Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

Xu Ao, the Third Elder of Yuan Province's Xu family, was a Great Power at the Seventh Layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm!

He was also the leader of all the Xu family experts present!

With a Great Power like him present, not even those in the sky-tier rooms dared to provoke them.

If Ye Chen hadn't been under the protection of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, the owners of this Cloud Mist Tower Ship, they would have tried to kill him long ago!

"To think we'd actually run into Ye Chen here..."

A glint of interest showed in Xu Ao's clouded eyes.

Hearing this, the other Xu family experts couldn't help but clench their fists as killing intent radiated from them.

The prodigy of their Xu family's current generation, Xu Qianqiu, had been an exceptionally talented Sword Dao genius. He was destined to become the leader of Yuan Province's younger generation and the future pillar of the Xu family!

But in the end, he had fallen at Ye Chen's hands in Lei Province's Dragon Prison Cave!

When word of this reached the Xu family, they were utterly enraged.

Someone from a backwater place like Lei Province dared to kill their family's prodigy?

The wrath of the Xu family was something that not even all the factions of Lei Province combined could withstand!

If it weren't for the upcoming Peach Blossom Banquet they had to prepare for, the Xu family would have already sent people to annihilate whatever faction Ye Chen belonged to.

No one could have expected that they would now be on the same Cloud Mist Tower Ship as Ye Chen!

And to top it all off, Ye Chen had just killed another member of their Xu family, drawing their attention!

"Yu'Er, my dear daughter, Father will avenge you! I will use that bastard Ye Chen's head as an offering to your spirit!"

One of the middle-aged men had a livid expression, his eyes bloodshot.

He was the father of Yu'Er, the young woman who had died at Ye Chen's hands. He held the position of deacon in the Xu family and was also a Divinity Transformation Realm expert.

Although he was far weaker than Xu Ao, he believed he was more than enough to deal with a junior like Ye Chen.

"Deacon Xu Chong, you must not act rashly."

"This Cloud Mist Tower Ship is not our territory, after all. If we make a move here and attract the attention of those old-timers from the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, it would be problematic."

Xu Ao said coolly.

The Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce was the largest chamber of commerce in the entire Great Hong Dynasty.

While they weren't known for their combat prowess on a day-to-day basis, if a real fight broke out, the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce would reveal a terrifyingly deep foundation that was hard to imagine!

Therefore, Xu Ao had no desire to make an enemy of such an unfathomable and deeply hidden chamber of commerce.

"But... are we just going to let it go?"

"That kid is most likely headed for the Peach Blossom Banquet as well. Once we get to Dongxuan Province, it will be teeming with factions and a chaotic mix of people. It won't be so easy to make a move then!"

Xu Chong said, his tone full of reluctance.

"Heh heh, why wait until then?"

"Don't forget, this Cloud Mist Tower Ship will be stopping in Yan Province for a while."

"Have you all forgotten whose territory that is?"

Xu Ao smiled unhurriedly.

"Yan Province..."

Hearing this, Xu Chong couldn't help but laugh. "I was overthinking it. But even then, if we're going to make a move, we'd best get that brat Ye Chen off the ship, right?"

Yan Province was the territory of the Sacred Temple!

The Sacred Temple had suffered considerable losses at Ye Chen's hands in the past; they would surely be willing to deal with Ye Chen alongside the Xu family.

However, even if they were to act, they had to do it on Yan Province's soil.

At the very least, not on the Cloud Mist Tower Ship.

Unless absolutely necessary, they were unwilling to openly offend the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce.

"Of course. Though that kid might not necessarily get off the ship."

Xu Ao spoke slowly, as if everything was already within his grasp. "But we just need to use the people around him as leverage. Even if he doesn't want to get off, he'll have no choice!"

Hearing this, the Xu family experts all nodded.

"That kid is so arrogant. When the time comes, I'll make him cry for his mommy and daddy, kneel, and beg for mercy right in front of us!"

「...」

In a quaint and elegant hall, He Daoyun led Ye Chen to a seat. A servant nearby dutifully came forward and poured tea for them both.

"I truly didn't expect a young friend like you to already be an Elder of the Treasure Pavilion."

"Don't stand on ceremony. Just make yourself at home. The Treasure Pavilion is a part of our Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, and we will never allow anyone to bully one of our own on our territory."

He Daoyun glanced at Ye Chen and spoke with a certain authority.

Ye Chen smiled. Even if He Daoyun hadn't stepped in, he was confident he could handle the Xu family, but he was more than happy to accept this gesture of goodwill.

"Thank you, Elder He Daoyun."

Ye Chen accepted the tea and took a slow sip.

As the sip went down, Ye Chen couldn't help but be startled.

'As expected of the extravagant Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce. Even the tea they serve guests is an incredibly rare Spirit Tea!'

After just one sip, Ye Chen felt a surge of Spiritual Power coursing through his body. If he hadn't forcefully suppressed it, a faint glow would have likely shot out from every one of his pores.

Noticing Ye Chen's reaction, He Daoyun couldn't help but laugh. "I imagine this is your first time drinking Top Grade Spirit Tea, young friend?"

"No matter who it is, that first sip is always the most astonishing."

"For you to be able to suppress the effects of the Spirit Tea is already quite remarkable, young friend."

As he said this, a strange look flashed in He Daoyun's eyes.

One had to understand that Ye Chen was only a Primordial Mansion Realm Cultivator.

Even a Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivator would be barely able to control this power when drinking Top Grade Spirit Tea for the first time, their entire body enveloped in a radiant glow.

Yet Ye Chen had suppressed the effects of the Top Grade Spirit Tea with only a slight change in his expression. How could He Daoyun not be shocked?

Just then, a melodious voice suddenly drifted from the depths of the hall.

"To become an Elder at such a young age?"

"I wonder if he has real ability, or if he's just... a spoiled heir with an undeserved reputation?"

A slender, beautiful figure walked out from the depths and appeared in the hall.

She wore a vibrant red dress that highlighted her delicate figure and seductive curves. Her bright, beautiful face was as cold as frost.

Right now, her eyes, as bright as the stars, were quietly sizing up Ye Chen, as if trying to see right through him!

"Miss Qingli!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, He Daoyun, an Elder of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, was so startled he shot to his feet and cupped his hands in a salute.

His posture made Ye Chen realize with certainty that this woman in the red dress was likely someone of extremely high status.

"Elder He, this Top Grade Spirit Tea is only to be used when entertaining honored guests."

"Have you investigated this young friend's background?"

The woman in red glanced coolly at He Daoyun and said casually.

Hearing this, He Daoyun broke out in a cold sweat. He replied awkwardly, "Ah... I have been derelict in my duty."

"Our Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce has always believed that ability is paramount. No one here takes kindly to spoiled heirs."

The woman's red lips curled into a cold smile.