After completing all these preparations, Ye Chen took out the string of black beads he had obtained from the remains of the Black Prison Heavenly King.
He wore them on his Primordial Spirit, constantly feeling its strengthening. Although the process was slow, the continuous, unceasing growth filled him with awe at the wonders of the world.
Next, he retrieved the mythical crown forged from nine types of Chaos Immortal Gold. It shimmered brilliantly, radiating nine-colored divine light, breathtakingly magnificent.
Yet, he could never quite figure it out. He had even consulted experts from the Ancient Divine Palace, but unfortunately, even the Palace Master himself was clueless. He mentioned that its true origin traced back to that Great Power-level Palace Master from the ancient era, who had brought it back from the mysterious Ancient Emperor Continent.
That was all. As for its true origins, that Great Power-level Palace Master had always remained tight-lipped, and it was clear he had significant considerations.
The Great Power-level ancient ship sailed as swiftly as ever, riding the waves, continuously forging ahead, parting the layers of towering waves on either side.
Along the way, they encountered numerous fearsome living beings inhabiting the Chaotic Sea, including colossal sea beasts capable of swallowing heaven and earth. Yet, faced with the Great Power-level ancient ship, they all wisely kept their distance.
Although the Great Power-level ancient ship remained perfectly stable, Ye Chen, standing at the bow, dared not let his guard down in the slightest.
He deeply understood the terror of the Chaotic Sea. He had once encountered a figure suspected to be Old Yan and had also come across a terrifying vessel—
The Ship That Slays Immortals!
That was a truly dreadful ancient ship, far surpassing even the Great Power-level ancient ship he currently piloted.
His greatest fear was encountering that Ship That Slays Immortals; otherwise, everyone on board would be lost forever.
Fortunately, the journey remained peaceful and uneventful, with no such encounter, allowing Ye Chen to breathe a sigh of relief.
After the Great Power-level ancient ship had sailed for five days, penetrating a full four hundred thousand li into the Chaotic Sea without incident, and based on this progress, Ye Chen estimated that in another three days, they would completely cross the Chaotic Sea and reach the Ancient Emperor Continent on the other side.
Another day passed, and then a change occurred.
The Chaotic Sea, perpetually shrouded in chaotic storms, knew no distinction between day and night. Yet, ahead, vast swathes of chaotic disasters rapidly dissipated, allowing remarkable sunlight to project down.
Everyone on the ancient ship gazed over.
Ye Chen looked as well, first stunned, then smiling.
For he saw a familiar figure—majestic, tall and straight, with black hair cascading over his shoulders, clad in azure battle armor, wielding a three-zhang-long war lance, and riding a pure-blooded Purple Qilin Saint Beast King. It was all so familiar; it was none other than that Saint Vault pinnacle knight who had once blocked his path, appearing once more.
He stood directly in front of the Great Power-level ancient ship, releasing an overwhelmingly powerful Dao aura that forced the surrounding chaotic storms to retreat, creating a calm, tranquil zone. Pointing his war lance from afar, he declared with authority: "Outsiders, you have been warned time and again. The Ancient Emperor Continent is not to be trespassed upon lightly, or you will face severe punishment. Do you still not understand?"
Regarding the origins of this Saint Knight before them, neither the Ancient Divine Palace nor the nine great imperial dynasties were unfamiliar. Ancient texts recorded him as a guardian knight dispatched by the Ancient Emperor Continent to be stationed in the Chaotic Sea, preventing the living beings of the Ancient Divine Continent from crossing over to the Ancient Emperor Continent.
Although the heroes on the ancient ship were somewhat surprised by the sudden appearance of a Saint Vault pinnacle-level Saint Knight, that was all. With just him alone, he could never hope to stop their advance. Some even chuckled lightly: "Sir Knight, you'd best retreat. You are no match for us."
"Seeking death!"
The Saint Knight was far away, at least a thousand li distant, with chaotic storms hindering divine sense. Moreover, the Great Power-level ancient ship primarily focused on resisting the chaotic storms, only occasionally releasing a wisp of the ancient Great Power's might to intimidate the other fearsome beings in the Chaotic Sea. Thus, even the Saint Knight was unaware of this ship's fearsomeness and could hardly perceive the strength of the powerful figures aboard.
Boom—
The pinnacle Saint Knight, mounted on the Qilin Saint Beast King, hurled the three-zhang war lance in his hand. It instantly transformed into the most terrifying black light flashing across heaven and earth. Wherever it passed, all chaotic storms retreated of their own accord, leaving trails of black-light thunderbolts in its wake, extremely terrifying.
Clang—
But the next moment, the Saint Knight's eyes widened in shock. He discovered that the knight's lance he had shot forth was blocked by a hazy light screen before the ancient ship. His strongest strike, capable of scorching the heavens and boiling the seas, of annihilating Saint Lord-level existences, actually failed to breach the defense, leaving him utterly astonished.
The Saint Knight refused to believe it. He recalled the knight's lance and, this time, urged the Purple-Scaled Qilin Beast forward. It transformed into a blazing purple light that charged forth, the long sky shattering in its wake, purple radiance billowing. With a thunderous roar, it traversed hundreds of thousands of li of sky, the Saint Knight gripping the jet-black war lance, charging straight for a kill.
Unfortunately, before he could truly strike, a figure had already appeared before him. Upon seeing clearly, he was slightly startled: "It's you!"
"It's me," Ye Chen replied with a smile.
The Saint Knight halted, saying solemnly, "Stop the divine ship immediately. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite and attacking you."
Ye Chen laughed, and the others on the bow laughed as well.
Although they could all tell this Saint Knight was a fearsome being at the Saint Vault ninth heaven pinnacle, immensely powerful and brimming with vigorous blood energy, which was surprising...
But who were the people on this ancient ship? At the very least, they were basically all Saint Realm overlords, with more than one Heavenly King-level existence present. How could they possibly be afraid?
Looking at this Saint Knight, they laughed heartily.
Swish—
Ye Chen said, "I don't wish to make things difficult for you. Move aside, now."
"Arrogant!"
The Saint Knight snorted coldly and attacked again. Merging with his mount, the Purple Qilin, they condensed into a single purple divine light, man and steed as one, blood energy soaring to the heavens, sweeping directly toward Ye Chen, unleashing a peerless killing intent.
The sea for dozens of li around exploded. Even within the Chaotic Sea, where power was severely suppressed, he could still unleash astonishing combat prowess.
"A very powerful lance strike. Unfortunately, that's all it is."
Ye Chen's jet-black long hair was whipped into wild disarray by the lance's wind, yet his body remained as immovable as a mountain. He swung out his palm, fingers flowing with immortal golden radiance, meeting the attack head-on.
Boom—
Divine radiance erupted, turbulent currents shot wildly, that vast expanse of water completely exploded, stirring up thousands upon thousands of towering, skyward-rushing monstrous waves—truly a display of power to scorch the heavens and boil the seas.
Yet, Ye Chen remained as steady as a mountain throughout. The charging Saint Knight came fast but was sent flying back even faster. The man together with the Purple Qilin were sent flying backward, skimming rapidly across the vast ocean, splashing up massive waves in their wake, a truly eye-catching sight.
A single exchange, and victory was decided instantly!
The Saint Knight who had once shattered Ye Chen's Dao body was now not worth a single blow!