The ground beneath his feet was hard.
The mist had vanished.
Chen Fan was certain he had ascended from below, yet there was no demon mist underfoot.
"Such powerful means."
As he marveled inwardly, Chen Fan's gaze slowly swept around.
This appeared to be a vast castle.
However, this castle was engulfed in flames, and a scorching heat washed over him.
Young Master Huo and the others who had ascended with him were by his side.
They stood on a grand formation, and further out, many people were watching them.
"Young Master."
The outer personnel quickly approached.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief that the Young Master had returned safely.
Then, someone noticed Chen Fan, their eyes filled with a mix of shock and elation.
They knew very well what the Young Master had been doing.
Now, a stranger had appeared here, could it be...
"Think no further."
Back home, Young Master Huo had clearly become much calmer, and the wariness in his heart had disappeared. He said lightly, "This is Mr. Han Ye, a reclusive cultivator from the Eastern Continent, who accidentally fell into a rift and landed in the Land of Exile."
Han Ye?
Just as when Young Master Huo and the others had first heard the name Han Ye, everyone's face showed a hint of astonishment.
At the same time, they uttered the same words as Young Master Huo: "May I ask for your proof?"
"Heh."
Chen Fan's cold laugh was the response to their inquiry.
He offered no explanation, instead looking at Young Master Huo and saying, "The transaction is complete. You can now pay the reward."
It was incredibly assertive; he had been brought out, and he would still demand his reward.
Reward?
The surrounding Huo family members were confused.
However, Young Master Huo smiled calmly and said, "Naturally."
With that, he instructed the outer personnel, "Go fetch a Heaven Crystal Stone."
What was a Heaven Crystal Stone... Chen Fan's mind was filled with question marks.
He did not ask, merely stood in place.
He paid no attention to the vigilant gazes around him.
He even closed his eyes.
His divine sense did not spread, yet he had sensed something.
On the Huo family's territory, there was an incredibly dazzling orb of light. Just glancing in its direction nearly blinded Chen Fan's pupils.
"Above Supreme?" Chen Fan was profoundly shocked.
But he immediately dismissed the guess himself.
No.
Although the aura was powerful, it had not reached a level that one dared not look directly at.
This confirmed that the person was not above Supreme.
"Hoo."
Taking a deep breath, Chen Fan opened his eyes.
The moment he opened them, the person who had just left returned.
In his hand, he held a crimson crystal stone, fiery red in color and containing extremely terrifying energy.
Was this the Heaven Crystal Stone?
Young Master Huo directly handed the Heaven Crystal Stone to Chen Fan. "Mr. Han Ye, please accept it."
Chen Fan raised an eyebrow and seriously appraised Young Master Huo.
Had he become more confident after returning to the family? His attitude had changed rather quickly.
He said nothing more and casually put away the Heaven Crystal Stone.
"Since that is the case, I bid you farewell."
Saying this, Chen Fan turned to leave.
"Senior, please wait a moment." Young Master Huo suddenly spoke.
Chen Fan stopped. "Is there something else?"
His cold expression and tone were indeed quite fitting for the name Han Ye.
"Senior, please do not be angered. This junior has a proposal. Would you be willing to become a retainer of my Huo family?" Young Master Huo said softly.
"No."
This answer was so direct that everyone was stunned.
Having spoken, he turned to leave once more.
"Stop."
A scolding voice rang out. The person who had fetched the Heaven Crystal Stone reprimanded coldly, "I don't care if you are Han Ye or not. The Young Master has given you an opportunity, and you are so ungrateful. How audacious."
Chen Fan sighed inwardly.
As expected, there was no shortage of lapdogs eager to protect their masters at any time.
A retainer might seem glorious in your eyes, but to others, it was merely a dog.
A dog that could be bought with a little money.
To still be grateful for being a dog, how interesting.
Even on someone else's territory, Chen Fan was not one to tolerate insult. He turned, looking coldly at the speaker. "Are you talking to me?"
"Is your hearing deaf?" the other person retorted.
The others remained silent, including the group of young men and women who had returned with him.
Xiao Rou had wanted to say something, but her companion pulled her back.
"Heh."
Chen Fan smiled.
As for what he was smiling about, perhaps only he knew.
However, this smile sent a chill deep into the heart of the speaker.
"Clang."
The only sound everyone heard was a sword's hum.
They hadn't even seen the sword.
"Not good."
Everyone sensed the killing intent.
But they were too slow to react. By the time they did, they only saw a head fall to the ground.
Whoosh.
The crowd immediately gasped in alarm.
"Audacious, to dare kill someone..."
"To kill in the Endless Fire Domain, you court death."
"Quickly notify the powerful cultivators to come to our aid..."
"..."
Shouts echoed.
Amidst them, a terrified cry could be heard.
A group of young men and women slowly retreated. They weren't afraid of the dead, but of Han Ye.
Killing without a trace.
Not even a sword was seen, only the sound of a sword.
If Han Ye wanted to kill them, they would have no chance of survival.
On the other hand, the retainers of the Endless Fire Domain stood ready, their eyes filled with fear, but they forced themselves to remain vigilant and began calling out for the powerful cultivators of the Endless Fire Domain to come and eliminate the enemy.
Young Master Huo was also filled with surprise.
Yes, surprise.
Despite the death of a retainer, his face showed only surprise.
"Heh."
Chen Fan sneered, looking at the obviously frightened retainers, his gaze fell on Young Master Huo, and he said calmly, "Are these mere pawns you call retainers? Do you think I am the same as these people?"
This blatant mockery made the fearful retainers flush with shame.
Following that, they began to scold, "Presumptuous, how dare you slander the Endless Fire Domain..."
He did not say "slander me," but brought up the Endless Fire Domain.
"Haha."
Chen Fan laughed heartily. When the laughter subsided, his gaze fixed on the speaker. "If you dare utter another word of nonsense, I will kill you."
"..."
The other party immediately shut his mouth.
Being humiliated was one thing, but losing one's life was another.
"What do you say?"
Chen Fan looked at Young Master Huo again.
"Sir, please do not be angered."
The surprise on Young Master Huo's face had vanished. He smiled faintly. "Mr. Han Ye's status is naturally incomparable to these useless individuals. Even a toilet paper and a dog have their uses. Sir need not bother with such a group of sycophants who rely on others' power."
Young Master Huo's words made several retainers' eyes burn with fury.
Their burning faces flushed with crimson clouds; they felt insulted.
They had diligently served the Endless Fire Domain, only to receive such an evaluation.
Their gazes towards Young Master Huo were filled with resentment.
"Do not look at me like that."
Young Master Huo shook his head. "You lack strength, you lack wisdom. You are like dogs borrowing a tiger's might, relying on others for prestige. Though you bear the title of retainer, you know yourselves what you are truly capable of."