Chapter 2157: Fire Domain

Chapter 2157: Huoyu

The annihilation of the Tao Wu Clan sent shockwaves throughout all the domains. Many old veterans who had been in seclusion were stunned when they heard the news, taking a long time to process it. They had missed the entire event just because of their retreat — the Tao Wu Clan had vanished in an instant. It was a pity they couldn't witness that epic battle.

Still, the news was invigorating.

This war would remind the Hong Huang Clan that the Zhu Tian was not defenseless, and the Wan Yu would never back down from a fight. If they dared to cause chaos again, they would face a united assault. The Tao Wu Clan served as a prime example.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen and Bei Sheng had returned to the Jiu Li Clan.

In the bamboo grove, Xi Chen and Sheng Zun were both there, sitting cross-legged on either side with their eyes closed. Visible on their bodies were deep blood gashes, each wound encircled by a multicolored ethereal light that was dissolving their vital energy, making the injuries extremely hard to heal.

Ye Chen entered and frowned at the sight.

Bei Sheng was also startled. After all, Xi Chen and Sheng Zun were fierce fighters who had battled emperors, yet even together, they had been wounded. Just how powerful was that Zhu Xian Jian?

A gloomy atmosphere hung in the air, and Ye Chen didn't dare disturb them. He simply sat down cross-legged.

Then, he used his mind to connect with the Chi Mie Zhen Huo. This true fire, on par with the Hong Lian Ye Huo, had become incomplete after its master's demise, and its spiritual intelligence had also been affected, reduced to a muddled state.

Once again, Ye Chen activated his persuasion mode.

The Chi Mie Zhen Huo was dazed and didn't understand what Ye Chen was saying, but with the domineering aura of the immortal fire and some intimidation from heavenly thunder, it submitted without warning.

The fusion process went relatively smoothly, though it was quite slow.

The three of them sat in meditation — two healing, one fusing with the flame — making Bei Sheng feel out of place. The girl had good intuition and quietly left the bamboo grove.

Soon, a divine rainbow shot out from Ye Chen's celestial spirit cover.

The rainbow was dazzling, piercing straight into the sky and manifesting visions of chaos. As the Chi Mie Zhen Huo fused with the immortal fire, it gained even more profound source dao essence, and as its master, Ye Chen underwent a transformation.

His transformation startled Xi Chen and Sheng Zun, who opened their eyes one after the other.

Their conditions remained poor, with slightly chaotic auras and pale complexions. Fresh blood occasionally overflowed from their mouths. The wounds from the Zhu Xian Jian were no ordinary injuries, incredibly difficult to heal, even with their level of strength.

"Hun Dun Gui Yuan?" Sheng Zun stroked his chin, staring at Ye Chen's lower abdomen.

"It must be from the evil demons." Xi Chen also stood up, his gaze deep and profound.

"This young Sacred Body is truly extraordinary, even more dazzling than Di Huang." Sheng Zun took a swig from his wine flask and began circling Ye Chen with small steps, his clean eyes flickering with deeper meaning. With his insight, he couldn't see through Ye Chen at all.

Not just him — Xi Chen felt the same.

He looked exactly like the Emperor, naturally carrying an air of mystery.

The tenth emperor of Da Chu must be tied to ancient secrets.

Under their watchful eyes, Ye Chen's Sacred Body trembled slightly. He exhaled a long breath of turbid air, then opened his eyes, his face radiant. The only flaw was the streaks of fresh blood at the corners of his mouth, seeping out inadvertently due to the influence of the heavenly demon source.

"He's awake." Sheng Zun said casually, finding a comfortable spot to sit.

Ye Chen quickly stood up. "Did you two predecessors manage to track it?"

"It shattered the void, making it hard to trace." Xi Chen shook his head helplessly.

"That immortal sword is stronger than I imagined."

"In my view, even a peak-level great emperor might not be its match."

Sheng Zun and Xi Chen exchanged words, their tones heavy.

Ye Chen was deeply shocked by their comments. It was clear that the Zhu Xian Jian surpassed ultimate dao emperor weapons. Its weakened state was likely due to a drop in grade. If even it was this powerful, Ye Chen couldn't fathom how terrifying its owner must be. Could it be the legendary Tian Di, surpassing great emperors?

"Is it convenient to share the secrets of Yao Chi?" Sheng Zun asked Ye Chen with a smile.

"The one wanted is the Female Sacred Body." Ye Chen replied.

"Female Sacred Body?" Both Xi Chen and Sheng Zun were stunned. They had heard of male Sacred Bodies before, but this was their first time encountering a female one — truly novel.

Ye Chen didn't hide anything and revealed more secrets.

Even with their composure, Xi Chen and Sheng Zun furrowed their brows. Strange events happened every year, but this year was exceptional. One Zhu Xian Jian, one heavenly demon source — already headaches — and now a Female Sacred Body emerged, overturning common knowledge.

