Yet Yi Chen had actually called them "old fossils." Although they all understood what the term meant, they still could not stomach it-especially before the clan's senior figures, whose standing was second only to the clan head's. They could tolerate his insult to their status even less.
Yi Chen said gently, "I think we should be able to work together, shouldn't we? Look, Yu Yuanzhen is dead, and your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is in crisis. Isn't it only natural for me to lend a hand at a time like this?"
The old man gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Hmph, don't think we don't know what you're plotting..."
Yi Chen's strength had indeed cowed him just now, but he was unwilling to compromise. "Boy, we're one of the Upper Three Sects, and our clan has plenty of experts. You alone? Heh heh, I'm afraid you're nowhere near enough."
Yi Chen frowned slightly and slowly withdrew his hand. He said calmly, "Oh? I don't want to fall out with your clan, but can you guarantee that you can protect Yu Yuanzhen?"
Yi Chen smiled. "So, let's cooperate! I guarantee Yu Yuanzhen will be safe and sound!"
The old man said grimly, "How will you guarantee that? What are your conditions?"
Yi Chen looked at him flippantly. "My conditions? I want all your clan's businesses. And your cultivation manuals, too... Of course, I also want to learn your clan's arts. I've already had a taste of your skills. Do you think there's anything else I need?"
The old man's face turned livid again. He said hoarsely, "You're indulging in delusions... Do you even know what you're saying?"
Yi Chen waved a hand lightly and said, "Rest assured, I certainly won't harm your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. As for these conditions of mine, I think you can agree to them. After all, your clan is facing an enormous catastrophe right now."
The old man fell silent. Yi Chen was right: the clan was facing an enormous challenge,
and he seemed to have already glimpsed how it would end. Without fresh reinforcements, the clan would likely be destroyed. How, then, could the glory of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan endure?
So he bit his lip hard and declared, his voice seething with murderous intent, "Then I'll just have to get rid of you!"
With that, he suddenly stomped toward Yi Chen, his powerful aura sweeping over him like a wave that blotted out the sky.
Grinning, Yi Chen flicked a finger. The old man felt an immense, inexplicable force slam into his chest. He gave a muffled grunt, staggered back two steps into the corner, and collapsed to the floor in a wretched heap. His eyes bulged, and his dark-skinned face turned purplish-black.
Yi Chen shook his head. "With skills like yours, how do you dare trade blows with me? Ah, I really don't know how your clan teaches its people. You can't even withstand half my power."
The old man rose with an angry roar and glared venomously at Yi Chen. "I'll make you pay. Once my companions arrive, I'll make you wish you were dead."
Yi Chen sighed. "I truly pity you. Is everyone in your clan a stupid, ignorant, stubborn old monster like you, too set in their ways to see reason? Can't you be a little smarter? Hmm, perhaps you could open up your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's treasury, and we could tally things up and see how much profit there is to share?"
The old man stared blankly at Yi Chen. After a moment of stunned silence, he began screaming wildly, "No... No! I won't let you defile the wealth passed down by our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon ancestors. Absolutely not! You despicable, shameless scoundrel... You want to plunder our clan's wealth? You're utterly shameless!"
Yi Chen shrugged and said indifferently, "I'm merely asking whether you can bring out your clan's so-called precious treasures. If you can't bear to part with them, I'll have to take them myself. Surely your clansmen won't stop me? I can assure you that if you refuse my request, then... heh heh..."
An evil smile spread across Yi Chen's face. "Then everyone in your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will die, except your heir. Do you think I need to spare a thought for the other ordinary people in your clan?"
The old man's eyes instantly turned blood-red. With a sudden furious shout, he drew a longsword from his waist and charged at Yi Chen.
Yi Chen sneered and thrust out a finger. The old man let out an agonized howl and was sent flying, crashing through a wall and bringing it down.
Yi Chen said coldly, "I hate fools like you most of all. Since your clan has no experts, just obey me meekly. Otherwise, I really will slaughter everyone in your clan."
The old man stared at Yi Chen in horror. This was the first time he had realized just how formidable Yi Chen was. A single finger had defeated him. Such strength was already beyond his comprehension. He muttered, "How is this possible?"
Yi Chen smiled faintly. "Nothing is impossible. If your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan truly stands on the brink of destruction, then there must be many among you who hope to escape its shackles. But as long as your clan still exists, how could its people willingly allow themselves to be stripped of all their power?"
The old man sank dejectedly to his knees like a deflated ball and wept helplessly. "Then... then what exactly do you want us to do? Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon lineage is an ancient clan with over a thousand years of history. We will not betray our own clan."
Yi Chen nodded. "Of course I know your clan has over a thousand years of history. But you should also know that your strength has declined to its lowest ebb. You cannot possibly maintain the power you possessed in your days of glory. In that case, what right does your clan still have to be proud? If your clan doesn't want to be exterminated, you must do as I say."
Yi Chen took out a pen, slowly wrote up a contract, and pushed it toward the old man. "You can think it over. If I were you, I would certainly sign it. I believe your clansmen definitely won't mind suffering losses to their interests, either."
Trembling, the old man took the contract and scanned it intently. Suddenly, he roared, "You bastard! Don't even dream of seizing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's legacy. I'm telling you, we will never let you succeed!"
Yi Chen sighed and shook his head, then lightly brought his palm down on the old man's crown. His entire body turned into a cloud of ash and dispersed, leaving a faint fragrance in the air. Clearly, he was utterly and completely dead.
Smiling, Yi Chen waved a hand. A wisp of flame shot from his palm and instantly consumed the remains inside the house.
Yi Chen said softly, "What a nuisance. Whatever else happens, I still have to destroy the body and erase the evidence, don't I? Hmm? You useless lot... You never imagined it, did you? Your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is nearing the end of the road... Tsk, tsk. Does your clan really still have enough money and pills to raise even stronger Soul Masters?"