Chapter 2286: Kidnapping Nonsense

Chapter 2286: The Ridiculous Kidnapping

This was a dead silent star domain, dark and devoid of light, with no living ancient stars, only blood mist drifting through the air and fragments of stone scattered everywhere. It had endured the baptism of war and had become a complete wasteland.

In the center of the star domain, a massive meteorite hung suspended, spanning about ten thousand zhang in diameter.

On the meteorite, Ye Chen’s clone sat with one leg crossed over the other, casually munching on a spirit fruit without a care in the world. Surrounding him was a dense crowd of Honghuang Zu individuals from various races, all sealed by immortal magic and unable to move. Each one had their mouth stuffed with an object called a rag—or more accurately, a filthy sock.

“Behave yourselves. Once I get the money, I’ll let you go.”

“Kidnapping isn’t a big deal. Just think of it as no big thing.”

“Talking about money hurts feelings, but not talking about it could cost lives.”

Ye Chen’s clone continued eating the spirit fruit, his mouth never stopping as he chattered on endlessly, like an elder seriously lecturing the younger generation.

As for the sealed Honghuang Zu members, they mumbled incessantly, desperate to say something, but their mouths were gagged, leaving them speechless. Their eyes burned red, welling up with tears, all because of the pungent stench from the socks choking them.

Ye Chen’s clone paid no attention to this and carried on eating and drinking as he pleased.

Just as he said, kidnapping wasn’t a big deal—it was all about the money. Once the other side paid, he’d release them; it was simply a transaction where both parties got what they wanted.

This was Ye Chen’s go-to tactic. Whenever he was short on cash or tight on resources, he’d resort to some shady schemes, and kidnapping was the most commonplace of them.

Back in the day, in Da Chu, there was a saying that circulated: never mess with Ye Chen. For money, he’d throw away all shame. There was nothing he wouldn’t kidnap, not even his ex-girlfriends. Once he took the money, he wouldn’t even release them—that was him, completely without principles.

As for the real Ye Chen, he wasn’t in this star domain. For safety reasons, handling ransoms always fell to his clone. It had been this way for years—every kidnapping was done like that.

Boom! Rumble!

Soon, rumbling sounds echoed from the distant starry sky.

Looking out, no figures were visible at first, only the Honghuang Qi surging like an ocean, roiling and swallowing up inch after inch of star space. Floating meteorites were crushed into dust in massive swaths.

Indeed, the Honghuang Zu experts had arrived. Some rode flying swords, others piloted war chariots, and still others soared through the clouds, their killing intent piercing the heavens. From the void above, waves of Honghuang Zu members gathered like streams flowing toward the dead silent star domain. Their faces were twisted in savage fury, their eyes bloodshot with rage, and they gnashed their teeth in hatred.

On a shattered ancient star, Ye Chen, hidden in the dust space, could clearly see this scene through the haze, his eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and surprise.

Perhaps even he hadn’t expected to draw so many Honghuang experts. Over eighty percent were Zhundi-level, with the rest being Dasheng, their numbers impossible to count as they blanketed the star space.

“Impressive lineup.” Ye Chen took a deep breath, his expression grave and sincere.

At that moment, he realized why so many had come—it was because of him. He had provoked the Honghuang Zu’s deep-seated grudge, drawing them from across vast distances to eliminate him, ignoring even their commander’s orders. Whether or not the kidnapping happened didn’t matter; they were coming for him anyway.

By the time he finished speaking, the Honghuang army had arrived, surrounding the meteorite from all sides of the star space. Every Honghuang race was represented, a dark mass that eclipsed the remaining starlight. The experts’ auras linked together, their pressure so immense that the vast star space trembled with a low hum.

There were too many Honghuang Zu members; they had formed an ocean.

Compared to them, the meteorite where Ye Chen’s clone sat seemed incredibly insignificant, like a mere grain in the vast sea, at risk of being swallowed at any moment.

“Ye Chen!” Roars of fury erupted as the first Honghuang members stepped onto the meteorite. Their killing intent was so overwhelming that the stone froze over with ice, nearly crushing Ye Chen’s clone on the spot.

“I’m just a clone, so take it easy. We’re linked by a life-and-death secret technique—if I get destroyed, they won’t survive either.”

The Honghuang Zhundi remained silent, their eyes narrowing with a sharp glint. They could tell this was Ye Chen’s clone, which was why they hadn’t struck yet. First, they feared harming their own people; second, they wanted to use the clone to track down Ye Chen’s true body.

There was a connection between the true body and the clone—a thread of light finer than a hair linking them. Any great master could spot it at a glance.

“Quickly find his true body.” One burly Zhundi whispered orders, and the other race leaders did the same. Many Zhundi on the outskirts slipped into the void, stealthily following that light thread to its source.

Ye Chen’s clone glanced around casually, a cold smile in his heart. Good luck finding my true body—you’d have to be pretty capable. Do you think we’re idiots?

The Honghuang Zu, however, were confident they could find him.

