Chapter 868: Little Yueyue

The night sky was deep, with scattered stars like dust.

Ye Chen and Xingchen Dao Shen landed simultaneously in a remote, desolate mountain corner. Seeing that no experts from Shixue Dian were pursuing them, they finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"Old boss!" Xingchen Dao Shen knelt down with a thud, hugging Ye Chen's leg and crying with snot and tears. "Finally, I see you."

Ye Chen ignored this and simply waved his hand to produce the Hundun Shen Ding.

At the sight, Xingchen Dao Shen, who had been sobbing moments before, stopped crying abruptly. He stood up quickly, rubbed his hands together, and scampered over to the Hundun Shen Ding.

Watching Xingchen Dao Shen's behavior, Ye Chen's mouth twitched involuntarily. Damn, I really admire you.

In a certain sense, this was his first time meeting his own Xingchen Dao Shen, but for some reason, looking at him stirred an urge in Ye Chen to kick that rascal to death.

"Xiao Yue Yue, it's me. Did you miss me?" Xingchen Dao Shen hadn't noticed Ye Chen's darkening expression. He was clinging to the Hundun Shen Ding and had spotted the figure of Xingyue Shengnu inside.

In response to Xingchen Dao Shen's call, Xingyue Shengnu, who was sitting on the ground with her knees hugged, turned back and glared at him fiercely.

It was he who had kidnapped her more than once, and hearing that "Xiao Yue Yue" nickname made her want to strangle Xingchen Dao Shen.

Still, despite her resentment, she didn't truly hate him.

At least, when she was helpless and in danger, that seemingly rogue person had risked his life to save her alone. In this chaotic world, that was a rare warmth.

Suddenly, she withdrew her gaze, and a faint, tender smile could be vaguely seen.

By then, Ye Chen had already focused his mind and released her from the Hundun Shen Ding.

Xingchen Dao Shen immediately stuck to her like glue, his smile obscenely lecherous.

"Get away from me." Xingyue Shengnu said.

"Uh, uh, uh!" Xingchen Dao Shen nodded hastily, though his words said one thing, his feet moved closer to Xingyue Shengnu. He swayed his head like a total hooligan.

Seeing this, Xingyue Shengnu ignored him and turned to Ye Chen, bowing sincerely. "Thank you, Dao friend, for saving me."

Ye Chen smiled. "When did Xingyue Shengnu become so formal?" He waved his hand and removed the mask covering his face.

"You're... Ye Chen?" Xingyue Shengnu was surprised.

"It's me." Ye Chen replied.

"Are you dead?" Xingyue Shengnu asked, shocked.

"Don't joke around. My old boss is perfectly fine." Xingchen Dao Shen chimed in, also removing his own mask.

At this, Xingyue Shengnu's expression became extraordinarily colorful.

She had been kidnapped by Xingchen Dao Shen more than once, but only now did she see his true face. Realizing he looked exactly like Ye Chen, even her composure was stunned.

What was happening in this world? The two people stirring up storms in Da Chu recently looked identical. Xingyue Shengnu's mind felt dizzy.

Ye Chen, seeing her reaction, smiled. "He's my blood brother."

Of course, this was a story Ye Chen had prepared in advance, paving the way for Xingchen Dao Shen to propose marriage to Xingyue Palace later. The difference between being a brother and a Dao Shen was vast.

Xingchen Dao Shen felt a warm surge in his heart at Ye Chen's words.

As Ye Chen's Dao Shen, he had independent thoughts, but he was still a Dao Shen, not a complete person. Proposing marriage as a Dao Shen would be unthinkable for Xingyue Palace.

In plain terms, Ye Chen's earlier words weren't just talk; he truly intended to give him his freedom.

Xingyue Shengnu, recovering, laughed and shook her head. "I never imagined the Holy Lord of Tian Ting has a blood brother. It's quite a coincidence that I've crossed paths with both brothers—competing in alchemy with you in Dan City and being kidnapped by your brother more than once. The affairs of the world are truly wondrous!"

"Let's get to the point. Shixue Dian has set its sights on Xingyue Palace. I hope you'll prepare early. If you're willing, come to Nan Chu's Tian Ting." Ye Chen said seriously.

Xingyue Shengnu took a deep breath. "I don't have the final say on that. I need to return as soon as possible."

Xingchen Dao Shen stepped forward immediately. "I'll escort you."

Surprisingly, Xingyue Shengnu didn't refuse this time. "Alright."

"Be careful." Ye Chen warned.

Both nodded and, without delay, soared into the sky, heading straight for Xingyue Palace.

After they left, Ye Chen placed his hand on the Hundun Shen Ding and released all the people with special bloodlines inside.

Notably, the one who called himself Dao Sheng was restrained on the spot by Ye Chen the moment he was freed. This guy was a thief, so he had to be watched closely.

