Chapter 2706: Venturing into Chaos (1)

The Xiu Luo Realm was dim and lightless, with bursts of exotic colors spraying from the edge of the sky.

Standing before the Hun Dun Sea, Ye Chen suddenly felt insignificant, like a single grain in a vast granary. The universe was too immense, with every speck of dust representing a great realm, each carrying oceans and transformations of lands.

"Do not forget your original intention, and you will achieve the great Dao."

Behind him, the Qian Mian Emperor's shadow smiled, slowly rising to his feet. He held his fishing rod and carried his fish basket, walking step by step into the distance, his illusory figure ancient and weathered.

Ye Chen quietly looked back, and through the Qian Mian Emperor's shadow, he seemed to glimpse the emperor at the end of reincarnation. Dressed in white robes purer than snow, the figure was both real and illusory, with no face truly revealing his essence.

No one would have imagined that this emperor's shadow reflected the nine great cycles of reincarnation.

The legendary Qian Mian Emperor, like the Xian Wu Emperor, was an emperor who had comprehended reincarnation. His first life was as an emperor, and his ninth life was also as an emperor. The difference was that in his first life, he belonged to the ancient Tian Ting, while in his ninth, he belonged to the Wan Jie. Among the 130 emperors of the Xuan Huang era, he was one of them.

Having been an emperor in two lives, he was a unique existence throughout eternity, forging a myth of the emperor's path.

Only after the Qian Mian Emperor's shadow vanished did Ye Chen gradually lower his gaze and step into the Hun Dun Sea.

As he took that step, Ye Chen felt as if he had stepped onto solid ground.

In a brief moment of daze, what he saw was a scene of flowing lights and vibrant colors, shrouded in misty immortal energy. Majestic peaks rose in layers, creating a true paradise on earth that lifted the spirits.

"Yu Nu Peak." Ye Chen murmured softly, recognizing his own home.

"You're finally back." A clear voice carried a hint of resentment as it suddenly rang out.

It was Chu Ling'er, glaring at him fiercely. Chu Xuan and the others were there too, as if preparing breakfast—some were busy at the stove, others setting out bowls and chopsticks. The scene was quite warm and cozy.

Ye Chen smiled and gently closed his eyes.

In the next instant, he abruptly opened them again, and from his body, an invisible halo spread outward.

Now, the scene before him was a chaotic haze. Where was this Yu Nu Peak? He was still in the Hun Dun Sea. The earlier vision had been merely an illusion, which he had instantly dispelled. Even the human path of the underworld in the past couldn't trap him, let alone a mere illusion.

Ye Chen scanned his surroundings, but all he saw was chaos. Even with his eyesight, he couldn't make out the path ahead. The chaotic mists parted only to reveal more layers, and he couldn't even discern the direction.

"I'll handle this."

The Hun Dun Huo volunteered, darting out like a streak of light and transforming into a sea of flames, intent on burning away the chaos to clear a path for Ye Chen. Everything around was hazy and unclear; one wrong step could lead to a fall into some pit, so at least they needed to carve out a road.

However, it was awkward—the chaos was inexhaustible. As soon as one part receded, another took its place, still a boundless chaos. The way forward remained invisible, and the exit unknown. Even the immortal eyes of reincarnation were obscured, and with Ye Chen's level of insight, he could see only about a hundred zhang.

With a thought, Ye Chen summoned the Hun Dun Huo back and quietly gazed up at the vast expanse. The Hun Dun Sea held profound mysteries, concealing its own universe within. Without unraveling that universe, the chaotic mists would not dissipate.

"Keep acting tough, and you'll get struck down!"

"Get lost, your skin itching again?"

The Hun Dun Huo returned to the small world, dejected. Whenever such scenes occurred, that certain great cauldron became quite restless, always mocking it. Without a word, they started fighting again.

Ye Chen ignored them and continued observing.

He wasn't sure if the Hun Dun Ti had encountered the same as him. Since entering the Hun Dun Sea, it was as if he had lost all sense of direction, with chaos everywhere and no idea which way to go.

After pausing for a few moments, he finally moved his feet.

With the first step, his cultivation fell from the ninth heaven. With the second, it dropped to the seventh heaven. With the third, it reached the sixth heaven—a decline with every step.

He was prepared for this, having experienced it when traversing the six paths of reincarnation in the underworld. He just didn't know if the Hun Dun Sea in the Tian Jie also had those six paths as barriers.

After an unknown number of steps, his cultivation completely dissipated, leaving him as an ordinary mortal.

Still, this was only temporary. Once he crossed the Hun Dun Sea, everything would return to normal. This might just be a test, requiring him to walk out step by step.

Without cultivation, his inner small world was isolated, and he could no longer hear the Hun Dun Ding and Hun Dun Huo causing a ruckus.

Ye Chen welcomed the peace and chose a direction, walking straight ahead while observing his surroundings.

Though he was now a mortal, his vision remained sharp.

The Hun Dun Sea wasn't a true sea of chaos; it was made of wisps of mist forming a cloud sea. Occasionally, strange phenomena appeared, and heavenly sounds could be heard, causing the mind to grow dazed.

Ye Chen silently recited the calming incantation and continued onward, realizing that the flow of time in the Hun Dun Sea differed from the outside world—it was relative, and perhaps a hundred years here equated to just a day outside.

This journey was calmer than expected. The heavenly sounds faded, and all was quiet, a sense of isolation settling over Ye Chen's heart, much like the six paths of reincarnation, where each barrier spanned a hundred years.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

In contrast, the Hun Dun Ti's side was far more lively.

