"My apologies, but the Demonic Flood Dragon is mine. I cannot give it to anyone."
Ye Chen directly refused.
The atmosphere on the scene instantly fell into silence and tension, for the meaning Ye Chen expressed was clearly that he did not wish to hand over the Demonic Flood Dragon and intended to claim it for himself.
One of the checkpoint masters couldn't help but say, "Ye Chen, the Demonic Flood Dragon is a Demonic Beast discovered on the Trial Path. This land belongs to our Tian Du Academy, so it should also belong to Tian Du Academy. We hope you will hand it over."
Ye Chen pondered. These words were quite reasonable. It wouldn't be right to simply take the academy's Demonic Beast for no reason.
He nodded, surprisingly not refusing again, and merely said, "How about this: if this Demonic Flood Dragon chooses to leave with you, I will not stop it. But if it wholeheartedly wishes to follow me, you cannot stop it either. What do you think?"
"Good!"
Many people agreed with this decision, as it was the best possible outcome. Only the Thirteenth Checkpoint Master frowned but did not speak.
Ye Chen turned to the Demonic Flood Dragon and said, "If you are willing to leave with them, then leave. I will not stop you. But if you do not wish to leave, you may stay. Everything I said before still stands."
The Demonic Flood Dragon turned its head to look at the various checkpoint masters. Immediately, the Ninth Checkpoint Master stepped forward and promised, "Do not worry. As long as you are willing to belong to Tian Du Academy, our academy will surely do its utmost to nurture your growth. Heaven and Earth Treasures will not be lacking. There will be Heavenly God experts to guide you, and even supreme Divine Spirits may occasionally offer pointers on your cultivation path. What do you think?"
Another checkpoint master also hurriedly added, "Our Tian Du Academy possesses the notes and cultivation methods of several ancient Divine Spirits from the Demonic Beast race. We can impart them to you, paving your way. Access to blessed lands and grotto-heavens is also guaranteed, with spirit pools for immersion and spiritual energy baptism. What do you think?"
Many trial-takers in the distance gasped upon hearing this. To win over this Demonic Flood Dragon, Tian Du Academy was truly offering a great price.
The Demonic Flood Dragon looked at Ye Chen again. The latter merely smiled faintly. "Follow me, and I will let you transform into a dragon one day."
Although everyone felt Ye Chen's words were arrogant, an intangible, powerful sense of confidence emanated from them, inspiring a feeling of conviction.
The Demonic Flood Dragon then moved behind Ye Chen. Because of Ye Chen's earlier manifestation and that supreme draconic majesty, it had completely submitted to him. With a low roar, its massive flood dragon head lifted Ye Chen up, making its choice.
Seeing this, the checkpoint masters' expressions changed. The Demonic Flood Dragon had ultimately chosen the youth.
Only the Thirteenth Checkpoint Master snorted coldly. "As expected of a beast, truly ignorant of what's good for it. It originally belonged to our Tian Du Academy, yet it has betrayed us. Everyone, let's take action and capture this vile creature. Then we can ask the Supreme Elders of the Heavenly God realm to step in and force its complete submission."
The Twelfth Checkpoint Master, a beautiful woman, paled slightly and said, "Elder Mu, wouldn't that be breaking our word? Didn't we just say we would let the Demonic Flood Dragon choose for itself? Why go back on your word now? This would damage Tian Du Academy's prestige."
The Thirteenth Checkpoint Master, Elder Mu, said coldly, "Elder Nalan, you're overthinking it. You must understand, this Demonic Flood Dragon is no ordinary Demonic Beast. It has the bloodline of a True Dragon flowing within it, making it quite extraordinary and possessing great research value. We cannot afford to lose it. I believe the Supreme Elders would support my decision if they knew."
Elder Nalan's beautiful face shifted through several expressions. Indeed, this Demonic Flood Dragon was not merely a Martial God-level Demonic Beast; it was an extraordinary one, with the blood of the supreme and sacred True Dragon flowing in its veins. Even a trace was immensely significant.
If the Supreme Elders within Tian Du Academy found out, they might not be willing to let it go either.
However, Ye Chen's expression had already turned cold. Standing proudly in the air, his icy gaze swept over the many checkpoint masters. "Everyone, I already gave you one chance. Since this Demonic Flood Dragon has chosen to submit to me, it should belong to me. Do you still intend to seize it by trickery or force?"
Elder Mu said coldly, "Ye Chen, this matter is not for a mere brat like you to decide. Since this Demonic Flood Dragon is on the Trial Path, it is the property of Tian Du Academy. I order you now to make it follow me back to Tian Du Academy immediately. Do not bring trouble upon yourself. You will be given a certain reward later."
A reward? Was this meant to fool a three-year-old child?
Ye Chen laughed, though his laughter was bone-chillingly cold. "Why should I hand it over to you? Since the Demonic Flood Dragon has submitted to me, it is my possession, Ye Chen's. No one can take it away."
