"Inviting me?" Shen Ye narrowed his eyes. After pulling off that job at the Green Emperor's Tomb four years ago, he had entered the Fire Domain directly and knew little about the turmoil outside.
The Jiang Family knight at the head repeatedly nodded. "The family head once said that you two possess peerless talent and asked us to let the young talents of our Jiang Family get to know you better!"
"I see." Shen Ye nodded slightly. Naturally, he would not grow complacent merely because the head of an Ancient Desolate Family admired him. Instead, he considered the deeper meaning behind it.
He did not believe that the dignified head of an Ancient Desolate Family had gone to such lengths to find him after hearing of his exploits merely to foster friendship among the younger generation.
Could he be trying to use this opportunity to probe the force behind me? After pondering briefly, Shen Ye agreed. "Since the Jiang Family head has extended such a sincere invitation, I'll go with you."
Four years ago, he certainly would not have put himself in danger.
But now, setting aside the Immortal Fire Mark protecting him, the Crow Daoist alone would be difficult for the Jiang Family to handle without deploying imperial weapons or their hidden foundations.
"That's wonderful! The family head will surely be delighted when he hears this!" The lead knight heaved a sigh of relief and could not help thinking, This lord is much easier to talk to than the rumors said!
The Jiang Family's Pure Land.
The Northern Region was blanketed by snow all year round, its red earth frozen over. Yet within this Pure Land, spring reigned in every season. Spiritual springs bubbled, rosy clouds gleamed, colorful mist rose, and the place resembled a sacred immortal paradise.
The knight captain sent his subordinates to notify the clan elders while he personally led the three of them into the sacred Pure Land.
"To the left is the Spirit Plant Garden, where the family cultivates Spirit Medicine. Any Spirit Medicine from this garden would draw countless experts into contention if taken outside. Ahead is our Jiang Family's Martial Arts Arena—vast, boundless, and indestructible. Even the Grand Elders have fought upon it..."
The knight captain was introducing the sights proudly when a sudden questioning voice came from beside him. "Jiang Fan, who are they?"
Jiang Fan turned and saw an arrogant-looking youth riding a blue exotic beast. It resembled a lion-tiger hybrid, with a jade horn growing from its head. It looked quite extraordinary.
"Young Master Yichen!" Jiang Fan immediately put on a respectful expression and explained, "Demonic Power was soaring outside the Pure Land, so I took men out to investigate. We encountered these people on the way..."
"Hmph! You dared bring such shady people into the family? I think you've gone mad!" Jiang Yichen shouted before Jiang Fan could finish. Yet his gaze drifted, seemingly unintentionally, toward the Crow Daoist. The treasure is on that old geezer!
His mount could sense spiritual treasures and divine objects. The moment these three entered the Pure Land, the Spirit-Communicating Jade Horn of his Five-Colored Exotic Beast began flashing colorless light without pause—exceptionally bright and dazzling. Clearly, some great treasure had appeared!
Although his grandfather was a mighty expert and he himself possessed countless treasures, anything capable of making the Five-Colored Exotic Beast emit such light was certainly no ordinary item!
Jiang Fan hurriedly explained, "It isn't like that. They are guests personally named by the family head!"
"The family head?" Jiang Yichen was startled, then grew serious. "What exactly is going on?"
Jiang Fan replied, "After the Demon Emperor's Tomb incident four years ago, didn't the family head say that he wished to invite two young prodigies to visit the family? These are those two young prodigies!"
"So it's them!" Jiang Yichen was somewhat surprised. He had heard that rumor as well. After all, the family head had praised them so highly that it was impossible for him not to know.
Jiang Yichen's eyes darted about. Did the family head make such a fuss looking for them because he already knew they possessed a great treasure? It seems I must get my hands on it before the family head arrives!
His gaze swept across the group, and he laughed outright. "You vanished for four years, only to advance from the Other Shore to the Dao Palace? And you call yourselves peerless geniuses?"
