Chapter 1645: Spoiling the Game

Ye Chen flew through the air with a spring in his step, clutching his Gong De Bu, occasionally pulling it out to check, paranoid something might be missing.

After some time, he landed in front of the Yanluo Dian.

However, before he could step inside, the Gui Wang guarding the entrance blocked his path and sternly barked, "The Pan Guan is not seeing anyone, by order."

"Could you please pass on a message, brother Gui," Ye Chen said, rubbing his hands together with a cheerful smile, "it's Ye Chen. The Pan Guan will definitely see me."

"Are you deaf? The Pan Guan himself said he's seeing no one."

"If that's the case, I might just have to force my way in." Ye Chen's smile faded, and he rolled up his sleeves, looking ready to brawl.

But before he could make a move, the stone stele standing in front of the hall began to hum and vibrate, Nether light flickering, and the power of annihilation awakening.

Suddenly, a mighty force emerged, carrying the aura of a Quasi-Emperor, causing the sky to darken with storm clouds, lightning, and thunder.

Ye Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly retreated, realizing the stele was a forbidden seal that the two Gui Wang could activate, and anyone who intruded would be instantly killed.

"Try to force your way in again, and I'll strike you down." The Gui Wang glared fiercely.

"Just kidding, don't take it seriously." Ye Chen gave an awkward laugh, backing away without hesitation, as the stele's seal was truly terrifying.

The two Gui Wang snorted coldly and stood as straight as pillars, like solemn and eerie door guardians, intimidating just to look at.

Ye Chen pursed his lips and found a step nearby to sit on.

I'll just wait here. I don't believe you won't come out.

The guarding Gui Wang glanced at him but didn't bother to chase him away.

Ye Chen ignored them, took out his Hei Duan Jian, breathed on it, and polished it with a cloth until it gleamed brightly.

Soon, a gust of Yin Feng swept in, and a figure descended from the void.

It was a young man clad in black armor, with two cow horns on his head, deep and sinister ghost eyes, a heavy presence, and a powerful aura.

This was no ordinary person—he was a genuine Sheng Ren.

He held the divine position of Gui Quan Ming Jiang, surrounded by ethereal phenomena, and his armor, with every plate, emitted a faint ghostly glow.

"Greetings, Gui Quan Ming Jiang," the guarding Gui Wang bowed respectfully.

From their expressions, it was clear they held him in high regard, knowing exactly who he was and that his background was far from simple.

While they showed great respect, Gui Quan Ming Jiang didn't even glance at the two Gui Wang, carrying himself with an air of superiority.

Ye Chen glanced over but didn't bow, continuing to focus on polishing his sword.

Seeing Ye Chen ignore him, Gui Quan Ming Jiang's expression turned displeased.

But when he caught sight of the Hei Duan Jian in Ye Chen's hand, a gleam flashed in his ghost eyes, and he narrowed them slightly as he examined it.

With his level of insight, how could he not see the sword's extraordinary nature? Though it looked unremarkable, it held profound secrets.

"This sword—I want it." Gui Quan Ming Jiang said flatly, tossing a storage bag onto the ground.

Ye Chen acted as if he hadn't heard, keeping his head down and polishing away.

I just can't stand people like you, acting all high and mighty to take my treasure. So what if you're a Sheng Ren? Being a Ming Jiang makes you special?

Gui Quan Ming Jiang's face darkened instantly.

Seeing this, the two Gui Wang shoved Ye Chen. "He's talking to you!"

"Ah?" Ye Chen looked up, feigning surprise. "What's going on?"

"You've hit the jackpot. Gui Quan Ming Jiang wants to buy your sword."

"Uh." Ye Chen mumbled, then went back to polishing. "Not for sale."

"Do you even know who he is?" The Gui Wang whispered, "He's a Ming Jiang under Song Di Wang—quite the big shot."

"Whoever he is, I'm not selling. It's a family heirloom—how can I part with it?"

"You're the first to dare refuse me. You've got guts." Gui Quan Ming Jiang said coldly, his eyes flickering with a chill.

"Anyway, I'm not selling." Ye Chen polished even more vigorously.

"A mere Huang Jing pest—courting death." Gui Quan Ming Jiang snorted, reaching out with a hand that summoned secret techniques, intending to suppress Ye Chen.

Ye Chen was quick on his feet, darting far away and hoisting his black sword as he sighed at Gui Quan Ming Jiang. "You're going to rob me?"

"So what if I am?" Gui Quan Ming Jiang thundered like lightning, manifesting a massive hand that swept sideways, shattering space.

"I've never seen anyone so arrogant." Ye Chen cursed, dodging again before slipping away like smoke into the Yanluo Dian.

Once inside, he spotted the Pan Guan at first glance, lounging slanted in his chair and flipping through an ancient book, looking quite at ease.

"You're really taking it easy!" Ye Chen's face darkened, seeing how the Pan Guan was clearly idle yet had blocked him outside on purpose.

"Not bad." The Pan Guan shrugged, with an attitude that could drive anyone mad, making Ye Chen's teeth itch with the urge to punch him.

"You think you can escape?" Gui Quan Ming Jiang had chased him in.

The two guarding Gui Wang followed suit, as Ye Chen had moved too fast, and they hadn't expected him to dart inside.

The Pan Guan waved his hand lightly, signaling the two Gui Wang to guard the entrance.

"You insignificant Huang Jing worm, watch me suppress you." Gui Quan Ming Jiang shouted coldly, his palm crackling with lightning, ready to strike Ye Chen.

"As if I'm afraid of you." Ye Chen wasn't backing down.

"Gui Quan, this is the Yanluo Dian—you dare act out here?" The Pan Guan said casually, turning a page in his book.

At these words, Gui Quan Ming Jiang reined himself in considerably.

