"Thank you, Brother Ye Chen." Ye Zimei was filled with gratitude, tears falling as she finally didn't have to marry someone she didn't like.
Ye Chen affectionately patted her head and said softly, "Zimei, I'm sorry. I've let you suffer all this time, but from now on, it won't happen anymore. You can bravely pursue your true happiness without holding back. No one will ever bully you again, I promise."
Ye Zimei nodded gently, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes, a smile of genuine joy on her face. However, when her gaze swept over the peerless beauties beside him, an imperceptible shadow of sadness fell over her, and her small hands clenched tightly, the knuckles turning pale.
The true happiness I want to pursue... do you truly understand it?
"Battle Saint King, please take the seat of honor."
The Ye Family Patriarch personally invited him, treating him as an equal, and also invited the Primordial Female Saint Lord, the Goddess's Daughter, Chen'er, and others to sit on the highest-grade thrones, located at the very center of the Heavenly Heart Hall.
Naturally, because of Ye Chen, Ye Ao and Xia Wei, his parents, also sat on the most honored thrones. Even Ye Zhengyang, Ye Qing, and Ye Zimei were seated on slightly lower thrones. Many members of the Ye Family secretly sighed, wondering what incredible luck Ye Ao and Xia Wei had to become the parents of the Battle Saint King, instantly ascending to the heavens.
The banquet continued. Although Ye Chen did not openly question those who had persecuted Ye Ruoxian's lineage in the past, it made Ye Xiongjiu and others tremble with fear, feeling a deep-seated awe towards Ye Chen.
Seeing Ye Chen conversing with the various Saint Lords without arrogance or servility, and even sensing a faint trace of reverence from the great figures of the myriad realms towards him, Xia Wei and Ye Ao exchanged a glance, filled with relief. Their child had finally grown up, reaching a level that made them proud.
Soon, the true climax of the banquet arrived. A vast space was opened up, containing a martial arts arena—the actual venue for the Ye Family's family competition.
The family competition involved the younger generation competing within this martial arts arena to determine who was the strongest.
It could be seen that as time passed, all the talented prodigies of the Ye Family's younger generation descended one by one to engage in sparring matches.
These prodigies weren't many, only about a dozen, but each was a true elite, at least at the Demi-Saint level. Among them were Young Kings like Ye Heng and Ye Feng, who rivaled Saint Lords, fully demonstrating the vigorous strength of the Ye Family's younger generation.
Moreover, this family competition was not only a contest among the Ye Family's younger generation but also rumored to be a contest for the future family patriarch. The ultimate victor would gain the qualification to become the next patriarch.
In the end, everyone knew the final confrontation would be between Ye Feng and Ye Heng. Although they had been grabbed by Ye Chen earlier like fragile chicks, it had to be admitted they were truly powerful. Setting aside a freak like the Battle Saint King, they had the right to claim supremacy among the younger generation.
However, they did not actually fight because, as the family competition progressed into its later stages, the young prodigies from other major forces who had come grew restless. They requested to enter the arena to compete and determine who was superior.
They confronted each other, deciding who among the younger generation was stronger and who was weaker.
Bets could be placed, and the atmosphere was intense. During the fights, some nearly fought to the death before being separated by the Ye Family's experts.
The most exciting part was when Young Kings entered the arena, defeating the young prodigies of various forces one after another, displaying an invincible demeanor that dazzled the onlookers.
Naturally, there were also clashes between true Kings. The two Young Kings of the Ye Family and the Kings from other forces engaged in fierce confrontations within the martial arts arena. They fought for hundreds of rounds, blood splattering, and even their Primordial Spirits were torn, yet they still couldn't determine a victor, earning applause from the watching experts of various forces for the spectacular display.
Many of the older generation believed that among these Young Kings, perhaps someone would emerge victorious and even break through into the realm of the Immortal True King, earning high hopes from many.
However, when they glanced at the Battle Saint King on the throne, whose expression remained unperturbed, and compared him in their hearts, they couldn't help but sigh.
These Young Kings might be dazzling and outstanding, but compared to the Battle Saint King, they were like fireflies trying to outshine the bright moon—utterly insignificant.
Many even hoped the Battle Saint King would take action, but they shook their heads. Among the younger generation present, who would dare challenge him? Anyone who did would surely be utterly defeated, perhaps not even lasting a single exchange.
Probably only the Primordial Female Saint Lord, the Goddess's Daughter, and the Yaochi Saintess could truly fight him, but they were his fiancées, so why would they challenge him?
