Without further ado,
Ye Yunfei strode outwards, making his way through the Heavenly Beast Forest.
On his journey, he encountered many martial artists. Any who dared block his path were mercilessly beaten to death.
Having been a Heavenly Emperor in his past life, Ye Yunfei was intimately familiar with the cruelty of the martial world.
Mercy towards an enemy was cruelty to oneself.
Those who were soft-hearted would inevitably bring ruin upon themselves.
Soon, news of Ye Yunfei's reappearance spread rapidly.
Wave after wave of martial artists descended upon the area, drawn by the scent.
The allure of the Seven Divinities Flower was far too great—everyone coveted it.
“Ye Yunfei, it really is you!”
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.
Up ahead appeared six youths, one of whom was Deng Xianxian.
“Oh?
Are you all here to seize the Seven Divinities Flower as well?”
Ye Yunfei paused momentarily, then asked indifferently.
“Ye Yunfei, you need to leave the Heavenly Beast Forest, right now!
Everyone is looking for you. Your situation is extremely perilous.”
Deng Xianxian rushed forward, speaking to Ye Yunfei anxiously.
She had been worrying about him for the past two days.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
A flicker of warmth stirred in Ye Yunfei’s heart. He could tell Deng Xianxian’s concern was genuine.
“That’s right, Brother Ye Yunfei.
Many Earth Realm experts are searching for you.
You should leave quickly.
They have numbers and strength on their side; you couldn’t possibly be a match.”
Tan Meng also stepped forward, voicing his counsel.
Jia Zhao and Yin Ji nodded toward Ye Yunfei in agreement.
Wu Yuechan simply looked at Ye Yunfei, her gaze fraught with complexity.
Deep down, she still found it rather unbelievable.
Among so many Earth Realm experts all fighting over that flower, how could it have ended up in the hands of someone only at Body Tempering Sixth Level?
“I must go,” Ye Yunfei said.
The Four-Clan Mine Seizing Competition in Yuanyue City was about to begin, and he was in a hurry to return.
“Ye Yunfei... will we meet again in the future?”
Deng Xianxian suddenly asked, her eyes holding a trace of hopeful anticipation.
“If fate allows, we should meet again.”
Ye Yunfei paused mid-step before replying.
“May I know... where you are from?”
Deng Xianxian pressed, her beautiful eyes gazing eagerly at him.
“Yuanyue City. The Ye Family.”
After a brief moment’s thought, Ye Yunfei answered directly, seeing no need to hide.
He was confident that he would soon rise to prominence with unstoppable force.
Not long from now, there would be no faction nor person in the entire Great Qin Empire capable of posing a threat to him. Therefore, he had no need to hide his tracks or identity.
“Alright, I must be going.”
Ye Yunfei turned, preparing to leave.
“Hmph, boy, thinking of leaving? It’s not that easy.”
A handsome-faced man with a tall, slender build approached from afar, accompanied by six or seven sect disciples.
Each exuded sharp auras and moved with speed.
“It’s Senior Brother Yang!
Senior Brother Yang is here!
Ye Yunfei, you need to flee! Senior Brother Yang is a formidable Earth Realm late-stage expert!”
Deng Xianxian paled with fright the moment she saw him.
“Senior Brother Yang?”
Instead of retreating, Ye Yunfei stood firm. The corners of his mouth turned up into a cold smile brimming with killing intent.
Swiftly, Senior Brother Yang and his Zhencang Sect disciples arrived, surrounding Ye Yunfei in a tight circle.
“Hah, trash! Thinking you can still run when you see Senior Brother Yang is here? You deserve ten thousand deaths!
Now, kneel immediately and obediently offer the Seven Divinities Flower to Senior Brother Yang!”
A young man in purple brocade robes snarled viciously.
That youth was none other than Su Yingzhi.
“Senior Brother Yang, I beg you, let Ye Yunfei go!
Please don’t kill him!”
Desperate, Deng Xianxian spread her arms, positioning herself defensively in front of Ye Yunfei. Her proximity was so close that the faint, alluring fragrance of a young maiden drifted directly into Ye Yunfei’s nostrils.
