Chapter 1725: Being Abused

With the purple-robed Zhun Di dead, the other four Zhun Di panicked. They burned their origins and sacrificed their vital essence in a desperate escape.

The Ten Halls of Yan Luo were ferocious, sending each one back the way they came.

The scene was utterly ironic: powerful Zhun Di-level experts couldn't even flee properly and were trapped in the void sky for a group beating.

Already at a disadvantage, with Tai Shan Wang and Du Shi Wang joining the fight, they had no chance to turn the tide—it went from bad to worse.

Ye Chen held his Emperor Sword, standing firm in the void sky without joining the battle. He had to stay on guard in case any Zhun Di tried to escape using some forbidden technique.

The battle had no suspense, and so did its outcome.

From the moment the two Yan Luo joined, it took no more than ten rounds before the enemies fell one by one, their bodies exploding and their primordial spirits destroyed.

As they plummeted, the four, like the purple-robed Zhun Di, were filled with regret.

They should have just watched the show from afar! Instead, they had to team up and show off, only to provoke someone they shouldn't have. Even Zhun Di could be wiped out.

With the five Zhun Di turned to ash, the world fell silent.

The onlookers said nothing, only hearing their own hearts pounding wildly.

Zhun Di were rare to begin with, let alone so many at once. They were hard to kill, yet tonight, five had been exterminated in one go.

This chaotic battle would surely go down in history, to be passed on by future generations.

The Ten Halls of Yan Luo each pulled out a flask and took big gulps, their murderous aura overwhelming. They looked like they hadn't had enough.

"Alright, the show's over. Everyone head home."

Qin Guang Wang roared, his voice rough and wild, making him seem even more terrifying.

At his words, the spectators scattered in all directions, including the Zhun Di-level ones, fleeing faster than rabbits and not daring to linger.

The world felt much emptier now, with only blood mist drifting through the air.

Ye Chen sheathed his Emperor Sword and strolled over, feeling more convinced than ever that the Emperor Dao Tong Ming was incredibly useful. From now on, he could walk with his head held high.

The Ten Halls of Yan Luo stretched their necks, and as soon as Ye Chen approached, they all pounced on him without warning.

Screams erupted, shrill and chilling, enough to make one's scalp tingle.

Ye Chen was getting beaten. The Ten Halls of Yan Luo surrounded him in a circle, kicking mercilessly at his nose, eyes—anything they could reach.

In the bronze cauldron, Chu Ling coughed dryly, unable to bear watching.

In the bronze furnace, the reincarnated people twitched their mouths. Every time the Yan Luo kicked Ye Chen, their hearts skipped a beat.

The force was so intense that just seeing it hurt, let alone experiencing it.

But they were used to it by now. Back in Da Chu, Ye Chen often got beaten, and everyone always went all out.

The people of Da Chu were tough, and these ten had fiery tempers.

After some time, the Ten Halls of Yan Luo finally stopped, panting heavily. Their faces clearly showed a sense of satisfaction.

You've been flipped! How dare you use Tong Ming on us? You've got some nerve!

As for Ye Chen, he was in a sorry state—utterly mangled, no longer resembling a person. The holy body, so powerful, had been kicked into a mess. The Lord of Heaven Court looked utterly embarrassing.

Ye Chen's flesh wriggled as he reformed his body, then squatted on the ground, hands over his head, like a prisoner in reform, behaving himself.

"Try Tong Ming on me again, and I'll beat you to death."

The Ten Halls of Yan Luo scolded, feeling humiliated by a saint using Tong Ming on them.

"I won't dare."

Ye Chen chuckled shamelessly.

Though he said that, he had already made up his mind. Next time he was in danger, he'd Tong Ming them again—all ten at once.

Next time, I won't give you any consciousness.

Without consciousness, you'll have to do whatever I command.

Just like with the Zhuxian Sword back then, when he Tong Minged the Qian Kun Master and the Five Elements Emperor, he hadn't given them independent thoughts.

The time limit for Tong Ming was nearly up, and the Ten Halls of Yan Luo began to fade.

This trip had been exhilarating. In the underworld, there were no fights, just endless boredom, so occasionally coming out to stretch their muscles was a treat.

"Next time you come, bring some of the Ming Emperor's blood."

Ye Chen rubbed his hands, grinning widely, his eyes gleaming gold.

"Hey!"

The Ten Halls of Yan Luo cursed and tried to kick him again, but the time limit had expired—they couldn't even move.

Ye Chen smoothed his hair, looking smug. I told you so—what are you going to do about it? Come out and fight me if you've got the guts. You've been turned upside down.

The Ten Halls of Yan Luo's faces darkened completely, seething with anger even as they vanished.

