Chapter 2828: Attaining the Dao?

The night was finally calm.

The people of the Jiu Li Clan had all left, seen off by Ye Chen. In the past, when he sent people away, he would always stage a robbery along the way, but this time he didn't. After all, you couldn't rob your father-in-law; that would be shameless.

"Have a safe journey."

Ye Chen waved his hand, a look of reluctance on his face.

The group of elders glanced back at his face, suddenly wanting to curse and stomp their feet. They could tell he was eager for them to leave, yet he put on such a reluctant show. What dedication to acting!

Despite their annoyance, they still departed.

Jiu Li Shengzhu was the most emotional. His precious daughter had been taken just like that, not even married yet, and her soul had already been captivated by that guy.

"Try to let it go."

The Jiu Li Clan Grand Elder patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

Jiu Li Shengzhu took a deep breath. Let it go? He had no choice but to let it go. If he argued with that fellow, he would only get so angry he would die.

On the way back, there was still some laughter and chatter.

Although Ye Chen was not entirely shameless, he was a good person, at least to his family. He might be broad-minded, but he was not a frivolous playboy. His wives were not just picked up off the street; every one of them had gone through life-and-death trials with him.

Jade Maiden Peak was peaceful and serene.

In the bamboo grove, Ye Chen visited the grave of Bei Sheng, which was no longer there. He came to pay respects to Hu Xianer, the little fox who had sacrificed nine lifetimes of reincarnation to plant a blessing for him. She had been dead for so long, and even now, he had not found a way to revive her. Unlike Bei Sheng, who had remnants of pure world immortal power, she had left nothing behind.

Under the old tree, he sat down again.

The eternal lamp hung in the air, its flame flickering. He used his yuan shen power, just as Ji Ningshuang and Nanming Yushu did, to nurture Jiu Li Muxue's spirit. If all went well, she could be revived in ten years.

In the early morning, before dawn, the aroma of food filled the air.

After a decade, Ye Chen was cooking again, making breakfast for his wives and children. He would spend some peaceful time at Jade Maiden Peak before heading back into the black hole.

His return brought a lot of liveliness to Heng Yue.

Visitors came every few days, many of them seniors discussing scriptures and the Dao. Of course, there were also troublemakers, but he sent them all packing as they came.

That night, radiant divine light bathed Jade Maiden Peak.

Ye Chen climbed to the peak's summit and sat quietly in meditation, perhaps comprehending the Dao or simply lost in thought. He was like a stone statue, completely still.

"Ten years, and you're still holding out like this."

In his inner world, the Chaos Cauldron and Chaos Flame had the Tai Chu Shen Lei surrounded again, still trying to coax it into submission. Why was it so stubborn!

Compared to them, the heavenly thunder was much more obedient.

In the past ten years that Ye Chen had been away, it had absorbed a great deal of lightning essence, the purest form of thunder source. Even the Tai Chu Shen Huo trembled at the sight of it, now surpassing it in power.

Unfortunately, it still showed no sign of submission.

"Boss, just swallow it!"

The Chaos Cauldron shouted impatiently.

Ye Chen remained silent. He would not resort to that unless absolutely necessary. What he wanted was not just the thunder source of the Tai Chu Shen Lei, but also its ancient divine intelligence.

It was only late at night that he descended from the peak.

The next day, when he went up again, he had taken on a different form: he had swapped bodies with Ji Ningshuang.

Under the moonlight, his hands were quite unruly. He said it was to comprehend the Dao through the body swap, but ever since switching, he had clearly forgotten all about the Dao. It seemed he was more interested in his wife's body than in the great path itself.

In contrast, Ji Ningshuang was far more reliable. After swapping bodies, she went straight to her chambers and meditated on the Dao in peace, with brilliant divine radiance swirling around her.

The two of them must have realized that the Huang Gu Sheng Ti and Yao Chi Xian Ti shared some deep connection. Back then, Ye Chen had used her body to unlock two divine treasuries; now, by entering his saint body, she had gained a significant fortune as well.

Ye Chen stopped fooling around and focused on comprehending the Dao.

He sat like that for three full days.

During that time, some cultivators came by, looking up at the peak with sighs. Having a wife was great; having one willing to swap bodies was even better. It must feel wonderful.

There were plenty of serious people, but also many who liked to joke around. Some bold ones knew it was Ye Chen but pretended otherwise, teaming up to tease him—or was it Ji Ningshuang? After all, he was using her body.

