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

Chapter 435 He's not human at all
In the water mirror, Chen Ye's face appeared excessively young, making it impossible to tell that he was the supreme leader of a righteous sect.

Demon Lord Feilian, however, did not let his guard down in the slightest. Instead, he stared at his opponent with a solemn expression.

The glimmer of hope for escape that had just been given by finding the "dragon" has now vanished without a trace.

If there is anyone in this world that he fears the most, besides the already dead Youluozi, it is the person in front of him.

Even the Qinghe Sword Sect had to step back.

It was only because Chen Ye's rise was too bizarre, with every step defying common sense. Any ordinary cultivator, if they made even the slightest mistake, would have been annihilated and doomed forever, yet he had somehow managed to reach this point, reaching a level where he could stand shoulder to shoulder with me across the barrier.

These are truly the "chosen ones".

These four words came to Fei Lian's mind: This is the person favored by Heaven's destiny.

What's more, he had once been thoroughly ambushed by this kid. The pain of being chased and struck by lightning during those days was truly unforgettable, and even now, thinking about it still brings an indelible stinging pain to the depths of his soul.

All his enemies throughout his life had higher cultivation levels than Chen Ye, but the combined weight of all of them was less than that of the young man in the mirror at this moment.

He remained seated on that flesh and blood throne, his body motionless, and even the expression on his face remained unchanged.

Seemingly calm and still, a suffocating pressure emanated from Feilian, making the surrounding seawater seem viscous. The sea beasts that had just survived the battle instinctively crouched lower, trembling.

Even when facing Chen Ye, Fei Lian found it difficult to completely control his emotions.

The two stared at each other through the water mirror, and the dark seabed fell into a deathly silence.

Finally, Chen Yexian broke the silence.

“Senior,” his voice came through the water mirror, “you want to get out, and we want to get in. Since we are both blocked by this Ruins of Return, we have a reason to cooperate.”

They got straight to the point, without a trace of formality.

Fei Lian's lips twitched upwards very slightly, the curve of which was more of a mockery than a sneer.

"Cooperation?" He spoke slowly, his voice calm and drawn out. "Sect Leader Chen is truly magnanimous. Anyone who didn't know better would think that it was you, not me, who suffered for months under the lightning punishment."

“Senior is a great man,” Chen Ye replied just as directly, “He would not hold a grudge against a mere Tongxuan Realm cultivator like me.”

Feilian leaned back on the throne, resting his chin on one hand, and looked at him with great interest.

What if I insist on arguing about it?

“Then I must ask a question,” Chen Ye said, neither humble nor arrogant, looking directly at Fei Lian, “when I was gambling with someone in front of you, why did you repeatedly try to harm me in secret? I know that you accepted bribes and wanted to take sides in the duel. This is the way of the Demonic Sect, and I accept it, so I have never complained.”

He paused, then his tone shifted, becoming sharp.

"So now, senior, do you want to talk about reason or interests? Let's set the tone first, so we don't waste each other's time."

Fei Lian's eyes narrowed slightly; Chen Ye's attitude was much tougher than he had imagined.

But is he someone who easily gives in?

"What makes you think I need to cooperate with you?" He chuckled, his posture as languid as if he were chatting casually. "If I get tired of staying here, I can simply push open that door. I imagine the scene of the being inside escaping must be a magnificent fireworks display, a spectacle that only happens once in ten thousand years. I've lived for hundreds of years and have never witnessed such a scene. Now is quite a good opportunity."

These words, spoken so casually, are tantamount to declaring a willingness to perish together with the entire world.

However, Chen Ye did not respond, but simply waved his hand, and the scene in the water mirror suddenly changed.

Beyond the Ruins of Guixu, the landscape of the deep sea unfolded before Feilian.

Countless celestial ships and magical vessels were arrayed like stars, and on the dark seabed, a vast super array was slowly taking shape. Countless runes flickered like breaths, connecting to form a vast expanse stretching for hundreds of miles.

Even just glancing at it through the water mirror, Demon Lord Feilian could feel the oppressive power of the formation, making even a Dao Integration Realm cultivator like himself tremble with fear.

While those at the Dao Integration Realm are powerful, they still find it difficult to directly confront the true power of heaven and earth. Formations, however, are the best way to harness this power for one's own use.

Fei Lian sneered, "Heh, what a grand display. Has Sect Leader Chen brought the entire righteous path's resources? What, are you planning to use human lives to fill this Ruins of Return? Not a bad idea, but unfortunately, it's rather foolish."

