Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 412 Ancestor, you should also join the Ten Thousand Soul Banner!

Now it is the last day of the three-day period.

Although it was agreed upon long ago, Ye Chen's timing in challenging Chen Ye when he was ambushed was too coincidental.

Moreover, Chen Ye had already told the other party that he would admit defeat directly, allowing him to peacefully obtain the empty title of "Number One in the Profound Realm".

But now, Ye Chen is shouting something like "It's not just about determining who's better or worse, it's also about deciding life and death."

Clearly, this guy must have realized that his Eight-Nine Arcane Arts had been broken and that his biggest trump card for survival had failed.

Only Youluozi could confirm so quickly that he had been ambushed and immediately inform Ye Chen.

With her extraordinary ability to hear everything, there are almost no secrets in the world that can be kept from her.

Qu Heng said to Chen Ye, "Why don't I go out and kill that kid? That would be the end of it."

Chen Ye shook his head: "I'm afraid it's not that simple. That Ye Chen is no fool. He dares to come to Fengdu City to provoke us at this time. He must have something to rely on. I'm afraid that if you make a move, you will fall right into the trap set by that Lord Feilian."

Even now, Chen Ye still doesn't know what kind of "judgment" the Flying Lord had given Ye Chen, nor does he know whether he should win or lose this duel.

The Demonic Sect went to great lengths to weaken itself, even sacrificing the important pawn, the Mirage Sect, all in an effort to severely damage their ancestor, Qu Heng.

On the surface, they seemed determined to let Ye Chen win this duel.

But who knows if Fei Lian is playing a trick of reverse logic? He painstakingly created such a grand spectacle, perhaps because Chen Yezhen's victory would be a trap he had set for him.

Chen Ye sighed softly, took out the dark blue conch shell, and whispered to the opening of the shell, "Lord Youluo, the decisive battle is imminent. May we have a word now?"

A few days ago, no matter how Chen Ye called out to it, the conch shell did not respond.

But today, as soon as Chen Ye opened his mouth, You Luo Zi's voice immediately rang in his ears: "Hehe, Sect Master Chen, you also know that the decisive battle is imminent, so what do you and I have to talk about?"

Chen Ye didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "I want to know Fei Lian's plans. Does he want Ye Chen to lose, or does he want him to win?"

Youluozi chuckled and said, "Why should I tell you? Feilian promised me that once I help him advance to the Dao Integration Realm, he will help me open the gate to the Void."

"If the Dao Integration Realm could open the Ruins of Return, why have you waited until now?" Chen Ye immediately retorted. "If the black dog guarding the Ruins of Return is truly as I suspect, it is probably even older than this world. You must be older than those eighteen Demon Lords back then. After all these years, surely you can't even fool a Dao Integration Realm cultivator into helping you open that door?"

Chen Ye had always had a huge question in his mind: what was the connection between this world and the gods and Buddhas he knew from his previous life?

Although the names of those well-known gods and Buddhas have long since disappeared, many cultivation methods have been passed down, and countless incomplete ancient books have been passed down, which are known to the world as celestial books and secret arts.

Since so many traces have been left behind, it means that they did exist, but the era was too long ago, so long that they were erased in the middle and then completely forgotten by the world.

The Ruins of Guixu, which Youluozi longed for, was an even more ancient site than the eighteen Demon Lords, and Youluozi's age was probably beyond imagination.

She had plenty of time to find help, but to this day, that door remains closed.

Even if Fei Lian were to truly reach the Dao Integration Realm, what use would he be?
This was something Chen Ye couldn't understand. What exactly was Youluozi waiting for? Why, after waiting for so many years, had she still not found someone willing to open the door for her?
Furthermore, having lived for such a long time, why is her cultivation level still stuck at the Void Returning Realm?
Chen Ye did not believe that Youluozi was hiding her strength. With her secret technique that could be described as having super hearing, if she had the cultivation level of the Dao Integration Realm, she should have unified the world long ago after Zhang Qi Zhenren ascended to heaven. Why bother with such a roundabout way?

Therefore, Chen Ye felt that the claim that Fei Lian could open the Guixu after merging with the Dao was either an excuse used by You Luo Zi to deceive people, or that she had another reason that she had not made clear.

Faced with Chen Ye's question, Youluozi, who was on the other end of the conch shell, broke her previous silence and took the initiative to explain.

"Do you think I don't want to? You've seen the black dog guarding the gate. Even if it's just a wisp of remnant spirit, no mortal cultivator can withstand it. Since you know the origin of that black dog, you should know that even in the immortal realm after ascension, there are very few immortals who can be its match."

"I waited and waited, for countless millennia, hoping that the lingering resentment would one day dissipate. No matter how loyal that black dog was, its power should have gradually weakened with the passage of time. But then I remembered that I too would grow old, and I too would die. I have waited until I am almost at my breaking point!"
"Now, the power of that lingering resentment is indeed far less than before. I'm not sure if Feilian can really help me open the door, but at least he promised me, and he's willing to try."

