Chapter 12603 The Price and the Gain

Chapter 12603 The Price and the Gain

Ye Chen was secretly amazed and said, "Nephew Xiao, your escape technique is truly remarkable!"

The underground of the Tianyuan Realm is also filled with restrictions. If one were to use an ordinary earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that allows one to escape underground), the restrictions would be triggered immediately.

However, Xiao Xingyun's earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that allows one to escape from the earth). By suppressing the earth element, the earth is suppressed, and the restrictions are also suppressed, rendering them ineffective.

The two easily slipped into the underground secret chamber of the Yin-Yang Cardinal Hall.

This underground secret place is filled with dark and evil objects: human skin drums, skull ritual implements, bone staffs, flesh lotus flowers, and so on. There is a strange and putrid smell in the air.

Among the many strange objects, Ye Chen spotted the Yin Origin Stone at a glance!
Hundreds of Yin Source Stones of varying sizes were piled together, forming a small mountain. Apart from a few dozen stones containing impurities, the rest of the Yin Source Stones were all extremely pure.

It was pure darkness, without any filth or turbidity, just like the purity of the night sky itself, containing the supreme Yin spiritual energy.

Upon seeing this, Ye Chen gasped in astonishment, his heart pounding with excitement.

Finally found!
After going through countless hardships, he finally found the Yin Source Stone!
These Yin Source Stones are more than enough for him to complete his Dao Foundation.

"Uncle, is this what you wanted?"

Xiao Xingyun pointed to those Yin Source Stones and said.

"Yes!"

Ye Chen nodded emphatically.

Do you have a container to hold it?

"The Yin Source Stone is extremely heavy with Yin energy. If you hold it directly in your hand without a suitable container, you will suffer a severe backlash!"

Xiao Xingyun said solemnly.

He possesses the Zhenyuan Spiritual Vein, and if he touches the Yinyuan Dao Stone with his bare hands, he can maintain his safety for a period of time, but he dares not touch it for too long.

"some."

Ye Chen had a Reincarnation Graveyard, which was enough to store Yin Source Stones, so he immediately wanted to take the Yin Source Stones away.

"Wait!"

Xiao Xingyun intervened, saying,

“Uncle, if we take the Yin Source Stone, we will definitely be discovered.”

"You took such a precious thing as the Yin Source Stone. You definitely couldn't hide it from Ancestor Tingyou's eyes!"

Ye Chen thought so too, and said, "So, as soon as I take the Yin Origin Stone, I'll be exposed immediately?"

Xiao Xingyun nodded and said, "Yes, do you have a backup plan?"

Ye Chen said, "As for a backup plan..."

He had naturally considered what would happen if he were exposed.

Once exposed, there are only two paths left.

Fight or flee.

This is the territory of the Yin Yang Divine Path Sect. Staying here to fight is tantamount to courting death.

"If I'm exposed, I'll run immediately. Master Tingyou can't catch me."

Ye Chen still had one more card in his hand, and that was Haotian Lanshen.

With Haotian Lanshen's help, even if Ye Chen wanted to escape, Tingyou Ancestor wouldn't be able to catch him.

Seeing Ye Chen's confident and relaxed expression, Xiao Xingyun assumed he truly had a way to escape safely, and breathed a sigh of relief, saying:

"It's good that Uncle has a way to get away. When Yuanzu returns to the starry sky in the future, please give him my regards."

Hearing the hint of farewell in Xiao Xingyun's tone, Ye Chen felt a chill and asked, "And you?"

He suddenly realized that he could escape, but what about Xiao Xingyun?

Xiao Xingyun could only manage a wry smile.

Ye Chen sensed something was wrong and said, "With Ancestor Tingyou's insight, he must have been able to deduce the secrets of heaven and know that it was you who brought me to this underground secret place."

"You have committed an unspeakable disaster, and Patriarch Tingyou will surely kill you!"

He was so eager to seize the Yin Yuan Dao Stone that he had no time to think about anything else.

Only then did he realize that he had dragged Xiao Xingyun into this!
One wrong move and he could kill Xiao Xingyun!

Xiao Xingyun sighed helplessly, "There's nothing we can do about it. Uncle, you should leave. Even if Ancestor Tingyou doesn't kill me, I might still have a chance to survive."

Ye Chen opened his palm, revealing a scene of the Heavenly Emperor's Reincarnation Kingdom, and said, "Come in first, and I'll take you out with me!"

Looking at the celestial map, Xiao Xingyun shook his head and said:

"It's no use. I am already a sinner. Even if I can escape today, I will be hunted down by Ancestor Tingyou in the future."

"Rather than implicate my uncle, I'd rather take the blame myself."

Ye Chen said, "Come in first, I'll take you away first!"

Xiao Xingyun shook his head and said, "Uncle, this Yin-Yang Cardinal Hall is heavily guarded. I'll have to take you out."

