Deep within a mysterious and secluded mountain range in the Tianhe Domain, majestic and enormous palaces stretched for hundreds of miles, vast and flawless, resembling an ancient behemoth lying in wait. From afar, it inspired awe and fear.
Among them, the grand palace at the center was especially magnificent and imposing, resplendent with gold and jade, adorned with carved railings, cloud-like staircases, and emerald lakes, standing out from the rest.
Here, powerful auras flickered in and out of sight, hidden in various places, safeguarding the security of this location.
Within the resplendent, luxurious central palace, a heroic young man clad in a satin-yellow robe stood proudly in the void. His black hair cascaded over his shoulders, and atop his head sat a dazzling crown. An immensely powerful aura emanated from him, suffusing the entire palace. The very void seemed to solidify; all present had to submit in reverence, not daring to make a sound that might disturb the heroic youth.
"Excellent. Another formidable Young King is about to appear on the Domain War battlefield. It seems it's not that Sun King, which is a bit of a pity. But no matter. This lord has perfected his profound art and was just about to go out for some experience. I shall choose this Domain War battlefield."
The heroic youth spoke, and in the next moment, he took a step forward. His entire person vanished from the palace, reappearing high in the sky.
A carriage pulled by nine primordial beasts came speeding over. He entered it and swiftly soared away across the heavens.
On the side of the Modong Domain's camp, an Ancient Divine Mountain pierced straight into the clouds, its form vast and imposing, its momentum grand and majestic, easily twice as large as other mountains. This was the legendary Commander Mountain.
Commander Mountain, as the name implied, was a true strategic stronghold that only high-ranking figures at the Commander level of this domain's camp were qualified to ascend. Without particularly important matters and without reaching a sufficient level of strength, one simply could not set foot there.
At this very moment, a young man with an ordinary appearance ascended Commander Mountain on this side of the Domain War battlefield camp.
The fact that this ordinary youth could ascend Commander Mountain was sufficient to prove he possessed formidable cultivation and an important status.
He entered the treasure hall at the peak of Commander Mountain, the Great Hero Hall where a group of high-ranking powerhouses gathered. Along the way, many of the guardian powerhouses stationed there cast looks of reverence his way.
Not long after, the ordinary youth left Commander Mountain and disappeared into the Domain War.
"I've heard that a peerlessly powerful youth has appeared in the Qingyang Domain, hailed as a Young King, who routed the mighty Heavenly Dragon Army. Hmph, how is that possible? Even a Young King couldn't do that, or perhaps the Heavenly Dragon Army was just too weak. No matter, I shall head to the Domain War to meet this so-called Young King."
"Now, this young master has already reached Divine Transformation, transcending the Demigod realm. Facing such a young king holds no fear for me. Even if that youth truly is a king, I can slay him on the spot, committing regicide."
"What of a king? Now, all the major domains have issued Earth-level kill orders. It's said that super Divine Transformation experts from the Seventh Heaven are going after him. No matter how powerful the Qingyang Domain's Young King is, he will die."
"Indeed. Secret intelligence has come that the king from the Feilong Domain has already set out and entered the Domain War. Several other super prodigies from the younger generation of other major domains, suspected to be kings, have also entered the Domain War. I hear their target is that mysterious Young King."
"Heh, if you don't court death, you won't die. This Young King from the Qingyang Domain has truly stirred up trouble across the world. Does he really think he's invincible? He's destined to be hunted down unless he flees back to his camp."
...
In the various major domains, many people did not quite believe that Ye Chen alone could have routed the famously formidable Heavenly Dragon Army. They believed there was likely a lot of exaggeration behind this glorious achievement, that there must be a peerless powerhouse acting as his guardian, and that the feats were mostly performed by that guardian.
Moreover, the issuance of the Earth-level bounty, with a reward as high as three million jin of spirit stones—a sky-high price—stirred the hearts of many. Wealth moves people; countless powerhouses were covetous and tempted.
Even among the various major domains, top young talents continuously entered the Domain War from all over, their target being the mysterious Young King from the Qingyang Domain.
Far away in another great domain, the Xiangyang Domain, within the secret realm of the Scarlet God Valley, immortal mountains stood tall, waterfalls cascaded down thousands of feet, fertile spiritual soil was everywhere, and numerous Heaven and Earth Treasures shimmered. Grand, magnificent palaces stretched in groups, and floating divine islands drifted uncertainly within.
At this moment, a majestic and heroic figure manifested between heaven and earth, releasing an overwhelming, peerless aura of the Great Dao that slowly spread out.
A cold and authoritative voice resounded throughout the entire secret realm: "The Young King who annihilated the Heavenly Dragon Army in one fell swoop on the Domain War battlefield? That should be that Ye Chen."
"Excellent. I didn't expect him to dare appear on the Domain War battlefield. That also seals his fate. If it were on the Black Sky Plains, this lord would still have some reservations because of those Eight Great Bandits of Black Sky. But on the Domain War battlefield, there is nothing to fear."
"Attendants, dispatch a Scarlet God Army to the Domain War battlefield. This time, we swear to tear that brat to pieces."
"Yes!"
Immediately, a fearsome forbidden army rumbled into existence. A massive domain gate opened directly between heaven and earth. A supreme powerhouse radiating an ultimate aura, riding in a carriage, led the Scarlet God Army as they charged into the domain gate and completely vanished.
For a time, not only the Domain War, but including the various major domains, undercurrents surged. All targets were aimed at Ye Chen.
However, Ye Chen, the protagonist of it all, was unaware. Half a day later, he had completely annihilated the entire Heavenly Dragon Army, thus erasing the Feilong Domain's famous elite army, the Feilong Army, from the face of the world.
Afterwards, he sat cross-legged in the Domain War, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to repair himself.
The spiritual energy of the Domain War battlefield was bloody, stained crimson by the blood of the living beings on this battlefield. It also contained a special blood energy. Once absorbed, it was harmful to oneself; this blood energy was toxic and could corrode one's body. Generally, cultivators brought their own spirit stones and would never refine the spiritual energy of the Domain War battlefield.
But at the same time, the spiritual energy of the Domain War was unusually dense, accumulated over countless years. Ye Chen, however, was unafraid of the blood poison. A layer of crimson-gold crystalline divine fire rippled over his body surface. Streams of heaven and earth spiritual energy continuously surged forth, tempered by the divine fire, transforming into the purest heaven and earth energy that entered his body, replenishing him.
Half a day later, Ye Chen was once again full of vigor and vitality. The blood energy within his body was even more abundant, like a deity lying in wait, terrifying and immeasurable.
He walked on foot across the Domain War battlefield. It was said that in ancient times before the Great Desolation, the Domain War battlefield was full of vitality, lush and green everywhere, with heaven and earth spiritual energy so thick it was almost tangible, endless spiritual herbs, and divine medicines to be found.
But now, the flowers were gone, the grass and trees withered, the land desolate and barren, the earth dyed crimson with blood.
Suddenly, he halted his steps, looking into the distance. A powerful aura was rapidly approaching.