Chapter 2597

The fist of an eight-star martial artist was as powerful as a fully loaded heavy truck.

When the surging power was concentrated on the fist surface formed by four fingers, this kind of gale-force wind was even more terrifying!

Not to mention that Ye Chen could clearly feel the powerful impact brought by the gale, even Chen Xiaozhao, who was two meters away, could clearly feel a surging sensation similar to a hurricane brushing against her face.

At this moment, Chen Xiaozhao's heart tightened into a ball, and she blurted out in panic, "Master Ye, be careful!"

Before she could finish speaking, a loud boom was heard. The powerful impact even made Chen Xiaozhao's eardrums and internal organs ache from the sheer force.

Shi Tianqi, inside, heard his granddaughter's shout and, ignoring Ye Chen's order for him to wait in the back, ran out anxiously to see what was happening.

However, when the grandfather and granddaughter both looked at Ye Chen and Hong Changqing, they found that the two were now as if frozen in place.

Hong Changqing's face was ferocious, his right fist having struck Ye Chen's face with great force.

Yet Ye Chen looked indifferent, merely extending his middle finger with his right hand, easily blocking Hong Changqing's fist in front of him.

Hong Changqing's expression, at this moment, gradually changed from a murderous, ferocious look to one of bewilderment, helplessness, panic, and horror...

He couldn't believe that with his full-force strike, this brat had easily blocked it with just one middle finger!

And this gesture of raising the middle finger was a globally recognized body language. Seeing this gesture was equivalent to hearing the other party say: fuck you, screw you, or you're an idiot.

However, no matter how his expression changed, it could never return to its previous arrogance and conceit.

As Ye Chen's smile became increasingly playful, his heart grew increasingly fearful.

At this moment, he swallowed hard to moisten his throat, which was dry and painful from nervousness.

Subsequently, he subconsciously muttered, "How can this be... how can this be... I am an eight-star martial artist... an eight-star martial artist..."

After finishing, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Ye Chen in fear: "You... who exactly are you..."

Ye Chen smiled, "In the past, when others asked me this question, I would usually tell them that I am someone they cannot afford to provoke."

Hong Changqing subconsciously asked, "Then... then what about now..."

Ye Chen mocked with disdain, "Now I am still someone you cannot afford to provoke. Does that even need asking?"

Hong Changqing realized he had been played by Ye Chen again, but at this moment, even though he had been played, he felt not a shred of anger, only fear.

Because Hong Changqing had deeply realized that Ye Chen's strength was already on a completely different level from his own, perhaps even in a different world.

The ancient saying about a mantis trying to stop a chariot perfectly described his mood at this moment.

Hong Changqing subconsciously retreated a step, like a three-year-old child who had made a mistake, and said fearfully, "I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai, offending Master Ye... I hope Master Ye will show mercy..."

Ye Chen looked at Hong Changqing and said indifferently, "Come, I'll give you a chance to ask your previous question again."

Hong Changqing was stunned, then hurriedly bowed and said, "Master Ye, in front of you, I am like an ant; how would I dare to overstep my bounds and ask about your identity..."

Ye Chen laughed, "Look, when I don't give you a chance, you insist on acting tough, and when I give you a chance, you turn cowardly. You're useless, Master Hong."

Hong Changqing shivered all over, knelt on the ground with a thud, and said in a trembling, panicked voice, "Master Ye, please calm your anger... I truly dare not be presumptuous in front of you..."

Ye Chen smiled and said indifferently, "I heard that you came to Jin Ling to find clues about the Rejuvenation Pill?"

Upon hearing this, Hong Changqing's heart skipped a beat!

At this moment, he finally understood: "So I had been targeted by this Master Ye all along... I naively thought I had set a trap for Shi Tianqi, but I never expected that I was the one who had been trapped by this Master Ye!"

At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder: "Not many people know that I came to find the Rejuvenation Pill! Apart from the An family, only Gu Qiuyi, who brought the divine medicine to save An Qishan at the An family that day... Could it be that this Ye Chen knows them?!"

Thinking of this, a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed through Hong Changqing's mind. He realized instantly and said tremblingly, "Master Ye... you... you are the one who refined the Rejuvenation Pill?!"

The corners of Ye Chen's mouth curled up slightly: "You're quite smart."

Upon hearing this, Hong Changqing knelt down and bowed, saying with utmost piety, "Hong Changqing, the thirty-ninth generation descendant of the Tai Zhen Sect, pays respects to the Master!"

Ye Chen curled his lips: "I am not a member of your Daoist sect, let alone some Master."

Hong Changqing was astonished: "You... you are not a member of the Daoist sect?! But... but the art of alchemy is the secret, non-transmissible art of the Daoist sect! You can refine such divine medicine as the Rejuvenation Pill; you must have deeply inherited the true teachings of the Daoist sect. How can you not be a member of the Daoist sect..."

Ye Chen snorted, "Alchemy is not a patent of the Daoist sect. Who says only members of the Daoist sect can refine it? Furthermore, although you are a member of the Daoist sect, is the pill you refined reliable? If it were reliable, I'm afraid it wouldn't have been my Blood-Dispersing Heart-Saving Pill that saved the old master of the An family that day, would it?"

Hong Changqing was filled with shame, lowered his head, and repented, "Master Ye's words are very true. I was sitting in a well looking at the sky, not knowing that there is a higher and broader world outside the Daoist sect. I hope Master Ye will be magnanimous..."

Ye Chen nodded: "I must say, although you are not young, your attitude in admitting mistakes is quite good."

Hong Changqing's old face burned hot and red, but he could only say repeatedly, "The sage says, to know one's mistake and be able to correct it is the greatest virtue. I am shallow in learning, yet I dared to show off my meager skills before an expert. If I don't correct my attitude now, how could I be worthy of Master Ye's mercy..."

Ye Chen laughed: "Don't try to play games with me here; I never said I would show you mercy."

"Yes, yes, yes..." Hong Changqing nodded like a garlic-pounding pestle and said with utmost respect, "It was I who had eyes but no pupils and provoked Master Ye first. No matter what punishment Master Ye has for me, I dare not have even half a point of dissatisfaction..."

Ye Chen smiled slightly, nodded, and said, "Fine, what you say is good. Next, let's see your actual actions. Where is the medicine cauldron you used as a stake? Take it out."

Hong Changqing's expression froze. At this moment, he struggled internally to the point of death.

Seeing his hesitation, Ye Chen snorted, "What? At this point, you still can't accept losing the bet?"

Hong Changqing shivered violently in fear!

At this moment, he finally realized a reality: he was currently unable to save his own life, so what was the use of guarding that medicine cauldron?

Thinking of this, he hardened his heart, untied the cloth bag from his body, held it up with both hands respectfully in front of Ye Chen, and said with a humble face, "Master Ye, this is the medicine cauldron passed down by my sect for nearly a thousand years. I am willing to give it to Master Ye as an apology!"

Ye Chen didn't take the cloth bag but looked at him with great interest and asked, "You really want to give it to me?"

Hong Changqing gritted his teeth and said respectfully, "Yes, I truly want to give it to Master Ye!"

Ye Chen asked him with a smile, "Is it sincere?"

Hong Changqing nodded, "It is sincere!"

Ye Chen asked again, "You won't regret it?"

Although Hong Changqing's heart ached as if blood were gushing out, he still nodded heavily, "I... I won't regret it!"

Ye Chen smiled with satisfaction, "Since you are so certain, then I will reluctantly accept it!"