Chapter 1253: I'll Take It Myself

What if we don’t give it?

Ye Chen’s words were ethereal, echoing endlessly across the heavens and earth.

That single sentence made all the reincarnated people of Da Chu in the ancient city draw their weapons.

Over the years, they had been oppressed and exploited, harboring deep resentment. Now, with Ye Chen openly challenging, they were ready to fight to the death. They weren’t afraid of the Tian Mo, so why fear Hua Long Zong?

At worst, they would die once more!

This was the general mindset of the reincarnated people as they prepared to fight at any moment.

Hiding your tail!

In the air, the black-robed middle-aged man from Hua Long Zong snorted coldly and reached down with his hand, grabbing toward Ye Chen.

But before he could reach Ye Chen, a golden fist shot up from below. Though it was a simple punch, it carried an invincible intent, dominating and fierce.

Thud!

Blood splattered as the black-robed man’s arm exploded on the spot, sending his entire body flying back until it crashed into a mountain peak eight thousand zhang away, collapsing it with a boom. By the time he hit the ground, he was lying in a pool of blood.

You...!

The purple-robed elder and the demonic young man from Hua Long Zong’s expressions suddenly changed.

In contrast, the reincarnated people of Da Chu were thrilled. Defeating a Quasi-Saint with one strike—what incredible power! Many looked dazed, as if they were seeing the former Grand Heavenly Court Saint Lord who once dominated the eight wastelands.

Ye Chen stepped out of the city lord’s mansion and soared upward, ascending into the void sky, his eyes still filled with icy intent.

Earlier, he hadn’t objected to Liu Neng paying the protection fee because Hua Long Zong deserved compensation for guarding Hua Fan Star. Money was just a worldly possession; he didn’t care about it. But when Hua Long Zong demanded that Liu Neng offer nine women, that crossed a line—it involved the reincarnated people of Da Chu.

Seeing Ye Chen approach, the purple-robed elder and the demonic young man both stepped back, warily eyeing him.

“Who are you?”

“Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that your words today have truly irritated me.” Ye Chen casually stretched his neck. “You want money, fine, but you also want people?”

“We... we’re just following orders.” The purple-robed elder and the demonic young man stepped back again.

“Then go back and tell your master that starting today, Hua Fan Star doesn’t need Hua Long Zong’s protection anymore,” Ye Chen said leisurely. “As for the protection fee, if you want it, have Hua Long old ancestor come in person.”

“You...”

“Leave your storage bags behind, and you can go,” Ye Chen cut them off directly.

“We’re from Hua Long Zong. Don’t push us too far.” The purple-robed elder and the demonic young man both shouted coldly. “If you provoke Hua Long Zong, all of you will die without a burial ground.”

“Not giving them up? Then I’ll take them myself!” Ye Chen instantly dashed to the purple-robed elder’s side.

“You...” The purple-robed elder’s face changed drastically as he tried to escape, but Ye Chen was faster. With a single slap, he sent the elder flying. The demonic young man on the side wasn’t spared either, getting knocked down by another palm from Ye Chen.

Soon, Ye Chen had grabbed the two storage bags—one from the purple-robed elder and one from the demonic young man.

“Good, very good.” The purple-robed elder and the demonic young man staggered to their feet, their faces twisted with malice.

“Get lost.” Ye Chen’s cold snort thundered like an ancient lightning bolt, making the void sky tremble.

“You’ll all face Hua Long Zong’s furious wrath!” The two snarled viciously before turning and fleeing, not forgetting to drag the half-dead black-robed elder with them.

“The Saint Lord is mighty!”

As soon as the three left, cheers erupted from below like crashing waves.

“Saint Lord, this...” Liu Neng, the city lord of the ancient city, frowned slightly as he looked at Ye Chen.

“I just asked the reincarnated people below—Hua Long Zong only has one Saint. We’re not afraid.”

“But that’s a Saint.”

“I’ve taken down Great Emperors before. Would I fear a single Saint?” Ye Chen smiled and turned back into the ancient city.

“That’s true.” Liu Neng scratched his head and followed.

“This act was spot-on.” As soon as Ye Chen came down, Situ Nan sidled up, one arm around Ye Ru Xue.

