Chapter 1753: Bleeding Issues

Back on the road, Ye Chen had Jiuchen by his side.

Along the way, Ye Chen glanced left and right, as if searching for something, but secretly, he was using a hidden technique to observe Jiuchen.

This Honghuang Qilin was a bit terrifying, overwhelmingly domineering.

With a heaven-defying bloodline, his vital energy was vast enough to devour the heavens and earth, and the power hidden within his body made even Ye Chen feel suppressed.

As for the Dao principles, Jiuchen had already transcended to the Saint level, his Great Dao perfectly formed, embodying the fortunes of heaven and earth, with the essence of the Dao manifesting invisibly.

While Ye Chen was observing Jiuchen, Jiuchen was doing the same to him.

Ye Chen was shocked in his heart, and Jiuchen's state of mind was no less astonished.

Having slain two emperors in one lifetime, such a feat was enough to crush everything. What was a Honghuang Qilin compared to that? In the presence of an emperor, it was still just an ant.

A peerless demon, an unparalleled prodigy, a Honghuang Qilin, and an Huanggu Shengti—they all held wariness toward each other.

"What's the holdup? Go and draw his blood!"

Kui Niu in the copper furnace was hopping around anxiously, urging Ye Chen for what must have been the umpteenth time.

"Don't make trouble, I can't beat him."

"You're talking nonsense. He's a Saint, and you're a Saint too. The Huanggu Shengti is invincible at the same level, so there's no reason you couldn't win. Besides, you still have three Zhundi Bing."

"The problem is, he has a Dibing inside him."

"A Dibing?" Kui Niu was stunned and stared at Jiuchen. If Ye Chen hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have noticed this secret.

No wonder Ye Chen was hesitant. Although a Zhundi Bing and a Dibing were only half a level apart, their power was worlds different.

A Honghuang Qilin carrying a Dibing could easily defeat an Huanggu Shengti with three Zhundi Bing.

Kui Niu deflated, watching Jiuchen stroll by right in front of them, yet unable to do anything about it. After all, it was a Honghuang Qilin.

Li Changsheng, standing nearby, couldn't help but want to laugh. No wonder they were sworn brothers—they'd been scheming all along about drawing blood from someone.

"I've heard my little black mention you often, and now that I see the real you, you're indeed impressive." Jiuchen pulled out his wine flask again.

"Little black?" Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Which little black?"

"A little donkey." Jiuchen responded casually.

"A little donkey?" Ye Chen's eyes darted around, and he quickly figured out who it was—that arrogantly bold donkey: Ji Wang.

No wonder Ji Wang had a trace of royal Qilin blood in him. It must have come from Jiuchen's own blood.

This connection was truly unexpected. Who would have thought that Ji Wang's owner had such an impressive background, being a Honghuang Qilin sacred beast?

"I should get chummy with that donkey next time I see it." Kui Niu stroked his chin, speaking with a serious tone, though no one knew what he was plotting.

"Here, take this and keep it safe." Jiuchen handed an ancient scroll to Ye Chen and said leisurely, "Not all Honghuang clans are evil. The ones listed on this are still considered upright, at least—they've never killed cultivators from the various heavens."

"Don't move, how about you let me draw some blood?" Ye Chen grinned, having been fixated on this idea the whole journey.

"Sure!" Jiuchen laughed, looking at Ye Chen with amusement. "If you can beat me, I'll give you a whole vat of it."

"Don't use your Dibing, and we'll give it a try."

"Use a Dibing and not actually use it? Am I an idiot?" Jiuchen shook his head, then smoothed his hair. There was no helping it—with a Dibing, he could be as willful as he wanted. Fight if you like; if not, go your separate way.

Ye Chen's face darkened, black lines crawling across his forehead.

Were all Honghuang-era Qilin this infuriating to talk to?

Good thing I don't have a Dibing, or I'd find a spot and spar with you properly. I wouldn't stop until I made you cry.

"Be careful of the princes from the Qiongqi, Taowu, and Taotie clans." As Ye Chen's expression turned grim, Jiuchen spoke up again.

"Are they that formidable?" Ye Chen collected his thoughts and asked tentatively.

"It's not that they're formidable, it's that they're insidious." Jiuchen blew on his wine gourd and wiped it with his sleeve. "In battles at the same level, the Huanggu Shengti has never been defeated, and those three aren't your match either. The real danger is their sneaky tactics—easy to dodge an open spear, hard to guard against a hidden arrow. You should understand that principle."

