Xuan Ce and his companions were shocked; even Taia Tian and the others in hiding were stupefied as well.
The Asura Divine Guards were one of the strongest trump cards of the Asura Civilization. They were stationed near Asura City and could only remain in slumber for some reason. They were not awakened unless it was absolutely necessary.
The Asura Civilization's history spanned billions of years, but the Asura Divine Guards were only awakened three times. Every time they were awakened, they helped the Asura Civilization go through critical junctures.
Thus, no one expected that the Supreme Scholar would directly awaken the Asura Divine Guards! No one expected her to start the game with her trump card.
It wasn't just the Xuan Clan and the observers nearby; the entire Asura Civilization was shocked as well.
The void nearby was torn apart as powerful Asura Divine Guards emerged from the rifts.
Ye Guan's expression became serious upon seeing the Asura Divine Guards.
Even the dense spacetime of the Asura Civilization quivered under the presence of over ten thousand Asura Divine Guards; the Asura Divine Guards were so strong that everything around them became illusory, unable to withstand their might.
Ye Guan finally realized just how terrifying the Asura Civilization was.
No wonder the Forest Civilization decisively chose to return to the same vast expanse as the Guanxuan Universe upon discovering the Asura Civilization's approach.
Meanwhile, the Asura Divine Guards saluted Xin Yu.
Except for the Asura King, the Supreme Scholar was the only one capable of awakening the Asura Divine Guards from their slumber. It was all because the armed force was established by the first Asura King and the first Supreme Scholar. Thus, these divine guards would obey only the Asura King and the Supreme Scholar.
Xuan Ce's face was extremely grim as he stared at the Asura Divine Guards.
The Xuan Clan couldn't possibly contend with these Asura Divine Guards—they simply couldn't defeat them.
Xin Yu turned to Ye Guan and said, "I'm sorry. I had no idea that this would happen. I really am sorry."
Ye Guan smiled and replied, "It's not your fault."
Xin Yu shook her head slightly and then looked at the leader of the Asura Divine Guards in the distance. "Escort Young Master Ye out of the Asura Clan."
The leader of the Asura Divine Guards bowed slightly to Xin Yu before turning to Ye Guan. "Please."
Ye Guan stared deeply at Xin Yu. "Until we meet again."
Xin Yu smiled. "Can you give me a way to contact you?"
Ye Guan hesitated for a moment before taking out a transmission talisman and handing it over to Xin Yu.
Xin Yu smiled. "Hurry up. Leave now."
Ye Guan nodded and soared to the sky on his sword. He was about to break through the void and leave when an overwhelming aura descended on Ye Guan like a waterfall, forcing him back to the ground.
Everyone was stunned.
Ye Guan landed beside Xin Yu.
Xin Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.
The Asura Divine Guards took to the sky and were about to make a move, but they all came to a screeching halt.
They descended and returned to their positions.
Xin Yu frowned at the sight.
Soon, the figure of an old man and a young woman appeared before everyone.
The old man was none other than Asura Xiao—the clan leader of the Asura Clan.
The young woman wearing a dark robe next to him had an extraordinary bearing.
Xuan Ce's eyebrows furrowed tightly upon seeing Asura Xiao.
Why is he here? Is it because... Xuan Ce glanced at Ye Guan in the distance. Clearly, the Asura Clan was also interested in Ye Guan's divine item.
Xuan Ce chuckled to himself. Asura Xiao's presence was a great thing for the Xuan Clan, as the Asura Clan could command the Asura Divine Guards as well.
Asura Xiao glanced at Ye Guan and then looked at Xin Yu in the distance, shaking his head slightly. "Supreme Scholar, you handled this matter incorrectly."
"I'm surprised to know that you've also become quite greedy, Clan Leader Xiao," Xin Yu remarked.
Asura Xiao shook his head. "It's not greed. I'm simply taking into account the bigger picture. Supreme Scholar, I have just one question—which civilization is he from?"
Xin Yu frowned slightly. She actually had no idea where Ye Guan had come from, and it was all because she had never really asked him about it.
"Supreme Scholar, he must be an extraordinary figure, and it is proven by how he acquired a divine artifact from a Tier Four Civilization. Do you really believe he came to our Asura Civilization just for a casual visit?"
Xin Yu replied sternly, "I invited him to the Asura Civilization myself. Do you really think I'll betray the Asura Civilization by inviting a malicious actor here?"
Asura Xiao smiled. "Of course, you wouldn't betray our Asura Civilization, but we have to be cautious. His origins are unclear. If he's from a Tier Four civilization, letting him go today can bring great disaster to our Asura Civilization in the future."
Xin Yu frowned. "He isn't from a Tier Four civilization. He comes from a civilization that barely qualifies as a Tier One civilization."
"Do you really believe that such an extraordinary talent is from a barely Tier One civilization?" Asura Xiao asked calmly.
Xin Yu looked at Ye Guan and said firmly, "I believe what he says."
