The three protectors

At those words, the veins on Murong Fengchen's forehead bulged, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

Right then, he wished he could slap Yang Linna to death. This damned bitch was still making an unreasonable fuss when things had already come to this. Had water gotten into her brain?

"Miss Linna, stop making a fuss for now. Once this is over, you can go back and talk it through!" Chen Yunfei urged from beside them. They also knew this was no place for an argument.

"Making a fuss? Are you saying I'm being unreasonable?" Yang Linna's eyes widened as she glared at Chen Yunfei and spat viciously. "Uh... no, that's not what I meant..." Her words left Chen Yunfei choking, and he stammered for ages without managing a coherent explanation.

"You stinking men are all the same, standing here making snide remarks. One boy scared you into this state. What a bunch of use-" Smack! Smack! Before she could finish, Murong Fengchen swung his hand back and delivered two slaps, cutting her off.

"Try spouting nonsense again. See if I don't cut out your tongue!" Murong Fengchen said coldly.

"I..." Yang Linna clutched her burning cheeks, tears of grievance spilling from her eyes as she cried, "You actually dared to hit me! Have your feelings changed?"

"If you don't shut up, I'll slaughter you right now!" Murong Fengchen barked.

Yang Linna was frightened into silence. She had never seen such a savage expression on Murong Fengchen's face.

"All right, all right, Brother Murong. Miss Linna is a woman, after all. She needs to save face in public too. Don't be so fierce..." Chen Yunfei and the others soothed him, looking toward Yang Linna as they spoke.

Yang Linna immediately composed herself and walked pitifully behind Chen Yunfei to hide, even deliberately stroking his thigh. It startled him into a shudder.

"Huff, huff!" Murong Fengchen panted heavily. After steadying his emotions, he looked toward Di Chen above the arena.

While Murong Fengchen was not paying attention, Yang Linna whispered into Chen Yunfei's ear, "Thank you for helping me out, Young Master Chen!" Then she stroked his thigh again.

Chen Yunfei immediately felt something like an electric shock. He then reached back and returned the caress. Behind them, Ye Tianchuan and the others saw their little gestures and exchanged meaningful glances, playful smiles curling their lips...

In the distance, the four great lineages saw the masked youth and thought of the boy at the Supreme Tomb three years ago who had also turned Heavenly Moon City upside down.

They already vaguely suspected that this was the same person. Fortunately, Fang Jiang had long since passed out; otherwise, he would probably have been scared out of his wits.

After all, back then, Fang Jiang had called Di Chen a country bumpkin at every turn and wanted to kill him...!

Back on Di Chen's side...

Gu Li looked at the two of them, coughing incessantly and spitting out large amounts of clotted blood.

Fear appeared in his eyes as he demanded in a deep voice, "Just who are you?"

Di Chen ignored Gu Li. He simply stood quietly in the air with his hands behind his back, looking coldly at Li Yunxiao. Then he removed his mask and said indifferently, "Li Yunxiao, do you still remember me?"

His voice was calm, as though he were recounting something insignificant, without the slightest fluctuation of emotion. It was nothing like a reunion between old friends; instead, they seemed somewhat like strangers.

The instant Di Chen removed his mask, Li Yunxiao's pupils abruptly contracted, and towering flames of fury burst from his eyes.

He recognized Di Chen and knew him very well, because the person before him had killed his son and daughter and even driven him into a desperate corner. He had once tried every means to avenge that blood feud, yet had never succeeded.

Seeing his shocked expression, Di Chen could not help laughing contemptuously, as though mocking and humiliating him. He said arrogantly, "Heh... I came to find you to give you a chance to take revenge!"

Upon hearing Di Chen's words, Li Yunxiao flew into a rage. His fists clenched, fury blazed in his eyes, and a surge of sky-piercing Sha Qi erupted, sweeping through the surroundings.

He stared fixedly at Di Chen and said icily, "I rather admire your nerve, storming into the Domain Lord's Manor with just two people. But let me tell you, this isn't a place where any stray cat or dog can run wild! If you want to die, I'll oblige you to the very end!"

"Is that so? Have you forgotten how I chased you through Heavenly Moon City back then, sending you scurrying like a rat with your hands over your head? And your son and daughter died at my hands. Are you sure you're qualified to challenge me?" Di Chen sneered.

The moment Di Chen removed his mask, the entire martial training ground fell silent. The previously noisy discussions vanished completely, until a falling pin could have been heard. Everyone held their breath and stared at Di Chen in horror.

"Hiss-!"

Those who recognized Di Chen sucked in cold breaths, fear showing in their eyes as their whole bodies trembled, shaking like chaff in a sieve.

"Heavens! It's him! It's actually this god of slaughter!"

Some who did not recognize Di Chen heard the startled cries and questioned the people beside them in confusion.

"Don't you know? Three years ago, this man single-handedly killed City Lord Li's son and daughter, and even instantly killed the Tang Lineage's third brother. In the end, City Lord Li fled in panic. He could already crush a Great Saint three years ago, and three years later, he severely wounded a Supreme with a single move. What a monster! It's terrifying! To possess such strength at such a young age, the power behind him must be far from ordinary."

Even Li Feng, Chen Yunfei, and the others felt their hearts quake violently. Their gazes toward Di Chen were filled with reverence, and even traces of fear...

On the platform, Zi Yan and the others exchanged glances, all looking stunned.

We must win this person over at any cost, both of them thought.

"Hmm? Li Yunxiao! Do you have any other helpers? Go ahead and call them out! But don't bother calling the kind that lie on the ground like dead dogs. I disdain fighting ants!" Di Chen looked at Li Yunxiao and pointed at Gu Li as he spoke indifferently. His tone was as placid as water, yet it made people's hair stand on end, as though he did not take Li Yunxiao seriously at all.

"Arrogant! Since when could some wet-behind-the-ears brat challenge our Domain Lord's Manor? You truly don't know the height of heaven or the depth of earth!" Suddenly, a majestic, cold snort came from within Heavenly Moon Hall. Then ripples spread through the void, clearly heralding the arrival of a powerful being.

Three black-robed elders strode out through the hall doors, their mighty presence like mountains, enveloping the entire martial training square. He was burly, dressed in black robes, with a gaunt face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. A ring of hazy white mist surrounded his body.

Seeing the three black-robed figures appear, Li Yunxiao hurried forward and cupped his hands. "My respects to the three protectors!" He had also been intimidated by Di Chen's domineering manner just now, but now that he had someone to rely on, his back straightened, and his usual arrogance and overbearing manner returned.

"Protectors, you've come at just the right time. This brat is far too insolent. He actually holds the Domain Lord's Manor in contempt and disrupted the competition. Please hurry and teach him a lesson!" Li Yunxiao said.

One of the black-robed men fixed a sinister gaze on Di Chen and said icily, "Where did a blind fool like you come from, daring to run wild in our Domain Lord's Manor? Today, I'll cripple all your cultivation and make sure you can never rise again!"

The other two protectors also looked coldly at Di Chen, intense killing intent rising from their bodies.

Di Chen snorted coldly. "Just you three old dogs? Still, I'd like to experience your brilliant moves. I hope you won't disappoint me too much!" His tone was calm, as though he did not take the three elders seriously at all.

He had remained neither sorrowful nor joyful throughout, and even at this moment when life and death hung in the balance, that had not changed. Such a disposition made people praise him inwardly. He truly was no creature destined to remain in a pond; sooner or later, he would soar like a dragon through the nine heavens. Seeing this, Zhang Yu's face lit up with excitement on the platform.