"Gate Lord, where is Xi'er?"
The softly spoken words carried a tremor, an excitement that welled up from the depths of his soul.
Xi'er was Ruoxi.
In his previous life, there were few people he truly cared for, but Ruoxi was absolutely one of them—the little sister who had depended on him for survival in that past existence.
The girl who had been with him since childhood. Yaya had even said that she stayed by his small grave every day, building a hut to live there, keeping him constant company. It stirred within him an urgent impulse to see that girl.
The Heavenly Gate's Gate Lord pointed towards one of the many peaks among the sprawling mountains below Du Peak, speaking softly, "She is there, at Moonfall Peak."
Moonfall Peak. Ye Chen let out a soft sigh. Moonfall, moonfall—the fall of a thousand moons. That must be the peak where his small grave lay.
"Gate Lord, I will come to the main hall later to meet with old acquaintances," he said, then leaped down from the divine ship.
He jumped from the unreachable heights of the heavens, descending rapidly. Just before he would have crashed into the earth, he stepped firmly onto the void, landing gently as he gazed into the distance at a small hill, neither too tall nor too short.
Vaguely, he seemed to see a small hut built halfway up the mountain slope, and the faint figure of a fairy-like maiden moving about, causing his heart to tremble.
Then he calmed the tremor in his heart, smiled slowly, clenched his fist, and exhaled a long breath. Finally, they were about to meet.
Although the Heavenly Gate had risen rapidly over the past few decades—a relatively short time—the presence of the Gate Lord, a Supreme Great Power, had drawn countless powerful experts from across the world to pledge allegiance. There were no shortage of Saints, and even some terrifying old-timers who had lived for millennia, as well as Saint Lord-level figures. Naturally, all had undergone careful selection, becoming renowned elders and Venerable Ones within the Heavenly Gate.
This resulted in Du Peak being filled with experts, a place where tigers crouched and dragons hid. In just a moment, Ye Chen sensed no fewer than five powerful Saint-level auras rippling through the air.
On each of the peaks, powerful guards were stationed, maintaining extremely strict security.
Ye Chen proceeded along a path. As soon as he reached the halfway point of the mountain slope, two guards immediately crossed their long spears, formidable auras flowing from their bodies as they shouted, "This is a restricted area. Outsiders are not permitted to enter casually."
Ye Chen gave a light smile, cupping his fists towards the two men. "Brothers, please make an exception. I have business to discuss with Ruoxi."
"Ruoxi!?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the two guards instantly turned much colder, a hint of killing intent emerging. One of them stepped forward, pointing his long spear at Ye Chen from a distance, and shouted, "Kid, who exactly are you, daring to address the Xi Immortal Maiden so casually? Speak clearly and quickly."
Xi Immortal Maiden?
Ye Chen was taken aback, then chuckled. He cupped his fists again. "I am an old acquaintance of the Xi Immortal Maiden, here to see her on a matter. Surely you two brothers don't think I would dare to harbor any delusions about the Xi Immortal Maiden here within the Heavenly Gate?"
Hearing this, the two guards couldn't help but nod. This was a restricted area of the Heavenly Gate's Du Peak, with the Supreme Great Power, the Gate Lord himself, presiding. Who would dare to make a move?
However, both guards shook their heads. "Apologies. The Supreme Elder has instructed that the Xi Immortal Maiden's dwelling place is not to be disturbed except for urgent matters, otherwise severe punishment will follow. You should go back."
It was likely that the Heavenly Gate's Gate Lord knew Ruoxi's preference for tranquility and did not wish her to be disturbed.
But today, no matter what, Ye Chen had to see Ruoxi. He could only say, "My apologies, brothers."
The two guards immediately understood—this kid actually intended to force his way through. Powerful auras instantly surged from their bodies; they were actually experts of the Divine Transformation Realm, standing above the third heaven, quite formidable.
But Ye Chen merely took a single step. Ripples spread out from beneath his feet, expanding like lightning before crashing into the two guards—
The two were sent flying, utterly unable to fight back, tumbling to the ground over ten zhang away.
This was only because Ye Chen had controlled his power with exquisite precision. Otherwise, this single strike alone would have been enough to annihilate both Divine Transformation experts.
Do not underestimate Ye Chen. In his current state, he possessed such supreme power.
"My apologies, you two."
Ye Chen offered an apologetic smile, then soared into the sky, entering the elegant and beautiful peak where the Xi Immortal Maiden resided.
The two guards were instantly alarmed, realizing a terrifying figure had arrived. They immediately took out communication tokens, sending a message to the higher-ups: "Report! A mysterious expert has intruded upon Moonfall Peak! He may pose a threat to the Xi Immortal Maiden! Requesting reinforcements!"
The Heavenly Gate had established a Law Enforcement Hall, composed of powerful Venerable Ones and elite disciples, even including Saint Lord-level super figures. At this moment, they immediately took action. A powerful team of law enforcers directly took to the skies, rushing towards Moonfall Peak.
The leader was none other than a formidable Saint Lord-level expert.
Naturally, Ye Chen was unaware of all this. He arrived directly at Moonfall Peak, where from a distance he saw a small thatched hut. It was not large, but appeared elegant, serene, fresh, and refined—a refreshing sight.
