Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

After traveling for the better part of the day, Jade Crane Mountain was finally in sight!

Over the past half-day, Ye Chen’s group had occasionally run into vicious thugs attempting to rob them. Relying on their own strength, these thugs had targeted the injured members of the White Tiger Tribe.

However, among these few waves of robbers, the strongest was only at the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm.

With Ye Chen present, no one could threaten the wounded of the White Tiger Tribe. Each wave of thugs was dealt with in just a few moves.

Everyone became even more awestruck by Ye Chen’s strength, revering him as if he were a god.

They simply couldn’t understand it. Ye Chen showed no fluctuations of Spiritual Power whatsoever; he seemed like a mortal without any cultivation.

Yet his combat prowess was terrifyingly brutal. Basically, no one could withstand a single one of his moves.

Ye Chen didn’t offer any explanations for this.

‘My situation is a bit special. The fewer people who know, the better.’

After spending half a day together, Qing Lian and the others had learned the purpose of Ye Chen’s journey.

Besides visiting the White Tiger Tribe, he also had to go to Jade Crane Mountain to rescue the members of the Vermilion Bird Tribe!

“Jade Crane Mountain is fraught with danger. Even our tribe rarely goes near it, usually only lingering around the outer edges. We never venture deep inside.”

“It’s said that many ferocious Great Demons live within, making it a place ordinary Cultivators like us cannot easily enter.”

On the way to Jade Crane Mountain, Qing Lian explained the situation there to Ye Chen.

“Is that so?”

Ye Chen nodded, growing warier in his heart.

He didn’t let Qing Lian’s warning go in one ear and out the other.

Although his combat power could be considered top-tier in this region, it was far from enough to let him act with impunity.

Ultimately, until his cultivation was fully restored, he had to be careful at all times.

Otherwise, even the slightest misjudgment could lead to an unexpected and disastrous failure—one wrong move could bring eternal regret!

“Speaking of which, do you happen to know why the Liuyue Sect was suddenly annihilated?”

Ye Chen asked, something having suddenly occurred to him.

The Celestial Mountain Sect seemed to be facing some trouble, unable to even fend for themselves.

The Liuyue Sect, which protected the White Tiger Tribe, had also been tragically wiped out, with no one left alive.

‘Is there… a connection between these things?’

“We don’t know about that.”

The young woman shook her head, her voice crisp. “However, although we don’t know the details, we have heard some rumors.”

“It’s said the Liuyue Sect provoked a powerful enemy they couldn’t handle, which led to their annihilation.”

Li Hong, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but suck in a breath of cold air. “A major power like the Liuyue Sect, with a Divinity Transformation Realm Great Power presiding over it, actually couldn’t escape being wiped out? Isn’t that enemy a bit too ruthless?”

Ye Chen’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart was stirred.

‘This is the Black Triangle.’

In any other place with stable order, a tragedy like the annihilation of a sect would be a rare occurrence.

But in the Black Triangle, while still utterly brutal, such events were not uncommon.

The reason Li Hong was so shocked was simply that the Liuyue Sect was considered one of the major powers in the vicinity, comparable to the Celestial Mountain Sect.

The fall of such a power often triggered numerous disputes. For example, the White Tiger Tribe had been attacked by their enemies precisely because they had lost their protector.

Soon, the group arrived at the foot of Jade Crane Mountain. The people of the White Tiger Tribe bid farewell to Ye Chen.

They were all injured and needed to return to their camp to recuperate.

“You can go now.”

Ye Chen glanced at Li Hong and said casually.

“What?”

“I… I can go?!”

Li Hong was stunned. He could hardly believe his ears.

Ye Chen was actually willing to let him go?

“I said that after we reached Jade Crane Mountain, I would consider whether or not to let you off.”

Ye Chen said faintly, “I’ve seen your performance. While I can’t say I’m entirely satisfied, it’s been enough for me to change my mind and let you leave.”

Li Hong stared at Ye Chen in disbelief. He paused for a moment before bowing in gratitude. “Th-thank you, my lord! I will never forget this kindness!”

With that, he hurried away, as if afraid Ye Chen would change his mind and keep him there.

Watching Li Hong’s retreating figure, Qing Lian couldn’t help but giggle. “Why does he look like he was afraid you were going to eat him?”

“Who knows.” Ye Chen shrugged and smiled as well.

In truth, there had been no need for Li Hong to act at all during their journey.

Every time they encountered intercepting Cultivators, it was Ye Chen who decisively struck, sweeping aside all assailants.

As for guiding the way… how could Li Hong possibly be more familiar with the routes and terrain than the White Tiger Tribe members?

In the end, after they met up with the people from the White Tiger Tribe, Li Hong had become completely useless.

It could even be said that Ye Chen had been the one protecting him along the way.

Of course, Ye Chen couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it.

All in all, he was satisfied just to have reached his destination.

The next step was to enter Jade Crane Mountain, find the location of that mineral vein, and see if he could find any trace of the people from the Vermilion Bird Tribe.

‘To be honest, the journey alone had taken up the better part of a day.’

‘If those tribe members truly encountered some danger they couldn’t escape, I’m afraid their odds of survival are already slim.’

“I’ll go with you.”

Just as Ye Chen was about to set off, Qing Lian suddenly spoke up, saying something shocking.

“What?”

“Priest, you’re going into Jade Crane Mountain with Senior Ye Chen?”

“Jade Crane Mountain is crawling with Great Demons! Priest, you just fought that Wolf Demon, and your stamina hasn’t fully recovered. It’s too dangerous to go in rashly!”

The members of the White Tiger Tribe all spoke out against it. They couldn’t understand why their Priest would suddenly make such a decision!

“My mind is made up! You don’t need to say another word!”

Qing Lian’s attitude was firm. She said in a serious tone, “We are not far from the tribe’s location. Go back and rest as soon as you can.”

“As for me… I was the one who was least injured in the fight with the Wolf Demon. I’ve mostly recovered over the past half-day and am perfectly capable of protecting myself.”

“Fellow Daoist Ye Chen is our savior. He protected us this entire way, so it’s time we showed our sincerity!”

With that, she turned to Ye Chen and said, “I have entered Jade Crane Mountain before with the elders of my tribe. I’m relatively familiar with the terrain and routes inside.”

“If you take me with you, it will be easier to find your tribe members!”

She blinked, adding playfully, “Don’t worry, I won’t slow you down.”

Hearing this, Ye Chen was a bit tempted.

Qing Lian was right.

He was new to this area, a stranger in a strange land. Finding the members of the Vermilion Bird Tribe would be quite difficult on his own.

But with a local to guide him, things would be completely different. It would clearly save him a lot of effort!