Robbery, that's right, this was exactly what Ye Chen intended to do.
Although he couldn't kill the five Heavenly Kings because of the War King's wife, who was Ye Chen? A peerless fierce man who remained domineering to the end, daring to confront and even wage war against an imperial clan. How could he let these Heavenly Kings, who had dared to pursue the War King, off easily? He wanted to make them all regret it.
Robbery was the most direct method.
Take Haoshi Heavenly King for example. He had just barely managed to reform his physical body, but with a single, skillfully executed punch from Ye Chen, a shockwave rippled through his body, directly forcing open the doors to the individual spatial realms within him. Instantly, dazzling, brilliant rays of light shone forth, illuminating the dark, endless spatial turbulence.
That was the radiance of treasures, emanating from the spatial realms within Haoshi Heavenly King. A vast quantity of treasures became visible, continuously revealing themselves. The preciousness and extraordinariness of these various treasures were enough to astonish even Ye Chen.
Truly worthy of being a Heavenly King, the treasures on his person were anything but ordinary. Spirit stones were piled up like small hills, and they were refined, concentrated spirit veins. Each one, no larger than an arm's length, was equivalent to at least thirty thousand jin of spirit stones, all of the purest, highest quality.
A rough estimate suggested that the spirit stones on Haoshi Heavenly King alone likely amounted to no less than one hundred million jin.
And that was just spirit stones. Among them were divine spirit sources, treasures many times more valuable and rare. These were the product of spirit stones undergoing Extreme Sublimation. A giant spirit vein containing billions of jin of spirit stones might not even yield a piece the size of a human head, yet the divine spirit source before them was about a meter in diameter, flowing with sacred, dawn-like light, equivalent to at least thirty million jin of spirit stones.
Naturally, their true value was many times greater.
This was just one example. There were also long-lost ancient divine ability manuals, special formations, alchemy techniques, unique divine soul Dao weapons, extraordinary forging materials, miraculous elixirs, and so on. Each and every one was truly priceless; any single item released would be a supreme treasure that even Saint Lords would fight over.
"So many treasures. This is truly a great robbery. I like it!"
Ye Chen thoroughly robbed them clean, not leaving even a single scrap for Haoshi Heavenly King. He directly emptied the treasure vaults within each Heavenly King's spatial realms, the value of which was beyond measure, making the other Heavenly Kings somewhat envious. This was the entire fortune of a proper Heavenly King.
Haoshi Heavenly King's face was extremely ugly, but he dared to be angry yet not speak, making one sigh at the helplessness and sorrow of a generation's Heavenly King.
However, the other Heavenly Kings could not escape either, for Ye Chen was robbing them all as well. Even Qin Ziyang did not escape his grasp. One treasure vault after another appeared, all filled with priceless treasures.
Especially Qin Ziyang; the treasures on his person were even more numerous, causing Ye Chen's eyes to flash with surprise and doubt.
Among them was even an extraordinary Dao weapon embryo with the potential to evolve into a Great Power-level immortal ancient weapon, imprinted with special innate Dao marks. There was also a large pile of divine spirit sources, all of which were naturally stripped away by Ye Chen.
He even stripped away their Heavenly King Dao weapons, forcibly erasing their divine soul imprints.
Finally, he even stripped the divine robes and battle armor from their bodies. Each Heavenly King was left with nothing but a pair of shorts, exposing large areas of skin, practically on the verge of streaking.
Yet the five Heavenly Kings dared to be angry but not speak. One of them protested, but Ye Chen immediately suppressed him with his fist, causing his body to crack. There was no room for protest or negotiation.
Finally, Haoshi Heavenly King spoke up. His face was now as ugly as it could be, and he said in a deep voice, "Battle Saint King, you have robbed all the treasures. Can you let us leave now?"
"No!" Ye Chen refused.
"Why!?" The several Heavenly Kings were furious. This Battle Saint King not only suppressed them but also shamelessly robbed them. Now he had them practically naked, yet he still refused to let them leave.
"You are merely my prisoners. What right do you have to protest?" Ye Chen remained just as domineering, coldly looking down at the several Heavenly Kings, leaving them speechless.
The wealth on the five Heavenly Kings was truly indescribably abundant. Just the high-grade spirit stones alone amounted to six hundred and thirty million jin. Divine spirit sources were equivalent to one hundred and sixty million jin of spirit stones. Other treasures were countless. In truth, their value was probably comparable to, or even greater than, that of an immortal holy land.
"Uncle Qian, you're so amazing!"
Qin Wushuang, standing to the side, watched with sparkling eyes, his gaze filled with admiration for Ye Chen. To be able to single-handedly suppress the several Heavenly Kings who had pursued him and his father so thoroughly—this Uncle Qian was truly a fierce man of his generation.
