Chapter 2500: Shameless

Hua Shan Xian Zi had left, and Ye Chen sat down cross-legged once more.

His clone had already perused the secret scrolls in the Cang Jing Ge, and from this, he gained profound insights. If he were a barren land, then the wisdom of his predecessors was like a refreshing spring.

He read the secret scrolls, but what he truly comprehended was the Dao.

In the blink of an eye, three more days passed.

On the fourth night, he finally rose to his feet, his eyes even deeper and more profound. Before leaving, he couldn't help but glance once more at the ninth level—or more precisely, at the Meng Dao Xian Fa.

He would return to study that technique later, perhaps as a trial for Ji Ning Shuang.

When he reached the first level, Di Yuan Zhen Ren was sitting there with his hands tucked in his sleeves, his plump head buried in thought, though no one knew what he was pondering. Seeing Ye Chen descend, his face still looked a bit dark.

"This business of chasing women is quite an art," Ye Chen said meaningfully, and as he spoke, he waved his hand to retrieve the Dao Jing that had been with Di Yuan Zhen Ren, along with the Emperor's Essence, taking it all back.

Di Yuan Zhen Ren perked up with interest, straightening slightly as he chuckled, "Go on, tell me more."

"First, persistence."

"Second, shamelessness."

"Third, persistent shamelessness."

Ye Chen delivered these three lines with increasing enthusiasm. They were his personal motto and an undeniable truth. Whenever he shared tips on wooing women, he always included this advice.

Otherwise, how else would he have ended up with so many wives?

This young master was quite idle, staying up late into the night to chat idly with the old Daoist. It was a good thing the Dao Ancestor had sealed himself away; if he knew about this, he would surely be gratified.

"I can't beat her," Di Yuan Zhen Ren coughed dryly, looking rather deflated.

Ye Chen took a deep breath and swallowed the rest of his prepared remarks. With a flick of his sleeve, he stormed out of the Cang Jing Ge. Serves you right for being single—being unable to beat her isn't an excuse! Back in the day, I couldn't beat Chu Xuan or Chu Ling either, but I still won their hearts.

Behind him, Di Yuan Zhen Ren stroked his chin, deep in thought.

To his credit, he actually believed Ye Chen's words. For the sake of wooing women, he was no longer concerned about saving face, and he was even prepared to risk getting beaten to death. A person needs ideals, after all.

By now, Ye Chen had entered a mountain path, winding and serene, full of quiet charm.

Tonight's moon was exceptionally bright, stirring up a sense of homesickness in him.

As he felt this longing, his wives were no doubt feeling the same. Though the night was deep, they still sat under the old tree, carving wooden figures just like him—figures of someone named Ye Chen.

Ji Ning Shuang was there too, still in the form of a little girl.

This tribulation in the dream was truly intriguing. Unlike Ye Chen, she had no memories from before the tribulation, but like him, no one could interfere with her ordeal.

"Is that Dong Shen Yao Chi?" Outside Heng Yue Sect, a group of five figures lurked in hiding. Upon closer inspection, they were the five young emperors of the forbidden zones, who had come all the way to Da Chu specifically to see Ji Ning Shuang.

"I've heard she's undergoing a tribulation in a dream," Wang Chuan Di Nu whispered. "Indeed, she's extraordinary."

"I want to give her a hug," Ming Tu Di Zi rubbed his chin.

It wasn't just him—Huang Quan Di Zi and Lian Yu Di Zi shared the same thought. It was all because that little one was so adorable, with her rosy cheeks and plump little body, like a tiny sprite. Pinching her cheeks or touching her hands would surely feel wonderful.

Only Tian Xu Di Zi remained silent. He had witnessed Ye Chen's strength firsthand, and he knew Ji Ning Shuang's terror as well. These two young prodigies of the heavens were both in the midst of their tribulations, giving him a sense of isolation, for he couldn't find a true equal.

