He had never expected Chen Fei's punch to be so astonishingly powerful. It descended like Mount Tai pressing down, viciously striking his palms and causing his entire body to tremble violently. An unnatural redness flushed his cheeks, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Not only that, but Chen Fei followed up with a vicious stomp. With a thunderous roar, the ground caved in, forming a three-meter-wide, pitch-black pit that emitted a chilling smoke.

DRIP. DRIP. DRIP.

The sound echoed through the silent, cold canyon, creating an atmosphere that could likely suffocate an ordinary person and make it hard to breathe.

"You…" Old Howard glanced at his throbbing shoulder. The sight of the crimson blood made his pupils shrink, and his lips quivered, unable to form words.

Clearly, he had never expected Chen Fei to possess such incredible strength. A single exchange was all it took to injure him!

Most importantly, his opponent had only used his fists.

If Chen Fei had also used the Mystic Stone Mirror floating in the air just then… Old Howard couldn't help but shiver. With a complex expression, he stared at Chen Fei, his voice cold and hoarse. "I didn't expect this. This old man truly misjudged you. Should I thank you for showing mercy and not delivering a killing blow?"

Although their exchange had only lasted a few seconds and he hadn't used his full strength, he already understood one thing. This man from the East was trouble, so much so that even he, Old Howard, wasn't sure if he could win.

Hearing this, Chen Fei did not reply. He simply curled his lips into a slight smile and casually pointed a finger at the Mystic Stone Mirror. It immediately trembled, and a terrifying fluctuation emanated from it, causing Old Howard's pupils to contract as a chill shot down his spine.

Then, with a complicated look, he licked his lips. He knew that although Chen Fei hadn't answered him, his actions had spoken volumes.

If Chen Fei had truly intended to kill him just now, his fate… would probably be quite different.

"Truly worthy of that most mysterious land in the East. To be so young, yet so powerful!" Ultimately, Old Howard realized this fight could not continue. He shook his head, his expression a mixture of admiration and complexity. Had he known Chen Fei was this strong, he never would have stepped in so rashly.

Face? Only with sufficient strength can one have face! Otherwise, his current state—one shoulder dripping with blood and searing with pain—what kind of face was this?

"Now, you shouldn't be thinking of standing up for them anymore, right?" Chen Fei asked, not with arrogance, but with an assertive tone. "If you still want to, we can continue to fight."

Old Howard frowned slightly. "I admit that you are formidable, but this is the West, after all! Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to act so wantonly here?" This was the Ashford Family's stronghold, after all, and he, Old Howard, wasn't the only one present.

"I don't know what's appropriate and what isn't. I only know that if someone comes looking for trouble with me first, I certainly won't show any mercy. If you can't stand it or feel it's a slight to your dignity… then do as you please."

Chen Fei's calm voice echoed in the air, giving Old Howard the distinct illusion that his back was soaked through with cold sweat. His eyes flickered with a hint of panic.

Our Chen Fei, Young Master Chen, is currently at the Peak of Qi Refining Fifth Layer. Given his profound foundation, if he were to truly fight, even an SSS+ Peak powerhouse or a Peak Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist would risk losing their life! Although Old Howard's strength was "not bad," he was ultimately only a Blood Clan Prince, equivalent to an SSS-level expert or a Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist, not yet at the peak.

At his level, how could he not be suppressed by Chen Fei's aura?

"I hope you remember those words." Old Howard clearly understood the situation. He gave Chen Fei one last deep look, left this parting shot, and then, with a loud flap, spread his wings and flew into the sky, disappearing from sight.

HMPH!

Chen Fei snorted, annoyed by the old bat's attitude. In the end, however, he said nothing more, mainly because he couldn't be bothered with any more trouble.

After all, his goal for coming to the United Kingdom was very clear: to obtain the last jade artifact. It was better to keep a low profile until he had it. Otherwise, if any chaos erupted, he would have no one to cry to, and there was simply no need for such trouble. His demeanor quickly calmed, and his aura receded.

With a WHOOSH, he also departed from the high canyon ridge, his figure gradually vanishing into the cold, silent night.