Ye Chen remained silent for a moment, then said, "In short, I can't watch you die."

Xiao Xingyun also fell silent, not expecting Ye Chen to be so loyal and righteous, unwilling to abandon him and escape alone.

He thought it over carefully and said, "Uncle, I was recommended by Elder Guantian and am a descendant of the Yuanzu. Ancestor Tingyou may not kill me; at most, he will just imprison me."

"Even if he is truly ruthless and merciless, and executes me without regard for feelings, when the Primordial Ancestor returns to the starry sky in the future, we can ask the Primordial Ancestor to take action and revive me."

"Well, after you escape, you can go to the Illusionary Sea Mirror Pool and ask Elder Guantian to come and save me."

"Although he refuses to come out of seclusion, if he were to say a word or two, it would be enough to save my life."

Within the Yin-Yang Divine Path Sect, Elder Guantian is a reclusive elder, an incarnation of an unknown pillar god, and holds a highly respected position.

He and Xiao Xingyun were close friends; if he were willing to speak up, it would be enough to save Xiao Xingyun.

Ye Chen pondered deeply.

Xiao Xingyun said, "There's no time, Uncle. If we linger here too long, we'll be exposed anyway."

"If it even triggers the restrictions and blockades, then there will be no way to get out!"

Ye Chen thought that at this critical juncture, a decision had to be made, so he nodded and said:
"Okay, let's go out."

"If you are caught, I will try to save you."

"If you unfortunately die, I will do my best to bring you back to life!"

Xiao Xingyun was grateful and smiled, "Okay."

Without hesitation, Ye Chen swept his hand, pulling all the hundreds of Yin Origin Stones into the Reincarnation Graveyard.

This Yin Source Stone contains abundant and rich pure Yin energy, and is extremely cold. When it is piled up in the Reincarnation Graveyard, the temperature of the entire Reincarnation Graveyard drops slightly.

Fortunately, the Reincarnation Graveyard is stable enough. In fact, this graveyard can be considered as a Dao artifact created by the Heavenly Ancestor's strong desire for reincarnation, which touched the Great Dao and was combined with some special materials, such as black stones. It can contain all things and all souls.

It is more than enough to accommodate the Yin Yuan Dao Stone.

Seeing that Ye Chen had taken the Yin Origin Stone, Xiao Xingyun did not hesitate and immediately used the Earth Escape Technique to take Ye Chen away underground.

The guards of the underground secret chamber and the Yin-Yang Cardinal Hall were completely unaware; Xiao Xingyun's escape techniques were simply too superb.

However, the theft of the Yin Yuan Dao Stone triggered a heavenly secret, and the Listening Nether Ancestor in the sky immediately reacted.

"Ok?"

"The Yin Source Stone has been stolen?"

When Master Tingyou sensed the secrets of heaven, he instinctively couldn't believe it.

Because the restrictions on the Yin-Yang Cardinal Hall and the underground secret place were not touched.

But unfortunately, the Yin Yuan Dao Stone was stolen!
Upon hearing this, Elder Chong'an panicked and exclaimed, "What? Who stole it?"

Master Tingyou, enraged, looked down at the earth below and suddenly roared:

"You scoundrel, get out here!"

Ye Chen and Xiao Xingyun, who were burrowing underground below, were stunned by the words of Ancestor Tingyou.

The roar of Master You was like a divine punishment thunder, containing the heavenly might of the Zhen word technique!
The Zhen character technique is one of the eight Yin-Yang techniques. Master Tingyou is clearly a master of the Zhen character technique. Even though he is injured, his thunderous roar is still awe-inspiring.

The beast tide, which had been chaotic just moments before, was now so shocked that many of the ferocious beasts stood frozen on the ground.

However, Master You's face appeared somewhat pale at this moment.

Clearly, he had exhausted himself by using the "Shock" technique while injured!
But in order to lure the thief out, he had to take action himself!
"It's over. Master Tingyou actually used the Zhen word technique."

"We can't hide any longer, or we'll be shaken to death by his shockwave!"

Xiao Xingyun immediately sensed something was wrong, gave Ye Chen a serious look, and said,
"Uncle, I'll go out and take the blame, you can take the opportunity to run away!"

Without waiting for Ye Chen's reply, Xiao Xingyun led him out of the ground, and then, with a stomp of his foot, his figure soared into the sky.

"Ancestor Tingyou, there's no need to call me anymore. It was I who stole the Yin Origin Stone!"

Xiao Xingyun flew high into the sky, looked at Ancestor Tingyou, and shouted loudly.

"It's you?"

When Ancestor Tingyou and Elder Chong'an saw Xiao Xingyun, they were both taken aback.

"Why did you steal the Yin Source Stone? Where is the spirit stone?"

Master You asked with a stern face.

