I Don't Like It

Ten million...

was not a small sum, but today Xuanye and Xuan Yan had come with a mission, so ten million was acceptable.

The Profound Moon Sect still had that kind of foundation.

However, at that very moment, the wind chime at the shop's entrance suddenly let out a series of urgent, crisp rings, immediately followed by a vast, prison-like pressure that erupted without any warning—

The pressure was so immense it felt like the weight of countless lofty mountain ranges pressing down, carrying the unique sharpness of Dao Charm exclusive to the peak of the Enlightenment Realm. It instantly caused the temperature inside the shop to plummet, and the air solidified as if tangible.

The cultivators' expressions froze instantly, turning deathly pale the next second. Their spiritual power surged wildly within their bodies but was firmly imprisoned.

"Unrelated individuals, leave the shop."

An aged yet authoritative voice came from outside the door. Before the words even finished, an invisible force swept through the area like a tidal wave.

This force seemed gentle, but in reality, it contained an irresistible power. Those cultivators were swept out like straw caught in a gale, flying towards the exit. They landed in disarray, grimacing in pain but not daring to utter a single groan.

Xuanye and Xuan Yan instinctively activated secret techniques to resist, but the moment the force touched them, they felt as if a heavy hammer had struck their chests. Staggering, they were pushed outside the threshold, their qi and blood churning violently from the impact—

Both wore expressions of shock.

This aura was several times more formidable than that of their sect's Enlightenment Realm Ancestor, who had been in secluded cultivation for many years!

This visitor meant trouble!

Hu Li was so frightened her fur stood on end. Her fluffy fox ears pressed tightly against her head, her tail wrapped around Ye Chuan's calf, and she buried her little head behind him, only daring to peek out with her eyes.

Who... who is coming?

Ye Chuan, however, remained seated steadily on the sofa. Only after finishing the steamed dumpling in his hand did he lift his gaze, his eyes looking towards the entrance with a somewhat casual scrutiny.

Just the peak of the Enlightenment Realm, yet putting on quite the show.

Even Qin Tianya isn't as pretentious as you.

A figure clad in white slowly stepped into the shop. The old man had hair and beard as white as snow, yet his complexion was as rosy as a newborn's, his skin fine and smooth. Hanging at his waist was a dark jade plaque engraved with the ancient characters "Tai Chu" (Primordial Beginning), its surface flowing with a faint golden halo.

An elusive Dao Charm lingered around him. With each step he took, the ground seemed to ripple with subtle spiritual light, and even the hum of the forging furnace seemed to grow quieter.

When the old man's eyes swept over Ye Chuan's child-like form, a trace of barely perceptible surprise flashed within them, but he quickly composed his expression.

He walked straight up to Ye Chuan, ignoring the frozen atmosphere around them. His words could not conceal his pride.

"This old man is Qing Xuan, a Law Enforcement Elder of the Primordial Beginning Holy Land."

"Having heard that Master's forging techniques are peerless and miraculous, capable of reviving dead treasures and enhancing magical artifacts, I have come today specially under the order of the Holy Son of our Holy Land to invite Master for a visit. I hope Master will honor us with your presence."

A Holy Land?!

The Primordial Beginning Holy Land?!

Xuanye and Xuan Yan instinctively shuddered. That was an existence above their sect! Those mysterious and elusive Holy Land people had actually appeared before them today?!

And a peak Enlightenment Realm cultivation was merely that of an elder?

Ye Chuan picked up a napkin and meticulously wiped the corner of his mouth. After signaling for Xuanye and Xuan Yan to leave, his tone remained as placid as still water.

"Primordial Beginning Holy Land? What business do you have with me? Surely it's not just to invite me for tea."

He had no interest in these Holy Lands, only caring about practical benefits.

Money talks.

If they were a sucker, Ye Chuan would be even happier.

If they came with malicious intent, Ye Chuan would just stab them in the kidney first. After all, he was already in a semi-invincible state on the Tianxuan Continent.

No one could keep him, but he could stab anyone's kidney.

Elder Qing Xuan did not beat around the bush either, stating frankly:

"Deep within the forbidden grounds of our Holy Land lies an ancient supreme treasure, the 'Sealing God Cauldron'. This cauldron is a spiritual object left behind since the separation of heaven and earth, capable of smelting all things and nurturing spiritual embryos. It is also the foundation for maintaining our Holy Land's sect-protecting formation."

"During the great sect war a hundred thousand years ago, the cauldron's body was cracked in three places by the Demon Path Sovereign, and its artifact spirit fell into a deep slumber. For a million years, the Holy Land has invited every master blacksmith across the Tianxuan Continent, even sparing no expense to invite recluses from overseas immortal islands, yet none have been able to repair it."

"Having heard of Master's heaven-defying methods, we are willing to offer a reward of hundreds of millions of top-grade spirit stones and hundreds of thousands of Enlightenment Stones to invite Master to repair the Sealing God Cauldron."

Hundreds of millions?

A good number.

A noticeable ripple finally flashed in Ye Chuan's eyes. But for now, he just propped his cheek on his hand. Despite looking only five or six years old, he gave off the impression of scrutinizing Qing Xuan.

"Since it's an invitation, why did you harm my guests?" Ye Chuan said lightly.

"Holy Land affairs are naturally not for the knowledge of such ants," Elder Qing Xuan replied disdainfully.

However, he was also surprised. His peak Enlightenment Realm aura had not shaken Ye Chuan in the slightest. Because of this, he realized Ye Chuan's cultivation might not be beneath his own.

And because of this, he toned down his earlier domineering attitude, appearing more amiable.

But he couldn't completely hide that air of superiority.

"You coming to me for business pleases me, but I didn't like your actions just now," Ye Chuan said lightly.

That one sentence caused Elder Qing Xuan's eyes to narrow, a hint of anger entering his tone.

"Oh? And what does Master wish to do? Would you have me apologize to those ants?"

"Take one strike from me, and we'll consider the matter settled. I'll also consider your invitation," Ye Chuan said.

Take one strike?

Elder Qing Xuan was taken aback, then suddenly let out a slight, derisive chuckle.

"Is that all?"

The cultivation technique Elder Qing Xuan practiced specialized in defense. If he didn't want to be injured, even an Ascension Realm cultivator might not be able to harm him in the slightest within ten breaths.

"So, are you ready?" Ye Chuan lifted his gaze, a pitch-black demonic sword appearing in his hand.

"Hmm?" Elder Qing Xuan immediately saw the black demonic sword in Ye Chuan's hand. For some reason, he couldn't sense the weapon's aura; it was as if shrouded in a mist.

Instinctive caution made him activate his body-protection technique. "Master, please make your move."

Ye Chuan made a casual slash. The demonic sword released an arc-shaped sword energy that swept straight towards Elder Qing Xuan.

Seeing the unremarkable black sword energy, Elder Qing Xuan realized he might have overthought things, even feeling a bit contemptuous.

It seems I thought too much. Someone who looks...

Before this thought could fully form in Elder Qing Xuan's mind, the black sword energy ignored his protective spells and directly pierced through his body!

What kind of bizarre power is this?!

Elder Qing Xuan was stunned. An intense pain erupted from his soul. He discovered his physical body was intact, but his soul had been severed?!

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A scream of agony nearly filled the entire shop.

Outside the door, Xuanye and Xuan Yan gritted their teeth and rushed in, only to find the previously boastful Elder Qing Xuan sprawled on the ground, his body convulsing incessantly.

Meanwhile, Ye Chuan, sitting not far away, shook his head and said,

"Couldn't even take one strike. Weak."