Chapter 226: Yu Hongjue
The light was like a blazing sun crossing the sky, instantly erupting into countless scorching rays.
In the midst of the boundless light, an aged figure slowly materialized. His face was stern and imposing, his brilliant eyes fixed on Ye Chen, and his body radiated intense killing intent!
"Spare my grandson's life, and not only will the Yu family let this grudge go, but we will also offer you a reward. How about it?"
The old man spoke in a low voice. His gaze fell upon Yu Qingqi, whose life force was nearly gone, and his expression changed abruptly.
"And who might you be?" Ye Chen asked with great interest, looking at the old man before him, who radiated an overwhelming aura.
"I am the old Patriarch of the Yu family, Yu Hongjue!"
The old man's chest heaved, a clear sign of his immense fury, yet he deliberately kept his voice calm.
"The old Patriarch of the Yu family?"
Ye Chen shook his head. 'Looks like this is really going to be a fight to the death with the Yu family now.'
But his expression showed not a hint of concern.
Under his control, the Profound Armor Combat Puppet raised its fist again. A formidable power surged forth as it smashed down toward Yu Qingqi on the ground!
The old man's expression changed.
This kid was acting as if he didn't even see him! How could he possibly endure this?
"Stop!"
"Are you sure you want to fight the Yu family to the death?" Yu Hongjue suddenly struck out with his palm. The terrifying fluctuation of power was so immense it seemed to change the very color of the sky and earth, actually forcing the Profound Armor Combat Puppet back with a single blow!
Song Yubing's expression changed drastically at the sight.
'This figure is clearly just a will imprint, yet the power it's unleashing with a wave of its hand is enough to repel the Profound Armor Combat Puppet, a foe comparable to the Third Layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm.'
'If his real body were here, just how powerful would he be?'
"I already warned your grandson. He was the one who insisted on seeking death."
"If our positions were reversed and I was the one beaten down here by your grandson, what would have happened then? Would you have appeared to stop his actions?"
Ye Chen's gaze was indifferent as he once again directed the Profound Armor Combat Puppet to charge Yu Qingqi.
"You!"
Yu Hongjue was seething with rage. This boy was so stubborn that not even his personal appearance could sway his will!
In the end, the power of a will imprint was limited.
Under the Profound Armor Combat Puppet's fearless assault, Yu Hongjue's figure gradually grew illusory. He no longer had the strength to withstand its attacks.
"No!"
"Grandfather, save me… Save me!!!"
Seeing this, Yu Qingqi's face contorted in terror, and tears streamed from his eyes.
BOOM!
However, as the Profound Armor Combat Puppet's fist fell, the crying stopped abruptly. Yu Qingqi was killed on the spot.
Yu Hongjue's fists clenched, so enraged that his hair and beard stood on end. His face was a mask of terrifying killing intent!
"Kid, you'd better remember this!"
"The Yu family and you will fight to the death!!!"
Yu Hongjue gave Ye Chen a long, deep look.
As the old Patriarch of the Yu family, he was advanced in age and had weathered countless storms in his life. But seeing his own grandson die before his very eyes still made his heart tremble.
"If you're not worried about your Yu family ending up just like him, feel free to come after me."
Ye Chen smiled faintly. The Profound Armor Combat Puppet's fist shot out, completely obliterating the blurry, illusory will.
"Now we've offended another major power in the Black Triangle Zone."
Song Yubing could only smile wryly as she watched.
"If you're going to blame someone, blame them for being too arrogant."
The spirit glanced at Ye Chen and commented casually.
She had come to understand Ye Chen's temperament by now. When faced with threats, this young man would never compromise easily.
He would only maintain a fearless heart, advancing bravely on the path of cultivation, never once showing fear.
Ye Chen searched Yu Qingqi's body and quickly found a Storage Ring.
"Let's go."
Ye Chen wasn't one to miss out on any spoils of war.
The group immediately started heading up the mountain.
But just then, a soft, timid voice suddenly stammered from behind them.
"C-can I go with you?"
Ye Chen paused. He turned back, a half-smile on his face, and said, "What's this? Done playing unconscious?"
The speaker was the very same girl who had been in Yu Qingqi's clutches earlier.
She wore colorful clothes and had a charming and lovely appearance. Curled up as she was, she looked weak and helpless.
Upon hearing Ye Chen's words, her expression changed slightly. She whispered in embarrassment, "So… so you already knew, Sir."
That's right. The girl hadn't actually been unconscious; she had been faking it all along!
She did it to lower Yu Qingqi's guard, a deliberate show of weakness to make him underestimate her strength.
The girl was inwardly surprised.
'I thought my acting was perfect, but this boy's gaze is so sharp. He probably saw through it long ago.'
"You want to travel with us?"
"What's your objective?" Ye Chen asked coolly.
"I… I don't have any objective."
The girl was taken aback. "I'm all alone now. What if I run into people from the Yu family again? You're so powerful, Sir, so naturally I'd want to stick with you."
She deliberately flattered Ye Chen as she spoke, putting on a pitiful act and filling her tone with a pleading quality.
But Ye Chen clearly wasn't falling for it.
This girl's identity was unknown, and there was no telling what schemes she might be hiding. How could he possibly let her tag along so easily?
"Give me one reason to take you with us."
"If that reason doesn't convince me, then we'll part ways here," Ye Chen said coolly.
Seeing Ye Chen's cold expression and how he was impervious to both pleas and pressure, the girl became a little annoyed.
She gritted her teeth in frustration but still sighed and said, "The reason is… we now have a common enemy!"
"When it comes to dealing with the Yu family, I, and the family behind me, will provide our full support! Is that reason enough?"
Ye Chen let out a soft "Oh?" He thought for a moment and said, "You're from the Huo family?"
He recalled that the first time he'd met the young master of the Yu family, the young master had mistaken Ye Chen and his group for helpers from the Huo family.
Clearly, the Yu family and the Huo family were rivals.
Moreover, for the young master of the Yu family to personally hunt this girl down—so much so that she didn't even have time to collect the Profound Ice Grass—her status in the Huo family was likely not low.
Of course, there was another reason: it wasn't easy for other Cultivators to pick the Profound Ice Grass. First, they would have to withstand the assault of its baleful yin energy, which would take considerable time and effort.
Only someone like Ye Chen could pick the Profound Ice Grass so easily.