41: Homecoming Troubles

At the edge of the Cangmang Mountain Range, the setting sun dyed the layers of forest a shade of orange-red.

Ye Chen stepped out of the vast mountain forest and returned to the relatively flat official road. The three-day trip to the Immortal Cave felt like a lifetime ago. His cultivation had soared to the Peak of the Fifth Level of the Kaiyuan Realm, the essence of his qingfeng sword had undergone a transformation, and he had even inherited a wisp of the "zhutian sword soul fragment." The gains were immense, but they were accompanied by the inevitable storm that would follow his killing of Lin Hong.

His expression was calm and his steps steady; he did not appear ostentatious due to the leap in his strength, and his aura was instead more restrained. Luminous Sword Heart allowed his control over his own power to reach a new height.

On the official road, the number of passing pedestrians and merchants gradually increased. Ye Chen's Tianfeng Academy Outer Court uniform drew many eyes, especially the longsword at his waist that looked simple yet faintly emitted a heart-palpitating aura, adding a touch of mystery.

"Have you heard? In the Tianfeng Academy Outer Court minor competition, an incredible dark horse emerged named Ye Chen. He used his Quenching Body Realm cultivation to defeat a Kaiyuan Realm opponent and took the top spot!"

"That's not all! I have a distant nephew who works as a servant at the academy. I heard that a few days ago, while he was outside, he forced back a Kaiyuan Realm Seventh Level Genius from the Inner Court with a single sword strike!"

"For real? Someone in the Quenching Body Realm forced back a Kaiyuan Realm Seventh Level? You're bragging!"

"It's absolutely true! The Outer Court is going crazy with the news! Everyone says this kid is a sword dao prodigy with limitless potential!"

The discussions of the passersby vaguely reached his ears. Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged, but his heart stirred. The news had indeed spread quickly; it seemed he was now somewhat famous in the vicinity of Tianfeng Academy. For him, this was both a good thing and a source of trouble.

The good thing was that fame brought a certain level of deterrence, making petty people hesitate to provoke him. The trouble was that he would be more exposed to the eyes of various factions, and the Lin Family's revenge would likely be more violent and swift.

While he was pondering, dust rose at the corner of the official road ahead as a group of people on horseback galloped toward him. The leader was a young man dressed in brocade with an arrogant expression, followed by seven or eight guards. Each of them had a fierce aura and sharp eyes, clearly not ordinary guards.

The brocade-clad young man's gaze swept across the official road. When he saw Ye Chen, especially the qingfeng sword at his waist, a strange look flashed in his eyes. He immediately reined in his horse and spoke condescendingly, "Are you Ye Chen of Tianfeng Academy?"

Ye Chen did not stop his pace, only glancing at him indifferently. "Is there something?"

Seeing Ye Chen's cold attitude, the brocade-clad youth frowned and spoke with a commanding tone, "I am the Young Lord of Liuyun City, Yun Fei. I've heard your sword techniques are decent. This Young Lord happens to be lacking a handy spirit weapon. That sword at your waist looks passable; name a price."

He stared intently at the qingfeng sword with undisguised greed. With his discernment, he could naturally see that this sword was extraordinary, far beyond what an ordinary spirit weapon could compare to.

Hearing this, a mocking arc curled at the corner of Ye Chen's mouth. "Not for sale."

Yun Fei's Face darkened. "Kid, don't refuse a kindness! In this territory of Liuyun City, no one has ever dared to deny Yun Fei Face! If you know what's good for you, leave the sword. This Young Lord will reward you with a few Spirit Stones, enough for you to buy ten ordinary swords!"

The guards behind him also stepped forward one after another, their Spiritual Pressure faintly radiating, putting on a posture as if they would resort to force if things didn't go their way. The cultivation of these guards was not weak; the two leaders even had the strength of the Kaiyuan Realm Fourth Level.

Seeing this, the surrounding pedestrians moved away one after another, not daring to get involved, looking at Ye Chen with sympathy in their eyes. The Young Lord of Liuyun City was a local tyrant who was used to acting overbearingly by relying on the power of the City Lord's Mansion.

Ye Chen's eyes turned slightly cold. He didn't want to cause trouble, but when trouble came to his door, he was never afraid. This Yun Fei was only at the Kaiyuan Realm Third Level, yet he was so arrogant based on his family background and guards.

"I'll say it once more: not for sale. A good dog doesn't block the path. Move aside." Ye Chen's tone remained flat, yet it carried an unquestionable weight.

