Chapter 1683: Bullying at the Door

Ye Yuan entered the city quietly, not informing anyone, and went directly to Zheng Qi's residence.

"Stop right there! Hmm? You... you are Elder Ye Yuan!" The guard's gaze sharpened as he recognized Ye Yuan.

"Oh? You know me?" Ye Yuan smiled.

The guard laughed, "Elder Ye is joking. In this Tianying Imperial City, who doesn't know you!"

Ye Yuan chuckled, "In this Tianying Imperial City, everyone knows I'm a waste!"

The guard's expression changed, and he quickly said, "Elder Ye, no matter what others say, no one in our Zheng residence dares to disrespect you, including me! The Grand Elder often says that his life was saved by you. Anyone who speaks rudely of you will be expelled from the residence at the least, or beaten to death at the worst!"

Ye Yuan hadn't expected Zheng Qi to use this method to silence the public, but it showed his loyalty and gratitude.

Ye Yuan nodded, "How is the Grand Elder's health?"

The guard sighed, "Alas, the Grand Elder's condition is worsening day by day. Grand Elder Xuanyu has exhausted all means but cannot reverse it. Now, the Grand Elder can no longer get out of bed."

Ye Yuan frowned, "What happened?"

Before leaving, Ye Yuan had specifically checked Zheng Qi's body; he shouldn't have deteriorated to the point of being bedridden so quickly.

After hearing the whole story from the guard, Ye Yuan's anger blazed fiercely.

It turned out that a Celestial God powerhouse from Zhining Imperial City, after coming out of seclusion and learning of Gao Yuan's fall, had come knocking.

That Celestial God had come to settle scores with both Ye Yuan and Zheng Qi.

But upon arriving, he learned that Ye Yuan had already left Tianying Imperial City.

A Celestial God's personal visit was not something to be taken lightly.

Zhining Imperial City was much stronger than Tianying Imperial City, with four Celestial Gods, while Tianying had only two.

After arriving, that Celestial God took a strong stance, demanding that Tianying Imperial City execute Ye Yuan and hand over the Primordial Magnetic Divine Mountain.

Additionally, he demanded that Gao Yuan's disciple challenge Zheng Qi, claiming it was to avenge his master.

This situation was exactly like what Zheng Qi had done back then.

However, Gao Yuan was treacherous and cunning, harming his peers, and was despised by all.

This move was purely unreasonable.

Given Zheng Qi's physical condition at the time, how could he withstand a major battle?

Nevertheless, Zheng Qi argued forcefully, claiming that he alone was responsible for killing Gao Yuan in the Demon Summoning Ridge, and that Ye Yuan had nothing to do with it!

And he accepted the challenge.

The result of the challenge was self-evident.

Zheng Qi was severely injured by Gao Yuan's disciple, now barely clinging to life.

Ye Yuan burned with rage, his Divine Rotation realm aura involuntarily leaking out, and he said coldly, "What revenge? They're clearly after the Primordial Magnetic Divine Mountain!"

That guard was only at the Return to Void realm, and suddenly faced with Ye Yuan's unleashed powerful aura, he was pressed until his face turned pale.

The guard was shocked, realizing that Ye Yuan seemed no longer at the Return to Void realm!

This aura was definitely at the Divine Lord realm!

Elder Ye had actually broken through?

Ye Yuan suddenly noticed the guard's discomfort, withdrew his aura, and said calmly, "Go and announce my return."

The guard quickly said, "Elder Ye is joking. The Grand Elder is in the back courtyard, along with Grand Elder Xuanyu and Grand Elder Leng Yu. Please, come in!"

Ye Yuan nodded, casually took out a pill and tossed it to the other party, saying, "Good work, this is for you."

The guard took the pill and was ecstatic.

A Void Profound Divine Pill!

Elder Ye's Void Profound Divine Pills were hard to come by, and now he had actually bestowed one upon him!

"Thank you, Elder Ye!"

...

In the back courtyard, Leng Yu and Xuan Yu looked at Zheng Qi lying on the bed, their brows furrowed with worry.

Zheng Qi's breath was weak, clearly on the verge of death.

However, there was not much regret on his face; on the contrary, he appeared quite magnanimous.

"Grandmaster, Brother Xuan Yu, you need not be like this. Back then, when our master's revenge was fulfilled, the wish of my life was also satisfied. Living these extra years is already a gain." Zheng Qi said, panting, his words coming with great difficulty.

Xuan Yu said with self-reproach, "It is all my incompetence. If Ye Yuan could break through to the Divine Lord realm, he would surely be able to save you! Alas!"

At the mention of Ye Yuan, Leng Yu became furious and snorted coldly, "Those fools actually said that Wen Yilin was brought here by Ye Yuan! None of them have any ability, yet they shift the blame onto others. They are utterly despicable."

Xuan Yu sighed, "Those fellows have always been like this, lacking any sense of responsibility."

"Heh, when Ye Yuan breaks through and returns, I am quite looking forward to seeing what kind of faces those people will have! It's just a pity... I won't be able to see it!" Zheng Qi sighed.

If there was one regret he had, it was that he could not witness Ye Yuan's breakthrough.

Everyone knew in their hearts that this trip by Ye Yuan would likely mean he wouldn't be back anytime soon.

The opportunity for a breakthrough was not so easy to find.

Only they could never have dreamed that Ye Yuan, a mere Return to Void realm cultivator, would dare to go to Mount Tongtian!

"Who says you can't see them? Not only can you see them, you can teach them a lesson one by one!"

They heard the voice before seeing the person!

Xuanyu and the other two were all too familiar with this voice. Sure enough, as they looked toward the door, they saw a young man striding in—who else could it be but Ye Yuan?

"Ye Yuan, you... you're back so soon?" Xuanyu exclaimed in delight.

Leng Yu, however, changed expression and asked suspiciously, "You... you've broken through?"

Although Ye Yuan's aura had grown much stronger, it gave him an elusive feeling, making him uncertain.

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "If I hadn't broken through, how would I dare to come back? Being called a waste to my face isn't a pleasant feeling!"

Hearing this, the three of them burst into laughter.

Leng Yu laughed heartily, "I told you, a mere Divine Lord realm couldn't possibly stump you. Let's see what those fools have to say now! I can't wait to see their reactions!"

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Let's talk about trivial matters later. First, let me take a look at Elder Zheng."

Zheng Qi was listless, but seeing Ye Yuan's breakthrough, he was also overjoyed, and his overall condition improved considerably.

Ye Yuan examined Zheng Qi's condition, furrowed his brow, and snorted coldly, "What a vicious thing!"

Ye Yuan detected a yin-soft energy within Zheng Qi's body, constantly eroding his vitality and hastening his death.

Clearly, this was intentional on the other party's part!

Xuanyu sighed, "Although Yang Fan's talent can't compare with Brother Zheng Qi's, his strength is not to be underestimated. I've exhausted all my efforts to expel this yin-soft energy, but to no avail. I can only watch helplessly as Brother Zheng suffers."

Zheng Qi smiled upon hearing this, "Brother Xuanyu, don't blame yourself. I know you've done your best."

Ye Yuan frowned, "I had already prepared the pill for Brother Zheng, but I didn't expect his condition to be so severe. Wait a moment, let me refine another pill!"