In response, Ye Chen's slaps were forceful. If he could send someone flying eight hundred li, he would not stop at five hundred. If he could beat them into a pulp, he would not let them walk away.

"So beautiful, truly beautiful."

That night, Ye Chen held a small mirror, admiring his face over and over. Those delicate features, that peerless immortal beauty—it was a feast for the eyes no matter how he looked.

"Come on, give your sister a smile."

Nanming Yushu arrived, extending a slender finger to lift his chin, smiling as she admired him. She was not kidding; if she were a man, she would be a master at teasing virtuous women.

Heh!

Ye Chen's smile was quite proper, like that of someone not quite right in the head—silly and awkward. He smiled for a second before returning to normal.

Nanming Yushu found it amusing. She had been at Jade Maiden Peak for so long, and this was the first time she had seen Ji Ningshuang smile so cutely, even though it was Ye Chen in her body.

"It's really big on you."

Ye Chen glanced at Ji Ningshuang's assets, then at Nanming Yushu's. Without comparison, you don't know the difference. No wonder Ji Ningshuang ranked ninth.

Nanming Yushu gave him a sideways glance and draped an immortal robe over herself, wrapping up tightly. With Ye Chen's shifty eyes, nothing looked normal.

"Purple ones."

Ye Chen muttered quietly. No matter how tightly wrapped, he could still see. Don't underestimate a quasi emperor peak saint body, and don't underestimate the Six Paths Reincarnation Eyes.

Boom!

As they bantered, a sudden boom echoed.

Then came the thunder, resounding through the starry sky. Listening closely, there were imperial Dao heavenly sounds. Clearly, some old-timer had triggered the imperial Dao divine tribulation.

Nanming Yushu glanced over and then looked away. She was used to it by now. In recent years, too many elders nearing the end of their lifespan had been forced onto this path, seeking rebirth in the tribulation or attempting to prove the Dao and become emperor.

Ye Chen also looked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Someone was indeed triggering the tribulation, but it was not from the various heavens—it was from the Honghuang Clan. He did not know exactly where in the starry sky or how far from Da Chu, but he could sense it was from the Shen Yi Clan. It had to be one of their powerhouses.

"Good, quite bold."

The peak experts in Da Chu had already ascended to the heavens, actively seeking them out. Now, this one had come out to face the tribulation on their own? Time to settle some old grudges.

Not just Da Chu—even in Xuan Huang, You Ming, and the various directions of the starry sky, old-timers from the various heavens were emerging, as if they had caught the scent of a Honghuang quasi emperor triggering the tribulation.

As they suspected, it was indeed the Honghuang Clan.

And as Ye Chen suspected, it was the Shen Yi Clan.

In a desolate stretch of starry sky, an elder in purple robes stood tall, shrouded in deathly aura. His murky old eyes lacked any light, his body aged and frail, as if he might turn to dust at any moment. His life force was withered, his end drawing near.

"Shen Yi Wang, long time no see."

Jian Zun was the closest and arrived first.

"Are you in such a hurry to kill me?"

Shen Yi Wang replied indifferently, his expression cold.

"What do you think?"

Sheng Zun arrived second, his killing intent icy.

Following him, the peak experts arrived one after another, and cultivators from the various heavens swarmed in from all sides. Over ninety percent of them were armed and ready.

"So, you're afraid I'll prove the Dao and become emperor?"

Shen Yi Wang sneered, scanning the surroundings.

"Using reverse psychology? It's smooth, but useless."

Sheng Yuan Huang snorted coldly and pulled out his black gold iron staff.

Shen Yi Wang ignored them, shooting into the vast expanse like a divine light. His snow-white hair turned pitch black, and his aged body regained its youth. He had sacrificed his remaining lifespan for surging power.

He was truly exceptional, having forged his own Great Dao Supreme Heaven. It was visible yet more distant than a dream, and within it, lightning was already tearing through.

"He's quite the talent."

Di Lao sighed. Being able to create a Great Dao Supreme Heaven was impressive. The Honghuang Clan's foundation was incredibly deep, and their hidden old-timers were terrifyingly strong.

"Run? Think you can?"

Kui Niu Huang snorted coldly and stepped into the heavens, charging into the void with his battle axe—the ultimate emperor weapon of the Kui Niu Clan, now awakened with imperial Dao might.

Bang!

