"Why should I explain myself? What are you, anyway?"
The faint words echoed through the vast, empty ancient hall like a bolt from the blue.
The Battle Saint King's smile was icy, tinged with utter disdain and contempt, as if he didn't even consider this generation's Saint Realm King worthy of his regard.
That Saint Realm King was infuriated by the humiliation. Although he wasn't a True King, as a Saint Realm King, he was no weaker than a True King, possessing immense power that allowed him to stand aloof from his peers. Hearing the Battle Saint King's scornful dismissal, how could he not be shocked and enraged?
Immediately, his expression turned heavy and still. "Battle Saint King, though you are powerful, don't think you are the number one under heaven. Everyone present here is a peerless genius. You are clearly looking down on everyone."
His words were venomous. Though he didn't curse outright, he used intangible influence to push Ye Chen onto the opposite side of everyone, making him a target for all.
Even if the Battle Saint King were more powerful, he couldn't possibly contend against so many True King geniuses alone.
Yet Ye Chen merely laughed, his coldness undiminished, even gaining a hint of mockery. He pointed at the Yuan Yao Divine King, then at the Sun God, the Primordial Demon God, and the other Immortal True Kings one by one. "I never said I was number one under heaven, nor am I looking down on everyone. They all have the qualification to step into the Mythical Tenth Heaven. They are my great enemies; I respect them and look forward to facing them. But you—"
"A mere False King, you think you deserve my attention? Ridiculous!"
"Only by achieving the Saint Treasury Realm can one have the power to fight us. Do you think you are worthy of my regard? Even a Demi-Saint could kill you!"
He was forceful and domineering, declaring right there that he did not consider that Saint Realm King worthy, even revealing a fearsome killing intent, unafraid of the barrier posed by the great realm.
For a supreme genius like him, he had nearly suppressed even a demon saint like the Heavenly Roc King who had achieved True King status, let alone other kings.
"You—"
Not only was this Saint Realm King furious, but the two other Saint Realm Kings who had entered were also enraged, looking at Ye Chen with sinister gazes, killing intent permeating the air.
"Want to fight?"
Ye Chen showed no fear, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
The Sun God strode forward, as did the Primordial Demon God. Ye Gucheng also appeared. Three Immortal True Kings stood on the Battle Saint King's side, coldly facing the three Saint Realm Kings, clearly agreeing with the Battle Saint King's words.
Mere kings. Unless they achieved the Saint Treasury Realm, how could they have the power to fight them? Even a Demi-Saint could kill them.
"I'd also like to see what confidence a Saint Realm King has," the Sun God spoke, divine radiance shimmering brilliantly, every inch of his body glowing with flawless, dazzling divine radiance that illuminated the heavens.
The Primordial Demon God was an invincible divine demon, looking down upon the three Saint Realm Kings from a commanding height without saying a word.
Ye Gucheng's entire body surged with sword intent.
The four invincible geniuses stood like the Four Extremities reaching the heavens, their bodies radiating boundless pressure that pressed forward, seemingly about to suck the air dry, creating an atmosphere so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
The three Saint Realm Kings immediately changed color. One Battle Saint King was one thing; no matter how powerful, he couldn't match the three of them. But with four Immortal True Kings, the situation became completely one-sided.
Their expressions turned gloomy and ugly, yet there was nothing they could do. They snorted coldly and retreated.
Ye Chen said nothing, only offering a scornful smile before nodding to the three Immortal True Kings.
Their expressions remained calm. Having come here, they weren't exactly enemies, as whoever could touch the statue would gain the qualification to enter the Ancient Divine Domain, and there weren't just a handful of spots.
Then Ye Chen looked at the Yuan Yao Divine King, their gazes colliding. He spoke directly, "Yuan Yao, I actually look forward to truly fighting you one day."
Everyone was taken aback, not expecting the Battle Saint King to challenge the Yuan Yao Divine King.
The Yuan Yao Divine King's expression was calm, as transcendent and eye-catching as the Child of Light. He smiled, bright and radiant. "I also look forward to it, but not now."
"A pity. I really want to kill you," the Battle Saint King shook his head, sighing lightly. The words he suddenly uttered made everyone's expressions change.
The two shouldn't have any conflict of interest. Why did the Battle Saint King want to kill the Yuan Yao Divine King?
Even the competition for the Human Sovereign's path shouldn't start now.
These words even made the Yuan Yao Divine King's expression falter momentarily before he smiled openly. "I look forward to it."
Ye Chen sighed lightly. This Yuan Yao Divine King was even more worthy of caution than imagined. Even he had no confidence in killing him, despite being the Ancient Lan World Lord, because the Yuan Yao Divine King was far more mysterious and powerful than imagined.
Boom—
At that moment, a tremendous sound came from outside the ancient hall. Other powerful experts had entered, their fluctuations so vast and world-shaking they surpassed the Saint Treasury Realm.
Without thinking, it was clear someone had used a forbidden artifact to attack, forcefully blasting through the sea of immortal flames to charge into the Dark Night Ancient Hall.
Regarding this, the First Great Bandit Heavenly King didn't intervene much. Otherwise, with a Heavenly King blocking the way, it definitely wouldn't have been too difficult.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Over twenty people entered the hall. They also obtained the crucial information that touching the Sovereign's statue granted entry to the Ancient Divine Domain. Their eyes blazing with fervor, they charged forward directly.
As expected, the Great Dao's hand appeared within the starry river, directly suppressing them without exception.
These people couldn't even compare to the various True Kings; almost all were crushed to pieces. If not for each possessing secret treasures, they likely would have been annihilated.
After understanding this, everyone felt lingering fear.
Some even prepared to use forbidden artifacts and secret treasures to attack, hoping to pass the Great Dao's hand. But the Great Dao's hand directly suppressed them, growing stronger against stronger opposition. Forget secret treasures; even a flawed Heavenly King battle weapon was useless, and injuries were even more severe.
Three people had already been annihilated, ground into a pulp of indistinct flesh and blood.
This was truly terrifying.
All of this made entering the Ancient Divine Domain seem unprecedentedly difficult.
The various True Kings no longer made attempts. Each stood in the void, watching as genius after genius charged forward, only to be suppressed without exception by the appearance of the Great Dao's hand.
Ye Chen rubbed the Old Yan Ancient Ring on his finger, which was releasing blazing light that he forcibly suppressed.
He walked on foot, continuously measuring the ancient hall with his steps. He didn't attempt to touch the statue again but wanted to know what other connection the Old Yan Ancient Ring might have with the ancient hall.
The vast ancient hall was almost empty. Aside from the Dark Night Sovereign statue seated on the central divine throne, no other objects could be seen.
But suddenly, he arrived at the rear of the ancient hall and stopped, letting out a sound of surprise.
Because he saw murals depicted on the wall, and his mind was drawn to them.