With three supreme masters, they were invincible upon descending the mountain.

In the interrogation room, the stark white light shone on Lin Yan's face. He was bound to a cross with specially made alloy chains, his hair was disheveled, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth. He was no longer the imposing figure of the "future emperor".

Ye Yaocheng sat opposite him, his chair reclined, his legs propped up on the table. He lit a cigarette, took a drag, and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

The smoke blurred his face.

"How does it feel to be a prisoner, Emperor Lin?"

His voice was calm, with a hint of mockery.

Lin Yan suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot: "Ye Yaocheng! Don't be so smug! Fortune changes every thirty years, don't underestimate a young man's potential."

Ye Yaocheng smiled helplessly, "No, what era is this? You're still saying such old-fashioned things. Can you change the lines?"

"You!" Lin Yan was furious and struggled to pounce, but he couldn't move at all because of the chains.

"Don't get excited." Ye Yaocheng stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, got up and walked over.

"I'll ask you a few questions. If you answer them to my satisfaction, I might let you go."

Lin Yan spat out a mouthful of bloody foam, which landed at Ye Yaocheng's feet.

"Trying to pry my mouth open? In your next life!" he said defiantly, his eyes gleaming with arrogance. "The Great Emperor will never be a slave!"

"Very good." Ye Yaocheng nodded, his smile deepening.

"I admire your toughness."

He took out a cloth bag from his pocket and unfolded it, revealing nine silver needles of varying lengths, their bodies gleaming with a cold, eerie blue light.

Lin Yan's pupils contracted: "What do you want to do?!"

"To cure illness."

Ye Yaocheng picked up the first needle and said calmly, "Your internal energy is disordered and your meridians have hidden injuries. I'll help you clear them."

"Bullshit! I—"

He hadn't finished speaking.

The needle fell.

The first needle was inserted into the Tanzhong acupoint on Lin Yan's chest.

"Ugh—!!!"

Lin Yan suddenly arched his back, veins bulging on his neck! The needle felt like a red-hot iron; the moment it pierced him, the pain made his vision go black!

"This is only the first injection."

Ye Yaocheng's voice remained calm: "I know there's an old guy hiding inside you. Tell him to keep quiet, or else..."

He leaned closer and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I will 'extract' him from your soul sea, one strand at a time."

Lin Yan trembled violently!

He stared intently at Ye Yaocheng, his eyes filled with terror for the first time.

How did this guy know?!

Before he could think any further, the second injection was administered.

"ah--!!!"

An even more intense pain exploded! This time, not only the body trembled, but even the soul trembled!

"Stop...stop...!"

Lin Yan roared.

Ye Yaocheng seemed not to hear.

The third injection.

Fourth injection.

The fifth injection...

With each needle inserted, Lin Yan's screams grew more agonizing. By the eighth needle, he was as if he had been pulled out of the water, his body drenched in cold sweat, his eyes unfocused, and his lips trembling.

"I...I confess..."

He finally couldn't hold on any longer, his voice hoarse and barely human: "Ask...ask whatever you want, I'll tell you..."

Ye Yaocheng stopped, the ninth needle hovering in front of Lin Yan's brow, but he didn't pierce it.

"Wouldn't it have been better to do this earlier?" He put away the needles, pulled over a chair, and sat down again.

"I'm asking you, is there anything 'big' going to happen in Linjiang recently?"

Lin Yan gasped for breath, and it took him several seconds to catch his breath.

"...Yes." His voice was weak: "Within a month...a secret realm will appear in Linjiang."

Ye Yaocheng narrowed his eyes.

Mystery!

No wonder.

No wonder Wang Shiyu came, Su Mei came, and even the Soul Palace, an organization hidden in the shadows, has come out.

Linjiang is a small place that hasn't seen any big shots for decades, but recently it has become a hub of activity, and it turns out it's all for this reason.

"Go on."

"The secret realm is called the 'Mysterious Yin Ancient Palace,' which appears once every sixty years and is only open for seven days each time."

Lin Yan looked up with difficulty, "There are ancient inheritances inside, as well as the 'Condensing Core Fruit' that can help a Martial King break through to the Golden Core stage."

