The Martial God from Xia Feng Kingdom who had come to receive them was astonished. Crown Prince Xia Yang was only twenty-three years old. To become a Martial God at such a young age made him one of the youngest Martial Gods of the current era, with limitless future prospects.
Moreover, as he was originally a possessor of divine qualification, his early breakthrough into the Martial God realm now granted even greater hope of reaching the Divine Spirit realm in the future. There was hope that he could revitalize and even lead Xia Feng Kingdom to advance into a superpower.
Xia Yang's expression was indifferent. Although he had reached the Martial God realm, there was still a gap between him and his rivals. It wasn't something to be overly proud of.
"Marshal Bao, thank you for coming to receive us," the Thirteenth Prince said apologetically.
Marshal Bao, one of the three great marshals of Xia Feng Kingdom, smiled. He also sensed that the auras of these few individuals were clearly stronger than before they entered the Trial Path. This Trial Path was indeed excellent; all the young trial-takers from Xia Feng Kingdom who hadn't been eliminated had improved their strength.
"Roar!"
A demonic flood dragon soared through the sky, its winding, massive demonic body attracting the gazes of numerous people, casting a large shadow.
"It's a demonic flood dragon, a strange beast flowing with True Dragon bloodline. It can evolve into at least a Heavenly God-level great demon!"
Many powerhouses from various forces exclaimed in astonishment. They never expected to see such a legendary demonic beast today; it could be considered a miracle.
Marshal Bao also gasped in surprise, feeling the immense demonic might assailing his face. The strength of this demonic flood dragon was definitely greater than his, a veteran Martial God.
After letting out a long roar, the demonic flood dragon descended behind Xia Yang. Standing atop the flood dragon's head was a young figure, standing tall and independent, black hair dancing wildly. Clearly just a youth, yet he possessed an aura of invincibility that made people submit, also causing many older-generation powerhouses to exclaim in surprise.
"Ye Chen, he's that young great demon king, Ye Chen."
"No mistake about it. It's said he tamed a demonic flood dragon as a spirit pet. It's definitely him."
"I never imagined this Ye Chen would be so young. He's clearly just a youth, younger than the other trial-takers. How could he be so overwhelmingly powerful? Could the rumors be true? Is he really a direct disciple of a Supreme Divine Spirit?"
Ye Chen's name was too renowned. His presence drew the attention of numerous people present.
Moreover, the massacre incident in the Divine Spirit's small world had further enhanced his fearsome reputation—a true young great demon king, someone even the older generation had to regard with caution.
"Is he that Ye Chen from our Xia Feng Kingdom?"
Even Marshal Bao, one of the three great marshals of Xia Feng Kingdom, a true Martial God who had stood in this domain for many years and held a high and powerful position throughout Xia Feng Kingdom, appeared reverent and restrained before Ye Chen, without any sense of superiority.
Because the various pieces of news Ye Chen had displayed these past days were too shocking, clearly having reached the Martial God realm level.
Slaying the prince of the Heaven and Earth Empire, pursuing and subduing the demonic flood dragon, defeating the three Martial God realm Checkpoint Masters of the Trial Path, carrying out a massacre of trial-takers in the Divine Spirit's small world, pursuing the four Self-Proclaimed Kings...
Rumors kept spreading throughout the world, each one more terrifying than the last.
He deeply understood that this youth before him, who seemed only sixteen or seventeen, was no longer that youth who first stepped into Xia Feng Academy. The current him possessed a truly invincible demeanor, unmatched among the younger generation of the world.
If he knew Ye Chen had successively defeated the four Ancient Talents—upon whom superpowers had placed hopes of surpassing Divine Spirits—he would probably be so shocked his mouth wouldn't close.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Ye," he said respectfully and reverently, using the honorific 'Fellow Daoist.' Ye Chen might seem young, his years far fewer than his own, but he already had the qualification to be addressed as such.
Those who achieve more are teachers; that was the principle.
In a real battle, even he could only admit defeat.
"Greetings, Marshal Bao. I have long heard of your prestigious name. Seeing you today, you are indeed a majestic figure," Ye Chen said without any airs, smiling as he cupped his hands in salute.
Marshal Bao was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, clearly not expecting Ye Chen to be so amiable.
"Xia Feng Kingdom really hit the jackpot. Not only did they produce a Xia Yang, but also the most terrifying Ye Chen, even a direct disciple of a certain Supreme Divine Spirit. This era should be the rise of Xia Feng Kingdom. Perhaps they have a chance to become a super empire in the world."
Regarding Xia Feng Kingdom's fortune, all forces had to express a kind of jealousy. Clearly just a middle-to-lower-ranked kingdom among the one hundred and eight kingdoms, yet it produced such a peerless monster, destined for a rising rhythm. Given the potential Ye Chen had currently displayed, unless he unexpectedly perished, his future achievement of Divine Spirit was almost an ironclad fact.
Yet such a peerless genius wasn't born in their own forces.
Moreover, the gazes of powerhouses from other major forces toward Ye Chen were filled with caution and reverence, even those from the major forces whose young elites had been slaughtered in the massacre incident.
At this point, Ye Chen increasingly displayed an aura of invincible might. Moreover, he possessed the Slaying the Heavens Alliance leader's token. Not to mention young elites being killed, even if the current masters of various major forces were killed, as long as one held the Slaying the Heavens Alliance leader's token, one could fear nothing.
