"Because he is the Battle Saint King!"
Qin Ziyang spoke up, softly uttering the true reason.
Yet, these simple seven words alone were like forbidden immortal thunder, instantly plunging the entire bustling auction treasure pavilion into a deathly silence.
One gaze after another fell squarely upon Ye Chen.
It must be known that in the current Great Era, who did not know, who had not heard of the name Battle Saint King? His prestige was hailed as one of the most radiant Heaven's Pride of the younger generation, capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Imperial Sons, a towering mountain and immense peak that must be scaled in the struggle for the Human Sovereign throne.
After all, he was the first young Supreme One since the Mythical Era to successfully step into the Tenth Heaven. Moreover, it was rumored he had stepped onto the legendary Chaos Great Dao, a path not even Emperors or Sovereigns had succeeded in. Combined with his past glorious deeds, this naturally made his fame unprecedentedly resplendent.
Even though knowledge of the Battle Saint King was mostly from before the Ancient Emperor Realm, among those present, there were still some top-tier major powers. Some among them had ancient Great Sages who participated in the Eternal Chess Game battle within the Ancient Emperor Realm. Later, when those Great Sages returned, they recounted the various events, allowing them to understand just how supremely invincible this first young Supreme One to step into the Tenth Heaven since the Mythical Era truly was.
Furthermore, the events of the Ye Family clan competition a few days ago, following the departure of the powers from the myriad realms, had also fallen like a meteor into the sea, stirring up a thousand waves and drawing the attention of the center of the Myriad Domains.
Whether it was the Battle Saint King overpowering the Black Palace Heavenly King or rivaling the Ye Family Imperial Son, all destined this young Supreme One to be extraordinary.
Now, his sudden appearance shocked them all. Witnessing his earlier clash with Ying Chen where he held a slight upper hand, they all sensed his formidable strength—he had truly reached the Heavenly King realm.
Many among them also sighed with emotion: the Battle Saint King was truly a monster. Not only had he reached the Tenth Heaven, but he had also prematurely entered the Heavenly King domain, a realm countless cultivators could not reach even after exhausting their entire lives.
It must be known that among those present were many masters of top-tier major powers who had cultivated for over a thousand years, yet had not reached the Heavenly King realm. Clearly cultivating earlier, they were far surpassed by a junior, making one sigh in resignation.
"Battle Saint King!"
Whether it was the Qin family or the Ying imperial clan, upon learning Ye Chen's true identity, they were first startled, then frowned. They naturally knew about the various events within the Ye Family.
Even a veteran Heavenly King like the Black Palace Heavenly King had been completely overpowered. The five Heavenly Kings sent to pursue the War King and his son were all swept aside. All these events indicated that this Battle Saint King was indeed excessively powerful. Even imperial clans like theirs were unwilling to provoke him lightly.
However, both the Qin family and the Ying imperial clan were among the most supreme and ancient families in the myriad realms, standing within the ranks of imperial clans, possessing peerless majesty that could not be violated.
Now, the Battle Saint King had personally come seeking them out with the War King and the 'bastard son'. Moreover, the scandal of Qin Yi's illicit union with the War King without proper marriage rites and giving birth to a 'bastard child' might be exposed to the world. This was akin to slapping the faces of the two strongest families—an immense humiliation they could not tolerate.
For such supreme families, face and reputation were often far more important than life itself.
Even if it was the Battle Saint King, they could not let this matter rest. It concerned the face of the two strongest families. They pressed forward, one figure after another wreathed in divine radiance, as powerful and awe-inspiring as Divine Spirits.
"Qin Yi, return!" the Qin family head shouted, his brows carrying a majestic authority that inspired awe, brooking no doubt.
But Qin Yi was unwilling. During the days apart from the War King and their son, she had thought of them day and night, often washing her face with tears. If not for fearing she would bring them mortal danger, she would have long gone to find them.
Now reunited, that longing surged forth like a tide, impossible to suppress. How could she be willing to leave?
Holding the War King with one hand and little Wushuang's small hand with the other, she slowly knelt down, tears streaming down her cheeks like pear blossoms in the rain: "Family Head, I beg you to show mercy once, allow me to stay together with my husband and child, not to be separated. In my next life, Qin Yi is willing to serve as an ox or horse to repay your great kindness."
An uproar swept through the hall. Although somewhat anticipated, they were still shocked.
The dignified princess of the Qin family, the fiancée of the Ying imperial clan's future master, Ying Chen, had actually engaged in an illicit union with another man without proper rites and given birth to a 'bastard child'. No wonder the two great families were so enraged, sending five Heavenly Kings in pursuit. So there was such a scandal.