Shen Ye did not get angry. He merely asked calmly, "Do you want to fight?"
He could see it now: being blessed by fortune did not come without aftereffects!
When one's fortune was abundant, one became the center of events!
In simpler terms, it was a Trouble Magnet Constitution!
Jiang Yichen froze. He had indeed wanted to provoke the other party into fighting, but he had not even provoked him yet! Or had his taunting skills become so powerful that he was unaware of it?
Besides, while he could not compare to that monster Jiang Yifei, he was still a top-tier genius who had broken through to the Four Extremities Secret Realm in his early twenties.
What gave a first-layer Dao Palace cultivator the courage to challenge him?
But he soon noticed Hua Yue beside Shen Ye, her face as cold as frost, and said nonchalantly, "Fighting is fine, but you need to make clear whom you want to fight!"
He was confident, but not confident enough to compare himself with someone who could slaughter Four Extremities cultivators like chickens and dogs four years ago. Better to play it safe!
"I don't mind." Shen Ye smiled. "If you want to fight, pick any one of the three of us!"
The Crow Daoist was speechless. This little fellow would not pick him, would he?
He had no scruples, but bullying such a brat would still be rather embarrassing!
"Then I choose you!" Jiang Yichen relaxed and said in a pretentious manner, "Since we're fighting, it would be more interesting to wager something. How about this? The winner may take any one item from the loser!"
He had deliberately played a word game. He had said the winner could take an item from the loser, which meant that if he defeated this trash, he could still take the treasure from that old fellow!
Shen Ye nodded. "Fine. But if I win, I won't take any of your belongings. I only want to borrow your Jiang Family's domain gate."
"Borrow the domain gate?" Jiang Yichen paused in surprise, then agreed.
Though he was only from the younger generation, his grandfather was an absolute mighty expert. He still had the authority to arrange the use of a domain gate.
"If there are no other issues, let's go to the Martial Arts Arena!" Jiang Yichen urged, worried that the family head might appear at any moment.
Below the Martial Arts Arena, many younger members who had rushed over after hearing the news gathered together.
"Brother Yichen is actually going to duel someone? Is his opponent the young master of some great sect?"
"No idea. I heard he's just a first-layer Dao Palace youth!"
"A first-layer Dao Palace cultivator? Let's go, there's nothing to see. The fight will definitely end in one move!"
Listening to the flattering voices below the stage, Jiang Yichen waved his hand magnanimously. "You attack first. Your cultivation is weak, and you are a guest, so I'll give you ten moves!"
"Give me ten moves?" Shen Ye's smile turned strange. "Then I'll save the remaining nine for later!"
"Save them? What does that mean?" Jiang Yichen was still puzzled when, before he could react, an unstoppable force struck him in the stomach.
In that instant, he felt as though a Barbarian Race war elephant had slammed into him head-on. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he was sent flying several miles away!
The entire arena fell silent!
A first-layer Dao Palace cultivator sending a first-layer Four Extremities cultivator flying like that—no one could act it out to such an extent even in a performance!
"What's going on? Is Brother Yichen messing with us?"
"He must be! That guy never even moved!"
"Haha! Brother Yichen's acting is so convincing. He scared me!"
"Brother Yichen flew away so fast! Before I could even react, he was already on the horizon. Could it be some supreme movement technique passed down by his mighty-expert grandfather?"
Listening to the discussions around her, Jiang Caixuan felt cold all over. As a genius whose aptitude surpassed even Jiang Yichen's, she naturally knew his level. He could not possibly possess such movement techniques—he had been completely struck away!
Then she saw Shen Ye leisurely retract his outstretched index finger.
Jiang Caixuan's heart shook violently as an unbelievable answer surfaced in her mind. Could it be that he did not defeat Jiang Yichen and then swiftly return to his original spot? Could it be that he never moved at all, and merely struck the air with his index finger to send Jiang Yichen flying?
Before you continue