Chapter 2570: The Plague God

Ye Chen returned to the Dao Fu once more, and it was already nightfall.

The Heavenly Court had a new ruler, yet this night was unusually quiet—so quiet it was unsettling, as if a layer of cold, gloomy haze hung in the air, weighing on the minds of the immortals of the Upper Realm and filling them with oppression and ominous forebodings.

In the dark night, figures in black clothing slipped into the Lower Realm.

These were all sent by Yin Ming, accompanying the immortals who had resigned their positions. It wasn't to eliminate them but to track where they were hiding, like thieves scouting a location, so that when the time came for retribution, there would be no need to waste effort searching.

This was the nature of the Heavenly Court's new sovereign—vindictive to the extreme. Once targeted by the ruler of the Heavenly Court, even fleeing to the ends of the earth would not escape execution.

In the days that followed, the once bustling Zi Wei Dao Fu had become incredibly quiet, with no one coming to seek alchemy services anymore. It wasn't due to a lack of true fire or materials; it was fear of getting too close to Ye Chen and being implicated later.

In the purple bamboo grove, Ye Chen quietly carved wooden figures.

He deeply felt the gloom of the Heavenly Court, reminiscent of the past in Heng Yue when Yin Zhi Ping was the holy son, when an intangible sense of panic lingered.

"Little friend, are you here?"

In the dead of night, a voice called out.

Before the words faded, an old man entered, wrapped in a black robe and bundled up tightly, skulking about like a thief. He had come to ask Ye Chen for alchemy, but due to Yin Ming's rise to power, he was acting this way.

In truth, he was avoiding suspicion, afraid that when Yin Ming settled scores with Ye Chen, he might be dragged in as well. Even an old immortal monarch feared for his safety.

"Since you're dissatisfied, Senior, you could simply resign your position."

Ye Chen spoke leisurely. He understood the old immortal monarch's cautious appearance all too well. Now, he was like a hot potato that no one dared approach.

His intentions exposed, the old immortal monarch felt somewhat embarrassed and sighed.

"Even if I go to the realm of scattered immortals, peace would be hard to find. I know Yin Ming's character all too well. Anyone who resigns now and flees to the Lower Realm is just making themselves a target, and he will hold a grudge against them."

At this, the old immortal monarch paused for a moment and tentatively looked at Ye Chen.

"He will surely settle accounts with you, so why not leave early?"

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior."

Ye Chen smiled.

The old immortal monarch said no more. He left the alchemy materials, the dan formula, and the true fire, then departed from the bamboo grove. Still wrapped in his black robe, he used secret techniques to conceal his aura, sneaking away stealthily. Asking Ye Chen for alchemy wasn't the scary part—what was frightening was if others found out.

Ye Chen set down his carving knife, summoned his true fire, and set up the dan furnace.

In the days that followed, a few more people came sporadically, all arriving in the dead of night. Each one was a prominent immortal monarch, yet they were disguised in black robes like thieves, coming quickly and leaving just as fast.

Ye Chen paid it no mind and refined the pills whenever true fire was provided.

As for their fates, he had no interest in inquiring. Just as others didn't want to get too close to him, he wouldn't eagerly seek their company either.

For the time being, he was safe. Yin Ming had only just taken power and had too many matters to handle, so he had no time for a minor figure like Ye Chen. Only after everything was stabilized and the Heavenly Court firmly under control would be the time for true revenge.

Ye Chen simply focused on comprehending the Dao and refining pills, aiming for a breakthrough.

On the ninth day, Yin Ming made a major move, issuing imperial edicts that spread across the four seas and eight wildernesses.

As Ye Chen had anticipated, Yin Ming targeted his seven imperial brothers, stripping them of their military authority under various pretexts and replacing them with his own loyal followers. The seven princes were mostly sent to remote border regions, ostensibly to serve as officials but in reality, exiled.

Those stripped of power weren't just them; anyone who had conflicts with him in the past and held significant military command was targeted. He used a combination of rewards and intimidation, cutting off their wings without bloodshed to secure his throne.

Beyond that, the court itself saw numerous officials dismissed and imprisoned, with new appointees all being his trusted confidants. One person's rise to power lifts all around them.

This truly lived up to the old saying: a new emperor brings new officials.

Yin Ming's actions left the entire Heavenly Court in a state of panic.

Another profound night arrived.

Three people entered the purple bamboo grove: Tai Yi, Tai Bai, and Si Ming.