"Xi Immortal Maiden, may I challenge you?"
In the martial arts arena, after a Young King emerged victorious, he suddenly spoke up, challenging the Xi Immortal Maiden, causing a stir of exclamations.
Some worried the Battle Saint King would be angered, especially the force to which that Young King belonged. They couldn't help but break into a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "Hold your tongue! The Xi Immortal Maiden is not someone you can challenge."
Then, the leader of that force quickly clasped his fists in apology towards the Battle Saint King. "Battle Saint King, please forgive us. My disciple was rash and did not intend any offense. Please pardon him."
Ye Chen smiled. "Palace Master Xia, you jest. Wood King merely wishes to challenge purely. Why would I be angered by that? If Xi'er is willing, I won't interfere with her will."
The force leader finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that although the Battle Saint King was forceful, as long as one didn't truly offend him, he was quite reasonable.
"Xi'er, what do you think?" Ye Chen turned to look at Ruoxi.
The Xi Immortal Maiden stood up gracefully, giving a captivating smile. "Since Wood King has issued the challenge, if Xi'er doesn't accept, wouldn't it diminish Brother's prestige?"
"You little rascal." Ye Chen shook his head helplessly but allowed Ruoxi to descend into the arena. She floated down like a feather, landing lightly in the martial arts arena and smiling softly. "I'll trouble Wood King to go easy on me later."
Her smile was so enchanting that even Wood King was momentarily stunned. It took him a while to regain his composure, his face flushing red as he hurriedly clasped his fists. "I also ask the Xi Immortal Maiden to show mercy."
No one mocked his lapse because the Xi Immortal Maiden was ultimately a woman of peerless beauty, not something the mortal world could possess. She was like an immortal maiden from the primordial immortal realm, every gesture captivating.
The battle began. Wood King was indeed powerful—a Young King at a young age, having reached a level comparable to a Saint Lord. His attacks were filled with powerful Dao marks, capable of shattering heaven and earth, truly extraordinary.
Although he held back, worried about accidentally injuring the Xi Immortal Maiden, he later realized there was no need. His attacks were fearsome, but the Xi Immortal Maiden was even stronger. Her techniques were gentle, not showing sharp edges, yet she effortlessly dissolved his various assaults.
Later, he went all out, holding nothing back, even having hope of defeating a Saint Lord.
Unfortunately, when his most powerful attack emerged, shattering the void with a momentum like toppling mountains and overturning seas, any Young King present would have had to treat it cautiously.
Yet, all it took was a point from the Xi Immortal Maiden's slender hand, a gentle flash of sacred dawn light that landed on him like lightning, effortlessly dissolving this ultimate killing move without a trace.
Wood King finally understood he was no match for the Xi Immortal Maiden. Her strength was gentle and formless, dissolving all force like water.
"I concede." The Xi Immortal Maiden gave a graceful bow. Bathed in sacred dawn light, she seemed so ethereal, so supremely beautiful, that Wood King's heart stirred uncontrollably, falling in love with this immortal maiden.
Afterward, more young prodigies wanted to challenge the Xi Immortal Maiden. Perhaps more than the challenge itself, they wanted to witness her peerless immortal grace that captivated the world.
To be able to confront such a stunningly beautiful woman, even in defeat, could be considered a kind of fortune.
The Xi Immortal Maiden, gentle as water, agreed to each one, defeating the young prodigies one after another without harming them in the slightest.
It made people sigh. Indeed, freaks were followed by freaks. Even the Xi Immortal Maiden, gentle beyond compare, was so powerful it was frustrating.
Finally, when the twelfth challenger was about to challenge the Xi Immortal Maiden, Ye Chen spoke up, stopping it and having Yaya take Ruoxi's place.
Although the Xi Immortal Maiden no longer descended, the girl who replaced her was no less beautiful. While this young prodigy at the Saint Treasury Realm was slightly disappointed, he was also excited. He had heard this girl was not only equally beautiful but also the daughter of the Battle Saint King. If possible, he hoped to win her affection.
He clasped his fists towards Yaya, appearing suave and gentlemanly. "I am Yang Chen. When we fight later, please go easy on me, Miss Yaya."
To his surprise, Yaya wore an innocent, playful smile. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you. I won't hurt you."
This made Yang Chen pause. Originally, this was just polite talk, but the other party had a childlike nature and was so charming. Naturally, he didn't want to lose his gentlemanly demeanor over it. He extended a hand in invitation. "Miss Yaya, please make your move. You're a girl, so I'll let you have three rounds."