He spoke with disdain, but his heart was in turmoil.

Chen Ye has actually been able to mobilize the entire righteous path? In just a few years, this kid has truly become a leader of the righteous path who can rival the Qinghe Sword Sect?

“Senior’s insight is truly remarkable,” Chen Ye’s voice rang out again, interrupting his thoughts. “This formation is indeed intended to completely seal off the Void of Return, and in the worst-case scenario, to wipe it off the face of the earth. But this is a last resort, not what I desire. If Senior is willing to cooperate, we may be able to find a way that satisfies both of us.”

Fei Lian frowned.

He couldn't understand it. Logically speaking, the righteous sects were all the type to only act after seeing immediate results. Weren't they curious about Guixu, a place the Mirage Sect had hidden for a thousand years? Didn't they want to come in and explore, to see what treasures were hidden inside?
With just one sentence, Chen Ye was going to completely seal off this place. Wouldn't others suspect that he wanted to keep the secrets inside?

Has this kid's prestige really reached this level?

Regardless of the facts, Fei Lian clearly realized that he had lost his bargaining chips in this standoff.

He is the one trapped in the Ruins of Return, he is the one who needs to confront that terrifying black dog, and if that door is truly opened, he will be the first to face the wrath of that unknown "True Immortal".

Any one of these options would mean he would suffer first, and only then would the righteous cultivators outside be affected. It was a choice that would result in mutual destruction, and should never be used unless absolutely necessary.

A good man does not suffer immediate losses.

Fei Lian made a swift decision. His sole objective was to escape. As long as he could leave this damned Ruins of Return, he would still be the number one person in the Dao Integration Realm. He could settle accounts with the Yellow Springs Sect and Chen Ye later.

Thinking of this, he leaned forward, his expression returning to calm.

"So, what does Sect Leader Chen think we should do to cooperate?"

"It's a coordinated effort from within and without," Chen Ye explained. "We'll work together to break through this Void Restriction, leaving only a small gap so that Senior can escape. Once Senior is free, we'll completely seal this place off to prevent that True Immortal from escaping. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Upon hearing this, Fei Lian laughed instead.

"That sounds nice." He shook his head, his gaze sharpening like a knife. "Kid, don't try that on me. We both come from the Demonic Sect; empty words about face are far less valuable than tangible benefits. This Water Mirror Technique is clearly a tactic of Heavenly Heart Island; you've been waiting here for me all along. Once the barrier breaks, I'll be facing an ambush from all sides, not your smiling face, won't I?"

"Senior is a Dao Integration Realm cultivator, the number one person in the world, would you fear a mere ambush?" Chen Ye retorted. "Whether I'm afraid or not is one thing. Whether you would do this is another matter." Fei Lian's voice turned cold. "It is always wise to plan ahead. I need a guarantee. A guarantee that I will be free after leaving Guixu, and not just walk headlong into your carefully laid trap."

“I swear to God that if we work together to break the restrictions on Guixu, I will let you leave this place and will not stop you. But we need to agree that after leaving Guixu, for a hundred years, the righteous and demonic paths will not invade each other.”

This was the most suitable condition Chen Ye could think of; without a guarantee, Fei Lian would never cooperate. A century is enough time to resolve many problems.

Perhaps the righteous path will have a few more Dao Integration Realm cultivators, then Fei Lian will be no longer a threat.

Fei Lian understood Chen Ye's meaning: if the righteous path really had a few more cultivators at the Dao Integration Realm, then his doomsday would be coming.

The situation in the Immortal Realm is still a mess. Fei Lian doesn't dare to ascend and leave the mortal world. If the leaders of the righteous path were to advance to the Dao Integration stage, he would definitely be besieged and attacked, and he might not be a match for them.

Even if a hundred years isn't enough for these people to break through, this kid in front of us is already close to the Nascent Soul realm in less than three years. Give him a hundred years? Fei Lian isn't even sure if he'll be Chen Ye's match in fifty years.

This condition cannot be agreed to.

Fei Lian scoffed, "A hundred years, you've certainly made a good plan, but what's the difference between that and taking my life? I might as well open the Gate of Return to Nothingness and we'll all perish together. Maybe if I do that favor, the True Immortal in the gate will be grateful and give me a lot of benefits."

Chen Ye, using a provocative tactic, said, "Your Excellency is mistaken. A mere hundred years is but a fleeting moment for you."

