Chapter 28: Su Yao to the Rescue!

"Ye Chen has achieved an epiphany in the heat of battle!"

"I never imagined Ye Chen was this formidable. I recall that everyone who has ever experienced an epiphany during combat has gone on to become a titan at the pinnacle of this world!"

"Such talent is something I could never hope to reach in a lifetime!"

……

The rogue cultivators watching the scene were instantly thrown into an uproar of excitement. Finally, a truly powerful figure had emerged among the rogue cultivators—it was even more gratifying to them than if they had experienced the epiphany themselves! At last, someone could restore the reputation of the rogue cultivators!

Beyond the rogue cultivators, several orthodox practitioners who had heard the news stood in the distance, watching the spectacle unfold.

"I never thought a mere rogue cultivator like Ye Chen would possess the cultivation of the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Why didn't our sect discover this promising seedling sooner?"

"With the meager resources of your sect, could you even accommodate someone like Ye Chen? Only my Ten Thousand Swords Sect is worthy of him!"

"The Ten Thousand Swords Sect is impressive? My Sword-Wielding Immortal Sect is surely more powerful than yours!"

In just a few short moments, disciples from various sects began to emerge. The disciples from afar had already started a war of words, all vying to recruit Ye Chen to bring glory to their respective sects. Even the common folk who had just landed on the ground looked up at the sky.

"Hiss! Even the people from the Sword-Wielding Immortal Sect have been stirred!"

"You recognize the people from the Sword-Wielding Immortal Sect?"

"How could I not? I once took my child there, after all."

……

For a moment, it seemed as if all the attention and expectations of everyone in this world were focused solely on Ye Chen. He appeared to be the only "deity" in existence.

Even Ling Hu, who had grown weary of playing the sycophant, paused and turned to look at Ye Chen, who was in the midst of his epiphany. A complex look flickered in her eyes. This was the kind of genius who could help her return to her peak and aid her in her quest for revenge. Although her master was formidable, she was unsure of his true potential. The hatred for the massacre of her kin caused a restless agitation in her heart.

"Given Master's temper, he shouldn't blame me."

"Perhaps I can wait until I have exacted my revenge through Ye Chen, and then return to serve Master and repay his kindness."

"But doing so would surely break Master's heart."

Just as Ling Hu was caught in this internal conflict, Xiao Chenxin suddenly lifted his head. The system's feedback had finally arrived.

[Congratulations to the host for initially grasping the Laws of Space!]

Following the system's prompt, Xiao Chenxin extended his palm. This time, he made no effort to conceal his spiritual energy as he struck out at the meditating Ye Chen. The strike appeared unremarkable, yet the spiritual energy it unleashed effortlessly bypassed the restrictions of the Laws of Space, landing directly on Ye Chen.

*Puff!*

Ye Chen, who had been completely immersed in his epiphany, had no way to guard against Xiao Chenxin's methods. He immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood. With his body injured, his epiphany was cut short! The "surprise attack" even caused severe damage to his meridians!

"You!"

"Despicable!"

Ye Chen steadied himself in the air, raising a hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. He felt a mysterious, stinging pain throughout his entire body, as if his physical form were being torn apart. This intense agony left his mind a blank slate, stubbornly repeating the same accusation.

"You are truly despicable!"

As Ye Chen spat out his condemnation, the surrounding cultivators were instantly incensed. They glared at Xiao Chenxin with fury.

"So this is the character of the ancestor of the Yaoguang Holy Land, unable to tolerate the rise of a younger generation! Are you even fit to be called an orthodox sect?"

"Bah! A person like you is not fit to be a practitioner!"

"I propose that the twelve great sects here join together to petition the Sect Alliance to expel the Yaoguang Holy Land from the orthodox ranks!"

"Agreed! We will not allow a despicable, shameless person like you to tarnish the reputation of the righteous path!"

"How base! Xiao Chenxin, attacking someone while they are unprepared—how utterly base!"

……

At that moment, a deluge of insults swept toward him. Even Ling Hu stared at Xiao Chenxin in a daze, before sending a telepathic message a moment later: "Master, you..."

Xiao Chenxin’s lips curled into a faint smile. He was naturally unafraid of their verbal onslaught. As long as he accepted the role of a shameless villain, all the insults hurled from the moral high ground were nothing more than a passing breeze. If it weren't for Ye Chen’s protected destiny, he would have long since rooted him out and silenced him! Logic and morality are only for the living to argue over. The dead are not entitled to them!

Before Xiao Chenxin could strike again, a faint light cut through the firmament. Su Yao, dressed in a plain skirt, landed quietly beside him. Her beautiful eyes scanned him carefully before she reached out and gently gripped his arm.

"Grand Uncle-Master, are you alright? Did Ye Chen’s sneak attack earlier cause you any injury?"

Su Yao?

The moment he saw her, Xiao Chenxin admitted he panicked. Even when he was being condemned by the masses, he hadn't felt a shred of panic, knowing that no matter how much they wagged their tongues, he wouldn't lose a single hair. But Su Yao was a person whose "sycophant value" had hit the charts; if she were to see that "farmer" in the crowd, the Yaoguang Holy Land might change hands on the spot!

Look at Ling Hu! With only 85 points of sycophancy, she had given everything good to Ye Chen. She had even selflessly taught him the *Twelve Swords of Heaven-Slaying*, a technique of extraordinary power. That was only because Ling Hu had just regained her physical form and possessed no other treasures. Otherwise, judging by the situation that day, she likely would have given him absolutely everything she had.

Whether Ling Hu would have truly given everything was debatable, but Su Yao, whose sycophant value had already peaked, would definitely give him everything she owned!

Xiao Chenxin hurriedly grabbed Su Yao's arm in return and whispered a warning: "Holy Master, return first. I can handle this; trust me."

Su Yao raised her eyes to meet his intense and anxious gaze, and she couldn't help but smile.

"There are some things that even you, Grand Uncle-Master, cannot handle well."

"Rest assured, Grand Uncle-Master. I may not listen to anyone else, but I will listen to you, and I will certainly keep my composure."

Seeing that Su Yao had said as much, Xiao Chenxin sighed helplessly. He gripped her arm tightly and whispered, "Very well, but you are not to leave my side for a single step. Discuss any ideas with me first."

The corners of Su Yao's mouth lifted slightly as she turned toward Ye Chen, who was still wiping blood from his mouth.

"Ye Chen, do you know your crimes?"

"Do you realize that all of this is of your own doing?"

Ye Chen spat out a mouthful of blood and sneered. "I know my fault? It's my own doing? I was attacked by Xiao Chenxin—how could that possibly be my fault?"

A hint of mockery flashed in Su Yao's beautiful eyes. "The Yaoguang Holy Land has always operated on the principle of 'I will not offend unless I am offended.' I have investigated your affair with Liu Ruyan thoroughly. It seems you truly need me to produce evidence of your vile behavior?"

"I will give you one final chance: either tuck your tail and leave, or I shall make your crimes public! Do not make things look too ugly!"

Ye Chen was stunned by these words. He could not understand why Su Yao could rebuke him with such righteous indignation.

"My conduct is upright and my heart is pure!"

Su Yao let out a cold laugh. "It seems you think I have no evidence."

After saying this, Su Yao raised her hand and threw a projection stone into the sky.

"Everyone, take a look for yourselves—this is the true, ugly face of Ye Chen. The fact that my Grand Uncle-Master did not slay him on the spot today is already an act of extreme magnanimity. Once you have seen this, you will surely understand the truth of right and wrong!"