Chapter 2260: Let's Switch?

Chapter 2260: Shall We Swap?

Boom! Bang! Boom!

Amidst the thunder of the heavenly tribulation, another sound echoed even more thunderously—it was the fluctuation of a great battle. Mountains upon mountains were obliterated, and the so-called void space proved fragile, shattering into vast fragments. Silently extinguishing immortal light streaked across the heavens and earth, overturning the very fabric of the universe.

In the midst of the lightning flashes, one could see Ye Chen's figure, like a golden war god.

As for his opponent, he was no ordinary foe either, with a body radiating golden light and immense physical strength. His head of golden hair flowed like a river of gold, and his brilliant golden eyes seemed to encompass the heavens and earth. He stood like a golden Xian Wang, his aura dominating the four seas and eight wildernesses, capable of shattering the heavens and destroying the earth with every gesture.

This individual was no simple character; his name was Lu Tian, the first-ranked Di Zi of Hong Huang. His bloodline was of the heaven-defying level, known as the Bu Mie Xian Ti.

Earlier, he had been spying outside Heng Yue Shan and was detected by Ye Chen. True to Ye Chen's nature, upon spotting a Hong Huang race Di Zi, there was little preamble—he went straight for the kill.

Boom!

Accompanied by a thunderous rumble, the two clashed head-on once more, causing the heavens to collapse in an instant.

Only then did they temporarily cease fighting.

Ye Chen stood in the east, with the Hun Dun Ding hovering above his head and the Hun Dun realm at his back. His rolling golden vital energy surged like ocean waves, each strand as heavy as a mountain, swallowing the vast mountains and rivers with an overbearing aura. His ancient sacred body seemed forged from gold, standing like an eternal monument.

Lu Tian stood in the west, holding an immortal sword and treading upon a sea of golden immortals. His radiant golden form emitted countless divine lights, like a blazing sun illuminating the world. Various ancient visions intertwined in the heavens, evolving Dao principles and sketching scenes of destruction.

“The Hong Huang Di Zi ranked first is indeed ferocious.”

Ye Chen shouldered his Ling Xiao Tie Gun and smoothed his hair. Fighting was one thing, but he had to maintain his stylish appearance at all times—this was the tenth emperor of Da Chu, a legend like no other.

Though he joked around, he couldn't help but feel astonished. He never expected the first-ranked Hong Huang Di Zi to possess a Bu Mie Xian Ti, a bloodline so heaven-defying that it truly existed.

The Bu Mie Xian Ti was indestructible and impervious to all laws, a lineage that fully deserved the title of Hong Huang's top. Compared to it, the second-ranked Han Jiang and third-ranked Kui Luo seemed like child's play. They were Di Zi-level, but this formidable opponent before him was a genuine young emperor-level figure, a monster on the same level as Ye Chen.

“The Sacred Body's reputation is well-deserved; you have the qualifications to be this king's opponent.”

Lu Tian spoke with a faint, eerie laugh, casually stretching his neck. Though his words were light, they resounded like ancient thunder, shaking the eternal immortal dome and carrying supreme demonic power across the heavens and earth.

As Ye Chen had said, he was at the young emperor level.

Lu Tian's position as the first-ranked Hong Huang had only been claimed the day before, when he awoke from his ancient self-seal. He had heard of the existence of the ancient Sacred Body in the various heavens, which had slain more than one Hong Huang Di Zi, including Kui Luo Di Zi and Han Jiang Di Zi. Eager to see for himself, he came to test if the legendary ancient Sacred Body was truly unbeatable at the same level.

“It's rare for you to come to Da Chu, sneaking around like this—aren't you afraid of tarnishing your Hong Huang first-ranked reputation?”

Ye Chen brushed the dust from his shoulder.

“You've been self-sealed for so long, you might not know the ways of Da Chu. Once you're here, getting out won't be so easy.”

“That depends on whether you have the ability.”

Lu Tian replied, stepping forward to shatter the sky and slashing out a river of immortals with his sword, effortlessly cleaving through the vast universe.

