Ye Chen clashes with Deng Shaofeng, who unleashes a powerful Black Flame Divine Flood Dragon Palm. Despite the overwhelming attack, Ye Chen effortlessly shatters the palm and defeats Deng Shaofeng with a single sword strike. This display of power leaves the onlookers astonished, unable to fathom Ye Chen's true strength. Chen Yuanbiao, observing Ye Chen, begins to suspect he might be a descendant of the Dark Domain Ancestor.
Many years ago, the formidable Ancestor of the Dark Domain once extended a helping hand to an ancestor of the Chen family, bestowing great fortune upon him. This historical connection is why the Chen family possesses extensive knowledge of this powerful individual.
Without that influential figure, the Chen family would cease to exist!
If Ye Chen truly is a descendant of that progenitor, then the bond between Chen Yuanbiao and him transcends mere mutual benefit!
While Chen Yuanbiao may not be considered a paragon of virtue, he has never forgotten the principle of repaying kindness!
He holds a particular reverence for the Dark Domain Ancestor, with the entire Chen family expressing gratitude across generations!
Observing Chen Yuanbiao's expression, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel a flicker of confusion. Why did Master Chen's gaze towards him seem to be growing more familiar?
However, Ye Chen did not dwell on it and instead smiled, "Master Chen, I had no intention of harming anyone; it was merely an act of self-defense. I trust there will be no repercussions from the Deng family, correct?"
The reason he refrained from killing Deng Shaofeng was his apprehension that the Deng family might retaliate too aggressively and relentlessly pursue the matter!
This was not born of fear, but rather because he lacked the time to squander on such trivialities at present.
Chen Yuanbiao cast a cold glance at the nearly incapacitated Deng Shaofeng on the ground and scoffed, "Even if you hadn't killed this insignificant wretch, even if you had utterly destroyed him, I, Chen Yuanbiao, can solemnly guarantee that the Deng family would not dare to lay a single hair upon you!"
He then flashed a smile at Ye Chen and inquired, "Young Master Ye, would you do this old man the honor of joining me in the tea room for a cup of tea?"
Ye Chen nodded and replied, "With a senior's invitation, how could a junior possibly refuse?"
Chen Yuanbiao chuckled heartily, disregarding the near-lifeless Deng Shaofeng on the elevated platform, and led Ye Chen towards the tea room.
Before long, the two were comfortably seated in the serene tea room.
With a subtle flash of spiritual light in his hand, Chen Yuanbiao produced a teapot, water, tea leaves, and other accoutrements, personally brewing a pot of aromatic Spiritual Tea.
With a gentle gesture, he smiled at Ye Chen and said, "Pray, try the Spiritual Tea brewed by this old man. These tea leaves are rare treasures I have accumulated over many years; even the President has repeatedly sought them, yet I have never been willing to part with even a single leaf."
Ye Chen smiled and responded, "Thank you, Senior, for your kind hospitality."
He lifted the teacup and, first, brought it to his nose, inhaling the exquisite aroma. As the fragrance permeated his senses, Ye Chen's eyes lit up!
He took a small sip of the tea, which possessed a jade-like quality. As it flowed down his throat, a lingering sweetness spread, transforming into an incredibly pure, spring-like spiritual energy that coursed through his body.
This tea evoked a sensation akin to basking in warm sunlight, enveloping him in unparalleled comfort!
For a fleeting moment, Ye Chen felt as though he were in a sun-drenched spring tea garden, even faintly perceiving a connection to the Dao of Spring!
Ye Chen's eyes snapped open, and he exclaimed, "Exquisite tea!"
Even Ye Chen was slightly taken aback by the exceptional quality of this Spiritual Tea!
Chen Yuanbiao had not deceived him; this Spiritual Tea was indeed a treasure of the highest order!
It surpassed any Spiritual Tea Ye Chen had ever had the pleasure of tasting!
To offer Ye Chen such a premium Spiritual Tea clearly demonstrated the high regard Chen Yuanbiao held for him!
Chen Yuanbiao smiled contentedly and replied, "As long as it meets your approval."
Following this exchange, the two engaged in pleasant conversation while sipping the tea, the pot emptying rather quickly.
