ISWI Chapter 1250-1260 (Patreon)

Chapter 1250: Aunt's Breakthrough!

Xie Linyuan was still examining her, guessing that Wang Xuanji's immortal spiritual root had only recovered a tiny bit. Yet he had no intention of informing on her. Although the Wang Clan was not decent, they were at least clever enough not to provoke others recklessly. If Wang Xuanji grew stronger, she could still play some role on the future arena between the two realms. That would be a good thing for the Immortal Realm.

After thinking for a while, Xie Linyuan turned and left. The secret realm was about to end. He needed to make one final sweep for resources on his side.

Yet he cast a final glance at Ye Chen, his expression complex. The fact that Ye Chen did not favor men left him relieved, yet also faintly disappointed. It was not that Xie Linyuan liked such messy affairs. Far from it. He only liked the goddess.

It was simply that Ye Chen could grow close to the goddess, while he himself had no chance of doing so. But if he grew close to Ye Chen, would that not be an indirect way of growing close to the goddess?

Every time this thought arose, Xie Linyuan felt a touch of regret.

…

On Ye Chen's side, of course, he knew nothing of Xie Linyuan's chaotic thoughts. Otherwise, he would already have slapped the man flying. Ye Chen patiently waited for the next gift-giving period to arrive.

During this time, aside from accompanying his aunt and Yan Wenwen, the matter that consumed most of his mental energy was the condensation of a personal imprint. It had now been completed and could soon be gifted to his aunt.

Previously, an imprint at the Profound Immortal realm had critically hit into a Heavenly Emperor imprint at the early Immortal Monarch stage. Now that he himself was at the early Golden Immortal realm, his strength had increased by far more than several hundred times compared to when he was a Profound Immortal. What realm of Heavenly Emperor imprint could a critical hit produce this time?

Judging by the growth of his strength, he should be able to produce the imprint of a powerhouse at the peak of the Immortal Monarch realm. The problem was that his aunt's multiplier was only one hundred and fifty thousand times, fifty thousand lower than Nangong Wan's, and there was no double boost from being Dao companions.

Therefore, it was truly hard to say what realm the final critically hit imprint would reach. Yet the issue was not major. If even a Heavenly Emperor imprint could not resolve the problem, it could at least protect him while he fled.

He could simply head to the Other Domain. Resources there were more abundant and prodigies more numerous, making gift-giving far better and allowing him to develop fiercely. Once he had grown strong enough, he would return to the Immortal Realm and, upon returning, first slap to death those Immortal Kings who had moved against him.

…

Wang Xuanji said nothing, only casting occasional hateful glances at Yan Ruyu. Yan Ruyu, for her part, calmly refined the Great Luo Dao Fruit. The aura within her body continuously climbed, as though she could break through to the Great Luo realm at any moment.

On the third-to-last day, the exit finally emerged, resembling a gigantic black hole. Cultivators who threw themselves into it could leave the secret realm. Yet none were in a hurry to depart. Instead, they frantically scoured the secret realm for treasures.

After all, any treasure obtained could be turned over to the Tianzhang Monk and the others for at least a tenfold profit. Although they had already been skimmed once, they were more than satisfied. Opportunities to earn resources like this were rare, so every second had to be seized.

Essentially, aside from a small minority still thinking of the Ten Outstanding rankings, the majority of cultivators in the entire secret realm had already given up and were frantically exchanging for resources. Because of Ye Chen alone, the entire trial had been thrown into complete chaos and had lost all of its original meaning.

In this manner, the final day arrived. Numerous cultivators gathered at the center of the secret realm. When they entered, there had been a hundred thousand. Now, with a single sweep of his eyes, Ye Chen saw that ninety thousand remained. A survival rate of nine-tenths was enough to prove that the intensity of this secret realm had indeed been low and disputes few.

The various prodigies all looked at Ye Chen with awe, emotion, and admiration. Many had previously been unfamiliar with him and had only heard that the Heavenly Emperor's successor had appeared in the Immortal Realm. They had no concrete understanding and had not even paid much attention.

After all, according to rumor, Ye Chen's cultivation was far too low. What did high talent matter? Many, after entering the secret realm, had even thought that if they encountered the Heavenly Emperor's successor, they would suppress him and make a name for themselves.

Yet after they personally witnessed or heard others recount Ye Chen's battle record within the secret realm, all of them fell silent. The Heavenly Emperor's successor had, by his own strength alone, nearly leveled every top-tier combat force of this generation. Not a single one of the only three Great Luo cultivators had survived. Even rising stars like Yu Xinghan, whose names had resounded throughout the Immortal Realm, had all fallen in neat succession. Such a record left everyone sighing with emotion. Truly worthy of being that one's successor. Terrifying beyond measure.

Under these circumstances, people no longer paid much attention to the story of how Ye Chen had emptied the Heavenly Emperor's treasury just to compete for a ranking on Yan Ruyu's behalf and act as a bootlicker. At this moment, they were in no hurry. After all, the Immortal Realm had always drawn clear distinctions between superior and inferior. Only the strong were qualified to leave first.

Under the gaze of countless people, the aura around Yan Ruyu beside Ye Chen suddenly surged violently. A peculiar power rose and quickly transformed into an enormous nine-colored immortal domain that enveloped her completely.

Sensing the terrifying suppression of that nine-colored immortal domain, along with the elusive, extremely ethereal Great Luo Spatial Law that seemed both right before one's eyes and far away at the ends of the earth, denser than ever before, Wang Xuanji's fists clenched hard… All of this should have belonged to her.

The Tianzhang Monk and the others were also full of envy. Yet Great Luo Dao Fruits were far too precious and simply insufficient. Even a top-tier force of the Immortal Realm like Shaolin Temple might not possess more than a few, let alone be willing to take one out for the Tianzhang Monk's use. Their preciousness was evident at a glance. This only made the gazes they directed at Ye Chen grow even more emotional.

Ye Chen truly knew how to be a simp. For the sake of a female cultivator, he was willing to gift even this. If word of this spread outside, a whole line of Great Luo female cultivators would certainly form a queue to let Ye Chen have his fill.

Yet amid their sighs, everyone also felt a measure of admiration. No wonder that when the Heavenly Emperor's successor had only been at the Profound Immortal realm, he could already make Immortal Monarchs bear children for him.

With such generosity, the treasures suitable for Immortal Monarchs in the Heavenly Emperor's treasury had probably all been given away long ago… In any case, if it were them, they would never have been willing.

…

A long while later, Yan Ruyu's aura gradually calmed. The nine-colored immortal domain returned into her body. Ever more noble and ethereal, her temperament even more dignified, Yan Ruyu once again landed beside Ye Chen. Her beautiful eyes gazed at him like a pool of spring water.

"Chen'er, thank you…"

During this entire secret realm journey, Ye Chen had given her nearly every important treasure. He had resolved the problems of unstable foundations and overly low compression ratios caused by relying on external forces for breakthroughs. He had also forcefully helped her break through directly to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm and master an entire Great Luo Spatial Law.

This left Yan Ruyu, who had chosen the Dao of Ultimate Emotion, somewhat unable to restrain the thoughts in her heart. She only felt that she truly loved Ye Chen so much, from the inside out, willing to give everything.

Besides the dense love, what filled Yan Ruyu's heart even more was worry. Within the secret realm, Ye Chen was invincible. Once they left, however, everything would depend on the forces behind them. And that was precisely Ye Chen's current weakness.

Yet no matter what, even if she had to kneel and beg her master, agreeing to completely renounce the secular world, she would still request that her master stand for Ye Chen and protect him…

At this moment, Ye Chen spoke.

"Aunt, the secret realm is about to end. I still have one more item that I must personally gift to you…"

Chapter 1251: Not the Heavenly Emperor?

Yan Ruyu froze at the words. He was still giving more? At this moment, she directly waved her hand.

"Chen'er, you have already given me more than enough. Judging by the height of the divine pillar above my head, second place is already secured!

"Once we leave, there will be the resources of the Dao Academy. My master treats me very well, and the resources of the Compassionate Ferry Quiet Nunnery will all be prioritized for me…

"I truly need nothing more."

The divine pillar above Yan Ruyu's head had already turned from red to purple, a full thousand meters tall, like a great sun illuminating the world. One could imagine how many secret realm treasures she had obtained.

At this moment, with the crowd gathered, quite a few people also had divine pillars above their heads, yet compared to Yan Ruyu's, they were merely weak fluorescent lights, not even stars. Still, no one dared show the slightest covetousness. After all, Ye Chen stood right beside her.

Moreover, because Ye Chen was beside her, the divine pillar above Yan Ruyu's head actually appeared rather unremarkable. The divine pillar above Ye Chen's head had already become a ten-thousand-meter black pillar, resembling a black hole that swallowed all light. Nearly seventy percent of the treasures in the Chaos Secret Realm had ended up in Ye Chen's hands.

It was simply unimaginable. One could say that in all the trials throughout the history of the Immortal Realm, such a situation had never occurred. No matter how powerful a prodigy, none could have achieved this. Ye Chen was absolutely unique in history.

Hearing his aunt's refusal, Ye Chen smiled faintly.

"It is not any treasure. It can only be called a small token of my feelings…"

As the words fell, Ye Chen raised his hand. A peculiar imprint carrying Ye Chen's aura drifted out from his palm and landed before Yan Ruyu. Yan Ruyu froze, then heard Ye Chen continue.

"During this period, I used a divine ability and secret method to condense an imprint of myself… It possesses roughly one-tenth of my current combat strength.

"Aunt, accept it and place it between your brows. Should any accident occur, you can summon this item to resist danger.

"Most important of all, the moment Aunt activates this item, I will know at once and rush to support you without delay."

Ye Chen's voice was calm, yet when it fell into everyone's ears, it caused a wave of shock.

The Tianzhang Monk, who had made a fortune, could not help shaking his head. Ye Chen was licking boots far too hard. Securing a place among the Ten Outstanding was not enough; he had even gone to the trouble of condensing an imprint.

One could only say that Ye Chen's current combat strength relied entirely on the blessing of his immortal spiritual root and the expenditure of the Heavenly Emperor's treasury. He had not put the slightest effort into cultivation!

As for Xie Linyuan, he frowned. Ye Chen was far too attentive to this woman. It was unfair to the goddess. The goddess was carrying Ye Chen's child, and he himself felt aggrieved on her behalf.

He worried even more that in the future, the goddess would be unable to compete with this woman for favor. After all, this Yan Ruyu truly possessed great charm.

At this thought, Xie Linyuan felt that Ye Chen would be better off liking men! At least he himself would never compete with the goddess for favor…

On Wang Xuanji's side, her fists clenched hard!

