The next day, as the sun rose.
Ye Cangtian had just finished breakfast and was about to visit the Yin Group when he sensed several new presences in the courtyard.
These individuals had not used the gate but had instead climbed over the wall.
However, judging by their movements, they were not attempting to be stealthy. Instead, they were swaggering towards the courtyard gate.
"Who dares trespass into the courtyard!"
At this moment, Yang Chen's voice echoed through the courtyard.
Since returning with Ye Cangtian, he had stayed at Ye Cangtian's home, acting as a guard and steward, just as before.
Seeing several people sneakily climbing over the wall, Yang Chen immediately appeared, blocking their path.
"We are here to find Ye Cangtian, not you!"
"That's right, hurry up and hand over Ye Cangtian. We have something to ask him!"
As Yang Chen's voice fell, two burly men stepped forward, speaking with impatient expressions.
Hmm?
Hearing their unfriendly tone, Yang Chen frowned. This was clearly an act of provocation!
"What audacity! What do you think this place is?"
"And who do you think my elder brother is, that you can just demand to see him!"
Yang Chen roared, his Divine and Demonic Twin Axes appearing in his hands. His surging aura served as a warning to the intruders that if they didn't retreat obediently, he wouldn't hold back.
"This..."
Feeling the killing intent in Yang Chen's eyes, the two burly men's expressions changed, and they involuntarily took a step back.
However, as soon as they retreated, an old man slowly walked out.
He glanced at Yang Chen, his eyes emitting spiritual energy, "Young man, we are not here to cause trouble. I advise you not to stir up anything. If you bring any trouble to Ye Cangtian, can you bear the consequences?"
"..."
Hearing this, Yang Chen hesitated, as he didn't want to cause trouble for Ye Cangtian.
"Heh heh, young man, it seems you understand."
"Then hand over Ye Cangtian!"
Seeing Yang Chen's obvious hesitation, the old man's face showed a triumphant smile, and he spoke to Yang Chen in a haughty manner.
"No need to call, I will come out myself."
At this moment, a voice rang out. Ye Cangtian and Lan Yue's figures slowly emerged from the room and stood directly beside Yang Chen.
Seeing Ye Cangtian before him, the old man let out a snort and said, "You are Ye Cangtian?"
Ye Cangtian didn't even glance at the old man.
His gaze fell on Yang Chen, "Yang Chen, remember this from now on: in the future, anyone who enters this courtyard and doesn't behave themselves, you beat them for me! I will take responsibility for anything that happens!"
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian flashed in front of the old man and raised his arm, delivering a slap.
*Slap!*
A resounding slap echoed, and everyone was stunned.
No one had expected that Ye Cangtian of the Yin Group would be so short-tempered and act so impulsively.
The old man stumbled instantly, remaining stunned for a long moment before reacting.
"Ye Cangtian! Do you know who I am?"
"How dare you humiliate me without cause! Aren't you afraid of bringing trouble to the Yin Group?"
Feeling the burning sensation on his face, the old man exploded with anger, pointing at Ye Cangtian and roaring.
"Didn't you hear what I just said?"
Ye Cangtian looked at him with a dark expression and continued, "Since that's the case, let me repeat it: on my territory, everyone must behave properly, or this will be your fate!"
"Oh, and let me remind you, I can take responsibility for actions like hitting you myself, without the Yin Group having to bear any burden!" Ye Cangtian added.
"You..."
These words made the old man's eyes widen. His long beard fluttered with his rapid breaths.
He understood the implication of Ye Cangtian's words, clearly indicating that he was not qualified to attract the attention of the Yin Group.
Thinking this, his face turned even redder, "Ye Cangtian, how dare you humiliate me like this! I'll fight you!"
With a roar, the old man rushed towards Ye Cangtian. Simultaneously, a pair of fiery red gauntlets appeared on his aged hands.
In the next instant, the fiery red gauntlets truly ignited with raging flames and slammed towards Ye Cangtian's chest.
