23: Chapter 23 I am the Great Emperor, and I still have style. I'm not afraid of a chaotic battlefield.

Yunxiao Holy Land, Back Mountain Forbidden Ground.

This place was shrouded in mist year-round and protected by the Holy Land's top-tier Restrictions; even a mosquito flying in would have its lineage checked back three generations.

A black-clad figure passed through the layers of Restrictions like a ghost.

Lu Chen wiped a bead of non-existent cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh of relief.

"That was close, I almost made eye contact."

He pulled the sword-nurturing gourd from his robes and took a heavy swig of wine, trying to calm his nerves.

Scenes from several hundred years ago surfaced uncontrollably in his mind.

Back then, before he had attained the Dao as a Great Emperor, he could be described as extremely mischievous.

Young and aggressive, he had once tied up the Young Lord Wei Hongyu to tickle her feet for interrogation, even commenting, "Those legs are quite long; it's a pity you don't use them to pedal a tricycle," and "There's nothing good in this world, only Wei Hongyu's legs are alright, and her feet are okay too!"

Then there was that dark and windy night when he couldn't win a fight, so he snatched Yao Xi's personal camisole. To make matters worse, during a later fight, he accidentally pulled it out to use as a rag to wipe his sword.

Yao Xi had reservations and ultimately didn't strike with lethal force, instead calling him a scoundrel repeatedly. Unable to defeat him, Lu Chen had held her camisole in one hand and his sword in the other, declaring:

"Even with the Sovereign Emperor Camisole in one hand, I am still invincible in this world!"

"What a sin!"

Lu Chen covered his face, filled with regret.

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have been so impulsive. I was young and ignorant, and now I'm drowning in debt."

Just as Lu Chen was repenting for his life choices, a voice full of pleasant surprise rang out behind him.

"Junior Brother?!"

Lu Chen turned around.

He saw a middle-aged man in purple robes with an immortal air standing before a core stone tablet of the Formation, looking at him with a face full of emotion.

It was none other than the current Holy Lord of Yunxiao Holy Land and Lu Chen's Senior Brother, Mo Wentian.

"Junior Brother! You really are personally inspecting the grand array!"

Mo Wentian was so excited his beard was trembling; he walked over quickly, tears shimmering in his eyes.

"I knew it! Even though you usually talk about lying flat and being a salted fish, when it comes to a matter of life and death for the Sect, you care more than anyone!"

"Senior Brother is so moved!"

Lu Chen's mouth twitched. Seeing Mo Wentian's self-convinced expression, the words "I'm just here to hide from women" were forced back down his throat.

"...Right."

Lu Chen coughed dryly and stood with his hands behind his back, instantly switching into his profound and mysterious Great Emperor mode.

"There are many guests today, and I am uneasy. This Formation... well, it needs a bit more reinforcement."

Mo Wentian nodded repeatedly. "Junior Brother is so thoughtful! With you overseeing things, even if that Zixiao Emperor Ancestor comes personally, we have nothing to fear!"

Right then.

Lu Chen's brow twitched violently.

A Divine Sense transmission, carrying a hint of resentment and a touch of playfulness, burrowed into his mind without warning.

"What are you hiding for?"

"Since you haven't achieved Ascension, isn't it time to settle the Top-Grade Spirit Stones you owe me, with interest? If you can't pay it back, we can discuss paying with your flesh~ The Wanbao Chamber of Commerce is missing a lady of the chamber, and I think you're quite suitable."

It was Wei Hongyu!

Before Lu Chen could catch his breath, another cold voice tinged with embarrassment followed immediately after, like two electric currents colliding in his brain.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, long time no see."

"Is that 'rag' still handy to use? Or perhaps, you've been keeping it close to your person, playing with it every day?"

It was Yao Xi!

Is this the Shura Field?

Lu Chen's scalp felt numb; he felt as though these two women would crawl through the Divine Sense signal and strangle him at any moment.

"Junior Brother? What's wrong? Why is your face so pale?"

Seeing Lu Chen's expression was off, Mo Wentian immediately became tense. "Could it be an old injury flaring up? Or is there a change in the Formation?"

Lu Chen took a deep breath, his eyes determined.

He directly and unilaterally severed the Divine Sense connection.

A physical network cut!

As long as I don't answer the phone, the creditors can't find me!

The world fell silent.

Lu Chen exhaled a long breath of turbid air and looked at Mo Wentian, his voice weak but firm. "It's nothing, I just gained an insight into the Laws of heaven and earth."

"Senior Brother, don't call for me before the ceremony begins. I'm going into seclusion here to contemplate a bit more."