"Chen Ye, you could have done it too. You mastered the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, you could transform into a dragon, you could bypass that black dog and open the gate to the Void from the inside. As long as you released the one inside, you could enjoy immortality, and ascension would be a simple matter. Why did you have to oppose me?!"

Chen Ye could sense that You Luozi's emotions were somewhat strange. In the past, she always spoke in a cryptic manner, with nine out of ten sentences being false, and the remaining sentence concealing countless secrets.

But today, she seemed to have completely abandoned her usual attempts to hide things, and almost bluntly expressed her thoughts in a way that seemed to tear off all pretenses.

Moreover, the tone of that last sentence carried a hint of gritted teeth, as if he had reached his limit.

In the past, Chen Ye would have taken advantage of Youluozi's emotional breakdown to try and trick her into revealing more information. But now, Chen Ye had no intention of being hypocritical and spoke frankly: "Youluozi, you know my nature very well. I'm always willing to make friends and help others without considering gains or losses if it's within my power. However, if that important figure imprisoned in the Ruins of Return can truly rule this world, wouldn't the lives and deaths of billions of people in this world be entirely in his hands?"
"You want me to gamble the safety of the entire world on something that has been suppressed for countless years, and not bring disaster to the people? Although I, Chen Ye, also seek immortality, I don't need to take such a shortcut!"

Chen Ye could hope to reach the realm of immortality through his own gradual cultivation, without needing to seek help from that so-called important figure. If it weren't for the Demonic Sect constantly stirring up trouble here, he would have already gone into seclusion to cultivate in peace.

Youluozi sneered, "That's right, it's precisely because you don't need it that I'm too lazy to waste my breath on you. Since you're unwilling to help no matter what, it's only natural for me to seek help from someone else. Now that you're calling on me again, do you think I'll help you?"

Chen Ye did not refute, but instead agreed, saying, "That makes sense. But I imagine you also have some doubts. Fei Lian, he may not really be able to help you. Even if he could, once he successfully achieves Dao, would he still be willing to keep his promise? At that time, if he ascends directly, leaving you to die in the mortal realm, or simply turns his back on you, what means will you have to retaliate against him?"
"Think about it. If Fei Lian truly attains Dao, then he is a unique existence in this world. Even if all the righteous sects joined forces, they might not be his match. You're asking him to venture into the Ruins and face that black dog that even immortals fear? Is he really willing? Isn't he afraid that before he even has a chance to enjoy the glory of being the best in the world, if he releases that important figure, he might become the other party's servant, or even be easily crushed to death? Is he really willing to take that risk?"

Chen Ye's words were like sharp knives, piercing the deepest worries in Youluozi's heart.

There was a long silence on the other end of the conch shell before Youluozi's voice rang out again, but it no longer had the same ease as before.

"Do you think I don't know? Do you think you can make me switch sides with just a few words?"

"Chen Ye, I gave you a chance, but you didn't seize it. Fei Lian at least showed enough sincerity. You can ask me to help you now, but you have to show me what you're willing to offer."

Without even thinking, Chen Ye said, "I can also agree to help you open the Ruins of Return."

"What did you say?!"

Youluozi's voice instantly became excited. She never expected that Chen Ye would give in at this critical juncture.

It wasn't that she lacked composure, but rather that Chen Ye's credibility, proven in their past collaborations, far surpassed that of the liar Fei Lian. There had never been a precedent of Chen Ye going back on his word.

But Chen Ye quickly added the second half of his sentence: "I am willing to help you open the Ruins of Return, on the condition that you can guarantee that the one inside will immediately ascend and leave after escaping, and will never linger in the mortal realm." This was Chen Ye's bottom line.

Regardless of who the most powerful figure is imprisoned in the Ruins of Return, it is likely that the immense grudge originated from the Immortal Realm and from the master behind that black dog.

What is there in this mortal world that he would miss, besides the fact that there are more people?

As for treasures, there are still hundreds of unopened treasure boxes in Guixu. At worst, this important person can pack them up and take them away. Chen Ye doesn't care at all.

If you want revenge, go to the celestial realm and find that dog owner. Don't stay in the mortal world and cause harm to the common people.

This is Chen Ye's bottom line. If Youluozi can guarantee this, he is willing to take a risk and help her open the gate to Guixu.

"I promise you."

Youluozi's reply was equally astonishingly fast.

But Chen Ye wasn't stupid, and immediately pressed on, "How can you guarantee that the important figure will obediently listen and ascend to immortality immediately?"

Youluozi's tone was full of confidence: "Of course. I saved him from his predicament, and he will definitely repay this enormous favor. If he can't, then let me die a horrible death and have my soul scattered. At that time, you can come and kill me as you please, and I promise not to resist or run away."