Both the Qin and Ying family members wore ugly expressions. The scandal ultimately could not be suppressed and would spread. Yet for the two strongest families, this was absolutely unacceptable.
The only way to minimize and suppress the scandal was to kill Qin Yi, the War King, and Qin Wushuang, making an example of them.
The Qin family head's expression was extremely grim, his gaze icy, carrying a chilling killing intent. He shouted, "Qin Yi, I give you one chance now. Kill them both, and I can still give you an opportunity to return to the Qin family. Otherwise, hmph—"
Though unfinished, the meaning was clear.
On the other side, the Ying imperial clan also wore icy expressions, boiling with killing intent. Today, no matter what, they must kill all three.
Qin Yi's face was pale as blood, but she tightly gripped the War King and their child, her gaze firm. Even if they died, they would die together.
The War King firmly held his wife's hand, offering her a comforting smile: "Don't worry, there will be a way."
"Hmph, since you won't act, this seat will do it personally." The Qin family head stepped forward, moving with the stride of a dragon and tiger, exuding immense majesty and releasing oppressive pressure.
Yet Ye Chen took a step forward, golden light surging, blocking the Qin family head's pressure. He chuckled, but the laughter was indifferent: "Want to kill them? Have you asked for my opinion?"
The two strongest families naturally had no fear. The Qin family head spoke grimly: "Battle Saint King, though you are strong, I advise you not to interfere. Even if you can rival an Imperial Son, you are still just one person."
The meaning was clear: you, Battle Saint King, are alone, but you face the Qin family and the Ying imperial clan, both among the world's most powerful ancient families.
But Ye Chen still smiled, sweeping his gaze over the two strongest families and nodding: "I am indeed just one person. But I have confronted the Tai Sheng Imperial Clan and challenged the Ye Family imperial clan. Would I fear the Qin and Ying families?"
He spoke lightly, yet the domineering tone in his voice was unmistakable to all.
Truly worthy of being the Battle Saint King, maintaining such a forceful stance even when facing the two strongest families was astonishing.
It must be known that even ancient Great Sages might not be willing to so directly challenge the two strongest families.
The powerhouses of the two strongest families all stiffened. Seeing the four Heavenly Kings taken captive made them quite wary.
Unless it was an ancient Great Sage, even if several Heavenly Kings attacked, they might not be able to completely subdue this Battle Saint King.
Boom—
At that moment, an immense, boundless fluctuation suddenly appeared from outside, sweeping across the vast heavens and descending upon this auction treasure pavilion.
A terrifying figure descended, gray hair flowing, wreathed in seventy-two divine radiances, as if seventy-two great worlds were added to his body.
An ancient Great Sage!
This inspired awe in everyone, for this was a true ancient Great Sage, an existence truly standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid across the entire myriad realms, capable of founding a supreme sacred land, striding proudly with none daring to provoke.
"Ancestor!"
Seeing the newcomer, the Qin family head led a group of powerhouses forward to welcome him, Qin Ziyang following among them, all wearing joyful expressions.
They had just been worrying about how to deal with the Battle Saint King, and now the family's Great Sage had returned—the greatest assistance.
Even though the gray-haired Great Sage restrained his Dao might, the intangible aura he emitted still filled this space with a terrifying sense of oppression. He nodded indifferently, then looked at the scene, frowning: "What is going on?"
"Ancestor, it's like this..." The Qin family head spoke. Though he did not embellish, his words still filled the gray-haired Great Sage's expression with iciness. Looking down from on high at Ye Chen and the family of three behind him—the War King and others—he snorted coldly: "What audacity! Daring to engage in an illicit union behind the family's back without proper rites and give birth to a bastard child. Your courage is truly not small, tarnishing my Qin family's reputation. You deserve execution!"
Very direct, without any consideration for feelings. His words made Qin Yi's face turn deathly pale.
Even the family's Great Sage ancestor had appeared. No matter how powerful this husband's brother, the Battle Saint King, was, he could not possibly contend against him.
At this moment, she couldn't help but offer her husband a tragic smile, tears falling: "I'm sorry, I've harmed you and Shuang'er."
The War King shook his head, then looked at Ye Chen, sighing softly: "Qian Yue, you should seize the chance to leave now."
But Ye Chen patted his shoulder, smiled, and said nothing, yet did not leave. This made the War King anxious: "Why are you foolishly staying here? Why aren't you leaving quickly? I know you possess the world's ultimate speed. If you intend to leave, even facing an ancient Great Sage, you probably have hope of escape."
