Chapter 702: What Rules?

“Stop right there, newcomers! Don’t you know the rules?”

As they approached the ancient city, the scent of old charm gradually filled Xiao Yufan and his companions’ nostrils. However, at that very moment, an untimely voice rang out from their side.

“Rules? I haven’t heard of any rules around here…”

Seeing several people approaching, Ye Kong’s lips curled into an amused smile. Looks like this guy just couldn’t resist showing off. However, these gatekeepers’ strength wasn’t even worth his attention.

Daring to occupy land and demand things from passersby was no different from highway robbery. Xiao Yufan had no fondness for them whatsoever. He hoped these fools wouldn’t be foolish enough to provoke them.

“This ancient city has been claimed by our Di Sha Palace! If you want to enter, you must offer something satisfactory!”

“Stop right there, newcomer. Don’t you know the rules?”

As they approached the ancient city, the subtle, ancient fragrance began to seep into Xiao Yufan’s senses. However, at that moment, an untimely voice rang out from beside them.

“Rules? I haven’t heard of any rules in a place like this…”

Seeing a few people closing in, Ye Kong’s lips curled into a playful smile. It seemed this guy was addicted to showing off, but the strength of these gatekeepers wasn’t even worth his attention.

Daring to claim territory and demand things from passersby was no different from the behavior of robbers outside. Xiao Yufan had no fondness for them and hoped these idiots wouldn’t be so foolish.

“This ancient city is now under the control of our Di Sha Palace. If you want to enter, you’ll need to offer something that satisfies us!”

“Di Sha Palace? What the hell is that… Wait, Di Sha Palace?”

Ye Kong didn’t hesitate to retort, but when he heard the name “Di Sha Palace,” his expression visibly froze for a moment…

Di Sha Palace, the second most powerful temple within the Guardian Divine Halls of China, was a tier above even the Four Directions Temple. No wonder they had the audacity to act so arrogantly—they had the capital to back it up. It was no surprise that those entering the city were so obedient.

“Kid, you’ve heard of our Di Sha Palace, haven’t you? Now, hand over something valuable to serve us, your masters!”

Whenever they saw a look of surprise, these gatekeepers felt a rush of satisfaction. As disciples of Di Sha Palace, they considered themselves a cut above the rest.

“Sorry, but we don’t have anything suitable to feed the guard dogs. After all, dog food is quite expensive these days!”

The faces of these men were utterly repulsive. Xiao Yufan had never liked them, and even the mention of Di Sha Palace didn’t change his opinion in the slightest.

“What did you say? Damn it, dare to repeat that!”

Hearing Xiao Yufan’s words, the men reacted as if their tails had been stepped on, their expressions turning vicious. The only one among them who had reached the half-step into the Innate Realm suddenly unleashed a surge of oppressive energy.

The passersby immediately took two steps back, not wanting to get caught up in the conflict. The fact that one of the gatekeepers was a half-step Innate expert was a clear indication that Di Sha Palace’s overall strength was even more terrifying than they had imagined.

“I don’t repeat good words. If you tell me to say it again, wouldn’t that make me lose face?”

With a look of disdain, Xiao Yufan’s lips curled into a proud smile. Even if there were ten or eight half-step Innate experts, they wouldn’t be able to stop him.

“Daring to act tough in front of me? I’ll make sure you regret it!”

The members of Di Sha Palace were not to be trifled with. They had been stationed here for several days, and most people had been obedient to them. Suddenly, a few individuals dared to rebel—how could they not be furious?

“Get lost…” Why were there so many people who acted so arrogantly? Did they really think a half-step Innate expert was that powerful?

A deep roar accompanied by an overwhelming aura swept over them, sending chills down the spines of many, especially the half-step Innate expert from Di Sha Palace, who now looked utterly shocked.

“Are you… an Innate Realm expert?”

Despite their arrogance, the members of Di Sha Palace weren’t shortsighted. Innate Realm experts were not common, even within the Guardian Divine Halls. They were ranked among the elite. Who would have thought their luck would be so bad today?

“Exactly as you guessed. Now, can we enter?”

