Chapter 2656: You're Rewarded

Yin Ming's actions were completely ignored by Ye Chen and the other.

Ye Chen knew Yin Ming well, and Tian Zun had also figured him out. Before they fought to the death, Yin Ming wouldn't kill Yue Xin. That guy's idea of fun was to watch them tear each other apart in a spectacular show; he wouldn't let it end so quickly. The ruler of the Heavenly Court hadn't had his fill yet.

"You two have only one minute," Yin Ming sneered, his laugh eerie and terrifying, issuing a final ultimatum to Ye Chen and the other. "Either you die, or he dies. Just one of you needs to go."

Ye Chen and the other continued their fierce battle, as if they hadn't heard a word.

It was clear that the residual shockwaves from their fight had already affected the barrier. The barrier enveloped the entire Ling Xiao Bao Dian and was extraordinarily powerful.

Ye Chen had experienced this before; back when they captured Yin Ming, he had hidden in the Bao Dian, and it took the Heavenly Court's massive army a long time to break through the barrier.

Now, with the Ling Xiao Bao Dian rebuilt, the formations inside had been restored and were even stronger than before. It couldn't be shattered by just one or two people attacking; it would take an Di Qi to do that.

This was exactly why Ye Chen didn't dare act recklessly. Yue Xin's safety was at stake, so he couldn't afford to be careless. If he made a move, it had to succeed in one go. Yin Ming wouldn't give a second chance, and there wouldn't be one.

"Your Majesty, execute them quickly to avoid future troubles."

From the shadows, an old Xian Zun sent a telepathic message, his eyes filled with deep wariness. Whether it was toward Ye Chen or Xiu Luo Tian Zun, both were terrifying figures.

"Don't rush."

Yin Ming gave a cold smile. He'd waited this long, so he didn't mind one more minute. He'd strike once they were both severely wounded. The Heavenly Court had already set up an inescapable net; they wouldn't be able to escape.

Boom!

Another thunderous explosion rang out. Ye Chen spat blood into the void and plummeted like a meteorite from the sky, crashing straight into the barrier of the Ling Xiao Bao Dian. More precisely, Tian Zun had deliberately struck him toward it.

In that instant, Ye Chen activated his Di Dao ethereal technique, easily passing through the barrier. In a flash, he channeled his Di essence to invoke Eternal Thought.

Immediately, Manzhua flowers bloomed, each one vibrantly fiery, with petals and leaves weaving mysterious power. The space within the barrier froze in an instant.

"Now's the time."

Ye Chen's eyes flashed with sharp light. He instantly appeared in front of Yue Xin. All he needed was that split second to rescue her, and the rest would follow.

However, before his outstretched hand could reach Yue Xin, a black divine whip materialized from the side, buzzing as it lashed across his body.

Spurt!

Ye Chen vomited blood, his primordial spirit and true form nearly separating. He was sent flying from the front of the Ling Xiao Bao Dian, bursting through the barrier and collapsing a dozen massive peaks. His flying body was shattered and broken, his primordial spirit suffering catastrophic damage, and his physical form nearly exploding.

"Di Qi Da Shen Bian."

Amid the flying debris, Ye Chen staggered to his feet, covered in blood and barely able to stand. A hit from an ordinary artifact wouldn't have been much, but this was the Da Shen Bian, a Di Qi that specialized in attacking the primordial spirit—it was devastating.

All his careful plans, and yet one fatal oversight.

He never imagined that Jiang Tai Gong's Di Qi Da Shen Bian would be in the Heavenly Court, enhanced by terrifying Di Dao principles, rendering his Eternal Thought ineffective.

He had miscalculated. If not for that, he likely would have saved Yue Xin.

"Damn it."

Tian Zun's face turned extremely grim. He stared intently at the Ling Xiao Bao Dian, at a black-robed elder standing beside Yin Ming and Yue Xin. It was an old Xian Zun, an incredibly powerful one, holding the Da Shen Bian. This elder had been the one to severely wound Ye Chen. Even without the whip, his combat strength was far superior to Tian Zun's.

He had absolute confidence in Ye Chen.

But that confidence couldn't overcome the sudden appearance of the Di Qi. The old Xian Zun was formidable enough, let alone with the Di Qi in hand. This wasn't Ye Chen's fault; if Tian Zun had charged in himself and taken that whip, he'd likely suffer the same primordial spirit devastation. Ye Chen was a bloody example of that.

Not just Ye Chen had miscalculated; Tian Zun had too.

They had calculated everything under the heavens but overlooked that ultimate Di Bing. Without the Di Qi, Ye Chen would have safely brought Yue Xin back. This unforeseen twist caught them off guard.

"Heavens! Hui Mie Xian Zun?"

"Isn't he supposed to have passed away? How is he still in the world?"

"Clearly, he's still alive."