After all, this wasn't his territory, and the Pan Guan's divine position outranked his—he couldn't afford to be too reckless.

Still, the way he looked at Ye Chen was filled with killing intent. As a Ming Jiang under Song Di Wang, when had he ever been humiliated like this?

Ye Chen cracked his neck defiantly.

Do you really think I'm made of paper, that anyone can just push me around? I've slain two great emperors—why would I fear you?

"What's brought you all the way here?" The Pan Guan stretched lazily, glancing at Ye Chen before turning to Gui Quan Ming Jiang.

"Nothing major," Gui Quan Ming Jiang said with a smile, "I recently acquired a treasure and wanted to have the Pan Guan appraise it."

With that, he flicked his hand and presented a copper furnace.

The furnace was golden, radiating dazzling light, covered in ancient inscriptions, and it hummed as it hovered in the air.

The Pan Guan stroked his chin and circled the copper furnace once.

Ye Chen's eyes lit up too, stroking his chin as he followed behind the Pan Guan, circling the furnace. "Hmm, quite the treasure."

"The Dian Wang Copper Furnace isn't something you can fathom." Gui Quan Ming Jiang sneered, glancing contemptuously at Ye Chen.

"Tch." Ye Chen didn't mind, but his eyes gleamed with interest.

It was indeed a treasure—a Sheng Wang-level Ming Qi that would be a force in battle, its power not to be underestimated.

"Impressive indeed." The Pan Guan couldn't help but sigh.

"If the Pan Guan likes it, it's yours." Gui Quan Ming Jiang chuckled, his generosity making Ye Chen raise an eyebrow.

The Pan Guan smiled and returned to his chair, eyeing Gui Quan Ming Jiang. "No merit, no reward. Out with it—what do you want from me?"

"I'd like the Pan Guan to grant me a Tong Guan Wen Die."

"Tong Guan Wen Die?" Ye Chen, who had been eyeing the Dian Wang Copper Furnace, turned his head sharply.

Wasn't that exactly what he'd been working so hard for?

Without it, he couldn't reach the Nai He Bridge.

Naturally, his interest in Gui Quan Ming Jiang piqued.

Clearly, this guy wanted the Tong Guan Wen Die to go to the Nai He Bridge—and why else, if not to court a girl?

In other words, to hit on Chu Ling Er.

Damn it, trying to flirt with my wife? Not on my watch.

"Wanting a Tong Guan Wen Die for what?" The Pan Guan smiled slightly. "Could it be that Gui Quan Ming Jiang has his eye on the goddess of Nai He Bridge?"

"That depends on whether the Pan Guan will oblige." Gui Quan Ming Jiang bowed. "I humbly request a Tong Guan Wen Die."

"Well..." The Pan Guan stroked his beard, deep in thought, and as he did, he glanced at Ye Chen.

At that glance, Ye Chen stepped forward. "If you're giving him one, you have to give me one too."

"What are you to demand a Tong Guan Wen Die from the Pan Guan?" Gui Quan Ming Jiang scolded, his eyes fierce.

"Why can you ask for one and not me?" Ye Chen retorted.

"I have the Dian Wang Copper Furnace. What about you? What do you have?"

"I have the Tian Wang Copper Furnace." Ye Chen grabbed the Dian Wang Copper Furnace and handed it to the Pan Guan. "Here, for you."

The Pan Guan was stunned, not expecting Ye Chen to pull that move.

"This is mine to give." Gui Quan Ming Jiang said coldly.

"I didn't say it wasn't from you!" Ye Chen shrugged.

"Then why the hell are you saying it's from you?"

"So it is from me!"

"It's mine."

"I know that!"

"I..." Gui Quan Ming Jiang was so choked up he nearly spat blood, never having met such a shameless person.

The Pan Guan couldn't help but chuckle, holding back his laughter.

The Yanluo Dian truly had its share of talents—Ye Chen had the skill to leave a Ming Jiang on the verge of exploding.

"You're asking for death." Gui Quan Ming Jiang roared, his hand once again crackling with lightning, ready to blast Ye Chen to pieces.

Ye Chen, however, darted behind the Pan Guan. Want to hit me? You'll have to get past my boss first.

If Gui Quan Ming Jiang really came at him, he'd strike without hesitation.

"How about it—want to kill me too?" The Pan Guan scolded, his face darkening as he asserted his authority.

"I wouldn't dare." Gui Quan Ming Jiang realized his mistake and quickly withdrew, remembering this was the Yanluo Dian's domain.

"The Tong Guan Wen Die is a serious matter—I can't give it to you. You should go. Take the furnace with you." The Pan Guan waved him off.

"Pan Guan, this..." Gui Quan Ming Jiang panicked.

"Don't make this hard for me." The Pan Guan flicked his sleeve lightly.

Gui Quan Ming Jiang took a deep breath, his face flushing red. He'd even offered a Sheng Wang artifact, yet the Pan Guan still denied him—this was a huge loss of face.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, his gaze at Ye Chen filled with raw killing intent, blaming him entirely for this.

"Bribing our boss won't work." Ye Chen, still hiding behind the Pan Guan, said boldly.

As for trying to hit on my wife—forget it. Even if the Pan Guan gave you the Tong Guan Wen Die, you wouldn't make it to Nai He Bridge.

He still remembered that leopard-headed spirit he'd beaten half to death, left lying in some remote mountain—who knows if it was still there?

If the Pan Guan agreed, he wouldn't mind sending Gui Quan Ming Jiang to keep it company.

"Good, very good. You'll regret this." Gui Quan Ming Jiang gritted his teeth, eyes blazing with malice, and slunk away.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to take back the Dian Wang Copper Furnace he'd offered—since nothing was accomplished, why leave it?