Pill congealing fruit!

Ye Yaocheng was startled.

Even his three masters spoke of this with great seriousness. The Golden Core Path is the first insurmountable barrier on the path of cultivation. With the Condensation Fruit, the success rate will at least double!

No wonder.

"Who else is eyeing this?" Ye Yaocheng asked.

"The four major families in the provincial capital have all sent people, as well as several outer sect deacons from reclusive sects."

Lin Yan, panting, said, "That's all I know."

Ye Yaocheng nodded.

Having received enough information, he got up to leave.

But at that moment, a wisp of extremely faint golden energy drifted out from between Lin Yan's eyebrows.

As fine as a hair, yet it carries an indescribable sense of "fortune".

The golden energy flowed towards Ye Yaocheng and entered his chest.

hum!

Ye Yaocheng's body trembled slightly.

He felt that the "hidden injury of the origin" that had been troubling him for so long had actually loosened a little!

Although it's only a tiny bit, it's definitely getting better!

"Is this...luck?"

Ye Yaocheng's eyes were deep and profound.

He remembered the "system" inside Ji Mingyue's body. The system had said that the chosen ones were blessed by heaven and earth, and that defeating them would allow him to plunder a portion of their fortune.

"Interesting, looks like we'll have to fleece them a lot." Ye Yaocheng smiled.

But just then, Lin Yan suddenly roared!

"Ye Yaocheng!!!"

His eyes turned completely gold, and a terrifying aura that was entirely unlike his own erupted from his body! The alloy chains binding him began to crack and splinter!

"I will remember this humiliation!"

His voice changed.

Aged, majestic, and filled with boundless rage.

"Once I obtain the secret realm's opportunity, I will return to take your head as a sacrifice to my banner!!!"

"boom--!!!"

The chains shattered!

Lin Yan punched the wall, and the reinforced concrete wall was smashed open like paper, leaving a large hole!

He turned around and gave Ye Yaocheng a deep look.

That look in his eyes was cold and indifferent, like he was looking at a dead person.

Then, he leaped into the night and disappeared.

"grown ups!"

Qin Long led his men in, and upon seeing the hole in the wall, his expression changed drastically: "I'll send men to search the entire city right away! He can't have gone far!"

"No need," Ye Yaocheng raised his hand to stop him.

Qin Long was stunned: "My lord?"

Ye Yaocheng walked to the hole in the wall, looked at the night outside, and said with a playful tone, "Believe it or not, if you chase after him now, he might jump off a cliff and not only survive, but also find an ancient martial arts manual?"

Qin Long: "..."

"Let them run away then."

Ye Yaocheng turned around and patted him on the shoulder: "You have to fatten up the chives before you harvest them. It's such a waste to pull them all at once."

Qin Long didn't understand, but he wisely didn't ask any more questions.

"By the way," Ye Yaocheng said as he walked to the door, turning back to say, "Things have been a bit unsettled in Linjiang lately. Report to me immediately if anything happens."

"yes!"

"Also, take over the assets left behind by the White Tiger Society as soon as possible."

"clear!"

Ye Yaocheng nodded and left the Black Dragon Society headquarters.

I got home at 10 p.m.

The living room light was still on.

"Xiao Ye is back?"

Ji, the father-in-law, was sitting on the sofa watching TV. When he saw him come in, he rarely smiled and asked, "Have you eaten? Should I ask your mother to heat up the food?"

Ye Yaocheng was a little surprised. His father-in-law had never given him a friendly look before, so why was he acting so differently today?

"I've already eaten, Dad."

Just as he was about to go upstairs, his mother-in-law, Li Yuxiu, rushed out of the kitchen, still wearing her apron, and grabbed him.

"Wait a minute, you kid, you're never home! Is that even right?!"

Ye Yaocheng chuckled dryly, "Mom, I have something to take care of..."

"I have something to do! What could be more important than spending time with my wife?!"

Li Yuxiu glared at him, then lowered her voice, "Haven't you noticed that Mingyue has been acting strangely lately?"

"Something's not right?"