…

Yan Ruyu herself looked at the imprint and felt warmth rise in her heart, her innermost feelings growing even more moved. Knowing full well that leaving the secret realm might bring enormous trouble, Ye Chen only worried about her safety. He had been silently condensing this imprint for her the entire time. He truly loved her so much!

Toward the imprint, Yan Ruyu no longer had any thought of refusal. She gently extended her soft hand and drew it before herself. Then nine-colored divine light bloomed between her brows as she opened without the slightest defense to Ye Chen's imprint. Using her soft hand, she guided Ye Chen's imprint slowly into the depths, allowing it to take residence at the core.

Yan Ruyu did not particularly care about the combat strength of the imprint. What she cared about was Ye Chen's aura. The immortal path was long and destined to involve prolonged separations. With this imprint inside her body, it was as though Ye Chen were constantly by her side, allowing her heart to feel more at ease…

Yan Ruyu gazed at Ye Chen, ripples stirring in her eyes. Though she did not speak, it was as if she had ten thousand words to say.

Ye Chen needed no interpretation of his aunt's eyes to understand her gratitude. The system prompt had already sounded within his mind.

"Congratulations to the host on a successful gift…"

"Gift given: personal early Golden Immortal realm imprint!"

"One hundred and fifty thousand times feedback in progress…"

"Detected that the gift presented by the host is of extreme importance to the recipient…"

"Triggered maximum critical hit feedback…"

"Triggered heart-strike feedback…"

"Feedback: Western Empress Immortal King Imprint!"

Ye Chen's eyes widened instantly. He had thought it would be the Heavenly Emperor. Instead, it was the Western Empress? His nominal master? And an imprint of the Western Empress at the Immortal King realm?

This… would it work?

To be honest, according to the records, the Western Empress's combat strength had been quite formidable. She had held on until the Heavenly Emperor rose, buying him time to grow. Yet compared to the Heavenly Emperor, there was clearly still a large gap.

Frankly speaking, between a peak Immortal Monarch Heavenly Emperor and an Immortal King Western Empress, Ye Chen would certainly trust the peak Immortal Monarch Heavenly Emperor more. Still, his aunt's multiplier was what it was, and one could not demand too much. If this master's imprint proved unreliable, he could simply flee. The problem was not major.

In the next instant, an imprint radiating a peculiar and majestic aura appeared within Ye Chen's inner cosmos. Transcendent and detached, it floated slowly, as dazzling as a star yet as serene as a great moon. It carried a sensation that rose above the immortal path itself.

This left Ye Chen sighing. An Immortal King was truly an Immortal King. She had already transcended the category of true immortals. Even a mere imprint was so extraordinary.

…

Everyone patiently watched Ye Chen act as a bootlicker and present gifts. The black hole of the secret realm had already begun to tremble. This meant only half a day remained. If they still did not leave, it would soon close. Unless one could break through to the realm of an Immortal Monarch in the future, one would likely remain trapped in this world forever.

At this point, Ye Chen no longer thought further. He smiled at Yan Ruyu.

"Aunt, we should go…"

Yan Ruyu felt some reluctance at the words, yet she immediately smiled and nodded lightly.

"Alright!"

Yan Ruyu and Ye Chen stepped into the black hole together.

Wang Xuanji had been staring at the two of them the entire time, especially at Yan Ruyu. At this moment, she gave a cold snort and followed closely, striding into the black hole.

Right afterward, the three major distribution giants—the Tianzhang Monk, Xie Linyuan, and Zhao Tianxing—also entered the black hole one after another. Then all the remaining cultivators surged in like leaping fish. The originally lively secret realm fell completely silent at this moment.

Yet everyone in their hearts knew clearly that after leaving, major events would certainly occur. Ye Chen had killed far too many top prodigies. Behind each of those top prodigies stood great forces.

Ye Chen had acted so unscrupulously that severe retaliation would inevitably follow. Even though the divine pillar above Ye Chen's head was the undisputed first, Ye Chen might not even preserve his life, let alone enter the Dao Academy. Thus, everyone flew especially fast, fearing they would miss the coming great events.

…

Within the Heavenly Secrets Hall, on the great plaza, a black hole emerged, yet no one stepped out. The atmosphere here had already grown icy to the extreme…

Chapter 1252: Return!

Ever since Li Ren, He Ziling, and Gongsun Jin had fallen, the atmosphere within the hall had been especially heavy. The Immortal Monarchs who had brought the three no longer smiled. The powerhouses of the Wang Clan and the Heaven Immortal Sect also wore solemn expressions. Feeling that the matter was related to their own prodigies, they likewise could not smile. With these people looking so grim, everyone else found it impossible to smile either.

Later, several Immortal Kings arrived one after another. Although they did not show themselves, the atmosphere grew even heavier. Everyone sensed that major events were certain to occur. There might even be a chaotic battle among Immortal Kings.

Finally, after a long wait, this year-long trial reached its end. On the final day and a half, the passage appeared. Everyone perked up and waited for the first batch of trial participants to step out, eager to clarify exactly what had happened. Yet they waited and waited, and not a single person appeared.

This made everyone's hearts grow heavy. That ruthless figure who had killed He Ziling and the others would not have blocked the exit and slaughtered every prodigy who entered the secret realm this time, would he?

In this manner, a full day passed. At last, the transmission black hole stirred. Two figures were the first to fly out from within it and descend onto the great plaza. For the convenience of directly ranking participants, an array had been set up on the plaza that could display divine pillars just as inside the secret realm.

The moment the two landed, everyone felt their vision darken. It was not that they had gone blind. It was simply that the divine pillar above the head of the one who emerged was truly far too black. The originally bright and open Heavenly Secrets Hall was completely obscured, as though night had suddenly fallen.

Everyone's expressions changed at this moment. Just how many treasures had this person obtained to make the divine pillar so dense? Had this fellow truly killed everyone inside? No wonder no one had come out for half a day. This kid had been blocking the gate, had he not?

Looking at that black pillar, everything became roughly clear. As for Ye Chen's identity, it was recognized in an instant and immediately spread. The Heavenly Emperor's successor who had ascended from the lower realm.

Hearing this, everyone's expressions varied, yet all revealed looks of "as expected." After all, the Heavenly Emperor of those years had been of the same temperament. Whenever he participated in trials, secret realms, or opportunity contests, he always managed to throw everything into chaos.

Wherever the Heavenly Emperor went, top prodigies fell in swathes. Although it was later proven each time that those prodigies had been the ones to provoke trouble first, the fact that so many prodigies sought trouble every single time made it hard not to suspect that the Heavenly Emperor had done it deliberately.

Still, countless doubts remained in everyone's hearts. When Ye Chen entered, he had been a Profound Immortal. Now he was only at the early Golden Immortal stage and had probably not even had time to compress his immortal power. Did Ye Chen possess the strength to wipe out the three alone? Even the Heavenly Emperor of those years could not have achieved such a feat at this realm. Was it possible that Ye Chen had not acted alone, and that others had been involved as well?

The Immortal Monarchs behind the fallen prodigies all thought the same. They stared coldly at Ye Chen yet did not speak in haste. Instead, they waited quietly. Settling accounts need not be rushed.

The powerhouses of the Heaven Immortal Sect, the Supreme Hall, Shaolin Temple, and other forces breathed sighs of relief. It seemed there was no connection to Xie Linyuan or the Tianzhang Monk, which was good.

At the very back of the crowd, Huo Linglong gazed at Ye Chen from afar, her brows twitching continuously without any way to suppress them. Her heart was filled with despair… She had known it would be like this! It truly had been Ye Chen's doing.

As for the pretty little nun who followed beside Ye Chen, she paid it no mind at all. After all, in the previous secret realm, Ye Chen had already taken a maidservant. This time, he had to remain inside the secret realm for a full three years. With such a long period, how could Ye Chen possibly endure the loneliness? Finding a woman was perfectly normal!

While panicking, Huo Linglong kept looking into the distance, only hoping her master would arrive quickly. Although her master's arrival might not help much either, staying here alone truly frightened her…

In this manner, the atmosphere within the Heavenly Secrets Hall grew even more deathly still. Soon, two more figures appeared. First was the Tianzhang Monk, wearing a compassionate smile and possessing an astonishing bearing. Yet the bald head above him was completely bare, without the slightest divine light.

This made the people of Shaolin Temple frown. Right afterward came Xie Linyuan. With a head of black hair, deep eyes, and a majestic aura, the bearing of a true prodigy was fully displayed. Yet above Xie Linyuan's head, just like the Tianzhang Monk's, there was also nothing at all…

This caused the Immortal Monarchs, led by the He Clan, to narrow their eyes with cold smiles. These two were not weak. How could they have obtained not even a single treasure? There was a conspiracy. There was absolutely a conspiracy.

Immediately afterward, the black hole surged violently. Large numbers of figures flew out from within it and landed on the plaza. The black hole was sufficiently vast, and its throughput astonishing. In only half an hour, the remaining ninety thousand who had finished this trial all returned. Sensing that no one remained inside the secret realm, the black hole slowly dissipated.

Perhaps because of the special circumstances of this trial, the Heavenly Secrets Immortal King did not appear. Instead, the master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall, who was at the Immortal Monarch realm, flew high in the air.

Looking at the number of those who remained, his expression was somewhat complex. The Heavenly Secrets Hall truly wished to select prodigies, which was why they had chosen a method of such low intensity. The result was not bad either. Ninety thousand out of a hundred thousand had survived, so the intensity had indeed been low. The problem was that no matter how many ordinary prodigies survived, it meant little.

The top prodigies had essentially all fallen… It was clearly a selection, yet all the tall ones had died. Who would compete on the arena in the future? Moreover, the forces behind those top prodigies would not let the matter rest. There would still be plenty of storms ahead.

Yet no matter how many accidents occurred, the necessary procedures still had to be followed. Everything had to proceed according to the rules. The master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall spoke in a clear voice.

"This trial has concluded. According to the rules, the cultivators ranked in the top ten will now be listed…"

"First place…"

"Ye Chen of the Jade Pool Immortal Sect…"

As the master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall lightly raised his hand, an enormous water-mirror technique appeared in the air, revealing Ye Chen's figure. Ye Chen looked at his own projection, smiled faintly, and actively cupped his hands toward the surroundings.

Yet the scene remained completely silent. No one dared make a sound. The various Immortal Monarchs stared at Ye Chen with cold expressions but did not rush to cause trouble. They would wait for the Heavenly Secrets Hall to finish the procedures first.

The master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall continued.

"Second place, Yan Ruyu of the Compassionate Ferry Quiet Nunnery!"

