The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python was incredibly fast, arriving before the Grand Elder in the blink of an eye. The Grand Elder was on the ground, writhing ceaselessly and groaning in agony.
Ye Tian and Ye Feifei also quickly arrived before him. A glance at the Grand Elder's condition shocked them. His clothes looked as if they'd been scorched, and if there were any wind, pieces would likely have been blown right off.
His entire body was pitch-black, and his face was especially ridiculous. Except for the whites of his eyes, everything was blackened—so dark you wouldn't be able to find him in a pile of coal. His hair stood straight on end. If you ran into him in the middle of the night, you'd probably be scared to death and wet your pants.
'This Eight-winged Golden Scale Python's Attack Power is just too incredible. It's so fast, it's impossible to defend against. Having such a terrifying being by my side makes me feel very safe, and very proud.'
After a long moment, the Grand Elder on the ground finally stopped writhing. His face was contorted in pain. He looked at Ye Tian and Ye Feifei and said slowly, "Ye Tian, who in the world are you? Why do you have such a terrifying beast at your side?"
"It seems you're not qualified to know who I am. Weren't you looking down on this 'little centipede'? Now you know how powerful it is. I believe one more strike and you'd be saying goodbye to this world.
But don't worry, I won't let Ye Lin do that again. Your life is mine to take personally. I'll let you be reunited with your brother. Am I not merciful?" Ye Tian said with a smile.
"You! Don't get cocky! Ye Tian, I admit defeat today. To think a moment of carelessness would let me get ambushed by this creature... But even if I die today, I won't let you have it easy!" The Grand Elder's voice was agitated, but the pain wracking his body prevented him from speaking too loudly.
"It's your honor to die at Brother Tian's hands, Grand Elder. You brought this upon yourself, you know? The Ye Family treated you well, yet you tried to kill me. Now, no one can save you. Resign yourself to your fate!
However, since we're both from the Ye Family, I can grant you one wish. This is a very rare opportunity, so you should make the most of it!" Ye Feifei said.
Ye Tian gave Ye Feifei a faint smile. 'I never thought the normally gentle and refined Feifei would say something so surprising.'
"Ye Feifei, don't you dare act like a saint in front of me! You're no good yourself. Losing your virginity before marriage? You're a complete disgrace to the Ye Family! What right do you have to say such things? My wish is actually very simple: I want the two of you to go to hell," the Grand Elder roared.
Perhaps his fury made him forget the pain, because the Grand Elder miraculously staggered to his feet. His eyes, filled with boundless hatred, stared at Ye Tian and Ye Feifei.
Ye Tian was very clear about this situation. It had been the same with that Black Iron Guard back then; once struck by Ye Lin's terrifying Thunder Power, there was basically no chance of survival.
He was certain at least a third of the Grand Elder's muscles had been destroyed by the lightning strike. Judging from the acrid, burnt smell, the flesh was probably cooked.
"Old fool, stop overestimating yourself. It'd be as easy as flipping my hand for me to kill you. You're a spent force, yet you still try to posture before us. Now, I'll give you a choice. If you can answer my questions honestly, I might consider sparing your son.
Otherwise, once I return to the Ye Family, I'll make sure Ye Hu comes to reunite with you. I'm sure you'd be quite happy to see him down there, right? After all, Ye Hu is that genius son you're so proud of," Ye Tian said flatly, his face completely expressionless.
To the Grand Elder's ears, these words were like a thunderclap on a clear day. His entire body swayed, and it felt as if he could no longer stand firm.
"Ye Tian, you animal! If you dare do anything to my son, I'll haunt you as a ghost!" the Grand Elder roared. Perhaps Ye Tian's words had utterly enraged him, causing his already heavily injured body to convulse as he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Heh, a ghost? We can talk after you become one! I have limited time and don't want to waste it on you. If you don't want to answer, then I'll just send you on your way. To be honest, the feeling of killing someone is pretty exhilarating!" Ye Tian laughed.
The Grand Elder felt a despair so profound he wished for death. His mind was in turmoil. After a few breaths, he finally spoke in resignation, "What do you want to know? If I answer you, will you really spare my son?"
"Of course. I, Ye Tian, am a man of my word. My question is actually quite simple: how did you know I have the Dragon Pearl? Besides you, who else knows?" Ye Tian said with a faint smile, but there was a sinister, terrifying quality to it.
Ye Tian knew that by now, even without him saying a word, Ye Feifei must have realized his secret. 'I'll explain everything about the Dragon Pearl to her after I've dealt with the Grand Elder.'
"Knowing you had the Dragon Pearl was just a guess, but it turns out I was right. Your strength increased far too quickly! Moreover, your Martial Skills actually contain the sound of a Dragon's Roar, and they carry a very powerful Primordial Qi.
Most critically, you were poisoned by the Ten Fragrances Soft Tendon Powder yet had no reaction at all. In this world, only the Dragon Race is immune to that poison. And while you are not of the Dragon Race, you possess a Dragon Pearl. Once the Dragon Pearl enters the body, it changes your constitution. Thus, you gained a body that is immune to all poisons.
This was something I happened to read in the records of an Ancient Dragon. That's what made me suspicious of you. Combined with everything else you've done, it further confirmed that you possess a Dragon Pearl, or at the very least, something closely related to the Dragon Race.
I've told you everything you wanted to know. I hope you can agree to my request and spare my son! My body is finished. Just give me a swift end! Let me suffer less," the Grand Elder said slowly, as if every word was a struggle.
"So that's how it was. Since I promised you, I won't go back on my word! I hope you aren't so greedy in your next life," Ye Tian said.
With a casual flick of the Black Glaze Sword in his hand, a wave of Sword Qi shot toward the Grand Elder's heart. The strike instantly extinguished his life force, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to accept his fate.
"Brother Tian... the Grand Elder actually made great contributions to the family. To see him die just like this... it makes me very sad," Ye Feifei said, her voice choked with emotion. After all, he had watched her grow up and had always been very good to her.