"Yes, she locks herself in her room all day, barely eats, and even made me find a whole bunch of old books for her!" Li Yuxiu said with a worried look. "You should go upstairs and take a look! Strike while the iron is hot and take your relationship to the next level! I'm still waiting to hold my grandson!"

Ye Yaocheng: "..."

Ji was scratching her head beside her: "Something's wrong with Mingyue? How come I didn't notice?"

Li Yuxiu turned her head, giving him a death stare.

Ji Zheng shuddered and immediately shut up, pretending to be dead.

"Hurry up, hurry up!" Li Yuxiu pushed Ye Yaocheng upstairs.

The master bedroom on the second floor was unlocked.

Ye Yaocheng gently pushed him away.

Only a bedside lamp was on in the room. In the dim light, Ji Mingyue leaned against the bed, wearing a silk nightgown that accentuated her curves.

She held a yellowed ancient book in her hands, reading it intently.

Her long hair was loose, and her profile was as soft as jade under the light. The hem of her nightgown slipped down to her thighs, revealing dazzlingly white skin.

Ye Yaocheng's Adam's apple bobbed.

This woman... I never get tired of looking at her.

"Have you seen enough?"

Ji Mingyue didn't even raise her head, her voice cold and clear.

"no."

Ye Yaocheng answered honestly, went inside, and closed the door behind him.

Ji Mingyue closed the book, looked up at him, and frowned slightly.

But she didn't say anything. She couldn't beat him in a fight, and she couldn't win an argument with him. What could she do?

Ye Yaocheng then noticed that there were more than a dozen ancient books piled up in the room, some of which had brittle pages, clearly genuine antiques.

"Wife," he said, moving closer to the bedside and sitting down with a grin, "Why have you become interested in ancient books lately?"

But his hand secretly moved towards her thigh.

Just as their fingertips were about to touch.

"Whoosh!"

Ji Mingyue's eyes turned icy, and the room temperature instantly dropped!

Ye Yaocheng sheepishly withdrew his hand, muttering, "It was bound to happen sooner or later anyway..."

"What did you say?" Ji Mingyue's voice was icy.

"Honey, you look so beautiful!"

Ye Yaocheng quickly changed the subject, pointing to the books: "Are you investigating the secret realm?"

Ji Mingyue's fingers tightened.

How did you know?

Ye Yaocheng shrugged. "I guessed it. The Profound Yin Ancient Palace, the Condensed Pill Fruit, right?"

Ji Mingyue remained silent.

After several seconds, she spoke, her voice low: "That place is very dangerous. The forces that have come this time are far beyond your imagination. Don't get involved."

Why?

"You will die."

She spoke very frankly.

Ye Yaocheng smiled, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Ji Mingyue's wrist.

Ji Mingyue was startled and tried to pull back, but it wouldn't budge.

"You are my woman, Ye Yaocheng's woman." He looked into Ji Mingyue's eyes and said, word by word, "As long as you say you want it, I will bring you the best things in the secret realm."

"As for danger?" Ye Yaocheng grinned, his smile arrogant: "With my strength, no one is my match yet, believe me."

Ye Yaocheng leaned closer, his breath brushing against the other's ear, "I can protect you, and I can give you everything."

Ji Mingyue's ears turned red.

She felt her heart pounding like crazy. The "good-for-nothing husband" she had always looked down on was now staring at her in a way that made her afraid to look him in the eye.

It seems... I'm actually starting to feel something for you?

Seeing that she didn't resist, Ye Yaocheng became bolder.

He raised his other hand and gently supported her chin.

His face slowly drew closer.

Lips, getting closer and closer...

Ji Mingyue's eyelashes trembled, and she closed her eyes.

Their breaths mingled.

They were about to meet—

"Bang!!!"

The door was suddenly pushed open!

"Mingyue! Your mom told me to call you downstairs for a midnight snack!!!"

Ji Zheng's loud voice echoed throughout the room.

Ye Yaocheng: "..."

Ji Mingyue: "..."

The two stood frozen in place, their lips less than a centimeter apart.

Ji Zheng stood frozen at the doorway, staring at the posture, and blinked.

"Ah! Uh, I didn't see anything! You guys continue! Continue!"

He slammed the door shut, and his footsteps faded into the distance.