The middle-aged man turned to Yang Qing'er, his eyes filled with doubt and disbelief.
Yang Qing'er was about to explain, but as if sensing something, she stole a glance at Ye Wushuang, only to find him watching her with a slight smile.
Instantly, she averted her gaze in a flurry, a blush creeping across her pretty face.
"Whether he mastered it in a day or not, unleashing such explosive power at the Body Tempering Sixth Layer is already incredible. His future is limitless!"
The middle-aged man changed the subject. In his heart, he didn't believe it for a second. 'A Combat Skill mastered in a single day that can contend with the Qi Vortex Realm? Is something that heaven-defying even possible?'
The answer was no!
Because in his experience, not even the top geniuses of the Sect could accomplish such a feat.
Seeing the middle-aged man's disbelief, Ye Wushuang couldn't be bothered to explain. He also changed the subject, asking, "I haven't had the honor of learning your name, Senior?"
"Look at me, I was so excited just now that I forgot to introduce myself." The middle-aged man caught himself and replied with a laugh, "My name is Chen Yuan. I'm a Steward in the Outer Sect."
"So it's Steward Chen!"
Ye Wushuang cupped his fist in respect. 'He's probably here to take me to the Fierce Demon Cave!'
"No need for formalities. Forget the 'Steward' title, it sounds awkward," Chen Yuan said with a laugh. His straightforward words took Ye Wushuang by surprise.
"If you don't mind, just call me Brother Chen." Seeing Ye Wushuang's stunned expression, Chen Yuan let out a hearty laugh and added.
In truth, Chen Yuan had learned about Ye Wushuang from Elder Yunn. Hearing the Elder constantly praise Ye Wushuang had made him very curious.
After all, he had been by Elder Yunn's side for some time and had never seen him place such importance on one person. This was especially true after he heard that Ye Wushuang had dared to slap Chen Kun in public, and Chen Kun hadn't even been able to retaliate.
This only made Chen Yuan even more curious!
Having just witnessed Ye Wushuang's exceptional abilities, he was finally starting to understand. 'This young man is no simple character!'
It was Chen Yuan's intuition. Though it might seem unfounded, he had reason to trust it; it was precisely this intuition that had helped him attain the position of Steward.
Seeing that Chen Yuan didn't carry himself with any high-and-mighty airs, Ye Wushuang's impression of him improved greatly. 'Regardless of his motives, it's better to have one more friend than one more enemy.'
"Since Steward Chen... Brother Chen has put it that way, it would be pretentious of me to refuse. From now on, we'll address each other as brothers."
Ye Wushuang also began to smile.
"Straightforward! We'll call each other brothers from now on. I'll call you Younger Brother Ye." Chen Yuan was equally forthright.
"By the way, Brother Chen, are you here to take me to the Fierce Demon Cave?" Ye Wushuang suddenly returned to the main topic.
"Mhm, Chen Kun was originally supposed to bring you, but it seems Elder Yunn was aware of the conflict between you two, so he didn't let him come. He sent me instead," Chen Yuan said.
"So that's how it is!" At the thought of Chen Kun, a cold glint flashed in Ye Wushuang's eyes. 'If Chen Kun had been the one to take me, he would've surely tried to kill me on the way.'
However, the thought of the countless Fierce Beast Cultivation Resources in the Fierce Demon Cave made Ye Wushuang feel a little impatient.
Chen Yuan reminded him, "Younger Brother Ye, the Fierce Demon Cave is extremely dangerous. When you go, you must be careful. Don't venture too deep into the Fierce Demon Area."
"I understand!"
Ye Wushuang replied. He never let his guard down when it came to danger.
"Let's go, then!" Chen Yuan called out.
"I... can I go with you?" Yang Qing'er caught up to Ye Wushuang's steps.
"You're going too?"
Ye Wushuang stopped and turned to look at Yang Qing'er.
"Mhm!" Yang Qing'er nodded and took the initiative to introduce herself. "My name is Yang Qing'er!"
'Yang Qing'er!' Ye Wushuang finally learned the young woman's name.
Ahead of them, Chen Yuan also turned back. As if remembering something, he suddenly slapped his forehead and said with a laugh, "Look at me, I was so happy I forgot to introduce you. This is Inner Sect Disciple Yang Qing'er. She'll be going with you to the Fierce Demon Cave this time. We can talk about the details on the way."
...
Chen Kun's figure appeared in a secret chamber within the Fierce Demon Cave.
"May I ask what orders Steward Chen Kun has for me?"
Standing before Chen Kun was a young man with a hooked nose. His eyes revealed a contemplative look, but his face wore a subservient expression.
