Chapter 973: Chapter 944:
“No, Master, when you entered the cave, I was still on the second floor. I saw you enter the third floor, so I decided to try too!” Du Meisha looked at Ye Chen and said, “But, when I followed you into the third floor, I found you fainted on the ground. So you didn’t actually enter the fourth floor; where did this claim of you coming out of the fourth floor come from?”
“No way?!” Ye Chen was shocked. He checked himself all over and found not a single wound. He had been battered and bruised in the Ancient Lava Cave. How could there not be a single wound? Just as Ye Chen was looking for injuries, he suddenly touched a cloth bag at his waist, which contained a hard object. Ye Chen quickly untied the bag; inside was the bottle from the Elf Clan’s sacrificial tower containing Phoenix Blood. Ye Chen exclaimed, “Shit, have I brought back the Phoenix Blood? Didn’t the old man tell me to give him the Phoenix Blood?”
Ye Chen couldn’t help but shake it and discovered there was a granular object inside. He quickly opened the bottle, and a refreshing fragrance filled the air. Overjoyed, Ye Chen jumped up three feet high and excitedly said, “Wow, this is the Phoenix Rebirth Pill! My goodness, I did it, I did it!”
Ye Chen ran out excitedly. He still didn’t understand what had happened after he fainted or how he obtained the Phoenix Blood and refined the Phoenix Rebirth Pill. For Ye Chen, the process wasn’t important; the result was—getting the Phoenix Rebirth Pill meant he could save Li Ruo’s life, which was more important than anything else.
Ye Chen dashed all the way, with Du Meisha following closely behind. He didn’t even want to waste time dressing at the door, merely grabbed a towel and ran out. The news of Ye Chen coming out of the Ancient Lava Cave quickly reached Haozi’s ears. Haozi led a group of people hurriedly toward the back mountain, and the two met on the way.
“Big brother, did you succeed?!” Haozi asked urgently.
“Yeah!” Ye Chen nodded, tugging at his towel as he excitedly said, “Quick, quick to the back mountain, we need to save Li Ruo!”
“Oh my God, it’s been less than ten minutes, and Brother Chen is out; did… the big brother fail?” Haozi looked at the excited Ye Chen in disbelief. Regardless, just walking from the first floor to the fourth floor that Haozi knew of took at least ten minutes, and Brother Chen was supposed to go to the Ninth Floor… this should at least take several days, right? How did Brother Chen come out in a blink of an eye?
Sprinting all the way, Haozi was out of breath. Ye Chen’s speed was incredible, almost flying all the way into the back mountain. Haozi chased all the way and entered the back mountain, only to find the Elder Council had surrounded the cave with a large group of people. The guards of the cave blocked the other’s path and shouted sternly, “Elders, don’t make things difficult for us, or we will kill without mercy!”
“Hmph, I advise you to let go. Ye Chen went into the Ancient Lava Cave. He foolishly tried to enter the Ninth Floor. I bet he’ll soon die in the Ninth Floor. If you’re wise, you’d switch sides.” The Great Elder looked coldly at the guards and said, “Once Ye Chen dies, the Elder Council can re-elect the Clan Leader. By then, if you dare to defy the Elder Council, there will be no mercy!”
The Great Elder’s words frightened the guards quite a bit. No one wanted to die; everyone was from Leisure City. Whether serving Ye Chen or the Elder Council, they ultimately served the Luo Sijue family. The Elder Council people roared, “Hurry up and make way, Ye Chen dared to privately burn the remains of the first Clan Leader, it’s simply outrageous, make way.”
“No, we must guard this place and allow no one in!” The guards were unwavering, determined not to let the Elder Council in.
“Bastards…” Just as the Elder Council was about to have the guards arrested, a scolding voice came from behind: “Put your hands down!”
“Ye Chen?”
“Ye Clan Leader is back!”
“Great, the Clan Leader has finally returned!”
The crowd immediately erupted with a deafening sound, each person surprised by Ye Chen’s return. At the same time, each had their feelings about Ye Chen’s return. The guards felt the pressure on their shoulders lighten. With the Clan Leader back, they naturally didn’t have to face the Elder Council’s people. With Ye Clan Leader handling negotiations, it had nothing to do with them anymore. But the Elder Council members all had sour expressions on their faces.
“Wasn’t Ye Chen in the Ancient Lava Cave?”
“Huh? Yeah, did he come out already? Impossible, how long has it been?”
The Elder Council members buzzed with discussion, each showing a look of shock. The Great Elder bit his teeth and looked at Ye Chen, “Ye Chen, what do you want to do?!”
“What I want to do, that’s a question I should be asking you, shouldn’t I?” Ye Chen looked at them coldly and said, “You bunch of disrespectful elders, do you have to push me to act?”
“Hmph, Ye Chen, you’ve violated the Luo Sijue family’s doctrine; you’re not fit to be this Clan Leader!” the Great Elder finally voiced his true thoughts.