In the next moment, Yan Ruyu's peerless figure appeared. Afterward, the names from third to tenth place were announced in succession. All of them were obscure nobodies who could not even be considered absolute top prodigies, let alone monstrous geniuses. Wang Xuanji was mixed among them.

Although it was clearly the selection of the Ten Outstanding, the entire Heavenly Secrets Hall remained deathly silent. Not a single person cheered…

Evidently, the results of this trial had truly exceeded everyone's expectations. All the powerhouses outside the secret realm were curious about exactly what had happened and transmitted inquiries one after another. The prodigies who had participated in the trial also possessed a strong desire to share and transmitted the internal events to their elders…

For a time, everyone in the Heavenly Secrets Hall was transmitting voices. There was even mutual interference that produced static, and some people even received others' transmissions. Once they clarified the situation, everyone froze and looked toward the Heavenly Emperor's successor in disbelief…

Chapter 1253: Who Caused the Decline of the Immortal Realm's Talents?

Through the voice transmissions of their own prodigies, everyone learned what had happened inside the secret realm. Yet the more they understood, the more inconceivable they found it. Such a grand trial had actually been thrown into this state of chaos by a mere cultivator who had only just advanced from Profound Immortal to Golden Immortal?

The top prodigies had nearly been wiped out completely, every last one fallen. After clearing out the top prodigies in one net, Ye Chen had further used the Heavenly Emperor's treasury as bait and thoroughly scavenged every treasure within the entire Chaos Secret Realm as well. Throughout the whole trial, Ye Chen had practically monopolized everything. This was simply outrageous!

One had to know that even since the birth of the cultivation world, such a thing had never occurred. This made the gazes everyone directed at Ye Chen completely different. They sighed that he was truly worthy of being the Heavenly Emperor's successor. The ability to stir up trouble was genuinely inherited in a single line, and he had even surpassed his predecessor. Moreover, his combat strength was outrageously powerful.

A Profound Immortal fighting Golden Immortals was like slaughtering chickens. A Golden Immortal killing Great Luo cultivators was like butchering dogs. The Heavenly Emperor's successor who possessed an immortal spiritual root felt even more terrifying than the Heavenly Emperor of those years at the same realm.

Yet the problem was that a perfectly good trial had been reduced to this. The original intent had been to select prodigies, yet the prodigies had all died. Among the Ten Outstanding, aside from the Heavenly Emperor's successor Ye Chen, the rest were all mediocre.

The only one who looked decent was Yan Ruyu, yet she still lagged behind the absolute top prodigies. What were they supposed to do afterward? Would the Dao Academy still be established? Would the future arena between the prodigies of the two realms simply surrender? Most important of all, could the various houses truly swallow their anger?

At this thought, everyone silently watched the Immortal Monarchs of those several houses.

…

The palace master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall was also thoroughly numb at this moment. The level of the Immortal Realm's prodigies had originally already been weaker than those of the Other Domain. He had thought to gather them for intensive training and launch a final sprint. Instead, they had all died during the selection stage. Afterward, they would be even less able to fight.

Still, Ye Chen's strength was an unexpected pleasant surprise. Yet Ye Chen had provoked far too many forces. This made the expression with which he looked at Ye Chen especially complex. Nevertheless, the necessary matters still had to be done.

The palace master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall continued announcing.

"The Ten Outstanding may enter the Dao Academy to cultivate, receive the personal transmission of the Dao and methods from Immortal Kings, obtain vast resources, and gain unrestricted access to various secret realms and blessed lands…"

As the palace master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall spoke, the He Clan Immortal Monarch, who had been smiling coldly the entire time, finally opened his mouth.

"I object…"

The palace master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall sighed inwardly, knowing this would happen, and therefore turned his head with a pleasant expression.

"Fellow Daoist He, why do you object?"

The He Clan Immortal Monarch stared coldly at Ye Chen and spoke with a cold smile.

"This trial was originally meant to select prodigies, yet this youth was ruthless and wiped out every top prodigy…"

"Leaving the younger generation of our Immortal Realm vastly weaker than the Other Domain."

"I strongly suspect this youth's stance. Is he a spy left behind by the Other Domain in this world?"

"If he enters the Dao Academy and later takes the battlefield, I greatly fear he will simply concede, causing the fortune of our Immortal Realm to plummet…"

"Moreover, even if he is not a spy, single-handedly wiping out so many prodigies still makes him a sinner of our Immortal Realm."

"A person like this is simply not worth trusting. How can he be allowed to enter the Dao Academy?"

The moment the He Clan Immortal Monarch spoke, everyone felt numb. Wait, a remnant of the Other Domain was accusing the Heavenly Emperor's successor of being a spy of the Immortal Realm… This scene was truly too outrageous.

The Demon Domain Immortal Monarch also spoke with a sinister tone.

"This youth's crimes are monstrous. He has destroyed the future of the Immortal Realm. He should simply be killed…"

The Immortal Monarchs of the Myriad Laws Immortal Sect, the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect, the Nine Nether Immortal Hall, and other forces also narrowed their eyes, bringing terrifying pressure. The Gongsun Clan Immortal Monarch was especially murderous, his killing intent almost solidifying into substance.

"The fortune of our Immortal Realm rests upon the future battle. Now it has all been destroyed by this youth's hand. Moreover, during the trial he used underhanded methods and disrupted the trial with resources. He deserves death."

An ordinary immortal, stared at by so many Immortal Monarchs of the Ninth Heaven in this manner, would long since have been trembling in fear, perhaps even having their physical body explode and becoming crippled on the spot.

Everyone erupted in an uproar, understanding the intentions of the various houses. The houses still hoped that the future prodigy arena could clash with the Other Domain. If they killed Ye Chen, the first of the Ten Outstanding, right now, the Heavenly Secrets Hall, as the organizer, would lose all face, and this trial would become a joke. The subsequent Dao Academy would likely also fail to be established. Yet if they first stripped Ye Chen of his place among the Ten Outstanding, afterward they could freely deal with him as they pleased.

Everyone understood that Ye Chen was in danger. Once he lost the ranking of the Ten Outstanding, it would be the time of his death. Everyone looked at Ye Chen with some regret.

Ye Chen himself, however, showed not the slightest panic. Instead, he shook his head with an expression of disappointment at their failure to measure up.

"At this moment, the prodigies of the Immortal Realm are withering, and their strength is insufficient. It is precisely a time of storm and uncertainty…

"You group of Immortal Monarchs do not think of how to face the future battlefield, yet instead attack me here and engage in internal strife. It truly chills my heart.

"Yet I wholeheartedly devote myself to the Immortal Realm. Even in the face of your malicious slander!

"I am still willing to endure the grievance and step forward in this time of storm and uncertainty when the prodigies are withering, to turn the tide single-handedly for our Immortal Realm and support the heavens with one hand…"

The moment Ye Chen finished speaking, everyone's expressions became extremely hard to maintain. You are still enduring grievance? Turning the tide? The problem is that it was you who caused this generation's prodigies to wither and nearly all the powerhouses to die. Rumor had it that the Heavenly Emperor of those years had been rather shameless. This successor had truly surpassed his predecessor.

The He Clan Immortal Monarch laughed in anger and looked toward the palace master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall.

"Fellow Daoist, please remove this remnant from the Ten Outstanding!"

The Immortal Monarchs of the Gongsun Clan, the Demon Domain, the Myriad Laws Immortal Sect, the Nine Nether Immortal Hall, and the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect all spoke up one after another, applying pressure on the palace master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall and demanding that Ye Chen be removed. The pressure was immense.

Yet at this very moment, two Immortal Monarchs from the Supreme Hall stepped forward.

"Our Heavenly Secrets Hall does not agree. The Immortal Realm has always respected strength above all. Since the Heavenly Emperor's successor possesses top-tier combat strength, he is a rightful member of the Ten Outstanding. Why should he be removed?"

Other Shore Immortal Monarch held an extremely transcendent status and was qualified to sit at the same table as Immortal Kings, so he was not present here. Right afterward, the Immortal Monarchs of the Heaven Immortal Sect also spoke, stating their stance and disagreeing with removing Ye Chen.

Following them, the Buddhist sect and several other forces also voiced their positions. Some did so out of personal connections. Others did so for the sake of the future arena. After all, Ye Chen's strength was truly astonishing. A Golden Immortal killed Great Luo cultivators. When he later stepped onto the arena, he would absolutely bring victory.

The He Clan Immortal Monarch was not surprised by the opposition. He spoke with a cold smile.

"If a Heavenly Emperor remnant like Ye Chen is not removed, then my He Clan will withdraw from the Dao Academy…All the resources we have contributed must be returned to my He Clan by the Heavenly Secrets Hall. Otherwise, this matter will not end."

The moment the He Clan Immortal Monarch spoke, the other houses followed suit in the same manner.

"Our Nine Heavens Immortal Sect likewise."

"The Nine Nether Immortal Hall likewise."

"Our Demon Domain also chooses to withdraw…"

"Our Myriad Laws Immortal Sect also cannot accept using our own resources to cultivate such a ruthless individual…"

"…"

It was not only these few houses. Many forces that had been taught lessons by the Heavenly Emperor in the past also spoke up one after another at this moment. Everyone spoke coldly and pressured the palace master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall. If Ye Chen's place among the Ten Outstanding was not stripped, they would refuse to play along…

Chapter 1254: I Want to Gift Someone!

Under the threats of these great forces, the Heavenly Secrets Hall instantly fell silent. The hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall also frowned, yet for a moment he could find no words. These many great forces were all top-tier Immortal King powers with extremely strong influence in the Immortal Realm.

If they all withdrew or even actively opposed, the future Dao Academy would be difficult to run well. Yet if they stripped Ye Chen of his place among the Ten Outstanding because of threats, the Heavenly Secrets Hall would also lose all face.

At this thought, the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall felt an especially splitting headache.

For a time, the atmosphere in the Heavenly Secrets Hall stagnated. Everyone waited for the hall master's response.

Yet at this moment, a voice that was not sharp but instead extremely gentle, yet carrying anger, rang out.

"Since my junior brother obtained the ranking through his own ability, on what grounds should it be stripped?"

An endless life aura surged as two graceful figures landed beside Ye Chen. A soft hand was gently placed atop Ye Chen's head. Green life aura flowed, protecting Ye Chen's body and spirit and cleansing all external pressure.

Senior Sister Jade Moon Immortal Monarch had come?

Ye Chen raised his eyes in surprise and saw standing beside him a female cultivator with an oval face, peerless beauty, gentle yet grand bearing.

This was the first time Ye Chen had seen Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's true appearance. Her figure needed no further description; it was not the least bit inferior to Huo Linglong's, yet relatively fuller and softer, as though composed of water.

