Dan Xian did not speak, merely looking at Ye Chen with icy indifference.
The other Heaven's Pride Prodigies of the Dan Emperor Clan behind him, however, stepped forward, each one gazing coldly at Ye Chen. "Fellow Daoist," one of them said, "we are all sincerely wishing to purchase the four medicinal herbs on your person. They are very important to us. Offering twenty percent above the market price is already very high. But please do not think that we, the clansmen of the Dan Emperor Clan, are easy marks to be bullied."
As they spoke, they revealed their identities as members of the Dan Emperor Clan.
Hearing this, the attendants in the third-floor Medicine Hall of the Wanbao Pavilion were all astonished. These people were actually Heaven's Pride Prodigies of the Dan Emperor Clan.
Ye Chen's expression turned cold. Beside him, the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor stepped forward, sneering with a cold laugh. "The Dan Emperor Clan. What an impressive identity. We're really, really scared."
As he said this, the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor kept patting his own chest with his hand, putting on an act of fear and worry. Yet, no matter how one looked at it, it seemed like a deliberate performance, laced with mockery.
"What do you mean by that?"
A Heaven's Pride Prodigy of the Dan Emperor Clan looked icily at the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor.
"Don't you understand what I mean?" The Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor suddenly seemed to change into a different person, his gaze cold as he looked at the many Heaven's Pride Prodigies of the Dan Emperor Clan. "We are not selling these herbs. Is the Dan Emperor Clan very wealthy? Well, we are not short of money either."
In terms of accumulated resources, not a single one of these Dan Emperor Clan prodigies could compare to Ye Chen, for Ye Chen had stolen nearly half of the Nine Colors Emperor Clan's imperial clan resources, making him akin to a mobile treasure vault, utterly lacking for spirit stones.
Dan Xian looked at Ye Chen, knowing he was the true decision-maker. With a trace of arrogance, he said, "Fellow Daoist, I believe you are a reasonable person. As long as you sell us the four herbs at the original price, you will henceforth be a friend of our Dan Emperor Clan."
"My apologies. We dare not presume to be friends of the Dan Emperor Clan," Ye Chen said indifferently, then turned to those behind him. "Let's go."
"You—"
Dan Xian had not expected Ye Chen to be so ungrateful. His face flushed with anger. He then took out a communication jade token, sent a message, and immediately turned to Ye Chen and the others with a cold voice. "If you do not hand over the four herbs today, do not blame us for being impolite."
Ye Chen and the others watched all this coldly. Abenue spoke bluntly, "Step aside."
Dan Xian's gaze fell upon Abenue. He smiled slightly, showing not the slightest chill but instead an exceptionally humble and courteous demeanor. "This young lady, these people are not worth following. They do not understand the times and will inevitably pay the price for it sooner or later. Why not come with us instead? My Dan Emperor Clan would be willing to open its doors wide for you."
Abenue's gaze was icy. With a *swish*, she stepped forward, intending to take action, but was stopped by a hand.
It was Ye Chen.
She looked at Ye Chen in confusion, not quite understanding why he had stopped her.
Dan Xian, however, sneered. "Young lady, I told you he is just a coward without guts. I am a Heaven's Chosen Son of the Dan Emperor Clan. How would he dare to—"
*Boom—*
Before he could finish his sentence, Dan Xian's expression changed drastically as he sensed a terrifying crisis rushing towards him. Acting decisively, his entire person retreated with lightning speed.
*Rumble—*
The entire Medicine Hall shook violently, nearly collapsing.
Numerous cracks appeared on the ground where Ye Chen had stomped his foot. He looked at Dan Xian, who had teleported away. "Your speed is not bad."
But in the next moment, his voice turned utterly cold. "She is my wife. How dare you try to seduce her?"
*Swish—*
Ye Chen's figure seemed to teleport, instantly appearing before Dan Xian. With a light *slap*, a clear palm print was distinctly imprinted on Dan Xian's face.
