I, the Heavenly Dao’s Bastard Son, Signed In for 100,000 Years of Cultivation at the Start!
Chapter One — Signed In for 100,000 Years, Undefeated from the Moment I Stepped Out
“Ding! Congratulations, Host, on a successful Sign-In at the Forbidden Ground of the Heavenly Dao. You have obtained 100,000 years of Cultivation Base!”
“Ding! Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the Chaos Divine Body!”
“Ding! Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the Eye of the Heavenly Dao!”
“Ding! Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the Primordial Supreme Treasure, the World-Opening Axe!”
“Ding! Congratulations, Host, on obtaining Fragments of the Laws of the Three Thousand Great Daos!”
…
System notifications erupted in his mind, one after another without end. Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes.
100,000 years.
He had signed in inside the Forbidden Ground of the Heavenly Dao for a full 100,000 years.
100,000 years ago, he had transmigrated into this fantasy world known as the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, becoming the illegitimate son of the will of the Heavenly Dao. That’s right. The Heavenly Dao, the one who governed the Three Thousand Greater Worlds and billions of Lesser Worlds, had actually fathered an illegitimate son!
Even more outrageous: to keep it hidden from the world, the Heavenly Dao had stashed him in this Forbidden Ground that not even an Immortal Emperor could set foot in, and given him a Sign-In System.
“One day of Sign-In equals a hundred years of cultivation in the outside world.”
“One year of Sign-In equals ten thousand years out there.”
“Sign in for 100,000 years…”
Ye Chen felt the star-river of power inside him, and the corner of his mouth curved up slightly.
His current Cultivation Base had already surpassed anything this world could comprehend.
An Immortal Emperor?
In his eyes, nothing more than an ant.
A Divine King?
Just a slightly bigger ant.
Even the Heavenly Dao, enthroned high above all, that old man he was stuck with as a father: Ye Chen was now confident he could cleave the man in half with a single swing of his axe.
“100,000 years. Time to go out for a walk.”
Ye Chen stood up and rolled his shoulders, loosening his joints.
Rumble!
He had only stretched, and the entire Forbidden Ground of the Heavenly Dao began to shudder violently. Countless Restrictions and Formations crumbled like paper.
“This place is too fragile.”
Ye Chen shook his head and took a single step out.
In the next moment, he was already beyond the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, standing in the Endless Void.
…
At the same time, in the most elite faction of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths: the Heavenly Court.
In the Lingxiao Hall, the Jade Emperor was convening the Grand Assembly of Ten Thousand Immortals.
“Report!”
A heavenly general rushed in in a panic and dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty, disaster! The Forbidden Ground of the Heavenly Dao, the Forbidden Ground of the Heavenly Dao has shattered!”
“What?!”
The Jade Emperor shot to his feet. The jade cup in his hand fell and shattered.
Every immortal and god in the hall went pale with shock.
The Forbidden Ground of the Heavenly Dao was an absolute forbidden zone that not even an Immortal Emperor dared approach!
Legend held that it sealed a terrifying existence capable of annihilating the Three Thousand Greater Worlds!
“Quickly! Summon the Three Pure Saints! Summon the Two Western Saints! Summon the Goddess Nuwa!”
The Jade Emperor’s voice was trembling.
But before his voice had even finished falling,
Boom!
A gigantic hand blotted out the sky and descended, slapping the entire Lingxiao Hall into dust.
“So noisy.”
A bland voice rang through all thirty-three layers of heaven.
The smoke and dust cleared. A figure in white stood with hands behind his back, his expression detached.
It was Ye Chen.
“You… just who are you?!”
The Jade Emperor crawled out of the rubble with his hair in disarray, his eyes full of terror.
He could feel it. The presence radiating from this young man made his very soul shudder.
“Me?”
Ye Chen glanced at him and said flatly, “A passerby.”
“How dare you! Such insolence toward His Majesty!”
A Great Luo Golden Immortal roared in fury and hurled his Life-Bound Treasure at Ye Chen.
Ye Chen did not even look.
The Great Luo Golden Immortal, man and Magic Treasure alike, turned to ash in an instant.
“Clamor.”
The entire hall went silent.
A Great Luo Golden Immortal… just gone like that?
Without even the room to resist?
“S-Senior…”
The Jade Emperor thumped down onto his knees, trembling all over. “This Junior was blind to Mount Tai and has offended Senior. This Junior begs Senior’s forgiveness!”
Seeing this, the immortals and gods of the hall knelt one after another.
“Greetings, Senior!”
The sound shook the highest heavens.
Ye Chen merely waved a hand. “All of you, get up. I said it already. I’m just a passerby.”
“However…”
He paused and looked at the Jade Emperor. “This Lingxiao Hall of yours is in my way.”
“Yes, yes, yes! This Junior will have it demolished at once!”
“Also, all of you were far too loud just now. You disturbed me while I was contemplating life.”
“This Junior deserves death! This Junior deserves death!”
The Jade Emperor kowtowed again and again, his forehead bleeding.
Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.
Just then,
“What audacity! How dare you run wild in the Heavenly Court!”
Three terrifying presences descended from the sky: the Three Pure Saints, arriving fashionably late.
Taiqing Laozi, Yuqing Yuanshi, and Shangqing Tongtian!
The three Saints joined forces. Heaven and earth changed color!
“Oh?”
Ye Chen’s interest was piqued. He finally turned around.
“Three Saints? You interest me.”
“Madman! Die!”
Yuanshi Tianzun was the most hot-tempered of them all. He summoned the Pangu Banner directly, and chaotic sword qi tore through the Void, slashing toward Ye Chen!
That single strike could have annihilated an entire Greater World!
However,
Ye Chen merely extended one finger.
And tapped lightly.
Crack!
The Pangu Banner shattered.
Yuanshi Tianzun spat blood and flew backward.
“Second Brother!”
“Second Brother!”
Laozi and Tongtian went white with shock and rushed to catch Yuanshi Tianzun.
Yuanshi Tianzun’s face was deathly pale. Cracks had even appeared in his Dao Foundation!
“You… just who in the world are you?!”
Laozi’s pupils contracted, his voice shaking.
Shattering the Pangu Banner with one finger and gravely wounding a Saint: such means were already beyond anything they could comprehend!
“I said it already. A passerby.”
Ye Chen was growing impatient. “If you’re going to fight, fight. If not, move aside. I’m in a hurry to get to dinner.”
Dinner?
The three Saints exchanged glances.
Having reached their Realm, they had long since entered Grain Avoidance, forgoing food for countless eras. What was there to eat?
“Senior…”
Laozi drew a deep breath and bowed respectfully. “This Junior is Taiqing. I did not know Senior was coming, and I have been grievously rude. I beg Senior’s forgiveness.”
“Hmm. A good attitude.”
Ye Chen nodded, then suddenly remembered something. “That reminds me. Do you know any place with good food? I haven’t eaten in 100,000 years. I’m feeling a little peckish.”
“Well…”
The three Saints were stunned once again.
A being of Senior’s caliber… could still get cravings?
“Senior, our imperial chefs do have a few immortal delicacies they excel at…” the Jade Emperor said carefully.
“Fine. I’ll give them a taste.”
Ye Chen swept his sleeve wide, and a brand-new Lingxiao Hall appeared out of thin air, a hundred times more magnificent than the original!
“This… this is…”
The crowd was horrified.
Creating something from nothing. And what he had created was a supreme-treasure-grade structure capable of suppressing Fortune itself!
Such means had already surpassed the bounds of a Saint!
“Stop gawking. Serve the food.”
Ye Chen swaggered into the new Lingxiao Hall and took the seat of honor.
The Jade Emperor woke as if from a dream and hurriedly ordered, “Quickly! Summon the imperial chefs! Bring out the finest immortal delicacies!”
“Yes!”
…
Half a shichen later.
Before Ye Chen was spread every kind of rare and exquisite delicacy.
Dragon liver and phoenix marrow, qilin meat, black tortoise soup…
Every dish brimmed with boundless spiritual qi. A single bite would send a mortal straight to Ascension.
But Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly.
“This is it?”
“Senior, these are already the finest the Heavenly Court has…” The Jade Emperor’s forehead was beading with sweat.
“Awful.”
Ye Chen set down his chopsticks, his face pure disgust. “100,000 years, and your cooking hasn’t improved one bit.”
“Senior knows cooking?” Tongtian Jiaozhu asked curiously.
“A little.”
Ye Chen stood and walked toward the imperial kitchen. “Let me show you what real cooking looks like.”
Moments later.
A shaft of golden light shot into the heavens, and the fragrance spread through all thirty-three layers of heaven!
“What… what is that smell?!”
“My heavens! I only caught the scent and my Cultivation Base broke through!”
“Quickly! Go and see!”
When the crowd rushed into the imperial kitchen, they found Ye Chen holding a plate of egg fried rice, his expression calm.
“Egg fried rice?”
The crowd was dumbfounded.
“Try a bite.” Ye Chen pushed the plate toward them.
Hands trembling, the Jade Emperor picked up a spoon, scooped up a small bite, and placed it in his mouth.
Boom!
A deliciousness beyond words detonated across his taste buds!
More importantly, his Cultivation Base, stagnant for 100,000 years, had actually achieved a Breakthrough in that moment!
“This… this…”
The Jade Emperor, old tears streaming down his face, fell to his knees. “Thank you, Senior, for this meal! This Junior… This Junior has broken through!”
What?!
Every immortal and god in the hall was horrified.
A single bowl of egg fried rice pushed an Immortal Emperor into a Breakthrough?!
“Nothing special.”
Ye Chen waved a hand. “Mostly it’s the ingredients. They’re too poor. Otherwise it could taste even better.”
Too poor?
Dragon liver and phoenix marrow, and he calls that poor?
Then what counts as good?!
“Senior, might This Junior ask what your plans are next?” Laozi asked respectfully.
“Plans?”
Ye Chen thought it over. “Wander around for now. I haven’t been out in 100,000 years. I want to see what this world has become.”
“Let This Junior guide Senior!”
“This Junior as well!”
“And This Junior!”
In an instant, the immortals and gods packed into the hall fought to be first, every one of them eager to grab onto this thick thigh.
Ye Chen shook his head. “No need. I prefer being alone.”
With that, he took a single step and vanished on the spot.
Leaving behind a crowd of immortals and gods exchanging glances.
“Eldest Brother, just who is this Senior…” Tongtian Jiaozhu looked at Laozi.
Laozi shook his head, his eyes full of awe and dread. “Unfathomable… I fear he has already surpassed the Heavenly Dao himself!”
“Surpassed the Heavenly Dao?!”
Everyone sucked in a cold breath.
…
Chapter Two — Casually Saving a Female Emperor, Who Now Insists on Marrying Me
The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. The Eastern Wastes.
This was sacred ground for cultivators and the cradle of the strong.
Ye Chen walked the lands of the Eastern Wastes, sensing the presence of this heaven and earth.
“The concentration of spiritual qi is mediocre. The Laws are broken and incomplete. This world… is too weak.”
He shook his head and walked on.
Suddenly, the sounds of a fight came from ahead.
“Hm?”
Ye Chen swept out his Divine Sense and understood at once.
In the valley ahead, a woman in white was being surrounded and attacked by three men in black.
The woman’s Cultivation Base was no small thing: she was a Quasi-Emperor. But the three men in black were Quasi-Emperors too, and they fought in perfect coordination, every move lethal.
“Hand over the Emperor Weapon and we’ll spare your life!”
“In your dreams!”
The woman in white gritted her teeth, her long sword weaving ten thousand blossoms of steel, but she was clearly running on fumes.
“Obstinate wretch! Kill her!”
The three men in black struck at once. A terrifying killing intent enveloped the valley.
The woman in white closed her eyes in despair.
But the death she had expected never came.
She opened her eyes in confusion. A figure in white had appeared before her at some unknown moment, and the three men in black had already turned to ash.
“You…”
The woman in white was stunned.
Three Quasi-Emperors… just died like that?
Without even knowing how they died?
“Are you all right?”
Ye Chen turned around, a gentle smile on his face.
Only now did the woman in white get a clear look at his face.
Handsome!
Handsome beyond description!
It was as if all the spiritual qi of heaven and earth had converged on that one face, making it impossible to look away.
“I… I’m fine…”
The woman in white blushed and hastily bowed. “Thank you, Senior, for saving my life! This Junior is the Saint Lord of the Yaochi Sacred Land of the Eastern Wastes, Yaoji. My gratitude knows no bounds!”
“The Yaochi Saint Lord?”
Ye Chen nodded. “A fine name.”
“Senior…”
Yaoji hesitated, then asked anyway, “Might This Junior ask for Senior’s esteemed name? So that This Junior may repay Senior in the days to come.”
“Ye Chen.”
“Senior Ye…”
Yaoji was about to say something when her face suddenly changed and she spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Injured?”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. He reached out and rested his fingers on her wrist.
“S-Senior…”
Yaoji’s face reddened even further.
In all her life, this was the first time a man had touched her.
“Don’t move.”
Ye Chen fed a stream of chaotic qi into her, instantly healing every injury in her body, even sweeping away her hidden ailments.
“This…”
Yaoji felt the surging power within her, her face full of disbelief.
Her own injuries, she knew best.
Without a hundred years of recuperation, recovery would have been impossible!
Yet now, in just a few breaths, she was fully healed?
And her Cultivation Base had even improved?
“Minor wounds. Nothing serious.”
Ye Chen withdrew his hand and turned to leave.
“Senior, please stay!”
Yaoji called out hurriedly.
“Something else?”
“Senior saved my life, and Yaoji has no way to repay it. I am… I am willing to give myself to Senior!”
The moment the words left her mouth, Yaoji’s entire face flushed bright red. Still, she looked at Ye Chen stubbornly.
She was the Saint Lord of the Yaochi Sacred Land, the number one beauty of the Eastern Wastes, a Quasi-Emperor.
Her suitors could form a line stretching from the Eastern Wastes to the Western Desert.
But she had never been moved.
Not until she met Ye Chen.
This unfathomable man had captured her with nothing more than a look.
“Give yourself to me?”
Ye Chen was taken aback, then chuckled despite himself. “No need. Saving you was nothing but a wave of my hand. I don’t require repayment.”