Xiao Yufan didn’t want to waste time with these bullies. He didn’t know the full extent of Di Sha Palace’s power, and he didn’t want to casually provoke a superpower. After all, he already had enough enemies.

“Of course, of course! Any Innate Realm expert is free to enter the ancient city without any conditions!”

The half-step Innate expert wore a bitter expression. Damn it, why didn’t he check the calendar before leaving today? He had run into such a formidable figure. Thankfully, he hadn’t made a move earlier, or he would have lost face big time.

“Is it really that simple? Then I guess I can enter freely too…”

Ye Kong’s expression gradually returned to normal. It was no wonder he had been momentarily shaken—the reputation of Di Sha Palace was no joke. But seeing the respectful demeanor of these Di Sha Palace disciples, he couldn’t help but feel a secret thrill.

The aura of the Innate Realm suddenly emanated from him, and the man who had just regained his composure was once again left speechless.

Damn it, another Innate Realm expert! Who were these people? Could they all be Innate Realm experts?

At this thought, he shook his head vigorously. What a joke! Even Di Sha Palace couldn’t produce so many young Innate Realm experts. There was no way all of them were at that level.

But even if there were only two, they were still not to be trifled with. Moreover, their superiors had instructed them to simply let any Innate Realm experts pass without hindrance.

“In that case, we thank the friends of Di Sha Palace…”

Xiao Yufan shook his head helplessly. He didn’t want to reveal their true strength, but given Ye Kong’s nature, it was only a matter of time before it came out. It was better to give Di Sha Palace a bit of a scare.

In the hidden martial world, strength was the ultimate truth, an eternal principle!

If Xiao Yufan hadn’t been an Innate Realm expert, these men would likely still be wearing their obnoxious expressions. But after witnessing their strength, even the members of Di Sha Palace didn’t dare to act too arrogantly. In a place like this, their so-called prestigious status held no weight.

“Haha, please, everyone, enter the ancient city!”

The half-step Innate expert forced a dry laugh, his lips curling into a bitter smile. Behind every “haha,” there were ten thousand curses running through his mind. This was no exaggeration—at this moment, he felt the urge to kill someone.

When someone dares to act tough in front of you, and you can’t do anything about it, that’s the most frustrating thing. In all their time here, they had never been treated like this.

But no matter how unhappy they were, they didn’t dare to act too boldly. Not only were Innate Realm experts absolutely beyond their ability to handle, but their superiors wouldn’t risk offending two Innate Realm experts just for the sake of a few gatekeepers.

Xiao Yufan didn’t bother to figure out what these people were thinking. His principle was simple: if others don’t provoke him, he won’t provoke them. But if they do, he would return the favor twofold.

Even the members of Di Sha Palace had no right to trample over him. If they angered Xiao Yufan, he wouldn’t care whether Di Sha Palace was the second most powerful entity within the Guardian Divine Halls…

Ye Kong didn’t hesitate to jump into the conversation, but his expression clearly froze when he heard the name Di Sha Palace.

The Di Sha Palace was the second largest palace among the Guardians of China, and its strength was a level above the Four Directional Palaces. No wonder those entering the city obeyed so meekly—this bunch indeed had the power to back up their arrogance.

“Kid, now that you’ve heard of our Di Sha Palace’s reputation, quickly offer some nice things to serve us masters!”

Seeing the shocked expressions on others’ faces always gave these gatekeepers a sense of satisfaction. After all, they were disciples of the Di Sha Palace, and in their eyes, they were definitely superior.

“Sorry, we don’t have suitable things to feed the guard dogs. After all, dog food is quite expensive these days!”

The expressions of these few people were simply nauseating to Xiao Yufan, who already disliked them. Even with the Di Sha Palace’s name behind them, it wouldn’t change his opinion in the least.

“What did you say? Hey, dare you repeat that again…”

Hearing Xiao Yufan’s words, those people reacted as if their tails had been stepped on, instantly turning fierce. The only expert among them who had entered the half-advanced natural state abruptly released a surge of energy.

Passersby immediately stepped back a couple of paces, not wanting to be accidentally involved. The fact that among these gatekeepers there was an expert at the half-advanced natural state clearly indicated that the overall strength of the Di Sha Palace was even more terrifying than they had imagined.

