The scene before them was utterly dumbfounding, for this Scaled Golden Lion was a terrifying demonic beast on the Trial Path, at the Xiantian fifth tier or above. Being a variant demonic beast, it was far more terrifying than ordinary fifth-tier creatures.
Even the top hundred trial participants would avoid it unless absolutely necessary.
Yet, this fearsome variant demonic beast was as docile as a kitten before Ye Chen, astonishing everyone.
However, recalling the absolutely terrifying, Martial God-like strength of this youth before them, they had to admit he had the capability to tame the Scaled Golden Lion.
The Scaled Golden Lion opened its mouth and spat out several bundles, which were identity tokens, totaling over a hundred, comparable to Han Fei's haul. Additionally, there were the identity tokens of the thirty-some eliminated individuals. Now, the identity tokens on Ye Chen's person numbered over three hundred and fifty, making it a near-certain fact that he would receive a rich reward.
This caused many to swallow hard.
But Ye Chen said to Hai Qingxue and the others, "Sister Qingxue, you all should divide these identity tokens among yourselves."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, including the eliminated Han Fei and his group. They stared dumbfounded at this youth. To give away over three hundred identity tokens just like that was far too extravagant.
Hai Qingxue was the first to react, hurriedly shaking her head. "No, these are the identity tokens you worked hard to obtain, Ye Chen. We absolutely cannot accept them."
"That's right, Brother Ye Chen, we appreciate your kindness, but we cannot accept these. We'll obtain our own," the others also politely declined. Although dividing these tokens would allow everyone to take a huge leap forward, needing only to seize a few more to pass the trial, these were all obtained by Ye Chen's efforts and had nothing to do with them. They could not accept such a favor.
Moreover, Ye Chen had saved them from elimination, making it even more inappropriate to accept.
Yet Ye Chen merely smiled faintly, his tone filled with immense confidence. "Don't worry, I will obtain more identity tokens in the future."
Everyone was taken aback. What kind of powerful confidence was needed to say such a thing? Over three hundred identity tokens was already a considerable number, yet this youth dared to claim he could obtain even more. But upon careful thought, it indeed seemed possible for him.
A Martial God was enough to sweep through the entire Trial Path.
If he wished, three hundred identity tokens truly wouldn't be an issue.
Finally, under Ye Chen's firm insistence, Hai Qingxue and the others accepted his goodwill, naturally filled with gratitude in their hearts.
The bonfire was lit again, illuminating the dark mountain forest. But because of Ye Chen's presence, everyone relaxed their guard, freely savoring the delicious roasted demonic beast meat. Surprisingly, Ye Chen knew how to roast meat and had added some unknown seasonings, transforming the originally coarse roast into something incredibly delicious, making everyone's mouths water.
During this time, Han Fei even approached. He had already been eliminated, so he posed no threat to the group. The Tian Du Academy would have a record; he was now just waiting to be escorted away.
No longer an enemy, Han Fei seemed much more amiable. He even generously took out the demonic beast flesh he had hunted himself, which was of much higher quality than what the others had hunted, and shared it freely.
Only Ye Chen had no hunted demonic beast flesh on him. He had just arrived and hadn't had time to hunt before finding Hai Qingxue and the others.
At this moment, Han Fei suddenly looked at Ye Chen, clasped his fists, and said, "Fellow Daoist Ye Chen, you are very strong, the strongest trial participant I have encountered so far. But may I ask, are you a Martial God?"
Are you a Martial God?
This question wasn't just something Han Fei wanted to ask; even Hai Qingxue and the others couldn't help but look at Ye Chen, equally concerned about this matter.
Because a Martial God was of great significance. A Martial God appearing on the Trial Path was enough to dominate and reign supreme.
"A Martial God..." Ye Chen shook his head slightly. "I am not yet one."
Everyone was immediately stunned. Such an overwhelmingly powerful individual, who could defeat even a top hundred trial participant like Han Fei in a single move, was not a Martial God? Wasn't that too strong?
"But why are you so powerful then?" Han Fei swallowed hard and continued asking, his eyes filled with fervor.
"Not being a Martial God doesn't mean one cannot be strong. As long as you are strong enough, even if you're not a Martial God, you can still fight one!" Ye Chen gave a faint smile, extended his fist, and simply punched out. There was not the slightest fluctuation of energy, yet this punch struck the void with a thunderous boom. The air exploded, and the very void seemed to tremble, terrifyingly powerful.
