Inside the Qing Jiao (Azure Serpent) Association's main hall.

Tang Qian sat with his eyes tightly closed, his face filled with worry. He was under immense pressure. The Martial Guard had completely surrounded the place, and anyone with eyes could see that the Sky Patrol Office was about to make a move against him.

They were merely waiting for the opportune moment.

And he seemed to have no power to turn the tables. As for breaking out... he had considered it and was willing to abandon this foundation. After all, life was the most important thing.

But could he really break out?

Tao Qingyuan and Lu Yuan were likely waiting for him outside. The moment he moved, they would almost certainly strike.

And he wasn't ready yet.

Yes, he was waiting for reinforcements from Jinshan Temple.

To save his life, Tang Qian had offered extremely generous terms. If Jinshan Temple could protect him, he would become a subsidiary force of Jinshan Temple in the future.

Of course, he also realized that the people outside were likely waiting for Chen Yuan.

Their feud might be settled soon.

"Sigh."

Tang Qian couldn't help but sigh, his heart filled with turmoil.

How did things get to this state?

How could the Dragon Tiger Gate be destroyed so suddenly?

And how could Chen Yuan have broken through so quickly...

Although Tang Qian had sensed Chen Yuan's terrifying talent and strength during the Seven Kill Hall incident, he never expected Chen Yuan to grow so fast.

He was no less talented than any genius from a top-tier force.

Suddenly, Tang Qian opened his eyes. He heard some movement outside. Just as he was about to send someone to investigate, a sharp voice entered his ears.

"Tang Qian, come out and face your death!"

His expression changed drastically. He frowned and immediately stood up, his brows tightly knitted. He recognized the voice outside.

Chen Yuan, he's here!

......

......

In front of the Qing Jiao Association's main hall, Chen Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his face calm. He quietly waited for Tang Qian to emerge. With such a tight encirclement, Tang Qian must still be hiding inside.

As expected, three breaths after Chen Yuan shouted those words, a powerful aura rose from the Qing Jiao Association. Tang Qian, dressed in a dark red robe, soared into the air.

His expression flickered, and his gaze constantly scanned Chen Yuan.

Similarly, Chen Yuan looked up and met his gaze.

"Patrol Envoy Chen has graced us with his presence. Tang has failed to welcome you properly."

Tang Qian took a deep breath, suppressing the various emotions in his heart, and cupped his fist towards Chen Yuan.

With a curve of his lips, a cold smile appeared on Chen Yuan's indifferent face. He said loudly:

"At this point, does Brother Tang still need to say more?"

"What does Patrol Envoy Chen mean?"

Tang Qian glanced around at the surroundings before focusing on Chen Yuan again.

Chen Yuan took a step forward, treading on the void, and arrived at the same level as Tang Qian. They were about ten zhang apart. Chen Yuan said directly:

"The grievances between you and me will be settled today."

"Grievances? What grievances do Patrol Envoy Chen and I have?" Tang Qian's heart sank, but he still feigned confusion on his face. He was stalling for time.

"Hiring Seven Kill Hall assassins to attack me, instigating the Blood Fiend to ambush me at Mount Dagu, colluding with the Wu Sheng (No Birth) Cult demons to collect young boys and girls for sacrifices, bribing court officials to cover for you. Each and every one of these crimes is clearly recorded in the Sky Patrol Office."

"Ignoring our personal grievances, these crimes alone are enough to wipe out the Qing Jiao Association several times over."

Chen Yuan's voice was infused with Gang Qi, clearly reaching the ears of everyone nearby.

Tang Qian's expression remained unchanged:

"Evidence? Did Patrol Envoy Chen use this excuse to attack the Dragon Tiger Gate before? The world knows that the imperial court is fair, but such slander has never occurred."

"Heh... You are not worthy to see the evidence. My Sky Patrol Office patrols on behalf of the heavens and has the power to execute first and report later. What qualifications do you have to see the evidence? Aren't you tired of talking so much?

Where are the reinforcements? If you have them, let them come out now. Today, this envoy will see who dares to defy the imperial court's orders and wants to rebel!" Chen Yuan's cold eyes slowly swept around.

How could he not know Tang Qian's plans?

Wasn't he just waiting for the people from Jinshan Temple to appear?

Good, today he would pin the charges on him first, and when the time was right, he would directly take action to destroy the Buddhist temple.

Tang Qian's heart tightened. He knew that Chen Yuan had seen through his plan and didn't seem to have any intention of making a quick decision. Instead, he was waiting for the people from Jinshan Temple to show up.

What did he want to do?

His mind raced, trying to figure out Chen Yuan's intentions and purpose.

Just as Chen Yuan finished speaking, the person he and Tang Qian were both expecting coincidentally appeared.

A Buddhist chant echoed faintly. Monk Fanan, dressed in a plain monk's robe, rose from a spot. Faint golden Buddhist light swirled around him, protecting him within a radius of ten zhang.

From afar, he looked like a Buddhist statue enshrined in a temple.

Chen Yuan and Tang Qian's gazes simultaneously turned to Fanan, understanding that he had obviously been here for a long time, hiding his presence.

Fanan's appearance relieved Tang Qian, but also filled him with a sense of unease. Chen Yuan's expression, on the other hand, quickly turned gloomy the moment Fanan appeared.

He questioned the old monk in front of him:

"So, Jinshan Temple is the force that wants to rebel and defy the imperial court's orders?"

