Chapter 2265: Someone Becomes Emperor?

Chapter 2265: Someone Becoming Emperor?

Hearing this, the Nǚ Shèng Tǐ frowned, hesitated for a moment without responding, and turned to leave. Even after walking a long distance, she couldn't help but glance back at Hong Chen and Liu Dao.

It was precisely that glance that made Hong Chen and Liu Dao, in their pre-tribulation state, tremble involuntarily, their brows furrowing slightly, as if on the verge of overcoming the tribulation on the spot.

This subtle change did not escape Ye Chen's notice. Between the Nǚ Shèng Tǐ and Hong Chen and Liu Dao, there seemed to be some mysterious connection—what could be the reason?

“That girl, is she your daughter?”

Hong Chen Xue and Chu Ling Yu sat down, watching the departing Nǚ Shèng Tǐ, and turned to Ye Chen one on each side, their tones probing.

“Don't talk nonsense. She is the Nǚ Shèng Tǐ.”

The expressions of the two women instantly became extraordinarily colorful. Having heard of the Nǚ Shèng Tǐ and how Ye Chen's death in the past was greatly linked to her, they never imagined that the mighty sacred body would have aided the heavenly demons. Now, seeing her in person, her cultivation completely lost and reverted to a childlike state, even brought back to Yu Nu Feng—this plot twist was utterly unexpected. Clearly, during the time they had been away, this land had seen far too many events, and they had missed so much.

Ye Chen only gazed at Hong Chen and Liu Dao. The two slumbering figures must not have fallen asleep willingly; they had surely been knocked out by someone. And the ones who had done it were obviously Chu Ling Yu and Hong Chen Xue.

But that did not stop him from observing them.

Just as in the past, he could not see through Hong Chen and Liu Dao, and even the Zhou Tian evolution could not calculate any clues. As people from the future time, they had suffered terrible backlash, with their memories and bloodlines erased. From the moment they descended, they had caused the historical trajectory to deviate. Also from that moment, they were enveloped by time itself, hidden from all calculations.

In his eyes, there was hope that the two of them could overcome the tribulation and reunite once more.

By then, even if he could not seal the position of Quasi-Emperor or connect to Ming Di Huang, he could still aid the various heavens in passing through the impending catastrophe. After all, they had once exterminated even the Heavenly Demon Emperor, let alone the Hong Huang.

Unfortunately, this half-tribulation state was even more unpredictable than a full tribulation state. Whether they could overcome it, and when, were all unknowns. Not even he, let alone Ren Wang, could know.

At his side, Chu Ling Yu and Hong Chen Xue were quite relaxed, like two tourists strolling leisurely on Yu Nu Feng, glancing here and there, occasionally stealing a look at the Nǚ Shèng Tǐ.

They had only heard of the male sacred body before; never had they seen a living Nǚ Shèng Tǐ. It was truly a novelty for them.

The Nǚ Shèng Tǐ acted as if she hadn't heard a thing and simply turned her back to them, sitting obediently in front of a basket of spiritual fruits, eating with great focus and an enormous appetite.

After wandering around for a while, the two women returned to the old tree.

Ye Chen casually took out two storage bags and handed them to the pair. Inside were imperial dao immortal techniques. Since they hadn't been around for this period, now that they were back, they deserved a share.

“You're growing on us more and more.”

The two women laughed and accepted without hesitation.

“Has there been any major activity in the starry sky?”

Ye Chen asked.

“It would be strange if there wasn't.”

Hong Chen Xue sat down again. “Everyone knows the Hong Huang is preparing for war. Across various star domains and ancient stars, there are masses migrating—some fleeing to the edge of the universe, others seeking protection from major forces. At a glance, it's like a sea of refugees on the run.”

“There are also quite a few who have submitted to the Hong Huang.”

Chu Ling Yu continued. “Along our journey, we've seen plenty of mutual killings. Even before the war starts, chaos has already erupted.”

“It's to be expected.”

Ye Chen's expression remained calm. The laws of survival were that cruel. To stay alive, one had to take a stand and get drawn into the war.

Boom!

As the three were speaking, a sudden boom echoed throughout Da Chu.

Then, the brilliant starry sky was overshadowed by rolling dark clouds, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder.

At first glance, it was clear this was a sign of a heavenly tribulation descending.

However, this tribulation sign was different from those in the past; it carried a trace of terrifying imperial aura. In other words, this was not an ordinary heavenly tribulation, but an Emperor Tribulation for sealing the emperor.

“Someone becoming emperor?”

Hong Chen Xue and Chu Ling Yu abruptly stood up.

Ye Chen took a step into the sky, ascending to the clouds and gazing into the distance.

Like him, shadows rose from the peaks of Heng Yue, and across the entire Da Chu and its various heavenly gates, anyone who heard the tribulation sound ascended to the nine heavens at the same time, looking into the misty distance.

Since it was an Emperor Tribulation, it was incomparable to an ordinary heavenly tribulation.