“Haha, Xianxian. You couldn’t possibly have fallen for this piece of trash, could you?
Exactly what is wrong with you?
You’re a disciple of the Zhencang Sect, counted among the Empire's most extraordinary talents and possessing noble status. How could you have taken a fancy to this garbage?”
Su Yingzhi’s words were dripping with sarcasm.
“Xianxian, enough with this nonsense.
Step aside!
No matter what, this trash must die today.”
Senior Brother Yang’s expression was icy cold as he clasped his hands behind his back, assuming an air of lofty superiority and control over the lives of others.
“No, Senior Brother Yang, you mustn’t! I’m begging you!”
Deng Xianxian shook her head fervently.
“Heh heh, Xianxian, your words are useless.
This piece of trash must die!”
Su Yingzhi grinned viciously.
“Trash! What are you waiting for?!
Kneel! Present the Seven Divinities Flower! Perhaps if Senior Brother Yang is compassionate, he might let you have a quick and painless death.”
Su Yingzhi turned his contemptuous shouts toward Ye Yunfei.
“You’re a dead man.”
In response, a cold sneer spread across Ye Yunfei’s face as he looked at Su Yingzhi as if viewing a clown.
“How insolent!
A mere Body Tempering Sixth Level dares utter such boasting words in my presence?!”
Senior Brother Yang’s expression darkened as he barked.
“Ye Yunfei, even at a time like this, don’t you know to be a bit more low-key?”
Wu Yuechan, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
“Very well, Ye Yunfei. In recognition of the fact that you once saved Xianxian’s life, hand over the Seven Divinities Flower, and I will guarantee you escape death.”
Wu Yuechan declared.
“Oh?
You want to seize my Seven Divinities Flower as well?”
Ye Yunfei directed his gaze toward Wu Yuechan, his eyes tinged with mockery.
“Ye Yunfei, why must you be so stubborn?
Haven't you considered—as a mere Body Tempering Sixth Level, is it even possible for you to leave the Heavenly Beast Forest safely with the Seven Divinities Flower on your person?
You must be realistic.
Don’t you know the principle that possession of treasure attracts disaster?
That flower is not a blessing for you; it’s a malevolent object that will draw lethal danger.
If you were truly powerful—so powerful that you could indeed carry the flower and leave this forest safely—I would not demand you hand it over.
But you only possess the strength of Body Tempering Sixth Level! Can you really do it?
This is for your own good!
How about this: hand over the flower, and I’ll ask Senior Brother Yang to compensate you as best he can.
Don’t be so obstinate.
When you move through the martial world in the future, remember: if your strength is lacking, try to keep a low profile.”
Stung by Ye Yunfei’s scornful look, Wu Yuechan shouted loudly.
“She’s right.
Ye Yunfei, you should listen to Senior Sister Wu.”
Deng Xianxian chimed in.
“Xianxian, do you also believe I should surrender the Seven Divinities Flower?”
Ye Yunfei looked at Deng Xianxian, his brow slightly furrowed.
“I... I don’t know. I just hope you can be safe and unharmed.
Have I said the wrong thing?”
Deng Xianxian sensed the displeasure in Ye Yunfei’s gaze and spoke hesitantly.
“Be at ease. I will be safe.”
Ye Yunfei gave a nod.
“Pretentious!
Still putting on a front!
I see you need to see the coffin before your tears will fall, trash!”
Su Yingzhi barked again.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a pitch-black dagger materialized right in front of Su Yingzhi’s head and plunged ruthlessly into his throat.
“How can… this…”
Su Yingzhi stared at Ye Yunfei with terror-filled eyes filled with disbelief and profound regret.
Then, the vitality in his gaze faded away as he collapsed limply onto the ground.
As he was merely at Earth Realm initial stage, killing him was far too simple for Ye Yunfei.
“Now, let me show you whether or not I have the strength to carry the Seven Divinities Flower out of the Heavenly Beast Forest.”
Looking directly at Wu Yuechan, Ye Yunfei stated calmly.