After lingering in the Heavenly Palace for a few days, Ye Chen ultimately chose to leave, taking only Abenue with him. The two of them walked through the Ascension Ancient Capital, gathering more information.
This ancient capital was vast and prosperous, far surpassing many other divine cities. The streets were packed shoulder to shoulder, with cultivators from various races pouring in. Many were excited, especially the younger generation. For many of them, being able to see the usually god-like, supreme Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants was considered an honor.
Of course, they simply believed this was just an ordinary gathering of Emperor Son-level figures for exchange, perhaps with some sparring. They could not imagine the terrifying murderous intent hidden beneath the so-called Emperor Son Feast.
It was simply impossible to imagine that the Battle Saint King, who had recently stirred up the entire Ten Heavenly Realms Ancient Domain, was hidden among the crowd, brushing past them just like that.
Wine houses were always places with the most diverse crowds and were also the most suitable locations for gathering intelligence. From them, one could learn many little-known pieces of information.
Ye Chen and Abenue sat at a table on the edge, silently looking at each other while actually listening intently to the conversations in the wine house.
Soon, Ye Chen learned some information about the Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants. Those who had been hostile to him in the Reverse Slaughter Emperor Realm had all come, staying in their respective imperial clan or immortal clan Heavenly Palaces and had not appeared.
Seven Human Emperor Sons and Daughters had also come, including the familiar Ye Family Emperor Son Ye Cangqiong, Tai Sheng Huang's twin offspring Di Wushuang and Di Wuming, as well as Shen Rong, the descendant of the Slaughter Immortal Supreme One. The descendant of the Angel God Emperor had also arrived. They too were in their imperial clan Heavenly Palaces.
However, there was no news yet of Yuan Yao Divine King, Zhao Chen, or the Human Emperor Son. Perhaps they had come, hidden among the crowd, not showing themselves, just like him.
"The Emperor Son Feast is not just rare throughout the ages; this is the first time since ancient times."
"Emperor Son-level figures are usually difficult to see. The so-called Human Ranking and Earth Ranking can hardly measure their true strength; perhaps they could all step onto the Heavenly Ranking."
"How many Emperor Sons and Daughters, Immortal Dao Descendants are there in this era? Each one is the descendant of an Emperor or a Supreme Immortal. If not for the 'Supreme One' immortal fate of this era, how could they appear?"
"I thought these Emperor Sons and Daughters, Immortal Dao Descendants would only truly meet after several decades or a century. I didn't expect the time to come so quickly."
People in the wine house chatted freely. During this period, throughout the entire Ascension Ancient Capital, whether on main streets or in small alleys, or any other place, the Emperor Son Feast was undoubtedly the hottest topic, irreplaceable. And one could imagine it would continue for a long time. After all, the emergence of the 'Supreme One' immortal fate had only hinted at the descent of the various heavenly imperial clans and immortal clans, creating the current prosperous scene in the Ten Heavenly Realms Ancient Domain. The Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants were the core of it all. The Emperor Son Feast naturally attracted the attention of all ages.
"I wonder if the Battle Saint King will come. After all, he is also a member of the human race."
When the Battle Saint King was mentioned, the topic became much livelier. The Battle Saint King, the first peerless existence in recorded history of the current great era to slay a Divine King while still a Great Ability cultivator, and the first among the younger generation in the great era's competition to kill a Divine King, was undoubtedly a figure that could not be ignored. Undeniably, as the strongest young Supreme One, the Battle Saint King was an Emperor Son-level genius, possessing a seat at the Emperor Son Feast.
"Yue, they're talking about you," Abenue said, her bright eyes slightly raised, looking somewhat amused at her husband beside her.
Ye Chen rubbed his nose, feeling a little awkward. But at this point, his fame was widespread, no less than that of the various heavenly Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants, even surpassing the vast majority of them. Wasn't all this because he had successively suppressed two Emperor Sons and Daughters and slain Divine Kings? Everyone believed the Battle Saint King must have a seat at the Emperor Son Feast. And they believed that since he belonged to the human race, he would certainly come. It was just that these people didn't know the Battle Saint King had really come and was right in this wine house, silently listening to their conversation on the edge.
"Hmph, what Emperor Son Feast? It's just a Hongmen Feast."
Suddenly, someone spoke coldly, instantly quieting the entire wine house.
Hongmen Feast? What did that mean?
Even Ye Chen, who had been about to leave, stopped, finding it interesting. Moreover, this person seemed to know the inside story.
"Fellow Daoist, what do you mean by that? You can't just say such things recklessly," someone spoke up. The Emperor Son Feast concerned imperial clans and immortal clans; the implications were significant. Who would dare wag their tongue carelessly? That was suicidal behavior.
The person who spoke out about the inside story was a mysterious figure clad in a black robe. He said nothing more and walked directly to Ye Chen's table, speaking gently, "Fellow Daoist, may I have a seat at this table?"
"Please!"
Ye Chen did not refuse. Abenue also looked curiously at this person, though with some vigilance.
The black-robed man sat down. The black robe enveloping him had an effect that blocked others' probing. It was clear the visitor was of no ordinary origin. Ye Chen did not deliberately probe the other party, pretending not to understand the meaning, and said, "What did you mean by your words just now, sir?"
The black-robed man smiled: "The so-called Emperor Son Feast was merely planned by the alien race. Its so-called purpose is to lure the Human Emperor Sons and Daughters so they can strike at the feast and wipe them all out in one fell swoop."
Ye Chen was startled. He didn't expect this person to know the truth behind it. Such matters were not something ordinary top forces could understand clearly unless they were of royal clan level.
Ye Chen spoke again: "In that case, the Human Emperor Sons and Daughters should also know the severity of the situation. Why would they still come?"
"It's not that they are willing to come, but that they have no choice," the black-robed man responded.
"I'd like to hear the details!"
"If the Human Emperor Sons and Daughters don't come, it shows cowardice, causing human morale to plummet. The alien race can take the opportunity to provoke and suppress the human race, inciting human anger and starting a war with the alien race," the black-robed man said. "If the human race goes to war with the alien race, in the end, as the Emperor Sons and Daughters of the human imperial clans, they will still have to take action. The final result will be the same. It's just that if they don't come to the Emperor Son Feast and only appear at the last moment, the human race will have already been completely suppressed, even invisibly losing much of its vital strength. That would be a foolish move. Therefore, they have no choice but to come."
Ye Chen and Abenue exchanged a glance, both shocked. This explanation was consistent with Ye Chen's own thoughts, though more concise. Who was this person? Why did he know so many secrets?
Ye Chen cupped his fists: "May I ask, sir, how should the human race resolve this?"
"The method of resolution is very simple—" the black-robed man said. However, at that very instant, from beneath the black robe, a brilliant light suddenly erupted, completely enveloping Ye Chen: "—is for you to die—Battle Saint King!"