I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

"Xiao Chen, I'd like to see how long you can keep up this tough act today!"

At this moment, Yang Wei was like a rabbit whose tail had been stepped on—his eyes were already bloodshot with rage.

"Nine Suns Annihilation!!!"

As his voice fell, nine suns in the sky suddenly began to descend. Their speed wasn't fast, but Xiao Chen felt as though there was nowhere to run.

Marquis Yishan, who had been secretly protecting Xiao Chen all this time, was just about to draw the sacred artifact gifted by the Headmaster to intervene, when a large hand pressed down on his shoulder.

A chill ran down his spine instantly—who could possibly have detected his presence?

When Marquis Yishan turned to look, he saw a familiar face smiling as he shook his head gently.

"Chu…"

"Just watch."

Chu Feng interrupted him, still smiling as he gazed at the nine blazing suns descending slowly from the sky. There was not the slightest trace of concern on his face.

Seeing this, Marquis Yishan let out a long sigh of relief. With Chief Chu here, there was nothing to worry about.

Yang Wei burst into laughter and shouted, "Hahaha… Xiao Chen, are you regretting it now? My Nine Suns Bell contains the Dao Truths of the Ancestor himself! As long as there's sunlight, there will be no place for you to hide!"

"Who said I regretted anything?"

Xiao Chen remained calm and composed. His eyes, deep and unwavering, seemed as though they had already seen through the world.

He held a sword jade in his hand and spoke a single word softly.

"Sever."

Clang!

A surge of sword qi burst forth from the sword jade, transforming into a long sword that slashed toward the nine blazing suns.

Boom!!!

With a thunderous roar, the nine suns were instantly severed. The remaining sword qi crashed into the ancient bell with a heavy dong, knocking it down from the sky to land right in front of Yang Wei.

Pfft...

Yang Wei coughed up a mouthful of blood. His knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"You lost."

Xiao Chen uttered those three words lightly, as if what had just happened was nothing more than a trivial act.

"You… pfft…"

Yang Wei, overwhelmed with fury, passed out on the spot.

Everyone present stood there in stunned silence, eyes wide, mouths agape.

Only Cao Youqian muttered, "As expected of Senior Brother… shaking the whole crowd with such a casual display. I've still got a long way to go!"

Meanwhile—

At the Ye residence, inside a secluded courtyard.

Two elderly men with white hair and youthful faces were sipping tea and playing a game of chess.

Suddenly, one of them—wearing a fiery red robe embroidered with a blazing sun over his chest—turned pale in an instant.

"This is bad. My grandson is in danger. Brother Ye, let's discuss this later. I'll be right back!"

With that, he vanished from the courtyard. The white-haired ancestor of Baiyun City sitting across from him was momentarily stunned, then also disappeared.

"Who hurt this old man's great-grandson?!"

A booming voice rang out like thunder from the heavens. Even before the figure arrived, a terrifying pressure had already enveloped the entire Ye residence.

Yang Wei, who had just been unconscious, suddenly opened his eyes at the sound and shouted desperately toward the sky, "Ancestor, save me!"

"Holy crap, he sat up from his deathbed in shock!"

Cao Youqian couldn't help exclaiming when he saw this. Like the rest of the curious onlookers, he raised his head to look at the sky.

There, a radiant, sun-like figure blazed into view above Yang Wei's head, sweeping a cold and condescending gaze over everyone present.

"If no one admits to it, then I'll consider all of you to have attacked and injured my great-grandson together!"

The Nine Yang Half-Saint's tone was icy and devoid of emotion, as if he were speaking to a bunch of ants.

"It was me—Wendao Xiao Chen."

Xiao Chen stepped forward as he spoke, his expression unwavering. He raised his head proudly to meet the newcomer's gaze.

"Good, good… good! So this is the number one genius of Wendao—using your seniority to bully the younger generation! Then don't blame this old man for doing the same!"

Without seeking the truth, the Nine Yang Half-Saint gave Xiao Chen a charge outright.

"Hold, Jiuyang Daoist."

An aged voice rang out, interrupting the Jiuyang Half-Saint's movement.

Only then did the onlookers finally come to their senses, all gasping in shock.

"Jiuyang Half-Saint!"

"To think the Jiuyang Half-Saint himself has appeared. Looks like Xiao Tianjiao is in serious trouble now."

"Not necessarily. This is Baiyun City, after all. The Ye Clan is a direct branch of the Wendao Academy. There's no way they'd just stand by and watch."

"..."

Jiuyang Half-Saint turned toward the source of the voice and said coldly, "Brother Ye, this matter has nothing to do with your Ye Clan. Don't tell me you plan to interfere with this old man's affairs?"

The Ye Clan's ancestor replied, "Daoist Jiuyang, the matter between you two is beyond my authority. However, this is the Ye Clan estate. I ask that you do me a favor and let this matter go for now. Settle whatever grievances you have after the Exchange Conference concludes."

Though he spoke as if impartial, in truth, he was shielding Xiao Chen. Three days would be more than enough time for Wendao Academy's powerhouses to arrive in Baiyun City.

How could Jiuyang Half-Saint not see through Ye Clan Ancestor's intention? He said coldly, "I can let the boy go, that's not impossible. But he hurt my great-grandson—he used seniority to bully the young. If he won't kneel and apologize, then I'll have to take him by force and discipline him myself."

Hearing this, the Ye Clan's ancestor's expression shifted slightly, and just as he was about to smooth things over, Xiao Chen stepped forward and bowed slightly toward him.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Ye, but today's matter is one between us and the Lieyang Sect. There's no need for you to intervene."

The moment those words were spoken, everyone present looked at Xiao Chen with strange expressions. Even the Ye Clan's ancestor couldn't argue on his behalf now.

Jiuyang Half-Saint laughed and said, "Brother Ye, don't blame me for not showing you face—it's this brat who doesn't appreciate it. Boy, my words still stand. I'll give you three breaths. If you're willing to kneel and admit fault, I won't stoop to your level!"

"No need for three breaths. I will never bow to any enemy."

Xiao Chen spoke firmly. "Besides, you can't hurt me."

Hiss...

Everyone present drew in a sharp breath. They had long heard of the genius Xiao Tianjiao from Wendao Academy—wielder of the Invincible Sword, cultivator of the Invincible Dao Heart. Now, seeing him in person, he lived up to his reputation.

Such confidence—unprecedented!

"Hahaha..."

Jiuyang Half-Saint suddenly burst into laughter. His intention had been to use this chance to break Xiao Chen's invincible Dao Heart. That way, he would surely earn commendation from the Dayan Holy Land. As for Chu Feng's retaliation, he didn't worry in the slightest. Worst case, he'd go into seclusion upon return—surely the other side couldn't storm the Lieyang Sect's gate alone with just a sword.

What he didn't expect was that Xiao Chen would actually gift him the perfect excuse to cripple him.

"Arrogant brat! Then today, I'll see if I can hurt you!!!"

As his voice fell, Jiuyang Half-Saint's aura surged to its peak. Behind him, nine blazing suns emerged—manifestations of his fully mastered Lieyang True Intent.

Each sun carried the essence of Dao. Any one of them descending would obliterate Xiao Chen completely.

Many had already begun lamenting Xiao Chen's fate.

"Is this where a peerless genius falls?"

"The tallest tree in the forest always catches the wind..."

"..."

Amidst the voices of pity, a sudden, discordant voice echoed.

"You really can't hurt him."

As soon as those words were spoken, Jiuyang Half-Saint's expression changed slightly and he shouted in fury, "Who dares to speak such nonsense?!"

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