"It's not that I'm unwilling to leave, but there's no need." Ye Chen smiled confidently, then looked at the gray-haired Great Sage: "My apologies, but their lives—I'm protecting them."
Many were stunned, not understanding why the Battle Saint King had such confidence.
One must know the difference between a Heavenly King and a Great Sage was like heaven and earth. No Heavenly King, no matter how powerful, could be a match for a Great Sage. Where did his confidence come from?
"So you are that Battle Saint King? Truly astonishingly brilliant, reaching the Heavenly King realm at such a young age, with limitless future prospects. It's just a pity you haven't fully grown up yet, haven't reached great completion. Although this seat is reluctant, I don't mind strangling a proud son in the cradle." The gray-haired Great Sage spoke indifferently. In his eyes, even the most powerful Heavenly King was no match. He directly attacked, a vast ocean of divine power surging forth, containing Great Sage-level Dao mark laws, capable of shattering everything and sufficient to annihilate any Heavenly King.
Boom—
An intense fluctuation rippled out. However, the Qin family Great Sage's attack failed to take effect because an equally vast fluctuation, not inferior to the opponent's, surged from Ye Chen's body, resisting it, tearing apart heaven and earth, splitting the entire auction treasure pavilion in two.
Naturally, most of the power from both sides was directed into the void. Otherwise, once erupted, it would definitely affect the entire Human Sovereign City, with unimaginable consequences.
The entire hall was shocked. Had the Battle Saint King also reached the level of an ancient Great Sage?
Even the War King and the others were dumbfounded.
But after his initial surprise, the gray-haired Great Sage understood, frowning: "Ah, right. You obtained the Ancient Lan Great World, can mobilize the origin power of that monarch's great world, and also have faith power, wish power, and other forces. No wonder you have such confidence."
He was, after all, an ancient Great Sage, stating the true reason, which also enlightened many. They were also shocked—this Battle Saint King's methods were not ordinary.
They also breathed a sigh of relief. If the Battle Saint King had truly prematurely reached this step, wouldn't all the young Heaven's Pride in the myriad realms who aspired to the Human Sovereign path be utterly despairing?
Ye Chen said: "Good eyesight. Perhaps defeating you is somewhat difficult, but it's enough to deal with you. If you wish to start a war, I don't mind accompanying you to the end."
The Qin family Great Sage frowned.
Yet at that moment, a grim voice sounded.
"What a forceful Battle Saint King, truly inheriting the Battle Saint lineage's forcefulness and domineering aura. But if faced with two Great Sages, how will you respond?"
Another supremely powerful, vast fluctuation descended. Another ancient Great Sage had arrived.
The newcomer wore dragon robe armor, possessing an imperial clan's supreme majesty that made one want to submit and worship. Like a Divine Spirit, he entered the auction treasure pavilion.
The Ying family's imperial clan Great Sage had also appeared.
The originally balanced situation was once again broken. With the Qin and Ying families' ancient Great Sages both present, though the Battle Saint King was powerful, no one believed he could contend against two ancient Great Sages alone.
The various powerhouses sighed. Even Heaven did not favor the Battle Saint King. The powerhouses of the two great families couldn't help but laugh heartily.
Behind them, the four Heavenly Kings taken as captives were overjoyed, rushing back.
Ye Chen did not stop them, allowing them to pay respects to the two Great Sage-level ancestors. They also transmitted messages recounting the Battle Saint King's various misdeeds, asking the ancestors to seek justice for them.
The War King's family of three, who had held some hope, now fell into utter despair. Was Heaven truly going to annihilate their family today?
"Don't be so sorrowful. Until the very end, everything is unpredictable." Ye Chen remained optimistic throughout, patting the War King's shoulder. Then he looked at the powerhouses of the two ancient families, the Qin and Ying, and smiled: "You seem to have full confidence you can defeat us."
"Wrong. Not defeat you, but kill you." Hao Shi Heavenly King said coldly, filled with resentment and endless killing intent toward Ye Chen—the price for the Battle Saint King taking them as captives.
But Ye Chen didn't even glance at him, instead looking at the two ancient Great Sages, which made him furious yet afraid to charge forward.
The two ancient Great Sages frowned, truly somewhat not understanding why, in this situation, this monstrous young Supreme One could still wear such a smile.
However, they both surged with killing intent, striking first. Terrifying fluctuations emanated from their bodies as they prepared to attack.
Yet Ye Chen suddenly smiled at them, an exceptionally brilliant smile.
Boom—
Accompanying the laughter's fall, a vast, boundless Great Sage-level fluctuation suddenly surged in the sky above, descending here with lightning speed.
"Great Sages? We have them too!"