Everyone couldn't help but swallow hard, shocked by Ye Chen's fearsome strength. Was he really not a Martial God?
Ye Chen smiled slightly and offered no further explanation. Only he truly understood this statement. Although he was not a Martial God powerhouse, the strength of his physical body, his Indestructible Golden Body, allowed him to contend with Martial God realm existences.
This was the true meaning of being strong enough to fight a Martial God even without being one!
"Ye Chen, what are your plans from now on?" Hai Qingxue asked after a moment of contemplation. Ye Chen's whereabouts were a matter of concern. Such a super powerhouse couldn't possibly stay with their team forever; he would inevitably leave.
Although it would cause some disappointment, it was only natural.
"To save people," Ye Chen simply uttered two words.
"Save people?" Everyone was puzzled, not understanding. But only someone as clever as Hai Qingxue seemed to grasp it. "You want to go save those people from the Xia Feng Kingdom, right? If I guess correctly, you are that Ye Chen from back then—the one whose dantian was crippled and cultivation lost, the peerless genius who achieved Xiantian at thirteen."
Everyone looked at Ye Chen in surprise. Was he that peerless young genius from back then? But with the same name, connected to the Xia Feng Kingdom, and around the same age, besides that peerless genius Ye Chen, there was probably no one else.
But he was just too young, unbelievably young, and his strength was so transcendentally powerful. He wasn't just a peerless genius; perhaps he should be called a monstrous existence.
Ye Chen smiled, not denying it. "I am that Ye Chen. The Thirteenth Prince is my good friend, and Miss Vivian is also my friend. I cannot stand by without helping. My main purpose this time is to save them."
Everyone understood now. No wonder Ye Chen had inquired about the situation in the Xia Feng Kingdom earlier.
Han Fei looked at Ye Chen, hesitating, opening his mouth before finally speaking. "Fellow Daoist Ye Chen, there are some things I don't know if I should say?"
Ye Chen smiled. No longer in combat, he seemed much more amiable, without that astonishing oppressive aura. "Go ahead, it's fine."
Han Fei paused, then said, "Although you are very strong, Fellow Daoist Ye Chen, and perhaps truly capable of fighting a Martial God, I hope you won't be careless here. Those super powerhouses on the Trial Path who possess the qualification to delay claiming kingship are not simple individuals. If you encounter them someday, I suggest you remain vigilant and not underestimate them."
"I'd like to know the reason?" Ye Chen said.
Han Fei explained, "Those super powerhouses qualified to be called kings are all considered invincible among Xiantian practitioners below the Martial God realm. Each is a heaven-defying genius, their strength far surpassing ours. Although I previously thought Fellow Daoist Ye Chen might be even stronger than them, upon reflection now, that might not necessarily be the case. Especially those with the qualification to delay claiming kingship from the three great empires or that mysterious ancient force—they deserve particular attention. They are very powerful."
"Half a month ago, I also heard that a top hundred trial participant like me and Hai Qingxue encountered a super powerhouse with the qualification to delay claiming kingship from the Jiuhua Empire. It was said that the top hundred trial participant made a move but was resolved in a single exchange. At the time, I thought it was an exaggeration, impossible. But after witnessing your strength today, Fellow Daoist Ye Chen, I realize it might not be impossible. Those people likely possess such strength."
But Ye Chen shook his head. "They are worth noting, but instantly defeating a top hundred trial participant is difficult."
He had fought Crown Prince Xia Yang before and had some understanding of his opponent's strength. Instantly defeating a top hundred trial participant was, in the end, somewhat challenging.
Han Fei gave a bitter smile. "I knew you wouldn't believe it, Fellow Daoist Ye Chen, but I think this is something worth paying attention to."
Hai Qingxue spoke up then. "I also agree with Han Fei. Ye Chen, you'd better pay attention to these people with the qualification to delay claiming kingship. Because they are not just ordinary peak Xiantian powerhouses; each is a genius from a major force and likely possesses powerful heavy artifacts. That is the most intimidating thing."
So-called heavy artifacts likely referred to Martial God artifacts and the like. Although Xiantian powerhouses couldn't fully unleash all the power of Martial God artifacts that surpassed their own realm, once a Martial God artifact was activated, even partially, it could summon the power of heaven and earth, greatly enhancing one's own strength.
Probably all those super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship possessed such heavy artifacts.
Once these super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship employed such heavy artifacts, they might reach the level of being able to fight a Martial God.