Mo Wentian quickly cupped his hands. "Junior Brother, you've worked hard! Contemplate in peace; Senior Brother will handle everything outside!"

With that, Mo Wentian retreated quietly, fearing he might disturb this Great Emperor Junior Brother who was "giving his all for the Sect."

Lu Chen watched Mo Wentian's retreating back and slumped onto the ground.

"Handle it? I hope you can handle those two crazy women."

...

Half an hour later.

Dong—!

A grand bell toll echoed through the clouds, dispersing the mist across the sky.

The Disciple Recruitment Ceremony had officially begun.

Below Xiaoyao Peak, the massive plaza was already a sea of people.

"Yaochi Holy Land has arrived—!"

"Mortal World Sword Sect has arrived—!"

"Ancient Sword Gate has arrived—!"

"Tianqian Imperial Dynasty has arrived—!"

"Wanbao Chamber of Commerce has arrived—!"

...

However, the current atmosphere was not as festive as imagined; instead, it carried a suffocating sense of impending doom, like dark clouds pressing down on a city.

In the sky.

A giant warship, black as ink, hovered above Yunxiao Holy Land, casting a massive shadow like a prehistoric beast waiting to devour its prey.

Upon the warship, purple lightning coiled and banners fluttered.

"Zixiao Holy Land has arrived—!"

"Wanhua Immortal Gate has arrived—!"

Along with the trembling announcement of the welcoming Elder, six terrifyingly powerful auras poured down from the warship without reservation.

The might of Quasi-Emperors shook the heavens and the earth!

The various forces that were still exchanging pleasantries instantly fell silent as cicadas in winter.

The Disciples with lower cultivation were even paler, their legs shaking; some could not even withstand the pressure and almost knelt directly on the ground.

"Is this a Quasi-Emperor! How terrifying!"

"It's over. They didn't come to observe the ceremony; they clearly came to cause trouble!"

"Where is Emperor Yun? Why hasn't Emperor Yun appeared yet? Could the rumors be true—is Emperor Yun really seriously injured and dying?"

Panic spread rapidly through the crowd.

Above the clouds.

Wei Hongyu's beautiful eyes swept over the panicked crowd below, finally landing on the empty main seat, and she let out a cold snort.

"A shrinking turtle."

Beside her, Yao Xi was veiled in light silk, her gaze complex. "He is always like this. He seems unreliable, but in reality, he's probably brewing some kind of mischief."

"If he doesn't come out this time, I'll print all his past romantic scandals into booklets and distribute them for free across the world!" Wei Hongyu said, gritting her teeth.

At this moment, on the Zixiao Holy Land warship.

Old Ancestor Ziyang, dressed in purple robes, looked down at Mo Wentian from his high position, his voice like rolling thunder:

"Holy Lord Mo, the auspicious hour has arrived. Why is Lu Chen nowhere to be seen?"

"Could it be that he looks down on us, or is it that he can no longer move? And yet he still recruits Disciples!"

As his voice fell, Ancestor Wanhua, Han Jing, who was behind him, also took a step forward. The Quasi-Emperor pressure surged again, directly causing the Yunxiao Holy Land's protective array to creak.

Blatant provocation!

Mo Wentian stood on the high platform, maintaining his dignity as Holy Lord with effort, and shouted, "Presumptuous!!"

"Hahaha!"

Old Ancestor Ziyang laughed wildly.

"A Great Emperor who dares not show his face? If he doesn't come out today to give us an explanation, I'm afraid this Yunxiao Holy Land won't be able to host the two of us!"

The atmosphere was tense to the breaking point.

Just when everyone thought Yunxiao Holy Land was about to face disaster.

Back Mountain Forbidden Ground.

Lu Chen straightened his somewhat messy clothes and hung the battered wine gourd back on his waist.

He looked at the face in the mirror that was handsome enough to shake the heavens and sighed.

"Fine."

"Whether I face it or hide, the outcome is the same."

"As long as I act cold and heartless enough, they'll be too embarrassed to demand their debts in public."

I am a Great Emperor, I have class, why the hell should I fear a Shura Field!

Lu Chen turned around, and his originally lazy and decadent aura vanished instantly.

A supreme aura that reigned over the ten thousand Daos of heaven and earth erupted from his body.

"Since you want to play, I'll play a big game with you."

Lu Chen took a step forward, and his figure instantly vanished from the spot.

The next moment.

Above the firmament, auspicious clouds rolled and ten thousand golden rays shone.

A lazy yet supremely majestic voice rang out clearly in everyone's ears.

"The true protagonist always makes a grand entrance; there should be gasps of awe here, not the barking of dogs!!!"

"At the peak of immortality, proud above the world, with me, Lu Chen, there is Heaven!"