Chapter 409: Strong and Overbearing

Xia Qi hadn't known beforehand that Zhi Yan was there for the Phoenix Lily; otherwise, she definitely wouldn't have sold it before his arrival. However, she showed no panic, saying with a smile, "So, Young Master Zhi happens to need a Phoenix Lily. You should have told me earlier! If you had just asked, I would have happily delivered it to your door myself. It's just unfortunate that the Phoenix Lily I had was sold to another young master right before you arrived."

"What?! Sold?!" Zhi Yan's face changed, and his voice immediately became agitated: "To whom?! Who bought it?! This is the last Phoenix Lily, and I must have it, no matter what—even if I have to snatch it! Tell me, who bought it?!"

The people in the hall immediately showed gloating expressions, their teasing gazes turning towards Yun Che. Xia Qi smiled and said, "Young Master Zhi, don't worry. The young master who bought the Phoenix Lily is still here. You can have a good talk with him; perhaps he'll be willing to transfer it to you."

Xia Qi turned sideways and gestured towards Yun Che: "It's this young master. He bought the last Phoenix Lily from me for two thousand Purple Profound Coins. Whether he's willing to transfer it is up to you, Young Master Zhi." Zhi Yan's gaze instantly shifted to Yun Che. He swept his eyes over Yun Che's profound energy cultivation, and a clear, unmistakable look of disdain appeared on his face. He strode over, his entire body radiating an oppressive aura that would make even a mid-stage Sky Profound practitioner gasp for breath: "You bought the Phoenix Lily? Hmph, you heard what I just said. Transfer the Phoenix Lily you have to me. Don't worry, I'll give you every single coin you paid for it, so no one can say my Blazing Sun Sect bullies the weak!"

Zhi Yan's tone was certainly not a negotiation; it was a forceful command, typical of an absolute strongman speaking to a weaker one. Yun Che's expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, "Apologies, this Phoenix Lily is equally important to me. I will not transfer it."

"Hmm?" Zhi Yan clearly hadn't expected that this weakling, only at the Earth Profound Realm, would dare to refuse him, especially after he had stated he would pay him back every coin. He didn't immediately fly into a rage; instead, he turned his head to Xia Qi and said, "What's this kid's background? It seems he's unwilling to give me face!"

Before Xia Qi could answer, Gongsun Yu spoke up with schadenfreude: "Young Master Zhi Qi, this kid's background is certainly unusual; otherwise, where would he get the nerve to be so stubborn with you? Tsk tsk, he's a distinguished guest from the Profound Sky Continent's Eastern Blue Wind Nation. Heh heh, for such a foreign guest, Young Master Zhi Qi should be a bit gentler, to show off our great nation's demeanor."

"Blue Wind Nation? Hahahahaha..." Upon hearing the name "Blue Wind Nation," Zhi Yan burst out laughing on the spot... Earlier, when Yun Che had revealed he was from the Blue Wind Nation, Gongsun Yu and the others present had also burst into laughter, as if the three words "Blue Wind Nation" weren't the name of a country, but a synonym for a joke. Having grown up in the Blue Wind Nation, Yun Che hadn't felt anything particular about it, but upon arriving in the Divine Phoenix Empire, he realized how deplorable the Blue Wind Nation's status was on the Profound Sky Continent—especially in the eyes of the Divine Phoenix Empire, where it could only be described as "insignificant" or even "ridiculous." He finally understood the deep helplessness, melancholy, and sorrow on Cang Wanhe's face when he had spoken to him about the "Seven Nations Ranking Tournament."

Everyone has an innate attachment to their homeland, and Yun Che was no exception. Seeing his homeland shamelessly mocked and despised by these people, viewed as an utterly inferior nation... his heart couldn't help but fill with anger. However, compared to the Divine Phoenix Empire, the Blue Wind Nation was simply too weak, like a lamb next to a lion—an unfortunate reality. Zhi Yan had originally been wary that Yun Che's background might be extraordinary and cause trouble, but now that he knew Yun Che was from the Blue Wind Nation, he had no more reservations, stating arrogantly: "Kid! My patience is very limited. Hand over that Phoenix Lily immediately. If my patience runs out, forget the Phoenix Lily, you won't even get half a profound coin."

"Hey! Kid, consider Young Master Zhi Qi's status. It's a great honor for him to even speak to you; don't be ungrateful," Gongsun Yu said mockingly from the side. Xia Qi quickly gave Yun Che a look and said softly, "Young Master, since Young Master Zhi urgently needs this Phoenix Lily, perhaps you should just transfer it to him. I'm sure Young Master Zhi would be grateful, and you might even become friends."

Yun Che's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice still extremely calm: "I've already said, I have great use for this Phoenix Lily. I will not transfer it."

"Good kid... It seems you prefer a beating to a toast! I'll ask you one last time: are you going to give it up or not?!" Zhi Yan's muscles bulged, and his face was contorted with rage.

