Chapter 1074: Chapter 1044: The monsters roared madly in the air, but Ye Chen was not intimidated by their warning. He snorted coldly and said, “You bastards, watch how I kill you!” After speaking, Ye Chen charged again into the group of monsters. These monsters seemed to have some intelligence; after Ye Chen killed hundreds of their peers, they scattered as soon as they saw Ye Chen rush over. Ye Chen stood on the empty ground, looking up at the monsters that fled en masse, and sighed, “I thought they would fight to the last moment, but it turns out they’re just a bunch of cowards afraid of death. Alas…” Ye Chen was itching for more battle, eager for another three hundred rounds. Unfortunately, it seemed the monsters had no intention of granting him that courtesy. With little choice, Ye Chen found the entrance to the next floor and then entered the Ninth Floor. Last time he was here, the Ninth Floor seemed like a piece of Paradise, but this time, Ye Chen was shocked to discover that the world here had changed. As soon as he entered the Ninth Floor, two huge and ferocious monsters came rushing at him. They had the size of hippos but exhibited the attacking prowess of lions and tigers. This put Ye Chen at a disadvantage. Without a second thought, Ye Chen raised the black iron long spear and thrust it at the head of one of the hippo monsters. Despite its bulky appearance, the hippo monster was agile as a swallow and easily deflected Ye Chen’s attack with a quick turn. “Humph, just a beast, and yet it dares to block my way!” Ye Chen gritted his teeth and lunged again. However, the beast seemed unfazed by Ye Chen. It opened its mouth wide, roaring madly, with rows of sharp teeth appearing just like a frenzied lion. Ye Chen snorted coldly, and with a flick of his long spear… The black iron long spear pried out all the teeth in the hippo monster’s mouth. Fortunately, the spear was sturdy; after a series of metallic clashes, the monster’s teeth fell piece by piece. The hippo monster emitted a sharp cry and hurriedly fled. The other hippo beast saw this scene and was also intimidated by Ye Chen’s strength. It retreated several steps before turning and escaping. Ye Chen relaxed a little, looking up at the blood-red sky. There was a certain similarity to the Eighth Floor, but here the ground was all blood-red sand, with no water, no life, and not a hint of wind, rain, or thunder. Ye Chen furrowed his brow, anxiously saying, “What now? Do I… do I need to go down to the Tenth Floor?” Ye Chen hesitated; there were no welcoming little Daoists here, no wise old Daoists giving moral teachings. There was no Elf Clan. Ye Chen felt conflicted and hesitant. This world was vastly different from before, and for some time, he wandered aimlessly like a headless fly. Without water, Ye Chen didn’t know how much longer he could survive. He checked his canteen at his waist, finding it completely dry. Ye Chen swallowed, realizing he hadn’t any saliva left, his throat feeling like it was stuffed with a fiery ball, dry coughing as if flames were scorching. Facing death, Ye Chen trudged wearily through the blood-red desert, each step heavy as though his legs were filled with lead. He didn’t know how long or how far he had walked, this blood-red desert felt like a prison trapping Ye Chen. It prevented him from leaving this rare desert. Finally, Ye Chen couldn’t walk anymore; he lay down on the sand, the fine grains soft as a clear spring, causing him to close his eyes. In the sky, the red glows lacked any focal point. The entire sky emitted scorching rays, and Ye Chen felt he was nearly being roasted by the sun. “Without water, there’s no way to live!” Ye Chen’s lips were extremely dry, like a piece of roasted meat. His thirst for water almost entirely occupied his heart. He smacked his lips, hoping for a heavy rain to fall from the sky. Ye Chen didn’t regret this journey, nor did he regret entering the Ancient Lava Cave for Ms. Yan. Even if he dies of thirst, he would crawl forward step by step until he was dehydrated to death. Using the long spear for support, Ye Chen stood up, entirely naked, his skin tanned to a layer of black sheen. In the blood-red desert, a black shadow trudged through. One man, one spear walking the desert. Ye Chen continued challenging himself, persistently pushing his limits. What was it within him that kept him so strong, so dedicated? For Ye Chen, this determination stemmed from his love for Yun Yan. Ye Chen understood that, in this life, without Ms. Yan, what else could he hold dear? Without Ms. Yan, how could he navigate his life? With whom could he share eternal hearts, grow old together? Ye Chen shouted into the sky, “When the skin is gone, what will hold the fur? Who will I give my love to? My heart? When time ages with long years, when life falters in the wind and rain, where will my soul rest, my heart reside? Sister, if love is a play, I’ve waited too long for it to start. If love is a path, I’ve gone too far down the fork; if love is a maze, I’ve searched painfully for you; if love is a collision, I’ve been bruised and battered. Sister, where are you, where are you… I must find you, I must find you back!!” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⟡𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵 Ye Chen’s roar caused a change in the heavens and earth. The blood clouds in the sky dissipated instantly, and a streak of golden sunlight spilled across the earth, followed by a voice descending from the sky: “Ye Chen, when heaven assigns a great task to someone, it must first harden his spirit, exhaust his muscles and bones, and starve his body. Therefore, I have made you endure such suffering for your own good!” “Old Daoist!” Ye Chen opened his eyes and looked at the changes in the sky. After the clouds cleared, the earth changed as well. On the ground, countless golden flowers blossomed, green grass grew abundantly, and numerous small creatures seemed to appear out of thin air. A stream of clear spring water flowed past Ye Chen’s eyes. Ye Chen was overjoyed and ignored the old Daoist as he jumped directly and joyously into the spring, drinking generously from the sweet and delicious water. “Ah, refreshing and delightful!” Not only did Ye Chen drink to his heart’s content, but he also used this refreshing spring water to wash away all his grime, and after the cleansing of the spring, his originally dark skin instantly became much whiter. After cleaning himself, Ye Chen emerged from the water, now adorned in a clean Daoist robe. An old man with white hair descended from the sky, stood in front of Ye Chen, and looked at him with a cheerful smile, saying: “Ye Chen, what brings you to the Nine Layered Hell this time?” “Old Daoist, I have come to seek… the Phoenix Rebirth Pill!” Ye Chen swallowed his saliva. He knew this matter was difficult, yet he still had to make this unreasonable request. Ms. Yan held a high position in Ye Chen’s heart, almost as significant as Li Ruo. Back then, after Li Ruo perished, Ye Chen went through countless trials, ventured into the Ancient Lava Cave, and encountered the Elf Family, eventually acquiring the Phoenix Blood from the Elves and obtaining the Phoenix Rebirth Pill. However, there was only one portion of Phoenix Blood, which was the Elf Clan’s most treasured possession. The last time, Ye Chen had already taken it away, so there was absolutely no second portion of Phoenix Blood in this world. The old Daoist smiled calmly and said: “Ye Chen, it seems you have come to the wrong place this time!” “Why?!” Ye Chen was taken aback. “Because… it is impossible for there to be a second portion of Phoenix Blood in this world!” The old Daoist glanced at Ye Chen and said: “The only portion of Phoenix Blood was taken by you last time, so wanting the Phoenix Rebirth Pill is impossible!” “No, how could this be!” Ye Chen exclaimed, quickly saying: “Impossible, there must be a second portion of Phoenix Blood in this world, right, old Daoist!” “No, there isn’t!” The old Daoist shook his head and then said: “If there was a second portion of Phoenix Blood, I wouldn’t have sent you to the Elf Clan to obtain the Phoenix Blood!” “Old Daoist, I beg you, you must find a way to help me locate the second portion of Phoenix Blood!” Ye Chen knelt to the ground with a thud, pleading: “I must save someone; this person is extremely important to me, impossibly important. If I don’t save her, my life will be meaningless!” “Haha, is your life tied to someone else’s?” The old Daoist looked at Ye Chen calmly, then said: “Have you forgotten that your life also includes other women? Li Ruo, Zhang Yantong, Dian Ling… Do you mean to say your life only revolves around Yun Yan? Is your life meant solely for her? Ye Chen, wake up; why give up the forest for one tree?” “You are right!” Ye Chen nodded, standing up, and said to the old Daoist: “No matter which one of them it is, each is the most important person in my life. I would rather sacrifice my life than let them suffer any harm. I am willing to be their guardian for life!” “You must understand that the world is fair; everyone’s life and death follow the natural order.” The old Daoist stroked his breath, gazing at the bright sky, then smiled and said: “You’ve altered your fate once already; do you intend to do so again?” “Yes!” Ye Chen gritted his teeth with determination. “Then let me tell you, there is a second portion of Phoenix Blood in this world!” The old Daoist looked at Ye Chen with severity. “Really?!” Ye Chen was overjoyed and said: “That’s great, old Daoist, please tell me where the Phoenix Blood is, and I’ll go fetch it immediately!” “You need not fetch it!” The old Daoist seriously looked at Ye Chen, saying: “In the past, to let you be reborn and gain experience in this world, I used three drops of Phoenix Blood to forge your body. If you wish to obtain Phoenix Blood, then surrender your flesh and blood, enter the Refining Furnace, and reforge those three drops of Phoenix Blood. Are you willing?” “Uh…” Ye Chen was stunned and said: “Isn’t this a bit too fantastical?” “Don’t you find the existence of the Ancient Lava Cave to be a fantastical story?” The old Daoist looked at Ye Chen with calm eyes. “Indeed!” Ye Chen nodded. At times, he couldn’t come to terms with the things happening to him. Especially after being severely injured by the Church Court’s Old Madam that day, he expected to die yet watched as his wound miraculously healed. Thus, he believed somewhat in the old Daoist’s words, but he didn’t fully trust the rebirth part. Curious, Ye Chen asked: “You said I was reborn? Then what did I do in my previous life?” “You won’t understand!” The old Daoist waved his hand and said: “This is a heavenly secret, not to be disclosed! You will understand naturally in the future! For now, I just want to tell you, if you wish to save Yun Yan, then… you must sacrifice your life, are you willing?”