"Tongtong!!!"
Ye Chen's figure flashed, and he appeared before the cold woman, intending to take Qin Ruotong from her arms.
However, the woman turned to the side, dodging Ye Chen.
"What do you think you're doing?"
A vicious glint flashed in Ye Chen's eyes. It didn't matter how stunningly beautiful this woman's figure was or how graceful and fairy-like her aura was. If she dared to harm the person closest to him, he wouldn't show the slightest hint of mercy!
"She is only safe with me."
"If you insist on taking her away, can you truly keep her safe?"
The cold woman spoke calmly, her voice possessing a strange magnetic quality, as melodious and pleasant as celestial music.
"She's my family. I will protect her, even if I have to risk everything."
"Besides, it's not your place to lecture me on how I do things."
Ye Chen's expression was harsh as he moved to take Qin Ruotong from the cold woman's arms.
"Oh? Are you saying you insist on taking her, even if it will cause her harm?"
The woman showed no anger, no rage. Her clear voice was as placid as a windless lake.
"What do you mean?"
Ye Chen froze.
"Her constitution is special. I am using a Secret Technique to help awaken it! If she leaves my side, she will suffer irreversible damage."
Hearing this, Ye Chen finally noticed that within Qin Ruotong's small, delicate body, there seemed to be a mysterious and unfathomable energy.
That energy was like a volcano on the verge of erupting. Though hidden beneath the surface, it was exceptionally turbulent and violent. Once it erupted, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Meanwhile, faint wisps of energy were emanating from the woman's body.
This energy, like a celestial rhythm, enveloped Qin Ruotong, actually suppressing the restless power within her for the time being.
Seeing that the woman truly had no intention of harming Qin Ruotong, Ye Chen's expression finally softened.
He said in a deep voice, "You don't intend to keep her with you forever, do you? I came to the Cold Wind Sect to take her with me."
The woman shook her head slightly. "She is your family. I naturally wouldn't act on my own. This matter still requires discussion."
"However, you'd best not worry about this girl for now. Your own situation is far from optimistic."
"Do you think they can keep me here?" Ye Chen smiled, his expression filled with dominance and confidence.
The woman remained silent. After a long moment, she finally said, "Your situation is not as simple as you think. You should focus on surviving this ordeal first."
"After this matter is resolved, I will come and discuss it with you."
With that, she carried Qin Ruotong and moved to stand to the side.
Only then did Ye Chen turn back around, but he suddenly realized something was wrong.
During his conversation with the cold woman, the perpetually aggressive members of the Cold Wind Sect, as well as Xu Yingwu and Mu Shanhong, had been incredibly quiet.
This surprised Ye Chen. He keenly sensed that the woman's identity was likely anything but simple!
Sure enough, Shen Yanyue was the first to look at the cold woman and speak. "Fairy Luoxia, this man's name is Ye Chen. He was originally a member of our Righteous Dao, but he secretly colluded with the Demon Dao to slaughter a Righteous Dao sect! His actions are an unforgivable crime!"
"I wonder if you, Fairy, might lend us a hand for the sake of our shared Righteous Dao? He cultivates the Demon Dao, and his strength has progressed at a terrifying speed. We are finding it quite difficult to deal with him."
'Fairy Luoxia?' Upon hearing the name, Ye Chen couldn't help but take a deep look at the woman in the distance, who was veiled in light gauze.
'This woman's identity is mysterious, and her background seems astonishing.'
'If she decides to intervene, to ensure Tongtong's safety, my only choice is to flee with her first. I can come back later to eradicate them, root and stem, to prevent any future trouble!'
However, Fairy Luoxia simply shook her head, her voice cold as she replied, "My master did not wish for me to interfere in worldly affairs. I do not want to disobey my master's command."
Hearing this, a flash of disappointment crossed the eyes of Shen Yanyue and the others.
But they didn't dare to object. Compared to the sect behind Fairy Luoxia, their own sects were indeed pathetically weak, not much better than worldly mortals.
"Ye Chen, I never thought you'd be so audacious."
"After destroying the gates of my Luoyun Sect, you still dare to come and cause trouble at the Cold Wind Sect!"
Xu Yingwu said coldly, "You are indeed different from before, but surely you don't think there's truly no one who can handle you?"
At his words, Shen Yanyue and Mu Shanhong couldn't help but look over at him.
Even Shen Yanyue, the dignified Sect Leader of the Cold Wind Sect—one of the three major sects in Lei Province—was no match for Ye Chen.
What method could Xu Yingwu possibly have to deal with this Ye Chen?
"Hmph!"
"Bring it on."
Ye Chen stared at Xu Yingwu, a deep chill rising in his eyes.
'I don't plan on letting a single person from the Luoyun Sect go.'
'Especially the Sect Leader, Xu Yingwu. Back when they took me in only to use me for blood-drawing Alchemy, Xu Yingwu's decision must have been behind it!'
Just then, a disciple's panicked voice suddenly rang out from beyond the Cold Wind Sect's gates.
"Reporting! Sect Leader, someone from the Lei Province government has arrived!"
The news sent an uproar through the entire crowd.
"The Lei Province government?!"
Shen Yanyue and Mu Shanhong exchanged glances, a surge of joy rising in their hearts.
The Lei Province government was the ruler of the entire Lei Province.
Backed by the Great Hong Dynasty, the provincial government possessed an endless supply of martial arts resources. As a result, it had gathered nearly half of all the powerful experts in Lei Province under its banner.
They were the true hegemon of Lei Province in every sense of the word!
After all, as official entities under the jurisdiction of the Great Hong Dynasty, they were on a different level from sects like the Cold Wind Sect and the Nine Nether Sect, which existed outside the imperial court's direct control.
Among them, the strongest expert in the Lei Province government, Venerable Thundering Sound, was powerful enough to be ranked among the top figures in the entire Great Hong Dynasty!
Legend had it that fifty years ago, a Demon Dao cultivator at the Primordial Mansion Realm, along with over a hundred Spirit Sea Realm cultivators under his command, had wreaked havoc throughout Lei Province, committing endless evil deeds.
The people were tormented beyond endurance. Finally, Venerable Thundering Sound took action. With a single palm strike, the entire sky filled with lightning and thunder. Every last remnant of the Demon Dao, including the Primordial Mansion Realm cultivator, was annihilated. His fame skyrocketed after that day!
For the past several decades, the entire Lei Province had been overshadowed by Venerable Thundering Sound's awe-inspiring reputation. In all that long time, not a single power had dared to defy the will of the provincial government!
"The Lei Province government? Why would people from the provincial government come at a time like this?"
Within the Cold Wind Sect, the disciples and Elders broke into fervent discussion, feeling that the situation before them was becoming increasingly incomprehensible.
But for Shen Yanyue and the others, this was wonderful news! They had just been worrying that no one could bring Ye Chen to justice, and now help had arrived at their doorstep so quickly!
"People from the Lei Province government are here! Ye Chen, you're dead for sure this time!!!"