Arrogant and Overbearing

Chapter 38: Arrogant and Domineering

Three figures appeared silently in mid-air.

The one who spoke was a young man dressed in luxurious, embroidered robes.

He was tall and well-built, but his face was covered in mottled silver scales. With a lion-like mouth, a broad nose, and thick, bushy eyebrows, he was hideous to behold. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, casting a faint glance at the group below before turning his gaze toward the severed Yin Corpse head lying to the side, a smile curling his lips.

Beside him stood two women.

Chen Lin and the others felt their hearts sink. Of the three, the two women were of no consequence, both merely lingering at the late stage of the Xiantian Realm. However, the man's aura was unfathomably deep; they couldn't sense his cultivation level at all. Yet, judging by his tone, he was an expert who had emerged from the heart of the Demon Prison—he had to be a disciple in the Sea Opening Realm!

"Heehee, these disciples are actually quite capable, managing to kill a ghost that had just stepped into the Sea Opening Realm. Senior Brother Jiang Yue, are you really going to give that Yin Corpse Fire Seed to me?" one of the women beside the man suddenly giggled. She was clearly the Junior Sister Lan Xin whom the man had mentioned.

This Junior Sister Lan Xin was quite attractive. Dressed in a vibrant, revealing gown, her soft shoulders and a good portion of her bosom were exposed to the air. Like a boneless snake, she leaned half her body against the man's shoulder, whispering sweet, cloying words into his ear while her eyes darted toward the Yin Corpse head below, flashing with delight.

"Heh heh, naturally. I only just stepped into the Sea Opening Realm a few days ago, so this Yin Corpse Fire Seed is of little use to me. It's only right that I give it to you, Junior Sister." Being teased by the woman's orchid-scented breath, Senior Brother Jiang Yue felt his lust surge. His hands grew restless, roaming over her body as he made his promise.

Beside them, the other woman, who was slightly less attractive, felt a flash of gloom. Her eyes held a trace of deep jealousy and resentment as she looked at Lan Xin, but she quickly smoothed her expression into a charming, smiling mask.

The three of them descended from the air while talking, deciding the fate of the Yin Corpse Fire Seed as if it were already their property. They treated Chen Lin and the others as if they didn't exist, which naturally caused the expressions of Chen Lin's group to darken completely.

"Oh? There's actually a female disciple here with decent looks."

As soon as Senior Brother Jiang Yue touched the ground, his gaze swept over the area and immediately locked onto Han Shuitong, who was standing not far away. A hint of surprise and lechery flashed across his face.

"You, you're quite pretty. Come with me in a moment."

Han Shuitong's expression shifted slightly at these words. She remained silent for a moment, then a charming smile bloomed on her face. Covering her delicate red lips, she swayed her slender waist with a graceful, rhythmic gait, walking toward the man and coming to a stop behind him.

Seeing this, Senior Brother Jiang Yue nodded in satisfaction.

"Kid, go and pick up that Yin Corpse head for me."

The man then glanced at Situ Kong and the others, finally jutting his chin at Chen Lin without a shred of courtesy, pointing at the Yin Corpse head nearby as he gave his cold command.

His tone was that of a high-and-mighty emperor, ordering his servants about with arrogant disdain.

Chen Lin stared at the man, his face dark as a thundercloud. He understood perfectly: what this man wanted was the Yin Corpse Fire Seed inside the head—the very reward that Situ Kong and the others had promised him for this mission.

"Hmm? What kind of look is that? You dare glare at me!"

Seeing that Chen Lin didn't move, the man's eyes turned icy, and a powerful, chilling pressure surged toward Chen Lin.

Thud, thud, thud!

Caught off guard, Chen Lin was forced back three steps by the sheer weight of the pressure. He then channeled all his strength, bracing his body like a reef in the ocean, refusing to be moved any further.

"Oh? You've got some skill. No wonder you dared to look at me with such disrespect. Heh heh, these registered disciples are getting bolder by the day. I'll just have to dig your eyeballs out myself and see what you use to glare at me then!"

Senior Brother Jiang Yue's eyes flickered. With a cold sneer, he patted the woman leaning on his shoulder, signaling her to step aside. Then, with his hands behind his back, he began to walk slowly toward Chen Lin.

Seeing this, the two women beside Senior Brother Jiang Yue wore expressions of excitement and cruelty. Han Shuitong, however, sighed softly; a flicker of pity crossed her eyes as she looked at Chen Lin, but she quickly returned to her usual cold, detached observation.