An invisible barrier blocked the way. Unless you reached a certain level, you couldn't enter the Great Dao Supreme Heaven. Kui Niu Huang collided head-on and was flung back, collapsing a swath of starry sky.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

The other peak quasi emperors fared no better. Each one who tried was repelled, even with emperor weapons empowering them. They couldn't break the invisible barrier. Every fall crushed starry space and shattered ancient stars, each more disheveled than the last.

"This doesn't make sense!"

Honghuang Qilin steadied himself, brow furrowed. The others, all quasi emperors, wore similar expressions. They had entered the Great Dao Supreme Heaven before. At their level, forcing entry shouldn't be impossible.

Yet today, they were all blocked.

"Changes in the imperial Dao."

Ren Wang took a deep breath, as if sensing the invisible force. It had disrupted the laws; those who could usually enter might not be able to now, especially with the imperial Dao divine tribulation already shrouding the Great Dao Supreme Heaven.

"How did he get up there?"

Tian Lao clutched his forehead, grimacing.

"Those who trigger the tribulation often have the qualification."

Zao Hua Shen Wang said calmly.

Perhaps this was Shen Yi Wang's scheme. He was certain the quasi emperors couldn't ascend, and his timing was perfect, luring the tribulation to fight for a chance at life.

"So, we're just spectators?"

"If he perishes in the tribulation, we save the trouble of acting."

"If he defies heaven and proves the Dao, that would be absurd."

The quasi emperors chatted among themselves, mostly putting away their weapons. Unable to reach the Great Dao Supreme Heaven, words were pointless. They might as well watch the show.

Boom! Rumble!

As they spoke, the imperial Dao divine tribulation manifested, billions of thunderbolts descending and flooding the Supreme Heaven. Though incredibly distant, it still made hearts tremble. Each rampaging thunderbolt carried imperial might and destructive power. Just seeing it shook the soul.

Fight!

Shen Yi Wang roared, clad in purple gold armor and wielding a red immortal sword. He fought desperately in the tribulation, like a supreme god king, slashing through thunderbolts. Time and again, he was swallowed by the thunder sea, and time and again, he burst out, his roars from the depths of his soul. Since triggering the tribulation, he had no way back—only fighting could save him.

"Very strong."

Di Ji murmured, a hint of wariness in her beautiful eyes. Shen Yi Wang was far more formidable than she expected, at least stronger than the previous old demon ape. Few in the various heavens could withstand the imperial Dao divine tribulation this long.

"Very strong."

The quasi emperors murmured as well. Setting aside grudges, he was a respectable and fearsome warrior. His comprehension of the Dao had reached a level beyond ordinary understanding—at least the emperors couldn't match it.

No one present knew how many such powerhouses the Honghuang Shen Yi Clan hid, or if the entire Honghuang Clan had such terrifying depths.

Pfft!

As everyone watched, Shen Yi Wang spat blood, struck by a black thunderbolt and sent flying eighty thousand zhang through the void. His armor shattered, his flesh torn open.

Fight!

Shen Yi Wang roared again, launching another assault.

"That old thing is tough."

Xiao Yuan Huang and the others had arrived, shocked. They'd seen the old demon ape face a tribulation before, but Shen Yi Wang was clearly superior—he hadn't been struck down yet.

"Indeed, even bone-ash level figures aren't to be underestimated."

Nan Di took a deep breath.

There was truth in that. Someone like Shen Yi Wang likely outranked even the emperors in his clan, sealed away for who knows how many years.

"Will he really prove the Dao?"

"It's hard to say."

"Why isn't the Saint Body here to finish him off?"

Cultivators from the various heavens kept arriving, filling the starry space, ancient stars, and meteorites. It was all because this imperial Dao divine tribulation was so massive, and it involved the Honghuang Clan. Even those in seclusion had come.

"This is bad."

The Fifth Shen Jiang frowned. The other peak experts could see it too. They didn't know if the tribulation was too weak or the one facing it too strong, but Shen Yi Wang was growing fiercer, while the thunder tribulation was weakening. At this rate, he might actually prove the Dao and become emperor.

In fact, certain signs were emerging. Through the lightning's baptism, an imperial Dao imprint was gradually etching onto Shen Yi Wang, with imperial might slowly manifesting.

"Emperor, our clan will have an emperor."

The hidden Shen Yi Clan was ecstatic. Their ancestral land was in this starry sky, concealed by the imperial Dao. Perhaps any speck of dust could be their grand realm, invisible to all.