Once they were gone, Ye Chen released the group of reincarnated people. Chu Ling stepped out with them, all covering their mouths to stifle their laughter.

"Stop messing around and get to work."

Ye Chen handed each one a storage bag, filled with memory jade slips—one for each person.

"What's this?"

The reincarnated people pulled them out, examining them curiously.

"They're sealed with memory immortal light. If you see a familiar face, crush one to test it—it might be someone from Da Chu reincarnated."

Ye Chen explained briefly. "Let's all search together to save time."

"Got it."

The group smiled and set off in different directions.

"Where to next?"

After the reincarnated people left, Chu Ling asked.

"The route needs changing."

Ye Chen pulled out a map. The chase and escape had disrupted their plans, so he had to mark a new one.

A few seconds later, the two departed, heading straight for the nearest ancient town.

Unfortunately, the town was sparsely populated, mostly ordinary people, with only one elderly cultivator at the Ning Qi realm.

Ye Chen lingered for a long time, sprinkling wine in the town.

Chu Ling did the same, fully understanding Ye Chen's state of mind.

This ancient town might have once had reincarnated people from Da Chu, but ordinary mortals couldn't live more than three hundred years.

So, those who reincarnated as mortals had long since turned to dust.

With a sigh, the two left and continued their journey, crossing vast plains, mountains, and appearing in ancient cities.

Time slipped by quietly, and this went on for over ten days.

In those ten days, the two had some gains—reincarnated people were found one by one and then sent out to continue the search.

Ling Jie was much larger than Da Chu, boundless and vast.

On another deep night, the two stopped at a mountain peak. This place was far from civilization, with no signs of human activity.

This was their first real stop, not because they were tired, but because Ye Chen's body had an issue—his aura was unstable.

More precisely, he had reached a breakthrough bottleneck, his cultivation touching the Zhun Sheng Wang level. If he wanted, he could undergo the heavenly tribulation.

Chu Ling was astonished at Ye Chen's rapid advancement—it was truly frightening.

After all, it had been just over a year since he became a saint in the underworld.

But she didn't know that Ye Chen had spent a thousand years in the six paths.

If you counted that as his age, he was over a thousand years old, and by that measure, his progress was actually slow.

"This time, I'll protect you during your breakthrough."

Chu Ling said with a gentle smile.

"Let's wait until we return to the Zhutian."

Ye Chen smiled and applied a seal, locking his cultivation and the heavenly tribulation together.

It was because his tribulation was special and would cause a huge commotion.

Besides, he'd be weak afterward, and if enemies attacked, Chu Ling might not hold them off—trouble could arise.

Chu Ling didn't insist, feeling warmth in her heart. She understood Ye Chen's intention—he didn't want to put her in danger.

"Let's go, next stop."

Ye Chen took Chu Ling's hand.

"I'll follow you, through thick and thin."

Chu Ling smiled brightly.

"My Ling Er is getting more sensible."

Ye Chen grinned.

No sooner had he spoken than a massive boom echoed from the void sky behind them, shaking the entire world.

The two exchanged glances and turned back instinctively, looking up at the sky.

In the distance, clouds swirled like a sea, hazy and ethereal. A misty immortal city slowly emerged.

It was breathtaking, like a dream, with every inch of its walls tinged with immortal glow, sparkling and vibrant.

Various visions flickered in and out, painting wondrous scenes, accompanied by the faint melody of a Nine Nether Immortal Tune, captivating the mind.

Through the void, they could almost see inside: graceful mountains shrouded in mist, like a veil over a beauty fresh from a bath.

Radiant colors burst forth within, with pale moonlight like a veil, swaying gracefully, stirring the immortal's hair and the viewers' hearts.

"Wu Lei Zhi Cheng."

Ye Chen frowned, narrowing his eyes in confirmation—it was indeed the City of No Tears, no mistake.

"Is that Wu Lei Zhi Cheng?"

Chu Ling murmured softly.

She had heard Ye Chen mention it before—her sister Chu Xuan had reincarnated there, and Ye Chen had nearly died trying to take her away.

Now, seeing this legendary misty immortal city, it lived up to its reputation.

For some reason, her mind felt hazy, and looking at Wu Lei Zhi Cheng, she felt an inexplicable familiarity, as if she had been there before.

"How could it appear in Ling Jie, ignoring the barriers between realms?"

Ye Chen's brow furrowed deeper, puzzled.

"I hope you're well."

A woman's voice drifted from Wu Lei Zhi Cheng, ethereal and indifferent, beautiful and melodic, like an immortal tune.

Before the words faded, a bridge of light extended through the swirling clouds, and a white-haired woman stepped out gracefully.

At the sight of her true form, Ye Chen froze.

Chu Ling did the same, her mouth slightly agape.