He scanned Xiao Xingyun's entire body, but failed to detect the aura of the Yin Source Stone.

Xiao Xingyun raised his head and said, "I have already offered the Yin Origin Stone as a sacrifice in order to summon the Primordial Ancestor back."

He was lying, and he knew that Master You would see through his lie.

But he had to do this to disrupt the heavenly secrets and protect Ye Chen.

"A sacrifice was made?"

"You're kidding me!"

"There is no fluctuation of the Great Dao sacrificing between heaven and earth, so who are your accomplices?"

"You alone could not possibly summon such a fierce beast tide."

"Who is your accomplice? Is it that Heavenly Emperor Ye Chen?"

Master Tingyou's gaze was stern, and his words were like thunderclaps as he pressed for answers.

His words carried the majesty of the "Zhen" technique, making Xiao Xingyun's head buzz and his Dao heart almost break down, causing him to reveal the truth.

But he gritted his teeth and said nothing, saying, "I had no accomplices. I stole the Yin Yuan Dao Stone myself and offered it as a sacrifice to the Yuan Ancestor."

Upon hearing Master You's expression turn grim, it became clear that Ye Chen's secrets were extremely well concealed, and he could not detect the slightest clue.

However, Ye Chen needs Yin Source Stones to complete his Dao foundation, which is common knowledge throughout the heavens.

He suspected that tonight's turmoil was orchestrated by Ye Chen, but he had no evidence.

Ye Chen felt both grateful and ashamed when he saw that Xiao Xingyun had taken all the blame.

Master You said, "If you refuse to talk, I'll skin you alive and pull out your tendons!"

Xiao Xingyun declared proudly, "I would gladly die to summon the Primordial Ancestor back!"

Judging from his appearance, he was clearly a devout believer.

Master Tingyou's face was gloomy, and he remained silent.

All eyes in the night sky were focused on Xiao Xingyun.

This is the perfect opportunity for Ye Chen to escape.

He himself is extremely secretive, and now that Xiao Xingyun is taking the blame, he has not been exposed yet.

Even if Ancestor You suspected that Ye Chen stole the Yin Origin Stone, there was no evidence.

Ye Chen knew he had to leave as soon as possible, otherwise the secret would truly be exposed.

"Night Emperor Scripture, Netherworld Extreme Night Path!"

Without further hesitation, Ye Chen simultaneously unleashed the dark secret techniques of the Night Emperor Scripture and the Netherworld Extreme Night Dao Secret Method, transforming himself into the night and merging into it, silently escaping away.

With Haotian Lanshen's assistance from behind, Ye Chen's aura was ensured not to be leaked in the slightest.

At the last moment before leaving, Ye Chen saw Ancestor Tingyou give the order:
"Guards, lock him up!"

Elder Chong'an, accompanied by several attendants, immediately stepped forward and seized Xiao Xingyun.

Ye Chen felt somewhat relieved to see that Xiao Xingyun had only been captured and not killed on the spot.

Under the cover of darkness, Ye Chen successfully left the Yin Yang Divine Dao Sect and arrived at a secluded and deserted wilderness.

Stepping into the desolate forest, Ye Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He is free.

It's completely safe now.

Ye Chen took out a Yin Source Stone, held it in his hand, and felt the abundant pure Yin spiritual energy within it. He felt very satisfied.

After so much hard work, I finally got my hands on the Yin Source Stone.

Next, we need to complete the Dao Foundation and awaken Ye Feier.

He still has many important things to do, such as rescuing Xiao Xingyun.

But before that, he must repair his body.

Haste makes waste; if he has a physical defect, he can't do anything.

Ye Chen sat down cross-legged and first selected out the Yin Source Stones with impurities, then used the Innate Soul Refining Cauldron to refine and purify them.

Then, he divided the hundreds of Yin Source Stones in two, giving one half to Ye Feier and keeping the other half for himself.

The Nine Yang True Roc devoured half of the Yin Source Stones, refining them all and transforming them into primordial pure Yin spiritual energy to nourish Ye Feier's body.

Ye Chen took a portion of the other half of the Yin Source Stones to reforge the Demon Prison Life Star.

After reforging the Demon Prison Destiny Star, Ye Chen then forged his Great Dao Dragon Emperor Authority into the Dragon Soaring Destiny Star.

In this way, his Seven Star Meridians of Reincarnation were restored to their original state, and his foundation for cultivation was initially completed.

As for the severe symptoms of the Abyss Corrosion Curse within the body, they were also resolved by relying on the Yin Source Stone.

The so-called Yin gives rise to Yang. This Yin Source Stone is an extremely Yin spiritual stone. When mixed with the Abyss Curse, the Yin energy becomes so concentrated that it will generate Yang energy.

Just as the darkest sky can give birth to the most brilliant dawn, yin and yang are twins.

