Chapter 2376: Nine Nether Coffin

Chapter 2376: Jiu Ming Coffin

Boom! Bang! Boom!

In the silent black hole, a deafening roar erupted from the Tian Mo Hall. Ye Chen and Tian Mo were nowhere to be seen, only the thunderous sounds echoed. The battle waves were too intense; the supporting copper pillars shattered one by one, and chunks of blue bricks and stone tiles flew everywhere. The entire Tian Mo Hall trembled and hummed, on the verge of collapse.

Ah!

Tian Mo's roar was like ancient thunder, even drowning out the booming noise.

He was truly an unlucky one.

His misfortune lay in hiding so secretly, only to be found by Ye Chen. Even more embarrassing, he was no match for Ye Chen. In the Tian Mo Hall, he was relentlessly beaten back, desperate to escape but unable to break through Ye Chen's seals, exploding into pieces time and again.

It was unclear when the roaring finally faded.

Ye Chen emerged, holding a damaged imperial sword dripping with fresh blood—Tian Mo's blood. Even a peak Quasi-Emperor with imperial essence like that Tian Mo was no match for him, let alone an ordinary one.

As for this ancient Tian Mo Hall, he had no intention of leaving it intact.

By now, he understood why the Hei Lian Quasi-Emperor had been darting around the black hole earlier—it was likely summoned by this hall, or perhaps he had come searching for it all along.

Bang!

With a final boom, Ye Chen struck the ruined Tian Mo Hall with his palm, causing it to collapse completely. Whatever secrets it held would turn to dust along with it.

Only then did Ye Chen recall his one hundred thousand avatars and cast the Great Cycle of Reincarnation Heavenly Dao.

This trip to the black hole had been worthwhile, yielding great gains: a stalk of Jiu Yin Ming Grass, the slaying of two Tian Mo Quasi-Emperors, the destruction of an ancient Tian Mo Hall, and the Chaos Cauldron, which had undergone nirvana and gained sentience. He could even chat with it when bored.

When he returned to Da Chu, the stars filled the sky, and he headed straight for Tian Xuan Gate.

Ye Chen's arrival was met with an enthusiastic welcome from the eccentric elders of Tian Xuan Gate—not for him, but for his collector's editions. Each of them was advanced in years and relied on these for entertainment, passing around a single copy and sharing resources.

There was an unspoken understanding: trade a collector's edition for alchemy materials.

The scene looked just like a marketplace transaction. These collector's editions had become a universal currency, more useful than money anywhere, from Tian Xuan Gate to Da Chu, Xuan Huang, and even across the entire Zhutian. You could always earn more source stones, but a collector's edition was truly rare.

“Self-family, come often,” Tian Lao said, tucking the collector's edition into one hand and stroking his beard with the other, perfectly embodying the demeanor of a senior.

“Good to say,” Ye Chen replied meaningfully. If not for needing alchemy materials, he wouldn't bother coming to Tian Xuan Gate. Glancing around, it was full of shameless old fogies.

“Focus on comprehending the Dao of alchemy, and Tian Xuan Gate will provide materials unconditionally,” Di Lao said earnestly, his words full of righteous conviction, enough to move anyone.

“Good to say,” Ye Chen responded with a wave, then headed deeper into the gate. Chu Xuan was still in the immortal pool.

Under the moonlight, the immortal pool rippled with water and was shrouded in misty rain.

Chu Xuan, bathed in the moon's glow, appeared ethereal, like an ice sculpture. She sat cross-legged deep in the pool, in seclusion to consolidate her realm. Her wounds had long healed, and her entire body was enveloped in immortal radiance.

Ye Chen approached but didn't disturb her. He carried a wine flask and sat by the pool's edge, sipping wine while admiring his wife. The more he looked, the more beautiful she seemed, and her figure was stunning.

For some reason, as he watched, a warm stream trickled from his nose—it was probably from taking too many tonics, or perhaps from seeing what he shouldn't. His Reincarnation Eyes gleamed brightly. Though Chu Xuan was clothed, to him, it was as if she weren't.

Ah!

Under the starlight, Ye Chen sighed. This heavenly tribulation had ruined so many good moments.

Though he sighed, his eyes never left Chu Xuan.

The perception of a Supreme Immortal Body was impressive; she sensed someone peeping with immortal eyes and thus cloaked her form in a layer of immortal light, dazzling Ye Chen until his vision blurred.

He sat there for nine days straight.

On the tenth day, a visitor arrived: the remnant soul of the female emperor, Zi Xuan.

From the moment she arrived, she stared intently at Chu Xuan.

She already knew about the divine coffin heavenly tribulation that Chu Xuan had attracted and still couldn't fathom the reason. Two divine coffins in one generation—this was an unprecedented anomaly in Zhutian's history.

Her gaze on Chu Xuan grew deeper, her brows slightly furrowed.

Having followed Di Huang for so long, she knew Chu Xuan's identity was no simple matter, with a profound origin that even Di Huang couldn't see through. Like Xiao Ruoxi, she was born with an air of mystery.

