Chapter 29: Taking Over the Forbidden Zone-Fantasia: A paixão do passado roubou o casamento? Eu concordo, então por que você está arrependida!(Brilhante)

In this world, strength is the ultimate authority. Even as the master of a sect, Chu Zhongtian had no choice but to bow before absolute power. Only moments ago, he had been aggressively posturing to fight Ye Fan to the death, yet now he could only grovel like a dog, submissively kneeling before him. No matter how much he struggled, Chu Zhongtian could not pull himself up from the ground. He began to regret his own recklessness. At this moment, he truly understood that a figure like Ye Fan was someone he could never hope to contend with. Forget about contending; he couldn't even manage the simple act of standing up.

Chu Zhongtian knew deep down that after this humiliation, he would never be able to hold his head high again. Even if Ye Fan were to show mercy and spare them today, he would forever remain a subordinate in the future.

"Sect... Sect Master, why don't we... why don't we just agree?"
"Yes, Sect Master, if we don't agree now, I fear we won't have another chance."
"Sect Master, surely you cannot bear to see the entire sect perish with us?"

Under the crushing pressure of the four demigod powerhouses, the resolve of the Linghan Sect’s elders instantly crumbled. The lofty ideals of "better to be a shattered jade than a whole tile" were nothing more than empty talk. When faced with the brink of life and death, such so-called integrity was worth less than dirt; preserving one's life was the only sensible choice. Realizing there was no turning back, Chu Zhongtian finally let go of his last shred of dignity after a moment of deliberation.

"Young Master Ye, as long as you spare our lives, I am willing to sell the Linghan Sect."

Seeing that his goal of intimidation had been achieved, Ye Fan waved his hand, signaling the four demigods to withdraw their aura. Only then did the members of the Linghan Sect feel a sense of relief, gasping for air.

"Actually, there is no need to sell it," Ye Fan said, suddenly changing his tone. Chu Zhongtian felt a flicker of hope, thinking perhaps Ye Fan was having a change of heart. But the next words from Ye Fan plunged him into utter despair.

"I just remembered that wretched woman once told me a secret. She said your Linghan Sect has a forbidden ground containing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. If I find this, it shall serve as payment for the bride price."

The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was a divine treasure birthed from the harmony of yin and yang and the essence of the sun and moon. Such a treasure was immensely beneficial to cultivators with extraordinary bloodlines, capable of purifying their lineage and boosting their cultivation levels rapidly without any side effects. A single drop was worth far more than the entire Linghan Sect. As someone possessing the Heaven-Swallowing Sacred Physique, this essence would be like wings added to a tiger for Ye Fan.

However, it was rumored that the forbidden ground of the Linghan Sect was fraught with danger. Furthermore, such a natural treasure could only be obtained by those destined for it; otherwise, it would have been snatched away long ago.

Chu Zhongtian had never expected his own precious daughter to disclose such a confidential matter to Ye Fan. If Ye Fan were to obtain it, the Linghan Sect would truly have no hope of a comeback.

"Chu Ling'er, look at the mess you've made!"
"You should have served Young Master Ye properly from the start, but you chose to be insubordinate."
"That wasn't enough; you relied on him for your livelihood, yet you put on airs! Do you really think you’re irreplaceable?"
"Your mouth has not only ruined yourself but has also doomed the entire Linghan Sect!"
"If you weren't the Sect Master’s daughter, we would have expelled you from the sect long ago!"

The elders of the Linghan Sect vented all their rage onto Chu Ling'er. Under normal circumstances, they would never have dared to do so out of respect for Chu Zhongtian, but given today's dire situation, they could no longer care about such things. The forbidden ground was the sect's greatest secret and its very source of power, yet now, all of it was about to be snatched away by Ye Fan.

"I'm not a man who makes unreasonable demands, but I think using a forbidden ground to settle a debt is a fair trade, don't you?" Ye Fan patted Chu Zhongtian on the shoulder. His tone was calm, yet it allowed for no questioning. If anyone dared to object now, the four demigods would immediately teach them a lesson.

Chu Zhongtian could only force a smile, nodding repeatedly with gritted teeth. "Yes, yes, Young Master Ye is absolutely right."

"Listen well, from this day forward, the Linghan Sect's forbidden ground belongs to Young Master Ye! Anyone from his side who enters is not to be obstructed; those who disobey will be expelled from the sect!"

Hearing this, the corners of Ye Fan's mouth curled up. "That is the proper attitude for admitting one's mistakes. If you had done this sooner, you wouldn't have had to suffer."

Immediately, Ye Fan instructed two of the demigods beside him: "From now on, you two will take charge of the Linghan Sect's forbidden ground. Without my permission, no one is to enter. I have other matters to attend to and must return; I leave this place to you."

The two did not hesitate, immediately bowing and replying, "As you command, sir!"

Having settled everything, Ye Fan naturally took Chen Qingshuang by the hand and left the Linghan Sect, heading toward the Lingxiao Sect. He was returning to raise his cultivation level before personally entering the forbidden ground to claim the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence.

Watching Ye Fan depart, Chu Ling'er immediately reverted to her usual self. She was about to unleash a torrent of abuse in the direction of his departure, completely forgetting that the two demigods were still there. Hearing her speak ill of Ye Fan, they immediately slapped her twice.

"A dog truly cannot stop eating excrement. Even in this state, you dare to insult the Young Master!"
"Listen well: if we hear you disrespecting the Young Master again, watch your tongue!"

Terrified, Chu Ling'er covered her mouth. In the presence of demigods, she dared not cause any more trouble.

...

At night, a figure stealthily slipped into Chu Ling'er's chambers with practiced ease.

"Junior Sister Ling'er!"

The visitor was none other than Lin Yi. He had made many such late-night visits in the past.

"Lin Yi, you still dare to come here! Haven't you caused me enough misery? This time, no matter what you say, I will not forgive you!"

Seeing Lin Yi, Chu Ling'er felt a surge of rage. She had suffered nothing but humiliation throughout the day with nowhere to vent her frustrations, and now this damned Lin Yi had to show up. She couldn't provoke Ye Fan, she couldn't provoke Chen Qingshuang, and she certainly couldn't provoke the demigods. But she wasn't afraid of Lin Yi. Just as she intended to vent all her fury on him, he grabbed her in a tight embrace, rendering her unable to move.

"Junior Sister! I know you are angry, but please, calm down! Listen to my explanation. Things are not as you think, nor as they described. Actually, I was trying to drive a wedge between them and extract more spirit stones from their hands. But I underestimated them and fell into Chen Qingshuang's trap, losing eight million spirit stones for nothing. I have my own unspoken grievances, too."

"That Chen Qingshuang is the Saintess of the Heavenly Sword Sect in Central Province, and Ye Fan is very close to her. I suspect that the reason the Lingxiao Sect has been able to dominate the Northwest is deeply connected to this. Once we drive a wedge between them, we will finally have a chance to deal with Ye Fan. Junior Sister, everything I did was for you!"