C14 Shen Lingwei Engaged

"How... how can this be!" Ye Chen's iron fist, now colliding fiercely with Shen Hanzhou's Sky Thunder Tiger Martial Soul, left Shen Hanzhou's face contorted in disbelief.

"Puff!" No sooner had he spoken than Shen Hanzhou was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing down onto the floor of the Hall of Affairs.

"To think that after advancing to the sixth level of the Dragon Blood Stage, the power of the Nine Dragon Heaven Swallowing Technique within me would be equivalent to a full-force strike from a seventh-level Martial Soul Stage warrior. Even Shen Hanzhou, at Level Five of the Martial Soul Stage, couldn't withstand a single punch from me!"

Feeling the surge of 18,000 kilograms of force within him, Ye Chen smiled contentedly, his gaze playful as he looked at the disheveled Shen Hanzhou not far off.

"Boom!" Ye Chen approached Shen Hanzhou with an icy demeanor and delivered another devastating punch just as Shen Hanzhou was struggling to his feet.

Instantly, Shen Hanzhou crumpled like a lifeless dog, his ribs shattering and puncturing his internal organs, a torrent of blood gushing forth.

Ye Chen's punch sent Shen Hanzhou's body flying once more.

"Ye... Ye Chen, you worthless trash, how can you have such power?" Struggling to rise from the ground, Shen Hanzhou's face was deathly pale. After coughing up clots of blood laced with bits of his organs, he stared at Ye Chen, his face a mix of horror and disbelief.

As for Shen Lingwei, the smug smirk that once graced her face had vanished, replaced by sheer terror and astonishment.

Clearly, neither father nor daughter had anticipated that Ye Chen's strength was not only unimpaired but had actually increased!

With this development...

Should Ye Chen's strength remain intact, the Shen family's recent actions would irreparably sever ties with the Ye family, likely making their future in Heavenly Cloud City far from comfortable.

"Since the Shen family insists on such arrogance, perhaps it's time for you to roll out of here, don't you think?"

Ye Chen approached Shen Hanzhou with deliberate steps, a slight smile playing on his lips before he firmly planted his foot on Shen Hanzhou's right leg.

"Ye... Ye Chen, I am the head of the Shen family. How dare you lay a hand on me?"

Shen Hanzhou's face contorted in shock as he realized Ye Chen had no hesitation in ruthlessly stomping down on his leg. He cried out in horror.

"And what are you... that I should hesitate?" Ye Chen retorted with a cold laugh, pressing down harder.

"Crack!"

A gruesome sound of breaking bones filled the air as Shen Hanzhou's right knee shattered, flesh and blood grotesquely twisting from the severe pain.

"Argh...!" A blood-curdling scream escaped Shen Hanzhou.

"Ye Chen, if you dare harm my father further, I will inform Qin Huai of every detail. Then brace yourself for the fury of the Qin family!"

Shen Lingwei's eyes glinted with a mix of ice and dread as she watched her father writhing on the ground in agony, his dignity forgotten. She glared at Ye Chen, issuing her threat.

Even her father, Shen Hanzhou, was no match for Ye Chen. How could she possibly stand against him with her own strength? Her only option was to invoke the name of Qin Huai and the powerful Qin family backing him to instill fear in Ye Chen; otherwise, there was no saving her father.

"Hehe... How amusing. I had intended to let this old cur limp away from the Mission Hall, but since you're threatening me with the Qin family, I suppose he'll have to crawl out instead," Ye Chen said, his voice laced with mockery.

He paused briefly as Shen Lingwei's words sank in, then sneered and turned his gaze toward her, speaking with chilling calm.

"Crack!"

As his words hung in the air, Ye Chen's foot came crashing down once more, completely shattering both of Shen Hanzhou's legs.

It was a scene eerily reminiscent of the punishment he had meted out to Shen Yanfan outside the Treasure Pavilion.

"Ye Chen, you've gone too far! Here's the invitation to my engagement with Qin Huai next month. If you're brave enough, show up at the Qin family's banquet. If not, you'd best clean your neck and prepare for the end!"

After propping Shen Hanzhou back on his feet, a glint of icy determination flashed in Shen Lingwei's eyes before she clenched her teeth and barked out her words.

Clearly, with Ye Chen having crippled her father's legs, the Shen and Ye families were now at a point of no return, locked in a bitter feud. The Shen family's chances of toppling the Ye family hinged on the actions of Qin Huai and the Qin family.

The Shen family's influence in Heavenly Cloud City paled in comparison to that of the Ye family. And now, with their father, Shen Hanzhou, incapacitated by Ye Chen, they would likely be unable to regain their footing without the Qin family's support. For the Shen family, it was a do-or-die moment.

"Interesting... If you're so keen on leaning on the Qin family, then I'm curious to see whether they can actually keep you afloat," Ye Chen mused.

"And regarding this Qin Huai you speak of—if I'm feeling generous, maybe he'll live to see the end of the outer sect contest. But if my mood sours, you might find yourself donning mourning attire and grieving for the Qin family sooner than expected!"

Ye Chen's indifference was palpable as he accepted Shen Lingwei's invitation, his face etched with a teasing smirk.

Upon hearing Ye Chen's retort, Shen Lingwei shot him a venomous glare but refrained from further mockery. She hastily escorted the unconscious Shen Hanzhou, who had succumbed to his excruciating pain, out of the Hall of Affairs, their departure as pitiful as that of a defeated cur.

"Son, you..." Ye Yuanming was utterly astounded by the display of Ye Chen's prowess and the ten Perfection Level Spirit Fount Pills he had produced. He was at a loss for words.

"Father, during your seclusion, I had some serendipitous encounters that brought me these treasures, which have fortuitously enhanced my cultivation. Those ten Spirit Fount Pills should solidify your foundation in the Martial Master Stage and may even propel you to the second level of cultivation," Ye Chen explained.

"As for me, I need to return to the sect for further training. Meanwhile, the Shen family has been busy bolstering their forces in Heavenly Cloud City with the Qin family's backing. It seems you may have to confront the Shen family head-on in the days to come."

After a brief pause, Ye Chen began to explain.

Without this explanation, he feared his father would steadfastly refuse the ten Spirit Fount Pills.

Given the Shen family's recent setbacks at his hands, Ye Chen anticipated that once Shen Yuanming recovered, he would seek frenzied vengeance against the Ye family. However, Ye Chen lacked the time and energy to become further embroiled with the Shen family, leaving it to his father, Ye Yuanming, to handle the situation.

"Alright... just be sure to look after yourself, Chen'er."

Ye Yuanming nodded in response to Ye Chen's words and reluctantly agreed.

He chose not to inquire about the secrets Ye Chen carried.

He understood all too well that Ye Chen had become like a dragon soaring through the heavens, free to glide on the wind. The confines of Heavenly Cloud City and the Ye family could no longer bind him.