Chapter 2434: Five Young Emperors

In the hushed night, Ye Chen departed from Yu Nu Feng, embarking on a journey with the group of Di Zi Ji.

Their expedition was indeed extensive, stretching to the far reaches of the cosmic wilderness, as indicated by the star map.

"Lao Qi, you must be careful. That Zun Sheng Ti is no ordinary being," Xiao Yuan Huang cautioned repeatedly within the domain gate. "We have no idea if it's friend or foe."

Ye Chen nodded silently, a strong premonition stirring within him that this must be the first kind of Sheng Ti, likely not yet fully mature, or it wouldn't be concealed in a burial ground.

"Oh, heavens, be merciful! Grant me a strand of Di Yun," Ri Yue Shen Zi muttered his prayers, occasionally casting a glance at Kui Niu.

In the past, he could easily overpower that bovine, but now that it possessed thunder-attribute Di Yun, the disparity was immense. Kui Niu operated on a divine-level cheat, utterly dominating.

Kui Niu strutted about with an air of supreme arrogance, eyeing Ri Yue Shen Zi askance, as if to say, "Know your place."

Half an hour later, the group exited the domain gate and activated a new one.

Apart from Da Chu's Tenth Emperor, they were all pure Di Zi Ji, and they had not informed Dong Shen. Ye Chen had slipped away quietly; the burial ancient ground was a perilous place, and he didn't want his wife to face the risk.

"The accumulation of karmic obstacles is a sign of impending tribulation!" Qing Di Zhi Zi commented casually, referring to Ye Chen. The Di Zi Ji possessed keen insight and could clearly perceive the karmic burdens clinging to Ye Chen's body.

"This tribulation will arrive eventually." Ye Chen smiled, accepting it calmly. Precisely because the tribulation was imminent, he was so eager to visit the Zang Shen Gu Di. At the very least, he needed to ascertain the origins of that Zun Sheng Ti. If it proved to be an ally, that would be fortunate, but if it were an enemy, it would be a grave concern.

It was only regrettable that Di Huang and Hong Yan had departed too soon, missing the appearance of the Zang Shen Gu Di.

For some reason, Ye Chen had a feeling that the Zang Shen Gu Di had manifested after the two supreme beings left, and it wasn't a mere coincidence—it was a deliberate act, specifically designed to avoid a fully attained Sheng Ti.

While he was preoccupied with this worry, some of the Di Zi Ji were letting their imaginations run wild, contemplating that once Ye Chen entered the world to face his tribulation, they could visit Yu Nu Feng more frequently to check on his wives.

Who knew, if Ye Da Shao were to discover their intentions, he might send those talented individuals on a scripture-seeking journey prematurely, just to prevent those troublemakers from causing daily chaos at Yu Nu Feng.

The journey ahead remained as distant as ever.

Within the domain gate passage, the Di Zi Ji each pursued their own pastimes: some drank wine, some preened their monkey fur, some sat in meditation, some contemplated the Dao, and there was that old cow, Kui Niu, constantly showing off, with Di Yun thunder swirling around it, parading in front of everyone.

It wasn't until some time later that the group finally came to a halt in a stretch of starry space.

This starry space was incredibly hazy, devoid of ancient stars of life and any trace of vital energy. The starlight was dim and faint, rendering the entire star domain dull and oppressive, much like the Tian Huang they had witnessed before, filled with wandering quicksand drifting towards the cosmic edge with the stellar winds.

"That is the Zang Shen Gu Di," Song Yu pointed in the distance.

Ye Chen didn't need him to say it; he could see it himself. As far as his eyes could reach, there was a vast, chaotic sea of clouds, gray and murky. Even with his Lun Hui Yan, he couldn't penetrate the fog to see the path ahead, as it was obscured by mysterious forces. All he knew was that the chaotic clouds were ancient and desolate.

"Inside, it's no ordinary place—vast and boundless. Don't get separated," Kui Niu advised with a big-brotherly air. Although it was bragging, what it said was true. For the group's safety, it had entered the ancient ground before and knew the dangers were immense.

As they walked and talked, they headed directly towards the chaotic sea of clouds.

They were not the only ones bound for that destination; many cultivators had arrived, including young individuals under a thousand years of age, who had somehow caught wind of the news and were arriving in groups to join the excitement.

Upon reaching the chaotic sea of clouds, the group paused.

It had to be said, the sea of clouds was truly vast and boundless. Standing before it, they were like mere grains of rice in a vast granary, insignificant and easily lost, just as Kui Niu had warned.

