"Ye Chen, don't act rashly!"
The presence within his mind issued a warning, having already sensed that something was amiss.
But it was already too late.
"Die!"
Ye Chen's eyes burned scarlet as a beastlike roar burst from his throat. He struck without hesitation, one punch driving straight toward Dan Tai Lan's face!
Dan Tai Lan let out a smug smile. A jade pendant hanging at his waist suddenly blossomed with radiant light, blocking Ye Chen's attack.
"How bold! You dare to resort to violence?! Brothers, go at him together!"
Dan Tai Lan feigned panic and shouted loudly as he hurriedly retreated.
The crowd he had already secretly alerted surged forward at once.
These inner disciples were all at least at the same Second Heaven Realm as Ye Chen—geniuses in their own right if placed in smaller regions.
Against one or two, Ye Chen could still easily suppress them. But when more than a dozen charged at him at once, how could he possibly withstand them?
Not to mention that several among them were already at the Third Heaven Realm. After throwing that very first punch, Ye Chen no longer had the slightest chance to fight back!
Even with a Kingly Physique that made his body and spiritual power far stronger than cultivators of the same realm, how could two fists contend against dozens of hands?
His head, chest, abdomen... even a man's most vital place—were struck mercilessly.
By the time the commotion gradually subsided, only Ye Chen remained in the field, sprawled on the ground like a dead dog.
Dan Tai Lan had already led the group away at a leisurely pace.
Ye Chen lay on his back, his face mottled with bruises and swelling. His once tidy robes now looked like a beggar's rags—covered in footprints, dust, mud, and torn in countless places.
In the sky, two graceful figures—one in red, one in white—stood in the firmament, quietly observing the scene below.
"There is karmic entanglement between this boy and Chu Ge. If Senior Sister intervenes rashly, it may be somewhat inappropriate."
Luo Huangjun frowned slightly.
It wasn't out of any pity for Ye Chen's miserable state—she was worried it might have a negative impact on Chu Ge.
"It's nothing. This was merely a small test. From what I can see now, this so-called Son of Fortune does have some tricks, but not many—he's far from forming any real momentum for the time being."
"I mainly wanted to probe that remnant soul within the ring."
Dan Tai Jinglian spoke with a carefree smile, as if Ye Chen's tragic state below had nothing at all to do with her.
"So that's how it is. I previously examined that ring as well—the remnant soul within is hidden extremely deep."
"However, it is not wholeheartedly loyal to this Ye Chen. It harbors its own selfish motives."
Luo Huangjun relayed to Dan Tai Jinglian what the remnant soul had done while Ye Chen was unconscious.
"In that case, things are getting interesting."
A flicker of fire flashed in Dan Tai Jinglian's eyes, and a smile appeared on her face—one that carried a hint of malicious delight.
Luo Huangjun did not press further.
Her senior sister had always been like this—extremely perverse and unruly in temperament.
Su Lingyuan called her a "bad woman," and that description truly wasn't wrong at all.
If she genuinely set her mind on doing something, no one could stop her—and it wouldn't even be wise to try.
The two had known each other since their days of cultivation, bound like sisters, having experienced many things together. Each understood the other exceedingly well.
Even if Dan Tai Jinglian were to commit something that incurred heaven's wrath and humanity's resentment, Luo Huangjun would still stand on Dan Tai Jinglian's side.
At this moment, the conversation between the two was harmonious, the atmosphere exceptionally relaxed.
There was not the slightest trace of the earlier tension they had displayed in front of others—no clash of blades, no hostility at all!
If outsiders were to witness this scene, their jaws would surely drop!
After all, for a very long time, rumors had circulated that the relationship between the Holy Lord of the Taihuang Sacred Land and the Great Elder was extremely hostile—virtually irreconcilable, as incompatible as fire and water, ready to turn against each other at any moment!
One could only say: it was all a performance. The hearts of those in great powers are all filthy!