"Yuncheng, I have a task for you. If you help me complete it, I promise to have you transferred back to the Outer Sect and give you a Sixth-Grade Elixir to help you break through to the Qi Vortex Realm. How about it?" Chen Kun said, his hands clasped behind his back, his voice low and heavy.
"Back to the Outer Sect?"
A sharp glint flickered in Yuncheng's eyes. He suddenly looked up and asked, "I wonder what task Steward Chen has for me? I will do my utmost to complete it."
Yuncheng was an extremely cautious person. Although the benefits Chen Kun mentioned were tempting, he still didn't know what the task was and wouldn't blindly take risks.
How could someone like Chen Kun not understand Yuncheng's thoughts? He gave a cold smile. "You don't need to be so wary. For you, this task is extremely simple."
"Oh?" Yuncheng's heart stirred. He asked with a smile, "I wonder what kind of task it is? I will certainly give it my all."
"In a little while, a young man will arrive at the Fierce Demon Cave. His name is Ye Wushuang, at the Body Tempering Sixth Layer..." Chen Kun said, his eyes filled with killing intent as he glanced outside.
"Does Steward Chen want me to kill him?" Yuncheng made a throat-slitting gesture.
"Correct!" Chen Kun said grimly. "For some reason, that brat has gained Elder Yunn's favor, so I can't kill him openly. But he's coming to the Fierce Demon Cave. This is your turf. I trust you have a way to make him stay here... permanently."
"So that's how it is. Don't worry, Steward Chen. Leave it to me. As long as he dares to come to the Fierce Demon Cave, I have a hundred ways to take care of him and make him die here... without anyone ever knowing."
Yuncheng also sneered, his hooked nose twitching slightly and giving off a sinister, cold aura.
"Remember to make it clean!" Chen Kun tossed out the remark and left the secret chamber.
Outside, Ye Wushuang had also arrived at the Fierce Demon Cave.
Along the way, Ye Wushuang had learned that Yang Qing'er was an Inner Sect Disciple at the Body Tempering Tenth Layer. For some unknown reason, when Chen Yuan came to find Ye Wushuang, Elder Yunn had also told him to bring Yang Qing'er along.
Chen Yuan had asked why, but Elder Yunn hadn't explained, simply telling him to do as he was told.
As for Ye Wushuang's trip to the Fierce Demon Cave, it wasn't to be imprisoned, but rather to guard the prison within the Fierce Demon Cave.
Half an hour later, Ye Wushuang had left the Outer Sect and was walking toward a valley to the east.
This place was precisely where the Fierce Demon Cave prison was located.
Surrounding it was the Endless Wilderness, filled with countless Fierce Beasts whose roars shook the heavens and pierced the eardrums.
"This is a Fierce Demon Order. It's your Identity Token. I'll give it to you first. You two go on ahead, I need to speak with the manager here."
Upon entering the Fierce Demon Cave, Chen Yuan handed Ye Wushuang a crimson Token and walked alone toward an ancient-looking grand hall.
Ye Wushuang glanced at the palm-sized Token in his hand and strode forward.
Yang Qing'er followed closely behind Ye Wushuang. For every step he took, she took one as well.
"Halt! This is an important area of the Sect. Outsiders are not permitted to enter."
Just as Ye Wushuang and Yang Qing'er stepped into the square in the center of the valley, a burly young man at the Body Tempering Seventh Layer stepped out to block their path.
He had an arrogant expression, looking down on Ye Wushuang with a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips.
Moreover, his voice was loud, drawing the attention of people all around the square. Many of them even started walking over with malicious grins.
"My name is Ye Wushuang. I just arrived. This is my Identity Token!"
Ye Wushuang's expression was calm as he presented a Fierce Demon Order.
Seeing this, the young man impolitely and roughly snatched it away, then gave it a look.
The surrounding crowd all eyed the token. They were familiar with it; it was the Fierce Demon Order for entering the Fierce Demon Cave.
"Ba Hu, that looks like a Fierce Demon Order!" a disciple said to Ba Hu.
"A Fierce Demon Order!" The corner of the burly young man Ba Hu's mouth twitched into a smile. With a wave of his hand, he tossed the Fierce Demon Order onto the ground.
Then, Ba Hu turned his head and asked the crowd with a grin, "What Fierce Demon Order? Did you all see one?"
"HAHAHA!" How could the crowd not understand? Ba Hu wanted to put Ye Wushuang in his place. They immediately chimed in, "Didn't see a thing!"
"You see? No one saw anything. Why don't you go pick it up again so everyone can get a clear look?" Ba Hu jeered, gesturing for him to pick up the discarded Fierce Demon Order.
But he failed to notice the wicked and cold smile that had also lifted the corners of Ye Wushuang's mouth.