Shock spread across the land. The immortals of the Heavenly Court gazed in disbelief at the black-robed elder, as if recognizing him. Among the upper realm's Heavenly Court, there were many old Xian Zun, but in terms of combat ranking, Hui Mie Xian Zun was undoubtedly on the list—a peerless war god.

Among Xian Zun, and even among old Xian Zun, Hui Mie Xian Zun was on a completely different level from the likes of Dao Mie Xian Zun—they weren't even in the same category.

"His seniority is higher than the Jade Emperor's, and he's still alive. Just how many powerful figures does our Heavenly Court hide?"

The immortals' hearts were in turmoil, unable to calm down.

"And Tai Gong's Da Shen Bian—how is it in Hui Mie Xian Zun's hands?"

"Does that mean Tai Gong has returned?"

"Most likely."

Amid the gasps of shock, many grew curious about this. With the divine artifact Da Shen Bian in the Heavenly Court, Jiang Tai Gong was probably there too. No wonder Yin Ming was so confident.

"Go, hurry and go!"

Yue Xin's telepathic message was a desperate shout. She seemed to know about Hui Mie Xian Zun and his immense power. Now, with the Da Shen Bian in his hands, not even Xiu Luo Tian Zun alone could match him, let alone with Ye Chen added. They were no match.

This was the Heavenly Court, with more than just Hui Mie Xian Zun as a threat. Many lurked in the shadows, along with countless heavenly soldiers and generals. If they didn't leave now, death was certain.

"Surprised?"

Yin Ming laughed at Tian Zun, his rows of white teeth gleaming menacingly, his face twisted like a demon's.

Tian Zun said nothing, his expression pale. He had underestimated Yin Ming and the Heavenly Court. Their foundations were shockingly deep, like Hui Mie Xian Zun with the Di Qi—he was no match for him.

"Surrender peacefully, and I'll grant you a dignified death."

Hui Mie Xian Zun spoke calmly, his words like thunder from the nine heavens, shaking the vast immortal skies. His ancient, turbid eyes embodied utter destruction.

"Let her go, and I'll stay."

Tian Zun replied coolly.

"Easy enough."

Yin Ming smiled, but a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He drew a sword and thrust it into Yue Xin's primordial spirit, extinguishing her primordial spirit flame.

"You deserve to die."

Tian Zun roared in fury, gripping his divine blade and slashing down from the air.

Unfortunately, no matter how powerful his attack, he couldn't break the barrier. Not only did he fail, but he was also repelled by the mysterious force, his divine blade exploding and his hand bones shattering. His blood-soaked body was a grim sight.

"If you want my bride that badly, I'll reward her to you."

Yin Ming cackled wildly, without restraint, and with one hand, shoved Yue Xin out of the barrier. Under the dim starlight, she looked bloodied and tragically beautiful.

Xiu Luo Tian Zun charged forward with a roar, catching Yue Xin and desperately channeling his essence into her. He was like a mad dog, begging the heavens for just a precious moment to save this woman.

But no matter how much essence he poured in, he couldn't reignite Yue Xin's primordial spirit flame.

"Tian Zun, I'm... I'm leaving."

Blood poured from Yue Xin's mouth, yet she smiled tenderly. With her last remnants of consciousness, she whispered her final words of affection. Her tear-filled eyes faded completely, and her blood-stained jade hand trembled as she tried to reach for Tian Zun's face, wanting to wipe away his bloody tears before she went—it was heartbreaking to see.

Even now, she still didn't know why this Tian Zun from the Asura realm treated her so well, even coming to the Heavenly Court to die for her, crying so painfully for her.

But none of that mattered anymore. What mattered was that in this reincarnation, she hadn't lived in vain—with a saintly lord to protect her and a Tian Zun to love her.

Her only regret was that she couldn't return to her homeland of Da Chu, to gaze once more at its magnificent rivers and mountains, to touch its grasses and trees. Now, in this foreign land, she would die, burdened with pain.

"No, no, no."

Xiu Luo Tian Zun wept in agony, tearing out his own origin and fusing it into Yue Xin's body, hoping to restore her primordial spirit this way.

But it was all in vain.

"Farewell."

Yue Xin murmured softly. Her eyes, which she least wanted to close, trembled and lost their final light. Her outstretched jade hand never reached Tian Zun's face, dropping limply in midair.

A generation of immortal beauties perished, her life ending in sorrow, dying in the arms of her loved one. A faint smile lingered on her lips, full of a woman's tenderness.

In that instant, time seemed to freeze.

In that instant, Xiu Luo Tian Zun's flowing hair turned strand by strand to snowy white.

History repeated itself once more.

In his homeland, that kind woman had died in Zhao Yun's arms in the same way. She wasn't his wife, but she was the one he loved most, with a face identical to Yue Xin's—equally kind, equally gentle. He had thought it was a gift from the heavens, only to realize it was fate's cruel trick.