Chapter 3046: A Minor Matter

Ah!

In the Tai Gu Hong Huang, the roars and howls of the first-generation Sheng Mo have not ceased. It still resists stubbornly, desperately trying to break through the seal. Each shriek is laden with demonic essence and world-ending might, shaking the chaotic heavens with flashes of lightning and peals of thunder.

However, the Nü Di has arrived.

The true ancient Heavenly Court Nü Di is personally guarding the seal. No matter how overwhelming the demonic power is, it is futile. All that remains are endless roars and howls echoing infinitely.

Above the ethereal void, the Nü Di stands as still as a rock.

In her Huang Di realm, she has truly achieved eternal immortality. Strands of light cascade down, resplendent and ancient, rendering all worldly laws illusory.

Below, Ye Chen and his clones are still distributing wine.

Occasionally, they glance toward the depths. The first-generation Sheng Mo is all thunder and no rain—its cries are loud, but it cannot escape.

Though separated by endless void, Ye Chen can sense that the first-generation Sheng Mo is staring at him, its eyes blood-red, filled with savage and sinister intent.

Ye Chen turns his head and meets its gaze across the heavens.

The first-generation Sheng Mo is supremely powerful; just one look reveals that. Locking eyes with it makes his soul tremble involuntarily. If they were to fight, a single slap from it could end him.

"Ants, all living beings are ants."

The Sheng Mo licks its blood-red tongue, laughing ferociously. It can see that Ye Chen has replaced the ancient Heavenly Court Nü Di as the new contender in this game.

It truly hates Ye Chen.

It was because Ye Chen defied the heavens and achieved dao that he set a precedent, unbalancing the leverage between the Sheng Ti and Sheng Mo. This weakened its demonic power, leading to its current sealing.

"The qi of all living beings endures eternally."

Ye Chen replies indifferently, then turns away with his wine jar and leaves. The first-generation Sheng Mo is fearsome due to its absolute cultivation suppression. But if they were on the same level, he could beat it to tears.

Withdrawing his gaze from the depths, Ye Chen continues distributing wine to each one.

As for the first-generation Sheng Mo, he will deal with it once he's done. The supreme beings of the Huang Gu Sheng Ti lineage and the Sheng Mo lineage will meet eventually, and the two of them will have their battle.

"Young ones are truly formidable!"

Such words echo throughout the heavens. The supreme beings of past eras—from Zhu Tian, Hong Huang, or the ancient Heavenly Court—all look at Ye Tian Di with eyes full of gratified light.

Achieving emperorship early seems to have little use.

As the saying goes, the waves behind drive the waves ahead; each generation surpasses the last.

"How fares my Hong Huang?"

Qiong Qi Di asks with a smile as he takes the wine jug. Emperors like Tao Tie Di and Tao Wu Di also turn to look.

"Not so well."

Ye Chen's clone thinks for a second and responds vaguely.

The Hong Huang emperors all raise their eyebrows.

"It's just that a clan was wiped out."

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

As soon as Ye Chen's clone finishes speaking, sounds of spitting wine—or perhaps blood—erupt. One after another, the Hong Huang emperors lurch forward, spraying old blood dramatically.

This surprise comes out of nowhere.

"Who did it?"

Tao Tie Di roars, exerting himself so much that he spits another mouthful of old blood. Having a race exterminated is no small matter.

"Our boss's wife."

Ye Chen's clone is straightforward; there's no hiding it.

The Hong Huang emperors choke up, nearly collapsing on the spot.

"Let's take a look first."

Ye Chen's clone pulls out a jade slip and crushes it on the spot.

The jade slip contains ancient scenes, each one bloody and horrific—catastrophes wrought by the Hong Huang, turning beautiful mountains and rivers into piles of corpses and rivers of blood.

The Hong Huang emperors' movements are remarkably uniform; they all clutch their chests, holding back another mouthful of old blood, unsure whether to spit it out or swallow it.

Even they feel outraged watching this, let alone the later supreme beings.

This lot deserved to be wiped out!

"See, you can't blame us!"

"Besides, your bunch of brats were way too rowdy."

"As predecessors, you're not without blame."

Ye Chen's clones huddle together, one hand on their waist and the other pointing at the Hong Huang emperors, lecturing them earnestly like elders scolding juniors, and doing so quite logically.

The Hong Huang emperors' faces, already pale from exhaustion, turn pitch black from this scolding.

"Young ones are truly formidable!"

Hong Lian Nü Di, not far away, says this with deep meaning. She thought she was ruthless enough, having burned the eight wastelands' gods.