Ye Chen refined the Yin Source Stone, using Yin to fight Yin, which is equivalent to using poison to fight poison.

Sure enough, a miraculous scene unfolded. The Abyss Curse within his body, after merging with the Yin Source Stone, became so dense with Yin energy that it eventually gave rise to Yang energy. In the end, Yin and Yang canceled each other out and dissipated into nothingness.

The Yin Ruins Tree within Ye Chen's body withered completely, turning into dust and being expelled as black sweat through his pores.

At this point, Ye Chen's Dao foundation was complete, the Abyss Curse was successfully resolved, and even his cultivation level was improved, advancing to the initial stage of the seventh level of the Divine Illumination Realm!

With his suffering gone and his cultivation improved, Ye Chen felt completely refreshed and comfortable.

However, the whole process took him a full half month!
The whole process took much longer than Ye Chen had imagined.

He originally thought it would only take three or four days to resolve.

However, repairing the Dao foundation and dispelling the abyss curse was obviously not easy, and it took him a full half month to complete!

For the past two weeks, Ye Chen had been keeping a close eye on Xiao Xingyun's condition and secretly calculating the secrets of heaven. He then heard Xiao Xingyun's miserable wails.

For the past two weeks, Xiao Xingyun has endured all sorts of torture.

In an attempt to extract information about their accomplices, the Lu Dao Sect subjected Xiao Xingyun to various forms of torture, which Ye Chen could not bear to hear.

He actually had the urge several times to interrupt his Foundation Building and rescue Xiao Xingyun.

However, the process of completing the Dao foundation cannot be stopped midway, otherwise Ye Chen would suffer a severe backlash, and he could only grit his teeth and endure it.

Now, half a month has passed, and Xiao Xingyun has endured all kinds of torture, yet he has never revealed Ye Chen's existence. His unwavering resolve is truly moving.

"Nephew Xiao, just bear with it a little longer, I'm coming to save you right away!"

Ye Chen gritted his teeth, pondering a rescue plan.

Directly storming into the Yin Yang Divine Path Sect to break into their prison is naturally not feasible.

Xiao Xingyun had previously said that they could ask Elder Guantian to intervene.

Ye Chen planned to visit the Illusionary Sea Mirror Pool, where Elder Guantian lived in seclusion.

If he couldn't persuade Elder Guantian, Ye Chen planned to use the power of the Nine Heavens Reincarnation Alliance to rescue Xiao Xingyun, no matter the cost!
He felt very ashamed. He hadn't expected that it would take half a month to complete the Dao Foundation, causing Xiao Xingyun so much suffering.

Having figured out the location of the Illusionary Sea Mirror Pool, Ye Chen immediately flew there.

The Illusionary Sea Mirror Pool is also within the territory of the Yin-Yang Divine Dao Sect, but it is located in a remote border region. Moreover, Elder Guantian has gone into seclusion and severed his connection with the Yin-Yang Divine Dao Sect.

Therefore, Ye Chen's entry into the Illusionary Sea Mirror Pool will not trigger any cause and effect.

He saw a large lake in the distance. The water was as clear as a mirror, with a dreamlike hue. Many exotic flowers and plants grew at the bottom of the lake, but they were shrouded in a hazy light and shadow, making them seem unreal.

In the middle of the lake, there was a small island with thatched huts and cottages, clearly inhabited.

Looking closer, you can see a figure standing on the edge of the island.

The lake was very large, and Ye Chen was on the shore, more than ten miles away from the island in the middle of the lake.

With his cultivation level, once he releases his divine sense, he can perceive even the smallest details across light-years of space.

Strangely, he couldn't see the details of the island clearly over this short distance of ten miles, nor could he see any heavenly secrets or causes and effects. He only had a hazy, dreamlike feeling, as if shrouded in a layer of mist.

Even with all his eyesight, Ye Chen couldn't make out the figure clearly.

"This place is a bit strange."

Ye Chen secretly kept an eye on the figure on the island in the middle of the lake, and called out loudly:
"Are you Elder Guantian? I have important business to discuss with you."

The figure stood still, not responding to Ye Chen's words.

Ye Chen wondered if it was impolite of him to wear a straw hat and cover his face.
This Illusory Sea Mirror Pool, though called a pool, is actually a large lake. The place is secluded and tranquil, shrouded in mystery, and its true nature remains unknown to outsiders.

Even if Ye Chen revealed his identity directly, it's unlikely that the outside world would notice.

Thinking this, Ye Chen took off his bamboo hat and said loudly:

"I am Ye Chen, the Heavenly Emperor, and I request an audience with Elder Guantian."

He revealed his true face to show his sincerity.

Recently, the name of Emperor Ye has resounded throughout the heavens, and anyone who hears his name will be shaken.

But on the island in the middle of the lake, the person remained motionless like a statue, pretending not to hear.