Silence! Utter silence reigned throughout the hall!
All the young Talents present were dumbstruck, staring blankly at Ye Chen, including the Saints and Saintesses seated at the innermost tables.
Who was Zhao Wudao? Not only was he the esteemed Crown Prince of the mighty Immortal Empire, but his cultivation was also absolutely peerless among the younger generation, almost reaching the level of a legendary King. How many among the younger generation dared to speak to him in such a manner?
Just who was this kid? How dare he speak to Zhao Wudao like that? Was he truly seeking death?
Even Zhao Tianyi was stunned. Recovering, he hurriedly pulled at Ye Chen, urgently saying, "Brother Ye, why are you doing this? You don't need to go this far for me. Leave quickly. Although I despise Zhao Wudao, he is truly powerful, at least a Virtual King."
"Leave?" Zhao Jun sneered. "Can you still leave now? Daring to speak to my Imperial Brother like that is truly seeking death!"
Ye Chen pressed down Zhao Tianyi's hand, then swept a calm glance at Zhao Jun. "Did no one teach you not to interrupt when others are speaking? It shows a lack of decorum."
These words caused an uproar among the crowd.
Zhao Jun's expression instantly darkened. "Kid, are you trying to provoke me, seeking death? Do you truly think I wouldn't dare to act here?"
If not for the rule forbidding combat within Qingcheng Palace, Zhao Jun would have already struck, tearing this kid limb from limb on the spot.
"Too much talk. If you want to fight, then fight. If not, step aside. Stop all this useless chatter." Ye Chen snorted disdainfully, directly berating Zhao Jun, causing many present to stare in shock. Just who was this youth, daring to speak to Zhao Jun like this? Was he truly unafraid of death?
"Kid, you're dead!"
Enraged, Zhao Jun attacked. Divine energy erupted between his fingers and palm, Dao marks densely interweaving as he struck towards Ye Chen.
The several Saints and Saintesses seated above no longer intervened. From the beginning, it had only been Ye Chen provoking, continuously angering Zhao Jun. The attack was due to this kid's actions, which could be explained to the master behind Qingcheng Palace.
"Brother Ye, be careful!" Zhao Tianyi urgently called out, even stepping forward to block this strike for Ye Chen.
"Unnecessary. A mere trifling trick."
Ye Chen stopped Zhao Tianyi's help and acted himself. With a simple flick of his sleeve, a powerful, vast force materialized out of thin air, directly shattering Zhao Jun's attack and sweeping him away. Everything appeared so calm and composed, leaving him dumbfounded.
But this method was startling. It clearly contained the profound mysteries of the Great Dao. Otherwise, no matter how lacking Zhao Jun was, he was definitely an elite among the younger generation; few could defeat him so easily.
"Not worth a single blow."
Ye Chen shook his head, offering this evaluation, which infuriated Zhao Jun. Yet he felt helpless and terrified, because this single strike had instantly sealed all his divine power, rendering it unusable.
This was clearly a method only a King possessed.
The numerous young powerhouses present watched, stunned. Zhao Jun's strength was evident to all, yet he was defeated so effortlessly. Just who was this youth before them?
Even Zhao Wudao, who had remained as steady as a mountain, immediately looked over. His eyes flashed like lightning. Wherever his gaze swept, almost all the younger generation involuntarily lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze, feeling an immense oppressive pressure. He looked towards Ye Chen and Zhao Tianyi.
"You dare attack my Imperial Brother? Are you provoking me?"
Zhao Wudao spoke, his eyes emitting cold light. A terrifying aura slowly began to spread from his body, pressing towards Ye Chen like a towering mountain. The entire Palace of Sinking Fish and Falling Geese trembled.
Zhao Wudao, a powerful Young King, famous throughout the entire Heavenly Saint Domain, was a prodigy among prodigies in this region. Searching across the entire vast domain, few could rival him.
He looked at Ye Chen, who had attacked his brother, merely speaking calmly, questioning whether the other was challenging his dignity. Yet his expression carried authority without anger, making the other young Talents present tremble in their hearts. This was a King's interrogation; none dared ignore it.
Everyone looked at Ye Chen and Zhao Tianyi, feeling the two had gotten into serious trouble.
Zhao Tianyi's face changed color. Although he resented this Zhao Wudao, he deeply understood Zhao Wudao's power. Stepping forward, he said, "Zhao Wudao, one bears responsibility for one's own actions. This matter started because of me. It has nothing to do with him."
"Step aside! What are you, a waste, worth?" Zhao Wudao snorted coldly, the sound like thunder rumbling. The entire Palace of Sinking Fish and Falling Geese shook, causing Zhao Tianyi's blood energy throughout his body to hum and boil, nearly making him vomit blood.
At this moment, Ye Chen placed a hand on his shoulder, channeling a profound force that calmed the turbulent blood energy within him. Facing Zhao Wudao's oppressive gaze, he remained unchanged, speaking calmly, "Is that a question or an interrogation? Ridiculous. Who do you think you are? Must we answer your questions just because you ask?"
Whoosh—
The entire hall suddenly trembled. No one expected Ye Chen to face Zhao Wudao like this. This was a King, a peak figure among the younger generation, a top-tier existence even when searching across the myriad realms.
Facing such a Young King, even other young Talents and noble ladies would speak with extreme caution. Yet Ye Chen instead questioned him.
Did he possess sufficient confidence, or was he ignorant of the situation?
