The situation reversed in an instant, so fast that no one could react!

And the reason Jiang Jichen was trying so hard was, naturally, to secure the identity of Lingchen.

Of course, he was only "trying"—he hadn’t reached the point of fighting for his life. After all, he hadn’t even used his Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation.

Possessing an Identity Token offered too many advantages in Yunshui City.

He could freely enter and exit various auction houses to search for the Spirit Medicines he needed, and he could also inquire about the Holy Mountain Immortal Stele, among other things.

Most importantly, the identity of Lingchen was a secret. Besides the old servant of the Seven Profound Sect, likely no one else knew of it.

Therefore, as long as he didn’t use the Cultivation Techniques he had used under his former identity as Jiang Jichen, he could act without restraint. No one would be able to see through his disguise.

They would only think he was a peerless genius, hidden away by the old servant of the Seven Profound Sect!

Jiang Jichen had considered all of this carefully, which was why he was so invested in escorting Zuo Feng back to the Seven Profound Sect.

Now, his only worry was the old servant of the Seven Profound Sect!

As long as the old servant didn’t leak the news to the Law Enforcers or any outsiders, his identity as Lingchen would be secure.

Based on Jiang Jichen’s deductions, the old servant of the Seven Profound Sect probably already knew he was an imposter!

Because the real Lingchen wasn’t this strong, nor was his cultivation at the Grandmaster Realm!

But to this day, the old servant had not come forward to expose his false identity. That proved... the other party might have tacitly accepted it.

As for why the higher-ups hadn’t intervened despite such a huge commotion... ’Perhaps it means they’ve reached some kind of agreement, and it’s simply not time for them to show themselves yet.’

Of course, whether it was Young Master Zhangg’s people or the old servant who was supposed to retrieve Zuo Feng, they were all surely watching this unfold from the shadows.

’What exactly are they planning?’

Jiang Jichen couldn’t be bothered to guess their intentions. He grabbed Young Master Zhangg by the neck, lifted him off the ground, and declared, "I’m going to the Sect’s main hall now. Let’s see who dares to stop me!"

With that, Jiang Jichen strode forward, ascended the stone steps, and headed toward the main hall of the Seven Profound Sect.

Zuo Feng followed closely by Jiang Jichen’s side, not falling a single step behind.

From behind, one of the Half-step Spirit Infant Realm Guardians shouted, "If you dare harm Young Master Zhangg in the slightest, you’ll never leave the Seven Profound Sect alive!"

Jiang Jichen sneered. "Young Master Zhangg, my ass. The real Young Sect Master is right here. If any of you dare to say another word, I’ll run this blade... right through him!"

Sure enough, under Jiang Jichen’s threat, not one of the three Half-step Spirit Infant Realm Guardians or their men dared to speak. They could only follow behind, looking as if they were facing a great enemy.

As for the Outer Sect disciples, they weren’t qualified to enter the Inner Sect, so they didn’t even have the courage to follow.

By now, Young Master Zhangg’s face was drained of color, his eyes filled with terror.

"Lingchen, we’re fellow sect members! You can’t kill me! If you do, you’ll die too! No one will be able to save you!"

Jiang Jichen wasn’t squeezing Young Master Zhangg’s neck too tightly, so he could still speak normally.

But Young Master Zhangg didn’t dare move a muscle, for he could feel the terrifying force radiating from Jiang Jichen’s fingers.

With just a slight squeeze, his entire head and neck would probably explode.

’He’s only at the Grandmaster Realm, so why is he so powerful?’

’Could he be a super-genius Transcender?’

’How could that damn old Ghost Servant secretly cultivate someone so formidable?’

In that instant, many thoughts raced through Young Master Zhangg’s mind.

Although he didn’t recognize Lingchen, he did know that the old servant had been training a subordinate, and that this person was supposedly extraordinary.

But Jiang Jichen just gave a grim smile. "You’re overthinking it. I have no interest in killing you. But if anyone threatens me, I’ll kill you first without a second thought. It’s that simple."

