He Chengyi's words caused the entire venue to fall silent.
Everyone knew that the true critical moment had arrived!
Ying Chen's next answer would change the entire situation, even impacting the landscape of Hong Kong!
It was worth noting that almost half of Hong Kong's high society was seated here.
Li Fengcheng and the other two were protected by He Chengyi, so they might be fine.
But if others were accidentally caught in the crossfire, there would be only one outcome – instant death!
The death of so many people would likely trigger a massive earthquake throughout Hong Kong.
It was even possible for Hong Kong to plummet in status.
"Absolutely do not choose the second option, absolutely do not choose the second option!"
Many people prayed silently in their hearts.
At the same time, they instinctively shifted their bodies, trying to distance themselves from Ying Chen and He Chengyi.
Lest they become collateral damage when the city gates catch fire.
"Mr. Ying, taking a step back opens up a wider world. He Chengyi has immense prestige in Hong Kong; almost everyone calls him the foremost feng shui master. His cultivation is not built on empty pretenses and is not so easily dealt with!"
"Moreover, He Chengyi will only protect the Liao family temporarily, not for a lifetime. It's not too late to settle accounts with the Liao family tomorrow!"
Zhuang Ruoting advised Ying Chen.
In truth, Zhuang Ruoting's words were not without merit.
Once they left the venue, He Chengyi's protection would automatically cease.
Ying Chen could simply avoid his immediate wrath and deal with the Liao family the next day.
However, if Zhuang Ruoting's words were spoken to someone else, they might have had an effect.
But towards Ying Chen, they were utterly useless.
For in Ying Chen's eyes, be it the Liao family, Li Fengcheng and his associates, or He Chengyi, they were all mere ants!
Some ants were just weaker, while others were stronger!
Why would humans yield to ants?
It would be fortunate if humans didn't actively crush ants!
For ants to threaten humans was simply courting death.
"Mayflies and ants, unaware of dawn or dusk. Since you wish to stand up for them, then leave your head behind first!"
Ying Chen looked at He Chengyi and said indifferently.
He Chengyi's eyes flickered upon hearing this, clearly surprised by Ying Chen's choice.
Wouldn't anyone with a modicum of sense choose to leave for now?
He hadn't said he would protect the Liao family forever!
Why was this fellow so stubborn?
He Chengyi found it incomprehensible, and a surge of anger rose within him.
Not only was Ying Chen refusing to leave, but he was also comparing him to ephemeral mayflies and even threatening to take his head!
This was utterly arrogant!
"Very well." He Chengyi's voice turned icy as he nodded. "I've always heard that practicing martial arts can bolster a person's courage. I didn't quite believe it before, but now I do."
"Otherwise, where would you get the confidence and courage to speak to me like this!"
"You want my head? Then offer yours first!"
After speaking, He Chengyi suddenly patted his shoulder with his right hand.
Someone not in the know might have thought he was dusting off his shoulder. But in the next instant, a dark light, like a sharp sword, pierced the air and shot towards Ying Chen!
Its speed was so great and its movement so subtle that it was impossible to guard against.
In the blink of an eye, it reached Ying Chen's forehead!
Only then did people faintly see that the dark light was actually a crane feather from He Chengyi's ceremonial robe.
Clearly, this crane feather had long been refined into a magical artifact.
As long as He Chengyi gave the command, it would automatically attack the enemy.
Just as Ying Chen was about to have his head pierced by the crane feather, an astonishing scene unfolded, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
A golden light, like ripples on water, appeared on Ying Chen's forehead. The crane feather instantly shattered, like a bullet hitting steel.
Tiny filaments of down scattered everywhere. Ying Chen exhaled softly, and they fluttered to the ground like snowflakes.
"How is this possible?"
He Chengyi's pupils contracted sharply.
This crane feather was a magical artifact he had refined for over ten years!
Though it was just a single feather, it had actually reached the quality of a mid-to-low-grade magical artifact!
In the past, when He Chengyi attacked martial arts experts, this was always his only move, never a second.
Yet today, not only had he failed to kill Ying Chen with one blow, but he had also suffered a double loss, sacrificing his years-refined crane feather artifact!
"Who exactly are you? As far as I know, no one in the martial arts world of Long Country can cultivate the art of bone tempering to this extent! To block and destroy my artifact with mere skin, what kind of bone tempering is this? This is clearly the legendary Arhat Golden Body!"
He Chengyi gritted his teeth.
The loss of the crane feather truly pained him.
The strength displayed by Ying Chen, however, made him even more alarmed.
Ying Chen raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised. "Oh, how do you know the name of the martial art I practice?"
Ying Chen thought He Chengyi had recognized the Unhindered Golden Body.
He Chengyi, however, believed Ying Chen was deliberately mocking him. His expression turned extremely grim as he said, "Hmph, let alone the fact that such a technique as the Arhat Golden Body doesn't exist in this mortal realm. Even if it did, I will make you revert to your original form, to become mere mortal flesh and bone again!"
"Crane Cry True Form Diagram!"
"Ascend!"
He Chengyi kept his hands within his sleeves and moved them repeatedly.
Then he stomped his foot!
Rumble!
It was as if the entire venue trembled.
An invisible pressure rose in the center of the venue, and vast amounts of earthly malevolent energy surged from the ground, permeating the entire space.
The bright lights in the venue instantly turned dim and indistinct.
After several crackling sounds, they all went out!
Only boundless darkness enveloped the venue.
In the distant void, two blood-red eyes slowly appeared. The scarlet gaze swept across the entire venue like searchlights.
Anyone caught by the gaze felt their soul tremble, as if they had instantly fallen into a death-like state!
Finally, the two scarlet beams of light settled on Ying Chen, freezing him in place.
The next second, an extremely shrill cry suddenly sounded.
People felt as if their eardrums were about to split.
At the same time, they felt waves of dizziness.
When they recovered, they were horrified to discover that a colossal celestial crane, towering like a small mountain, had inexplicably appeared in the venue!
The crane's head almost touched the ceiling of the venue, its steel-like talons digging fiercely into the ground, leaving deep gouges.
Its long and sharp beak hovered directly above Ying Chen's head.
It seemed as if with a mere downward glance from the crane, Ying Chen would immediately become its prey, his head exploding, and he would die on the spot.
Seeing this, everyone was terrified.
They couldn't help but wonder if this was still the world they knew.
Were they sure they hadn't entered some other dimension or a world of monsters?
Otherwise, how could such a massive celestial crane appear?
It completely defied the theory of biological evolution!
"Mr. Ying... Mr. Ying... run!" Zhuang Ruoting, covering her mouth, cried out as she looked at the terrifying and monstrous celestial crane.
Ying Chen, however, seemed to not see the crane at all, his expression calm and collected.
He even retorted to Zhuang Ruoting, "Run? Why should I run?"
"It's just a projection of a dead beast. What's there to be afraid of?"