“But…”
“There is no ’but.’”
Ye Chen waved his hand. “Cultivate well. Strive to become an Emperor as soon as you can.”
With that, he took a single step and vanished from where he stood.
Yaoji stood there blankly for a long while. Then something hard and certain flashed through her eyes.
“Senior, I will find you, I promise!”
…
Ye Chen continued east.
He had no idea what kind of storm the woman he had saved on a whim would stir up in the years to come.
Right now, something else had caught his attention.
Ahead of him, an enormous walled City appeared in his field of view.
Above the City gates, three great characters blazed with light: Myriad Treasures City.
“Myriad Treasures City?”
Ye Chen’s interest stirred. “Sounds like a place that does business. Let’s have a look inside.”
…
Myriad Treasures City, the greatest trading hub across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Merchants and cultivators from every major faction gathered here, and every day countless treasures changed hands within its walls.
The moment Ye Chen stepped inside, he was startled by the sheer bustle of the place.
Shops lined both sides of every street.
Spirit artifacts and Magic Treasures alike; Medicinal Pills of every sort; Cultivation Techniques and rare materials… a dazzling array of everything.
“You there, Senior. Is there something you need?”
A shop clerk hurried up to greet him warmly.
He could sense that although this young man looked ordinary, there was a quality about him that defied description.
Such a quality, he had seen only on Lords of true stature.
“Just looking.”
Ye Chen walked into the shop, his gaze sweeping across the shelves.
“Low-Grade spirit artifacts, Middle-Grade spirit artifacts, High-Grade spirit artifacts…”
“First Grade Medicinal Pills, Second Grade Medicinal Pills, Third Grade Medicinal Pills…”
“Yellow-grade Cultivation Techniques, Mystic-grade Cultivation Techniques, Earth-grade Cultivation Techniques…”
Too weak.
All of it was far too weak.
Ye Chen shook his head and was about to leave when his eyes suddenly froze.
In the corner, a grubby black stone had caught his attention.
“That is…”
A strange light flickered in Ye Chen’s eyes.
“Senior has a good eye!”
The clerk launched into his pitch at once. “This is a mysterious stone dug out of some primeval Ruins. We have no idea what it’s good for, but it is absolutely of extraordinary origin!”
“How much?”
“That would be… one million High-Grade Spirit Stones!”
The clerk gritted his teeth and named a steep price.
Truth was, they had studied the stone for a long time and found nothing at all. They had been about to throw it out.
But judging by this Senior’s manner, he seemed very interested?
“One million?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Are you sure?”
“This… Senior, if you think it’s too expensive, we can negotiate…”
“No need.”
Ye Chen flipped out a ring. “Inside is one hundred million High-Grade Spirit Stones. I’m taking the stone.”
“How… how much?!”
The clerk nearly fainted.
One hundred million?
For one lousy rock?
“S-Senior, did you misspeak?”
“I did not.”
Ye Chen picked up the stone and turned to go.
By the time the clerk snapped back to his senses, the man was already gone.
“I’m rich! I’m rich!”
The clerk was trembling from head to toe with excitement, and he dashed off to find the shopkeeper.
…
Outside the City, deep in a barren mountain.
Ye Chen looked at the stone in his hand, the corner of his mouth curving upward.
“A Chaos Stone. Never thought a place like this would turn up a treasure of this quality.”
The Chaos Stone came into being at the dawn of creation, when heaven and earth first split apart, and it held the purest chaotic qi.
To an ordinary cultivator it was a useless rock, because it could not be refined at all.
But to Ye Chen, who possessed the Chaos Divine Body, it was a priceless treasure!
“Absorb!”
Ye Chen circulated his Cultivation Technique, and the energy within the Chaos Stone surged wildly into his body.
Boom!
His Cultivation Base advanced once more!
The gain was not large, but at his Realm, even the smallest step was astonishing.
“Not bad. Another thousand years in the bag, as if I’d logged one more Sign-In.”
Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction. He was just about to leave when his brow suddenly furrowed.
“Come out. You’ve been following me a long way.”
As the words fell, three figures walked out of the void.
They were the companions of those black-robed men from before!
“Hand over the Chaos Stone, brat, and I’ll spare your life!”
The lead black-robed man spoke coldly.
He was an Emperor!
A true Emperor-level expert!
“An Emperor?”
Ye Chen was a little surprised. “An Emperor, in a backwater like this?”
“Backwater?”
The black-robed man laughed coldly. “Brat, you must be from out of town, or you’d know how terrifying our ’Shadow Pavilion’ is!”
“Shadow Pavilion? Never heard of it.”
“Then go die!”
The black-robed man flew into a rage and struck out with his palm!
The might of an Emperor shook heaven and earth!
That one palm held enough power to obliterate everything within ten thousand li!
And yet…
Ye Chen simply blew out a soft breath, as one might cool a cup of tea.
Whoosh.
The three black-robed men, the Emperor among them, turned to ash in an instant.
“Too weak.”
Ye Chen shook his head. Then he walked away.
…
Three days later.
A piece of news shook the Eastern Wastes!
The Shadow Pavilion, a guild of killers whose Inheritance stretched back a hundred thousand years, had been wiped out!
The killer, it was said, was nothing but a white-robed young man. One casual blow had leveled the Shadow Pavilion’s headquarters, and even that legendary Emperor Old Ancestor had died before he could so much as resist!
“Who?! Who did it?!”
“No idea. All anyone knows is that it was a white-robed young man of striking looks and transcendent bearing!”
“Could it be some old monster who has been hiding from the world?”
The entire Eastern Wastes was guessing.
The Ye Chen of that moment, however, had already reached the far edge of the Eastern Wastes.
Before him lay an endless sea.
“The Eastern Sea?”
Ye Chen gazed at the churning water. Something old moved behind his eyes.
“A hundred thousand years ago… wasn’t there a little dragon around here?”
He remembered. Back when he had first transmigrated, he had once saved an injured little dragon on the shore.
He had been very weak then, and it had taken a great effort just to heal it.
“Wonder how it’s doing now.”
Ye Chen smiled and stepped into the sea.
The waters parted on their own, opening a path for him.
With his current Cultivation Base, he had long since reached the point where no art could touch him. A little seawater could not even come near his body.
Deep beneath the sea, a palace of crystal rose majestic and tall.
“The Dragon Palace?”
Ye Chen was somewhat surprised. “That little dragon actually built a Dragon Palace?”
Just then, an authoritative voice rang out:
“Who dares trespass on the forbidden ground of the Dragon Palace?!”
Boom!
Countless shrimp soldiers and crab generals poured out and surrounded Ye Chen.
At their head was a golden-armored general whose Cultivation Base had reached the peak of the Quasi-Emperor Realm!
“Stand aside. I have business with your Dragon King.”
Ye Chen answered flatly.
“How dare you! His Majesty the Dragon King is not someone you can see just because you wish it!”
The golden-armored general roared, and the spear in his hand thrust at Ye Chen!
Ye Chen’s brow creased slightly. He was just about to act when…
“Stop!”
An aged, agitated voice rang out.
An old man in a dragon robe hurried out. The instant he saw Ye Chen, tears streamed down his face!
“Benefactor! Is it truly you, Benefactor?!”
Ye Chen blinked, then studied the old man closely.
“You are… that little dragon?”
“This little dragon, yes!”
The old man, the present Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, dropped to his knees with a thud. “Benefactor! A hundred thousand years! This little dragon has finally waited for you!”
Nobody breathed.
Every shrimp soldier and crab general was dumbstruck.
Their Dragon King, an expert at the peak of the Emperor Realm, had actually… knelt?
And he addressed the man as “Benefactor”?
And called himself “this little dragon”?
This… this…
“Get up. A man your age, still weeping like that.”
Ye Chen smiled and helped the Dragon King to his feet.
The Dragon King insisted on staying on his knees. “Benefactor gave this little dragon a new life. This little dragon will never forget it, not in ten thousand ages!”
“All right, all right. Let’s talk inside.”
“Yes, yes, yes! After you, Benefactor!”
The Dragon King scrambled up and respectfully led Ye Chen into the Dragon Palace.
…
Deep within the Dragon Palace, in a lavish hall.
Ye Chen sat in the seat of honor while the Dragon King poured his wine himself.
“Benefactor, this ’Ten-Thousand-Year Brew’ is a fine vintage this little dragon has kept for a hundred thousand years. Please, try it.”
Ye Chen lifted the cup, took a small sip, and nodded. “Not bad. Far better than the swill those people in the Heavenly Court drink.”
“The Heavenly Court?”
The Dragon King was taken aback. “Benefactor has been to the Heavenly Court?”
“I have. Too noisy a place. I stayed a little while and then left.”
“This…”
The Dragon King did not know what to say.
The Heavenly Court was the mightiest faction across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and in Benefactor’s mouth, it was merely “too noisy”?
“Incidentally, you’ve built this Dragon Palace well. More imposing than I imagined.”
“All thanks to Benefactor’s blessing!”
The Dragon King said respectfully, “In those years Benefactor saved this little dragon’s life and even passed down the methods of cultivation, an Inheritance this little dragon has carried ever since. Only thus could it stand where it does today.”
“That was nothing. A casual act.”
Ye Chen waved it off. “Still, looking at your Cultivation Base now. Peak of the Emperor Realm, one step from a Breakthrough into the Divine King Realm. That’s passable.”
“The Divine King Realm?”
A look of yearning passed through the Dragon King’s eyes. “Benefactor, does the Divine King Realm truly exist?”
“Of course it exists.”
Ye Chen answered without inflection. “Above the Immortal Emperor is the Divine King. Above the Divine King is the Divine Sovereign. Above the Divine Sovereign is the Divine Venerable. And above the Divine Venerable…”
“There’s more?!”
The Dragon King drew in a sharp breath.
He had thought the Emperor Realm was the summit. He had never imagined so many Realms stacked above it?
“The world is vast. What you have seen is the tip of the iceberg.”
Ye Chen rose and walked to the window, gazing out over the endless waters. “This heaven and earth of ours is but one Greater World out of the Three Thousand Greater Worlds, and a rather weak one at that.”
“Three Thousand Greater Worlds?!”
The Dragon King was utterly stunned.
He had always believed the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were everything. He had never imagined they were only one part of it?
“Benefactor, what… what Realm are you actually at?”
The Dragon King asked, trembling.
“Me?”
Ye Chen turned, wearing a mysterious smile. “You guess.”
The Dragon King: “…”
How would he dare guess!
An existence whose depths even a peak Emperor could not fathom must be at minimum a Divine King, surely?
No, wait. Benefactor had said there were many Realms above the Divine King. Then Benefactor was at least… a Divine Venerable?!
“All right, I’ll stop frightening you.”
Ye Chen walked back and patted the Dragon King on the shoulder. “Cultivate well. One day, when the chance comes, I’ll take you to see a bigger world.”
“Truly… truly?!”
The Dragon King was shaking all over with excitement.
“When have I ever lied to you?”
“Thank you, Benefactor! This little dragon will cultivate with all its might!”
The Dragon King knelt and knocked his head on the floor, and stayed there a long while.
…
After three days in the Dragon Palace, Ye Chen was ready to leave.
“Benefactor, will you not stay a few more days?”
The Dragon King’s face was full of reluctance.
“No. There’s still business to attend to.”
“Then… this little dragon will give Benefactor a gift!”
The Dragon King produced a jade pendant shaped like a dragon. “This was refined from this little dragon’s own life-bound dragon scale. It contains one full-power strike of this little dragon. I know it is likely of no use to Benefactor, but…”
“I appreciate the thought.”
Ye Chen took the pendant and smiled. “I’m off.”
With that, he took a single step and vanished from where he stood.
The Dragon King gazed in the direction Ye Chen had gone and said nothing for a long time.
“Your Majesty, that Senior… who exactly is he?”
The Turtle Chancellor stepped forward cautiously and asked.
“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t ask.”
The Dragon King withdrew his gaze, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes. “Pass down the order. From this day forth, the Dragon Palace seals the seas for ten thousand years! Every dragon son and dragon grandchild is to cultivate with all their strength!”
“Seal the seas for ten thousand years?!”
The Turtle Chancellor was shocked. “Your Majesty, why?”
“A great age is coming. We of the Dragon Race must step onto the world’s stage!”
The Dragon King looked into the distance, a blazing fire burning in his eyes.
Benefactor had said he would take him to a bigger world!
He would keep pace with Benefactor’s steps. He had to!
…
Chapter Three — Taking the Female Emperor as a Maidservant, Forging an Emperor Weapon on a Whim
Leaving the Eastern Sea, Ye Chen headed west.
His destination was the Western Desert, the legendary holy land of Buddhism.
“A hundred thousand years ago… wasn’t there a little monk around there?”
Ye Chen remembered. Back when he had first transmigrated, he had once saved a little monk on the roadside who was about to starve to death, and had given him a steamed bun.
Wonder how he’s doing now.
“He should have become a Buddha by now, surely?”
Ye Chen smiled and quickened his pace.
With his Cultivation Base, a journey of a hundred million li was no more than a few steps.
Moments later, a golden desert spread out before him.
At the heart of the desert, a vast Buddhist temple rose majestic and tall, its sutras chanting and its Buddha-light shining over all.
“The Great Thunder Sound Temple?”
Ye Chen looked at the plaque above the temple gate and nodded. “Imposing enough, I’ll grant it. Question is whether that little monk is still here.”
He strode toward the gate.
“Patron, please halt.”
Two gatekeeping Arhats blocked his way.
“Today is the day our Buddha, Rulai, expounds the Dharma. No outside guests are received.”
“Rulai?”
Ye Chen blinked. “That little monk’s Dharma name is Rulai?”
“How dare you! You would show disrespect to the Buddha?!”
The two Arhats flew into a rage, and the demon-subduing staves in their hands swung down at Ye Chen!
“Temper, temper.”
Ye Chen shook his head and waved his hand lightly.
The two Arhats froze where they stood, unable to move so much as a finger.
“Peace. I’m not here to hurt anyone. I only want to talk over old times with your Buddha.”
With that, Ye Chen walked straight through the temple gate.