"Is it really about character?"

Ren Wang coughed. So many from the various heavens had faced tribulations and perished without any sign of becoming emperor, yet someone from the Honghuang Clan was on the verge.

Boom! Rumble!

The vast starry sky shook violently, crushed inch by inch by the overflowing aura from the Great Dao Supreme Heaven. An imperial Dao pressure was gradually enveloping the universe, originating from Shen Yi Wang.

"Calculating it, this will summon the heavenly demons."

Piao Miao Lao Dao spoke gravely, though trying to lighten the mood, his expression was dark. If Shen Yi Wang became emperor, it would be disastrous for the various heavens. Whenever an emperor emerged, heavenly demons would come, meaning the various heavens would have to passively protect the Honghuang Clan.

"Damn it, we can't get up there."

Sheng Yuan Huang cursed, pacing with his iron staff. He knew a Honghuang emperor was about to rise, but he was powerless. If the Honghuang Clan produced an emperor, the entire various heavens would suffer, possibly even be wiped out.

"Where's Ye Chen?"

"Finding him won't help; he probably can't get up either."

"This is troublesome."

The quasi emperors were like ants on a hot pan. If this tribulation continued, it would summon heavenly demons or calamity demons. Given the Honghuang Clan's nature, they wouldn't lift a finger; they'd let the various heavens take the hit. Then, after the various heavens fought to the brink of destruction, the Honghuang emperor could easily clean up the mess.

Don't think otherwise—the Shen Yi Clan was exactly planning that. When the heavenly demons attacked, they wouldn't send a single soldier; with the various heavens blocking, they'd just wait to become emperor.

"What can we do? Go down together!"

Fu Ya shrugged, already prepared. If heavenly demons or calamity demons came, he wouldn't resist. Protecting the Honghuang Clan only to be killed by enemies later? Better to die under demonic hooves—that would be quicker.

"That makes sense."

"Every time, it's the various heavens charging ahead. Why?"

"Going together would be more lively."

The chatter continued, and the people of the various heavens had resigned themselves. They'd rather die under demonic forces than protect the Honghuang Clan. They were thoroughly disappointed in them.

Fight!

Shen Yi Wang laughed skyward, glancing down while attacking.

His gaze was contemptuous, already carrying supreme dignity before becoming emperor, looking down on the various heavens and all beings.

His laugh was sinister.

"You ants will protect the emperor's path."

That was the meaning in his eyes, treating it as inevitable. Since he was to become emperor, the entire various heavens and the vast world would stand in front of him, sacrificing themselves for him.

"Idiot."

The eyes of the various heavens held their own meaning. Want us to protect your path? Dream on. How big is your face? Look at that gaze of yours—even if you become emperor, you won't spare us. So why bother? Let's all head to the underworld together!

Fight!

Shen Yi Wang roared again, frenzied with excitement. One of his feet had already stepped through the imperial Dao gate; that heavenly chasm couldn't stop him.

Zing!

At that moment, a black thunder god arrow shot from one side, carrying devastating might with perfect aim, piercing straight through Shen Yi Wang.

With that arrow, Shen Yi Wang plummeted from the heavens, engulfed by the thunderbolts.

This time, he couldn't escape.

Ah!

Roars of rage and unwillingness echoed through the starry sky, from Shen Yi Wang himself. He was so close to becoming emperor, just one step away, yet this twist had severed his imperial path and dashed his hopes.

Damn it!

The Shen Yi Clan was furious beyond measure, their soul-shaking roars filling the air. After so many vicissitudes, their clan was finally about to produce another emperor, only to be cut down.

"As long as I exist, the Honghuang Clan will have no emperor."

A vast rumble overshadowed Shen Yi Wang's roars, coming from the starry sky, from the Da Chu direction. It was as if he were the true king; without even appearing, he had shattered Shen Yi Wang's path to emperor with one arrow. Not yet an emperor, he wasn't supreme.

The people of the various heavens took a deep breath, knowing without asking who spoke. Besides the Tenth Emperor of Da Chu, who else could it be? That thunder god arrow was utterly dominant, breaking the path of Shen Yi Wang, who had one foot in the imperial gate.

So, never underestimate the various heavens. They aren't without capable people. The Huang Gu Sheng Ti, Ye Chen, can hold the line. If you want to prove the Dao, you must ask him first!