The Hong Family, as the backer of the Dongfang Family, would be ridiculed if they didn’t intervene now that the Dongfang Family was in trouble.
Moreover, Chen Chang'an was eyeing the Dongfang Family’s resources—resources that were regularly offered as tribute to the Hong Family.
A significant portion of the Hong Family’s endless supply of resources came from these subordinate families.
This was why many powerful families or factions maintained a network of vassal forces. The relationship was more of a mutual collaboration: one side provided protection, while the other supplied resources.
A disguised form of protection fees!
Chen Chang'an’s actions clearly threatened the Hong Family’s interests. How could they remain indifferent?
If they hadn’t known, that would be one thing. But since they were aware, they had to step in.
“You want to interfere in my affairs?”
“Do you really think you’re capable?” Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.
“Perhaps I’m no match for you, but don’t forget—behind me stands the entire Hong Family.”
“Don’t lump us together with the Dongfang Family.”
“Chen Chang'an, you’re strong and talented, but can you withstand an Immortal Emperor?”
“Let me remind you—the Hong Family has an Immortal Emperor-level powerhouse overseeing us.”
“Not just anyone can provoke us.”
“You’d better think carefully about the consequences.” Young Master Hong sneered, looking down on Chen Chang'an with disdain.
To the world, Chen Chang'an’s greatest strengths were his unparalleled cultivation talent and monstrous combat prowess.
But he had one glaring weakness—his background. No one had ever heard of him having any powerful backing.
His talent and strength had earned him many offers of alliance and goodwill, but no matter how much of a genius he was, until he truly grew into his power, he was still just an ant that stronger figures could crush at will.
At least, that was how Young Master Hong saw him.
So he felt no need to compromise or yield just because of Chen Chang'an’s reputation.
Standing above him now filled Young Master Hong with an indescribable thrill.
The top-ranked prodigies on the Heavenly Genius Ranking all had backgrounds he couldn’t afford to offend.
Yet here was the number one genius right in front of him—and he could still look down on him.
This kind of satisfaction was something Young Master Hong had never experienced before.
“Big brother, their family has an Immortal Emperor.”
“That means… they must have even better treasures, right?”
“This is a real big fish!” Da Huang said excitedly.
“Hmm, compared to the Dongfang Family, this one is indeed a big fish.”
“And one that delivered itself to us.”
“Seems like our luck is holding up.” Chen Chang'an nodded with a smile.
Originally, Chen Chang'an hadn’t been too impressed with the Dongfang Family’s resources, thinking this trip might be a waste of time.
But who would’ve thought a big fish would swim right into their net? The Hong Family, with an Immortal Emperor and numerous vassal forces, must possess resources far beyond what the Dongfang Family could offer.
Still just a grasshopper, but definitely a plump one.
“Chen Chang'an, what do you mean by that?”
“Are you looking down on my Hong Family?” Young Master Hong asked coldly.
“Isn’t it you who’s meddling in my business?”
“This is between me and the Dongfang Family. You’re the one who butted in.”
“Do you really think you can stop me?” Chen Chang'an replied with a grin.
“And do you think I can’t?” Young Master Hong retorted sharply.
Sigh.
Chen Chang'an shook his head helplessly. Since the other party was so eager, it would be rude not to oblige.
“Master of the Dongfang Family, what’s your choice?” Chen Chang'an asked.
Choice?
Hearing this, the Master of the Dongfang Family hesitated. Neither Chen Chang'an nor the Hong Family were opponents he could afford to provoke.
“Master of the Dongfang Family, what are you afraid of?”
“Do you really think our Hong Family would fear Chen Chang'an?” Young Master Hong demanded coldly.
“I wouldn’t dare!”
“But… Young Master Hong, a wise man knows when to retreat.”
“After all, the Hong Family’s Immortal Emperor isn’t here right now.”
“If Chen Chang'an were to act…”
The implication was clear—if Chen Chang'an struck now, none of them would escape. What good was being from the Hong Family if you were dead?
“Ahem!”
“Well, I’m just a bystander here.”
“Master of the Dongfang Family, I have matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”
“Young Master Chen, I’m not part of the Dongfang Family. May I go?”
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, the Master of the Wei Family wanted no part in this mess.
“Master of the Wei Family, have you forgotten our earlier discussion?” the Master of the Dongfang Family snapped.
“Master of the Dongfang Family, my apologies. Consider today’s meeting null and void.”