Yun Che said coldly, "I bought the Phoenix Lily, so it's mine. How it's handled is up to me, not for you to demand I hand it over! If you want a Phoenix Lily, go look somewhere else. I don't have time for this." With that, Yun Che turned directly and prepared to leave.

"You're calling the shots? Hahahahaha..." Zhi Yan roared with laughter: "Naïve brat, today I'll teach you a good lesson: in this world, no matter what, only those with the hardest fists call the shots!" Zhi Yan suddenly reached out and grabbed Yun Che's shoulder. His arm was several times thicker than Yun Che's thigh; in comparison, Yun Che's physique seemed fragile and easily broken. With a sinister laugh, he tried to lift Yun Che by the shoulder, but when he exerted force, Yun Che's body didn't budge. Zhi Yan's eyes widened, muscles instantly bulged on his arm, veins popped out, and he yanked hard... yet Yun Che still didn't move an inch. Not only was he not lifted, but his feet didn't even shift.

Zhi Yan was secretly startled. Although he dimly felt something was highly unusual, he became even more enraged and said furiously, "Let me show you how hard my fist is!" He released Yun Che's shoulder, then clenched his hand into a fist. Purple flames ignited on his fist, and he violently slammed it towards Yun Che. Under a faint sense of unease, he used ninety percent of his strength in this punch, even intending to kill Yun Che on the spot... After all, the opponent was just a lower-tier profound practitioner from Blue Wind Nation; his death would have no consequences.

"Young Master Zhi!" Zhi Yan's action made Xia Qi exclaim in alarm. The others were also slightly startled. Under Zhi Yan's punch, profound energy roared throughout the hall; he was clearly using his full power... None of them were confident they could withstand such a punch, and Yun Che would likely be directly smashed into a pulp.

Bang!! Zhi Yan's purple-flame-burning fist landed squarely on Yun Che's chest, emitting an extremely dull thud. Under the scattering profound energy, the entire hall trembled violently. All unoccupied chairs shattered without exception, and even the marble floor cracked with a long fissure. The power of a Half-Step Monarch Profound practitioner was no small matter, causing everyone present to tremble with fear. As they were startled, they were even more surprised as to why Zhi Yan would unleash such a heavy attack on a Blue Wind Profound practitioner only at the Earth Profound Realm—it seemed like an overreaction. However, when they looked at Yun Che, everyone was instantly stunned, completely unable to believe their eyes.

Zhi Yan's hand was still on Yun Che's chest, but Yun Che hadn't been sent flying, hadn't even retreated a step, and his expression was completely unchanged. In contrast, Zhi Yan's face, which had been full of arrogance, was now contorted in extreme agony... Just then, the soft armor on his right arm suddenly burst into fragments like torn paper, and streams of blood poured out like a flood, instantly staining his entire arm red. Zhi Yan seemed to suddenly awaken from a nightmare. He staggered backward, clutching his right arm, which was completely numb and dangling limply. He let out a heavily suppressed groan of pain, and his wide pupils were filled with deep terror: "You... you..."

"Your fist doesn't seem to be all that great after all." Yun Che reached out, disdainfully patting the dust off his clothes on his chest. Then his gaze suddenly turned cold, and he punched towards Zhi Yan.

Zhi Yan instinctively extended his left arm to block. But with the Great Way of the Buddha's cultivation, even without using profound energy, Yun Che's arm strength alone reached a terrifying ten tons. How could Zhi Yan possibly withstand it? With a "crack," Zhi Yan's left arm bone instantly shattered into several pieces. He let out a pig-like shriek of agony, was sent flying backward violently, and his entire body deeply embedded itself into the stone wall behind him.

Such a scene was utterly beyond their imagination; everyone was completely dumbfounded... What a background Zhi Yan had, what a prodigy! The seventh young master of the Blazing Sun Sect, a Half-Step Monarch Profound practitioner at twenty-eight! Yet, he was instantly and utterly defeated by Yun Che, with no power to resist! It wasn't that Zhi Yan was weak, nor that he held back; his attack on Yun Che was clearly with full power... Rather, the profound practitioner from the Blue Wind Nation opposite him, whom they had scorned and mocked, was simply too terrifyingly powerful! Zhi Yan's full-force blow hadn't even harmed a single hair on him! And Yun Che's casual punch had directly shattered Zhi Yan's arm bone... What terrifying physical prowess and strength! A chill shot up their spines... They had actually been constantly disparaging and mocking such a terrifying monster! Especially Gongsun Yu; he was plastered to his seat, his face ashen, unable to move a muscle in his terror.

Yun Che's body flickered, instantly appearing before Zhi Yan. He extended his arm and grabbed Zhi Yan by the throat, pulling his burly body directly out of the stone wall like he was lifting a small chicken, then violently slammed him onto the ground. He looked down at the blood-soaked Zhi Yan and said calmly, "Do you still want the Phoenix Lily I have?" Zhi Yan had barely recovered his senses before Yun Che had already severely wounded him. Lying on the ground, gasping for breath, he said: "I am... the Seventh Young Master of the Blazing Sun Sect... You... if you dare harm me, the Blazing Sun Sect... will never let you go!"

