A powerful Ancient Path trial-taker had been slain just like that. That was a Heavenly King, even if only a newly stepping into Heavenly King, yet he was a strong figure among the Ancient Path trial-takers, and had been killed with ease.
In that instant, everyone finally gained a rough understanding of part of Ye Chen's true combat power; he was very likely also a Strongest Prodigy.
"Seeking death!"
Pang Shan, however, flew into a rage. Today, he had first been provoked by Ye Chen, and now a follower had been killed right in front of the entire city, greatly damaging his face. If he did not take action, everyone would think him incompetent, unable to protect his followers, and no one would follow him in the future.
For a Strongest Prodigy like him who aspired to dominate the Ultimate Ancient Path, this was undoubtedly a major blow.
A ferocious spiked club appeared in his hand, covered with terrifying spikes. It was an extraordinary Heavenly King Dao weapon, and he smashed it towards Ye Chen with a thunderous force.
Ye Chen merely snorted coldly, raising his hand to collide with the spiked club. Brilliant divine radiance erupted, tearing through the sky and shaking the entire city.
Yet Ye Chen's figure remained as immovable as a mountain, while the tyrannosaurus under Pang Shan was forced back two steps, unable to withstand that immense force. It was shocking—could it be that even Pang Shan was no match for this mysterious man?
In the suspended divine halls in the distant sky, the other Strongest Prodigies of the Second Pass had appeared. Seeing this scene, their eyes flickered with some surprise and doubt.
Pang Shan snorted coldly. His physique was burly and tall, like a giant. He was also from a fearsome race, born with immense strength, and was a top-tier expert at the sixth level of the Heavenly King realm. How could he feel fear now? He continuously swung his spiked club, accompanied by terrifying destructive fluctuations, enveloping Ye Chen.
Ye Chen's figure remained as steady as a mountain, swinging his fist to collide with it. Boundless destructive power exploded between them.
His Chaos Saint Body's power was peerless and invincible among those of the same level, but his opponent was also from a race renowned for physical prowess and was at the sixth level of the Heavenly King realm. In their brief clashes, Ye Chen actually failed to gain the upper hand.
However, Ye Chen's expression did not change. He strode forward, his offensive power fully enhanced, increasing by a terrifying margin as he dueled with Pang Shan, their figures flying across the ancient city.
Clang—
In the midst of it, Ye Chen blocked the spiked club with one hand, while his other hand swung the Sacred Fist. A terrifying and vast force descended, weighing billions of jun, pressing down on the heavens and causing Pang Shan's entire body to sink. The tyrannosaurus beneath him let out a mournful roar as its legs snapped, crashing down onto the ground and shaking the entire ancient city.
Gulp—
The numerous Ancient Path trial-takers in the city were all dumbfounded. No one had expected Ye Chen to be this powerful.
Even the Strongest Prodigies like the Blood Desolation Eight Riders and the Bloody Robe Tower Master were slightly surprised.
"Ah—"
Pang Shan roared, never having imagined he would be so humiliated. He shot up from the ground, swinging his spiked club as he charged to kill Ye Chen.
But a terrifying spear light split the sky. The Commander of the Second Pass had appeared.
His expression was exceptionally cold as he led a column of soldiers over, looking icily at Ye Chen and Pang Shan. He said coldly and angrily, "You two have quite the nerve. I just warned you today, and now you're about to fight again, even damaging the city's buildings. How should this seat punish the two of you?"
"Reporting to the Great Commander, it was all because this person struck first," Pang Shan preempted. "If you don't believe me, you can ask others in the city."
The Second Pass Commander looked coldly at Ye Chen, but the latter replied, "I had no wish to act, but some people ambushed me while I was in quiet cultivation. If others do not offend me, I will not offend them. I had no choice but to act and deliver a warning."
His words were calm, yet the 'warning' was death, chilling the hearts of many.
"What evidence do you have that Jin San was the one who acted?" Pang Shan said coldly. "You have no evidence at all, yet you came over and killed Jin San. You have quite the nerve, disregarding the rules of the trial ancient gate to act."
Ye Chen sneered, "Many people saw me being ambushed, and I severely wounded that person. Besides, this Jin San's complexion was pale, clearly severely wounded. If it wasn't him, who else could it be?"
"You're slandering Jin San!" Pang Shan shouted.
Ye Chen gave a cold laugh and said no more, but his aura instantly became terrifying. He was clearly only at the third level of the Heavenly King realm, yet he made the various Ancient Path trial-takers secretly apprehensive.
The Second Pass Commander snorted coldly, "Today, regardless of your grievances, daring to violate the ancient gate's rules is unforgivable. From today onward, you will be imprisoned in the City Prison and may not leave until the trial begins."
In the end, this punishment was given to both Pang Shan and Ye Chen. In everyone's eyes, both were Strongest Prodigies, their strength quite formidable, and they were Seed-level Figures. Hence, this punishment was given. If it were other Ancient Path trial-takers, they would most likely have been expelled from the Second Pass.
Neither Ye Chen nor Pang Shan objected. This was already a very good outcome. Besides, it was just simple imprisonment for a few days—at most, they could treat it as quiet cultivation. It was better than being expelled from the Second Pass.
Thus, everything came to an end.
As time passed, several more batches of Ancient Path trial-takers successively appeared in the Second Pass ancient city. They were all young prodigies who had come from the First Pass or various places in the starry sky. The number of Ancient Path trial-takers gathered here grew even larger.
Among them, there were also quite a few fierce individuals, all very powerful.
The Second Pass became even more lively. However, due to the garrison of numerous soldiers, although many conflicts occurred these days, under the deterrence of the Commander leading the soldiers, there were ultimately few real battles.
Because there had indeed been a real battle. Two individuals had once ignored the ancient city's rules, started a conflict, and directly fought, instantly drawing the attention of all sides. Even when the Commander arrived to stop them, they ignored him and continued their great battle.
In the end, the ancient city Commander directly intervened in the fight, applying absolute suppression. He raised his war spear and impaled the two fighting experts, skewering them in mid-air, allowing their blood to stain the ancient city. He did not kill them, but their blood splashed across the ancient city, severely wounding them and even expelling them from the Second Pass, causing a great uproar.
It was precisely because of this that later on, no one dared to truly start a fight.
After all, the Commander was indeed very powerful, and who would dare provoke these Commanders? Everyone knew that above them was an ancient Great Sage-level Guardian, just like the Worship Moon Tower Master of the First Pass. Who would dare challenge their authority?
However, a tense atmosphere still pervaded the Second Pass, because the strongest few Seed-level Figures were confronting each other. Although no real conflict had broken out, they were the strongest batch of people, causing concern.
Although in the City Prison, it was merely another place for cultivation, with far fewer disturbances. Ye Chen remained peacefully cultivating from beginning to end.
"Woo—"
After continuing for a full half month, giving the numerous Ancient Path trial-takers who had come from the First Pass ancient city ample time to rest, a clear and resonant horn blast sounded. Radiance flashed in the heavens—the trial of the Second Pass was about to begin.