Chapter Twenty-Four: The Appearance of Ye Zhan

"Third Uncle."
Ye Cheng was taken aback, not expecting that just as Elder Mu was about to intervene, Ye Zhan would arrive at that moment.

Silently letting out a breath of relief, Ye Cheng felt fortunate in his heart. It was best if Elder Mu didn’t have to act; otherwise, he might inadvertently reveal flaws before a true master. If anyone discovered Elder Mu’s existence, the consequences would hardly be favorable.

Ye Wei, who stood nearby with a face full of worry, also noticed the figure suddenly appearing before Ye Cheng. His gloomy expression was instantly replaced by elation.

"Ye Zhan," Mo San’s face changed abruptly upon recognizing the figure blocking Ye Cheng. The giant hammer, condensed from vital energy, arrived in an instant, causing Mo San’s pupils to widen. Feeling the crisis pressing down over his head, his face turned pale. Such an attack was beyond his ability to withstand. He spun midair, gathering all his blood energy beneath his feet, and swiftly fled into the distance.

"Hmph," Ye Zhan sneered coldly. Watching Mo San abandon his attack and flee, his indifferent gaze carried a hint of disdain. "To so brazenly target a member of the Ye family, yet still hope to escape?"

Ye Zhan flicked his hand, and the giant hammer formed from vital energy chased after Mo San’s fleeing figure like lightning, appearing overhead once again before crashing down.

Bang!

With a blast of shattered stone slabs, the giant hammer smashed into the ground under Mo San’s terrified gaze. The ground cracked open, fractures spreading out like a spider’s web.

"A mere servant of the Luo family dares to strike at a member of the Ye family? Clearly, you’ve grown tired of living."

Ye Zhan spat disdainfully, slowly lowering his hand. The giant hammer dissolved into flickering light, and as it faded, Mo San’s blood-soaked body was revealed. At this moment, Mo San coughed blood incessantly, his body convulsing uncontrollably. Soon, the light in his eyes dimmed. From this moment on, Mo San would no longer be counted among the notable figures of Luoyang Town.

Mo San’s fate sent a shudder through the bystanders. Ye Zhan’s decisive and ruthless action was something many had heard of, but witnessing it firsthand unsettled them. A peak Blood Energy Realm cultivator, under Ye Zhan’s hand, was like a chick—utterly powerless.

"Vital Energy Realm experts are truly terrifying."

Watching Ye Zhan’s display, Ye Cheng managed a bitter smile. He had given everything he had, yet failed to harm Mo San in the slightest. Ye Zhan, with a mere wave of his hand, annihilated him.

"The Vital Energy Realm—those who attain it can manipulate the world’s energy with a gesture. Their cultivation has surpassed the limitations of the human body, and they are far beyond what Blood Energy Realm warriors can match. Even a newly advanced Vital Energy Realm expert can contend with several peak Blood Energy cultivators. Your third uncle has long been a master of this realm. To him, killing a peak Blood Energy Realm warrior is effortless," Elder Mu explained, sensing Ye Cheng’s frustration. He then shifted the topic, saying, "No need to envy; before long, you too will step into this realm. In fact, your future isn’t limited to just the Vital Energy Realm—otherwise, you’d truly disappoint me."

"Don't worry, Master. I won't let you down." Ye Cheng replied silently in his heart, using his hand to support himself on the ground. With Ye Wei’s assistance, he slowly stood up, then turned to look at Luo Shaoan, who was preparing to slip away. A cold smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Luo Shaoan, what’s this? Trying to leave? Weren’t you going to teach us a lesson?"

At Ye Cheng’s words, Luo Shaoan, who had already begun to walk away, stopped abruptly. He turned around, his lips twitching, casting a fearful glance at Ye Zhan. Seeing that Ye Zhan was watching him with interest, Luo Shaoan forced a smile, brighter than a chrysanthemum, and said, "Brother Ye Cheng, you truly love to joke. How could I possibly teach you a lesson? Mo San brought this upon himself—it has nothing to do with me. His fate is his own doing; I won’t hold it against him. If there’s nothing more, I think I’ll take my leave."

Awkwardly smiling, Luo Shaoan moved quickly toward the crowd.

"You’re quite good at talking, but while you may forgive, I certainly won’t," Ye Zhan said, raising his hand. A burst of vital energy shot forth, striking Luo Shaoan and sending him flying, landing heavily on the floor in a pathetic heap.

"Go back and tell your father not to play tricks with me. Killing the Ye family’s prodigy—do you really think the Ye family is defenseless? If you have the courage, come openly and honorably. If you keep trying to snuff out our talents in the cradle, I won’t hesitate to declare war between our families."

"And take that man off the floor—he’s ruining the town's appearance."

Ye Zhan’s words spread slowly, stirring a commotion among the surrounding crowd. If the Ye and Luo families went to war, Luoyang Town would be thrown into upheaval.

"Ye Cheng, mark my words!"

Struggling to rise, Luo Shaoan cast a venomous glance at Ye Cheng. Had Ye Cheng not appeared, today’s outcome would have been very different. He wouldn’t be left like a stray dog, forced to swallow his rage. With his two injured guards, he dragged Mo San’s corpse away in disgrace.

"Third Uncle, why did you let Luo Shaoan go?" Ye Wei asked, puzzled, his face full of confusion.

"Letting such a second-generation brat return is better. With him around, the Luo family will fall faster, and he poses no threat to the Ye family," Ye Zhan replied, glancing at Ye Wei, who was supporting Ye Cheng, blood-stained and disheveled—clearly after a tough battle. The hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Ye Zhan’s eyes. "You finally did something I approve of. See how much better this is—our own should support each other, not oppress one another as before."

Hearing this, Ye Wei’s expression turned awkward, recalling his past behavior, which now seemed truly foolish.

Ye Zhan’s gaze shifted from Ye Wei to the slender youth beside him. Ye Cheng’s eyes showed admiration, but his leg was visibly twisted. Ye Zhan frowned, asking, "Xiao Cheng, are you holding up?"

"It’s nothing—just dislocated," Ye Cheng replied, shaking his head.

"To have only a dislocation after such an attack, Xiao Cheng’s physical strength is exceptional," Ye Zhan thought to himself, but said no more. Leading the two, his figure flickered and vanished from the crowd.

…

As Ye Zhan and his companions departed, the onlookers quickly dispersed. Yet Ye Cheng became the topic of conversation over drinks and meals. His reputation as a prodigy in Luoyang Town grew ever brighter. To confront a peak Blood Energy Realm expert at the mere Blood Energy Realm’s intermediate stage added an air of mystery to him in the hearts of many.