Ye Nv remained silent, her expression seemingly unchanged, yet inside her mind, a tempest raged, thoughts spinning endlessly. "The Kyushu Ding... Why is the Kyushu Ding so valued by so many people?" Back then, when Old Ancestor Bixue saw her possessing the Kyushu Ding, the desire to seize it ignited in him.

If not for her superior strength, she might have lost her life to that old fellow, and the Kyushu Ding would have fallen into his hands. It was then that she understood the Kyushu Ding must be an extraordinary item, or it wouldn't be so coveted. Besides that, the only others who knew she held the Kyushu Ding were Old Ancestor Bixue and Tommy"...

This dark-skinned disciple didn't even know what sort of thing it was, and she presumed he wouldn't spread the word. Therefore, the one spreading rumors must be Old Ancestor Bixue. Ye Wen raised his eyes, looking the woman up and down again: "Did you come all this way just to tell me this?" He didn't believe these island people were so kind-hearted.

The most reasonable explanation he could come up with was that his power at the airport today had instilled fear in them, so they came as if to curry favor, but in reality, they wanted him—whom Ye Wen had already targeted—to retreat into the shadows, allowing the hidden group to reveal themselves. To put it plainly, none of these people meant him well; they were all plotting for their own gain. Even if it appeared they were discussing cooperation with Ye Wen now, they could easily deliver a deadly blow from behind when necessary.

The woman nodded: "Furthermore, Mr. Nakamura wishes to inform Mr. Ye that if Mr.

Ye is willing, our nation would be extremely pleased to have your entire sect relocate here and would spare no effort to help Sect Master Ye develop your..." Hearing this, a faint smile touched the corner of Ye Wen's lips, but the smile was unnerving. The woman didn't know why Ye Wen was laughing, but she instinctively felt that if she continued speaking, something bad might happen, so she stopped. She watched Ye Wen quietly.

"What a hefty stake they've laid!" These little devils truly placed a high value on him and his Shushan Sect. Perhaps the Kyushu Ding played a part, but the price offered was indeed considerable. Unfortunately, Ye Wen had absolutely no interest in it.

Although the roots of his Shushan Sect were not in this world, he himself remembered where his roots lay. Therefore, this invitation was something he absolutely could not accept. Ye Wen thought it over and couldn't recall anything more.

Currently, from this woman, he had learned that Old Ancestor Bixue harbored ill intentions toward him and intended to use rumors to harm him. Beyond that, he knew nothing. Furthermore, regarding the most crucial aspect of this Kyushu incident—the God-Beating Whip—he had no leads whatsoever.

"Did you all come to Europe specifically to deal with me?" Casually picking up an ornament near him, Ye Wen began to idly turn it over as he asked a new question. This action seemed insignificant, but it conveyed a message to the woman opposite him: I won't make a move! Indeed, Ye Wen's action caused the tense muscles across the woman’s body to relax.

This was a subtle detail, hard for others to notice, but to Ye Wen, who was utterly focused, it signaled that his gesture had taken effect. "And to investigate the whereabouts of the God-Beating Whip..." "And to..." Hearing this word, Ye Wen couldn't help but offer a wry smile. He was only now realizing that the gathering of foreign powers in Europe might largely be because of him, rather than that damned God-Beating Whip.

Perhaps to earn Ye Wen's trust, the woman immediately explained: "Although the God-Beating Whip has many uses, it doesn't hold much significance for many people, and even if obtained, it might not be truly utilized! In comparison, the Kyushu Ding held by Mr. Ye..." "You mean...

this?" Ye Wen had, without realizing when, retrieved the Kyushu Ding he always carried close to his body. The woman named Xiao Wu, having been talking incessantly, had failed to notice that the ornament in Ye Wen's hand had been returned to its place, and the item she had been watching him play with had transformed into a traditional Eastern artifact: a Ding! This Ding did not look large; it could be completely held within one of Ye Wen's hands.

Furthermore, the bronze Ding held nothing particularly unusual; at a glance, it seemed indistinguishable from some souvenir sold at a street stall. But when Xiao Wu activated her blood-red pupils, she could vaguely perceive the terrifying energy contained within this unremarkable small Ding, which also seemed enveloped by dense mist. To discern that the Ding contained immense energy was already the limit of her ability.

Swallowing slightly, Xiao Wu was suddenly seized by an urge to attack and seize the bronze Ding. However, the moment she sensed Ye Wen’s gaze, which was as cold as looking at a dead man, her entire body shuddered violently. Cold sweat instantly drenched the T-shirt on her back.

That chilling sensation made her realize that the person seated before her was a cultivator of terrifying strength. If referred to by the customs of the Chinese cultivation world, this person was a master at the Earth Immortal level. As close neighbors, they had a general understanding of the situation in the Chinese cultivation world, knowing that due to the current environment, almost all Earth Immortal level cultivators had retreated into their mountain sects, while even stronger ones had gathered in the place called the Kunlun Immortal Realm for secluded meditation, rarely seen in the mundane world.