Ye Chen paused slightly, then suddenly asked, "Tell me, who on the Trial Path holds the most identity tokens?"
"What do you intend to do?" Everyone's hearts trembled, as if understanding Ye Chen's thoughts.
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "I just want to rob those people of their identity tokens."
Everyone couldn't help but feel pity for those people.
"On the Trial Path, basically, those at the level of top hundred trial participants or above possess at least fifty identity tokens. Han Fei has one hundred and three, which is rare. Most, like me, excluding the ones you gave us, have around fifty-three identity tokens," Hai Qingxue said. At this moment, she didn't hold back, as everyone present was on their side. The only potential opponent, Han Fei, had been eliminated, so there was no need to worry.
Han Fei nodded. "There were fifteen thousand participants on the Trial Path initially. Now, over half have been eliminated, but the identity tokens of those eliminated have mostly fallen into the hands of us top hundred trial participants and even those super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship."
Ye Chen understood. This was a case of one percent of the people holding over fifty percent of the identity tokens.
This was the gap between the strong and the weak. The stronger one was, the more identity tokens they naturally held.
As for those super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship, each undoubtedly held far more tokens than any top hundred trial participant.
Subsequently, Hai Qingxue provided Ye Chen with a list containing eighty-three names, all recognized as top hundred trial participants on the Trial Path. However, seventeen were not on the list because they had been eliminated.
It wasn't that being a top hundred trial participant guaranteed passing the Trial Path; they could also be eliminated, as Han Fei was a typical example, instantly defeated and eliminated by Ye Chen.
Other top hundred trial participants had also encountered stronger opponents, been defeated, and eliminated. But there were still a full eighty-three remaining, enough to show how formidable these top hundred trial participants were; under normal circumstances, they wouldn't be easily eliminated.
Ye Chen also found the Thirteenth Prince's name on the list: Xia Teng.
Those able to rank on the list of top hundred trial participants were basically the cream of the crop among the younger generation of the three great empires and the top-ranked among the one hundred and eight kingdoms. There were also some outstanding talents from top forces not much weaker than these powerful nations.
For the Xia Feng Kingdom to produce a top hundred trial participant like the Thirteenth Prince this time was already quite good. Producing a possessor of divine qualification and super powerhouse with the qualification to delay claiming kingship like Crown Prince Xia Yang could even be considered a miracle.
As for producing a monster like Ye Chen, it was simply unimaginable.
Who knew what this generation of the Xia Feng Kingdom had done to be so incredibly lucky, producing one monstrous young genius after another? Even Hai Qingxue and Han Fei sighed at the fortune of this small kingdom.
Ye Chen pinched the list of top hundred trial participants between two fingers, scanned it once, then stored all the information in his mind, revealing a faint smile.
Seeing this smile, everyone suddenly felt pity for those top hundred trial participants. Because these hunters at the apex of the Trial Path were about to become prey—the prey of a single person.
"Sister Qingxue, Han Fei, could you also introduce me to those with the qualification to delay claiming kingship? I'd like to learn about them," Ye Chen said. Although his own strength was indeed great, he still needed a thorough understanding of these people. After all, they were all true young geniuses possessing heavy artifacts, worthy of his slight attention.
Everyone was stunned. Just who was this Ye Chen? He didn't even know who those with the qualification to delay claiming kingship were.
Ye Chen said, "I forgot to tell you, I actually entered the Trial Path midway. I wasn't on this path before; today is my first day."
Everyone then understood. No wonder they had never heard of Ye Chen's name before; he had barged in midway. No wonder.
Yang Shaoqi, the Second Prince of the Tianqi Empire, achieved Xiantian at fourteen, now twenty-two, but has already reached the ninth level of Xiantian. Hailed as a peerless genius with the qualification to break through the shackles and enter the Martial God realm within three years.
Since beginning cultivation, he has never truly tasted defeat among his peers. Once set up a challenge arena in the capital of the Tianqi Empire, challenging various young powerhouses of the empire, winning thirty-three consecutive matches, sweeping through them with overwhelming force, leaving behind glorious achievements praised by all.
The Tianqi Empire's royal family places great hopes on him, expecting him to shoulder the empire's heavy responsibilities in the future. He is one of the super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship.
Li Sheng, the Sixth Prince of the Jiuhua Empire. Like Yang Shaoqi, began cultivation at six, achieved Xiantian at fourteen, reached the peak of the ninth level of Xiantian by merely twenty-two—a heaven-defying genius, a super powerhouse with the qualification to delay claiming kingship.
