Chapter 52: The True Dragon Amongst Mortals

"Hmm? Meng Ye, you're here?" Meng Yang's movement also halted. He turned, a welcoming smile on his face.

A lovely young girl stepped forward, followed closely by two middle-aged men with auras as deep as the abyss. Their presence caused a stir among the crowd. This young girl clearly possessed a formidable background.

Xiao Chen glanced at Meng Ye, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected to encounter her in Yunhai City. Then, it clicked. Meng Ye's surname was Meng. Meng Yang's surname was also Meng. They were clearly related. He had initially dismissed the similar surnames as coincidence, but now…

"Since she's Meng Ye's relative, it will be difficult for me to take action against him," Xiao Chen thought.

"You're lucky," Meng Yang muttered, casting a cold glance at Xiao Chen. "I didn't expect Meng Ye to arrive at this moment. I'm in a good mood, so I won't bother with you." Without another word, he turned to greet Meng Ye.

However, Meng Ye walked directly past him, as if he didn't exist, and headed straight for Xiao Chen. Her face lit up with a cheerful smile. "Xiao Chen! What a coincidence!" she exclaimed.

The crowd was stunned.

"Doesn't this girl clearly have a powerful background? How does she know this good-for-nothing? Are they close?" The whispers began.

Meng Yang froze, surprise etched on his face. Xiao Chen was acquainted with Meng Ye? This was unexpected. Meng Ye was the daughter of the Meng family head. Her status was far higher than his. To the Meng family of Yunhai City, the Meng family of Tianyang Prefecture was the main branch, possessing ultimate authority.

"Well, I happened to have a relative in Yunhai City," Xiao Chen replied, smiling as he casually tapped Meng Ye's head.

This gesture shocked everyone, including Meng Yang. Xiao Chen, how dare he? How dare he touch Meng Ye! Was he courting death?

"Hm, Meng Ye is from a prestigious family. How dare he treat her like that? It's frivolous! Even if she doesn't mind, the Meng family will! They will definitely make Xiao Chen pay," Meng Yang thought, glancing at the two middle-aged men behind Meng Ye. He recognized them. They were top experts of the Meng family. One had even reached level nine of the Spirit Incarnation Realm!

What puzzled and shocked him, however, was that the two men seemed oblivious to Xiao Chen's actions towards Meng Ye! In fact, there seemed to be a sense of familiarity between them!

"How is this possible?" Meng Yang's mind reeled. He stared at Xiao Chen, a startling thought flashing through his mind. "Was what Xiao Chen said true? That he was the number one genius of the Xiao family and that he killed Xiao Lei?" But it was too unbelievable. Yuan Ye and the others knew Xiao Chen. They should know his background. If they called him a good-for-nothing, they must be right. He was certain Yuan Ye wouldn't dare lie to him.

"What's going on? I need to ask Meng Ye later," Meng Yang decided.

Meng Ye, still smiling brightly, asked, "Who are your relatives? I haven't heard of them before."

"My grandfather's family, the Yuan family in Yunhai City," Xiao Chen replied casually, waving his hand. "I should go. I'll see you another day." He turned to leave. This gathering was too boring. He had only come out of curiosity about Yuan Ye's schemes, but it was nothing more than a display of petty dominance.

"Yes, okay. I'll see you later," Meng Ye replied obediently.

Yuan Ye and the others stood stunned. They only reacted after Xiao Chen had walked away.

"Xiao Chen just left like that?" Was he still looking down on them? How infuriating!

"So he knows someone powerful, so what?" someone sneered. "What's there to be arrogant about? The most important thing is your own strength. Knowing some reputable people doesn't automatically make you powerful."

Yuan Ye shook his head. "He's just an ambitious idiot. Ignore him." His words drew agreement.

In a corner, Meng Yang couldn't resist asking, "Meng Ye, who is that Xiao Chen? Why is he so close to you? I heard he's a good-for-nothing."

"A good-for-nothing?" Meng Ye looked surprised. "Who said that? If Xiao Chen is a good-for-nothing, then there are no geniuses in the world."

"What do you mean?" Meng Yang frowned.

"Oh, because Tianyang Prefecture is far from here, you might not have heard," Meng Ye chuckled. "Xiao Chen has become quite famous recently. He not only made the Zhao family yield but also wiped out the Sky Thunder Clan. My father said that the most powerful person in Prefecture City is Xiao Chen. Even the head of the Tianyang Prefecture is inferior to him."

"What?!" Meng Yang exclaimed in disbelief. "The Zhao family acknowledged him as their leader? And he destroyed the Sky Thunder Clan?" The Zhao family and the Sky Thunder Clan were powerful and influential! Especially the Sky Thunder Clan, which had suppressed the Tianyuan Sect, was the strongest sect in Tianyang Prefecture! Yet, such a sect was destroyed by a young man? How powerful was he?

Meng Yang's heart pounded. "Who is backing Xiao Chen? Does he have the support of a big family in Regional City? Their background must be incredible."

"Support? Xiao Chen doesn't have any," Meng Ye replied, confused. "He killed the head of the Sky Thunder Clan himself. He doesn't need anyone's support."

"Killed the head of the Sky Thunder Clan himself?" Meng Yang gasped. He felt as if his world was collapsing. The head of the Sky Thunder Clan was a Xuanwu Realm expert! How could a young man kill such a powerful expert? Did that mean this young man had the strength of the Xuanwu Realm? Even the geniuses on the rankings might not be his match.

He knew Meng Ye wouldn't lie. Yet, he found it hard to believe. It also meant that his own achievements were nothing compared to Xiao Chen's.

A wave of fear washed over Meng Yang. Xiao Chen was a true powerhouse, a figure with the right to be arrogant. What could anyone do about it? He had thought Xiao Chen was a fool courting death. If Meng Ye hadn't arrived, he might have provoked an invincible enemy! A chill ran down his spine. He was grateful to be alive.

"I need to get on Xiao Chen's good side. At the very least, I can't let him hate me, or I won't survive," Meng Yang thought. He approached Yuan Ye and the others, forcing a smile. "Yuan Ye, where is Xiao Chen now?"

Yuan Ye was surprised and delighted. Normally, Meng Yang called him by his nickname. Why was he using his full name now? He was flattered. "Meng Yang, Xiao Chen is staying with us, at the Yuan family," he replied. After a pause, he added cautiously, "I apologize for his behavior earlier. If you want, I can ask him to leave."

Meng Yang waved his hand dismissively. "No need. Let him stay. I'll visit him another day." He turned away, a hint of impatience in his eyes. He used to think Yuan Ye had some potential, someone he could recruit as an underling. But now… this association was nothing but trouble.

"It seems Xiao Chen has a bad relationship with these cousins. The real dragon amongst mortals, and they don't even realize it. The Yuan family is truly ridiculous," Meng Yang thought, shaking his head and chuckling to himself.