"Heh heh."

In the distance, Liu Han, terrified of being implicated, had long since retreated. He watched the scene with cold eyes. Since the Yin Corpse Fire Seed was meant for Chen Lin anyway, he wouldn't have received it regardless. Seeing Chen Lin about to meet a miserable end, he felt no sympathy; instead, a look of schadenfreude appeared in his eyes as he crossed his arms, waiting to watch Chen Lin's downfall.

Situ Kong's expression was a mix of uncertainty and struggle. Finally, gritting his teeth, he braced himself and blocked the man's path. Bowing slightly and cupping his hands, he said, "Senior Brother Jiang Yue, I am Situ Kong of the Underworld Spring Branch. This is my fellow branch disciple, Chen Lin. He has only recently attained human form and is unfamiliar with the rules of the Myriad Demon Sect. I beg you to show me a little face..."

Slap!

Before Situ Kong could finish, the man lashed out with a strike through the air. Situ Kong let out a miserable cry as he was sent flying three yards to the side. He spat out blood and shattered teeth, his left cheek swelling up instantly, looking utterly wretched.

"Face? What are you? What kind of face do you have to block my path? The Underworld Spring Branch? Heh heh, that's just a branch of trash, and the disciples inside are all trash too!"

The man curled his lips into a cruel smile. He continued walking slowly with his hands behind his back like an emperor on a stroll, his voice frigid.

Chen Lin's face was grim. He moved quickly to Situ Kong's side and helped him up.

"Brother Chen, I've embarrassed you..."

Situ Kong spat out the remaining tooth fragments. He didn't dare show a shred of resentment in his eyes, only a bitter smile as he whispered to Chen Lin, "The situation is stronger than the man. Just hand over the Yin Corpse head. As for the loss of the Fire Seed, I will naturally provide some compensation; I won't let you suffer a loss. Remember, be humble. Bow your head and apologize to that Senior Brother. Given his strength and cultivation, if you apologize, he likely won't make things too difficult for you... Remember, in the Myriad Demon Sect, without strength, you can only be trampled underfoot!"

"Haha, well said. In the Myriad Demon Sect, without strength, you can only be trampled underfoot."

To everyone's surprise, Senior Brother Jiang Yue had heard every word of Situ Kong's hushed advice. He laughed heartily and stopped in his tracks. Looking at Situ Kong with interest before turning his gaze to Chen Lin, he sneered, "A mere ant, yet you dare to offend me. This is the Demon Prison; the Myriad Demon Sect forbids killing, but here, who cares about the deaths of a few registered disciples? What this kid just said touched my heart, so I'll give you one more chance."

"Go pick up the Yin Corpse head, kneel down, and offer it to me with both hands. Then, slap your own face. I'll tell you when to stop, and you will keep slapping until I'm satisfied. Do you hear me?"

Chen Lin pressed his lips together tightly, his fingernails digging into his palms.

Situ Kong, however, looked relieved. Despite his shattered teeth making his voice tremble, he forced a smile. "Thank you for your mercy, Senior Brother Jiang. Brother Chen, what are you waiting for? Do as Senior Brother Jiang says!"

Chen Lin remained silent for a moment, then suddenly nodded with a smile. He looked at Situ Kong and said softly, "Brother Situ, you stood up for me just now; I will keep that in mind."

With that, Chen Lin stood up and walked silently toward the spot, bent down to pick up the Yin Corpse head, and slowly walked toward Senior Brother Jiang Yue.

"Hmph, you're a sensible one. You registered disciples are as cheap as grass, easily crushed with a flick of a finger. This will be a profound lesson for you, to teach you that when your strength is low, you must keep a low profile in the Myriad Demon Sect. Heh heh!"

Seeing Chen Lin walking toward him with his head bowed in obedience, Senior Brother Jiang Yue sneered, his face filled with triumph.

Chen Lin kept his head lowered, his expression blank. His eyes were deep and bottomless, and in the depths of his cold, pool-like gaze, a pinprick of red light flickered, filled with an inexplicable meaning.

Finally, Chen Lin reached the man.

"Kneel!"

Seemingly enjoying the feeling of controlling others at will, Jiang Yue stood with his hands behind his back and spoke coldly.

Chen Lin remained silent and gave a quiet nod. He kept his eyes downcast, a color flashing in his gaze that no one could decipher. His knees began to move slowly, appearing as if he were about to kneel on the ground.

However, the very moment his knees touched the earth, a flash of cold, murderous light erupted from Chen Lin's eyes!