Upon hearing this, the world fell silent. Countless people were stunned, finding the situation unexpected and beyond their anticipation.
Among them, a severely injured Divine King from an imperial clan slowly rose into the air. He looked somewhat hesitantly at the Wushi Monarch and respectfully asked, "Your Majesty, are you speaking the truth?"
Even though it had been said, he couldn't help but want to confirm it at this moment.
"It is true!" the Wushi Monarch declared.
"Excellent!"
"We finally don't have to die!"
"Thank heavens!"
The experts from the various imperial clans, Immortal Clans, and the Mythical Emperor Domain erupted into earth-shaking cheers. Many even felt as if they had narrowly escaped death, embracing each other and weeping.
They never expected that after such a dire situation, a turn of events would occur, and the human race's Ancient Monarch would not proceed to slaughter them all.
Even the various Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, they felt some confusion in their hearts. Why, at this moment when the human race clearly held an absolute advantage, did they not continue their attack?
An unusual move must have a hidden reason; the situation was not as simple as it seemed.
Indeed—
"However—"
At this moment, the Wushi Monarch spoke again. His voice shook the heavens, echoing throughout the vast Primordial Path, causing the cheers from the experts of the various imperial clans, Immortal Clans, and the Mythical Emperor Domain to immediately die down. Everyone's hearts trembled as they nervously watched the Ancient Monarch who held sway over the fate of this world. Their hearts tightened, for their destinies were now entirely in his hands.
Under the gaze of all, the Wushi Monarch paused slightly before speaking: "My human race originally had no enmity or grievances with you all, nor did we wish to provoke you as enemies. However, you, the various imperial clans, Immortal Clans, and the major forces of the Mythical Emperor Domain, targeted us first and committed a grave mistake. To simply let it go is impossible. You must pay a corresponding price."
Pay a price?
Hearing this, the experts from the various imperial clans, Immortal Clans, and the Mythical Emperor Domain could only smile bitterly in resignation.
Now, the Divine Kings of the heavens were severely injured and unable to fight in the short term. Moreover, the five Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants had been forcefully suppressed by the Battle Saint King. Wasn't that price already great enough?
Yet, not a single person dared to speak, because the initiative, and even the fate of everyone present, was now in the hands of the Wushi Monarch. Even if he decided to kill them, they would be powerless to resist.
The Divine King from the imperial clan who had spoken first cupped his hands and said with a bitter smile, "Might I ask, respected Your Majesty, what price must our various clans pay?"
"There are four conditions!"
"First, hand over the Emperor Scriptures and Immortal Scriptures of your various clans—" Before the Wushi Monarch could finish, the expressions of those from the imperial clans, Immortal Clans, and the Mythical Emperor Domain changed drastically. The reasons their lineages had endured for countless eons were twofold: first, the bloodline power of Emperors and Supreme Immortals flowing within them; second, the Emperor Scriptures and Immortal Scriptures.
It was the combination of these two that allowed imperial clans and Immortal Clans to truly prosper and flourish. Moreover, these Emperor Scriptures and Immortal Scriptures were created through the lifelong research and innovation of ancient Great Emperors and Supreme Immortals. If they were obtained and their weaknesses studied and revealed to enemies, the blow to the entire imperial clan or Immortal Clan would be immense.
Thus, an ancient Divine King from an imperial clan spoke up, shaking his head firmly: "Apologies, Your Majesty. We are powerless to comply. Even if you exterminate the experts of our various imperial clans and Immortal Clans, we cannot hand over complete Emperor Scriptures or Immortal Scriptures. I believe you must also understand the importance of Emperor Scriptures and Immortal Scriptures to imperial clans and Immortal Clans."
The Wushi Monarch was not surprised by the direct refusal. How could he not know the significance, having been born into the Qin imperial clan himself? He then smiled and said, "You need not worry excessively. I only require a segment of the cultivation scriptures from your various clans' Emperor Scriptures and Immortal Scriptures—specifically, the complete cultivation scriptures pertaining to the three great realms: the Reincarnation realm, the Divine King realm, and the Monarch realm. This is not the complete Emperor Scripture or Immortal Scripture. It should be within your acceptable range, correct?"
