Ye Chen waved his hand and retrieved that sword energy. Wrapped in Chaos Dao Fire, the sword energy continuously struggled and writhed, trying to break free, but it remained trapped within the Chaos Dao Fire, unable to succeed.
He opened his Heaven's Eye, with ancient Chaos Qi permeating, and peered into the sword energy. He discovered it contained at least over ten types of Dao powers, including destructive ones like Annihilation and Death, all condensed within that single sword strike. It was precisely this that had overwhelmed Ye Chen, grievously wounding him with one blow.
Even the Chaos Dao Fire couldn't refine it immediately.
At this moment, Ye Chen did not leave the depths of the seabed. Instead, he looked at the countless crisscrossing heaven and earth spirit veins deep below. With a flick of his sleeve, he performed a Sleeve-Containing Universe technique, directly drawing in all the spirit veins within a hundred-thousand-li radius and storing them within the small Chaos universe inside his body.
Swish, swish, swish—
With just a few simple moves, all the heaven and earth spirit veins in this Spirit Heaven Sea Area were completely harvested by Ye Chen. This could be considered interest collected from the Jiuyan Imperial Clan for harming him.
However, the boundless storm in the Spirit Heaven Sea Area wouldn't vanish completely all at once; it would require at least ten years to gradually dissipate. Only from now on, there would be hardly any spirit veins left to mine.
If the Jiuyan Imperial Clan found out, they would probably go mad.
"Chirp, chirp, chirp—"
At this time, Little Dot rushed out from within Ye Chen's body, landing on his shoulder and chirping incessantly. Its crimson-gold down reflected a dazzling crimson-gold radiance as it chirped happily: "Daddy, daddy, you finally let me out!"
Little Dot seemed very cheerful, chirping non-stop, circling around Ye Chen's neck repeatedly.
Ye Chen smiled faintly, then shot up from the seabed depths, emerging onto the turbulent sea surface.
All the events that had transpired deep below were completely inaudible on the surface.
This was a sea area within the Spirit Heaven Sea Area called Jiangyan Domain, spanning ten thousand li in radius. It was also a sea area rich in spirit veins, producing over seven to eight hundred thousand jin of spirit stones annually. It had long been coveted by nearby nations, often leading to fierce naval battles.
The most powerful among them were the Xi Kingdom and the Hong Kingdom, the two strongest nations near this sea area. Throughout history, to vie for the spirit vein resources in Jiangyan Domain, the two countries had fought countless wars, large and small, each suffering significant casualties.
Now they had encountered each other again and were at war.
On the rolling, wave-tossed sea, separated by less than a hundred li, dozens of thousand-zhang-long giant warships from each side, along with hundreds or even a thousand smaller warships, faced off against each other from a distance. They were laden with troops, riding the wind and waves.
On those fearsome thousand-zhang giant ships, each was equipped with five massive cannons—the legendary Divine Energy Cannons. Embedded with spirit stones, through a special, precise conversion array, they transformed the spiritual energy within the stones into divine energy, unleashing terrifying divine energy attacks against the enemy's giant ships.
Deafening booms periodically resounded across the sea surface. Each blast from a Divine Energy Cannon could stir up waves hundreds or thousands of zhang high, possessing the terrifying power to move mountains and fill seas.
Under the bombardment of such Divine Energy Cannons, a single shot could easily annihilate a Demigod. With all five cannons on one giant ship firing, they could severely injure or even slay Divine Transformation realm divine-level experts. They were kingdom-level weapons.
The ferocious giant ships maneuvered through the stormy waves. The soldiers on board were naturally extraordinary, at least possessing internal strength at the Postnatal seventh or eighth layer or above. Squad leaders were Xiantian experts. Naturally, there were also Demigods, and quite a few Divine Transformation realm divine-level experts as well.
As for Saints, they were super experts who had transcended the mortal and entered the sacred, supreme experts who could dictate the course of a war. Even within the Xi Kingdom and Hong Kingdom, they were few and far between, rarely appearing easily.
"Order the twelve kingdom-level warships on the left to turn thirty degrees portside. All Divine Energy Cannons aim forward, fire!"
"Order the ten kingdom-level warships on the right to aim forty degrees starboard, fire!"
"Order the fourteen kingdom-level warships in the center to target the Hong Kingdom's flagship, fire!"
"Order the eight hundred city-level warships to aim all Sky-Blasting Cannons, fire!"
"Order the deployment of three thousand Sky-Blasting Mines. Drop them into the sea at the fastest speed and detonate in three ke!"
...
Among the Xi Kingdom's thirty-six thousand-zhang-long kingdom-level warships, the one positioned centrally was clearly the Xi Kingdom's flagship, the largest warship. The command tower was on this flagship.
On the highest command deck, a young man of exceptional bearing stood. He wore golden battle armor, a crown upon his head, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, exuding a rare noble air.
Though young, he was very steady. Facing the battle situation, he continuously issued one command after another, methodical and orderly. Attendants beside him constantly relayed the orders, and each warship swiftly acted according to his commands.
