Chapter 2264: Heart-to-Heart Talk

Boom! Rumble!

Two Emperor Dao Law Bodies appeared simultaneously. There was no thunder tribulation this time, yet the void continued to rumble endlessly. One in the east and one in the west, one male and one female—these two emperors stood like eternal monuments. Both had once been invincible across all realms, ruled over countless spirits, and left behind immortal legends.

The sky was darkened, its natural brilliance overshadowed by the Emperor Dao Law Bodies.

“East Yao Chi and west Gui Di—now that’s a sight!”

“Avatar secret techniques, anyone?”

“I feel like Emperor Dao Law Bodies have become as common as cabbages. First there was Da Chu’s Eleventh Emperor, Liu Ru Yan, and now Tang San Shao and Ye Ling. But compared to freaks like Ye Chen and Ji Ning Shuang, who reached emperor level as teenagers, these two are just child’s play.”

“We’d love to attract one, but we can’t even draw it in.”

Beneath the heavens, crowds of people gathered like a vast, dark ocean, surrounding those two domains. Sighs, exclamations, and gasps of amazement filled the air. In recent days, they had witnessed many heavenly tribulations and Emperor Dao Law Bodies, signaling the rise of a new generation and the dawn of a golden age.

Ye Chen stood in the void, splitting his focus between two tasks.

He was no stranger to the Yao Chi Female Emperor, having encountered her during his Saint King tribulation years ago. She was the most talented empress, with an immortal legacy, and her fearsomeness was beyond doubt.

As for Gui Di, or Emperor Qing, this was his first time seeing his true form. Though he hadn’t faced him in a tribulation, there was a ridiculous connection between them.

That connection referred to the Sun and Moon Forbidden Curse, also known as the Yin-Yang Immortal Art, created by Gui Di. Anyone afflicted by it suffered from a kind of split personality—normal by day, but transformed at night. Ji Ning Shuang’s past outburst was the perfect example.

This forbidden art was easy enough to resolve: just combine yin and yang, even more effective than Da Chu’s specialties.

Such a frivolous emperor was truly one of a kind. For a moment, Ye Chen even considered fighting Gui Di on behalf of Tang San Shao, giving him a proper thrashing. After all, he was an emperor—how could he keep creating such absurd secret techniques, messing with so many juniors?

“Hold firm to your Dao hearts and endure until the tribulation’s time limit ends—the Emperor Dao will dissipate.”

Ye Chen sent a divine sense message to the two of them. He had the most authority on passing such tribulations, having been struck by them throughout his cultivation path. Through endless lightning, he had forged his experience.

Tang San Shao and Ye Ling said nothing, only nodding in agreement. Usually full of laughter and jokes, the two now wore exceptionally solemn expressions. This was no ordinary tribulation—it was a destructive ordeal. Facing an emperor-level opponent of the same rank, even a moment of hesitation could mean total annihilation.

Boom! Bang!

With two thunderous booms from east and west, the Emperor Dao Law Bodies’ tribulations began.

Ye Ling clashed with the Yao Chi Female Emperor in the vast expanse, both women like celestial goddesses—one a supreme queen, the other radiating peerless elegance. Their strikes were all Emperor Dao Immortal Arts, illuminating the dark void like two radiant moons casting splendid moonlight.

Ye Ling was clearly at a disadvantage, frequently spilling blood. The colorful immortal glow around her body was nearly extinguished by the attacks. The Yao Chi Female Emperor was astonishingly powerful, each strike a world-shattering technique that left wounds on Ye Ling infused with Emperor Dao killing intent.

“Fight!”

The young girl’s battle cry rang out, strong and resolute. She transformed her origin into armor, exuding a heroic aura like a female general. Even knowing she was outmatched, she fought on relentlessly.

As Ye Chen’s daughter, how could she back down? Her father had once faced thirty-two emperors alone and endured. She was merely dealing with one Emperor Dao Law Body—what reason did she have to retreat?

Under the watchful eyes of the masses, her state of mind sublimated through the battle. Bathed in blood, she even forced the Yao Chi Female Emperor back at one point, leaving elders and seniors from all sides in stunned awe.

A tiger father sires no dog daughter—this battle would not tarnish her father’s glory.

Ye Chen watched silently, his expression calm, his eyes like still ancient wells. He had absolute confidence in his daughter. Though she couldn’t defeat the Yao Chi Female Emperor, surviving the time limit was no problem.

His calm demeanor, however, made the spectators wince. The scene was too bloody, the fight too brutal. When women fought fiercely, even male cultivators felt chills run down their spines.

“You bastard, believe me or not, I’ll unleash my bloodline limit!”

“Being a great emperor doesn’t make you special. Catch up to me, and I’ll take your name!”

“If you don’t show your power, you think I’m just a mouse!”