*Slap—*
Dan Xian was sent flying backward, spitting out blood mixed with several shattered teeth.
"You're seeking death!"
Dan Xian roared in fury, clearly not expecting that even after revealing his identity as a Heaven's Pride Prodigy of the Dan Emperor Clan, the other party would still dare to attack him.
The other Dan Emperor Clan Heaven's Pride Prodigies all looked coldly at Ye Chen and the others, killing intent spreading.
"Want to start a fight?"
Naturally, behind Ye Chen, Abenue, the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor, and the others also stepped forward.
"What is going on here?"
At this moment, a voice abruptly interrupted the standoff. A middle-aged man with a somewhat sinister and hawkish face appeared, arriving in the Medicine Hall. Seeing the numerous cracks on the ground, his expression immediately turned angry as he swept his gaze over everyone and shouted, "This is the territory of the Wanbao Pavilion! Who dares to make a move here?"
"Elder Bo Yan." Dan Xian stepped forward, cupping his fists in salute.
Elder Bo Yan looked with surprise at Dan Xian, who bore a clear palm print on his face, and quickly recognized his true identity, showing a look of astonishment. However, his sinister face also shifted to a gentle smile as he similarly cupped his fists in return. "So it is Young Friend Dan Xian of the Dan Emperor Clan. Your esteemed presence graces our Wanbao Pavilion; we have failed to welcome you properly. But your face—"
"Elder Bo Yan, you've come at the right time. Just now, these people attacked us. The palm print on my face was left by this person when he took advantage of my unpreparedness." Without hesitation, Dan Xian directly shifted the blame onto Ye Chen and his group, intentionally distorting the truth, implying that Ye Chen and the others had struck first and had also snatched the medicinal herbs they were about to purchase.
They had been reasonable, but Ye Chen's group was unreasonable and had resorted to violence.
Hearing this, Elder Bo Yan looked coldly at Ye Chen and the others. "Our Wanbao Pavilion does not welcome guests like you. Please hand over all the medicinal herbs and take back your spirit stones. Moreover, for daring to harm a young friend of the Dan Emperor Clan, kneel down immediately and apologize!"
"Elder Bo Yan—"
Seeing this scene, Ruo Ya felt a bad premonition and hurriedly spoke up. "Things are not as you imagine."
"Oh? Does Elder Ruo Ya doubt that a Heaven's Pride of the Dan Emperor Clan would casually slander them?" Elder Bo Yan, however, cast a cold glance at Ruo Ya.
Although Ruo Ya was younger than him, she was adept at dealing with people, and her transaction volume had consistently remained high. Moreover, she was stunningly beautiful and had received high praise from the Wanbao Pavilion's upper echelons over the years, gaining the support of many within the pavilion.
If things continued for a few more years, her status within the Wanbao Pavilion would inevitably surpass his.
Furthermore, Ruo Ya was quite strict in her oversight of medicinal herbs. Originally, Elder Bo Yan had used his authority to secretly withhold some herbs for sale, earning considerable profit. But because of Ruo Ya's presence, his gains had diminished significantly in recent years, making it difficult to obtain certain benefits within the Wanbao Pavilion.
Therefore, this matter concerned fostering good relations with the Dan Emperor Clan and also provided an opportunity to suppress Ruo Ya. Either way, it was a good thing for him.
Thus, Elder Bo Yan exerted himself quite forcefully.
"Elder Bo Yan, that is not what Ruo Ya meant." Elder Ruo Ya also looked coldly at Elder Bo Yan. Over the years, there had been private disputes between them, all for the sake of profit. But if this transaction were to be canceled, Ruo Ya's performance record would suffer, making it difficult for her to advance to a higher level in a short time.
Moreover, Ye Chen and the others were clearly major clients. They had not bullied anyone; on the contrary, it was Dan Xian and his group who were using their influence to pressure others. By both reason and sentiment, she should stand on Ye Chen's side.
