The battle had concluded.
However, to put it bluntly, none of the four peerless proud sons of heaven had truly exerted their ultimate, most formidable strength.
Although Ye Chen had employed the Heaven-Summoning Art, who in all honesty could claim that this represented the full extent of Ye Chen's power?
After all, he was the first supreme genius since the Mythical Era to break through to the Tenth Heaven, a feat he had achieved across two lifetimes. He was also the master of the Ancient Blue World. His methods could truly be described as unfathomable.
The previous battle had appeared so calm and composed. Not a single drop of blood had been shed by the Battle Saint King, nor any sweat seen. He hadn't even been out of breath.
All of this signified the Battle Saint King's effortless ease.
The Sun God, Feng Wu, and the Yuan Yao Divine King were no different. Not one of them was flushed or panting, clearly also at ease.
Each was unfathomably deep. Even those older-generation figures found it difficult to gauge the true extent of their cultivation.
Both Ye Chen and the twelve Immortal True Kings had ceased fighting, standing in mutual confrontation, no longer making a move.
This left many feeling a sense of regret. A grand, much-anticipated clash at the pinnacle of the younger generation had concluded just like that—without a life-or-death duel, without the splattering of blood.
They hadn't even had their fill of watching.
Even the high-level figures of the Dragon Phoenix Academy hidden in the shadows seemed to feel it had ended too soon.
Although the Dragon Phoenix Academy had not yet officially opened its doors, the number of young geniuses arriving from the myriad realms continued to swell, exceeding fifteen thousand.
It could be said that virtually everyone capable of coming here was a true young genius, a standout figure who had truly distinguished themselves within their respective Great Domains.
These were individuals who shone brightly within their own domains' younger generation, yet here they seemed to pale in comparison. Even Kings lost the awe-inspiring prominence and extraordinariness they commanded in their home domains. Though still powerful, they appeared relatively dimmed.
This was not a case of a galaxy of stars shining brightly. The truly most dazzling brilliance belonged solely to the Battle Saint King and the twelve peerless True Kings.
Each of them, when viewed across the myriad realms and all of history, ranked among the most exceptional, monstrously talented peerless heroes. Even in this gathering place for Heaven's Pride from all domains, they could not be buried, remaining supremely radiant and eye-catching.
The presence of the myriad realms' Heaven's Pride gathered here merely served to set off these peerless geniuses, highlighting their invincibility and brilliance.
All the Heaven's Pride from the myriad domains lifted their heads, gazing up at the thirteen figures high above as if they were supreme deities ruling the world, standing atop the absolute peak of the younger generation, forcing all their peers to look up to them.
Naturally, the treatment of each peerless True King was also exceptional, utterly unlike that of ordinary Heaven's Pride who had to wait.
They were the truly invincible among the young, having received invitation letters personally delivered by elders of the Dragon Phoenix Academy, granting them direct, early entry.
This was how the reincarnated body of the Tai Chu Female Saint Master, as well as Yi Wu and Chen'er, had entered the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
The Dragon Phoenix Academy's invitation letters represented its sincerity. Historically, they were only personally delivered to the most monstrously talented geniuses of the myriad realms, such as the various True Kings, and like Ye Chen.
Otherwise, not even Kings were qualified.
The Sun God, Yuan Yao Divine King, Feng Wu, the Ancient Desolate Devil God, and the other peerless True Kings had long since stepped forward one by one, holding their invitation letters.
The Dragon Phoenix Academy swung open its most magnificent main gate in advance, welcoming these Immortal True King geniuses inside. Visions manifested: true dragons crossing the sky, immortal phoenixes soaring, Kunpengs letting out long roars, White Tigers roaring. Auspicious rays streaked across, immortal light shimmered brilliantly, and showers of light rain fell, bestowing the highest honors to welcome these peerless geniuses.
Even the Sky Roc King and several other Saint Realm Kings had received invitation letters to enter.
This filled the many Heaven's Pride from the myriad domains with envy, jealousy, and resentment, yet they could only feel a helpless sense of being overshadowed.
It wasn't as if no one had tried to force their way in. They were the favored sons of heaven from their domains, immensely proud. Within their own factions, they were figures whose word was law among the younger generation, highly regarded by the senior leadership. How could they endure waiting? They charged straight in.
But they were swiftly punished. A powerful Saint Realm Overlord from the Dragon Phoenix Academy appeared, dominating all directions. With a single slap, that half-Saint realm genius was torn asunder, his body shattered to pieces, leaving only his primordial spirit to narrowly escape, though it nearly cracked apart.
This scene deeply shocked all the myriad realms' Heaven's Pride present, making their hearts tremble with fear.
From then on, no one else dared to force entry, not even Kings, waiting patiently instead.
Surprisingly, the Battle Saint King had not entered all this while, quietly waiting outside, unmoving, which puzzled people.
This was because of Yaya and Ruoxi. They had not received corresponding invitation letters, so they needed to wait until the official opening day to enter.
Although Yaya's identity as the World Tree would certainly grant her entry—a being that, upon maturing, could contend with Mythical Emperors and Sovereigns, possessing boundless potential.
Unfortunately, few knew of Yaya's identity as the World Tree; it had been kept tightly sealed, so it was not known.
Ruoxi did not count as a young True King, so naturally, she had not received an invitation letter either.
Because of this, even though Ye Chen possessed an invitation letter, he could only enter alone if he chose to go early, so he did not opt for early entry.
Although Yaya and Ruoxi had urged Ye Chen to enter early, he politely declined.
Five days later, the Dragon Phoenix Academy's main gate truly opened with a thunderous rumble. The number of Heaven's Pride from the myriad domains who had come to take the trials for entry had already surpassed thirty thousand—an unprecedented, exceedingly large number.
To fully enter the Dragon Phoenix Academy, one had to pass various trials, and the competition was unprecedentedly fierce.
Naturally, Ye Chen had no need for any of this. Moreover, he was filled with confidence in Ruoxi and Yaya, each a figure more powerful than the last.
"I'll wait for you inside," Ye Chen said, then took a step forward, bypassing the many Heaven's Pride from the myriad domains. Just as he was about to enter, a streak of light suddenly shot over from the horizon like lightning.
Ye Chen caught it. It was a package containing some broken items: fragments of a Dao Weapon, pieces of divine armor, and other objects of little value. Yet, they immediately caused Ye Chen's pupils to contract sharply.
Because these items were not treasures, but belongings of old acquaintances from the past, carrying their familiar auras.
They were the young Heaven's Pride from the Heavenly Capital Continent who had followed him out of the King's Ancient Path over a decade ago: Li Taixu, Yang Wushuang, Wu Yunyan, and the others.