Eternal Holy Emperor

"What? Is the Ancient Divine Palace going back on its word? Was it impossible for the person who comes first to gain the inheritor identity from the start, or to receive those rewards?"

"Is the Ancient Divine Palace deceiving the world?"

"From my point of view, the Ancient Divine Palace had no sincerity in giving out the inheritor identity or those lavish rewards."

"Perhaps everything was prepared for that Guu Changsheng. Previously, they claimed to give out the inheritor identity, but then a Guu Changsheng of the Ancient Divine Palace suddenly appeared, didn't he? That Guu Changsheng even said that this contest among the younger generation was just launched to hone him."

"Haha, the Ancient Divine Palace, the number one force under the heavens, the Sovereign of the Ancient God Continent, is nothing more than this."

"The Ancient Divine Palace is indeed going back on its word. Guu Changsheng is strong enough to be invincible, and none of the strongest geniuses can contend with him, but alas, the more invincible Combat Saint King appeared. That's truly a loud slap in the face. Heh, well slapped..."

...

The entire city was boiling, people were hotly debating, and all were filled with accusations and controversies against the Ancient Divine Palace.

From reverence at the beginning to now, many people's awe for the Ancient Divine Palace has turned into a feeling of disgust because they deceived the world, producing not just one inheritor unexpectedly, and that inheritor was defeated by another, without ever truly obtaining the inheritor identity.

This is deception, even the Ancient Divine Palace has to face the world's resentment and disdain.

This fact cannot change; while one can allow others to deceive oneself, such malicious deception is unacceptable, especially from the Ancient Divine Palace that they once revered and admired.

Watching this scene, Li Xuan's expression changed repeatedly.

One has to say, Ye Chen's move indeed had a significant impact, inciting rumors about the Ancient Divine Palace deceiving the world and making people associate it with the recent string of events involving Guu Changsheng, adding fuel to the fire, and engendering considerable resentment and disrepute against the Ancient Divine Palace.

Of course, as the Sovereign of the Ancient God Continent for so many years, the Ancient Divine Palace naturally fears nothing, possessing invincible power to suppress anything.

But they have always been above others, revered by the world, and could invisibly gather enormous power of faith, which is one of the goals of the Ancient Divine Palace.

Now, being heavily criticized by the world, one can predict that it won't take long before people realize that not only will their power of faith diminish tenfold, but it will also become mottled, which is detrimental to the stable rule of the Ancient Divine Palace.

They can forcibly suppress the people, but they cannot suppress their hearts, which will only cause increasingly adverse effects.

Li Xuan's expression grew somber as he looked at Ye Chen, somewhat angry: "Combat Saint King, what are you implying? I never said I wouldn't give you the inheritor identity; it just needs to be reported to the Supreme Elder and the Palace Master first. Your actions have clearly pushed my Ancient Divine Palace into disrepute. Are you deliberately trying to oppose my Ancient Divine Palace?"

"Oppose?" Ye Chen smiled, showing no sign of worry. "Li Xuan, you must be joking. Since I am to become the inheritor of the Ancient Divine Palace, why would I sully my identity? It's just that my voice was a bit louder, and the people overheard it accidentally. Please don't be angry about this, Li Xuan. As long as I receive the inheritor identity, they will quiet down. Facts are the best proof, and there's no need for me to say more—I'm sure you understand."

Li Xuan's expression indeed became unsightly. Ye Chen's words were piercing enough, but addressing him as a fellow Daoist was clearly putting him on the same level, which irked him quite a bit.

Who was he? An elder of the Ancient Divine Palace, and even ordinary Saints had to bow and call him lord, a figure on par with Emperor Lords of the Dynasties. Since when did a young junior address him as an equal?

But he was helpless.

Because the Combat Saint King truly had the qualification, though young, his cultivation was earth-shattering, stepping into the Heavenly King Realm, a supreme genius whom even the Saintly Treasure Peak couldn't rival. Calling him a reincarnation-level expert wouldn't be an exaggeration, although Reincarnation is a great realm and a special level of tribulation.

But someone like the Combat Saint King, surpassing the Saintly Treasure Realm but not yet a Heavenly King, what else could he be if not a reincarnation-level expert?

How could such a prodigy emerge in this world?

He was rather helpless: "Combat Saint King, please stay calm. Since the Ancient Divine Palace promised you, it will fulfill it. Please have them stop the accusations, for your sake, for mine, and for the Ancient Divine Palace's sake."

Li Xuan rarely showed such humility; one does not strike a smiling person. Ye Chen had no reason to continue the confrontation. He nodded slightly, turning to the whole city with overwhelming divine power, his voice spreading through the nine heavens: "Fellow Daoists of the Ancient God City, please cease the accusations against the Ancient Divine Palace. Li Xuan has stated that the inheritor identity and rewards will be given to me, as long as the Supreme Elder and the Palace Master in the palace are informed."

"Everyone, please witness this. I will soon enter the Ancient Divine Palace. Of course, if I do not come out or fail to gain the inheritor identity, haha, I need not say more."

Li Xuan grew angry; Ye Chen's last words were obviously full of insinuation.

If he does not come out or fails to get the second inheritor identity, it would prove the Ancient Divine Palace did go back on its word and deceive the people.

Even if the Ancient Divine Palace truly was unparalleled across the Ancient God Continent for countless years, this time their reputation would be greatly tarnished, and their power of faith would plummet, leading to unbearable consequences.

The gazes of countless people in the Ancient God City were all fixed on Li Xuan, making him feel like he was on pins and needles.

Never would he have thought he would fall into such a situation, but he gritted his teeth, steeling himself to say: "Everyone can rest assured, my Ancient Divine Palace will uphold its word. However, the inheritor identity is crucial and pertains to the entire inheritance of the Ancient Divine Palace, so I will lead the Combat Saint King to the palace to meet with the Palace Master and the Supreme Elders. I assure you, as long as the Combat Saint King harbors no ill intentions towards my Ancient Divine Palace and is determined to glorify it, he will certainly obtain the inheritor identity."

Li Xuan planted many crucial points in his words. Denying Ye Chen the inheritor identity would be simple; just claim he harbors ill intentions or caused significant destruction within the Ancient Divine Palace, leaving enough reason to strip him of the heir contention.

Moreover, no one would doubt the Ancient Divine Palace's ability to become the Sovereign of the Ancient God Continent was due to more than just its foundational might; it had the corresponding means.

Moreover, as it pertains to the inheritance of the Ancient Divine Palace, the inheritor identity cannot be given lightly to anyone, which no one would question.

The whole city's crowd immediately quieted down, and at this moment, the Emperor of the Tianxu Dynasty suddenly stood at the front of the Divine Ship, clasped his hands first, and said: "My Tianxu Dynasty believes the Ancient Divine Palace won't deceive the world. Combat Saint King, you may proceed with confidence. The Ancestor said he awaits your triumphant return!"

A single stone stirs up a thousand waves!