Chapter 500
Ye Qingxian's Recruitment!
"—Buzz!"
This seemed to be to confirm Zhu Chen's guess.
While he was thinking about these things.
A clear spatial fluctuation once again came from the void above the Fire Emperor's Palace.
This fluctuation was completely different from the domineering pressure that came with the arrival of those giants from the upper realms.
It feels more dynamic, as if a gentle breeze is brushing across the water.
If you don't pay close attention, you won't notice it at all.
"You've arrived so quickly?"
Zhu Chen's eyes narrowed, and his figure vanished from the side hall in an instant.
The next moment, his figure appeared on the roof of the highest palace in the royal palace.
Xiao Yan, Lin Dong, and the others quickly noticed the unusual situation and followed closely behind, landing beside Zhu Chen in a flash.
"—Whoosh!"
Almost the instant Zhu Chen and his group settled down and stood still.
The space beside Zhu Chen suddenly rippled gently like water.
Immediately afterwards, a graceful figure dressed in a light blue flowing dress stepped out from the crowd and landed beside Zhu Chen.
The woman looked to be no more than twenty years old, and was enveloped in a faint, hazy, ethereal aura.
Her face was extremely beautiful, yet she possessed a cynical cunning, especially her eyes, which were clear and bright, seemingly full of curiosity.
This woman's appearance was too abrupt, and she was so close to Zhu Chen!
Driven by instinct honed through long-term combat, Zhu Chen barely hesitated before his right fist flashed out like lightning, just as the woman in green had not yet fully solidified her form!
"oops!"
The woman in green was clearly taken aback by Zhu Chen's swift reaction and let out a short gasp.
However, her reaction was extremely fast. She quickly raised her jade arm and held it horizontally in front of her, with a layer of clear light composed of countless runes emanating from her palm.
"--boom!"
The two men's fists clashed, producing a muffled thud.
Zhu Chen felt as if his fist had struck a soft, strange barrier, with most of the force cleverly neutralized by the runes.
However, the remaining force of his punch still caused the woman in green to sway and involuntarily take several steps back.
"Dengdengdeng..."
Ye Qingxian's jade-like feet, clad in cyan embroidered shoes, stomped repeatedly on the glazed tile roof, each step shattering several tiles and producing a crisp cracking sound.
She retreated a good seven or eight zhang before finally regaining her balance. A hint of surprise flashed across her face, but more than that, it was a playful "I knew it" expression.
"Hey! What's wrong with you? You're hitting me the moment we meet. That's so rude!"
After the woman in green steadied herself, she patted her dust-free sleeves, pouted, and spoke in a clear, melodious voice, with a hint of coquettishness but little anger.
Zhu Chen withdrew his fist, a chill running down his spine.
The opponent hastily parried, yet managed to deflect seven or eight tenths of his force, only retreating a few feet. This control over power and the strangeness of his protective aura were far beyond what ordinary cultivators could achieve.
His sharp gaze began to scrutinize the other person: "Who are you? Why did you approach so quietly? What brings you to the Huo Kingdom's palace?"
He had already vaguely guessed the woman's identity, but he still asked a question. He was unsure of Ye Qingxian's true purpose in coming here.
"Big brother, are you alright?"
Xiao Yan and the others also gathered around at this moment.
Everyone stared at the suddenly appearing woman in green, their eyes filled with vigilance.
The other party had a strange aura. Although they were standing right in front of him, it was as if there was a thin veil of time and space between them, making it difficult to truly sense their depth. Clearly, they were no ordinary person!
Ye Qingxian looked around at Xiao Yan and the others with great interest, and finally her gaze fell on Zhu Chen again. A sly smile appeared on her lips as she said in a carefree manner, "My name is Ye Qingxian. Ye is the 'Ye' in 'leaf,' Qing is the 'Qing' in 'beauty that could topple a country,' and Xian is the 'Xian' in 'immortal.' What do you think? Isn't it a nice name?"
Ignoring the somewhat surprised expressions on everyone's faces, she continued, "I came down from the Upper Realm specifically to find you, Zhu Chen. I couldn't find you in the Stone Kingdom, so I guessed you had probably gone back to your lair. I came here to try my luck, but I didn't expect you to actually be here."
It really is Ye Qingxian!
Zhu Chen was certain, but his doubts only deepened.
He frowned slightly and asked directly, "Miss Ye, we have never met before. I wonder what brings you here?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingxian dropped some of her joking tone, but her eyes remained bright and lively.
She looked at Zhu Chen, her tone becoming slightly more serious: "Some things involve too many causes and effects, I can't say them outright, because saying them might create more complications. I can only tell you that you are in great danger right now, extremely dangerous..."
She raised her hand and deliberately pointed to the still dark sky, then continued to speak to herself: "Some people in the upper realm, well, mainly those old zombies hiding in coffins in the underworld, and some other guys who have smelled the blood, are frantically preparing a 'feast' for you."
"Right now, led by the Underworld, at least a dozen immortal lineages are sparing no expense, even using their deepest reserves, to send their true sect leaders—old monsters—descending to the mortal realm in their true forms, all to kill you and seize the fortune within you..."
what?
A cult leader who descended to the mortal realm in his true form?
Xiao Yan and the others gasped in shock upon hearing this.
Han Li asked with a solemn expression, "Is what you say true, young lady?"
"Of course!"
Ye Qingxian nodded dismissively: "Those people will definitely stop at nothing to obtain the Ten Fierce Treasures. At that time, not to mention your Fire Kingdom's palace, the entire Desolate Region may be reduced to ruins by them. Those old guys who have lived for countless years will not have the slightest pity for the creatures of the lower realm."
After hearing this, Zhu Chen's eyes turned completely cold.
Hades...
It really was that chaotic corpse that caused this trouble!
At that moment, his killing intent toward the Underworld surged to its peak.
"so what?"
Zhu Chen stared coldly at Ye Qingxian and asked expressionlessly, "Miss Ye, did you come here specifically to tell me this so I could escape early? Or do you have other instructions?"
Ye Qingxian was taken aback at first, then chuckled: "Escape? Where can you escape to? Celestial City? That place is probably already surrounded by some ancient sects. As for guidance... there is one."
She deliberately cleared her throat, trying to appear reliable, and continued, "I see you're quite capable and have some potential, but you're a bit too good at causing trouble. Here's what we'll do: I happen to need a capable underling. If you're willing to become my disciple and acknowledge me as your boss, then I'll protect you from now on!"
"With me here, even if a bunch of sect leaders from the upper realms descend in their true forms, I can make sure they can't even touch a hair on your head. How about it? Isn't this a good deal? I'm only giving you a chance because you have decent aptitude!"
These words stunned the entire audience.
Everyone looked at each other.
Xiao Yan's eyes widened and his mouth opened into an "O" shape.
Lin Dong, on the other hand, had an expression that said, "Is this woman out of her mind?"
Their eldest brother is now at the level of a cult leader.
Even if the other party might not be able to fight against many, it's not like they would go so far as to recognize a strange woman who suddenly appears as their leader just to seek refuge.
More importantly, if Zhu Chen acknowledges this woman as his elder sister, what will happen to those of them who call Zhu Chen "elder brother"?
Should we also call her "big sister" like Zhu Chen?
...(End of this chapter)