Rushing to their doom

"Such arrogance!"

"Today, I shall expose your disguise."

"Chen Chang'an?"

"Let’s see how you walk out of the Dongfang Family unscathed today."

Without another word, one of the Dongfang Family elders charged straight at Chen Chang'an, aiming both to repel him and rescue Dongfang Yin from his grasp.

Seeing his clansman take action, Dongfang Yin’s emotions were in turmoil. He couldn’t tell whether the Chen Chang'an he had offended was the real deal or not.

But one thing was certain—he was no match for him.

Before Dongfang Yin could even process his thoughts, a deafening explosion rang out, accompanied by the elder’s agonized scream, plunging the entire Dongfang Family into shock.

"W-what just happened?"

"I don’t know! I didn’t see anything, but the elder… half his body is gone!"

"Such terrifying power… Could he really be Chen Chang'an?"

"Hard to say, but even if he isn’t, he’s definitely no ordinary man."

"Are you fools? Why would someone of his caliber impersonate another? He… must be Chen Chang'an!"

He really was Chen Chang'an?

At that moment, panic spread through the Dongfang Family like wildfire.

"You dare challenge me?"

"Even back when I first topped the Heavenly Pride Rankings, you were never my match."

"Does the Dongfang Family not have anyone competent in charge?" Chen Chang'an said coldly.

"Me!"

Just then, the Master of the Dongfang Family finally appeared. His face darkened at the sight of his elder grievously wounded.

"Master, he is Chen Chang'an," someone hastily warned.

Chen Chang'an?

Hearing that name, both the Master of the Dongfang Family and the accompanying Master of the Wei Family felt their hearts shudder.

Damn it!

How did they end up provoking him?

"I am the Master of the Dongfang Family. Are you truly… Chen Chang'an, the number one on the Heavenly Pride Rankings?"

"Don’t believe me? Come and test me yourself."

"No need. I believe you!"

Over the years, there had been many imposters claiming to be Chen Chang'an, but none possessed such terrifying strength.

This man was undoubtedly the real Chen Chang'an.

Now, not only was the Master of the Dongfang Family panicking, but the Master of the Wei Family was equally terrified. He had just arranged a marriage alliance with the Dongfang Family—was this disaster going to drag the Wei Family down too?

"May I ask how Dongfang Yin offended you?"

"What debt do you seek to collect?" the Master of the Dongfang Family asked with a frown.

"Are you unaware of your own family’s flaws?"

With those words, the Master of the Dongfang Family understood everything. His gaze shifted to Chen Qingqing standing beside Chen Chang'an, and the pieces fell into place.

Damn it!

That fool Dongfang Yin—he knew his habits would bring trouble sooner or later.

But who could have imagined it would be on this scale?

Back then, Chen Chang'an had only been at the fifth level of the Golden Immortal Realm, yet his strength rivaled that of an Immortal Emperor. Now, his cultivation had reached the peak of the Immortal King Realm.

No one knew the true extent of his power, and no one dared speculate.

Because a single miscalculation could spell annihilation.

"Dongfang Yin was indeed in the wrong."

"What price must the Dongfang Family pay for you to spare him… and our family?" The Master of the Dongfang Family cut straight to the point.

"I have but one hobby—I love resources."

"Dongfang Yin promised me anything in exchange for his life."

"I’d like to see just how sincere the Dongfang Family is."

"If your sincerity is sufficient, I’ll let bygones be bygones," Chen Chang'an said with a faint smile.

Resources?

Hearing this, the Master of the Dongfang Family relaxed slightly. Resources were valuable, but survival was paramount.

"Please wait a moment, Young Master Chen. I’ll return shortly."

Without further ado, the Master of the Dongfang Family left to gather the resources.

"See? The Master knows how things should be done."

"Saves so much trouble," Chen Chang'an remarked lightly.

"Young Master Chen… c-can you let me go now?" Dongfang Yin asked nervously.

"Why the rush? You’ll be freed when the time comes."

The Master of the Dongfang Family returned swiftly, not keeping Chen Chang'an waiting long. But when Chen Chang'an saw what was offered, he shook his head in disappointment.

Seeing his dissatisfaction, the Master of the Dongfang Family paled.

To show his respect, he had handed over half of his personal wealth—was that still not enough?

This was the accumulation of millions of years!

But to Chen Chang'an, these resources—both in quantity and quality—were incomparable to what the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox and Qilin clans had offered.

After a moment’s hesitation, the Master of the Dongfang Family gritted his teeth and handed over the remaining half of his resources.

"Is this all?"

"The Dongfang Family has existed for tens of millions of years, and this is all you have?"

Still not satisfied?

"Young Master Chen, know when to stop. This is everything I can offer," the Master of the Dongfang Family said solemnly.

"Your everything, not the Dongfang Family’s everything. Did I misunderstand?"

"Is… is there a difference?"

"Of course. This means you don’t take me seriously."

"Do you realize that if I were to destroy the Dongfang Family, everything would belong to me?"

"Everything!"

At these words, the Dongfang Family members turned ashen.

They wanted to argue, to resist—but courage failed them. Chen Chang'an was right. If he acted, the Dongfang Family would cease to exist, and all their resources would fall into his hands.

"Fine!"

"I surrender!"

"Someone, open the treasury! Hand over half of its resources to Young Master Chen!" the Master of the Dongfang Family commanded coldly.

"Master!"

"Go!"

"Yes!"

"Hold it!"

Hm?

Who was that?

Just as the Master of the Dongfang Family ordered the treasury opened, a voice interrupted.

Chen Chang'an had sensed this person’s presence earlier but ignored them since they hadn’t acted.

Now, they were stepping into the fray?

When the newcomer appeared, the Dongfang Family members brightened—even Dongfang Yin’s eyes gleamed with hope.

"To think Young Master Hong would grace us with his presence!"

"What an honor! We were unprepared for your arrival," the Master of the Dongfang Family said excitedly.

"No matter. Circumstances forced this. No blame to you."

"It seems the Dongfang Family is in trouble?"

"Young man, I’ve been listening for a while. You’re the so-called Chen Chang'an?"

"Are you aware that the Dongfang Family is a vassal of the Hong Family? By acting this way, do you hold the Hong Family in any regard?"

The Hong Family?

Are they strong?

Why is someone so eager to throw their life away?

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