The instant Ye Chen's words fell, the entire area fell into silence. Countless shocked gazes swiveled toward him, everyone dumbfounded.
Bold, incredibly bold!
Yet, amidst the shock, there was also a sense of admiration. Over these past days, which Ancient Path Trial-Taker in the Second Pass hadn't been filled with awe toward Pang Shan? This was the first time someone had shown such utter disregard.
Although many felt Ye Chen was reckless and believed he was about to face misfortune, quite a few also felt a surge of vindication. Pang Shan had been far too arrogant these past days, rampaging through the Second Pass without restraint, looking down on everyone. Many had been holding in a stifled rage, powerless to resist. Today, someone had finally vented it for them.
"You—"
Pang Shan was furious, wanting to strike, but the Commander stood before him, halberd held horizontally, his expression indifferent and icy.
The earlier warning made Pang Shan deeply wary. He was unwilling to act rashly within the city and invite trouble. He could only glare furiously at Ye Chen, a terrifying aura emanating and spreading from him, surging toward Ye Chen.
Yet, Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged. He simply turned and strode away, just as he had said, not placing Pang Shan in his eyes at all.
It was precisely this action that infuriated Pang Shan even more. To be so openly disregarded in front of everyone—who did he think he was? He had never suffered such contempt before. He truly wanted to attack.
But seeing the Commander beside him, he held back. In the end, he could only let out a cold snort and leave.
However, just before departing, he spoke up, looking at Ye Chen's tall, retreating figure. "Treasure the time you have left in the ancient city. If something happens once you enter the Ancient Path trials, I won't be responsible. After all, the trials are so dangerous."
A threat!
A blatant threat!
Instantly, many Ancient Path Trial-Takers looked at Ye Chen's back with a touch more sympathy. Being targeted by such a Strongest Prodigy was definitely not a fortunate matter for any trial-taker.
Yet, that tall figure continued to walk away unhurriedly, never pausing.
As for Pang Shan's threat, Ye Chen paid it no mind. Even though his cultivation had declined, his combat power was still utterly terrifying, at the level of an Imperial Son. In a battle of the same realm, who did he fear?
At worst, he'd just bulldoze his way through.
The night was as calm as water. Ye Chen sat cross-legged in his mansion, meditating quietly. The Second Checkpoint Ancient City contained abundant spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making it an excellent cultivation site.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, their light momentarily illuminating the entire mansion. He struck out with a palm toward a certain point in the empty space.
Boom—
A fearsome explosion erupted. The entire mansion, along with several nearby trial-taker residences, were reduced to dust, startling many. From the void where Ye Chen had struck, a muffled groan was heard, and a spray of blood flew out.
Clearly, an assassin had been there. Yet, before they could even act, Ye Chen had discovered them. The assassin was horrified and tried to flee immediately.
But who was Ye Chen? In an instant, he vanished into the void, striking out with lightning speed.
Boom—
The void shattered. Ye Chen's figure returned. A cloud of blood mist exploded in the void. He stared coldly at the spot. "A mere newly stepping into Heavenly King dares to ambush me? Seeking death. Did you really think you could escape?"
Light glowed between his brows. He did not release chaotic light to avoid detection by others, but his deduction ability was incredibly powerful. In an instant, he deduced the assassin's current location.
Whoosh!
Ye Chen traversed the entire Second Checkpoint Ancient City, arriving at a Hovering Divine Hall in the city center. That area was largely occupied by several Strongest Prodigies like the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, Pang Shan, and the Blood-Robed Tower Master. Yet, Ye Chen charged straight in, causing many to gape in astonishment.
Boom—
Visible to the naked eye, a Hovering Divine Hall was directly shattered, fragments scattering everywhere. A furious roar echoed—it was Pang Shan. He soared into the sky, mounted on his Tyrannosaurus, glaring icily at Ye Chen, his roar shaking the ancient city. "I haven't come looking for trouble with you yet, and you come to my doorstep yourself."
Beside him stood several powerful Ancient Path Trial-Takers, followers of Pang Shan, all looking coldly at Ye Chen.
However, among them was one person whose complexion was abnormally pale, clearly not right.
"Hmph, sending someone to assassinate me in secret. Did you really think I wouldn't know?" Ye Chen spoke coldly.
His words caused many watching trial-takers to secretly gasp. To eliminate Ye Chen, Pang Shan had actually gone this far.
Yet Pang Shan snorted coldly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Is that so?"
Ye Chen sneered coldly and charged toward a man beside Pang Shan who had five golden horns on his head—the one with the sickly pale face.
"Seeking death!"
Pang Shan snorted coldly but did not attack himself. Instead, the Tyrannosaurus beneath him swept its dragon tail horizontally.
"The person I want to kill, you cannot stop!"
Boom—
Ye Chen merely raised his hand to meet it. The two collided. Yet, Ye Chen's figure didn't budge in the slightest. On the contrary, the Tyrannosaurus was forced back, the spot on its tail that was struck twitching uncontrollably as it roared in pain. People were shocked by his strength—he had actually gained the upper hand in a direct clash with the Tyrannosaurus.
At the same time, he had already descended before the golden-horned trial-taker and slapped out with his palm once more. "Since you dared to ambush me in the dead of night, you must bear the consequences."
"It wasn't me!"
The golden-horned man retreated in terror. The failed ambush earlier had already left him severely wounded from Ye Chen's single palm strike. Knowing Ye Chen's power, how dare he face him directly now? On the contrary, he wanted to flee as fast as possible.
But it was impossible. Ye Chen released a unique pressure that completely enveloped the other party, sealing heaven and earth. No matter how strong the golden-horned man was, he couldn't break free. He could only use his Heavenly King divine shield to block.
Crack—
But it was useless. When Ye Chen's palm descended, that Heavenly King-level divine shield was imprinted with a clear palm print, covered in countless cracks before completely shattering, fragments scattering to fill the sky.
This scene made many Ancient Path Trial-Takers suck in a deep breath of cold air. What astonishing physical brute force!
But how could they know? Even though most of Ye Chen's power was used to suppress the chaos source light cluster, his body was still the Chaos Saint Body of old—an invincible battle physique that would make even ancient Great Sages feel ashamed. Its power was naturally equally boundless and terrifying. How could an ordinary Heavenly King Dao weapon withstand Ye Chen's attack?
"Die!"
Ye Chen's palm applied force once more, divine abilities manifesting. The moment it shattered the divine shield, it also landed on the golden-horned man's body, tearing him in two. Even his divine soul was completely torn to shreds, leaving only two halves of a corpse to fall to the ground.
The entire city fell silent!