Chapter 855: Yan Zun

Kill!

Fight!

After unleashing heaven-defying divine abilities against each other, the two figures charged from the eastern and western void heavens straight toward one another.

The battle escalated, shattering the heavens and splitting the earth, with scenes of immense grandeur as blood rained down like a storm.

This was Ye Chen's first true all-out fight since advancing to the Zhun Tian Realm, and the strength of the linen-robed elder far exceeded his expectations. Even Ye Chen's terrifying recovery ability couldn't withstand the elder's relentless assaults.

On the opposing side, the linen-robed elder was utterly shocked.

He hadn't just underestimated Ye Chen—he had severely underestimated him. With his own combat prowess, he was being pushed to the brink without suffering major injuries, evoking a sense of helplessness and exhaustion.

"Old Ancestor has devoured too many lives; prolonged fighting will lead to backlash." In the valley, Si Tu Ming's face grew extremely grave.

As he thought this, he immediately summoned a soul fragment, transforming it into a rune that shot skyward, seemingly calling for reinforcements.

However, as soon as his soul fragment left the valley, it was crushed into dust by a massive, imposing cauldron—the Hun Dun God Cauldron, naturally, belonging to Ye Chen.

Since Ye Chen was targeting Si Tu Ming, he wouldn't give them any opportunities, including secretly summoning help.

Damn it!

Seeing his plea for aid intercepted, Si Tu Ming's expression turned even more ferocious.

Quickly, he drew a killing sword and slipped into the void space, stealthily making his way toward Ye Chen.

"Still trying for a sneak attack?" Ye Chen snorted coldly and struck out with a palm, collapsing a section of the void on the spot.

Pfft!

Si Tu Ming, still lurking in the space, hadn't even gotten a chance to attack before Ye Chen's palm forced him out. As soon as he steadied himself, he was entirely engulfed by the Hun Dun God Cauldron and suppressed on the spot.

"You truly deserve to die." Witnessing Si Tu Ming's suppression, the linen-robed elder erupted in fury, his roar like thunder.

"Both our hands are stained with the blood of the innocent; neither of us is more deserving of death than the other." Ye Chen's voice rang out firmly as his attacks grew even more domineering, launching them without regard for cost. He aimed for a swift resolution, as he couldn't afford to linger here.

In contrast, the linen-robed elder was steadily falling back.

Having used a forbidden technique to regain his youth, the elder's lifespan was already depleted. In this prolonged contest of endurance against Ye Chen, he was gradually losing ground and was now completely suppressed.

"I'll return someday." In the end, the linen-robed elder chose to retreat, striking Ye Chen with a palm to push him back before turning to flee.

"How? Thinking of escaping?" Ye Chen chuckled coldly, stepping forward in an instant to block the elder's path, then slashing him with a blade that sent him tumbling through the air.

Feng Shen Jue!

From behind, Ye Chen's Yi Qi Hua San Qing clone struck, its sword flashing like a bolt of lightning.

The linen-robed elder's face changed drastically as he hastily shifted his position.

Seal!

At the same time, Ye Chen activated his sealing secret art, instantly locking the elder's movements. Though it only held for less than a third of a second, it was enough for the clone to deliver a fatal blow.

"No... no... no!" The linen-robed elder's face twisted in terror, his eyes bulging.

Yet, no matter how he roared, the clone showed no mercy.

Pfft!

As blood splattered, the elder's Dantian was pierced by the sword.

Ah!

His scream was piercing. With his Dantian destroyed, his spiritual energy poured out like a breached river.

Not only that, as his spiritual power and cultivation drained away, his youthful appearance aged rapidly, reverting him to his original form without the forbidden technique's support.

Whew!

Seeing the linen-robed elder defeated, Ye Chen finally exhaled in relief and waved his hand to imprison him in the void heavens.

Search Soul!

Without hesitation, Ye Chen employed the Search Soul mystic art, forcefully breaking through the elder's soul seals and seizing all his lifetime memories.

Seal!

After obtaining the elder's memories, Ye Chen sealed him on the spot.

