Chapter 2678: Appreciative Eye!

After leaving the ancient city, Ye Chen headed east along the way.

In the moonlight, the Upper Immortal Realm appeared hazy, shrouded in a faint layer of blood mist left from ancient battles. Collapsed mountains, severed rivers, and blood-soaked battlefields were everywhere, with the Heavenly Court's war banners still thrust into the ground at odd angles, and scenes of devastation scattered throughout.

As he passed the Heavenly Prison, Ye Chen suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Looking up, he saw that the once-mighty fortress had been rebuilt, now guarded by soldiers and generals, with numerous palaces and pavilions restored. Even in the night, figures bustled about, and elderly immortal venerables oversaw the work personally. Yet, no matter how much they repaired, they could never recapture the former glory. That prosperous dynasty was destined to become mere dust in history.

The entire Upper Immortal Realm exuded a sense of desolation. Only the older generation still cherished the empire they had built, steadfastly guarding their legacy. They restored the imperial palace, the Daoist manors, and everything from the past, all in anticipation of the Jade Emperor's return to restore its splendor.

"In the Upper Immortal Realm right now, who holds the reins?"

From within the small world, Asura Tianzun spoke up, gazing out at the outside.

"I don't know."

Ye Chen shook his head lightly, thinking it was probably Jiang Taigong, or perhaps someone else entirely.

He no longer cared about such things—whoever wanted the position could have it.

Bathing in the moonlight, he made his way toward the South Heaven Gate.

The massive gate had been rebuilt as well, guarded by heavenly soldiers and generals, most of whom were from the older generation. They stood firmly at the gate, unmoved by the howling winds, their backs stooped with age and their expressions filled with nostalgia, as if reminiscing about their glorious past.

Ye Chen, cloaked in black robes, passed like a ghost. Some saw him, but no one stopped him.

At the edge of the Milky Way, Ye Chen came to a halt.

He chose a spot shimmering with starlight, took out a memorial tablet, and used a bloodstained robe from the outside world to create a symbolic grave. He placed the tablet there, lit three sticks of incense, and formally erected a tombstone for Dan Shen. As the incense burned and he gradually walked away, the karma and grudges between him and Dan Shen dissolved into smoke. Right or wrong, victory or defeat—it no longer mattered. A cycle of reincarnation would erase his past life, and everything would start anew.

Crossing the Milky Way led to the Scattered Immortal Realm.

Compared to the upper realm, the Scattered Immortal Realm fared little better, having also suffered from the ravages of war, with its defenses breached in countless places. What set it apart was its more vibrant atmosphere, even more prosperous than before, largely due to many from the Upper Immortal Realm migrating down, bringing a surge of life and energy.

It was not until dawn that Ye Chen arrived at Hua Shan.

His return stirred all the elders and disciples, their eyes shining brightly. The reincarnated ones, in particular, teared up the moment they saw him—it was their first time seeing Ye Chen since he was taken away that day, and seeing him alive filled them with emotion, bringing tears to their eyes.

"Prepare a feast."

The Hua Shan master laughed heartily, looking years younger in an instant.

The news spread quickly, drawing crowds from all directions. Great demons, great devils, the leaders of the Five Sacred Mountains, the immortal lands of Feng and Chan, and representatives from various clans, sects, and forces all came in person, making the event even more lively than Hua Shan's founding ceremony.

The main reason was that Ye Chen's return carried significant meaning. He had slain heaps of corpses in the Heavenly Court, been captured by the Emperor, and now returned unharmed, signaling one thing: the Emperor had not punished him and might even pass on his legacy.

After all, the Emperor was an absolute pillar of support. With him backing Ye Chen, this former small stone and current Archaic Saint Body could roam freely across the heavens and earth—who would dare provoke him, or even be able to? Even the Heavenly Court couldn't withstand the assault, let alone anyone else.

He was a prodigy, a heaven-defying one at that, with no one left to question it. Advancing five levels in five steps was unprecedented, and with just one person, he had routed the Heavenly Court, nearly wiping out their peak forces entirely.

What shocked the world most was the Emperor's strike—how a mere Quasi-Emperor had withstood it head-on, a feat of utter defiance! It was a myth that would be passed down through the ages.

The feast was packed with people, tables filled across every mountain peak. So many attendees arrived that there wasn't enough space, and banquets were even set up outside the mountains to accommodate everyone.

"So, what's the Emperor like?"

"Did he pass on any secret techniques? Like Emperor-level immortal arts?"

"In the future, you've got to look out for us."

"I still don't get it—how did you become an Archaic Saint Body? Any tricks to it?"

"What's your real background, anyway?"

At the table, Niu Mo Wang and the other great demons, devils, and old-timers from various sects chattered nonstop. From the moment Ye Chen sat down, their questions never ceased, leaving his ears ringing.

"I can't say."

Ye Chen smiled meaningfully.

He said nothing about the Dao Ancestor but seriously discussed the Taishang Immortal Domain with everyone. It was a place full of treasures, and he described it vividly and excitedly, making the great demons and devils' eyes gleam with anticipation.

Some of the more restless ones even thought about sneaking in to grab some treasures. Ye Chen had committed such grave offenses, yet the Emperor hadn't punished him, so they figured they'd be fine taking a few items. All they needed was the entrance to the Taishang Immortal Domain.

Naturally, Ye Chen wouldn't tell them.

The Dao Ancestor hadn't punished him due to his special status, but for these folks, it was a different story. If they caused trouble inside, the Dao Ancestor wouldn't need to act—Jiang Taigong alone, with a swing of his God-Smiting Whip, could take out a whole group.