But unexpectedly, the Sheng Ti family's wife is even more ferocious, flattening the entire Hong Huang.

"Let it go; it's no big deal."

Tai Xu Long Di, being kind-hearted, pats Tao Tie Di. If that guy spits blood again, he'll empty his insides. It's not just about Tao Tie Di injuring himself in anger; it's also disgusting.

Tao Tie Di glances at Long Di, his face growing even darker.

You're saying that when it's not your people who got wiped out—standing there talking without any pain. The entire Hong Huang race was flattened, and you call it no big deal?

The same gaze falls on Hong Lian Nü Di. Whenever Hong Huang is mentioned, she's always the one the Hong Huang emperors pay special attention to.

You crazy woman, you must have enjoyed killing back then!

"Want to fight? I'm ready anytime."

Hong Lian Nü Di glances back, suddenly furious at the memory. Back then, if the Heavenly Court Nü Di hadn't intervened, she would have flattened the Hong Huang race completely.

"Amitabha, as a monk, I do not drink."

From another side comes the smiling voice of Da Ri Ru Lai, gently pushing away the wine jug offered by Ye Chen's clone, his smile serene and gentle.

"Your Ling Shan was also destroyed."

Ye Chen's clone coughs and scratches his ear.

"Bring this old monk some tea."

The smile vanishes from Fo Di's face. Monks don't drink, but hearing this news is suffocating.

"Let it go; it's no big deal."

A Shen Zu supreme being laughs and pats Fo Di.

"Senior, the Shen Zu was also wiped out."

"I..."

"The Yao Zu was also wiped out."

"I..."

"The Mo Zu was also wiped out."

"I..."

Ye Chen's clones are quite considerate, not just handing out wine but also delivering surprises. Those whose lineages were destroyed feel worse than if they'd swallowed lead weights, all clutching their chests, unsure if it's heartache or stomachache.

Especially the Shen Zu supreme being—his expression changes like a magic trick. He was just comforting Fo Di a second ago, and now he's been slapped in the face.

"It's all our boss's doing."

Ye Chen's clones shout loudly, thumbs pointing behind them, looking righteous and speaking with conviction.

Pitting their original self is their specialty.

"Any watermelons?"

Ren Huang finds a comfortable spot, tucks his hands in, and watches the show seriously. If he had two slices of watermelon, it would be perfect.

He's the legendary melon-eater.

The other supreme beings of past eras take a deep breath, glancing at this one and that one, thoroughly enjoying Ye Chen's clones. In the end, their gazes all settle on Ye Chen's original self.

Compared to the clones, they're more optimistic about him.

Are you sure he's reinforcements and not here to annoy the emperors? Zhu Tian's one hundred and thirty emperors, and your family wiped out half their lineages!

"Here, senior, have some wine."

Ye Chen still holds the wine jar, handing it out one by one.

He pretends not to notice the emperors' gazes.

Heaven and earth, where's the conscience? I'm minding my own business—it's your descendants who provoked me first. I came in without starting a fight, and that's already giving face.

"Little one, your Shen Cang..."

The speaker is Dong Hua Nü Di, not looking sideways.

"Di Huang senior will arrive soon."

Ye Chen smiles slightly, channeling his origin power into Dong Hua Nü Di's body, replenishing her divine energy and soothing her long fatigue.

Dong Hua Nü Di's dim eyes instantly well up with tears, streaming down her face in an instant. Her slightly aged immortal form trembles, and she cries with tearful eyes.

If she hadn't heard it with her own ears, she wouldn't believe that her Di Huang is still in the world and one of Zhu Tian's reinforcements.

"Ming Di is also alive. He asked me to pass on a message: it's been many years, and he misses you dearly."

Ye Chen continues channeling divine energy, speaking casually.

It's rare to see Dong Hua Nü Di, so he has to tease Ming Di a bit. The legendary collector's edition isn't for free.

If you won't show it to me, I'll tease you to death.

Sure enough, as soon as "Ming Di" is mentioned, the tears in Dong Hua Nü Di's eyes dry up instantly, replaced by burning flames.

She has two wishes in this life:

First, to grow old with Di Huang;

Second, to send that Ming Di back to his mother's womb.

"Mo Yuan senior is also alive."

Ye Chen turns from Dong Hua Nü Di to the somber Hong Lian Nü Di, who must have thought of her Mo Yuan upon hearing Di Huang is alive.

At these words, Hong Lian Nü Di also bursts into tears.

Love is truly a magical thing. Whether Dong Hua Nü Di or Hong Lian Nü Di, upon hearing those words, their haggard appearances instantly look younger, and their turbid eyes become clearer, filled with more vitality.

