"Hmph! How dare you run wild and cause trouble on our Celestial Group's territory?"

Just as the Earth Dragon's head, formed from the Mystic Stone Mirror, was about to swallow the petrified Luo Qinghai, a cold snort filled with a bone-chilling frostiness echoed through the air. In the next instant, a terrifying wave of True Qi seemed to surge from nearby, shattering the howling winds in the blink of an eye!

The earthy-yellow serpent materializing in mid-air was none other than the Low Grade Magic Artifact Chen Fei owned—the Mystic Stone Mirror. As his cultivation was now half a step from the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, the power this artifact could display was approaching its limit. It was a force that ordinary experts at the Innate Mid-stage Peak, or even those who had just entered the Later Stage of the Innate Realm, would find incredibly difficult to resist.

Yet now, the serpent formed by the Mystic Stone Mirror had been forced back. A flicker of surprise crossed the otherwise placid face of Chen Fei, and his gaze swept toward the withered old figure.

The man was clad in a loose black robe, with only a few dozen sparse, weed-like strands of hair on his bald head. His face was a mass of wrinkles, like old tree bark, and his eyes were disturbingly deep and frightening. This man was none other than the current Second Elder of the Celestial Group. Although his name had been lost to the river of time, the formidable power he possessed was unquestionable. At the very least, among Late Innate Ancient Martial Artists, he was certainly a preeminent figure.

"Hmph!"

As if everyone's vision blurred for a moment, the withered figure, the bald Second Elder of the Celestial Group, appeared beside the trembling and horrified Luo Qinghai. A powerful pressure, unique to a Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist, radiated outwards. His True Qi surged like a monstrous wave, causing the young members of the Central Guard Bureau in its path to pale. Their minds trembled violently, and they scrambled backward. Clearly, an oppressive aura of that magnitude was not something they could easily withstand.

Seeing this, Chen Fei's eyes flashed. A faint chill crossed his pitch-black, crystal-clear eyes as he stepped forward, shielding them. Instantly, a similarly formidable but ethereal and elusive aura materialized, completely blocking the incoming cold pressure.

"Hmm?"

In that moment, a strange light glinted in the Bald Second Elder's grim, withered eyes. He let out a soft exclamation, his face falling as his expression turned exceedingly gloomy and unpleasant. Then, the aura around him intensified, becoming heavy and oppressive. It felt as if a murky True Qi was stirring, blanketing the area. The air around him seemed to boil, and one could faintly hear the sound of cracking and clashing as two powerful forces began to collide.

"Young man, you've got quite the nerve," the Bald Second Elder of the Celestial Group said, his gaze fixed deeply on Chen Fei, his tone exceptionally cold.

He couldn't help his anger. This was the Celestial Group's territory, their main base, yet it was being overrun by an outsider—a wet-behind-the-ears brat barely in his twenties. As the acting Second Elder, how could he not feel enraged and humiliated? It's as if the very honor of our mighty Celestial Group is being trampled underfoot! A volcano of fury was erupting inside him.

The crowd erupted in hushed, shocked whispers.

"It really is the Second Elder of the Celestial Group! He actually appeared in person."

"I heard he reached the ss+ Peak thirty years ago. Who knows what terrifying heights he's reached by now."

"But for a leader and expert of his caliber to show up personally... don't you think that's a bit much?"

"Too much? Didn't you see? If he'd been a moment later, that kid would have crippled Luo Qinghai! It's unbelievable. True Qi Condensation and a Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist... with that combination, he could probably fight an ss+ expert, couldn't he? But look at him now."

"You're right. But that kid's fighting style... was that acrobatics? Or one of those Western Ability User techniques? Whatever it was, it was incredibly strange and shocking. What kind of power is that?"

The appearance of the Bald Second Elder of the Celestial Group had stunned everyone present. No one expected a leader of his stature to intervene. Was he afraid that monstrous kid would cripple or even kill Luo Qinghai? It made sense. Although Luo Qinghai was clearly inferior to that freak, when compared to the rest of them, he was still an exceptional genius. No one would want to lose such a talent.

