Chapter 2544: The Past of the Heavenly Venerate

The prison cell was dim and desolate, filled with a chilling emptiness.

Yet, none of that could overshadow the warm affection of old friends reuniting from their homeland.

In the gloom, what a scene it was: one, the Yinming Saint Lord; the other, a Da Chu emperor. One had entered the world to face a calamity, the other had cycled through the six paths; one was locked inside the cell, the other outside. Both held wine flasks, their eyes brimming with tears, their minds hazy with drink, speaking of bygone events in hoarse, weathered voices, reminiscing about their homeland's sentiments.

Who would have thought that these two mortal enemies from a past life would now sit facing each other like long-lost friends, sharing wine and conversation?

In this moment, all grudges faded away, replaced by tears of raw emotion.

"My life has truly been a drama."

Zhan Wang's laughter carried a mix of feelings. In his previous life in Da Chu, he was a peerless king who vied with Zhan Wang for dominion, but he lacked that final stroke of destiny and never attained the highest cultivation. Through countless eras, he clung to survival, emerging time and again, only to be suppressed by later emperors. He hid in Zhengyang Sect, inciting bloody calamities, and in Ye Chen's heavenly tribulation, he battled the Dharma bodies of Da Chu's nine emperors, meeting his end in resentment.

He had thought that marked the end of his fate.

Little did he know that some hidden fortune awaited; he died into the underworld, achieving in the Ming Realm the cultivation he never reached in Da Chu. Yet, because of an emperor's path to the underworld, he returned to Da Chu, fighting to the death against the demon lord to protect his homeland.

He had believed that was the cycle of cause and effect, dust to dust, earth to earth.

Alas, fate played another trick—Da Chu had reincarnation, and as one with a body linked to the underworld, he was reborn once more, this time in the Tianjie.

What drama, indeed! He had died twice: once to the Ming Realm, once to the Tianjie. He had traversed all three realms.

Ye Chen understood his state of mind well.

As someone who had also journeyed through the three realms, Ye Chen's experiences were equally remarkable. He had died to the Ming Realm, answered a calamity, and come to the Tianjie.

If anyone could speak of life's wonders, it was these two.

"Drink."

The two exchanged smiles, setting aside past enmities, toasting with cup after cup of strong wine, nurturing ancient memories like old friends enjoying themselves.

Ye Chen didn't elaborate much on the events of the past; he simply transmitted a divine sense.

Zhan Wang was overcome with tears, sobbing uncontrollably. Through his tear-blurred eyes, he saw Da Chu: its mountains, rivers, grasses, and trees, all as familiar as in his memories. His soul trembled with emotion. After a great cycle of reincarnation, who wouldn't long for home?

"Star Lord, don't make this difficult for me."

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the cell, from the Zi Fa Tianjiang. After all, this was a heavily guarded prison; visiting was one thing, but lingering chats were another. With so many eyes watching, who knew what trouble might arise? He had his concerns.

"Senior, please wait patiently. I will surely get you out."

Ye Chen stood up, bowed deeply in respect as a junior, offering a full salute. His cultivation was still too weak to force a rescue; he could only wait for his own advancement.

"As long as you have that intention, it's enough."

Zhan Wang smiled warmly, his expression full of gentleness. His once icy heart was completely melted by Ye Chen's words, warmth flooding his entire being.

Ye Chen took a deep breath and finally turned to leave.

Gazing at Ye Chen's retreating figure, Zhan Wang felt a daze, his heart unsettled. That young cultivator from back then had truly led Da Chu to defend their homeland. That battle must have been fiercely brutal, with the vast landscape stained by the blood of heroic souls.

Indeed, every emperor of Da Chu was no ordinary figure, and Ye Chen, the Heavenly Court Saint Lord, would be the most astonishing of them all—without question.

In that instant, Zhan Wang took a deep breath. In his past and present lives, he laughed freely for the first time, free of any resentment, all shadows dispelled. He felt gratified because of Ye Chen, and moved because he was alive. As a Da Chu emperor, Ye Chen had opened a bright path for him.

Once out of the cell, Ye Chen smiled at the Zi Fa Tianjiang and headed deeper in.

Behind him, the Zi Fa Tianjiang looked puzzled, unable to figure out Ye Chen. This little Stone Spirit seemed to hold a special regard for those who had provoked the Eighth Prince Yin Ming—first the Yang clan, now this prisoner.

"Interesting."

The Zi Fa Tianjiang muttered to himself and pulled out his wine flask.

"Halt!"

From the depths of the prison came a stern shout from a Tianjiang, glaring fiercely at Ye Chen. If the entire Tianlao was a heavily fortified place in the Heavenly Court, then this area was its forbidden zone, where the Shura Tianzun was imprisoned.

"Star Lord, this is a restricted area of the Tianlao. No one is allowed to approach."

The Tianjiang spoke calmly, his tone firm and authoritative. He was an unyielding type, or rather, he dared not let anyone in. If anything happened to the Shura Tianzun, he would be held responsible. As the saying goes, one shouldn't meddle in affairs beyond their position—the Heavenly Court's rules were strict, and no one dared be careless.

"I'm just curious, taking a casual stroll."

