The Heavenly Beast Forest was not far from Yuanyue City.
After most of a day's travel, a massive, majestic mountain range appeared on the distant horizon, stretching across the land.
"The Heavenly Beast Forest. We've finally arrived."
Ye Yunfei gazed at the wild, rolling peaks ahead, a glint of light flickering in his eyes.
The Heavenly Beast Forest was home to many demonic beasts and magical creatures.
It was said that deep within its heart, several terrifying Beast Kings resided.
Thus, the vast majority of martial artists only dared to move in the forest's peripheral regions.
They would never recklessly venture into its deepest parts.
"Hmm? The Heavenly Beast Town?"
Urging his horse forward, Ye Yunfei noticed a small town nestled at the foot of the Heavenly Beast mountains—the only gateway into the forest.
The town bustled with activity, teeming with people.
Ye Yunfei released his horse and entered the town, walking along its narrow streets.
Up ahead lay the vast, wild thickets, terrain no longer suitable for riding.
Countless makeshift stalls lined both sides of the street, their owners selling or purchasing various materials related to martial cultivation.
"Spirit Life Grass! A spirit herb specially for replenishing spiritual power! Ten Spirit Crystals per stalk!"
"Trilife Mighty Pills! One hundred Spirit Crystals! A bargain and excellent quality—a must-have medicine for training and adventure in the Heavenly Beast Forest!"
...
The air was filled with the constant clamor of hawkers and the sound of bargaining.
However, Ye Yunfei knew that in a place like this, with a motley crowd, finding truly good items would be difficult.
"Earth-Grade Spirit Artifact. Ten thousand Spirit Crystals."
Suddenly, a hawking cry caught Ye Yunfei's attention.
A simple stall caught his eye. A sturdy-looking youth knelt on the ground.
In front of him lay a large, faded cloth. On the cloth sat a single, black dagger.
"Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter. How dare he call that broken dagger an Earth-Grade Spirit Artifact."
"A genuine Earth-Grade Spirit Artifact is worth at least over a hundred thousand Spirit Crystals. Just hearing the price tells you it's fake."
"This kid's conscience is rotten. That broken dagger is clearly meant to trick gullible newcomers!"
...
Although a decent crowd had gathered around the stall, not a single person believed the claim. They all sneered and mocked, their minds set on observing the show.
"Don't talk nonsense! I'm not tricking anyone!" the sturdy youth explained anxiously.
"I am a hunter from nearby. This dagger is a family heirloom, passed down and cherished for generations."
"If my father wasn't severely ill, I would never sell it."
The sturdy youth pointed at an elderly man lying beside him, his face pale and seemingly unconscious.
"Look. My father is right here."
"Aha, pulling the emotional angle now. Quite a touching story!"
"Exactly. Con artists nowadays have deeper tricks. He even got a partner to put on a show with him."
"Look how well the old man is acting!"
...
No one believed the young man's words.
The youth's face flushed red and then paled with anger, but he could do nothing.
"Oh? Something's strange!"
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei's expression shifted. His gaze locked onto the black dagger. He extended his Soul Power, probing towards it.
"Void Profound Gold! This dagger is actually forged from Void Profound Gold!"
"This dagger can significantly boost my current combat prowess!"
"I must acquire it!"
Ye Yunfei felt a flicker of excitement.
Void Profound Gold was an incredibly rare serendipity, something one could only hope to encounter.
How ridiculous that this youth was treating a chunk of Void Profound Gold as an Earth-Grade Spirit Artifact to sell—an absolute underpricing.
"I want this dagger," Ye Yunfei said, pushing his way forward.
"Young Master… you believe me?!" The kneeling youth could not help but exclaim in joy.
The onlookers immediately erupted into an uproar. Some hurled taunts, others shook their heads in disbelief, and a few well-intentioned souls attempted to dissuade Ye Yunfei.
"I don't have ten thousand Spirit Crystals on me. But, I can heal your father."
Ye Yunfei stated.
Ye Yunfei could tell that the old man lying beside the youth was genuinely ill—exhaustion sickness from overwork, pent-up energy in his internal organs, and traces of a severe injury.
The condition was indeed quite grave.
But to Ye Yunfei, a reborn Heavenly Emperor, such a minor ailment was cured with a mere wave of the hand.
"Really? That would be wonderful!"
"Young Master, you are so kind! Meng Niu kowtows to you!"
Overjoyed, the youth—named Meng Niu—moved to kowtow towards Ye Yunfei.
"No need. I will heal your father now."
Ye Yunfei stepped forward, helping the young man up from the ground.
He then approached the elder. His hands moved like lightning, striking key acupuncture points on the old man's body with unerring precision. Waves of spiritual energy permeated the elder's system.
A few breaths later.
