," Ye Chen said, smoothing his hair.

"So, what's the story with this Zhao Yun guy?" one asked.

"Never heard of him. From what I can tell, I couldn't beat him," another added.

Ye Chen's mention of gift money made the nine instantly shift their gaze to the sky. They could chat, but money was a sensitive topic—it hurt feelings.

Seeing their reaction, Ye Chen smirked: a bunch of misers. He was certain that if these nine were brought to Da Chu, they'd fit right in as talents, already savvy without any training.

Chu Ling was amused; she'd heard that the nine great Ming Jiang were all eccentrics, and now she saw it was true—they lived up to their reputation. Still, hearing about the wedding wine made her truly delighted. Her heart was already set; there was no turning back. In this life, she'd chosen him. Ye Chen was indeed the hero of her dreams.

"Ming Jue has lost," someone shouted just then.

Sure enough, the boundless Ming Tu where Ming Jue stood shattered with a boom, crushed by Zhao Yun's palm, sending him plummeting from the void. The crowd erupted in uproar; Ming Di's disciple had actually been defeated by an obscure Sheng Ren.

Under the watchful eyes of all, Ming Jue landed, disheveled but on his feet, causing the ground to collapse beneath him. Even someone as strong as him was covered in fresh blood, with gashes across his body exposing muscles and bones—a horrifying and heart-wrenching sight. His overwhelming vital energy had waned significantly, and the divine light around him had dimmed in many places, leaving him battered and broken.

In comparison, Zhao Yun looked far better, standing calmly in the void, utterly composed and serene. He was like a blazing sun, radiating light that illuminated the heavens and earth. He was also like a worldly king, ruling over all and surveying the realm below.

Ming Jue shook his head and chuckled self-mockingly, not ascending to the void for another fight. He knew that continuing would yield the same result—he wasn't Zhao Yun's match. Only after facing Zhao Yun directly did he realize how terrifying he was. This seemingly ordinary person was frighteningly powerful, having reached the state of returning to simplicity, with a profound understanding of the Dao that surpassed his own.

"I lost," Ming Jue said, lowering his proud head. He showed no shame or anger, instead facing it with grace. As Ming Di's disciple, he had the breadth of mind to accept defeat.

"Just luck," Zhao Yun replied with a faint smile, descending from the void and retracting his immortal light completely.

The two exchanged smiles, mutual respect between masters. Losing wasn't humiliating—who could claim invincibility in the world?

The spectators sighed at the scene; it felt surreal that Ming Di's personally taught disciple had been defeated today. This was truly an era of rampant prodigies, full of endless surprises. The most emotional were the nine Ming Jiang under Qin Guang Wang. After half a year of training in the Xiu Luo Hai, returning to the Ming Realm, they found two prodigies had emerged: one who humbled the nine hall Ming Jiang, and another who struck down Ming Di's disciple from the void.

The younger generation all coughed awkwardly, their expressions twisted in discomfort. Working in the Ming Realm, they glanced at the Sheng Ti, then at Zhao Yun, and finally at themselves—what had they even accomplished? It was embarrassing.

As for the elders, they felt even more ashamed, rubbing their brows vigorously. Indeed, the new waves push the old ones; each generation is stronger than the last. Compared to their youth, there was nothing this explosive back then.

The great battle was thrilling and intense, coming quickly and ending just as fast. Zhao Yun and Ming Jue walked away side by side, chatting and laughing, each carrying a jar of wine. Adversaries could become friends through battle.

With the show over, the spectators dispersed, still buzzing with excitement. What was going on in the Ming Realm these days? One prodigy appeared, and then another, each more astonishing than the last. Who knows, in a few days, even more formidable ones might show up, truly livening up the underworld.

"I told you, Ming Jue isn't up to it," Ye Chen said with a laugh.

"I never expected that," Chu Ling sighed, clicking her tongue in amazement.

"Here, the gift money," the nine great Ming Jiang gathered, each handing over a package and stuffing them into Ye Chen's arms. These packages contained treasures, special products from the first hall, known for their potent effects.

"Use them sparingly; they can be harmful if overdone—take care of yourself," the nine Ming Jiang said as they left, patting Ye Chen meaningfully on the shoulder.

"Damn, that's satisfying," Ye Chen muttered, opening the packages one by one and accepting them all, though his mouth twitched at the sight. Are you kidding? My body is fine; I don't need aphrodisiacs. Besides, Chu Ling is pregnant; we can't mess around. I don't know who the father is, but we have to be careful. Thinking about that kid's real father made Ye Chen feel a headache. Unfortunately, he still had no idea who that bastard was. If he found out, he'd drag him out and beat him to death.

Meanwhile, Chu Ling Er's cheeks were flushed red. She knew the nine great Ming Jiang well and their habits. They loved giving gifts, always in packages, calling them specialties, but they were really just aphrodisiacs.

"Where are we going?" Chu Ling glanced at Ye Chen shyly.

"First to Jie Ming Shan," Ye Chen smiled, stepping into the sky.

Chu Ling smiled tenderly and went along with him, wherever he led—after all, that's the way of the world for husband and wife.

Before long, they descended from the sky at Jie Ming Shan. Ye Chen stepped forward, bowed in respect, and used his divine sense to call for Di Huang. If bringing Chu Ling out of Nai He Bridge was a test, Ye Chen believed he'd passed it and was here to have the seal removed. However, his call received no response from Jie Ming Shan. The barrier remained, set by Di Huang. Last time, Bai Zhi had appeared, but this time, even she was nowhere to be seen.

Ye Chen frowned, wondering what Di Huang was up to. He knew about his relationship with Chu Ling, yet still wouldn't lift the seal.

Chu Ling was also puzzled, aware that Jie Ming Shan was a significant place—the Di Jun's cultivation mountain and a symbol of the Ming Realm.

"Let's go home," Ye Chen said helplessly, taking Chu Ling's hand and soaring into the sky, heading straight for Gui Cheng—that would be their home.

As soon as they entered Gui Cheng hand in hand, they drew attention from all sides. No matter how you looked at it, they were a perfect match, like a natural couple. Those who had admired Chu Ling in the past couldn't help but sigh; such a fine beauty had been taken. Well, taken she was, but they still offered their blessings. Seeing Chu Ling's radiant smile, it was clear she'd found her place.

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