A faint voice suddenly resounded through the air above the central square.
At first, it seemed ordinary and unremarkable, but then it spread with lightning speed, finally exploding like thunder, carrying a vast, surging momentum that directly neutralized the imposing aura of the Meng Family overlord.
This display left the countless people in the central square dumbfounded. To so calmly and effortlessly dissolve the power of an overlord-level figure indicated an absolute super-powerful expert, possibly not inferior to an overlord.
"Who is it?"
The Meng Family elder roared, his eyes wide with anger, his sideburns slightly flaring as an immense aura erupted from him, far stronger than before.
If his earlier display was merely testing the waters, now he was unleashing his full power with little reservation.
The overlord-level aura completely enveloped the entire central square, making the very void feel heavy and still.
Even Ancient Saints like Lin Tian and Meng Ao felt tremendous pressure, let alone others present. Only the Imperial Dynasty's Supreme Elder remained unaffected, watching coldly without intervening.
"Coward hiding in your shell, still unwilling to show yourself?"
Seeing no one step forward after a long moment, the Meng Family elder's face darkened completely. "Since you intervened for the Lin Family but refuse to appear, I'll make the Lin Family bear the brunt for you."
Boom—
His overlord-level aura erupted fully, not affecting others, but instead crashing down upon the Lin Family powerhouses like a hundred thousand great mountains pressing down.
Although the elder did not truly attack, under this overlord-level pressure, even an Ancient Saint like Lin Tian could only barely resist. Others fared worse; several family elders coughed up blood. Lin Ke'er, who faced the brunt directly and lacked sufficient cultivation, was in danger of being crushed to death.
This was no exaggeration, for an overlord possessed precisely such might.
"Ke'er!"
Lin Tian rushed to the forefront but was completely suppressed, unable to protect Lin Ke'er immediately. Others were in the same predicament, forced to watch helplessly as that intangible overlord pressure was about to strike Lin Ke'er like lightning, as if witnessing a delicate beauty about to fall from this world.
Lin Ke'er did not dodge, knowing escape was impossible. Tears welled in her eyes. In her final moment, the figure deeply engraved in her heart surfaced in her mind, and she softly called out, "Brother Qian—"
Then she closed her eyes, awaiting death.
A moment, yet an eternity!
"Don't worry, you won't be harmed."
A familiar, unhurried voice sounded by her ear. When she opened her bright eyes, she found that very figure had appeared before her, smiling at her. She couldn't help but be slightly stunned. "Am I hallucinating?"
"It's no hallucination," Ye Chen said to her with a smile, then, without turning his head, flicked his sleeve.
Puff—
The mountain-like overlord-level pressure abruptly dissipated, so silently, so suddenly, leaving everyone astonished and dumbfounded.
What kind of technique was this?
If the earlier pressure could be withstood by an Ancient Saint, this fully unleashed overlord-level aura was something even an Ancient Saint would avoid confronting. Yet it was resolved so calmly and composedly by a young man who had suddenly appeared.
This method far exceeded everyone's imagination.
All eyes turned to the tall, slender figure standing before Lin Ke'er. He was handsome and refined, with black hair cascading over his shoulders, eyes like stars yet profoundly deep.
He seemed somewhat familiar, yet no one could immediately identify who he was.
This was because Ye Chen had slightly altered his original aura and appearance using the Stealing Heaven and Changing Earth technique. Though the changes were subtle, they prevented immediate recognition, leaving only a sense of familiarity.
Even if he were the Battle Saint King who had recently shaken the world.
"Hmph, finally willing to show yourself?"
The Meng Family elder's expression was gloomy as he scanned the surroundings.
Though Ye Chen seemed familiar and possessed extraordinary bearing, the elder did not believe this seemingly young man could have withstood his pressure. Even a Heaven's Pride like the Nine Imperial Crown Princes could resist it, but not with such calm composure.
As for the True King powerhouses from the myriad realms, he didn't believe they would appear for a mere Lin Family.
Thus, to some extent, he believed this young genius must have an extraordinary background, with an overlord-level super expert secretly guarding and guiding him.
Others in the central square also realized this, understanding that this mysterious young man likely had a formidable expert following him as a protector.
Not only them, but even Lin Tian and the other Lin Family members thought the same. Only Lin Ke'er was momentarily stunned before understanding, unable to resist casting a charming, teasing glance at Ye Chen.
Had she not spent time close to Ye Chen, grown fond of him from the bottom of her heart, and been this near, she too might not have recognized him immediately.
But with Ye Chen's appearance, her worries vanished. She merely bit her luscious red lips and whispered, "Brother Qian, I'm sorry for troubling you."
Ye Chen reached out and gently patted her head, smiling. "It's fine. We're friends."
Just friends...
A flicker of sadness passed through Lin Ke'er's eyes, but Ye Chen had already turned away, facing the Meng Family. "People of the Meng Family, isn't your behavior today excessive? Contesting the Lin Family's control over the spatial gate is one thing, but why must you bully them so relentlessly?"
Meng Ao merely waved his hand dismissively, coldly shouting, "What right does a junior like you have to speak here? Hurry up and have your elder appear. Rashly interfering in Meng Family affairs and defying the Supreme Sovereign's decree—what crime is that? Do you dare oppose the entire Tianxu Imperial Dynasty?"
Truly worthy of being the Imperial Dynasty's General, he understood the stakes well. With just a few words, he pinned the grave crime of defying the Imperial Dynasty on Ye Chen.
It must be said, this accusation would indeed frighten most people.
Even the Supreme Elder overseeing the spatial gate frowned slightly, glancing around before fixing his gaze on Ye Chen. "Young man, quickly have your elder come out and apologize. Do you and your family truly dare defy our Heavenly Sovereign imperial family?"
"Elder?" Ye Chen shook his head slightly, then cast a faint glance at the imperial Supreme Elder. "I have no elder. I was the one who acted just now."