’Kill him without a second thought?’

’What does he think I am?’

’Some stray cat or dog on the street?’

Young Master Zhangg felt utterly humiliated. ’I’m the Young Sect Master of the Seven Profound Sect,’ he thought, ’a person of noble status, high and mighty.’

But in the eyes of this youth named Lingchen, he was so worthless that he could be killed at a whim.

Hatred, rage, and humiliation filled Young Master Zhangg’s heart... but more than anything, there was helplessness!

The Spirit Mountain where the Seven Profound Sect’s main hall was located wasn’t very tall.

Soon, Jiang Jichen, still holding Young Master Zhangg and with Zuo Feng in tow, arrived before the main entrance of the great hall.

The main hall of the Seven Profound Sect was enormous, with layer upon layer extending deep inside. The Spirit Mountain was also dotted with various cave abodes, giving it an extraordinary appearance.

Jiang Jichen had only just stepped onto the plaza in front of the hall when he felt several powerful auras lock onto him.

They were all Spirit Infant Realm Level Cultivators!

They were all observing from the shadows. With Jiang Jichen’s Seven-Colored Divine Soul, how could he not sense them?

’Since they insist on playing hide-and-seek with me, I might as well force their hand!’

Jiang Jichen smirked. A Treasure Sword with a chilling glint appeared in his hand, and he placed it directly against Young Master Zhangg’s neck. Facing the ancient hall of the Seven Profound Sect, he announced in a clear, resonant voice, "Seven Profound Sect disciple Lingchen, having fortunately fulfilled his duty and not failed the trust of the late Sect Leader Zuo, has braved countless dangers to finally bring back Young Sect Master Zuo Feng! However, on the way, we were ambushed by a villain who attempted to assassinate the Young Sect Master. This disciple fought desperately to capture him. This man’s crimes are unforgivable. He should be beheaded and executed on the spot!"

His voice, filled with righteous fury, echoed endlessly over the entire Seven Profound Sect, audible to every disciple within its grounds.

However, upon hearing Jiang Jichen’s words, they were all dumbfounded!

Never mind that he clearly knew he was holding Young Master Zhangg, yet he pretended he was just some villain who had ambushed Zuo Feng. He was too good at acting, too despicable and sinister.

But that wasn’t all. This Lingchen was so audacious as to declare he would... behead Young Master Zhangg right in front of the Seven Profound Sect’s main hall.

How could this be happening? This was absolutely a heaven-shaking event!

Was there any disciple in the Seven Profound Sect who didn’t know that Young Master Zhangg’s grandfather was the Grand Elder?

Moreover, Young Master Zhangg was the direct great-grandson of Supreme Elder Zhangg, one of the only two remaining Supreme Elders in the sect!

But this disciple, who called himself Lingchen, completely ignored all that. Killing Intent surged from his body, and the longsword in his hand glinted with cold light.

No one thought he was joking!

Even if some were skeptical... Jiang Jichen’s act was just too convincing!

They didn’t dare to gamble, afraid that he would actually behead Young Master Zhangg.

As for Young Master Zhangg, he was so terrified that he threw all caution to the wind and shrieked in panic, "Grandpa! Great-Grandpa! Help me! Dong’er doesn’t want to die! Ahhh—"

Zhangg Dong was truly terrified. He felt that the youth was a Demon who would really cut off his head!

In that instant, he even felt a chill on his neck, as if blood were gushing out... ’Is this what it feels like to be beheaded?’

But just then, a soft voice called out, "Lingchen, stay your hand. That is Young Master Zhangg, not some villain!"

As the voice faded, an old servant in black robes appeared silently, a faint smile on his face.

Following him, an old man shrouded in a deathly aura also appeared. He bore a slight resemblance to Zhangg Dong—it was the Grand Elder of the Seven Profound Sect, Zhangg Dong’s grandfather, Zhangg Quan.