That imposing voice, vast and mighty, echoed across the entire venue, silencing every other sound on White Spirit Mountain. Everyone fell utterly mute, staring in shock at the towering man clad in golden armor.
“Xuanyuan Huangdi has arrived.”
“If the Human Emperor comes here, a great war is surely brewing!”
“Many years have passed, and his aura has become even more profound!”
Those seated in the VIP section all wore solemn expressions.
The man in golden armor stepped out of the black vortex. He glanced down, immediately spotting the numerous God-Emperor powerhouses present, as well as Bai Tian on the palace steps. His brow immediately furrowed. He took a single, deliberate step, placing himself squarely before Great Emperor Shao Hao, and inclined his head slightly towards Bai Tian as a gesture of greeting. “Clan Leader Bai, it has been a long time.”
Bai Tian’s expression was cold. “After our parting at Cangtian Mountain, I never expected you to have comprehended the universe's life and death, reaching such a realm, and becoming the Human Emperor of the Spiritual Civilization!”
Xuanyuan Huangdi smiled faintly. “Six hundred million years have passed; the seas have changed and circumstances shifted. Back then, I was but a mere disciple before the seat of the Primordial Ancestor, receiving his guidance to achieve perfect success. After that parting, I never imagined Clan Leader Bai would still possess such vigor, undiminished from the past!”
Bai Tian’s eyes narrowed slightly; his expression remained cold, and he offered no reply.
Great Emperor Shao Hao hurried forward to Xuanyuan Huangdi and bowed low. “Father, this man surnamed Bai has already turned hostile towards us.” He quickly recounted everything that had transpired, starting from Ye Chen’s failure to become a son-in-law to how he was subsequently looked down upon.
Xuanyuan Huangdi’s brows knitted together, and two beams of cold lightning flashed in his eyes. He looked up at Bai Tian, demanding, “Clan Leader Bai, is this true? Our two clans have shared friendship for years. Today, you show no regard for that history, are you trying to bully my Spiritual Civilization into thinking we have no strong figures left?”
Bai Tian stated coldly, “To become a son-in-law of my Bai family, one must adhere to the established rules. Otherwise, regardless of the friendship between our clans, it will absolutely not be permitted!” His voice was utterly decisive on the final word.
Everyone present gasped, secretly calculating the implications, sensing a turbulent undercurrent surging through the scene, causing the atmosphere to shift dramatically.
“Good!”
Just then, a deep, stable voice, like Mount Tai pressing down, caused the entire sky above to subtly sink. A foot emerged slowly from the black vortex—a thick foot covered in coarse, black hair. A figure followed, resembling a wild man emerging from the dense woods, possessing an exceptionally tall frame, his long black hair flowing freely. He wore ragged, coarse cloth garments and carried a black wooden staff, with a gourd of wine tucked at his waist.
Seeing this person, everyone present was astonished.
“Emperor Fuxi!”
“Emperor Fuxi has actually come too!”
“What a profound aura!”
The powerful figures in the VIP section were all shaken. The Heavenly Witch King, standing behind Ye Chen, had his pupils constrict. He felt a mixture of surprise and delight—delight that the Spiritual Civilization backing Ye Chen had brought such formidable fighting strength, and shock that Emperor Fuxi’s entire presence was as deep and terrifying as the sea, making one’s heart tremble!
“So strong!” he murmured internally.
Fuxi walked towards Huangdi. As he passed Great Emperor Shao Hao, Shao Hao immediately bowed respectfully. “Shao Hao pays respects to Uncle Fu.”
Fuxi nodded slightly and proceeded directly to Huangdi’s side. Though his aura was restrained, it still surged skyward, causing the clouds and mist above White Spirit Mountain to appear choked, afraid to move.
Judging by aura alone...
Fuxi was subtly a shade stronger than Huangdi. In the Earth Era, Fuxi became the Human Emperor because he was the very first human born after Pangu, leading humanity to establish tribes and battle the residual dark creatures left on Earth, thus earning the title of Human Emperor Fuxi!
However, in the Spiritual Civilization of the Ancient World, the Three Sovereigns managed three major factional powers, united in their purpose. Fuxi commanded the core strength; every subordinate under him was a supreme powerhouse! Whereas Human Emperor Xuanyuan controlled the intermediate forces, commanding countless soldiers and generals—his armies numbering in the billions, enough to strike terror.
And the most benevolent and kind-hearted Empress Nuwa, the Earth Sovereign, governed the common populace, freeing all living beings from suffering and disease, allowing them to live in peace and harmony.
This distinction formed the basis of the Three Sovereigns.
“Clan Leader Bai!” Fuxi, with his broad, imposing face, carried an inherent majesty even without displaying anger. He looked down upon Bai Tian, his voice steady as a great mountain. “The ancestors of our two clans were sworn brothers in life and death. I did not expect that today, their descendants would turn against each other in enmity. Although my Spiritual Civilization is merely one civilization, unlike the Ten Palaces and Ten Nations, each controlling dozens of civilizations with massive scale, we are not a soft persimmon to be easily crushed!”
A cold glint flickered in his eyes. “According to custom, your daughter rightfully belongs as the wife of a junior from my Spiritual Civilization. Today, whether you agree or not, you must agree!” As he spoke, his entire aura erupted, sweeping across the entirety of White Spirit Mountain.
