The Great Elder

At this moment, even the outer sect elders of the Phoenix Feather Sect couldn’t help but frown. Though they didn’t want to interfere in the Liu Family’s affairs, Ye Chuan had passed the recruitment test and was technically a disciple of their sect. If he were killed by Liu Lie right at their gates, it would tarnish the sect’s reputation.

However, the Liu Family had close ties with the Phoenix Feather Sect, and Liu Lie was a core elder of the Punishment Hall. They didn’t dare provoke him lightly and could only watch silently, hoping for a turn of events.

Liu Lie paid no heed to the onlookers. Gripping his blazing chain, he lashed it toward Ye Chuan!

The chain coiled like a fiery serpent, its flames roaring as it aimed straight for Ye Chuan’s neck, intending to bind him in one swift motion. Wherever the chain passed, the ground was scorched black, and the air reeked of burning.

Ye Chuan watched the incoming chain, his expression unchanged. He simply raised his right hand slightly.

"Hand it over."

In the next instant, the scorching air around them cooled abruptly.

Liu Lie felt his grip go empty—the chain had vanished into thin air!

"What… how did you…?!" Liu Lie stared in disbelief, his face paling. "Why can’t I sense it anymore?!"

Ye Chuan smirked, his eyes mocking as he watched Liu Lie’s panic. "Is this all you’ve got? Pathetic. The Liu Family’s elders are nothing special, huh?"

Then, with a playful wink at Liu Chengfeng, he added, "Right? Got anything stronger?"

Liu Chengfeng trembled violently.

Without another word, Ye Chuan flicked his finger, sending a wisp of chaotic energy shooting toward Liu Lie.

Liu Lie’s pupils shrank. A primal dread surged through him—his instincts screamed that he was no match for Ye Chuan. Without thinking, he turned to flee.

An Nascent Soul expert… running away?!

The crowd gaped in shock.

But Ye Chuan wouldn’t let him escape. The chaotic energy, though seemingly slow, had already struck Liu Lie’s back.

Liu Lie’s body stiffened. His spiritual power instantly collapsed, devoured by the chaotic force. Before he could even scream, his body withered and toppled over, lifeless.

In his final moments, his eyes were filled with despair. He died without understanding why the Liu Family had provoked such a monstrous existence.

With two Liu Family elders slain in seconds, the square fell into stunned silence.

The Phoenix Feather Sect’s outer sect elders stared wide-eyed, their faces etched with shock. They had known Ye Chuan was strong, but this—effortlessly killing an Nascent Soul expert like Liu Lie—was beyond comprehension.

Liu Chengfeng collapsed to the ground, his mind shattered as he stared at Liu Lie’s corpse. He kowtowed frantically, babbling, "Don’t kill me! I was wrong! I’ll never dare again…!"

Regret consumed him. If he’d known Ye Chuan was this terrifying, he wouldn’t have dared harass Bai Qianshuang even with a hundred lives to spare.

"Done with the meatballs?"

"…?!"

"Hm?"

"I’ll do it now! Right now!"

Just then, a thunderous voice boomed across the square:

"Who dares cause chaos at the Phoenix Feather Sect’s gates?!"

Everyone looked up to see an elderly man in violet robes hovering mid-air. His hair and beard were white, his face kind, but his piercing eyes radiated authority. Thick spiritual energy swirled around him, exuding an awe-inspiring pressure.

The man’s robes bore the Phoenix Feather Sect’s emblem, and a golden token hung at his waist—this was the sect’s Grand Elder, Ling Xu!

Ling Xu had been in seclusion when word reached him of the disturbance at the recruitment ceremony, involving the Liu Family. He rushed over immediately.

At the sight of Liu Shan, Liu Qingyun, and Liu Lie’s corpses, his brow furrowed. The Liu Family and the Phoenix Feather Sect had been allies for generations. If this matter wasn’t handled carefully, it could strain their relationship irreparably.

His gaze settled on Ye Chuan, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. The boy’s spiritual energy was bizarre—deceptively plain yet unfathomably deep. Ling Xu couldn’t discern his cultivation level.

How could a recruit possess such strange power?

"Young man," Ling Xu said sternly, "do you realize the gravity of killing two Liu Family elders?"

But his tone held a hint of caution. A youth capable of slaying Nascent Soul experts so easily likely had an extraordinary background.

Ye Chuan met his gaze calmly. "Liu Chengfeng harassed my wife. I intervened, and he attacked me first. Tell me, Elder—was I supposed to just take it?"

"This happened?" Ling Xu’s frown deepened. He glanced at Liu Chengfeng before sighing. "Even if they were at fault, killing them was excessive. The Liu Family and our sect share deep ties. How do you expect us to explain this?"

"Explain?" Ye Chuan chuckled. "So the Liu Family can bully others, but no one can fight back? If you think I was wrong, Grand Elder, you’re welcome to execute me in their name."

His smile remained, but the confidence—and threat—in his words was unmistakable. "Assuming you can, that is."

Ling Xu’s heart skipped a beat.

His eyes darted to Bai Qianshuang. Though her aura wasn’t as enigmatic as Ye Chuan’s, it was still formidable—leaking traces of Spirit Transformation realm cultivation!

Spirit Transformation?!

Ling Xu’s mind reeled. A boy and a girl, both with such monstrous strength? He was now certain they were no ordinary cultivators. There had to be a greater force behind them.

After a tense pause, Ling Xu cleared his throat. "Young friend, perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding. The Liu Family’s disciples brought this upon themselves. Why don’t we discuss this in the reception hall?"

"Sure. We came here looking for you anyway," Ye Chuan said casually.

"Indeed," Bai Qianshuang added coolly.

Ling Xu: "…?"

Looking for me?

Me specifically?

A foreboding chill crept down Ling Xu’s spine. This felt less like a negotiation and more like being marked by calamity itself.