Yet the most beautiful part of this senior sister was still those hands. They were truly perfect, slender and long in just the right proportions, flesh and bone like jade, cool to the touch, as though they could embrace everything about him.

This senior sister had remained in seclusion ever since he entered the Jade Pool Immortal Sect and had not appeared to manage affairs. Now she had appeared, clearly to stand for him. This made Ye Chen feel several degrees more recognition and closeness toward Jade Moon Immortal Monarch.

Yet what surprised Ye Chen most was Nangong Wan, who threw herself at him from beside Jade Moon Immortal Monarch. Nangong Wan directly flung herself into Ye Chen's embrace.

Ye Chen was somewhat surprised. Why had Senior Sister brought Nangong Wan as well?

Sensing Ye Chen's curiosity, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch smiled lightly and explained in a gentle voice.

"After I received Linglong's message and left seclusion, there was still time before the secret realm ended, so I called this grand-disciple Wanwan over for some guidance… When Wanwan learned you might be in danger, she begged me to bring her along. I saw that she truly cared about you and could not bear to refuse…"

Hearing this, Ye Chen's eyes softened. On the one hand, he sighed that this Immortal Monarch of his was truly gentle. On the other hand, he also felt somewhat moved by Wanwan's concern for him.

Nangong Wan had also nearly triggered a critical hit this time, and her gratitude was not much inferior to his aunt's. Now, upon learning of the danger, she had still come without the slightest hesitation. It left Ye Chen's heart warm as well.

Regarding the current situation, Ye Chen was not particularly worried. He was confident he had a solution. Yet Nangong Wan's arrival gave Ye Chen an even better idea in his heart! Since they all refused to let him be among the Ten Outstanding and enter the Dao Academy, what if he gifted the ranking of the Ten Outstanding away? If he could gift it, what would the system feed back?

…

Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's arrival caused everyone to raise their brows. The He Clan Immortal Monarch sneered with disdain.

"Without the Western Empress, the Jade Pool Immortal Sect should have been destroyed long ago. Yue Yao, instead of guarding that remnant Immortal King soul and lingering on, you actually dare to show your face?

"If you fall outside, the Jade Pool Immortal Sect will be wiped out tomorrow. Under such circumstances you still have the leisure to care about others?"

The He Clan Immortal Monarch's voice was filled with threat. After all, the present Jade Pool Immortal Sect was far inferior to before. It possessed no Immortal King-level combat strength at all. Only when Jade Moon Immortal Monarch remained within the Jade Pool Immortal Sect could she barely contend against Immortal Kings. Outside, she was merely an ordinary Immortal Monarch.

Jade Moon Immortal Monarch heard the words, withdrew the hand that had been stroking Ye Chen's head, and spoke softly.

"After this seclusion, I can already carry Master's soul power with me… Fellow Daoist He will likely have no chance to keep me outside."

The moment Jade Moon Immortal Monarch spoke these words, the many powerhouses present were all startled. If Jade Moon Immortal Monarch had truly achieved this, did it not mean that when she walked outside, she also possessed Immortal King-level combat strength? This was absolutely astonishing news.

The He Clan Immortal Monarch narrowed his eyes upon hearing it, yet could not be bothered to waste more words. He looked at the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall.

"Fellow Daoist, please still abolish Ye Chen's ranking among the Ten Outstanding. He is unworthy of entering the Dao Academy…"

The others once again applied pressure on the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall.

Beside Ye Chen, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's expression remained firm as she smiled and spoke.

"Fellow Daoist, since Ye Chen earned the ranking to enter the Dao Academy through his own efforts, it naturally cannot be canceled at will.

"Otherwise, would this trial not become a joke, and the Heavenly Secrets Hall itself become a laughingstock?

"Moreover, our Jade Pool Immortal Sect will absolutely not sit idly by…"

After speaking, Yue Yao said nothing more. Both sides calmly watched the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall.

The hall master's mouth twitched. What sin had he committed to deserve this? It was too difficult. Truly too difficult!

He really wanted to invite the ancestor to resolve the current situation. Yet the ancestor was presently discussing the Dao with a group of Immortal Kings. Immortal Kings stood high above and saw through everything, but would not easily step in personally.

Since the ancestor had given no instructions, it meant he was to handle it himself. The problem was that he truly could not handle it. Ye Chen's combat strength was astonishing. If cultivated with full effort, he would certainly be no weaker than the top prodigies of the Other Domain.

Moreover, if they abandoned Ye Chen simply because of pressure, although the outside world would not say much, in reality, it would consume the public credibility of the Heavenly Secrets Hall.

Yet if they did not abandon him, it would be equivalent to the Immortal Realm splitting internally, which would be even more troublesome and would add far too many complications to the future cultivation of Dao Academy disciples.

…

Yet at this moment, after gently comforting Nangong Wan, Ye Chen cupped his hands toward the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall.

"Senior, since some in the Immortal Realm have only their small households in their hearts and lack greater righteousness, and in the face of such a rotten situation are unwilling to watch me shore up the collapsing edifice…While my heart is chilled, I also do not wish Senior to be placed in a difficult position because of this. I am willing to take a step back…"

Hearing this, everyone froze. Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's gentle gaze swept over, and she spoke softly.

"Junior Brother need not do this. With Senior Sister here, what is yours remains yours. No one can strip it away… Although my Jade Pool Immortal Sect has declined, it is not yet so weak that it cannot even protect its own things!"

In the distance, Xie Linyuan was also anxious. If Ye Chen did not enter the Dao Academy, he could not grow quickly. How would he then be worthy of the goddess?

Yan Ruyu and the others likewise frowned. Wang Xuanji stood far away in silence. She had also just requested that her father and the others help stand for Ye Chen. Yet her father and the others, wary of the He Clan and fearing the He Clan's resentment would affect the Other Domain's future attitude, had refused her.

This left Wang Xuanji somewhat guilty in her heart. Yet watching Ye Chen actively lower his head now, while she felt distressed for him, she also could not help shaking her head. If Ye Chen had listened to her earlier and not killed He Ziling and the others, how would the situation have reached this point?

One could only say Ye Chen had brought it upon himself. Still, she would not abandon Ye Chen. Her father and the others had already agreed that afterward they would find an opportunity to change Ye Chen's appearance and have him join the Wang Clan…

…

As for the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall, he was slightly stunned. Thinking Ye Chen intended to withdraw of his own accord, he sighed inwardly. Yet at this very moment, Ye Chen continued speaking.

"I wish to gift my ranking among the Ten Outstanding to another!"

Chapter 1255: Can It Really Be Gifted?

The moment Ye Chen's words fell, the entire scene fell silent… They had thought Ye Chen intended to abandon his ranking among the Ten Outstanding and give up the chance to enter the Dao Academy. They had never expected that Ye Chen actually wanted to gift it away?

This… this thing could be gifted? It was like placing first in a sect competition and, when the prizes were about to be awarded, telling the elders that you wished to gift this ranking to someone else. It was far too outrageous… Who could accept it?

Yet they also guessed Ye Chen's thinking. Ye Chen must have seen that he himself could no longer enter the Dao Academy and wished to minimize the losses as much as possible by letting someone close to him enter.

Thus, everyone uniformly turned their gazes toward the hall master. After all, only the hall master was qualified to speak on this matter.

Beneath the hall master's calm and unruffled expression was also a heart that was hard to maintain… Could this thing be gifted? Who said so? Why did he not know? After all, the Ten Outstanding concerned the candidates who would later step onto the Other Domain battlefield. Casually gifting them back and forth was simply child's play. Did Ye Chen take the Heavenly Secrets Hall, or even the entire Immortal Realm, for a makeshift troupe?

Yet upon second thought, the hall master felt this was precisely the optimal solution. Forcing Ye Chen to remain would only create early opposition with the various great forces headed by the He Clan.

Although the likes of the He Clan were not decent people and would certainly be the first to lead the way when the Other Domain arrived, the problem was that the Other Domain still had nearly a thousand years before arriving.

Starting a civil war early would only leave the Immortal Realm even more withered. Directly stripping Ye Chen of his ranking among the Ten Outstanding would make this selection appear far too much like a joke and the Heavenly Secrets Hall far too soft. The first place was being forced out. Under such circumstances, Ye Chen gifting the ranking away was instead a stroke of genius…

The Heavenly Secrets Hall would have a way to step down. The likes of the He Clan only wanted to cancel Ye Chen's ranking. And Ye Chen could also be considered to have received a bit of compensation. Most importantly, the Immortal King ancestor still had not issued any instructions up to now, which indicated that he did not oppose it.

At this thought, the hall master sighed and swept his gaze toward Ye Chen with some regret. The only one sacrificed in this matter was Ye Chen. The resources and powerhouses gathered by the Dao Academy, along with various top-tier secret realms, were truly terrifying. With the combat strength Ye Chen had displayed in the secret realm, receiving the support of the Dao Academy would inevitably allow him to advance by leaps and bounds next. There was hope that by the time of the prodigy arena, he would reach the peak of the Great Luo or even a higher realm… A pity that now Ye Chen had to give it up.

The hall master lightly raised a hand. Only after the entire great plaza quieted down did he speak in a clear voice.

"Since you voluntarily abandon the ranking, it may be gifted to another…Yet it must be a cultivator under three thousand years of age."

He did not particularly care about the cultivation of the person Ye Chen recommended. After all, the results of this trial were already of this quality. The only reliable one, Ye Chen, had been forced to abandon it. If they truly had to rely on these ten people to fight the Other Domain's prodigies, it would be better for the entire Immortal Realm cultivators to simply slit their own throats. Afterward, the Dao Academy would certainly expand enrollment and cultivate true geniuses to fight in the future. Therefore, it did not matter whom Ye Chen recommended.

The hall master's voice resounded in all directions. Everyone wore extremely outrageous expressions. Ye Chen's such an outrageous request, and the Heavenly Secrets Hall had actually agreed… That was a ranking among the Ten Outstanding! It was for the future great battle against the Other Domain's prodigies! This was far too makeshift.

The group of powerhouses headed by the He Clan, upon hearing this, no longer objected. They only needed Ye Chen to lose the ranking among the Ten Outstanding. Afterward, they could righteously strike him down!

Everyone looked at Ye Chen, curious about whom he would yield the ranking to. Some prodigies from great forces were already considering whether they could offer resources to buy this ranking. The Dao Academy gathered the essence of the entire Immortal Realm for cultivation and was an opportunity for any cultivator to rise to the heavens in a single step. They wanted to know who would be so fortunate.

Under the gaze of the multitude, Ye Chen shifted his eyes and looked toward Nangong Wan beside him.

