"The Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace belongs to our Cangmu Academy!"

More and more monstrous geniuses surged toward the underground palace, their momentum overwhelming.

Boom! Boom! Boom! A terrifying wave of energy rippled outward, like the overturning of a vast ocean. Divine might surged, erupting in a deafening crash that sounded like thunder.

The void twisted. Space tore. The ground beneath the palace split open as a colossal structure began to emerge. It was covered in dazzling Great Emperor Dao Patterns and radiated a boundless, majestic martial will.

This was the Emperor Weapon: the Martial Refining Pagoda.

The wisp of Dao Rhyme from the Bronze Ancient Palace wrapped around the Pagoda’s peak like a swirling galaxy, clashing with the Pagoda's own Martial Emperor Dao Patterns. The two forces wrestled, emitting sharp, crackling sounds.

Soon, the Martial Refining Pagoda revealed its full form. It tore through the landscape, diverting rivers and destroying countless mountains, becoming the sole, dominant presence in this corner of the world. Nearly ten thousand zhang high, it pierced deep into the void.

The Pagoda manifested tens of thousands of Heaven-Reaching Steps. Each step was forged from pure martial will, radiating terrifying pressure and divine light, leading into the distant, shimmering illusion.

Buzz! Buzz! The Martial Refining Pagoda pulsed with a dominant, martial roar, like an ancient bell tolling. The sound surged into the onlookers' ears, causing the blood in their veins to surge.

Seeing this, the disciples were all shaken. This Martial Refining Pagoda was clearly no simple artifact.

It was obvious that only by climbing these tens of thousands of steps and reaching the Pagoda's summit could one capture that wisp of Dao Rhyme from the Bronze Ancient Palace.

The Ancient Jade Slips held by the disciples all flickered, sensing the Dao Rhyme.

In a hidden location, Chen Changsheng sent out dozens of Profound Saint puppets, disguised as ordinary youths and maidens, to blend into the crowd, suppressing their cultivation. He performed a divination: the hexagrams confirmed his opportunity—the Dao Rhyme—was right before him. He intended to seize it.

At that moment, Liu Xuan glanced at Ye Chen. "Junior Brother Ye Chen, let's take these Heaven-Reaching Steps now and seize the initiative!"

Ye Chen nodded. "Agreed."

Instantly, Liu Xuan, Luo Lingkong, Ye Chen, and the others shot into the air, rushing toward the Heaven-Reaching Steps of the Martial Refining Pagoda.

Seeing this, the other geniuses' faces darkened. They moved to attack Ye Chen and the others, determined to stop them.

The Yao family disciples looked to Yao Huanhuan. "Senior Sister, should we attack Ye Chen as well?"

Yao Huanhuan, puffing out her cheeks in annoyance, said, "Hold off for now! Can't you see how many people are trying to kill them? Let's just follow quietly."

The Yao family disciples nodded. "Understood, Senior Sister!"

Yao Huanhuan scanned the surroundings, letting out a soft "Huh?" "The other Divine Son candidates from the Supreme Profound Sect have all appeared, but where is Qin Xiao? Whatever, forget him. Let's prepare to rush the steps!"

"Yes, Senior Sister!" the Yao family disciples replied, following Yao Huanhuan as she rushed forward.

By this time, Ye Chen and Liu Xuan had already climbed dozens of steps.

Behind them, the other geniuses sneered, "How can we let you seize the initiative?"

Lin Lei of the Supreme Profound Sect roared, summoning a long spear and thrusting it at the backs of the Grand Dao Sect disciples. "Die!"

Shing! A cold light arrived first, followed by the spear, which struck out like a roaring dragon. At the same time, disciples from Cangmu Academy and the Pill Fragrance Sect also attacked Ye Chen. They unleashed their full power. Dazzling divine light surged, and supreme killing intent blazed, all aimed at stopping the Grand Dao Sect's ascent.

Liu Xuan's expression changed. "Be careful, everyone!"

Ye Chen suddenly spun around, his face a mask of cold fury as he glared at his attackers. He spat out, "Courting death!"

As he spoke, Lin Lei's spear arrived within dozens of yards of Ye Chen. The spear light was blazing like lightning, accompanied by continuous sonic booms.

Fang Yan roared, his body blazing with golden light as he prepared his defensive runes. He shouted to Ye Chen, "Junior Brother Ye Chen, go ahead! I'll cover the rear! My 'Rock-Solid Def—'"

Ye Chen cut him off. "Senior Brother Fang Yan, this time, let me handle it!"

Ye Chen stepped into the air, his white robes billowing and his black hair whipping around him. His eyes held a look of utter disdain as he faced dozens of Profound Venerate attacks with a calm, almost casual demeanor.

"Desolate Heaven Art!"

Boom! A terrifying Martial Dao Furnace manifested behind Ye Chen. The moment it appeared, its martial will resonated with the Martial Refining Pagoda, causing Ye Chen's aura to surge. Star-like radiance and multicolored halos swirled around him, his body radiating a profound light. He looked like a Divine King, a Martial Emperor.

Ye Chen slowly extended his right hand, meeting Lin Lei's terrifying spear thrust with a simple palm strike.

Instantly, Ye Chen's palm stopped the terrifying spear, which was now enveloped in a golden martial will, leaving his hand completely unharmed. He clenched his fist, and a terrifying force impacted the spear.

Crack! The long spear shattered instantly, turning into countless shimmering fragments.

