Wuwang Demon’s expression shifted abruptly. He looked up and saw a figure clad in black suspended in the sky, wearing opulent, gorgeous robes. The person had fair, delicate skin and a slightly plump build, reminiscent of a feudal prince from the mortal realm, exuding an air of languor. Golden eyes looked down indifferently, radiating a chilling coldness.

Cold sweat streamed down Wuwang Demon’s forehead. His voice trembled, laced with reluctance, anger, and a sliver of terror: “Long, Dragon Emperor…”

“You may leave.” The slightly plump middle-aged man spoke plainly, as if stating the most mundane fact.

Wuwang Demon glanced at the deceased Emperor Bai Mo and the Immortal Drunkard on the ground. While he believed he could have slain them both, never with such swiftness. He gave Ye Chen, who stood nearby looking utterly unconcerned, a look of deep resentment before planting his feet and shooting away into the distance, vanishing in an instant.

After Wuwang Demon departed, the stout middle-aged man turned to Ye Chen, his eyes gentle. “You needn’t worry. I am the previous Ancestor of the Dragon Realm. You hail from the Spiritual Civilization. Our Dragon Realm civilization and your Spiritual Civilization have always maintained friendly relations. I will take you away now to your civilization’s headquarters; together, we will stand against this impending catastrophe for you.”

Ye Chen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and shook his head. “Senior, I do not wish to implicate the Spiritual Civilization. My revelation of the Heavenly Dao Scripture here today was not accidental but for another purpose. I hope the Seniors of my civilization will be informed not to worry for me.”

“This…” The former Ancestor of the Dragon Realm hesitated, his golden eyes showing a trace of difficulty. “Before I arrived, our Dragon Realm civilization, the Phoenix Realm civilization, the Immortal Realm civilization, the Buddhist Realm civilization, the Demon Realm civilization, the Ghost Realm civilization, the Monster Beast civilization, and the Savage Realm civilization—eight great civilizations in total—along with your Spiritual Civilization, had already agreed. We would all join forces here to help you survive this trial. Afterward, you would divide the six layers of the Heavenly Dao Scripture and share the resources among the great civilizations.”

Ye Chen gazed at him silently for a moment, unable to suppress a sigh in his heart. He couldn't help but wonder: without the Heavenly Dao Scripture, without his peerless innate talent, would they still be willing to risk offending so many powerful figures across the world for his sake?

The answer, undeniably, was no!

Even though Ye Chen had grasped the intricacies of human self-interest with profound clarity since his time on Earth, moments like this still brought a pang of sorrow.

The previous Dragon Realm Ancestor noticed Ye Chen’s slightly dimmed expression, seeming to understand the question troubling him. He immediately stated, “This great battle is of paramount importance. I know you possess the Heavenly Dao inheritance and that Heavenly Dao Divine Continent as a life-saving trump card. However, soon, the ancient continent’s deeply hidden old monsters will begin to emerge, swarming here. The rulers of the Ten Halls and Ten Kingdoms will also seize this opportunity. Even a rebirth of the Heavenly Dao would be unable to withstand such a multitude of supreme experts!”

Ye Chen shook his head. “I understand. Please convey to the people of my lineage that they should not be drawn into this conflict for my sake!” With that, he bowed respectfully.

The stout man sighed heavily, shook his head, and said, “Very well!” He then turned and left with a sweep of his sleeve, disappearing within a few breaths.

Ye Chen’s gaze fell upon the corpses of Emperor Bai Mo and the other one on the ground. His eyes flashed. With a sweep of his hand, the two bodies flew toward him, landing in his palm, along with the half-refined corpse of a burly man, all collected into his spatial folding pouch.

Just as he was about to stow them away, a sudden intuition struck him. His eyes flickered. He reached out and opened a small pouch from Emperor Bai Mo’s waist, discovering a small, pitch-black cauldron inside!

“Minor Nine Cauldrons!” Ye Chen’s eyes lit up with a hint of delight.

According to the intelligent system of the Minor Nine Cauldrons, there were nine in total, scattered across the entire Ancient World. Within these cauldrons was another realm: the Nine Cauldrons World!

“I didn’t expect Emperor Bai Mo to possess a Minor Nine Cauldron! Indeed, individually, each Minor Nine Cauldron ranks as a unique, primary Dao Artifact. Capable of refining peak Divine Artifacts—what terrifying functionality! Given Emperor Bai Mo’s status, it is hardly surprising he managed to acquire one.”

Ye Chen felt satisfied. He placed the Minor Nine Cauldron into his spatial folding pouch, deciding it was best to combine the two cauldrons after the battle had concluded.

The moment he secured the cauldron, a figure arrived, tearing through the void from afar. It was Wuwang Demon, his long black hair wildly disheveled, eyes coldly menacing, hurtling forward with extreme speed. His gaze was filled with infinite killing intent, and in his hand, he gripped a sharp battle saber, unleashing a world-shattering blade light as he cleaved down upon Ye Chen’s head!

This strike concentrated all his power, combined with every secret technique he knew, truly unleashing his peak attack in a single instant!

The dark, inky blade light, like a surging river, tore the heavens apart, resembling a ray of light erupting from a shadowy demon abyss, howling as it swept toward them!

Ye Chen clenched his fists, preparing to burn the vast lifespan within his body. Just then, a terrifying aura descended. It materialized from the void at his side as a figure leisurely approached Ye Chen, walking through the very fabric of time. This figure was enveloped in a beautiful, radiant light, draped in light, flowing gauze, trailing auspicious, colored mist. Her graceful, delicate form possessed a breathtaking beauty. With every step, countless afterimages trailed, seemingly slow, yet she reached Ye Chen’s front before the light-speed blade light could strike.

Then, she turned.

Facing the earth-shattering blade light.

The fierce wind stirred the garments upon her body, lifting the black tresses from her shoulders.

Slowly, she raised her hand. Her fingernails seemed to glide along the river of time. Just as the blade light was about to connect, she slowly extended two fingers.

BOOM!!

The blade light, which spanned heaven and earth, roared like a cataclysmic wave, yet before these slender, delicate fingers, it was reduced to a faint, ephemeral splash, easily clamped and crushed into dust!

Shards of crystalline light scattered on the wind, swirling around her figure, making her appearance as ethereal as a dreamlike celestial maiden—exquisitely beautiful, yet possessing a majesty that forbade approach, an untouchable loveliness.

Wuwang Demon, watching from a distance, watched his face turn ashen. Without a second word, he spun around and fled wildly.

The soft, beautiful figure did not pursue. She simply stood calmly, watching him retreat. On her composed and elegant face was a beauty that stole the breath away. Slowly, she turned her head. What fell into Ye Chen’s line of sight was a visage so stunning it made one forget how to breathe. Her delicate nose was petite, her eyebrows like distant jade-green peaks, and her eyes were deep black and clear, seemingly mirroring an inverted, beautiful starry sky. Her skin was snow-white, like fine porcelain, smooth as mutton fat; it seemed even a slight breeze might disturb the perfection of that flawless complexion.

The moment Ye Chen saw this figure, his body jolted. His mind went instantly blank. A surge of blood rushed to his temples, and an ineffable surge of emotion overwhelmed his heart, bringing with it the remembrance of over a hundred years. The emotion choked his throat, finally resolving into two words: “Xiao Jun…” (To be continued)