A flash lit Ye Chen's eyes upon seeing the message, a subtle curve forming at the corner of his mouth. The greatest gains from this recent battle were breakthroughs in both the Blind Sky and Nine Palaces secret manuals.

The Nine Palaces manual had reached the peak of its fourth level during his intensive study before, brushing against the bottleneck, ready to break through at any moment—it had only been missing the right catalyst! This catalyst could be a sudden moment of enlightenment or the pressure induced during a life-threatening crisis.

Humans automatically unleash their full potential when facing danger. Therefore, this breakthrough, though appearing sudden, was in reality, inevitable.

A certain great figure once said that no success in the world is accidental; it only appears sudden because people overlook the accumulation that preceded it. “After entering the Apex Genius Hall, one can automatically view the Heavenly Dao Stele once a month!

In the First-Rank Genius Hall, one can only view it for free once a year. The disparity in treatment is more than tenfold!” Ye Chen, in high spirits, set down the virtual helmet, intending to rest for a while on the villa’s balcony, relax his mind and body, and reflect on the gains from the recent combat.

Just then— “Wretched creature, come out for this venerable one!” A roaring voice erupted suddenly, shaking the villa walls until they trembled and the floor seemed ready to jump. Ye Chen felt a sharp sting in his eardrums and frowned deeply.

If not for his powerful physique built upon superior genes, a mere ordinary constitution of level 990,000 might have resulted in his consciousness going blank, blood flowing from his seven orifices, and his body collapsing to his knees from that single furious shout. “They came quickly,” a glint flashed in Ye Chen’s eyes.

With a flip of his hand, he summoned the Demon God Palace from the rune space, cradling it in his palm. He contracted his entire consciousness into the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda within his mind.

Unless a mental force surpassing that of a Peak Deity was used, breaking open the pagoda would be nearly impossible. Having prepared himself, Ye Chen moved, appearing in the villa’s main hall.

He did not step outside but sat centrally in the room, gazing straight ahead. Outside the entrance, suspended in the azure sky, was a patch of purple light within which a figure stood vaguely, hovering amongst the clouds.

“Get out here for me!” an enraged roar echoed from within the purple light, carrying an irrefutable tone. Ye Chen felt a mysterious power seeping into his mind, attempting to disrupt his thoughts, but it was blocked by the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, which severed the intrusion.

“Oh?” A sound of surprise echoed from the purple light, quickly turning into a cold sneer. “Clever boy.

I hadn't expected you to possess a Peak Artifact guarding the mind. No wonder you dare to be so arrogant.

For this venerable one’s avatar to try and control you is somewhat difficult, but killing you is still as easy as crushing an ant!” Ye Chen remained calm and composed, staring coldly. “Who are you?” “You are unworthy to know!” The voice from the purple light was arrogant and chillingly cold.

“How dare you kill my disciple! This venerable one demands your life in repayment!

You had best come out yourself and willingly accept death. That way, I can resolve this quickly, and I can also spare myself some minor reprimand.” Ye Chen’s brow twitched.

“You are a subject of the Empire, yet you dare attack me here? Are you not afraid of being cast into the Divine Prison to suffer endless divine punishment?” “Heh!” The voice in the purple light carried a note of mockery.

“Are you trying to frighten this venerable one, you young whelp? I’ll give you one minute to consider.

If you don't come out, I will simply blast my way in! In that case, my punishment might be slightly heavier, but for someone like me, it amounts to nothing.” Ye Chen’s eyes slowly darkened, his grip tightening subtly on the Demon God Palace.

He remained silent. One minute passed swiftly.

“You are courting death!” The figure in the purple light showed a hint of anger, sneering, “Do not blame this venerable one for being merciless. I have only this one disciple, and you dared to let him die!

First, hand over his corpse, and perhaps I won't subject you to torture before killing you!” Given his power, the tortures he could inflict were unimaginable; stones would likely scream in agony, let alone a flesh-and-blood human body. Ye Chen knew he lacked the courage to endure the tortures a Divine Emperor could devise.

He clutched the Demon God Palace and, in a sudden movement, shrunk his body to the size of a mosquito, preparing to fly into the palace. “Trying to escape?” The figure in the purple light saw Ye Chen shrinking and perceived his intent with perfect clarity.

He sneered, and with a mere thought, the entire world froze solid. Time, air, space—everything was locked in place.

Only Ye Chen’s body remained unfrozen, as he had already entered the perimeter covered by the Demon God Palace. Within this range, time and space were governed solely by the palace.

“Hmm?” A trace of surprise flickered in the figure within the purple light, immediately followed by a swift, violent descent. Where he passed, the entire villa seemed to endure an immense shockwave; walls and floors were torn away, and the entire structure exploded apart.

“Thunder Domain!” Ye Chen suddenly activated his Domain Artifact. The Thunder Realm artifact on his finger glowed faintly, creating an environment where the air surrounding him, centered on his body, seemed composed of lightning, carrying a crackling, tingling sensation with every breath.

This Thunder Realm was a Peak Deity-level Domain Artifact! Unleashed at this moment, the entire villa hall filled with the aura of thunder, fiercely resisting the domain deployed by the figure in the purple light.

