Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

On the streets of Flame City, the middle-aged man revealed a surprised expression after hearing Hongyu Pill Venerable's words.

It was no wonder he reacted this way. After all, his attire was exceedingly ordinary, with no markings to indicate his status.

And yet, Hongyu Pill Venerable had still seen through his identity at a single glance. It was hard not to be moved.

"Although Steward Zhong doesn't make many public appearances, I have heard of your identity," Hongyu Pill Venerable said lightly.

"As expected of the Hongyu Pill Venerable."

Zhong Quanming glanced at Hongyu Pill Venerable, a strange light in his eyes.

The outside world only knew that the young woman before him was the most renowned Alchemist in the eastern Great Hong Dynasty. Only a select few could guess at the astonishing background she possessed.

Therefore, it wasn't strange that she knew who he was.

'He's from the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce?'

Ye Chen was a little surprised.

"Correct." Before Hongyu Pill Venerable could explain, Zhong Quanming took the initiative to smile and clarify, "My name is Zhong Quanming, and I am one of the Chamber's three Grand Stewards."

"I have come here today because I admire your talent, young friend, and wish to forge a friendly connection with you."

"If you feel that three Peak Divinity Transformation Realm Spirit Medicines are not enough, we can sit down and discuss it further…"

"There's no need."

However, before Zhong Quanming could finish, Ye Chen had already shaken his head and said, "I don't want to have anything to do with your Chamber of Commerce."

"Why is that?" Ye Chen's words made Zhong Quanming's expression change slightly.

"Because of her!"

Ye Chen looked past Zhong Quanming.

A woman with a graceful figure was approaching elegantly. Her face was beautiful, but her eyes were frighteningly indifferent and cold.

It was Murong Dai!

'This young friend has a grudge with Commander Murong?'

Zhong Quanming glanced at Murong Dai, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Hmph!" Murong Dai walked over slowly and swept a cold gaze over Ye Chen. "You sure know how to hold a grudge, kid."

"Steward Zhong, since he refuses our goodwill, why should we kiss up to him?"

"This…" Zhong Quanming's expression turned a little sour. He asked tentatively, "Young friend, has the conflict between you two truly reached a point where you can't even sit down and talk?"

"I've said it before. As long as this woman is a part of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, I will have nothing more to do with it."

Ye Chen shook his head and was the first to turn and leave.

Seeing this, Chi Ming and Jie Ling followed him without hesitation.

Only Hongyu Pill Venerable hesitated for a moment. She glanced at Murong Dai and said hesitantly, "Commander Murong, I think it would be wise for you to rein in your arrogance."

"You want me to rein it in?" Murong Dai was so angry she laughed, finding Hongyu Pill Venerable's words utterly unbelievable. "That kid is clearly far more arrogant than I am!"

"But you were the one at fault first."

"Actually, Young Master Ye Chen isn't that difficult to get along with."

Hongyu Pill Venerable shook her head, not bothering to say more, and quickly followed in Ye Chen's direction.

This left Murong Dai standing there, stunned, her expression shifting indeterminately.

Watching Ye Chen and the others depart, Zhong Quanming frowned slightly, remaining silent.

"So be it. Commander Murong, let's head back for now."

He was clearly getting angry, feeling that Ye Chen was being too presumptuous.

After all, their Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce was the largest in the entire Great Hong Dynasty, with a frighteningly vast network of connections and resources at their disposal.

Countless people would kill for a chance to join the Chamber of Commerce.

He had personally extended an olive branch to such a young man, only for the other party to treat it with disdain. This naturally infuriated Zhong Quanming.

Murong Dai's eyes gleamed as she muttered to herself, "Sooner or later, he'll come crawling to our Chamber of Commerce and beg."

"Otherwise, once he angers the Holy Temple, no one can protect him except for us."

...

Before leaving Flame City, one more thing caught the attention of Ye Chen and his group.

They saw a familiar figure at the entrance of a tavern.

"It's Miss Qingli!"

Chi Ming's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but stare.

This time, the young woman was no longer dressed in a waitress's uniform. She had changed her clothes and now looked elegant and proper, a faint smile on her sweet face that drew numerous heated gazes.

Chi Ming swallowed hard. Now that he had successfully taken human form, it was clearly the perfect time to pursue Miss Qingli if he truly wanted to.

But soon, a figure suddenly emerged from the tavern and pulled Qingli into his arms.

Chi Ming was stunned.

It was a devilishly handsome man. He was very young, with a fair complexion and a pair of wicked eyes that seemed capable of pulling one into a bottomless abyss—frighteningly sinister.

He held Qingli as he was about to head back into the tavern.

But suddenly, he seemed to sense something, and his gaze shot toward Ye Chen and his group.

Ye Chen's expression was calm as he met the sinister man's gaze.

In that instant, it was as if a heavy hammer was smashing down on his Divine Soul. A sliver of power that made one's spirit tremble, like a festering sore, coiled around Ye Chen.

"Hmph!"

Ye Chen secretly activated his Red Lotus Karma Fire, silently neutralizing that strange power.

But when he looked into the distance again, he found that the man had already vanished.

At the tavern, only passersby remained, the crowd bustling and lively.

A murderous glint flashed in Ye Chen's eyes as a trace of killing intent rose in his heart.

Without a doubt, that devilishly handsome man was the mysterious guest from Sky-Grade Room Number One, the one who often summoned Qingli to his room.

The reason Ye Chen considered him mysterious was that when he had unintentionally passed by that room before, the guest inside had spied on him.

He remembered it clearly. The room had been pitch-black at the time, yet Ye Chen had felt a terrifying gaze sweep over him.

It was only after activating the power of his Red Lotus Karma Fire that he had managed to dispel the uncomfortable sensation.

"Damn it!"

"Master, should I go grab that bastard?!"

Chi Ming was furious. He had clearly sensed something was wrong with Ye Chen and knew the sinister man was responsible. His aura flared as he prepared to make a move.

"Not yet."

Ye Chen shook his head, stopping Chi Ming. "We are still in Flame City. If we rashly start a conflict, it will only give the Holy Temple an excuse to strike first."

"We haven't escaped the danger zone yet, so we absolutely cannot be careless!"

With that, a cold light flashed in Ye Chen's eyes as he said icily, "In any case, he's also a guest of Sky-Grade Room Number One. He can run, but he can't hide. When the time comes, we'll settle this score with him properly."

The most urgent matter now was to go back and break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm.

Only by stepping into the Divinity Transformation Realm could his cultivation undergo another metamorphosis!

And then he would have no need to fear these powerful enemies.