Within the Second Pass of the Ultimate Ancient Path.
The true trial had not yet officially begun, but the ancient city was already bustling with activity. Many Ancient Path Trial-Takers had gathered there, and the streets were lined with various taverns, archways, and the like. Numerous cultivators were setting up stalls to sell their wares.
Moreover, it was evident that the items being sold on the Ultimate Ancient Path were truly precious treasures. At the very least, among the treasures being hawked were Heavenly King-grade divine materials like Starry Silver Sand and Deep Sea Blue Silver. There were even quite a few Great Power-level divine materials, though these were relatively much rarer and extremely valuable. Still, they were more precious than the treasures many Ancient Path Trial-Takers had brought from their various Ancient Universes.
Upon entering the Second Pass, Ye Chen discovered that Feng Wang, Mo Fei, Qing Gu Wang, Lancang Sword Saint, Garen, and the other group of Ancient Path Trial-Takers had already set off ahead.
Three months ago, Ye Chen had told them he would wait for them at the forefront of the Ancient Path. He hadn't expected the subsequent events to occur, leaving him now lagging behind.
However, within the Second Pass of the Ultimate Ancient Path, even more Ancient Path Trial-Takers had appeared, and they were all exceptionally powerful. Figures like the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, Bloody Robe Tower Master, and Ancient King Panshi were present—a considerable number of peerless top talents. These were all renowned Seed-level Figures within the Second Pass, and some among them were even a notch more formidable than Feng Wang and the others from before.
These were truly powerful super experts, commanding awe and respect from the other Ancient Path Trial-Takers.
Striding through the Second Pass of the Ultimate Ancient Path, Ye Chen found this ancient gate to be quite different. It appeared majestic and towering, even more stable and extraordinary than the First Pass. It stood firm within the starry sky, guarded by powerful city guards who defended this ancient city.
The ancient city itself was actually quite similar to the one in the First Pass. A surging crowd filled its streets, with numerous Ancient Path Trial-Takers flying about. Some among them were particularly powerful, even possessing formidable mounts.
Whoosh—
Among them was a dark, burly man riding a Tyrannosaurus. This beast possessed True Dragon bloodline, and it was not of ordinary purity. Covered in chilling scales, it was an extremely fearsome dragon beast, exuding a draconic aura that made it stand out no matter where it went.
His appearance drew attention from all directions. After all, this was a terrifying Seed-level Figure comparable to the Blood Desolation Eight Riders. Known as Pang Shan, a name that suited his terrifying presence, he was a young Seed-level talent from the Tianyue Clan, a supreme race from the Eight Gods Ancient Universe. Hopes were pinned on him to grow into a young generation's supreme.
He rode his Tyrannosaurus wantonly through the ancient city, and all the Ancient Path Trial-Takers along the way hastily moved aside, fearing being rammed by Pang Shan and his mount. That kind of force could absolutely crush and shatter ordinary trial-takers.
Although combat was forbidden within the ancient city, many trial-takers were still wary and apprehensive, fearing to offend this Pang Shan.
"Get out of the way!"
At this moment, Pang Shan, astride his mountain-like Tyrannosaurus, roared. His voice rumbled like continuous thunderclaps, even echoing over the entire Second Pass ancient city, drawing the attention of all sides.
For directly ahead of him and his Tyrannosaurus, an Ancient Path Trial-Taker was walking in the opposite direction. It was Ye Chen.
He had been strolling through the ancient city, never expecting someone to dare gallop so recklessly, nearly colliding with him head-on.
Ye Chen had initially intended to step aside, not wanting to stir up unnecessary trouble. However, the other party's shout of "Get out of the way!" caused his foot, just about to move, to halt. He faced Pang Shan directly, allowing the terrifying gust of wind that preceded the man and beast to assail his face, whipping his thick black hair into a wild, flying mess.
"Get out of the way!"
Pang Shan roared again, even louder this time, imbued with Dao resonance. It didn't diffuse outward but instead concentrated and blasted entirely towards Ye Chen ahead. The void directly shattered.
Even as the surrounding void completely collapsed, Ye Chen remained standing firm, his gaze fixed coldly on the other party. His eyes were icy, already prepared to strike.
If the other party charged forward without knowing when to retreat, he wouldn't mind directly erasing him.
"Seeking death!"
"Who exactly is this kid? He dares to confront Pang Shan head-on!"
"Why isn't he getting out of the way? Does he really want to be trampled to death by Pang Shan's Tyrannosaurus mount?"
Many shook their heads, feeling Ye Chen's actions were utterly foolish. Opposing a Seed-level Figure like this was undoubtedly the most idiotic move.
And at this moment, Pang Shan astride his Tyrannosaurus had already charged right up to him. The Tyrannosaurus's massive dragon claw was about to stomp down, poised to completely crush Ye Chen's relatively small figure beneath its foot.
In that instant, Ye Chen's killing intent surged forth, only to recede like a tide.
For at that moment, a startling roar suddenly erupted, resounding throughout the entire city—
"Halt!"
A squad of soldiers appeared. They were the garrison soldiers of the ancient gate, all clad in cold metallic battle armor, wielding long spears, as well as fearsome weapons like great halberds, long blades, and war halberds. These soldiers were all powerful, carrying a sharp, murderous aura—true veterans of countless battles who had not perished. That they had become soldiers of the ancient gate spoke volumes of their strength.
The Commander among them was even more so. Clad in particularly stern and cold armor, he wielded a War Halberd and was exceptionally powerful. Riding a fearsome ferocious beast, he charged forward. The War Halberd erupted with terrifying Great Dao divine principles, annihilating the void as he intervened to stop the conflict.
This Commander was immensely powerful, causing many of the present Ancient Path Trial-Takers to feel their hearts palpitate, even tremble with fear.
Seeing this, Pang Shan made his Tyrannosaurus retract its descending dragon claw. He looked down coldly at Ye Chen from his commanding height.
Ye Chen's gaze was equally icy as he stared back at Pang Shan.
"What are you doing? Daring to start a fight within the ancient gate? Do you truly dare to disregard the rules of the ancient gate?" the Commander of the Second Pass reprimanded, his expression frosty as he swept his gaze over Pang Shan and Ye Chen, his aura deeply intimidating.
Neither Pang Shan nor Ye Chen spoke up. They merely continued to gaze indifferently at each other.
"This time, I'll let it pass. But if there's a next time, you'll be directly expelled from the Second Pass!" the Commander coldly declared. A sharp divine light shot from his War Halberd into the starry sky, directly slicing down a star from the heavens as a warning.
"Hmph, kid, you're lucky this time. But if you leave the Second Pass, you won't be so fortunate again," Pang Shan sneered from atop his Tyrannosaurus, his face filled with coldness.
Ye Chen looked at him coldly. It was the first time he opened his mouth, yet the moment he spoke, it caused Pang Shan's face to instantly darken, on the verge of erupting in fury: "If you're going to get lost, then get lost quickly. I'm in no mood to waste words with a minor lackey like you."