Feng Baiyu showed no surprise at the answer.

The Heavenly Emperor had vanished from the cultivation world a million years ago. Youngsters these days dared claim their ancestors were no weaker than the Heavenly Emperor, merely "less fortunate."

But Feng Baiyu knew exactly how terrifying the Heavenly Emperor had been. Ye Chen had met the Heavenly Emperor of the same realm inside his tribulation—and defeated him. Even if the Emperor had held back, that feat shook the heavens. Killing a monkey that had only just woke up, plus a random golden crow and peacock on the side? Child's play. And that was without counting the mountain of hidden cards Ye Chen carried—cards even Feng Baiyu couldn't see through.

"In that case," Feng Baiyu said, "I will take several ancestors to inspect the array personally. We cannot allow them to leave any traps."

A showdown of this level was a true life-and-death struggle between heaven's chosen. Not even Great Powers could intervene. If the enemy tampered with the formation, Ye Chen could die without ever knowing how.

Once Feng Baiyu left, Ye Chen's mood soared. The Holy Prince was finally delivering one of the Nine Secrets straight to his doorstep. And he had even brought friends along to gift their lives as well.

Ye Chen had heard of Prince Lu Ya—the Golden Crow prince. His essence and origin had to be extraordinarily rich. As for the Little Peacock King, Ye Chen knew nothing about him. Still, a peacock… Ye wondered idly if he was connected to that Saint King named Yan Ruyu. None of that mattered right now. Excitement surged through him. With a casual wave, he tossed out an array disc that sealed the peak from all outside detection. The summit instantly became an isolated world.

Luo Bingling, who had overheard everything, opened her mouth to declare that she would fight alongside him. Before a single word escaped, Ye Chen's palm gently settled on her slender waist. She shot him a half-hearted glare, swallowed her brave declaration… and slowly lowered her head, cheeks flushed.

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"I'll make it up to you when I get back," Ye Chen promised.

Luo Bingling's eyes had held a trace of sulky dissatisfaction.

Ye Chen kept his arm loosely around her slim waist and smiled down at her. Five days had already passed. It was time to set out for the Endless Sea.

"Fellow Daoist Ye… I've run out of Dao Charm Pills," Luo Bingling said, letting the matter drop and changing the subject.

Ever since they had returned to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, Ye Chen had stopped giving her Dao Charm Pills on a regular basis. Instead, he had generously passed down several supreme Treasure Techniques and profound insights, things far more valuable than mere pills.

Yet as a member of the War God Clan, her cultivation speed slowed dramatically once she reached the Mahayana stage. The stockpile of Dao Charm Pills she had accumulated earlier was almost exhausted. That was why she finally spoke up.

Ye Chen only chuckled. Without the slightest stinginess, he produced several thousand Dao Charm Pills and handed them all to her. Every single one had originally come from the feedback of her own "offerings."

Luo Bingling's eyes shone the moment she saw the amount. So many, one per week, that would last her more than ten years! She had definitely made the right choice.

In the past, Ye Chen had only ever given her ten at a time. And now? He had taught her both the True Dragon Treasure Technique and the Kun Peng Treasure Technique. He was handing over a thousand Dao Charm Pills in a single go.

What did that prove? The more she swallowed, the more she fed him, the higher her place in his heart rose. As long as she kept working hard, the Dao Cauldron was only a matter of time.

…

Ye Chen had no idea of the wild joy racing through Luo Bingling's mind. At that moment, Holy Master Feng Baiyu arrived. Still dressed like the same dashing, carefree scholar, he swept an appreciative glance over Luo Bingling, then looked at Ye Chen with faint regret.

Ye Chen blinked, then frowned. "The Holy Prince isn't coming?"

That wouldn't do at all. They had agreed the monkey would come try to kill him. He couldn't just back out! If the Holy Prince really didn't show, Ye Chen would march straight into the Immortal Path and drag him out.

Feng Baiyu shook his head at the question and sighed. "It's not that. The sky battlefield is ready. Unfortunately, the Victorious Fighting Apes were extremely cautious while the grand array was being set up. They gave me no chance to plant any hidden measures. What a pity. You'll have to fight him fairly."

The corner of Ye Chen's mouth twitched. "You've worked hard, Holy Master."

Yep. That was definitely his Holy Master's style.