Yan Ge’s perfect counterattack didn’t surprise Yuan Luoheng, as he wasn’t sure about the depth of Yan Ge’s cultivation. This move was merely a test.
Yuan Luoheng attacked again, his right fist leading the way. As he struck, he twisted forward, employing a clever angle to assault Yan Ge.
This was the “Startling Snake Enters the Grass” technique from Danyang Palace’s Snake Fist. Yuan Luoheng’s right arm moved like a serpent, shooting, twisting, and drilling, aiming for Yan Ge’s heart. If Yuan Luoheng’s figure hadn’t vanished, everyone would have mistaken him for a snake, his movements were so swift.
As the fist neared Yan Ge, it abruptly opened, resembling the jaws of a fierce serpent ready to bite.
A cold sensation surged in Yan Ge’s heart. He shifted his weight, like a slender boat gliding across turbulent waters, raised his right arm with his fingers splayed like claws, and caught Yuan Luoheng’s wrist.
Yuan Luoheng tugged with force, but Yan Ge’s arm remained unmoved.
Yan Ge exerted strength through his right hand, and a surge of true qi flowed into Yuan Luoheng’s arm. Yuan Luoheng trembled and swiftly retreated. His lips parted and his true qi congealed into a crystalline white sword of Qi that shot out like lightning.
Yan Ge executed a series of steps on the ground, reappearing behind Yuan Luoheng. His right hand grabbed Yuan Luoheng’s shoulder blade.
Yuan Luoheng was immobilized and he was startled. He sighed and said calmly, “Yuan has lost.”
In just a few moves? The cultivators gaped at Yan Ge in astonishment.
Yan Ge smiled faintly and released his grip. “I accept your surrender.”
Yuan Luoheng cupped his hands. “May I ask what stage Fellow Daoist Yan’s cultivation has reached?”
Yan Ge looked modest, his gaze seemingly absent as it swept over a distant spot. “I recently formed the nascent infant soul.”
Yuan Luoheng exclaimed, “Yuan has been impolite. So, Cultivator Yan has already reached the Nascent Soul stage.”
Yan Ge smiled but didn’t answer and walked toward Huangfu Yuchen.
Perhaps due to his victory, he felt quite relaxed. Just like before, his aura was completely concealed, as if he were an ordinary person.
However, at this moment, a gray figure streaked through the air like a shooting star, heading swiftly toward his back. The sharp killing intent compressed into a pointed Qi arrow, piercing toward his heart.
An ambush!
Yuan Luoheng was taken aback. He was about to warn, but Yan Ge continued walking toward Huangfu Yuchen, his speed unbroken. A silver flash of light emanated from his right hand and he swept it backward. When the radiance descended, and the silver light faded, nobody could comprehend what had just occurred.
A gray-clothed person let out a miserable cry, crashing heavily to the ground, a large hole in their abdomen, crimson blood staining the snowy ground.
“Zhao Chuanjin, a demonic cultivator?” Yuan Luoheng identified the person with astonishment. “You’ve already reached the Nascent Soul stage?”
The other cultivators stirred, their faces marked with shock. Zhao Chuanjin’s cultivation had not been much lower than Yuan Luoheng’s before. It was unimaginable that he had entered the Nascent Soul stage without them realizing it. Not only that, Yan Ge had defeated him so effortlessly!
Someone remembered the recent auction. Could it be that the person who had bought the Nascent Infant Pill was Zhao Chuanjin?
“You, didn’t you claim to be in the Nascent Soul stage… despicable…” Zhao Chuanjin glared at Yan Ge, as if he wished to devour him alive. Anger and fear filled his eyes, his aura growing weaker.
Yan Ge raised an eyebrow, put his hands behind his back and looked at him with amusement. “It seems like you didn’t learn your language well. I said I recently formed the Nascent Infant Soul. I never said I’m in the Nascent Soul stage.”
Zhao Chuanjin stared at him in disbelief, shaking his head incessantly. “Are you saying you’re already in the late Nascent Soul stage or beyond? No, impossible…”
Yan Ge smiled without a word, his gaze sweeping over the others. His eyes were curved and without malice, yet as his gaze passed over the cultivators, they couldn’t help but shiver and have their hairs stand on end.
Zhao Chuanjin looked at Yan Ge resentfully, his gaze gradually growing dim, his breath fading completely.