"Wanwan, take this ranking as the gift I have prepared for you. Afterward, cultivate well in the Dao Academy. You possess the Great Yin Immortal Body and the Great Yin Sacred Root. What you lack is only time and resources. In the future, you will be no weaker than anyone…"

Ye Chen spoke softly, gazing into Nangong Wan's eyes with a gentle smile. Nangong Wan's eyes widened abruptly. Her small mouth opened as she prepared to speak.

The countless onlookers present also directed different gazes at Nangong Wan. News of Ye Chen's past had already spread.

Everyone knew that Nangong Wan was the first female disciple Ye Chen had favored after entering the Jade Pool Immortal Sect. The female disciple had even had a fiancé whom Ye Chen had personally struck dead. Ye Chen doted on her especially. Yet no one had expected the doting could reach this degree.

On the other side, Yan Ruyu, who had remained standing by Ye Chen's side the entire time and had not taken a single step back even under endless pressure, glanced at Nangong Wan a few times upon hearing the words. Yet her gaze was calm and carried no malice. It was just like how he had competed for a ranking on her behalf. As long as Chen'er was happy.

Wang Xuanji's face was especially dark as she clenched her fists. Ye Chen truly left his favor everywhere. He was even willing to gift the ranking to such a waste who was only at the peak of the Profound Immortal realm and not even a Golden Immortal. Yet toward herself he was so cold. In what way was she inferior to them?

Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's gaze carried some emotion and guilt. After leaving seclusion, she had heard of Ye Chen's spirit of dedication within the Jade Pool Immortal Sect. She had originally thought it was somewhat exaggerated. She had never expected that Ye Chen loved the Jade Pool Immortal Sect far more than she had imagined. Ye Chen had truly given far too much for the sect.

In contrast, she, as his senior sister, had completely failed to protect him. First, she had allowed Long Wu to snatch Ye Chen's child. Now she had forced Ye Chen to yield the ranking. She, as a senior sister, was truly useless!

As for Nangong Wan, she had originally intended to speak. Yet Ye Chen gently stroked her head and then transmitted his voice.

"There is no need to refuse. After all, I can no longer keep it… Moreover, a gift from an elder must not be declined.

"Wanwan, you need only remember those Immortal Monarchs who targeted your Fourth Ancestor and me. Keep them in your heart and cultivate well…

"These people are all our enemies. In the future, when you and I achieve the Immortal Monarch realm, we will take revenge one by one and send them on their way!"

Hearing this, Nangong Wan pressed her lips tightly together. Accepting the ranking under such circumstances left her with a feeling that she was snatching something from Ye Chen. Yet she also knew she must accept it. Complex emotions caused mist to rise in her beautiful eyes as she nodded with extreme seriousness.

"Fourth Ancestor, I will not forget…I will never forget!"

Ye Chen smiled upon hearing this. Of course, he did not need Nangong Wan to help him take revenge. Even less did he need to wait until the Immortal Monarch realm. He was merely applying a bit of pressure so that she would cultivate diligently. Otherwise, if her cultivation lagged too far behind his own, it would become difficult even to give gifts.

Ye Chen raised his hand and directly sent a batch of treasures exploded by the system into the depths of Nangong Wan's body. Then he looked toward the hall master.

"Senior, I wish to gift the ranking among the Ten Outstanding to Nangong Wan!"

The hall master glanced at Nangong Wan. Her cultivation was too low, yet it no longer mattered. He nodded calmly.

"Approved! Nangong Wan may thereafter enter the Dao Academy…"

It was considered officially acknowledged. Thus, in the next moment, a system prompt sounded within Ye Chen's mind…

Chapter 1256: War God Academy!

The instant the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall agreed, a system prompt sounded within Ye Chen's mind.

"Congratulations to the host on a successful gift…"

"Gift given: Dao Academy admission ranking!"

"Two hundred thousand times feedback in progress…"

"Detected that the gift presented by the host is of extreme importance to the recipient…"

"Triggered maximum critical hit feedback…"

"Triggered heart-strike feedback…"

"Triggered Dao companion bonus, double feedback…"

"Feedback: Nine Heavens and Ten Earths War God Academy Core Ranking Token!"

"Feedback: Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Moon Arrival Immortal Sect Personal Disciple Token!"

"Feedback: Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Desolate Secret Realm Core Control Token"

Looking at the names of the feedback rewards, Ye Chen felt somewhat stunned. Bro, I cannot go to the Dao Academy so you are really sending me to the Other Domain? Is this not a bit too outrageous? Moreover, with a two-hundred-thousand-times multiplier under various bonuses, it only fed back three tokens? Does this not make the Dao Academy ranking seem far too worthless?

Ye Chen, feeling rather hard-pressed, continued reading downward.

"Nine Heavens and Ten Earths War God Academy Core Ranking Token: The War God Academy is the foremost core academy within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, formed by the full investment of all major forces…"

"It was founded during the conquest of the first world by the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, established for the dual purposes of inheritance between the two realms and the fusion of resources…"

"Thereafter, the inheritances, secret realms, and special treasures of all fused worlds, as well as those of shattered worlds, were all poured into the War God Academy."

"These factors made the War God Academy an unprecedented behemoth within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. Cultivators within it obtain resources and inheritances beyond imagination, and the numerous secret realms and blessed lands from various worlds are countless…"

"All major forces of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths send their top-tier prodigies into the War God Academy for growth…"

"Becoming a core member of the War God Academy elevates numerous authorities to the highest level. One may choose an Immortal King as one's master. If recognized by the other party, one becomes a personal disciple and may enjoy the full resource cultivation of the War God Academy…"

"…"

Ye Chen recalled that he seemed to have heard an introduction to the War God Academy from members of the He Clan. He had originally thought it was merely an ordinary force of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. Only now, looking at the system's introduction, did he understand what a colossal entity it truly was.

Ye Chen felt it more closely resembled a joint university, or roughly a military academy of the Other Domain. It absorbed the inheritances, resources, secret realms, and blessed lands of countless worlds. Its scale was truly unimaginable. Compared to it, the Dao Academy pieced together from the meager resources of the various houses of the Immortal Realm was indeed not inferior by just a star or two. In foundation, resources, depth, teaching staff, and the like, it could be said to crush the other in every aspect.

Yet amid his astonishment, Ye Chen could not help frowning. He had only been in the Immortal Realm for a few days. And already he was to go study in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths? Ye Chen was somewhat unwilling to change worlds so quickly!

Thus, Ye Chen decided not to think about it further and looked toward the second feedback item.

"Moon Arrival Holy Land Personal Disciple Token: In the past, a wisp of the true spirit of the fallen Western Empress was entrusted to a divine object that was taken away by the Other Domain. Thereafter, she achieved the Dao in an alternative manner, attained the Immortal King realm, passed through several great tribulations, and founded the Moon Arrival Holy Land…"

"Holding this token allows one to become a personal disciple of the Moon Arrival Holy Land!"

Looking at the introduction, Ye Chen's eyes grew even wider. His master, the Western Empress, had revived in the Other Domain? Was this true or false? No wonder she could not be revived on this side. She was still alive over there. How could she be revived here?

Amid his shock, Ye Chen felt considerable emotion. A top-tier existence like the Western Empress could achieve the Immortal King realm in the Other Domain even with just a wisp of true spirit.

Truly terrifying.

Yet going to the Other Domain, would that not mean he would have a true thigh to cling to? It seemed far more satisfying than relying on an imprint for protection in the cultivation world. Still, would Master already have defected and regarded him as a person of the Other Domain? It should not be that serious!

…

After marveling for a long while, Ye Chen looked toward the third feedback item.

"Desolate Secret Realm Core Array Control Token: Within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, there exists a secret realm known as the Desolate Secret Realm. This token can control the core array within the secret realm…"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow…

It was abrupt and incomplete. He had no idea what it was talking about. Yet a full Dao Academy ranking, after so many times of amplification, had only fed back these three treasures. One could imagine that these tokens were absolutely extraordinary.

Next, the prodigies of the Immortal Realm should all head to the Dao Academy to cultivate. Since he himself could not enter, going to the Other Domain did not seem entirely out of the question. After all, given the scale and strength of the Other Domain, the number of female prodigies within it was probably beyond imagination.

The War God Academy, as a gathering place for prodigies, might well allow him to encounter female cultivators with multipliers even higher than Wang Xuanji's. There was also the thigh of the Western Empress, who had recovered her Immortal King position, available to cling to. No matter how one looked at it, going to the Other Domain seemed more reliable than remaining…

Moreover, he possessed the Jianmu and could return at any time. The prodigies of the Immortal Realm had been nearly wiped out by him. How was he supposed to raise fiancée candidates? In contrast, the Other Domain had countless prodigies. Using the power of the Other Domain to win the smiles of fiancée candidates seemed rather fine…

At this thought Ye Chen revealed a trace of expectation.

…

Ye Chen's countless thoughts occurred in only an instant. Nangong Wan, after the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall beckoned and after receiving the agreement of Huo Linglong and Jade Moon Immortal Monarch, reluctantly flew behind the hall master, her eyes red as she looked at Ye Chen.

At this moment, Ye Chen's ranking among the Ten Outstanding was formally canceled. The onlookers all wore complex expressions.

Some regretted, some felt headaches, and many even resented Ye Chen. After all, Ye Chen had truly nearly slaughtered all the top prodigies under three thousand years of age in the Immortal Realm.

Even if Ye Chen withdrew from the Dao Academy, it could not make up for the fact that He Ziling and the others had fallen. The Immortal Realm had originally already been inferior to the Other Domain. Now the gap would inevitably grow even larger.

In the future, the three-thousand-year-old prodigies of the Other Domain would each be incomparably powerful. Who in the Immortal Realm would be able to stop them? At that time the seal of the Emperor Pass would inevitably break open ahead of schedule. The Immortal Realm would face a catastrophic disaster.

At this thought, many people resented Ye Chen even more, believing he had truly delayed the entire future of the Immortal Realm.

Heavenly Emperor's successor, if you are so capable, why not go slaughter the Other Domain's prodigies empty as well? Only bullying those within your own nest, what kind of prodigy is that?

…

The group of Immortal Monarchs headed by the He Clan, seeing that Ye Chen's ranking among the Ten Outstanding had now been gifted away, no longer held the slightest reservation. The He Clan Immortal Monarch sneered coldly. With a flick of his finger, a divine form of an Azure Sky White Crane condensed from the firmament, blotting out the sky as it spread its wings to cover the heavens. Its massive claws reached downward and seized toward Ye Chen with a thunderous force.

"Ye Chen, you Heavenly Emperor remnant, for the sake of your own selfish desires, you have slaughtered countless prodigies and disregarded the future of the Immortal Realm. Your crimes are monstrous. Let me capture you and see whether you are truly a spy sent by the Other Domain!"