As they pondered, Xi Chen lightly waved his hand.

In the void, a gate of light opened, revealing a bizarre passage to another domain. Waves of heat rushed out, carrying an extremely pure source essence, scorching and intense.

Ye Chen's eyes lit up, and he sprang to his feet.

"You go to Huoyu first. Later, I will come find you." Xi Chen said calmly, handing over a storage bag containing a domain map prepared specifically for Ye Chen.

"Thank you, predecessor." Ye Chen took it and stepped into the light gate.

Right after him, a stream of immortal light flew in. Upon closer inspection, it was Bei Sheng, looking like a playful young girl, sneaking in stealthily.

"What do you think of the Female Sacred Body matter?" Xi Chen closed the light gate.

Sheng Zun said nothing, just shook his head lightly.

In the domain passage, Ye Chen walked slowly, curiously observing his surroundings. It was different from a domain gate — besides spatial forces, there were more domain essences.

Bei Sheng caught up, full of wonder.

"Why are you here too?" Ye Chen asked in surprise, glancing at her.

"Does it concern you?" Bei Sheng replied dismissively.

Ye Chen muttered to himself and quickened his pace, like a divine light rushing toward the exit. Bei Sheng wasn't slow either, afraid of losing sight of him in a blink.

When they emerged from the light gate, they found themselves in a lush forest.

However, the atmosphere in the forest was awkward. As soon as they landed, they saw a man and a woman getting intimate under an old tree, with most of their clothes already off, about to proceed. The sudden appearance of two strangers startled the woman into a scream, and the man jumped up in rage. "Idiots, what's wrong with you!"

Ye Chen cleared his throat and turned to leave.

Bei Sheng's face flushed red as she hurriedly followed. It was too embarrassing. They strongly suspected Xi Chen had done it on purpose — out of all places, he sent them here, ruining someone's romantic moment. What a mess!

Before long, the two reached a mountain peak.

The world before them was a vast expanse of beautiful mountains and rivers, with dense spiritual energy and swirling immortal mists. Unlike Xuan Huang, this place was filled with fiery energy. The floating clouds were intertwined with faint flames, like the essence of Huoyu, appearing and disappearing, with rolling heat waves.

"The scenery of Huoyu is quite nice." Bei Sheng said with a smile.

Ye Chen had already unfolded the map, conjuring a pen to mark and plan his route, determined to search Huoyu thoroughly in the shortest time, without missing any city.

As he looked, Ye Chen suddenly looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Bei Sheng rolled her eyes. "Don't startle me like that."

"Do you sense someone watching us?" Ye Chen said lightly.

"Stop scaring people." Bei Sheng muttered.

Ye Chen didn't respond, scanned the surroundings, then continued marking the map. It wasn't until a quarter of an hour later that he set off, stepping down from the peak toward the nearest ancient city.

Bei Sheng followed lightly, like a shadow.

By nightfall, the Huoyu landscape took on a unique charm, living up to its name. The source heat wove through with strands of fire essence, creating a splendid and vibrant scene.

Upon reaching the ancient city, it was bustling, no different from the Zhu Tian, full of life and activity.

Bei Sheng entered the city with curiosity, looking around eagerly. Ye Chen, however, was more direct — he ascended into the sky, hovering above the ancient city, his divine sense enveloping everything. Whether man or woman, immortal or mortal, even the cattle, dogs, and pigs below, none escaped his scrutiny.

At this glance, his eyes lit up.

Indeed, there was a reincarnated person from Da Chu — a male cultivator, formerly from the Si Tu family of Western Shu, named Si Tu Kang. In terms of family seniority, he would have to call Si Tu Nan uncle. He was a Xuan-generation disciple of the Heavenly Court, who lost to Shao Yu and others in the Heavenly Court's three sects grand competition, and was of the same generation as Xi Yan. Unexpectedly, he had reincarnated in Huoyu.

Immediately, Ye Chen descended from the sky, landing in a mansion. In a secluded courtyard within, he precisely located a room where the reincarnated Si Tu Kang was.

"Ah, be gentle." Before Ye Chen could approach, he heard a woman's coquettish rebuke from inside the room.

Clearly, the scene in the room was quite intimate.

It was a night for romance, a time for wind, flowers, snow, and moon.

Ye Chen coughed again. This was his first visit to Huoyu, and he had already encountered two such encounters.

A fragrant breeze wafted over as Bei Sheng arrived, holding a skewer of candied haws, which suited her youthful appearance perfectly. There was even a smudge of red sugar at the corner of her mouth.

Hearing the sounds from the room, her face reddened again, and she glared at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen remained composed, focusing on wiping his sword.

"I'm really just here to find the reincarnated person. Running into this at night is normal. Besides, it's natural for a couple to have some evening activities. You, an unmarried girl, wouldn't understand the joy."