"I don't know if you truly possess that kind of confidence or are just arrogant. Over all these years, you are the first among my peers to dare speak to me like this. I must say, you are quite something. However, people often must pay the price for their actions."
Zhao Wudao was not angered but instead laughed, his words even appreciative. Yet everyone present felt their hearts tremble, because at this moment, an extremely terrifying pressure slowly began to emanate from Zhao Wudao, spreading through this magnificent Palace of Sinking Fish and Falling Geese, making everyone feel a dreadful sense of oppression.
Boom—
The terrifying pressure of a King pressed down overwhelmingly towards Ye Chen and Zhao Tianyi. The King was enraged.
Although not the target, everyone present felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, chilled to the bone.
"So strong! Is this Zhao Wudao? And he must be a supreme King about to step into the Divine Transformation Realm; otherwise, he couldn't be this powerful."
"A Divine Transformation King surpasses us and can even rival the legendary Young True Kings. No wonder he's so formidable."
Within the Palace of Sinking Fish and Falling Geese, many young powerhouses exclaimed in awe, feeling shock.
This was a King truly about to step into the Divine Transformation Realm, standing at the peak of the Demigod level, possessing extremely powerful combat strength.
"Do you think that makes you invincible under heaven?"
Ye Chen smiled. Simultaneously, a majestic pressure not the slightest bit weaker than Zhao Wudao's slowly bloomed from his body, filling the entire Palace of Sinking Fish and Falling Geese.
As the two vast pressures collided, the palace immediately trembled, teetering on the verge of collapse. Countless banquet tables shattered, the floor cracked, and divine might seemed endless.
This scene caused all the young prodigies to instantly change color.
This mysterious youth was actually also a Young King, powerful to such an extent. No wonder he showed no fear of Zhao Wudao and instead dared to oppose him.
"A King!"
Even Zhao Wudao's expression changed. The Saints and Saintesses inside were the same. How could they have imagined there was another supreme King present, mingling among a group of people with no power or influence?
Even they no longer dared to be arrogant.
Zhao Tianyi was utterly astonished. Although he knew Ye Chen's strength was great, he never imagined he was actually a supreme King-level figure.
Zhao Jun felt like dying. He had actually provoked a King-level figure.
No wonder he dared to speak to Zhao Wudao like that. He was actually a super figure at the Young King level.
Ye Chen confronted Zhao Wudao, his gaze always calm. "So you're a King. What of it? You're still just a Virtual King. Looking across the myriad realms, while those at this level aren't numerous, they aren't few either. Without reaching the True King Realm, you never truly have the capital to be invincible or arrogant."
"There are skies beyond skies, people beyond people. Among this generation, Virtual Kings have already fallen. And the next one could very well be you."
Ye Chen's plain words carried an even stronger scent of gunpowder. Was this a threat against Zhao Wudao?
Zhao Wudao's expression changed even more. Since birth, he had always swept through his generation undefeated, dominating the great domain, unparalleled under heaven. Otherwise, he couldn't have defeated so many clan members to attain the position of Crown Prince.
He had always gotten whatever he wanted, wind or rain.
Yet now, he was actually being threatened. Even if the other was also a super powerhouse at the Virtual King level, it was unacceptable. His dignity could not be challenged.
"The next one will only be you, not me. And you will die by my hand." Zhao Wudao snorted coldly. At this moment, he chose to attack. His eyes emitted divine light as he flicked his hand, unleashing a curtain of light.
Although it seemed ordinary, at the King level, how many were easy opponents? Within that plain curtain of light was contained terrifying Kingly Laws, capable of destroying all obstacles.
Slaying gods when encountering gods, slaughtering buddhas when encountering buddhas!
Boom—
The Palace of Sinking Fish and Falling Geese trembled violently, teetering on the brink, making people change color as if it might completely collapse at any moment.
"This is getting somewhat interesting." A cold smile appeared at the corner of Ye Chen's mouth. Just as he was about to act, several powerful figures directly descended at this moment, Kingly Laws continuously manifesting, blocking Zhao Wudao's offensive.
"What is the meaning of this? Do you all want to help him, becoming my enemies?" Zhao Wudao's face was icy as he glared at these Saints and Saintesses.
Daochu stepped forward to explain. "Brother Wudao, you misunderstand. We acted only because this is Qingcheng Palace, where combat is forbidden!"
Qingcheng Palace, on the surface, was a palace treasure pavilion with beautiful women in attendance. But everyone knew the power behind Qingcheng Palace was absolutely extraordinary, not inferior to an Immortal Sacred Land.
"Fine. Today, for the sake of you Fellow Daoists, I shall spare your life." Zhao Wudao ceased his attack, making everyone sigh in relief. But before leaving, he couldn't resist threatening Ye Chen once more.
"I was rather looking forward to you attacking. Otherwise, it would only make you, the so-called Crown Prince of Zhao, seem like a cowardly bandit." Ye Chen laughed, his smile deeply mocking, showing no fear of Zhao Wudao. Even now, he was still ridiculing him.
"Kid, you're dead!" Zhao Wudao flew into a rage. His eyes blazed like divine lamps, emitting dazzling divine light as terrifying Kingly divine might spread.
He was about to attack. His entire body erupted with a fearsome aura, his divine crown dazzling and eye-catching, shining with brilliant divine radiance, like a deity or demon coldly staring at Ye Chen.
Yet Ye Chen remained utterly unafraid. Instead, he crooked a finger, a disdainful smile on his face. "Come. I'll kill you with a single raise of my hand."