Chapter 244: Ying Family Ancestor Worship, A God-given Opportunity

The crowd exploded into an uproar as if they had heard something unbelievable.

Zhou Chen ignored them and turned to look at Miao Dandan.

"Dandan, long time no see."

"Master, it's so good, it really is you!"

Miao Dandan immediately threw herself into Zhou Chen's arms, her eyes reddening as she said, "Master, I missed you so much. There were so many people just now, I thought I would never see you again!"

"Silly girl."

Zhou Chen patted her head. "That won't happen. My maidservant, of course, can only be bullied by me."

"Mhm!"

Miao Dandan nodded vigorously, a brilliant smile appearing on her face.

But at that moment, a powerful Aura suddenly approached from the distance.

Judging from the intensity of the Aura, Zhou Chen's Divine Thought determined it had reached the First Layer of Emperor Realm, and it was rapidly closing in.

"We shouldn't stay here long, we need to go!"

Zhou Chen's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "An Emperor Realm expert from the Ying Family is coming."

No matter how high one's skills, one still fears a mob.

Although Zhou Chen did not fear the First Layer of Emperor Realm, he was afraid that once entangled, it would be difficult to escape in a short time, and the opponent could continuously call for reinforcements.

Deep in a dense forest a thousand miles outside Black Wind Market.

Zhou Chen performed the Taiyi Golden Light Step, pulling Miao Dandan along as they sped through the trees like a golden stream of light.

Behind them, that Emperor Realm Aura was still in hot pursuit.

"Master, where are we escaping to?"

Miao Dandan held Zhou Chen's hand tightly, her pretty face slightly pale.

"It's fine, let's shake off this old thing first!"

As soon as Zhou Chen finished speaking, he increased his speed even further.

When it came to spiritual energy reserves, Zhou Chen truly feared no one.

The Emperor Realm Aura chased them for nearly an hour before finally disappearing.

"We should have shaken him off."

Zhou Chen stopped, found a hidden cave, and pulled Miao Dandan inside.

"Whew… safe at last."

Miao Dandan breathed a sigh of relief, leaning against the cave wall and panting.

Only now did Zhou Chen have the chance to look at her closely.

Having not seen her for a long time, Miao Dandan's temperament had changed significantly.

Back in the Black Abyss, she still had a bit of greenness and naivety, but now she was more mature and cold.

Her black dress outlined the perfect curves of her figure; her long legs were straight and fair, and her slender waist was small enough to be held in one hand. On her exquisite face, those black eyes were deep and charming.

"Master, what are you looking at?"

Miao Dandan noticed Zhou Chen's gaze, her face turning slightly red, her shy appearance having a unique charm.

"Looking at you, of course. You seem to have become more beautiful."

A hint of playfulness appeared in Zhou Chen's eyes.

"Master is teasing me."

Miao Dandan gave him a coquettish glare, but her eyes were full of joy, without the slightest hint of anger.

"By the way, why did you come to the Eastern Wasteland?"

Zhou Chen asked.

"I've been traveling for experience ever since I left the Black Abyss Holy Land."

Miao Dandan tucked away her smile and continued seriously, "Later, I went near the Taichu Holy Land to ask around. Hearing that Master was in the Eastern Wasteland, I rushed over. I didn't expect to run into that Ying Family bastard as soon as I arrived at Black Wind Market."

Hearing this, Zhou Chen couldn't help but feel a slight touch of emotion; he hadn't expected Miao Dandan to care so much about him.

"You came all this way alone?"

"Mhm."

Miao Dandan nodded. "The Black Abyss Holy Land is so boring, I wanted to come out and see the world outside. And…"

She looked up at Zhou Chen, her eyes filled with determination.

"I want to stay by Master's side."

"Stay by my side?"

Zhou Chen raised an eyebrow. "I'm currently being hunted by two Great Emperor Clans. Following me is very dangerous."

"I'm not afraid."