Bei Sheng pouted and turned away, heading to a nearby pavilion.

This night was still quite romantic. The creaking of the bed sounded like a beautiful melody, stirring the heartstrings. Not just Ye Chen, even Bei Sheng felt her face growing hot.

In the dead of night, the passionate affair finally ended, followed by whispers of sweet nothings.

Only then did Ye Chen cough.

The door quickly opened, and the reincarnated Si Tu Kang stepped out, still as handsome as ever, his facial features identical to his past life.

Accompanying him was the woman, not a peerless beauty but certainly captivating, her face flushed with a rosy glow that added to her allure.

Seeing the woman, Ye Chen was taken aback.

He recognized her — wasn't she the woman from Huoyu he had seen in the Yin Cao Underworld? Back then, she had reincarnated into the human path of the three good paths, while he, labeled a lowly person by the Book of Life and Death, was sent to the animal path but failed to reincarnate successfully.

Ye Chen sighed, filled with emotion.

How could he not be? Life's twists were too bizarre. They had both attempted reincarnation — one to the animal path, one to the human path; one succeeded, one was caught. Yet, they met again in the mortal world, and she had become the wife of a Da Chu reincarnated person.

The difference was, he retained his past memories, while the Huoyu woman had hers erased by Meng Po's soup, with no recollection of her previous life or him.

"Who are you?" The reincarnated Si Tu Kang stared at Ye Chen, an immortal sword already materializing in his hand.

The Huoyu woman did the same, her immortal sword ringing as sparks flew in her beautiful eyes. The embarrassment of being overheard during their intimate moment fueled her anger.

Ye Chen smiled and flicked a strand of immortal light into Si Tu Kang's forehead.

Si Tu Kang grunted, his sword falling as he clutched his head in agony. His expression twisted in pain as his past memories unsealed, flooding his divine sea like a tidal wave.

"What did you do to him?" The Huoyu woman thrust her sword forward.

"Don't worry, it's not harmful." Ye Chen laughed, waving his hand to seal her in place. He had considered unsealing her memories too, but he lacked her soul imprint.

The Huoyu woman struggled, but it was futile. It wasn't that her strength was lacking; it was just that Ye Chen's cultivation, at the Great Saint realm, was far beyond her Saint level.

Her eyes stayed on her husband, who was still groaning and holding his head.

After three to five minutes, Si Tu Kang's cries of pain faded. He stared at Ye Chen in a daze, tears welling up. This wasn't a dream, yet it felt like one — a dream of endless reincarnation. The tragic scenes from the walls of Nan Chu city turned into bloody tears in that instant. It had been centuries.

"I greet the Holy Lord." Si Tu Kang choked up, kneeling on one knee with a thud, leaving the Huoyu woman stunned. What was this plot? Why was he crying? It was the first time she had seen her husband cry, and who was this "Holy Lord" he mentioned?

"Welcome back, I..." Ye Chen smiled with a touch of melancholy, but before he could finish, he felt his feet leave the ground — or rather, someone had lifted him from behind.

Looking back, it was a beautiful woman — the Female Sacred Body.

In that moment, Si Tu Kang froze, the Huoyu woman froze, and even Bei Sheng in the pavilion froze. They had no idea when this person had appeared behind Ye Chen, completely without warning.

"Predecessor, let's talk this out!" Ye Chen said awkwardly. The mighty tenth emperor of Da Chu was now being held like a chick — utterly humiliating. He recognized her as the Female Sacred Body, sensing her aura as fellow Sacred Bodies.

But he was puzzled — why had the Female Sacred Body come to Huoyu?

Could she ignore domain barriers and travel freely?

The Female Sacred Body said nothing, just smiled mysteriously and carried him away.

"Predecessor!" Si Tu Kang tried to chase but was forced to his knees by her pressure. Bei Sheng snorted coldly and soared into the sky, activating her Can Po emperor artifact.

Unfortunately, she was no match. Even a damaged emperor artifact was useless.

The Huoyu woman was the most bewildered; the situation had escalated too quickly.

Once the Female Sacred Body vanished, the pressure lifted. Si Tu Kang stumbled, nearly falling, his face pale as paper. Her pressure was like a mountain, almost crushing him.

Bei Sheng rose into the air, her beautiful eyes narrowing as she scanned the surroundings with a strange expression.

"Did I see that wrong? Where did that Female Sacred Body come from? Are there female Sacred Bodies in the world?"

As she thought this, her divine sense spread out, searching for the Female Sacred Body's trail.

Alas, her cultivation was too low; she found nothing. Still, she wasn't worried. As a Sacred Body, the woman was from the same lineage as Ye Chen, likely a senior. She probably wouldn't harm him. But that eerie smile from the Female Sacred Body was chilling to think about.