Yun Che's eyes narrowed, and he sneered: "You're right about one thing: in this world, those with the hardest fists call the shots. But to act arrogantly without sufficient strength, that's just courting death!" As Yun Che's voice fell, he stomped his foot on Zhi Yan's chest. Zhi Yan's eyes bulged, and he spewed a mouthful of blood.

"Stop!!" The white-haired elder, who had been standing behind Xia Qi, shouted and suddenly attacked, a cold light shooting straight towards Yun Che... Instantly, an aura belonging to a Monarch enveloped the entire hall. At this point, he absolutely could not stand idly by. Otherwise, if something irreparable happened to Zhi Yan, the Blazing Sun Sect would very likely direct their anger at the Falling Flame Merchant Guild.

"Get lost!" Although this white-haired elder was a true Monarch, he was only at the first level of the Monarch Profound Realm, a low-tier Monarch, and posed no threat to Yun Che. Without even turning his head, Yun Che flicked his arm, and a Phoenix Break tore through the air, colliding with the cold light. In an instant, the cold light was completely dispersed. The Phoenix Break's momentum didn't diminish, heading straight for the elder's chest. The elder was greatly alarmed and hastily defended, retreating seven or eight steps before clumsily blocking the Phoenix Break's power, but both his sleeves were scorched black.

"This is... Phoenix Flame!" The elder exclaimed in shock: "You are from the Divine Phoenix Sect!" Everyone clearly saw and perceived the Phoenix Flame Yun Che unleashed. It was indeed Phoenix Flame, beyond any doubt—it couldn't be faked. And Phoenix Flame was the unique profound flame of the Divine Phoenix Sect! Anyone who could unleash Phoenix Flame was one hundred percent from the Divine Phoenix Sect! They were among the most apex individuals in the entire Divine Phoenix Empire!

"Hmph!" Yun Che snorted coldly, not responding, and naturally not foolish enough to deny it. Zhi Yan knew he had hit an iron wall today. Beyond his fear, he had initially thought about how he would later tear Yun Che into ten thousand pieces, but upon witnessing Yun Che unleash Phoenix Flame, his entire body began to tremble violently... This enmity he had created, he could never hope to avenge. The Divine Phoenix Sect was an existence the Blazing Sun Sect absolutely could not afford to provoke. Although his Blazing Sun Sect was known as the Divine Phoenix Empire's second sect, the gap between it and the Divine Phoenix Sect was simply as vast as heaven and earth.

"So... so it was a brother from the Divine Phoenix Sect... I was blind, and these injuries are not at all undeserved..." Zhi Yan adopted a pleading posture, completely devoid of his previous arrogance and defiance: "If I had known earlier you were a brother from the Divine Phoenix Sect... even if I had the guts of a dragon, I wouldn't dare offend you... If you still feel unresolved, please leave a sound transmission imprint, and another day I... I will personally bring heavy gifts to your door to apologize..."

Having his bones shattered and internal organs injured, yet still eagerly apologizing—this was the immense deterrence and influence of the Divine Phoenix Sect in the Divine Phoenix Empire. Everyone else in the hall had already stood up, standing obediently, not daring to breathe loudly, their gazes toward Yun Che filled with deep awe. As for Gongsun Yu, who had repeatedly mocked Yun Che, he was now drenched in sweat, his legs trembling, almost ready to collapse at any moment.

The elder stepped forward, trembling, and said: "A distinguished guest from the Divine Phoenix Sect has arrived. This old man was blind and failed to recognize your eminence, even allowing the distinguished guest to be disturbed. This is truly... a sin punishable by death... Xia Qi, what are you standing there for? Hurry and return the profound coins!" "Yes... yes." Xia Qi's face was also pale with nervousness, and she fumbled to retrieve the Purple Profound Coins.

"No need." Yun Che removed his foot from Zhi Yan's chest, "You don't need to be nervous. I'm not some trash that bullies others like the one at my feet. If others don't provoke me, I'm too lazy to provoke anyone... You may continue." With that, Yun Che ignored everyone, turned, and walked towards the exit. Everyone watched him leave step by step, secretly sighing in relief, but no one dared to speak, fearing to draw his attention.

As he walked past Gongsun Yu, Yun Che suddenly turned sideways and gave him a cold stare. Gongsun Yu let out a shriek of alarm, his legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground... It wasn't until Yun Che was far away that he recovered his senses, nearly losing control of his bladder and bowels on the spot. The Divine Phoenix Sect had ruled the Divine Phoenix Empire for five thousand years; its prestige was deeply rooted, and its deterrent power was so strong that other nations couldn't comprehend it... Yun Che couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking that if the Blue Wind Imperial Family could be as strong, how could the previous imperial chaos have occurred?

Just as he was about to exit the hall, a peculiar sensation suddenly swept over his back. Yun Che's steps paused, and he instantly turned around, seeing faces in the hall filled with awe and a hint of fear. His gaze briefly swept over each person's face, and after a slight frown, he slowly departed.