Chapter 2382: Celestial Sound of the Great Dao

Under the moonlight in the small bamboo grove of Tianxuan Gate, everything was peaceful and quiet.

The stone that had smashed Ling Mountain was brought here. Shen Jiang, Huang Zhe, Jian Shen, and the other Quasi-Emperors were all gathered around it, observing it with peculiar expressions.

That stone was truly extraordinary. Although its shape was irregular, it shimmered with immortal light throughout, emanating strands of Dao essence. Listening closely, one could even hear the Da Dao Tian Yin.

Di Lao stood with his hands behind his back, examining it from all angles.

"It's him, without a doubt."

Ye Chen stroked his chin, confirming his initial thought once more.

Back then, the bloodline limits had appeared on the same day, exacerbated by the influence of the Zhu Xian Sword, triggering a massive Ying Jie surge. Over ninety percent of the peak Quasi-Emperors in the myriad domains and heavens had fallen into Ying Jie. Ren Wang hadn't escaped the calamity either, though he had endured for many more years than most.

For over two hundred years, Ye Chen had searched for Ren Wang's Ying Jie form but found nothing.

When the Ying Jie tide finally subsided, everyone else had returned to their original states—except for him and the Six Paths. Who would have thought that after Ren Wang overcame his Ying Jie, he would transform into a stone? It was truly unprecedented.

Tian Lao stroked his beard, still unable to discern anything.

"In my opinion, he's likely undergoing Nirvana."

The Child of the Planes mused aloud.

No one refuted this. Ren Wang had returned from the Ying Jie, but he was still in a transformative state. As for when he might regain human form, it was unknown—perhaps it would take countless years.

The Quasi-Emperors couldn't help but sigh. The current heavens were indeed full of surprises.

By surprises, they meant the state of several key figures: one Great Accomplishment Sacred Body was in deep slumber; another female Sacred Body, infinitely close to great accomplishment, had lost all her cultivation; the Ruthless Person was sealed in the mortal world; the Ox Person, or Six Paths, was half-trapped in Ying Jie; and as for the remnants of the Human Emperor's soul, it was the most bizarre—having returned from Ying Jie, yet transformed into a glowing, resplendent stone.

Ye Chen spoke with a heavy tone,

"At such a critical moment, he drops the ball."

He had hoped to ask Ren Wang about some secrets upon his return, but now that he was just a stone, it was impossible to discuss anything.

To this day, Ye Chen still didn't know where Ren Wang's Ying Jie had taken place—likely not in the heavens.

Suddenly, he pointed a finger at the stone and performed the Zhou Tian evolution technique, attempting to divine its secrets.

The Quasi-Emperors fell silent, watching quietly.

Ye Chen had closed his eyes, using the power of Zhou Tian divination to part the mists of the unknown and peer into Ren Wang's memories. At the very least, he needed to figure out why this had happened.

Unfortunately, his divination skills were limited, or perhaps Ren Wang's concealment was too profound. Even he couldn't penetrate the secrets and ended up suffering backlash, with blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

Sheng Zun said meaningfully,

"The ancestor of Zhou Tian cannot divine him."

Ye Chen wiped the blood from his mouth and glanced at Sheng Zun. You old man, you're great at hindsight—why didn't you speak up during the divination? Now you chime in after I've been injured.

Sheng Zun gave him a knowing look in return: What's your problem?

Ye Chen didn't bother responding. He turned and walked away, but after a few steps, he doubled back and delivered a powerful kick to Ren Wang's stone, full of domineering flair.

Only then did he stride off, a look of satisfaction on his face. Back in the day, you didn't hold back when you beat me—this kick is just the interest owed.

Watching Ye Chen's retreating figure, the group of elders all wore expressions of contentment. Before leaving, each of them gave Ren Wang a kick for no particular reason—they just felt like it.

Poor Ren Wang, even as a stone, couldn't escape their clutches. After centuries apart, their welcome was as harmonious as ever—aside from the pain, there was nothing else.

In the end, Ren Wang was settled by Donghuang Taixin on a mountain peak, surrounded by profound formations that gathered the essence of the sun and moon to aid his swift transformation.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen had returned to the Immortal Pool.

As soon as he arrived, he saw bursts of radiant colors emanating from Ji Ningshuang. Her entire body was bathed in dazzling immortal霞, with faint traces of emperor essence flowing out, intertwined with Dao principles that appeared and disappeared. Numerous ancient visions manifested, creating a beautiful scene, accompanied by the elusive Da Dao Tian Yin.

