Chapter 355

Chapter 355: A Woman’s Intuition

The Azure Realm lay several realms away from the Yuan Realm, bordering the land known as Return to the Ruins. Demons danced wildly and malevolent spirits ran rampant; it was a lawless domain devoid of rules and restraints.

Recently, as major powers clashed continually, the Azure Realm — situated right beside the Return to the Ruins — became a crucial strategic point, buzzing with activity.

Along the journey, Ye Xu saw massive starships sailing toward the Return to the Ruins. Among them were vessels from the Taihao Heavenly Sect and the Temple of Ten Thousand Paths. Even the Zhong Clan from the Qiankun Supreme World had joined the fray, not to mention the ancient divine clans.

"Why do I feel like something huge is about to happen in the Azure Realm?" Ye Xu wondered silently.

The Temple of Ten Thousand Paths, Taihao Heavenly Sect, Zhong Clan, and ancient divine clans represented the most formidable forces throughout the sub-realms below. Their simultaneous convergence upon the Azure Realm couldn’t possibly be meaningless.

Tai Sui drifted through the vast Sea of All Realms. Within a few days, it reached the world barrier of the Azure Realm.

"Halt!"

Chaotic storms howled along the world barrier. From amidst a fluttering war banner, numerous figures stood immovable as mountains despite the tempest. They glared at Ye Xu and Xixi as they roared their challenge.

Ye Xu glanced at the banner and immediately understood.

They were from the Zhong Clan.

"Who might you be?" questioned a Great Emperor. "Why have you come to the Azure Realm?"

"Just thought I’d take a look," Ye Xu replied with a smile. "Surely you won’t stop me from entering?"

An Emperor Venerable scowled darkly. "This path is closed! If you insist on entry, you’ll have to find another way."

"Oh?" Ye Xu chuckled, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Funny thing…I just happen to like paths that can’t be traversed. After all, no journey truly exists until someone walks it."

"Such arrogance!"

"Then show us exactly how capable you are!"

WHOOSH!

Four Great Emperors attacked simultaneously. The power of the Great Dao churned the primordial chaos as imperial weapons whirled violently through the void. They manifested terrifying Great Dao divine abilities that crashed toward Ye Xu with annihilating force.

Xixi’s eyes widened in shock. Having never witnessed the power of Great Emperors before, their strike felt like the sky itself collapsing and the earth splitting apart — truly terrifying.

Ye Xu flicked his sleeve with a casual indifference. The divine abilities unleashed by the four Great Emperors vanished instantly.

"A tough opponent." The Emperor Venerable’s heart tightened. Forcing a smile he offered, "Daoist brother, given your skill, why trouble us? We simply fulfill our duties."

"Tai Sui," Ye Xu instructed lightly. "Take care of them."

ROAR!

The moment the command sounded, a gargantuan leviathan surged from the Sea of All Realms. Like a shifting mountain of flesh, it silently enveloped the four Great Emperors and swallowed them whole. Within eye blinks, their life forces were extinguished — utterly refined away.

"Tai…Tai Sui!" The Emperor Venerable stammered, his soul nearly fleeing his body in terror.

"Save this one for later." Ye Xu halted Tai Sui, then turned to the green-robed Emperor Venerable. With an easy smile he suggested, "Tell me why such formidable forces gather in the Azure Realm, and perhaps you get to keep your life."

"Senior…" No fool, the green-robed Emperor Venerable quickly grasped this boy far surpassed his ability to oppose. His body shook uncontrollably, lips trembling as terror filled his eyes. "P-please forgive this lowly servant’s ignorance! My status remains too humble to know what brings them here. But…but the ancient divine clans of the Yuan Realm and… and every Immortal King has sped toward the Azure Realm. Something monumental must be happening!"

Ye Xu rolled his eyes; this news held no interest for him.

"Deal with it," Ye Xu said lightly.

Tai Sui opened its mouth and inhaled. Both the chaotic storm and the Green-robed Emperor Venerable were devoured. Before Tai Sui, the Green-robed Emperor Venerable offered no resistance, transforming into a mass of essence absorbed by Tai Sui.

"Tai Sui?"

A shocked voice suddenly rang out. "Why is this Tai Sui here?"

A beam of immortal light descended as a woman appeared before them.

She was a peak True Immortal Realm cultivator.

"Who are you? Why slaughter my kin?" The woman in the yellow dress had delicate, oval-faced features and an elegant aura, carrying herself with the bearing of a superior.

Yet, she did not attack.

Tai Sui possessed Late-stage True Immortal Realm cultivation. Any mortal who could command Tai Sui must hold formidable power—perhaps even rivaling an Immortal King.

Confusion clouded her expression.

Tai Sui once belonged to Ye Qing Xuan, but he had been subdued by the Crown Prince. How had this man obtained it?

"Perfect," Ye Xu smiled. "I wished to understand the Azure Realm’s affairs. At your level, you must know many details." His domain of the Great Dao unfurled, intending to seal the heavens and lock the earth.

"An Immortal King?"

Fear flashed across her face.

Though she had suspected it, witnessing Ye Xu’s Immortal King cultivation still terrified her.

"Speak," Ye Xu commanded lightly.

