Chapter 2744: Seeing Naihe Again

Night fell again, quietly.

Ye Chen had departed. He sacrificed the Di Dao Yu Men to traverse the Xuanhuang Xinghai, and when he reappeared, he was already in the starry sky.

Just as he had done in Xuanhuang, he created numerous clones, each scattering in different directions toward the depths of the cosmos, continuing to build statues of Beisheng and seeking offerings from all beings.

Without needing to say a word, the various sects, clans, and forces in Xuanhuang had already begun assisting him. The news had spread throughout the starry sky, and everyone showed face to the Da Chu Huangzhe. On many ancient life-inhabited stars, statues had already been erected, awaiting Ye Chen to bestow upon them the purifying immortal power.

It must be said, the offerings from the masses were indeed effective.

Within the moonlit Jiuli Clan, Beisheng's ethereal form appeared again. Though it was a mere flash before, this time it lingered for a fraction of a second longer. The Jiuli Shengzhu was overjoyed, tears welling in his eyes, seeing hope for his daughter's revival.

Every statue of Beisheng now carried an invisible force – something unseen and intangible, yet ethereal and undeniably real.

Ye Chen traversed another stretch of the starry sky and paused on the far side of the star river. He sacrificed the Zijin Xiao Hulu, drawing in a faint halo from the void – a wisp of the emperor's aura.

"Xianyu Great Emperor."

Ye Chen murmured softly, gently holding that thread of imperial essence. During his heavenly tribulation, he had battled the Dharma body of the Xianyu Great Emperor and remembered its aura. This emperor, who shook antiquity and illuminated the ages, left behind not only his aura but also an immortal legend. During his reign, the heavens were at their most prosperous, a golden era unmatched by any other.

"Old boss."

As he was gazing at it, a sudden call rang out.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow and looked toward his Dantian Sea, for the voice came from Tianlei. Though it couldn't speak like Chaos Fire, it could now transmit sounds.

After absorbing the Hao Mie Shen Lei, Tianlei's origin had become even more refined, and its thunderous power more domineering. It was quite active in his Dantian Sea, jumping around energetically.

Soon after, it got beaten up – first by Chaos Fire in a furious assault, then by Chaos Cauldron in a vicious thrashing.

Well, then! Both the cauldron and the fire were picking on the easy target. They figured that once Tianlei evolved into Chaos Thunder, it would be hard to beat, so they might as well get their hits in now. That was exactly what they were thinking.

"Old boss, I want to become Chaos Thunder."

Tianlei sounded like a frustrated child, stamping its feet in agitation. It had been beaten every few days, and who could put up with that? That big cauldron and that flame were shameless, always picking on it for fun.

"It will happen."

Ye Chen chuckled dryly. This thunder was quite the grudge-holder. If it became Chaos Thunder one day, along with the Chaos Cauldron and Chaos Fire, things would get lively indeed.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry."

A noisy commotion suddenly erupted, and from the far side of the star river, streaks of divine rainbows shot across the sky. They were figures rushing toward a single point, moving at incredible speeds.

"What's going on?"

Ye Chen casually grabbed a passing young man.

"Wulei City."

The young man stammered, caught mid-flight in a daze, suddenly finding himself in front of Ye Chen. He couldn't make out Ye Chen's true appearance, but he could tell the man was overwhelmingly powerful.

Ye Chen released him and followed the crowd.

In the desolate starry sky, a vast immortal city floated suspended, shrouded in swirling mists, like a veiled woman exuding a touch of dreaminess and mystery.

That was Wulei City, manifesting in the world once more.

Whenever this happened, crowds gathered – from quasi-emperors to heavenly realm cultivators, throngs upon throngs of people assembled, filling the surrounding minor stars. Even patrolling cultivators in the starry sky rushed over to join the spectacle.

Ye Chen arrived quietly, standing at the edge of the crowd, gazing silently. Now that his vision had reached new heights, he still couldn't see through Wulei City or dispel the mists of the void. It was veiled by the emperor's path, profoundly mysterious.

"Truly, I wonder how many will die this time."

Beside him, someone sighed with hands clasped behind their back. It was an acquaintance of Ye Chen's – in a certain sense, even from the same lineage. Who else but the bearded Yan Laodao?

With him was Qi Wang, that fellow. No one knew how these two had teamed up, but at first glance, they seemed quite compatible.

"Don't hold me back – today, I'm taking one no matter what."

A loud, boisterous voice rang out – it was the son of the Sun and Moon God, with Dongzhou Wuwang Songyu at his side. The two were always together; spot one, and the other was sure to be nearby.

Seeing Dongzhou Wuwang, people couldn't help but stare, glancing left and right, but they didn't see his wife, the Wulei Immortal. Back in the day, Songyu had bravely crossed the Naihe Bridge to bring her back, nearly perishing in the process.

No one knew if the Wulei Immortal had any feelings now or if she remained as emotionless as ever.

Dongzhou Wuwang felt helpless about it. He had come this far without even seeing his wife shed a tear for him, let alone share a bed – he was almost too embarrassed to try.

"One Wulei Immortal, one Wuqing Immortal, one Wulei Goddess – these are the only three successful cases in the heavens. I wonder if the Fifth Shenjiang and Da Chu's Tenth Huang have arrived."