The moment the Immortal Monarch struck, a terrifying aura suppressed the entire plaza. Everyone trembled. The Immortal Monarchs of forces such as the Gongsun Clan, the Demon Domain, and the Myriad Laws Immortal Sect also revealed cold smiles. Ye Chen of course had to die!

With such talent, if Ye Chen were allowed to grow, he would inevitably become a major future threat. Moreover, the fact that Ye Chen could casually exchange so many heart-stirring resources from within the secret realm was sufficient proof that the legendary Heavenly Emperor's treasury was on Ye Chen's person.

The Heavenly Emperor's treasury was said to be rich enough to move any Immortal King force. Within it were countless secret treasures of both realms. Whoever could kill Ye Chen first would naturally obtain everything. Therefore, several of them struck extremely quickly. They intended to kill Ye Chen first and then seize the Heavenly Emperor's treasury!

Chapter 1257: Immortal King!

All at once, a full six Immortal Monarchs struck. Endless laws manifested and vanished, immortal qi boiled like ocean waves, and the power of suppression reached the extreme. Everyone present changed color and retreated one after another.

Wang Xuanji frowned and looked toward her father and the others. Yet the Nine Dragons of the Wang Clan all shook their heads. For the sake of a single Ye Chen, it was not worth turning hostile against the He Clan and other forces.

Xie Linyuan was full of concern. Yet neither the Immortal Monarchs of the Supreme Hall nor those of the Heaven Immortal Sect had any intention of intervening. Since Ye Chen had abandoned the ranking for the Dao Academy, he would no longer be able to step onto the arena in the future to contend against the Other Domain. Under such circumstances, there was already no necessity to protect him.

As for Yan Ruyu beside Ye Chen, she immediately transmitted her voice to the Buddhist Immortal Monarch. Yet the Buddhist Immortal Monarch only shook his head lightly. This left Yan Ruyu's face pale. She gritted her silver teeth and refused to retreat a single step, prepared to die together. Yet in the next moment, she was enveloped by a force and involuntarily flew toward the Buddhist Immortal Monarch.

"I will not leave…"

Anger filled Yan Ruyu's eyes, no longer the usual calm. Yet the Buddhist Immortal Monarch remained silent.

Ye Chen, however, turned his head with a smile.

"Go. There is no need to worry. I will not die…"

Yan Ruyu froze slightly. Then she saw Jade Moon Immortal Monarch standing before Ye Chen.

"Correct. Junior Brother will not die!"

Those slender, perfect, flawless hands rose lightly. A shocking power erupted in an instant. Those large hands stirred the firmament, and all laws were shattered in a flash. The divine abilities and immortal arts of the six Immortal Monarchs headed by the He Clan exploded with a thunderous roar.

Sensing the aura Jade Moon Immortal Monarch currently radiated, everyone's gaze fell upon her, shock appearing in their eyes. Jade Moon Immortal Monarch had actually nearly mastered a Great Dao and was infinitely close to the Immortal King realm.

No one had expected that Jade Moon Immortal Monarch, who had always kept a low profile and merely managed to keep the Jade Pool Immortal Sect lingering on, had quietly reached such a level.

Under the multitude of gazes, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch spoke calmly.

"Today, no one can kill my junior brother!"

As the words fell, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch ignored the six Immortal Monarchs and extended a flawless jade hand toward Ye Chen, grasping his hand.

"Junior Brother, I will take you away…"

Huo Linglong, upon hearing these words, moved closer at once, afraid her master would forget this disciple of hers. Ye Chen, held by his senior sister's cool and incomparably delicate small hand, felt a slight sense of security. Yet it was not much.

The six Immortal Monarchs headed by the He Clan did not strike again. Even among Immortal Monarchs, there were differences. Yue Yao's earlier strike had already displayed the standard of a peak Immortal Monarch. Most important of all, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch still possessed the remnant soul of the Western Empress. If they struck again, it would only be seeking humiliation for themselves…

Yet the He Clan Immortal Monarch revealed a cold smile.

"Jade Moon, even if you have truly hidden quite a bit, today this Heavenly Emperor remnant will die without doubt…No one can protect him. I said so!"

In the next instant, an unprecedented aura rose from behind the Heavenly Secrets Hall. A calm yet vast voice appeared soundlessly in everyone's hearts.

"He Ziling was the descendant I liked most… Since you killed him, then go keep him company!"

Accompanying this voice, the sky above the entire Heavenly Secrets Hall suddenly darkened. Endless black water swept forth like an inverted sea. That high-level aura that had already transcended the immortal realm pressed upon everyone present until their hearts trembled with fear. Even the Immortal Monarchs felt their divine souls shake at this moment. Such an aura could only be released by an Immortal King.

An Immortal King had struck…

Within the inverted black water, a gigantic finger, resembling a heavenly pillar, crashed downward. Beneath that heavenly pillar, everything was locked. Even the vast majority of Immortal Monarchs felt all of their movements sealed, unable to shift even a fraction.

This left everyone even more terrified. An Immortal King was truly no longer the same species as an immortal. Too terrifying, too invincible. Even Ye Chen, under this pressure, felt the great terror of life and death. The Primordial Chaos Supreme Body circulated madly, his bloodline boiling as he barely resisted the pressure.

Ye Chen no longer hesitated and immediately prepared to summon both the Western Empress imprint and the Heavenly Emperor imprint. Although the Heavenly Emperor imprint was only at the early Immortal Monarch stage, it was still the Heavenly Emperor and would certainly prove useful.

Ye Chen hated this feeling of being suppressed like an ant. Ever since he walked out of the marketplace years ago, he had rarely experienced it again. Now that he felt it once more, only anger filled his heart, along with resolve. He Ziling could kill him, yet he was not allowed to kill them, was that it?

Ye Chen could not endure this grievance. Afterward, he would go to the Other Domain, to the War God Academy. When he returned, the He Clan, the Gongsun Clan, the Myriad Laws Immortal Sect—he would slaughter them all…

Ye Chen's face carried a cold smile, killing intent surging. Yet at the very instant Ye Chen was about to summon the imprints, a power far higher than what an Immortal Monarch could possess, nearly approaching the Dao itself, erupted from Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's body.

In this moment, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch became completely different. A faint illusory figure of a woman wearing a phoenix crown appeared upon her body. Jade Moon Immortal Monarch merely raised a hand. Whether the inverted black sea or the finger that resembled a sky-supporting divine pillar, both vanished with a thunderous force, as though directly erased.

The entire Immortal Realm seemed to fall silent at this moment. Every gaze was fixed upon Jade Moon Immortal Monarch. An Immortal Monarch blocking an Immortal King was truly inconceivable. This must be the might of the Western Empress's remnant soul. High in the firmament, a figure with white hair and beard calmly stepped out of the void. Turbid eyes looked at Jade Moon Immortal Monarch.

"Truly worthy of the Western Empress…"

"Merely a remnant soul can block an Immortal King like myself."

"A pity she is dead after all."

"At most, you can receive half an hour of empowerment. What can that change? Better to preserve this remnant soul power for the future confrontation against the Other Domain!"

This person was the Immortal King of the He Clan. The moment his words fell, everyone was shocked. They all knew that the Western Empress of those years had stood high above, formidable to a terrifying degree, ranking among the foremost figures of the Immortal Realm.

Yet no one had expected the Western Empress to be terrifying to this extent. The empowerment of a single remnant soul could allow an Immortal Monarch to block an Immortal King for half an hour. It was simply terrifying beyond measure. Truly worthy of an existence who had once fought side by side with the Heavenly Emperor.

On Ye Chen's side, he raised an eyebrow and suddenly felt that the Western Empress Immortal King imprint in his mind had become reliable. This master of his, whom he had never met, seemed truly quite fierce. If she were still alive, slaughtering fishy, rotten Immortal Kings like those of the He Clan in the Immortal Realm should be as easy as she pleased. This left Ye Chen especially looking forward to the future meeting with Master Western Empress.

…

On Yue Yao's side, her expression remained calm. She had always hoped to use the remnant soul to revive her master. Consuming it so heavily at this moment naturally pained her heart. Yet Yue Yao still did not retreat a single step.

"Since I said I would protect Junior Brother, then of course I will protect him. Before I die, no one can touch Junior Brother…"

Yue Yao's voice remained as gentle as always. Yet anyone could hear the resolve within Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's words…

Ye Chen, whose hand was held by Yue Yao, also felt warmth rise in his heart. Although this senior sister usually did not manage affairs, at the critical moment, she truly gave one a great sense of security…

Chapter 1258: So It Was You Who Went Around Telling Everyone I Was Dead?

High in the firmament, the Immortal King of the He Clan showed no anger, merely looking calmly at Jade Moon Immortal Monarch.

Deep within the Heavenly Secrets Hall, several figures, some real and some illusory, sat cross-legged.

The Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan was about to rise when the only Immortal Monarch present, the Other Shore Immortal Monarch, also opened his eyes. He calmly looked at the Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan.

"Senior, why not continue discussing the Dao with me?"

The Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan immediately narrowed his eyes, fury surging within them.

"This youth killed a prodigy of my clan, not to mention he possesses an immortal spiritual root and grows at an astonishing speed…I do not wish to see the next Heavenly Emperor rise. You intend to stop me?"

Other Shore Immortal Monarch calmly shook his head.

"A senior of mine has some old ties with that boy. I need not exhaust everything for him, yet I still must do something. Otherwise, it will be difficult to explain when I later meet old acquaintances!"

The Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan's face grew increasingly dark.

"So you choose to stop me?"

Other Shore Immortal Monarch nodded.

"Senior is indeed the weakest among those present."

At this moment, the Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan's face turned livid, endless divine fire boiling from the depths of his eyes. Even though Other Shore Immortal Monarch was extraordinary, as an Immortal King, being treated as a soft persimmon by a mere Immortal Monarch was absolutely the greatest humiliation.

Yet the anger lasted only an instant. The Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan sat back down and coldly stared at the Other Shore Immortal Monarch.

"Even if I do not strike, others will. Can you stop them?"

Other Shore Immortal Monarch shook his head.

"I will only stop Senior alone!"

The Gongsun Immortal King's expression grew even more ashen. Yet he spoke no more. Other Shore Immortal Monarch calmly looked into the distance, his gaze piercing countless immortal halls and arrays as he watched Ye Chen, his expression serene.

Ye Chen's talent and combat strength exceeded his imagination every single time. Although Ye Chen had used vast resources to disrupt this trial, the premise of everything was still strength. Without strength, one would only be plundered.

Ye Chen was merely a Golden Immortal, yet with the qualifications of a Golden Immortal, he had suppressed every cultivator in the entire secret realm. His talent had already been fully displayed without doubt, far surpassing Xie Linyuan by countless times, and far surpassing himself as well.

