An uproar swept through the entire city. Were the Three Alien Imperial Clans going to join forces to deal with Ye Chen and the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor?
Numerous powerful experts from the Alien Emperor Clans pressed forward, surrounding the two.
"Ganging up on the few with your numbers?"
Ye Chen and his companion chuckled coldly. Among the crowd, the Nine Supreme Geniuses, including A Beinu, were ready to move. If a great battle erupted, they would naturally join in.
Moreover, in the shadows, the five Nine Tribulation Divine Kings—Tianya Divine King, Qinghuang Divine King, and others—were also present, watching with cold eyes.
Ye Chen didn't mind revealing some of his true strength and wiping out all the powerhouses of the Three Alien Imperial Clans in the process.
Since their purpose in coming was to hunt him down—though they didn't know that 'Qian' was the very Battle Saint King they were painstakingly pursuing—he had no qualms about exterminating them all.
Just then, a loud shout cut through the tension between the two sides—
"Enough!"
It was the Zhou Tian Clan Leader. He shouted loudly, his brows slightly furrowed as he looked at both parties. Though he appeared somewhat aged, no longer in his prime, at this moment, an aura of pressure erupted from him that was far more terrifying than that of the Imperial Clan old antiques. It shook the Zhou Tian Battle Stage, making all the powerhouses tremble.
This dreadful pressure even broke through the confines of the battle stage, sweeping across the heavens above Myriad Saints City and descending like the majesty of the Heavenly Dao, startling the entire city!
Divine King!
The Zhou Tian Clan Leader was a Nine Tribulation Divine King!
Even the Three Alien Imperial Clans' expressions changed slightly. They hadn't expected this Zhou Tian Clan Leader to have already stepped into the Nine Tribulation realm, becoming a Divine King figure transcending the level of ordinary great powers.
Such Divine Kings were all supreme powerhouses who shook the Ten Heaven Realm Ancient Domains. Even Imperial Clans and Immortal Clans were reluctant to offend them lightly.
Under the terrifying pressure of the Divine King, the tense, hair-trigger atmosphere between the two sides was swept away. Only the Zhou Tian Clan Leader stood at the center of the Zhou Tian Battle Stage, hands clasped behind his back, exuding a peerless majesty that commanded submission. He spoke calmly to both sides, "Today should be my clan's millennium Cosmic Heaven Grand Ceremony. There should be no fighting, no bloodshed. Yet, I have already broken this rule once to allow you a fair duel. But do not think the rules of my Zhou Tian Clan are easily defied. If you truly dare to act, regardless of who you are, I will personally teach you a lesson. Don't believe me? Just try."
When a Divine King spoke, who dared to disobey!
Facing the Divine King Zhou Tian Clan Leader, the Three Alien Imperial Clans, though eager to slay Ye Chen and his companion, were also apprehensive and dared not make a move.
For this was indeed the Zhou Tian Clan's territory, and it was the day of the Cosmic Heaven Grand Ceremony. Moreover, he was a Nine Tribulation Divine King. They didn't dare be too presumptuous and had to restrain themselves.
The leaders of the Three Alien Imperial Clans cupped their fists and said, "Since Clan Leader Zhou has spoken, and this concerns the Cosmic Heaven Grand Ceremony, we are naturally willing to give face and will not act further."
Hearing that the Three Alien Imperial Clans were willing to back down, the Zhou Tian Clan powerhouses breathed a sigh of relief. But then the Alien Imperial Clan leaders added, "However, after today, outside Myriad Saints City, if we see these two juniors, it will be a fight to the death!"
Ye Chen and his companion sneered but didn't respond further. However, Ye Chen glanced at the Zhou Tian Clan Leader with slight surprise. He hadn't detected that he was actually a Divine King; it was indeed unexpected.
Truly worthy of being a descendant of an Ancestral God, able to endure to this day and preside over one of the few Eternal Divine Cities in the Second Heaven Realm Ancient Domain. He certainly had some capability.
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
The two sides exchanged one last icy glance before each departed.
"Master!"
The Nine Supreme Geniuses secretly approached.
"It's fine," Ye Chen waved his hand.
After this incident, the fame of both Ye Chen and the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor grew even greater, attracting more attention.
