Chapter 1609 Believe in Yourself

Ye Yuan first experienced the pain of losing his father, then the sorrow of Mu Lingxue's death, so he became more sensitive about protecting those around him.

He absolutely would not allow those close to him to suffer even the slightest harm.

That was why, when he returned to the Immortal Forest Domain and encountered the Heavenly Calamity Evil God, he dealt with him in such a disgusting manner.

Over the years, he had always done his utmost to protect those around him, yet he had never considered their feelings.

It seemed that his approach had caused Yue Mengli, Bai Guang, and even Lü'er to live in a stifling atmosphere.

Clearly, Yue Mengli, Bai Guang, and Lü'er were all people with strong self-esteem.

Apart from Ye Yuan, they were all top-tier genius martial artists.

Even in the Tongtian Realm, their talent surpassed that of the vast majority of martial artists.

Ye Yuan's approach, however, had been stifling their talent.

It seemed that during his absence, the self-esteem of those around him had finally been pushed to its limit.

Ye Yuan sighed and said, "Li'er, Bai Guang, I'm sorry. It seems I've overlooked your feelings."

Bai Guang spat, "Big Brother, what are you saying! We understand everything you've done for us. And indeed, you have the ability! But we also know how much you've endured over the years! We want to become stronger, just so we won't be a burden to you, so you can move forward without any worries!"

Yue Mengli also said, "Yuan Ge, I... I just want to do my small part for Sister Lingxue."

Ye Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, I understand. Everyone has their own path. These years, I've been too tense, and it's stifled your talents. Go ahead, but... let's make a five-hundred-year pact! In five hundred years, no matter where we are, we'll return to the Tianying Imperial City!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed and naturally had no reason to refuse.

Ye Yuan knew these people too well; since they had decided to come to him, it meant they had already made up their minds.

Not to mention Bai Guang, Li'er seemed gentle, but she also had her resolute side.

Otherwise, back then she wouldn't have fled directly to the lower realm and met Ye Yuan.

Among them, the one Ye Yuan was most worried about was naturally Lü'er.

Lü'er was simple-minded and inexperienced; in the complex world of martial artists, it was hard to guarantee she wouldn't suffer losses.

For this reason, Ye Yuan entrusted Guiyun to Lü'er, to protect her along the way.

In addition, Ye Yuan gave each of them several Divine Lord Mystic Treasures.

With Divine Lord Mystic Treasures, they could fight across levels, greatly increasing their chances of survival.

On the day of departure, Ye Yuan did not see them off.

Even a thousand-mile send-off must end in farewell.

This journey was fraught with unknown fortunes and misfortunes; Ye Yuan truly lacked the courage to face it.

Hiding in the Ye residence, Ye Yuan grieved alone.

"Senior, I'm still not strong enough!" Ye Yuan sighed deeply to Wuchen.

Wuchen was silent for a moment, then spoke, "You've done well enough! The moon waxes and wanes, people meet and part. The Dao Ancestors seem to stand at the pinnacle of the world, but who can truly understand the partings of life and death they experience? In the end, divine realm experts are not true gods!"

Ye Yuan smiled bitterly, "I understand the reasoning, but when it actually comes to this day, I still find it hard to let go. I need to become stronger quickly, strong enough that Li'er and the others don't have to worry about me, strong enough that no one dares to look down on them anymore!"

Wuchen said with relief, "I have never doubted that!"

...

The departure of Li'er and the others only strengthened Ye Yuan's resolve.

From then on, he threw himself into even more frenzied cultivation.

During this time, Ye Yuan had been hiding in the World Suppression Stele space, trying to comprehend the fourth layer of the Chaos True Scripture.

However, contrary to his wishes, after more than ten years of insight in the World Suppression Stele space, he still couldn't find any clue.

The transition from the Guixu Divine Realm to the Divine Lord Realm was a huge threshold for all martial artists.

Favorites of heaven like Ning Tianping were extremely rare.

Countless martial artists spent their entire lives blocked outside the gate of the Divine Lord Realm.

For the first time, Ye Yuan's cultivation encountered a major bottleneck.

"Senior, why do I feel an extremely contradictory sensation now? All Divine Lord Realm experts open an inner world and become a sovereign to achieve the Divine Lord Realm. But why, after more than ten years of my deductions, does this path seem completely unworkable? Where did I go wrong? Could it be... I was wrong from the start?"

With no progress for so long, Ye Yuan was extremely agitated and had to speak his mind.

Over these ten-plus years, Ye Yuan had made countless deductions before the Lesser Tongtian Mountain, trying to find a way to open an inner world.

But no matter how he deduced, the result was always the same—this path was impassable!

Attaining the Divine Lord Realm, opening an inner world, becoming a sovereign of a realm—this was the necessary path for all experts in the Tongtian Realm.

Yet Ye Yuan didn't know why, but following the continuation of his first three layers, this path was completely wrong.

He had also tried to force a breakthrough, but without exception, he failed.

For the first time in his life, Ye Yuan doubted his own path.

Wuchen naturally saw Ye Yuan's situation.

But to be honest, he had no solution either, and could only sigh, "From the beginning, I told you that this path is extremely arduous, one that no one has ever walked before. Without a doubt, your first three layers of the technique are extremely powerful! I followed Xianlin and roamed the Tongtian Realm for millions of years, and I have never seen such a powerful technique! But now, this technique has clearly reached a watershed. If you cross it, the road ahead will be smooth. If you can't... you'll have to abandon this technique and cultivate anew!"

Ye Yuan's expression shifted; this outcome was clearly not what he wanted.

He understood well that with his talent, even if he abandoned the Chaos True Scripture and cultivated Xianlin the Heavenly Lord's technique, he could still reach a very high level.

But that also meant he might never be able to revive Mu Lingxue.

That outcome was not what he wanted.

If he couldn't revive Mu Lingxue, then what was the meaning of all his struggles over the years?

Even if he could become a supreme Heavenly Emperor and dominate the entire Tongtian Realm, what use would it be?

If you are not here, what use is this world to me!

Now, Ye Yuan had reached the greatest crossroads of his life.

Wuchen glanced at Ye Yuan and said, "Ye Yuan, rationally speaking, I think you should give up this path! The uncertainty is too great!"

Ye Yuan looked at Wuchen and waited quietly for him to continue.

He knew this was not what Wuchen truly meant to say.

Sure enough, Wuchen paused, smiled bitterly, and said, "As an artifact spirit, I've lived a long life and never been reckless. But this time, I'll give you one sentence—believe in yourself!"