"What on earth did that guy eat to grow so big?" Huang Quan Di Zi exclaimed in surprise.

The young emperors looked down and saw a lump of fresh meat—it was Xiong Er. In the dead of night, this fellow wasn't at Heng Yue but was hobbling along, one hand clutching his waist and the other wiping his nosebleed, limping toward Heng Yue. He looked like he'd been beaten, and indeed he had, and quite badly at that.

He deserved the beating. Why hug anyone? He just had to go for Xiao Yao Chi. He hadn't even touched her before Chu Xuan and the others dragged him away and gave him a thorough thrashing in some remote corner of the mountains.

And he wasn't the only one like that—there were plenty more.

Da Chu was full of talents, and there were always those restless types who showed up at Yu Nu Peak every few days, always trying to hug the little girl. But they all ended up entering standing and crawling out. Even so, there were still those who feared nothing, like this Xiong Er, playing with their lives.

"How entertaining," Lian Yu Di Zi stroked his chin, his expression meaningful. People said Da Chu had many talents, and today he saw it was true. This little fatty was quite impressive.

"Since we're in Da Chu, why not come and sit for a while?" A ethereal voice rang out—it was the voice of the Ren Wang, who seemed to know the five young emperors had arrived. He truly knew everything.

Tian Xu was the first to withdraw his gaze and step into the sky, heading toward Tian Xuan Gate.

When the five entered, they saw it wasn't just the Ren Wang waiting—there was a whole crowd of old folks, more than half of them with their hands tucked away, their old eyes gleaming slyly.

For the five young emperors, this night stretched on endlessly.

By morning, when the five emerged again, their faces didn't look great. They had been told it would be a discussion of the Dao, but for some reason, they all lost their treasures, and they still didn't know how it happened.

"This is just too shameless," Ming Tu Di Zi grumbled all the way.

Lian Yu Di Zi and Huang Quan Di Zi's faces were also dark. Their long-cherished divine irons had vanished without a trace. As for Tian Xu Di Zi, he kept checking his immortal body the whole time, feeling like someone had drawn a bit of his blood, though strangely, he couldn't find any wound.

Wang Chuan Di Nu's cheeks were flushed red.

The five young emperors had all lost treasures, and she was no exception. But the item she lost was a bit too embarrassing to mention—it was her undergarment, gone in a haze.

"How utterly disgraceful for their age," Wang Chuan Di Nu fumed, her beautiful eyes blazing with anger.

The old folks at Tian Xuan Gate wouldn't admit to that. What do you mean by disgraceful? In terms of seniority, which of you isn't at the level of ancient relics? We're the young ones here. The fact that we didn't steal more from you is already giving you face. That's just the way of Da Chu.

The five young emperors left, seething with frustration, regretting not heeding the Tian Wang's warning. The people of Da Chu weren't just eccentric—they were completely shameless, with nothing they wouldn't do.

In the morning, the warm sunlight bathed Hua Shan.

Ye Chen had risen early and was sitting cross-legged on the mountaintop, quietly contemplating the Dao.

Over the next few days, visitors came frequently, including elders and disciples, with the Hua Shan alchemy masters being the most persistent, never arriving empty-handed as they sought insights into alchemy.

Ye Chen was generous, having prepared copies for everyone.

Besides them, there were disciples who came humbly for guidance, no longer seeing Ye Chen as a junior brother but as a venerable senior, for his mastery of the Dao surpassed even the elders.

The fiery Chi Yan Peak was bustling like a marketplace, with people coming and going from dawn until late at night, leaving the leaders of the other main peaks feeling rather awkward. That little stone was truly outstanding.

Ah!

That night, a scream pierced the air from Chi Yan Peak.

Then, three figures were sent flying out one after another, like streaks of dim light heading into the distance. The sound of explosions followed, as more than a dozen elegant peaks collapsed from the impact.