Ye Wen's strength placed him among the powerful Earth Immortals. With such a master presiding, attempting to forcibly seize the Kyushu Ding would be akin to yearning for death. Xiao Wu was not Thai.

The fact that she could stand out among countless young people and wrest the name Mai Shiranui from her predecessor was proof enough of her mettle. It turned out that "Mai Shiranui" was less a name and more a code. With the rapid development of the island nation, certain clandestine forces had slowly regained their vigor.

However, compared to the monolithic and monotonous structures of the past, contemporary popular elements had now been incorporated. For example, "Mai Shiranui" was originally a popular character in a video game, beloved by many who wished to emulate such a female ninja. Over time, this codename became a symbol of status—countless people desired this name, but ultimately, only one could wield it.

Xiao Wu had merely been an ordinary trainee who earned the name after defeating the previous Mai Shiranui. As for her appearance? In modern times, was that an issue?

Of course, if she were to lose this name, even if she survived, she could no longer show her face in this guise. At this moment, Mai Shiranui looked at Ye Wen, and Ye Wen coldly regarded her. Both seemed to ignore the Kyushu Ding in Ye Wen’s hand, yet both understood that the focus of the room now rested entirely on that Ding.

"So... it really is in Mr. Ye's hands..." "Didn't you already know?" Ye Wen tossed the Kyushu Ding in his hand slightly higher: "I imagine that fellow Qiu Yuanlong has told you all he could, right?" Mai Shiranui felt no surprise that Ye Wen could deduce that Old Ancestor Bixue, Qiu Yuanlong, was in contact with them; this was no rarity.

Because the Kyushu Ding had been missing for over a thousand years, no one knew its actual location. It was highly possible that this cultivator named Ye Wen had kept it secured, or perhaps it had always been within the Shushan Sect. Now that news was circulating, someone must have witnessed it firsthand.

Given Ye Wen's current demeanor, it was clear this item was always carried on his person. Therefore, whoever saw him would certainly know everything, and the person who spread the news would be obvious to him. Ye Wen gripped the Kyushu Ding again, but this time, the ordinary-looking bronze Ding suddenly emitted a faint gleam of light, which surprised Ye Wen slightly, causing him to look down briefly.

However, the Kyushu Ding immediately returned to its original state, as if the previous event had been an illusion. But in that brief moment, he abruptly discovered a trace of divine sense that had infiltrated his room at some unknown time. If not for that flash of light from the Kyushu Ding, he would never have noticed it.

Frowning, Ye Wen condensed his divine sense into an invisible sword qi and fiercely struck toward that sense. Mai Shiranui hadn't even discerned what happened, only suddenly hearing a very faint ping of air being pierced, followed by a sudden muffled sound in the air diagonally behind and above her. But when she turned back, she still saw nothing, relying only on her exceptionally sharp eyes to vaguely see something escaping.

Ye Wen’s expression was grim. The invisible sword qi condensed from his divine sense had failed to inflict any harm on the intruder. This was the first time since achieving Shattering the Void that Ye Wen had encountered someone who might be even stronger than himself.

"An Eastern cultivator, and judging by the balanced and peaceful nature of their divine sense, likely not from an evil faction! I wonder which master's school it is..." The highest possibility in his mind was the Qingcheng Sect, especially since the Shushan Sect was nearly at odds with the Qingcheng Sect, and their conflict had already begun implicitly. Yet, Ye Wen felt the matter might not be so simple.

Although Mai Shiranui didn't fully grasp what had transpired, she could vaguely sense the trajectory of events. This slight understanding made her realize that the waters in Europe were growing deeper and murkier. She wondered if involving themselves in this affair had been the right choice.

As a ninja, she shouldn't dwell on such matters; completing the mission assigned by her superiors should suffice. But she was an intelligent person, and intelligent people tend to think more... "Mr.

Ye..." Ye Wen waved a hand, stopping her: "I have no desire to discuss this further. Today's conversation ends here. Go back and tell your superior that I have no interest in the invitation he extended.

Also, tell him that I will certainly kill that Qiu Yuanlong sooner or later. If he is smart, he had better stay far away from that fellow!" Having said that, he waved his hand, signaling her to leave. Unexpectedly, the woman bit her lip and suddenly said, "If Mr.

Ye is willing, I hope to stay and serve you..." But before she could finish, Ye Wen impatiently waved his hand: "Not interested!" What a joke. How could he agree to an enemy wanting to stay the night? He wasn't some lecherous fiend; even though this woman possessed a certain charm and an excellent figure, coupled with the look of that popular character...

But an enemy remains an enemy. One cannot instantly turn a foe into a friend simply because there are signs of reconciliation in the present moment; Ye Wen saw this point quite clearly. Though he certainly appreciated beautiful women, context mattered.