“Clear price tag: you bring the money, I release the people. Fair and square for all.”

Ye Chen’s clone picked at his teeth, tossed aside the half-eaten spirit fruit, and pulled out a larger one from his storage bag, munching away contentedly.

His “clear price” was indeed clear. Looking at the kidnapped Honghuang members, each had a wooden plaque hung around their neck with prices scrawled on it. Dasheng-level fetched the highest price, followed by Shengwang, and the cheapest were Shengren, though even they cost fifty million source stones. The pricing was quite reasonable.

“Do you really think luring us here will save the myriad heavens? You’re underestimating the Honghuang Zu.” A Qiong Qi Dasheng sneered, his lips curling as he stared at Ye Chen’s clone, though his words were meant for Ye Chen’s true body, assuming he could hear.

“As a junior, how dare I underestimate the Honghuang Zu? You’re all so formidable—able to trample the myriad heavens with just one percent of your strength. I’ve always been aware of that.”

Ye Chen’s clone laughed, though the words were really from his true body.

“Since you’re aware, why bother with this futile struggle?”

A Tian Xie Dasheng chuckled darkly, baring his fangs as he blocked the eastern side, his palm swirling with secret techniques, ready to seal Ye Chen’s clone at any moment. In his view, it would take just an instant.

“Speaking of struggle, this junior has to chat with you seniors about it.”

“You know about the Tianmo invasions, right? Every time, there were great emperors, and every time, the myriad heavens drove them off.”

“We’re not afraid of the Tianmo, so why fear a bunch of cowardly turtles?”

“On that note, this junior has to give the Honghuang Zu a thumbs-up. Your hiding skills are unmatched in the world. The Tianmo show up, and not a single Honghuang is in sight; once they’re gone, you get all arrogant. Classic bullies at home.”

“And talking about your emperor dao inheritances? I’m embarrassed for your ancestor emperors.”

Ye Chen’s clone crossed his legs again, launching into a tirade. It wasn’t his true body speaking this time—it was the clone doing the trash-talking. Though just a clone, it had picked up a fair bit of its original’s skill in verbal jabs. He didn’t resort to outright cursing; it was more like a casual chat, logical and pointed.

The Honghuang Zhundi’s eyes flashed with solid killing intent, their murderous aura fully exposed. When had these mighty Honghuang figures ever been lectured like this? And by just a clone of Ye Chen, no less.

Still, they forcibly suppressed their anger. Killing a clone was easy, but finding Ye Chen afterward would be hard. They needed to buy time.

Coincidentally, this was also Ye Chen’s plan. Since they’d come, might as well chat it out happily before leaving. You’re stalling for time? Well, I’m stalling too. One person tying you all up is worth it.

Thus, a unique unspoken understanding formed between both sides.

On the meteorite, Ye Chen’s clone stopped his ranting—it was pointless to say more. He just sat there, diligently munching on his spirit fruit. If you’re not in a hurry, neither am I. This is a kidnapping—if you pay, you get your people; if not, we’ll just wait it out. No payment, no release—dream on.

The Honghuang Zhundi surrounded the meteorite tightly, not mentioning the ransom at all, waiting to locate Ye Chen’s true body.

This was fortunate, as no outsiders passed by; otherwise, they’d surely sigh. So many Honghuang experts, not going after the people of the myriad heavens, but surrounding a single clone—what a waste of time.

There was no helping it—the Honghuang Zu were just too strong. Even without these forces, they could still crush the myriad heavens; it was only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen’s true body had already left the dust space. The Honghuang experts were tracking him along the light thread, so he needed to move and stretch his muscles. You chase, I’ll run—we’ve got all the time in the world to play.

Joking aside, who was Ye Chen? A veteran kidnapper—how could he be caught so easily?

The pursuing Honghuang experts were quite the force, all Zhundi-level, concealing their auras and hiding in the void, sneaking along.

They were sneaking, and Ye Chen was sneaking too—one chasing, one fleeing.

After who knows how many times, Ye Chen reassessed the Honghuang Zu’s intelligence yet again. Each one had powerful bloodlines and formidable combat strength, but their smarts were truly lacking. Take the earlier Jiuyang Star, for example—what a great opportunity, yet they withdrew their troops. Now they were after him again. Did the Honghuang Zu even know how to fight? With this time, they might as well siege Da Chu. If he were commanding the Honghuang army, they’d have flattened the myriad heavens ages ago.

Unfortunately, he had no idea just how deeply the Honghuang Zu hated him—it was etched into their bones. Any provocation from him was like lighting a fuse, exploding the entire Honghuang Zu and ignoring wars or orders. Exterminate him first, then deal with the rest.

One chased, one fled, the surface calm but the undercurrents raging.

As time dragged on, not just Ye Chen’s clone, but even the Honghuang Zu Zhundi grew impatient. They’d tracked for so long and still hadn’t caught him?

“Kidnapping, anyone? Put some effort in and bring the money!”