Inside the Great Thunder Sound Temple, countless monks were listening to the Dharma.
On a high platform, a great golden Buddha sat cross-legged, expounding the supreme Dharma of the Dao.
Suddenly he stopped, his gaze turning toward the temple gate.
“There is no greater joy than a friend come from afar.”
Rulai smiled faintly and rose to his feet.
The monks were puzzled, and followed his gaze.
A young man in white robes was walking over at an unhurried pace, his expression calm, as though taking a stroll in his own garden.
“You are…”
Rulai’s pupils contracted, and then wild joy broke across his face!
“Benefactor?!”
One step brought him before Ye Chen in an instant, trembling all over with excitement. “Benefactor! It really is you!”
The whole hall erupted!
The Buddha had actually addressed this young man as “Benefactor”?!
“Little monk. It’s been a long time.”
Ye Chen smiled and patted Rulai’s shoulder. “Look how big you’ve grown. A Buddha, no less.”
“All thanks to Benefactor’s blessing!”
Rulai, who had once been that little monk, had gone red about the eyes. “If not for Benefactor’s rescue in those days, this monk would have starved to death at the roadside. How could he stand here today?”
“All right, enough of that. No need to get emotional.”
Ye Chen waved a hand. “I’ve come to mooch a meal off you. That all right?”
“Of course! Of course it’s all right!”
Rulai turned and gave orders at once. “Quick! Prepare a vegetarian feast! Bring out the best of everything!”
“Yes, Buddha!”
Puzzled as they were, the monks dared not be slack, and hurried off to prepare.
…
In the dining hall.
Ye Chen and Rulai sat facing each other.
“Benefactor, these hundred thousand years of yours…”
“Closed-Door Cultivation in one place.”
Ye Chen did not look up. “Only came out recently.”
“I see.”
Rulai nodded. He hesitated, then asked anyway. “Benefactor, what Realm are you at now?”
“Why does everyone ask that?”
Ye Chen looked helpless. “Very high. Too high for the likes of you to comprehend.”
“Higher… higher than this monk?”
“You?” Ye Chen glanced at him. “Late Stage of the Emperor Realm. You’re still far off.”
“Late Stage of the Emperor Realm?”
Rulai gave a Bitter Smile. “This monk cultivated bitterly for a hundred thousand years to reach this Realm, and Benefactor says it’s still far off…”
“I’m not trying to wound your pride. It’s simply the truth.”
Ye Chen picked up a piece of tofu with his chopsticks and nodded. “Good flavor. Better than the Heavenly Court’s.”
“So long as Benefactor enjoys it.”
Rulai said respectfully, “Benefactor, this monk has a favor to ask.”
“Speak.”
“This monk has been stuck at the Late Stage of the Emperor Realm for thirty thousand years and has never managed a Breakthrough. I beg Benefactor to guide me!”
With that, Rulai dropped to his knees.
“Get up and talk.”
Ye Chen set down his chopsticks and looked at Rulai. “Your problem is simple. Your Foundation is Unstable, so you forced a Breakthrough, and the result is a flaw in your Dao Foundation.”
“A flaw in my Dao Foundation?”
Rulai was aghast. “How did this monk never notice?”
“If you could notice it, you wouldn’t have been stuck for thirty thousand years.”
Ye Chen extended a finger and touched it to the point between Rulai’s brows.
Boom!
Information came down on Rulai like a flood.
“This is…”
Rulai trembled from head to toe, his eyes full of shock!
What Benefactor had passed down was a complete Emperor-level Cultivation Technique!
No. Higher than Emperor-level!
“Cultivate it well. Within a hundred years, you may become a Divine King.”
Ye Chen withdrew his finger and went back to his meal.
“A Divine King?!”
Rulai was so moved that tears ran down his aged face. “Thank you, Benefactor! This monk will never forget it, not in ten thousand ages!”
“All right. Eat.”
“Yes!”
…
After the meal, Ye Chen made ready to leave.
“Benefactor, let this monk see you off!”
Rulai insisted on escorting him.
“No need. I prefer my own company.”
Ye Chen waved a hand. He was about to go when his brow suddenly furrowed.
“Hm?”
He gazed into the distance, and a strange light passed through his eyes.
“Interesting. Someone actually dares to touch what’s mine.”
“Benefactor, what is it?”
“Nothing. A small matter to deal with.”
Ye Chen took a single step and vanished from where he stood.
Rulai gazed in the direction he had gone and said nothing for a long time.
“Attend me.”
“Buddha.”
“From this day forth, the Western Desert seals its mountains! Every Disciple is to enter Closed-Door Cultivation!”
“Yes!”
…
Over in the Eastern Wastes, inside the Yaochi Sacred Land.
Yaoji’s face was deathly pale, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, and she was hemmed in within the great hall of the Sacred Land.
“Yaoji, hand over the Emperor Weapon and submit to me, and I may spare your life!”
A young man in purple robes stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes full of greed.
He was the Crown Prince of the Central Province Dynasty: Ji Wushuang!
An expert at the Early Stage of the Emperor Realm!
“In your dreams!”
Yaoji gritted her teeth. “Even if I die, I will never submit to you!”
“Refusing the toast only to be forced to drink as forfeit!”
Ji Wushuang said, lips curling “Since that’s how it is, don’t blame this Crown Prince for being ruthless!”
“Kill!”
Countless experts poured into the great hall, and the Disciples of the Yaochi Sacred Land fell back step by step.
“Is this… is heaven determined to destroy Yaochi?”
Yaoji closed her eyes in despair.
Just then…
Boom!
A heaven-covering giant hand descended from the sky and smashed every enemy into a paste of flesh and blood!
“You dare touch what’s mine?”
A mild voice rang through heaven and earth.
Yaoji’s eyes flew open. The familiar figure in white stood before her.
“S-Senior?!”
“Are you hurt?”
Ye Chen turned, wearing a gentle smile.
“I… I’m fine…”
Yaoji’s eyes went red, and she nearly burst into tears.
She had never expected that Senior would truly come!
“Who are you?!”
Ji Wushuang crawled out of the rubble, his face a mask of terror.
He could sense it: the Presence rolling off this young man made his very soul shiver!
“You don’t need to know.”
Ye Chen glanced at him mildly.
It was only a glance.
Ji Wushuang’s body burst apart, and he died.
An Emperor, gone just like that?
Nobody breathed.
Everyone was struck dumb.
“S-Senior…”
Yaoji spoke, trembling. “You… you killed the Crown Prince of the Central Province Dynasty. The Central Province Dynasty will never let this go…”
“The Central Province Dynasty?”
Ye Chen smiled. “If they won’t accept it, then I’ll simply wipe them out.”
Wipe them out?
That was the Central Province Dynasty!
One of the mightiest factions across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths!
With a legendary Old Ancestor of the Divine King Realm holding it down!
And in Senior’s mouth, they were so many Ants?
“S-Senior…”
Yaoji bit her lip, then suddenly dropped to her knees. “Yaoji is willing to follow Senior, as servant or maid, and never forsake you in ten thousand ages!”
“Offering yourself to me again?”
Ye Chen looked helpless. “I told you, I don’t need repayment.”
“This isn’t repayment!”
Yaoji raised her head, her eyes full of resolve. “This is sincere! Yaoji sincerely admires Senior and wishes to follow at your side!”
Ye Chen looked at her and was silent a moment.
“Very well.”
He reached out and raised her to her feet. “Since you insist, then follow me.”
“Thank you, Senior!”
Yaoji was Overjoyed. She scrambled up and took her place respectfully behind Ye Chen.
“Incidentally, you said the Central Province Dynasty has a Divine King Realm Old Ancestor?”
“Yes.”
Yaoji said respectfully, “It’s said that the founding emperor of the Central Province Dynasty, Ji Xuanyuan, is an expert of the Divine King Realm. He has lived for a million years!”
“The Divine King Realm?”
Ye Chen nodded. “You Interest Me. Let’s go take a look.”
“S-Senior is going to the Central Province Dynasty?”
“Mm. And while I’m at it, I’ll settle your score for you.”
Ye Chen said mildly, “Anyone who dares touch what’s mine must pay the price.”
What’s his?
Yaoji’s face flushed faintly, and a warm current rose in her heart.
…
The Central Province. The imperial capital.
Deep within the imperial palace, in an ancient hall.
A white-haired old man’s eyes snapped open, horror written across his face!
“Shuang’er… is dead?!”
He was Ji Xuanyuan, founding emperor of the Central Province Dynasty, an expert of the Divine King Realm!
“Who?! Who killed Shuang’er!”
A terrifying pressure, the weight of the Divine King Realm itself, swept across the whole capital. Countless people fell to their knees, shaking with fear.
“Old Ancestor, calm your wrath!”
The reigning emperor, Ji Chang, hurried over and knelt to beg forgiveness.
“Investigate! Investigate it for me!”
Ji Xuanyuan roared. “I want the killer hacked into ten thousand pieces!”
“Yes!”
Ji Chang hurriedly withdrew. He was just about to send men to investigate when…
Boom!
Above the imperial palace, a figure in white appeared out of thin air.
“No need to investigate. I killed him.”
A mild voice rang through the capital.
“How dare you!”
“Insolent!”
“Protect His Majesty!”
Countless experts shot into the sky and surrounded Ye Chen.
Ye Chen did not so much as glance at them. His gaze was fixed on that ancient hall.
“Early Stage Divine King? Passable, I suppose.”
“Seeking Death!”
An expert at the peak of the Emperor Realm, a court retainer, roared and summoned his life-bound Emperor Weapon, slashing at Ye Chen! He was within ten thousand li of Ye Chen when the blade left his hand!
And yet…
When the Emperor Weapon was still a hundred Zhang from Ye Chen, it suddenly shattered, inch by inch!
“What?!”
The retainer turned pale with fright.
“Too noisy.”
Ye Chen waved his hand lightly.
That retainer at the peak of the Emperor Realm turned to ash in an instant.
Nobody breathed.
“You… who exactly are you?!”
Ji Chang’s voice shook, his face full of terror.
To casually annihilate a peak Emperor: that was at minimum the Divine King Realm!
“I told you. A passerby.”
Ye Chen answered, “I’ve come to give you a warning.”
“Touch what’s mine, and you pay the price.”
“Now. You have two choices.”
“One. Submit.”
“Two. Extermination of your clan.”
“You…”
Ji Chang flew into a rage. “Our Central Province Dynasty has an Inheritance a million years long. Do you think we would bow to you?!”
“Old Ancestor! Please, Old Ancestor, act!”
“Hmph!”
A cold snort rang out, and Ji Xuanyuan strode out of the hall, his terrifying Divine King Aura Pressure sweeping across heaven and earth!
“Brat, whoever you are, today you die!”
“Is that so?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Then let’s see how strong a Divine King really is.”
“Seeking Death!”
Ji Xuanyuan struck out with his palm. The power of a Divine King tore through the Void and destroyed everything in its path!
That one blow was enough to destroy an entire Greater World!
And yet…
Ye Chen merely extended one finger.
A light tap.
Crack!
Ji Xuanyuan’s arm broke.
“Aaah!”
A scream rang out, and Ji Xuanyuan’s face went white with horror. “You… you are…”
“I told you. A passerby.”
Ye Chen withdrew his finger and said mildly, “Now. Make your choice.”
Ji Xuanyuan’s face was ashen, and he was shaking all over.
He understood.
This young man before him was not an existence he could contend with in the slightest!
That was a Realm beyond the Divine King!
“I… I submit…”
Ji Xuanyuan fell to his knees and bowed his proud head.
Nobody breathed.
The Old Ancestor of the Divine King Realm had actually… knelt?!
“Good.”
Ye Chen nodded, then turned his gaze on Ji Chang. “And you?”
“I… I submit as well!”
Ji Chang dropped to his knees at once.
“Then that’s settled.”
Ye Chen turned to Yaoji behind him. “From now on, the Central Province Dynasty answers to you. Any objections?”
“Wh-what?!”
Yaoji was stunned.
The Central Province Dynasty, one of the mightiest factions across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, had just… become hers?
“Good. No objections, then.”
Ye Chen waved a hand. “Let’s go. On to the next place.”
“Y-yes!”
Yaoji hurried after him, her heart churning like a storm-tossed sea.
What… what manner of existence was Senior?
To suppress a Divine King with a wave of his hand, to decide the fate of a dynasty with a single word…
Such methods had already passed beyond her comprehension!
…
Leaving the Central Province, Ye Chen headed south.
“Senior, where are we going next?”
Yaoji asked respectfully.
By now she regarded Ye Chen with utter worship and admiration.
“The Southern Ridge. The holy land of the Demon Race.”
Ye Chen answered without inflection. “A hundred thousand years ago, I saved a little fox there.”
“A little fox?”
“Mm. It should be a great demon by now.”
Ye Chen smiled and quickened his pace.
…
The Southern Ridge. Ten-Thousand-Demon Mountain.
This was the holy land of the Demon Race, and one of the most mysterious places across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
The moment Ye Chen set foot in the Southern Ridge, he felt countless powerful Presences.
“The Demon Race. A bit stronger than the human race, actually.”
He nodded and walked on.
“Halt!”
A group of Demon Race warriors blocked his way.
“Human, this is the Forbidden Ground of Ten-Thousand-Demon Mountain. Leave at once!”
“I’m here to see your Demon Empress.”
Ye Chen did not look up.
“How dare you! Her Majesty the Demon Empress is not someone you can see just because you wish it!”
The Demon Race warriors flew into a rage. They were just about to strike when…
“Stop!”
A cool, clear voice rang out.
A woman of breathtaking beauty in a red dress descended from the sky, and the instant she saw Ye Chen, her eyes filled with excitement!
“Benefactor!”
She took a single step and appeared before Ye Chen, then bowed low. “This little demon, Bai Qian, pays her respects to Benefactor!”
“So it’s really you.”
Ye Chen smiled and raised her up. “A Demon Empress now, and still so impulsive.”
“Before Benefactor, this little demon will always be that little fox of those years.”
Bai Qian lifted her head, her eyes full of tenderness.
She was even more beautiful than she had been a hundred thousand years ago, a beauty to topple a kingdom and ruin a nation.
