Chapter 1864: Because of Love

After leaving Tianquan, Ye Chen did not linger and sped across the vast Xuan Huang. At the foot of Zhutian Mountain, because Ji Ningshuang had killed another sect’s Shenzi, he went door to door, personally delivering tokens to each one.

This was karma, and also a karmic entanglement. By using his own connections, he took the consequences upon himself, unwilling to involve Ji Ningshuang.

Fortunately, those hidden ancient sects whose Shenzis had been eliminated did not cause further trouble. They all understood the value of Ye Chen’s connections; exchanging one Shenzi’s life for it was absolutely worthwhile.

Along the way, the sun and moon cycled, and two days passed quietly.

In those two days, Xuan Huang was extremely lively. The teleportation arrays in ancient cities were all fully operational, with major forces from Zhongzhou, Nanyu, Beiyue, and Ximo all heading towards Yaochi.

Being invited by Yaochi Shengdi was the highest honor, and those invited were without exception from great sects.

As for places like Tianquan Shengdi, they were not on the invitation list. That was precisely why Ye Chen had to visit each one personally.

As dawn broke, the gates of Yaochi were already bustling with people. Those who came were renowned figures from all directions—either great masters with divine abilities or backed by powerful forces, none of them ordinary.

“First time attending the Yaochi grand event, I should eat more.” That rascal Kui Niu had also arrived, sitting at a table with one hand holding a wine jug and the other a pan peach.

“So many fairies; if I take one a day, it would last for years.” Xiao Yuan Huang was a bit more subtle than him, not gorging on food but instead eyeing the Yaochi fairies.

Listening to these two talk, Zhuque Princess and Xuanwu Prince both instinctively moved away. There was no helping it—these two stood out wherever they went.

Zhong Huang, Nan Di, Xi Zun, and Bei Sheng were also there, behaving more normally as they quietly drank.

“I heard Ye Chen is at Yaochi, but where is he?” Xuanwu Prince glanced around but didn’t spot Ye Chen.

“Oh!” Just as they spoke, Xiao Yuan Huang dashed off, abandoning his wine and peach, rubbing his furry hands as he headed straight for one side.

Upon closer look, it was Ji Ningshuang, holding little Ye Fan. The little guy was chubby-cheeked and full of curiosity.

“Come here, let big brother hold you.” Xiao Yuan Huang took the child, and Kui Niu crowded over too. But before he could reach out, he was kicked aside by Zhuque, and everyone gathered around little Ye Fan.

“Come on, tell big brother what your dad and mom do at night.” Xiao Yuan Huang teased the little one, grinning shamelessly.

“Did your mom shout? Was it loud?” Kui Niu winked and leered obscenely.

With that, he was sent flying, and Xiao Yuan Huang went with him, straight out of the immortal mountain.

It was Ji Ningshuang who struck, without any courtesy. With so many children around, if they spent too much time with these two scoundrels, who knows what they’d turn into? Better to keep them far away.

Compared to those two jokers, Nan Di and Bei Sheng were much more upright, each taking turns to hold the child and stuffing him with little toys. Uncles, big brothers, and aunts were all quite generous.

“That’s the new Shen Nv.” As Zhuque teased the little one, she pointed towards a distance.

“Her name is Yao Xin.” Ji Ningshuang smiled lightly, without any resentment. She had already broken the sect rules and wasn’t suited to be a Shen Nv anymore, nor did she have the desire.

“It’s actually the Shangshan Immortal Body.” Xuanwu Prince sighed. “How come all the good things end up with Yaochi Shengdi? They have two immortal bodies. Comparing people is just depressing.”

“What about Long Jie and the others?” Nan Di stroked his chin, looking across, and everyone else followed suit.

Over there, Long Jie sat alone, drinking by himself. He had stubble on his chin, looking disheveled and dejected, his once bright golden eyes now dull.

His only action was occasionally glancing over here, at Ji Ningshuang and at little Ye Fan.

Not far from him, the Ling Clan Shen Nv, Wu Clan Shenzi, and Gu Clan Shen Nv were the same—silent, just quietly drinking, their expressions all forlorn.

Not just Nan Di and the others who were surprised; everyone present, whether elders or juniors, looked on with strange expressions.

The world knew that these few were usually inseparable. The Ling Clan Shen Nv loved Long Jie, the Wu Clan Shenzi loved the Ling Clan Shen Nv, the Gu Clan Shen Nv loved the Wu Clan Shenzi, and the deceased Man Clan Shenzi had loved the Gu Clan Shen Nv.

But at today’s grand event, these four sat far apart with no interaction, as if they were strangers.

Little did the crowd know, the reason for this was all because of Ji Ningshuang. Because of one word—love—they had severed their ties during the Hua Fan Star and vowed never to associate again.

“How strange.” Xuanwu Prince scratched his head vigorously. “This is the first time I’ve seen them like this.”

“Clearly, it’s because of love.” Xi Zun sighed.

“Ye Chen doesn’t know I was on Hua Fan Star and doesn’t know about the child’s existence.” Ji Ningshuang sent a divine sense transmission.

This message was directed to Long Jie. She had heard Ye Chen mention that Long Jie had gone to Da Chu to settle scores with him because of her.

It was a misunderstanding, and she had to clear it up for Ye Chen, not wanting him to bear that blame.

“You are still my lifelong belief.” Long Jie replied with a smile through transmission, his voice hoarse and affectionate. Even though that woman was now someone else’s wife and had a child, he still loved her deeply—a true fool for love.