Ye Chen chuckled without restraint, spreading out the vast array of treasures casually. "Wushuang, whatever you want, just take it. Anything you desire."
"Really?" Qin Wushuang's pitch-black eyes shone with excitement and anticipation.
"Of course."
The War King released Qin Wushuang, letting the little boy, only three or four years old, stand in the void. Protected by the War King's divine light, he walked on the endless spatial turbulence as if on flat ground. Looking at the piles of treasures stacked like small hills before him, his eyes were filled with flickering excitement.
However, in the end, Qin Wushuang walked among the treasures, grabbed a piece of divine armor with both hands, and pulled with all his might. He actually managed to drag it, surprising Ye Chen slightly.
That was no ordinary divine armor. It belonged to the Heavenly King level, even a Heavenly King Dao weapon—a specialized defensive Dao weapon. It looked like just armor, but it was extremely heavy; ordinary cultivators couldn't lift it at all.
"Wushuang, you want this battle armor?" Ye Chen was taken aback. "Although this divine armor is of the Heavenly King rank, it's not suitable for you yet."
"No, I want this one."
Qin Wushuang shook his head, determined to have the divine armor. He dragged it over to his father. Unable to lift it completely, he raised his adorable head and spoke to the War King: "Dad, this is the treasure Uncle Qian promised to give Shuang'er. Shuang'er gives it to you. Wear it in the future, and then no one will be able to hurt you."
Though the little boy was only three or four years old, he was precocious and exceptionally well-behaved and sensible. Staring at his father, the War King, with his pitch-black eyes, his words tugged at the heartstrings.
Even a man as resolute and unyielding as the War King softened his expression. He took the battle armor from his son's hands and picked him up in one motion. "Dad will. This will be the best gift."
Only then did Qin Wushuang break into a wide, happy smile.
Ye Chen sighed softly. Qin Wushuang was indeed a very well-behaved, precocious, and sensible child.
He rubbed little Wushuang's head and chuckled lightly. "Don't worry. Your father will naturally have his, and you won't be lacking either."
Boom—
Ye Chen personally took action, extracting some of the precious divine weapon materials from the plundered Heavenly King treasures. On the spot, he forged a divine robe. It looked like ordinary clothing, simple and unadorned, yet it was inscribed with Heavenly King Dao marks and laws, its radiance contained within. He gifted it to the little boy to protect his safety.
He also forged a Soul-Protecting Pagoda, imprinting it into Qin Wushuang's glabella. It could protect his true spirit, and within it was even a drop of Saint's essence blood that could revive at a critical moment to protect little Wushuang's life. This was his gift to little Wushuang.
Naturally, he also gave a large portion of the Heavenly King treasures to the War King. The War King accepted them, focusing mainly on the miraculous elixirs, divine spirit sources, and some special forging materials.
Among them were even a few fingernail-sized pieces of Chaos Immortal Gold—a peerless immortal-grade material. Mythical Emperors used Chaos Immortal Gold to forge their Emperor weapons.
Ye Chen generously handed them over, astonishing everyone. To give away such Chaos Immortal Gold so casually was truly extraordinary.
The War King, of course, did not stand on ceremony. He accepted them and took the initiative to refine them into his damaged black-gold divine spear, causing several emerald-green golden patterns to appear on it, making it even more extraordinary.
"Qian Yue, what do you plan to do with them?"
The War King inquired about the fate of the five Heavenly Kings. Although they couldn't be killed, simply letting them go felt somewhat unsatisfying.
"Simple. Just turn them into prisoners," Ye Chen said, calm and composed, instantly turning the faces of the several Heavenly Kings ashen.
Who were they? They were contemporary Heavenly Kings, lofty figures across the myriad realms, requiring Saint Lords to bow in greeting. They were legendary powerhouses. Naturally, they were unwilling to end up like this. One of the Heavenly Kings roared, "Battle Saint King, you go too far!"
But he was immediately met with a beating from Ye Chen, suppressed with overwhelming force. Even his cultivation was suppressed, far from being a match for Ye Chen.
Ye Chen directly threatened, "If you dare utter another word of nonsense, I'll make you streak through the center of the Myriad Domains."
These words immediately shut the several Heavenly Kings up. They truly feared Ye Chen would do it; they would rather die than be forced to streak.
"Qian Yue, let Qin Ziyang go." This was the War King's own request. Even though the other party was among those pursuing him, he had been relatively polite and respectful toward him, never using his wife to threaten him. He was only pursuing because of the Qin family's demands.
And more importantly, this Qin Ziyang had once stood up for his wife within the Qin family.
"Alright!" Without another word, Ye Chen removed the restrictions on Qin Ziyang, gave him a divine robe, and let him leave.