"You seek death!" Yun Fei was furious; he had never been so slighted. "Take him down! Seize that sword for me!"

At his command, the two Kaiyuan Realm Fourth Level guards were the first to strike. One swung a fist with fierce winds aimed straight at Ye Chen's Face; the other drew a saber, the blade light flashing like a bolt of silk as it slashed toward his right arm! Their coordination was seamless, clearly indicating they often engaged in such acts of robbery.

Facing the pincer attack of the two, Ye Chen didn't even reach for his sword.

His footsteps shifted slightly, his figure flickering like a ghost as he easily dodged the fist wind and saber light, appearing at their side. Simultaneously, he attacked with both hands, using his fingers like swords to strike their ribs with lightning speed!

"Puff! Puff!"

Two soft sounds rang out. The two guards felt a numbness in their ribs, and their spiritual power instantly dissipated. Their forward momentum came to an abrupt halt, and they froze in place with horrified expressions, unable to move!

An instant kill! It was still an instant kill! He hadn't even used a weapon!

The other guards with slightly lower cultivation were so scared their Faces turned pale. Their hands holding their weapons trembled, and they didn't dare to step forward again.

The cruel grin on Yun Fei's Face instantly froze, turning into shock and disbelief. He knew the strength of these two guards; together, they could even contend with someone at the Kaiyuan Realm Fifth Level for a while. Yet they were subdued so effortlessly by this Ye Chen?

"You... what exactly is your cultivation level?!" Yun Fei's voice trembled slightly as he instinctively took a step back.

Ye Chen ignored him, his gaze sweeping over the frozen guards as he said indifferently, "Get lost. If I see you bullying others with your power again, it won't just be your acupoints that are broken."

The few guards who could still move felt as if they had been granted a grand amnesty. They hurriedly supported their two subdued companions and retreated to the side in a pathetic state, not even daring to mount their horses.

Only then did Ye Chen turn his gaze toward the ashen-faced Yun Fei, his eyes cold. "Young Lord of Liuyun City? Is that very impressive? If you dare to bother me again, I don't mind letting Liuyun City have a different Young Lord."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling killing intent like a physical ice pick that pierced Yun Fei's Soul with pain.

Yun Fei's whole body trembled, feeling as if he were being stared down by a primordial Vicious Beast. The shadow of death instantly enveloped his heart. He had no doubt that the other party really dared to kill him! He could no longer care about his dignity as the Young Lord; he didn't even dare to leave a parting threat. He turned his horse around and led his group of pathetic guards in a frantic escape, not even daring to look back.

A silence fell over the official road.

All the passersby looked at the figure in green robes with shocked and reverent gazes. The Young Lord of Liuyun City had actually been scared witless and forced to flee in panic by a seemingly ordinary academy Disciple?

This Ye Chen was indeed as the rumors said—his strength was unfathomable!

Ye Chen acted as if he had merely swatted away a few flies. His expression remained calm as he continued walking forward. After this incident, he was even more certain that strength was the foundation of everything. Without strength, even if one possessed treasures, it would only invite greed and disaster.

"I must increase my strength as quickly as possible to deal with the Lin Family's upcoming revenge, and... that unknown, even greater storm that might be related to the legacy of the 'Heaven Slaying Sword Sovereign'." The sense of urgency in Ye Chen's heart grew stronger.

He quickened his pace, his figure seemingly blending into the wind, and soon disappeared at the end of the official road.

A few days later, the grand mountain gate of Tianfeng Academy was already in sight.

However, just as he was about to step into the academy's range, his brow furrowed slightly, and he stopped in his tracks.

Outside the academy's mountain gate, the atmosphere seemed somewhat unusual. The number of guarding Disciples had clearly increased, and their cultivation levels were not weak. They scanned the passing pedestrians with sharp eyes. A faint sense of tension permeated the air.

More importantly, Ye Chen keenly sensed several powerful Divine Senses sweeping out obscurely from within the mountain gate, landing on him with scrutiny, inquiry, and even... a hint of coldness.

"It seems Lin Hong's death has already alerted the academy's upper echelon, or rather... the forces behind the Lin Family have already applied pressure."

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, but his footsteps did not hesitate. He continued to walk steadily toward the mountain gate.

If it's a blessing, it's not a curse; if it's a curse, it can't be avoided.

What is meant to come will eventually come.

And he was no longer the same person he once was.