Chapter 168: Are You Bent?

Two forces collided to the extreme, resounding through the heavens, with ripples spreading.

However, the Ninth Void Formation remained as solid as a rock, showing no damage. On the contrary, the Endless Stars sword intent began to weaken, its might gradually dissipating.

Soon, the resounding ceased, and the ripples vanished, revealing two figures.

Ye Chen stood in the air, his expression as pale as snow. That one sword nearly depleted all of his vitality, making it difficult for him to unleash another.

He took two deep breaths, gazing at the old man.

The old man's condition was much better than Ye Chen's. Although the Ninth Void Formation trembled incessantly, appearing battered and decrepit, it ultimately remained intact, and Ye Chen's sword failed to breach his defense.

It wasn't that Ye Chen wasn't powerful enough, but rather the vast difference in their realms.

At the Triple Realm of the Spirit Communication, challenging the pinnacle of the Myriad Manifestations, even with Ye Chen's perfect combat skills, it was difficult to bridge the gap between the two major realms.

Suddenly, Ye Chen smiled, a genuine expression of happiness.

"To have such a battle, this journey was not in vain," Ye Chen said with a smile, feeling satisfied with his fight against the old man.

"I take back what I said earlier. You don't need to reach the advanced level of Myriad Manifestations to surpass me," the old man praised.

He couldn't help but admire Ye Chen.

Originally, he had overestimated him, but after this battle, he realized he had underestimated him.

That perfect combat skill, that sharp gaze, and the comprehension of the rules of heaven and earth, that formidable sword stroke borrowed from the power of heaven and earth, made him feel somewhat challenged.

This young man was extraordinary. If he were to enter the Myriad Manifestations, he might be able to challenge him.

At the very least, he could bring him a great challenge.

"Another day, I'll come back to challenge you," Ye Chen suppressed his breath and descended from the air, preparing to leave.

With this old man blocking his way, it was indeed difficult for him to break through. Being stopped outside twice in a row made him feel somewhat helpless.

Three times is the limit. If they meet again, he will surely suppress this old guy.

"Young friend, please wait," the old man suddenly spoke.

"Is there something else?" Ye Chen asked, neither attacking nor letting him pass, he had no intention of staying any longer.

"I've said before, you have a connection with the Ninth Void. When you bring back the Ninth Void and when Cang Lan has only one voice, I will tell you everything," the old man said.

Ye Chen smiled indifferently, "I'll find out what I want to know on my own. Why do I need you to tell me? Don't you think it's unnecessary?"

When his oppression overwhelmed this realm and intimidated everyone, could this old man still stop him?

At that time, would he still need him to inform him?

"Trust me, there are many secrets that perhaps few people in the countless realms know. At least, only our Ninth Void lineage knows the secrets of this place," the old man said softly.

Ye Chen stopped in his tracks, gazing at the old man.

The countless realms the old man spoke of were definitely not mere speculation like Dance Qingxue's. The secrets he mentioned were probably truly extraordinary.

"If you disappoint me, I'll take your head," Ye Chen said coldly, agreeing to the old man's terms.

The old man smiled lightly, looking at Ye Youlan, "You, Youlan, go with the young friend."

"Grandpa," Ye Youlan's spirit trembled, puzzled.

Even Ye Chen was surprised and quickly waved his hand, "Stop it. I agree to your terms, but I don't want to bring someone with me."

"This is one of the conditions of the agreement," the old man smiled cunningly.

Ye Chen wanted to speak, but the old man preempted him, "Even if you don't bring her, she can still follow you. Furthermore, if I close the secret realm, even if you're above the Myriad Manifestations, you won't find the entrance."

Ye Chen was speechless.

He never doubted the old man's words.

Whether it was the remnants of Jinyou's spatial ruins or the Death Valley, the entrances were hidden, and there were fluctuations in the array patterns, obviously controllable.

Moreover, the entire Ninth Void was probably searching for the remnants of the Ninth Void Sovereign. Perhaps the entire Cang Lan Continent was paying attention.

After all, the Ninth Void Ancient Dynasty was once the most powerful force on the continent. Its sudden demise and disappearance without a trace would naturally arouse speculation. But after thousands of years, no one could find it, which itself was problematic.

Obviously, it was the people of the Ninth Void who closed the entrances, making it impossible for the outside world to investigate.

"Still, if the result doesn't meet my expectations, I'll take your head," Ye Chen said angrily, reluctantly accepting the old man's conditions.

He was helpless, but Ye Youlan was even more helpless.

After all, she was also incredibly beautiful and talented. Yet this guy seemed to disdain her, as if she were a burden to him.

Outside the Death Valley, the blades of wind were still raging, like a forbidden zone where no one dared to set foot.

At this moment, a huge gap suddenly appeared in the terrifying blade storm, as if a long cloth had been torn apart. A young man in blue stepped out calmly, his hands behind his back, his expression calm.

Behind him were two stunning women, Dance Qingxue and Ye Youlan.

"If you don't want to follow me, you can leave on your own. Wait until I recreate the Ninth Void and dominate this realm, then come find me," Ye Chen looked at Ye Youlan as soon as he came out.

Ye Youlan stared at him fiercely, "Do you really want to drive me away like this?"

Ye Chen shook his head, "I just don't want to see you in trouble. If you don't want to stay, I won't force you. If you want to stay, I don't mind."

"Hypocrite," Ye Youlan snorted coldly.

"I..." Ye Chen was helpless, wearing a wry smile on his face.

"You're not...you know." Suddenly, Ye Youlan said something that made Ye Chen want to spit blood.

Are you kidding me?

How could a grand Immortal Emperor be like that?

This Ye Youlan seemed cold and noble, so why would she ask such a question?

Ye Youlan blushed a little, feeling somewhat embarrassed. How could she say such a thing? This damn guy actually made her emotions fluctuate. The previous her would never be like this.

Could it be that she cared about Ye Chen's attitude towards her, dissatisfied with how Ye Chen treated her as a burden and didn't want her by his side?

She felt extremely embarrassed and left first.

Leaving Ye Chen to sigh deeply.

He really didn't want to bring Ye Youlan along, but he had no choice. He could only accept the old man's condition reluctantly.

After coming out, he still respected Ye Youlan's choice, letting her stay or leave, but he

 didn't expect her to say such words, making him feel somewhat helpless.

It felt like his good intentions were being treated as a donkey's liver and lungs.

"Hehe."

Dance Qingxue couldn't help but laugh beside him. It was the first time she had seen Ye Chen being so embarrassed. It seemed that Ye Youlan, besides being incredibly talented and powerful, also had some tacit understanding with Ye Chen.

It seemed that she could even control Ye Chen.

"Is it funny?" Ye Chen looked at Dance Qingxue.

"It's funny," Dance Qingxue subconsciously replied, but as soon as the words came out, she realized it wasn't appropriate.

"No, Young Master Chen, I mean..." Dance Qingxue wanted to explain.

Ye Chen waved his hand, "There's no need to explain. When we get back, go to the Hundredfold Gravity Chamber for cultivation. If you don't break through within three days, then don't follow me."

The Hundredfold Gravity Chamber, breaking through within three days?

Dance Qingxue felt like crying.

Enduring the cultivation under a hundredfold gravity was enough to make her shed her skin. And she had to break through within three days? Just thinking about it was terrifying.

"Young Master Chen, let's discuss it again..."

Dance Qingxue wanted to apologize, but Ye Chen had already disappeared ahead, leaving her feeling miserable.

Whoever she offended, it couldn't be Young Master Chen.

The next three days were bound to be spent in a nightmare.