Chapter 1038: Good, Now Kneel

"Boom!"

Half of the wall behind Gu Yue collapsed with a thunderous crash!

Jian Wushuang frowned slightly, a look of surprise on his face. "Merging with heaven and earth!"

Just then, Ye Yuan's figure slowly materialized not far away, his hand still gripping Gu Yue's collar.

Ye Yuan released his grip, and Gu Yue plopped to the ground, his eyes wide as saucers, clearly not yet recovered from the shock.

In that moment just now, he thought he was done for.

Now, he knew he had bet correctly!

Lord Qing Yunzi had indeed reached out to save him!

"Well done!" Ye Yuan's indifferent voice reached his ears, like the sound of heavenly music.

At this moment, Ao Qian and the others filed out, guarding Ye Yuan.

Jian Wushuang sized up Ye Yuan, then burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha... The once-great pinnacle Alchemy Emperor Qing Yunzi has fallen to such a state! I never expected this, truly never! Perhaps this is what they call heaven's justice? Don't you all agree? Hahaha..."

Seeing Ye Yuan in a different body, now only at the Dao Profound First Layer, an endless surge of delight welled up within him, making him laugh uncontrollably.

Nothing was more satisfying than seeing one's enemy in distress.

Ye Yuan said nothing, just quietly watched him laugh.

In truth, only he was laughing.

In Yungao City, everyone felt both excitement and sympathy for Ye Yuan's return; no one would mock him.

As for the subordinates Jian Wushuang had brought, they laughed along, but under the crowd's gaze, their laughter sounded hollow.

Finally, Jian Wushuang realized he was making a fool of himself and gradually stopped laughing.

Ye Yuan looked at him and smiled. "Had your fill of laughter? If so, take your men and get lost. Don't ask for trouble."

Jian Wushuang's face darkened. He found that before Ji Qingyun, he could never achieve that sense of satisfaction!

Clearly, the man was down and out now, so why was he still being mocked by him?

"Ji Qingyun, you don't think you can brush me off with a single word now, do you? You're nothing but a homeless cur. Even if I don't kill you, do you think Ji Canglan will let you off? Or do you think I'll let you off easily today?" Jian Wushuang sneered.

Ye Yuan said indifferently, "And if not?"

Jian Wushuang suddenly realized that before Ye Yuan, he could never remain composed. In comparison, he was always overshadowed by Ji Qingyun.

Thinking this, Jian Wushuang put on a different smile. "We haven't seen each other for ages. Meeting again feels like a lifetime. Don't you think we should catch up and settle some scores?"

"Do I know you that well? If you don't leave now, don't blame me for being rude!" Ye Yuan said calmly.

"Haha, I'd like to see how our Lord Qing Yunzi can be rude to me! What, with this bunch of trash behind you?" Jian Wushuang laughed loudly.

Hearing this, Ao Qian and the others' faces darkened.

Ao Qian in particular—once such a powerful existence—now being so belittled by a junior infuriated him.

But then again, his current strength might not even match Ruan Shuangzhou's, let alone Jian Wushuang's.

"Junior, if this old man could recover his strength, I'd tear that mouth of yours apart!" Ao Qian gritted his teeth.

Jian Wushuang laughed heartily. "You old fossil, you belong in a coffin! Today, I'll send you on your way."

Ye Yuan sighed inwardly. These fellows, after all these years, hadn't matured one bit.

Zuo Qing was like this, and so was Jian Wushuang.

Couldn't they just grow up a little?

They were well along in years, yet still acted like little brats, always trying to show off.

"Fine, today's matter has nothing to do with them. You just want to cause trouble for me, right? Name your terms." Ye Yuan sighed.

Jian Wushuang was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Haha, what did I hear? The great Lord Qing Yunzi is bowing his head to me? Did you all see that? Did you?"

Seeing Jian Wushuang's smug look, the onlookers were indignant.

"Alas, a mighty dragon is bullied by a shallow creek! Back when Lord Qing Yunzi was at his peak, though not known for martial prowess, his divine soul techniques were superb. Even Void Profound experts might not get the better of him! But now..."

"What a petty man reveling in success! Back then, Jian Wushuang was tormented by Lord Qing Yunzi until he wished he were dead."

"How could Divine King Lingxue ever fancy that guy, unless she were blind? In my eyes, Divine King Lingxue and Lord Qing Yunzi are a match made in heaven!"

These words reached Jian Wushuang's ears, making him tremble with rage. But with a large crowd gathered, he couldn't kill them all, so he vented all his anger on Ye Yuan.

"Ji Qingyun, kneel and kowtow to me today, and if I'm in a good mood, I might just let you off. Hahaha..." Jian Wushuang laughed.

Jian Wushuang fully believed that Ye Yuan was truly afraid of him and was humbling himself.

After all, in his view, Ye Yuan's Dao Profound First Layer strength posed no threat whatsoever.

Ye Yuan nodded. "Alright, you start kowtowing. No need for many, just three will do. Then take your men and scram, and I'll forgive you."

Jian Wushuang's smile froze. His face darkened as he pointed angrily at Ye Yuan. "Ji Qingyun, you're messing with me!"

Ye Yuan said calmly, "Don't you know that Ji Canglan has already stepped into Void Profound, while you haven't even broken through? To be my opponent, at least learn from Ji Canglan. With your current skills, how dare you act arrogantly before me?"

Jian Wushuang trembled with fury. Why hadn't he broken through to Void Profound? All because of you!

For years, Ji Qingyun had been his inner demon. He had been stuck at the threshold of Void Profound for a long time, but every time he was about to break through, Ji Qingyun's shadow haunted him.

That was why he had come to the Eternal Medicine Garden this time, hoping to find an opportunity for a breakthrough.

Little did he expect to run into the reincarnated Ji Qingyun right away!

"Very well, I'd like to see how a Dao Profound First Layer dares to be so arrogant!"

Jian Wushuang swung his longsword, and a terrifying sword intent surged toward Ye Yuan.

But at the same time, a fearsome energy fluctuation also emanated from Ye Yuan's side.

Ye Yuan had somehow produced a charred stick, and a horrifying power burst forth, even stronger than his sword intent!

"Boom!"

Caught off guard, Jian Wushuang was sent flying, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Since you knew I was back, didn't you hear that I have a divine artifact in hand?" Ye Yuan looked at Jian Wushuang with pity, his tone indifferent.