Chapter 984: Reunion as if a lifetime away

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

Hong Chen Xue led Hong Chen towards Heng Yue Zong and went directly to the underground palace where Chu Ling Yu was imprisoned.

Along the way, Hong Chen kept twisting his stiff neck, gazing at the spiritual mountains that resembled a fairyland. Every mountain, every tree, every hall, and every pavilion felt both familiar and strange, much like the feeling Hong Chen Xue gave him.

At some point, he stopped dead in his tracks. No matter how Hong Chen Xue pulled, he wouldn't move.

He slowly lifted his stiff head, quietly looking at the peak before him.

This mountain peak was elegant and beautiful, like a maiden, shrouded in layers of mist, making it appear dreamlike and illusory.

Yu Nu Peak!

Hong Chen spoke for the first time, his voice hoarse and aged, as if even he was surprised by the words.

Shizun?

Hong Chen Xue called out tentatively.

Hong Chen didn't respond, still gazing up at Yu Nu Peak, as if he could see the women standing at its summit.

That person looks so strange.

At the top of Yu Nu Peak, Shangguan Han Yue and the others seemed to notice Ye Chen gazing up from below, and they all expressed their surprise.

He feels so familiar, like I've seen him somewhere before.

What a coincidence, I feel the same way.

Down below, Hong Chen started moving again, but not because Hong Chen Xue was pulling him—it was on his own. At every spot, he would stiffly turn his neck to look at his surroundings.

His odd behavior drew curious glances from the passing elders and disciples.

Even more surprising was that Hong Chen stood there like a statue, and whenever someone passed by, he would stare at them with his empty eyes, like a puppet devoid of emotion.

Let's go, Shizun!

Hong Chen Xue said with a gentle smile, pulling Hong Chen away.

Is it really okay to bring him here?

Behind them, Zi Xuan appeared, looking towards Tai Xu Ancient Dragon and Ye Chen.

Someone is waiting for him.

Ye Chen smiled.

She is a pitiable person, and this will fulfill one of his wishes.

People are just that strange.

Tai Xu Ancient Dragon shook his head helplessly.

Ye Chen.

From below Yu Nu Peak, Chu Ling Er and the others descended and glanced in the direction where Hong Chen Xue and Hong Chen had left.

Who is that person?

Hong Chen.

Hong Chen?

The women were stunned, as if they had heard the name before.

Isn't he dead?

He's still alive.

Ye Chen smiled and scanned the women.

What about Chu Xuan? Why isn't she here?

She's in seclusion.

By now, Hong Chen Xue had led Hong Chen into the underground palace, but she left him at the entrance and went in alone.

Shiniang.

She smiled brightly, looking at Chu Ling Yu, who was sealed on the altar.

Don't call me that. I'm not used to it.

Chu Ling Yu opened her beautiful eyes, her smile a bit unnatural.

Is it boring being here?

Hong Chen Xue asked with a smile.

What do you think?

How about I find someone to chat with you?

When did the great Huang Saint Lord learn to be so witty?

Chu Ling Yu replied with a gentle smile, but her words trailed off as she stared fixedly at Hong Chen Xue's side.

A person had appeared next to Hong Chen Xue. His face was covered in stubble, and his entire body bore the marks of time's hardships. His dark eyes were empty, his expression both weary and confused.

You... Hong Chen.

Chu Ling Yu trembled, and mist quickly turned to frost in her beautiful eyes.

As tears streamed down her cheeks, a divine light fell upon the altar, breaking her seal.

She slowly stood up, stepping down from the altar one step at a time, her eyes fixed solely on Hong Chen. Her clear, tear-filled gaze made his figure stand out vividly through the blur.

Damn this passage of time, it has tormented my Hong Chen into this state.

With teary eyes, Chu Ling Yu gently stroked his face, etched with the traces of hardship, unwilling to let go, as if afraid it was all a dream, or as if she wanted to etch his features deep into her soul.

You haven't aged, and the heavens won't decay.

She leaned softly into his embrace, pressing her cheek against his chest, feeling the warmth and heartbeat that brought her unprecedented peace.

Hong Chen's expression remained wooden. He stiffly lowered his head, gazing in confusion at Chu Ling Yu in his arms.

Nearby, Hong Chen Xue smiled gently, her eyes also misting over.

She didn't approach, fading away like a gentle breeze. Her Shizun had returned, and the person he most wanted to see was his wife.

A reunion that feels like worlds apart is the most stirring of all.

The night at Heng Yue Zong was peaceful, with soft light weaving through, adding a touch of serenity to this fairyland.

On Yu Nu Peak, Ye Chen sat quietly, holding a wine flask in his hand.

Not far away, his Xingchen Dao Shen sat as well, with Xingyue Saintess by his side. The two of them were silent, just like Ye Chen.

This scene left Chu Ling Er and the others bewildered. What had happened? After their trip to Bei Chu, it was as if everyone had changed—they weren't saying a word. What did it mean?

For the next while, stay at Heng Yue Zong.

After some time, Ye Chen finally spoke.

Why?

The women were puzzled.

Just stay here; it'll be fine.

Ye Chen smiled, not mentioning the white-haired woman at all.

