Chapter 2321: Borrowing Troops from the Underworld

Chapter 2321: Ming Jie Borrowing Soldiers

Breakfast was still as warm and cozy as ever.

At the dining table, the female Sheng Ti, named Xiao Hong, was always the center of attention. There were always a few people who wouldn't eat or touch their chopsticks; they'd just rest their chins in their hands and watch her eat, as if their whole morning routine was just about teaming up to observe her meal.

Xiao Hong's appetite had grown even larger, yet her stature showed no sign of increasing.

"Tian Jie can be suppressed for at most three more days." Ye Chen suddenly spoke up, his face showing a hint of seriousness, which turned the originally warm atmosphere somber and solemn.

"We'll definitely get through it." The women turned to look back, their eyes filled with worry.

"Life and death are uncertain; I don't even know if I'll survive."

"So, everyone, please do me a favor before I face the tribulation."

"I've already prepared a fifteen-zhang iron bed."

Ye Chen spoke one line after another, his words full of earnestness, but his topic veered further off course with each sentence. What should have been a grave matter ended up sounding downright frivolous, and amusingly, he still wore an expression of righteous determination on his face.

The women didn't say a word, but their actions were perfectly synchronized—one by one, they grabbed a dish and flung it at his face. Just as expected! All that unprompted sentimentality had an ulterior motive.

"Don't be so wasteful; you're squandering food." Ye Chen shook his head, casually wiping the food off his face as if nothing had happened, cleaning the greasy mess. It was so oily that just looking at it made him feel nauseous.

That's why sometimes having too many wives isn't necessarily a good thing. Each dish represented so much affection! If all that ended up on the bed, it would be a disaster.

"May you get struck by Tian Jie sooner, so we can remarry." Chu Xuan acted as if nothing had happened, already pulling out a small mirror to fix her disheveled hair.

"I'll find a new father for Ling Er while I'm at it." Chu Ling chimed in with her sharp remark, glancing at Ye Chen sideways, clearly tempted to throw another dish.

"Go peacefully; don't worry about us."

"On Qing Ming Festival every year, us sisters will go burn incense for you."

"But forget about getting into bed."

Nan Ming Yu Shu, Xi Yan, and Shangguan Yu Er joined in seamlessly, trading lines without missing a beat. With so many wives, things were always lively, and even with Ye Chen's eloquence, he couldn't get a word in edgewise. If words could bury someone, he'd already be six feet under.

It was a good thing Ye Ling wasn't there, or there'd be another tombstone to add.

As an onlooker to this scene, Xiao Hong was truly dedicated—she just kept her head down and ate, pulling over the remaining dishes. She wasn't full yet, so she had to eat quickly. If she slowed down, this bunch of lunatics might smash her bowl too.

"You all make my heart feel at ease." Ye Chen sighed wistfully, taking a deep breath.

He made a mental note of everything the women had said. One day, he'd have his moment to shine. Once the heavenly punishment dissipated, he'd have a proper chat with his wives about their ideals.

"Old father-in-law, your family ancestor has returned." The atmosphere was awkward when a sudden howl broke the silence. Tang San Shao, that little chubby black figure, popped out from nowhere, as dark as could be.

"I see him." Ye Chen replied, standing up and wiping his oily hands on Chu Ling's clothes. For good measure, he gave a certain smooth spot a firm pinch.

Before Chu Ling could erupt in anger, he had already darted out of Yu Nu Peak like smoke.

If anyone knew about Di Huang's return first, it was him. There was a certain connection between Sheng Ti and Sheng Ti. After waiting for so many days, Di Huang had finally arrived.

As a junior, he had to go welcome him.

It wasn't just him—cultivators from all over Da Chu were heading there too. The fame of the Da Cheng Sheng Ti was too great; it was rare for him to visit Da Chu, so they couldn't miss the chance to receive him properly with full rites.

Under the watchful eyes of the world, Di Huang arrived stepping through the sky, with Zi Xuan following behind him.