"Quite the nerve? I've always had plenty of it; it's one of my strengths. Is there a problem?" Hearing the Second Elder's words, Chen Fei's lips curled into a faint, cold smirk as he replied nonchalantly. The Second Elder of the Celestial Group? He can't sit still over something this minor? He's far too petty.

"You..."

The Bald Second Elder's ancient eyes narrowed abruptly, filling with a smoldering indignation. "Do you have any idea who you are?" he said, his voice dripping with ice. "And do you know who I am? It seems you truly are fearless to speak to me this way!"

It was clear the Second Elder was genuinely furious. He held a lofty position even within the Celestial Group, a powerhouse that ranked second among the Four Departments of Capital City. His status was second only to the most powerful Great Elder and the few legendary ancestors. And yet now, a mere whelp like Chen Fei dared to hold his head high, adopting such an arrogant posture before him. He showed no respect, no understanding of hierarchy, and absolutely no intention of bowing his head and admitting his mistake! Encountering such an overconfident, ignorant, and insolent junior, how could he, a man of his noble station, not be enraged?

"Master, you must teach him a lesson! Help me get my revenge! It would be best to lock him up and destroy his cultivation!" Upon seeing Chen Fei dare to speak so brazenly to the Second Elder, Luo Qinghai, who had been frozen in a daze, snapped out of it with a jolt. He immediately fanned the flames while gloating internally.

This fool is courting death! How dare he act so arrogantly in front of my master, the dignified Second Elder of the Celestial Group! Who does he think he is?

Indeed, the Bald Second Elder was Luo Qinghai's master. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't be in this embarrassing situation. To have the master step in after the disciple was beaten in front of everyone... if the master was beaten, would the grandfather have to show up next?

"Heh. Your identity?"

At that moment, Chen Fei's lips curved into a smile, and his pitch-black, glass-like eyes shone with unconcealed mockery. "What does your identity have to do with me?" he asked disdainfully, looking straight at the elder. "Or do you think your authority extends to our Central Guard Bureau? That I should act according to your whims? Are you still dreaming?"

BOOM!

"Are you mocking me?"

An intimidating aura belonging to a preeminent Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist erupted like a sandstorm, causing everyone present to shrink back, their expressions changing dramatically. The Bald Second Elder's voice turned frigid as he glared daggers at Chen Fei.

This boy is unbelievably reckless and arrogant. Who does he think he is? If not for the prestige and deterrence of the Central Guard Bureau, I would have slapped him dead the moment I appeared. He had already suppressed his violent impulses and restrained his killing intent, yet he never imagined that this worthless whelp, this low-level member of the Central Guard Bureau, would be so audacious as to mock him in public.

Instantly, the malice and killing intent in the Bald Second Elder's ghostly eyes grew incredibly dense. He stared at Chen Fei and spat coldly, "Little bastard, kneel and beg for mercy right now, and I might spare you. Otherwise... heh heh..."

"Otherwise what? You'll turn around and leave?"

Chen Fei's retort nearly made the elder spit blood. His own eyes grew sinister as a glacial chill settled over them, his gaze fixed on the elder's withered frame. "Old bastard, if you have the guts, then stop yapping. I'm curious. If I beat an old windbag like you until you cry, will your grandfather pop out next?"

An uproar swept through the area. Faces twitched uncontrollably as a wave of shock went through the crowd. Even after witnessing Chen Fei's insolence firsthand, they couldn't believe he was daring enough to speak to the mighty Second Elder of the Celestial Group with such words and tone. Did he not fear the elder's wrath? If he attacked in a fury, wouldn't it all be over?

"You..." The Bald Second Elder's pupils contracted violently, his ancient, wrinkled face contorted with the extremity of his shock and rage. He simply could not fathom how this boy could be so audacious. Does this little bastard not want to live!?

"Heh, you have quite the nerve, Elder Xiu, picking a fight with a junior member of our Central Guard Bureau." Just then, a faint, cold chuckle sounded from nearby. Following the voice, several elders with impressive auras appeared, escorting Zheng Weiguo and Kou Bin, who had finally arrived. The one who had spoken was Zheng Weiguo.

As for Kou Bin, the leader of the Celestial Group, his expression was rather grim.

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