Chapter 2533: Invitation from the Heavenly Court

As dawn approached, Ye Chen finally made his way down Qiankun Peak, strolling along leisurely.

He couldn't help but wipe his nosebleed with every step.

Not to boast, but along his path, everyone he saw looked exceptionally refined and handsome.

It was fortunate that Huashan Zhenren and the immortals were unaware; if they knew someone had been lurking outside watching the spectacle last night, who knows what expressions they would have worn.

In the early morning, many disciples were out practicing on the mountain, and quite a few elders were wandering about. The winding paths through the hills were serene and led to hidden spots, with people coming and going constantly.

When they spotted Ye Chen, the elders often stroked their beards, while the disciples regarded him with deep respect.

The events of the Wuyue Duel had spread throughout the Sanxian Realm, and they had every reason to know about it. Huashan's little stone, as he was called, had made quite a name for himself in the duel. Though he wasn't eligible to participate, the divine sons and daughters of the other four peaks had suffered greatly—some defeated, some left in ruins—bringing immense honor to Huashan.

"No surprise, he'll be the next Huashan sect leader."

"Among this generation, no one outshines his prowess. It's well deserved."

"Him taking the role wouldn't be bad at all."

Whispers of discussion rose and fell everywhere, with no one daring to underestimate Ye Chen anymore. In fact, they were all thinking about how to align themselves with him.

As he walked, he suddenly encountered Diyuan Zhenren, who had his hands tucked in his sleeves and looked utterly listless, probably from a poor night's sleep, yawning all the way.

"Elder, you don't look so spirited!" Ye Chen said with a laugh.

"Go wait for me at the Scripture Pavilion. I'll head to Qiankun Peak first." Diyuan Zhenren yawned, his eyes half-closed, speaking with dutiful seriousness—he was off to report to the sect leader early in the morning.

"I've got a rare treasure lately; come take a look."

Ye Chen, who had already passed by, turned back without a word and dragged the old Daoist along.

Once they reached the mountain path, Ye Chen patted his behind and left.

As for Diyuan Zhenren, he still had the so-called treasure from Ye Chen tucked in his robe—well, the legendary collector's edition, that is.

Now, looking at others, the old Daoist found everyone appearing exceptionally refined and handsome, not even excluding the spirit beasts he kept.

Ye Chen returned to Chiyan Peak, sealed the mountain gate, and climbed to the summit.

Soon after, the profound sounds of the Great Dao echoed, ethereal and mysterious, drawing a crowd of disciples and elders to gather and listen in awe as Ye Chen comprehended the Dao.

He remained in meditation for three full days.

It wasn't until the fourth night that he awoke, or rather, was awakened.

An old acquaintance had arrived: a figure in white robes with white hair and a white beard, holding a whisk, exuding an air of immortality—it was Taibai Jinxing.

"Has Yudi emerged from seclusion?" Ye Chen asked Taibai with a smile.

"How else could we say Huashan has top-notch intelligence work?" Taibai Jinxing scratched his ear. "This old Daoist came down on Yudi's orders to invite you for a visit to Tianting. Of course, you can refuse; no need to fear him."

"Since Yudi has extended such a gracious invitation, how could I not go?" Ye Chen stretched lazily.

"You'd better think it through—Tianting is nothing like the mortal realm."

"What, is he going to eat me?"

"That would be the easy way out." Taibai Zhenren glanced at Ye Chen. "You should know the temperament of Tianting's Eighth Prince. Anyone who crosses him meets a bad end, let alone someone like you who once took what was meant to be his Dao Scripture. He's just waiting for you to come up so he can settle the score."

With that, the old official brushed the dust from his clothes and continued, "I came down just to go through the motions; I didn't expect you to actually go."

"Thank you for the advice, senior, but Tianting—I must go."

"Hey, you little rascal, why don't you know what's good for you!"

"I have to go." Ye Chen said with a smile once more.

Taibai Jinxing said no more, tucked away his whisk, and left, not returning to Tianting but heading straight to Qiankun Peak. Since he couldn't convince Ye Chen, he needed to talk to Huashan Zhenren—your sect finally has a talent like this; if he goes to Tianting, he might never come back. That Eighth Prince of Tianting eats people without spitting out the bones.

The old official had a kind heart, but it didn't do much good.

When he met Huashan Zhenren, the answer he got was the same as from Ye Chen—not that they didn't want to stop him, but they simply couldn't. Someone like Ye Chen goes where he pleases, and that's final.

"A bunch of lunatics." Taibai grumbled as he left, his voice fading into the distance: "I'll come for you in three days."

Ye Chen smiled and sat down cross-legged again, closing his eyes.

In these three days, he had much to do, like solidifying his foundation. In the Sanxian Realm, a Shengwang Realm cultivator could dominate, but up there, he'd have to stand his ground carefully.

Afterward, Chiyan Peak saw a steady stream of visitors—it was unclear who let the cat out of the bag, spreading the news that Ye Chen was going to Tianting to take an official position. Batch after batch of people came up, trying to advise him and warn of the dangers.