At the border of Nan Chu and Bei Chu, he suddenly halted, silent and still, gazing up into the vast expanse. His vision was extraordinarily keen, allowing him to see through the boundaries of the human and Ming Jie realms to the Ming Di on Jie Ming Mountain.

The two locked eyes, as if sharing some unspoken understanding.

Then, Ming Di waved his hand, tearing open a rift between the human and Ming Jie realms once more.

At the same time, Di Huang formed seals with his hands.

"Tong Ming Yin Jue." Ye Chen, who had arrived first, brightened up.

"Is the Da Cheng Sheng Ti using the Emperor Dao Tong Ming? He's borrowing an army from Ming Jie, isn't he?" Tian Lao and Di Lao's eyes sparkled with excitement, certain that Di Huang's move would bring a grand force.

"I've calculated it—there must be the Ten Halls of Yan Luo." Ming Jue said meaningfully.

"Or maybe he's emptying out Ming Jie entirely." Bai Zhi laughed.

"That guy wouldn't bring Ming Di over through Tong Ming, would he?" Hong Huang Qi Lin stroked his chin.

These words got everyone around fired up. Bringing a great emperor through Tong Ming wasn't out of the question.

Imagine if Ming Di were summoned—it would make the forces of the heavens incredibly powerful. One great emperor, one Da Cheng Sheng Ti—even if five demonic emperors attacked, they might not stand a chance.

"You're overthinking it." Ye Chen murmured softly, aware of more secrets.

Di Huang couldn't bring Ming Di through Tong Ming, and Ming Di couldn't leave Ming Jie.

Ye Chen had understood this long ago. The heavens couldn't afford to lose balance, and neither could Ming Jie. There was also the more ethereal Tian Jie, probably just as complex and unassuming as Ming Jie.

The current setup was just right—one emperor guarding Ming Jie, one guarding Tian Jie, and one Da Cheng Sheng Ti watching over the heavens. That was the truly reasonable arrangement.

Emperor Dao Tong Ming!

Di Huang's voice was ethereal and majestic, like thunder resounding through the universe.

Before his words even faded, the earth began to rumble.

Then, ancient stone coffins rose from the ground one after another. They weren't scattered haphazardly but arranged in perfect order, row after row, like a vast carpet stretching from the walls of Nan Chu city endlessly into the central lands. Each stone coffin was etched with ancient Ming Wen, and each was enveloped in the yin Ming deathly aura, ancient and weathered.

Gulp!

Staring at this sight, not just the other cultivators—even Ye Chen swallowed hard involuntarily. The peak quasi-emperors among them stared with wide eyes, their mouths hanging open for what felt like forever. Such a massive force was beyond imagination.

That's why they called him Da Cheng Sheng Ti—he was just that domineering. In one go, he summoned an entire army through Tong Ming. Looking at the people he brought, over sixty percent were quasi-emperors, numbering over a million strong.

"Great Emperor, take care."

From Ming Jie, a scene of parting sorrow unfolded. Led by the Ten Halls of Yan Luo, along with over a million Tian Ming generals formed into neat ranks, they all knelt on one knee toward Jie Ming Mountain, performing their final grand rite to their supreme emperor.

They were the ones chosen for Tong Ming long ago.

Everyone knew that once they left, it would be a farewell forever.

Perhaps one day the three realms would unite, but they wouldn't live to see it.

Ming Di said nothing, standing quietly at the peak of Jie Ming Mountain, his back turned to all beings.

All he left for the Ten Halls of Yan Luo was a silhouette of desolation.

This borrowing of soldiers for the heavens was preparation for the future. Di Huang's return to the heavens carried missions beyond just suppressing the Hong Huang—there was something even more critical: the Tai Gu Hong Huang.

In the not-too-distant future, Di Huang would leave, embarking on the path to Di Zun.

Perhaps, like Di Zun, Di Huang would fall in battle at Tai Gu Hong Huang.

But he had to go, to see for himself what had happened back then—what cause led to the total annihilation of one great emperor and three million divine generals.

And the people summoned from Ming Jie would aid the mortals of the human realm in guarding the heavens.