"No need for three rounds, one is enough."
Yaya revealed a pair of small, white canine teeth, looking lively and innocent, evoking affection. It also made Ye Ao and Xia Wei worry. "Won't Yaya be at a disadvantage like this?"
Ye Chen said, "Don't worry. Yaya is your precious granddaughter. That Yang Chen should be the one praying for himself."
The two parents were stunned. What did that mean?
Yang Chen was just about to frown, angered by Yaya's lack of tact, but the next moment, Yaya was already before him. A world phantom descended directly, shattering the void and breaking through Yang Chen's defenses, blasting him out of the martial arts arena, coughing up blood and looking utterly disheveled.
Defeated in a single move!
Everyone was dumbfounded. Indeed, the daughter of a freak was also a freak. A prodigious Saint, utterly unable to withstand a single blow, not even lasting a single exchange.
"Who else wants to challenge me?" Yaya shouted loudly. Although she looked pretty, cute, lively, and innocent like a porcelain doll, her combat power was explosive. The young prodigies all felt their scalps tingle, not daring to challenge her, and couldn't help but take a small step back.
"What a pity. Invincibility truly is lonely. Looking across the entire world, no one dares to fight me." Yaya shook her head and sighed, saying such words that made many people laugh and some young prodigies blush.
Finally, the Ye Family's family competition returned to its proper course. The final battle for the patriarch position was between the two Young Kings, Ye Heng and Ye Feng.
Although they were both Young Kings from the same lineage, neither would give up the patriarch position. As soon as they entered the arena, it was a truly intense confrontation. Divine abilities and spells were unleashed casually, shattering heaven and earth, fighting so fiercely the martial arts arena was on the verge of collapse, the void constantly annihilating.
The onlookers were dazzled. Truly worthy of being the prodigies of the younger generation of the Ye Family, an imperial clan. They were truly powerful figures, not inferior to Saint Lords, even younger, with greater combat power and vigorous blood energy. They fought bloodily in the martial arts arena, tearing heaven and earth apart, nearly blasting the arena to pieces.
After all, a peerless monstrous talent like the Battle Saint King was an exception, special. Not only was he rare across the myriad realms, but he was almost unique throughout history. Not everyone could be as freakish as him.
The great battle shattered the heavens, divine light surging, flooding the sky.
In the end, blood light scattered. One of the Kings was smashed to pieces, his entire body exploding—it was Ye Heng.
Ye Feng wasn't much better off, also nearly exploding. However, he was ultimately slightly stronger, managing to halt the disintegration of his form. He won this battle, taking precious pills to heal his injuries and recover.
Ye Heng was also reassembled by the Ye Family Patriarch using peerless means and fed supreme pills to restore his origin. However, both looked pale, their essence, energy, and spirit greatly depleted.
The final battle had determined the victor. Ye Feng won. He would become the next Ye Family Patriarch, receiving cheers throughout the hall.
Ye Feng wore a look of triumph, but when he glanced at the Battle Saint King, a trace of fear flashed uncontrollably, making everyone feel the terror the Battle Saint King had instilled in the Ye Family King—a near-eternal psychological shadow.
This made the Ye Family's experts both angry and helpless.
Suddenly, Ye Chen's heart stirred. He looked outside the Heavenly Heart Hall and said softly, "The trouble has finally arrived."
Others were puzzled, not understanding.
Boom—
Suddenly, the Ye Family's ancient realm shook because an utterly terrifying aura manifested, overwhelming the skies, causing the void to shatter layer by layer, alarming everyone in the Heavenly Heart Hall.
Finally, the Heavenly Heart Hall trembled. An overwhelmingly powerful figure appeared—a terrifying ancient Heavenly King had descended here, his entire body radiating a fearsome pressure that would suffocate even Saint Lords.
"It's Elder Black!"
The Ye Family experts exclaimed, recognizing the true identity of the black-robed elder—a powerful Heavenly King of the Ye Family, extremely formidable.
Usually, he was outside, cultivating silently in a hidden region. No one knew why he had come today with such aggressive momentum, filled with terrifying oppression.
The Ye Family Patriarch expanded his powerful Heavenly King aura, protecting the Heavenly Heart Hall, and said solemnly, "Elder Black, what is the meaning of this—"
The black-robed Heavenly King, however, stared intently at Ye Chen, a sharp killing intent suddenly spreading out, landing on Ye Chen as he said coldly, "Junior, I've finally found you."