Chapter 1491: A Favor

Ye Chen exited the cave with six Sheng Wang level Yin Ming Si Jiang trailing behind him. They stood tall and straight like spears, neatly lined up with vacant eyes.

He stepped into the void and gave an attack command to one of the Yin Ming Si Jiang, wanting to personally test the combat power of a Sheng Wang level one to get a feel for it.

The Yin Ming Si Jiang moved, shattering the sky with a single step and punching through the ethereal void. It even incorporated secret techniques and divine abilities on its own, making its power overwhelmingly dominant and its combat strength extraordinarily fierce.

Ye Chen countered with a sudden punch, gripping the sun, moon, heaven, and earth in his hand for a peak strike to confront it.

Their fists collided with a thunderous explosion, shaking space and causing it to crack inch by inch. Ye Chen was forced to stagger back over ten steps, each retreat shattering the void beneath his feet.

"Truly formidable," Ye Chen chuckled, then stopped the Yin Ming Si Jiang's attack. Although it couldn't match a real Sheng Wang cultivator, that single punch was enough to obliterate a Quasi Sheng Wang.

This was just a Sheng Wang level Yin Ming Si Jiang. If he refined one at the Da Sheng level, its power would be even greater.

Ye Chen gained more confidence. While the Kun Peng and Jin Wu clans were strong, he was prepared to confront them openly. He preferred a more subtle approach, and with so many Yin Ming Si Jiang at his disposal, it would be enough to make those two clans suffer.

He put away the Yin Ming Si Jiang and found a rock to sit on, waiting for Xiao Yuan Huang and the others to return.

After some time, figures appeared on the distant horizon. From afar, he could see it was Xiao Yuan Huang and his group, moving at incredible speed. In just a few instants, they arrived at the mountain range.

The six of them looked rather comical, each carrying a large sack on their shoulders, resembling thieves. They were all bruised and swollen, clearly having been beaten up.

"One hundred portions, not a single one more or less." They tossed down the storage bags, glaring at Ye Chen with dark expressions. "Do you have any idea how damn expensive the stuff you asked for is?"

"I offered to borrow money and buy it myself, but you wouldn't let me!" Ye Chen shook his head, acting completely nonchalant.

"Fine, we're impressed." They grumbled and cursed, though they couldn't help but want to laugh. The materials in those sacks could be sold for over nine million yuan stones, but they had chosen this option instead.

In the process, they got caught sneaking out from their families and were thoroughly beaten by their own fathers, nearly to death. They arrived with tears and snot streaming down their faces, cursing their dads for being so harsh.

"Don't worry, I'm not taking them for free." Ye Chen collected the materials and handed each of them a jug of wine. "I'll pay you back one day. This favor, the seventh brother here will remember it."

"Cut the crap. Tell us, what are you really up to?" They all stared at Ye Chen. This guy might act carefree, but when he got serious, he was downright terrifying.

"Naturally, something big." Ye Chen smiled leisurely. "Soon, I'll invite you to watch a grand spectacle. Consider it the interest on these materials. Just don't get blinded by it."

"Something big?" Xiao Yuan Huang and the others raised their eyebrows, clueless about what Ye Chen was planning.

"Whatever this big thing of yours is, it's bound to be earth-shattering." Kui Niu the elder said, handing Ye Chen a storage bag. "Here's nine million yuan stones. It's from us brothers. Spend it wisely and don't go wasting it everywhere."

"Thanks, big brother." Ye Chen smiled, accepted the yuan stones, and turned to step into the void. "As I said before, this favor, the seventh brother here will remember. One day, I'll repay it."

"Repay my ass." Xiao Yuan Huang snorted. "Just keep yourself alive, that's good enough for me."

"Boss, do you think the seventh brother is going to pick a fight with the Kun Peng and Jin Wu clans?" Bei Ming Yu looked at Kui Niu. "Given his temperament, he won't swallow this grudge. He's probably going to do just that."

"I really can't figure him out." Kui Niu took a deep breath, a meaningful glint in his eyes. "He didn't want us involved this time, probably because he doesn't want to put us in a tough spot."

Ye Chen left and headed to the nearest ancient city, using the teleportation array to go to the Kong Que family.

It was late at night when he sneaked into the Kong Que home and landed on the Kong Que mountain peak.

Kong Que Da Ming Wang appeared the next second, looking at Ye Chen with a strange expression, unsure how he had gotten in so stealthily that even he, a Quasi Emperor, hadn't caught it.

"Senior, I'm back again." Ye Chen smiled. "I hope I didn't startle you."

"Not startled, but your movement technique is on par with your ancestor's." Kong Que Da Ming Wang smiled warmly. "You're the first one after him to come and go from the Kong Que home as you please."

"I didn't want to disturb the others in the Kong Que family. I'm here this time to ask for your help, senior."

"Go ahead." Kong Que Da Ming Wang sat down. "If I can help, I will."

"It's not too difficult for you, senior." Ye Chen summoned a great cauldron and suspended it in front of Kong Que Da Ming Wang. "With your Quasi Emperor cultivation, could you help me refine this sword?"

"A Quasi Emperor weapon, the Fen Ji Sword." Kong Que Da Ming Wang narrowed his eyes, seemingly recognizing the Fen Ji Sword sealed in the cauldron. After a few seconds, he furrowed his brow and looked at Ye Chen. "The life weapon of Fen Ji old ancestor—why is it with you? This is a genuine Quasi Emperor weapon."

