Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

A cold smile flickered across Mu Liuji's face as he listened to Xu Ao's words.

"Is the Xu family ready?"

"This should be our last chance. If we don't seize this opportunity, it will never be this easy to strike him again."

Mu Liuji said faintly.

About ten days had passed since they first boarded the Cloud Mist Tower Ship.

During this time, they had remained dormant, making no moves.

Their goal was to make Ye Chen lower his guard and avoid attracting the attention of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce. More importantly, they were waiting for the perfect moment to deliver a fatal blow.

And now, that moment had finally arrived!

"Of course. We've been ready for a long time!"

Xu Ao said in a low voice, "I contacted the experts from the Sacred Temple two days ago."

"And what was their response?" Mu Liuji asked.

"They've agreed to cooperate with us to corner and kill Ye Chen!" Xu Ao sneered. "That Ye Chen may have heaven-defying talent and combat power far beyond the norm, but unfortunately for him, he's too reckless."

"He's offended so many of our factions. No matter how much of a genius he is, his life will end here!"

Hearing this, Mu Liuji simply gave a faint nod. "It's for the best that the Sacred Temple is willing to cooperate."

"From what I've heard, the experts from the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce will also be disembarking in three days. It seems they need to transport something on board."

"And those people from the Demon Exorcism Institute are also planning to disembark and resupply."

"As for Hongyu Pill Venerable... she has been in secluded cultivation for days, with no sign of emerging."

"And it's the same for Ye Chen!"

"At that point, dealing with Ye Chen should be no difficult task for you."

Xu Ao couldn't help but smile.

'The experts from the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce will be gone, as will the ones from the Demon Exorcism Institute. Even Hongyu Pill Venerable is too busy with her seclusion to pay attention to outside events.'

'When the time comes, Ye Chen will be all alone, and they'll have help from the Sacred Temple!'

'Taking him down will be child's play!!!'

"I'm very much looking forward to that moment," Xu Ao said with a wide grin.

Mu Liuji was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his tone was so full of chilling killing intent it felt like a cold wind on the skin.

"As am I."

...

On this day, the sun shone brilliantly in a cloudless sky.

RUMBLE!

The Cloud Mist Tower Ship slowly descended, coming to a stop over a wide, open square in Yan Province.

"This stop will last for three days."

"If anyone needs to disembark for business or to replenish supplies, please do so in a timely manner."

"After three days, we will depart immediately. We will not wait for anyone who has not re-boarded."

He Daoyun's aged voice spread far and wide through a Voice Transmission Array, echoing endlessly across the entire Cloud Mist Tower Ship.

Of course, with his cultivation level, he could have easily projected his voice to every corner of the ship even without the array's help.

However, penetrating the various protective arrays surrounding the Heaven-grade Room One would have been another matter.

Only with the aid of the Voice Transmission Array could he ensure every single person aboard heard him without fail.

"We've finally reached Yan Province!"

"Speaking of which, isn't Martial Uncle Qi in Yan Province? We can finally see him again!"

Jiang Yuzhe said excitedly.

Several Cultivators from the Demon Exorcism Institute were gathered in Mo Tianyun's room, discussing their plans.

"Speaking of which, should we ask Ye Chen to come with us?" Luo Rou asked suddenly, blinking.

"Senior Sister, stop thinking about Brother Ye Chen!" Jiang Yuzhe replied with a helpless sigh. "He's at a critical stage of his seclusion right now. It wouldn't be right for us to disturb him."

"W-What? Don't be ridiculous! What do you mean I'm 'thinking about him'?" Luo Rou flushed, a little annoyed.

"Alright, that's enough. I already spoke with young friend Ye Chen about this. He has decided to continue his secluded cultivation to break through and has no plans to go ashore," Mo Tianyun said with a smile.

"But..." Elder Cang hesitated. "Young friend Ye Chen was just attacked by an assassin from the Valley of Death. I was just thinking..."

"Don't worry, Elder Cang. I understand your concern."

"It's just that, given young friend Ye Chen's strength, if an enemy appears that even he can't handle, we would only get in the way by trying to help."

Mo Tianyun said.

"...You have a point," Elder Cang said with a wry smile.

Ye Chen's heaven-defying strength had long since left this group of Cultivators from the Demon Exorcism Institute in complete awe.

Even in a place like the Central Province, which was teeming with prodigies, they had never encountered a peerless, monstrous talent like Ye Chen.

...

"Gather all the experts in the Chamber at or above the Divinity Transformation Realm. You will disembark with me shortly."

In the main hall of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, Murong Dai was giving orders to He Daoyun.

"Commander Murong, about the item our Chamber is transporting this time..." He Daoyun began, looking up with a hint of confusion.

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't be asking!"

"In short, this item is of the utmost importance. There is absolutely no room for error!"

Murong Dai said in a low, serious voice, "Bring every expert we have! At the very least, we need to make a show of force. Let those people know just how seriously we are taking this."

"As you command!"

He Daoyun lowered his head respectfully.

"As for Ye Chen..."

Murong Dai's brow suddenly furrowed.

'Every time she thought of Ye Chen, she grew flustered and annoyed.'

'She couldn't bring herself to admit she was wrong, but couldn't a junior like him be the first to bow his head and yield?'

'Did he have to be so stubborn?'

'In the end, while the Chamber would lose a genius, Ye Chen's own fate would be no better!'

'After all, besides the Xu family, assassins from the Valley of Death were also watching him like a tiger stalking its prey.'

'She refused to believe that all this external pressure wouldn't be enough to force Ye Chen to submit to the Chamber!'

"We'll ignore Ye Chen for now. Let him do as he pleases."

"I'd like to see just how long that brat can hold out!"

Murong Dai snorted.

She was clearly aware that the stop in Yan Province would last a full three days. If the Xu family and the people from the Valley of Death wanted to make a move on Ye Chen, this was undoubtedly the perfect opportunity.

Of course, she would have preferred to stay on the ship and wait for Ye Chen to come crawling to her, begging for forgiveness.

But it couldn't be helped. The item they were transporting was too important, and she had to lead the escort personally.

...

After the Cloud Mist Tower Ship docked in Yan Province, dark undercurrents began to surge throughout the vessel as various factions started to make their moves.

The beautiful young girl, the human form of the Cyan Nether Bird, was walking slowly down the corridor of the Heaven-grade floor.

Suddenly, a nearby door flew open. A sinister voice, like a wail from the depths of hell, called out. It was so chilling it sent a shiver down the spine and made one's entire body tremble.

"You. Get in here!"