Accompanied by the booms, the heavens and earth of Da Chu were enveloped in total darkness, like a pitch-black curtain shrouding the world's order. Even before the divine punishment of the tribulation appeared, terrifying visions had already manifested, as if the world were being created anew, evolving all living things. There were divine dragons coiling, phoenixes crying, white tigers roaring, and black tortoises paving the way. Yet, they all perished in the cycle of reincarnation, with the blazing sun collapsing, stars extinguishing, and every mountain and river reflecting the light of doomsday.

“Who triggered the Emperor Tribulation?”

Voices of astonishment filled the heavens and earth.

One could see that below the Quasi-Emperor level, every face was pale, all due to the influence of the ultimate imperial aura. The power of the Emperor Tribulation was too overwhelming; only a Quasi-Emperor could withstand it.

“No matter who it is, they belong to Da Chu. The various heavens are about to have a new emperor.”

“Defy the heavens and become emperor, overthrow the Hong Huang.”

Amid the astonishment, there were also voices of joy. If someone truly became emperor, it would be a heaven-defying boon for the various heavens. With a great emperor presiding, how could the Hong Huang dare to act recklessly?

“It's Shen Jiang.”

Tian Lao stood in the void, looking in one direction.

“After so many days in seclusion, he actually found the opportunity to become emperor.”

Di Lao clicked his tongue in amazement.

“He won't trigger the Emperor Tribulation.”

Sheng Zun said leisurely.

The crowd fell silent, all furrowing their brows.

Among those present as Quasi-Emperors, only Sheng Zun had survived an Emperor Tribulation, though he had not defied the heavens to become emperor. Thus, he had the most authority to speak and could see the situation most clearly.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the booming sounds ceased.

The dim heavens and earth gradually regained their light.

Thud!

From one direction, the sound of vomiting blood could be heard, coming from Shen Jiang. At that moment, he had lost his former grace, his hair turned white and his face aged beyond recognition. His once radiant eyes were now murky, enveloped in layers of dense deathly aura.

As the divine general under the Emperor's seat and the strongest in assault, he smiled self-mockingly.

In that instant, he felt powerless. Though he had glimpsed the gate of the great emperor, he could not cross it—or rather, he lacked even the qualification to try, for he had not even triggered the Emperor Tribulation. In the era of the Emperor, he had one lifetime of glory, but in this era, he was already in his twilight.

Ah!

Sheng Zun sighed, though he had not seen Shen Jiang, he deeply understood his state of mind. Such despair was something he had experienced in the past. Becoming emperor was no easy feat; he had triggered the ultimate Emperor Tribulation but still failed. For people like him and Shen Jiang, the emperor's position would forever elude them.

Ah!

The other Quasi-Emperors also sighed in regret, feeling more unwilling than Sheng Zun and Shen Jiang. At least those two had encountered the Emperor Tribulation, but these peak Quasi-Emperors could only gaze at the gate of the great emperor from afar.

Ah!

Sighs echoed throughout Da Chu, one after another. The joy from the previous moment had turned into helplessness in this one. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment—even descending into despair.

Ye Chen stood in the void, silent, feeling a sense of regret.

If it came to the ultimate Emperor Tribulation, he had touched upon it before. In the past, when he merged with Hong Chen and Liu Dao, he had glimpsed the Emperor Tribulation fleetingly. He had some understanding of that supreme tribulation; it required not just cultivation, but also opportunity and destiny. The times create the supreme beings—heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony—all must align. Any slight deviation would mean no connection to the emperor's path.

“You troublesome junior, you've caused quite the harm.”

Ming Di said leisurely.

“What does this have to do with him?”

Di Huang glanced over.

“Before he reaches the Quasi-Emperor level, no one in the various heavens has a chance to become emperor, no matter how brilliant the prodigy.”

Ming Di spoke slowly. “The Emperor's emperor path imprint is suppressed, though weakened to its extreme, it hasn't reached the critical point in the shadows. It's only been nine thousand years—becoming emperor isn't that simple. The difficulty surpasses even your path to great achievement back then.”

Di Huang said nothing, fully understanding the challenges of becoming emperor.

The storm of the Emperor Tribulation ended amid the sighs.

Ye Chen returned to Yu Nu Feng, while Chu Ling Yu and Hong Chen Xue left, taking the slumbering Hong Chen with them. As for Liu Dao, he was sent to Tian Xuan Men.

In the following days, Da Chu remained quite peaceful, with no one else undergoing tribulations.

On a quiet night, Tian Jiu arrived. The towering figure from Ye Chen's memories now appeared somewhat hunched, and the once world-shaking Fifth Divine General looked more aged than imagined.

Tonight, Tian Jiu was different—perhaps in the way he looked at Ye Chen, with a mix of emotions: excitement, nostalgia, and reverence. Like a wanderer returning home with dust on his clothes, reuniting with family, his murky eyes were misty, and when he gazed at Ye Chen, it was as if in a trance, his eyes lingering for a long time without shifting.

He must have already visited Tian Xuan Men, and the Quasi-Emperors there must have told him about Ye Chen. As a divine general under the supreme seat, he had rushed over in haste.

“Senior?”

Ye Chen felt stared at uncomfortably and tentatively called out.

“Could you call me... Xiao Wu?”

Tian Jiu smiled warmly.

