Chapter 1184: Apology

"They're out! They're out! What was the outcome of the battle?"

The formation dissipated, and two figures gradually became visible.

When Ye Yuan appeared before the crowd completely unharmed, everyone was shocked!

Duan Zhengxiao's gaze sharpened, and he said in disbelief, "This... how is this possible?"

Others couldn't tell, but he knew that Dayan Divine King had already deployed the eighth layer of the Array Dao Nine Scrolls!

At that level, how could Ye Yuan emerge unscathed?

Didn't this mean that Ye Yuan had the strength to break into the top five?

This... this was too fake, wasn't it?

What kind of foolish thing had he done, actually challenging such a freak?

Duan Zhengxiao now felt that he had been utterly blinded by his inclusion among the top ten divine kings, foolishly daring to challenge Lingtian Divine King.

Since Tianji Tower dared to issue this ranking and these titles, naturally they had their reasons.

He had come within a hair's breadth of becoming the most tragic tenth divine king in history!

If Dayan Divine King hadn't arrived in time, he would probably have been the most pathetic of the top ten divine kings ever, wouldn't he?

"Unharmed! This... this is impossible!"

"Am I seeing things? Dayan Divine King used seventy to eighty percent of his strength and still couldn't do anything to Lingtian Divine King?"

"I must be seeing things! If so, doesn't that mean Tianji Tower's ranking is really flawed? Lingtian Divine King should be in the top five!"

...

Those geniuses were deeply shaken by this scene. They had thought Ye Yuan was courting death, but now he had emerged completely unharmed!

His opponent was the renowned Dayan Divine King, who had dominated the divine realm for millennia!

Even before being titled by Tianji Tower, Dayan Divine King had already made a name for himself across the divine realm as the foremost array cultivator.

Now, thousands of years later, Dayan Divine King's strength was even more unfathomable.

Yet Ye Yuan, the newly promoted sixth divine king, had walked out of Dayan Divine King's formation unscathed!

"Ziji, apologize to Lingtian Divine King, and let this matter rest here."

Lu Linfeng's words made everyone's hearts clench.

Was this... backing down?

Those genius martial artists felt their worldview completely collapse.

Ziji Divine King's mouth twitched, but since Dayan Divine King had spoken, he couldn't escape this.

So he had no choice but to bow to Ye Yuan and say, "Lingtian Divine King, Duan Zhengxiao was presumptuous. Please forgive me!"

By now, he harbored no resentment toward Ye Yuan, only awe.

He knew that before Ye Yuan, he was nothing!

Seeing this, everyone felt a sense of unreality.

So the gap between the top ten divine kings was really that vast?

Or was Ye Yuan, the newly promoted sixth divine king, just too freakish?

It seemed that Ye Yuan's forceful entry into sixth place was no fluke after all!

Ye Yuan said indifferently, "Enough. I have no interest in these empty titles. That stunt Tianji Tower pulled was not my wish either. Let today's matter rest. Your strength is not bad; focus more on your cultivation. The demon calamity is approaching; take care of yourself."

Ye Yuan's words made Duan Zhengxiao's heart tighten.

Lu Linfeng interjected, "Ziji, don't be petty-minded. Lingtian Divine King and I are old acquaintances. I know his character. This title of top ten divine king is nothing but a burden to him."

Ye Yuan had learned from Lu Linfeng that Ziji Divine King was the son of an old friend, who had encountered other opportunities to reach his current realm.

Duan Zhengxiao's face reddened, and he said, "It... it was rash of me."

Lu Linfeng looked at Ye Yuan with deep meaning and said, "Young Ji, I underestimated you. I never expected your martial arts talent to be so outstanding! We old-timers have roamed the divine realm for millennia without meeting a rival. It seems that this time, a real opponent has appeared. However, I must also advise you: do what you can, and don't push yourself too hard."

Ye Yuan naturally understood what Lu Linfeng meant and smiled, "When the nest overturns, no egg remains intact. Old Lu, this isn't a burden for me alone!"

Lu Linfeng let out a long sigh and left directly.

And so the farce came to an end.

"Haha, my lord, you are truly amazing! Even Dayan Divine King, ranked third, couldn't do anything to you!" Jiang Taicang laughed as he approached.

Ao Qian also looked at Ye Yuan with reverence and said, "My lord becomes more unfathomable by the day!"

But Ye Yuan shook his head and smiled, "My current strength is still far behind Old Lu's! I estimate he didn't even use half his power! It seems the strength of the top five divine kings is truly unfathomable!"

Everyone's faces stiffened; they hadn't expected such an outcome.

Ye Yuan was also quite surprised by Lu Linfeng's strength.

He had a feeling that Lu Linfeng's current strength might have surpassed the Array Dao Nine Scrolls.

As for what it was, Ye Yuan couldn't say.

But it was certain that Lu Linfeng's current strength was probably not far from that of Lingzhe Divine King.

The strength of the top three divine kings was likely very close.

Everyone had been improving over the years!

"Hm?"

Just as Ye Yuan was about to return to the Dragon Clan, a figure tottered along behind them.

Ye Yuan frowned and said to the man, "You're not leaving? Do you still intend to challenge me?"

The man waved his hand repeatedly—of course, he only had one hand left.

This man was none other than Cao Yunzhi!

"M-my lord, I know I was wrong! I beg you to take me in; I am willing to be your humble servant!" Cao Yunzhi quickly said.

Ye Yuan looked at him with slight surprise, then suddenly smiled, "Give me a reason to take you in!"

Cao Yunzhi took a deep breath and said, "These past few days, I have been observing you, my lord. I believe you will become a monumental figure in the future! By your side, I can not only gain many benefits but perhaps also achieve lasting fame! In time, I might even reach the realm of the top ten divine kings!"

Cao Yunzhi's words caught Ye Yuan off guard.

In fact, Ye Yuan had already guessed his intention, but he hadn't expected the man to be so frank.

After speaking, Cao Yunzhi looked at Ye Yuan nervously.

This was his true thoughts, without any concealment.

Because he knew that if he spun a fancy tale, Ye Yuan would never believe him.

But he didn't know if Ye Yuan could accept such a utilitarian mindset.

"Swoosh!"

A pill flew toward Cao Yunzhi, and he instinctively caught it with his remaining hand.

Upon looking, his gaze sharpened, and then his heart surged with joy!

"Supreme-grade, Ninghua Regeneration Pill! Th-thank you, my lord!"

Cao Yunzhi bowed profusely to Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan's gift of the pill meant he had accepted him.

And with this supreme-grade Ninghua Regeneration Pill, his severed arm could fully recover to its former state!

Ye Yuan said indifferently, "Compared to hypocrites, I can accept an honest villain. But under my command, if you harbor any ill intentions, don't blame me for being ruthless! You have no second chance."