"Since Elder Ruo Ya does not mean that, then do not continue to interfere in this matter." Elder Bo Yan flicked his sleeve. "You are a responsible elder of the Medicine Hall, and I am also a responsible elder of the Medicine Hall. In terms of seniority and generation, I am higher than you and, in principle, have more authority to speak."
He then looked at Ye Chen and the others, his expression icy. "I order you to immediately hand over all the medicinal herbs and apologize at once. Otherwise, do not blame our Wanbao Pavilion for taking action."
Behind him, Dan Xian and the others sneered as they looked at Ye Chen.
Daring to offend their Dan Emperor Clan was truly seeking death.
"Enough, Elder Bo Yan!" Elder Ruo Ya coldly shouted. "The fault today does not lie with them. They completed the transaction first, and the transaction amount is enormous, valued at nearly eight hundred million. If this matter goes wrong, can you bear the responsibility?"
"What? Eight hundred million!"
Even Elder Bo Yan was startled, never expecting the transaction amount to reach the staggering sum of eight hundred million.
If he ruined this transaction and the upper echelons found out, he would likely be severely punished—a consequence he was unwilling to bear lightly.
Behind him, Dan Xian spoke. "Elder Bo Yan, purchasing these herbs was personally requested by our clan's Imperial Daughter. If the transaction is completed, our Dan Emperor Clan will certainly not forget your kindness."
Elder Bo Yan's heart stirred. Being able to foster good relations with the Dan Emperor Clan, especially on the Imperial Daughter's behalf, and also having the chance to suppress Elder Ruo Ya—he gritted his teeth and hardened his resolve. "Elder Ruo Ya, although the amount is huge, their character is lacking. Our Wanbao Pavilion is also unwilling to easily offend the Dan Emperor Clan. This transaction is canceled."
"You—"
Elder Ruo Ya was also enraged, never expecting Elder Bo Yan to go this far for his own selfish interests. Her ample bosom heaved with anger, nearly bursting through her thin garments, seemingly on the verge of spilling out.
Elder Bo Yan looked again at Ye Chen and said coldly, "Please hand over all the medicinal herbs."
"It seems Elder Bo Yan here holds great authority. However, the transaction has already been completed. The herbs cannot be handed over; I'm afraid we must refuse. And as for apologizing to them—" Ye Chen swept his gaze over Dan Xian and the others, his eyes extremely cold.
"Not handing them over, and unwilling to apologize?" Elder Bo Yan chuckled coldly. "Very well. In that case, sir, do not blame our Wanbao Pavilion for being merciless. Men—"
At his call, numerous powerful figures suddenly appeared in the void—all experts guarding the security of the Wanbao Pavilion, each one quite powerful with imposing auras.
Dan Xian sneered as he looked at Ye Chen and the others. Daring to oppose the Dan Emperor Clan was clearly an act of seeking death.
"Take action. Capture them," Elder Bo Yan commanded.
"Yes!"
The many Wanbao Pavilion experts moved, charging towards Ye Chen.
"Scram!"
Before Ye Chen could act, the Seven Supreme Geniuses behind him instantly stepped forward.
The many Wanbao Pavilion experts came quickly but were sent flying even faster, each coughing blood as they were directly blasted away.
"You dare to fight back!" Elder Bo Yan's eyes widened.
"Since you dare to attack us, do not blame us for being merciless."
Ye Chen coldly uttered these words, stepping forward. He seemed slow yet was extremely fast, instantly closing in before Elder Bo Yan.
"Seeking death!"
Elder Bo Yan roared, immediately taking action. A divine radiance erupted, the might of a Great Power blossoming, quite powerful as it surged towards Ye Chen ahead.
But before it could even reach Ye Chen, this divine light shattered and dispersed.
Ye Chen flicked a finger. A powerful attack instantly pierced through Elder Bo Yan's defenses, shattering layer upon layer of divine radiance.
