Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

'Perfect timing.'

'In that case, I'll give them a proper reception.'

A confident smile spread across Ye Chen's face.

"Does anyone know what's going on?"

"The Spiritual Qi tide just vanished? I think this is the first time I've ever heard of such a thing."

Inside the Dragon Prison Cave, a large group of experts from foreign powers had regrouped.

They had originally been driven out by the force of the Spiritual Qi tide.

But to their astonishment, they later discovered that the torrent of Spiritual Qi within the Dragon Prison Cave seemed to have disappeared!

They cautiously stepped back inside. The terrifying pressure was long gone. Aside from the restriction preventing Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivators from entering, they could now come and go as they pleased with complete freedom.

The crowd exchanged glances, having clearly never heard of such a situation before.

For a moment, doubtful and surprised murmurs broke out among the crowd.

"Could this have something to do with that Ye Chen?"

"The Dragon Prison Cave hasn't closed yet, which means that fellow Ye Chen never came out."

"Could he have triggered some kind of mechanism inside the Dragon Prison Cave, causing the Spiritual Qi tide to recede?"

"Otherwise, with his level of ability, how could he possibly have stayed inside for so long?"

Someone offered their theory.

Hearing this, the others couldn't help but nod in agreement.

They felt it was the most logical explanation.

It seemed that to uncover the secrets of the Dragon Prison Cave, they would first have to capture Ye Chen.

"Are we just supposed to keep waiting here for that kid to show up?"

"What else are we going to do? Are you willing to just leave? We came all this way to the Dragon Prison Cave only to gain nothing and go back with our tails between our legs? I'm not ready to give up!"

"..."

In the end, the major foreign powers chose to return to that dilapidated continent.

They stopped at the edge, gazing at the hazy brilliance in the void before them, their hearts filled with anticipation for Ye Chen's appearance.

Among them were major powers like the Xu family of Yuan Province, Feihong Academy, the Holy Temple, Cyan Rainbow Hall, and the Lin family of Ling Province.

The Undying Demon Lord was also in the crowd, his face grim.

This time, however, he was not at the very front. Instead, he had chosen a corner of the crowd to be alone.

After an agonizing wait.

Suddenly!

Within the magnificent Star Sea before them, ripples began to spread!

This sudden change immediately captured everyone's attention!

For a moment, everyone's breathing grew ragged.

They had waited for so long.

Was something finally about to happen?

Soon, under everyone's watchful eyes, a figure slowly stepped out from the spreading ripples!

It was a young man!

He was handsome, with black hair and black eyes. A neat white robe covered his body, and on his back hung a longsword. The blade emanated a dark glow, as brilliant as obsidian.

It was none other than the one they had all been eagerly awaiting—Ye Chen!

After the long wait, Ye Chen had finally appeared!

Ye Chen calmly walked out of the rippling void. With a single step, he appeared directly in front of the crowd.

He swept his gaze indifferently over the crowd before him, a faint smile gracing his lips.

'How could I not know why these people are waiting here? They just want to force my secrets out of me, then kill me and take my treasures.'

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Ye Chen spoke, his voice calm and tinged with mockery.

Faced with the countless greedy, burning stares, he acted as if he felt nothing at all. His expression and movements remained utterly composed and carefree.

"Ye Chen?"

"I thought you were going to hide in there for the rest of your life!"

"What's wrong? Finally couldn't stand it anymore?"

Not far away, in the camp of the Lin family from Ling Province, Lin Ze was the first to speak, his eyes glinting with a cold light.

He had been the one closest to Ye Chen earlier.

If he had acted in time and subdued Ye Chen then, he might have been the first to get his hands on Ye Chen's secrets.

Unfortunately, he had been a step too slow, allowing Ye Chen to escape. He had been filled with immense regret ever since, lamenting his missed opportunity.

Now that the other powers were alerted and had gathered, he knew it wouldn't be so easy to get anything from Ye Chen anymore.

"Hide?"

Ye Chen looked at Lin Ze calmly. "I think you've got something wrong."

"If the commotion hadn't attracted so many people back then, I would have killed you on the spot. You wouldn't have the chance to be running your mouth here now."

As soon as he said this, an uproar erupted from the crowd.

No one had expected that after just a few days, Ye Chen would have become so arrogant!

That was the Lin family of Ling Province, after all!

While not one of the absolute top-tier powers in the eastern dynasty, their foundation was deep, with a heritage spanning several hundred years.

For years, every generation had produced exceptional talents. The current young master, Lin Ze, was a powerful Cultivator who had condensed a Five-Star Primordial Mansion and reached the Fourth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm.

"Are you courting death?"

Lin Ze's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing deep within them.

'To be looked down on by a mere Cultivator from Lei Province in front of so many people... isn't he just publicly shaming me?'

"Since you've chosen to show yourself, don't even think about getting away easily."

"You'll stay right here!"

He took a sudden step forward. Behind him, his Spiritual Sea churned, and his terrifying aura skyrocketed!

Ye Chen could clearly feel that Lin Ze's strength had increased since their last encounter.

Apparently, Lin Ze had also benefited greatly from the recent Spiritual Qi tide.

He had most likely endured the pressure of the Spiritual Qi tide to cultivate within its torrent for some time.

Although with his abilities, he probably could only have lasted a day or two in the torrent, it was still enough for him to benefit immensely.

The current Lin Ze had clearly reached the Peak of the Fourth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm!

If he had been able to endure the torrent a little longer, he might have broken through to the Fifth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm.

As Lin Ze made his move, surging waves of Spiritual Qi spread out like a tidal wave. His hands moved rapidly, forming seals. Suddenly, a massive Ancient Dragon unfurled its wings, soared into the sky, and let out a series of resounding roars.

"It's Spiritual Power Manifestation!"

"Most Cultivators from Ling Province are experts in this art, to say nothing of the Lin family's young master. His skill with this technique must be immense."

Many of the powerful onlookers couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

"You dodged this attack last time. Now, let it be the one to end you!"

Lin Ze sneered, a chilling killing intent surging in his eyes.