The feast lasted three days and nights before finally wrapping up.

The leaders of various forces stumbled away drunk, and those with bad tempers even threw drunken fits, only to be tossed out one by one by the Hua Shan elders.

As for Jiang Taigong, he never showed up, though Hua Shan's grand event should have caught his attention. He had likely returned to the Taishang Immortal Domain.

The Hua Shan master was also drunk, and for the first time since becoming sect leader, he was this happy.

The next day, he stepped down.

The new Hua Shan leader was the Tenth Emperor of Da Chu. Ye Chen had refused at first, but couldn't turn down the insistence, and as a temporary passerby, he ended up taking the position before leaving.

Thus, the sect leaders who had just feasted the day before came back again, this time for the Hua Shan leader succession ceremony. No one arrived empty-handed; it was a prime opportunity for goodwill, and they brought rare treasures from all sides.

Hua Shan accepted them all, and Ye Chen did too—what's more is better. In the end, he distributed everything to the reincarnated ones. As a Da Chu emperor, he always looked out for his own.

By the sixth day, the excitement gradually subsided.

Still, from an outside view, Hua Shan remained bustling with visitors—those coming to pay respects, form alliances, show goodwill, propose marriages, or arrange betrothals, all seeking some connection to Hua Shan.

Ye Chen single-handedly elevated Hua Shan's prosperity to its peak since its founding.

However, this new Hua Shan leader was quite hands-off. From the moment he took the role, he secluded himself on Red Flame Peak, citing a good excuse: closed-door cultivation.

In contrast, the elders were swamped, dealing with waves of visitors day after day.

That night, on Red Flame Peak, the air was filled with the scent of wine as Si Ming and the others gathered.

"The heavenly realm has an Emperor—unheard of!"

Tai Bai sighed repeatedly from the moment he sat down. In his lifetime, seeing a living Emperor was the ultimate honor, and his state of mind still hadn't settled.

"I want to go to the Taishang Immortal Domain."

Tai Yi looked at Ye Chen with eager eyes.

"Someday, there will be a chance."

Ye Chen smiled and placed a basket of freshly picked Longevity Fruits on the table. Each one was crystal clear and exuded a rich fragrance that was refreshing to smell.

"Longevity Fruits?"

Si Ming exclaimed in surprise.

"Quite the connoisseur!"

" A whole basket!"

Tai Yi and Tai Bai's expressions were priceless. Such heaven-defying immortal fruits were nearly impossible to find, let alone buy, even on a good day. Fruits that extended lifespan were the favorites of old-timers, treasured by all, yet Ye Chen had casually brought out an entire basket.

"From the Taishang Immortal Domain?"

Si Ming asked, already slipping one into his pocket.

"As you said."

"When will you take us up to see it?"

Tai Yi and Tai Bai asked longingly, their hands busy stuffing fruits into their robes without pause.

"Someday, there will be a chance."

Ye Chen smiled with deeper meaning. Across the heavens and earth, aside from the Taishang Immortal Domain, everyone's memories had been sealed by the Dao Ancestor. They weren't unaware of the Emperor's existence; their memories were just locked away. When the time was right and the seals lifted, everyone would understand, and the Dao Ancestor would likely open the Taishang Immortal Domain. These three would probably get to visit too.

It was late at night when the three finally left, off to enjoy themselves elsewhere.

Ye Chen summoned several clones, each carrying Longevity Fruits and treasures, and sent them to every peak. The reincarnated ones each received their share.

Damn!

That night, Hua Shan grew lively, with howls echoing from the reincarnated ones, all stunned as they clutched their Longevity Fruits, feeling dizzy with excitement.

On the mountaintop, another figure appeared—the First Divine General.

Ye Chen hosted him warmly, not stingy with the life-extending Longevity Fruits.

"Did the Emperor tell you how to return to the Various Heavens?"

The Divine General smiled warmly and kindly. In the heavenly realm, he had never felt a sense of belonging, but toward Ye Chen, he was astonished. The former small Saint Body had fully risen, and given enough time, he would surely become a great supreme being.

"Cross the Chaotic Sea."

Ye Chen took a deep breath. "It'll be an incredibly tough trial."

The Divine General fell silent. From Ye Chen's expression, he knew how difficult it would be—likely on par with the Six Paths of Reincarnation in the underworld. Cross it, and they could go home; fail, and it might mean death. Still, he had confidence, just as Ye Chen had his obsessions.

The Divine General left, his back ancient and forlorn.

Finally alone, Ye Chen dispelled the effects of the wine and sat on the mountaintop, bathing in the starlight and moonlight as he entered a meditative state. He continued to solidify his realm and comprehend reincarnation, aiming to reach the bottleneck of the ninth heaven as quickly as possible.

A gentle breeze blew, and his saintly body trembled slightly.

In the haze, he glimpsed the battle at the Ancient Heavenly Court once more.

This time, he saw it more clearly: the red figures, Xuan Di, and the Jade Emperor's past self. They were all enemies of the Ancient Heavenly Court; what they shared was the ferocity of that battle, nearly resulting in total annihilation.

Under the starlight, tears streamed from his eyes.

His tears were for the Ancient Heavenly Court Empress, who fought alone against the hordes of gods and demons. Her face was identical to Chu Xuan and Chu Ling's, making him feel as if it were them. Her solitary back was desolate and beautiful, facing the endless divine foes alone.