But at this moment she was like a little girl, gazing in delight at her idol.
“Senior, who is this?”
Yaoji asked in a small voice.
“Oh. A little fox I saved once.”
Ye Chen said offhandedly.
A little… little fox?
Yaoji looked at this Demon Empress before her, an expert at the peak of the Emperor Realm, and the corner of her mouth twitched.
In Senior’s eyes, a peak Emperor was just a “little fox”?
“Benefactor, and who is this?”
Only then did Bai Qian notice Yaoji. Her eyes narrowed, just slightly.
“My maidservant.”
Ye Chen said.
Maidservant?
Bai Qian and Yaoji both froze at the same moment.
For Yaoji it was a delightful surprise. For Bai Qian, a pang of loss.
“Benefactor, this little demon could also…”
“Enough.”
Ye Chen waved a hand. “You’re too late. The maidservant’s post is already taken.”
“Th-then this little demon can be a serving girl!”
Bai Qian said stubbornly.
“…”
Ye Chen was speechless. “You’re a Demon Empress. What would you want with being a serving girl?”
“Before Benefactor, this little demon is no Demon Empress. Only that little fox of those years.”
Bai Qian dropped to her knees. “I beg Benefactor to take me in!”
“This is…”
Ye Chen’s head began to ache.
Why was everyone fighting for the chance to be a maidservant or a serving girl?
Was his charisma really that great?
“Very well. You can come along too.”
“Thank you, Benefactor!”
Bai Qian was Overjoyed. She scrambled to her feet and shot Yaoji a challenging look.
Yaoji glared right back, not to be outdone.
The two women’s eyes met, and sparks seemed to flash in the air.
Ye Chen: “…”
He was beginning to regret this.
…
After a few days at Ten-Thousand-Demon Mountain, Ye Chen prepared to leave.
“Benefactor, will you not stay a few more days?”
Bai Qian’s face was full of reluctance.
“No. There’s still business to attend to.”
“Then… this little demon will give Benefactor a gift!”
Bai Qian produced a Demon Core. “This is this little demon’s own life-bound Demon Core. It holds this little demon’s lifelong Cultivation Base. I know it is likely of no use to Benefactor, but…”
“I appreciate the thought.”
Ye Chen took the Demon Core. After a moment’s thought, he produced a longsword.
“This is…”
Bai Qian’s eyes went wide.
She could sense the terrifying power contained within that longsword!
“An Emperor Weapon I refined on a whim. It’s yours.”
Ye Chen held the sword out to her.
Refined on a whim… an Emperor Weapon?!
Bai Qian’s hands were shaking.
An Emperor Weapon!
An Emperor Weapon, of all things!
Across the whole of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, there were fewer than ten Emperor Weapons in existence!
And Senior had refined one on a whim?!
“Th-thank you, Benefactor!”
Bai Qian took the Emperor Weapon with trembling excitement, unable to put it down.
“I’m off.”
Ye Chen waved a hand and left with Yaoji.
Bai Qian gazed after his retreating figure and said nothing for a long time.
“Attend me.”
“Your Majesty.”
“From this day forth, Ten-Thousand-Demon Mountain seals its mountains! Every one of the Demon Race is to cultivate with all their strength!”
“Yes!”
…
Chapter Four — Son of the Heavenly Dao? I'll Slap Him to Death
Leaving the Southern Ridge, Ye Chen headed north.
“Senior, where are we going next?”
Yaoji asked respectfully.
She was still on her guard against Bai Qian, terrified that this “fox spirit” would steal Senior away.
“The Northern Wastes. The territory of the Devil Race.”
Ye Chen answered.
“The Devil Race?”
Yaoji was startled. “Senior, the Devil Race is the most savage race across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. They say their Devil Emperor is an expert at the peak of the Divine King Realm!”
“The peak of the Divine King?”
Ye Chen nodded. “Passable.”
Passable?
Yaoji had grown used to Senior’s startling turns of phrase.
Existences she found utterly terrifying were always “passable,” “interesting,” in Senior’s mouth…
“Senior, are you going to the Northern Wastes to find an old acquaintance too?”
“No.”
Ye Chen shook his head. “To find something.”
“What thing?”
“A fragment of the Heavenly Dao.”
Yaoji blinked. “A fragment of the Heavenly Dao?”
“Mm. A hundred thousand years ago, the Heavenly Dao split apart, and some of its fragments scattered across the world.”
Ye Chen explained, “I need to collect these fragments to make myself whole.”
Make himself whole?
Yaoji did not understand, but she did not dare ask further.
Senior’s Realm was beyond her comprehension.
…
The Northern Wastes. The territory of the Devil Race.
The region was shrouded in black mist year round, grim and terrifying, a Forbidden Ground for the living.
The moment Ye Chen stepped into the Northern Wastes, he felt the thick, roiling Demonic Qi.
“Much denser than it was back then.”
He nodded and walked on.
“A human?”
A hoarse voice rang out.
A Devil Race general emerged from the black mist. The instant he saw Ye Chen, greed flashed through his eyes.
“What pure flesh and blood! Eat you, and this general’s Cultivation Base is bound to advance!”
“You want to eat me?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Are you sure?”
“Seeking Death!”
The Devil Race general flew into a rage, opened a maw of red, and lunged at Ye Chen!
And yet…
Before he could come within ten li of the man, he turned to ash.
“Too weak.”
Ye Chen shook his head, and walked on.
Every step of the road, countless members of the Devil Race tried to attack him, and without exception all of them turned to ash.
At last he arrived at the heart of the Devil Race, the Devil Palace, its great Hall looming out of the mist.
“Human, you have some nerve!”
A terrifying Presence rose from the Devil Palace.
The Devil Emperor!
An expert at the peak of the Divine King Realm!
“So you’re the Devil Emperor?”
Ye Chen regarded him mildly.
“That’s right!”
The Devil Emperor was a giant a hundred Zhang tall, his whole body radiating a terrifying Demonic Qi. “Human, you have slain my kin. Today you die!”
“Hold on.”
Ye Chen waved a hand. “I’ve come to borrow something from you.”
“What thing?”
“The fragment of the Heavenly Dao inside you.”
The Devil Emperor’s pupils contracted. “How do you know?!”
A hundred thousand years ago he had come across a mysterious fragment by chance. Once he merged it into his body, his Cultivation Base had soared, and he had become the Devil Emperor.
He had never told anyone about this!
“Of course I know.”
Ye Chen extended a hand. “Hand it over, and I’ll spare your life.”
“Arrogant!”
The Devil Emperor flew into a rage. “If you want the fragment of the Heavenly Dao, defeat me first!”
“Obstinate to the last.”
Ye Chen shook his head. His palm went out.
Boom!
That hundred-Zhang body of the Devil Emperor was smashed into the ground in an instant!
“Th-this is impossible!”
The Devil Emperor crawled out of the earth, his face full of shock.
He was at the peak of the Divine King Realm!
And he had been swatted away by a single palm?
“I’ll ask you one last time. Will you hand it over?”
Ye Chen answered without inflection.
“I… I will!”
The Devil Emperor was finally afraid.
He drew the fragment of the Heavenly Dao out of his body and, with great reverence, held it out to Ye Chen.
“Good.”
Ye Chen took the fragment and merged it into his body.
Boom!
His Presence surged once more!
The gain was not large, but it had carried him to an even more terrifying Realm.
“Wh-what Realm are you actually at?”
The Devil Emperor asked, trembling.
“You don’t need to know.”
Ye Chen turned to leave, and his mild voice drifted back. “Be a good Devil Emperor and don’t cause trouble. Otherwise…”
He did not finish, but the Devil Emperor already understood.
“Farewell, Senior!”
The Devil Emperor fell to his knees and stayed there a long while.
…
Leaving the Northern Wastes, Ye Chen went on collecting fragments of the Heavenly Dao.
The Eastern Wastes, the Western Desert, the Southern Ridge, the Northern Wastes, the Central Province…
He walked every corner of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths and gathered every last fragment.
With each fragment he collected, his Cultivation Base advanced a measure.
When the final fragment merged into his body…
Boom!
The Sky Changed Color!
The whole of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths trembled!
“This is…”
Countless experts looked up at the sky in shock.
A figure in white stood above the nine heavens, wrapped in endless divine light, as though he were the master of heaven and earth!
“The Heavenly Dao… is it whole again?”
Someone said, trembling.
Yes. The Heavenly Dao was whole again.
But it was a new Heavenly Dao!
Ye Chen had supplanted the Heavenly Dao that came before him and become the new master of this heaven and earth!
“From this day forth, I am the Heavenly Dao!”
A mild voice rang across the Three Thousand Greater Worlds.
Countless living beings fell to their knees and worshipped the new Heavenly Dao!
…
And yet, at the very instant Ye Chen became the new Heavenly Dao…
Boom!
A terrifying Presence came surging up from deep within the Void!
“How dare you! To dare steal the Authority of the Heavenly Dao!”
A figure tore through the Void and descended upon the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths!
It was a young man in golden armor, radiating a Presence that surpassed the Divine King!
“A Son of the Heavenly Dao?”
Ye Chen’s brow lifted slightly.
“Correct!”
The golden-armored youth said without inflection, “I am the Son of the Heavenly Dao of the previous generation. You have stolen my father’s Authority of the Heavenly Dao, and you deserve death ten thousand times over!”
“The Son of the previous generation’s Heavenly Dao?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Then you should be calling me Uncle.”
“What?”
The golden-armored youth blinked.
“I’m your father’s illegitimate son. What do you think you should call me?”
“Wh-what did you say?!”
The golden-armored youth’s eyes went wide.
His father had an illegitimate son?!
“Impossible! How could my father have an illegitimate son!”
“Believe it or not.”
Ye Chen waved a hand. “Seeing as you’re my nephew, I won’t kill you. Scram.”
“Seeking Death!”
The golden-armored youth flew into a rage. “Whoever you are, today you die!”
He summoned a golden spear and thrust it at Ye Chen!
That blow carried the power of the Heavenly Dao within it, and it was terrifying beyond measure!
And yet…
Ye Chen merely extended one finger.
A light tap.
Crack!
The golden spear broke.
The golden-armored youth was flung back, coughing blood.
“I told you. Seeing as you’re my nephew, I won’t kill you.”
Ye Chen did not look up. “But if you keep pestering me, don’t blame me for being unkind.”
“You…”
The golden-armored youth’s face was a mask of shock.
He was a Son of the Heavenly Dao, an expert of the Divine Sovereign Realm!
And he had been defeated by a single finger?!
“Wh-what Realm are you actually at?!”
“Me?”
Ye Chen smiled. “I’m your uncle.”
The golden-armored youth: “…”
He turned and fled!
This monster was not an existence he could contend with in the slightest!
“Trying to run?”
Ye Chen shook his head. His palm went out.
Boom!
The golden-armored youth was smashed into the ground, unable to move.
“I said I wouldn’t kill you, but I never said you could leave.”
Ye Chen walked up to him and said mildly, “Take me to see your father.”
“Y-you want to see my father?”
“Mm. There are some accounts that need settling.”
A cold light flashed through Ye Chen’s eyes.
A hundred thousand years ago, his good-for-nothing father had dumped him in a Forbidden Ground, and left him there for a hundred thousand years.
That debt needed settling, properly.
…
Deep within the Void. The Heavenly Dao Palace.
This was the dwelling of the Heavenly Dao, and the core of the Three Thousand Greater Worlds.
Ye Chen carried the golden-armored youth by the collar and strode into the palace.
“How dare you! To dare trespass in the Heavenly Dao Palace!”
Countless experts poured out and surrounded Ye Chen.
The weakest among them were at the Divine King Realm!
The strongest had even reached the Divine Venerable Realm!
“Stand aside. I’ve come under the Great Dao to have words with your boss.”
Ye Chen said mildly.
“Seeking Death!”
A Divine Venerable expert roared and struck out with his palm!
That palm held enough power to destroy an entire Greater World!
And yet…
Ye Chen merely blew out a breath.
That Divine Venerable expert turned to ash in an instant.
Nobody breathed.
“I said, stand aside.”
Ye Chen’s gaze swept across them. “Or die.”
The crowd Exchange Glances and dared not step forward.
To blow a Divine Venerable to death with a single breath: that was at minimum the Divine Emperor Realm!
“Let him in.”
An aged voice rang out.
The crowd, as if granted a great pardon, parted to make way.
Ye Chen carried the golden-armored youth by the collar and strode deep into the palace.
At the far end of the palace sat a white-haired old man, cross-legged in the Void.
He was the Heavenly Dao of the previous generation!
“You’ve come.”
The old man opened his eyes and looked at Ye Chen, his gaze full of complexity.
“I’ve come.”
Ye Chen dropped the golden-armored youth on the floor. “A hundred thousand years. I think I’m owed an explanation.”
“An explanation?”
Something sour crossed the old man’s face. “I gave you the very seat of the Heavenly Dao. Is that not enough?”
“You couldn’t hold onto it yourself. What does that have to do with me?”
Ye Chen answered, “A hundred thousand years ago you dumped me in a Forbidden Ground, and left me there for a hundred thousand years. How do you reckon that debt?”
“I did it to protect you!”
The old man said, agitated, “In those years I had made a great enemy and had no choice but to hide you away. Otherwise you would have died long ago!”
“A great enemy?”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. “What kind of great enemy could make even the Heavenly Dao himself Wary Respect?”
“Beings from beyond the chaos.”
The old man’s voice dropped. “They come from beyond the chaos, and they mean to devour the Three Thousand Greater Worlds. I fought them to the death and only just drove them back, but I was gravely wounded and had no choice but to abdicate in favor of another.”
“Beings from beyond the chaos?”
A strange light passed through Ye Chen’s eyes.
“Correct.”
The old man inclined his head. “They are strong. The weakest are at the Divine Emperor Realm. The strongest… have even surpassed the Divine Emperor!”
“Surpassed the Divine Emperor?”
Ye Chen smiled. “You Interest Me.”
“You… you’re not afraid?”
The old man looked at him in surprise.
“Afraid?”
Ye Chen shook his head. “I’ve been hoping for this.”