Ye Chen let out a cold snort, his face frigid and his gaze contemptuous as he looked at the dozens of geniuses who had attacked the Grand Dao Sect. His voice was icy. "All of you, perish!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The countless fragments of the shattered spear reversed course like a meteor shower, each piece imbued with the power of the Desolate Heaven Art—the equivalent of a full-force strike from Ye Chen. They annihilated the dozens of incoming attacks in a terrifying explosion of energy, turning into a shattered river of stars.

In the space of a single breath, the dozens of attacks launched by the geniuses were completely annihilated by the spear fragments. The void rippled violently as martial aura permeated the air.

The remaining fragments continued to shoot toward Lin Lei and the others.

Everyone was stunned. Silence descended upon the field.

How was this possible? Ye Chen, alone, had crushed Lin Lei's supreme spear intent with his bare hand and annihilated the combined attacks of dozens of Profound Venerates! This completely exceeded their understanding. Ye Chen's strength was simply not on the same level as theirs!

But he was clearly only a Second-stage Profound Venerate!

Yao Huanhuan’s jaw dropped, her mouth wide enough to fit an egg. She couldn't hide her shock. "How did Ye Chen get this strong?"

Luo Lingkong frowned slightly, the spirit sword at his waist trembling. A massive wave of shock crashed through his heart.

Lin Lei screamed, fear finally setting in. "Ye Chen, it's a misunderstanding! I meant no harm! No harm!" He looked at the other Divine Son candidates beside him. "Chu Yuan, save me quickly!"

Hearing this, Chu Yuan and the others immediately retreated, distancing themselves from Lin Lei. The other Profound Venerates who had attacked Ye Chen felt their scalps tingle with terror and retreated rapidly.

They summoned spiritual power shields, hoping to block the spear fragments.

But it was useless. It was completely useless.

Crack! Crack! The spear fragments were imbued with Ye Chen's martial will—an overwhelming, Invincible Stance.

Even Lin Lei only lasted a single breath before dozens of fragments pierced his body. He looked at Ye Chen in disbelief. "Ye Chen, I truly didn't mean to be your enemy..." He collapsed mid-sentence, his corpse plummeting from the void, dead.

On the other side, the spear fragments locked onto the dozens of other attacking Profound Venerates. A flash of starlight, and one body after another fell from the sky.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Profound Venerates dropped like rain. Blood rained down from the sky, a gruesome yet spectacular sight.

Ye Chen stood frigidly on the step, surveying the scene. His gaze swept over the geniuses from the other factions.

The world was silent. Everyone was utterly shaken. Ye Chen was too powerful! He had wiped out dozens of Profound Venerates in a single move! This completely exceeded their expectations.

Ye Chen's cold voice echoed across the silent landscape. "Who else dares to try?! Who else?!"

No one dared to speak. The Supreme Profound Sect disciples lowered their heads. The Cangmu Academy disciples dared not show anger or even speak.

Yao Huanhuan’s mouth was still wide open. She sent a mental transmission to Ye Chen. "Ye Chen, did you kill Qin Xiao?"

Ye Chen paused, looking at her. "Yes."

Yao Huanhuan was stunned. "How in the world do you cultivate? How can you be such a monstrous genius in both alchemy and martial arts?"

Ye Chen's lips curled into a slight smile. "Because I have an invincible Master."

Yao Huanhuan stared blankly. "Huh?"

The next moment, Ye Chen turned and continued his ascent up the Heaven-Reaching Steps.

Behind him, the crowd remained frozen, afraid to move. Ye Chen's slaughter had chilled them to the bone.

Only after a long time, when they realized Ye Chen had no intention of stopping them, did they cautiously resume their climb.

Fang Yan clapped Ye Chen on the shoulder, grinning. "Junior Brother Ye Chen, well done! I think we should form a team! You're the strongest spear, and I'm the thickest shield. Together, we'll absolutely slaughter everyone!"

Ye Chen smiled. "Sounds good!"

Liu Xuan gave a charming smile, glancing at Fang Yan. "Do you really think Junior Brother Ye Chen needs you? He's already perfect in both offense and defense!"

Fang Yan shook his head vigorously. "No, no, no. You don't understand the sense of security that 'Rock-Solid Defense' provides. Junior Brother Ye Chen definitely understands, right?"

Ye Chen replied simply, "I don't."

Fang Yan was speechless.

Liu Xuan and Luo Lingkong burst into laughter.

The group rushed up the Heaven-Reaching Steps with all their might.

One hundred steps!

Two hundred steps!

...One thousand steps!

The martial will here surged, and the pressure increased with every level. Liu Xuan and the others were already slowing down.

But Ye Chen was still as fast as lightning.

Fang Yan chuckled. "The Dao Rhyme of the Bronze Ancient Palace is all yours, Junior Brother Ye Chen."

***

Grand Dao Sect.

Azure Mystery Peak.

Lu Xuan was stretched out on his recliner in front of the thatched hut. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney; Ji Fuyao was cooking.

Today's dish was "Spirit Herb Tofu Stew."

Ji Fuyao emerged, a radiant smile on her face, carrying the dishes with her long, elegant legs. "Master, dinner is served."

Lu Xuan slowly sat up and moved to the stone table. Time to eat!

Lu Xuan took a bite, savoring the flavor, and began to hum a little tune: "A bowl of Spirit Herb Tofu Stew, makes the Emperor's life seem blue!"