In the moments that followed, the area began to buzz with activity. Many couldn't help but steal furtive glances at the young man resting with his eyes closed in the corner. For a time, that corner became the most eye-catching spot in the entire vicinity.

It couldn't be helped. The young man, Chen Fei, Young Master Chen, had previously displayed a demeanor so shocking and imposing that they couldn't even begin to comprehend it. Deep in their eyes, there was even a touch of admiration.

Who was Luo Qinghai? Who was Elder Xiuu? Who was Kou Bin!?

They were the elite of the younger generation from the Celestial Group, which ranked second among the Four Departments of Capital City! One was among the most powerful elders in the Celestial Group! There was even the department head himself!

But even so, in the face of so many powerful figures—and on their home turf in the base of the Celestial Group, no less—Chen Fei, Young master Chen, had dared to be utterly unrestrained and arrogant. In front of everyone, he had slapped Luo Qinghai's face so hard it resounded with a series of SMACKS! What did this mean? What was he trying to prove!?

They truly couldn't fathom where Chen Fei found such confidence, that absolute certainty of victory. Had they forgotten that besides Luo Qinghai and the others, the Celestial Group still had a truly terrifying monster in its ranks? A monster who made even the elite youths of the Four Departments of Capital City feel utterly suffocated.

Yan Zhen!

He was the true foundation and reliance of the Celestial Group's younger generation, the very source of their pride! So even if that kid, Chen Fei, had acted dominant and powerful before, how could he possibly be a match for a monster like Yan Zhen? It was simply too unrealistic, completely impossible! After all, that monster was said to have just returned from that mysterious place.

「Half an hour later, in a secret chamber within the Celestial Group's main base」

Only two men were seated inside, both influential and highly regarded leaders within the Celestial Group. The man in the main seat was the current Group Leader, Kou Bin. Seated below him was the elder Chen Huaqin had sought for help, Yii Xiao. His rank as the fifth elder signified that his strength was the fifth-highest in the Celestial Group.

"Group Leader, are you serious!? Did that little bastard really say that to you?" Kou Bin had just finished recounting the recent events with a stoic expression, including the final words Chen Fei had left behind. Upon hearing them, Yii Xiao exploded in a furious rage. He cursed through gritted teeth, his face a ferocious mask. In his extreme anger, his wrinkled old face twisted into a repulsive grimace.

Initially, his pride had already been wounded. As the esteemed Fifth Elder of the Celestial Group, he had been insolently rejected by a greenhorn like Chen Fei, who had spouted such disrespectful words. He was already simmering with rage. To think that this little bastard would now dare to show up at their door, causing such a massive commotion and even telling him, Yii Xiao, to wash his neck and come out. Come out for what!? To be killed!?

Damn it all! Who the hell did he think he was, daring to be so insolent and arrogant within their Celestial Group!? And spouting such overconfident nonsense, with that dismissive, contemptuous attitude towards him, Yii Xiao—how could he not be utterly enraged!?

This was humiliation, pure and simple! How could a proud and distinguished figure like him, an Elder of the Celestial Group, be expected to swallow this insult and eat this loss? Moreover, Chen Fei clearly had no intention of letting him off; he had already come knocking!

And so, amidst his rage, he couldn't help the flicker of panic that surfaced deep in his eyes.

That little bastard… does he really have that much confidence, enough to treat me as nothing!? But how is that possible? I, Yii Xiao, am a legitimate and upright Peak Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist with a strength evaluation of ss+ Level! And that little bastard, even if he started cultivating in the womb, how old is he? Not even thirty, still wet behind the ears, not even fully grown! How could he possibly be my opponent!? What a joke!

At that moment, Kou Bin spoke with an impassive face. "Elder Yie, it's quite chaotic outside. If I'm not mistaken, after today's events, our Celestial Group might become the laughingstock of Forty-Nine City for some time."

Hearing this, Yii Xiao's face twitched. He quickly waved his hand and forced a smile. "Group Leader Kou, you must be joking. Our Celestial Group is at its peak. Why speak such ill-omened words?"

