Chapter 2742: The Emperor's Appeal

"Huh? It's Ye Chen's clone."

"The Holy Body has come to Xuanhuang? When did he arrive?"

"But we don't know where his real body is."

Late into the night, within an ancient city in Beiyue, startled voices rang out. The cultivators looked up, their eyes shining brightly. The reason for their excitement was that Ye Chen's clone had suddenly descended from the sky, appearing in his true form without using any secretive techniques.

The Tenth Emperor of Da Chu had already become a legend throughout the heavens, a figure of discussion in every street, alley, teahouse, and tavern. Now, seeing the Holy Body's clone, people gathered in crowds once again, recounting Ye Chen's brilliant deeds and the mythical feats he had accomplished along the way—including the many shameless things he had done, all described in vivid detail.

The older generations sighed deeply, remembering when Ye Chen had first arrived in Xuanhuang as just a low-level cultivator. In just a few centuries, he had reached the half-step Great Accomplishment, unmatched by anyone below the Great Emperor realm.

In the future, if Ye Chen achieved Great Accomplishment, he would become a supreme being, and they would all be witnesses to it.

*Boom!*

Amidst the discussions, Ye Chen's clone had stopped in the center of the city and set down the massive stone he had been carrying on his shoulder with a heavy thud, leaving the onlookers bewildered.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the clone summoned a Dao sword and began carving meticulously, eventually infusing it with a trace of Pure World Immortal Force.

"Bei Sheng?" People around exclaimed in surprise.

"Fellow Daoists, I ask for your help," Ye Chen's clone said with a bow, his expression solemn. "May all living beings offer their prayers and venerate this statue to bring her back to the mortal world."

With that, Ye Chen's clone vanished.

The dense crowd stood there for a long time, exchanging puzzled glances.

"Bring her back to the mortal world? Does that mean reviving Bei Sheng?"

"Most likely."

"Since it's what the Holy Body asked, we should pay our respects."

Amidst the chatter, many stepped forward, pressing their palms together in devout worship. Though they didn't understand how Ye Chen planned to revive Bei Sheng, they were willing to give him face. The Ancient Holy Body had saved the heavens more than once, and they owed him a great debt. Ye Chen owed Bei Sheng just as much, so their prayers were sincere. They all wished for Bei Sheng's return and for lovers to be reunited in this rare era of peace—wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?

More people joined in, with most offering genuine reverence, though some were merely going through the motions. That's how the world is; not everyone understands such human sentiments.

Scenes like this played out in many other ancient cities. Ye Chen had dispatched countless clones, each carrying a statue of Bei Sheng and infused with Pure World Immortal Force, earnestly requesting the people to worship them. In every city he visited, the Holy Body offered a respectful bow, as if Ye Chen himself were performing the ritual.

This news spread with the moonlight, traveling from Beiyue across all of Xuanhuang, leaving most who heard it stunned.

Still, the people were willing to help the Holy Body. The Tenth Emperor of Da Chu embodied a certain belief for them, and they all hoped he would remain well and continue guarding the heavens.

"Will just offering worship revive Bei Sheng?"

Xiao Yuanhuang swaggered down the street with his Black Gold Iron Staff, glancing sideways at Xizun beside him. Worship was somewhat like the incense of Buddhism—intangible yet real, and it could hold immense power in certain situations.

"I'm afraid it's as difficult as ascending to heaven." Xizun sighed and shook his head. His Buddhist tradition had tried similar things before; whenever an old Buddha passed away, monks would offer incense daily for endless years, but no spirits had ever returned. Even the Buddha Emperor was a prime example—if such worship could summon spirits, the Buddha Emperor would have already descended.

"He must have his reasons for doing this." Zhonghuang chuckled. "We should all contribute our efforts."

"That's for sure."

Kui Niu waved his hand and took to the skies first.

The others followed, heading to their respective clans. Ye Chen's power alone was limited, but if they mobilized the major sacred lands and imperial Dao inheritances, it would be a different story. With their deep foundations and vast influence, getting things done would be much easier.

*Boom!*

As dawn broke, a loud rumble echoed.

It was Kui Niu, his body towering over a hundred Zhang high, carrying an entire mountain and slamming it down at the entrance of the Ming Tu forbidden zone. Then, he wielded a massive sword and began carving a statue of Bei Sheng.

*Bang!*

Following Kui Niu, Xiao Yuanhuang arrived, hauling another huge mountain and placing it on the other side of the Ming Tu entrance. He, too, started carving a statue of Bei Sheng.

"I..."

The Ming Tu imperial son grabbed his divine blade, ready to charge out and confront them for causing trouble so early in the morning.

But the Ming Tu Heavenly King cleared his throat, pulling the imperial son back.

Though Kui Niu and Xiao Yuanhuang were mischief-makers, one had to consider what they were doing and for whom. Bei Sheng was from Xuanhuang, but also the Pure World Immortal King of the Heavenly Court.

"Why else would we call them brothers? They're cut from the same cloth."

"Why isn't Ming Tu losing its temper?"

"They're really bold. Look at the size of those statues—they're much larger than the ones Ye Chen carved. But the craftsmanship? Well, that's a bit lacking."

Crowds gathered, filling the surrounding hills, gazing from afar at Kui Niu and Xiao Yuanhuang, and at the two towering statues. People clicked their tongues in amazement. Ye Chen had only placed statues in ancient cities, each just two or three Zhang high, but these two had hauled entire mountains and set them up at the Ming Tu entrance, perfectly aligned like a pair of gate guardians.

"Don't slack off. I'm talking to you—hurry up."

"The higher-ups ordered us to set up Bei Sheng's statues."

"I have to say, your carving skills aren't great!"