That was also the Hun Dun Sea, but within its chaos lurked terrifying aberrations that attacked without warning. Many were powerful and varied in form, resembling evil spirits with grotesque faces, accompanied by the wails of malevolent ghosts that disrupted the mind. A single misstep could lead to being devoured.

Fortunately, the Hun Dun Ti was a formidable fighter, wielding the Hun Dun Dao Sword and slashing his way through.

In the Zi Zhu Lin of the Tai Shang Xian Yu, Dao Zu sat leisurely, with two water screens before him. One displayed Ye Chen, the other the Hun Dun Ti.

Though it was the same Hun Dun Sea, their situations differed greatly.

For Ye Chen, aside from the initial illusion upon entering, there had been no other anomalies.

For the Hun Dun Ti, it had been a relentless battle since stepping in.

"So, between them, who do you think will pass first?"

Xuan Di mused casually, with his own two water screens mirroring Dao Zu's.

Dao Zu said nothing, simply sipping his tea quietly, ignoring him.

"What about you, Qian Mian? What do you think?"

Xuan Di, growing bored, glanced toward the Xiu Luo Yu, eager for someone to chat with.

Unfortunately, the Qian Mian Emperor's shadow paid him no mind.

Ah!

Thus, Xuan Di let out a frustrated yell through his projection to express his discontent. We're all emperors here, so what's with the attitude? At least give me a response!

"You old Xuan fool, what are you staring at?"

Since Dao Zu and the Qian Mian Emperor's shadow didn't respond, the figure from the underworld chimed in from across the barrier. He often peeked into the Tian Jie, being quite restless himself. The underworld was dark and oppressive, and with Di Huang and the Ten Yama Kings gone to the human realm, he had no one to talk to.

"Get lost."

"Fine, when the three realms unite, I'll be the first to punch you."

"Then have some guts and fight my true self."

The two emperors bantered across the vast distance between heaven and the underworld, trading jabs with great enthusiasm. If not for the barrier, the underworld emperor might have paid a visit and hung Xuan Di on the Bridge of Helplessness.

In the blink of an eye, several hours passed in the outside world.

But in the Hun Dun Sea, a full ten years had already gone by.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

Over those ten years, the Hun Dun Ti never stopped, fighting relentlessly every day.

Ye Chen, however, was starting to feel restless. He hadn't even seen a single bird in all that time.

In the tenth year, Ye Chen stopped for the first time, his eyes slightly narrowed as he scanned the chaos, searching for the hidden universe. It was as if he were lost. Compared to this monotonous journey, he would have preferred a heated charge forward.

Unfortunately, there was nothing—just endless chaos from start to finish.

He was someone who couldn't stand loneliness and desperately wanted to return to the Wan Jie.

Regrettably, after searching for ten years, he still hadn't found the way out. All the while, he couldn't help cursing Dao Zu: Your Hun Dun Sea is designed to make people want to swear! At least point me in the right direction!

Dao Zu merely watched quietly, offering no words.

From the moment they entered the Hun Dun Sea, it was beyond his control. Though it was the same chaos, their experiences differed, each shaped by their own destiny. What kind of person you are determines the path you walk.

The Hun Dun Ti was a lone wanderer, unburdened by family or attachments. Someone as straightforward as him, like a blank sheet of paper, would find it easier to cross the Hun Dun Sea. As for Ye Chen, he was more complicated, with a family and deep emotions, which could become a vulnerability. The more complex a person, the harder it is to return to pure chaos and thus to overcome this barrier.

Therefore, the Hun Dun Ti was destined to exit the Hun Dun Sea before Ye Chen.

If this could be seen as a contest between the Sheng Ti and the Hun Dun Ti, then in this round, the Hun Dun Ti would win.

Ye Chen set out again, suppressing his desires and continuing his solitary journey.

"You should tell him, to save him from taking detours."

Xuan Di nudged, feeling genuinely anxious as he watched. You sent the kid in without any hints—what if he, who's slain great emperors, ends up stuck in the Hun Dun Sea? That would be a huge sin on your part.

In the end, silence prevailed. Dao Zu still didn't respond to him.

Xuan Di took a deep breath and, like Ye Chen, began privately cursing Dao Zu.

"Hong Jun, you old fool."

Another expanse of chaos stretched before him, and Ye Chen couldn't help but curse again. Dao Zu heard it clearly but showed no reaction. Even if he felt irritated, what could he do? Charge into the Hun Dun Sea to beat Ye Chen?

Cursing aside, the path still had to be walked.

In the twentieth year, Ye Chen changed direction and walked for several more years.

In the thirtieth year, the Hun Dun Ti paused for the first time, his steps unsteady as he dragged his blood-soaked body, gripping his stained Dao Sword, staggering forward one step at a time under the chaotic light.

In the fiftieth year, Ye Chen ripped off his outer robe, cursing with a flushed face and thick neck.

In the sixtieth year, the Hun Dun Ti collapsed, overwhelmed by a swarm of terrifying entities. His chaotic Dao Body was covered in wounds, yet he fought his way through.

In the eightieth year, a hint of weariness appeared in Ye Chen's eyes, and he was too lazy even to curse.

In the ninetieth year, the Hun Dun Ti's hair was disheveled, his purple Dao robes turned to blood. Looking back along his path, the chaotic mists couldn't hide the trail of bloody footprints.

One day outside was a hundred years in the Hun Dun Sea.

Ye Chen had walked for a hundred years, while the Hun Dun Ti had fought for a hundred years. One was an ancient Sheng Ti, the other a Hun Dun Ti; both entered the Hun Dun Sea, yet their experiences were vastly different, highlighting a stark contrast.

If they could, the two would probably switch places—one exhausted from battle, the other bored to death. The Hun Dun Ti longed for a break, while Ye Chen craved some action, but neither could have what they wished.