For a time, they were evenly matched. A thought crossed Ye Chen’s mind, and he instantly understood: the figure in the purple light was not the true Divine Emperor, but merely an avatar, likely possessing strength equivalent only to a Peak Deity—otherwise, their attack on his mental state would not have failed.

With this realization, Ye Chen's heart settled, preparing to counter the purple light’s domain with his own. Just then, the entire space suddenly became rigid.

Both the Thunder Realm and the purple light were instantly rendered immobile. Boom!

In the azure sky above, a milky white beam of light suddenly appeared, extending downward like a pillar, becoming the sole source of illumination between heaven and earth, towering over the entire Genius Hall and visible across Donglin City—this dazzling white pillar of light. Slowly, a figure materialized within this white pillar: long beard, white hair, robes fluttering, possessing the dignified air of an immortal sage, carrying an inviolable majesty.

Teacher Bai Ya! Ye Chen recognized the newcomer instantly.

His eyes lit up involuntarily, and with speed that defied comprehension, he quickly recalled the Demon God Palace into the rune space, leaving the “Thunder Realm” active to counter the purple light’s domain. If the enemy’s domain pressure swept over him unchecked, it would inflict severe damage on his body.

“Elder Bai!” the voice from the purple light said, tinged with a low tone. “What are you doing here?” Bai Ya shot forward like a bolt of lightning, arriving before Ye Chen.

He cast a gentle glance at Ye Chen, subtly sweeping his gaze over the ring on Ye Chen’s hand, and asked, “Are you unharmed?” Ye Chen restored his body from mosquito size back to its original form and shook his head. “Not yet.

Teacher, why are you here? Didn’t you say you wouldn't arrive until tomorrow?” Hearing this, Bai Ya couldn't help but roll his eyes.

“You still have the nerve to ask that. I am primarily responsible for matters concerning the First-Rank Genius Hall.

The Hall Master here is an old acquaintance, and I help manage things when he's away. I didn't expect you to stir up such enormous trouble by killing Zidian from the Apex Genius Hall.” Ye Chen offered a sheepish smile but offered no defense.

Bai Ya sighed. “After I received the email, I knew Zidian’s master would certainly not let you off.

This person is petty, vindictive, and reckless, so I rushed back immediately using a 'Cosmic Shuttle Talisman.'” Ye Chen glanced at him. “That talisman must have been very expensive, right?” Bai Ya hadn't wanted to say, but hearing Ye Chen ask seemed to touch a raw nerve.

He glared fiercely before admitting with pain, “Wasn't it? This thing is for saving lives.

One piece is worth hundreds of Stone Coins! Enough to buy you a thousand sets of artifacts!” Sets?

Ye Chen’s face went blank, inwardly wryly smiling. To think a thousand sets of artifacts were the price of a single talisman—truly worthy of a Divine Emperor, a lavish expenditure indeed!

At that moment, the distant purple light receded, revealing a figure within. Tall and lean, with eyebrows like blades, radiating a fierce, imposing aura.

His facial contours were sharply defined, carved like stone, and his eyes glowed with chilling light as he stared at Bai Ya, roaring angrily, “Elder Bai, I respect you as an Elder of the Blazing God Hall, but step aside!” Bai Ya’s expression hardened, turning as cold as water as he faced the grim man. “Zishen!

Your disciple brought this upon himself; the fight was fair. You dare to attack a member within the headquarters of the Genius Hall?

Do you desire to enter the Divine Prison to sample the Divine Punishment?” Zishen stood proudly mid-air and sneered, “Nonsense about Divine Punishment! I have only this one disciple, and this brat dared to kill him!

I will be mortal enemies with him for the rest of my life. You can protect him for a while, but not forever!

When this venerable one returns from Ancient World Peak, that will be his day of death!” Bai Ya laughed coldly. “As long as I am here for one day, you will never lay a single hair on my disciple!” “Hmph!” Zishen replied coldly.

“We shall see!” With that, his body flashed with light, and he vanished into thin air. Ye Chen hadn't expected this person to be so decisive.

Knowing that with only his avatar’s strength, he stood no chance against Teacher Bai Ya’s presence, he left immediately without any lingering attachment, truly possessing the style of a powerful warlord. Bai Ya’s brow furrowed slightly.

After a moment, he turned back to Ye Chen, sighing. “How did you manage to provoke this God of Slaughter?

This man is vicious and cruel, utterly disregarding morality in his actions. If he hadn’t served the Empire in the past, he would have been dealt with long ago.” Ye Chen remained silent.

Bai Ya looked at him, patted his shoulder, and said, “You don’t need to worry too much. I will take you to the Bright Empire first; you can stay there for a while to let the storm pass.” Ye Chen nodded heavily.

“Yes!” “Have you packed your belongings?” Bai Ya looked at the villa, now ruined like a wasteland, and asked oddly. Ye Chen shrugged.

“I carry everything on my person.” “Then let’s go.” Bai Ya placed a hand on Ye Chen’s shoulder, emitting a vast, surging energy that enveloped Ye Chen like a protective shield. A dark black vortex appeared before them, and Bai Ya stepped into it.

Swish! The figures vanished.

The black hole slowly closed, leaving behind silent ruins.