Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

In the Yan family's main hall, Ye Chen and Chen Jue were surrounded by the Yan family's guards.

Yan Zhenfang looked at the two with a sneer, his eyes filled with killing intent.

'He was almost certain this mysterious person before him was Ye Chen!'

'Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? Ye Chen had just infiltrated Luoyun City, and an Alchemist appeared out of thin air!'

'And his skills were supposedly even better than Liu Yuchan's!'

'This was obviously the Treasure Pavilion deliberately hiding Ye Chen's identity!'

Having presided over the Yan family for so many years, Yan Zhenfang had always been very confident in his judgment.

Chen Jue's expression turned grim. "Patriarch Yan, are you suggesting our Treasure Pavilion is secretly harboring a criminal?"

"What else could it be?" Yan Zhenfang's expression was cold. "If you want to prove me wrong, why not have this Elder Ye take off his bamboo hat?"

Chen Jue looked toward Ye Chen.

Beneath his bamboo hat, Ye Chen's expression was as calm as still water, his eyes fixed coldly on Yan Zhenfang.

Now that he had broken through to the Spiritual Sea realm, he possessed the power to crush any Cultivator in Luoyun City.

'He wouldn't mind at all causing a scene at the Yan family's estate.'

Just as Ye Chen prepared to make his move…

Two figures suddenly burst in from outside the main hall, calling out, "Where is Master Ye?"

The newcomers were none other than Liu Yuchan and Liu Yanran!

When they saw Ye Chen and Chen Jue in the center of the hall, surrounded by the Yan family's guards, they immediately hurried forward and pushed past the encirclement.

Liu Yuchan stepped in front of Ye Chen, his expression like ice. "What is the meaning of this? Are you people from the Yan family trying to make trouble for Master Ye?"

This scene immediately stunned the assembled upper echelons of the Yan family.

Yan Zhenfang couldn't help but frown.

As the foremost Alchemist in Lei Province, they were of course all too familiar with him!

Countless prominent families had invited Liu Yuchan to perform alchemy, the Yan family included.

Now, seeing Liu Yuchan actually speak up for this mysterious Elder Ye, Yan Zhenfang began to doubt his own judgment for the first time.

"Is this man truly an Alchemist?" Yan Zhenfang asked, his voice heavy. "Or is that just a false identity the Treasure Pavilion fabricated for him?"

"Ridiculous!"

Liu Yuchan sneered. "To think the great Patriarch of the Yan family could also be so blind!"

"This Master Ye's alchemy skills are sublime, far surpassing my own!"

"The Treasure Pavilion recruited Master Ye as an Elder precisely because they recognized his talent."

"I heard the Yan family had a favor to ask of him. I never expected to arrive and find you making things difficult for Master Ye!"

"The Yan family... you're truly blind!!!"

At these words, the entire Yan family main hall fell silent.

The crowd was shocked and furious, but also deeply ashamed.

'If this Master Ye is really an Alchemist even more skilled than Liu Yuchan…'

'...then their earlier actions have offended him beyond redemption!'

Being admonished to his face by a junior like Liu Yuchan, Yan Zhenfang's expression was just as grim.

But what terrified him even more was the realization that the Yan family had nearly offended an Alchemy Master to the point of no return, all based on a suspicion with no concrete evidence!

This was no small matter!

Alchemists are highly sought after by all the major powers. They tend to be extremely well-connected and have friends in many places.

If the Yan family were to alienate a powerful Alchemist, they would inevitably face countless setbacks in the future.

After all, to curry favor with the Alchemist, other powers would undoubtedly make trouble for the Yan family.

That would be a true catastrophe!

"So, you truly are an Alchemist!"

Yan Zhenfang forced a smile and cupped his fists. "I have caused a great offense. I hope you can forgive me!"

'He naturally couldn't believe that Ye Chen, the one who colluded with the Demon Dao, could possibly be an Alchemist more skilled than Liu Yuchan.'

'Now that Liu Yuchan had come forward to vouch for him, this Elder Ye—though he shared the same surname—couldn't possibly be *that* Ye Chen!'

"You presumed to guess Master Ye's identity and even tried to seize him with your guards!"

"Surely the Yan family doesn't believe a simple apology is enough for Master Ye to forgive you?" Liu Yuchan sneered.

"..."

The expressions of the Yan family's upper echelons turned sour. Yan Zhenfang took a deep breath. "Of course, we would not be so insincere!"

"Go and bring one hundred thousand low-grade Spirit Stones!"

He ordered a nearby servant, then turned back with an apologetic smile. "Master Ye, Elder Chen, this is just a small token from the Yan family. We hope you'll accept it."

Chen Jue's expression finally softened.

'Although today's events had been unpleasant, the Yan family's attitude in admitting their mistake was at least sincere.'

'Besides, they were a great family of Lei Province; some face had to be given.'

"One million." Just then, Ye Chen, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke.

"What?"

"One million?" Everyone stared at Ye Chen in utter disbelief.

Even Liu Yuchan thought he had misheard, his own expression one of shock.

"One million low-grade Spirit Stones, and we can forget this ever happened."

Ye Chen stated flatly.

For a moment, everyone present gasped!

One million low-grade Spirit Stones?!

'Does this guy think Spirit Stones grow on trees?'

'Asking for one million just like that?'

Yan Zhenfang stared at Ye Chen in disbelief. "Elder Ye, you must be joking?"

"The Yan family can certainly afford one million low-grade Spirit Stones, but taking out such a sum all at once would be a grievous blow to us!"

"Hmph!"

At these words, Ye Chen laughed.

'He'd already gotten several million low-grade Spirit Stones from the Treasure Pavilion.'

'The Yan family is so large and wealthy; how could they possibly not have a mere million to spare?'

"To be honest with you, Luoyun City is not our Yan family's true foundation!"

"If we hadn't heard that the criminal Ye Chen had entered Luoyun City, we wouldn't have come to this branch at all."

Yan Zhenfang said with a troubled expression, "Elder Ye, I'm afraid we simply cannot produce one million low-grade Spirit Stones!"

Nearby, Liu Yuchan and Liu Yanran could only look at each other in dismay.

Ye Chen's sudden, exorbitant demand had shocked them as well.

"Then forget it."

"From now on, I will work closely with the other major powers of Lei Province."

"As for the Yan family..."

"...you can forget about ever seeing me again!"

Ye Chen turned away, utterly indifferent, completely ignoring Yan Zhenfang's ghastly expression.

"I had originally planned to gift the Yan family a Truth-Telling Pill for free, as a token for our first meeting."

"I never expected the Yan family to be so discourteous, even making trouble for us without cause!"

"Elder Chen, from now on, the Treasure Pavilion should cease all cooperation with the Yan family."

"What Elder Ye says is absolutely right!" At his side, Chen Jue was stunned for a moment before agreeing.

"Wait!"

Seeing that Ye Chen was truly about to leave…

Yan Zhenfang swallowed his frustration and commanded in a heavy voice, "Go and bring one million low-grade Spirit Stones!"