"Feng Youhuang is actually coming? What do we do?"

"Feng Youhuang was already a top prodigy, and now at the peak of Half-Saint, her battle power likely rivals some Saints. With Ye Chen's cave heaven essence depleted, he stands no chance."

"These myriad races are utterly shameless. The Heavenly Emperor's heir is only at the early King realm, and here you are, a peak Half-Saint, challenging him like this—zero shame."

"And those gawking myriad race spectators? Why should a King realm fight a Half-Saint? Refusing makes him look like a coward, but why doesn't Feng Youhuang go challenge a top Saint instead?"

Yao Yuekong's family of three wore grim expressions. They believed in Ye Chen's strength. At full power, he could certainly match Feng Youhuang in battle. The issue lay in the fact that Ye Chen and his daughter had holed up in the cave mansion for a full week. Who knew how much she had drawn from him? What if she had nearly emptied his hundred-thousand-li domain?

In that state, Ye Chen wouldn't just fall short of his peak—he might plummet back to the second heaven. How could he possibly prevail? Precisely for that reason, Yao Yuezhi's father had spread the word that Ye Chen was in seclusion, unavailable for the challenge.

"When Ye Chen emerges, Yao Yuekong, talk him down—don't let the outside world's opinions rile him!"

"From here on, he'll rest and recover in our clan. The Heavenly Demon Clan may not rival the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan, but we're no soft persimmon to be squeezed!"

"And Yuezhi must wed Ye Chen—and the sooner, the better."

"If Yuezhi dares to take advantage and then scorn him, she won't be my daughter!"

Yao Yuezhi's parents stood resolute. They refused to allow the fight, no matter the pressure; Ye Chen would remain within the Heavenly Demon Clan to recuperate.

Yao Yuekong nodded, a touch of emotion in his voice. "In the outside world's eyes, Ye Chen's still early King realm, but they've already ranked him among Half-Saint powerhouses. A Half-Saint challenge feels almost... expected. Even the Heavenly Emperor back in the day probably didn't inspire that. Yet with such talent, he aids my sister without hesitation—pouring out everything. It makes this debt of gratitude feel all the heavier! Since Ye Chen gives his all, we can't betray him either."

As the three spoke, their gazes drifted once more to the cave mansion doors. They had kept vigil here nearly every day, but the longer they waited, the more baffled they grew. Hadn't it gone on too long? A full week. Could Yao Yuezhi truly have drained Ye Chen to restore herself? If she had stooped that low, it would chill their hearts.

Compared to her emptying Ye Chen, the trio almost preferred the pair simply indulging in... diversions. After all, they had already embraced this brother-in-law and son-in-law; a bit of premarital haste—boarding the cart before buying the ticket—posed no real issue...

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...

In the cave mansion, Yao Yuezhi's cheeks burned crimson, her delicate frame quivering uncontrollably. Her gaze grew hazy, the whites of her eyes showing more than usual, lending her an air of fragile, intoxicating allure. She peered inward at her cave heaven core, her mind reeling with disbelief.

For an entire week, Ye Chen had spoken not a word, simply adjusting the flow of essence according to her tolerance and limits. He had accelerated her domain's expansion relentlessly, faster and faster.

Now, it spanned ninety-nine thousand nine hundred li. Just a hundred li shy of the hundred-thousand-li pinnacle. Yet even then, the essence pouring from Ye Chen showed no sign of waning. The sight filled her with profound complexity. To claim no joy would be a lie.

She had never dreamed that, from a shattered core, she would turn calamity to fortune, surpassing her former self—and now on the cusp of the limit. But joy played only a small part.

Yao Yuezhi's heart swelled more with shock and sorrow. She marveled at how Ye Chen had shattered the limit, unbeknownst to her. By her absorption, his domain must stretch at least a million li. With potential to transcend all, he had still poured everything into her without regret.

"Brother Ye, enough—truly enough. Save some for yourself. Otherwise, you'll drop to the second heaven next."

Yao Yuezhi's voice cracked with tears as she spoke, unable to hold them back. For this prodigy, who might eclipse even the Heavenly Emperor, to fall because of her? It tore at her soul.

In her teary vision, Ye Chen merely smiled. "I've got plenty left—no realm fall for me. Don't distract yourself. Let's push once more..."

His words barely landed before Yao Yuezhi's face paled, her eyes rolling back on instinct. The essence from Ye Chen surged at a new height. But through her tears, Yao Yuezhi knew it for what it was: a final, desperate burst. Squeezing out the last dregs for her sake.

Before long, as Yao Yuezhi watched her domain hit exactly a hundred thousand li—and stall—sorrow claimed her as she turned to Ye Chen. But to her astonishment, he showed no realm drop. His inner essence still swelled, undiminished.

This... 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Ye Chen had reserves left? It was good news. No cultivation loss for him. Yao Yuezhi even began to wonder how vast Ye Chen's cave heaven was. But curiosity fled as discomfort set in. Ye Chen's essence flowed unabated, mighty as ever. Yet her own domain refused to grow further. With nowhere to channel the influx, it overwhelmed her.

"Brother, Brother—this time I truly mean it. My cave heaven's at the hundred-thousand-li limit—the pinnacle for prodigies in this world. So stop, please—it's overflowing. Such waste..."

Ye Chen frowned at Yao Yuezhi's flushed face. Then he spoke gravely. "Who says a hundred thousand li is the limit? Why haven't I felt it? My own domain exceeds that. So, a hundred thousand is no cap—just a fool's self-deception.

"Yuezhi, we've come this far. You've hit a hundred thousand—perhaps one step from breaking through. Will you give up now? I knew you wouldn't! Rest easy—next, I'll push you past the boundary."

Ye Chen refused to end it here. They had only just begun. His own domain had shrunk by a negligible margin. To quit now, with momentum building? It would frustrate anyone. So, Yao Yuezhi would have to endure a little more.

Ye Chen finished on his own terms and ramped up the essence transfer. Yao Yuezhi's domain, at its peak, had elevated every facet of her being. Her endurance sharpened to a razor's edge. A hundred thousand li marked a threshold. Crossing it wrought a full rebirth. That was why prodigies like Celestial Prince and the Seven-Crowned King wielded such terrifying might.

Seeing Yao Yuezhi's state, Ye Chen relaxed. Now he could truly let loose and go all out.