Chapter 2169: A Cup of Wedding Wine

Nothing happened that night, and dawn arrived in the blink of an eye.

Under the tree, Ye Chen stirred slightly, wearily opening his eyes. His gaze was dim and lifeless, having lost half of his benyuan, which had severely damaged his core.

After a few seconds, he leaned on the tree to stand up and looked around, but the Nü Sheng Ti was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, fresh blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth as the Tian Mo benyuan acted up again.

Indeed, he had not separated the Tian Mo benyuan from his body—not because he couldn't, but because he didn't want to. He needed it to track down the root of the Tian Mo. Only by destroying that root could he resolve the crisis at its source.

Accompanied by a gentle breeze, the Nü Sheng Ti revealed her true form.

For the first time, she dared not meet Ye Chen's eyes directly.

Ye Chen didn't notice this subtle change. His eyes narrowed slightly as he examined the Nü Sheng Ti, discerning some clues. She had a flaw in her body, and his benyuan served as a patch, mending that terrifying wound.

Eventually, the Nü Sheng Ti spoke.

"Why did you save me?"

"You look beautiful!" Ye Chen shrugged, covering his mouth with his hand to cough. When he lowered his hand, a pool of fresh blood was visible in his palm. He wasn't sure if it was from losing his benyuan or from the Tian Mo benyuan constantly tormenting him.

Seeing him like this, the Nü Sheng Ti's expression grew even more complex.

She ignored his words and instead read his thoughts. This young Sheng Ti truly saw her as family, willing to give up all his benyuan for her sake.

By the time they spoke, the sky had fully brightened.

The two set off again, heading straight for the ancient city where Huang Dashan was located. Ye Chen's condition was poor, as if he had caught a chill; he coughed all the way, spitting out fresh blood each time.

The Nü Sheng Ti remained silent, occasionally glancing at Ye Chen out of the corner of her eye.

It wasn't long before they landed in front of an ancient city, where the reincarnated Huang Dashan resided.

Ye Chen felt a lingering fear; he had arrived just in time last night. Otherwise, everyone in this ancient city would have been devoured by the Tian Mo egg, turning into a sea of spirits.

As soon as they entered the city, Ye Chen sensed an air of celebration.

It was indeed joy; there was a joyous event in the city—a couple getting married.

Ye Chen smiled; he loved seeing lovers unite and offered his blessings.

When they reached Huang Dashan's residence, his expression turned meaningful.

Damn it, the one getting married today was Huang Dashan himself.

From a distance, he saw Huang Dashan in his groom's attire, welcoming guests. All the attendees were cultivators, and Huang Dashan's estate was quite imposing, a prominent family in this city. Compared to his portly self in his previous life, this incarnation of Huang Dashan was strikingly handsome, like a jade tree in the wind—utterly unfair.

Ye Chen rubbed his hands together and headed over eagerly. Since he'd arrived in time, he might as well demand a cup of wedding wine. The Nü Sheng Ti looked indifferent but followed him.

"Come in, come in."

Huang Dashan was in high spirits today, not bothering to check who was who; he welcomed everyone. He was in such a good mood that even a beggar would get a cup of wine.

When Ye Chen approached, Huang Dashan paused for a moment. For some reason, he felt a sense of familiarity at first glance.

"Here, take this." Ye Chen handed Huang Dashan a sword and walked into the estate.

Once Huang Dashan snapped out of it, he looked down at the item in his hand.

One glance was enough to startle him.

It wasn't anything ordinary—the sword was a genuine Da Sheng Bing. This gift was extraordinarily generous. After all, their family's treasured artifact was only a Sheng Wang Bing; they had never possessed a Da Sheng Bing.

"It's a Da Sheng Bing. What incredible generosity!" The steward at his side spoke with a trembling voice. The guests who had come to celebrate widened their eyes in amazement.

"Wang Daoyou, who was that person who just went in?" A group of guests crowded around Huang Dashan, probing curiously. Giving away a Da Sheng Bing so casually—everyone wanted to know his identity and his connection to Huang Dashan.

Huang Dashan didn't reply; he searched his memories but found no one matching Ye Chen's description.

Inside the estate, the atmosphere was lively. Ye Chen had already found a seat in the corner, making himself right at home.

"That's the one—he gave a Da Sheng Bing."

"Really?"

"Absolutely true." People at the surrounding tables kept pointing at Ye Chen and whispering. Any one who could give away a Da Sheng Bing so freely was clearly no ordinary person.

Not long after, Huang Dashan returned to the estate and quickly spotted Ye Chen among the crowd. His mind was still reeling—how had he ended up with a Da Sheng Bing out of nowhere?

"Is this the wedding wine?" Ye Chen didn't even look at Huang Dashan; he was pouring wine for the Nü Sheng Ti with a smile. "When you have a moment, help me contact Ming Di Huang senior!"

"I can't contact him through Tong Ming."

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, his face full of disbelief. A Sheng Ti on the verge of great accomplishment couldn't perform Tong Ming to reach Di Huang? That was nonsense.

In an instant, Ye Chen's face darkened, and he coughed up another mouthful of blood. You ungrateful—I've given you half my benyuan, and you won't even help with this.

The Nü Sheng Ti could hear his thoughts but remained silent.

This time, she wasn't lying to Ye Chen—it was truly impossible for her to perform Tong Ming. As for the reason, it involved her secrets, which she couldn't reveal to him.

