Fuxi, standing nearby, offered a slight smile. "Your Alliance Leader is a shrewd one. I suspect the few of you haven't realized you are nothing more than cannon fodder."

"Hmm?" The refined man's brow furrowed, his expression darkening slightly.

Fuxi remained composed, chuckling lightly. "With the might of the Dragon Fang Alliance, eliminating us would be effortless. Why haven't your Alliance simply commanded a direct annihilation and seizure? That would be far safer. Sending only you few to extend an invitation—it’s laughable. It merely proves your esteemed Alliance Leader is clever enough to know that our Spiritual Civilization's Great God Pangu hasn't made a move in years, yet his strength is beyond doubt. Hence, he sends you to probe the situation."

Hearing Fuxi's words, the faces of the six men changed instantly. They exchanged glances, each feeling seven or eight parts convinced. Back when the Alliance Leader proposed the invitation, many were utterly baffled. Some had suspected it was due to apprehension regarding Pangu, but they never dared to believe it fully. After all, no matter how formidable Pangu was, surely the combined strength of seven or eight hundred civilizations could overcome him?

The refined man's face was grim. "Regardless, we are here under the Alliance Leader's orders, and we must have a satisfactory accounting. Make your choice: are you prepared to form an alliance, or will you hand over the fragments of the Ancient God Grotto Key?"

Nuwa’s clear eyes swept slowly across the group, and she murmured softly, "It seems you intend to resort to force."

"I prefer not to completely tear down the facade; it would look bad for you, and the news would spread unfavorably. Furthermore, if our Alliance simply leaks the news that you have obtained the Ancient God Grotto Key fragments, the other three major alliances will undoubtedly react the same way," the refined man stated slowly and assuredly.

Nuwa's eyes flickered slightly, and she turned to look at Fuxi and the Yellow Emperor. Although their faces were calm, they felt a touch of difficulty. The refined man had struck a raw nerve. They knew that possessing two fragments of the Ancient God Grotto Key now made their Spiritual Civilization akin to a three-year-old clutching a golden bowl while crossing a busy street—an irresistible temptation to predators.

Nuwa pondered for a moment before saying, "In that case, allow us a moment to confer and provide an answer?"

The refined man’s brow tightened slightly. "Given your wisdom, you understand the stakes perfectly. The alliance proposal is merely talk for outsiders, a way to save face for you. The path before you is singular. Unless you wish to be utterly destroyed along with the Ancient God Grotto Key fragments!"

"That is not necessarily true!" The Yellow Emperor’s gaze was sharp as a sword as he swept it over the six men present. "Within the Great Dao of this Ancient Realm Peak, if our Spiritual Civilization wishes to depart, we are entirely capable of doing so. We need only drift through the wilderness and await the appearance of the Ancient God Grotto. Even if pursued by the four great alliances, as long as we select a superb hiding spot, no one will ever find us."

"Is that so?" The refined man's eyes narrowed slightly. "I wonder if the descendants on your Primordial Continent mean anything to you?"

Nuwa and the others all experienced a dramatic change in expression.

This was the crux of their hesitation. With the current power they possessed, escaping was not impossible. However, the moment they left, their descendants remaining on the Primordial Continent would immediately fall victim to brutal attacks, possibly leading to total extermination!

As their expressions shifted between gloom and uncertainty, two whistling sounds of breaking air heralded new arrivals. The first person to enter the hall was burly, his face unable to hide an expression of intense joy. "Father, it truly is him! I’ve brought him!"

Fuxi and the Yellow Emperor, along with Nuwa and the others seated above, froze in surprise and quickly looked up with excitement. The doorway was open, light flooding the hall. In that warm sunlight, two figures slowly walked in, hand-in-hand, crossing the threshold—it was none other than Ye Chen and Bai Yijun.

Nuwa immediately rose to greet them, her robes flowing exquisitely. Her clear, bright eyes fixed on Ye Chen and Bai Yijun beside him, concern lacing her voice. "The last time you left to confront that mysterious great hand, you weren't injured, were you?"

"No, we are fine," Ye Chen replied with a smiling shake of his head.

"That's a relief," Nuwa said, reassured. She turned. "Come, we have some trouble today. You’ve arrived at the perfect moment; I need your strength to suppress things."

Ye Chen nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the six figures seated on the left side of the circular table. From the moment he entered, he noted that all six were peak Divine Emperor powerhouses, each possessing profound and unfathomable cultivation, their strength nearly on par with the Empress Wa and Fuxi present.

Nuwa led Ye Chen and Bai Yijun back to the main seats. Fuxi and the Yellow Emperor both smiled and nodded. Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun sitting nearby had their eyes light up, and they stood up immediately.

"You have finally returned! I knew you would be fine," Emperor Yao laughed heartily.

Ye Chen smiled. "Purely by luck."

The entire group burst into cheerful conversation, and the heavy, oppressive atmosphere of the hall instantly transformed into one of lightheartedness. The refined man and his five companions watched Ye Chen and Bai Yijun enter, their brows knitting together. Eventually, their gazes settled on Bai Yijun, and their hearts sank.

Once the initial joy subsided, Ye Chen took Bai Yijun’s small hand and sat in the vacant seat next to Fuxi, gazing calmly at the six figures across from them with a faint smile.

The refined man remained silent for a moment before speaking. "I did not expect to see the Third Miss of the Bai family here today. I wonder where the Bai Clan Leader is? We could pay our respects to the elder."

