Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

Before his transformation, Chi Ming had rarely walked the mortal world and hadn't had much contact with the Cultivation Realm. It was only natural that this was the first time he'd ever seen so many Cultivators gathered in one place.

Even Song Yubing, the successor of Cyan Rainbow Hall, had never witnessed such a bustling scene.

Only Jie Ling looked relatively composed.

She had already spent countless eons in the Imprisoned Dragon Grotto Heaven, and in ages long past, she had traveled the world with her previous masters.

A scene like this was nothing to her. But since it had been so long, she couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.

Although she was just a Spirit Body, that didn't mean she lacked humanity. The influence of staying by the side of human Cultivators for so long was subtle and profound.

"Have you seen Ye Chen?" Song Yubing asked Chi Ming, her face etched with worry.

Without Ye Chen, the group felt as if they had lost their pillar of support, which always left her feeling uneasy.

"No."

Chi Ming shook his head.

He had been scanning the surrounding crowd ever since they first arrived at the square.

Yet, even now that nearly everyone had arrived, he still hadn't found any trace of Ye Chen.

He did see the Buddha's Son, however.

But the mysterious man in the bamboo hat was no longer by the Buddha's Son's side.

"Where on earth did he go?" Song Yubing sighed, her head bowed, her thoughts a tangled mess.

"Don't worry. In Master's absence, I will do my best."

Chi Ming said comfortingly, "Besides, in this unfamiliar place, we're not entirely without help."

He was, of course, referring to Mo Tianyun and his group.

On the main viewing platform of the martial arts arena, in addition to the Prefect and the Patriarchs of the four great clans at the forefront, Mo Tianyun was also present—and seated quite close to the front, no less.

Clearly, the name of the Great Hong Demon Exorcism Institute carried significant weight in Dongxuan City.

Even the Prefect, Li Yu, had to treat Mo Tianyun as a guest of honor.

However, while they saw Mo Tianyun and his group, Hongyu Pill Venerable, who had helped them before, was nowhere to be seen. Just like Ye Chen, he had vanished without a trace.

They didn't know if he had already arrived but was keeping a low profile, or if he was tied up with something else and unable to come.

Looking at the indistinct figures all around, Song Yubing only felt her unease growing.

In the Saint Temple's section, the Buddha's Son sat beside Master Jialan.

He scanned the surroundings and couldn't help but ask, "Master, where is the revered Pure Buddha?"

"And what about Martial Uncle Minghui and the others? How come none of them are here?"

"If they are not here, it is because they are busy with important matters and have no time to attend," Master Jialan said calmly.

"Important matters?"

The Buddha's Son's heart clenched, and his expression flickered. "Could it be..."

"My disciple, things have already reached this point. You can stop trying to deceive me."

Master Jialan looked at the Buddha's Son with a complex expression. "That 'fellow Daoist' of yours... he's actually Ye Chen, isn't he?"

"Master... how did you find out?" The Buddha's Son was stunned. Even though he knew he couldn't hide it for long, he never expected Master Jialan to learn the truth so quickly.

"The revered Pure Buddha told me," Master Jialan said calmly.

"The revered Pure Buddha?" The Buddha's Son was taken aback.

"You may not know this, but last night, the revered Pure Buddha was hidden near your inn. He never left."

At these words, the Buddha's Son's expression changed instantly.

He'd never realized that his every move had been under observation.

"Then where is the revered Pure Buddha now?" the Buddha's Son asked.

"What do you think?" Master Jialan's eyes suddenly turned cold and mocking.

"Don't tell me..."

The Buddha's Son's heart jolted.

He suddenly realized that a terrible, deadly trap was most likely being sprung on Ye Chen as they spoke.

No wonder he hadn't seen a sign of Ye Chen in the square.

It was now uncertain if he could even make it here safely today.

...

"Seen young friend Ye Chen?"

Mo Tianyun asked offhandedly as his gaze swept carefully over the crowd.

"No, but I did see Miss Song and the others."

Jiang Yuzhe replied.

"Is that so..."

"Didn't young Ye say he was going to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet? He's really not here?"

"Did something unexpected happen?"

Mo Tianyun frowned.

"If young Ye were to participate, this Peach Blossom Banquet wouldn't be much of a contest," Old Cang said with a laugh.

At this, Mo Tianyun laughed as well. "Old Cang, what do you think? How does the so-called number one prodigy of Dongxuan Province stack up against young Ye?"

"I'd say young Ye is a cut above," Old Cang replied without a second thought.

"My thoughts exactly." Mo Tianyun nodded gravely.

In his eyes, Ye Chen was the undisputed number one prodigy in the eastern dynasty. Perhaps no one, past or present, could compare!

...

Outside Dongxuan City, Ye Chen's figure streaked through the air like a flash of lightning.

He followed the presence that had locked onto him from the shadows, pursuing it all the way outside the city.

In the distance, Ye Chen spotted several figures standing atop a small, flat hill.

Powerful fluctuations of Spiritual Power saturated the air around the hilltop. This strange scene immediately put Ye Chen on alert.

Today was the day the Peach Blossom Banquet was set to begin. What Cultivator in Dongxuan City wasn't rushing toward the Central Plaza to get a good spot?

Who would be loitering in the wilds outside the city at a time like this?

'Without a doubt, these guys are here for me!'

'That faint presence locked onto me was meant to lure me here!'

At this thought, a faint smile actually graced Ye Chen's lips.

'That faint presence was luring him, to be sure, but wasn't he also seeking them out of his own accord?'

'Enemies were plotting against him in the shadows, and he was more than happy to have a showdown and settle some old scores.'

For that, he had willingly come alone.

On the hilltop stood a group of powerhouses from the Saint Temple.

Venerable Minghui was there, along with several Saint Monks.

The one in the lead was a handsome young Monk.

He wore a simple hemp robe, his bald head reflecting the bright, dazzling sunlight. He was watching the approaching Ye Chen with a smile on his face.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time, Fellow Daoist," Pure Buddha said with a smile.

"Kid, you might as well take off that bamboo hat," Venerable Minghui said, his gaze cold. "There's no point in hiding your identity anymore."

Ye Chen glanced indifferently at Venerable Minghui and did not move.

"Venerable Minghui told you to take off your hat. Are you deaf?"

One of the Saint Monks barked, his expression stern. "Or do you need me to help you with it?"

Ye Chen frowned slightly. With a flick of his finger, a sharp strand of Sword Qi shot out, piercing through the Saint Monk's torso.