Ye Chen approached the hut. Inside, there was a bed, a table, stools, a kitchen—everything one might need. Though small as a sparrow, it had all the vital organs.
Beside it, an inconspicuous grave rose quietly. An ordinary tombstone was inserted into the mound, bearing only a few elegantly written characters: Tomb of Qian Yue!
Looking at this small grave, Ye Chen fell silent. This was the grave that had buried his previous self—Qian Yue, the Battle Saint King of a generation.
It was very ordinary, lacking the grand and imposing scale one might imagine.
Because those close to him knew that although he had been peerlessly powerful in his previous life, he had always preferred a plain and simple life. Plainness was truth!
The grave was built against the mountain, with a clear spring and small stream flowing beside it, lush green grass, and occasional visits from five-colored spirit deer and mist-riding cranes. Spirit beasts reared by the Heavenly Gate roamed about.
The mountains and plains were covered in a riot of colorful, dazzling flowers—a beautiful and captivating place with enchanting scenery.
Suddenly, Ye Chen noticed several more lines of text on the tombstone. When he saw them clearly, his eyes instantly grew moist, tears nearly falling—
Husband of Zhao Jingruo!
Husband of Chen'er!
Husband of Yi Wu!
Father of Yaya!
Brother of Ruoxi!
There was also a line of crooked characters, reading Master of Yiyi, above which was imprinted a cute paw print.
In a daze, it was as if he could see that adorable, pink little white beast from his previous life, babbling and cooing.
He sat silently on his own small grave, gently stroking the tombstone with his hand, his gaze shifting with a complex, timeworn emotion.
Suddenly, the sound of soft footsteps approached. Ye Chen looked up and immediately saw a graceful figure that made his heart tremble. He froze there, motionless, as if petrified.
What entered his vision was a maiden of breathtaking beauty.
The maiden before him appeared to be in her sweet sixteen, as if poetry and elegance were embodied within her. Her immortal visage was like jade, with bright eyes and white teeth—truly possessing a beauty that could topple cities and captivate nations.
Her figure was graceful and alluring, with three thousand strands of black hair cascading like a waterfall, standing tall and elegant.
A mint-green robe draped over her body, outlining the already blossomed, enchanting curves of the maiden's form. Her aura was fresh and refined, like a banished immortal.
The name Xi Immortal Maiden truly suited her.
The Xi Immortal Maiden also stared blankly at the youth. For some reason, she always felt an inexplicable familiarity with this unfamiliar, handsome youth, as if...
Before she could confirm it, at this very moment, the Xi Immortal Maiden's peerlessly beautiful immortal face could no longer maintain its usual tranquility. Anger surfaced.
Because this unfamiliar youth looking at her so rudely was one thing, but what truly shocked and angered her was that he dared to sit on her brother's grave, his hand touching the tombstone—so frivolous, so lacking in propriety.
She immediately grew furious. With a light shout, she flicked her sleeve, sending a gentle force directly striking Ye Chen and sweeping him away.
If not for the fact that he was still sitting on the small grave, this kind-hearted girl would have wanted to kill him.
Because to her, her brother was the sole taboo, something no one was allowed to touch recklessly.
The Xi Immortal Maiden flew forward, looking with great concern at everything on the small grave, fearing this unfamiliar youth might have disturbed anything. Her eyes grew misty with heartache. "Brother, I'm sorry. Xi'er only left for a short while. I never thought someone would dare to tread upon your small grave. It's Xi'er's fault."
Ye Chen watched dazedly as the peerlessly beautiful maiden went through these motions, then suddenly laughed. He couldn't help but laugh heartily, so bright and cheerful, appearing immensely happy.
But the Xi Immortal Maiden grew even more furious, her delicate fists clenched. Not only had this unfamiliar youth profaned her brother's grave in such a manner, but he was also laughing so arrogantly. Her voice, more melodious than silver bells, turned cold. "Although I don't know who you are, if you dare to profane my brother's grave like this, I will not let you off."
The very space around them began to tremble. Who would have known that beneath this exquisitely beautiful and gentle maiden's lovely exterior lay a proud daughter of heaven, whose cultivation was not weak at all—she was formidable, capable of being a Saint Lord.
Yet, facing all this, Ye Chen continued to laugh. However, his smile was like brilliant sunshine, like a spring breeze caressing the face, filled with an unusual tenderness and a hint of doting affection. He spoke softly, "Xi'er, is this how you treat me?"
"You—"
The Xi Immortal Maiden was slightly stunned. The aura around her calmed somewhat. The smile on this unfamiliar youth's face was so familiar, so gentle, so doting—just like...
Her brother!
Ye Chen stepped forward, one step at a time. Between his eyebrows, a crescent moon mark manifested, releasing his source aura—the fluctuation from the deepest part of his soul, the most familiar vibration, one that could never be forgotten in this life or the next.
"I..."
The Xi Immortal Maiden's rosy, alluring cherry lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but found that countless words rushed to her lips, yet nothing came out.
Only two lines of crystalline teardrops traced down her delicate, fair cheeks, falling to the ground with a pattering sound, shattering into several droplets that reflected the dazzling brilliance of the sun in the sky.
"Xi'er, I've returned!"
The youth's words resounded across Moonfall Peak.