He had been invincible for far too long. He was in the mood for a little amusement.
“You…”
The old man did not know what to say.
This son of his seemed even more arrogant than he had been?
“When will those beings come again?”
Ye Chen asked.
“I don’t know. It could be a thousand years. Ten thousand. Or… at any moment.”
“At any moment?”
Ye Chen nodded. “Then I’ll wait here.”
“You mean to stand guard here?”
“What else?”
Ye Chen found a seat and sat down. “The view here is good. Fine place to retire.”
The old man: “…”
He suddenly felt that abdicating had been the right decision.
…
Chapter Five — The Chaos Creatures Attack, One Punch Apiece
Ye Chen ended up living in the Heavenly Dao Palace for three years.
In those three years he toured the whole of the Three Thousand Greater Worlds and picked up a whole flock of maidservants and serving girls.
Yaoji, Bai Qian, the Dragon King’s daughter, a princess of the Devil Race, a Holy Maiden of Buddhism…
Every one of them a beauty to topple a kingdom, and every one of them at minimum an Emperor Realm Cultivation Base.
“Benefactor, do you really mean to wait forever?”
Bai Qian nestled against Ye Chen’s chest and asked in a soft, coquettish voice.
“What else can I do?”
Ye Chen toyed with her hair. “If those chaos beings won’t come, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“But…”
“All right. No need to fret.”
Ye Chen patted her shoulder. “What’s meant to come will come.”
The words had barely left his mouth when…
Boom!
The whole Heavenly Dao Palace shook violently!
“They’re here!”
The old man’s eyes snapped open, his face grave.
Ye Chen rose and stretched. “Finally. I was about to doze off waiting.”
One step carried him above the Heavenly Dao Palace.
The Void split open, and countless terrifying figures walked out of it.
They were of every shape and form. Some like humans, some like beasts, some beyond any description.
But all of them, without exception, radiated a Presence that surpassed the Divine Emperor!
“So these are the chaos beings?”
Ye Chen nodded. “Passable.”
“You are the new Heavenly Dao?”
The leading chaos being spoke, its voice like thunder.
“Correct.”
“Submit, or die.”
“That’s a line I should be saying to you.”
Ye Chen smiled. “Submit, or die.”
“Seeking Death!”
The chaos being flew into a rage and struck out with his palm!
That palm carried the power of chaos within it, enough to destroy an entire Greater World!
And yet…
Ye Chen threw a single, casual punch.
Boom!
That chaos being’s body burst apart, and he died!
Nobody breathed.
“Too weak.”
Ye Chen shook his head. “Next.”
“All of you, at once!”
The remaining chaos beings were appalled, and all of them struck out together!
Countless terrifying attacks crashed toward Ye Chen, enough to destroy the Three Thousand Greater Worlds!
And yet…
Ye Chen stood where he was and did not move at all.
Those attacks landed on him and vanished without a trace, like mud cast into the sea.
“Is this all you’ve got?”
Ye Chen shook his head in disappointment. “What a letdown.”
One step brought him before one of the chaos beings, and drove out a fist!
Boom!
Another chaos being fell!
“Run!”
The remaining chaos beings were finally afraid, and turned to flee!
“Trying to run?”
Ye Chen’s lips curled, and he swept out his hand.
A heaven-covering giant hand enveloped the Void and seized every chaos being in its grasp!
“No! Impossible!”
“Wh-what Realm are you actually at?!”
“Me?”
Ye Chen smiled. “The kind of man you can’t afford to provoke.”
He closed his hand.
Boom!
Every one of the chaos beings fell.
Nobody breathed.
In the Heavenly Dao Palace, the old man was Dumbfounded.
Those chaos beings that had made even him tremble with Wary Respect had just… been crushed to death?
“Is that all?”
Ye Chen clapped his hands, still hungry for more. “Anybody stronger?”
The words had barely left his mouth when…
Boom!
The Void split open again!
An even more terrifying Presence descended!
It was a man in black robes, wrapped in endless chaotic qi, as though he were the master of chaos itself!
“The Lord of Chaos?”
Ye Chen’s brow lifted slightly.
“Correct.”
The black-robed man said without inflection, “You have slain my kin. You deserve death ten thousand times over!”
“Finally, something worth my time.”
Ye Chen smiled. “Come. Show me how strong the Lord of Chaos really is.”
“Seeking Death!”
The Lord of Chaos struck out with his palm, and the power of chaos swept across heaven and earth, annihilating everything!
That blow surpassed the Divine Emperor and reached an entirely new Realm!
And yet…
Ye Chen threw a punch of his own!
Boom!
The two forces collided, and The Sky Changes Color!
The Lord of Chaos staggered back three steps, and Ye Chen did not move an inch!
“You…”
The Lord of Chaos was aghast.
He was the Lord of Chaos, an existence who had surpassed the Divine Emperor!
And he had been driven back by a single punch?!
“You Interest Me.”
Ye Chen nodded. “Far stronger than those Useless things from before.”
“Arrogant!”
The Lord of Chaos flew into a rage and summoned his Life-Bound Treasure, the Chaos Bell!
The bell tolled, and time and space froze solid, all things falling silent.
“The Chaos Bell?”
A strange light flashed through Ye Chen’s eyes. “A fine thing. I’ll take it.”
One step brought him before the Lord of Chaos in an instant, and struck out with his palm!
Boom!
The Chaos Bell was sent flying, and the Lord of Chaos was flung back, coughing blood!
“Th-this is impossible!”
The Lord of Chaos was in a panic.
His strongest Magic Treasure had been swatted away by a single palm?
“Nothing is impossible.”
Ye Chen caught the Chaos Bell and weighed it in his hand. “Good heft. I’ll use it as an alarm clock.”
“You…”
The Lord of Chaos turned and fled!
This monster was not an existence he could contend with in the slightest!
“Trying to run?”
Ye Chen shook his head and pointed a finger.
Boom!
The Lord of Chaos fell.
Nobody breathed.
In the Heavenly Dao Palace, everyone was struck dumb.
The Lord of Chaos had just… died, like that?
“Is that all?”
Ye Chen was somewhat disappointed. “I thought I’d get to play a little longer.”
He turned to head back to the Heavenly Dao Palace.
Just then…
Boom!
The Void split open again!
An even more terrifying Presence descended!
It was a figure whose face could not be made out, but the Presence radiating from it made even Ye Chen frown slightly.
“You are…”
“I am the Source of Chaos, the beginning of all things.”
The figure spoke mildly. “You have slain my envoys. You deserve death ten thousand times over.”
“The Source of Chaos?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Finally, something worth my time.”
“Submit, or die.”
“Those are the very words I meant to say to you.”
A flash of Fighting Spirit passed through Ye Chen’s eyes.
It had been a very long time since he had met an opponent worth taking seriously.
“Obstinate to the last.”
The Source of Chaos struck out with his palm.
That palm carried the primal power of chaos within it, enough to annihilate everything!
Ye Chen struck out with a palm of his own making!
Boom!
The two forces collided, and the whole of the Three Thousand Greater Worlds trembled!
“You Interest Me.”
Ye Chen took a step back, the Fighting Spirit in his eyes burning brighter.
“You…”
The Source of Chaos looked at him in surprise.
To take one of his palms and live: this young man had already surpassed the Divine Emperor!
“Again!”
Ye Chen laughed aloud and attacked first!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In an instant the two exchanged hundreds of moves, each one enough to destroy an entire Greater World!
In the Heavenly Dao Palace, everyone stood transfixed.
A battle of this magnitude had already passed beyond their comprehension!
“So strong…”
The old man murmured to himself. “Chen’er… to think he has grown this strong…”
Boom!
Another thunderous crash, and the two parted.
Ye Chen’s robes were slightly disordered, but his eyes were full of excitement.
“What a fight! Again!”
“You…”
The Source of Chaos’s face was grave.
He had not expected this young man to be able to fight him to such a standstill!
“It seems I must get serious.”
He drew a deep breath, and the Presence around him surged!
“Primal Chaos, open!”
Boom!
His Presence instantly multiplied tenfold!
“Now that’s more like it!”
Ye Chen laughed and likewise brought his full strength to bear!
Boom!
His Presence surged tenfold as well!
“You…”
The Source of Chaos’s pupils contracted.
This young man still had strength to spare?!
“Come. Let’s have a proper fight!”
Ye Chen took a single step and struck again!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two clashed once more, fiercer than before, and the whole of chaos trembled!
Then…
Boom!
With a great crash, both of them were thrown back at the same time.
Blood seeped from the corner of Ye Chen’s mouth, but his eyes were full of excitement.
The Source of Chaos was wounded as well, and far more badly!
“You… what manner of being are you?!”
“Me?”
Ye Chen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and broke into a brilliant smile. “I am Ye Chen, Son of the Heavenly Dao, and… your end!”
He took a single step, and the Presence around him surged once more!
“Impossible!”
The Source of Chaos was aghast. “How can you still have strength to spare?!”
“Because I haven’t used my full strength yet.”
Ye Chen smiled faintly and drove out a punch!
That punch carried every ounce of his strength!
Boom!
The Source of Chaos’s body burst apart, and he died!
Nobody breathed.
The Source of Chaos, the beginning of all things, had just… died?
“Is that all?”
Ye Chen shook his head in some disappointment. “I thought I’d get to play a little longer.”
He turned and went back into the Heavenly Dao Palace.
Everyone was looking at him as though he were a monster.
“What?”
Ye Chen asked, puzzled.
“N-nothing…”
The old man swallowed and silently counted his blessings.
Thank heavens he had not thrown this son of his away back then. Otherwise the one dead today would have been him.
“Incidentally, those chaos beings must have remnants, surely?”
Ye Chen asked.
“Th-they should…”
“Good.”
Ye Chen nodded. “I’ll take a trip beyond the chaos and settle this once and for all.”
“What?!”
The crowd was shocked. “Senior, beyond the chaos is perilous beyond measure. You…”
“Perilous?”
Ye Chen smiled. “To me, every place is a back garden within ten li of home.”
One step. He was gone.
…
Beyond the chaos.
This was a space of pure nothingness, without time, without space, only endless chaos.
Ye Chen walked through that nothingness, searching for the nest of the chaos beings.
“Found it.”
His Eyes Narrowed as he looked into the distance.
There, a vast palace hung suspended in the chaos. The stronghold of the chaos beings!
“The Chaos Temple?”
Ye Chen nodded. “Imposing enough, I’ll grant it. Question is whether there’s a worthy opponent inside.”
He strode toward the temple.
“Halt!”
Countless chaos beings poured out and surrounded him.
“Human, you dare trespass in the Chaos Temple!”
“Seeking Death!”
“Kill him!”
Ye Chen did not so much as glance at them, and walked straight toward the temple gates.
“Stop him!”
Countless attacks crashed toward Ye Chen, and without exception he ignored every one of them.
“Too weak.”
He shook his head and struck out with his palm.
Boom!
Every chaos being fell!
He pushed open the temple gates and walked in.
Deep within the temple, a white-haired old man sat cross-legged on a throne.
He was the master of the Chaos Temple, and the creator of the Source of Chaos, the Chaos Progenitor, lord of its great Hall!
“You’ve come.”
The old man opened his eyes and looked at Ye Chen, his gaze full of complexity.
“You knew I was coming?”
“Of course.”
The Chaos Progenitor nodded. “I have waited a long time for you.”
“Waited for me?”
“Correct.”
The Chaos Progenitor rose. “A hundred thousand years ago I sensed the birth of a new Heavenly Dao, and I knew this day would come.”
“A hundred thousand years ago?”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. “I wasn’t even born then, was I?”
“No. You had already been born.”
The Chaos Progenitor smiled. “Or rather, you have always been.”
“What do you mean?”
“You think you’re a transmigrator?”
The Chaos Progenitor shook his head. “No. You are the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, the will of this heaven and earth given form. A hundred thousand years ago you awakened a sliver of consciousness and believed yourself a transmigrator. In truth, you were only returning to your source.”
“…”
Ye Chen fell silent.
He suddenly recalled that before he transmigrated, he had indeed had no memories at all.
As though he had… appeared out of thin air.
“Then who am I, really?”
“You are the Heavenly Dao. And you are Ye Chen.”
The Chaos Progenitor said mildly, “And now, you must make a choice.”
“What choice?”
“Merge, or be destroyed.”
The Chaos Progenitor extended his hand. “Merge with me and become the true master of chaos, transcending all things. Or be destroyed by me, and begin again.”
“Merge?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Are you worthy?”
“Obstinate to the last.”
The Chaos Progenitor shook his head. “Since you refuse, then go and die.”
He took a single step, and the Presence around him surged!
That Presence surpassed the Source of Chaos and reached a Realm no one had ever named!
“So this is your true strength?”
A flash of Fighting Spirit passed through Ye Chen’s eyes. “You Interest Me.”
“Die!”
The Chaos Progenitor struck out with his palm, and the power of chaos swept over everything, annihilating everything!
Ye Chen struck out with a palm of his own making!
Boom!
The two forces collided, and the whole of chaos trembled!
“Not bad. Far stronger than that Source of Chaos fellow.”
Ye Chen nodded. “But not enough!”
The Presence around him surged again, and he drove out a punch!
Boom!
The Chaos Progenitor staggered back three steps, his face a mask of shock!
“You… how can you be this strong?!”
“Because I am the Heavenly Dao!”
Ye Chen took a single step and struck again!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In an instant the two exchanged thousands of moves, and the whole Chaos Temple shook!
Then…
Boom!
With a great crash, the two parted.
Ye Chen was drenched in blood, but the Fighting Spirit in his eyes burned brighter than ever.
The Chaos Progenitor was wounded as well, and far more badly!
“You… you’re mad!”
The Chaos Progenitor was in a panic. “At this rate, we’ll both die!”
“Die?”
Ye Chen smiled. “I won’t die. But you will.”
He drew a deep breath, and the Presence around him surged once more!
“Impossible!”
The Source of Chaos’s eyes went wide. “How can you still have strength to spare?!”
“Because this is my true strength.”
Ye Chen smiled faintly and drove out a punch!
That punch carried every ounce of his strength, and it surpassed all things!
Boom!
