Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

"Ye Chen?!"

Gazing at the familiar, handsome face before him, Lei Wanjun's expression twitched, and a deep sense of dread filled his eyes.

The other experts from the Lei family froze on the spot when they saw Ye Chen.

"Master Ye?"

"What are you doing here?!"

Liu Kunlun's face was filled with a pleasant surprise, and joy appeared on the faces of the other Liu family experts as well.

Since the battle at the Dragon Prison Cave, Ye Chen's fame had thundered across Lei Province, becoming a household name.

At this crucial moment of life and death, how could they not be overjoyed to see Ye Chen arrive as reinforcement?

"Father, Master Ye is here to help us!"

Liu Yuchan quickly explained the situation, naturally mentioning Liu Tianxin's decision to gift the Kunlun Key to Ye Chen.

Liu Kunlun's expression changed slightly. He hesitated for a moment, then finally let out a long sigh and said, "My father's decision was a wise one."

With that, he took an object from his robes.

It looked like an ordinary piece of iron, but upon closer inspection, one could see it was covered in fine, intricate patterns, and it emanated a profound and ancient aura.

Ever since Liu Tianxin had been bedridden, the Kunlun Key had been entrusted to him for safekeeping.

"This is my Liu family's Kunlun Key. Master Ye, please take it."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Liu Kunlun handed the Kunlun Key to Ye Chen.

Only then did Ye Chen realize that Liu Kunlun's name seemed to be related to his family's ancestral heirloom.

He accepted the Kunlun Key. A cool sensation spread from his fingertips, but at first glance, there seemed to be nothing unusual about it.

However, the realm spirit at his side looked serious and sent a telepathic message: 'This aura is so familiar... It seems my guess was correct after all.'

Ye Chen was taken aback. His mind was filled with questions, but now was clearly not the time for the realm spirit to provide answers.

Lei Wanjun stared intently at the Kunlun Key in Ye Chen's hand and said coldly, "Young friend Ye, your combat prowess is unparalleled. You are truly a rare genius, the likes of which Lei Province hasn't seen in a hundred years!"

"But must you insist on meddling in this affair?"

"You want this piece of iron, right?" Ye Chen said calmly, holding up the Kunlun Key.

"Correct." Lei Wanjun nodded.

"Well, the piece of iron has a new owner now. What do you plan to do about it?"

Lei Wanjun fell silent for a moment, then replied, "The Liu family must still be destroyed. As for the Kunlun Key... we have been plotting for a long time. Naturally, we cannot let this opportunity pass."

"Even if it means making an enemy of me?" Ye Chen's gaze sharpened, and his tone seemed to grow a few degrees colder.

"..." Lei Wanjun's teeth chattered slightly. He hesitated for a long while, but his gaze remained firm as he said in a low voice, "It must be so!"

"That makes things simple," Ye Chen nodded. "Since we're bound to be enemies sooner or later, I naturally can't stand by and watch."

"..."

Lei Wanjun fell silent.

Behind him, the faces of the Lei family experts turned ashen, and they remained silent.

With Ye Chen involved, no matter how powerful the Lei family was, they were nothing but a joke.

After all, even a figure like Venerable Ming Lei held Ye Chen in high esteem.

Ye Chen could even escape unscathed from the siege of many great powers from beyond the borders.

With their meager abilities, they could only act domineeringly within Lei Province.

Before Ye Chen, they were truly not worth a second glance.

Lei Wanjun was filled with unwilling resentment. He gritted his teeth, his eyes flickering with indecision.

Today, he had arrived with great fanfare, leading the experts of the Lei family. Even he, the Patriarch, had personally appeared, having already resolved to subdue the Liu family.

Yet now, was he to give up halfway, before his task was even complete?

Their hearts were truly filled with indignation!

But what could they do, no matter how indignant they felt?

With Ye Chen involved, would they dare to say a single word of defiance?

If they insisted on resisting, they would only end up with a field of wounded and disabled, ultimately retreating in disgrace.

In fact, if Ye Chen were a little more ruthless, their entire group would likely be annihilated today, with no one left alive!

Lei Wanjun felt utterly tormented. After a fierce internal struggle, he let out a dejected sigh, ultimately choosing to concede.

"Since young friend Ye has decided to protect the Liu family, then we must naturally give you face..."

Lei Wanjun said in a low voice, gritting his teeth.

"This... The Lei family is choosing to back down?"

The faces of the Liu family members lit up with joy.

To think that Ye Chen had scared the Lei family into retreat just by stepping forward, without even having to lift a finger!

Liu Kunlun felt a wave of relief. It was a good thing his son had the foresight to build a relationship with a figure like Ye Chen so early on.

Otherwise, forget about curing Liu Tianxin; the Liu family most likely wouldn't have survived today's calamity.

Just as Lei Wanjun was preparing to lead his men away.

A vast and mighty aura suddenly descended upon the world!

Everyone present felt as if they had been cast into a stormy sea, tossed about on the verge of capsizing, a mix of terror and shock!

"What's happening?"

The members of the Liu family looked up in astonishment.

Even Lei Wanjun and his men wore looks of surprise, as if they couldn't quite believe it.

In the next moment, a figure with a full head of white hair appeared like a phantom, abruptly landing in their midst.

With his appearance, the aura in the area instantly surged, as if the sky were falling and the earth collapsing. It sent the members of the Liu family stumbling backward in utter terror.

"The previous Patriarch of the Lei family... Lei Juexian!"

Looking at the aged figure before him, Liu Kunlun's expression changed several times.

The power of this supreme expert from the Lei family seemed far greater than his own father's had been at his Peak!

'Truly worthy of being the number one family in Lei Province! Their foundations are indeed unfathomably deep!'

But with Ye Chen present, Liu Kunlun quickly regained his composure. "Elder Lei, to what do we owe the pleasure of your personal appearance today?"

"For what reason, you ask?"

Lei Juexian's old eyes shone with a brilliant light, completely unlike those of an ordinary elderly man. His voice was like thunder, so loud it was deafening to everyone present.

He did not answer Liu Kunlun, instead turning his gaze to Ye Chen.

"Young friend Ye, did I not tell you that if you insisted on interfering in this matter, you would have to bear the consequences yourself?"

As soon as these words were spoken, sharp gasps echoed from both sides.

Lei Juexian was, of course, a famous expert of long standing, his might having shaken Lei Province decades ago!

But how did he dare to speak to Ye Chen in such a tone?

One must understand that the Ye Chen of today was already considered supreme in Lei Province. Other than Venerable Ming Lei of the Divinity Transformation Realm, who in Lei Province could possibly suppress him?

"The Kunlun Key you want is now in my hands."

"I wonder, former Patriarch Lei, how exactly do you plan to make me bear these consequences?"

Ye Chen was utterly unafraid, his hands clasped behind his back.

No matter how wild and imposing Lei Juexian's aura became, Ye Chen himself remained as steadfast as a mountain, his expression calm and completely unmoved.