The King's Ancient Path was a road filled with mysteries, far more enigmatic and dangerous than the Trial Path.
The Trial Path was merely a road to test the strength of the younger generation across the Tian Du Continent. At critical moments, one could activate a spirit talisman for self-preservation, and unless one was particularly unlucky, death was unlikely.
However, the King's Ancient Path was much more perilous. The qualification to participate back then required at least the Xiantian realm. Ye Chen had been eligible to participate due to his outstanding talent and cultivation level.
Based on the contents of his memories, he deeply understood the extraordinary nature of this King's Ancient Path. The further one progressed, the more dangers it held. There were no spirit talismans for protection; one relied solely on their own strength.
Moreover, this King's Ancient Path vaguely gave Ye Chen a strange feeling. It was far from simple, as if it could lead to another, vaster and more mysterious, expansive world.
However, all of this was not what Ye Chen cared about most. The one thing he most wanted was to settle things with that young generation prodigy who had crippled his dantian and expelled him from the King's Ancient Path back then—Huang Tianqin!
When this person's name was mentioned, the expressions of the several Checkpoint Masters changed slightly, as if they were somewhat apprehensive, which was enough to prove that this person was absolutely extraordinary.
Ye Chen was thoughtful. In truth, his knowledge of Huang Tianqin wasn't extensive. From the memories of that time, he only knew that his opponent in the duel was indeed strong, ridiculously strong, far stronger than Ye Chen had been back then.
Moreover, the memories also recalled Huang Tianqin's contemptuous disdain towards him, stating that crippling his cultivation was merely because he wanted to see just how talented this so-called peerless genius who had achieved Xiantian at thirteen really was. Looking at it now, it was nothing special. He most enjoyed strangling geniuses.
He hadn't killed Ye Chen, but with a casual strike, he shattered his dantian, crippling the Xiantian cultivation painstakingly attained over thirteen years, and expelled him from the Trial Path. All just to see the look of despair in Ye Chen's eyes as he fell from genius to trash.
Although Ye Chen was no longer that naive youth from back then, the memory of that time remained deeply etched, causing his gaze to turn icy.
He was no so-called righteous gentleman. The grudge from back then would be repaid, no matter what, to let the world understand that Ye Chen was not someone to be trifled with.
The Supreme Elder also seemed to know of the enmity between Ye Chen and Huang Tianqin. He revealed a bitter smile but ultimately nodded. "He will. He has the qualification to participate in this King's Ancient Path."
"Good. I'll cripple him on the King's Ancient Path," Ye Chen said simply and directly.
Everyone was stunned, not expecting Ye Chen to be so blunt. The several Checkpoint Masters all thought Ye Chen's tone was too arrogant. Huang Tianqin was no ordinary person. Although part of the younger generation, his strength was transcendent. In the entire Tian Du Continent's younger generation, those who could rival him were few and far between. Where did Ye Chen get such confidence?
But then they suddenly remembered Ye Chen's terrifyingly powerful strength, which had even suppressed the three Checkpoint Masters into submission. They opened their mouths but found themselves speechless. Because Ye Chen might truly possess such capability. However, that face still bearing a hint of childishness often made people overlook his terrifying power.
The Supreme Elder also smiled wryly. He had heard of the incident back then, which had caused quite a stir. Hearing this now, he could only advise, "Young friend Ye Chen, both you and Huang Tianqin are outstanding prodigies of the younger generation in our Tian Du Continent. You should coexist peacefully and not engage in conflict."
Each of them was a true, peerless prodigy, destined for extraordinary achievements in the future. He did not wish to see the two of them fighting and killing each other.
Ye Chen nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, I won't kill him. I'll just cripple his dantian and shatter his Primordial Spirit. That's all. It's not an excessive demand."
Was that not excessive? Crippling the dantian and shattering the Primordial Spirit—clearly, he wanted to ruin Huang Tianqin.
The Supreme Elder opened his mouth but ultimately had no words in response. Seeing the resolute look in Ye Chen's eyes, he could only sigh inwardly, resolving to try and mediate when the time came.
"Young friend Ye Chen, your strength is now sufficient. You can become a member of our Heaven-tier Academy. You may leave now," the Supreme Elder said.
Ye Chen shook his head, politely declining. "I cannot leave for now. My friends are still on the Trial Path. I must ensure their safety."
The Supreme Elder nodded slightly. "This generation of the Xia Feng Kingdom's younger generation is indeed quite good, even arguably the best generation in history. One Hundred Strong Trialist has emerged, and there's even Crown Prince Xia Yang, a possessor of divine qualification. Truly extraordinary."
