Zhang Chongchen knew that Ye Guichen wasn't boasting.

Especially after this period of interaction, Zhang Chongjing even suspected that if Ye Guichen and Zhang Chonglou were to fight, it was uncertain whether Zhang Chonglou could win.

"Brother Ye, even though I know you're formidable, one can never be too cautious. So, I'll have someone discreetly follow you. If anything happens, they'll be able to assist you," Zhang Chongchen was still a bit worried.

Ye Guichen knew Zhang Chongchen meant well, "Alright, but make sure they keep a distance, don't let them get discovered."

"Okay!"

After that, Ye Guichen and Zhang Chongchen parted ways.

As Ye Guichen got into Fan Chang'an's car, Gongsun Fengying popped up again, insisting on tagging along.

Ye Guichen was exasperated, "If you're determined to come, then follow from a distance. I trust with your skills, you won't be noticed."

Gongsun Fengying, though reluctant, nodded in agreement after understanding the situation.

The cunning of the adversary surpassed expectations.

Ye Guichen didn't want to joke around with Fan Zhidong's life.

Fan Chang'an was extremely anxious, continuously urging Ye Guichen, as if afraid Ye Guichen would disregard Fan Zhidong's safety.

Fan Chang'an started the car and quickly drove towards the location agreed upon with the kidnappers.

In just over half an hour, Fan Chang'an drove the car to the entrance of an alley.

The alley was deep, extending over a kilometer, extremely narrow, even the car couldn't fit.

At the alley entrance, the name was written: Huaihua Alley.

"Is this the place?" Ye Guichen felt something was off the moment he got out of the car.

Fan Chang'an quickly nodded, "Yes, when they let me return, it was here. Sect Leader Ye, let's go."

Ye Guichen nodded and followed Fan Chang'an into the alley.

In the next moment, a bizarre scene unfolded.

Over ten meters into the alley, there was a man selling candied hawthorns not far away.

His voice was crisp as he shouted, "Candied hawthorns, selling candied hawthorns, three yuan for one skewer, five yuan for two skewers!"

Though no one else was in the alley, the vendor shouted enthusiastically.

Fan Chang'an urged, "Sect Leader Ye, hurry up, if they harm my father, it'll be too late for regrets."

Ye Guichen squinted, not moving, instead looking at Fan Chang'an, "Are you truly worried about your father's safety?"

Fan Chang'an was taken aback and asked confusedly, "Sect Leader Ye, what do you mean by that?"

"Hehe, I found it strange at Longsheng Hall, and now I seem to understand. You're not Fan Chang'an at all," Ye Guichen's eyes sparkled like lightning, staring sharply at Fan Chang'an.

A flicker of panic crossed Fan Chang'an's eyes, but he quickly regained composure, forcing a smile, "Sect Leader Ye, are you kidding? If I'm not Fan Chang'an, who am I?"

"There are numerous disguise techniques in this world, and there's a sect called Huayan Sect, which was once a small and insignificant fraction under the Eternal Life Hall. The greatest skill of that sect is disguise," Ye Guichen said as he stepped forward, getting so close to Fan Chang'an that their faces almost touched, "Could it be you're from Huayan Sect?"

"W-what are you saying? I don't understand!" Fan Chang'an retreated several steps, his tone carrying hints of panic.

Ye Guichen sneered, "Since you don't understand, I'll teach you!"

As he spoke, Ye Guichen made his move.

His hand, ghost-like, directly reached behind Fan Chang'an's ear.

Riiip!

With a gentle pull, he tore away a mask as thin as a cicada's wing.

Underneath Fan Chang'an's face was a stranger's face.

Realizing he'd been exposed, the man didn't hesitate and shouted to the candied hawthorn vendor, "Yan Chou, what are you waiting for? Attack!"

The candied hawthorn vendor abruptly swung the stick skewering the hawthorns outward.

The candied hawthorns seemed to transform into sharp arrows, shooting rapidly towards Ye Guichen.

The assault was fierce, tough even for an advanced fighter to dodge.

Ye Guichen scoffed, waving his hand.

The powerful air currents formed by his profound energy shattered all the candied hawthorns.

The vendor was stunned, seemingly not anticipating Ye Guichen's prowess. With a shake of his wrist, the stick that previously held the candied hawthorns peeled off to reveal a long knife.

"Wu Yan, you're useless. You always brag about your impressive disguise skills, yet you got discovered so quickly!" Yan Chou, wielding the large knife, charged at Ye Guichen.

The knife whistled through the air, plunging down with tremendous force.

Ye Guichen lifted his hand, pinching the blade easily with his fingers.

Then, he twisted his fingers.

Crack!

The big knife split in two.

Yan Chou looked horrified, not having expected his opponent's strength, exclaiming, "This guy is fierce! Retreat!"

He quickly retreated, and within ten meters, he vanished suddenly.

As if a phantom, he disappeared without a trace.

During the confrontation between Yan Chou and Ye Guichen, the one called Wu Yan, skilled in disguise, also disappeared without anyone knowing where he went.

The alley returned to its tranquility.

Aside from Ye Guichen, not a soul was present.

Meanwhile, Gongsun Fengying, who had been discreetly following along with several Taoists from Heavenly Master Tao, lost track of Ye Guichen.

"Strange, the car is here, but where are the people?"

From afar, Gongsun Fengying and the others could see the car Ye Guichen had been in parked by the roadside, yet bizarrely, next to the car was a wall, and Ye Guichen and Fan Chang'an had vanished silently.

"Something's off, I'll go check." Sensing something was not right, Gongsun Fengying quickly jumped out of the car.

At this moment, she didn't care if her cover was blown.

The remaining Taoists were also puzzled.

But Zhang Chongchen had instructed them to protect Ye Guichen and support him at any time, ensuring nothing would happen to him.

Now, with everyone gone, how were they to protect him?

The group exchanged glances and quickly jumped out of the car, moving to where Ye Guichen's car was parked.

Gongsun Fengying confirmed the car was empty, but there seemed to be no passage, which made her even more curious.

One young Taoist asked puzzledly, "Could it be an illusion array here, or maybe we hit a ghost wall?"

Another young Taoist rolled his eyes, "What nonsense, ghost wall, we're Taoists but have you ever seen a ghost?"

Feeling awkward after being scolded, the Taoist scratched his head and looked to Gongsun Fengying for guidance, "Sister Fengying, what's really going on here?"

Most of these Taoists knew Gongsun Fengying.

Even Gongsun Fengying had never seen such a situation before. She furrowed her brow and said, "If I'm not mistaken, we may indeed have encountered experts. They're not afraid of us following because they intended to lure Ye Guichen out for a solo confrontation."

"Oh? Then what do we do?"

"Search!" With no alternative, Gongsun Fengying instructed, "Look around for any places people can enter or exit and where people might be. Find them quickly."

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