Upon hearing this solemn oath, Chen Ye was indeed somewhat tempted.

If this deal can be reached, it will be a great relief to have a problem hanging over our heads.

As Youluozi himself said, the lingering resentment of the black dog guarding the gate is gradually weakening. No one can say for sure whether this resentment will completely dissipate someday in the future.

At that time, the gates of Guixu will be open to everyone, and even the one inside will be able to escape on their own.

At that time, who will be able to withstand it?
If we could plan ahead and ensure that this important figure ascends directly, it would undoubtedly avert a great calamity for the entire mortal realm.

This seems like a win-win solution.

Chen Ye was about to agree, but before he could finish speaking, he suddenly changed his tone and asked a seemingly unrelated question.

“Lord Youluo, I remember you once said that you would pay any price as long as I helped you open the Void of Return… Does that price include your life?”

The voice from the other end of the conch shell turned cold and mocking once again.

"Chen Ye, do you have to be so clever? You could have just pretended not to know."

Chen Ye sighed, "If I pretended not to know, you could guess. We've worked together many times, and we both know whether we can fool each other or not. Since we can't fool each other, it's better to be honest sooner rather than later."

"The result of being honest is that neither of us has a choice," Youluozi said through gritted teeth. "What you ask for, I cannot give you, and what I ask for, you are not willing to do. From today onwards, there is no need for further words between us."

Upon hearing this, the conch shell in Chen Ye's hand trembled slightly and then shattered into pieces.

Seeing that the talks were falling apart, Qu Heng couldn't help but say, "Just coax her and tell her what the problem is. Honesty is useless when dealing with women."

Chen Ye shook his head and said, "Grandmaster, you treat her as a woman, but I treat her as the Lord of the Demonic Sect. When status and power reach their peak, gender becomes irrelevant. You've seen so many cultivators, and when their cultivation reaches a high level, how much of their emotions and desires can they still occupy? Most of them are treated as mere scenery along the way, nothing more."

Qu Heng thought for a moment and did not refute.

What Chen Ye said was indeed true. Let alone the position of the Demon Sect Master, even if one were just an emperor, one could not distinguish people by gender. Those in high positions and with great power pursue things that are neither right nor wrong.

Chen Ye, however, is an exception.

However, this kid never judges others by his own standards; he is quite objective when judging others and rarely acts on emotion.

Qu Heng asked, "Now that Ye Chen is outside, are you sure you don't need me to deal with him?"

Chen Ye shook his head and said, "If you make a move, this kid will turn around and run away. At most, you'll leave behind only a physical body, which will only buy you some time. I believe Fei Lian isn't stupid; he wouldn't have overlooked this."

“We cultivate the path of incense offerings, and this is the place where incense is most abundant. If we were unprepared, how would he dare to come to the territory of the Yellow Springs Sect?”

"You want to fight him to the death?" Qu Heng frowned and said, "It's not that I look down on you, but your weakest point is fighting. You can't even use 70% of your skills, not to mention that you can't even use the Eight or Nine Arcane Arts now. The chances of losing this match are extremely high."

Chen Ye nodded and said, "Now that I have broken the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, I have lost most of my abilities and can no longer transform into a Dream Eater to deal with his accomplices. Ye Chen does have a better chance of winning. Moreover, I promised to admit defeat before, so logically speaking, I shouldn't have accepted the challenge."

"Feilian probably thinks the same way. I don't want to guess at what level his thoughts are; I can only guess at the most likely scenario. Since common sense dictates that I shouldn't accept the challenge, I have no choice but to face the difficulty head-on."

“Perfect timing, he also uses the Myriad Souls Banner, so let’s have a competition and see who truly possesses the Myriad Souls Banner.”

Qu Heng was deeply moved by what he heard. His grand-disciple had only been cultivating for two years, and now he was about to become the turning point in the struggle between good and evil.

No matter how profound the foundation of other sects, who can cultivate such a righteous and heroic disciple?

Qu Heng felt a surge of pride in his chest. This was his grand-disciple, who had already far surpassed other sects.

Just as I was about to offer some praise, Chen Ye said, "Since Ye Chen has taken in quite a few Nascent Soul Realm demons to fight with the Myriad Soul Banner, it wouldn't be too much for me to stuff all the Yin Soldiers and City Gods of the Yellow Springs Sect into the Myriad Soul Banner, would it?"

Upon hearing this, Qu Heng prepared to retract some of his overly high praise.

Unexpectedly, Qu Heng then heard Chen Ye say, "Grandmaster, why don't you join my Ten Thousand Soul Banner? If nothing unexpected happens, you won't need to take action. But if something unexpected happens, you can save me."

Qu Heng: ...

(End of this chapter)