Ye Chen sneered and activated Fei Lei Shen, vanishing in an instant.

“Fei Lei Shen Jue.”

Lu Tian's lips curved slightly as he teleported away. In that moment, he casually waved his hand, erasing a mark on his body—it was Ye Chen's Wheel of Reincarnation mark, imprinted during their earlier battle.

Boom!

Because Lu Tian had evaded, Ye Chen's strike missed, smashing that section of void into collapse.

“Your evasion techniques are quite slick!”

Ye Chen laughed as he looked at Lu Tian. That guy's movement was not just slick—it was profoundly mysterious, a heaven-seizing creation that even forced Fei Lei Shen to its limits.

“With an emperor-level immortal technique like this, it's no wonder Han Jiang and Kui Luo were defeated.”

Lu Tian's laugh carried a demonic edge, his golden eyes full of disdain.

“Unfortunately, it's useless against this king.”

Hearing this, Ye Chen nearly laughed. Han Jiang and Kui Luo hadn't lost because of Fei Lei Shen—back then, he hadn't even comprehended it yet. If he had known it earlier, the Hong Huang clan's Han Jiang and Kui Luo would have been defeated even more decisively.

Boom!

As he thought this, Lu Tian shattered the heavens with another step and swung his sword.

This time, Ye Chen didn't dodge. He surged forward with overwhelming vital energy and swung his stick.

Clang!

The immortal sword and iron stick collided, producing a resounding clash and sparking brilliant flames.

At the same time, Lu Tian's Bu Mie Xian Sword and Ye Chen's Ling Xiao Tie Gun were both sent flying—one crashed into a massive peak, the other obliterated a stretch of space.

Ye Chen felt his palm tremble, now covered in bloody gashes.

Lu Tian fared no better; the hand that held his sword was also exposed with bloody bones from the recoil. Yet, his recovery was overwhelmingly powerful, with his shattered palm bones regenerating in an instant.

“Good sword.”

Ye Chen didn't look at Lu Tian but gazed at his Bu Mie Xian Sword.

That sword was truly exceptional, undoubtedly a quasi-emperor weapon, forged from pure Bu Mie Xian Gold. It was incredibly durable, even leaving a sword mark on the Ling Xiao Tie Gun.

“Not bad.”

Ye Chen stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Back when he attended the auction on You Ming Continent, he had obtained a piece of Bu Mie Xian Gold, but it was pitifully small and impure. Compared to Lu Tian's Bu Mie Xian Sword, it was like child's play. Such heaven-defying immortal gold was coveted even by great emperors, perfect for forging ultimate emperor weapons. If the Hun Dun Ding absorbed it, it would surely undergo another nirvana.

In fact, the Hun Dun Ding was already buzzing, eager to emerge and devour the Bu Mie Xian Sword.

But Ye Chen wouldn't let it out. The Bu Mie Xian Sword was a quasi-emperor weapon, while the Hun Dun Ding was only at the great saint level—they weren't in the same class. It might get shattered before it could swallow anything.

Besides, there was no need for the Hun Dun Ding's help; the Ling Xiao Tie Gun could hold its own. Though it lacked emperor weapon power, it could withstand even emperor artifacts, growing stronger against tougher foes. It had blocked ten emperor artifacts before, so it wasn't to be underestimated.

While Ye Chen eyed the Bu Mie Xian Sword, Lu Tian was looking at the Ling Xiao Tie Gun.

Ye Chen's gaze was bright with desire, and Lu Tian's was equally radiant with golden light.

As the first-ranked Di Zi of Hong Huang, Lu Tian had keen insight and could see the Ling Xiao Tie Gun's extraordinary nature. He had heard from his clan's elders that the Sacred Body wielded a dominant iron stick, and now that he saw it, it truly lived up to the hype—a divine weapon indeed.

Buzz! Zheng!

As they watched, the Bu Mie Xian Sword and Ling Xiao Tie Gun both hummed, soaring into the ethereal void to clash fiercely. Their collisions sparked dazzling fireworks.

“How about we swap?”

Ye Chen withdrew his gaze from the void and smiled at Lu Tian.

