Chapter 2493: A Warm Greeting

In the blink of an eye, another day had passed, and it was now the third day. Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi were still there, not interrupting, their eyes filled with hope as they expected Ye Chen to separate out some Di Dao Shen Yun. If he truly could, it would be a great fortune for Hua Shan.

At that moment, Hua Shan Zhen Ren had made a certain decision: if Ye Chen could separate the Di Yun, he would pass on the sect leadership to him. Ye Chen would be the most extraordinary leader in Hua Shan's history.

"The day is getting late," Hua Shan Xian Zi said softly.

The three-day limit wasn't set by them; it was fixed by the Chao Hun Hai. Once the time was up, Ye Chen would be forced out. Each person had only one opportunity in their lifetime, and it lasted just three days. No one, from the sect leader to the disciples, had any special privileges. In the past, both she and Hua Shan Zhen Ren had gone through the same process, and there was no way to stay longer.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren remained silent, simply gazing into the depths. If even Ye Chen, who carried the Dao Jing, couldn't separate a trace of Di Yun, then no one in the world could do it except a great emperor.

As they watched, Ye Chen, who had transformed into Di Yun, reverted to his human form.

After two days and a night of coaxing and threats, nothing had worked. With the Dao Jing as the tempting bait, the Di Yun still wouldn't budge and was extremely stingy, refusing to separate even a bit.

With a dark expression, Ye Chen walked out from the depths.

Seeing him from afar, Hua Shan Xian Zi sighed. She had thought the little stone could create a miracle, but in reality, they had been overly optimistic—Ye Chen hadn't succeeded.

"There's still about the time it takes to burn an incense stick before you have to leave?" Hua Shan Zhen Ren asked with a light laugh.

"Zhen Ren, do you know who Hong Jun is?" Ye Chen asked tentatively.

"Hong Jun?"

"I see."

Ye Chen waved his hand and turned back. From the bewildered look on Hua Shan Zhen Ren's face, he had already gotten his answer. They knew about the Di Yun but not its origin or who Hong Jun was. In that case, he needed to do something about it.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi both raised their eyebrows, completely puzzled.

"Idiot, Hong Jun is just an idiot."

Soon, loud scolding echoed from the depths—it was Ye Chen's voice.

Uh...

Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi opened their mouths in surprise, their lips twitching. They had no idea why Ye Chen was yelling or where his anger came from. They didn't know who this Hong Jun was or which faction he belonged to, but clearly, he had some grudge against Ye Chen.

If they knew that this so-called Hong Jun was the owner of the Di Dao Shen Yun and the ancestor of Hua Shan, who knows what their expressions would be.

"Idiot, Hong Jun is just an idiot."

Ye Chen kept shouting, his voice booming. That was why he had asked Hua Shan Zhen Ren about Hong Jun—if the other knew, he definitely wouldn't curse like this. Only a fool would insult someone's ancestor to their face. But since Hua Shan Zhen Ren didn't know, what was there to hold back?

It was fortunate that Hong Jun had sealed himself away. If he saw this scene, he might slap Ye Chen back to his origins. After all, he was an emperor— was this kind of cursing appropriate?

Appropriate!

That would be Ye Chen's response. He cursed even louder—who asked you not to let your Di Yun separate for me? Who asked you not to show yourself? Who asked you to seal yourself away for no reason? You deserve it.

"This little guy." Even Hua Shan Zhen Ren's wisdom was baffled by Ye Chen's outburst, leaving him utterly confused about what had set it off.

Hua Shan Xian Zi couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. She never knew the refined little stone had such an adorable side—he didn't hold back when cursing, delivering it smoothly and relentlessly.

"Idiot, Hong Jun is just an idiot."

As he cursed, Ye Chen retreated from the depths, since the time limit was almost up. It was better to leave on his own than be thrown out by the Chao Hun Hai—that would be embarrassing.

He was leaving, but his scolding grew even louder. It wasn't just because the Di Yun wouldn't separate; it was also because Hong Jun had come all this way for the calamity but refused to meet him. Ye Chen had been holding in this anger for a long time and was finally letting it out. Anyway, no one knew who Hong Jun was.

Sure enough, because of his cursing, the hazy purple Di Yun trembled.

Then, a strand as thin as a hair of Di Yun floated out, lively and active, darting all over before merging into Ye Chen's body.

"This..."

Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi were stunned. It had actually worked out, but in such a bizarre way.

"Does cursing Hong Jun work?"

"Can cursing Hong Jun make it separate?"

That was what the two great immortals wanted to ask. What was the reasoning behind this? What was the background of the Hong Jun that Ye Chen mentioned, and what was his connection to the Di Yun?

In that instant, both immortals felt an urge to go in themselves and insult Hong Jun's ancestors eighteen generations back—maybe they could get a strand of Di Yun too.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen's eyes shone brightly.

Di Yun had its own spirit, like a person with various emotions. For example, it had a rebellious side, and this strand that had emerged was the rebellious type. If it were separated as a Dao body, it would surely spend its days cursing its original self.

It was just like Ye Chen's own Sheng Zhan Fa Shen, which often thought about beating up his true self.

Tasting success, Ye Chen wanted to turn back and test the other emotions of the Di Yun—maybe he could get another strand. After all, more Di Yun was always better.

But the time limit had arrived. As soon as he took a step, massive waves surged in the Chao Hun Hai—it was unclear if it was due to the Di Yun or just its nature—and a wave swept him out.

Then, he shot like a streak of light over the heads of Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi, slamming into the opposite rock wall in a spread-eagle position.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi glanced at the Chao Hun Hai, exchanged looks, and then turned to Ye Chen. They both felt that today's events were a bit off.

They were quite impressive themselves—their founding ancestor had been insulted, yet they remained completely in the dark. If the Dao ancestor knew, he would probably look at them differently and feel truly gratified by such descendants.

Under the starlight, Ye Chen emerged from the depths of Hua Shan, with Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi following silently. As they walked, they kept watching him, their gazes full of strangeness, as if looking at a monster. Well, he was a monster—a refined stone spirit.

Ye Chen just chuckled to himself, wiping his nosebleed as he went and checking his body internally.

That strand of purple Di Yun had already merged into the Dao Jing and was roaming chaotically inside him. It was indeed rebellious and unruly—if it were a person, it would stir up trouble everywhere.

Looking closely, the Di Yun was absorbing nutrients—what it called nutrients was Ye Chen's Dao—gradually integrating and nurturing this talent. In the future, it would be even more useful than supreme emperor weapons.

"Little guy, who exactly is the Hong Jun you mentioned?" In the end, Hua Shan Zhen Ren couldn't contain his curiosity and asked with a smile.

"An old friend," Ye Chen replied casually.

"What a fine old friend." Hua Shan Zhen Ren chuckled, though he didn't believe it for a second. He had a better understanding of Ye Chen's nature now—on the surface, he seemed honest and harmless, but deep down, he was restless and had a strikingly eye-catching aura.

He didn't believe it, and neither did Hua Shan Xian Zi, who covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. This little stone was more interesting than they thought, cursing his old friend like that.

Precisely because of this, both she and Hua Shan Zhen Ren were even more curious about who Hong Jun was.