"Battle Saint King, what's wrong?" The First Great Bandit, hearing an unusual sound, stepped forward to ask.
Ye Chen shook his head, indicating it was nothing. He always felt there was something strange about this Dark Night Ancient Hall—a vague, intangible sensation. Only now, being sufficiently powerful with spiritual senses rivaling those of ancient Great Sages, could he perceive it. Otherwise, during his last visit to this Dark Night Ancient Hall, he would have been completely unable to detect it.
However, no matter how he scanned the Dark Night Ancient Hall, he still found nothing.
Yet, when he passed by the statue of the Dark Night Monarch, a peculiar feeling spontaneously arose within him. Upon careful observation, he still couldn't discern anything unusual.
Was it his misconception?
But he felt that when he became even stronger in the future, it would be necessary to return here.
In the end, he left the Dark Night Ancient City with regret.
Now that he had reached the Heavenly King realm, Ye Chen's speed had increased by who knows how many times. The vast Plunder Heaven Plains were incredibly magnificent, yet they seemed both near and far.
With each step, he traversed tens of thousands of li. In a single stride, the grand mountains and rivers rapidly reversed, moving at an unimaginable speed. Even the many powerful great bandit experts within the Plunder Heaven Plains couldn't truly see Ye Chen's figure clearly, nor could they detect his trajectory.
Soon, Ye Chen crossed the vast Plunder Heaven Plains, completely leaving this gathering place of bandits and entering the prosperous region where the Dragon Phoenix Academy was located.
Without stopping along the way, Ye Chen arrived before the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
The Dragon Phoenix Academy, as one of the most renowned cultivation academies in the myriad realms, stood alongside the Myriad Realms Academy. It was a famous institution that countless Heaven's Prides from across the myriad realms aspired to join.
It was situated amidst immortal mountains and divine peaks, shrouded in immortal mist, with strange rocks winding about and divine trees coiling. There were also ancient platforms imbued with Dao Rhyme.
The earth contained true dragons; ancestral veins and dragon veins coiled deep within the earth, intertwined with countless spiritual veins. This caused auspicious energy to swirl, clouds to billow and glow, and immortal qi to permeate the air. Everything served to highlight the Dragon Phoenix Academy's peerless extraordinariness.
Even though Ye Chen had seen it before, witnessing the Dragon Phoenix Academy again still evoked a sense of awe. Such grandeur even seemed more extraordinary than a Sacred Land, divine and unparalleled.
The Dragon Phoenix Academy had produced a true Human Sovereign who, after attaining the Supreme One fruit, left behind corresponding Human Sovereign relics within the academy, alluring and capable of stirring even the hearts of ancient Great Sages.
Now, several decades had passed. Due to the uniqueness of this era, the Dragon Phoenix Academy had also broken through its previous restrictions, recruiting not just one batch of Heaven's Prides. They recruited a batch every twenty years, and now the third generation of Heaven's Prides had already joined the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
Naturally, the Dragon Phoenix Academy's recruitment quotas were still quite strict. Even though the Golden Great Age had descended with Heaven's Prides emerging in large numbers, only a few from each generation could successfully pass the academy's entrance examinations.
The Dragon Phoenix Academy was now completely open, with no restrictions. Young Heaven's Prides from various domains could freely come and go. From time to time, streaks of light could be seen traversing the heavens and earth, giving off a vibrant, vigorous feeling.
This day was particularly lively because special distinguished guests had appeared within the Dragon Phoenix Academy, startling the entire institution.
Not only were the many Heaven's Prides within the Dragon Phoenix Academy stirred, but even the high-ranking Elders were alarmed. Among them, a Heavenly King realm Supreme Elder, rarely seen even once in a hundred years, made an appearance, personally stepping forward and causing a huge commotion.
The so-called distinguished guests were five women. What was shocking was that each of them possessed truly world-shaking, peerless beauty, as if celestial immortals had descended to the mortal world. They were the most stunning under heaven, possessing captivating temperaments.
Some were noble and unapproachable, some were innocent and naive, some were pure and untainted, some were gentle and moving—truly, each was like a different flower, plum, orchid, autumn chrysanthemum, each distinct yet equally captivating and peerlessly beautiful.
Their arrival directly overshadowed all the women within the entire Dragon Phoenix Academy.
Which woman qualified to study at the Dragon Phoenix Academy wasn't a true Heaven's Pride? Moreover, due to cultivation, they all possessed outstanding beauty capable of captivating an entire domain, being the most beautiful in their respective domains.
But compared to these five great beauties, they were like flickering flames trying to compete with the bright moon—utterly eclipsed.
It was believed that these five great beauties could definitely rank among the most famous throughout history.
It was said these women were all former students of the Dragon Phoenix Academy, from the first batch. Dozens of years ago, they were sent to the Ancient Emperor Realm as Heaven's Pride figures, and almost every one of them could rival an Immortal True King.