*Sputter!*
The elder suddenly awoke, immediately vomiting a large, dark pool of stagnant blood.
"Alright, your father is out of danger now."
"Take him home. Rest for about two or three months, and he will fully recover."
Ye Yunfei spoke as he reached for the black dagger.
"I am so grateful to you, Young Master!"
Meng Niu, brimming with emotion, rushed over to support the elder.
* * *
No sooner had Ye Yunfei taken the dagger in hand than a voice rang out.
"It's Void Profound Gold! Third Young Master, that dagger is a priceless treasure!"
A young man strode forward with his head held high, draped in golden robes, a jade crown upon his head, and a silken sash around his waist.
By his side followed a venerable-looking elderly man with an ancient bearing and a gaunt frame.
This elderly man was staring intently at the dagger in Ye Yunfei's hand, his gaze sharp.
Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised. For this old man to recognize Void Profound Gold was quite remarkable.
"I want that dagger," the golden-robed youth declared, hands clasped behind his back, his face filled with arrogance as he didn't even spare Ye Yunfei a direct glance.
"My apologies. This Young Master cured my father. The dagger is now his."
Meng Niu addressed the golden-robed youth, his face apologetic.
"Xiao Wuhen has never failed to obtain what he wants," the golden-robed youth replied with a faint smile, lifting his gaze slightly towards the sky.
"Brat! Are you deaf!"
"Did you not hear my young master's words? Put the dagger down this instant and scram!"
"Otherwise, not only will you die, but even your relatives, friends, clan, and martial school will be implicated!"
"Third Young Master Wuhen is the son of the incumbent Chancellor Xiao himself!"
The elderly man's piercing gaze fixed on Ye Yunfei, his tone laden with threat.
"What?! The Chancellor's third son?!"
Gasps of shock rippled through the surrounding crowd immediately.
Everyone knew the name of the current Imperial Chancellor—Xiao Baisheng!
"Don't provoke me," Ye Yunfei replied with an expressionless face, turning to leave.
In his past life, Ye Yunfei had stood atop the world's highest peak. The myriad realms and countless races beneath the heavens had all bowed in submission before him.
The chancellor of a small, mortal kingdom's dynasty was simply not worth his notice.
"What?
How does this fellow wish to live? He dares to treat the Chancellor's third son with such disrespect!"
Everyone present was stunned.
Xiao Wuhen's expression immediately darkened, his face twisting into an extremely unsightly scowl.
"Brat, you're courting death!"
The elderly man erupted in rage. His right hand shot out, spiritual energy tearing through the air. The energy formed into a sharp eagle claw that detached from his hand, shimmering with dark light as it soared towards Ye Yunfei's back.
This old man possessed a cultivation base at the Late Stage Earth Realm!
*Whoosh!*
Without turning back, Ye Yunfei, whose Soul Power had long since clearly perceived the situation behind him, directly employed the Soul-Devouring Needle.
"Ah!"
The old man suddenly felt an intense pain lance through his skull. He screamed in agony and stumbled backward.
Ye Yunfei unleashed the Gale God Step, easily evading the eagle claw hurtling towards him.
*Boom!*
A massive crater was blasted into the middle of the street, sending earth and stones flying. The onlookers scattered in fear.
Not looking back, Ye Yunfei walked away into the distance.
At his current level of strength, fighting an Late Stage Earth Realm expert head-on would be troublesome.
Otherwise, true to his nature, Ye Yunfei would have long since indulged in wholesale slaughter.
"My strength. I need to raise my strength quickly."
"Otherwise, even encountering an Earth Realm ant requires restraint—it's utterly stifling," Ye Yunfei mused internally.
It was a feeling of helplessness, akin to a dragon stranded on a shoal being taunted by shrimp, or a tiger forced to the plains being bullied by dogs.
Strangely, the old man did not dare to attack again. He watched Ye Yunfei's retreating figure with a wary gaze.
"Elder Lin, why didn't you kill him?" Xiao Wuhen asked.
"Third Young Master, this kid has something… unusual about him. It's best not to provoke him for now."
"Chieftain Ouyang will be arriving with his men soon. Then we can make our move."
"Void Profound Gold is a priceless treasure. We must seize it!" the old man whispered to Xiao Wuhen.
"Fine."
"Later, have someone investigate his background. I'll exterminate his nine generations—relatives, friends, martial school, clan—I'll wipe them all out."
"I want everyone in the entire Great Qin Empire to know that Xiao Wuhen is not someone whom just any stray cat or dog can afford to offend."
Xiao Wuhen said calmly.
"Understood," the old man responded hastily.
"Heh heh, brat, you've brought great calamity upon yourself!"
The old man looked toward Ye Yunfei's distant, retreating figure, a cold sneer curling on his lips.