The Chaos Progenitor fell!
Nobody breathed.
Ye Chen stood in the Chaos Temple and said nothing for a long time.
“Is it over?”
He murmured to himself, and suddenly felt hollow.
Invincibility was a lonely business.
…
Chapter Six — Ushering in a New Era, the Myriad Worlds Bow
Back in the Three Thousand Greater Worlds, Ye Chen received a hero’s welcome.
“Senior! Thank goodness you’re all right!”
“Benefactor! This little demon was worried sick!”
“Chen’er…”
The crowd pressed around him, their faces full of concern.
“It’s fine. A small matter.”
Ye Chen waved a hand, then looked at the old man. “Good-for-nothing father, there’s something I mean to do.”
“What thing?”
“Open a new era.”
Ye Chen answered without inflection. “The old order has rotted. It needs new rules.”
“New rules?”
The old man blinked.
“From this day forth, the Three Thousand Greater Worlds and every living being in the Myriad Worlds shall be under my command.”
Ye Chen took a single step and appeared above the nine heavens, his voice ringing across the Myriad Worlds!
“I am Ye Chen, Master of the Heavenly Dao, Sovereign of Chaos!”
“From this day forth, I open a new era, and it shall be called the Chronicle of Chen the Heavenly Emperor!”
“Every being in the Myriad Worlds shall submit!”
Boom!
His voice spread across the Three Thousand Greater Worlds, and countless living beings fell to their knees and worshipped the new sovereign!
“Hail Chen the Heavenly Emperor!”
“Hail Chen the Heavenly Emperor!”
“Hail Chen the Heavenly Emperor!”
The voices shook the Myriad Worlds and echoed through chaos!
Ye Chen stood above the nine heavens and received the homage of the Myriad Worlds.
In that moment, he truly became the master of the Myriad Worlds!
…
The first year of the new era.
Ye Chen reformed the old order, abolished such old factions as the Heavenly Court, the Buddha Realm, and the Devil Palace, and founded the Myriad Worlds Alliance to govern the Three Thousand Greater Worlds as one.
Yaoji was made vice-chair of the Alliance, Bai Qian chief Elder of enforcement, the Dragon King minister of finance…
Everyone who had followed him was given a place of importance.
“Senior, won’t this provoke a backlash from the old factions?”
Yaoji asked worriedly.
“A backlash?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Let them come.”
Sure enough, the old factions resented the reforms and rose in revolt.
The result:
Ye Chen swatted the leading Divine Kings to death with one palm, and the rest all fell to their knees and Beg for Mercy.
“Anyone else who objects?”
No one dared answer.
From then on, the Myriad Worlds submitted, and there were no more objections.
…
The tenth year of the new era.
Ye Chen founded the Heavenly Dao Academy, taking in Disciples far and wide and teaching the supreme Cultivation Techniques.
Whatever their race, whatever their origin, all who had talent were admitted.
From the first class of students came ten Divine Kings, a hundred Divine Venerables, and a thousand Divine Emperors!
“All hail Chen the Heavenly Emperor!”
“Long live Chen the Heavenly Emperor!”
The beings of the Myriad Worlds were overflowing with gratitude, and Ye Chen’s prestige reached its zenith.
…
The hundredth year of the new era.
Ye Chen achieved a Breakthrough into a new Realm, the Transcendence Realm!
That Realm surpassed chaos, surpassed the Heavenly Dao, and reached true deathlessness and Indestructible eternity, unfettered forever.
“Then, things are getting interesting.”
Ye Chen felt the power within him and nodded in satisfaction.
“Senior, you’ve had another Breakthrough?”
Yaoji asked in delight.
“Mm. A small one.”
Ye Chen did not look up.
A small… small Breakthrough?
Yaoji was used to this by now.
In Senior’s mouth, breaking through to a new Realm was as simple as eating and drinking.
“Incidentally, has anything interesting happened in the Myriad Worlds lately?”
“Yes!”
Yaoji said at once, “They say a primeval Ruins has been discovered deep in the chaos. It may hold the secret to surpassing the Transcendence Realm!”
“Surpassing the Transcendence Realm?”
A strange light flashed through Ye Chen’s eyes. “You Interest Me. Let’s go have a look.”
…
Deep in the chaos. The primeval Ruins.
Ye Chen entered the Ruins alone, and found that it was in fact a battlefield.
Broken Magic Treasures littered the ground, snapped weapons beside them, and… the bones of the powerful!
“These bones…”
Ye Chen’s pupils contracted.
Every one of those skeletons radiated a Presence that surpassed the Transcendence Realm!
“So many experts beyond the Transcendence Realm fell here?”
He pressed deeper, and at last, at the center of the Ruins, he found a stone stele.
Old script was carved into the stele, recording a startling chapter of history:
“We came from ’Above the High Heavens’ to contend for the ’Source of Eternity’. We fought a great war here. Not one of us walked away…”
“Above the High Heavens? The Source of Eternity?”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly.
So the Transcendence Realm was not the end. There were higher Realms still!
“You Interest Me.”
He smiled. “I was just lamenting how lonely invincibility is. It seems a wider world is waiting for me.”
He put the stele away and left the Ruins.
…
Back at the Myriad Worlds Alliance, Ye Chen summoned everyone.
“I’ll be leaving for a while.”
“Leaving?”
The crowd was startled. “Where is Senior going?”
“Above the High Heavens.”
Ye Chen said mildly, “There’s something there that I need.”
“But…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back.”
Ye Chen patted Yaoji’s shoulder. “Manage the Alliance well, and wait for my return.”
“Ye…”
Yaoji’s eyes reddened slightly, but she nodded with resolve.
“I’m off.”
Ye Chen took a single step and vanished from where he stood.
…
Above the High Heavens.
This was a far vaster heaven and earth, where the spiritual qi was ten thousand times denser than in the Three Thousand Greater Worlds!
The moment Ye Chen set foot here, he felt countless powerful Presences.
“Divine Emperors everywhere, Divine Kings thick as dogs?”
He nodded. “Now that’s more like it.”
“A newcomer?”
A voice rang out.
A middle-aged man walked over and looked Ye Chen up and down. “Come up from the lower realm?”
“Correct.”
“Heh. Another Ascension.”
The middle-aged man smiled. “My name is Wang Teng. I’m a ’guide’, responsible for receiving Ascension from the lower realms. What’s your name?”
“Ye Chen.”
“Ye Chen?”
Wang Teng thought it over, then shook his head. “Never heard of you. Come on, I’ll take you to register, then assign you a Cave Residence.”
“Register? A Cave Residence?”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. “I don’t need those.”
“Don’t need them?”
Wang Teng laughed. “Brat, you think this is still the lower realm? Here, the Divine King Realm is only the starting line, and a Divine Emperor is just an ordinary expert. You’re fresh off your Ascension. What are you being so cocky about?”
“A Divine Emperor is just an ordinary expert?”
Ye Chen nodded. “Perfect. Saves me the boredom.”
“You…”
Wang Teng was about to say something when his expression suddenly changed.
“Trouble. The ’Blood Devil Sect’ is here!”
A group of blood-robed figures descended from the sky and surrounded the two of them.
“Wang Teng, this month’s protection fee. Time to pay up, isn’t it?”
The lead blood-robed figure said without inflection.
“Blood Devil Old Ancestor, could you grant me a few days’ grace?”
Wang Teng’s face was bitter.
“Grace?”
The Blood Devil Old Ancestor said, lips curling “Certainly. I’ll grant you grace in exchange for your life!”
He struck out with his palm, straight for Wang Teng’s life!
Wang Teng closed his eyes in despair.
But the death he expected did not come.
He opened his eyes in confusion. That young newcomer was standing in front of him.
And the Blood Devil Old Ancestor’s palm was caught lightly in the young man’s grip, unable to move an inch.
“You… who are you?!”
The Blood Devil Old Ancestor was aghast.
He was an expert of the Divine Sovereign Realm, and someone had caught his palm?
“I told you. My name is Ye Chen.”
Ye Chen answered, “Bullying a guide. Is that supposed to be amusing?”
“Seeking Death!”
The Blood Devil Old Ancestor flew into a rage and brought his full strength to bear!
And yet…
Ye Chen merely squeezed lightly.
Crack!
The Blood Devil Old Ancestor’s arm broke.
“Aaah!”
A scream rang out, and the Blood Devil Old Ancestor dropped to his knees. “S-Senior, Spare My Life!”
“Scram.”
Ye Chen kicked him away. “If I see you bullying people again, you die.”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
The Blood Devil Old Ancestor scrambled away on hands and knees, and his men Scatter in a Panic.
Wang Teng was Dumbfounded.
The Blood Devil Old Ancestor, an expert of the Divine Sovereign Realm, had just… been defeated?
“Wh-what Realm are you actually at?”
“Me?”
Ye Chen smiled. “The Transcendence Realm.”
“The Tr-Transcendence Realm?!”
Wang Teng went pale and sucked in a breath.
That was a Realm out of legend!
Across the whole of Above the High Heavens, there were fewer than ten Transcendence Realm experts!
“S-Senior…”
Wang Teng dropped to his knees at once. “This Junior was Blind to Mount Tai. I beg Senior’s Pardon My Offense!”
“Get up.”
Ye Chen raised him to his feet. “Take me to see the strongest person here.”
“The strongest person?”
Wang Teng blinked. “Does Senior mean…”
“The master of Above the High Heavens.”
“This…”
Wang Teng hesitated. “Above the High Heavens has no single master, but there are five great factions: the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Chaos Gate, the Eternal Hall, the Reincarnation Pavilion, and the Creation Palace.”
“Five great factions?”
Ye Chen nodded. “Take me to the nearest one.”
“Yes!”
…
The Heavenly Dao Sect.
This was one of the mightiest factions of Above the High Heavens, and its Sect Lord was an expert at the peak of the Transcendence Realm!
The moment Ye Chen stepped into the Sect, he caused a stir.
“An Ascension from the lower realm?”
“To make it this far, he must have some skill.”
“But that’s all. Lower-realm folk never amount to anything, whatever they tell themselves.”
Ye Chen ignored the talk and headed straight for the Sect Lord’s Hall.
“Halt!”
Two guards blocked his way. “The Sect Lord’s Hall admits no idlers!”
“Stand aside. I have business with your Sect Lord.”
“How dare you!”
The guards flew into a rage. They were just about to strike when…
Boom!
A terrifying Presence erupted from Ye Chen, and both guards dropped to their knees in an instant!
“Th-the Transcendence Realm?!”
“Go report to the Sect Lord at once!”
Moments later, the Sect Lord of the Heavenly Dao Sect came out to receive him in person.
“A Fellow Daoist has come from afar, and I failed to greet you properly. I beg your pardon.”
The Sect Lord was a white-haired old man with a kindly face, but his eyes glittered with sharp light.
“Skip the pleasantries.”
Ye Chen answered without inflection. “I’ve come to ask you one thing.”
“What thing?”
“The Source of Eternity. Where is it?”
The Sect Lord’s pupils contracted. “You… how do you know of the Source of Eternity?!”
“I saw it in the primeval Ruins.”
“The primeval Ruins…”
The Sect Lord was silent a moment, then sighed. “Since the Fellow Daoist knows, I will not conceal it. The Source of Eternity lies at the Summit of the High Heavens, but that place is perilous beyond measure. Even Transcendence Realm experts risk falling there.”
“The Summit of the High Heavens?”
Ye Chen nodded. “Take me there.”
“This…”
“Unwilling?”
A cold light flashed through Ye Chen’s eyes.
“N-no! I wouldn’t dare!”
The Sect Lord said hurriedly, “But the Summit of the High Heavens takes time to open. It opens once every ten thousand years, and the next opening is nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years away…”
“Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years?”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. “Too long.”
“The Fellow Daoist is welcome to stay in our Heavenly Dao Sect and wait for the opening…”
“No need.”
Ye Chen shook his head. “I have my own means.”
One step. He was gone.
The Sect Lord stared for a moment, then gave a Bitter Smile.
This Fellow Daoist was certainly impatient.
…
The Summit of the High Heavens.
This was the highest point of Above the High Heavens, and the resting place of the Source of Eternity.
Ye Chen arrived at the foot of the mountain and found it wrapped in a powerful Restriction.
“A Restriction?”
He sneered and drove out a punch!
Boom!
The Restriction shattered, and Ye Chen strode in!
“How dare you! To dare trespass on the Summit of the High Heavens!”
Countless experts poured out and surrounded Ye Chen.
The weakest of these experts were at the Transcendence Realm!
“Stand aside. I’ve come only for the Source of Eternity. I don’t mean to hurt anyone.”
Ye Chen did not look up.
“Arrogant!”
“Seeking Death!”
“Kill!”
Countless attacks crashed toward Ye Chen, and he did not move an inch.
“Obstinate to the last.”
Ye Chen shook his head. His palm went out.
Boom!
Every one of those experts fell!
He climbed on, and at last reached the summit.
At the top of the mountain, a pearl radiating eternal light hung suspended in the Void.
That was… the Source of Eternity!
“Found you at last.”
Ye Chen extended his hand, about to seize it…
“Stop!”
A terrifying Presence descended!
It was a middle-aged man in golden robes, radiating a Presence that surpassed the Transcendence Realm!
“The Eternity Realm?”
Ye Chen’s brow lifted slightly.
“Correct!”
The golden-robed man said without inflection, “I am the Eternal Guardian. You have trespassed in a Forbidden Ground, and you deserve death ten thousand times over!”
“The Eternity Realm?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Perfect. Let’s see how strong the Eternity Realm really is.”
“Seeking Death!”
The Eternal Guardian struck out with his palm, and the power of eternity swept over everything, annihilating everything!
Ye Chen struck out with a palm of his own making!
Boom!
The two forces collided, and The Sky Changes Color!
“You Interest Me.”
Ye Chen took a step back, the Fighting Spirit in his eyes burning brighter.
“You…”
The Eternal Guardian looked at him in surprise.
To take one of his palms and live: this young man was at minimum at the peak of the Transcendence Realm!
“Again!”
Ye Chen laughed aloud and attacked first!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In an instant the two exchanged hundreds of moves, each one enough to destroy an entire Greater World!
