Chapter 526: Leaving

After all, Ye Chen had only just recovered his combat strength to the level of the Primordial Mansion Realm. Without the ability to use his cultivation, he wouldn’t necessarily have a significant advantage in a fight against Sikong.

“The Young Master is as incredible as ever!”

Zhao Tiankuo had long since been won over by Ye Chen’s skill, an expression of awe involuntarily appearing on his face.

Qing Lian, on the other hand, watched nervously, her small hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes.

Although Ye Chen had forced Sikong back, giving her a moment to breathe, the Luo Race still had them outnumbered. They remained at a disadvantage, and if the fight dragged on, the outcome would be hard to predict.

“Again!”

Sikong grew savage. His eyes seemed tinted blood-red as he gripped his long spear, his aura sharp and fierce, and thrust violently toward Ye Chen.

He refused to believe it—that he couldn’t handle a young man with no cultivation.

Ye Chen smiled faintly. ‘Sikong is impetuous and arrogant. His type always reveals an opening when they get impulsive in a fight.’

Ye Chen stepped forward unhurriedly.

Just as Sikong’s spear was about to cunningly pierce his skull, Ye Chen suddenly tilted his head, narrowly avoiding the thrust.

The next moment, he reached out and lightly slapped the spear shaft.

It didn’t look like he used much force, almost giving the illusion that he was just fooling around.

But in that instant, Sikong felt as if a majestic, ancient Divine Mountain had come crashing down on him. The immense force nearly snapped his spear, and his arms, unable to bear the weight, were injured.

‘How can this guy’s physical body be so powerful?’

Sikong was secretly shocked, finding it utterly unbelievable.

But he ultimately withstood the blow. With a change in his motion, he switched from a thrust to a horizontal sweep, the spear’s tip radiating a sharp, fierce energy.

‘If this blow lands true,’ Sikong thought with confidence, ‘it will be enough to disembowel him!’

But in the end, the strike missed.

Ye Chen would not be overconfident when the outcome was uncertain.

He raised a hand to slap the spear away, then followed up with a backhand punch, smashing it toward Sikong’s chest.

Within that simple, unadorned fist, a boundless, surging power seemed to roil—enough to sink mountains and level forests.

Sikong’s expression changed slightly. With both hands gripping the spear, it was too late to change his move.

BOOM!

Finally, Ye Chen’s fist landed squarely on Sikong’s chest.

Struck by the massive blow, Sikong was sent flying. His spear fell to the side, and a spray of blood rained down while he was still airborne.

At a glance, it looked as if a shower of blood had erupted within the firelit cave.

The faint smell of blood lingered in the air. The sight left the Luo Race Cultivators dazed and in disbelief.

Sikong, the Vice Clan Leader with the greatest combat strength in their race, had actually been defeated.

And by a young man with no cultivation, no less!

How could anyone accept such an absurd result?

Sikong’s body slammed violently into a stone wall, causing a section of it to cave in and burying him under a pile of rubble.

“Excellent! The Young Master defeated him!”

Zhao Tiankuo was thrilled, his old face beaming with joy.

Only then did Qing Lian finally let out a full sigh of relief, patting her heaving chest with a small, jade-white hand.

Only Ye Chen frowned, staring at the distant rubble, not letting his guard down completely.

‘I was sure that punch would have crippled him, if not killed him,’ he thought. ‘But I realized it never truly connected with his body.’

‘He must have some kind of Spiritual Object on his chest that took the brunt of the force.’

Although Sikong looked badly beaten, Ye Chen knew that he wasn’t seriously injured and could still fight.

Just as Ye Chen was about to make another move, Qing Lian’s expression suddenly changed. “We have to go! Danger is approaching!” she warned.

“Danger?”

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow.

“Great Demons are getting closer… and more than one!”

Qing Lian said hurriedly, “Jade Crane Mountain is overrun with Great Demons! I’m afraid the commotion from your fight attracted them!”

She produced a bronze mirror from somewhere. A hazy light shimmered on its surface, reflecting the surrounding area.

The reflection showed several demonic beasts rapidly approaching the cave. However, they were all cautious, as if aware the combatants inside were not to be trifled with, and didn’t rashly approach the entrance.

Seeing this, Ye Chen immediately realized the gravity of the situation.

‘Fighting all-out on Jade Crane Mountain really can attract nearby demonic beasts.’

“Let’s go!”

He made his decision in an instant, charging out of the cave.

Seeing this, the Luo Race Cultivators didn’t dare to block his path. They scrambled to the sides, looking terrified.

It made sense. If even Sikong had been beaten so badly, what chance did they stand?

To Ye Chen, they were no different than punching bags.

Qing Lian and Zhao Tiankuo followed close behind. The three of them successfully left the cave and emerged outside.

“There are indeed several powerful auras lying in wait nearby!”

“We can’t stay here any longer. We should leave as soon as possible,” Zhao Tiankuo said in a low voice.

Ye Chen nodded. He had successfully rescued the survivors from the cave and had also learned the whereabouts of the other Vermilion Bird tribespeople.

‘There’s really no need to stay here any longer.’

‘As for the Luo Race… after I absorb the White Tiger Tribe’s fire seed and recover more of my strength, I’ll naturally pay them a personal visit.’

With his current strength, dealing with Sikong and the others would still require some effort.

But Jade Crane Mountain was too dangerous. Lingering here for too long was undoubtedly an unwise choice.

The trio didn’t dare to slow their pace and successfully departed from Jade Crane Mountain.

Only after they were clear of Jade Crane Mountain’s vicinity did Qing Lian finally heave a sigh of relief.

Zhao Tiankuo looked as if he’d been given a new lease on life. “I truly just walked through the gates of hell!” he exclaimed emotionally.

He looked at Ye Chen, deeply moved. “Thankfully, the Young Master arrived in time. Otherwise, I’m afraid I would have truly fallen here.”

“Where do you plan to go next?” Qing Lian asked, looking at Ye Chen with her bright eyes.

“To your tribe,” Ye Chen said calmly.

Hearing this, Qing Lian’s eyes immediately lit up.

Awakening the White Tiger Tribe’s totem power as soon as possible was, of course, the best possible outcome.

“You should come with me to the White Tiger Tribe as well. It’s a good place for you to recuperate,” Ye Chen said, looking at Zhao Tiankuo.

“As you command, Young Master!” Zhao Tiankuo now held Ye Chen in the highest regard, his tone filled with utter reverence.