Chapter 2243: The So-Called Messenger

In the starry sky, Tianzhu and Dimie were both clutching their sore backs, limping along with every step. Their faces were bruised and swollen, complete with black eyes and footprints all over, which went without saying. What stood out most was their hair, tousled into a mess like a bird's nest—so disheveled it might even hatch an egg.

At a glance, it was clear this was Donghuang Taiyi's doing.

In truth, Ye Chen was still the more reasonable one—at least you could exchange a word or two with him. But those old folks like Donghuang Taiyi had tempers that flared at the drop of a hat. Any disagreement, and they kicked Tianzhu and Dimie out, topping it off with a thorough beating.

"Embarrassing, isn't it?" Dimie wiped away some nosebleed.

"Embarrassing." Tianzhu wiped his nosebleed too.

No sooner had they spoken than they were kicked again, sent flying forward in a face-plant position.

Who was it?

The two struggled to their feet, their faces dark with humiliation. As peak quasi-emperors, how could they tolerate being kicked like that?

But there was no one behind them—or rather, they couldn't see anyone.

The one who had kicked them was none other than Ye Chen, the young master. The quasi-emperors of Dachu had already gotten their fill of venting, so how could he, the one who had been beaten, resist joining in for a kick? The reincarnation mark he left earlier wasn't for nothing, and the fame of the Flying Thunder God technique was well-deserved.

That Flying Thunder God technique was indeed effective. Even these two peak quasi-emperors hadn't noticed a thing, getting kicked out of nowhere and not even knowing who did it.

If people from the various heavens knew about this, they'd probably give a collective thumbs-up to Dachu. That's just how vibrant the people of the various heavens are—they even dare to mess with those from the forbidden zones.

But thinking about it, this was totally in line with Dachu's style.

Back in the day, Dachu's tenth emperor went to the forbidden zone, using heavenly tribulation as leverage. Not only did the Dachu quasi-emperors not stop him, they even fueled the fire, borrowing a hundred supreme emperor artifacts from the forbidden zone and wiping out the entire Tengshe clan.

Compared to that, what happened to Tianzhu and Dimie today in Dachu was child's play.

Idiots, complete idiots!

Tianzhu and Dimie grumbled as they walked, convinced it was someone from Dachu again. They hadn't gotten enough earlier, so they chased them down for another kick.

And that person was most likely that brat Ye Chen.

Dachu's tenth emperor might look proper, but he held grudges like no one else. Traveling all this way just to land a kick—that was totally something Ye Chen, with his shameless ways, would do.

Ah-choo!

Ye Chen sneezed, already back in Dachu. He didn't head to Yunu Peak but went straight to Tianxuan Gate. Kicking those two peak quasi-emperors felt incredibly satisfying, and he was thoroughly pleased with his reincarnation path's Flying Thunder God technique. With this god-tier skill, there'd be plenty of fun in the future.

When he returned to Tianxuan Gate, Donghuang Taiyi was already waiting, quietly brewing tea.

The other quasi-emperors were there too, each with a big "satisfied" look written all over them. Not long ago, they had ganged up on the people from the forbidden zone, and just thinking about it felt amazingly refreshing.

Honestly, you couldn't blame them—it was those two idiots who were so obnoxious. The moment they entered Tianxuan Gate, they started causing a racket. Dachu wanted to borrow some emperor artifacts from the forbidden zone, but they flat-out refused.

Damn! How could they stand for that? The hot-tempered Dachu quasi-emperors chased them down for a beating. Not lending the artifacts and still yelling like that—they must have wandered into the wrong place. If not for the forbidden zone's reputation, they might not have even let them leave Tianxuan Gate. Fat chance of that.

"Reached the peak of Great Saint, how does it feel?" Donghuang Taiyi asked with a smile.

"Freaking great." Ye Chen was as cheeky as ever. Donghuang Taiyi had just brewed the tea, and even the quasi-emperors hadn't had any, but he squeezed in and grabbed a cup first.

"You've glimpsed the gate to quasi-emperor?" Yue Huang said with a light smile.

"Of course I have, just need a bit more opportunity." Ye Chen shook his head with a laugh, feeling a bit helpless. He had glimpsed it, but seeing it and crossing over were two different things.

"You're quite the talent; I have high hopes for you." Sheng Zun said deeply.

"I always feel like you're insulting me." Ye Chen found a spot to sit down. After all this time, looking at the legendary Sheng Zun again, he was so much stronger than before, infinitely close to the emperor level. He was just short of that fateful opportunity; once he got it, he'd defy the heavens and become a great emperor.

"That dragon throne, bring it out for us to see." Xie Mo was the most straightforward.

"Since the Evil God commands it, I must oblige." Ye Chen laughed and summoned the white jade dragon throne.

