Ye Chen looked down from his commanding height, surveying the entire Tian Xu imperial capital.
Having reached this point, he no longer wished to endure any further delays. He needed to find a way to cross the Chaotic Sea as soon as possible and also drag out that bastard dragon, the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor. Hence, the scene before him unfolded.
Sensing the numerous powerful auras continuously soaring into the sky from the imperial palace, even Ye Chen couldn't help but sigh. Truly worthy of a major power with a Heavenly King overseeing it. It was indeed a place where tigers crouched and dragons hid. The sheer depth of its heritage was somewhat astonishing even to him.
But he also believed that if he truly took action, within the entire Tian Xu imperial capital, aside from that Heavenly King ancestor and a limited few others, no one could block his advance.
This was his invincible confidence.
Standing aloft in the heavens, looking down upon the entire Tian Xu imperial capital, he even released his astonishingly vast divine sense, thoroughly exploring the capital inch by inch, searching while shouting, "Bastard dragon, still not coming out?"
However, aside from the imperial palace which remained unsearched, the vast capital held not a trace of the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor's aura, nor did he receive any response, which left him puzzled.
Could it be that the Corpse Devouring Insect Emperor wasn't in the Tian Xu imperial capital at all, or was he actually within the imperial palace?
The entire capital stared in astonishment at the Battle Saint King in the sky. Upon hearing his words, they grew even more bewildered.
Was this number one fiend, the Battle Saint King, not here to attack the capital, but to find someone?
It seemed like he was looking for a dragon.
Subsequently, Ye Chen turned his gaze directly towards the imperial palace and strode forward.
The entire imperial palace immediately reacted as if facing a great enemy. Numerous powerful figures appeared, at the very least Demi-Saints, with even overlords and Saint Lords emerging.
From the central main hall of the imperial palace, the figure with the most formidable blood energy soared up. He was born tall and imposing, draped in a dragon robe, and wore a purple dragon crown upon his head.
Needless to say, this was the Emperor of the Tian Xu Empire, appearing in person. Empowered by dragon energy, he was extremely powerful. At this moment, he coldly snorted, "Battle Saint King, what do you intend to do? This is the imperial palace of the Tian Xu Empire. You cannot barge in recklessly, or you will undoubtedly die."
After a moment of silence, Ye Chen completely restrained his formidable aura and descended before the main gate of the imperial palace, saying, "Emperor of Tian Xu, I have some matters I wish to discuss within the palace. I request your permission."
This action caused everyone in the Tian Xu imperial capital to be taken aback. They had thought this Battle Saint King would forcefully enter the palace, never expecting him to act so mildly.
The Emperor was slightly startled, but the anger on his face had already vanished. Clearly, he had no intention of making an enemy of a young generation's supreme like Ye Chen. After all, the other party was a Heaven's Pride capable of slaying Saint Lords, incredibly young, with limitless future achievements. No one would rashly offend such a person.
The palace gates swung open directly. Powerful figures stood in formation, welcoming the Battle Saint King's entry with a grand ceremony rarely seen.
"Battle Saint King, for what purpose do you enter the imperial palace?"
Because it was the Battle Saint King being received, the Tian Xu imperial clan showed not the slightest neglect. The Emperor himself appeared in person—a stern and upright middle-aged man draped in an exceedingly noble dragon robe, wearing a purple dragon crown adorned with dragon pearls, appearing supremely dignified.
The Emperor personally received him, accompanied by several princes of the imperial clan, each a figure of high status and great authority. Yet, facing the invincible Battle Saint King, they appeared somewhat reserved.
The Tian Xu imperial palace was vast, with continuous halls, carved beams and painted rafters, small bridges and flowing water, brimming with imperial aura.
Ye Chen did not act arrogantly or overbearingly. Facing the lofty master of a great imperial dynasty, he remained neither subservient nor arrogant, saying, "Emperor of Tian Xu, I wish to read the ancient texts within the palace concerning the Chaotic Sea and the Ancient Emperor Continent. I hope you will grant this request."
Upon hearing this, the Tian Xu Emperor's expression shifted slightly, for these ancient texts were considered highly important secrets of a great imperial dynasty, not something outsiders could casually peruse.
Even important figures within the imperial family, such as princes, required certain approvals.
Seeing the expressions of those present, Ye Chen understood immediately and said, "Emperor, you should also know that I and the others come from beyond the myriad realms. However, based on my speculation, the passageway to leave the Ancient Emperor Realm is not on the Ancient Divine Continent, but on the Ancient Emperor Continent on the other side of the Chaotic Sea. Therefore, whether it is I or the others, we must all go to the other side of the Chaotic Sea to find the passageway, to leave the Ancient Emperor Realm, and to leave the Ancient Divine Continent."
"In fact, this is beneficial and not harmful to the Ancient Divine Continent. You understand that having us stay on the Ancient Divine Continent... I, for one, am fine. I have no intention of seeking trouble; as long as trouble doesn't come knocking, I generally can't be bothered. But the others are not as reasonable as I am. In order to find a way to leave, they might stop at nothing—like the Primordial Demon God, Cang Jitian, Ye Gucheng, and so on."
"Moreover, you understand that although we are powerful, we are only of the younger generation, with immense room for growth. Surpassing Samsara and ascending to the Heavenly King realm is merely a matter of time, and not a long time at that. Within the next hundred years, we will undoubtedly reach that realm."
"Therefore, the longer we linger, the worse it actually is for the Ancient Divine Continent. What do you think?"
After saying all this, Ye Chen stood calmly with his hands behind his back, watching the complex expressions on the faces of the imperial experts beside him. He smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
He knew that all forces on the Ancient Divine Continent did not wish for Heaven's Prides like them from the myriad realms to remain on the Ancient Divine Continent. Even the Ancient Emperor Realm itself did not wish for it, because they could all see their tremendous potential for growth, yet each one was extremely powerful and difficult to eradicate.
Furthermore, they were ancient imperial dynasties, having experienced who knows how many tens of thousands of years. Naturally, they also understood that Ye Chen and the others, having the qualifications to enter the Ancient Emperor Realm, must possess incredibly fearsome great Dao secret treasures. Even a Heavenly King might not necessarily be able to hunt them down.
Once both sides fell into complete opposition, it would be a disaster for the entire Ancient Divine Continent.
Better to be friends than enemies.
He believed the experience of being enemies for the past two years would lead the imperial clan before him to make the correct choice.
Indeed, the Tian Xu Emperor was a wise figure. He immediately understood the stakes involved and agreed. However, he also proposed a condition: he hoped that when Ye Chen left in the future, he would take the Tian Xu Crown Prince with him.
Because he felt that this generation's Tian Xu Crown Prince surpassed all previous ones, with inevitably greater room for growth, no longer confined to the Saint Treasury Realm. Reaching the Heavenly King realm was not impossible, and he might even surpass the Heavenly King realm.
But on the Ancient Divine Continent, without the corresponding environment, it would be destined to be very difficult to grow to that step. Therefore, placing him within the vast myriad realms, whether he reached the Heavenly King realm or the even higher realm of ancient Great Sages in the future, would be of immense benefit to the entire Tian Xu Empire, capable of protecting its prosperity for at least ten thousand years.