“Another divine coffin heavenly tribulation—what does it signify?” Ye Chen asked.

“This era might produce two Great Emperors,” Zi Xuan replied thoughtfully.

Ye Chen wasn't as surprised as expected. This guess had crossed his mind when Chu Xuan underwent the tribulation. This era was unlike any before, with changes in the imperial path. If one Great Emperor could emerge, so could two, breaking ancient laws.

Two emperors in the same era would make this golden age surpass even the Xian Yu Great Emperor era.

After this brief exchange, both fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.

The female emperor's remnant soul strove to awaken more of her imperial memories, seeking to uncover deeper secrets.

Ye Chen, meanwhile, studied the Zhou Tian to deduce variables and anomalies.

“Beauty, do you have any artifacts? Give me some,” came a voice, breaking the tranquility. It was the Chaos Cauldron, emerging from the Chaos Small World and hovering before Zi Xuan, buzzing like a child asking for candy.

Zi Xuan was stunned. She glanced at the Chaos Cauldron, then at Ye Chen.

“It has undergone a spiritual transformation; this thing has become refined,” Ye Chen said with a meaningful smile.

“This...” Even Zi Xuan, with her composure, was taken aback. In her memories, she had never seen an artifact that could speak. Such a transformation required an extraordinarily high level of sentience.

“You know, even ultimate imperial weapons lack this kind of intelligence.”

“A Great Saint weapon would be fine; I'm not picky.”

“Of course, some Quasi-Emperor artifacts would work too—more is better.”

“Anyway, you have to give me something.”

As Zi Xuan stood there in astonishment, the Chaos Cauldron kept chattering away, one line after another, like a nonstop talker. Its tone was strikingly similar to Ye Chen's.

As Ye Chen had said, this thing had truly become clever, as sly as a fox.

Zi Xuan's expression grew even stranger. Ignoring the Chaos Cauldron, she looked back at Ye Chen. The artifacts you create are truly exceptional—and just as shameless as you. With an owner like that, it's no wonder the artifact picked up the habit over time.

“An artifact that speaks is like a child reaching full moon,” Ye Chen quipped.

Well said—that amused the remnant soul of the female emperor. She understood Ye Chen's implication: he wanted a gift, like a red envelope for the artifact, as a token of goodwill.

In the end, she smiled and waved her hand, producing three Great Saint weapons.

“Thank you, beauty. May you have peace all your life,” the Chaos Cauldron said sweetly, its vocabulary impressive. It quickly rolled up the three Great Saint weapons and darted back into the Chaos Small World, where crunching sounds followed as it devoured them savagely.

“How interesting,” Zi Xuan murmured, staring at Ye Chen's body as if she could see into the Chaos Small World. Her words could refer to either the Chaos Cauldron or the Chaos Small World itself.

Buzz!

With a hum, Ye Chen brought out the stone coffin he had obtained from the black hole.

The moment it appeared, Zi Xuan narrowed her eyes. “Jiu Ming Coffin.”

“You recognize it?” Ye Chen asked in surprise.

Zi Xuan didn't answer. Her beautiful eyes narrowed into slits as she peered through the coffin and saw the person inside.

“Di Dou,” she murmured, her voice laced with a touch of ancient sorrow.

Ye Chen set down his wine flask, his expression turning odd. Could this be an old acquaintance?

“Where did you get this coffin?” Zi Xuan asked, still gazing at it.

“The black hole.”

“So, it was buried in the black hole.” Zi Xuan sighed, her face showing a hint of nostalgia.

“What is the Jiu Ming Coffin?” Ye Chen inquired.

“Legend has it that the Jiu Ming Coffin was born from heaven and earth, located in the Jiu Ming extreme realm. It's an object of ultimate yin, possessing the divine power of the underworld. Anyone buried in it, except a Great Emperor, can remain incorrupt for eternity.”

“This powerful?” Ye Chen stood up, wine flask in hand, circling the stone coffin as he examined it. He couldn't believe such an ordinary-looking coffin had such an extraordinary origin. No wonder the young man inside was still preserved—it was truly astonishing.

“And who is Di Dou?” Ye Chen asked while studying the coffin.

“The junior brother of the Holy Sovereign,” Zi Xuan replied softly.

Ye Chen froze, completely caught off guard. He never expected the person in the coffin to have such a background. This junior brother was someone Di Huang had never mentioned.

“It must have been the female emperor who buried him,” Zi Xuan said, taking a deep breath.

“If the female emperor buried him, she must have anticipated that he would turn into a corpse after eons. Burying him in the Jiu Ming Coffin to preserve his body eternally—was it to allow him to revive through the coffin?”

“You're not foolish.”

“Hearing all this has turned my worldview upside down!” Ye Chen clicked his tongue in amazement, marveling at the female emperor's incredible methods. She had truly intended to use this to bring Di Huang's junior brother back to the world.

“The Jiu Yin Ming Grass—hand it over,” Zi Xuan demanded, extending her hand.

“What Jiu Yin Ming Grass?” Ye Chen feigned confusion, playing innocent.