Especially Ye Chen. As both a master alchemist and a supreme Heaven's Pride capable of slaying Imperial Clan old antiques, he was like a dazzling sun, drawing countless eyes wherever he went and sparking endless discussion.
Many women looked at Ye Chen with hearts aflutter, their gazes burning with passion, almost on the verge of telling him they wanted to bear his children.
Many Heaven's Prides and talents regarded him with both awe and fervent admiration, viewing him as an idol.
Of course, due to the Three Alien Imperial Clans, many major forces didn't dare get too close, not wishing to incur the Alien Emperor Clans' hatred. Some even adopted a distant attitude.
In an instant, the crowd of important figures that had once surrounded Ye Chen dispersed, no longer as bustling as before.
Witnessing this scene, others couldn't help but sigh lightly.
Such is the fickleness of the world.
When you are red-hot and sought after, countless people flock to you, offering flattery and adding flowers to the brocade.
When you fall into hardship, others can't wait to sever all ties immediately.
Ye Chen had long been accustomed to such sentiments and wasn't particularly surprised. Beside him, the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor grumbled, "They're all a bunch of ungrateful, heartless people. So opportunistic."
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "That's just how people are. It's already good enough if they don't kick you when you're down."
"You sure see things clearly," the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor was speechless, but there was nothing to be done. Such was the world; he couldn't change it.
Ye Chen chuckled, looking at the powerhouses within the Zhou Tian Palace. The fickleness of the world, the myriad facets of human nature—weren't they all being played out right there?
"Master!"
Ye Chen looked at his Nine Supreme Geniuses. They, at least, remained loyal, following him unwaveringly from beginning to end, earning his heartfelt acknowledgment.
"All of you, do not reveal yourselves too early for now," he instructed, keeping their collective strength hidden for the time being.
Moreover, within Myriad Saints City, several Nine Tribulation Divine Kings were silently observing everything within the Zhou Tian Palace. Should anything happen, they would appear.
The members of the Three Alien Imperial Clans continued to watch, their gazes filled with killing intent fixed on this direction. Many snorted coldly.
Once the Cosmic Heaven Grand Ceremony was over, they would see how Ye Chen and his group could escape the grasp of the Three Alien Imperial Clans.
Hum—
Suddenly, a clear, resonant bell toll rang out, echoing over the vast expanse of Myriad Saints City, drawing all eyes.
The tolling of the bell signified the arrival of the true main event—
The auction grand ceremony!
This was the decade-spanning auction grand ceremony of the Second Heaven Realm Ancient Domain. Many heavy treasures would appear, which was one of the main reasons many important figures had come.
At the same time, the Zhou Tian Battle Stage that had been suspended outside the Zhou Tian Palace earlier had already descended. In its place stood another magnificent palace, its entire structure flowing with brilliant divine light, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, myriad spirits depicted upon it—a scene of extreme luxury that was quite astonishing.
Without a doubt, this was the venue for the auction grand ceremony.
Within the great hall, everything was resplendent and magnificent. Even the light illuminating the hall came from dragon pearls, soft yet bright.
There were VIP private boxes as well as ordinary spectator seating.
Although they faced hostility from the Three Alien Imperial Clans, and due to the earlier incident with Zhou Tianyu and the Alien Emperor Clans, many within the Zhou Tian Clan were not particularly welcoming to Ye Chen and his group, the Zhou Tian Clan Leader had just intentionally intervened to stop the Alien Emperor Clans from attacking Ye Chen, seemingly showing some favor. Therefore, they were ultimately assigned a private box.
However, that box could hardly be called a VIP box. Compared to those of the Cang Emperor Clan, the Immortal Clan, the Alien Emperor Clans, and other top-tier major forces famous throughout the Ten Heaven Realm Ancient Domains, this box was relatively shabby and quite simple, even appearing inferior to some of the spectator seats.
Thus, it became rather conspicuous. Many noticed and believed that although the Zhou Tian Clan Leader had helped them on the Zhou Tian Battle Stage, it was only because of the Cosmic Heaven Grand Ceremony.
It seemed even the Zhou Tian Clan was keeping its distance from Ye Chen and his companions.