Compared to Ye Ling’s side, Tang San Shao’s battle was far more chaotic—and not just because of the fight itself, but his constant yelling. From the start, knowing the time limit was an issue, he avoided direct confrontation with Gui Di, darting around everywhere. To the world, he was just a shadowy blur.

It couldn’t be helped—he was just too dark.

Yet, he had underestimated Gui Di. Gui Di’s movement techniques were divinely swift, making Tang San Shao’s proud speed seem like child’s play. Tang San Shao was fast, but Gui Di was faster. Whenever he caught up, there was no preamble—just a barrage of fatal strikes. The Emperor Dao Law Body had no consciousness, only killing arts, and that dark lump was nearly blasted apart several times.

Still, Tang San Shao held on stubbornly, refusing to unleash his bloodline limit.

This was a tribulation, ultimately a form of nirvana. It required battling to settle one’s Dao principles and refine the self. Unleashing the bloodline limit would negate the true meaning of transformation.

Besides, his bloodline limit was incomplete—using it once meant losing it forever, and each use weakened its power. He wouldn’t resort to it unless absolutely necessary.

Tang San Shao had his own strengths, but without his bloodline limit, his combat power was far inferior to Ye Ling’s. If Ye Ling was being battered bloody by her Emperor Dao Law Body, how much worse would it be for him against Gui Di? A direct fight would end in utter defeat.

All tribulations have their end.

When a faint light finally returned to the world, this divine punishment reached its conclusion.

The Yao Chi Female Emperor ceased her attacks, her ethereal figure gradually fading. In her final moment, she gave Ye Ling a supreme smile, one of approval for the junior.

Gui Di dissipated soon after.

Like the Yao Chi Female Emperor, he acknowledged Tang San Shao.

Unlike her, though, as Gui Di vanished, a hint of strangeness lingered in his eyes—as if marveling at how Tang San Shao could be so dark, even moving his Emperor Dao Law Body.

Ye Chen finally moved, taking Ye Ling and Tang San Shao with him toward Heng Yue.

The spectators, however, were still not satisfied.

Though this tribulation had ended, others continued elsewhere, but no one bothered to watch. After seeing Emperor Dao Law Bodies, all other tribulations paled in comparison.

Nothing else could match the spectacle of these two.

By the time they arrived at Jade Girl Peak, Ye Chen had already summoned his Saint Body origin, transforming it into a golden sea, and placed Ye Ling and Tang San Shao within it.

The two were gravely injured, especially the little dark fatty, who had endured Gui Di’s assaults without his bloodline limit and was nearly destroyed. The lingering Emperor Dao killing intent in his body still raged, threatening to extinguish his origin soul flame. He had survived the tribulation, but his condition was dire.

Ye Ling fared better. As the daughter of a Saint Body, she had inherited some of its domineering recovery power, and with her deep foundation, she was actively resisting the killing intent even in her slumber.

Ye Chen stood between them, placing his hands on their shoulders and channeling his bloodline power to erase the killing intent. He even used his Saint Blood to refine their bodies.

So focused was he that he didn’t notice the Female Saint Body’s arrival. She stood at the edge of the golden sea, looking at Tang San Shao with the same strange expression Gui Di had worn: Was this even a person? How could he be so dark?

Shifting her gaze, she looked at Ye Ling.

This was Ye Chen’s daughter, and also Chu Ling’s.

That night, when she had gazed at Jade Girl Peak from outside the mountains, this girl named Ye Ling had stared back with hatred, vowing that if she ever achieved emperor status against the heavens, she would slay the Female Saint Body to avenge her father.

The Female Saint Body still remembered that vengeful gaze. After all, if not for her, Ye Chen wouldn’t have died in the Demon Pillar. That blood debt was etched in Ye Ling’s heart.

“You two are so alike.”

The Female Saint Body murmured to herself, her eyes on Ye Ling filled with a hazy blur. Looking at her now, it was as if she recalled some ancient memory, forgotten through endless cycles of change. In the vast expanse of time, across seas turned to fields, she had lost count of the seasons.

Before long, old fellows like Yang Ding Tian, Xu Fu, and Pang Da Chuan arrived, a large group of them. They treated Ye Ling like a precious granddaughter and couldn’t rest easy without checking on her.

Seeing Ye Chen healing her, they didn’t interrupt, but their expressions turned odd when they saw the Female Saint Body—it was their first time encountering her, as Xie Yun had mentioned.

The way they looked at the Female Saint Body was full of affection, like grandfathers eyeing a granddaughter. She was plump and rosy, a sight that warmed the heart.

The Female Saint Body ignored them and turned to leave. I’m a Saint Body, infinitely close to great completion—infinitely senior to you all—yet you treat me like a granddaughter? How thick-skinned can you be?

From the looks of it, this little girl has quite the temper!

The old fellows stroked their beards, chuckling. As people age, they grow fond of youngsters—this was the legendary bond between generations. Sadly, they had the wrong target. If they knew her true identity, they might have been scared witless.