“Next to the Jiu Ming Coffin, there must be Jiu Yin Ming Grass.” Zi Xuan glanced at him, her beautiful eyes sparking with irritation. She didn't need to guess; she knew Ye Chen had taken it. What wouldn't this guy do?

Ye Chen coughed and reluctantly handed it over. He didn't want Di Huang to wake up one day and come looking for a chat.

Zi Xuan took it and planted it beside the Jiu Ming Coffin. “The two are symbiotic; neither can exist without the other.”

“This is a material for refining the Soul-Returning Pill,” Ye Chen sighed.

“The Jiu Yin Ming Grass will be given to you, but not now.” Zi Xuan waved her hand, putting away the Jiu Ming Coffin and adding a mysterious seal to stabilize its vibrations.

“He has already turned into a corpse. Even if he breaks out of the coffin in the future, he'll likely be no different from Jiang Chen.”

“You underestimate the female emperor too much,” Zi Xuan said with a smile.

Ye Chen said no more. If revival was possible, it would be perfect; if not, Di Huang could handle any chaos. Seeing Zi Xuan's confidence, it seemed Di Dou in the coffin could indeed be brought back.

Zi Xuan left, casting a meaningful glance at Chu Xuan before departing.

Ye Chen sat back by the pool, pondering the matter of two divine coffins in one generation. If two Great Emperors truly emerged, it would be a great blessing for Zhutian—two Great Emperors and one fully accomplished Sacred Body would ensure peace.

He didn't know who those two emperors would be, but whoever they were, it would be awkward for them.

From ancient times, Great Emperors were supreme, invincible across the universe.

But this era was clearly different. Aside from two emperors coexisting, just Di Huang alone would put pressure on them. Invincibility across Zhutian was out of the question.

“It might end up as two Great Emperors and three fully accomplished Sacred Bodies.”

Ye Chen stroked his chin. He was a Sacred Body and might achieve full accomplishment, and his companion was just half a step away. Counting it out, that would be five supreme beings.

Five supreme figures in the same era—even Ye Chen felt his blood boil at the thought.

“Father.”

As he pondered, a call rang out. Ye Fan and Yang Lan had arrived, now around twelve or thirteen years old—one a boy, one a girl; one with heavenly tribulation, one with heavenly fiend, a match made in heaven.

They were truly extraordinary now, surrounded by visions and radiating immortal light. Their origins intertwined, and at such a young age, they could already manifest faint sounds of the Great Dao.

“Cultivate well.” Ye Chen smiled and handed each a storage bag.

Inside were imperial immortal techniques, his insights into the Dao, and cultivation materials—pills and source stones beyond count.

“Thank you, Father.” The two children bowed respectfully, a stark contrast to Ye Ling, who would have grabbed them herself without waiting.

The immortal pool fell silent once more.

Ye Fan and Yang Lan sat on either side of Ye Chen, hands on their chins, watching Chu Xuan. In the month Ye Chen was away, they had often come here—this was their mother, after all.

Thus, three days passed quietly.

Ye Fan and Yang Lan eventually left, hand in hand, to train in the starry sky.

Before they went, Ye Chen gave Yang Lan the exact coordinates of a star and specially instructed her to pay respects to Yang Ge Lao and Xia Lan—her true parents.

To this day, he hadn't told Yang Lan her real background, not wanting to add regret to her childhood. As a young heavenly fiend star, only two or three years old back then, how could she remember her parents?

“The Tai Yin and Sun—if they face off against the Heavenly Fiend and Heavenly Tribulation, it would be quite a fight.”

Laughter echoed as another visitor arrived: the little spirit child.

That rascal had been coming frequently when Ye Chen was away, trying to get close to Chu Xuan, but each time he was sent flying farther than the last, often left crippled by her. Still, he persisted on this path, growing bolder each time.

Ye Chen touched his chin, reminded by the little spirit child of the Tai Yin and Sun—they were a couple, just like little Ye Fan and Yang Lan.

Two pairs— who would be stronger?

“Long Wu got beaten again.”

The little spirit child perched on Ye Chen's shoulder and shared the news.

Over the years, this guy had regularly run to Ye Chen to report on Long Wu's situation, even thoughtfully recording it, but Ye Chen had never watched.

Did Long Wu need to get beaten? With his cultivation, it would take eight hundred years of training to stand against the Eternal Body. The one who outlasted the Dragon Emperor was no joke.

“I miss Lord Long. If he were still here, he'd take us to show off and soar through the skies,” the little spirit child said, though jokingly, his eyes betrayed unmistakable nostalgia.

Ye Chen smiled, a hint of absentmindedness in it. He missed Lord Long too.

As they spoke, the pool water rippled and mist swirled. Chu Xuan, who had been sitting in meditation, finally awoke. Immortal radiance fluttered about, dazzlingly beautiful, making the Supreme Immortal Body even more enchanting.

Yet in this enchantment, Chu Xuan seemed like a different person, faintly exuding an imperial aura.

The little spirit child blinked in surprise. “Your wife... did she just undergo an imperial tribulation?”

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