"I know that all too well." Kui Niu grumbled bitterly.

"Fight if we fight; who’s afraid of whom?" Ye Chen sneered coldly.

"Let's not talk about that. I want to ask you about someone." Jiuchen put away his wine gourd and pulled a painting from his Qiankun Bag, holding it up in front of Ye Chen. "Take a look—have you seen this woman?"

Ye Chen looked up, and Kui Niu did the same.

The painting depicted a woman with white hair, her beauty unmatched, her expression aloof and pure, untouched by the mortal world, with a hint of weariness that evoked a pitiful charm.

"Yao Chi?" Kui Niu was stunned, his bovine eyes shining brightly.

"Ji Ningshuang." Ye Chen's expression grew dazed, and his heart inexplicably ached. There was no mistaking it—it was Ji Ningshuang.

"Looks like you both know her. Come on, chat with me, brother—what's her background?"

"The divine maiden of Yao Chi sacred ground, the top beauty of Donghuang." Kui Niu grinned. "Even this old bull has a soft spot for her."

As soon as he finished, a hand reached into the furnace and slapped him across the face. Kui Niu was knocked flat on the spot, completely dazed.

The one who struck was Ye Chen, and he didn't hold back.

You've gone too far—how dare you fancy my woman?

Li Changsheng watched in astonishment, and even Jiuchen was taken aback. Everything had been fine a moment ago, so why the sudden violence?

"Don't worry about the details." Ye Chen sealed the copper furnace and turned to Jiuchen. "Have you seen Yao Chi?"

"Yes." Jiuchen coughed dryly, his expression a bit awkward.

"Where did you see her?"

"I don't know which part of the starry sky it was." Jiuchen shrugged.

"Why didn't I run into her?" Ye Chen's eyes dimmed slightly, thoughts of past events flooding back. He harbored no resentment toward Ji Ningshuang, only guilt and gratitude—for her life-saving sacrifice, and for their fateful union in the ancient ruins.

"That woman is no ordinary fighter! In battles at the same level, even you might not suppress her." Jiuchen continued, one hand still covering his face.

Ye Chen's train of thought was interrupted, and he subconsciously turned to size up Jiuchen. It wasn't hard to imagine that Jiuchen had been beaten by her.

Was Ji Ningshuang really that formidable now? That powerful? Even a Honghuang Qilin had been bested—what incredible combat strength!

"This era is truly extraordinary." Jiuchen sighed deeply. "Among those at the same level who make me wary, there are only three. One from the Honghuang era—you've probably heard of him: the war god Xing Tian. You, Ye Chen, count as another. And the third is the one you call Yao Chi—the most astonishing woman I've ever seen, even surpassing the Honglian Nvdi at the same level."

"That impressive?" Ye Chen was shocked, never expecting a Honghuang Qilin to speak so highly of Ji Ningshuang.

"Impressive." Jiuchen covered his face again, looking even more awkward. He had no idea that knowing Ye Chen's relationship with Ji Ningshuang might make things even more awkward—a whole family of monsters.

"Maybe I should call Zhao Yun over to have some fun with him?" Ye Chen couldn't help but think. He couldn't beat Zhao Yun, and Jiuchen probably couldn't either.

"Who, who hit me?" In the copper furnace, that guy Kui Niu came to and started cursing loudly, his face as black as charcoal.

Seeing this, Ye Chen raised his hand to give him another slap.

But he was a bit slow—Jiuchen was considerate enough to handle it for him, as he couldn't stand the noise.

There we go! Kui Niu was down again, sprawled out in a big spread-eagle.

Li Changsheng watched with a pounding heart and quickly backed away. Were these two crazy? What did Kui Niu do to deserve this?

"Don't worry about the details." Jiuchen dusted off his shoulders, smoothly using Ye Chen's earlier line.

"I still want to draw some blood from you." Ye Chen stroked his chin, feeling an itch in his hands. You hit my wife and now my brother—who do you think you are? If anyone's hitting, it's me.

"Get an Extreme Dao Dibing first, then come fight me!" Jiuchen snorted and parted ways with Ye Chen, his voice fading in the distance: "When you have time, check the ancient scroll I gave you. Don't start trouble with every Honghuang clan you see."

"Alright, he's gone." Li Changsheng sighed, hands in his pockets.

"No problem, I've marked him." Ye Chen said meaningfully. "Once I find a Dibing, I'll draw his blood right away."