Chapter 2083: Celestial God Body

Inside the tomb, Ji Ningshuang looked up at the ethereal visions, murmuring, "He's only at the Ren Yuan Stage, yet he's opened his Shen Hai and condensed a Yuan Shen. Is this the legendary Xian Shen Zhi Ti?"

"Pure indeed," Ye Chen said, smiling.

Only now did he realize that there were hidden secrets within the empress's body. Perhaps due to the tempering of her physical form, her original bloodline had been unexpectedly activated.

The so-called Xian Shen Zhi Ti was an ancient bloodline. While not as rare as the Desolate Ancient Saintly Body, it was still a heaven-defying existence. The peculiar nature of this bloodline lay in the fact that those who possessed it were born with a Yuan Shen. However, Yin Yue Huangfei was an exception among those with this bloodline; she was born mortal and her bloodline didn't activate. Various reasons prevented her from condensing her Yuan Shen. The fact that she could survive for centuries as a soul was largely due to her inherent bloodline.

"We've really stumbled upon a treasure," Ji Ningshuang said, smiling as she looked at Ye Chen. As his lover from a previous life and his wife in this one, she understood him best. Whenever he encountered talented individuals, he would always resort to any means necessary—deception, coercion, or persuasion—to lure them back to Da Chu. He was an expert at this.

"This trip was absolutely worthwhile," Ye Chen said happily. The more monstrous the talent, the more he liked it. In the future, Da Chu would have another pillar of support. The Xian Shen Zhi Ti was not to be underestimated; given enough time, its achievements would be no less than those of Donghuang Taixin.

"Now it seems, her Yuan Shen is even more useful than yours or mine."

"You know, you're right," Ye Chen replied with a smile, not arguing. The Yuan Shen of the Xian Shen Zhi Ti possessed innate regenerative abilities. Using her Yuan Shen to awaken Qin Xiong's soul was the most suitable choice.

As they spoke, the empress awoke, her eyes filled with joy. After centuries, the feeling of having a physical body again was truly warm. She could genuinely feel the pulse of the earth, no longer drifting aimlessly in the air without an anchor.

Moreover, her cultivation had advanced. Having condensed a physical body, she was now a cultivator at the Ren Yuan Stage. Years of accumulated foundation had led to this explosive breakthrough.

The most precious outcome, however, was the condensation of her Yuan Shen. The ancient inheritances hidden in her bloodline's divine repository had imprinted themselves into her Shen Hai. For someone at the Ren Yuan Stage to open their Shen Hai and condense a Yuan Shen was unprecedented. If word got out, it would shock the entire universe. This rebirth of hers was even more astonishing than Ye Chen's had been back then. The emergence of a Yuan Shen from the Xian Shen Zhi Ti was absolutely at the level of a prodigy.

"Thank you, senior, for your gift," the empress said, standing firm and bowing respectfully once more.

"Don't be so formal all the time," Ye Chen coughed.

The empress smiled and stepped onto the stone platform. Having awakened her inheritance, she knew full well that her Yuan Shen possessed revitalizing powers. As she spoke, she placed her hand on Qin Xiong's forehead and infused a strand of Yuan Shen energy. Ye Chen and Ji Ningshuang, meanwhile, focused on protecting Qin Xiong's last breath of life.

With their combined efforts, the flame of Qin Xiong's soul slowly reignited, and his vitality began to revive.

At that moment, the main tomb door opened, and Yang Xuan and his companions returned. Seeing Ye Chen and the others gathered at the stone platform, they all approached. One glance, and they were stunned—Qin Xiong actually had a pulse again. Was he being revived?

"The methods of immortals truly defy heaven and earth," Shangguan Jiu sighed in admiration.

"The emperor of the pre-Qin era, a man from hundreds of years ago—a living fossil!"

"If we took him to the Han imperial palace, he and the Han emperor would have plenty to talk about," Yang Xuan said, stroking his chin. He was actually considering it; the sight of emperors from two dynasties meeting would be quite the spectacle.

Before long, Ye Chen and the others withdrew their hands.

Qin Xiong opened his eyes, his gaze somewhat dull, confused, and vacant. Of course, after sleeping for centuries, his mind was in a fog—it would be strange if he were clear-headed.

"Your Majesty."

Yin Yue Huangfei stepped forward, her voice choked with emotion as she called out, tears welling in her eyes.

Qin Xiong turned his stiff head toward that familiar face, gradually regaining his senses. What followed was a surge of tears, streaming down his weathered features.

The scene that followed became quite emotional.

Ye Chen and Ji Ningshuang had the good sense to step back from the stone platform, and Ling Feng was equally tactful, turning away as well. Yang Xuan and his companion, however, had no shame and lingered there.

Seeing their lack of manners, Ye Chen simply grabbed one with each hand and pulled them down.

The stone platform seemed to become a forbidden area.

Qin Xiong and the empress leaned against each other, tears flowing freely. A fallen emperor and a fallen empress of the pre-Qin era, now the only two left, depending on one another for survival. After centuries apart, their emotions were overwhelming. There were so many things they wanted to say, but their words jumbled together in sobs.

"How touching," Yang Xuan said, wiping the corner of his eye and forcing out a couple of tears. He even looked like he wanted to step forward for a big hug—whether he hugged Qin Xiong or not didn't matter, but hugging Yin Yue Huangfei would feel soft and wonderful.

On the other hand, Shangguan Jiu was leering at Ji Ningshuang with a sleazy grin, rubbing his hands together. "This fairy, may I ask your name?"

"Ji Ning—"

"Smack!"