"In an ancient ruin, he tried to kill me, so I killed him." Ye Chen laughed casually.

"You killed a Quasi Emperor?" Even Kong Que Da Ming Wang, with his composure, was shocked. Though the ancient ruin suppressed cultivations, a Quasi Emperor reduced to Quasi Sheng level was still no ordinary foe to take down—their power was incredibly formidable.

What shocked him was that Ye Chen had actually done it, an absolutely heaven-defying feat.

He had no idea that if Ye Chen mentioned slaying the Tian Mo Emperor, Kong Que Da Ming Wang might faint from shock. That wasn't just an imperial law body—it was a real Great Emperor.

"Please help me with this, senior." Ye Chen bowed respectfully. "I have a great use for it."

Kong Que Da Ming Wang smiled kindly, set aside his astonishment, and reached out to grasp the Fen Ji Sword.

The Fen Ji Sword let out a resonant hum, radiating killing intent that made Ye Chen feel immense pressure, his face turning pale.

But for a Quasi Emperor like Kong Que Da Ming Wang, this pressure was negligible. Even if Fen Ji old ancestor himself came, he might not be a match, let alone his life weapon.

Kong Que Da Ming Wang proved his mastery, sealing the Fen Ji Sword and summoning immortal fire and heavenly thunder from Ye Chen's body to envelop it, targeting the powerful weapon spirit within the Quasi Emperor weapon.

Immediately, wails echoed from the sword, shrill and piercing. Ye Chen could see a twisted sword spirit trying to escape, but it couldn't break free from Kong Que Da Ming Wang's seal and was forcefully refined.

"You little one, consider this as owing me a favor." Kong Que Da Ming Wang continued refining the Fen Ji Sword while glancing at Ye Chen with a smile. "This debt, you'll have to repay it someday."

"Repay it, I definitely will." Ye Chen grinned. "If I can't, I'll have my ancestor do it."

"Better you repay it yourself!" Kong Que Da Ming Wang chuckled dryly. Mentioning Ye Chen's ancestor, Liu Dao, made him uncomfortable. That was one ruthless figure with a bizarre temper—quiet most of the time, but explosive when provoked, taking on anyone in sight.

He still remembered the chaos in Xuan Huang a thousand years ago, when Liu Dao raided the five forbidden zones one by one and walked out unscathed, leaving everyone stunned.

And five hundred years ago, no one knew what set Liu Dao off, but he left a pile of emperors doubting their existence, with those Quasi Emperors still in seclusion to this day.

"Senior, I have something to ask you." Ye Chen interrupted Kong Que Da Ming Wang's reminiscing. "In the Southern Domain, is there a powerful assassin organization that specializes in killings?"

"Why ask about that?" Kong Que Da Ming Wang raised an eyebrow and glanced at Ye Chen.

"I need them for something." Ye Chen smiled. "If you know, senior, please tell me."

"There is a powerful assassin organization." Kong Que Da Ming Wang didn't pry further and spoke slowly. "It's called Tian Mie. It's very mysterious and extremely strong. The major races in the Southern Domain don't dare provoke it lightly. Tian Mie's reputation is solid—they never fail. But their mission fees are extraordinarily high; only the exceptional can afford them."

"Tian Mie—what a fitting name." Ye Chen smiled on the surface, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

This was one of his plans: hiring assassins for murder. It was a solid strategy.

Though they might not handle the experts of the Jin Wu and Kun Peng clans, assassinating lower-level cultivators would be easy enough. If he struck, he'd make it count, no matter the cost.

Kong Que Da Ming Wang said no more and focused on refining the Fen Ji Sword, occasionally glancing at Ye Chen with a thoughtful look, wondering what this junior was up to—he sensed something big was brewing.

Ye Chen didn't notice Kong Que Da Ming Wang's meaningful gaze; he was deep in thought, carefully planning each step. After all, these were powerful races—he couldn't afford a single misstep that would ruin everything.

The wails from the Fen Ji Sword continued, but they had grown weaker, not as intense as before. Being refined by a Quasi Emperor of the same level, the weapon spirit stood no chance.

Ye Chen set aside his thoughts and watched quietly, pondering the Fen Ji Sword's might. It would surely cut through heaven and earth. With this Quasi Emperor weapon in the fight, his revenge would be like adding wings to a tiger.

After an hour, Kong Que Da Ming Wang stopped, waving his hand to send the Fen Ji Sword to Ye Chen. "It's still a Quasi Emperor weapon, but with the weapon spirit refined, its power is greatly diminished. If you use it, the effectiveness will be even more limited due to your realm's constraints."

"Thank you, senior." Ye Chen grinned eagerly, gripping the Fen Ji Sword and letting a drop of his Saint Body essence blood seep into it, effectively claiming it as his own.

As soon as he held it, he felt its immense weight, requiring all his mana and essence to wield.

Though it lacked a weapon spirit, its sword energy remained dominant. Even at reduced power, it surpassed Da Sheng weapons. With this sword, he'd cut down enemies in swaths.

"Remember, you owe me a favor." Kong Que Da Ming Wang departed, leaving behind a warm laugh. His voice was kind, and before leaving, he gave Ye Chen another meaningful glance.

"Got it." Ye Chen smiled, stowed the Fen Ji Sword, and flew out of the immortal mountain.