That heavenly sound made Chu Xuan and the others' eyes grow hazy, their expressions dazed.

It wasn't just them—even Ye Chen felt a momentary daze in his mind. His Dao principles seemed to be drawn in, resonating with Ji Ningshuang's Da Dao Tian Yin, a weave of the Dao of all things and the Dao of chaos.

This phenomenon continued for eight full days.

It was only on the ninth day that it gradually faded.

Though the heavenly sound had dissipated, Chu Ling and the others had already sat down in meditation, having gained some insights from it. This was a rare opportunity, especially for Shangguan Yuer, whose cultivation showed signs of loosening. A moment of enlightenment propelled her into Nirvana, bringing her infinitely close to Quasi-Emperor.

Ye Chen also sat in meditation, like an ancient monk in solemn repose.

Under the starlight and moonlight, his body radiated golden immortal light, making him appear like a divine being. Dao essence flowed around him, intertwining with his origin bloodline in a dance, accompanied by visions that composed the Da Dao Tian Yin. The Dao of chaos evolved toward perfection, with his person undergoing transformation while his Dao ascended.

Just as Ji Ningshuang had earlier sat in meditation with eyes closed, a faint smile now graced her lips. Her Da Dao Tian Yin had drawn in Ye Chen's Dao principles; likewise, his Da Dao Tian Yin drew in hers. Once again, the Dao of all things and the Dao of chaos resonated, truly converging on the same path.

Because of the two of them, Chu Xuan and the others gained even deeper insights, seizing opportunities in the ethereal void.

In the quiet night, Ye Chen opened his eyes, his gaze deeper than before, like the vast starry sky with Dao essence evolving within. His aura was more restrained, his aura of returning to simplicity even more ordinary.

He stepped into the Immortal Pool and stood before Ji Ningshuang.

At this distance, he could clearly see that within Ji Ningshuang's inner world, a small world had spontaneously formed during her days of seclusion, much like his own Chaos Small Realm. Every mountain, river, tree, and plant within it exuded a vibrant life force—it was a true immortal domain.

The Chaos Cauldron suddenly spoke up,

"Boss, she also has Tian Qian."

Ye Chen replied casually,

"Do I need you to tell me that?"

As long as you weren't blind, you could see the faint Tian Qian lightning on Ji Ningshuang, tearing at her as if to devour her.

"She has Tian Qian, and you have Tian Qian."

The Chaos Cauldron chuckled slyly,

"Your Tian Qian can't harm her. When you have time, you could create another Tian Qian body."

Ye Chen said nothing, just stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Honestly, for the sake of a better life, he had studied the matter of Tian Qian for many years. It was just as the Chaos Cauldron said—people with the same Tian Qian wouldn't harm each other. Being intimate with her would not only cause no injury but would actually bring great benefits.

The benefits referred to how their union could mutually offset each other's Tian Qian.

The problem was, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Maybe because they were too familiar, or perhaps due to years of mutual respect, he always felt an inexplicable sense of guilt when it came to getting that close to his wife.

"Bring out your shameless spirit."

"What's there to be embarrassed about with your own wife? You're not like this normally."

"Or maybe you're missing some Da Chu specialties?"

The Chaos Cauldron was a real chatterbox once it started, fully embodying its master's traits. As it spoke, it even presented an item—a pure Da Chu specialty.

Ye Chen still didn't respond. He simply reached his hand into the Chaos Small Realm.

Soon after, the Chaos Cauldron was yanked out and kicked straight into the nine heavens. If the Chaos Cauldron were a person, that kick would have left it battered and bruised.

After sending the Chaos Cauldron away, Ye Chen began to contemplate some romantic springtime affairs. The more he looked at Ji Ningshuang, the more beautiful she seemed, and the more he felt a surge of desire rising within him.

As the saying goes, if you're single for too long, even a pig starts to look attractive—let alone a great beauty. Ye Chen, the Sacred Body, had quite the vivid imagination.

This was the Tenth Emperor of Da Chu: perfectly proper when he needed to be, but a complete rogue otherwise, mastering both roles to perfection.

Under the bright moonlight, Ji Ningshuang, with her eyes closed, had a faint blush on her cheeks. That blush carried many implications, such as her having read that certain someone's thoughts.

That certain someone was already on the path to utter shamelessness, gradually transcending all limits.