Upon the great pass, a young and powerful golden-armored figure appeared, shaking the fortress with his might. His entire body flowed with golden radiance, cold and extraordinary, like a golden deity patrolling the world, filled with oppressive pressure.
The moment this young man clad in golden armor appeared, the powerful experts from the various major forces on the great pass all changed color. Especially the Heavenly God experts from the several superpowers aside from the Tianqi Empire—their faces immediately paled upon seeing this person.
For they all almost simultaneously recalled certain ancient rumors and couldn't help but exclaim, "Could he be that ancient prodigy from the Tianqi Empire sealed away for future generations?"
Every first-rate force was extraordinary, possessing foundations unimaginable to ordinary people. Especially superpowers like the three great empires and one great academy, and the Martial God Hall, which were founded by Divine Spirits—their foundations were astonishing.
It was said these superpowers all sealed away the most dazzling, peerless geniuses from the ancient era, those who had not fully matured, preserving them for later generations.
This peerless genius from the Tianqi Empire's ancient era possessed overflowing talent, unparalleled throughout the ages—a truly stunning prodigy. He had cultivated for only ten years before successfully stepping into the Martial God realm. Moreover, with his matchless aptitude, within two or three years of entering this realm, he could rival veteran Martial Gods who had been in it for a hundred years. Even the Supreme Divine Spirit who dominated the world's affairs in that era was once moved, declaring that he would surely achieve the Divine Spirit realm in the future.
However, this peerless genius was sealed away by great means because a great prophet once foretold that in a certain future era, heaven and earth would undergo great changes. With his aptitude, if he could obtain sufficient opportunities, he might surpass the Divine Spirit realm and achieve supreme Dao fruit.
The powerful golden-armored man before them was very likely that ancient prodigy from the past.
The Heavenly God expert from the Tianqi Empire, seeing the appearance of this young prodigy, no longer displayed the slightest trace of lofty arrogance. On the contrary, at this moment, he appeared quite humble and respectful, saying, "Lord Wushuang, you have come."
Lord Wushuang!?
The crowd was astonished—astonished by this person's name. Wushuang, Wushuang—did it signify the meaning of 'unparalleled throughout the ages'? This title was quite extraordinary.
But they were even more astonished by this Heavenly God's attitude towards him, actually addressing him as 'Lord' and appearing so humble and reverent, like a servant facing his master, which was startling.
After all, this was a Heavenly God, a figure who could absolutely establish a dynasty or great kingdom in the Tian Du Continent, and who held high status and power even within superpowers. Yet now he was addressing a young man as 'Lord,' forcing people to ponder the true origins of this golden-armored man.
"It really is that ancient prodigy." Although the other three Heavenly Gods had long suspected it, the moment of confirmation still brought some surprise. After all, such an ancient prodigy was dazzling and peerless, unmatched in the world. They hadn't expected him to be unsealed in this era and to have come to the Trial Path.
However, it wasn't just the Tianqi Empire's ancient prodigy. Even the ancient prodigies of the Jiuhua Empire, the Tengkong Empire, the Martial God Hall, and even the Tian Du Academy had all chosen to emerge in this era.
The ancient great prophet probably foretold that this was the future era with the hope of surpassing the Divine Spirit realm. But it was also possible that the various Divine Spirit ancestors personally unsealed them, aiming for them to grow up in this generation, reach at least the Divine Spirit realm in the future, and ultimately contribute some strength in the Slaying the Heavens war.
However, the purpose of this Tianqi Empire ancient prodigy's arrival at the final great pass inevitably led to endless speculation.
Lord Wushuang nodded indifferently. Although he was not yet a true Heavenly God, he possessed a great majesty about him, like a supreme divine king, capable of making people submit and revere him. He didn't even regard Heavenly Gods with importance, striding forward and stepping into the great pass in one step, landing on the Trial Path. The great Dao barrier did not offer any obstruction.
Clearly, this was also a member of the younger generation. The great Dao rules of the Trial Path did not have any effect on him.
Boom—
Lord Wushuang charged in. Large swathes of trial-takers below the great pass were sent flying. Many fell onto the sandy ground in disarray, their faces pale, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths, utterly unable to withstand the Dao pressure of this young man. He was a terrifying existence like a god or demon.
Numerous trial-takers immediately retreated a great distance, all looking at this young man with shock, sensing his peerless fearsomeness—probably not inferior to Ye Chen.
Just who was this person? Why had they never heard of his name?
"We implore Lord Wushuang to take action, slay this brat, and prove the supreme might of our Tianqi Empire!" the Tianqi Empire's Heavenly God on the great pass shouted!
Lord Wushuang nodded indifferently, not uttering a word.
"It's him, he actually came." Yang Shaoqi, who was restrained by Ye Chen, suddenly became terrified, as if he was extremely wary, even fearful, which surprised Ye Chen. This was the first time he had seen Yang Shaoqi so frightened. Gazing at that fearsome figure below the great pass, even someone as powerful as him felt a sense of danger.