In the midst of the silence, Ye Chen’s clone suddenly shouted, startling the Honghuang Zhundi so much they jolted.

“Have you caught him yet?”

The Honghuang Zhundi ignored the clone, whispering among themselves to the ones tracking Ye Chen.

“He’s escaping.”

The pursuing Honghuang Zhundi reported back.

“If you can’t catch him, don’t bother. Let’s talk ransom instead.” Ye Chen’s clone said meaningfully. “If you don’t pay soon, I’ll start killing.”

And he wasn’t bluffing. This clone was true to his word—as soon as he spoke, he exploded.

Well, not exactly on purpose. In the instant he exploded, his expression was one of utter confusion. It wasn’t his choice; it was because something had gone wrong with his true body, affecting the clone and causing it to self-destruct.

Pfft!

With his destruction, the kidnapped Honghuang members on site all burst apart too, their bodies and souls obliterated in unison, scattering as ashes. The splattering blood stained the meteorite red.

In an instant, the star space fell into an eerie quiet. Ye Chen’s clone looked dumbfounded, and the Honghuang experts were caught completely off guard. Wasn’t this a kidnapping? The ransom hadn’t even been paid—why tear up the tickets? There wasn’t a single sign.

“Dammit!” A moment later, furious howls echoed through the cosmos as the dark mass of Honghuang experts raged, their livers and guts twisting in agony. It wasn’t out of heartache for the kidnapped ones; it was because they hadn’t found Ye Chen yet, and he’d torn up the hostages. No one had seen this coming.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

As the Honghuang army fumed, booming sounds came from deep in the star space, the fluctuations intense.

“It must be Ye Chen.” The Qiong Qi Zhundi gritted his teeth and charged first.

“Spare no one.” The various race Zhundi snorted coldly and swarmed after him, a huge wave sweeping across the star space, making the entire domain shake.

Indeed, a great battle was unfolding there. One side was Ye Chen, who was being hunted, with over ten thousand Honghuang Zhundi locking onto him, their killing intent soaring.

“Dammit.” Ye Chen spat blood, his brilliant golden eyes now blood-red. A gruesome bloody hole gaped in his chest, edged with colorful ethereal light that was dissolving his vital energy. The wound wasn’t healing; instead, it was spreading outward.

Clearly, it was the Zhu Xian Jian that had wounded him. He’d been fleeing earlier, evading the Honghuang Zhundi, when the Zhu Xian Jian suddenly appeared and struck with a deadly blow, nearly killing him instantly. He dodged just in time; otherwise, he’d have been sent to the underworld.

Though he survived, he was severely injured, which was why the clone had self-destructed—his true body had suffered a devastating blow, rippling to the clone.

Even now, he couldn’t figure out where the Zhu Xian Jian had come from.

“One day, I’ll destroy you.” Ye Chen snorted coldly, his words icy to the bone, his killing intent toward the Zhu Xian Jian uncontrollable. If not for its sneak attack, how would he be in such a mess? Not only had it exposed his location, but it also affected his clone, ruining a perfect setup in an instant.

“Catch Ye Chen and be crowned king on the spot.”

“Kill Ye Chen and receive a nine-pattern pill as reward.”

Behind him, the Honghuang Zhundi’s shouts thundered like lightning.

Ye Chen ignored them, fleeing while channeling his Huanggu Shengti essence to erase the Zhu Xian Jian’s killing intent.

For some reason, this attack from the Zhu Xian Jian was extremely domineering, with the residual killing intent in his body stubbornly persistent, carrying a mysterious force that even the Huanggu Shengti essence struggled to fully eliminate.

“It’s gotten stronger again.” Ye Chen coughed up blood, his face ghastly pale. He knew all too well how terrifying the Zhu Xian Jian was—it had fallen in rank, greatly reducing its power, yet from that single sneak attack, he could sense it was even more formidable than before.

“Ye Chen, you can’t escape.” Sinister laughter spread across the eight directions.

Glancing at the cosmos, Honghuang Qi surged from all sides as the Honghuang experts closed in, pursuers at his back and blockers ahead, forming a net around him.

Buzz! Buzz!

Various Zhundi artifacts rose into the sky, glowing with colorful immortal light like brilliant stars, linked by emperor dao immortal techniques, sealing off a hundred thousand li of star space. To deal with someone like Ye Chen, they had to seal the space first, cutting off his ability to shift heavens and earth, before launching the real assault.

At the same time, the Honghuang attacks arrived—sword beams, divine abilities, artifacts, and killing formations rained down, shrouding that patch of star space with devastating power.

Ye Chen abruptly halted, silently gazing at the incoming barrage. He couldn’t block this strike. Even as a Zhundi, he couldn’t; there were too many Honghuang experts, over eighty percent Zhundi-level. This assault could obliterate even a Shengzun.

Since he couldn’t block it, he wouldn’t stand there and take it. In the instant the attacks were about to hit, he unleashed the Great Wheel of Reincarnation, instantly vanishing into a black hole.