Then…
Boom!
With a great crash, the two parted.
Ye Chen was drenched in blood, but the Fighting Spirit in his eyes burned brighter.
The Eternal Guardian was wounded as well, and far more badly!
“You… how can you be this strong?!”
“Because I haven’t used my full strength yet.”
Ye Chen smiled faintly, and the Presence around him surged once more!
“Impossible!”
The Eternal Guardian’s eyes went wide. “How can you still have strength to spare?!”
“Because this is my true strength!”
Ye Chen took a single step and drove out a punch!
That punch carried every ounce of his strength, and it surpassed all things!
Boom!
The Eternal Guardian fell!
Ye Chen walked up to the Source of Eternity and closed his hand around it.
Boom!
Power poured into his body like a flood, and his Cultivation Base surged once more!
Peak of the Transcendence Realm…
Early Stage of the Eternity Realm…
Middle Stage of the Eternity Realm…
Late Stage of the Eternity Realm…
Peak of the Eternity Realm!
By the time his Cultivation Base settled, Ye Chen had become a true expert of the Eternity Realm!
“Then, things are getting interesting.”
He felt the power within him and nodded in satisfaction.
“But this is not the end.”
He gazed into the distance, a gleam of light in his eyes.
“Above the High Heavens, there are higher Realms still waiting for me!”
…
Chapter Seven — Warring Upon the High Heavens, Becoming an Eternal Legend
Having obtained the Source of Eternity, Ye Chen did not leave the Summit of the High Heavens at once.
He spent three years in Closed-Door Cultivation at the summit, fully consolidating his Eternity Realm Cultivation Base.
“The Eternity Realm. It truly is extraordinary.”
Ye Chen opened his eyes and felt the power within him, vast as a river of stars.
Now, with a single thought he could create a world; with a single thought he could annihilate all living things. He had truly reached a state of eternal, Indestructible being.
“But it’s time to go back.”
He rose and took a single step, vanishing from where he stood.
…
The Three Thousand Greater Worlds. The Myriad Worlds Alliance.
Ye Chen’s return caused an uproar.
“Senior! You’re finally back!”
“Benefactor! This little demon missed you to death!”
“Chen’er…”
The crowd pressed around him, their faces full of joy.
“Mm. I’m back.”
Ye Chen nodded, his gaze sweeping over them. “Has anything happened in these years?”
“Yes!”
Yaoji said at once, “The five great factions of Above the High Heavens have sent envoys!”
“The five great factions?”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. “What do they want?”
“They say they mean to absorb us, to make us their vassals…”
“Vassals?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Are they worthy?”
“Senior, all five great factions have Eternity Realm experts holding them down. We…”
“The Eternity Realm?”
Ye Chen said mildly, “I’m in the Eternity Realm now too.”
“What?!”
The crowd was shocked!
Senior had gone to Above the High Heavens and made a Breakthrough to the Eternity Realm?
That… that was far too fast!
“Take me to see them.”
Ye Chen answered.
“Yes!”
…
The great Hall of the Myriad Worlds Alliance.
Five envoys sat in the seats of honor, swaggering, while the Alliance’s senior members had no choice but to stand to one side.
“Have you considered our offer?”
The Heavenly Dao Sect’s envoy said without inflection, “Submit, or be destroyed.”
“We…”
Yaoji was about to speak when a mild voice rang out:
“I’ll take a third option.”
“What?”
The five envoys blinked and turned.
A young man in white was walking in at an unhurried pace, his expression indifferent.
“Who are you?”
“Ye Chen.”
“Ye Chen?”
The five envoys Exchange Glances, and their faces changed at the same moment!
“You’re the one who broke into the Summit of the High Heavens and took the Source of Eternity?!”
“Correct.”
Ye Chen nodded and sat down in the seat of honor. “You were saying something about my Myriad Worlds Alliance submitting?”
“This…”
The five envoys’ foreheads broke out in sweat.
To defeat the Eternal Guardian and seize the Source of Eternity: such an existence was not one they could afford to provoke!
“A misunderstanding! All a misunderstanding!”
The Heavenly Dao Sect’s envoy hurried to smile apologetically. “We did not know this was Senior Ye’s domain. We have given great offense, and we beg your Pardon My Offense!”
“Now you know you were wrong?”
Ye Chen answered without inflection. “Too late.”
He waved his hand lightly.
Boom!
The five envoys turned to ash in an instant!
Nobody breathed.
“S-Senior…”
Yaoji’s voice trembled. “If you kill them, the five great factions will never let this go…”
“Never let it go?”
Ye Chen smiled. “Perfect. I was just about to go looking for them.”
He rose, his gaze fixed on the distance. “Pass down the order. The Myriad Worlds Alliance marches on Above the High Heavens!”
“What?!”
The crowd was shocked!
March on Above the High Heavens?
That was a realm held down by super-factions with Eternity Realm experts!
“Stand down. I’m here.”
Ye Chen did not look up. “From this day forth, Above the High Heavens will submit to me as well!”
…
Three months later.
Ye Chen led the great army of the Myriad Worlds Alliance against Above the High Heavens!
First stop: the Heavenly Dao Sect!
“Ye Chen! You dare invade my Heavenly Dao Sect!”
The Sect Lord of the Heavenly Dao Sect roared and led every expert of the Sect out to meet him.
“Submit, or die.”
Ye Chen said mildly.
“Arrogant!”
The Sect Lord flew into a rage, summoned his Life-Bound Treasure, a Magic Treasure of his own forging, and slashed at Ye Chen!
And yet…
Ye Chen merely pointed a finger.
Boom!
The Sect Lord fell!
Nobody breathed.
“Anyone else who objects?”
No one dared answer.
The Heavenly Dao Sect submitted!
…
Second stop: the Chaos Gate!
“Ye Chen, you are Going Too Far!”
The Gate Master of the Chaos Gate roared and activated the Great Chaos Formation, hoping to trap and kill Ye Chen.
Ye Chen drove out a punch, and the formation shattered, and the Gate Master fell!
The Chaos Gate submitted!
…
Third stop: the Eternal Hall!
“Ye Chen, the Eternal Hall has no quarrel with you. Why Hunt Them to the Last?”
The Hall Master of the Eternal Hall, an expert at the Middle Stage of the Eternity Realm, asked gravely.
“No quarrel?”
Ye Chen answered, lips curling “You sent men to absorb my Myriad Worlds Alliance. You call that no quarrel?”
“That was the envoys acting on their own…”
“I don’t listen to excuses.”
Ye Chen took a single step, and a terrifying Presence swept across heaven and earth. “Submit, or die.”
“You…”
The Hall Master of the Eternal Hall flew into a rage. “You really think I fear you?!”
He activated the Source of Eternity, and his Cultivation Base surged to the Late Stage of the Eternity Realm!
“You Interest Me.”
Ye Chen nodded. “But not enough.”
He drove out a punch!
Boom!
The Hall Master of the Eternal Hall fell!
The Eternal Hall submitted!
…
Fourth stop: the Reincarnation Pavilion!
The Pavilion Master of the Reincarnation Pavilion was a clever man. Before Ye Chen could even speak, he dropped to his knees.
“Senior Ye, the Reincarnation Pavilion is willing to submit, with no second thoughts!”
“Good.”
Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction. “The wise man knows his times.”
The Reincarnation Pavilion surrendered without a fight!
…
Fifth stop: the Creation Palace!
This was the mightiest of the five great factions. Its Palace Master was an expert at the Late Stage of the Eternity Realm, and he possessed a creation divine artifact, the Jade Disc of Creation!
“Ye Chen, you are indeed strong, but destroying my Creation Palace will not be so easy!”
The Palace Master of the Creation Palace activated the Jade Disc of Creation, and the Presence around him surged to the peak of the Eternity Realm!
“Finally, something worth my time.”
A flash of Fighting Spirit passed through Ye Chen’s eyes. “Come. Show me how strong the Jade Disc of Creation really is.”
“As you wish!”
The Palace Master struck out with his palm, and the power of creation swept across heaven and earth, evolving all things and annihilating everything!
Ye Chen struck out with a palm of his own making!
Boom!
The two forces collided, and The Sky Changes Color!
“Not bad. Far stronger than the last few.”
Ye Chen took a step back, the Fighting Spirit in his eyes burning brighter.
“You…”
The Palace Master’s face was a mask of shock.
He had activated the Jade Disc of Creation and struck with all his might, and all it had done was force Ye Chen back one step?
“My turn.”
Ye Chen took a single step, and the Presence around him surged once more!
The Cultivation Base of the peak of the Eternity Realm erupted in full!
“Impossible!”
The Palace Master’s eyes went wide. “How can you be at the peak of the Eternity Realm too?!”
“Surprised?”
Ye Chen smiled. “There’s more to come.”
He drew out the Source of Eternity and merged it with himself.
Boom!
His Presence surged again, surpassing the peak of the Eternity Realm and reaching an entirely new Realm,
The Eternal Supreme Realm!
“Th-this is impossible!”
The Palace Master was in despair.
The Eternal Supreme. That was a Realm out of legend. Across the whole of Above the High Heavens, no one had ever reached it!
“Submit, or die.”
Ye Chen said it without heat, and still it carried the majesty of heaven itself.
“I… I submit!”
The Palace Master of the Creation Palace dropped to his knees and bowed his proud head.
And so all five great factions submitted!
Ye Chen had become the sole master of Above the High Heavens!
…
Having unified Above the High Heavens, Ye Chen did not rest.
He knew that in a vaster heaven and earth, there were stronger beings still.
“Is there a higher world above Above the High Heavens?”
He asked the Palace Master of the Creation Palace.
“There is!”
The Palace Master said respectfully, “Legend says that at the end of eternity there lies a place called the ’Source Realm (the Land)’, the origin of all things and the end of everything.”
“The Source Realm?”
A gleam of light flashed through Ye Chen’s eyes. “How does one get there?”
“You must gather nine Sources of Eternity to open the Gate of the Source Realm.”
“Nine?”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. “I have only one.”
“Above the High Heavens there are eight more Sources of Eternity, held by the eight ancient Clans.”
“The eight ancient Clans?”
“Yes. They have withdrawn from the world, but their strength is Unfathomable. Every one of them is held down by an expert at the peak of the Eternity Realm.”
“You Interest Me.”
Ye Chen smiled. “Then let’s go pay them a visit.”
…
The first Clan: the Xuanyuan Clan.
“Ye Chen, my Xuanyuan Clan has an Inheritance ten thousand ages old. Why would we submit to you?”
The Xuanyuan Old Ancestor, an expert at the peak of the Eternity Realm, said without inflection.
“An Inheritance ten thousand ages old?”
Ye Chen struck out with his palm. “Before me, ten thousand ages are the space of a snapped finger.”
Boom!
The Xuanyuan Old Ancestor fell!
The Xuanyuan Clan submitted!
One Source of Eternity, secured!
…
The second Clan: the Shennong Clan.
“Senior Ye, my Shennong Clan is willing to offer up our Source of Eternity. We ask only for Senior’s protection.”
The Shennong Old Ancestor knew which way the wind blew, and handed the treasure over of his own accord.
“Good.”
Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction. “From now on, the Shennong Clan is under the protection of the Myriad Worlds Alliance.”
…
The third Clan: the Chiyou Clan.
“Fight! Fight! Fight!”
The Chiyou Old Ancestor was a fighting maniac. Without another word he went straight to war, Spirit Severing be damned.
Ye Chen drove out a punch and left him gravely wounded.
“Still fighting?”
“Fight… no more fighting…”
The Chiyou Old Ancestor lay flat on the ground, thoroughly convinced.
…
The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth Clans.
Some submitted, some resisted, but the end was the same in every case.
Ye Chen gathered all nine Sources of Eternity!
“At last I can open the Gate of the Source Realm.”
He merged the nine Sources of Eternity, and a radiant gate of light appeared before him.
“Source Realm, here I come.”
He stepped through the gate of light.
…
Chapter Eight — Lord of the Source Realm, Creating Infinite Possibilities
The Source Realm (the Land).
This was a space of pure nothingness, with no heaven, no earth, no light, no dark.
Only endless “source force” flowed through it, a current vast enough to drown ten thousand li of void.
“So this is the Source Realm?”
Ye Chen felt the source force around him, and a strange light passed through his eyes.
The source force here was ten thousand times purer than the Source of Eternity!
“A newcomer?”
A voice rang out.
Ye Chen turned. A grey-robed old man was walking out of the nothingness.
“And you are?”
“This Old Man is the Guardian of the Source Realm, and has waited here for countless ages.”
“Waited?”
“For the one fated to come.”
The old man studied Ye Chen, and there was admiration in the look. “You are the first to gather all nine Sources of Eternity and open the Gate of the Source Realm.”
“The first?”
“Correct. Many have tried before you, and all have failed.”
The old man let out a breath. “The Sources of Eternity are scattered far and wide. To gather them requires not only strength, but Fortune, wisdom, and Fortuitous Encounter… You are the only one who has succeeded.”
“And so?”
“And so, you are qualified to receive the Inheritance of the Source Realm.”
The old man held out his hand, and a pearl radiating endless light appeared in his palm.
“This is…”
“The Heart of the Source Realm. The origin of all things, and the end of everything.”
The old man spoke with weight. “Merge with it, and you will become the master of the Source Realm, transcending eternity to reach the ’Source Realm’!”
“The Source Realm (the Realm)?”
“The Source Realm is the end of cultivation, and also its beginning.”
The old man explained, “Reach the Source Realm, and you will possess the power to create worlds, destroy worlds, reverse time and space, alter fate… every inconceivable ability.”
“Sounds good.”
Ye Chen took the Heart of the Source Realm and merged it into his body.
Boom!
An indescribable power poured into him, and his Cultivation Base surged once again!
The Eternal Supreme Realm…
Early Stage of the Source Realm…
Middle Stage of the Source Realm…
Late Stage of the Source Realm…
Peak of the Source Realm!
When his Cultivation Base settled, Ye Chen felt as though he could do anything at all!
“So this is the Source Realm?”
He extended his hand and closed it gently.
Boom!
A brand-new world came into being in his palm!