"Strange, isn't it?" Kui Niu took a deep breath, addressing his words to Ye Chen.

"Strange," Ye Chen replied casually. He had already activated his Lun Hui Yan, attempting to see through the chaotic sea of clouds, but to no avail. All he saw was a gray mist.

Beyond that, he could sense a strange power, its origin indescribable.

"Incredible," Qing Di Zhi Zi suddenly remarked, drawing everyone's attention, including Ye Chen, who was lost in thought and instinctively turned his head.

There, they saw five figures approaching through the air, all cloaked in black robes with mysterious immortal laws concealing their auras. Their origins and bloodlines were indistinguishable; all that was clear was that there were four men and one woman, like heroes from ancient times. Each step they took landed on the essence of the Dao.

In addition, vague and profound phenomena appeared around them, faintly visible. Though their faces weren't seen, the sounds of the great Dao could be heard, indicating that these five had reached the pinnacle of Dao comprehension.

"Incredible," Yu Kong Di Zi murmured softly, his eyes nearly narrowed to slits.

"The heavens hide dragons and crouching tigers," You Ming Di Zi said with a furrowed brow, a hint of wariness in his eyes. He could sense a terrifying aura—these five black-robed figures were extraordinarily strong.

"Are they Shao Nian Di Ji?" Xiao Yuan Huang's fiery eyes gleamed brightly.

Compared to the others, Ye Chen's brow was furrowed even deeper. Even with his Lun Hui Yan, he couldn't see through their Dao, which was as ancient and desolate as the aura they emitted.

What shocked him wasn't just that; these five were all Shao Nian Di Ji. He was absolutely certain of this, as it was an unspoken understanding among Shao Nian Di Ji.

"Five Zun Shao Nian Di Ji."

Ye Chen muttered to himself, truly stunned. He had no idea where these five had come from or which forces they belonged to. Five Shao Nian Di Ji—that was an immense level of Di Yun! As far as he knew, no force in the heavens possessed such a powerful lineup.

So, the question arose: what were the origins of these five Zun Shao Nian Di Ji?

Unfortunately, their concealing techniques were too profound, revealing no clues whatsoever.

In that instant, Ye Chen's previous understanding was shattered—it was almost unbelievable.

"Old guys?" Kui Niu stroked his chin.

"Their age cycles haven't exceeded a thousand years; they're not from the older generation," Wu Ji Di Zi said. "Such ancient auras must mean they're like us, self-sealed for endless ages and unsealed in this era."

As they spoke, the five black-robed figures arrived, standing in a neat line before the sea of clouds. From behind, their silhouettes looked somewhat desolate yet as steadfast as monuments.

Five Zun Shao Nian Di Ji standing side by side—what a spectacle, leaving Ye Chen in a daze.

Shao Nian Di Ji naturally carried the pride of Shao Nian Di Ji, truly looking down on all.

"What an impressive presence," Ri Yue Shen Zi sighed.

When the group looked over, the five Zun Shao Nian Di Ji also turned their gazes in unison. They could see pairs of eyes that were desolate and profound, with the Dao essence evolving on its own, as if each held a vast world within.

The five ignored the other Di Zi Ji, focusing only on Ye Chen.

After all, among these dozens of people, only Ye Chen was a Shao Nian Di Ji, the only one who could stand on equal footing with them. As for the rest of the Di Zi Ji, they were far from worthy.

Ye Chen met their gazes without flinching, and sparks flew from the exchange.

This standoff lasted for three breaths before the five Zun Shao Nian Di Ji withdrew their eyes and stepped into the sea of clouds in unison. It seemed they had been here before, moving with practiced ease.

"Where did these five come from? We've never heard of them!" Xiao Yuan Huang clicked his tongue in amazement.

"But they are Shao Nian Di Ji," Chen Yi said, looking toward Ye Chen.

"As you said, five Zun Shao Nian Di Ji," Ye Chen replied deeply.

This statement shocked all the Di Zi Ji. It was utterly lawless—five Shao Nian Di Ji suddenly appearing out of nowhere. The heavens were about to ignite! Where on earth had they come from? It was ridiculous!

In that moment, everyone except Ye Chen felt a sense of melancholy. They had all been top experts, but now, with seven Zun Shao Nian Di Ji in the heavens, they were at least ranked eighth onward. This generation of Di Zi Ji had become the most awkward one yet.

"How about we leave?" Even someone as boastful as Kui Niu deflated instantly.

"Leave my foot, you cowardly cow."

"Let's go." Ye Chen didn't waste time and was the first to step into the sea of clouds.