Silence reigned for a moment on Baichang Mountain , with only the occasional wind rustling through the treetops, creating a faint whisper.
Yuan Luoheng looked at Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen with shock and doubt. Had their cultivation really surpassed the Nascent Soul stage?
Seeing the fear and dread in their eyes, Huangfu Yuchen felt highly satisfied. He and Xiwo Ge should be able to enjoy some peace from now on.
He hugged Yan Ge’s waist. ”Xiao Ge, let’s say what needs to be said and then leave. Boarding time is approaching.”
Yan Ge nodded and addressed everyone, “For those who wish to enter the cultivation grounds, there will be a competition. Names will be ranked by cultivation level, from highest to lowest. Four people will be allowed in at a time for a month, taking turns. Once everyone has had a turn, a new round of competition will begin, and so on. You can inquire about the specific rules and requirements from Guo Jian and Guo Yi at the cultivation grounds. Farewell.”
With that, the two soared into the distance. No need to say more about the others; after today’s events, no one dared to underestimate them.
The remaining people stared blankly as the figures in the sky turned into small dots and disappeared. Everyone suddenly came back to their senses, and dashed madly toward the foot of the mountain.
Ruan Mingwei, Ji Chang, He Hong, and Zhang Jian exchanged a glance, shrugged, and descended the mountain. They needed to report today’s events to their superiors.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen boarded the plane, heading to a coastal city and continuing their travels within the country.
Thinking about the cultivators fighting fiercely to gain entry to the advanced cultivation grounds, Yan Ge grinned cunningly. With the constraints of the Hidden Operations Department, the competition wouldn’t be a matter of life and death, but it would certainly be intense, with minor injuries being unavoidable. Those who wanted to gain something would have to pay a price. Isn’t that normal? There’s no such thing as a free lunch in the world.
Yuanhai City was one of the most beautiful coastal cities in the country. Red tiles and green trees, blue sea and sky, the coastline was charming and magnificent. Lush paths wound through verdant trees, providing a delightful and unforgettable experience.
Though this scenery was slightly inferior to what Yan Ge could conjure within his space, the presence of visitors added vitality. Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen spent two days in Yuanhai City and a few days in Qizhaigou before intending to head to Nanhai. However, a phone call disrupted their plans.
Guo Jian spoke with urgency, “Mr. Yan Ge, please come back with Mr. Huangfu. A foreigner named Wei Wen insists on meeting you both. He said if you don’t appear within three days, he’ll level the cultivation grounds. We’re no match for them.”
A foreigner? Yan Ge immediately thought of the incident at Fengshan Mountain.
“Understood, we’ll return now.” Yan Ge turned to Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen stood up to pack their luggage. “I’ll make him regret disturbing our journey.”
Four hours later, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen stepped off the bus.
Guo Jian quickly approached them, likely having spotted them on the surveillance footage.
“What’s going on?” Huangfu Yuchen inquired.
Huangfu Yuchen spoke in his usual icy tone, void of emotion. Guo Jian wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but now Huangfu Yuchen’s voice sounded extremely indifferent, carrying a kind of coldness. He recounted, “Early this morning, a foreigner named Wei Wen showed up with four subordinates. They directly sought out Guo Yi to meet the two bosses. Wei Wen said that if you don’t appear within three days, he’ll level the cultivation grounds. Guo Yi and I escorted them out, but Wei Wen’s skills are extraordinary. The two of us aren’t a match for him. The day after you two left, the competition among cultivators in the cultivation grounds began. Head Yuan Luoheng and his two disciples happened to be at the cultivation grounds. However, the of them aren’t a match for Him either. Cultivator Ruan and the others can’t do anything to him either.”
“Master Yuan and the others also made a move?” Yan Ge pursed his lips and smiled, “Are they all right?
Seeing that Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen didn’t look worried, Guo Jian felt relieved, “They were slightly injured. “Wei Wen seems to be only focused on dealing with the two bosses, and has no intention of making life difficult for them. “
“Where is he now? “ “Huangfu Yuchen asked in a cold voice. While talking, they had already entered the farm.
Guo Jian said: “In the dining area.”