The Bai family disciples observing from the periphery of the mountain were all shaken, their faces flushing red as if enduring immense pressure. The geniuses in the competition seating area also felt a vast power bearing down on them, as if an extra mountain had settled upon their bodies, crushing their breath away.
In reality, Fuxi did not intentionally intend to intimidate these juniors; it was simply that his own power was so immense that a mere remnant of his overflowing might caused such severe pressure on the gathered geniuses.
Ye Chen, standing behind him, felt none of this pressure. His gaze flashed; he knew that Great Emperor Shao Hao had effortlessly neutralized it for him. He looked at the three towering figures before him, feeling the blood within his body surging like a raging river, almost bursting through his blood vessels. A profound sense of kinship emanated from his core, vibrating through his very bones.
His expression remained calm, his eyes flickering slightly. He understood that the Bai family, as the head of the Nine Great Families of the Ancient World, possessed extraordinarily profound power, likely with hundreds of civilizations serving them. For the Spiritual Civilization alone to attempt to forcibly take the third young mistress of the Bai family here would be harder than ascending to heaven. Logically, such a massive mobilization was unwarranted for the sake of one junior. However, given the current conflict between the two clans, it was clearly no longer just about the marriage; it was about mutual dignity!
Great powers valued nothing more than credibility and honor!
If the Spiritual Civilization retreated today, the news would spread throughout the entire Ancient World, causing every member of the Spiritual Civilization to lose face and become a laughingstock.
Therefore, even facing defeat, it was infinitely better than accepting defeat without a fight. They absolutely had to contend! In this light, the common view that the Spiritual Civilization’s strength could not overcome the Bai family was perfectly natural and expected.
His mind sharp, he grasped the situation immediately, yet remained silent.
Bai Tian looked at Fuxi, his expression aloof. “I have long heard of the Spiritual Civilization’s Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors; the world knows them well. Today, only one Emperor and two Sovereigns have arrived. I wonder if Empress Nuwa and the other four Emperors will also grace us with their presence?”
Fuxi’s expression was detached. “The capabilities of this mere avatar of yours are insufficient to warrant the mobilization of my entire Spiritual Civilization. Unless your main body appears, I might then deign to examine its abilities!”
Whoosh!
Everyone present was greatly alarmed, turning to look at Bai Tian. Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined that this imposing Bai Tian was merely an avatar of his true self!
Bai Tian gave a cold laugh. “With just this avatar, dispatching these gnats before me would take no effort at all! Everyone present, take a step back for now. Once I have swatted these few flies, I will attend to the rest of you!”
The people in the VIP section exchanged glances, sensing that a battle was imminent. This fight would involve figures whose power could shatter heaven and earth; the ensuing conflict would surely be intensely spectacular. If one were carelessly swept up in it, they would be severely injured, if not killed!
The South Sea Divine Buddha quietly recited a Buddhist chant. “Gentlemen, things have come to this pass; this old monk can no longer intervene. However, I wish to use this moment for something else; I have a matter to discuss with Donor Ye.”
Bai Tian, Huangdi, and the others frowned slightly but remained silent, not objecting.
The South Sea Divine Buddha looked gently toward Ye Chen, who was shielded by Shao Hao, and nodded. “Donor Ye, there is someone who asked me to relay a message to you.”
“Hmm?” Ye Chen’s focus sharpened, and he looked toward the monk.
At this moment, the slender, beautiful figure standing behind the South Sea Divine Buddha slowly stepped forward, elegantly positioning herself beside the monk. She raised her head to look at Ye Chen and said, “My junior sister asked me to pass this along to you.”
“Junior sister?” Ye Chen frowned. “Who is it?”
The graceful young woman smiled sweetly. “You should know this person. Her name is Ye Zhu. Several years ago, she was brought back to the sect by Martial Uncle Cang and is currently undergoing her final seclusion. When I left, she instructed me to pass on a message if I encountered a descendant of the Spiritual Civilization named Ye Chen, one of exceptional strength.”
Upon hearing the name “Ye Zhu,” Ye Chen’s body could not help but tremble. He never expected to receive news of his long-separated sister. A rush of warmth flooded his heart, and memories of that time surged like the tide.
That cute little face from those years…
The figure chasing after him after school…
The girl who silently followed by his side, calling out to him…
He was momentarily lost in thought but quickly regained his senses. Almost by reflex, he urgently asked, “What was the message?”
The graceful young woman smiled slightly. “She said that you shouldn’t worry about her safety; she can take good care of herself, and she will come to meet you soon. She also told you to take care of your health, not to force things, and to be careful while you are out alone.”
Ye Chen froze completely.
He could almost picture the caring expression on that cute yet stubbornly strong girl’s face as she spoke those words.
“Where is she?” he asked, his voice turning somewhat hoarse and strained.
The graceful young woman had not yet spoken when the South Sea Divine Buddha beside her interjected, “Donor Ye, she is on Bodhi Mountain in the South Sea. If you have the opportunity in the future, you are welcome to visit. This old monk will await your arrival there.”
Ye Chen stared at him for a moment before slowly nodding, clenching his fist tightly. With firm resolution, he declared, “I will definitely go!” Then, he lifted his head to face Bai Tian standing before the palace, speaking with gravity. “Clan Leader Bai, I hope you will allow your daughter to marry me. I swear with every fiber of my life to protect her safety! I will never allow her to suffer the slightest harm—unless my blood is spilled three feet deep and I am buried in the Nine Springs, not a single hair on her head shall fall!”
The words were spoken with immense force and unwavering determination, moving all who heard them.