The speaker was He Yuntian.
Following him were several of his underlings, each carrying a copper rod as thick as an arm.
This was because iron tools were not yet common in this era.
Bronze ware was still considered practical.
This group formed a circle, trapping Ye Tiancheng in the middle.
"You little punk, say that again if you dare!"
The intention behind these words was, of course, to express his displeasure.
Sometimes, certain matters simply needed to be settled with force.
As long as one possessed sufficient strength, they could convey their meaning.
Strength often spoke for itself.
"What do you want?"
Si Yiran stepped forward.
At this critical juncture, what else could they do? Naturally, they intended to beat him up.
"Little girl, you're quite pretty. This lord happens to need a girl to serve tea and water. How about becoming my maid?"
"Your sister!" Si Yiran said angrily.
In this young girl's eyes, no one could compare to Ye Tiancheng.
For a third-rate individual to harbor such vulgar thoughts.
How could this not infuriate the young girl?
"You're quite amusing. You're like a dog yourself, yet you aspire to be a prince charming."
Ye Tiancheng looked at him with disdain.
He Yuntian, being looked at in such a manner, couldn't help but be furious. His stomach felt like it was about to explode.
When had it ever been that others would kneel and beg him?
Now, everything had changed, making him feel completely disadvantaged.
This couldn't help but make him feel sorrowful and the situation increasingly dire.
"Go up and beat them! Beat them to death!"
He Yuntian's mind was on the verge of collapse.
For the first time, he felt so utterly insulted.
He became completely distraught.
Extremely angry, extremely angry, extremely angry, to the point of no return.
Perhaps he thought too much and did too little. If he could have executed his plans perfectly, such a situation would not have arisen.
Fate is often cruel, presenting itself starkly before people.
When you truly understand all of this, you realize it is vastly different from what you imagined.
However, such problems are not uncommon, as everyone harbors pressures that others cannot comprehend.
These things will appear before you.
And without warning, they will cause you to experience unbelievable changes.
These changes will make you feel intimidated.
They might even cause you to lose many precious things.
Do not underestimate those who are like trash.
They can leave you with no room for choice.
His subordinates began to attack Ye Tiancheng, but the moment they made their move, they found themselves unable to move.
"Whoa!"
He Yuntian's cronies, one after another, became immobile, as if petrified.
Such a bizarre scene stunned everyone, and they all looked at Ye Tiancheng.
"Kid, what did you do to them?"
"Of course, I didn't do anything. I just can't stand their behavior."
Why did he deny it outright? It was all for his own purpose.
As long as one's purpose is pure, measures taken for self-preservation are forgivable, even if they are a bit excessive.
However, others could not understand why he would do this.
The purpose of doing so was clearly significant.
The thoughts of others had no bearing on him, but what he himself wanted to do was of decisive importance.
Time ticked by, and any change could become a new beginning.
Everyone believed they would likely achieve whatever reason or basis they desired in this regard.
But the next moment, they realized they were utterly mistaken.
Because anything that could propel them forward might also become an obstacle.
And without warning, it would block them from proceeding.
This situation led to Ye Tiancheng's complete dominance over the He family.
The He family never dreamed that Ye Tiancheng was so formidable.
They had initially thought he was a mere nobody, someone they could easily manipulate. But they never expected him to be so troublesome. It was no wonder other families dared not act, choosing only to observe.
"I've said before, if anyone dares to lay a hand on me, they are insignificant. If they dare to lay a hand on my family, then don't blame me for being impolite!"
As he said this, his expression turned extremely grim, and a killing aura emanated from his entire being.
These people naturally felt the killing intent radiating from him.
Instantly, they dared not move.
If they acted before him, their situation would become even more dire.
"Is this all you've got?" He chuckled, a sinister grin on his face.
Such a laugh brought a sense of despair to anyone who witnessed it.
Regardless, this was not the outcome he desired.
In the end, he was no different from a fool.
Perhaps others thought this needed to change, but in Ye Tiancheng's view, whether it changed or not was irrelevant, because what was continuing would always progress according to his goals, and no one could stop it.
Of course, in front of these petty thugs, he was incredibly powerful. But as the saying goes, there are always people better than you, and heavens beyond the heavens.
However, he had not encountered anyone more powerful. If he did, he would not say this. When you haven't encountered someone stronger than you, you'll think everyone else is just trash.
