The entire city was boiling with excitement. Countless members of the younger generation felt their blood surging, filled with an almost uncontrollable fervor.
For the sole crown of the Ancient Divine Palace's successor, in the final battle for supremacy, even those young geniuses who had been eliminated or had not participated before could now join.
This was momentous news, and the coveted status of the Ancient Divine Palace's successor had the eyes of the entire world burning with envy. For the younger generation aspiring to climb to the pinnacle of the Great Dao, this was undoubtedly the fastest shortcut. No one did not yearn for it.
One could clearly sense that all the young geniuses within the entire Divine City were now in a state of peculiar exhilaration, directly stirred up by Li Xuan's words. If not for the last shred of reason, they might have already gone mad, eager to start the final battle immediately.
In fact, it wasn't just the younger generation. Even among the older generation who had long aged, some elders nearing the end of their lifespan were pounding their chests and sighing to the heavens, lamenting that time had stolen their youth, preventing them from participating in the final battle and contending for the supreme position.
Some elders even considered using methods to conceal their true age, regain their youth, and join the fray.
But Li Xuan seemed to have anticipated this. An invisible gaze swept over, instantly causing those elders with such intentions to shudder and halt their actions.
They all understood that with the Ancient Divine Palace's methods, even if they could conceal themselves during the final battle and seize the position of the ultimate victor, their true age would undoubtedly be exposed at the crucial moment. At that point, it would no longer be a simple matter of deception; they would face the Ancient Divine Palace's thunderous suppression, potentially leading to the annihilation of their entire faction.
The consequences were far too severe, so none dared to gamble. They could only gaze longingly and sigh.
Just as the entire city was in this state of fervor, suddenly, several vast and majestic waves of Saint might erupted into the sky, their imposing momentum sweeping through the entire Divine City. Instantly, countless Heaven's Pride within the city felt as if they had fallen into an icy cellar, their bodies turning cold.
It was the fourteen strongest Heaven's Pride who had ultimately emerged from the Trial World. They all stood aloft in the void, high above, looking down upon the Divine City.
The supreme might was emanating precisely from them, overwhelming the heavens and the earth, pressuring the entire world.
To contend for the sole crown, one must first cross the line of defense formed by these fourteen strongest Heaven's Pride. This was the greatest difficulty.
Who could accomplish it?
The faces of all the Heaven's Pride in the city changed drastically.
However, Ye Chen's expression also shifted slightly, though naturally not because of the fourteen strongest Heaven's Pride. He feared not even if fourteen Saint Lords came.
It was just that Li Xuan's words seemed to carry a special meaning. The so-called 'younger generation' wasn't limited to the younger generation of the Ancient Divine Continent. Did it also include young geniuses like him, who were not from the Ancient Divine Continent? And what about the other Young True Kings...
He thought of some unpleasant possibilities and couldn't help but cast a deep glance at Li Xuan. What exactly was the Ancient Divine Palace planning?
Li Xuan seemed to sense Ye Chen's gaze. He actually looked towards him, revealing a faint smile and giving a slight, meaningful nod from afar.
But this scene went unnoticed by most, as more attention was focused on the fourteen strongest Heaven's Pride.
Because everything seemed to have returned to the starting point; in the end, it was still a contest among the fourteen strongest Heaven's Pride.
Li Xuan spoke again, his words carrying profound meaning: "The final battle is the battle to determine the strongest, the battle for the position of the Ancient Divine Palace's successor. Naturally, the requirements are stricter than before. To better select the most suitable candidate, our Ancient Divine Palace has decided that the format for this final battle will be—"
"A free-for-all."
"A free-for-all!?"
The entire city was stunned, everyone dumbfounded. They had assumed it would be a tournament-style, one-on-one competition, but never expected it to be a free-for-all.
Generally speaking, no matter how strong a person is, two fists are hard-pressed to fight off four hands. Facing the combined assault of many powerhouses, it seemed impossible to emerge as the ultimate victor.
Not only were the young heroes shocked, even Ye Chen was slightly surprised, though only momentarily. He soon understood Li Xuan's intention.
Indeed, they aimed to select the most dazzling Heaven's Pride throughout the ages.
Li Xuan continued: "Moreover, for this free-for-all, to allow everyone to better display their true strength, once the battle begins, there are no restrictions—life or death. The last person standing will be the victor."
When this final so-called rule was announced, everyone was stunned once more.
Killing was actually permitted? Was this a selection for the younger generation's peak grand assembly, or a game of slaughter?
"The Ancient Divine Palace is the number one power on the Ancient Divine Continent. To become its successor, one must possess an undying body capable of slaughtering tens of millions without falling. Otherwise, one is unqualified to become the successor of our Ancient Divine Palace, let alone the future master of the Ancient Divine Palace and the ruler of the Ancient Divine Continent."
"A free-for-all is the best method. To become the strongest, one must not only possess the greatest combat power but also endure countless enemies, remaining undying and unextinguished, honing the ability to face ten thousand foes alone, and becoming the final victor. Only then can one be considered truly invincible!"
"Without an invincible heart, without invincible combat power, without an invincible Dao, how can one be truly invincible? How can one climb to the pinnacle of the Great Dao, surpass the sages of old, and look down upon all ages?"
"Therefore, only through a free-for-all, only by emerging from among tens of millions and remaining standing unwaveringly, can one succeed, can one be invincible!"
"If anyone is fearful, afraid of death, they may withdraw. There is still time now. But they will completely lose the opportunity to contend for the pinnacle of the Great Dao, completely lose the chance to become the number one figure who decides the fate of the continent. They are unworthy of becoming the future master of our Ancient Divine Palace."
Li Xuan spoke slowly. Although he offered a way out, his final words were incredibly stirring, carrying an intangible spiritual fluctuation that directly set the blood of countless young people in the city boiling.
They were all at the most youthful and vigorous age, the most impulsive moment, with abundant vitality. Naturally, they all harbored the desire to become the world's number one, the hope to rule the world, and the aspiration to be as dazzling and the focus of the world's attention as the few strongest Heaven's Pride, revered by all.
Usually, they restrained these desires well, knowing they were likely impossible, so they could only gaze longingly and sigh.
But today, stirred by Li Xuan's stirring words, these desires overflowed wildly.
What man alive does not wish for a peak battle? Who does not wish to stand at the summit?
To contend for the final, sole crown, even death would be without regret.
"Kill, kill, kill!"
The entire city boiled over. All the young Heaven's Pride were filled with desire, many times stronger than before.
Even the majestic Saint might of the fourteen strongest Heaven's Pride could no longer suppress or influence them. On the contrary, it made many Heaven's Pride throughout the city cast hostile glances their way.