Many muttered among themselves.

"If you ask me, bring all three of them here to spite the Wulei City Lord. The heavens are full of talented people – just wait, we'll whisk away everyone from her family."

The old folks huddled together, grumbling curses. Every time Wulei City appeared, people died. They had feelings and love, so why not let these couples be?

"Whoever can take the Wulei City Lord as a wife – that would be truly legendary."

The speaker was the son of Qingdi, who had popped up from nowhere, chattering as he went.

At his words, everyone's eyes lit up. No one knew if they would live to see such a feat or if the heavens held anyone capable of it.

Thinking of talent, most people's minds instinctively jumped to one name: Ye Chen.

Recalling that name, the more mischievous ones stroked their beards with meaningful expressions. Kidnapping the Wulei City Lord was a job for a true sovereign.

Ye Chen couldn't help but cough at the comments. He wouldn't make a move without figuring out the Wulei City Lord's identity. She looked exactly like Chuxuan and Chuling, so there might be a blood relation – maybe even their grandmother, for all he knew.

That guess was plausible. If there was a connection, he couldn't afford to mess around.

Buzz!

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the gates of Wulei City swung open, and a divine rainbow stretched out – the Naihe Bridge. Vines grew upon it, with buds blooming into vibrant flowers of every hue. Though dazzling, to onlookers, they were terrifying – these were burial flowers, blooming for those who crossed the bridge. It was a path to the underworld; step on, and you might never return.

After countless eons, only three had survived the Naihe Bridge: Da Chu's Tenth Huang, the Fifth Shenjiang, and Dongzhou Wuwang. Well, if we count Tang San Shao, that makes four. As for the rest, they had all become fleeting souls in the annals of time.

Ye Chen didn't look at the Naihe Bridge; instead, his eyes were fixed on the gates of Wulei City. Through the hazy mists, he seemed to glimpse scenes within – a true immortal realm, brimming with ethereal immortal energy, where dreamlike fairies danced gracefully on the clouds. The fragrance of the women was more intoxicating than that of flowers.

As he watched, Ye Chen stroked his chin, wondering if he should go in. With his half-step great accomplishment level, forcing his way through shouldn't be a problem. Mainly, he wanted to find the Wulei City Lord and chat about the heavens' secrets.

"Cross the Naihe Bridge, and you may enter Wulei City."

A clear, ethereal voice, like a faint immortal melody, elegant and enchanting, echoed only in Ye Chen's ears. He was the sole one who could hear it, transmitted from Wulei City – or more precisely, from the Wulei City Lord herself.

Ye Chen was startled in his heart. From such a distance, the Wulei City Lord could read his thoughts? His inner thoughts were concealed by secret techniques, yet that woman seemed divine. She was even more formidable than he imagined.

"Since the senior invites, this junior shall not decline."

Ye Chen smiled and turned toward the Naihe Bridge, not rushing onto it just yet, for someone was already there – a white-haired elder, his lifespan nearly exhausted and his end approaching, walking with heavy steps toward the other side.

Sadly, he couldn't make it across.

Amid the sighs of the crowd, he turned into a cloud of bloody ash, carrying a turbid tear of helplessness, self-reproach, nostalgia, and weariness. He blamed himself for being too weak to cross the Naihe Bridge.

Next came another elder, an old Mingjiang from the Ming Realm – Ye Chen had seen him before, but he never expected the man to have a lover in Wulei City.

The old Mingjiang's steps were heavy, his aged back hunched and scarred by time and the Naihe Bridge.

He, too, failed to defy the heavens and fell in the river of time.

Ah!

From one side of the starry sky, Mingjue and Baizhi took out wine flasks and poured a libation for the old Mingjiang. If the Ming Emperor were awake and watching the heavens, his eyes would likely be filled with sorrow.

Ye Chen remained silent, simply watching and waiting quietly for everyone else to try before he stepped onto the Naihe Bridge. He had crossed it once before, and he could do it again today. He wanted to ask the Wulei City Lord why she was so heartless, turning beautiful fates into lifelong regrets because of Wulei City's rules.

Pfft!

As he watched, another person spat blood and transformed into a crimson flower – it was an old Xianjun from the Tian Realm, whom Ye Chen recognized. They had been enemies during the great chaos in the heavenly palace, but later became allies upon returning to the heavens.

Ah!

Taiyi, Taibai, and Siming were there too, each holding a wine flask like Mingjue and Baizhi, pouring libations for the old Xianjun. He had returned to his homeland from the Tian Realm but failed to bring back his love.

Though they knew the Naihe Bridge was perilous, people still charged forward fearlessly, like moths to a flame. Once they stepped on that bridge, they had no intention of coming back – either to retrieve their loved ones or to perish.

Alas, none succeeded, and none awakened their bloodline limits. They all met their end unscathed.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

More crimson flowers bloomed, staining the Naihe Bridge and its inscriptions. Each one pierced the heart.

The onlookers who had come for the spectacle could no longer bear to watch. These were living beings who had escaped the claws of the primordial demons and the blades of the Tianmo, only to fall on this bridge – a road to the underworld. Who knew if there was reincarnation at its end?

"Wulei, you are too heartless."

The resentment of the masses was impossible to hide. It was a blood-soaked path, drenched in crimson.