Ye Chen was furious. He snatched back the wine he had poured for her and kept staring at her lower abdomen, checking on his benyuan—it was half of his Sheng Ti benyuan, all wasted.

"The bride has arrived."

As everyone took their seats, the master of ceremonies announced loudly.

Under the gaze of all, a woman slowly approached, supported by two attendants. Dressed in red bridal attire, her peach-blossom-like face glowed, her eyes sparkling with radiance. Her red lips and white teeth made her enchantingly beautiful.

Indeed, a bride on her wedding day was the most stunning sight.

"Not a bad choice." Ye Chen chuckled.

The Nü Sheng Ti's eyes grew a bit dazed, even absentminded, as she stared at the bride—or more precisely, at the bride's gown. Its vibrant red was so alluring; as a woman herself, she wondered how beautiful it would look on her.

"First bow to heaven and earth."

"Second bow to the parents."

As the master of ceremonies called out, the Nü Sheng Ti lowered her eyes and casually took the wine cup Ye Chen had brought to his lips, downing it in one go.

Ye Chen eyed her sideways. If you wanted a drink, why not pour your own?

The Nü Sheng Ti ignored him and gently waved her hand, drawing out the Lun Hui force from Huang Dashan's body through the crowd. It was a faint, illusory power that none of the guests could see.

While the world remained oblivious, Ye Dashaoye saw it clearly and even secretly deduced its nature.

Amid the noisy wedding ceremony, he entered a state of enlightenment.

Lun Hui force was profoundly mysterious, a power possessed only by those who had experienced Lun Hui.

In his previous life, he had used Lun Hui Xian Shu, but after returning from Ming Jie, it had become unreliable. He suspected it was related to the Six Paths of Lun Hui. He needed more Lun Hui force to further comprehend the Lun Hui principles.

As he pondered, the Nü Sheng Ti waved her hand again, drawing out more Lun Hui force.

In that moment, Ye Chen's eyes flickered. This was the third time she had performed this technique in front of him—three times were enough. The last trace of confusion vanished as he deduced it with his Lun Hui eyes.

Let me try. Ye Chen subtly raised his hand and, through the crowd, performed the extraction technique on Huang Dashan. To his surprise, it worked. A strand of Lun Hui force, as thin as a hair, was drawn out and held between his fingers—invisible and intangible, yet he could feel its profound essence, even more mysterious than he had imagined.

As he gently rubbed his fingers, the Lun Hui force merged into his body.

Its entry felt extraordinarily wondrous, making his Dao Ze tremble in response.

Ye Chen's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he had discovered a treasure trove that thrilled him. With this extraction technique, he could obtain even more Lun Hui force.

He chuckled to himself and glanced at the Nü Sheng Ti. I told you, even if you don't teach me, I can learn it. I'm quite skilled at picking things up.

The Nü Sheng Ti stayed quiet, pouring and drinking cup after cup. The old ginger is indeed spicier; she could see right through Ye Chen's intentions. She had demonstrated it on purpose, after all.

Her actions left Ming Di and Di puzzled. Since she was connected to the Tian Mo, she was, in a sense, opposed to Ye Chen. Why demonstrate the Lun Hui force extraction technique so subtly? Was it gratitude, a scheme, or guilt?

The two supreme beings gazed deeply, growing even more unable to fathom the Nü Sheng Ti. What was her true stance, and what role did she play between the Zhutian and the Tian Mo?

"Another strand." Unaware of her intentions, Ye Chen stealthily extracted more Lun Hui force from Huang Dashan, who remained completely oblivious.

Boom!

Just then, a thunderous rumble echoed from the void, drawing everyone's eyes upward.

Dark clouds roiled in the distance, exuding overwhelming killing intent. Three blurry figures descended from the sky: a purple-haired elder, a white-robed youth, and a third being with horns on its head, likely a Du Jiao Shu in its true form.

The three exuded immense power, all at the Da Sheng level. The purple-haired elder was the strongest, with one foot already in the Zhun Di realm.

Their arrival turned the clear sky dark in an instant. The oppressive Da Sheng pressure made everyone's faces pale.

Huang Dashan's expression soured; he recognized them. The bride, who had just entered the bridal chamber, emerged in her gown—clearly, they were enemies coming for revenge.

In the corner, Ye Chen finally paused and glanced at the sky. It was obvious these three meant trouble, here to crash the wedding. He despised people like this; back when Yang Ge Lao and Xia Lan were marrying, some fools had tried the same and ended up buried in a pit he'd dug.

As they spoke, the three Da Sheng had already stopped in midair, looming over Huang Dashan and the bride—or rather, over everyone present. Their Da Sheng pressure was unmasked, their lips curling into cruel, bloodthirsty smiles.

"What a lively occasion today!"

The white-robed youth Da Sheng sneered, glancing past Huang Dashan to the bride, his eyes filled with lecherous intent.

"How about a cup of wedding wine?"

The Du Jiao Shu Da Sheng licked his crimson tongue, baring his sharp teeth, his gaze fixed on the bride. He had a particular fondness for women in bridal attire—their cries of pain must be exquisite.

"The treasure is already taken—what more do you want?" Huang Dashan said gravely.

"I don't like your tone." The purple-haired elder replied coldly, unleashing a mountain-like pressure that forced Huang Dashan to his knees, coughing up blood.

"Coincidentally, I don't like your tone either." A faint voice echoed from the corner—Ye Chen had spoken, one hand propping up his chin as he looked at the purple-haired elder.