“Hmph, whether I’m qualified to be Clan Leader is not for you to decide!” Ye Chen sneered coldly, “This is determined by fate. As for you elders, are you rebelling? If you are, then it’s time for a change. You are getting old, your minds are muddled, it’s time to replace the Elder Council with some fresh blood!”
“How dare you!” The members of the Elder Council reprimanded.
“What do I have to be afraid of?” Ye Chen sneered coldly, “The formation of the Elder Council is decided by the Clan Leader!”
“You…” The members of the Elder Council were stunned.
“Guard, take all of them away and await processing!” This time, Ye Chen didn’t hesitate toward these old, immortal guys. With the support of the Clan Leader, the guards immediately stepped forward, surrounding the members of the Elder Council. The people who came with the council chose to turn their backs at this moment. The members of the Elder Council were immediately imprisoned by the guards, no matter how they roared or raged, Ye Chen ignored them completely. To Ye Chen, this group of old geezers was just a bunch who did not know how to appreciate kindness.
“Brother, what are you going to do with them?” Haozi quickly asked.
“They’re old and should retire like Jack!” Ye Chen replied grumpily and then said, “Personally select a batch of qualified individuals to enter the Elder Council. Remember, these people must agree to our demands unconditionally, and never oppose my opinions at inappropriate times!”
“Yes!” Haozi nodded quickly.
Ye Chen stepped into the cave. Du Meisha tried to follow but was stopped by the guards. Du Meisha struck a slap, knocking down a group of guards. The guards exclaimed, “Oh no, you can’t go in!”
“Move aside, he’s my master!” Du Meisha glared at the guards. Ye Chen turned to look and said, “Let her come in!”
“Yes!” The guards had no choice but to make way.
Du Meisha quickly followed inside. Within the cave, a Crystal Coffin was placed. The person inside was already frozen, relying on the Crystal Coffin to protect her bodily functions from being damaged by the outside air. Ye Chen walked over and stood outside, looking inside through the glass at the tranquil form of Li Ruo. His heart felt a pang of sorrow. Separated for so long, it felt like many years had passed. Ye Chen sighed and said, “Xiao Ruo, I’ve come to save you!”
Haozi had already instructed people to disconnect the power to the Crystal Coffin. Once without power, the Crystal Coffin sounded an alarm. Then, the lid automatically opened. Ye Chen gently lifted Li Ruo out and carefully ground the Phoenix Rebirth Pill into powder, sprinkling it into Li Ruo’s mouth. Then Ye Chen took a gulp of water and transferred it into Li Ruo’s mouth using his own. This way, he administered the Phoenix Rebirth Pill bit by bit into Li Ruo’s stomach.
Behind him, everyone held their breath, fearing to disturb Ye Chen. They all awaited the moment of miracle, the moment of resurrection. Despite not believing in their hearts that the dead could revive, they believed in Ye Chen. So, their hearts held a half-believing attitude toward this matter.
“Steward, can the Clan Leader really resurrect him?” The Guard Captain asked in astonishment.
“Of course if the Clan Leader says it can be done, then it most certainly can!” Haozi glared at him and said, “Get back to work, who let you in here!”
“Yes, yes!” The Guard Captain nodded quickly, agreeing with his mouth but taking no action. He still lingered on the side, waiting for the moment of miracle to occur. Unfortunately, as time passed slowly, there was no change at all. Li Ruo showed no reaction, Ye Chen held Li Ruo tightly in his arms, hoping his questioning would awaken Li Ruo.
“Could it… could it have failed?” Haozi was stunned as he looked at Ye Chen.
Ye Chen’s expression revealed a painful emotion. He was uncertain himself. The so-called Ninth Floor felt like a fleeting dream that upon waking, one had never been there at all. If not for Du Meisha and Haozi vouching for his experience, he might have believed he had just dreamt the journey to the Ninth Floor. Holding Li Ruo, Ye Chen said sorrowfully, “Could it all have been a dream? No, I don’t believe it, I absolutely refuse to believe it!”
Ye Chen let out a long, anguished roar, and just when everyone thought all was lost, a crisp cough shook them from their shock. Everyone couldn’t help but look at Li Ruo. Li Ruo slowly opened her eyes, looking at Ye Chen. Though she had died, as a soul leaving the corporeal body, she could clearly perceive Ye Chen’s feelings for her.
“Ye Chen…” Tears flowed down Li Ruo’s cheeks.
“Xiao Ruo, you’re awake? You’re really awake?” Ye Chen was stunned, then cried out in astonishment. He held Li Ruo tightly, the emotions bursting forth seemed to be expressed fully at last. How many nights and days, how many dawns and twilights, if his longing could form a river’s spring water, then the whole earth would be submerged. He exclaimed excitedly, “Xiao Ruo, it’s really you, you’re alright, is this not a dream?”