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Ye Chen's purchase at the underground auction had drawn attention, and not just from ordinary bidders. It had been only a few days since the auction ended, but he could already sense the change. Eyes were on him. Whispers followed him in the halls of his school and in the streets. Some were merely curious, but others carried clear hostility.
He expected this. In his past life, treasures had always attracted greed. The jade pendant wasn't just a simple artifact--it was a key to unlocking his power in this world. If he had sensed its value, others had too.
That evening, as he walked down a dimly lit street on his way home, his instincts screamed at him.
Ye Chen didn't stop walking, but his muscles tensed. His spiritual sense, though still weak compared to his past life, picked up movement in the shadows. The faint sound of footsteps echoed behind him, growing closer with each step.
Ye Chen smirked.
"They finally came.
He kept walking, pretending not to notice.
Then, just as he reached the halfway point of the alley, five figures emerged from the shadows, blocking his path. He turned his head slightly and saw three more behind him.
A total of eight men.
The leader stepped forward, his bald head gleaming under the dim streetlight. His scarred face twisted into an ugly grin. "You're Ye Chen, right?"
You made quite the scene at the auction, kid. You picked up something that doesn't belong to you."
Ye Chen chuckled, crossing his arms. "Oh?
And what would that be?"
"The jade pendant," the leader growled.
"We know you bought it, and we know it's valuable." Boss wants that pendant. Be smart-hand it over, and we won't have to break every bone in your body."
Ye Chen tilted his head, amused. "Your boss?"
"None of your business." The man cracked his knuckles. "You should be honored.
Normally, someone like you wouldn't even be worth our time."
Ye Chen chuckled, shaking his head. "I was hoping for someone stronger."
The bald man's grin vanished. "Cocky bastard! Get him!"
The thugs lunged forward.
Ye Chen's body flickered. One moment he was standing still, the next he was a blur.
He weaved between them with precision, his movements ghostly and untouchable.
The first thug swung a steel pipe at his head-Ye Chen caught his wrist and twisted. A sickening crack echoed as the man screamed, his weapon clattering to the ground.
A second thug tried to stab him with a knife. Ye Chen sidestepped effortlessly, snatching the man's wrist and driving an elbow into his ribs. The impact sent him crashing into the wall, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Another came at him from behind. Ye Chen didn't even turn. He kicked backward, striking the man's knee with devastating force. A shriek rang out as the thug collapsed, writhing in agony.
Within seconds, five were down.
The remaining three hesitated.
Ye Chen dusted off his sleeves. "Are we done here?"
The bald leader's face contorted with rage.
"You little-"
Before he could finish, Ye Chen moved.
He was too fast.
His palm struck the man's chest with the force of a battering ram. Boom! The impact sent the bald thug flying backward, slamming into a dumpster with a loud bang. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he slid to the ground, unmoving.
The last two thugs froze. Their faces drained of color as they stared at Ye Chen in horror.
"Run!" one of them screamed.
They turned and bolted down the alley.
Ye Chen let them go. They were nothing more than small fry. He wasn't interested in chasing down insects.
He walked over to the bald thug, crouching beside him. The man was still conscious, barely. His breath was ragged, his eyes filled with fear.
Ye Chen grabbed his neck, dragging him up so their faces were inches apart. His fingers tightened. The man gasped as a crushing pressure weighed down on his chest. His vision blurred, fear consuming him.
Ye Chen released the thug, letting him slump to the ground. "Tell your boss something for me."
The man coughed violently, struggling to breathe. "W-What...?"
Ye Chen's gaze turned icy. "If he wants something from me, he should come himself."
With that, he turned and walked away.
The alley was silent except for the faint groans of the fallen thugs.