The thirty-plus people with special bloodlines all bowed to Ye Chen. "Thank you, Dao friend, for saving us." Without him, they might still be enduring hellish torment in Yanluo Shan's underground palace.

Ye Chen scanned the group. "Those who wish to join Tian Ting are welcome. Those who don't, we won't force."

The crowd was collectively stunned. They looked at each other, unaware that such a force existed in Da Chu.

Ye Chen coughed lightly, realizing he had overlooked something. These people with special bloodlines had likely been captured to Yanluo Shan long ago and knew nothing about the unification of Nan Chu or the establishment of Tian Ting.

Just as Ye Chen was about to explain, Zhao Ziyun, Zhao Xiong's son, spoke up. "Nan Chu has been unified by this big brother, and Tian Ting is what he established." As he spoke, he flashed a bright smile at Ye Chen.

The group was astonished. "Nan Chu has been unified?" They all turned their eyes to Ye Chen, marveling at the immense ambition it must have taken.

Amid the surprise, a frail old man looked nervously at Ye Chen. "Young friend, is Heng Yue still around?"

Ye Chen was taken aback. "Senior, are you from Heng Yue?"

The old man replied, "I'm Zhang Fengyang from Heng Yue's inner sect."

Ye Chen probed, "And Zhang Fengnian is your...?"

Zhang Fengyang's voice was hoarse. "My elder brother. We were both elders in the Intelligence Pavilion. Back then, due to an error in our pavilion, Heng Yue suffered heavy losses. Our master was furious, and my brother took the blame for me."

His aged face was full of guilt.

Ye Chen was surprised to learn of this hidden detail from the past.

He understood why Zhang Fengnian had taken the fall—Zhang Fengyang had a special bloodline with immense potential, so as the elder brother, Zhang Fengnian shouldered all the responsibility.

Ye Chen transmitted his memories as divine sense to Zhang Fengyang.

A few seconds later, the guilty Zhang Fengyang suddenly looked up, staring at Ye Chen in disbelief. His old body trembled with emotion. Though the divine sense memory was brief, it felt like a lifetime.

Ye Chen bowed respectfully. "Disciple Ye Chen greets you, Senior."

"No, no, you mustn't!" Zhang Fengyang hurried forward. "You're the sect leader of Heng Yue. How can you bow to me like this?"

Ye Chen smiled. "In front of you, I'm always the junior." His Saint Body essence had already flowed into Zhang Fengyang's body, replenishing his energy and extending his lifespan.

"Impressive youth, impressive indeed!" The people with special bloodlines spoke up amid the excitement. "We wish to join Tian Ting."

An elderly man with a flickering flame of life waved his hand. "I'll pass. I'm tired of the cultivator's life and want to live out my days in the mortal world."

Ye Chen smiled slightly. "If that's your decision, Senior, I won't stop you. If you ever want to return to the cultivator world, Tian Ting will welcome you."

The old man smiled warmly. "Thank you." He turned and left, his back somewhat lonely and forlorn—he was clearly a man with a story.

After the old man departed, Ye Chen addressed the rest. "Do any of you have families? If possible, bring them to join Tian Ting. Bei Chu is becoming a dangerous place, and Shixue Dian could strike at any time."

Most nodded. "We do, but we don't know if they're still there."

"Then head back to your families before going to Nan Chu. Be careful, and move quickly—Shixue Dian could act anytime." Ye Chen instructed.

"Understood." Over half of them set off in various directions, while the rest had no such ties.

Ye Chen issued an order. "Escort Zhang Shishu and the others to Nan Chu safely." With his words, dozens of figures emerged from the darkness, each with powerful auras and at the peak of Kong Ming Jing realm.

The group bowed to Ye Chen. "Thank you, Dao friend." They then followed the Yanhuang experts into the darkness.

Now, only Ye Chen and the self-proclaimed Dao Sheng remained in the desolate mountain forest.

Heh heh heh! The man chuckled as Ye Chen sized him up. From the earlier conversations, he had gathered that this young man had an extraordinary background.

Ye Chen sat down in a comfortable spot and pulled out a wine gourd. "I don't even know your name. I hope it's not as ridiculous as I think."

"Just call me Dao Zui." The man said.

"A name with 'thief' in it—figures you'd be a thief." Ye Chen remarked.

Dao Zui grinned. "It's a skill, you know! I'm not bragging, but there's nothing in this world I can't steal."

"Since you're so confident, I should test your skills." Ye Chen waved his hand to remove Dao Zui's restraints and said with interest, "Go on, show me something."

"Then I have to show off." Dao Zui swiftly waved his hand in front of Ye Chen's eyes.

"Feel a chill?" Dao Zui asked.

"Yeah, sort of." Ye Chen replied.

"There you go—put this on!" Dao Zui tossed over a pair of underwear.

"Damn." Ye Chen cursed.