Soon, the gazes of the Ten Great Region Lords turned cold. Someone was the first to speak: "For half a year, my Heavenly Emperor Hall has searched continuously, yet not even a trace of the human race criminals has been found. I suspect these human race criminals, feeling the danger is too great, may have already left the Heavenly Emperor Realm."
"That suspicion is sound, very likely true," the other Region Lords also agreed. Over these years, these Ancient Monarchs had personally taken action to search, yet still found nothing. It was conceivable that, nine times out of ten, the human race criminals had left the Heavenly Emperor Realm. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to remain so hidden.
"That's just as well. To re-establish the Heavenly Emperor's standing in the hearts of the people, action is necessary."
"What action?"
"This action!"
On this day, the sky above the Heavenly Emperor Realm suddenly exploded with myriad rays of light, illuminating the heavens and the earth. An Ancient Monarch manifested, reaching a hand towards the starry sky beyond the domain, shattering numerous stars. Within that shattered expanse, many figures appeared.
Through the projection screen deliberately manifested by the Heavenly Emperor Hall for all to see, the people could observe that the numerous figures were precisely the human race criminals who had been fleeing all this time. It was unexpected that they had fled to the outer realms.
"Human race criminals, fleeing to the outer realms, thinking you can escape calamity? But daring to blaspheme the Heavenly Emperor and oppose the Heavenly Emperor Hall—this is your fate! There is no place for you to hide!"
The Region Lord roared. Instantly, the figures of the numerous human race criminals exploded into clouds of blood mist, staining the starry sky red. Under the pursuit of the Ancient Monarch, they were utterly crushed to dust, completely annihilated.
Within the Ten Great Domains of the Heavenly Emperor Realm, countless beings of various races witnessed this, and soon, countless exclamations of shock erupted.
No wonder, for half a year, no trace of the human race criminals had been found. They had ascended to the outer realms.
However, under the hands of the Ten Great Region Lords, they were still unable to hide, were found, and directly exterminated.
The people's wavering faith in the Heavenly Emperor was once again solidified, becoming even more pure. Countless Faith Power surged forth, growing ever more vast and powerful.
The Ten Great Region Lords watched this and nodded slightly.
Naturally, these could not be the real human race criminals. This was merely a deliberate manifestation by the Ten Great Region Lords. Because they could not find the humans' traces, they employed great divine abilities to create this manifestation, making the people believe these human race criminals had been completely slain by the Heavenly Emperor Hall.
This was a move born of necessity, but for the present, the effect was good—it had re-solidified the people's faith in the Heavenly Emperor.
Liu City, one of the ten great metropolises of the Third Domain, was as renowned as Huayang City.
However, because it was located relatively closer to the center of the domain, Liu City was also more prosperous compared to other metropolises. The Heavenly Emperor Divine Temple standing here was similarly larger.
Although over the past half year, due to the humans, the people's faith in the Heavenly Emperor had wavered somewhat, the beliefs rooted in their minds over countless years, coupled with the undeniable immense power of the Heavenly Emperor Hall—possessing Ten Ancient Monarchs—still meant countless beings maintained their faith in the Heavenly Emperor.
Especially since, not long ago, an Ancient Monarch had taken action, exterminating the many human race criminals hiding in the starry sky beyond the domain, making the faith even more fervent.
Within the Divine Temple of Liu City, there were countless beings of various races who had traveled from afar to pay homage. One could see the dense, powerful Faith Power within the temple, far surpassing that of temples in other towns.
Moreover, due to the human threat, Liu City's defenses had been significantly deepened. The protective Dao Patterns laid upon the metropolis were stronger and more numerous. Even an ordinary Divine King would find it impractical to attack Liu City.
On this day, a young figure appeared just outside Liu City, without any concealment whatsoever. With disheveled black hair and a faint moon mark between his brows—who else could it be but Ye Chen?
His appearance put Liu City on high alert. The Dao Patterns were activated, and the highest-level alarm horns sounded.
The Blasphemer, who had once single-handedly annihilated a Heavenly Emperor manifestation and slain a metropolis Divine King, could not be easily ignored by anyone.
"Blasphemer! Your human race was attacked by our Heavenly Emperor Hall's Region Lord, hunted down in the starry sky beyond the domain, with countless slain! Instead of hiding, you dare show yourself? You're truly seeking death!"
With the Dao Patterns activated, the defending experts on Liu City's walls felt emboldened, shouting provocatively.
They had already sent word to the City Lord and the Heavenly Emperor Hall experts of the Third Domain. This Blasphemer before them was merely a survivor among the human race criminals. Once the Heavenly Emperor Hall mobilized, he would be instantly annihilated. They firmly believed in the absolute power of the Heavenly Emperor Hall.
"Your Heavenly Emperor Hall's Region Lords have slain countless experts of my human race?" Ye Chen sneered repeatedly. He offered no explanation. His entire person charged towards the city gate, crashing into it—brutal, simple, and direct.
Boom—!
Yet, it was this seemingly insignificant individual crashing into the city wall that caused the entire Liu City to tremble violently. Countless Dao Patterns were obliterated.
The many defending experts on the walls paled. This Blasphemer was even more terrifying than the rumors suggested.
"Huh? It actually managed to withstand my charge. Not bad, I suppose. But still not enough!"
Crack—!
Ye Chen made his move. With just a single palm strike, a circle of profound, deep power flew from his fingertips, emanating an endless sense of nothingness, and heavily slammed into Liu City's Dao Patterns.
Visibly, the city-protecting Dao Patterns that could withstand ordinary Divine Kings were rapidly eroded by the void-like black hole, opening up a massive breach.
Just like that, Ye Chen tore open the defensive Dao Patterns guarding Liu City and entered the metropolis.
Instantly, the entire Liu City was on high alert. The Dao Patterns capable of resisting a Two Tribulation Divine King had been so easily shattered, forcefully breached by the Blasphemer.
However, countless experts soared into the sky, fearless. Among them, the City Lord of Liu City appeared, descending with the majestic pressure of a Divine King, exuding the dignity of a supreme Divine King, looking down upon Ye Chen from on high. "Blasphemer, instead of fleeing, you dare show yourself? You may have escaped the pursuit of the Region Lords, but today, this Divine King will also slay you, achieving great merit. After all, you are the number one on the bounty list."
His eyes burned with greed, gazing at Ye Chen with a peculiar fervor, akin to a lion eyeing its prey.
Although Ye Chen was strong, capable of annihilating a Heavenly Emperor manifestation and sweeping away a metropolis lord, in his eyes, no matter how strong Ye Chen was, how strong could he truly be? He was too young. The City Lord he had slain was merely a One Tribulation Divine King, not worth mentioning. He, the Lord of Liu City, was a peak Three Tribulation Divine King, far stronger than that other City Lord by who knows how much.
"You alone are not enough," Ye Chen said, showing no sense of having entered a dragon's den or a tiger's lair. He strolled leisurely, taking slow steps, and also made his move against the City Lord of Liu City.
Boom—!
He attacked, fiercely and dominantly. Divine King-level Great Dao essence erupted, accompanied by a terrifying aura of intent. Three Flowers Gathered at the Summit.