Monk Fanan stared at Chen Yuan, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and shock, looking rather complicated. In fact, it was indeed so.

Who would have thought that a small Ning Gang (Qi Condensation) martial artist whom he could easily manipulate a few months ago was now sitting on equal footing with him, his words no longer cautious but arrogant.

"Jinshan Temple acts peacefully and has never had any intention of rebelling against the imperial court. Patrol Envoy Chen's words are somewhat biased," Fanan said with dissatisfaction.

"Biased? Not necessarily, right? This envoy just said who dared to defy, and you, monk, jumped out. Isn't that defiance? Jinshan Temple's abilities are truly great. It seems you no longer put the imperial court in your eyes."

Chen Yuan's tone was quite playful.

Fanan frowned: "Patrol Envoy Chen, be careful with your words!"

"Heh..." Chen Yuan chuckled and turned his gaze to a certain location, saying faintly:

"Brother Yunlong has been watching for a while now. Won't you come out and say something fair?"

Chen Yuan had sensed Shi Yunlong's arrival the moment he arrived, only a moment before him. Now that he was here, how could Chen Yuan not let him show his face?

When taking action against Jinshan Temple, he would need this person to step forward.

Since he had chosen to cooperate with the imperial court, he would have to pay some price.

Shi Yunlong's mouth twitched. He didn't mind fighting Tang Qian, but forming a grudge with Jinshan Temple... that was no small matter. But Chen Yuan had already called his name, and he couldn't avoid it.

Making up his mind, Shi Yunlong quickly decided that since he had already cooperated with the Sky Patrol Office, retreating now would offend both sides.

Such an outcome would not be good.

"Patrol Envoy Chen is right. If Master Fanan doesn't want to defy the imperial court, he should leave as soon as possible," Shi Yunlong said loudly.

He walked step by step to Chen Yuan's side, but the weakened aura on his body couldn't be hidden at all. Of course, he didn't want to hide it. He was showing it to Chen Yuan.

Let him know that he couldn't help too much now, and he should quickly let Lu Yuan and Tao Qingyuan come out.

"When did Gang Leader Shi become Patrol Envoy Chen's subordinate?" Tang Qian echoed.

"That's none of Brother Tang's business. You should worry about how many people from the Qing Jiao Association will be alive after today," Shi Yunlong immediately retorted.

Tang Qian's eyes were gloomy, and he gave Shi Yunlong a deep look.

Monk Fanan coughed a few times:

"Patrol Envoy Chen, the Qing Jiao Association has not committed any wrongdoing. Why be so aggressive? The imperial court's actions are not popular."

His gaze inadvertently lingered on a certain spot. Chen Yuan sensed a trace of aura deliberately released by Tao Qingyuan, and his heart settled. He said faintly:

"Whether the Qing Jiao Association has committed any wrongdoing is not up to you to decide, but up to this envoy to decide. If you don't want to cause trouble for Jinshan Temple, you should go back to chanting Buddhist scriptures as soon as possible."

"Patrol Envoy Chen is threatening this humble monk?"

Chen Yuan smiled: "Yes, I'm threatening you. What are you going to do?"

Fanan's expression froze. He didn't expect Chen Yuan to turn his face so quickly and didn't react for a moment. However, he soon said with a look of anger:

"If Patrol Envoy Chen has such an attitude, then there is nothing to say."

With a sneer, Chen Yuan said loudly: "There was nothing to say in the first place. I'm not afraid to tell you that this envoy is determined to destroy the Qing Jiao Association today. Even the Buddha can't stop me!"

"Presumptuous! How dare you insult the Buddha!" Fanan scolded sternly.

"You are the presumptuous one. Who do you think you are, daring to interfere with this envoy's affairs? If you dare to move a finger today, this envoy will grind you to ashes. If you don't believe me, try it."

Chen Yuan took a step forward, his aura suddenly rising, pressing closer to Fanan. He really meant to attack at the slightest disagreement.

At this moment, Tang Qian became a supporting character. He was also a little at a loss. Wasn't Chen Yuan coming for him? Why did he suddenly turn to Fanan?

Shi Yunlong opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't say anything.

Speaking at this time was obviously not wise.

"You..." Fanan was overwhelmed with anger, his eyes fixed on Chen Yuan. A surge of suppressed anger filled his heart. Even the Azure Envoy of Southern Ridge, Tao Qingyuan, wouldn't dare to be so rude to Jinshan Temple.

He gripped the Zen staff tightly in his hand, as if he would attack at any moment.

Chen Yuan slowly reached out and grasped the handle of his saber. An astonishing aura of sharpness began to rapidly gather around his body, really meaning to attack at the slightest disagreement:

"If you dare to attack, then come on. If you don't dare to attack, then get lost. Others may fear your Jinshan Temple, but I, Chen Yuan, am not afraid. Collecting money from believers, bewitching people's hearts, running rampant and acting tyrannically,

Such a Buddha is better off without!"

"Do you really think this humble monk doesn't dare to attack?" Monk Fanan stared directly at Chen Yuan, word by word.

"Then what are you waiting for!"

Chen Yuan snorted coldly.

————

Well, brothers who vote for monthly tickets will be as durable as Ding Ding Little Stone!

I originally wanted to have a big update today, but I was entangled in many things. I will strive for another chapter tomorrow. I have been recommended, so I have to update more than 10,000 words!