Huangfu Yuchen: “Let him go to the back mountain.” “
Yan Ge took his luggage from him. “You guys go ahead. I’ll go check on Head Yuan Luoheng and the others.” Since the cultivation grounds were open to cultivators, Yuan Luoheng and the others were essentially just visitors to the farm. While their help was appreciated, they did have their own motivations when they intervened. However, their actions were real.
Guo Jian went to inform Wei Wen.
Huangfu Yuchen exited the farm and headed toward the back mountain.
Yan Ge returned home to drop off the luggage before seeking out Yuan Luoheng. On the way, he encountered Yu Mingqi and Ji Chang.
Ruan Mingwei hurried over, his expression serious. “Mr. Yan, you’re back.”
Yan Ge gestured for them to walk and talk. “What’s the background of that person? You should know, right?”
Ruan Mingwei nodded. “Wei Wen is the Archbishop of the Holy See. His strength is formidable, likely on par with the mid Nascent Soul stage of cultivation.”
“Nascent Soul stage?” Yan Ge was quite surprised. He hadn’t expected such a significant gap in strength between the Holy See and cultivators in China. If the Holy See had ill intentions toward the Hauxia cultivation world, wouldn’t China be defenseless?
Ruan Mingwei thought Yan Ge also found the opponent too strong and his heart sank. Although Wei Wen wasn’t here to target the Hidden Operations Department or China, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen had become their source of spiritual strength. If even they were powerless against Wei Wen, then China…
Ji Chang also misunderstood their reactions, and his eyes were filled with gloom. “The people from the Holy See are too arrogant. If not for… Mr. Yan, can you and Mr. Huangfu handle him together?”
Yan Ge was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled. “We’ll know in a little while.”
When he arrived at the courtyard Yuan Luoheng was, he found Yuan Luoheng preparing to leave with his two disciples, likely having received the news as well.
The three of them greeted, “Mr. Yan Ge.”
Inside the farm, there were many ordinary people, so once inside, they no longer referred to each other as “Fellow Cultivator”; this was an unspoken rule among cultivators.
Yan Ge waved his hand at Yuan Luoheng. “Mr. Yuan, thank you for your assistance earlier.”
Yuan Luoheng was very polite. “You’re welcome.”
Yan Ge scanned the three of them and nodded. “Fortunately, your injuries aren’t severe. Otherwise, I’d feel too guilty. I have some elixirs with me. I’ll have someone deliver them to you later.”
Yuan Luoheng and his disciples quickly expressed their gratitude, fully trusting that Yan Ge’s elixirs would be extraordinary.
The group then walked together toward the farm’s main gate.
Guo Jian and five foreigners approached from a different path. Among them were Allen, Barry, Daisy, and Borg. The fifth foreigner was around forty years old, tall and sturdy, with deep-set eyes, a high-bridged nose, and only a gray vest on his upper body, exposing his arms. He walked unsteadily, looking somewhat intoxicated.
“He’s Wei Wen,” Ji Chang whispered.
Yan Ge and Wei Wen’s gazes locked.
Wei Wen shamelessly assessed Yan Ge from head to toe, lifting the corners of his mouth and revealing a sinister glint in his eyes. His gaze slowly shifted downward, landing on Yan Ge’s waist. He stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. Yan Ge smiled, then his eyes suddenly became sharp and intense. A fierce light surged within them, like rays of light transformed into solid form, shooting directly into Wei Wen’s eyes.
Wei Wen felt as if his eyes had been pierced by two invisible arrows. His heart shook, and his footsteps imperceptibly stuttered. He quickly activated his inner qi, gathering it within his mind to relieve the discomfort in his eyes. He retracted the smugness on his lips, no longer daring to underestimate Yan Ge. However, his gaze remained fixed on Yan Ge. Was this his opponent?
The two groups met at the entrance of the estate.
Wei Wen was about to speak, but Yan Ge walked past him without even glancing in his direction. Yan Ge’s right hand was casually in his pocket as he walked at a leisurely pace, appearing composed and graceful. He exited the farm and turned right.
Wei Wen’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but he followed without a word. After a few steps, he caught up and walked beside Yan Ge, his steps light and casual, seemingly implying a subtle challenge.
Yan Ge frowned and increased his pace, yet Wei Wen effortlessly caught up again.
Wei Wen looked at him with a triumphant expression.
Allen and Barry exchanged a glance, sharing a wordless smirk.