“Creating a world really is a wondrous thing.”
Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction.
“Congratulations on becoming the new master of the Source Realm.”
The old man smiled faintly. “From now on, this Old Man may finally be released.”
“Released?”
“Correct. After guarding the Source Realm for countless ages, this Old Man is long since weary.”
The old man’s form slowly turned translucent. “Young man, the Source Realm is in your hands now. I hope… you will create more possibilities…”
With that, he dissolved entirely.
Ye Chen gazed in the direction he had vanished and said nothing for a long time.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”
…
Having become master of the Source Realm, Ye Chen did not leave at once.
He spent ten thousand years in Closed-Door Cultivation within the Source Realm, fully mastering the power of the Source Realm.
Creation, destruction, time, space, fate, Cause and Effect…
Every Law lay within his grasp!
“Time to go back.”
One step carried him back to Above the High Heavens.
…
Above the High Heavens. The Myriad Worlds Alliance.
Ye Chen’s return set the place on its ear.
“Senior! You’re finally back!”
“Benefactor! This little demon waited ten thousand years!”
“Chen’er…”
The crowd pressed around him, their faces full of joy.
“Mm. I’m back.”
Ye Chen nodded, his gaze sweeping over them.
Ten thousand years had passed, and many of them had won a Breakthrough.
Yaoji had reached the Early Stage of the Eternity Realm, Bai Qian the peak of the Divine Emperor, and the Dragon King had broken through to the Divine King Realm…
“Good. You’ve all made progress.”
He nodded in satisfaction.
“Senior, in this Closed-Door Cultivation of yours, what Realm did you Breakthrough into?”
Yaoji asked curiously.
“The Source Realm.”
“The Source Realm (the Realm)?”
The crowd blinked. They had never heard of such a Realm.
“A Realm higher than the Eternity Realm.”
Ye Chen explained, “Put simply, I can now create worlds, destroy worlds, reverse time and space, alter fate…”
“Create worlds?!”
The crowd went pale and sucked in a breath.
What did that even mean?
A world created with one thought, a world destroyed with one thought!
That had already passed beyond their comprehension!
“Senior, how… how strong are you now?”
Bai Qian asked, trembling.
“How strong?”
Ye Chen thought it over, extended his hand, and closed it gently.
Boom!
A brand-new world came into being in his palm!
In that world there were mountains and rivers, grass and trees, flowers and birds, living things multiplying…
“About this strong.”
The crowd: “…”
They no longer knew what to say.
This was beyond what “strong” could describe. This was “god.”
A true creator god!
“Incidentally, I came back to do one thing.”
Ye Chen put the world away and said mildly.
“What thing?”
“Create a new age.”
Ye Chen took a single step and appeared at the highest point of Above the High Heavens, his voice ringing across the Myriad Worlds!
“I am Ye Chen, master of the Source Realm, ancestor of the Myriad Worlds!”
“From this day forth, I merge the Three Thousand Greater Worlds, Above the High Heavens, and the Source Realm, and create the ’Eternal Divine Realm’!”
“Every being of the Myriad Worlds is my subject, and all shall share in eternity!”
Boom!
His voice spread to every corner, and countless worlds began to merge!
Mountains and rivers, grass and trees, flowers and birds, all living things…
Everything was being remade. Everything was being lifted higher!
When the merging was done, a world such as had never been appeared: the Eternal Divine Realm!
The spiritual qi here was ten thousand times denser than before, the Laws a thousand times more complete, and the ceiling for living beings had risen to the Source Realm!
“Th-this is a miracle!”
“Master of the Source Realm! Ancestor of the Myriad Worlds!”
“Hail Ancestor Ye!”
Countless living beings fell to their knees and worshipped the new creator god!
Ye Chen stood at the highest point of the Eternal Divine Realm and received the homage of the Myriad Worlds.
In that moment, he truly became the ancestor of the Myriad Worlds, the lord of eternity!
…
Chapter Nine — The Eternal Divine Realm, Where All Races Flourish Together
After the Eternal Divine Realm was founded, Ye Chen set about his reforms.
“From this day forth, the Eternal Divine Realm is divided into nine great Regions, each governed by a Region Lord, to be held by Source Realm experts.”
“Beneath them, ninety-nine Provinces, each governed by a Province Lord, to be held by Eternity Realm experts.”
“Beneath them, nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Cities, each governed by a City Lord, to be held by experts of the Divine Emperor Realm.”
“All races are equal. The capable rise, the mediocre fall. Origin counts for nothing. Only strength.”
This system broke the old racial prejudice and the frozen hierarchy, and gave countless beings at the bottom of the world something to hope for.
“Ancestor Ye is merciful!”
“Long live Ancestor Ye!”
The ten thousand races were overflowing with gratitude, and the Eternal Divine Realm flourished.
…
The ten-thousandth year.
The Eternal Divine Realm produced its first native Source Realm expert: Yaoji!
“Senior, I’ve had a Breakthrough!”
Yaoji threw herself joyfully into Ye Chen’s arms.
“Good. You didn’t let me down.”
Ye Chen smiled and patted her shoulder. “From this day forth, you are the Region Lord of the First Region.”
“Thank you, Senior!”
…
The thirty-thousandth year.
Bai Qian, the Dragon King, Rulai, the Devil Emperor, and others broke through to the Source Realm one after another and became Region Lords.
In the Eternal Divine Realm, the nine Region Lords gathered, and the Myriad Worlds came to pay homage!
…
The hundred-thousandth year.
The Eternal Divine Realm faced its first crisis.
“Report!”
“Ancestor Ye, there’s movement beyond the chaos!”
“Something at the level of ’Beyond the Source Realm’ appears to be approaching!”
Ye Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. “Beyond the Source Realm?”
He took a single step and appeared at the edge of the Eternal Divine Realm.
Deep in the chaos, a terrifying figure was approaching.
That figure was taller than he was, and more terrifying!
“’Beyond the Source Realm’ really does exist.”
A flash of Fighting Spirit passed through Ye Chen’s eyes.
He had been invincible for far too long. He was in the mood for a little amusement.
“Who comes?”
He asked mildly.
“I am the ’Transcendent’, come from the End of Chaos.”
The figure spoke, its voice like thunder. “You are the new master of the Source Realm (the Land)?”
“Correct.”
“Good. Submit to me, or die.”
“Those are the very words I meant to say to you.”
Ye Chen smiled. “Come. Show me how strong the Transcendent really is.”
“Seeking Death!”
The Transcendent struck out with his palm, and the power of transcendence swept over everything, annihilating everything!
That blow surpassed the Source Realm (the Realm) and reached an entirely new tier!
Ye Chen struck out with a palm of his own making!
Boom!
The two forces collided, and the Eternal Divine Realm trembled!
“You Interest Me.”
Ye Chen took a step back, the Fighting Spirit in his eyes burning brighter.
“You…”
The Transcendent looked at him in surprise.
To take one of his palms and live: this master of the Source Realm had already surpassed the ordinary Source Realm (the Realm)!
“Again!”
Ye Chen laughed aloud and attacked first!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In an instant the two exchanged tens of thousands of moves, each one enough to destroy an entire Greater World!
Then…
Boom!
With a great crash, the two parted.
Ye Chen was drenched in blood, but the Fighting Spirit in his eyes burned brighter.
The Transcendent was wounded as well, and far more badly!
“You… how can you be this strong?!”
“Because I haven’t used my full strength yet.”
Ye Chen smiled faintly, and the Presence around him surged once more!
“Impossible!”
The Transcendent’s eyes went wide. “How can you still have strength to spare?!”
“Because this is my true strength!”
Ye Chen took a single step and drove out a punch!
That punch carried every ounce of his strength, and it surpassed all things!
Boom!
The Transcendent fell!
Nobody breathed.
Ye Chen stood in the chaos and said nothing for a long time.
“The Transcendent. Nothing Special after all.”
He shook his head and turned back to the Eternal Divine Realm.
…
After that battle, Ye Chen’s name spread to the very End of Chaos.
Countless Transcendents came to call. Some to challenge him, some to submit, some to seek instruction.
Ye Chen refused no one, and dealt with each in turn.
Those who challenged him, he defeated.
Those who submitted, he accepted.
Those who sought instruction, he guided.
Gradually the Eternal Divine Realm became the holy land of the End of Chaos, and countless experts came drawn by its name.
…
The millionth year.
Ye Chen had another Breakthrough, reaching the “Transcendence Realm”!
That Realm surpassed the Source Realm, surpassed the Transcendent, and reached true deathlessness and Indestructible eternity, unfettered and omnipotent!
“Then, things are getting interesting.”
He felt the power within him and nodded in satisfaction.
“But this is not the end.”
He gazed toward the End of Chaos, a gleam of light in his eyes.
“In places still more distant, higher Realms are waiting for me!”
…
Chapter Ten — An Endless Journey, an Eternal Legend
The hundred-millionth year, one hundred million years on.
Ye Chen had already surpassed the Transcendence Realm and reached a Realm beyond all description.
He called it the “Realm of Nothingness.”
The Realm of Nothingness: the Realm of the limitless.
No ceiling, no end. Always capable of becoming stronger still!
“Senior, how… how strong are you now?”
Yaoji asked curiously.
She had already reached the Transcendence Realm, yet before Ye Chen she still felt like one of the Ants.
“How strong?”
Ye Chen smiled, extended his hand, and closed it gently.
Boom!
Countless universes came into being in his palm, were destroyed, and underwent Reincarnation…
“About this strong.”
Yaoji: “…”
She was used to Senior’s monstrosity by now.
“Incidentally, I’ll be leaving for a while.”
Ye Chen did not lift his head. suddenly.
“Leaving? Where to?”
“Beyond the End of Chaos, to see whether there’s a wider heaven and earth.”
“Beyond the End of Chaos?”
Yaoji blinked. “What’s out there?”
“I don’t know. That’s exactly why I mean to go and look.”
Ye Chen patted her shoulder. “Manage the Eternal Divine Realm well, and wait for my return.”
“Ye…”
Yaoji’s eyes reddened slightly, but she nodded with resolve.
…
The End of Chaos.
Ye Chen stood at the boundary, gazing at the nothingness ahead.
“What lies beyond the End of Chaos?”
He stepped into the nothingness.
…
Beyond the End of Chaos lay a vaster heaven and earth.
Here there were countless worlds like the Eternal Divine Realm, and every one of them was held down by experts.
“Interesting.”
Ye Chen smiled. “So I’m not the only one after all.”
He walked through that heaven and earth and met countless experts.
Some were weaker than he was, some stronger, but without exception every one of them bore him goodwill.
Because he was an “explorer”, one of those who dared to break through boundaries.
“Young man, what world do you come from?”
A white-haired old man asked.
“The Eternal Divine Realm. Ye Chen.”
“The Eternal Divine Realm? Never heard of it.”
The old man weighed it. “Still, to break through the End of Chaos means you have potential. Any interest in joining the ’Explorer Alliance’?”
“The Explorer Alliance?”
“Correct. It is an alliance of the countless experts who have broken through the End of Chaos. Our purpose is to explore a wider heaven and earth, and to seek the ultimate mystery of cultivation.”
“The ultimate mystery of cultivation?”
A gleam of light flashed through Ye Chen’s eyes. “What is it?”
“I don’t know.”
Something sour crossed the old man’s face. “But they say that at the end of the Endless Void there is a place called the ’Ultimate Land’, where the answer to everything is hidden.”
“The Ultimate Land?”
“Correct. But no one has ever reached it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it is too far, and too dangerous.”
The old man let out a breath. “Countless explorers have pressed on toward it, one after another, and all of them have fallen along the road, or been lost.”
“You Interest Me.”
Ye Chen smiled. “I’ll go.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure.”
Ye Chen’s gaze was firm. “Everything I have cultivated to this day has been for the sake of exploring the unknown and seeking the limit. If the Ultimate Land exists, then I must go!”
“Good!”
The old man nodded in admiration. “Young man, I admire your courage. This is the ’Explorer’s Token’. Hold it, and you may call on help from the Explorer Alliance.”
“Thank you.”
Ye Chen took the token and turned toward the Endless Void.
…
The Endless Void. No light, no dark, no time, no space.
Only endless nothingness, and danger that surfaced now and then.
Ye Chen walked through that nothingness, until he no longer knew how long had passed.
Ten thousand years? A hundred thousand? A million?
Here, time had lost all meaning.
He met countless dangers.
Void storms, chaos behemoths, lost souls…
Every one of them was enough to destroy an entire Greater World, and the end of the road to the Dao lay at the far side of all of them.
But he broke through them one by one, and grew stronger.
…
The ten-trillionth year, the year one trillion times ten.
At last Ye Chen saw the end.
Ahead, a radiant light lit up the nothingness.
That was… the Ultimate Land!
“At last I’ve arrived.”
He quickened his pace and walked toward the light.
…
The Ultimate Land.
This was a tranquil space, with no danger, no strife, only endless peace.
At its center stood an ancient stone platform, quietly.
A line of words was carved into the platform:
“Congratulations, explorer. You have reached the end of cultivation, and also its beginning.”
“Here, you will receive the final answer.”
Ye Chen stepped onto the platform and touched the words.
Boom!
Information came down on him like a flood!
He understood!
Everything was clear now!
The ultimate mystery of cultivation was… that there was no mystery at all!
Cultivation was not for the sake of growing stronger, nor for Longevity. It was for the sake of exploring, for the sake of experiencing, for the sake of creating infinite possibility!
“So that’s it.”
Ye Chen smiled.
He rose and gazed into the Endless Void.
“The end is also the beginning.”
“Then let me create a new beginning.”
He extended his hand and closed it gently.
Boom!
A new chaos was born!
Within that chaos there would be new worlds, new living beings, new stories…
And he would be the creator god of that new chaos, opening a new legend!
“From this day forth, I am the ’Lord of Infinity’, creating infinite possibility and writing an eternal legend!”
…
Countless years later.
In the new chaos, countless worlds and countless experts had come into being.
All of them knew that above the chaos there was a “Lord of Infinity” who had created it all.
And that Lord of Infinity was higher still, continuing his exploration.
Because, to him, there was no end, only infinite possibility!