Lu Tian's lips twitched slightly, but he said nothing. Immortal light suddenly appeared in his hand, transforming into another immortal sword, gleaming with golden radiance and bursting with sword energy—it was quite domineering.

Whoa! Another one!

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, ignoring Lu Tian and focusing on the sword in his hand. He could tell it was also forged from Bu Mie Xian Gold, another Bu Mie Xian Sword.

The difference was that this one was of a lower grade, a great saint weapon.

As the tenth emperor of Da Chu, Ye Chen's eyes lit up at the sight of Lu Tian, like staring at a treasure trove. The legendary Bu Mie Xian Ti was truly top-tier, possessing two Bu Mie Xian Swords. What a remarkable trait—and as for Lu Tian himself, he was a walking treasure from head to toe.

“If I sold this, it would fetch a fortune.”

Ye Chen stroked his chin again.

Buzz!

As he pondered, the restless Hun Dun Ding slipped out on its own. Its massive, ancient form was simple and unadorned, surrounded by Escaping Armor Heavenly Characters that vibrated with a buzz. This extraordinary great cauldron evolved its own Dao essence, with various visions weaving and dancing.

The Hun Dun Ding's actions seemed to declare one thing: I'll handle this.

It was quite ambitious—if it couldn't beat a quasi-emperor weapon, surely it could take on a great saint weapon. As a great saint artifact itself, it was ready for a head-on clash.

Well then! Seeing Ye Chen's Hun Dun Ding, Lu Tian's eyes lit up again. If the Ling Xiao Tie Gun was exceptional, this great cauldron was even more so—a divine weapon without a doubt.

“How about we swap again?”

Ye Chen suggested tentatively.

Buzz!

The Hun Dun Ding buzzed and bumped against Ye Chen, as if saying: Swap what?

Then, it flew off like a divine ray piercing the sky.

Once it stopped, the cauldron hovered there, buzzing as if declaring war on the Bu Mie Xian Sword or issuing a challenge: You—come up here for a one-on-one.

The Bu Mie Xian Sword wasn't having it. With a sharp Zheng, it shot toward the Hun Dun Ding like a beam of immortal light.

Bang! Clang! Clatter!

These sounds rang out immediately, crisp and resounding.

The great saint weapon Bu Mie Xian Sword and the great saint weapon Hun Dun God Cauldron were now at war, neither willing to back down. There were no secret techniques involved—just pure, brute collisions.

You slash me with a sword, and I'll stubbornly smash back.

That was their fighting style. Ye Chen's natal artifact shared his own temperament—unconventional in battle, striking once and retreating, only to launch a counterattack later.

“Impressive.”

Ye Chen remarked meaningfully, his eyes on the Bu Mie Xian Sword growing even more fond.

“I will slay you.”

Lu Tian charged, his hands empty of weapons, relying on his domineering golden fists. Each punch fused thousands of secret techniques, piercing through the universe with absolute dominance.

“You're still a bit short.”

Ye Chen retorted coldly, advancing instead of retreating, also bare-handed. He combined the Nine Paths and Eight Wildernesses into one, infusing it with Hun Dun Dao principles and various secret techniques.

Boom!

Their golden fists collided in the void, triggering thunderous explosions. Centered on the point of impact, a layer of golden, destructive halo spread infinitely across the four seas and eight wildernesses. Everywhere it passed, the void space crumbled inch by inch, and mountains were sliced in half like tofu. Any weaker cultivators in the vicinity would have been instantly obliterated.

Looking at the combatants, Ye Chen had retreated half a step, his fist bones shattered.

Lu Tian wasn't much better off, his fist bloody and bone fragments flying.

This direct clash left neither with an advantage.

Boom!

With another rumble, Lu Tian instantly closed in, slashing with a palm blade that split open Ye Chen's chest and shattered several of his sacred bones into dust within his palm.

Having taken a hit, Ye Chen refused to be outdone, punching through half of Lu Tian's arm. The brilliant Bu Mie golden blood gleamed under the moonlight as the shattered Bu Mie bones turned to ash mid-fall.