However, he glanced at Ye Chen. The most terrifying one was still this youth, Ye Chen, who had already become a Martial God at such a young age. It would make many of the younger generation feel despair, likely unable to catch up to his shadow in their entire lives, forever left far behind.
Finally, the Supreme Elder left, taking the four negligent Checkpoint Masters with him as they vanished into the sky. Naturally, new Checkpoint Masters would replace them later.
The demonic flood dragon roared. This time, after witnessing Ye Chen's overwhelmingly powerful strength, it submitted completely. It swam beneath Ye Chen, allowing him to sit upon its back, henceforth becoming Ye Chen's mount.
And on this day, the entire Trial Path was thoroughly shaken.
Before one wave had settled, another arose. The news of suppressing the Eighth Prince and pursuing the demonic flood dragon hadn't even fully spread before Ye Chen completely turned against and fought the four Checkpoint Masters of the Trial Path over the demonic flood dragon incident.
However, the anticipated outcome of Ye Chen's defeat, severe punishment by the Tian Du Academy, and expulsion from the Trial Path did not materialize. Contrary to everyone's expectations, even with three Checkpoint Masters taking action, they were still no match for Ye Chen, immediately causing an uproar.
This young Martial God was actually strong enough to suppress several Martial Gods? Wasn't that too astonishing?
All along, the world had only believed Ye Chen to be a newly advanced Martial God. Although a monstrously talented youth, it was impossible for him to be stronger than ordinary Martial Gods. But in fact, it defied everyone's expectations. Ye Chen had already grown strong beyond comprehension.
Every person capable of serving as a Checkpoint Master on the Trial Path was at least a top-tier expert at the second level of Martial God realm or above, stronger than Martial Gods who had just stepped into this domain. Yet, they were suppressed by Ye Chen like this. Just how powerful was he? He was definitely no ordinary Martial God.
And how old was he? Only seventeen, yet already powerful to this extent. Wasn't that too monstrous?
Many even began to wonder if Ye Chen was the reincarnation of some ancient Divine Spirit. Otherwise, how could he have reached this level at such a tender age?
Another thing that defied everyone's expectations was that the Heavenly God realm Supreme Elder of the Tian Du Academy was finally stirred into making an appearance. However, this Supreme Elder's arrival did not result in him taking action against Ye Chen. Instead, he severely punished the four Checkpoint Masters, clearly aiming to appease Ye Chen's anger and show goodwill towards him.
All of this left people dumbfounded. But those with true insight understood that perhaps even the Tian Du Academy harbored some apprehension towards Ye Chen because his growth speed was too shocking.
Anyone who had truly investigated knew that a year ago, Ye Chen was merely the useless young master of the border town Luo Feng City in the Xia Feng Kingdom. Yet, within a short year, he had grown to this level. How exactly had he cultivated? To leap across so many realms consecutively and soar to this height.
And Ye Chen's strength allowed the world to foresee that a dazzling new star was rising majestically, its kingly aura permeating, towering above all trial-takers, possessing the true qualification to claim kingship.
The Uncrowned King!
This was how many trial-takers referred to Ye Chen. Even those super-powerful individuals with the qualification to delay claiming kingship could not compare to Ye Chen.
A seventeen-year-old young Martial God, and an extraordinary Martial God powerhouse at that. He stood like a towering mountain before the younger generation, something everyone could only look up to but never hope to reach.
The news naturally spread to the outside world, transforming into a shocking storm that shook the Tian Du Continent.
Too strong. Not just a young Martial God, but a young king, possessing an invincible bearing, unmatched.
Everyone was shocked and awed. However, some insightful individuals felt it was only natural. After all, behind this youth, there might be a supreme Divine Spirit. As a disciple of a Divine Spirit, while his achievements at such a young age were astonishing, when placed in the context of a supreme Divine Spirit, it seemed nothing was impossible.
This further convinced people that Ye Chen must have a supreme Divine Spirit backing him. Otherwise, no one would believe a youth could reach the Martial God realm at seventeen and defeat several Martial God powerhouses.
Such an achievement was too shocking, even unimaginable. Among them, many believed Ye Chen didn't truly possess the strength to defeat three Checkpoint Masters. More likely, he relied on trump cards left behind by a Divine Spirit, which he utilized to reach this step.
And his final use of the Heavenly God Dao Weapon, the Heavenly God Spear, added considerable credibility to this theory.
Next, the world believed Ye Chen would soon enter the mysterious realm within the twelfth checkpoint where those super-powerful individuals with the qualification to delay claiming kingship had disappeared, because he had always wanted to find Crown Prince Xia Yang.
However, this speculation was quickly disproven, because the young Martial God Ye Chen did not make a move at all. Instead, he sat cross-legged within the twelfth checkpoint.
Later, Ye Chen performed another astonishing act—he started robbing people!