"Don't think you're the best in Duogongna City-state. There are more powerful experts in other cities!" He Yuntian didn't want to lose like this. At least, if he lost globally, he wouldn't lose face. Even if it was just a war of words, he had to salvage some pride.
"I know. So, if you want to bite me, come and bite me..."
"Damn it!"
Ye Tiancheng was in an invincible state now. No one could do anything to him. Even if it was a war of words, what of it? He wasn't incapable of engaging in verbal sparring.
Si Yiran saw the two grown men arguing like women.
She couldn't help but chuckle.
"Indeed, sometimes men are incomprehensible."
"So, instead of trying to understand someone, it's better to observe them quietly."
Ye Tiancheng said dismissively.
The He family members were not that bold.
In Ye Tiancheng's eyes, they were simply cowards.
Before him, they still dared to act all high and mighty, which made him laugh. Naturally, he laughed at their incompetence and their arrogance.
Being so utterly looked down upon was, in all honesty, quite disheartening.
Their facial muscles twitched as if spasming.
"Kid, do you know who you're talking to?" Judging by his demeanor, he thought invoking his family's influence would be enough to crush Ye Tiancheng.
Therefore, he laughed.
Why did he laugh at this kid? Because he found them pathetic.
And only such incompetent people liked to bluster.
Those who were capable generally weren't so arrogant.
Seeing their expressions, Si Yiran also chuckled.
"Laughing in front of our He family, you're truly audacious!"
"Are we supposed to cry?" Si Yiran felt that if it was time to laugh, why shouldn't they?
Moreover, they should be laughing heartily.
Since they completely looked down on them, their expressions should naturally reflect their capabilities.
Only with the ability to laugh at everything could one show off in front of them, couldn't they?
Ye Tiancheng, seeing the He family like this, laughed even more wantonly.
He Yuntian and He Yunlong both intended to use their family's influence to pressure Ye Tiancheng, but it backfired.
It was impossible to intimidate Ye Tiancheng.
What kind of existence was Ye Tiancheng in their eyes?
Naturally, it was beyond words.
Looking down on Ye Tiancheng was, in itself, a reflection of their limited vision.
They believed that in Duogongna City-state, no one dared to disregard the He family. As long as they invoked the He family name, everything could be settled.
In many instances, their actions were effective and yielded great results.
But before Ye Tiancheng, it was no different from the actions of fools.
This tactic was completely ineffective against Ye Tiancheng.
Instantly, He Yunlong and He Yuntian, the two brothers, were stunned.
"Why aren't you afraid of our He family?"
"Why should I be afraid?" Ye Tiancheng retorted.
Upon hearing this, the two were rendered speechless.
Their worldview did not include a backup plan. When the threat failed to work, they could only stare.
"Arrogant... we will never let you off!" A killing intent emanated from him.
The implication was clear.
In the near future, they would certainly make Ye Tiancheng pay a heavy price.
This price, they had already reported to the family head.
What would happen next? It didn't need to be said in words. It would directly manifest upon Ye Tiancheng. Arrogance always came with a heavy price...
In their eyes, they possessed exceptional foresight.
"Let's not dwell on this for now. When you see the might of the families from the outer city-states, I hope you can still be as arrogant as you are now..." With that, He Yuntian and He Yunlong, the two brothers, bolted.
Leaving Ye Tiancheng and Si Yiran standing there, staring blankly at their retreating backs.
These two fools were quite something. As they left, they didn't forget to display a superior attitude towards Ye Tiancheng.
"He won't just let this go. What should we do?" Si Yiran asked.
"Let's go home and eat. We'll deal with it as it comes." Ye Tiancheng was completely unconcerned.
What he cared about was how to be a salted fish, detached from worldly affairs.
Such an expression, if one were to be honest, made them unable to cope, giving them a sense of abandonment. At least, that's how Si Yiran saw it...
"Your attitude is really not good. Without constructiveness, you won't survive here. Even if you possess the civilized knowledge of that world, if you don't have a perspective of worrying about the world before others do, you'll be eaten up very quickly."
Such words left no room for choice.
In the eyes of others, at least, it was so.
But in his own view, some matters simply didn't require unnecessary actions.
If he were to simply say what he thought, Si Yiran would likely turn pale with fright.
This little girl probably didn't know what kind of existence Ye Tiancheng was.
As long as he could display his abilities, others would surely have a different opinion.