Although Qin Ziyang had been a Heavenly King for many years, he could still be considered an outstanding talent among Heavenly Kings. He had cultivated for only three thousand years, which was considered young and promising even within the Heavenly King realm, with the potential to impact the Great Power level. Faced with such a situation, he maintained sufficient composure, neither excessively enraged nor demanding the return of the various treasures Ye Chen had robbed.
After a moment of silence, he cupped his fists slightly toward the War King. "War King, for today's kindness, Qin thanks you here. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly repay it. But as for them—"
He glanced at the other four Heavenly Kings, somewhat hesitant.
The War King shook his head. "No need to worry. These four are prisoners, bargaining chips for a trade. They won't be killed easily, but they won't be released either. I just trouble you to return and tell the Qin family and that clan: if they want these four Heavenly Kings to be safe, they must let my wife leave safely. This is a transaction."
Hearing this, Qin Ziyang sighed softly. "War King, by doing this, you will completely offend the Qin family and that clan, and you will face relentless pursuit. Even across the vast expanse of the myriad realms, it will be difficult to find a place of refuge. There is still a chance now. Come back to the family with me, and I will plead for leniency on your behalf."
The War King remained silent, but Ye Chen spoke up, responding forcefully: "No need to say more. Just go back and tell those old monsters: if they don't want these four Heavenly Kings killed, they must release the War King's wife. Otherwise, don't blame me for paying a personal visit. But let me offer a piece of advice here: the Qin family may be strong, but I, the Battle Saint King, am no ordinary person either. I dare to confront and even wage war against imperial clans, and the same goes for other powerful clans. Don't imagine I will compromise."
This was his forceful response. So what if it was the Qin family? If they dared to bully his friend, he would simply bring a group of ancient Great Sages to their doorstep to demand justice. He truly wasn't afraid the Qin family would actually go to war.
Qin Ziyang looked at the overwhelmingly powerful Battle Saint King. This was a peerless fierce man of his generation, both in terms of combat power and attitude, uncompromising. It inspired awe even in a Heavenly King powerhouse like himself.
In the end, he could only say, "Alright, I understand. I will convey this to the old fellows in the clan. As for the outcome, I cannot guarantee it, for you, War King, also know the importance of your wife to them."
"I understand," the War King said.
Boom—
As his words fell, Qin Ziyang decisively turned and left, transforming into a blazing purple light that vanished from the endless spatial turbulence.
Watching Qin Ziyang's departing figure, Ye Chen said, "War King, is this really alright? Why not go directly to the Qin family?"
The War King, however, sighed and shook his head. "Qian Yue, perhaps you have truly reached the high-level Heavenly King realm, but the Qin family is truly too powerful. Even if ancient Great Sages went, they might not be able to change anything. I don't want you to take risks for me. I am already very grateful for what happened today."
Boom—
A fist slammed into the War King's chest, sending him stumbling back several steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Ye Chen's face held hidden anger. "War King, are you not treating me as your brother?"
The War King did not wipe away the blood at his mouth, his eyes burning brightly. "Qian Yue, you should understand. Precisely because you are my sworn brother, Qin Zhan, I don't want you to take this risk for me. This matter doesn't just involve the Qin family; there is also a true imperial clan. Among those pursuing me, aside from Qin Ziyang and this Haoshi Heavenly King, the other three Heavenly Kings are from that imperial clan."
Ye Chen finally understood. Although he had repeatedly stated he feared no imperial clan, the various events within the Ancient Emperor Realm were little known across the myriad realms. Even the War King didn't know he had truly confronted the Tai Sheng imperial clan.
Moreover, the matters concerning the Ye Family hadn't spread that quickly yet.
The War King probably believed that, even as a top-tier Heavenly King of his generation, facing the Qin family and an imperial clan, he stood no chance.
This was out of concern for him.
Ye Chen laughed, patting the War King's shoulder. "I know what you're worried about, but there's no need. When I say I fear no imperial clan, it's not because I'm naturally fearless of everything, but because I have the confidence and have truly confronted imperial clans before. Perhaps you don't yet know about the events in the Ancient Emperor Realm, nor what happened in the imperial Ye Family a few days ago."
He briefly transmitted some of the circumstances to the War King, shocking the latter. He hadn't expected Ye Chen to have established a peerless great sect, the Holy Domain, within the Ancient Emperor Realm, with the backing of ancient Great Sages. It was unexpected, no wonder he had such confidence.
The War King was pleasantly surprised. "Good! In that case, let's set off. But not to the Qin family. It's in the Human Sovereign Province, still the number one capital of the Myriad Domains—Human Sovereign City!"
"In that case, even better. This time, even the Qin family and the imperial clan will have to compromise," Ye Chen revealed a mysterious smile.