“Fight!”

Both roared in unison, their voices resolute. The ancient Sacred Body trod upon a golden divine sea, surging with vital energy as it attacked from east to west. The Bu Mie Xian Ti carried rolling Hong Huang aura, stepping on an immortal sea as it advanced from west to east, unleashing world-shaking immortal techniques simultaneously.

Bang! Boom! Boom!

The great battle erupted, with thunderous roars shaking the nine heavens.

Ye Chen fought like a war god, expanding the Hun Dun great realm with unmatched assaults. Every strike embodied Dao principles, overturning yin and yang and disrupting the universe—he was invincible in his presence.

Lu Tian battled like a Xian Wang, backed by the eternal immortal domain. His Bu Mie immortal techniques erupted frequently, toppling mountains and stirring seas, shattering heavens and destroying earth. His golden, indestructible body repelled thousands of secret techniques, leaving his true form uninvaded.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

The battlefield was vast and brutal. Lu Tian bathed in Ye Chen's ancient Sacred Blood, while Ye Chen was likewise soaked in Bu Mie immortal blood. They fought with frenzied madness.

That stretch of heaven and earth had descended into chaos. Lightning flashed in the sky, lava flowed across the ground, and sword lights, fist shadows, palm prints, and immortal arrays filled the air. Every collision of emperor-level immortal techniques reflected apocalyptic brilliance, with golden blood adorning the dim universe.

He was like the war god of the eight wildernesses, he like the supreme Xian Wang. This was a clash between two young emperors, a contest between the ancient Sacred Body and the Bu Mie Xian Ti. Both carried their own legends and had forged undying myths—it was peak against peak.

One could see that their battle was evenly matched. The ancient Sacred Body's vital energy was vast and unbeatable at the same level, while the Bu Mie Xian Ti was indestructible and impervious to all laws, neither able to overcome the other.

Such a massive commotion naturally drew spectators from all directions. All who heard it gathered from afar, and upon seeing it, they couldn't help but feel shocked.

“I say, is that the Bu Mie Xian Ti?”

Xie Yun raised an eyebrow.

“His name is Lu Tian, the first-ranked Hong Huang Di Zi.”

Xiao Chen explained, his tone laced with surprise.

“I'd only heard of it, but never imagined it was truly a Bu Mie Xian Ti.”

“Such a heaven-defying bloodline actually exists.”

“With the power to surpass Han Jiang and Kui Luo, he deserves the first rank.”

Gu San Tong sighed, having also heard the legends of the Bu Mie Xian Ti—it was extraordinarily dominant.

“Coming alone to Da Chu, he's quite arrogant. Since he's on our turf, we can't let him leave.”

“As the saying goes, if you can gang up, never fight one-on-one.”

The talents of Da Chu had already drawn their weapons, many blowing on them and polishing them with their sleeves, clearly gearing up to gang up on Lu Tian. They wanted the Hong Huang Di Zi to experience Da Chu's style firsthand, lest he think they were pushovers.

“That guy—how did he get in without any warning from the ultimate emperor artifacts?”

In Tian Xuan Gate, the quasi-emperors were gathered, staring intently at the illusory water curtain.

“The first-ranked of Hong Huang must have his own means.”

Xi Chen said.

“Daring to come to Da Chu alone, he has real guts.”

Sheng Zun clicked his tongue.

“Since he's here, there's no need for him to leave.”

“Full of treasures—he can't be spared.”

Xie Mo remarked casually before vanishing in an instant, more dedicated than anyone and eager to act. After all, the blood of the Bu Mie Xian Ti was a key ingredient for refining the Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill. It was rare to catch one alive, so drawing some blood was essential.

Like her, Dong Huang Tai Xin, Yue Huang, and others also left Tian Xuan Gate one after another. They had all heard of the Bu Mie Xian Ti's terror—if given enough time, it could become an eternal giant, potentially even ascending to great emperor status.

A fearsome bloodline like this needed to be nipped in the bud, especially since the various heavens and Hong Huang were enemies.