Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

Murong Dai's heart trembled as she looked into Ye Chen's eyes, which were so cold they seemed to hold no emotion at all. A look of terror crept into her expression.

"You… you're dreaming!!!"

She screamed, struggling constantly in Ye Chen's grasp.

'Even now, she still couldn't quite figure it out. She had clearly wanted to recruit Ye Chen into the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, so how had they ended up like mortal enemies?'

"You don't have a choice in the matter."

Ye Chen smiled faintly. With a casual toss, he threw Murong Dai toward Supreme Profound Daoist and his entourage.

"Ye Chen, you're courting death!!!" Zhong Quanming roared, rushing to catch Murong Dai.

But just then, the old demon Jue Yun made his move!

His speed was incredible. He timed his move for the exact moment Zhong Quanming acted, launching himself into the air. A powerful Divine Might aura erupted from his body, and a faint tribulation light flowed over his withered arm.

He flashed in front of Zhong Quanming and, without a word, threw a punch. A vast tribulation light surged forth, his ancient, weathered face utterly devoid of emotion.

"Bastard!"

Caught off guard, Zhong Quanming had no choice but to engage the old demon Jue Yun.

He was a powerful cultivator at the Fifth Layer of the Divine Might Realm. The old demon Jue Yun, by contrast, was only at the Third Layer and thus considerably weaker.

Therefore, even though Zhong Quanming's response was rushed, the old demon Jue Yun still struggled to handle it. A surge of Spiritual Power forced him back.

But in that brief moment, Murong Dai had already fallen into the Demon Venerable's hands.

He looked like a young boy, but his deep, dark eyes held the aura of countless years.

He seized Murong Dai, his eyes growing feverish. "Such delicious Divine Might Realm flesh and blood… Once I devour it, my cultivation is certain to improve significantly."

His voice was hoarse and unpleasant. He coughed lightly now and then, and his movements were like those of an old man—a stark contrast to his handsome, youthful appearance.

"You… let me go!" Murong Dai cried in a panic, but she was too weak to struggle. Beneath the Demon Venerable's terrifying aura, her delicate frame couldn't help but tremble.

He Daoyun and the other experts from the Chamber of Commerce felt a profound sense of helplessness.

'Even a Divine Might Realm expert like Murong Dai was completely at the mercy of these demonic cultivators, unable to resist in the slightest. What hope did the rest of them have?'

"Commander Murong, is it? If you submit to us and hand over the treasure you were escorting from Flame City, I might just consider sparing your life."

Supreme Profound Daoist's gaze was profound as he looked at Murong Dai, his voice even as he spoke.

"R-Really?" To everyone's surprise, Murong Dai actually seemed tempted.

Supreme Profound Daoist noticed this, of course. He gave a meaningful smile. "Of course. If you prove your sincerity, you can even join us. We can deal with that brat together."

At that moment, everyone understood the hidden meaning behind Supreme Profound Daoist's words.

He intended to win Murong Dai over and use her strength to deal with Ye Chen!

Murong Dai's expression changed. Without a moment's hesitation, she agreed. "Fine! I'll join you!"

"As long as you can tear that brat limb from limb, I'll do anything you ask!"

Murong Dai glared viciously at Ye Chen in the distance, her beautiful eyes overflowing with venomous hatred.

An uproar swept through the crowd!

No one had expected Murong Dai to agree to Supreme Profound Daoist's demand so readily—to the point of teaming up with these demonic cultivators just to deal with Ye Chen!

"Murong Dai, you…" Zhong Quanming was stunned, seemingly unable to believe it.

"Steward Zhong, can't you see the situation we're in?" Murong Dai said gravely. "We don't stand a chance of winning. Even if we fight with everything we have, the only outcome is death."

"It's better to submit to them for the time being. Only by staying alive can we figure out another plan! What's more, they can help us deal with Ye Chen!"

Zhong Quanming fell silent. His expression grew complicated, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"Steward Zhong, her choice is a wise one."

The demonic man gazed darkly at Zhong Quanming. "Since we have a common enemy, why not join forces for now? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Surely you understand a concept as simple as that, Zhong Quanming?"

"Furthermore, if you cooperate, we might just spare everyone on this vessel. After all, we only came for the treasure. So, Steward Zhong, why not think it over? Will you join us, or will you resist to the bitter end?"

The other demonic cultivators also looked over, their expressions playful.

All eyes were fixed on Zhong Quanming, waiting for his decision.

"Then we have no other choice."

In the silent and oppressive atmosphere, Zhong Quanming slowly exhaled. His gaze flickered, and he finally relented.

The crowd was stunned!

"Steward Zhong, joining forces with those demonic cultivators is no different from asking a tiger for its hide! This…" He Daoyun's face changed drastically. He tried to protest further, but Zhong Quanming cut him off.

"I understand all that, but it's our only option right now, isn't it?"

Zhong Quanming shot a cold glance at Ye Chen in the distance. "As long as the ship can survive, what's a little submission?"

'Of course, he had his own plan.'

'If he could just stall for time, reinforcements from the Chamber would arrive. Dealing with these demonic cultivators then would be child's play.'

'For now, by choosing to ally with the demonic cultivators, he could borrow their strength to eliminate that damned Ye Chen *and* buy time for the Chamber's reinforcements to arrive. It was the perfect plan—killing two birds with one stone!'

"Steward Zhong, how could you?"

Mo Tianyun and Cang Lao were both shocked and furious, and the other Cultivators present were equally aghast.

Who could have imagined the situation would change so drastically in the blink of an eye?

At first, the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce's defenses had been crumbling under the assault from the demonic cultivators led by Supreme Profound Daoist. Ye Chen's arrival had given everyone a glimmer of hope.

Everyone had assumed Ye Chen would ally with the Chamber to fight off the invaders. But instead, he chose to stand aside and watch, letting the demonic cultivators and the Chamber's experts slaughter one another!

Even more unexpectedly, the Chamber's two Great Powers of the Divine Might Realm had surrendered to the evil cultivators! They had turned their spears around to deal with Ye Chen together!

With this turn of events, Ye Chen had ironically become the one in the most danger!

"Hmph! Serves him right for being so arrogant, trying to make the demonic cultivators and our experts kill each other. Now look at him! He's become everyone's target!"

"He must be regretting this so much right now!"

Many of the experts from the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce sneered, reveling in his misfortune.