Now, having returned successfully, it naturally caused a stir. Even the usually reclusive, secluded high-level figures emerged, just to welcome the five and also to welcome two extraordinary little beasts.
It was said one of them was a pure-blooded True Dragon, of incomparable nobility. Although the true origins of the other little beast were unknown, it was also quite extraordinary.
Many Heaven's Prides either came out from the academy or rushed back from various places, gathering at the main gate. This was because the five peerless immortal maidens were currently at the Dragon Phoenix Academy's main entrance. Their arrival was solely to catch a glimpse of the five great beauties' lovely faces and see just how stunning they were.
It could be seen that a large number of Heaven's Prides were gathered there, even in the sky—some hovering, some riding divine and majestic exotic beasts, some sitting in extraordinary carriages, and so on.
When they truly saw the lovely faces of the five great beauties, even men with the highest tastes felt their hearts flutter, becoming infatuated.
All because the five great beauties were truly too breathtakingly beautiful, absolutely belonging to that level of beauty that could captivate the world. On the spot, it made many Heaven's Prides develop feelings of admiration and affection.
However, none dared to act recklessly because among them, a Heavenly King realm Supreme Elder was conversing with the five great beauties, making them reverent and afraid to approach too closely.
"Ladies, why not follow this old man into the academy's Heavenly Hall, allowing our Dragon Phoenix Academy to properly host you?" The Heavenly King realm Supreme Elder personally spoke, without a condescending attitude, treating them as equals.
Usually, he remained in seclusion, hoping to make a breakthrough, taking steps towards the Great Power realm.
But he knew that among these people were Heavenly Kings, which was why he specifically emerged from seclusion. Otherwise, figures below the Heavenly King realm generally couldn't rouse him to emerge.
Hearing this, many Dragon Phoenix Academy Heaven's Prides gasped in astonishment. The Heavenly Hall was a first-class, important hall within the Dragon Phoenix Academy. Only Heavenly King realm Supreme Elders could set foot inside. It was one of the highest-specification halls for receiving distinguished guests.
Although the five great beauties were stunningly beautiful, they shouldn't warrant such high-level reception. Was it because they had all successfully emerged from the Ancient Emperor Realm, or because of that pure-blooded True Dragon?
This led many Heaven's Prides to secretly speculate. They simply didn't know that among the five great beauties, three had already reached the Heavenly King realm. Otherwise, why would a Heavenly King realm figure be stirred to come receive them?
Among them, a goddess stood gracefully, her white clothes purer than snow, appearing noble and awe-inspiring while also possessing a peerless temperament that made people revere her and dare not look directly at her.
She lightly parted her red lips and said, "We appreciate the Elder's kindness, but we need to wait for someone. Only after that person arrives will we consider it."
As soon as these words were spoken, the large group of Myriad Domains Heaven's Prides gathered there were immediately shocked. The five great beauties were actually waiting for someone? Who could it be?
But based on certain conversations, it was vaguely learned that it was a man, making the five great beauties wait for his arrival at the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
Upon learning this, countless Heaven's Prides within the Dragon Phoenix Academy immediately burned with jealousy, extremely envious.
Just what kind of detestable man was he, actually making five such beautiful and captivating women wait for him alone? Wasn't this a huge mistake?
He deserved to be struck by heavenly lightning!
Many people secretly rubbed their hands, eager to see just who this man was, worthy of having five peerless beauties wait for him.
Of course, more people also wanted to show off in front of the five great beauties, hoping to win their glances and have their beautiful eyes linger on them—this would be a great honor.
Some among them even fantasized about showing off to win the hearts of the peerless beauties.
The Heavenly King Elder nodded, naturally unwilling to force them, and also unable to force them. Because he sensed that among the five great beauties, the Three Immortal Maidens weren't just simple Heavenly Kings; they were unexpectedly powerful, giving off a sense of flawless, perfect Dao completion, capable of merging with heaven and earth.
Even he, who had been in the Heavenly King realm for thousands of years, felt a sense of being difficult to deal with.
Previously, he had heard rumors in the world of a special Supreme Method that could allow oneself to surpass the limitations of the Nine Heavens and step into the Ten Heavens realm that only existed in the Mythical Era. But it was very difficult, requiring reaching the peak of the Saint Realm in two lifetimes and completely merging the Dao fruits to succeed.
Only Immortal True Kings were qualified to attempt it. But now he felt that the Three Immortal Maidens before him might have already achieved this step.
Before the Dragon Phoenix Academy, Ye Chen saw the five great beauties from afar, and also saw the large crowd of Myriad Domains Heaven's Prides surrounding them, almost three layers inside and three layers outside, packed tightly.