The old group came quickly and left just as fast. Before departing, they even took little Ye Fan and little Yang Lan with them—one a grandson, the other a granddaughter-in-law—to dote on for a couple of days.

Night fell when Ye Chen finally emerged from the golden sea.

As for Ye Ling and Tang San Shao, the Emperor Dao killing intent had been eradicated, and they were out of danger. Any remaining wounds would heal on their own. The two were now genuine Saint King realm cultivators.

“Come on, let’s have some heart-to-heart words tonight.” Ye Chen dusted himself off and sat under an old tree.

The Female Saint Body was carving wood figures, completely absorbed. Ever since coming to Jade Girl Peak, she spent most of her time either eating or carving. She didn’t respond to Ye Chen’s words.

“Do you know who owns the white jade dragon chair?” Ye Chen pulled out a wine flask.

“I thought you’d keep holding back from asking.” The Female Saint Body replied indifferently.

“So, are you planning to tell me?” Ye Chen smiled.

“No comment.” Her answer was straightforward and blunt.

Ye Chen coughed, realizing his attempt to coax her was futile. If the Female Saint Body didn’t want to reveal secrets, no amount of prodding or threats would work.

He shook his head with a sigh and sat properly under the old tree, crossing his legs and closing his eyes in meditation.

Once again, he focused on comprehending the Dao, specifically the cycle of reincarnation, seeking a breakthrough through a new path. The insights of the Dao were profound and mysterious; a single moment of enlightenment could lead to heavenly fortune. His journey of defying the heavens relied not on his bloodline, but on his grasp of the Dao.

Under the moonlight, his reincarnation principles manifested, swirling around him like faint, elusive shadows.

Only then did the Female Saint Body, still carving, lift her eyes. She could sense Ye Chen’s Dao—profound and wondrous. The reincarnation principles were even more heaven-defying than she imagined. She hadn’t fully comprehended them herself, yet Ye Chen, a Great Saint, had reached this level.

Thinking of his other identity, though, she understood. With his foundational link to reincarnation and his status as a supreme existence, it wasn’t surprising.

And so, three days passed quietly.

On the fourth night, Ye Chen suddenly opened his eyes and stood up, gazing into the void. Visitors were approaching, entering Heng Yue and heading straight for Jade Girl Peak—two men and two women.

Taking a closer look, it was Hong Chen Xue and Chu Ling Yu, each carrying someone: one Hong Chen and one Liu Dao, both unconscious and in sorry states.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. This blatant interference was clearly tampering with the tribulations!

“Ye Da Shao, long time no see.” The two women landed simultaneously, smiling lightly. Years had passed, and they were still as beautiful, minus a bit of their former temper and plus a touch of mature charm. They had shed tears upon hearing of Ye Chen’s death, and laughed through their tears when they learned he was alive—but he hadn’t returned to Da Chu.

“You two have grown bolder, huh? Dragging them back like this?” Ye Chen frowned.

“Ren Wang left a divine sense imprint. From today, no one can interfere with their tribulations.” Hong Chen Xue said with a smile, setting Hong Chen down.

“Since no one can interfere, we’re bringing them back to Da Chu.” Chu Ling Yu shrugged with a laugh.

“No one can interfere?” Ye Chen narrowed his eyes, focusing on Hong Chen and Liu Dao.

After more than a decade, seeing them again stirred emotions.

He performed a Zhou Tian divination, secretly calculating their fates, and was surprised to find their life patterns incredibly resilient— impervious to any chaos. Ren Wang truly saw through everything, even foreseeing this day. As fellow heirs of Zhou Tian, in terms of divination prowess, Ye Chen was still light-years behind Ren Wang.

Since Ren Wang had said it, Ye Chen wouldn’t question it. That guy was incredibly capable.

While Ye Chen observed, so did the Female Saint Body, her brows slightly furrowed.

With her cultivation nearly at great completion, her vision was vast. She could see that Hong Chen and Liu Dao were in a half-tribulation state, with both pre- and post-tribulation aspects coexisting—the post-tribulation as the outer form and the pre-tribulation as the inner. Such a tribulation form was unheard of, even to her.

Beyond that, she detected an extremely terrifying principle from them: time and space. In other words, these two half-tribulation individuals had surely mastered the time-space principles.

After a long while, she turned her gaze to Ye Chen, full of curiosity. The three of them looked identical, and there was an inexplicable connection between them.

Or more precisely, Hong Chen and Liu Dao’s origins traced back to Ye Chen.

“How fresh is this?” Ye Chen laughed at the Female Saint Body.

“What’s the relationship between you three?” The Female Saint Body couldn’t help but ask.

“Tell me who owns the dragon chair, and I’ll explain their origins.” Ye Chen replied with a transmitted smile. The identities of Hong Chen and Liu Dao were top secrets, known only to a few, and not to be shared. The Female Saint Body was no exception.