Chapter 111: Oppression
A tense and heavy atmosphere filled the air.
For a moment, it wasn't just the cultivators from Lei Province who were stunned.
Even the other factions from outside the region turned to look, their faces etched with astonishment.
'What is the deal with this young man, Ye Chen?'
'How did he suddenly manage to provoke so many factions from outside the province?'
'And without exception, all these factions were at the forefront of the crowd. They were clearly all major powers.'
"The Saintly Temple, Feihong Academy, the Xu family..."
Venerable Ming Lei watched this scene in disbelief.
The supreme prodigies from several top factions were suddenly ganging up on him.
It didn't seem that long ago that they had parted ways with Ye Chen.
'What on earth did Ye Chen do?'
"S-Sect Leader..."
"What in the world is going on?"
Beside Ye Chen, the Old Ghost of Wushan Mountain and the others were all trembling. The heavy atmosphere made it hard for them to even breathe.
In contrast, Ye Chen still appeared calm and at ease.
Facing the sudden pressure from several major factions, Ye Chen's expression was composed, as if he had nothing to do with it.
Although no one knew what had happened, they couldn't help but secretly marvel at Ye Chen's audacity.
'Is that the cultivator from Lei Province we just met?'
In the Cyan Rainbow Hall's encampment, Song Yubing stared at Ye Chen with a look of surprise.
'Just a moment ago, I was thinking of recruiting him.'
'I never thought he'd be such a troublemaker!'
'Looking at it this way, isn't it a good thing he didn't join Cyan Rainbow Hall?'
'Otherwise, dealing with so many major factions at once would be a huge headache, even for me.'
"Hmph!"
"So it's that shameless brat."
Seeing this, Elder Zhong, who stood to the side, let out a scornful laugh.
"The great Sect Leader of a demonic sect is now being forced to be cannon fodder in front of everyone. How utterly ridiculous!"
"Yubing, it's a good thing he didn't join our Cyan Rainbow Hall. It seems we should be thanking him instead."
Hearing this, Song Yubing's expression faltered slightly, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
The Undying Demon Lord's dark, profound eyes slowly turned to Ye Chen.
He suddenly laughed heartily. "It seems we have a candidate."
"Since you're the people's choice, why don't you be the cannon fodder?"
"Otherwise, if they join forces to pressure you, I'm afraid you'll find life worse than death!"
Under the gazes of everyone around him,
Ye Chen actually nodded calmly. "No problem."
"Then let me go and scout the path for everyone here."
Ye Chen agreed without a moment's hesitation and stepped out from the crowd.
'Cannon fodder?'
'Isn't this exactly what I wanted?'
'I already discovered the flaw in the Dragon Prison Cave's great formation and can enter at will.'
'But it would have been awkward to make a move with so many people watching.'
'This is a golden opportunity to get a head start and enter the Dragon Prison Cave!'
No one expected him to agree so readily!
Even the Undying Demon Lord was stunned for a moment. He then laughed loudly, "Good, good! What an audacious fellow. It almost makes me want to recruit you into my Penglai Sect!"
"Sect Leader!"
"Ye Chen!"
Venerable Ming Lei and the other demonic sect cultivators all looked over, their eyes filled with shock and confusion.
They were clearly baffled by Ye Chen's actions.
"Even if he refused to be the cannon fodder, what could he do?"
"Facing pressure from the Saintly Temple, Feihong Academy, and the Xu family of Yuan Province, perhaps being the cannon fodder is the most correct choice."
The Prefecture Head beside them sighed deeply.
As they watched Ye Chen walk step by step toward the entrance of the Dragon Prison Cave,
Xu Qianqiu suddenly took a step forward. Unrestrained Sword Qi surged through the air like a soaring dragon!
His voice was like thunder, firm and powerful. "Kid, are you trying to run away?"
"Young Master Xu, calm your anger!"
The Undying Demon Lord chuckled. "It won't be too late to seek your revenge after he's served as cannon fodder this time."
"Everyone here is waiting for him to scout the situation at the Dragon Prison Cave's entrance."
"If he perishes on the spot... well, that would be just what you wanted, wouldn't it?"
Hearing this, the Sword Qi surging around Xu Qianqiu slowly subsided.
'The Undying Demon Lord has a point.'
'Right now, we're short on cannon fodder.'
'Since Ye Chen is willing to accept this task, I'll just wait for him to finish before I get my revenge!'
Ye Chen completely ignored the commotion behind him, simply walking step by step to the entrance of the Dragon Prison Cave.
"Kid, do you regret not joining my Cyan Rainbow Hall now?"
As he passed by the Cyan Rainbow Hall's group, Ye Chen saw Song Yubing again.
But Song Yubing's expression was indifferent, lacking the enthusiasm she had when she first tried to recruit him.
As for Elder Zhong beside her, he was the one who asked with a mocking smile.
"In my life, once I make a decision, I rarely regret it."
"Besides, the mere Cyan Rainbow Hall is not worthy of my regret."
With that, Ye Chen gave Elder Zhong's ashen face a dismissive glance and continued walking toward the Dragon Prison Cave.
"This guy..."
Elder Zhong's hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched into tight fists out of anger.
He never imagined that in this life-or-death situation, this Ye Chen fellow could still be so defiant!
"Kid, hurry it up. Everyone's waiting for you, so don't waste our time."
The Undying Demon Lord said, urging him on as he watched Ye Chen's unmoving figure.
He thought Ye Chen had gotten scared.
If the boy really intended to back out at the last minute, he wouldn't mind personally throwing him into the Dragon Prison Cave to find out what was inside.
"Since I said I would go in, I will go in."
"It's not your place to lecture me."
Ye Chen, with his hands behind his back, slowly turned around. His profound eyes gazed indifferently at the Undying Demon Lord.
"Hm?"
The Undying Demon Lord's eyes narrowed instantly, a dangerous light glinting within them.
The surrounding cultivators were all shocked.
'How dare this Ye Chen speak to the Undying Demon Lord with such an attitude?'
'Didn't he see how even the disciples from the major factions had to be cautious when facing the Undying Demon Lord?'
"This kid is reckless and foolish, unable to judge the situation. He'll die an early death sooner or later."
In the Saintly Temple's encampment, a Monk with several strings of Buddha Beads wrapped around his hands spoke slowly.
He sat cross-legged beside the Buddha's Son, his body shrouded in an ancient, powerful, and sacred aura.
Behind him, when the other Monks looked at him, their eyes would flash with reverence and admiration!
This was none other than a Saint Monk!
However, upon hearing this, the Buddha's Son shook his head and chuckled. "Indeed, he will die an early death. But the title of 'genius' is not his to claim."
Under everyone's watchful eyes,
Ye Chen paid the Undying Demon Lord no more heed. He took a single step and walked toward the deep, dark Dragon Prison Cave.