He couldn't help but give a bitter smile. Truly, beauties bring trouble. The women by his side were each born so stunningly beautiful and world-shaking; it was hard not to attract attention.
Of course, he couldn't possibly be intimidated. He strode over, entering the crowded crowd, and said, "Excuse me, please make way."
However, the others didn't budge an inch, and someone snorted, "Make way for what? Can't you see it's crowded? And you still want to squeeze in?"
*Hum—*
With no other choice, Ye Chen had to take action. He saw his body tremble slightly, divine radiance flowing, and then layers upon layers of Dao ripples spread out, directly pushing away the surrounding people without harming them.
The others were immediately shocked and angry, wanting to teach him a lesson. But they found this Dao ripple was irreversible; no matter how high one's cultivation, they would be pushed away. In the end, a spacious passageway was forcibly opened, leading to the very center.
Thus, Ye Chen finally faced the several peerless beauties at the very center, revealing a helpless smile as he said, "Sorry, I'm late."
"Sorry for what? Do you really think they're all waiting for you?"
"Hmph, another self-important person trying to win their attention like this. Still too green."
The onlooking Heaven's Prides were all very disdainful, feeling this man was truly shameless, actually saying such things to the five great beauties. Did he want to use this to win the five great beauties' favor?
It must be said, they felt such methods were truly despicable.
But the next moment, everyone's expressions froze there, dumbfounded. Because they saw the five great beauties not only not getting angry but instead revealing a smile from the depths of their hearts towards this young man.
The smallest and cutest among them, Yaya, even rushed forward in a flying leap, hugging Ye Chen. Bouncing up and down, she fully displayed her lively girl nature, saying, "Daddy, you came really late. Yaya, Mommy, and Aunties have been waiting for you for a long time."
"Daddy?"
The moment these two words fell, the entire area immediately fell into a dead silence.
Under the gaze of tens of thousands, everyone stared intently at Ye Chen.
Especially those Heaven's Prides, each and every one of them wide-eyed and stunned.
Because they clearly remembered that not long ago, this innocent and lively girl had addressed three of the women as Mommy, appearing exceptionally intimate.
Although they later learned that this Yaya wasn't the biological daughter of the Three Immortal Maidens, she called the Three Immortal Maidens Mommy. But now she called this suddenly appearing man Daddy. Wasn't it obvious? This man could very well be the Three Immortal Maidens' Dao companion, and the person the five great beauties had been waiting for all along might also be him.
Immediately, boundless jealousy arose in the hearts of many. Just what virtue and ability did this man have, actually making the five great beauties wait for him alone like this?
However, some were also suspicious because they vaguely felt that Ye Chen seemed familiar, as if they had seen him somewhere before, but just couldn't remember.
Ye Chen affectionately rubbed Yaya's hair, pulling her as he walked forward, saying somewhat apologetically, "I've kept you waiting."
On the journey away from the Ancient Emperor Realm, Ye Chen had separated from them, asking them to wait for him at the Dragon Phoenix Academy while he went alone to the Dark Night Ancient City.
The several women all shook their heads one after another. Waiting a little while was nothing.
"Ee-ee-ah-ah—"
Yiyi directly flew onto Ye Chen's shoulder and lay down, affectionately rubbing against his face.
At the Dragon Phoenix Academy's main gate, the Heavenly King realm Supreme Elder who had come also stared intently at Ye Chen, sensing this young man's extraordinary nature.
However, he had been in seclusion for a very long time and didn't know who this young man was.
But his Heavenly King intuition told him this young man was truly extraordinary. Even he, as a Heavenly King, felt an unfathomable depth, unable to gauge the other's true level. This shocked him; he had only felt this way when facing some true old antiques, something he found hard to imagine.
Just who was this young man?
He was just about to open his mouth to inquire when another situation suddenly arose.
*Boom—*
At this moment, a human-shaped ball of light appeared within the Dragon Phoenix Academy, accompanied by boundless pressure that shook the six directions and eight wildernesses. This was also a Heavenly King, holding a very high status within the Dragon Phoenix Academy. His appearance immediately startled many Elders and students.
Because Heavenly Kings held very high status within the Dragon Phoenix Academy, lofty and exalted. Even the sect masters of immortal Sacred Lands would bow upon meeting them. But they were rarely seen on ordinary days. Now, two had appeared in succession, causing exclamations from many, who all bowed in salute.
However, the later-arriving Heavenly King Elder paid no mind. He swept across the sky directly to the front of that seemingly familiar person, making people suspicious and also astonished that this person didn't even bow upon seeing a Heavenly King Supreme Elder.
And something even more shocking happened. Because the Heavenly King Supreme Elder, whose status within the Dragon Phoenix Academy could be described as lofty and exalted, upon seeing Ye Chen, actually bowed slightly in return and uttered a name that was enough to make everyone in this area lose their senses—
Battle Saint King!