"Esteemed Senior, who exactly are you?" Ignoring his demand, the woman stared solemnly at him. "The Crown Prince approaches. With such little time… you cannot slay me."

"Then let us test that theory."

Ye Xu summoned the Path of Oblivion.

Clang!

Instantly, the chaotic storm coalesced into a sword light. It slashed downward, cleaving through the Sea of All Realms and fracturing the world barrier with spiderweb cracks, tearing into the fabric of the Azure Realm itself.

The woman in the yellow dress’s pupils constricted.

Ye Xu hadn’t been bluffing.

"Jiuyou Seal Immortal Art!"

She unleashed an immortal artifact—an ancient bronze bell. Innumerable immortal runes surged forth, weaving multiple layers of a protective domain around her.

Yet the next moment, the sword light of Oblivion shattered her defenses. The woman hurtled backward, her bronze bell trembling violently. With a casual wave, Ye Xu severed her Divine Sense and claimed the bell for himself.

Pfft!

Having her Divine Sense forcibly severed sent mental shockwaves through her, grievously wounding her primordial spirit.

"How arrogant, sir!"

Just then, Zhong Ling arrived at long last.

Her almond-shaped eyes gleamed with murderous intent as she fixed Ye Xu with an icily hostile gaze.

Ye Xu turned around.

In that instant, Zhong Ling froze in place.

The person before her—whether in appearance or aura—bore an uncanny resemblance to Ye Qing Xuan from the past. It was as if they had been cast from the same mold, far too alike.

"It couldn’t possibly be him." Zhong Ling couldn’t believe it; after all, she herself had subdued Ye Qing Xuan with her own hands.

"Has she recognized me?" Ye Xu’s heart stirred.

"Your Highness, you’ve finally arrived!" The woman in the yellow dress sighed in relief upon seeing her rescuer. Had Zhong Ling not come, she would surely have died at Ye Xu’s hands.

"Tai Sui?"

Zhong Ling’s gaze fell upon Tai Sui, her expression turning vacant. "How… how is this possible?"

If she had harbored only a hint of doubt moments ago, witnessing Tai Sui now made her question whether she’d truly slain Ye Qing Xuan back in Yuan Realm’s Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Otherwise, how could such an identical person exist?

Ye Xu remained indifferent.

At the time, Zhong Ling had sought information on Ye Qing Xuan in order to kill him, and Ye Xu hadn’t actually lied.

In the end, she achieved her wish.

This avatar body had been forged by him afterward and bore not a single copper coin’s relation to "Ye Qing Xuan."

Even if the matter were brought before Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, he wouldn’t be at fault.

"Daoist friend, who exactly are you?"

Zhong Ling no longer cared about the death of Green Robed Emperor Venerable or the four Great Emperors; her sole desire was to uncover Ye Xu’s true identity.

The woman in the yellow dress frowned slightly.

She knew full well that Ye Qing Xuan was Zhong Ling’s inner demon. Though Zhong Ling personally subdued him back then, that inner demon hadn’t dissipated. Now, faced with someone so strikingly similar, the inner demon resurfaced.

"My origins aren’t important," Ye Xu replied with a faint smile.

"What truly matters is whether you wish to be my enemy or my friend."

He swiftly stowed Xixi into his Purple Palace, preparing to fight.

"Ye Qing Xuan!" Zhong Ling suddenly shouted.

Ye Xu staggered, stunned. No way! Just no way!

He’d completely altered his appearance—could she really still recognize him?

The woman in the yellow dress was equally bewildered. Even if this really were Ye Qing Xuan, shouldn’t Her Highness’ reaction be calmer?

A mere Emperor Venerable Realm insect who’d only inflicted minor setbacks on them within the Ancient Divine Court’s ruins—did Her Highness truly harbor such hatred for him?

It seemed utterly unlike Her Highness’ usual temperament.

"Daoist friend, you’ve mistaken me for someone else," Ye Xu stated calmly.

"Although I share his surname, I know no Ye Qing Xuan."

"Then how," Zhong Ling sneered coldly, "did Tai Sui come to be in your possession? The master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion must have deceived me. Ye Qing Xuan never died!"

"…" Ye Xu had no retort.

"Last time, I failed to kill you completely. This time, you won’t escape."

Zhong Ling channeled her magic power; the Human Emperor’s brush materialized in her grasp. With swift strokes, it outlined layer upon layer of hellish landscapes, twisting into a domain of the Great Dao.

"Another madwoman."

Ye Xu felt utterly rattled. How could she be so certain he was Ye Qing Xuan?

"Daoist friend, we are strangers. There’s no need for a fight to the death."

Leaving those words behind, Ye Xu recalled Tai Sui into his Purple Palace, transforming into a streak of light as he vanished into the Azure Realm.

Zhong Ling slowly retracted the Human Emperor’s brush, her face impassive.

Ye Xu’s strength rivalled her own. If he chose to flee, she couldn’t stop him.

"Your Highness, was he truly Ye Qing Xuan?" the woman in the yellow dress asked, brow furrowed.

"Instinct." Zhong Ling’s reply was icy.

Far too many coincidences surrounded Ye Xu, compelling her suspicions in that direction.

"Mark my words," she declared, her gaze piercing the void. "I will capture you one day and uncover your true identity."