The Chives Are Ripe—Time to Harvest
The Chives Are Ripe—Time to Harvest
Ye Chen had no idea what Yan Ji was thinking at this moment.
During this period, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, giving him a confidence he had never possessed before.
Some time ago, Gu Changge had dealt him a rather miserable blow, damaging his Dao Heart and leaving him questioning his entire existence.
Now, listening to the various rumors circulating among the nearby cultivators, he was making his way deeper into the mountain range.
With the secret domain’s map in hand, he had no fear of failing to obtain good things within.
Of course, Ye Chen could also sense that Yan Ji had grown somewhat distant and estranged from him these past days.
He had thought it over seriously and concluded that what he had said back then was indeed somewhat wrong, wounding his Shifu’s heart.
During this time, he had considered making amends and apologizing, and his Shifu had said she wouldn’t mind.
But that crack had ultimately appeared.
Because of this, Ye Chen came to understand one thing: no one around him could be fully trusted—especially after experiencing what he believed to be Su Qingge’s betrayal.
His Shifu did seem to care for him in every possible way, but she was, after all, a woman. Faced with a man like Gu Changge, whether her heart would be moved was something only she herself would know.
Only, his Shifu had never mentioned any of this to him. Perhaps she stayed by his side merely out of pity for him.
At this thought, Ye Chen’s gaze grew darker, and his fists clenched tight.
Shifu was his. He would not let Gu Changge take her away!
“Shifu, tell me—what exactly is Gu Changge’s purpose in descending to the Overworld? Bringing along an old servant who could easily annihilate the Karura Holy Land... if my guess is right, it must be related to this Ancient Sky Domain.”
Suddenly, Ye Chen, who had been hurrying along, spoke up, his smile somewhat strange as he addressed Yan Ji within the ring.
He wanted to take this opportunity to observe Yan Ji’s reaction.
Hearing this, Yan Ji paused slightly, then nodded. “If you put it that way, you should be right. Apart from the Ancient Sky Domain, there’s nothing in the Overworld worth his attention.”
She didn’t think much of it, assuming it was just another of Ye Chen’s usual questions.
“Exactly. So Gu Changge most likely wants something inside the secret domain.”
“The moment he hears news of the domain opening, he’ll definitely rush here at the first opportunity. And within the Ancient Sky Domain, only I possess the map. Ordinary cultivators who enter will encounter countless dangers—dying in there is perfectly normal...”
“And judging by the restrictions on this secret domain, with his old servant’s strength, that servant absolutely cannot step inside. That means within the domain, Gu Changge will be all alone, knowing nothing. I only need to wait for him in the core region, then use the key to control the mechanisms and Array Patterns there...”
“Shifu, don’t you think my revenge is within reach?”
Ye Chen spoke slowly, laying out every step of his analysis with perfect clarity.
And it was all logical and well-founded.
The reason he said all this in front of his Shifu was, naturally, to test her reaction.
So after finishing, he waited to see how Yan Ji would respond.
After all, the plan sounded flawless—just perfect for sending Gu Changge to his death here.
“It does sound quite perfect. But how do you know Gu Changge doesn’t have a map of his own? Or that he doesn’t have other means of entering?”
Yan Ji, unaware of Ye Chen’s intentions, heard this and pondered seriously for a long while, concluding that the feasibility wasn’t very high.
Gu Changge was, after all, someone from the Beyond, and had come prepared—how could he be ignorant of the dangers within the secret domain?
Moreover, based on her impression of Gu Changge, he didn’t seem like a reckless person.
“Is that so? Shifu does have a point...”
However, upon hearing this, a trace of gloom flashed through Ye Chen’s eyes.
Shifu said Gu Changge had other means? What means exactly? Why was Shifu so confident in Gu Changge, while instead doubting his own methods?
Could there be something in all this that he didn’t know about?
He said nothing more.
Yan Ji didn’t overthink it either, and instead brought up another matter. “Oh right, there’s something you need to pay attention to, Xiao Chen. The power behind that cousin of yours is actually terrifying. Before your strength reaches the Partial-Enlightened Realm, I advise you to avoid any contact with them.”
She said this naturally for Ye Chen’s own good. During this time, she had heard quite a few rumors about Ye Chen’s cousin.
That purple-robed girl was clearly from the Ye Family of the Ancient Immortal Races of the Beyond.
Of this, Yan Ji was quite certain.
For a great clan like that, Ye Chen had neither power nor influence, and his cultivation talent was utterly worthless in the eyes of those who prized bloodline above all.
Once they learned that Ye Chen was too close to that cousin, they would likely send people to kill him.
“I understand Shifu’s kind intentions. But as for matters between me and Liuli, there’s no need to trouble Shifu over them.”
Hearing this, Ye Chen shook his head, his voice somewhat cold.
He had also heard the news from Moonward Metropolis during this time.
Ye Chen was overjoyed beyond measure. News like this, for him in his current state, was no different from long-awaited rain after a drought.
His cousin was his greatest backer!
Yet Shifu wouldn’t let him have more contact with her.
Why?
His cousin’s identity and origins were terrifying—so why not let him get closer to her? Was it fear that once he gained power, he would turn around and deal with Gu Changge?
Thinking of this, his heart grew cold.
As for the claim that his cousin’s clansmen might come to kill him, he dismissed it as nonsense.
He refused to believe that with his cousin by his side, anyone would truly dare do such a thing to him.
Judging by his cousin’s past attitude and feelings toward him, Ye Chen was ten thousand percent at ease.
What exactly was Shifu’s intention in saying all this?
He was utterly disappointed and didn’t want to ask any further.
...
The news of the Ancient Sky Domain’s opening quickly spread throughout the entire Middle State.