"You have quite the nerve, kid," the Thirteenth Checkpoint Master shouted coldly, his eyes glaring angrily. "Do you really think becoming a Martial God makes you something special? That you have the capital to stand against my Tian Du Academy? Ridiculous! A greenhorn like you, if you truly dare oppose Tian Du Academy, we can simply do as we did three years ago on the King's Ancient Path—cripple you, make you a waste once more."
Suddenly, the temperature in the world seemed to drop many degrees. Even the checkpoint masters felt a bone-piercing chill.
They saw Ye Chen look at Elder Mu, his gaze unprecedentedly icy, as he slowly said, "Is that so? If you have the ability, then make your move. Let's see how you plan to cripple my cultivation. But I'll give you one final warning: if you truly attack, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
"Hmph! A snot-nosed brat daring to threaten this venerable one? You're truly seeking death!"
Hearing this, Elder Mu's expression darkened. He strode forward through the air, his Daoist robes fluttering without wind. A powerful Martial God aura surged skyward, pressing down on Ye Chen with full force. "Since you wish to be crippled, I shall cripple your cultivation."
Elder Mu brought his index and middle fingers together, forming a sword seal at this moment. With a boom, sword Dao divine ability was unleashed. A massive divine sword materialized in the void, its sword radiance overwhelming, energy waves surging skyward. Sharp sword energy shot into the heavens, slashing directly at Ye Chen.
This was Elder Mu's sword Dao divine ability. Although Ye Chen was young, Elder Mu did not completely underestimate him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have unleashed such a powerful divine ability combat technique. He intended to at least teach him a profound lesson.
However, Ye Chen did not make a move. Instead, the Demonic Flood Dragon let out a long, roaring cry and attacked in Ye Chen's stead. Its massive dragon claw swatted forward, and the enormous sword radiance actually shattered apart, utterly incapable of breaking the flood dragon's scales.
Then, the Demonic Flood Dragon swiped its claw at Elder Mu again, causing his expression to change drastically. He shouted, "How dare you, vile beast!"
He circulated his divine ability. Seven-colored power of heaven and earth shimmered, divine power surged, and he actively clashed head-on with the Demonic Flood Dragon. His figure was sent flying backward, blood energy churning throughout his body, almost making him vomit blood in discomfort.
He never expected this Demonic Flood Dragon's strength to be so terrifying. Immediately, he shouted, "Other Elders, why are you hesitating? Act quickly and subdue this Demonic Flood Dragon together!"
Several checkpoint masters, with the exception of the Twelfth Checkpoint Master, were all moved and prepared to take action to subdue the Demonic Flood Dragon.
But at this moment, a terrifying aura emerged. Ye Chen stepped forward, blocking the many checkpoint masters, and said, "If you all choose to attack, do not blame me for showing no mercy and taking action against the checkpoint masters."
"Ye Chen, are you truly determined to oppose Tian Du Academy?" the Eleventh Checkpoint Master also shouted.
"I said, the Demonic Flood Dragon is my possession. It does not belong to Tian Du Academy. If you want to seize it, don't force me into a real battle," Ye Chen said expressionlessly.
"Do you really think you alone can stop us?"
The Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Checkpoint Masters all immediately turned cold-faced. Each unleashed their aura in full, every one of them powerful, formidable, and extremely fearsome.
"Elders, do not act rashly out of emotion," the Twelfth Checkpoint Master, Elder Nalan, tried to dissuade them. Not only were these elders going too far, but she also sensed that Ye Chen was no simple figure.
This was no ordinary youth, not even an ordinary Martial God. He was a terrifying young Martial God capable of overpowering the Demonic Flood Dragon, truly formidable.
The Tenth Checkpoint Master looked coldly at Elder Nalan, his vertical pupils glaring as he shouted, "Elder Nalan, why do you repeatedly speak up to defend this kid? Do you also oppose the decision to subdue the Demonic Flood Dragon? Do you wish to betray Tian Du Academy?"
Elder Nalan's expression changed drastically on the spot, then turned gloomy. She said coldly, "Elder He, you have gone too far. I was merely offering well-intentioned advice. Since you are determined to proceed, I will not force you. But I will not take action. At most, we can argue this before the Academy Head. I doubt the venerable Academy Head would blame me."
The three checkpoint masters' expressions shifted slightly, then they merely snorted coldly. Clearly, they also did not wish for the matter to escalate to the point of involving the supreme old Academy Head.
Elder Nalan retreated to the side, standing gracefully in the void, not taking either side, coldly observing everything. But her intuition told her that if these elders dared to underestimate Ye Chen, they would surely suffer a great loss.
Boom—
From the crown of Ye Chen's head, a golden blood energy shot into the sky, rippling through the nine heavens, causing the void to tremble with a rumbling roar.
"If you want a battle, then let's battle."
Boom—
A Martial God-level great battle was about to erupt.