Chapter 49

With a gaunt figure, sunken cheeks at around fifty years old, the two mustaches at the corners of his mouth quivered, and a few sparse goat-like whiskers under his chin, he wore a gray robe, looking like an old farmer from next door.

This person was none other than one of the four deans of the Xuan Yun Sect, the strongest existence in the South Courtyard—Hou Danchen!

"Disciple Li Chen of the Outer Courtyard, greets the Dean!"

Li Chen did not dare to underestimate the seemingly frail 'old farmer' before him. The scene of his subconscious full-strength attack being effortlessly defused by the other still echoed in his mind.

Thud, thud!

Fine steps and the rustling of dense clothing constantly approached. Clearly, the previous commotion had attracted the attention of many, even in the quiet Inner Courtyard.

Before long, many disciples gathered outside the courtyard, but upon seeing the person inside, they all restrained themselves and stood respectfully outside.

"Don't be so formal, where does all this anger come from, little kids? Why must you fight to the death?"

Hou Danchen, despite his elegant name, had a personality that matched his appearance. Those who knew him well knew he was an absolutely difficult person to deal with.

"Reporting to the Dean, this person is named Li Chen. A year ago, he killed and plundered in the Ancient Cang Mountains, injuring Senior Brother Qiu Tianyi's sister Qiu Qianhua, and has also injured me.

Now, after being missing for a year, he has learned some evil powers, his cultivation has soared, and he has intruded into Junior Sister Chu's residence, intending to commit indecent acts against Junior Sister Liu and forcibly take the demonic pet she was given.

When we arrived and fought with him, Junior Brothers Yang and Chen were both injured by him. Junior Sister Chu, Junior Sister Liu, and Junior Brother Pang can all testify!"

Zhang Chulong stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and recounted the events.

"Is this true?"

Hou Danchen's gaze swept over the group, his face immediately turning dark. He, who detested evil and cruelty, could not tolerate internal strife among his disciples. If these charges were confirmed, Li Chen would not leave alive.

Especially the two people, Yang and Chen, lying on the ground groaning, seemed to be testifying to Li Chen's crimes.

"Reporting to the Dean, the matter..."

Pang Wenshan and Chu Ziyun exchanged glances. The situation was indeed as Zhang Chulong described, but it was all hearsay, and no one knew the truth.

But if they contradicted him now, they would lose face in front of Zhang Chulong, and it would be awkward in the future.

"Reporting to the Dean, the matter is indeed as Senior Brother Zhang described, but..."

Chu Ziyun bit her red lip, wanting to plead for Li Chen.

"Junior Sister Chu, I know you have a past with Li Chen, but a person with such a nature is not suitable to associate with!"

Zhang Chulong 'advised earnestly' in a timely manner.

"Scoundrel, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Hearing their words, Hou Danchen's face turned as dark as if it could drip water, and he said coldly.

"Scoundrel? I respect the Dean, but I did not expect you to be such a person who cannot distinguish right from wrong!"

Li Chen clenched his fists, and since he had secretly sworn that day, he had decided not to let anyone ride over him. In his youthful arrogance, how could he tolerate such slander?

"Heh, very well, today this old man will cripple your cultivation and see how you can continue to be arrogant!"

Hou Danchen laughed in anger. As the dean of a courtyard and a peak early-stage Ganyuan Realm expert, his status was so noble that, apart from the elders and the Supreme Elders, no one could match him. When had he ever been scolded like this?

In an instant, a mighty pressure spread throughout the courtyard, forcing everyone to step back.

Yang and Chen, who were severely injured, groaned under this pressure, nearly fainting.

Li Chen, who was the first to bear the brunt, turned pale, but he quickly swelled his internal energy to resist, his face turning red, then purple.

He only managed to hold on for a few breaths before retreating several steps, spitting out a stream of blood, and half-kneeling on the ground. His eyes, hidden under his disheveled hair, emitted a terrifying light of defiance.

Squeak!

Squeak!

The two beasts, though also terrified of the gaunt old man, saw Li Chen injured and their fur stood on end. They bared their teeth and glared at Hou Danchen, their eyes reflecting the same light as Li Chen's.

Zhang Chulong and his group watched clearly, a hint of satisfaction on their faces, and they stopped Pang Wenshan and Chu Ziyun from stepping forward.

"Heh, you have some backbone, this old man likes to gnaw on hard bones, to sharpen his teeth!"

Hou Danchen grinned, revealing a dark red gum with few teeth, which was quite eerie.

He extended his right hand, and a golden light burst forth. A powerful golden true qi, several feet in size, formed a golden palm and struck down at Li Chen.

True qi of a Dazhen Realm practitioner can be released externally, and true qi of a Ganyuan Realm practitioner can take shape. This was demonstrated perfectly by him.

"This is a Ganyuan Realm practitioner? I refuse to accept it. If given time..."

Li Chen half-knelt on the ground, his teeth grinding to the point of bleeding, his eyes bloodshot, and his fists clenched, making a cracking sound as he tried to stand up.

But his body felt as if it were filled with lead, weighing more than ten thousand pounds. No matter how hard he struggled, he could not move at all. The gap was too great.

Even the little monkey and Lei Peng were pressed to the ground, unable to resist.

As the golden palm, filled with boundless power, was about to strike Li Chen's head, everyone watched intently, waiting to see his flesh tear.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a dark golden light suddenly appeared, not as glaring as the golden palm, but extremely eye-catching. Everyone present felt a chill in their hearts.

In the blink of an eye, the dark golden light pierced through the golden palm, both dissipating into a scattering of starlight.

Li Chen, who was about to use all his strength for a final blow, suddenly felt a lightness on his body. The accumulated force lost its target, causing his blood to surge, and he nearly spat out another mouthful of blood.

"Damn it, Zombie Face, get out here!"

Hou Danchen, his attack thwarted, jumped and shouted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, completely losing his dignity as a dean.

Everyone who saw this was dumbfounded but dared not make a sound.

Whoosh!

A tall figure in dark green robes instantly descended into the courtyard, his posture graceful but giving off a subtle chill.

This feeling did not come from the person but from the natural reaction of everyone who saw the middle-aged man in dark green robes.

When everyone recognized the newcomer, they all drew a sharp breath, their bodies involuntarily retreating, and some even turned and fled with pale faces.

As if they had seen a flood or a ferocious beast, they dared not look at him any longer.

"What has you so angry, Old Brother Hou? Do you really intend to kill a disciple?"

A harsh, grating voice, like grinding iron, made everyone's teeth ache. The middle-aged man was none other than Zang Xingqian, whom Li Chen had met once in the Discipline Hall on the mountain top.

"Zombie Face, don't be so fake. If you dare to ruin this old man's good deed today, I'll risk my old bones and fight you to the death!"

Hou Danchen's face was red, his goatee quivering, clearly furious.