485 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama
Chapter 485: The Chaos of the Immortal Emperors As the time for the closure of the secret realm drew near, Ye Ling Long and her companions stood at the exit, just a few steps from leaving. However, Fu Chang Ming was firmly stationed at the entrance, clearly intending to trap them within. Ye Ling Long, unfazed, smirked knowingly at Fu Chang Ming. "Old man, I have no intention of perishing alongside your Fu clan. They aren't worthy." Fu Chang Ming's expression darkened further. "Hmph! It's not up to you. Once the secret realm closes, as long as I'm here, don't even think about getting out!" "Chang Ming, Immortal Emperor! Does your Fu family intend to trap us all here?" a resolute voice interjected from the crowd. The speaker was a handsome young man, a direct descendant of another immortal emperor who was equal in power to Fu Chang Ming. However, since Fu Chang Ming had been bested by Ye Ling Long and Bai Li Ming in the past, he had fallen a minor level and had yet to recover. After a brief pause, Fu Chang Ming responded, "I've targeted only Ye Ling Long and her allies. The rest of you are free to leave." Despite the collective involvement in the deaths of the Fu clan members, Fu Chang Ming wasn’t reckless enough to detain everyone, especially those descendants of other immortal emperors whom he couldn’t afford to antagonize. With his resentment focused solely on Ye Ling Long and her father, he desired nothing more than to witness their demise within the realm. Upon hearing his declaration, the crowd quickly began to disperse, fearing they might also be trapped if they lingered. Before long, most had left, save for a few, including the outspoken youth. "What about you? Why haven’t you left?" Ye Ling Long questioned him, puzzled. They weren’t particularly close. The young man exchanged a glance with Bai Li Ming and, after some deliberation, declared, "I am willing to stand by Alchemist Ye." Others quickly voiced their agreement, having carefully considered the benefits of aligning with an alchemist of nearly perfect pill success rate. While materials for alchemy were valuable, skilled alchemists capable of refining those materials into pills were rarer still. Fu Chang Ming's face grew stormy. These people intended to bolster Ye Ling Long’s position to facilitate her escape. In your dreams! "If you choose to stay, then stay you shall," Fu Chang Ming sneered, setting a barrier at the exit with a wave of his hand. "Perish within the secret realm together!" Yet, throughout all this, Ye Ling Long remained calm, devoid of panic. Her lack of concern unnerved Fu Chang Ming. Did this woman know no fear? While he pondered, a furious voice shattered the air, closening rapidly. "Fu Chang Ming! How dare you threaten my great-granddaughter's life! I’m here, and I’ll see if you dare harm her!" The voice was familiar, surprising Fu Chang Ming. He thought he had isolated all communication from here; how did Bai Li Xiao learn of this? Quickly piecing it together, he turned to Ye Ling Long. "It was you! You alerted Bai Li Xiao. You knew he would come?" Ye Ling Long nodded, her smile serene. "I informed my great-grandfather before entering the realm. Calculating the time, he should be arriving now at an immortal emperor’s speed." This girl could not be left unchecked! The thought blazed within Fu Chang Ming’s mind. If she grew unchecked, the Fu family faced annihilation. Moreover, she was the disciple of the deceased Di Chang Ling, a man who, even in death, caused him problems. Rage overcoming restraint, Fu Chang Ming struck with his full power at Ye Ling Long. "You dare!" bellowed Bai Li Xiao, attacking Fu Chang Ming to intercept. The ensuing battle between immortal emperors roiled the very space around them. Taking advantage of the distraction, Ye Ling Long unleashed her artifact, the Qian Jun, breaking through the barrier and confidently striding out. Outside, the Fu clan members had surrounded them, but before they could act, Long Shuo swiftly neutralized them. Against the might of a near-immortal emperor like Long Shuo, they stood no chance. Meanwhile, Fu Chang Ming found himself evenly matched with Bai Li Xiao. Originally superior, his recent injuries hindered him. Desperate, he shouted into the sky, "Will you just watch? Help me now!" The crowd looked up, suddenly noticing a green-robed man exuding an air of immortality. Hidden until now, Fu Chang Ming’s call had revealed him. "Lin Qing Ze, the esteemed elder of the Dan Pavilion!" Bai Li Ming exclaimed, shocked by the alliance. The Dan Pavilion elder was a seasoned immortal emperor for millennia, already post-immortal emperor three millennia ago. Now he stood at the cusp of advancement. If it were not for the long absence of ascensions to the divine realm, Lin Qing Ze might have already ascended. Fu Chang Ming shouted fiercely, "That girl possesses the Qian Jun. I only want her dead, not the artifact!" A ripple of interest stirred in Lin Qing Ze’s calm gaze. Without a word, he launched a deadly attack at Ye Ling Long, the move brimming with killing intent. Long Shuo gritted his teeth. "I owe you this. I’ll fight!" But even he was swiftly overpowered and thrown aside. "Go! He’s here for me!" Ye Ling Long urged her friends, but none budged. Anxious, she recognized her artifact, while powerful, could not withstand an immortal emperor's strike. But just as the deadly palm neared, Ye Ling Long’s eyes brightened, recalling something. A towering pagoda soared upward, colliding with the massive palm strike.