Old Yan's voice transmitted, "Little Chen, you must be careful. This person is somewhat extraordinary."
Ye Chen grew slightly solemn. Old Yan rarely praised others, but if he did, then the other party must be quite remarkable; otherwise, they wouldn't have caught Old Yan's eye.
He directly and forcibly probed Yang Shaoqi's memories with his Primordial Spirit and soon learned this person's true identity. He couldn't help but slightly change expression—this was actually an ancient person.
Yang Wushuang—that was his name, signifying 'unparalleled throughout the ages, unmatched in his generation.' From birth, he was a true genius upon whom great hopes were placed.
He could speak at one month old, think at one year old, became independent and began cultivating at three years old, displaying astonishing cultivation talent. Moreover, he achieved the Xiantian realm at eleven years old, two years earlier than Ye Chen back then. If not the absolute first throughout the ages, he was close.
He achieved the Martial God realm at twenty-six. By the time he was sealed, he was already twenty-three. Perhaps seven years for an ordinary Martial God would be difficult even to advance one minor realm, but for a peerless genius like Yang Wushuang, he had probably already reached a terrifying height.
It was said that before being sealed, he once fought a super Martial God who had remained in the Martial God realm for two hundred years. Although the outcome of that battle was known only to a very few, with no outsiders aware, Yang Wushuang left the battlefield with an unchanged expression, appearing composed.
Afterwards, that super Martial God sighed in amazement, saying this youth was dazzlingly brilliant, surpassing the ages, and would be of great use in the future. This made people ponder deeply about how that battle truly went. Probably, even that super Martial God had to pay some price to win.
Ye Chen gazed solemnly at Yang Wushuang from afar, serious for the first time in this manner. He didn't speak, but their gazes turned substantial, colliding in the void with cracking sounds, astonishing everyone. Just how powerful did one need to be to achieve this?
"Hmm, your strength is somewhat decent. To actually possess such powerful Primordial Spirit force—among the younger generation, you can be counted on one hand. I came to the Trial Path this time to see just how strong the so-called Unrivaled King is. You haven't disappointed me too much." Yang Wushuang uttered a sound of surprise tinged with some praise, somewhat acknowledging Ye Chen's strength, but he slightly shook his head. "A pity, you're still lacking in the end."
Although his words were arrogant, people strangely felt in their hearts that this person truly seemed to possess the strength to speak so arrogantly.
Boom—
The golden battle armor draped over Yang Wushuang suddenly clanged and rang as if coming to life. Surging golden light shot towards the heavens, transforming into a vast golden ocean that swept towards Ye Chen, with great Dao divine power stirring.
The several Heavenly Gods were all astonished. Such methods clearly surpassed ordinary Martial Gods. Truly worthy of being an ancient prodigy sealed away from the ancient era—truly extraordinary.
Countless red sands in the desert were all stirred up under this golden ocean, immediately exploding into layers of enormous sand waves dozens to hundreds of zhang high, rumbling and resonating, even blotting out the sky and earth as they pressed towards Ye Chen.
Ye Chen, with rare solemnity in his expression, did not take it lightly. He strode forward, golden blood yuan immediately erupting, similarly giving birth to a vast golden ocean that charged forward to collide.
Boom—
Visible to the naked eye, two powerful golden oceans clashed in the desert. Each was astonishing, surpassing ordinary Martial Gods, colliding, smashing, exploding. The desert was blasted apart.
The two strongest prodigies of the younger generation had begun their first collision.
Yang Wushuang looked slightly surprised at Ye Chen, not expecting him to be able to withstand it, which truly surprised him. Especially given the other's young age, it made him pay considerable attention.
"To reach this step at such a young age is enough to show he can also rival true Martial God experts. However, ordinary Martial Gods are not worth mentioning to me."
The golden-armored man revealed a trace of admiration for Ye Chen's performance, clearly showing some approval. But his figure did not stop; his entire person flew out, operating true Martial God Dao power to strike fiercely.
Sand and dust shot towards the heavens. Yang Wushuang was like a war god on the attack. His entire aura instantly grew much stronger. He didn't employ any divine abilities or Dao arts, but even simple attacks were filled with oppressive offensive power. The void was almost shattered.
This was horrifying. Just how powerful was this ancient prodigy to be able to do this?
Ye Chen showed surprise, but the next moment it was replaced by solemnity, because the other party was already attacking. The great Dao was without ripples. A dazzling, multicolored heaven and earth power was condensed by Yang Wushuang into numerous heavenly spears stabbing forward, sealing off all directions, leaving no room for retreat.
This person was indeed very powerful, but he also underestimated Ye Chen too much.
A trace of coldness appeared on Ye Chen's face. Although this person was hailed as the most dazzling freak in the Tianqi Empire's founding history, even a peerless genius upon whom hopes of surpassing the Divine Spirit realm were placed, Ye Chen was unafraid. Before him, all geniuses would be utterly eclipsed.
Because in his previous life, he was the Battle Saint lineage's supreme ruler. In this life, he would also become a figure who dominated his generation.