「About half an hour later」

Chen Fei met with Duke Ovilia, Blisto, and the others inside the Ashford Family's underground castle.

"Mr. Chen, you've arrived?"

Now, both Blisto and Duke Ovilia treated Chen Fei with far more respect than before.

It couldn't be helped. After Chen Fei had effortlessly defeated Great Mage Dumbledore and two S+ Paladins, they understood perfectly well that such a powerhouse was a major figure. Even their Brad Family could not afford to be neglectful.

"Yes. Have you gotten the items?" Chen Fei nodded and asked with a smile.

"Of course, we've got them. After you easily defeated Great Mage Dumbledore and those two S+ Peak Paladins, how could they dare have any other ideas? What's more, Mr. Chen, I think the Barton Family is truly terrified of you. They originally agreed to 12,000 Magic Gold Coins, but now…" Blisto said excitedly.

When had a Light Magic family of the Barton Family's rank ever bowed their heads like this to the Blood Clan? For a member of the Blood Clan like him, the feeling was incredibly satisfying.

"But now what?" Chen Fei asked, puzzled, sensing there was more to the story.

"But now, they've somehow borrowed another 3,000 Magic Gold Coins, bringing the total to 15,000. Not only that, but they sent over a number of other resources as well," Blisto explained immediately, not daring to beat around the bush.

Hearing this, Duke Ovilia chimed in, "Mr. Chen, all those things are in the warehouse. Would you like to go have a look?"

"The warehouse? Never mind, I won't go. You can take those things," Chen Fei said.

"We take them? How could we do that?" Although Duke Ovilia was reflexively delighted, he quickly shook his head. That was ridiculous. These were items the Barton Family had compensated Mr. Chen with; how could he dare accept them, no matter how much he coveted them?

"Why not? Duke Ovilia, have you forgotten? I'm not a Western cultivator. Things you consider treasures might be completely useless to me."

Chen Fei said this, then added with a laugh, "If you really feel bad about it, just help me prepare more Magic Gold Coins. Just in case." He was determined to acquire the final jade artifact, which was why he said this.

"…Very well, then. The Brad Family will shamelessly accept these resources. But please rest assured about the Magic Gold Coins. We will absolutely not hold you back during the auction," Duke Ovilia promised, both excited and solemn after a moment of stunned silence.

The group rested in the castle for a day, waiting for the auction the following night.

As the curtain of night fell like a cold, colorful veil over the brilliantly lit underground castle in the Peiersido Grand Canyon, rows of Ashford family servants in tailcoats stood respectfully on either side of a tall tower's entrance. A red carpet stretched from the doorway, extending far into the distance. Tonight's auction was to be held at the very center of the castle complex, in a place called Huane Tower.

Huane Ashford was the founder of the Ashford Family and its most powerful, primordial ancestor. He had once led the family to the brink of conquering all of Europe! Although they ultimately failed, such achievements and glory could never be erased. Therefore, to commemorate their greatest ancestor, the later generations of the Ashford family built Huane Tower.

Only guests of a certain standing were qualified to enter.

"Mr. Chen, Huane Tower is just ahead. Tonight's auction will be held inside," Duke Ovilia said softly as he, Chen Fei, and the others arrived.

With a powerful figure like Duke Ovilia present, a junior like Blisto could only stand aside. The Brad Family didn't dare have only Blisto accompany Chen Fei, especially after he had revealed such terrifying strength the day before. They feared it would be seen as a sign of disrespect.

"Then let's go in…" Chen Fei nodded and was about to suggest they enter, but the words died on his lips as his gaze shifted behind him.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

ROAR! ROAR!

A chaotic din of shouts erupted as the ground seemed to tremble, the vibrations rolling in from the distance. Strange, piercing roars of beasts suddenly echoed, causing the faces of many in the crowd to pale. They scrambled backward, and the once-crowded area instantly cleared, forming a wide path.

Most shockingly, a palpable cold wave seemed to spill forth from the path, causing the air temperature to plummet. Vaguely, several enormous and ferocious blue beasts came into view.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.