Ye Chen was a bit stunned, but seeing the sincerity in Tian Jiu's eyes, he tentatively said,

“Xiao Wu?”

“Yes.”

Tian Jiu responded with a choke, his aged body trembling uncontrollably. The mist in his old eyes finally turned to frost, his laughter mixed with tears. That one call of “Xiao Wu” brought memories from nine thousand years ago, etching into his soul along with the summons.

Ye Chen was astonished; it was his first time seeing Tian Jiu cry. This was completely unexpected—was he supposed to comfort him or scold him? A grown man crying like that.

This night felt strangely eerie. The far-traveled Tian Jiu sat under the old tree; Ye Chen practiced his sword, and he watched; Ye Chen meditated, and he watched; even when Ye Chen teased the Nǚ Shèng Tǐ, he still watched, his gaze unwavering and full of weariness.

Such a look made not just Ye Chen, but even the Nǚ Shèng Tǐ girl, feel uneasy. She was certain that if Ye Chen went to relieve himself, this guy would follow and watch.

As dawn approached, Tian Jiu finally rose and walked away slowly.

From behind, his slightly hunched figure suddenly straightened a bit, his steps lighter and less aged. Even as he disappeared, laughter could still be heard, making one feel as if the once domineering Fifth Divine General had returned.

“Once people get old, they do some strange things?”

Ye Chen stroked his chin thoughtfully. From the moment Tian Jiu arrived last night, he had felt uncomfortable all over. Having someone watch him like that made his whole body feel chilly. Not exaggerating, he hadn't even dared to close his eyes while sleeping, afraid that if he slept too deeply, this seemingly upright divine general might string him up like a puppet.

Ye Chen didn't know, but the Nǚ Shèng Tǐ understood clearly. The Quasi-Emperors hadn't spoken of it, and she wouldn't either. The secrets hidden on Ye Chen would only be revealed at a specific time.

As the sky brightened, a new day arrived.

Today, Da Chu was quite lively, not due to any tribulation, but because of numerous visitors from outside.

Looking into the distance, groups of three or five cultivators could be seen, both men and women, elders and children, all traveling with families in tow, covered in dust, truly like fugitives on the run. Yes, they were fleeing, coming from various star domains to seek refuge in Da Chu and escape the impending Hong Huang war.

Da Chu welcomed all who came. Of course, they couldn't just eat for free upon arrival; they had to contribute. Among these people, there were plenty of great saints and Quasi-Emperors, so how could they be turned away?

Like Da Chu, Xuan Huang was the same, with entire sects relocating, crossing the Xuan Huang star sea to establish new mountain gates on the cultivators' holy land, seeking refuge in Xuan Huang. The numbers were impossible to estimate.

The You Ming mainland was no exception, with nearby and distant star domains continuously pouring in. Some with great abilities even moved their entire ancient stars over, suspending them outside the You Ming mainland, clearly signaling an alliance.

This situation lasted for nearly three months.

Da Chu, Xuan Huang, and You Ming mainland had become sanctuaries for the masses.

Meanwhile, the vast starry sky had few life-bearing ancient stars left. Even if there were any, their inhabitants had fled completely—some to Da Chu, some to Xuan Huang, some to You Ming mainland.

There was no choice; the Hong Huang war was imminent, and no single or couple of forces could withstand it. To confront the Hong Huang, the full power of the various heavens was needed. Scattered forces would only lead to defeat in detail; only by uniting could they stand a chance.

Thus, the situation in the various heavens formed a three-legged standoff: Da Chu on one side, Xuan Huang on another, and You Ming mainland on the third. In these three months, as cultivators continued to flock in, each side's forces had reached an unprecedented peak.

Three days later, the three commanders gathered: Dong Huang Tai Xin represented Da Chu, You Ming elder represented You Ming mainland, and Kui Niu Emperor represented Xuan Huang, formally forming a great alliance.

Nine days after that, dozens of emperor-level domain gates connected Da Chu, Xuan Huang, and You Ming mainland, allowing for mutual rescue in times of crisis to jointly resist the Hong Huang.

The tense atmosphere before the great war enveloped the entire various heavens. Every cultivator was actively preparing, donning armor that had been sealed away for years, ready at any moment to engage in a bloody battle with the Hong Huang clans.

“Ants!”

The Hong Huang clans sneered coldly and desolately, watching the various heavens unite without intervening. Because no matter how they united, they were no match for the Hong Huang clans. Let them unite—it would save the trouble of hunting them down everywhere and make annihilation more efficient.

During this time, the Hong Huang hadn't been idle either, retrieving their tribulation responders from various parts of the various heavens. The numbers were extremely few, and even if they caused disruptions, the casualties would be limited.

Just as the various heavens had allied, the Hong Huang had done the same, aggregating their clan's forces and mobilizing troops on a grand scale, aiming to seize the various heavens in one fell swoop after the war began.

“A war sweeping the various heavens is inevitable.”

Voices from the five great forbidden zones of Xuan Huang carried sarcasm. With the heavenly demons lurking and the human realm stirring up internal war, eroding their own strength, if the heavenly demons invaded, the outcome would be utter destruction.