Resplendent divine light soared into the heavens, illuminating the vast territories where the eight domains bordered one another, instantly drawing the attention of countless cultivators and powers.
It had to be said—in this day and age, whenever a divine treasure emerged or a secret domain opened, it would absolutely cause a massive sensation everywhere at the first moment.
All the powers and cultivators went mad, rushing over like sharks that had caught the scent of blood.
The opening of the Ancient Sky Domain was no exception.
It could be said that the various Holy Lands and imperial dynasties of Middle State dispatched cultivators there at the first opportunity.
The powers of other regions did the same, terrified of missing out on this great fortuitous opportunity.
The formation of a secret domain was exceedingly difficult. Some relied on the right time and place, while others were created by ancient mighty figures, most of whom left behind their legacies and abodes within.
Even at the very worst, a newly opened secret domain would contain spiritual-energy-rich treasures of heaven and earth, numerous ancient medicinal herbs, rare ores, and the like.
Very soon, this remote little town became the most bustling location of the period.
Every day, one could see countless cultivators and living beings coming and going.
The secret domain attracted endless numbers of people.
It was just a pity that not everyone who came could enter.
Someone discovered that the entrance to the secret domain was covered by a natural barrier, extremely terrifying—no one knew what kind of existence had left it behind.
Cultivators beyond the Mighty-Transcendent Realm could not enter; they would suffer a terrifying rejection.
It could even trigger the violent eruption of the world’s power within the domain. Anyone who forcibly barged in would explode on the spot and perish instantly.
Many Sovereigns and Honoured Noble-level figures of various powers were left helpless. If they wanted to enter, they could only suppress their cultivation.
Thus, they could only send Mighty-Transcendent Realm elders and disciples, which could also serve as a form of training.
...
“It seems my guess was right. This Ancient Sky Domain is an experience dungeon tailor-made for Ye Chen.”
“The legacy of a Sacred King Realm powerhouse, with restrictions that fit just right.”
“Tsk, cultivators above the Mighty-Transcendent Realm can’t enter? Unless they suppress their cultivation. It seems Ye Chen should be about to break through to the Mighty-Transcendent Realm soon...”
“I have to say, the timing of this domain’s opening is truly convenient. Marvelous, simply marvelous.”
Atop a mountain peak, Gu Changge stood with his hands behind his back, his black robes fluttering, overlooking the various scenes below.
His expression carried a trace of amusement as he spoke words that the group of Lin Family Mighty-Transcendent Realm experts behind him couldn’t understand.
Nor did they dare ask what Young Master Gu meant, their demeanors incomparably respectful.
Some things were best left ununderstood.
When the secret domain opened this time, Gu Changge had brought along a number of Mighty-Transcendent Realm elders from the Lin Family as attendants.
Otherwise, whenever some trivial matter arose, he couldn’t possibly handle everything personally every time.
That would be far too lacking in style, and far too troublesome.
As for guessing that the domain’s entry restriction was the Mighty-Transcendent Realm—that was all too simple for Gu Changge. A moment’s casual thought was all it took.
After all, an experience dungeon had to be calibrated to the Fortuitous One’s strength.
Moreover, the domain’s original owner was a Sacred King Realm powerhouse. Even Ming Lao at his peak would be suppressed upon entering, only able to exert Mighty-Transcendent Realm strength.
This made Gu Changge click his tongue in wonder. Such treatment was truly not something ordinary people could enjoy—going to such painstaking lengths to create opportunities and deliver benefits to the Fortuitous One.
It was practically throwing them right in front of his face.
But so what?
If he wanted to snatch it, even the heavens themselves couldn’t stop him.
“Let’s go.”
As Gu Changge spoke indifferently, he took the lead, transforming into a divine rainbow streaking toward the domain’s entrance not far away.
Even if he could only exert Mighty-Transcendent Realm strength within the domain, crushing Ye Chen to death would still be effortless.
This crop of chives was ripe—time for the final harvest.
Boom!
The entrance to the secret domain was a crack radiating hazy, glowing mist, over thirty zhang wide.
Spatial fluctuations rippled through it, connecting to another world.
Around it were numerous cultivators, their gazes filled with greed and burning desire.
They were basically all powerful rogue cultivators from various regions, their cultivation exceeding the Mighty-Transcendent Realm, with quite a few Honoured Noble Realm titans among them.
Their plan was simple.
Entering alone, they couldn’t avoid losing out to sect cultivators, so they intended to wait at the domain’s entrance. When someone came out carrying treasures, everyone would strike together and simply rob them.
“Who are these people?”
“They’re from the Ancient Lin Family.”
They saw a black-robed man arriving with a group of Lin Family Mighty-Transcendent Realm experts.
“Oh no—it’s that young lord!”
“Whatever you do, don’t offend him!”
The gathered cultivators all froze in unison, then their expressions changed drastically. Somewhat terrified, they hastily scattered.
They feared none of the sects or family powers—yet they feared the Lin Family alone.
Or rather, what they mainly feared was the young lord currently residing with the Lin Family.
By now, anywhere in Middle State, there was no cultivator who didn’t know of that young lord, whose most distinctive feature was his black robes—like a god descending upon the world!
This was someone they absolutely could not provoke!
At this moment, how could they not understand? They hurriedly retreated in all directions, clearing the way to the domain’s entrance.
Weng!
A ripple spread out, radiance interweaving!
Gu Changge naturally paid no mind to these rogue cultivators. Leading his entourage, he entered the secret domain directly!
The world spun, as if walking through a corridor of time and space!
A vast sense of world descended. Gu Changge quickly found his balance point, suppressing his cultivation to the peak of the Mighty-Transcendent Realm.
He landed safely!