Ye Chen replied with a smile and didn't step forward any further. Casually, he glanced at the towering pagoda. It stood immense, like a pillar holding up the sky, covered in divine talismans and engraved with sealing god patterns. Rune chains crisscrossed, forming emperor-level seals.

Such seals would make escape impossible even for him if he were imprisoned here. The place was heavily guarded, with many quasi-emperors watching from the shadows. At a glance, it was clear that the Yu Di valued this prisoner greatly, which explained why the Tianjiang and Tianbing were so cautious.

Seeing Ye Chen stop, the Tianjiang said no more, sword at his waist, patrolling back and forth across that stretch of space. His stance suggested that if anyone dared to enter, he would strike immediately, regardless of who they were—he could attack first and report later.

"Brat, where's my wine?"

From within the pagoda came the voice of the Shura Tianzun. This transmission was audible only to Ye Chen, and it seemed the Tianzun had just woken up.

Peering through the pagoda, he indeed looked like he'd just risen: slumped lazily on the altar, yawning drowsily, his hair a mess. Black rune chains bound his hands, feet, and neck, and his body bore extremely domineering seals that rendered this Tianzun as helpless as an ordinary person.

"I'd have to get in first."

Ye Chen coughed dryly, pacing around the perimeter. The Tianjiang wouldn't let him near, and not even a great immortal lord could enter without the Yu Di's order, let alone a minor sixth-rank official like him.

"Damn that Yu Di. Once I get out, I'll kick him to death." The Shura Tianzun grumbled, clearly fuming.

"How did you end up provoking the Heavenly Court?"

"Who knows? I had just left the Shura Realm and hadn't even caught my breath when the Heavenly Court's soldiers blocked me. They were yelling about suppressing me, so I refused. Words led to blows, and let me tell you, your people here are not straightforward—they don't fight one-on-one; they all swarm in like a pack."

"You're just too strong." Ye Chen sighed.

"I won't deny that—I'm a bit stronger than most." Flattered, the Shura Tianzun puffed up, stroking his beard meaningfully, only to realize he had none, so he smugly smoothed his messy hair instead.

"What's your relationship with Zhao Yun?"

"Enemies... well, more like rivals in love." The Shura Tianzun replied. "I liked his wife, but she didn't like me. That's about it."

"Got it." Ye Chen said meaningfully.

Clearly, the relationship between Zhao Yun and the Shura Tianzun was much like his own with that jerk Long Jie—always eyeing his Ninth Sister, sneaking peeks when he could, and getting chased across the skies and beaten half to death each time he was caught.

"You and Zhao Yun didn't end up destroying each other over a woman, did you?" After some muttering, Ye Chen probed, eyeing the pagoda.

"You got half of it right." The Shura Tianzun sighed. "We both died because of his wife. A rage for a beauty—you should understand. He fought until his body and dao were destroyed; I killed until my body and spirit were annihilated. I won the world but lost her."

At that, the Shura Tianzun fell silent.

Ye Chen said nothing, standing quietly, gazing as if he could see through the vast pagoda to the bowed head of the Shura Tianzun. This mighty figure's eyes were dim beyond measure, his expression a mix of hate, anger, sorrow, pain, weariness, and nostalgia—like an elderly man at dusk, facing the sunset and awaiting his end.

Ye Chen understood his state of mind.

A rage for a beauty perfectly captured the essence of love.

Winning the world but losing her was etched with regret and grief, forever denied the sight of her radiant smile. This pain, he had felt before.

That woman must have been fortunate, loved by Zhao Yun and fought for across the eight wastelands by the Tianzun. The word "love," stained with blood, said it all.

Such a story applied to him as well—if Yao Chi were in danger, he would risk everything, and Long Jie would do the same, even defying the world for her.

"I want to drink."

After a long while, the Shura Tianzun spoke again, his voice hoarse and weary, as if it had been years since he'd had a drink, seeking to drown his sorrows.

Hearing this, Ye Chen took a deep breath and slowly stepped forward.

"Halt!"

The Tianjiang snorted coldly, sword flashing as he drew it. If Ye Chen dared another step, he would unleash a lethal strike.

"I just want to send him a flask of wine." Ye Chen said with a smile, handing over a storage bag. Inside were several jars of aged fine wine.

Besides that, there were a million Tianshi, three great saint weapons, and three eight-mark golden pills. The aged wine was for the Tianzun; the rest were for the Tianjiang. His intent was clear: a bribe to bend the rules a bit.

The Tianjiang took it, furrowing his brow slightly. He'd seen generous people before, but none like Ye Chen—a sixth-rank Star Lord with such boldness, all just to deliver a good drink to the Shura Tianzun.

"Tianjiang, please make an exception." Ye Chen bowed.

The Tianjiang didn't respond, eyeing the jars of wine closely to ensure they were safe, then slowly turned away. With the bribe in hand, even heavenly soldiers weren't above a little favor. Using his great divine powers, he sent Ye Chen's wine into the pagoda.

"Thank you."

The Shura Tianzun received the wine but didn't drink right away. He held it to his nose, gently sniffing the long-forgotten aroma, then tilted his head back for a hearty gulp. Perhaps he drank too quickly, as it streamed down his face.

No one could tell if it was wine or tears flowing down.