"Don't give me that. Do you think I'm the kind of person who'd rather suffer than save face? You should know yourself that every single one of those who cultivate the demonic path to this point is shameless and only cares about practical benefits."

Fei Lian didn't care at all what others thought of him. As long as he had enough real benefits, what did it matter how bad his reputation was? He had already become a demon, so who cared about his reputation?

In this world, high cultivation level is everything.

"Lord, you should know that I represent the righteous path, not just myself. The agreement of a hundred years of non-aggression is the result of discussions between me and the sect leaders, and there can be no compromise. If you are unwilling, then we will have no choice but to completely isolate Guixu."

Chen Ye also refused to back down, certain that Fei Lian would not dare to take the risk.

Regardless of whether the person inside Guixu is friend or foe, the black dog guarding the gate alone could kill him. Currently, Feilian is at a disadvantage, so delaying the situation is actually a good thing for Chen Ye.

The longer the formation lasts, the more perfect it will be.

The negotiations have reached a stalemate.

Fei Lian knew very well that Chen Ye's words made perfect sense, which was why he didn't back down at all.

The initiative was in the other party's hands from the very beginning. He was trapped in Guixu, he wanted to escape from this place, and it was almost impossible for him to make Chen Ye submit verbally.

If that's the case, then let's try a different approach.

Fei Lian's mind raced. Having fought countless battles throughout his life, he knew one thing well: every seemingly invincible opponent has a weakness. Once he found that weakness, he could easily subdue Chen Ye.

Fei Lian snorted coldly and said to Chen Ye, "Then let me think about it."

He shattered the water mirror with a flick of his finger, then led the beast horde away.

Once they were far away from that area, Fei Lian took something out of his storage bag—the half-torn page.

This treasure can reflect the life of all living beings, reveal their origins and history, and understand their past.

By studying his life carefully, one can learn his secrets and weaknesses, and thus gain control over him.

Feilian was able to easily turn many sea beasts into puppets thanks to the help of this fragment. If it weren't for this treasure, he would have had to spend much more time.

Now, it's clearly time to use this treasure.

Chen Ye was born into the Demonic Sect, but by chance became the leader of the righteous path. The speed at which this kid cultivates is astonishing.

Fei Lian did not believe that Chen Ye had no secrets, especially secrets that could not be revealed to others.

Once you know these things, you can naturally force him to make concessions during negotiations.

Fei Lian calmed his mind and transformed Chen Ye's image into his thoughts, projecting them into the tattered page. He had done the same thing before, thus revealing the life of You Luozi.

In a short while, the tattered page changed.

Fei Lian sneered. He was prepared to uncover every little detail, even the minor incident of Chen Ye wetting the bed. He was determined to dig out all of the kid's secrets.

However, the expected long speech did not appear in the next instant.

No name, no birth date, no birth record, no grudges or affections, nothing at all.

On the tattered page, only a familiar sentence was displayed:
"Transcending the Three Realms and outside the Five Elements."

In an instant, Fei Lian felt a chill rush from his tailbone straight to the top of his head, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

The flesh and blood throne beneath him creaked slightly as his body stiffened momentarily.

He had seen that phrase before!
Not long ago, he used the same method to investigate the terrifying black dog guarding the gate, and this fragment of the page contained the same sentence, exactly the same, word for word!
Fei Lian's thoughts even froze for a moment.

Is Chen Ye... and that black dog... the same thing?
At this moment, Fei Lian felt even more shocked than when he pushed open the Gate of Dao Integration.

No wonder! That kid's rise to prominence is so illogical!

No wonder he always managed to escape danger; no wonder he surpassed others' centuries of arduous cultivation in just a few years.

That kid, he's not even human!
He doesn't belong to this world at all!
The so-called chosen ones of heaven, the so-called favored by destiny, are all just appearances! The fundamental reason is that their very existence has already exceeded the limits of this world.

Fei Lian's mind raced: "This kid probably has the same duty as the black dog to guard the Ruins of Return, so he knows very well who is imprisoned inside! This Chen Ye is probably a true immortal descended to earth!"

Fei Lian found himself ridiculous; he was actually negotiating with something that was "not part of the Five Elements"?
How can we use the rules of the human world to constrain an existence "beyond the three realms"?

After a long while, Feilian sighed.

"Enough. The mortal world is not worth it. Since Chen Ye is a person from the immortal realm, he should know why the Heavenly Dao is broken. As long as he can answer my questions, these hundred years will be nothing."

(End of this chapter)