"Is that so?" Kou Bin's expressionless mouth twitched. His withered fingers tapped lightly on the table as he glanced outside before suddenly saying, "I just tried to engage with that kid. He's beyond reason, and there are no terms to negotiate. It's clear he's here to make trouble, which perhaps is tangled up in our prior relations with the Chen Family. But even Luo Qinghai, who just broke through to the Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist realm and achieved True Qi Condensation, couldn't last three moves against him. Elder Yie, do you understand what this implies?"

He paused briefly, but before Yii Xiao could respond, he continued, "It implies that the kid's strength has reached, at the very least, the level of a Peak Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist! That's an ss+ Rank! In other words, among our current younger generation, I'm afraid no one besides Yan Zhen is a match for him!"

"Then let Yan Zhen handle it! He can teach that little bastard a harsh lesson…" Yii Xiao immediately retorted, his face cold. But he froze mid-sentence, noticing that Kou Bin's expression had turned grim.

Kou Bin gave Yii Xiao a deep look and said slowly, "Elder Yie, what do you think Yan Zhen's status is now!? Do you think you can just order him to fight? Do you think you can tell him to teach someone a lesson!?"

"No, Group Leader Kou, I didn't mean that. It's just that he happens to be back from that place right now, doesn't he?" Yii Xiao's face paled slightly as he hastily explained. It was only then that he remembered Yan Zhen's status was different now. Likely, not even the Celestial Group that had nurtured him had the right to give him orders.

"Given Yan Zhen's current position and identity, he is not to intervene unless it is a dire, last-resort situation. That is the rule. Do you understand, Elder Yie?" Kou Bin stated icily.

In truth, Kou Bin was also angry. Even with Yan Zhen, they were not omnipotent, as his allegiance now lay elsewhere. Furthermore, this whole mess seemed to be something Yii Xiao had provoked privately, yet it had dragged the entire Celestial Group into it. With the matter now so troublesome and thorny, how could he possibly be at ease?

"Rules!?" Yii Xiao's expression flickered. After a moment, his face grew dark and sullen. "Then, Group Leader Kou, what are you suggesting?" He sensed an unspoken message in Kou Bin's words.

"My meaning? It's simple. Our Celestial Group ranks second among the Four Departments of Capital City. If we truly lose today, it will be a major disgrace. Therefore, my meaning is…" Kou Bin paused deliberately. "Since you have a feud with the boy, Elder Yie, you should be the one to face him personally. No matter what, the Celestial Group cannot lose face. Don't you agree, Elder Yie?"

"I should face him personally!?" Yii Xiao's expression changed drastically. He looked up at Kou Bin, his voice tinged with anger. "What do you mean by that, Group Leader Kou? Given my status and seniority, if word gets out that I'm bullying the young, where would I put my face!?"

Considering his status, his seniority, and especially his age, if he personally fought, he would be accused of bullying the younger generation. Win or lose, the rumors would bring him nothing but shame. Of course, this was said from the perspective that he was certain to win, worried only about gossip tarnishing his reputation. But what if he lost? What if Chen Fei defeated him?

That was unthinkable. It would be a complete and utter disgrace. Perhaps that was the real reason for his intense reaction. Did he truly believe his victory was assured? If so, what was there to fear?

"Where would you put your face?" Kou Bin suddenly sneered. "Elder Yie, forgive me for being blunt, but whose face is more important, yours or Yan Zhen's? Besides, this is your feud with the kid. Do you really think any other elder would be willing to step in for you and take on such a thankless task?"

His words laid the situation bare, leaving Yii Xiao speechless. Gritting his teeth, he stared at Kou Bin with a grim expression. "Fine. I know what to do. In that case, I will go and prepare." With that, he stood up and left the secret chamber.

Watching Yii Xiao's retreating back, the smile on Kou Bin's face gradually faded. He narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them. Just then, a dark figure appeared.

"It seems Elder Yie's heart is still with the Chen Family," the figure chuckled softly. A middle-aged man of about thirty stepped out from behind a slightly ajar door on the other side of the room. He wore an archaic black robe embroidered with a weapon resembling an ancient halberd. A wisp of eerie Youu Huo was depicted on its blade, unsettling to look at. He was an odd, peculiar sight.

"Yan Zhen, have a seat. You heard everything?" Kou Bin smiled upon seeing the man in the black robe.

So, he was Yan Zhen!?

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