The thirty-six kingdom-level warships adjusted the orientation of their Divine Energy Cannons at the fastest speed. Terrifying beams of light instantly pierced through the sky, striking the giant ships of the Hong Kingdom.
Under such a comprehensive bombardment from those fearsome Divine Energy Cannons, it was equivalent to the release of divine energy from thousands upon thousands of jin of spirit stones. The power was so great it could even injure supreme figures like Saints.
Boom, boom, boom—
Visible to the naked eye, on the Hong Kingdom's side, a full twelve giant ships were pierced and then exploded, immediately swallowed by the terrifying stormy waves. The hulls disintegrated, and countless soldiers fell into the water. Even Xiantian experts couldn't last long in such perilous conditions; only Demigod experts could rise into the air, but even that was fraught with danger.
Moreover, the Spirit Heaven Sea Area wasn't just fearsome for its storms; even more terrifying were the dreadful sea beasts hidden in the deep sea. Drawn by the blood, hordes of sea beasts swarmed over. Each was a fearsome mutated beast, opening their ferocious fangs and charging like lightning, swiftly devouring thousands upon thousands of fallen Xiantian soldiers.
Even some Demigod experts who had risen into the air couldn't avoid them. Massive sea beasts leaped like carp through a dragon gate, soaring skyward to swallow them whole.
War was the best harvester of human flesh. Every war was often accompanied by the irreversible loss of thousands upon thousands of lives.
This was the cruelty of war.
Boom, boom, boom, boom—
The war between the two kingdoms continued. Kingdom-level warship Divine Energy Cannons fired incessantly, shooting out terrifying divine energy beams that could destroy heaven and earth, exploding the sky and sea.
City-level warships also had secondary-grade Divine Energy Cannons. Though not as fearsome as those on kingdom-level warships, they could still easily blast Xiantian experts to death. Under a sky-blanketing barrage, even Divine Transformation experts would be pulverized.
The numerous Sky-Blasting Mines were also naval mines. Upon detonation, they continuously blasted apart giant waves, their power no less than that of Sky-Blasting Cannons.
Occasionally, even the storm clouds of the Spirit Heaven Sea Area were forcibly pierced open.
The war continued, escalating into a white-hot, fierce battle.
However, it was clear that the young man commanding the Xi Kingdom was exceptionally extraordinary. His decisions were decisive, and he held great authority within the army. The hundreds of thousands of troops, from top to bottom, strictly followed his commands, executing them immediately without the slightest delay, allowing the battle situation to manifest at the fastest speed.
He continuously issued commands, swiftly mobilizing the thirty-six kingdom-level warships and eight hundred city-level warships under his command. His maneuvers were rapid and flexible, constantly evading the enemy kingdom's various attacks while ensuring his own attacks inflicted maximum effective damage.
Even when the Hong Kingdom dispatched Demigod experts, even Divine Transformation experts, attempting to charge over and destroy the Xi Kingdom's warships, they were all held back by experts from the Xi Kingdom's side.
The two kingdoms clashed. On one side, giant ships struggled to navigate through the stormy waves; on the other, they continuously bombarded the sky, blasting apart layer upon layer of giant waves and shattering numerous vessels.
This was not an equal battle. Although both sides' combat power was similar, one side was commanded effectively, attacking swiftly and efficiently as a group. The other could only rigidly press the attack, and their Divine Energy Cannon blasts struggled to hit the enemy effectively. They quickly fell into a disadvantage.
One giant ship after another rapidly shattered. Countless soldiers quickly fell into the seawater, only to be rushed and devoured by hordes of sea beasts. The sea area was stained with blood, a scene of great disarray.
Originally, Ye Chen intended to leave. However, after witnessing this war, he stayed. He watched the confrontation with keen interest, even moving to the center of the battlefield between the two sides.
Yet from beginning to end, no one saw his presence. Even with the deafening roar of Divine Energy Cannons bombarding all around, not a single hair on his head was harmed.
He seemed detached from the entire world, utterly unaffected.
Rumble—
In the end, the Hong Kingdom's forty giant ships and hundreds of warships all sank into the vast ocean, completely annihilated. Thousands upon thousands of soldiers fell into the water, devoured by numerous sea beasts, unable to resist.
On the other side, the Xi Kingdom's thirty-six giant ships suffered minimal losses, with only three giant ships sunk. Most of the other losses were accompanying city-level warships engaged in the battle, nothing more.
Swish—
Ye Chen arrived on the central flagship giant ship of the Xi Kingdom, on the highest deck where that extraordinary young man in battle armor stood. Behind him were many generals who had accompanied him into battle, yet none could perceive Ye Chen's presence.
The gazes of these generals towards the young man held a trace of awe from the depths of their hearts. They reported the battle situation: "Reporting to Crown Prince Your Highness, in this engagement, our Xi Kingdom dispatched thirty-six kingdom-level warships. We lost two. Additionally, we lost eighty-three out of eight hundred city-level warships. The enemy's forty kingdom-level warships and one thousand city-level warships were completely annihilated. We have captured thirty-seven thousand, one hundred and forty-three enemy soldiers: thirty-four thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three Postnatal, two thousand, three hundred and forty-seven Xiantian, and three Demigods!"
