Rebirth of the Supreme Immortal Emperor

Li Chen raised an eyebrow and asked, "What, do you need something?"

Du Chen put on a very gentlemanly manner and replied, "This place is fraught with danger. I would like to invite the three of you to travel together, so we can look out for each other. What do you three think of this proposal?"

Before he could finish his words, Li Chen waved a hand and said, "Not interested!"

After speaking, Li Chen ignored Du Chen and walked forward with large strides.

Lian Hongshang also couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him and closely followed Li Chen.

Shui Yue giggled and said, "I'm not interested either," and then shouted toward the backs of Lian Hongshang and Li Chen, "Brother, don't walk so fast, wait for me!"

Instantly, Du Chen was left hanging, his face full of awkwardness.

Following behind Du Chen, a sharp-nosed, monkey-faced youth saw that Li Chen and the others were showing no respect to their senior brother and stepped forward to block Li Chen's path, angrily exclaiming:

"My senior brother is a direct disciple of the Lishan Ancestor. For him to invite you to travel together is giving you face. Don't be unappreciative!"

"Your face is repulsive; I don't care for it!"

Li Chen replied coldly and disdainfully.

The sharp-nosed, monkey-faced youth was instantly enraged upon hearing Li Chen's words.

"What do you mean by that? Do you look down on our Lishan Sect?"

Li Chen smirked coldly and nodded, "Seems like you are quite self-aware. That's right, I do look down on your Lishan Sect. What, do you have a problem with that?"

"Such arrogance! Today, I'll make you see the prowess of our Lishan Sect disciples!"

Before he could finish, the sharp-nosed youth took an aggressive stance, ready to teach Li Chen a lesson.

"Swish!"

At that moment, Lian Hongshang swiftly unsheathed her sword. The sword tip, like a dragonfly skimming the water, lightly poked a bloody hole in the youth's chest.

Seeing this, the sharp-nosed youth was terrified and retreated repeatedly.

If the other party had used a bit more force with the sword, he would likely be lying dead on the spot.

"Clang!"

Lian Hongshang sheathed her sword, the breeze brushing over her hair, revealing a pair of bright, cold eyes. From a distance, she looked like an icy fairy untouched by the human world.

This scene made Du Chen, not far off, brighten up.

Instead of being discouraged by Lian Hongshang's sharp swordsmanship, it sparked his desire to conquer her.

Only such a perfect woman is suited to be Du Chen's Taoist couple!

Thinking of this, Du Chen deliberately put on an angry expression and scolded the sharp-nosed youth: "Fang Heng, don't be rude!"

After scolding his junior brother, he walked up to Lian Hongshang and made a salute: "Miss, my junior brother has a peculiar temperament. I hope you can forgive him and not take it to heart."

Lian Hongshang replied coldly, "This is the last time. If there is a next time, I won't be merciful with my sword!"

"Wow, brother is so handsome!"

Before Lian Hongshang could finish, Shui Yue exclaimed with infatuation.

Hearing Shui Yue refer to Lian Hongshang as "brother," Du Chen was baffled.

He originally thought Shui Yue was calling Li Chen "brother," but he never expected she was addressing Lian Hongshang.

However, he didn't really mind this.

Li Chen, uninterested in dealing with them, brushed his sleeve and prepared to leave.

Lian Hongshang and Shui Yue followed closely behind.

"Senior Brother Du, they insulted our Lishan Sect. Surely we can't just let this go?"

The sharp-nosed youth saw Li Chen and the others leaving and, clutching his wound, urgently said.

Du Chen glared at him angrily, scolding, "Useless fool, get lost!"

After the angry scolding, he shouted at Li Chen's back, "Fellow Daoists, please wait. You just insulted our Lishan Sect. Do you intend to walk away like this?"

Li Chen stopped in his tracks and coldly asked, "What do you want, then?"

Du Chen's expression turned gloomy as he pointed at the ground, "Kneel and apologize!"

He wanted to humiliate Li Chen in this way to showcase the strength of their Lishan Sect and his individual dominance. He hoped to win Lian Hongshang's favor and make her his own.

"Hehe!"

Li Chen looked at Du Chen like he was watching a clown, squeezing out a sneering smile from between his teeth.

Du Chen saw that Li Chen, merely a small loose cultivator, dared to mock him, and became instantly enraged, shouting, "What are you laughing at? Do you really think I, Du Chen of the Lishan Sect, am easy to bully?"

While tension brewed between Li Chen and Du Chen, many cultivators gathered around to watch.

"What's going on?"

"I'm not sure. It seems someone is challenging Lishan Sect's Heavenly Pride, Du Chen!"

"I know Du Chen. He's the Lishan Ancestor's direct disciple and the chief disciple of the Lishan Sect. It's said he formed his Golden Core three years ago and is extremely powerful—capable of challenging mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Such talent is one of a kind in the entire Cultivation Realm!"

"I know him too. I heard he ranked in the top hundred on the recent Heavenly Pride Hidden Dragon List, at 93rd place!"

Some praised Du Chen, while others mocked his opponent, Li Chen, for being just a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Wow, this person is just a Foundation Establishment cultivator and dares to provoke Lishan Sect's Heavenly Pride, Du Chen. Isn't that like a mouse trying to lick a cat's whiskers—looking for trouble?"

...

Hearing the crowd's praise for him and their belittlement of Li Chen, Du Chen felt somewhat smug, his demeanor full of self-satisfaction like a rooster just winning a great battle.

The sharp-nosed youth and some other Lishan Sect disciples also displayed arrogance, uttering brazen words.

"Kneel and apologize, or next year on this day will be your death anniversary!"

Lian Hongshang's face turned icy upon hearing these people insult Li Chen.

"Say one more word, and see if I won't tear your mouth apart!"

The sharp-nosed youth, having experienced Lian Hongshang's skill, immediately lost much of his nerve and retreated behind Du Chen in a panic.

Du Chen stepped forward and said, "Miss, this person spoke recklessly and insulted our Lishan Sect. This matter is unrelated to you, please step aside!"

Li Chen pointed at Lian Hongshang and responded domineeringly, "I am her woman; now you tell me if this matter concerns me or not?"

Lian Hongshang's bold response stunned everyone present.

Du Chen's expression turned extremely unpleasant. The Taoist couple he fancied claimed, in public, that she was another man's woman. How could someone as proud and ambitious as him not be angered?