Chapter 1697: We Cooperate

These Immortal Realm outcasts were sizing up Ye Zhangqing and his group, and Ye Zhangqing and his group were likewise sizing up everyone.

Both sides secretly observed each other, but A Niu didn't think much; after he spoke, he wanted to bring Ye Zhangqing's group to find his older brother.

However, just as everyone was about to leave, a cold shout suddenly came from the crowd.

「A Niu, are you stupid? You dare bring just anyone home, you don't know these people's identities; if they have ill intentions toward older brother, can you bear this responsibility? 」

As his words fell, a gloomy-faced youth walked out from the crowd; seeing the youth, A Niu's face also sank, and he coldly questioned.

「A Hu, what do you mean? 」

Hearing this, the youth named A Hu let out a cold snort, his tone growing icier as he spoke.

「I say you're inviting wolves into the house; these outsiders, do you know their identities? You dare bring them to see older brother—I see each of them harboring ill intentions. 」

「Moreover, this Place of Exile has always been cut off from the outside world; how did they get in, and what is their purpose? 」

Speaking, A Hu's face icy, he sized up Ye Zhangqing and the others.

Faced with this sudden interruption, everyone's faces darkened; Xu Jie was about to speak, but Ye Zhangqing stopped him first.

Signaling Xu Jie to stay silent for now, Ye Zhangqing stepped forward, stood before A Hu, and spoke calmly.

「We harbor no ill intent; our entry into the Place of Exile was merely accidental, having opened the Immortal Gate by chance; as for our purpose, we wish to enter the Immortal Realm. 」

We don't want to become enemies with them, after all Ye Zhangqing's group came here mainly to find a way to enter the Immortal Realm.

Furthermore, there are no grudges or conflicts of interest between us; there's no need to come to blows.

Ye Zhangqing patiently explained, but A Hu wouldn't buy it at all; hearing this, he directly retorted.

「Hah, nice words—who knows what you're really thinking? I see you as harboring ill intentions; no matter your purpose, I'll seize you first and interrogate you slowly. 」

Speaking, A Hu was about to attack; his aura burst forth, astonishingly reaching the Great Saint Level.

A Hu's cultivation level is higher than A Niu's, even surpassing Xu Jie and the others.

Xu Jie and company's cultivation is only at the perfected Saint Realm, and that's only because they have trained diligently, with the support of various cultivation resources from Dao Yi Shengdi.

They are still some distance from breaking through to the Great Saint Realm.

Yet A Hu has reached Great Saint cultivation at such a young age, showing his talent likely surpasses that of Xu Jie and company.

However, Great Saint cultivation poses no threat to Ye Zhangqing; a one-realm gap means A Hu is no match for him.

「Don't get agitated; we truly have no ill intent, we merely want to know how to enter the Immortal Realm................... 」

Ye Zhangqing still wanted to explain, but in the next second A Hu gave him no chance.

Without letting him finish his sentence, A Hu let out a cold shout and directly attacked Ye Zhangqing.

「Cut the nonsense—either surrender quietly, or don't blame me for showing no mercy. 」

A Hu had decided Ye Zhangqing's group came with ill intent; he wouldn't listen to any explanation and went straight to attack.

Facing A Hu's attack, Ye Zhangqing felt helpless but couldn't surrender; he could only counterattack.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zhengping, Xu Jie and the others behind him were instantly furious, each shouting angrily.

「Stop. 」

「You dare. 」

Seeing A Hu directly attack Ye Zhangqing, Zhao Zhengping, Xu Jie and the fellow senior brothers could no longer hold back.

They all rushed forward, while the other Immortal Realm outcasts behind A Hu, seeing this, didn't think twice and likewise came forward to help.

Everything had been going smoothly, but with A Hu's appearance, things instantly fell into chaos.

The two sides inexplicably went to war; as the instigator, A Hu's attack was easily dispelled by Ye Zhangqing, and he himself was shoved back dozens of meters.

In that first clash, A Hu was completely crushed by Ye Zhangqing.

Barely stabilizing his stance, his eyes toward Ye Zhangqing burned with even greater fury.

「Indeed, harboring ill intentions. 」

A Hu had decided Ye Zhangqing's group harbored ill intentions and simply wouldn't listen to anyone.

Having spoken, he attacked Ye Zhangqing again.

Faced with the obstinate A Hu, Ye Zhangqing also felt helpless; this guy simply wouldn't give him a chance to explain.

Facing A Hu's continued assault, Ye Zhangqing felt a surge of anger rising within him, and he stopped holding back.

They differed by one major realm; before Ye Zhangqing's Great Emperor cultivation, A Hu naturally had no chance.

「Enough. 」

With Ye Zhangqing's cold shout, he seized A Hu's fist with one hand; that terrifying fist force instantly dissipated into nothing as his palm moved.

Feeling the immense pressure emanating from Ye Zhangqing, A Hu's face changed.

He tried to pull his fist back, but Ye Zhangqing remained as steady as a mountain, not moving an inch.

Facing the still-struggling A Hu, Ye Zhangqing was about to strike to give him a lesson.

With his other hand he slowly pointed a finger, but before the strike could land, another voice rang out, and at the same time an aura not inferior to Ye Zhangqing's quickly enveloped everyone present.

「Stop. 」

As that voice sounded, the many Immortal Realm outcasts obediently halted their actions; then a youth appeared in the midst.

As the youth appeared, the many Immortal Realm outcasts respectfully called out.

「Older brother. 」

This youth emanated an Emperor-level aura, not weaker than Ye Zhangqing's; from the others' address, Ye Zhangqing instantly understood his identity.

This person was Ye Zhangqing's goal for this trip, namely the older brother spoken of by A Niu and company.

He possessed Great Emperor Realm cultivation and the bearing of a top prodigy; as the youth appeared, Ye Zhangqing also released his grip on A Hu.

Yet A Hu, still unwilling, wanted to strike, but the youth stopped him.

「A Hu. 」

「Older brother. 」

"I told you to stop, didn't you hear?"

"Yes."

Being locked onto by the youth's gaze, Ahu, although unwilling, still stopped his actions and obediently stepped to the side.

After stopping Ahu, the youth then turned his gaze to Ye Zhangqing and spoke calmly.

"For so many years, no one has ever entered the Liufang Dizhi; you came from the outside world, seeking the way into the Immortal Realm—why should I trust you?"

The youth did not choose to attack, yet he also did not believe Ye Zhangqing's intention.

Hearing this, Ye Zhangqing replied without changing his expression.

"Because we can cooperate."

"Cooperation? The Liufang Dizhi has nothing; you think we have a basis for cooperation? And what can you give me?"

From the youth's words, it seemed that everyone basically had no basis for cooperation.