Ye Chen smiles, channels a strand of divine energy, and then turns to leave.

By the time he stops, he is in front of Xuan Gu Da Di.

More accurately, Xuan Gu Tian Di.

That's right, Xuan Gu is still alive, right in the Tai Gu Hong Huang.

The only emperor thought to have died in battle is merely what the world believes. As an emperor, he has countless ways to evade notice.

"Is my son still alive?"

Xuan Gu Di smiles, his voice hoarse and aged.

"He died fighting an Outer Domain supreme being."

Ye Chen sighs.

Hearing this, Xuan Gu Di's already turbid eyes dim further. He must have anticipated it, but now he's confirmed.

"Your daughter-in-law is on her way."

Ye Chen leaves those words and slowly turns away. The daughter-in-law he refers to is Bai Zhi, with whom three lifetimes of fate have been set.

The rest of the way is filled with sorrow.

For emperors' sons like Xiao Lu, Li Feng Qiu, Zi Yu, Jiu Liu... whenever one died in battle, Ye Chen does not hide it.

Ah!

Emperors like Yan Huang also sigh and shake their heads. Emperors are supreme beings, but they are also human, fathers of children—how can they not ache? Strands of turbid tears mix with wine, streaming down their faces.

Hmm?

As Ye Chen walks, he suddenly feels his Sheng Ti quiver sharply—or more precisely, his Sheng Gu and origin are trembling violently.

He furrows his brow and looks in that direction.

There, two white-haired elders sit on jade stones, smiling at him with warmth and kindness.

"Chen Zhan, Ba Yuan."

Ye Chen pauses. Though they are decrepit, their primordial souls cannot deceive. They are indeed his Sheng Ti lineage's predecessors—one the first Sheng Ti in history, the other a groundbreaking Da Cheng Sheng Ti.

Ye Chen approaches slowly, his brows furrowing. It's undoubtedly Chen Zhan and Ba Yuan, but they are not Huang Gu Sheng Ti; they have ordinary bloodlines.

Yet, these two predecessors are clearly dead—he saw it clearly in the realm of intent, both buried by the Zhu Xian Jian.

"The Nü Di saved us."

Chen Zhan smiles, revealing an ancient secret.

"Only by bowing to the heavens could we achieve dao and become emperors."

Ba Yuan self-mockingly smiles.

Ye Chen understands the deeper meaning. His two Sheng Ti predecessors, after being saved by the Nü Di, must have abandoned their Sheng Ti bloodlines to take that step. However, they did not achieve it in Zhu Tian but in the Tai Gu Hong Huang.

"Seniors... you belong to the ancient Heavenly Court!"

After a long while, Ye Chen asks, directing it at Chen Zhan.

Chen Zhan says nothing, just smiles and nods.

Now in the Tai Gu Hong Huang, there's no need to hide. His previous life was indeed an emperor of the ancient Heavenly Court. After reincarnation, he became Zhu Tian's Chen Zhan and a Huang Gu Sheng Ti.

"Qiong Cang senior is probably the same!"

Ye Chen smiles and glances sideways at the Tian Di beside Chen Zhan. That one is a man of few words, lounging on a rock, holding a wine jug and drinking silently.

That's right, it's Qiong Cang. He once met him in the Shen Ku; it was Qiong Cang's evil thought that even fought him for Chen Zhan's origin. He still remembers that dignity vividly.

Unexpectedly, he's also alive.

Qiong Cang is quite taciturn. To Ye Chen's question, he only nods slightly before burying his head in drink again. He's exhausted his essence, with white hair and turbid old eyes.

"That makes sense."

Ye Chen murmurs with a smile, recalling what he heard in Da Chu's Shen Ku when he obtained Chen Zhan's origin: Qiong Cang's remnant thought said, "You and I fought the heavens together in our previous lives."

Now, it all makes sense.

"Is Yu Di still alive?"

The usually silent Qiong Cang suddenly speaks.

"You still recognize Yu Di?"

"Of course—who in the ancient Heavenly Court doesn't?"

Qiong Cang replies indifferently.

"He's alive."

Ye Chen gives a dry laugh.

"Yu Di is Qiong Cang's junior brother; both were disciples of Shen Zun."

Chen Zhan smiles and sends a message.

"Shen Zun?"

"The Nü Di's brother, the one Qi Wan killed. Before the Nü Di ascended to Huang Di, Shen Zun was the strongest in the Heavenly Court, just half a step from Huang Di."

"This..."