"Hmm?"
Ye Cangtian raised an eyebrow. He had never seen gauntlets that could generate flames by channeling spiritual energy, and he felt a touch of curiosity.
However, despite his curiosity, Ye Cangtian's reaction was not slow.
With a wave of his hand, imbued with dense spiritual energy, he reached out to grab the gauntlets.
The gauntlets, which had been burning fiercely moments ago, were instantly extinguished as if doused with cold water.
The old man watched as Ye Cangtian grasped his hand and began to struggle with all his might.
However, he found that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape Ye Cangtian's grasp.
*Slap!*
Ye Cangtian slapped him again with the back of his hand, sending the old man flying.
Seeing the old man sent flying, the others were once again stunned.
After all, the old man was a Earth-level expert, yet he was utterly defenseless against Ye Cangtian, which was hard for them to believe.
In their eyes, even if Ye Cangtian was strong, he should have his limits.
On the other side, the old man, having been slapped a second time, had an expression so grim it seemed like blood would drip from it. Surprisingly, however, he became docile.
He had no choice but to become docile. He had realized that his perceived strength was utterly worthless before Ye Cangtian.
"You're quiet now? Do you have any objections?"
Seeing the old man fall silent, Ye Cangtian snorted and asked.
The old man gritted his teeth and, forcing himself, said, "I am quiet. I submit."
As he spoke, the old man stiffly clasped his hands and bowed to Ye Cangtian.
Upon seeing this, Ye Cangtian showed a faint smile and said, "Now, tell me, who are you?"
Seeing Ye Cangtian's expression soften considerably, the old man stepped forward and said, "I am an elder of the Fire Fist Society, Yan Tiangong."
Fire Fist Society?
Ye Cangtian muttered, recalling the lineup of the treasure-hunting team.
It seemed there was indeed a faction that excelled in fist techniques. However, those individuals were at the peak of the Profound level, and they didn't possess such flame-generating gauntlets.
Thinking to himself, Ye Cangtian glanced at the others and said, "Instead of me asking you one question at a time, just tell me everything. Why are you here to find me?"
"Our disciples from the Fire Fist Society went treasure hunting with you and have not returned. I am here to understand the situation!"
Saying this, Yan Tiangong looked to the side and continued, "The disciples of these factions also went treasure hunting with you. They are here to inquire about the whereabouts of their disciples!"
"They're dead, all of them are dead!"
Ye Cangtian scanned everyone and continued, "Except for the Guangming Hall and the Yin Group, everyone else is dead."
"What?"
With that statement, Yan Tiangong and the others widened their eyes. "Mr. Ye, you are an expert of the Yin Group. Are you trying to explain everything with just a single word: 'dead'?"
It was clear that Yan Tiangong and the others were not satisfied with Ye Cangtian's answer.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian sneered, "What other answer do you want? The area I was treasure hunting in was the southern sea region, and you surely know how dangerous it is!"
"This..."
This statement made Yan Tiangong and the others blush instantly.
They naturally knew the dangers of the sea and also knew that their disciples' strength was insufficient.
But since some members of the Guangming Hall and the Yin Group had survived, why couldn't their disciples?
Thinking this, Yan Tiangong looked at Ye Cangtian and said, "Mr. Ye, with your abilities, coupled with the experts from the Guangming Hall, even if you couldn't bring everyone back, it shouldn't have resulted in a complete annihilation, right?"
He paused, his expression changing, and continued, "If Mr. Ye cannot provide a satisfactory answer, some might say that the Yin Group and the Guangming Hall colluded to commit murder for wealth!"
"Heh heh, your people, since they participated in the treasure hunt, should have been prepared for the possibility of not returning!"
"In fact, during the treasure hunt, I explicitly advised your people multiple times to withdraw from the operation, but none of them heeded my counsel."
"Now that they are all dead, to put it bluntly, it is their own doing!"
Ye Cangtian sneered and said slowly.