“Keep it low-key.”

“Brother, I’m rooting for you,” Situ Nan patted Ye Chen’s shoulder meaningfully.

“Brother, I’m rooting for you too,” Ye Chen replied, glancing at Ye Ru Xue beside Situ Nan. Under his gaze, Ye Ru Xue’s cheeks flushed a deep red, looking quite charming.

“I just love your style.” Long Yi showed up too, with one arm around Murong Miaoxin.

“Well, looks like another good catch has been snatched by a pig,” Ye Chen eyed Long Yi’s bald head and then Murong Miaoxin, sighing. Like Ye Ru Xue, Murong Miaoxin’s face was flushed, exuding a unique allure that came from being cherished.

“So what if I snatched her? What about it?” Long Yi said shamelessly, pulling Murong Miaoxin closer with a smug grin. “Go on, call me ‘uncle master’.”

“Get away from me.” Murong Miaoxin stomped hard on Long Yi’s foot, her cheeks turning red.

“Still playing shy.” Long Yi shrugged it off. “You’re his uncle master, and I’ve won you over, so he has to call me ‘uncle master.’ I take seniority very seriously.”

“You’re still talking?”

“Murong Miaoxin, do you mind if I beat this guy up?”

“Go ahead, don’t hold back for my sake.” Murong Miaoxin stepped back willingly.

“Hey, wife, you can’t do me like that.”

“Come here, you!” Ye Chen grabbed Long Yi and dragged him into a nearby tavern. Soon, bangs and crashes echoed from inside, followed by Long Yi’s miserable howls.

“Ye Chen, you bastard.”

“Keep cursing! And you want me to call you ‘uncle master’? Shameless!”

“Beat him to death!” Outside, Situ Nan shouted excitedly, looking ready to join in. This drew twitches at the corners of everyone in the city—who else was this eccentric?

After a while, Ye Chen emerged, sweating but with a huge satisfied grin on his face.

As for Long Yi, he didn’t come out. No need to guess—he’d been beaten beyond recognition.

Ye Chen acted like nothing had happened, smoothing his hair as he turned to Murong Miaoxin. “You’re not mad I roughed him up a bit? I have to admit, I went a little heavy-handed.”

“Better if you’d beaten him to death.” Murong Miaoxin glared toward the upstairs room.

“How about you don’t marry him and marry me instead? I’m pretty skilled in bed too.”

“Sure!”

“Cough...!” In the tavern, Long Yi, who had just gotten up, spat out a mouthful of blood.

“This time, he’s really hurt inside.” Situ Nan sighed, secretly giving Ye Chen a thumbs-up.

“Alright, enough fooling around. Let’s get serious.” Ye Chen glanced at Long Yi, then sent his voice echoing through the entire ancient city: “All reincarnated people, gather here. I’ll refine your bloodlines for you.”

“You got it!” People from all over the city flocked over, sitting cross-legged on the ground. Having their bloodlines refined by the Desolate Ancient Holy Body was a rare opportunity, a blessing accumulated over eight lifetimes.

Ye Chen didn’t start right away. First, he summoned a great divine ability to cover the entire ancient star with a secret technique.

Next, he set up a mountain-protecting barrier around the ancient city.

Only then did he stand in the center of the crowd. His immortal fire, heavenly thunder, and holy body essence flew out, transforming into a sea of fire, a sea of thunder, and a sea of stars that engulfed the thirty thousand reincarnated people. The energies surged into their bodies, forcefully tempering their bloodlines.

Ah!

Soon, groans of pain filled the air as cracking sounds echoed from everyone’s bodies.

Then came popping noises. During the bloodline refinement, many broke through their bottlenecks. Murong Miaoxin and Ye Ru Xue were the most astonishing, advancing directly from Quasi-Emperor to Emperor realm.

Long Yi finally stumbled out, his face all crooked and covered in footprints from head to toe.

He looked utterly disfigured, beaten so badly even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Ye Chen, looking ready to pounce and bite. Still trying to steal my woman? You must be out of your mind.

What a mess!

Ye Chen kicked Long Yi straight into the sea of fire and thunder, forcefully refining his overbearing bloodline as well.