Ye Chen pauses, sighing inwardly. No wonder Dao Zu said Yu Di has ties to the Heavenly Court; it's connected to the Nü Di's brother. No wonder Qiong Cang asks about Yu Di—they shared the same master and were like brothers.

Given this relationship, Ye Chen won't mention his grudges with Yu Di, lest Qiong Cang jumps up and curses.

"Those ones, do you recognize them?"

Ba Yuan takes a swig of wine and gestures around.

Ye Chen turns to look in that direction.

At first glance, his eyes narrow slightly.

He recognizes them—who wouldn't? They are all from his Huang Gu Sheng Ti lineage; he's seen them in the Da Cheng tribulation.

He spots Ming Gu.

In Zhu Tian's history, Ming Gu is the only Sheng Ti buried by the Ji Mie Shen Ti, killed in his later years.

And those around him were also Sheng Ti in their previous lives.

Now, they are all Tian Di level. Like Chen Zhan and Ba Yuan, they were probably saved by the Nü Di, abandoned their Sheng Ti bloodlines, and then achieved emperorship.

"All the Sheng Ti of past eras, except Di Huang, are basically here."

Chen Zhan laughs.

"I can see that."

Ye Chen coughs dryly. He never imagined that his Sheng Ti lineage's predecessors are all still alive, all in the Tai Gu Hong Huang. This is beyond his expectations.

Thinking of this, he bows in respect.

"Young ones are truly formidable!"

The Sheng Ti of past eras all wear warm smiles. What they couldn't accomplish, their successors have.

Yet, this isn't a successor of the innate Sheng Ti; he pioneered the Huang Gu Sheng Ti lineage and broke the impossibility of achieving dao.

He is the rightful Sheng Ti supreme.

"Don't hold back, everyone."

Ba Yuan laughs, glancing around at the Sheng Ti.

As he speaks, a Qian Kun bag flies out from his sleeve.

Like him, Chen Zhan, Ba Yuan, Ming Gu, and all the Sheng Ti present do the same, each sending a Qian Kun bag that hovers before Ye Chen.

"Sheng Ti origin, bloodline, Shen Cang."

Ye Chen sees at a glance what's sealed inside the storage bags. They must be the Sheng Ti that the predecessors abandoned, preserved with special secret methods.

"I firmly believe that one day, a later Sheng Ti will come to claim the gifts of his predecessors."

"That day has come."

Ba Yuan smiles warmly. Having abandoned their bloodlines to become emperors, they can no longer be Sheng Ti. This is left for their successors.

"Thank you for the gifts, seniors."

Ye Chen doesn't refuse.

Indeed, coming to the Tai Gu Hong Huang brings fortunes. If he fuses the Sheng Ti lineage's origin, Shen Cang, and bloodline, he can surely break through to Tian Di peak in one go.

"Your Nü Di is our boss's wife."

"She's been to bed with him."

"And they had a child named Ye Ling."

The wine for the supreme beings is distributed, but the heavens are filled with Ye Chen's clones shouting. They've mostly gathered around the ancient Heavenly Court supreme beings, chattering away.

Then come the sounds of spitting wine.

Not to mention others, even the taciturn Qiong Cang sits up straight, wine jug in hand, sizing up Ye Chen.

Ba Yuan, Chen Zhan, Ming Gu, and all the supreme beings who hear this cast strange gazes at Ye Chen.

Those eyes are like looking at a god.

Especially the Heavenly Court emperors—their expressions are quite entertaining, their mouths twitching. They don't know whose child that is, but he's too bold—daring to claim our ancient Heavenly Court's commander.

In that instant, the youngest Sheng Ti becomes the center of attention for all supreme beings. Those gazes can only be described as worshipful.

In all of history, you're absolutely the most outstanding one—who is there you wouldn't dare to flirt with?

"This story is a long one."

Ye Chen chuckles awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable under the supreme beings' stares, with a cool breeze blowing all over him, mostly from the female emperors' admirers.

He can't blame himself for this—it's that old saying: who knew that was the Nü Di's reincarnation? No one told him back then!

Looking into the void, the Nü Di, seated ethereally, is startled enough to open her eyes. She glances at Ye Chen and the supreme beings below, her indifferent expression hiding a trace of unease.

She is pure of heart, but the Chu Xuan and Chu Ling within her are not so pure. Because of their emotions, they occasionally disrupt her mind.

"Carry on with your chat, seniors; I'll go check elsewhere."

Under everyone's gaze, Ye Chen hurriedly turns and heads toward the first-generation Sheng Mo, collecting his clones on the way.

If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute.

PS: Two chapters today.

(April 28, 2020)

Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement!!!