Hearing this, the various imperial clans and Immortal Clans still wore difficult expressions.
The scripture essence of the Divine King realm and Monarch realm went without saying. Created by ancient Great Emperors and Supreme Immortals, they contained extraordinary profundities that allowed cultivators to more perfectly master the power of these two great realms upon cultivation—they were of utmost importance.
The Reincarnation realm was also exceptionally extraordinary.
"Your Majesty, please do not make things difficult for us. The scripture essence of the Divine King realm might be acceptable, but as for the Monarch realm's—" The Divine Kings of the various imperial clans and Immortal Clans wanted to refuse.
However, the Wushi Monarch coldly stated, "Do not think you can bargain. If not for my unwillingness to cause unnecessary bloodshed, do you think this Monarch cannot suppress your divine souls and personally perform soul-searching?"
Upon hearing the words "soul-searching," everyone's expressions changed, clearly finding them highly intimidating.
In the end, they had no choice but to agree. Although the scripture essence of the three great realms was indeed far better than handing over all the scriptures.
After all, the other party held their lives in his hands.
Ye Chen felt some confusion. If it were the complete scripture essence of the Divine King and Monarch realms, that would be one thing, but why was the scripture essence of the Reincarnation realm also needed?
The Wushi Monarch continued: "Second, the Emperor Sons and Daughters, Immortal Dao Descendants, and even the Strongest Young Supremes of your various clans must engage in sparring matches with Ye Chen."
Hearing this, the various imperial clans and Immortal Clans' expressions changed again. Given the previous instances where numerous Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants had been suppressed or even slain by the Battle Saint King, how could they dare let their clans' Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants face the Battle Saint King now? Would they all be suppressed by him one by one?
Even Ye Chen was somewhat puzzled by this decision.
Were these Emperor Sons and Daughters and Immortal Dao Descendants to serve as his training partners? But ordinary Emperor Sons and Daughters, Immortal Dao Descendants, and Strongest Young Supremes were no match for him. Unless they were at the Half-Step Divine King level or the true Divine King level, they could not truly ignite the battle blood within Ye Chen.
However, the Wushi Monarch's decision seemed to have another purpose.
Soon, Ye Chen suddenly understood, realizing the Wushi Monarch's intention. His heart trembled, and a surge of excitement welled up within him.
Seeing the concerns of the various imperial clans and Immortal Clans, the Wushi Monarch chuckled and said, "You need not worry too much. Having Ye Chen spar with the Emperor Sons and Daughters, Immortal Dao Descendants, and Strongest Young Supremes of your various imperial clans and Immortal Clans is merely to let him gain more experience against the various strengths of the Emperor Son level. I will not allow him to continue suppressing them."
Hearing this, the various imperial clans and Immortal Clans also breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt a sense of humiliation, especially the Emperor Sons and Daughters, Immortal Dao Descendants, and Strongest Young Supremes, who felt a particularly shameful and helpless frustration.
There was a time when each of them stood high above, rising like emperor stars, radiating the invincible brilliance of the youth of ancient Great Emperors and Supreme Immortals.
A single individual could dominate an era, slaughtering all young talents of the world without match. They were entrusted with great hopes by their forebears, sealed away until this era to truly emerge, all for the "Supreme" immortal fate left behind by the various Emperors and Supreme Immortals. But now, facing a single human race's Strongest Young Supreme, they had to consider many issues they had never faced before.
The Wushi Monarch spoke so lightly, saying he would not let Ye Chen, this Battle Saint King, suppress the Emperor Sons and Daughters, Immortal Dao Descendants, and Strongest Young Supremes of the various clans. In another sense, this also proved that they were no longer a match for the Battle Saint King, at least not in a battle at the same level.
They very much wanted to refute this, but even as they clenched their fists until their knuckles turned white, they still appeared utterly powerless.
Because they were powerless to refute this point.