That white-haired woman was incredibly powerful. Across all of Da Chu, only Hong Chen could stand against her, not even the supreme kings. Shen Xuan Feng was a bloody example of that.

Da Chu might have been unified, but dangers still lurked. The kings of past eras could strike back at any moment.

It's easier to guard against an open attack than a hidden one—these things are the hardest to defend against.

As night deepened, the women dispersed. Xingchen Dao Shen and Xingyue Saintess also took their leave. Their honeymoon had been a muddled affair, and now it was time to prepare for the wedding, just as Shen Xuan Feng's words—whether a blessing or not—had said: Through heaven and earth, eternal and unwavering.

Ye Chen also left, glancing at the place where Chu Xuan was in seclusion before descending Yu Nu Peak.

He reappeared in front of the grand hall of Heng Yue Zong.

Hong Chen Xue was there too, smiling as she looked towards the deepest, most tranquil bamboo grove in Heng Yue Zong.

Ye Chen followed her gaze, and even from a distance, he could see Chu Ling Yu and Hong Chen. Hong Chen stood like a statue, unmoving, while Chu Ling Yu gently combed his hair, like a devoted wife.

Thank you.

Hong Chen Xue gazed with entranced eyes and suddenly spoke, making Ye Chen smile.

Thank me for what?

For bringing Shizun back.

Hong Chen Xue turned her head and said with a gentle smile.

It was just a coincidence.

Ye Chen took a deep breath.

If it weren't for his wife waiting for him, we wouldn't have brought Hong Chen back.

Even if Shiniang wasn't waiting for Shizun, what about me? I'm waiting for him too. If you couldn't bear to leave Chu Ling Yu heartbroken, couldn't you bear to leave me, Hong Chen Xue, heartbroken?

You'd just overlook that.

Ye Chen coughed awkwardly.

What kind of talk is that?

Hong Chen Xue glanced at him with mild annoyance.

Let's get to the point.

Ye Chen's joking tone vanished as he asked,

How are things going in Bei Chu?

As you expected.

Hong Chen Xue replied softly.

On the surface, Heavenly Court has unified Da Chu, but some forces are still resisting in the shadows. They've caused trouble more than once, and there are traces of people like the Soul-Devouring King involved. To truly pacify Da Chu, we have to eliminate the kings of past eras.

That's easier said than done!

Ye Chen shook his head helplessly.

Even the Da Chu Sovereign can't find their traces, let alone us.

Taigu Star Heaven is gradually encompassing all of Da Chu, hoping to catch sight of them.

I hope so.

Ye Chen sighed lightly and turned to leave.

He reappeared in a vast underground palace.

The palace was surrounded by intricate runes and hidden with numerous terrifying formations, all of which were extraordinary—even he, as the Heavenly Court Saint Lord, could be caught off guard and pulled in.

Inside the palace stood two figures: Tai Xu Ancient Dragon and Zi Xuan.

They were in front of an altar, where rune chains intertwined, binding the purple-robed man they had brought back.

Have you figured anything out?

Ye Chen glanced at the sleeping purple-robed man and then looked at Tai Xu Ancient Dragon and Zi Xuan.

It's very strange.

Tai Xu Ancient Dragon pondered.

We can't tell what kind of bloodline or origin he has. All we know is that there's a repulsive and frightening power hidden within him.

One thing is certain: he's not from Da Chu.

Zi Xuan added.

As for where he's from, we have no idea.

Did you try soul-searching?

We tried.

Tai Xu Ancient Dragon said, shaking his head helplessly.

There's a terrifying seal on his soul. If we attempt to search it rashly, it will trigger the prohibition, and his soul will instantly dissipate.

What about letting Xi Yan try?

Ye Chen looked at Tai Xu Ancient Dragon tentatively.

Her Wanhua Pupils are perfect for soul-searching.

It won't work.

Zi Xuan sighed.

He's innately immune to illusions, and that's not the main issue—his memories are also sealed. Touching the prohibition rashly will still cause his soul to collapse.

Do either of you have any thoughts on the origin of that white-haired woman?

Ye Chen shifted his gaze from the purple-robed man to the two of them.

The white mask she wore was formed from her cultivation power.

Tai Xu Ancient Dragon mused.

You know that best—your Six Paths Immortal Wheel Eyes couldn't see through it, so her true appearance must be extraordinary.

I have a sense of familiarity.

Tai Xu Ancient Dragon said meaningfully.

As if I've seen her somewhere before.

Me too.

Zi Xuan murmured.

To be honest with you both, I feel the same.

Ye Chen took a deep breath.

What surprises us even more is something else.

Tai Xu Ancient Dragon and Zi Xuan both looked at Ye Chen.

Hong Chen looks exactly like you and shares many similarities with you. The God King looks just like you too and even used the Zhuxian Absolute Kill sword for you. Have you ever wondered why?

I don't know.

Ye Chen shook his head lightly.

You're still hiding things from us.

Tai Xu Ancient Dragon stared straight at Ye Chen.

In that realm, I saw the myriad realms of the heavens, but it was a bloody landscape. Even the great emperors had fallen, with mountains of corpses and rivers of blood. The Bahuang War God carried Donghuang Tai Xin on his back, staggering forward under the apocalyptic sunset, striving to carve out a future in despair.