Yet Other Shore Immortal Monarch still did not regret it. After all, time was truly too short… There was no time left for Ye Chen to become the next Heavenly Emperor. And if he could not become invincible like the Heavenly Emperor of those years, then Ye Chen and Xie Linyuan would not differ greatly. For the sake of Senior Brother, he had already done everything he ought to do. Thus, he turned back and closed his eyes once more.

In the next moment, a figure resembling a wolf god slowly stood. Savage and brutal eyes looked toward the Other Shore Immortal Monarch.

"You wish to stop me?"

Other Shore Immortal Monarch lifted his eyelids, showing no fear.

"I will not stop you. Senior Yazi, do as you please…"

The mountain-like Yazi curved his lips. In the next instant, he vanished from the spot…

…

A gigantic claw that was both dragon-like and wolf-like easily tore through everything and appeared with a thunderous force before Jade Moon Immortal Monarch.

Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's face changed as both hands raised a green curtain of life that flickered with verdant light, intending to block this strike. Yet in only an instant, the green curtain was torn apart.

Jade Moon Immortal Monarch was smashed downward with a thunderous force and blasted backward. Even while flying back, however, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch still held Ye Chen and protected Huo Linglong and the others.

A moment later, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch steadied herself and looked toward the firmament with an unsightly expression. A gigantic wolf-like creature the size of a divine mountain lowered its head and stared at her with eyes full of coldness and killing intent.

The moment this existence appeared, the entire Heavenly Secrets Hall seemed to transform into a domain of slaughter. Killing intent rose in everyone's hearts. Had it not been for protective power surging within the Heavenly Secrets Hall to shield the onlookers, the vast majority would likely have instantly lost their minds and transformed into beasts intent solely on killing. This left everyone terrified to the extreme. This was Yazi, one of the nine sons of the Ancestral Dragon.

"Since you insist on protecting this boy, then you can all die together! Later, I will personally make a trip to the Jade Pool Immortal Sect. The entire Jade Pool can accompany my son in death…"

Yazi's massive maw opened slightly as he spoke with a cold smile, sending a chill through everyone's hearts.

Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's face also turned pale. Between Immortal Kings, the gaps were likewise enormous. And Yazi was absolutely a veteran Immortal King. If Master Western Empress were alive, she would of course have nothing to fear. Yet relying solely on a remnant soul, at this moment, she absolutely could not block even for a moment. At this thought, regret rose in Yue Yao's heart. She looked at Ye Chen with apology and guilt.

"I am sorry. Senior Sister is useless… With your talent, you should have had boundless prospects. If an Immortal King protected you, you would certainly have been able to grow. You have given tremendously to the sect. Yet Senior Sister cannot protect you. It is Senior Sister who is useless!"

Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's beautiful hands clenched tightly, her eyes full of regret, guilt, and humiliation…

Meanwhile Ye Chen: …

Why did he inexplicably sense a useless-husband aura from Senior Sister? What was going on? Still, Ye Chen said nothing more. He simply activated the imprint that had long been placed between his brows!

High in the firmament, the moment Yazi spoke, boundless killing intent descended. Seeing that Jade Moon Immortal Monarch recognized the disparity and understood that a mere remnant soul could not block him, he revealed a cruel smile.

"Recognizing the gap now is already too late. Everyone related to Ye Chen must die and accompany my son in death…

"Over these years, I have never forgotten that battle with the Heavenly Emperor. Day and night, I wished to take revenge.

"A pity the Heavenly Emperor died and denied me the chance!

"Yet now the opportunity has come to wipe out his most outstanding successor, or even descendant. That is not bad either. It can give me a slight measure of satisfaction…"

In the next instant, Yazi's massive maw opened. A blood-red torrent of a mouth yawned wide, as though connecting to a black hole. All the light of the Heavenly Secrets Hall was swallowed, plunging everything into darkness, leaving only coldness, as if everyone had been cast into a frigid sea of black. The next moment, the gigantic maw crashed down toward Yue Yao and the others, as though intending to devour everything.

At this moment, everyone knew that all resistance had ended. Regret filled Wang Xuanji's gaze. Xie Linyuan felt extreme heartache. If Ye Chen died like this, what would become of the goddess and the child? His own talent lagged so far behind Ye Chen's. Could he truly take good care of them in Ye Chen's place?

Beside the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall, Nangong Wan's entire body turned ice-cold. Her fists clenched until blood flowed. She silently memorized every person who had struck today.

Even Yue Yao herself felt a measure of despair. Facing an Immortal King like Yazi, the gap was far too vast. It was no longer something that the empowerment of a remnant soul could bridge.

This only deepened her guilt toward Ye Chen. Ye Chen had originally possessed a bright future. Back then, she had recognized his extraordinary talent and, together with Master's token, chosen to accept him in the hope of revitalizing the Jade Pool Immortal Sect.

Yet she lacked the strength to protect his path and had instead delayed him. The more she thought, the thicker the guilt grew. She gently held Ye Chen in her arms.

"Junior Brother, it is Senior Sister who is useless…"

Huo Linglong's heart was complicated and, at this moment, also filled with despair. She hurriedly squeezed her way in as well.

Ye Chen felt the crowding yet did not resist, silently enduring it.

Yet in the very next instant, a ray of light lit up within the darkness, as though tearing open heaven and earth!

Accompanying it was a voice of unimaginable dominance.

"I merely stepped out for a while, and you, this wolf cub, went around telling everyone I was dead, is that it?"

Chapter 1259: Heavenly Emperor!

The moment Yazi opened his mouth, the sky darkened, and the world seemed to enter silence. Yet the instant that figure appeared, the sky brightened once more…

When everyone recovered their sight, they saw a figure calmly standing before Yazi.

Yazi's true body was enormous beyond measure. His head alone resembled a divine mountain. Compared to him, that figure was so tiny it was no longer than Yazi's eyelashes. Not to mention the auras of the two.

The gap was far too vast. Yazi radiated the majestic might of an Immortal King, while that figure was merely an Immortal Monarch. Yet under everyone's gaze, the figure directly raised a hand and delivered a slap.

"So it was you who went around telling everyone I was dead?"

The crisp sound of the slap and the distance Yazi staggered back were clearly reflected in everyone's eyes. The figure refused to relent and raised his palm again…

"Pa…"

"Wolf cub, tell me who died?"

"Pa…"

"I did not finish you off back then, is that it?"

"Pa…"

"Say it again to my face?"

"Pa…"

"You… Pa…"

"Pa…"

Midway through his words, the figure had nothing more to say. He therefore stopped speaking and simply slapped away, one after another. The power was not great, yet the humiliation was extreme.

The problem was that Immortal King Yazi, who moments earlier had been swallowing the heavens and earth while looking down upon all, now restrained his aura completely. His eyes were full of terror and uncertain shock. After being humiliated like this for so long, he did not dare the slightest resistance. He only continuously retreated, as though in fear and panic, his body even trembling.

This scene left everyone utterly horrified. Who was this person who could make an Immortal King, and a top-tier Immortal King at that, so terrified? Deep within the Heavenly Secrets Hall, the various Immortal Kings who had still been restless moments earlier all instantly quieted down upon seeing that figure. Some even revealed looks of excitement in their eyes.

"The Heavenly Emperor… the Heavenly Emperor has not died?"

"If the Heavenly Emperor has not died, then the outcome of the future prodigy arena no longer matters. With the Heavenly Emperor present, the Immortal Realm will certainly remain safe and sound!"

"This youth is truly extraordinary. When danger arrived, the Heavenly Emperor himself came to protect him!"

"Lord Heavenly Emperor has returned. The Immortal Realm is saved!"

Some Immortal Kings who were unwilling to surrender directly rose in agitation. The Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan, who had previously been treated as a soft persimmon by the Other Shore Immortal Monarch, shrank his neck…

Other Shore Immortal Monarch himself gazed deeply.

On the battlefield outside, the He Clan Immortal Monarch, who had been smiling coldly earlier, had already retreated in uncertain shock. These Immortal Kings had all witnessed the Heavenly Emperor's appearance during the great wars of those years. Some had even been beaten by him. They knew well the terror of the Heavenly Emperor.

Therefore, even though what they saw was merely an incarnation of the Heavenly Emperor possessing only the aura of an Immortal Monarch, they still felt their hearts tremble with fear as memories of the past returned.

After slapping for a long while, the Heavenly Emperor stopped and spared Immortal King Yazi. His gaze swept toward the Immortal King of the He Clan. He raised an eyebrow and then looked around, revealing a trace of surprise.

"Back then, I did not have the leisure to slap you to death, yet I also did not allow you to return… You actually managed to survive in the Immortal Realm until now? Have all the Immortal Kings of the Immortal Realm died? Or is it that they all wished to…"

The Heavenly Emperor was truly surprised and looked in the direction of the Heavenly Secrets Immortal King and the others. Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Secrets Immortal King and the rest all lowered their heads.

Back then, there had actually been people who wished to kill the Immortal King of the He Clan who had remained in this world. Yet there had also been Immortal Kings who deliberately befriended him and, at critical moments, descended with their true bodies to support him.

In the end, the matter was left unresolved, allowing the Immortal King of the He Clan to take root and found the He Clan of the Immortal Realm.

"The Immortal Realm… is truly beyond saving. So many years and not the slightest progress…"

The Heavenly Emperor shook his head. Although he was merely an imprint, it was as though he were reprimanding a group of juniors. Only then did the Heavenly Emperor turn his gaze toward Ye Chen, who had summoned him.

"A group of Immortal Kings, and you thought to summon this mere Immortal Monarch imprint of mine? With so many Immortal Kings, what am I supposed to fight them with using a mere imprint?"

The Heavenly Emperor's gaze fell on Ye Chen with extreme puzzlement.

Ye Chen immediately cupped his hands and spoke with admiration.

"Would that not make Senior appear even more formidable?"

The Heavenly Emperor's mouth twitched slightly… So this kid knows how to be polite now? When you saw me on the Imprint Battlefield, why were you not this obedient? Instead, you were full of aggressive momentum, looking as though you intended to cut this imprint of mine down from horseback.

"Your ability to stir up trouble is even greater than mine. A mere Golden Immortal, yet you managed to provoke Immortal Kings into moving against you…"

The Heavenly Emperor shook his head with a sigh. The entire scene remained extremely silent at this moment. No one had expected that today the Heavenly Emperor would make a return appearance. The various Immortal Kings had all already flown out. Some Immortal Kings' eyes were red, even agitated to the point of tears.

"Lord Heavenly Emperor, you truly have not died?"

Hearing this, a trace of melancholy appeared in the Heavenly Emperor's gaze.