They were all true disciples of Hua Shan, from the same generation as Hua Yang, and none of them believed they couldn't match him. They had gone to challenge Ye Chen, and he, ever obliging, rewarded each with a single flick that sent them soaring.

"The first true disciple has been defeated, and these three are just looking for trouble."

"With Little Stone's level of combat power, without the divine sons or daughters, who's his equal?"

"By my count, those two prodigies should be emerging from seclusion soon."

Many passing disciples looked up, watching the three true disciples fly off into the distance. They had smashed through over a dozen mountains— just watching it made them wince in pain.

Those poor true disciples who were flung away lay among the rubble, their heads buzzing, muttering complaints. Those chaos-makers just wouldn't give up.

At the top of Chi Yan Peak, Ye Chen sat leisurely, holding a carving knife and working on a wooden figure.

Hua Yang was there too, along with the remaining true disciples, who didn't dare seek more trouble. Ye Chen's single flick was truly domineering—it launched them without warning.

At that moment, the way the major true disciples looked at Ye Chen was as if he were a monster. Even the divine sons and daughters weren't this terrifying. This newly risen little saint was surely a prodigy himself.

That night, they engaged in discussions of the Dao, continuing until dawn, when the true disciples finally departed.

Ye Chen enjoyed the peace, arranging his wooden figures neatly. Some were of Chu Xuan and the others, and some were of Da Chu's heroic spirits. Given enough time, he could carve them all one by one.

On the third day, Tai Yi Zhen Ren and Tai Bai Jin Xing arrived, quite thoughtfully, each carrying two jars of aged wine that they had saved for centuries and never dared to drink, bringing them as gifts.

"They actually gave him an entire Chi Yan Peak—those Hua Shan elders have real vision."

"The one recognized by the Dao Jing will surely be nurtured as the next Hua Shan leader."

"When Hua Shan holds its Dao discussions in the future, we won't have to worry about invitations."

The two old Daoists wandered around, glancing left and right, chatting amiably. Their visit was essentially to build rapport. This Little Stone would grow into a towering ancient tree.

"Is the Jade Emperor in seclusion?" Ye Chen asked casually while carving, not even looking up.

"The whole Heavenly Realm knows that—how could you not?"

"So it's true," Ye Chen murmured softly. That explains it! It's been so long without a summons from the Heavenly Court. Being recognized by the Dao Jing isn't a trivial matter. If the Jade Emperor weren't in seclusion, there's no way he wouldn't know.

"Be careful, kid—Yin Ming is just waiting for a chance to get revenge," Tai Yi said as he sat down, offering sincere advice. Having spent so long in the Heavenly Court, he saw things clearly.

Ye Chen nodded with a smile. He didn't need Tai Yi to tell him that—just a look outside Hua Shan would show it. There were powerful experts hiding there, surely Yin Ming's lackeys, just biding their time for him to leave so they could snatch his Dao Jing.

He didn't care about that, though. His only concern was Shang Guan Yu. He would go to the Heavenly Court, and if Yin Ming knew what was good for him, fine. But if he insisted on crossing paths, Ye Chen wouldn't mind overturning the entire heavenly palace.

"So, about that Dao Jing—could you bring it out for us to see again?" Tai Bai Jin Xing rubbed his hands together, chuckling. He hadn't come all this way just to chat—he was here to gain insights.

Ye Chen smiled and waved his hand, releasing the Dao Jing from his body. Heavenly sounds echoed forth.

The eyes of the two immortals lit up as they cradled it like a precious treasure.

In the past, they had to pay a steep price for a single invitation to Hua Shan's Dao discussions. But now, the Dao Jing was right before them—the most profound one at that. It all felt surreal.

This perfectly illustrated a truth: connections are everything.

"Ye Chen, on the Feng Tian Stage, I await your challenge."

Before the two could sit and contemplate, a ethereal voice rang out from deep within a distant peak, laden with Dao essence and echoing throughout all of Hua Shan, clearly provocative.