As soon as the white jade dragon throne appeared, the emperor artifacts in Tianxuan Gate all began to hum in resonance.

The quasi-emperors stood up and surrounded the throne, forming inner and outer circles, their eyes gleaming with excitement. Something that could make emperor artifacts hum like this had to be extraordinary.

Ah!

Soon, screams echoed—it was Di Lao, who spat out a mouthful of blood and nearly collapsed. His face turned deathly pale, his breath chaotic. A peak quasi-emperor like him could barely stand steady, with blood flowing endlessly from his mouth.

This wasn't for no reason; he had recklessly tried to peer into and deduce the dragon throne, suffering a terrible backlash.

After him, no one dared to use any techniques on the throne—it was too mysterious.

The scene fell silent, with everyone just staring at the white jade dragon throne, their gazes growing deeper. They couldn't tell its material or its level. This kind of strange artifact that made emperor artifacts hum was a first for them, but they couldn't discern any clues.

"It comes from Lingxiao Treasure Hall. According to Tianzhu and Dimie, it belongs to the Heavenly Court," Ye Chen finally broke the long silence, looking at the quasi-emperors with full expectation.

"You want to know the secrets of the Heavenly Court." Donghuang Taiyi was the first to look away.

"As you said."

"It's an ancient force." The one replying was Xi Chen. "No one knows its origins; it's just known to be mysterious and powerful. Its roots in which era remain unverified. From what I guess, Tianzhu, Dimie, and even the five great forbidden zones are all part of that Heavenly Court."

The other quasi-emperors said nothing, not refuting Xi Chen's words.

Ye Chen glanced at Xie Mo. Among those present, she had the highest seniority as a primordial-level great god and likely knew more secrets, like the origins of the Heavenly Court or the forbidden zones.

"I don't know." Under everyone's gaze, Xie Mo simply shook her head.

Ye Chen fell silent. It was just as Tianzhu and Dimie had said—without reaching the emperor level, you weren't qualified to know.

At that moment, he finally understood why Tianzhu and Dimie always gave him such strange looks whenever the Heavenly Court's holy master was mentioned. How could they not? He had stolen their name. From the forbidden zone's lineup, Dachu's Heavenly Court was just a joke compared to the ancient one. They were both called Heavenly Court, but they weren't in the same league at all.

Ah!

While he was lost in thought, another scream rang out.

This time, it was Tian Lao. As he was looking, he impulsively tried to sit on it. But the moment he sat down, he was flung away. Under the watchful eyes of the quasi-emperors, he flew right out of Tianxuan Gate.

"Is the dragon throne's owner a great emperor?" Di Lao sighed. He had also wanted to sit on it, but seeing Tian Lao get tossed, he quickly dismissed the idea. The white jade dragon throne looked dazzling and pure, but it had a spirit—and a temper to match.

"A peak quasi-emperor got flipped off it, so it's likely beyond a great emperor." Yue Huang pondered.

No one refuted this. A peak quasi-emperor could stand against emperor artifacts, yet he was shaken off, clearly meaning the throne's owner was more than just a great emperor—possibly a heavenly emperor. A heavenly emperor's seat wasn't for just anyone to sit on. Even a peak quasi-emperor wasn't up to it; trying would be playing with your life.

"Where is Lingxiao Treasure Hall?" Xie Mo glanced at Ye Chen.

"In a spatial black hole."

"Another black hole." The quasi-emperors couldn't help but rub their brows. Trouble and opportunity always went hand in hand. Counting up, how many treasures had been brought out from black holes? It was like a natural treasure trove. Who knew how many chances Ye Chen had gotten from there over the years? Of course, black holes weren't for just anyone—people like Ye Chen were rare.

"How about we move it back?" Sheng Zun stroked his chin.

"That word 'move' is spot-on." Ye Chen chimed in, pouring himself another cup. He really wanted to take Sheng Zun to the black hole to see for himself. Once he laid eyes on Lingxiao Treasure Hall, he probably wouldn't say that. You had to see it to believe it—the place was massive, enough to upend anyone's expectations. Standing before it, you'd be like an ant. As for moving it?

Seeing his expression and hearing his tone, the quasi-emperors could pick up on a few hints. Since Lingxiao Treasure Hall belonged to the ancient Heavenly Court, it wasn't something ordinary people could touch.

If it could be moved and more treasures grabbed, Ye Chen, with his greedy nature, would have cleared it out long ago.

In fact, Ye Chen had tried that back in the day—he'd even ripped off the roof tiles. There was nothing he wouldn't do. But Lingxiao Treasure Hall had its own spirit; unless a great emperor came or the owner themselves, no one could take it.

"Another tribulation survivor has passed." One of the quasi-emperors suddenly said.