The elder couldn't die yet. As someone of his stature in the Shi Xue Hall, he surely had a soul jade tablet there. His death would alert the hall, which wasn't what Ye Chen wanted. He planned to use the elder's prestigious identity for a major scheme.

"My goodness, he's from the same generation as the Shi Xue Hall's supreme ancestors." A few seconds later, after digesting the elder's memories, Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes, his expression one of astonishment and disbelief.

"Today, I've really pulled off something earth-shattering." Ye Chen felt a bit surreal—an eight-hundred-year-old figure had been crippled by him. If word got out, no one would believe it.

"Holy Lord." While Ye Chen was still marveling, Liu Neng arrived.

"Damn!" He had barely appeared and spoken when he couldn't help but curse, for he saw the defeated linen-robed elder.

"Looks like you know him." Ye Chen casually tossed the elder into the cauldron.

"How could I not?" Liu Neng exclaimed. "That's Yan Zun from the Shi Xue Hall! Back when I was still in the Ren Yuan Realm, he was already in the Zhun Tian Realm. Holy Lord, you're not just impressive—you're insane."

"Luck, just luck." Ye Chen coughed dryly.

"This isn't luck." Liu Neng's mindset remained unsettled, his gaze toward Ye Chen changing. How was this possible? The young man before him was only twenty years old!

"You didn't come all this way just to praise me, did you?"

"Oh, right, I almost forgot the main thing." Liu Neng coughed awkwardly. "The nine great branch hall masters of the Shi Xue Hall have been driven out by Shi Xue Yan Luo. The other eight have returned to their respective halls, while Xue Qiong is continuing to track the Hao Tian Family's whereabouts."

"Where's the Hao Tian Family now?" Ye Chen asked as he stripped off his blood-soaked clothes.

"They've just left the Long Xi Ancient Land. They've been incredibly cautious—forcing them to detour around a small city, they went over eighty thousand li out of the way. Still, they've managed to avoid major dangers so far. It's only a matter of time before they enter the mortal world."

"We can't let our guard down." Ye Chen took a deep breath. "The Shi Xue Hall is full of talented people, including many strategists. Figuring out the Hao Tian Family's path is just a matter of time."

"That's why we have to keep causing chaos." Liu Neng grinned. "Just a moment ago, we destroyed one of the Shi Xue Hall's branch pavilions and grabbed a bunch of good treasures."

"Liu Neng, there's something I've always wanted to ask you." Ye Chen stroked his chin as he looked at him. "How do you always pinpoint my location so accurately?"

"Holy Lord, have you heard of the Dragon-Seeking lineage?" Liu Neng smiled at Ye Chen.

"The Dragon-Seeking lineage?" Ye Chen raised an eyebrow and glanced at Liu Neng. "Is it a branch of the Dragon Clan?"

"Not at all." Liu Neng coughed. "To be honest with you, Holy Lord, my ancestors were tomb raiders, though they called it dragon-seeking. Tracking people and tombs is our family's innate divine ability. As for the secrets behind it, I'm afraid I can't reveal them—it's never been passed outside our family."

"Da Chu is full of remarkable talents!" Ye Chen sighed. "Your family's skill is quite impressive."

"Tomb raiding harms one's virtue, so the branch I inherited focuses on finding people. The dragon-seeking and tomb-finding line was banned as a taboo back in my great ancestor's time—it was just too unethical."

"Then I'm curious—why can you find me so easily, but tracking my master is such a hassle?"

"Holy Lord, to be blunt, your master is no ordinary person!" Liu Neng stroked his beard. "It's not that I can't find her; it's that some strange force is concealing her tracks. That force far surpasses my family's innate ability—in simple terms, it's beyond what I can handle."

"Strange force?" Ye Chen furrowed his brow.

"Once the North Chu matters are settled, I'll delve into it deeply, but you'll need to give me time, Holy Lord."

"Go ahead and get back to work. Stay safe." Ye Chen, still deep in thought, waved his hand lightly.

Liu Neng said no more, letting out a quiet sigh before turning and vanishing.

"Strange force." After Liu Neng left, Ye Chen remained standing, his gaze flickering uncertainly. "Master, it seems you really do have secrets. I underestimated you."