Unfortunately, no one could change Ye Chen's mind.

For that reason, Huashan Shennu even stood on the opposite peak, seriously scolding him for a while. And Diyuan Laodao simply decided to stay put on Chiyan Peak, not wanting Ye Chen to go up and get himself killed.

That wasn't all—there were even bigger figures, like Niu Mowang and Jiaolong Wang, who traveled a long distance to show up, making a huge fuss. They already disliked Tianting and quite liked Ye Chen; now, hearing he was going up to serve as an official, their tempers flared like never before.

"What's so bad about being a mountain king down here? You can throw around my old Niu's name and strut everywhere, but no, you have to go be a subordinate to that Yudi old-timer?"

Late at night, Niu Mowang was still ranting, sharpening his butcher's knife as he spoke—the implication was clear: dare to go up and become an official, and I'll chop you up and stew you.

Jiaolong Wang, standing nearby, was equally understanding; as Niu Mowang sharpened his knife, he polished his spiked club. If that certain stone listened, fine; if he still insisted on going to Tianting, he wouldn't mind giving him a solid whack.

As for Ye Chen, he remained completely relaxed, letting them talk without saying a word.

It wasn't until the dead of night that a bull and a serpent slithered away from Chiyan Peak, like two streaks of light shooting toward the horizon.

A while later, two thunderous booms echoed, and two mountain peaks collapsed in their wake.

Those two were, of course, Niu Mowang and Jiaolong Wang. They crawled out from the rubble, both looking utterly baffled. They had intended to tie up Ye Chen, but in a moment of carelessness, they were flung out of Huashan, aching all over.

"This guy's strength is terrifyingly overwhelming."

"How can a Shengwang junior have such powerful combat abilities? It doesn't make sense!"

"You got us good this time."

The two gradually wandered off, one clutching his waist, the other his bovine face, limping along. The passing cultivators who saw them wore expressions of shock.

As the third day drew near, Chiyan Peak had yet another guest, cloaked in black robes and keeping a low profile—it was Kunlun's sect leader.

That's right, Kunlun's sect leader, ostensibly there to propose marriage on behalf of his sect's divine son, but in reality, to poach talent. How could someone like this go to Tianting as an official? Once he went up, would he ever come back?

Looking at Kunlun's sect leader, Ye Chen wore a face of regret—regret that it wasn't the old Kunlun Daoist; otherwise, he would have boldly robbed him for the materials of the Nine Turns Soul-Returning Pill. But alas, it was the sect leader who came.

"You're really set on going to Tianting?"

"I have to go." Ye Chen replied with a smile.

Ah!

Kunlun's sect leader sighed and said no more, turning to leave, his heart aching with every step. The way he looked at Huashan Zhenren grew even darker: Why didn't you hold onto him for me!

Huashan Zhenren's gaze was equally sharp: You're poaching right here in my territory—quite the professional effort! If you can poach him, go ahead!

Ah!

As the two sect leaders exchanged dark glances, a sudden scream pierced the air.

Then, Kunlun's divine son was seen flying out from Chiyan Peak, landing in a spectacularly dramatic pose.

The one who beat him was, naturally, Ye Chen. He couldn't blame anyone but Kunlun's divine son himself; the moment he stepped onto Chiyan Peak, he started cursing up a storm, echoing Huashan Shennu from the other side. Of course, he got a beating—wasn't it obvious? I'm not hitting your wife, but since you're here, I'll deal with you both and stop you from whisking away my Huashan Shennu.

Two days passed quietly.

On the third day, visitors to Huashan continued to arrive in droves; just picking one at random, they'd be sect leaders of major factions, all teaming up to poach.

Sadly, their words were futile. They came full of enthusiasm and left sighing in disappointment.

Night fell once more.

This night was exceptionally peaceful, with no one else ascending Chiyan Peak.

Ye Chen enjoyed the tranquility, sitting under an old tree, quietly carving wood, thinking of his homeland in Da Chu, and sculpting figures from there.

On the surrounding peaks, many figures stood silently, gazing in his direction.

Those pairs of eyes made Ye Chen feel somewhat uneasy, like farewell gazes, or silent goodbyes without words.

Huashan Zhenren was no exception; through the hazy mountain mist, he could see Ye Chen under the tree. Though not yet a hundred years old, Ye Chen carried an aura of ancient weariness that Huashan Zhenren recognized all too well.

He had seen that aura in many others—veterans weathered by the world—and Ye Chen was just like them, etched with the marks of time, as if hiding countless stories longer than the ages themselves.

"Just who are you, really?"

Once again, Huashan Zhenren murmured to himself, having made many guesses, yet none could match Ye Chen's mysterious aura.

"Thank you."

As Ye Chen carved, his voice echoed faintly in Huashan's mind. With so many people caring for him, he felt a warmth in this foreign land.

But to Huashan, to the heavens, he was merely a passing traveler.

Suddenly, he lifted his gaze to the vast sky, and in the realm beyond, he saw the illusion of a woman, faint and elusive, identical to Chu Xuan and Chu Ling—equally stunning and graceful, leaving him in a daze.