The quasi-emperors looked up, peering through the void and dispelling layers of mist. They saw over a dozen brilliant immortal lights, all from primordial quasi-emperors, none from the various heavens.

"Ye Chen, I'm giving you a task." Donghuang Taiyi said calmly.

"Is there a reward?" Ye Chen asked with a grin, but seeing Donghuang Taiyi's serious expression, he straightened up. He could joke around, but when it was time to be serious, he was.

"Go to Tianxu and borrow some emperor artifacts."

"I just got beaten up; if I go back now, they might kill me." Ye Chen grimaced, feeling like Donghuang Taiyi was setting him up. If they wanted to borrow artifacts, why beat them up first? And make it hurt? Even I sneak in my kicks with some finesse. Tianzhu and Dimie had barely visited Dachu before getting chased and beaten, and now we need something from them? Since when did our logic get this arbitrary?

"Take this." Donghuang Taiyi waved her hand and handed over a jade slip.

Ye Chen took it and glanced over it briefly. He could tell it contained a divine sense imprint. This time, he'd be going as an envoy, representing Dachu, and this jade slip was like a letter of credentials.

"The tribulation surge might end at any moment; the various heavens need emperor artifacts for the battle."

"Use your wits fully—borrow as many as you can. I have faith in you."

"Whether we survive this catastrophe depends on you, our emperor."

The quasi-emperors chimed in one after another, each patting Ye Chen on the shoulder, their eyes full of grave respect and high expectations for him.

Ye Chen didn't speak, just clutched the jade slip, his eyes darting around as he looked over each quasi-emperor from head to toe, then toe to head.

For a moment, an urge to curse welled up in him.

You bastards—every one of you is a peak quasi-emperor, more influential than me, yet none of you are going to Tianxu to borrow artifacts. You're sending this junior instead? Is that even right?

"Perfectly right." The quasi-emperors seemed to read his thoughts, replying in unison.

Ye Chen's mouth twitched again, strongly suspecting these old fogies had conspired beforehand to screw him over. You openly beat them up and now send me as an envoy? Anyone with a grudge would remember that, let alone the people from the forbidden zones like Tianxu. They'd probably beat me on sight.

Little did he know, what the quasi-emperors valued wasn't just him, but his skills.

And by skills, they meant his talent for deception and trickery.

Everyone in the various heavens knew that the Holy Body Ye Chen had a unique charm for that sort of thing.

And Dachu needed exactly that charm.

That's why they sent him—it was meaningful, and based on his historical performance.

Back in the day, Ye Chen could argue Shijia Zunzhe into going through tribulation.

Today, he could probably argue the forbidden zones into lending emperor artifacts.

With his gift for deception and a mouth that could argue anyone down, not making him an envoy would be a waste. If he couldn't borrow any, no one would believe it.

As for whether he'd get beaten, they truly didn't care.

"Go quickly and come back quickly. As for that dragon throne, leave it at Tianxuan Gate."

"Don't mess around; that's mine."

"Just borrowing it for a few days; we'll return it later." Donghuang Taiyi waved her hand and personally escorted Ye Chen out of Tianxuan Gate. Maybe she used a bit too much force, because Ye Chen shot off as a streak of light into the sky.

That woman hits harder than I do!

This thought came from Xie Mo, who gave Kunlun Goddess a meaningful look. Swinging a palm like that could topple mountains with Ye Chen's impact.

With Ye Chen gone, the quasi-emperors gathered around the white jade dragon throne again.

By now, it was night, with bright moonlight casting down, making the throne even more radiant. The patterns carved on it seemed to come alive, with faint visions appearing and faint sounds of the Great Dao echoing, causing the emperor artifacts to hum in unison.

Vaguely, they saw a illusory woman reclining on the dragon throne, like a dream. They couldn't make out her face, only that she was stunningly elegant. Though just a shadow, she exuded immense pressure.

Pfft! Pfft!

People kept spitting blood, mostly those secretly trying to deduce her. Unfortunately, their cultivation wasn't enough—or rather, hers was too high. Even as a shadow, it wouldn't tolerate scrutiny; anyone who tried would suffer backlash, quasi-emperor or not.

"Its owner is a woman." Xi Chen said thoughtfully.

"Or rather, the commander of the ancient Heavenly Court is a woman." Yue Huang added slowly.

The quasi-emperors' expressions were a bit odd, all assuming the ancient Heavenly Court's master was a male cultivator, the type to dominate the world. Who would have thought it was a woman?

The ones who felt it most deeply were the peak quasi-emperors like Donghuang Taiyi and Xie Mo. Even as a shadow on the white jade dragon throne, she dimmed their own brilliance. In this world, no one could match her—she was that astonishing.

"Summon Ruoxi here," Donghuang Taiyi ordered after a moment of daze.