Chapter Seventy-Seven: Persuasion to Leave

“You want my life?”

Upon hearing what Ye Cheng had said, Nangong Xue raised her delicate brows, sensing the gravity in his tone. She felt puzzled; though the group of purple-robed figures watching them from a distance was sizable, Nangong Xue could see that, despite their vigorous aura, they were not so formidable as to warrant such solemnity from Ye Cheng, as though he were facing a dire threat.

Following Ye Cheng’s gaze, her eyes landed upon the black silhouette standing atop the ancient locust tree. The faint pressure emanating from that figure made her brows furrow slightly. Now she understood why Ye Cheng had changed so suddenly. It was not those figures beneath the tree he feared, but the black-clad figure above—this was the true master. To feel such pressure from so far away, only a cultivator of the Yuan Realm could possess such power; those in the Blood Qi Realm would not be capable of it. Moreover, the aura radiating from that person seemed even stronger than that of a typical Yuan Realm, causing Nangong Xue’s beautiful eyes to narrow sharply.

“Peak Yuan Realm?” Nangong Xue uttered in surprise, having sensed the formidable strength of the black-clad figure, equal to that of Elder Wu. She turned to Ye Cheng and said, “It seems your troubles are not small. That person is powerful—surely a master of the Peak Yuan Realm.”

“Yes, I know.” Ye Cheng nodded, glanced at Nangong Xue, and showed no emotion on his face. “You should leave quickly. They’re here for me, not for you.”

Though their acquaintance was brief, Ye Cheng subconsciously wished not to drag her into his conflict with the Luo family. Even knowing she had the powerful backing of the Nangong family in Yongle City, he did not want to rely on her against the Luo clan. Ye Cheng was never one to resolve his troubles through a woman! Besides, she was alone; involving her in this matter would not be wise.

“I can’t just leave. Don’t forget you promised to help me. If I go, who’ll fulfill your promise?” Nangong Xue shook her head, her gaze unwavering and fearless.

“Don’t worry, once I escape, I’ll find you. Right now, you don’t have your family’s protection. If you don’t stay away from here, I can’t guarantee your safety,” Ye Cheng said, frowning.

“I am not so fragile as to need protection. Don’t waste your words. One more helping hand is better than none,” Nangong Xue replied coolly, her eyes falling upon the figures not far away, her voice icy and resolute.

“I can hold off some of them for you. The rest will be up to you. But the one in the tree—you must be careful. Even with your recent surge in strength, you might not be able to deal with him yet.”

Ye Cheng looked at her in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to stay and help, though he had promised to accompany her to Yongle City. Yet that hardly seemed sufficient reason for her to risk her life for him.

Retracting his gaze from Nangong Xue, Ye Cheng fixed his eyes on the black figure atop the ancient locust tree. Hearing her words, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly. “He is strong. I don’t know how many moves I can withstand, but I’ll do my best and look for a chance to escape.”

Nangong Xue nodded, her face grave as she also stared at the black figure.

Under their watchful eyes, the black figure seated on the branch slowly stood up, stepping lightly. Without a ripple of blood qi, the figure leapt down and landed dozens of meters from Ye Cheng and Nangong Xue. The purple-robed men, seeing their leader move, hurried to follow and stood behind him.

“Heh, Brother Ye, you’ve kept Luo waiting for quite some time, but finally you’ve appeared.” That black figure was Luo Long, who now regarded Ye Cheng with a playful smirk. Noticing the astonishing concentration of blood qi within Ye Cheng, Luo Long’s handsome face showed a flash of surprise, then his thick brows knitted as he said, “It seems you’ve made great strides, young master of the Ye family. In such a short time, you’ve cultivated to this level.”

Luo Long’s gaze flickered as he sized up Ye Cheng, his respect growing. He remembered that two months ago, the intelligence he’d received described Ye Cheng as having only middling strength in the Blood Qi Realm, unable even to contend with Mo San. Yet in just two months, Ye Cheng had transformed so dramatically. This could only mean that the young man before him possessed terrifying potential.

But the greater that potential, the greater the threat to the Luo family!

“Heh, I didn’t expect you to find me so quickly. I erased the Soul-Chasing Herb inside the Demon Forest, thinking you’d linger outside, but you managed to track me here—impressive. What surprises me most is that the Luo family values me so highly, sending you, Luo Long, the Third Elder, to lead the hunt.” Ye Cheng spoke calmly, despite Luo Long’s overwhelming strength. He showed no fear, only a solemn resolve. As he spoke, his tone gradually turned icy.

“To have such a mighty Yuan Realm cultivator, Elder Luo Long, personally come for me, is quite an honor.” Hearing this, Luo Long’s expression grew cold. He replied with a sinister chill, “No wonder the scent of Soul-Chasing Grass vanished outside the Demon Forest—it was your doing, Brother Ye.”

When they discovered the absence of the herb’s scent and the missing signal of their Luo family scout, Luo Long suspected their operation had been exposed. Now it was confirmed—they’d been duped, wandering outside the forest for days.

“But it doesn’t matter. I’ve found you at last. The wait was worth it. Once I eliminate this prodigy, the hopes of your Ye family will be shattered. I do not wish for another Ye Shan to rise in your clan.” Luo Long laughed coldly, his words full of mockery.

“Shameless!” Ye Cheng spat, cursing. “Since you’re so eager to kill me, why not get on with it instead of wasting time?”

“Heh, I do wish to deal with you quickly, but I’d rather not offend the young lady beside you.” Luo Long did not attack immediately, his gaze fixed on Nangong Xue, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Ye Cheng. Earlier intelligence had reported that the young lady of Yongle City entered the stone cave with Ye Cheng, and now both appeared together. Luo Long recognized her identity at once.

“This is a matter between me and Brother Ye. May I ask Miss Nangong to step aside, lest you be drawn into this conflict…”