Within the Heavenly Gate, a festive atmosphere prevailed. The entire sect was celebrating the Battle Saint King's successful emergence from seclusion.
Everyone understood just how powerful the Battle Saint King was now. If not peerless and invincible, he was close to it. Even mighty figures like the Four Great Demi-Saint Kings were no match for him within a few exchanges. His strength was evident for all to see.
Only a true Immortal True King could likely contend with him.
But a perfected young generation's supreme of the Tenth Heaven was perhaps even stronger than an Immortal True King.
After a full three days and nights of celebration, the festivities gradually subsided. However, all the disciples of the Heavenly Gate remained incredibly excited. The Battle Saint King's return had greatly boosted their confidence.
A legendary myth!
With this momentum, who would dare to truly look down upon the Heavenly Gate's prestige or challenge its authority?
Naturally, news of the Battle Saint King's emergence from seclusion also shook the myriad realms, drawing the attention of countless individuals.
Especially the fact that his Tenth Heaven Supreme One Great Tribulation had involved constructing chaos and summoning forbidden immortal lightning.
Although it hadn't succeeded, the entire world sighed in admiration at the Battle Saint King's peerless extraordinariness, that he had attempted to forge such a supreme Great Dao.
Moreover, with the Battle Saint King's reappearance and the re-emergence of the invincible bearing of the mythical Tenth Heaven, many felt they had glimpsed that in the future Human Sovereign contention battles, the Battle Saint King would undoubtedly be one of the most powerful and formidable competitors, one who would drive many rivals to despair.
Naturally, within the myriad realms, some Immortal True Kings revealed sharp, cold gazes. The Battle Saint King's emergence did not frighten them; instead, it ignited within them the most blazing fighting spirit, a pure desire for battle.
Ye Chen was unaware of the turbulent excitement in the outside world. Having long since restrained his overwhelming aura, not leaking a trace of divine energy, he now resembled an ordinary mortal young man. In a small forest cottage on Moonfall Peak, he was enjoying simple, fresh, and delicious home-cooked dishes with his sister, who was as beautiful as a celestial fairy.
Since undergoing his tribulation, Ye Chen had basically been living this simple, tranquil life. His days were leisurely—either accompanying the Xi Immortal Maiden, reading ancient texts, or occasionally fishing by a small lake. His life was relaxed and carefree, devoid of the cultivator's usual arduous training.
Twelve years of secluded, bitter cultivation had greatly increased his cultivation base, but it had also been excessively monotonous, to the point where his heart had grown desolate, lacking its proper vitality.
Moreover, the Dao of cultivation was not something that could be mastered through bitter cultivation alone. Occasionally relaxing might yield considerable benefits for one's cultivation path.
This lifestyle continued for a full half-month, allowing Ye Chen's aura to become increasingly smooth, natural, perfectly controlled, and thoroughly returned to an ordinary state.
Unless he actively released his might, even a Saint Lord-level powerhouse standing before him would likely mistake him for just a common mortal.
Naturally, Xi cherished the time spent with her brother immensely, sticking by his side almost day and night.
Of course, theirs was merely a deep sibling bond. Having depended on each other for survival since childhood in their previous lives, their connection was far deeper than that of ordinary brothers and sisters. That was all.
Occasionally, Ye Chen would also appear in the back mountains where many Heavenly Gate disciples trained. Although he only appeared a handful of times, each appearance sent all the disciples into cheers. Their eyes burned with fervent admiration as they looked upon Ye Chen, idolizing him.
Now, Ye Chen had long since, imperceptibly, become the intangible leader among the many disciples of the Heavenly Gate.
In this regard, even Wind King Zhao Feng fell far short.
Naturally, Zhao Feng understood the vast gap between himself and the Battle Saint King. When a disparity reached a certain magnitude, it no longer bred jealousy; what remained was only a gaze of admiration.
Undoubtedly, for Zhao Feng now, Ye Chen was someone he needed to look up to.
Whenever Ye Chen appeared, he would always offer targeted advice to the many young disciples of the Heavenly Gate. A considerable number of disciples would step forward to seek guidance, demonstrating their divine abilities and circulating their cultivation techniques for Ye Chen to examine, hoping to identify their shortcomings.
Ye Chen spoke little, but each time he could accurately pinpoint the critical flaws in these disciples' cultivation and propose better modifications. It was like a sudden enlightenment, leaving people utterly convinced.
During this period, Ye Chen had not neglected to personally visit the Primordial Holy Land to meet with the Primordial Female Saint Lord, also known as the Goddess Zhao Jingruo. However, he was informed that she had entered seclusion, likely striving to cross the cycle of reincarnation.
This news left Ye Chen stunned and somewhat helpless.
Reunions always seemed so difficult. For them to truly be together consistently remained a challenge.
Either he was in seclusion, or she was.
This made Ye Chen sigh slightly. He hadn't anticipated that his own seclusion would last a full twelve years, so very long.
Naturally, he also inquired about news of Yaya and the others. Surprisingly, Yaya was still in seclusion, a fact that even he found quite astonishing upon hearing it.
Even if one was in seclusion, it shouldn't require so many years. For him, it was one thing, but for Yaya to also be secluded for so long... if not for the Primordial Ancestor regularly checking on her, he would have suspected something had happened to her.
While he was in seclusion, two peerless beauties had appeared, seeking out the Heavenly Gate.
One was like a green lotus fairy; the other's beauty could topple nations. Their arrival had stirred the Heavenly Gate. As beautiful as celestial fairies, not inferior to the Primordial Female Saint Lord or the Xi Immortal Maiden, they were invited inside. Both had come for him.
Unfortunately, they both left in the end, as there was no time.
Upon hearing this news, Ye Chen was momentarily dazed. He knew who they were and felt endless guilt, letting out only a soft sigh...
Peaceful days are always brief. A month later, Ye Chen sat cross-legged atop a peak within the Heavenly Gate. A dazzling pillar of divine light erupted from the crown of his head. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth from all directions gathered and surged toward him, pouring into the crown of his head as he fully awakened.
An extremely powerful aura rippled between heaven and earth. Boundless golden light shimmered. Ye Chen had completely shed his ordinary state. Releasing his aura, he fully returned to being the Battle Saint. He needed to wage war.
Simultaneously, on this day, an enormous divine ship suddenly appeared before the Heavenly Gate's capital peak. The vessel was exceptionally massive, built with clusters of palace halls and pavilions, and flew numerous Heavenly Gate battle flags that fluttered in the wind.
One powerful aura after another continuously manifested within this stretch of heaven and earth. From the Heavenly Gate, one formidable figure after another appeared, subsequently landing upon the divine ship.
Even elders, renowned seniors, and even some guest elders appeared, landing on the divine ship. Experts stood in great numbers; masters were as plentiful as clouds.
Upon the divine ship, there were no shortage of Demi-Saints, and even Saint Lord-level Supreme Elders and several ancient recluses. Such a lineup shook the world.
Even Wang Chen, a Heavenly King, appeared. He strode through the air, covering vast distances with each step, landing upon the divine ship within a few breaths, receiving the reverence of many elders and disciples.
Finally, Ye Chen appeared. Standing upon the divine ship, hands clasped behind his back, he gazed out upon the vast heaven and earth and shouted, "Set sail! For the Myriad Saints Domain!"