"I certainly have not died, yet I have been trapped there for several hundred thousand years, unable to move even a fraction. It is no different from being dead…"

Everyone raised their brows upon hearing this. Some were curious, some astonished, some suspicious… Demon King Yazi, who had been slapped dozens of times, narrowed those eyes as he looked at the Heavenly Emperor.

Uncertainty and shock filled the Immortal King of the He Clan's eyes. The Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan, after a brief moment of terror, also slowly rose. As for the Nine Dragons of the Wang Clan and the others, they had already secretly fled with Wang Xuanji.

Ordinarily, the Nine Dragons of the Wang Clan shouted the loudest. Yet when the Heavenly Emperor truly appeared, even if only as an imprint, it left the nine of them terrified to the extreme. Wang Xuanji was somewhat unwilling to leave. After all, Ye Chen was still in trouble. Moreover, had the Heavenly Emperor truly not died? She felt a bit of doubt.

"Father, I feel there is no need to fear too much. After all, it is merely an imprint… Under the same realm, I may not even be weaker than him. Why must Father and the others fear a mere imprint?"

Wang Xuanji spoke, hoping to remain. Yet the Nine Dragons of the Wang Clan had no intention of answering whatsoever. Ordinarily, saying things like comparable to the Heavenly Emperor or surpassing the Heavenly Emperor did not matter. But taking it seriously was pointless. Even someone as arrogant as Immortal King Yazi, the moment he saw the Heavenly Emperor, had been slapped and did not even dare strike back.

From this alone, one could see the terror of the Heavenly Emperor. And the Nine Dragons of the Wang Clan had truly seen the Heavenly Emperor and even been beaten by him. Only those who had personally experienced it could understand just how terrifying the Heavenly Emperor was. Not to mention a mere imprint.

Even if a mortal-level Heavenly Emperor emerged, they would still tremble with fear. After all, what was there that the Heavenly Emperor could not do? Under such circumstances, with the Wang Clan having killed so many of the Heavenly Emperor's successors over these many years, if they did not flee, were they simply waiting for death?

…

"Lord Heavenly Emperor, if you truly have not died, why do you not return? The Other Domain is almost here! When will Lord Heavenly Emperor return?"

Yazi lowered his head, concealing his eyes as he spoke.

The Heavenly Emperor's lips curved in a smile.

"Is that so? Then, when the time comes, I will request leave and return for a visit…"

Yazi did not speak further.

The Immortal King of the Yao Clan, the Immortal King of the Gongsun Clan, and the others also recovered from the terror of the Heavenly Emperor's return. If the Heavenly Emperor himself could truly return, given his temperament, he would long since have begun slaughtering in all directions, one punch per person.

The Heavenly Emperor only played schemes against those stronger than himself. Against the weak, he had always preferred heavy fists without nonsense. Therefore, even if the Heavenly Emperor had truly not died, they suspected whether the Heavenly Emperor could actually still return…

Chapter 1260: Guarding Alone for Seven Hundred Thousand Years!

Yazi and the others did not speak, merely remaining silent.

The Heavenly Emperor smiled and no longer paid them any attention. Instead, he looked toward Ye Chen.

"You summoned this imprint of mine. What do you hope I will do?"

Ye Chen immediately spoke upon hearing this.

"The Immortal Realm's talents are now withering, and crises rise on all sides. I wish to be like Senior, supporting the great beam with my own strength and prolonging the life of the Immortal Realm…

"A pity that doing practical work is far too difficult. I only hope Senior can advise them not to disturb the Jade Pool Immortal Sect and me any further!"

Hearing this, everyone's mouths twitched hard. Originally, the Immortal Realm might only have declined gradually on the future arena. Yet once you joined, it became completely impossible to fight.

Was this prolonging the Immortal Realm's life? Sending it to its death was more accurate. Yet with the Heavenly Emperor present at this moment, no one dared open their mouth.

The Heavenly Emperor also seemed to sense something and looked at Ye Chen with a complex expression, nostalgia in his eyes, as though seeing his own shadow. Only after a long while did the Heavenly Emperor sigh.

"A mere Immortal Monarch-level imprint, and you want me to do work that only an Immortal King can handle… If I borrow even a trace of power on this side, over there I will have to endure at least half a year of beatings…"

"…"

While sighing and speaking of difficult-to-understand matters such as taking beatings, the Heavenly Emperor calmly raised a hand and punched out. The golden fist flashed, not particularly brilliant. Yet that indescribable power of reincarnation left Ye Chen's entire being shaken.

This was absolutely the true Great Dao of Reincarnation.

In the distance, Other Shore Immortal Monarch narrowed his eyes and watched with a cold, hard expression. As for Yazi and the others, they faced a great enemy, their bloodlines boiling to the extreme as they successively summoned the three-thousand Great Dao arts they had comprehended.

Yet the moment the Heavenly Emperor's punch landed, six worlds that seemed truly real instantly descended and fused into one in a flash. The Heavenly Emperor's methods were too unpredictable.

In the next moment, every Immortal King present was enveloped. In an instant, all auras vanished, as though the Heavenly Emperor had sent them into another dimension.

The Heavenly Emperor turned his head to look at Ye Chen and shook his head.

"Ye Chen, you are very different…I hope that in the future, you will truly have the qualifications to stand by my side and fight the enemy together with me! Guarding alone for nearly seven hundred thousand years, I am truly somewhat tired…"

As the words fell, the Heavenly Emperor waved a large hand and completely vanished.

At this moment, the scene fell completely silent… Everyone gazed at the calm firmament, their eyes full of shock and bewilderment. The events of this day had been far too astonishing.

The Heavenly Emperor whom everyone had believed dead had actually appeared. And he seemed still to be alive. As for the group of Immortal Kings from moments earlier, they had disappeared without a trace, as though they had never appeared.

The gazes everyone directed at Ye Chen were all different now. If previously Ye Chen, as the Heavenly Emperor's successor, had possessed only an empty title and talent without a background that inspired dread, it was different now.

If the Heavenly Emperor was truly alive, then Ye Chen was the existence with the most terrifying background in the Immortal Realm, without exception. Those who had originally harbored hostility toward Ye Chen now wore unsightly expressions, the little schemes in their hearts completely vanishing. Forces that had previously considered targeting the Jade Pool Immortal Sect in the future also retracted their thoughts.

The Nine Dragons of the Wang Clan who had fled into the distance also sensed everything that had occurred here. Amid their heart-pounding fear, they also felt extreme relief. They had always said the Heavenly Emperor was extremely cunning; even a mere Immortal Monarch imprint could not be underestimated. After all, whose Immortal Monarch could send a group of Immortal Kings away with a single punch? They looked at Wang Xuanji and sighed with lingering fear.

"Let us leave first. Once matters here are settled, we will send you into the Dao Academy!"

Wang Xuanji herself did not answer. She merely gazed into the distance at Ye Chen's figure, her fists clenched tightly. Perhaps she had been too humble back in the lower realm. She had always hoped to sit above Ye Chen's head, bestow favors upon him, and satisfy certain thoughts deep in her heart.

She had believed this would be an opportunity to save Ye Chen and make him grateful. She had never expected Ye Chen still possessed such a trump card. If the Heavenly Emperor was truly alive, then the Wang Clan was not even worth mentioning.

This left Wang Xuanji, who had always considered herself standing in a high position, especially unable to accept it. She wanted to see Ye Chen regret, wanted to see Ye Chen grateful, wanted Ye Chen to obey her every word.

"Ye Chen, afterward, I will work even harder at my re-cultivation and reach the Immortal King realm as soon as possible!"

Having made up her mind in her heart, Wang Xuanji turned and followed her father and the others as they departed with a thunderous force.

…

On Ye Chen's side, he had also not expected the Heavenly Emperor imprint to be so fierce that it directly took away the group of Immortal Kings. Although he did not know whether they would all be killed, since this person had promised to resolve the trouble, even if those Immortal Kings managed to emerge alive, they would certainly no longer seek trouble with him or the Jade Pool Immortal Sect. In that case, the Western Empress imprint he had been prepared to summon no longer needed to be brought out.

Ye Chen looked toward Yan Ruyu. Yan Ruyu's smile was as bright as flowers, happy for him. Immediately afterward, Ye Chen discovered that the smile on that kid Xie Linyuan's face was even brighter than Yan Ruyu's, wearing an expression of complete relief.

This made Ye Chen's mouth twitch.

In the distance, the Immortal Monarchs of the He Clan and other forces stood somewhat dazed. Sensing Ye Chen's gaze, they even felt a measure of fear.

Yet at this moment, the hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall flew over together with Nangong Wan. Joy filled Nangong Wan's beautiful eyes. The hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall looked at Ye Chen seriously.

"An existence like Senior Heavenly Emperor is not someone I can discuss, yet since he may not be dead, the Immortal Kings of the various houses clearly no longer dare to suppress and force you as they did before…

"Ye Chen, remain. Afterward, when the Dao Academy is established, you may enter it directly. With your talent, plus the earnest cultivation of the Dao Academy, your future will certainly be boundless…"

The hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall held high hopes for Ye Chen. The appearance of the Heavenly Emperor imprint now had offset much of the pressure the various Immortal Kings had placed on the Heavenly Secrets Hall, and he hoped Ye Chen would remain.

With Ye Chen present, as long as he could break through to the Great Luo before the arena opened, the Immortal Realm would at least be able to secure a guaranteed victory in one match in the future.

Hearing this, Ye Chen immediately frowned.

"I have already gifted the ranking to Wanwan and will not go back on my word!"

The hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall shook his head.

"I can give you an additional ranking. This secret realm ultimately went awry for… certain reasons and lost its original intent. The prodigies selected are also not entirely satisfactory. Afterward, the Dao Academy will certainly expand enrollment and extend olive branches to the top prodigies under three thousand years of age.

"There are still many forces that have not responded to the call of the Heavenly Secrets Hall. Afterward, my Heavenly Secrets Hall will personally go to invite them. The rankings of the Dao Academy will be expanded to at least a hundred. With your talent, you are worthy of one ranking!"

The hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall spoke of the new plans. After all, if they truly relied on these current ten people, they would absolutely be unable to win a single match and might as well concede and surrender directly.

Hearing this, Ye Chen immediately smiled. The hall master of the Heavenly Secrets Hall felt Ye Chen would not refuse. This was a win-win.

Jade Moon Immortal Monarch and Huo Linglong also felt Ye Chen ought to remain. After all, if the Dao Academy was established, its cultivation capacity would far surpass any force in the Immortal Realm.

As for Nangong Wan, she already revealed a look of expectation. If Fourth Ancestor remained, she would not have to separate from him. That would truly be wonderful!

AN: The next update is in three days.