“Nice words needn’t be repeated twice. If I spoke again just because you asked, wouldn’t I lose all face?”

Looking at the speaker with the gaze reserved for fools, Xiao Yufan’s lips curled into a proud arc. It wouldn’t matter if it was one expert at the half-advanced natural state or even ten or eight more; they still couldn’t stop him.

“Dare to act tough with me? Watch me crush you!”

The members of the Di Sha Palace were not easily provoked. They had been stationed here for several days, and many people had been obedient towards them. Suddenly, a few people showed defiance, which naturally enraged them.

“Leave…” Xiao Yufan wondered why so many people were so arrogant. Did they really think that an expert at the half-advanced natural state was that powerful?

A deep, heavy shout accompanied by an overwhelming aura came forth, causing many people to break into a cold sweat. Particularly the expert of the Di Sha Palace at the half-advanced natural state, who was now filled with shock!

“Are you an expert at the natural state?”

Although the Di Sha Palace members were arrogant, they weren’t short-sighted. Experts at the natural state were not common at all, and even within the Guardian Temples, they were top-tier existences. They never expected that their luck would be so bad today.

“As you have guessed. Now, can we enter?”

Xiao Yufan didn’t want to stoop to their level with these bullies. He didn’t know much about the Di Sha Palace’s strength and didn’t want to offend such a powerful force easily. After all, he already had too many enemies.

“Of course! Any expert at the natural state can freely enter and exit the ancient city without needing to do anything!”

The expert at the half-advanced natural state wore a bitter expression. Damn it, why hadn’t he checked the date before leaving home today? He had encountered such a star of misfortune. Fortunately, he hadn’t attacked earlier, or else they would have lost face badly.

“That simple, huh? Then can’t I also enter and exit freely…”

Ye Kong’s expression gradually returned to normal. No wonder he had been momentarily shaken; after all, the Di Sha Palace’s reputation wasn’t just for show. But seeing the respectful manner of these Di Sha Palace disciples, he felt a secret thrill inside.

The aura of a natural state expert radiated forth. The person who hadn’t yet recovered his senses widened his eyes again.

Damn, another expert at the natural state! Who exactly were these people? Could they all be experts at the natural state?

Thinking this, he shook his head hard. What nonsense! Even the Di Sha Palace couldn’t produce so many young experts at the natural state. How could these people all be experts at the natural state?

However, even if there were only two, they were still beyond what they could provoke. Moreover, their superiors had instructed that they only needed to let any expert at the natural state pass.

“In that case, thank you, friends of the Di Sha Palace…”

Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Yufan didn’t want to expose their true strength. However, with Ye Kong’s personality, their strength would eventually be revealed anyway. He might as well give the Di Sha Palace people a warning.

In the hidden martial arts world, power determined one’s status—a timeless truth!

If Xiao Yufan’s strength hadn’t reached the natural state, these few people would still have worn their annoying expressions. However, having witnessed their strength, even the Di Sha Palace people dared not act too arrogantly. After all, in this place, their so-called shining halo was useless.

“Hehe, please, everyone, enter the ancient city!”

The expert at the half-advanced natural state forced out a dry laugh, his lips curling into a bitter smile. Behind every “hehe” were ten thousand horses galloping through the grass. This saying was indeed true—at least now he had the urge to kill someone.

It was the most miserable thing when someone dared to act tough in front of you, and you were utterly helpless against them. They had been here for so long, when had they ever suffered such treatment?

However, even if they were unhappy, they dared not act too arrogantly. After all, an expert at the natural state was definitely beyond their ability to resist. Not to mention that their superiors wouldn’t risk offending two experts at the natural state over just a few of them.

Xiao Yufan didn’t bother to speculate about what they were thinking. His principle was simple: if others didn’t provoke him, he wouldn’t provoke others. But if someone dared to provoke him, he would definitely retaliate twice as hard. That was Xiao Yufan’s way.

Even the Di Sha Palace didn’t have the qualifications to jump all over his head. If Xiao Yufan was angered, he wouldn’t care whether the Di Sha Palace was the second most powerful entity in the Guardian Temples or not…