Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

Luoyun City.

It was located more than thirty kilometers south of the former Luoyun Sect's ruins.

As the closest city to the Luoyun Sect, it was governed by the Yan family, one of the four great families of Lei Province.

If the three great sects, led by the Vajra Temple, were the most renowned powers in the Cultivation Realm of Lei Province...

...then in the mortal world, the four great families were the ones whose prestige was unmatched!

Being in the mortal world didn't mean there were no Cultivators.

It was just that Cultivators in the mortal world, unlike those from sects like the Luoyun Sect or the Cold Wind Sect, didn't distance themselves from civilization to focus solely on cultivation deep in the mountains and forests.

They were deeply intertwined with every aspect of mortal life. Many with profound cultivation even held high-ranking positions and wielded great power within the secular world.

The foundations of the four great families were in no way inferior to those of the three great sects.

After all, the Lei Province government, the hegemon of Lei Province, was a power focused primarily on managing secular affairs!

...

Outside Luoyun City.

Ye Chen strolled along a shaded path outside the city, making his way toward the city gates.

Just then, two panicked cries for help suddenly came from the side.

"H-Help! Why are there Iron-Gray Wolves here?!"

Ye Chen followed the sound and saw a mother and daughter ahead, their faces etched with terror as they fled in his direction.

The daughter looked to be only eleven or twelve years old. She gripped her mother's arm tightly, not daring to look back.

A massive demonic beast appeared right behind them. Its eyes glowed with a faint green light, and its body radiated an astonishing, fearsome Evil Qi!

'Iron-Gray Wolves have thick skin and tough hides, especially their pelts, which are as hard as steel! Even an ordinary Cultivator would find it difficult to breach their defense!'

'This kind of demonic beast is usually only active deep in the mountains. The forests outside the city are sparse, so why would an Iron-Gray Wolf appear here?'

Ye Chen grew suspicious, sensing something was amiss.

Just then, the mother and daughter reached him.

The mother seemed to have trouble with her leg, limping as she ran. It looked like the Iron-Gray Wolf was about to catch up to them at any moment!

The two seemed to realize they couldn't escape. An aura of despair enveloped them.

The mother gritted her teeth and pulled her daughter into her arms, tears soaking the front of her clothes.

BOOM!

At that moment, a bolt of Spiritual Power shot out, piercing through the Iron-Gray Wolf's head.

The Iron-Gray Wolf's body fell to the ground, twitched slightly, and soon stopped breathing.

"W-We're saved?!"

The mother and daughter stared at the wolf's corpse, their faces filled with shock.

They turned to see Ye Chen standing before them with a calm expression.

"Young man, was it you who saved us?" The mother and daughter were overcome with gratitude. "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid we would have ended up in that wolf's stomach."

Ye Chen shook his head slightly and turned to leave.

"Wait!" However, the mother called out to him. "Young man, could I ask you for another favor? Could you escort us for a while?"

"The city gate isn't far from here. You still need an escort?" Ye Chen frowned slightly.

"Young man, because the Dragon Prison Cave is about to open, many demonic beasts in the surrounding forests have been affected and have started becoming active outside the city."

"We originally hired a Martial Artist to escort us, but we never expected it to be so treacherous and unpredictable out here!"

"That Martial Artist died protecting us, eaten by a demonic beast. We barely managed to escape to this spot..."

The mother wore a look of sorrow and helplessness as she gazed at Ye Chen expectantly. "Young man, if you're willing to escort us for a bit, I'll be sure to reward you handsomely once we're in the city."

'So it's because of the Dragon Prison Cave's influence?'

'No wonder an Iron-Gray Wolf showed up here!'

Ye Chen pondered for a moment, then glanced at the mother and daughter.

He noticed the mother's face had a somewhat harsh and shrewish look to it, which made him a little uncomfortable.

But Ye Chen had never been one to judge a book by its cover. "I don't mind, but getting too involved with me might not be a good thing for you."

"It's fine, it's fine! As long as you agree to protect us on our way into the city, we'll be incredibly grateful."

The mother was trembling with excitement. She staggered along with her daughter, following closely behind Ye Chen.

Ye Chen shook his head, not bothering to say anything more.

He walked straight toward Luoyun City. The mother and daughter didn't dare fall even half a step behind, terrified of being snatched away by some lurking demonic beast.

ROAR—

Just then, a low bush to the side suddenly rustled. The scent of blood instantly filled the air, striking fear into their hearts.

Three more massive Iron-Gray Wolves leaped out. They eyed the mother and daughter hungrily, their eyes glowing green as saliva dripped from their mouths.

With their delicate skin and tender flesh, they must have seemed like the most delicious meal to these demonic beasts.

The two were scared out of their wits, frozen to the spot.

Ye Chen frowned slightly. With a flick of his finger, a sharp gust of wind shot out, killing all the Iron-Gray Wolves before him.

Iron-Gray Wolves were certainly vicious, but they were just one of the most common types of demonic beasts, only able to bully mortals who hadn't cultivated.

With Ye Chen's strength at the peak of the Blood Condensation Realm, dealing with them was effortlessly simple.

"Th-Thank you, benefactor!" the mother said, still shaken as she held her daughter.

Ye Chen paid her no mind and soon arrived at the gates of Luoyun City.

"Halt!"

The city guards stopped Ye Chen's group, their sharp gazes scrutinizing them. "Who are you? Where have you come from?"

Just then, the mother suddenly noticed a portrait at the city gate.

Her expression changed instantly. 'This man is a wanted criminal?'

At that moment, Ye Chen also saw the wanted poster pasted on the city gate—it was a portrait of him!

"Guards, seize him quickly! This man is that infamous follower of the Demon Dao!"

The mother pointed a finger at Ye Chen, her face filled with disgust.

The daughter, who had been so well-behaved, now said indignantly, "So that big brother is a bad guy! I knew he wasn't a good person all along!"

Hearing this, the two guards were instantly on high alert. They quickly looked in Ye Chen's direction.

But the spot was already empty. Where was any sign of Ye Chen?

"Damn it! Did that guy slip into the city?"

The guards' faces fell. They quickly mobilized, preparing to report to their superiors and search for Ye Chen within the city.

As for Ye Chen... he was now standing on a rooftop inside the city, quietly observing everything below.

'Repaying kindness with enmity, huh?'

The corner of his mouth lifted into a sudden, cold smirk.