He once entered the military and participated in external conquests, taking the head of an enemy general amidst a battlefield of hundreds of thousands, leaving behind glorious achievements. Throughout the entire younger generation of the Jiuhua Empire, few can rival him.
Long Tenghua, the First Prince of the Tenglong Empire, twenty-three years old, achieved Xiantian at twenty-six—somewhat inferior to Yang Shaoqi and Li Sheng initially, but later rose rapidly, breaking through to the ninth level in just seven years, another with the qualification to delay claiming kingship.
Currently, Long Tenghua is a strong contender for the crown prince position in the Tenglong Empire.
...
Hai Qingxue detailed the introductions of those with the qualification to delay claiming kingship on the Trial Path, listing the super powerhouses from the three great empires and the Martial God Hall one after another. She even included their ages, cultivation periods, achievements, etc., leaving nothing out, allowing Ye Chen to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
Finally, she paused and said, "Xia Yang, Crown Prince of the Xia Feng Kingdom among the one hundred and eight kingdoms, currently twenty-three years old, cultivation at the absolute peak of the ninth level of Xiantian, possessor of divine qualification, one with the qualification to delay claiming kingship."
These were the super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship currently dominating the Trial Path. All trial participants believed the sole king finally decided would emerge from among these few individuals.
The outstanding talents from the three great empires and the Martial God Hall were one thing; after all, they were the younger generation of super forces dominating the continent, nurtured with incredibly rich resources and personally guided by Heavenly Gods, naturally extraordinary.
But the Xia Feng Kingdom was merely a small, mid-to-lower-ranked kingdom among the one hundred and eight kingdoms. Yet it produced a possessor of divine qualification, Xia Yang, surprisingly powerful. Although his background couldn't compare to the super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship from the three great empires, it wasn't an issue. His strength fully demonstrated everything; his potential was powerful and terrifying.
But now, these super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship probably needed to add one more person, the most terrifying one—
Ye Chen!
"Based on what I know, each super powerhouse with the qualification to delay claiming kingship holds over three hundred identity tokens. And this number is just a rough estimate; there are even rumors some have over five hundred," Han Fei added.
As the strongest on the Trial Path, the identity tokens they obtained were far greater than those of the top hundred trial participants.
Afterward, Han Fei added another point. "Perhaps by the final day, the identity tokens on each of these super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship will exceed two thousand. According to some related information, on the final day, these super powerhouses will block the last checkpoint, seizing all identity tokens. By then, it might be considered good if twenty or thirty people remain to pass the trial."
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed. Wouldn't that mean everyone else present would be unable to pass the trial? And these so-called twenty or thirty people would likely be the young powerhouses from the forces of the various super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship.
Excluding them, even the top hundred trial participants would have no chance to pass. Wouldn't this be the trial with the fewest passers in history?
Han Fei said with a bitter smile, "Probably these super powerhouses intend to ensure the young powerhouses from their respective forces each gather three hundred identity tokens to obtain the rich reward. Previously, I was thinking of gathering three hundred tokens as quickly as possible and reaching the finish line ahead of these super powerhouses. But now that I'm eliminated, it doesn't matter. I'm just warning you all."
But this warning seemed rather meaningless, because no matter what, they couldn't defeat these super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship.
Among those present, only Ye Chen had the qualification to break through.
Ye Chen sneered. "The people from the three great empires and the Martial God Hall are truly domineering enough. Such a blockade—are they really afraid of nothing?"
Hai Qingxue also wore a bitter expression. "What do they have to fear? They have top hundred trial participants, and they also have super powerhouses with the qualification to delay claiming kingship. They are the overlords of the Trial Path."
"Overlords?" Ye Chen slowly shook his head. "I'm not so sure about that."
Everyone was puzzled, not understanding. But Ye Chen smiled faintly and suddenly said, "Since they are domineering, why can't we be even more domineering than them? Everyone, are you interested in doing something meaningful?"
"What thing?"
For some reason, hearing Ye Chen say this, everyone couldn't help but feel their spirits rise, sensing a surge of boiling excitement.
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "Slaying kings!"
"Slaying kings?"
"Exactly. Slaughter those super powerhouses with the 'qualification to delay claiming kingship' and seize all the identity tokens they possess. This plan, I call it 'Slaying Kings'!" Ye Chen's calm voice rang out, yet it caused the hot blood in everyone's chests to boil with fervor.