Bai Yijun replied softly, "My father did not accompany me. There is no need for you to inquire further."

The refined man’s smile became somewhat stiff. He hadn't expected Bai Yijun to be so direct. He let out a dry chuckle before looking toward Ye Chen beside her. "And who might this be?" Seeing the intimate demeanor between Ye Chen and Bai Yijun, he knew this person was no ordinary acquaintance.

Nuwa smiled sweetly. "This is a junior from our clan, named Ye Chen."

The refined man’s expression sharpened. He scrutinized Ye Chen from head to toe, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "He is in the Divine Spirit Realm?"

Nuwa gave a charming smile. "Indeed."

The refined man frowned for a beat, then relaxed, turning back to Nuwa. "To return to the matter at hand, what are your thoughts on our earlier proposal?"

Nuwa shook her head. "Regardless of the circumstances, we will not surrender the Ancient God Grotto Key fragments. If an alliance is to be formed, we expect to hold the position of Vice-Alliance Leader within it."

The refined man raised an eyebrow. "Vice-Alliance Leader? That seems a bit unrealistic. Even the clan leaders of the Lei and Huo families have not attained that rank, let alone you."

Nuwa replied sweetly, "You may relay this message directly to your Alliance Leader. All other terms are non-negotiable."

The refined man stared at her for a moment, then slowly exhaled, leaning back in his chair. He gently stroked the jade thumb ring on his finger and murmured, "It seems you are determined to court death. In that case, we shall dispense with pleasantries."

A dazzlingly beautiful, bewitching woman nearby, clad in a crimson top and emerald skirt, giggled coquettishly. "I told you they wouldn't agree! You wouldn't listen, wasting so much breath and everyone's time."

"I was mistaken," the refined man sighed softly.

A powerfully built man nearby, possessing a dragon's beard and tiger's eyes, stood up abruptly, his bearing arrogant. "The six Civilization Masters of our party have come here today, and you show such disrespect." He clenched his hand into a fist and slammed it heavily onto the alloy circular table, causing the entire surface to shudder and leave a clear fist indentation.

Shao Hao and Emperor Yao felt a jolt in their hearts. They knew that this alloy table was forged from materials fit for a peak Dao Artifact. Yet, under the punch of this burly man, it had visibly dented. If he unleashed his full power amplified by secret arts, how terrifying would the resulting force be?

Ye Chen frowned, glancing at Fuxi and Nuwa beside him. Knowing that all hopes now rested on him with the imminent threat, he spoke coolly. "The Ancestor has already spoken, telling you to return and relay the message to your Alliance Leader. Are you refusing to leave, or must we physically escort you out?"

"Oh?" The burly man raised an eyebrow with interest. "Kick us out? Little brat, don't think you can turn into a phoenix just by clinging to Miss Bai. In my life, I despise pretty boys the most—especially those who rely on others’ power and bully people! Even the Bai Clan Leader himself wouldn't dare boast so much!"

Ye Chen replied calmly, "He might not dare, but that doesn't mean no one else dares."

The refined man examined Ye Chen for a moment, then turned to Nuwa. "Is the upbringing of your younger generation perhaps too lacking? How can a junior dare to interrupt when his elders are speaking?"

Nuwa smiled gently. "This is the realm of the strong. Might is revered here, and age is irrelevant."

The refined man's brow lifted, and he sneered. "So you’re saying his strength rivals that of the three of you? I would like to see that for myself."

Swish!

He acted instantly, his figure flashing as he drifted up from his seat. Though seemingly slow, he was lightning-fast, hurtling toward Ye Chen. His large hand lunged forward, aiming to clamp down on the top of Ye Chen’s head.

Ye Chen sat serenely, utterly disregarding the fierce momentum rushing towards him. Just as the refined man’s hand was about to grasp his head, Ye Chen’s figure flickered abruptly and vanished into thin air. In the next instant, he reappeared atop the circular table, standing beside the diving refined man, and lashed out with a swift kick, delivering a heavy blow to the soft flesh just above the refined man's left hip.

Crack!

Everyone heard the sound of bone shattering. Immediately, a dark shadow streaked past, whistling toward the main door. Just as he was about to collide with the wall beside the doorway, the figure twisted in mid-air, briefly touching the wall with both feet to dissipate the force, before launching himself back toward the center, landing at the far end of the circular table.

The burly man's pupils contracted. His expression was one of sheer horror, almost unable to believe what his eyes witnessed. This person, clearly operating in the Divine Spirit Realm, had just sent a Civilization Master flying with a single kick?

Fuxi and Nuwa, along with the others, all gasped. They exchanged looks, seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes. They had known previously that Ye Chen’s physical body was formidable, but they never imagined he had become this terrifying—achieving such monstrous power purely through physical strength!

Ye Chen stood atop the table, turned his head to look at the burly man and his group, and asked flatly, "Will you leave on your own, or must I come over and send you?"

The burly man’s muscles quivered slightly. His eyes were locked onto Ye Chen, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles popped. He hissed menacingly, "Good kid, so you planned to play the pig to eat the tiger. With such physical strength, your genes must be over three thousand times that of a regular human. However, attempting to intimidate me with just this bit of power is utterly overestimating yourself."

As the words left his mouth, the long hair on his head stood on end, a mysterious imprint appeared on his forehead, and his muscles swelled slightly as he roared and lunged toward Ye Chen. (To be continued)