Who in the world would dare oppose a Supreme Divine Spirit? Even superpowers wouldn't.
But not everyone regarded Ye Chen highly. At this moment, someone couldn't help but snort coldly: "What young talent? He's just a bloody and cruel young great demon king. At such a young age, he's so cruel and bloody, slaughtering so many trial-takers without batting an eye. If he grows up, won't he slaughter everyone on the entire continent? Hmph, such a person should die early. Even a Supreme Divine Spirit wouldn't tolerate this child growing up. He's definitely a scourge to our Tian Du Continent."
As these words fell, they immediately drew the attention of many people, who looked over. It was a tall and burly middle-aged man with a powerful aura, a fifth-layer Martial God powerhouse, who looked at Ye Chen with disdain and a cold snort.
"It's Mountain Lord Zhang Feiyu of Tai Xue Mountain. I heard his most beloved son was killed by Ye Chen in the Divine Spirit's small world."
People discussed among themselves, but no one else stepped forward.
Now that Ye Chen's reputation was at its peak, provoking him was just asking for trouble. Immediately, many people looked at Zhang Feiyu, their eyes filled with a kind of sympathy.
"I also think Mountain Lord Zhang is right. Ye Chen deserves execution!"
At the same time, another stunningly beautiful woman stepped forward, still charming, a beautiful young married woman with full hips and ample bosom, like a ripe peach, her entire body exuding mature charm. Every gesture and movement made many men present blush and their hearts race, secretly cursing her as a vixen.
"Xu Qingnuo. I never expected this vixen to come too."
Her name was serene and moving, but she was born with innate seductive bones, a living, breathing vixen reincarnated. Her voice was even more flirtatious, making people present feel as if a cat's claw was scratching their hearts, unbearably itchy, unable to help but blush and their ears turn red—all caused by Xu Qingnuo's seduction technique.
She was the pavilion master of Tian An Xiang Pavilion, a first-rate force from the Central Region, born with seductive bones. It was said she had lingering connections with the masters of many major forces. Even in her youth, she had a special relationship with the ruler of Jiuhua Empire, one of the current three great empires. She was a figure with a rather complex background, and few in the Central Region dared to provoke her.
Her stepping forward now made many people's eyes pop.
But some observant people understood. The seventeenth prince of Jiuhua Empire who was killed, Li Tianhe, had many rumors. He wasn't born from a royal consort but from the ruler and a certain woman. Many had speculated it was Xu Qingnuo.
Although the royal family had vigorously claimed the rumors were untrue, now seeing this woman appear, it felt ninety percent likely true.
Xu Qingnuo had come out to avenge her son.
"Don't use this level of seduction technique on me. It's ineffective."
Ye Chen looked at Xu Qingnuo. Although a wave of seductive fluctuation assailed his face, his golden body circulated with immortal golden radiance, easily resisting this seductive ability, surprising Xu Qingnuo.
Her seduction technique had even made the ruler of Jiuhua Empire succumb in his youth, yet it couldn't seduce this youth, making her face show shock.
Zhang Feiyu questioned: "Ye Chen, you deserve death, execution. You killed so many trial-takers. Your crime deserves ten thousand deaths."
Ye Chen said: "According to you, at that time I should have just stood there, letting those trial-takers jointly attack me, be killed alive, and not be allowed to fight back?"
For the first time, he revealed the truth of the massacre to the outside world.
The crowd was in an uproar, understanding there must have been hidden circumstances. No matter how fierce Ye Chen was, he wouldn't dare so wantonly slaughter so many trial-takers. Now hearing this, it was indeed so.
Zhang Feiyu snorted coldly: "What do you mean? Making excuses for yourself?"
Ye Chen shook his head, saying indifferently: "Why would I need to make excuses for myself? I'm just stating a fact. When I was contending for the Great Dao Blood, except for a few who didn't attack, all the other trial-takers attacked me repeatedly. You should know my tolerance has limits. If others don't offend me, I won't offend them. I gave them more than one chance, yet they still didn't repent, still kept attacking me. Fine, since that's the case, I could only take action and directly slaughter them."
"Hmph, you could have fled, but you shouldn't have killed so many trial-takers," Xu Qingnuo snorted coldly.
"If others don't offend me, I won't offend them. If others offend me, I will repay them tenfold. Even if they want to kill me, I can't kill back? Do you really think I'm an easy-to-bully goody-goody?" Ye Chen said. "Killing them settles everything, simple and convenient."
Instantly, everyone felt a chill run through their bodies. This young great demon king lived up to his name, a completely unrestrained person. Killing hundreds of trial-takers wasn't just revenge but also for convenience. Definitely not to be provoked.
"Regardless, you still killed so many trial-takers. You deserve death. Not even a Supreme Divine Spirit can protect—Ye Chen, what are you doing?" Halfway through his words, this Mountain Lord of Tai Xue Mountain suddenly roared in terror.
Because he saw Ye Chen's figure suddenly appear before him.
"Kill you!"
Ye Chen said indifferently. Between his brows bloomed with vast radiant light. In an instant, he executed the Battle God Seal, pushing it to its extreme sublimation, transforming into immortal light that blasted Zhang Feiyu apart.