The southern domain was buzzing with activity. While Kui Niu and Xiao Yuanhuang carved away, the Kui Niu clan, Sacred Ape clan, and the five great king clans were also busy, assigning tasks to their subordinate forces and races. Every ancient city in the southern domain was being filled with statues.

The southern domain wasn't the only place; the western desert, eastern barren, central state, and Beiyue were all lively too. Clans like the Cang Long, Wu, Ling, Man, and Gu, along with sacred lands such as Yaochi and Kunlun Ancient City, were all engaged in the same efforts, working fervently.

*Bang! Boom! Bang!*

The rumbling continued, and in just nine days, over eighty percent of Xuanhuang's ancient cities had Bei Sheng's statues erected, each one vividly lifelike.

"Xue'er, have you seen this?"

The Jiuli Clan Holy Master gazed into the distance, smiling warmly. Ye Chen's actions filled his heart with warmth, making his daughter's sacrifice to save him feel worthwhile.

"The summoning power of Da Chu's emperor is truly remarkable," a Jiuli elder marveled.

In just a few days, the eastern barren, western desert, southern domain, Beiyue, and central state were all adorned with statues of their princess. Ye Chen's simple request had swept across Xuanhuang like a hurricane, and now it was spreading to the stars.

Before long, ancient stars across the cosmos would likely have these statues, and for many years to come, countless people would offer worship.

As for Ye Chen himself, he was incredibly busy. One batch of clones dispersed, only for another to emerge, heading to the Four Seas and Eight Wastelands to infuse the statues with Pure World Immortal Force. But even that was too slow, so he eventually went to the major forces, asking each clan to help with the infusion and carving.

Indeed, his summoning power was astonishing, surpassing even imperial Dao inheritances. Daring to create such a massive stir in Xuanhuang showed that his prestige rivaled that of an emperor.

The night in central state was peaceful.

From afar, one could see a mountain moving—it was actually being carried by someone.

Upon closer inspection, it was Ye Chen, shouldering an eight-thousand-zhang giant peak, each step heavy enough to make the void tremble with bangs. Onlookers couldn't help but twitch their mouths; as expected, Ye Chen shared the same boldness as Kui Niu and the others.

*Boom!*

Soon after, a thunderous crash resounded as Ye Chen set the massive peak down at the entrance of Tianxu.

Once done, he drew his Dao sword and began carving with great care.

To be fair, his craftsmanship was quite good—far superior to that of Kui Niu and Xiao Yuanhuang.

"Why does this look so amusing?"

Many old folks stood on a small hill, hands behind their backs, watching Ye Chen and glancing at the Tianxu forbidden zone.

Back in the day, Ye Chen had built his sect's gate right at Tianxu's entrance.

Now, he was blocking their door again.

"What to do? I feel like thrashing him."

In Tianxu, Dimie took a deep breath.

"You can't beat him."

Tianzhu gripped his pipe, puffing away and exhaling smoke rings, as if cultivating amidst the haze.

Dimie's words made everyone cough awkwardly—the Tianxu Heavenly King and imperial son included. It was the plain truth; who in the heavens could take on Ye Chen? Not even the Heavenly Demon Emperor might succeed.

*Crack! Crack!*

Outside the mountain, Ye Chen continued carving with his Dao sword, acting as if nothing were amiss. He'd placed the statue right at their door—what about it? If you have a problem, come out and fight me. I'll thrash you all. Every time I come to Tianxu, you lot pick on me. I'm holding a grudge. Behave, and we're good; mess with me, and I'll blow up your forbidden zone.

"Impressive."

The people sighed in admiration, giving Da Chu's Tenth Emperor a thumbs-up. The half-step Great Accomplishment Ancient Holy Body was dominance personified, constantly stirring up the forbidden zones. Since Ye Chen arrived in Xuanhuang, Tianxu had suffered defeats more than once.

It wasn't until sometime later that Ye Chen sheathed his sword, pulled out a wine flask, and sipped while circling the statue, quite satisfied with his own work. The Bei Sheng of Xuanhuang was carved to perfection, every stroke filled with emotion—only he could capture it so truly.

Gently brushing Bei Sheng's cheek, he slowly turned and stepped into Tianxu.

"Get lost—we don't welcome you."

*Slap!*

"Hey!"

*Slap!*

Dimie yelped as Ye Chen slapped him; Tianzhu yelped as he followed suit. They'd been warned not to complain, and look where it got them.

"Coming to Tianxu to beat people—is this how Da Chu's emperors act?"

The Tianxu Heavenly King said with a dark expression.

"Ask them how many times they've beaten me," Ye Chen replied casually, then hauled over another massive stone to carve another Bei Sheng statue. The other four forbidden zones already had theirs; Tianxu wouldn't be an exception. As for the enormous statue outside, it wasn't for their worship—it was just to block their door.

The Heavenly King took a deep breath, suddenly feeling an urge to curse.

What could he say? Ye Chen's face was one he had a special dislike for; every time he saw it, it irked him to no end.

Recalling the past, that shameless Emperor Zun had thrown something at Tianxu, nearly demolishing the forbidden zone. If he hadn't run fast, they would have made him pay.

"Come, take a look at this."

Ye Chen waved his hand, and a jade slip flew out, exploding in the air to form a water screen. It displayed scenes from the Tianxuan Gate's underground palace, including the monsters, the heavenly demons, and the strange fusion of bloodlines—all of which he had recorded.

The Heavenly King narrowed his eyes slightly upon seeing it.

This subtle change didn't escape Ye Chen's notice, confirming that the Heavenly King recognized it.

"What's the relationship between the heavenly demons, the Holy Body, and the monsters?" Ye Chen asked.