Chapter 474: The Supreme Experts Gather

A terrifying aura permeated the world. Amidst the vast sea of molten lava stood a lone figure.

Her posture was graceful, her long gown fluttering. A mane of fiery red hair danced in the wind, making her look like a queen of fire, her presence overwhelmingly powerful.

She was the ancestor of the Murong family, Murong Lengfang!

On the other side, amidst the roiling waves, the phantom of a colossal deep-sea whale seemed to swim through the ocean's depths. The next moment, the whale surfaced, churning the water into massive swells. Atop this great beast stood a figure who looked like a young man.

The young man was dressed in blue. His eyes held a trace of ancient weariness. With just a casual glance, the air around him seemed to grow heavy with moisture, making one's entire body feel clammy and uncomfortable.

His name was Jin Ninghai, an ancestor-level figure from the Jin family.

Strictly speaking, he was not the most ancient progenitor of the Jin family's current line.

The original progenitor of this line had perished long ago due to some misfortune. He was merely of the second generation, a generation younger than the likes of Song Yeming and Murong Lengfang.

"Old Song, I never thought you'd actually be unable to handle that young man."

A scorching aura filled the void, threatening to incinerate the very world. Murong Lengfang spoke, her expression complex and her voice as cool and clear as a secluded lotus in a deep ravine.

"I thought having us lie in wait was an unnecessary precaution. I never imagined we'd actually be needed."

"To think such a hero would be so young... It truly is something to behold."

Jin Ninghai sighed, his gaze toward Ye Chen filled with deep apprehension.

"I can't handle him?"

Song Yeming frowned, clearly displeased. "That's not necessarily true. Even if I could take him down, I'm afraid it would come at a great cost. To be safe, it's better that we attack together."

"Don't forget what you promised."

"This boy is powerful. Even if we join forces, dealing with him will be anything but easy," Murong Lengfang said coolly.

"Hmph!"

Song Yeming snorted. "How could I forget what I promised?"

"Besides, by taking him down, you not only get the rewards and support of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, but you also force me to pay a hefty price. You've probably been itching for this chance, so why bother putting on an act?"

In response, Murong Lengfang simply gave a noncommittal, cold laugh and offered no further explanation.

"How could this be happening?"

Seeing this, everyone present paled.

Three ancestor-level figures from the four great families had been mobilized just to deal with a young man not yet twenty years old?

How absurd! How utterly unbelievable!

But this also showed that in the eyes of the four great families, Ye Chen was already considered an extremely dangerous individual. They believed it was impossible to deal with him without deploying their absolute top-tier power.

The hearts of Chi Ming, Song Yubing, Mo Tianyun, and the others sank.

Ye Chen was already struggling to deal with Song Yeming alone.

If the ancestors of the Murong and Jin families were added to the fight, how could he possibly hold on by himself?

Xiao Yunpo and the members of the Yun family all had complicated expressions.

They had indeed been tasked with helping Ye Chen.

But in a situation like this, it seemed that even they couldn't get involved!

In the provincial government's camp, Li Yu's brow was tightly furrowed. His expression was grave, and he could feel a headache coming on.

Any one of the four great families was an undisputed hegemon in Dongxuan Province, but the provincial government had enough power to suppress a single one.

But now that the ancestors of three great families had joined forces, the situation was much more difficult to handle.

Even if he were to use the provincial government's most powerful Spiritual Treasure, he couldn't possibly contend with three great families at once!

Li Jianyin's eyes narrowed. Within the ancient scabbard in his hand, an incomparably sharp Sword Qi swirled.

He looked eager to make a move, clearly having no intention of standing by and watching Ye Chen be ganged up on.

"What? Getting anxious now?"

Shi Chongwei approached from the side, a cold sneer on his face.

In truth, not even he had expected this situation to unfold.

"If you're thinking of interfering, I can't say I'll allow it," he said coolly, looking at Li Jianyin.

"Then I'll just have to kill you first," Li Jianyin replied calmly.

"We'll see who kills whom soon enough." Shi Chongwei's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint swirling in their depths.

"Sigh..."

A faint sigh echoed through the world.

The sigh was indeed faint, almost inaudible, yet it stirred the Divine Soul of everyone present!

A chill ran through everyone's minds. 'Which Great Power has intervened this time?'

"Hm?"

Song Yeming, Murong Lengfang, and Jin Ninghai all turned to look in the same direction.

At the very front of the Yun family's contingent, an ancient figure had appeared out of nowhere.

He had white hair and a white beard, his face was a web of wrinkles, and his back was stooped. He leaned on a walking stick.

He was the very picture of an old man with one foot in the grave!

Yet, with his appearance, the Spiritual Qi of the world seemed to stir restlessly.

"Ancestor!"

Yun Cangfeng, Yun Feiyang, and the other Yun family experts cried out in shock.

The ancestor of the Yun family, Yun Tianhan!

At this moment, the ancestors of all four great families of Dongxuan Province were gathered!

"Old Yun, do you intend to interfere as well?"

Murong Lengfang's delicate brows knitted together. She couldn't help but ask, "Once people of our level make a move, it will inevitably create a blood feud between our families from which there is no backing down."

"Has your Yun family gone completely mad? To go to such lengths for a strange young man? Are you willing to risk the annihilation of your entire clan?"

Jin Ninghai also spoke up. "Senior, you are the eldest among us. At your age, it's best not to engage in any major conflicts. It would be terrible if you were to suffer a serious injury. We juniors would feel awful."

All eyes turned to Yun Tianhan.

Even Ye Chen was curious. Were the Yun family truly determined to interfere, even when faced with ancestors like Song Yeming?

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yun Tianhan remained silent.

His aura was completely restrained. At first glance, he truly looked like a frail old man with gray hair, so unsteady he could barely walk.

But no one dared to underestimate him.

If Song Yeming was the most talented of the four ancestors, then Yun Tianhan was the eldest.

And great age also implied a profound foundation.

He was very likely the most dangerous of the four ancestors!

"To be honest, I've reached the age where I should be living out my final years in peace. I truly have no desire to make enemies of you all."

"But, I ask you to spare this young friend's life. Can you do that?"

Yun Tianhan finally spoke. His voice was unhurried, like that of a benevolent old man mediating a dispute.

"That will be difficult."

Murong Lengfang stated bluntly, "You know as well as I do that the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce is watching this affair from the shadows."

"Indeed," Jin Ninghai nodded. "Our deal with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce is already done. We're in too deep to back out now."