At this juncture, Ye Chen sensed a subtle, yet noticeable, strengthening of his vitality!
Although this minor enhancement might seem almost inconsequential to his overall power, consider this!
How robust was Ye Chen's vitality to begin with?
That this Spiritual Tea could still provide even the slightest enhancement spoke volumes about its almost unbelievable quality!
At this point, Chen Yuanbiao posed a direct question, "Young Master Ye, I shall dispense with pleasantries. I wish to inquire if you harbor any interest in joining the Dark Domain's Netherworld Cloud Clearing Association?"
Ye Chen's eyes flickered slightly as he responded, "Oh? What specific duties and responsibilities are entailed in becoming a member of this Netherworld Cloud Clearing Association? And what tangible benefits would accrue to me?"
After a moment of silence, Chen Yuanbiao spoke candidly. "To be perfectly honest, the Netherworld Cloud Clearing Association barely ranks among the lowest tier of Cloud Clearing Associations within the Dark Domain. The primary reasons for this are twofold: firstly, its limited scale. The Dark Domain itself is not a vast region, situated in a remote locale, and its martial arts prowess unfortunately occupies the bottom rung among the Nineteen States. Consequently, the scale of the Netherworld Cloud Clearing Association naturally mirrors this limitation. However, the most critical factor is the absence of a single Cloud Clearing Master within our association!"
His eyes, alight with a divine gleam, fixed upon Ye Chen as he continued, "The Dark Domain's allocation of funds and investments to Cloud Clearing Associations hinges upon the crucial criterion of whether a Cloud Clearing Master is present within the association! Thus, for years, the Netherworld Cloud Clearing Association has been relegated to receiving only the most meager leftover resources, leaving little room for substantial development!"
Chen Yuanbiao let out a soft sigh and went on, "This is precisely why we are in desperate need of a Cloud Clearing Master. Your innate talent in the cloud-clearing method is so profound that it has the potential to send shockwaves throughout the entire Dark Domain. This old man firmly believes that it will not be long before you ascend to the esteemed realm of a Cloud Clearing Master! Our sole reason for extending an invitation to you to join the Netherworld Cloud Clearing Association is precisely this!
You can set your mind at ease; until you achieve the status of a Cloud Clearing Master, the association will impose no significant demands upon you. Furthermore, all resources designated for association members will be provided to you at the highest possible standard. In essence, the Netherworld Cloud Clearing Association can also serve as your formidable backing! However..."
Ye Chen interjected, "However, what? Senior Chen, please do not hesitate to speak your mind frankly."
Chen Yuanbiao offered a wry smile and confessed, "To speak plainly, the Netherworld Cloud Clearing Association might not be your most advantageous choice. Given your exceptional qualifications, aligning yourself with Cloud Clearing Associations in other states would undoubtedly be more than sufficient, and they could certainly present more favorable terms than our association. Indeed, some Cloud Clearing Associations within specific areas of the Dark Domain command a level of respect even from the most powerful forces that dominate other realms... In stark contrast, our Netherworld Association feels rather lacking..."
Had circumstances been different, Chen Yuanbiao might not have revealed such candid observations to Ye Chen. However, in this moment, he found himself treating Ye Chen with a sense of kinship.
Ye Chen smiled and replied, "This matter is of no great concern to me. However, I am rather curious about the specific duties I would be expected to undertake once I attain the rank of Master?"
Chen Yuanbiao explained, "The Dark Domain's investment in Cloud Clearing Associations is primarily focused on nurturing Cloud Clearing Masters. As for their specific tasks, these are directly assigned by the high-ranking officials of the Dark Mansion to the masters themselves. This old man does not possess extensive knowledge in this regard, but it is unlikely to involve excessive danger, as each Master is regarded as an invaluable asset to the Dark Mansion."
Upon absorbing this information, Ye Chen's eyes flickered with deep contemplation. He was well aware that the Dark Mansion stood as the paramount power structure within the Dark Domain, diligently overseeing all affairs, both major and minor, throughout its expanse. Its influence and authority far surpassed even those of the formidable forces present in the Outer Realm's Moon Soul Domain and Yangzhen Domain!
