Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

After some more conversation, Mo Tianyun and the others quickly took their leave.

Before leaving, Mo Tianyun made sure to ask Ye Chen, "Should I have a word with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce? I can have them strengthen security to prevent another assassination attempt."

As a deacon of the Great Hong Demon Exorcism Institute, Mo Tianyun held considerable sway.

If he were the one to discuss the matter with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, they would undoubtedly take it seriously.

However, Ye Chen simply gave a nonchalant wave. "No need," he said. "Frankly, I'm hoping the people who want to assassinate me try again."

Mo Tianyun was stunned.

But he had witnessed Ye Chen's power before and understood he was trying to lure his enemies out. He warned, "In that case, young friend Ye, you must be extremely careful. The Valley of Death is the top assassin organization in the dynasty's eastern region; they are not to be underestimated."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Ye Chen nodded, thanking him for the well-intentioned warning.

Seeing this, Mo Tianyun and the others said no more and departed one by one.

Luo Rou hesitated, reluctant to leave.

But then she glanced at Hongyu Pill Venerable, who was hovering near Ye Chen. She looked like she wanted to say something but was holding back, clearly having something private to discuss with him.

Luo Rou let out a soft sigh, opened the door, and left.

"I can't believe those people from the Valley of Death managed to bypass the room's Defense Array and get straight in," Song Yubing said, letting out a long breath. "They're a truly dangerous bunch."

"Right, what did you come to see me about earlier?" Ye Chen asked, glancing at Song Yubing with a smile.

"Well... I received some bad news not long ago."

At these words, a shadow seemed to cross Song Yubing's pretty face, as if she'd remembered something unpleasant.

"Bad news?"

"Is it about the Peach Blossom Banquet?" Ye Chen asked, his eyes narrowing.

"I suppose so," Song Yubing said quietly, composing herself. "An elder from Cyan Rainbow Hall sent me a message. It seems the Song family has figured out my travel route."

"Does that mean the Song family knows you're on this Cloud Mist Tower Ship?" Ye Chen asked.

"Yes." Song Yubing nodded, her expression grave. "They will most likely send powerful experts to intercept us!"

In truth, Ye Chen didn't know much about Song Yubing's background.

He only knew that she was not only a peerless prodigy of Cyan Rainbow Hall but also a member of the Song family. To outsiders, she was undoubtedly a young Cultivator of astonishing status.

Beside them, Hongyu Pill Venerable's eyes also widened in surprise.

After all, the Song family was a major clan in Dongxuan Province, the largest province in the eastern region of the dynasty, and hailed as one of the Four Great Families of Dongxuan!

And Cyan Rainbow Hall was one of the three great Demon Dao powers in the dynasty's eastern region, an equally formidable force!

She never would have imagined that the young woman before her had such a staggering background.

"But Miss Song," Hongyu Pill Venerable couldn't help but ask, "if you're from the Song family, why would they want to stop you?"

"In truth, their target probably isn't me. It's Fellow Daoist Ye Chen!"

Song Yubing looked at Ye Chen, her eyes glinting as she slowly revealed a secret. "Although I was born into the Song family, I cut all ties with them long ago, after my mother passed away."

"My mother left behind an heirloom that is incredibly important to me. The only reason I want to give my spot in the Peach Blossom Banquet to Fellow Daoist Ye Chen is to get my hands on it!"

"I don't care about giving up any of the other rewards!"

Her expression was resolute, but her voice held a trace of worry. "The problem is, the Song family has obviously discovered my intentions."

"Fellow Daoist Ye Chen, your display of power in the battle at Dragon Prison Cave was astonishing and unparalleled. Even though the major powers did their best to suppress the news to save face, a family with the Song family's reach would have naturally learned all the details."

"And they also know that I've already decided to give my spot to you!"

Ye Chen stroked his chin, musing, "So, to put it bluntly, the Song family also wants your mother's heirloom, correct?"

"And after learning about my accomplishments, they realized they weren't confident they could beat me, so they're planning to intercept me and prevent me from even participating in the Peach Blossom Banquet? Is that the gist of it?"

Song Yubing looked up at Ye Chen. "Exactly! You're absolutely right, Fellow Daoist Ye Chen!"

"Hmph! The Song family is famous throughout the eastern dynasty, yet who would have thought they would be so unscrupulous? To think they have such a despicable side!" Hongyu Pill Venerable snorted.

'So because they think they can't beat Ye Chen, they're going to send experts to intercept him and stop him from attending the Peach Blossom Banquet?'

'Is that really something a prestigious family like the Song family would do?'

Ye Chen said thoughtfully, "It seems your mother's heirloom is incredibly important to the Song family."

He wasn't particularly interested in what the heirloom was.

But the fact that it could attract the attention of a behemoth like the Song family—one of the top powers in the entire eastern dynasty—and even compel them to dispatch experts to stop him, spoke volumes about the heirloom's value.

"Don't worry. If they want to stop me, let them try."

"We'll see if they can stop me, or if I send them on a one-way trip!"

Ye Chen smiled, his casual words carrying an air of domineering, world-defying confidence!

Hearing Ye Chen's words, Song Yubing couldn't help but feel her heart settle.

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I'll be counting on you, Young Master Ye."

"I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it."

In truth, Ye Chen didn't believe anyone could pose a threat to him in a contest among young Cultivators like the Peach Blossom Banquet.

Unless the major powers resorted to some underhanded tactics, he was confident he could take first place.

The old master of Wushan Mountain had once told Ye Chen that the peaches grew within a Tier Seven or higher Spirit-Gathering Array, were meticulously cultivated by Great Powers at the Divinity Transformation level or above, and contained an immense amount of energy.

Consuming one would be of immense benefit even to a Cultivator in the Divinity Transformation Realm.

And as for Cultivators below Divinity Transformation? Consuming a peach was like having one's body and spirit completely reforged—a total rebirth that would cause their power to skyrocket!

And Ye Chen wanted to use the power of the peach to help him break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm!

'Once I successfully break through to Divinity Transformation,' he thought, 'I'll surely have the strength to fight a Great Power of the Divine Might Realm, won't I?'

'I might even be able to win!'

After reassuring Song Yubing, a reminder from Hongyu Pill Venerable made Ye Chen recall that he was allowed to go to the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce's herb depot every day and take enough ingredients to refine a single pill.