Before Ji Ningshuang could finish, Shangguan Jiu was flat on the ground, knocked down by a slap from Ye Chen. It was all so seamless, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. Why ask questions with that sleazy smile? Were you trying to flirt with my wife?

Yang Xuan and Ling Feng coughed awkwardly and stepped aside, not wanting to get caught in the fallout.

On the stone platform, Yin Yue Huangfei wiped away her tears while helping Qin Xiong down. "Your Majesty, these are your friends who saved us."

"Friends?" The reincarnated Qin Xiong was stunned. He looked at Ye Chen, then at Ji Ningshuang. They both seemed familiar at first glance, but he had no memory of them.

"General Qin, you've returned," Ye Chen said with a smile, flicking a strand of immortal light that shot through the air and entered Qin Xiong's forehead—it was a memory immortal light.

Immediately, Qin Xiong's body trembled. He clutched his head and roared in pain, his forehead veins bulging, his eyes bloodshot, his ears ringing, and his head feeling like it might explode. His mind, not yet fully clear, was overwhelmed by a mysterious force. A segment of ancient memories aggressively flooded into his mind.

"What is this?" The empress was startled, and even Shangguan Jiu and the others felt a chill run through them. What had happened? Had he gone mad?

"Stay calm; it won't harm him," Ye Chen said reassuringly with a smile. For anyone unsealing their reincarnation, pain was an inevitable stage—it was only temporary.

The empress clenched her jade hands, her face full of worry, but she said nothing more.

It wasn't until some time later that Qin Xiong's roars subsided. He stared blankly at Ye Chen, tears welling up as memories returned. He remembered his past life, his homeland, and his true name. He was Qin Xiong, the mighty general of Zhao Guo, who had been honored in the great battle against the demons by commanding immortals in combat. That was his only defeat in his previous life.

"General, I hope you've been well," Ye Chen said with a smile.

"This humble general, Qin Xiong, greets the Holy Lord," Qin Xiong stepped forward and knelt on one knee with a resounding thud, his words firm and resolute. As a soldier, every word and action of his echoed his past life's discipline and sternness.

His address of "Holy Lord" left the empress and Yang Xuan's group baffled. What was going on? This was the emperor of the pre-Qin era! For him to call Ye Chen the Holy Lord, just how noble was Ye Chen's status?

The empress, in particular, was completely confused. When had her husband ever been called "Qin Xiong"?

Ye Chen helped Qin Xiong up and patted his shoulder firmly. "Long time no see, still as bold as ever."

"Holy Lord, what is this...?" Qin Xiong wiped away his tears, his face full of confusion.

"Reincarnation," Ye Chen replied through a mental transmission.

"Reincarnation?" Qin Xiong was shocked again, his head spinning as if it were all a dream. In the dream, he had been charging into battle with his fellow mortal generals; upon waking, a full cycle of reincarnation had passed. As a mortal, he couldn't comprehend or accept it.

"If you can't figure it out, take your time to think. For now, let's return to your homeland," Ye Chen said with a smile.

The word "homeland" brought tears to Qin Xiong's eyes, even as a burly man. Just hearing those two words moved him to tears. After one full reincarnation, how could he not long for home? Compared to his hundred years as an emperor here, he would rather return to Da Chu and continue as a mortal general.

Ye Chen smiled and waved his hand, drawing Qin Xiong and the empress into the Chaos Cauldron, along with Yang Xuan and his companions.

On the other side, Ji Ningshuang had already picked up Xiao Yang Lan.

The two of them left the ancient tomb together, stepping into the void and soaring upward into the vast starry sky. This was Ye Chen, after a hundred years, stepping into the stars once more. It was also Ji Ningshuang, after one hundred and seventy years, standing again in the starry sky of her homeland.

Both felt a sense of emotion, while inside the cauldron, Qin Xiong and the others gazed around in wonder. They had always viewed the stars from below; this was their first time entering them. The feeling was entirely different, making them realize the vastness of the universe and their own insignificance. From this day on, their horizons had broadened.

Pausing in the starry sky, Ye Chen remained still for a long time, his eyes slightly closed. Then, he released his divine sense, enveloping the ancient star, wanting to confirm one last time if there was any sign of reincarnation.

As before, years ago, he found no trace of his original soul.

"Was I overthinking it?" Ye Chen murmured to himself, recalling Qi's reincarnation. Without a cycle of reincarnation, how could there be one? This contradiction had puzzled him for nearly a century.

Slowly collecting his thoughts, he bowed respectfully to the ancient star.

In his hundred years of living as a mortal, he had witnessed the full spectrum of human life and comprehended the great dao of the world. Every person, every mountain, every river within it was etched deeply in his memory. Now, with his merits complete, as a mere passerby, it was time for him to leave.

Inside the Chaos Cauldron, Yang Xuan and the others watched as well, peering over the cauldron's edge, tears in their eyes. They were about to depart, and who knew when—or if—they would return.

A breeze from the stars blew by, and Ye Chen took Ji Ningshuang's hand, silently turning away.

The ancient star behind them grew smaller as they left.

On that star, the town of Zhu Xian was blanketed in snow, still peaceful and harmonious. A hundred years had seen a generation born and another buried.

In front of the tavern, the fortune-telling table remained, covered in snow, but the fortune-teller named Ye Chen was gone. The banner reading "Ye Banxian" fluttered in the wind. It would take Ye Chen's place, witnessing the prosperity of Zhu Xian Town and the passage of time.

Perhaps, many years later, no one would remember Ye Chen, and even less would recall the master who came daily to tell fortunes, revered by the world as an old immortal.