After leaving the Heavenly Gate's main hall, Ye Chen had learned the profound secret beyond the Ninefold Emperor's Pass. Though somewhat shocked, his expression remained calm and untroubled.
Because sooner or later, he would ascend to the pinnacle of the Great Dao; he fundamentally had nothing to fear. He was only somewhat worried that his parents and clansmen might not be able to wait out the passage of time.
He was just a bit puzzled. Why would the Ye Family guarding the Tenth Emperor's Pass take his clansmen away? His father, Ye Ao, the strongest among them, was merely at the Demigod realm, while the other clansmen had shallow cultivation at best. What use could there be in bringing them to the Tenth Emperor's Pass?
If it was to go to the front lines to kill enemies, that was simply impossible. They were too weak. Probably, just a single strong member of the alien race army appearing would be enough to annihilate the entire Ye Family.
He suspected that his own family seemed to be concealing some significant secrets, secrets that even he, the son of the family head, had never been privy to.
Before his departure, the Heavenly Gate's Gate Lord asked him when he planned to leave for the Myriad Domains Center. Ye Chen gave a reply: one month later.
The return of the Battle Saint King to the Heavenly Gate had caused a boiling excitement among the countless disciples of the sect. If not for the strict orders from the Elders, who knew how many disciples would have sought an audience with the Battle Saint King.
His popularity was so high that within the Heavenly Gate, aside from the Gate Lord himself, no one could compare.
Regarding this, Ye Chen was also somewhat amused and exasperated. He himself had never expected it to be like this. But occasionally, he would make an appearance, entering the disciples' training grounds to offer some guidance.
Standing at Ye Chen's current height, he was long capable of taking disciples and imparting martial arts. Naturally, his guidance for the Heavenly Gate disciples was more than sufficient. In fact, his insights often ran deeper than those of many Elders. His pointers, often just a few words, would hit the nail on the head.
Occasionally, he would also hold a lecture on the Dao, explaining one by one many of the difficult problems encountered on the cultivation path. This allowed many disciples to have sudden realizations, and basically everyone gained some comprehension.
Naturally, every time he held such a lecture, countless disciples would come to listen. Often, disciples would fill the entire mountainside, and even some Elders would appear to listen to his lectures. They too would gain something and couldn't help but sigh in admiration at the Battle Saint King's understanding of heaven and earth, which was far deeper than that of ordinary Saints.
Of course, most of his time was spent accompanying his little sister, Ruoxi. However, this time, Ruoxi also planned to follow Ye Chen to the Myriad Domains Center and did not intend to remain at the Heavenly Gate.
Although Ruoxi appeared delicate and ethereal like an immortal, stunningly beautiful, she was also a powerful woman, a Saint Lord-level figure. It was just that she was usually as serene as an immortal, not revealing her strength, so many people, upon seeing Ruoxi, would often forget about her power.
During this period, Ye Chen also visited some old friends like the Thirteenth Prince to check on their situation. After the Heavenly Gate's Elders and disciples learned of the identities of the Thirteenth Prince and the others in relation to Ye Chen, they not only did not cause them trouble but instead showed them considerable care.
Many disciples whose cultivation far surpassed theirs had personally visited, their eyes burning as they respectfully inquired about various matters concerning the Battle Saint King's current life. Their attitudes were naturally very respectful, never arrogant.
Other Elders, somewhat like loving the house for the crow upon its roof, also showed them much care, offering plenty of guidance and speaking to them quite politely.
After all, these people were friends who had risen from obscurity alongside the Battle Saint King in this life. Their relationship was extraordinary; how could they dare to slight them?
The Thirteenth Prince and Princess Hong Rong also did not act arrogantly relying on Ye Chen's status. They remained polite and interacted harmoniously with the many disciples of the Heavenly Gate, creating a joyful atmosphere. Seeing this scene, Ye Chen felt relieved. However, to avoid any special situations arising in the future, he entrusted an Elder to take extra care of them.
On this day, Ye Chen was in quiet cultivation on Moonfall Peak when an Elder from the Heavenly Gate suddenly arrived, speaking respectfully: "Saint King, there is a guest at the Five Peaks Hall seeking you. It is said they come from the Myriad Domains Center."
Ye Chen was somewhat surprised but nodded. The visitor must have an extraordinary status; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to prompt a dignified Elder to personally come.
Ye Chen said to Ruoxi, who was sitting by a chair in the room reading Myriad Domains unofficial histories: "Xi'er, I'm leaving for a moment."
Ruoxi lifted her head, smiling beautifully: "Take care, Brother."
"Please lead the way, Elder," Ye Chen said.
"Of course."
Following the Elder's steps, Ye Chen ascended to a grand hall standing on one of the Heavenly Gate's peaks, a treasure hall used for receiving distinguished guests. There, he saw a gentle-faced old man, scholarly and refined like an old scholar, who naturally inspired goodwill.
Upon seeing Ye Chen's arrival, the old man rose from the treasure seat, stepped forward, clasped his fists, and chuckled: "This must be the Heavenly Gate's Battle Saint King. I have long heard of the Saint King's illustrious name. Seeing you today, it truly is better to meet than to hear of you. Young and accomplished, possessing Supreme talent."
Although there was a certain flavor of seeking goodwill in his words, the old man, looking at Ye Chen before him, couldn't help but feel genuinely astonished.
This Battle Saint King, though seemingly young, had eyes that were unexpectedly, profoundly deep, like bottomless abysses. They seemed to have seen through the vicissitudes of the mortal world, seen through all illusions. He himself felt as if he had nowhere to hide before them.
Moreover, he was clearly only a Demi-Saint, yet the aura he unconsciously emitted faintly caused this overlord figure to feel a tremor in his heart, as if facing the most terrifying Primordial Beast.
This feeling was something he had only ever felt when facing those few individuals, each one a peerless existence with unparalleled, extraordinary origins. Yet, the Battle Saint King before him also made him feel that sensation. No wonder his peerless fame was so widely spread throughout the Myriad Domains.
This person absolutely deserved the title of a dragon among men!
The more he thought this, the more fervent the old man's gaze became.
Ye Chen modestly said: "The old gentleman flatters me. How dare I, Ye, presume to deserve such praise. I just wonder what matter brings the old gentleman here to seek me, Ye?"
The old man then introduced himself, a hint of pride in his tone: "My apologies, I was so caught up in talking that I forgot to introduce myself. This old man is Elder He Hua of the Dragon Phoenix Academy. I have come this time hoping to invite the Battle Saint King to join our Dragon Phoenix Academy."
As his words fell, the Elder who claimed to be from the Dragon Phoenix Academy presented a gilded invitation letter.
Hearing this, Ye Chen solemnly accepted the gilded invitation letter from the Elder's hand. On it were imprinted images of a soaring dragon and a dancing phoenix, flowing with a special Dao Rhyme, as if the dragon and phoenix were truly manifesting, their dragon roars and phoenix cries lingering by one's ears.
Opening the invitation letter, a majestic yet gentle power immediately spread forth. On it were lines of writing, shining brilliantly and flowing with extraordinary Dao Rhyme.
The general meaning was simple and also polite: it was an invitation for a genius and talent like Ye Chen to join the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
However, facing the invitation from the Dragon Phoenix Academy, Ye Chen's expression turned grave.
Because the Dragon Phoenix Academy was a supreme academy on par with the Myriad Realms Academy.