"You're coming so openly—aren't you afraid of Yin Ming's schemes?"

Ye Chen looked at the three with a smile.

"We're just small fries; he wouldn't bother with us."

Tai Yi laughed.

"As for you, you should head to the Lower Realm while you can. Once Yin Ming frees up his hands, he'll definitely come after you."

Tai Bai pulled out a wine flask.

"When the time is right, I will resign my position."

Si Ming sat down as well.

"Hua Shan is always welcoming."

Ye Chen brushed off the wood shavings from his clothes.

"Forget Hua Shan; the Feng Shan Immortal Land might be a better choice."

Tai Yi stroked his beard. "If my guess is correct, it won't be long before that fellow stirs up a great war. Your Hua Shan lineage will likely be the primary target. I know Yin Ming all too well—his ambitions are even greater than his father's. Being the ruler of the Heavenly Court alone won't satisfy him; his goal is to dominate the entire celestial realm. What tyrant doesn't wage endless wars? Especially with the Heavenly Court's strength and depth far beyond what we imagine."

"In the end, it's because the Jade Emperor supports him."

Tai Bai said. "How could he not know his own son? Stepping down and granting the title was the best proof—it's an implicit approval, allowing Yin Ming to reshuffle the Heavenly Court and even unify the Upper and Lower Realms."

"Just wait and see. If Yin Ming succeeds, that's fine, but if he fails, the Jade Emperor will surely unseal himself and replace him with another prince, like the Third Prince."

Si Ming spoke leisurely. "He put Yin Ming in power, so he can pull him down just as easily. In the entire Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor is the slyest one. Having been the ruler for thousands of years, his vision and scheming are unmatched. This might all be part of a greater plan, where even his own children and former comrades-in-arms are just pawns."

"That's just how royal families operate."

Ye Chen bent his head back to carving wooden figures.

The three of them saw it clearly, and so did he. In his previous life as the second emperor, he was well-versed in imperial tactics and court intrigues. Compared to the Jade Emperor, Yin Ming was far inferior—after all, the old ginger is the spiciest.

The four of them chatted back and forth until dawn was near.

As the first rays of dawn appeared in the east, another person stepped into the bamboo grove, dressed in flowing purple dao robes. It was none other than Zi Yang Xian Jun.

This fellow exuded an air of superiority, as if on the verge of ascension. As Yin Ming's trusted confidant, he had been promoted and even granted some military authority, making him more arrogant in his stride.

One person's success elevates their entire circle—if Yin Ming was the one who rose, this guy was like the little chicken along for the ride.

"By imperial order, you are permitted to attend the Pan Tao Feast."

Zi Yang Xian Jun spoke indifferently, his words carrying an air of authority. The way he looked at Ye Chen was from the corner of his eye, full of disdain, as if gazing at an ant.

"Understood."

Ye Chen's response was even more casual. From start to finish, he didn't even lift his eyes to look at Zi Yang Xian Jun, just continuing to carve his wooden figure.

Zi Yang Xian Jun's mouth curved slightly as he turned and left. Before departing, he glanced at Tai Yi and the others with a playful, mocking smile.

"The Pan Tao Feast, held once every hundred years, where the lowest rank is second-grade and the least significant is an immortal monarch—they actually allowed you to attend. Quite surprising."

Tai Bai stroked his beard meaningfully. "They must be planning to deal with you."

"I think you should head to the Lower Realm as soon as possible."

Si Ming said.

"He's just waiting for me to go down there."

Ye Chen put away his wooden carving and changed into a fresh dao robe. He was certain that if he returned to Hua Shan today, it would be attacked by the Heavenly Court's forces tomorrow. He understood Yin Ming's plan: though he was just a minor Xing Jun, he could serve as the spark for a war.

This was also why he hadn't left the Heavenly Court yet. Until he reached the Quasi Emperor realm, he wouldn't draw the flames of war to Hua Shan.

Besides, he still hadn't found all the reincarnated individuals, and figures like the King of Hell and the Asura Tian Zun were locked in the Heavenly Prison. He needed to keep an eye on things in the Heavenly Court. If it came to it, even at the Great Saint level, he would force his way into the prison to rescue them before leaving in peace.

As he spoke, he finished changing into his dao robe and left the purple bamboo grove.

Having not left the Dao Fu for many days, now that he did, the immortals of the Heavenly Court treated him like a plague god, steering clear as soon as they saw him from afar.

It was all because Yin Ming was so ruthless—no one dared to court disaster.