Chapter 3185: The Emperor's Determination

In the border wilderness of the universe, gods and demons filled the sky. The gods stood in various postures: the neutral supreme beings had eyes full of reluctance, while the hostile gods and demons grinned menacingly, eager to stand there and witness Ye Chen and Zhao Yun being refined by Tai Shang.

Buzz! Buzz!

The massive refining furnace, like a mountain, trembled continuously, its vibrations causing the gods to groan in discomfort. It was a divine artifact, the highest of its kind. However, it did not belong to Tai Shang; no one knew where he had obtained it, but it was certainly not from this universe.

"Yong Heng Shen Lu."

The supreme gods murmured, their eyes gleaming with desire. If it weren't such a treasure, no one would bother watching. Without needing to ask, they knew it came from Yong Heng Xian Yu. Treasures from Yong Heng Xian Yu were no ordinary items; just its sheer size was intimidating enough. If Tai Shang were still the Heavenly Dao, and he threw a supreme god into the Yong Heng Shen Lu, that god would likely be reduced to ashes.

Thus, Ye Chen and Zhao Yun had no way to escape. The supreme gods were absolutely certain of this, unable to imagine how the two could turn the tables.

Looking at Ye Chen and Zhao Yun, they were both like statues. The burning flames of illusion were extremely strange, ignoring eternity itself as they refined everything relentlessly. It hadn't been long, yet they were already losing control of their bodies. Unless something unexpected happened, they would both be refined, and it wouldn't take much time. After all, Tai Shang was not some ordinary demon lord; he wielded the highest divine artifact, employed the highest divine laws, and had those heavenly characters on his side.

"I've implicated you."

Zhao Yun smiled bitterly, saying this for what felt like the hundredth time, his apology sincere.

"It's a blessing, not a curse."

Ye Chen replied weakly, his words vague. He wanted to curse loudly but lacked the strength.

As he spoke, the flames of illusion grew stronger. Both their expressions turned to agony, the pain of refinement seeping into their bones. Their Dao roots were now stained with a dark black color—that was the sign of being refined, and that black hue was Tai Shang's Dao. Once they were enveloped by chaos, they would be completely refined, and everything they had would belong to Tai Shang.

Ugh!

In Tai Gu Hong Huang, Di Huang and Hong Yan's expressions were also pained, their bodies shrouded in dark black energy. The sacred body lineage shared in glory and suffering alike. When Ye Chen underwent nirvana, they transformed with him; when Ye Chen faced disaster, they suffered along with him.

"Seal."

Shen Zun snorted coldly and unleashed a great divine ability, trying to pull the two back to normal. The struggle of all living beings had to continue. Di Huang and Hong Yan were also sacred bodies, originating from the Heavenly Dao. If Ye Chen truly couldn't return, then when the heavenly demons attacked the Seven Evil Stars, they, as sacred bodies, would take the place of the sacred body lineage's supreme beings and fight against the heavens.

Unfortunately, he couldn't seal it. Not even he could do it, and even Nv Di couldn't manage. Nv Di was still trying, attempting to bring Ye Chen back. Her phantom had descended to that universe more than once. Regrettably, the Heavenly Dao erased it each time, and she suffered severe backlash.

I was wrong. I was so wrong.

Nv Di's mouth overflowed with blood, her face pale. She had burdened Ye Chen with too much, exceeding his limits. This grand gamble was destined to end in utter defeat due to unforeseen variables.

"I'm afraid Ye Chen is in trouble."

The emperors looked up at Di Huang and Hong Yan, then at the Nv Di of the ancient heavenly court. Though they didn't know what had happened, seeing the three's grave expressions, they could tell it was a deadly crisis without asking.

"This gamble was truly unwise."

Many veteran supreme beings of the heavenly court sighed. Going to another universe was beyond their control. Even though Nv Di was Huang Di, her reach was limited. Not to mention her phantom, even if her true self went, she might not defeat the Heavenly Dao of that other universe. After all, it wasn't the domain of the various heavens; it had its own ruler.