Therefore, in Ye Tiancheng's eyes, simplicity lay in his dreams.
His dreams?
Yes, the dream of being like a salted fish.
This thought had already formed a unique realm within him.
Within this realm, he hardly cared how others chose to exist in this world.
Since they had to live that way, and couldn't live well... then what was the difference between his existence and that of a salted fish?
Perhaps others couldn't see it clearly, but Ye Tiancheng saw and understood it very clearly.
Since he had already seen and understood it.
Then why couldn't he bravely face what was about to happen?
Since it was bound to happen, he had to align his dreams with reason.
Otherwise, he would absolutely not forgive himself.
He would be 100% unforgiving of himself...
All of this, in the eyes of others, was simply impossible. For him to face the attacks of several families, even families from outer cities, alone, was almost impossible...
Since it was an impossible task, why speak of it?
Therefore, in Si Yiran's eyes, Ye Tiancheng was making a mistake, committing a transgression that others completely failed to understand.
Of course, Ye Tiancheng wouldn't act recklessly; he was acting according to his ideal state.
This ideal might not be perfect, but in Ye Tiancheng's view, anything perfect was still a laughable thing.
What he wanted now was simply to accomplish what he envisioned.
Even though it seemed ridiculous.
But if he could accomplish it, why bother seeking understanding or comprehension from others?
Since others could not understand or comprehend, he should present himself in a manner that pleased them.
"I didn't expect you to be so ridiculous..." Behind Si Yiran, a woman appeared at some unknown time.
The woman's expression was calm and natural. Masters always arrived mysteriously, so mysteriously that you couldn't detect them.
Ye Tiancheng's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
The system also emitted a warning sound.
"This woman is a high-level cultivator, at least one level higher than you. You should be cautious!"
Upon hearing the system's words, Ye Tiancheng was immediately astonished.
He hadn't seen the system so shocked in a long time.
He hadn't encountered a master for a long time. In Ye Tiancheng's opinion, no matter how powerful someone was, they couldn't possibly be as powerful as him.
He had seen powerful individuals before, but they had all become his defeated foes.
This woman's name was He Mengning.
She was the young lady of the He family.
As a cultivator who had long been practicing in the forest, she naturally wouldn't pay attention to other matters.
Occasionally returning, she heard that a new force had emerged in Duogongna City-state.
The leader was named Ye Tiancheng.
He Mengning became very interested.
She immediately wanted to see who this so-called leader of the new force was.
Upon arrival, she was greatly disappointed.
It turned out to be a young man whose cultivation was far below hers.
This man had a leisurely, salted-fish demeanor, appearing to be a useless youth. Naturally, she looked down on Ye Tiancheng.
Ye Tiancheng didn't expect someone to look down on him so much, and he immediately felt unwell.
That angry posture, once displayed, immediately presented a new demeanor to others.
This new demeanor greatly surprised He Mengning.
It was a sudden surge of powerful aura.
This aura was undeniably astonishing.
"What a powerful aura..."
He Mengning was stunned.
She had been practicing in the forest, and naturally, she didn't take anyone seriously.
Because the trials in the forest were exceptionally arduous.
The demonic beasts and monsters were powerful, and one wrong move could cost one's life.
Those ferocious demonic beasts and monsters were beyond the capabilities of ordinary cultivators.
Therefore, a person who practiced solely in the forest possessed no small amount of ability.
"My name is Ye Tiancheng. Who are you?"
Ye Tiancheng felt a desire to befriend this female cultivator.
At least, after so many days, she was the only one he had seen with some ability.
In Duogongna City-state, a place that was both small and not so small, people with ability were few and far between.
Ye Tiancheng immediately formed an opinion of He Mengning.
He Mengning also wished to befriend Ye Tiancheng.
At least, in her opinion, it was best for Ye Tiancheng not to become enemies with their He family.
Wise people naturally choose to cooperate with powerful individuals.
Rather than choosing to oppose them.
After all, generally speaking, people like Ye Tiancheng were legendary for being unkillable and for turning misfortune into good fortune.
Simply put, he was chosen by heaven.
To put it exaggeratedly, Ye Tiancheng was the chosen one.
"This fellow... is very powerful. We cannot oppose him. Winning him over is the best option." He Mengning said to the He family members beside her.
Her two brothers were truly useless.
They only knew how to suppress people with their family background. The powerful individual, in that instant, discovered an insurmountable opponent and fled in disgrace.