"Our kingdom achieved a great victory, all thanks to Crown Prince Your Highness's wise leadership."
These words were not flattery but sincere. It was precisely because of this Crown Prince's command that such an outstanding battle result was achieved. Even if they, generals who had experienced countless wars large and small, were in command, they wouldn't dare claim they could have done better than the Crown Prince.
Such a near-perfect battle record was unprecedented.
This Crown Prince before them was indeed worthy of being the most outstanding genius in the history of the Xi Kingdom. Not only was his cultivation talent extraordinary, but even his command skills were so outstanding and monstrous. He truly could not be underestimated.
The Crown Prince's face showed little pride. He merely said calmly, "You generals overpraise me. This campaign's success is due to the assistance of all you generals. When we return to the palace in the future, this prince will surely petition His Majesty the Emperor to reward you generals and all the soldiers. The sacrificed soldiers will also receive grand burials and increased compensation for their families."
"We thank Crown Prince Your Highness!"
The assembled generals immediately knelt and kowtowed in gratitude. With the Crown Prince's word, generous rewards were assured.
"Your Highness, may I ask how to deal with the captured enemy soldiers? Perhaps, according to this subject's opinion—"
One general made a slashing motion across his neck, meaning to kill them.
The other generals also nodded.
"No—" The Crown Prince refused, shaking his head. "Although they are enemy captives, killing them would surely provoke the anger of various nations. That is improper. Confine them to the water prison immediately. They can be properly trained and incorporated into our army, becoming a force. As for the three Demigod experts, they are also famous experts within the Hong Kingdom. Offer them generous gifts to persuade them to join. If they cannot be persuaded, then kill them. If they cannot be used by our kingdom and are from an enemy nation, we cannot allow them to return!"
"The Crown Prince is wise!"
The assembled generals spoke in unison.
Wise command, proper handling of affairs, decisive in killing—a true talent for generalship, for kingship, capable of leading the entire Xi Kingdom towards a more glorious future in the future.
This was Ye Chen's first impression of the Xi Kingdom's Crown Prince.
Of course, if that were all, the latter would never have stayed to watch the entire war.
So-called wars between two kingdoms, even involving Demigods, Divine Transformation experts, or even Saint Vault realm experts, were akin to mortal wars in his eyes. Countless such conflicts occurred in the mortal world; why would he watch?
However, what truly piqued his interest was actually this Xi Kingdom Crown Prince. An invisible, special aura emanated from him, making Ye Chen unable to help but pay some attention.
He had a feeling that this Xi Kingdom Crown Prince was a special person, someone who could interest him.
Thus, he silently stood to the side, continuing his observation.
A short while later, all the generals withdrew, leaving only the Crown Prince alone in this place. He silently gazed at the turbulent Spirit Heaven Sea Area, letting out a soft sigh in his heart, as if talking to himself: "What does it matter if I defeat the Hong Kingdom? In the end, they are merely two small kingdoms among the tens of thousands on our Jiuyan Continent. Above them are the one hundred and eight ancient kingdoms, and even more powerful are the thirty-six sovereign kingdoms and the seven great empires. And above all, ruling the entire Jiuyan Imperial Star is the immortal imperial clan."
"I, Yan Wushuang, though a member of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan, am merely a lowly descendant, not even worthy of bearing the imperial clan's surname. If I do not awaken my bloodline, I fear I will never surpass the present in my lifetime. Becoming a Saint Vault realm expert is difficult enough, let alone transcending Saint Vault, transcending reincarnation, to become that lofty existence high above, ruling over all living beings."
"I am unwilling to remain a mere mortal. I am unwilling to be trapped below the Saint Vault realm for my entire life. What I desire is not this vulgar imperial throne, not to be an emperor among mortals. I want to become the emperor above all beings in the myriad heavens, the supreme, paramount Great Emperor!"
His eyes shot forth a blazing light, a burning desire for the supreme imperial throne, hoping to transcend and truly look down upon all beings in the myriad heavens, look down upon all races in the great world, look down upon the nine heavens.
Yet soon, the fervor in his eyes faded, dimming somewhat.
Because he knew that even as the crown prince of a kingdom, it was still not enough. It was too difficult. Even exhausting a kingdom's resources would hardly allow him to surpass Divine Transformation and become a kingdom's Saint, let alone become that lofty Supreme Great Emperor who founded the immortal legacy of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan. That was a distant, unattainable dream.
He simply didn't know that right beside him, Ye Chen's eyes suddenly shone brightly. He saw this Crown Prince's desire, a special kind of greed, but a pure one—greed solely for achieving the status of Supreme Great Emperor.
In his life, Ye Chen had seen countless people, countless supreme geniuses, but he had never encountered anyone in the great world who harbored such greedy desire for the Supreme Great Emperor, greedily wanting to become one of them.
Others all yearned and pursued!
Perhaps this was the special aura emanating from the Xi Kingdom Crown Prince.
But if that were all, Ye Chen felt somewhat disappointed, because he was at most slightly interested, but not particularly so.
However, the words the Xi Kingdom Crown Prince was about to speak next forced Ye Chen to halt in his tracks.