"Release me, and I will save him."

The generation of sacred demons laughed eerily, their sinister words echoing through Tai Gu Hong Huang. Nv Di, at her wit's end, felt her mind waver for a moment. In that instant, her resolve shook, and she even had the impulse to unseal him. As the executor of the Heavenly Dao, he could represent it and this universe. The generation of sacred demons certainly had that qualification.

"Guard your divine platform."

Shen Zun snorted coldly, dispelling Nv Di's momentary daze. Precisely because she was desperate and longed to save Ye Chen, she had been exploited by the generation of sacred demons. That demonic heavenly sound infiltrated everywhere.

Nv Di regained her composure and cleared her mind. She would do everything in her power to save Ye Chen, but she would never unseal the generation of sacred demons. That would be drinking poison to quench thirst. If the seal were released, the heavenly demons would attack the Seven Evil Stars. The current living beings couldn't withstand the Heavenly Dao, and without that sword to slaughter the heavens, they would be wiped out completely, ruining eons of planning.

Besides, would the generation of sacred demons really save Ye Chen? Don't be ridiculous—he wished for Ye Chen's death. He was just tricking Nv Di into releasing him.

Ah!

Shen Zun sighed. How had such a good hand of cards turned into such a mess?

"Wait for me."

Nv Di sat down cross-legged and closed her eyes, her entire body radiating eternal light.

"Don't act recklessly."

Shen Zun shouted, knowing what Nv Di intended. She was going to force her way across the universe. Huang Di had that ability; even if the universes didn't border each other and there was no cosmic passage, she could still find a way.

Her purpose was clear. Evidently, his sister was going to wage war against the other universe. From her resolute expression, she planned to snatch Ye Chen by force, and once she went, she had no intention of returning. This trip would likely be one-way for her.

After all, the other universe had more than one Huang Di. Even if Nv Di had comprehended eternity and possessed immortal, indestructible divine power, she was still an outsider, inherently suppressed by that universe. If it were a one-on-one fight, it might be fine, but if she were surrounded, survival would be nearly impossible.

"Stop." Seeing Nv Di remain silent, Shen Zun rushed forward desperately. They had already lost the sacred body supreme beings; if even Nv Di fell in the other universe, what was the point of the future war?

One Huang Di could sweep through the entire various heavens. Nv Di said nothing, and eternal light from her body spread out, pushing Shen Zun away from the mountaintop. Her expression was indeed resolute. As Shen Zun had guessed, she had no plans to return once she went, even if it meant her body and Dao being destroyed—she was determined to rescue Ye Chen.

That promise from years ago still held true. Anyone could die, but only Ye Chen could not. If necessary, the beings of the ten thousand domains, including herself, would stand before him without hesitation. Now, for the sacred body, she had to take this risk.

"You're mad."

Shen Zun roared, for the first time infusing his words to Nv Di with the authority of an elder brother.

"Stop this."

Many veteran supreme beings of the heavenly court shouted hoarsely, seemingly aware of what Nv Di was about to do. This wasn't rescuing someone; it was suicide.

Unfortunately, no matter how others called out, Nv Di remained unmoved. Emperors had their obsessions, whether hers or Chu Xuan and Chu Ling's, they were enough to drive her mad. This journey made Ye Chen her mission.

"What is love in this world?"

Gui Di took a deep breath, unsure if it was a sigh or reverence.

"What does it have to do with love?"

Xuan Di clasped his hands.

"Those who understand, will understand."

Ming Di stroked his beard, his words profound.

Di Zun was more reserved, only watching in silence. Did Nv Di have no feelings for Ye Chen? No one would believe it. Was all this madness just for a mission? Who could guarantee that the word "love" wasn't at play? The Dao was endless, but the barrier of emotion was hard to cross, even for the supreme Nv Di, who couldn't escape the vast sea of mortals.

Shen Zun fell silent, his opened mouth no longer shouting. He finally understood, seeing his sister clearly for the first time in this life and the previous one—she was like this all along. If it were Qi Huan, he would risk his life too.