Ji Ningshuang fell silent, not knowing what to say.

“How many fools for love are there in the world!” Jiu Xiao Zhenren sighed, as if he had overheard their transmission.

As a Quasi Emperor, he was astonished by this romantic fate.

As a Quasi Emperor, he was also shocked; a lifelong belief—this showed just how deep that love must be.

While everyone was surprised, the seven sons of Donghua arrived, along with Fenghuang, who was also on the invitation list.

This time, Mo Yuan was absent; that Tianmo Zun was currently guarding his lover’s tears in the Honglian Yehai.

The old Quasi Emperor came too, hands tucked away, looking sleazy.

Following him was Jiu Chen, the last remaining Honghuang Qilin in the world, walking with an air of dominance.

As soon as he arrived, Nan Di stood up and approached.

But awkwardly, before Nan Di could say a word, Jiu Chen shoved him aside.

Compared to this little Qilin, Jiu Chen preferred Yunxiao Zi more, heading straight for him upon arrival.

“Di Ji has been invited too.” Bei Sheng murmured.

Indeed, Di Ji had come, radiant and peerless. Upon her arrival, all the elders present stood to exchange greetings.

Di Ji’s background was immense; she was the only one in this era to have survived an Emperor Tribulation, though she hadn’t defied the heavens to become emperor and create that myth.

Having survived the Emperor Tribulation without success yet still lived proved her strength, placing her at the peak of the world.

Beyond that, Di Ji’s existence was also tied to another incredibly powerful figure: Liu Dao.

Mentioning Liu Dao, the elders present likely all knew him, as over eighty percent had been dealt with by him before.

“I knew you were coming, so I shouldn’t have come.” Di Ji had just sat down when a sigh came from beside her.

It was a young man, handsome as jade, like an immortal king, with a serene demeanor and no trace of a cultivator’s aura.

He was Long Cang Jie, disguised, and few recognized him.

This was another ruthless figure, the first to fight Liu Dao one-on-one and survive—something the elders all knew.

“Any news of him?” Di Ji’s voice was ethereal and clear, her expression as cold as ice, like a frozen beauty.

“Even if there is, I won’t say.” Long Cang Jie filled a cup of wine. “Stop looking for him and settle for me. We’re a perfect match.”

“This time, you’re not leaving.” Di Ji said indifferently.

“You’re scaring me again.” Long Cang Jie chuckled, personally pouring a cup for Di Ji. Liu Dao’s beloved—this woman was fierce too.

“Whose cow is that?” As they spoke, a loud shout rang out, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Whose monkey is that?” Before they could see who was shouting, another even louder voice followed.

“I told you, there must be an Emperor Zi.” Nan Di sighed.

That’s right, the Emperor Zis had arrived—not one, but two, in white and purple robes, arriving together.

They were Li Fengqiu and Mu Yang, and they weren’t empty-handed; they had picked up Kui Niu and Xiao Yuan Huang, who Ji Ningshuang had thrown out earlier.

With the two Emperor Zis’ arrival, the elders who had just sat down all stood again, bowing from a distance.

The status of a Great Emperor’s son was extraordinarily high.

“Tian Que Emperor Zi and Zhu Tian Emperor Zi have come; the other Emperor Zis are probably on the invitation list too.” Zhong Huang said.

Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, three figures descended one after another: Xiao Lu, Chen Yi, and Tian Shuo—the sons of Yan Emperor, the brother of Yaochi Empress, and the son of Xuan Gu. Wherever these three went, they drew attention.

Xiao Jiu Xian giggled and skipped over, blinking her big eyes at Chen Yi.

“Did you miss me?”

“I did.” Tian Shuo and Xiao Lu both smiled.

“You two, step aside.” Xiao Jiu Xian pouted, fluttering her beautiful eyes only at Chen Yi, completely smitten.

Chen Yi felt a bit awkward, but luckily Jiu Xiao Zhenren came to the rescue, dragging Xiao Jiu Xian away by force.

“Xuan Yuan Emperor Zi is here too.” Zhuque murmured.

Well then! The elders who had just sat down stood up again.

Wu Qing was as silent as ever, only nodding politely before finding the most secluded table.

“This should be everyone.” The elders stood for a couple of seconds and, seeing no one else, sat back down.

But no sooner had they done so than a wolf howl echoed through the heavens:

“The Ren Wang has arrived; is there any cheering?”

This roar was impressively bold, making everyone’s ears ring.

Ren Wang had come, and upon landing, he shook his head and smoothed his hair, looking quite dashing.

Yet, no one paid him any mind upon his arrival. Some drank, some ate peaches, some flirted—treating him like he was invisible.

Awkwardness filled the air, making Ren Wang’s face darken. I’m still a remnant soul of the Ren Huang, after all.

“Just one? Those giants from Da Chu must not have come.” Many people looked up at the sky, but there was no sign of movement.

“Don’t just stand there, sit down!” Chi Yang Zi pulled Ren Wang over. “Tell me, how much longer can I live?”

“No time.” Ren Wang’s face was grim as he grabbed a peach and bit into it.

On another side, Yaochi Xian Mu had already stood up, holding a jade cup. As the host, she should say a few words.

But before she could speak, the void outside the mountain rumbled, and a massive domain gate opened.

Then, a surge of Honghuang aura burst forth, rolling like an ocean, each wisp heavy and filled with violent killing intent.