Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

Normally, within the Sacred Temple, he would have had ways to detain Ye Chen and his companions.

But with a Saint Monk held hostage, his hands were suddenly tied.

"Threatening us on our own turf... This isn't a wise move."

Lord Shakyamuni's eyes glinted, his expression dark.

"A threat?"

"This can hardly be called a threat. It's merely a hostage exchange."

"Or would you rather stand by and do nothing while I take two of your Saint Monks captive?"

Ye Chen showed no weakness, his voice cold.

"..."

"Then we'll make the exchange."

In the end, Lord Shakyamuni made his decision.

Just as Ye Chen had said, with so many watching, he, as a Great Saint Monk, could not simply stand by and do nothing as two Saint Monks were held captive.

'After all, those are two Saint Monks! How could a single, insignificant girl possibly compare to such esteemed figures?'

'Besides, once the hostages are successfully exchanged, I can unleash the full power of the Sacred Temple and deal with Ye Chen without any reservations.'

"Then you release her first," Ye Chen said.

"Hmph!" Lord Shakyamuni snorted. "You'd best not try any funny business. The consequences will be more than you can bear."

He didn't refuse and released Jie Ling first.

'This is the Sacred Temple's territory, after all. I doubt Ye Chen would dare try anything.'

Ye Chen raised a hand, and a gentle force pulled Jie Ling over while she was still in mid-air.

Ye Chen didn't breathe a sigh of relief until Jie Ling had landed safely beside him.

He carefully scanned her and, finding nothing amiss, immediately released the bindings on one of the Saint Monks. "You can go."

That Saint Monk's Dharma name was Juehai.

The moment he felt the power within him return to his control, he shot into the air and sped away from Ye Chen, as if fearing he would go back on his word.

Only after he had returned to the Sacred Temple's ranks did he turn back to see the mocking expression on Ye Chen's face.

His face immediately flushed, realizing he had overreacted.

"What is the meaning of this?" Seeing that Ye Chen had only released one Saint Monk, Lord Shakyamuni's brow furrowed. A brilliant Buddhist light flared in his eyes, and a terrifying killing intent began to spread.

"Are you going to make a move?"

Sensing the surging aura coming from Lord Shakyamuni, Chi Ming immediately stepped forward. Gripping his crimson flame spear, he positioned himself in front of Ye Chen, his eyes blazing with a towering inferno.

"I told you, you'd best not try any funny business."

"So what is the meaning of this?"

"Releasing only one person?"

Lord Shakyamuni spoke coldly, but his expression betrayed a deep sense of caution.

Although Chi Ming's cultivation realm was slightly lower than his own, the ferocity of his aura was simply unimaginable. The terrifying heatwave was so intense that even he felt a stinging sensation, as if his skin were being scorched.

How could he have known that not only was Chi Ming from a powerful race, but the transformation technique Ye Chen had bestowed upon him was a top-tier method as well?

After cultivating that technique, Chi Ming had not only successfully taken human form and broken through to a new realm, but his overall combat prowess was also now far greater than before.

Therefore, even Lord Shakyamuni, a master at the Third Layer of the Divine Might Realm, felt threatened by Chi Ming.

"You only released one person as well, didn't you?"

"One for one. Is there a problem with that?"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but smile.

Beside him, the face of the Saint Monk whose cultivation was still sealed turned utterly grim. He had thought he was about to be freed, never imagining that Ye Chen had no intention of letting him go.

Hearing Ye Chen's words, the experts from the Sacred Temple erupted in anger.

"The deal was a full hostage exchange! What is this? Are you deliberately messing with us?"

"Do you know where you are? Pulling these petty tricks will get you killed in a very ugly way!"

"Do you really think we can't handle you? Even with a Divine Might Realm Great Power for protection, that doesn't give you the right to run wild on the Sacred Temple's turf!"

"..."

In an instant, a clamor arose from all sides.

Countless furious glares, sharp as swords, shot toward Ye Chen.

They didn't know Ye Chen's origins, nor did they understand the feud between him and their Sacred Temple.

But they were certain of one thing: the only reason this kid, who was merely at the Primordial Mansion Realm, dared to take hostages and threaten the Sacred Temple was because he had a Divine Might Realm expert protecting him!

Though they were wary of Chi Ming, they naturally looked down on Ye Chen himself.

Furthermore, the Sacred Temple was the number one power in Yan Province. Fueled by the crowd's fury, their collective presence was truly intimidating.

Yet, Ye Chen simply watched with cold detachment, a hint of mockery on his face.

Before he could speak, Chi Ming's cold voice cut through the noise. "All of you, shut up!"

In an instant, a monstrous wave of fire surged forth, crashing heavily against the Sacred Temple's Guardian Array.

A thunderous BOOM echoed between heaven and earth as countless sparks flew in every direction. The powerful shockwave turned into a raging torrent, and in that moment, many of the Sacred Temple's experts were forced back, coughing up blood, their eyes filled with horror.

This was the terror of a Divine Might Realm expert!

A single, casual strike was enough to shake their Guardian Array and wound them with its aftershock!

An existence of this caliber stood at the very pinnacle of the eastern dynasty, powerful enough to run rampant across the land. Even as the number one power in Yan Province, they absolutely could not afford to underestimate such a being!

"Enough!"

Lord Shakyamuni made his move, neutralizing the spreading torrent of the shockwave.

His face was grim as he said, "Since it has come to this, just tell us. What will it take for you to release him?"

He was on the verge of attacking Ye Chen.

Unfortunately, with another Saint Monk still in the enemy's hands, he had no choice but to keep his composure.

The Saint Monks were the pillars of their Sacred Temple. Losing even one would be an immeasurable blow.

To say nothing of the three Saint Monks who had already fallen in the previous battle with Ye Chen.

For the Sacred Temple, this was already a crippling loss. They couldn't afford another!

Ye Chen's eyes glinted. Just as he was pondering how to leverage this hostage to extort some benefits from the Sacred Temple...

Suddenly, a voice as pleasant and clear as silver bells drifted over from nearby, ringing in everyone's ears.

"The dignified Saint Monks... what a noble status they hold."

"If you want to trade, then your Sacred Temple must naturally show some sincerity."

"In my opinion, why not trade your Sacred Temple's Buddha-Light Five-Mystic Stone? What do you say?"

Ye Chen found the voice exceptionally familiar.

The next moment, a fragrant scent wafted past as the figure of Hongyu Pill Venerable appeared by his side.