Miao Dandan took Zhou Chen's hand. "It was Master who saved me, gave me a new life, and activated my Profound Yin Divine Body. Now that Master is in trouble, how can I stand by and do nothing?"

"And…"

Her face turned slightly red as she lowered her head, her voice so small it was almost inaudible. "As long as I can be by Master's side, I'll do anything."

Looking at her eyes, how could Zhou Chen not understand her hint?

However, Zhou Chen directly ignored it and replied softly, "Alright, then stay with me."

He paused. "But let me be clear: I like to stir up trouble. I might be hunted by Emperor Realm experts any day. When that happens, you'll have to run fast and not hold me back."

"I'm not afraid!"

Miao Dandan smiled until her eyes curved into crescents.

"Hmm?" Zhou Chen's expression suddenly became serious.

"I know…"

Miao Dandan's smile instantly withered.

"That's more like it."

Smiles only transfer, they don't disappear; Zhou Chen revealed a satisfied smile at the sight.

In the cave, Zhou Chen sat cross-legged, thinking carefully.

He continued to check the details of Ying Feng's opportunity panel and found that this Ancestor Worship Ceremony was massive in scale. Important figures from the Eastern Wasteland were invited, and the Jiang and Ying families would temporarily observe a ceasefire.

Almost all of the Ying Family's Emperor Realm experts would attend, and even the Clan Chief, Ying Tianji, would personally host it.

At that time, only a few Disciples and Elders would remain to guard the Ying Family's ancestral grounds.

Zhou Chen felt he couldn't miss this opportunity. He had long wanted to fleece the Ying Family's treasury, not to mention the nether king ice soul he needed was there, but he had lacked the chance.

Now that the Ying Family was delivering the opportunity to his doorstep, how could he not take it?

"Three days later…"

Zhou Chen lowered his head and continued to ponder. Gradually, a complete plan formed in his mind.

"Dandan."

He opened his eyes and looked at Miao Dandan.

"Yes?"

"In three days, I'm going to do something big. Do you want to come along?"

"What big thing?"

Miao Dandan asked curiously.

"In three days, the Ying Family will hold an Ancestor Worship Ceremony in Ice Emperor City. During that time, I'm going to raid the Ying Family treasury."

Zhou Chen smiled.

"What?!"

Miao Dandan looked as if she had heard something impossible, her eyes wide. "Master, are you serious? That's the treasury of the Emperor Clan Ying Family!"

"Scared?"

"Not scared!"

Miao Dandan gritted her teeth. "Wherever Master goes, I go!"

"Tsk tsk, not bad. That's my good maidservant."

Zhou Chen smiled and pinched her cheek.

…

Three days later, Ice Emperor City.

This was the main city of the Ying Family and one of the primary bases for the entire Ice Clan in the Eastern Wasteland.

In the center of Ice Emperor City, a towering palace rose from the ground; it was the ancestral temple of the Ying Family.

Today, the Ying Family was holding its Ancestor Worship Ceremony, and countless Cultivators had gathered here.

Ying Tianji, dressed in an ice-blue robe, stood before the ancestral temple to preside over the ceremony. Although he was heavily injured and his cultivation had dropped, his Aura was still extraordinary.

"Ancestors above, your unfilial descendant Ying Tianji… respectfully leads the kings and officials to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple with the rites of the Great Sacrifice. We recall the ancestors' founding of our legacy, sweeping the six directions, pacifying the people, and creating the eternal foundation of the Emperor Clan; the sages inherited the line, cultivated virtuous governance, pacified the four frontiers, and secured the stability of our great enterprise. I have inherited the great succession, working diligently day and night, fearing to fail the ancestral teachings. Today, I present these humble offerings to pray to the holy spirits: bless our Ying Family Emperor Clan to remain evergreen, the people to be safe and healthy, the four seas to return to our heart, martial virtue to be abundant, and our cultural lineage to continue forever…"

"May the spirits partake!"

Ying Tianji's voice echoed through the city, and countless Ying Family Disciples knelt on the ground.