*Boom—*
Before Elder Bo Yan could even react, his entire person was sent flying backward.
*Pfft—*
When he landed, Elder Bo Yan opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Strong!
Elder Bo Yan, a Great Power, was so utterly outmatched, defeated by a mere flick of a finger. It was shocking.
"Now it's your turn."
Ye Chen looked at Dan Xian and the others, striding forward.
"Hmph, do you really think I, Dan Xian, am an easy target?" Dan Xian's expression darkened. He was no ordinary Great Power but a Supreme Genius. Being slapped earlier was merely because he was caught off guard; how could he be considered inferior to Ye Chen?
With a light shout, Dan Xian moved forward, attacking Ye Chen.
Divine radiance erupted amidst his movements, along with various divine abilities and secret arts manifesting. One after another, Great Dao runes appeared, capable of annihilating heaven and earth, seeking to destroy everything before them.
"Break!"
However, facing all these terrifying attacks, Ye Chen merely uttered a light shout infused with an absolutely fearsome Great Dao divine sound that shook the void and shattered every single attack.
"What!?"
Dan Xian and the other Dan Emperor Clan Heaven's Pride Prodigies all paled drastically. Dan Xian's powerful attacks were far beyond what an ordinary Great Power could handle, yet they were broken so easily.
The opponent was definitely a supreme expert.
Towards Dan Xian, Ye Chen simply raised his hand and struck out with a palm.
*Boom—*
This palm seemed to transform into an indestructible heavenly stele, swirling with blazing Chaos light and manifesting countless Great Dao runes. One after another, they resembled Chaos stars of the myriad heavens, revolving around the stele, phantasms of all realms appearing and vanishing—extremely terrifying—as it slammed towards Dan Xian.
Facing this palm, Dan Xian's expression turned to horror. Even powerful as he was, having stepped into the Great Power realm, at this moment he felt an intense sense of deadly crisis.
The other Dan Emperor Clan Heaven's Pride Prodigies behind him felt the same, for this palm also enveloped all of them.
"No—"
Dan Xian let out a great shout, spitting out a mouthful of essence blood. His overall strength surged, and then he exhaled a stream of vital essence that merged with the essence blood, giving birth to a massive cauldron.
It was an alchemy cauldron, ancient and extraordinary, as if capable of refining the entire great world within it, turning it into a pill. It was inscribed with countless runes.
Each rune, judging by its shape, distinctly resembled a miniature alchemy cauldron, as if countless cauldron runes had coalesced to give birth to this ancient alchemy cauldron.
"Dan Emperor Cauldron, Refine the Myriad Heavens!"
Dan Xian roared, his entire face turning pale. What he had manifested was precisely the Dan Emperor Cauldron, which he hurled towards Ye Chen's indestructible heavenly stele palm.
*Rumble—*
The two collided as if two great worlds had smashed together. Heaven shattered and earth crumbled, annihilating everything, all descending into great destruction, the myriad domains of the heavens on the verge of being pulverized.
Yet, all this destructive power was suppressed, condensed within a certain range.
It was Ye Chen's deliberate doing, a hazy light radiating from his body.
All destructive forces were unable to spread outward.
In the Medicine Hall, Elder Ruo Ya, Elder Bo Yan, and the many Wanbao Pavilion experts watched, their hearts trembling.
It was clear that Ye Chen was a peerless expert, powerful beyond imagination.
"No, I absolutely cannot let him harm Dan Xian and the others. Otherwise, if the Dan Emperor Clan holds us accountable, even the Wanbao Pavilion won't be able to protect me." Elder Bo Yan gritted his teeth. At this moment, he could care about nothing else and hurriedly took out his communication jade token to send a message to the upper echelons of the Wanbao Pavilion.
"Elder Bo Yan, you—"
Elder Ruo Ya was both anxious and furious. All of this had reached this point because of Elder Bo Yan. And now, he was actually summoning higher-level figures, clearly pushing the situation towards an even worse outcome.