"Brother Xia Yang, what's wrong?"
Beside him stood a beautiful and charming young woman, graceful and elegant, holding hands with the man, clearly a pair of Dao companions.
She opened her pitch-black eyes wide, filled with confusion.
The young man hesitated slightly and said, "Bei Bei, I know him."
Nearby, several other men with prominent features immediately sneered upon hearing this: "I say, Xia Yang, the Battle Saint King's fame is unparalleled, who wouldn't recognize him?"
Xia Yang frowned and still explained, "I had some friendship with the Battle Saint King in the past."
"Hahaha, I could also say I'm the sworn brother of the Battle Saint King," another young man laughed heartily. Among them, one appeared particularly majestic and suave, casting a disdainful glance at Xia Yang, tinged with a hint of jealousy. "Xia Yang, it's not that I, Deng Yang, am criticizing you, but you must have some self-awareness. Not everyone is someone you can associate with. You should withdraw early; it would be better for both you and Bei Bei."
Upon hearing this, the beautiful young girl beside Xia Yang immediately glared fiercely at the speaker, Deng Yang, and said, "Deng Yang, I just like being with Brother Xia Yang."
Deng Yang's expression instantly darkened. He snorted coldly, not looking at Bei Bei, but instead staring at Xia Yang. "Xia Yang, you're merely an early-stage Heavenly King, while I, Deng Yang, am already a Super Heavenly King. Stepping into the Great Power realm is just a matter of time, and I even have the chance to aspire to the Divine King realm. I am the most suitable Dao companion for Bei Bei. You'd better leave immediately, otherwise—"
He didn't finish the second half of his sentence, but the threat was obvious.
Xia Yang frowned. He naturally knew the illustrious background of the young girl beside him—she came from an imperial clan and was from a rather important branch with some influence.
Growing up in such an imperial clan, the power over Bei Bei's marriage was not in her own hands but was often used for advantageous alliances.
Under normal circumstances, Bei Bei might indeed be betrothed to Deng Yang, the Holy Son of an Immortal Aristocratic Family.
As if sensing the worry in his heart, Bei Bei tightly gripped Xia Yang's hand and said softly, "Brother Xia Yang, don't worry. No matter what, Bei Bei will never leave you."
Xia Yang's previously wavering heart immediately grew firm. He turned to Bei Bei and said, "Bei Bei, rest assured. No matter what, I won't let anyone take you away from me."
"Xia Yang, you're asking for trouble!"
Deng Yang glared darkly at Xia Yang, a faint aura of a Heavenly King emanating from him.
In his eyes, killing Xia Yang, a mere Saint, would be an effortless task.
"Ye Chen!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out, causing many present to frown.
What status did Ye Chen hold now? The number one among the younger generation, an existence surpassing even Divine Kings. Not to mention his peers, even many elders had to show respect and dared not address him by name so presumptuously.
Many people looked at Xia Yang, seeing him quickly pulling a nervous Bei Bei over, and frowned even more.
They were also aware of the enmity between Xia Yang, Bei Bei, and Deng Yang.
Was Xia Yang going to disturb the Battle Saint King and ask him to intervene, to have the imperial clan, the Xiao Family, betroth Bei Bei to Xia Yang?
Was that even possible?
Many shook their heads.
Ye Chen turned to look and was momentarily stunned before a look of pleasant surprise appeared in his eyes.
This was actually an old acquaintance—Crown Prince Xia Yang of the Xia Feng Kingdom!
Just as Ye Chen was about to speak, Deng Yang also quickly stepped forward, respectfully performing a grand bow to Ye Chen. "Young one, Deng Yang, pays respects to the Battle Saint King. My lord, this woman is a good friend of mine. She had no intention of disturbing your conversation. As for him—"
He glanced at Xia Yang and shook his head. "Young one does not know him. If he has disturbed you, my lord, please deal with him as you see fit."
"Deng Yang, you—" The young girl Bei Bei was so angry she began to cry. Deng Yang was clearly trying to push Xia Yang into a pit of fire. She hurriedly spoke up, "My lord, Brother Xia Yang had no intention of disturbing you. Please do not hold it against a lesser person and do not blame Brother Xia Yang."
Ye Chen pointed at Xia Yang and looked expressionlessly at Bei Bei. "Who is he to you?"
Bei Bei immediately blushed, feeling somewhat restrained. "Reporting to my lord, he is my Dao companion."
"Bei Bei—" Deng Yang was furious.
"Do you really like him that much?" Ye Chen continued. "You should know that he disturbed my conversation with the Academy Dean, which displeased me greatly. I might punish him. If you are truly his Dao companion, you will be punished together."
Deng Yang's expression lit up with delight. He hurriedly said, "If my lord teaches Xia Yang a lesson, even if his cultivation is abolished, it is what he deserves."
Ye Chen's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Xia Yang remained silent. He looked at Bei Bei and said, "Bei Bei, if the Battle Saint King takes action, I will likely become a cripple. Do you still want to be my Dao companion?"
Bei Bei's eyes reddened. She nodded heavily, sobbing, "Yes, Bei Bei is willing. At worst, we'll both have our cultivation abolished. That might be for the best. Without cultivation, I'd be a cripple, and my family wouldn't force me to marry someone I don't like."
Upon hearing this, many were moved. Such a deeply loyal and righteous Dao companion—what more could one ask for?
Unfortunately, this was the Battle Saint King, a peerless existence even more powerful than the Academy Dean. Who dared to speak up and plead for mercy, risking offending the Battle Saint King?
"Very good." Ye Chen suddenly broke into a bright, radiant smile. "Xia Yang, you've chosen your Dao companion well. She's someone worth spending a lifetime with."
A rare smile also appeared on Xia Yang's serious face. "Naturally."
"This—"
"What exactly is happening? The Battle Saint King is actually smiling?"
"It seems Xia Yang really does have a connection with the Battle Saint King."
...
Discussions erupted all around. Many were dumbfounded; the current situation left many utterly confused.
"Long time no see, Xia Yang."
"Yes, we haven't seen each other since leaving the Tian Du Continent."
Ye Chen strode forward and gave Crown Prince Xia Yang a firm embrace.
It was clear that the Battle Saint King truly knew Xia Yang and shared more than just an ordinary friendship.
Bei Bei was stunned. Deng Yang was stunned. Everyone was stunned!
Bei Bei opened her almond-shaped eyes wide, staring blankly at Xia Yang. "Brother Xia Yang, you really know the Battle Saint King?"
Xia Yang smiled. "Yes, we come from the same world."
Ye Chen also smiled. "That's right. We even competed against each other in the past."
Not far away, Deng Yang's handsome face was filled with terror. Xia Yang really did know the Battle Saint King, and it didn't seem like an ordinary friendship. If the Battle Saint King held him accountable...
He truly dared not imagine. At that point, even the Immortal Aristocratic Family behind him might not be able to protect him.
PS: Crown Prince Xia Yang has appeared. I wonder if everyone still remembers him—the Crown Prince of the Xia Feng Kingdom from the Tian Du Continent, one of the important characters from the beginning of this book. Since we're in the late stages, you can see that recent chapters have been continuously tying up loose ends.