Moreover, the situation was growing increasingly bizarre. He had no idea who that divine sense belonged to. How could he dare keep a woman capable of pulling so many people, including himself, into an illusion by her side under such circumstances?

Although he suspected the woman's illusion technique relied on some special method, otherwise her displayed effort shouldn't yield such formidable power, this was hard to say for certain. "It's best to send this woman away quickly!" Seeing Ye Wen's impatient look, Mai Shiranui knew he genuinely wasn't interested in her. While a slight sense of relief bloomed in her heart, she also felt a touch of resentment.

However, one could not force such a matter. And since Ye Wen showed little enthusiasm for an alliance, her staying seemed meaningless. It was better to return quickly and report the events to Nakamura Shinju, especially that last incident, which indicated the situation was becoming increasingly complex and could not be delayed.

Furthermore, Mai Shiranui had other matters to address: "Oh, I heard that a friend of Mr. Ye's is currently unconscious... seemingly in a coma..." Ye Wen's gaze sharpened.

He didn't understand why the woman brought this up. He had actually wanted to inquire about what trick they had played on Hermit Beihe, but he never found a suitable opening, more importantly, speaking of it now would be showing weakness! He had held back.

Yet, he was shocked by what the woman said next: "Although I am unclear about your friend's condition, it absolutely was not our doing... With his level of cultivation, we could not have rendered him this way without anyone noticing!" "Then who did it?" Ye Wen's face grew increasingly grim; he could no longer remain calm. Since accepting Hermit Beihe's invitation, he felt as if he had plunged into a dense fog, unable to see the surrounding situation clearly.

Mai Shiranui revealed a strange smile: "That... perhaps you need to ask that friend himself!" With that, she leaped out the window. When Ye Wen rushed to the window to look down, the woman was nowhere in sight.

He was on the twentieth floor; it wouldn't even be enough time for her to fall to the ground. "Things... are getting more and more interesting..." Ye Wen lay back on the large bed, resting his head on his hand, analyzing the wealth of information gathered today bit by bit.

Truthfully, the complexity of the situation exceeded his expectations, and importantly, he realized he had inadvertently become the vortex's center, with numerous threads seemingly converging upon him. Hermit Beihe's visit and invitation. The overtures from the Kunlun Sect!

The loss and sudden reappearance of the God-Beating Whip! A suspected forgery of the God-Beating Whip, Eastern Daoists, and the Blood Race. Hermit Beihe's bizarre slumber, with the most likely suspect denying involvement and leaving behind the cryptic message: "That, you need to ask him yourself..." And that spying divine sense, whose origin was unknown!

"Damn it, this is too vicious! I'm not Sherlock Holmes, nor Kindaichi or Edogawa. Why make it so complicated for me?" After racking his brain, Ye Wen gained nothing beyond a head full of mush.

The only conclusion was that if he mishandled this matter, he and his Shushan Sect could instantly vanish like smoke—the kind that is forgotten the moment you look away. "That's why I hate schemes and tricks the most!" Feeling stifled by his thoughts, Ye Wen sat on the bed to meditate and practice his cultivation. His Meixiadang technique had reached the verge of completion.

The Meixiadang Heavenly Crystal within his body was nearly completely absorbed, set to transform into a surge of crimson energy. Once that last bit of Heavenly Crystal vanished, he could consider summoning the next level, Earth Kunlun. He had previously thought he could postpone cultivating Earth Kunlun, as his current strength was more than enough to stride across this world unchecked.

However, the divine sense encountered today served as a stark warning: this world wasn't devoid of masters; he simply hadn't encountered them before. This was also related to Ye Wen's previous development plan. He had chosen a path that remained largely outside the mainstream cultivation world, naturally preventing him from encountering overly powerful individuals.

Most cultivators active in the mundane world were ordinary; Earth Immortals were a rarity. Hermit Beihe, being an Earth Immortal, was already a top-tier expert. But to delve deeper into the cultivation world, he would encounter countless more formidable figures.

Could his current cultivation still guarantee the headlong charge he previously enjoyed? Ye Wen didn't know, but accelerating his strength improvement was never wrong. Coupled with the essence of the Crimson Fruit he hadn't yet fully metabolized to aid him, by channeling his full power, Ye Wen completed the final portion of his Meixiadang practice.

Previously, considering how long he might have to live in the secular world, he conserved the essence of the Crimson Fruit, avoiding forcibly pushing his power. Today, feeling the urgency of the situation, he disregarded caution, allowing him to complete the Meixiadang transformation overnight. This was partly due to his technique already being near completion; even without the Crimson Fruit essence, slow practice would have brought him to completion within ten-odd days.

And as Ye Wen was cultivating, unknown to him, in another room of the same hotel, a Daoist priest opened his eyes from his meditation and murmured softly, "Shushan Sect... How come I've never heard of it before?"