“Farewell!”
The Wei Family’s departure left the Master of the Dongfang Family livid. Was this the same man who had sworn to form an alliance through marriage?
Hmph!
At least his true colors were revealed now. If they had gone through with the alliance, he would’ve been unreliable anyway.
“Master of the Dongfang Family, there’s no need for such distress.”
“Even if he’s gone, the Hong Family remains.”
“Though our Immortal Emperor isn’t present, if anything happens to me, he’ll arrive in the shortest time possible.”
“By then, Chen Chang'an won’t escape.”
“I refuse to believe he’d take such a risk.” Young Master Hong said coldly.
Hearing this, the Master of the Dongfang Family felt somewhat reassured. Chen Chang'an didn’t strike him as a fool.
Would he really risk offending an Immortal Emperor just for resources? It wasn’t worth it.
“Chen Chang'an!”
“You heard it yourself—the Dongfang Family has the Hong Family’s backing.”
“We can pretend today’s events never happened.”
“Just return the resources you took and release Dongfang Yin.”
“Otherwise, think carefully about the consequences.” The Master of the Dongfang Family spoke firmly, emboldened by his newfound support.
Little did he know, an Immortal Emperor meant nothing in Chen Chang'an’s eyes.
Even if an Immortal Emperor couldn’t kill him, Chen Chang'an was confident he wouldn’t lose in a fight.
“Since you refuse the easy way, you’ll get the hard way.”
“Don’t blame me for being impolite.”
“I’ll take the resources—and your lives too!”
The moment these words were spoken, everyone’s expressions changed. Was Chen Chang'an really going to act? Did he truly not fear the pursuit of an Immortal Emperor?
Just as Chen Chang'an was about to strike, his brow suddenly furrowed.
“Hahaha!”
“What’s wrong?”
“Too scared to move?”
“I knew you were just bluffing!”
uld barely embark on the path to immortality. Just as he was on the verge of death, his golden finger awakened. No matter whether it was poison, drained blood and vital energy, diminished lifespan, or any other physical debuff caused by paying a price—once midnight passed, everything would be refreshed. From then on, whenever someone asked what kind of person Chu Ran was, the answer was simple: Forbidden arts that other cultivators dared not learn? Chu Ran would learn them. Prices that even demonic cultivators dared not pay? Chu Ran would pay them. Lifespan that even righteous cultivators dared not burn? Chu Ran would burn it. All the blood essence in his body? Take it. Want both his hands and feet? He would cut them off and send them to you. You say he’s finished? He wasn’t built to sit idle. You think he’s gone mad? No—he was simply waiting for midnight. From that day onward, Chu Ran would respect neither Heaven nor Earth, bow to neither gods nor ghosts. He had only one wish: For midnight to arrive a little sooner.
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
e school belle recognized by the whole school, a genius girl from the kendo club. She also has a hidden identity, the youngest legendary demon hunter. Chen Shuo just transmigrated and found himself turned into a weak, helpless little vampire. He was caught by Su Xiyen and taken home at the very beginning. Since then, Chen Shuo's life creed only had two items. "First, classmate Su Xiyen is always right." "Second, if classmate Su Xiyen is wrong, please refer back to item one." Many years later, Chen Shuo, who had turned back into a human, led a pair of twins to appear in front of all the vampires to share the secret of how he turned back into a human. "It's simple, I tricked a female demon hunter into becoming my wife!"
he colors of other people’s emotions. Light red meant anxiety. Gray meant exhaustion. Orange meant excitement. Yellow... meant repression. At the same time, he could gain unlimited control over one of those colors. Pale cyan: relaxation. Using this ability, he started offering “two-yuan hugs,” spending an afternoon exchanging emotional-color experiences with others. Then came his final female customer of the day— a girl whose emotional color was pure black... —— A week later, Xu Chuan had become skilled at using pale cyan—Relaxation—treating it like a bottle of menthol balm whenever he needed it. That was when he discovered he had unlocked another unlimited emotional color: Purple, the color of fear. So these emotional colors refresh every week? Fine, I take it back—I’ll never call you useless again... —— Much later, after Xu Chuan had accumulated countless emotional abilities, one night, he suddenly found himself inside someone else’s dream. There, he could use the emotional colors he possessed to paint. And in her dream, he painted her a shower of pink shooting stars, spreading across the depths of the night sky...