Asura Xiao chuckled. "He has deceived you. He has just twenty percent divinity, but he's strong enough to fight full divinity experts. A talent like him is extremely rare even in our civilization, much less in a Tier One civilization."
Xin Yu shook her head, "Clan Leader Xiao, if he were from a Tier Four civilization, wouldn't it be great to befriend him rather than make an enemy out of him?"
Asura Xiao stared at Xin Yu and replied, "High-tiered civilizations never show mercy to low-tier civilizations; they only plunder the latter."
"Excuses, excuses, Clan Leader Xiao," Xin Yu replied, "Your goal is to seize his divine artifaction. Have you ever thought about the consequences of doing that?
"The Xuan Clan can only represent itself, not the entire Asura Civilization. But the Asura Clan is different, as it represents the entire Asura Civilization."
Asura Xiao shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, "Supreme Scholar, this is all for the future of our Asura Civilization!"
He then glanced at Ye Guan and said, "As I said, his origins are unclear. Letting him go without knowing more about him is just too risky, which is why I cannot let him leave."
Xin Yu’s gaze grew cold.
Just then, a middle-aged man stepped forward. It was Taia Tian, and Taia Nan was standing next to him.
Asura Xiao and Xuan Ce frowned upon seeing them.
Taia Tian smiled slightly. "I agree with the Supreme Scholar. If Young Master Ye is from a Tier Four civilization, then it'll be all the more reason to befriend him. After all, Young Master Ye has shown no hostility toward our Asura Civilization so far. Why can't we be friends with him, then?"
Asura Xiao glared at Taia Tian, "Can he represent his civilization? Even if he agrees to be friends with us, will his civilization agree?"
Taia Tian chuckled and said, "Clan Leader Xiao, none of us here are fools. Everyone can see your true intentions. Why bother making such grandiose excuses and transforming yourself into everyone's laughingstock?"
Asura Xiao's expression became ugly.
"You're saying that he's a threat as a justification to make a move against Young Master Ye and seize his divine artifact," Taia Tian added.
"And what's wrong with that?" Xuan Ce chimed in, chuckling, "Our Asura Civilization was founded on strength and seizing opportunities. He has a divine artifact from a Tier Four civilization. Why shouldn't we take it? Aren't we living in a world where the strong reigns supreme?"
Taia Tian glanced at Xuan Ce and remarked, "No wonder your grandson got killed."
Xuan Ming was Xuan Ce’s grandson.
Xuan Ce's face darkened instantly. "Taia Tian, don’t forget the teachings of our ancestors—we must unite against outsiders."
Taia Tian was silent. Indeed, he could secretly support Ye Guan, but he couldn't do so openly, as Ye Guan was not a part of the Asura Civilization.
The Asura Civilization had to always stay united against outsiders. This was a rule that no one dared to break, as it was established by their ancestors. Defying this rule meant defying their own ancestors.
"He's not an outsider," the Supreme Scholar said.
Everyone cast an astonished gaze at the Supreme Scholar.
The Supreme Scholar glanced at Ye Guan and said, "I forgot to mention, Young Master Ye and I are in love. I invited him to the Asura Clan for us to get married here."
Everyone was in an uproar.
Ye Guan was also taken aback.
Taia Tian stared wordlessly at the Supreme Scholar. He was genuinely surprised. He didn't believe the Supreme Scholar's claim. He was surprised by the fact that she was willing to go as far as to ruin her own reputation to save the young swordsman. It was stupefying and bizarre at the same time.
Taia Tian stared deeply at Ye Guan. He seemed to have greatly underestimated the young swordsman.
The young woman in a dark robe was astonished as well, and she cast a thoughtful gaze at Ye Guan.
Asura Xiao's face grew even darker. "Supreme Scholar, you can't just say that, you—"
"I'm serious," the Supreme Scholar interrupted.
Xuan Ce suddenly spoke up, "But you two are not married yet! Technically, he's still an outsider."
The Supreme Scholar stared wordlessly at Xuan Ce.
Xuan Ce asked, "Is it really worth sacrificing your reputation to protect an outsider?"
The Supreme Scholar was about to respond when Ye Guan stepped forward and said, "Supreme Scholar and I are just friends, nothing more, nothing less."
Everyone looked at Ye Guan.
The Supreme Scholar looked at Ye Guan.
Ye Guan smiled at her and said, "Lady Xinyu, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot let you sacrifice your reputation for my sake."
He then swept his gaze across Xuan Ce and Asura Xiao. "You want my divine items, right? Fine, I will give them to you in exchange for my safety."
With that, he waved his sleeve, sending out the blood-red coffin. The blood-red coffin landed steadily in front of Xuan Ce.
However, Ye Guan wasn't done yet, He opened his palm, and the Qingxuan Sword flew toward Xuan Ce as well.
Everyone was stunned by Ye Guan's decisive actions.
Meanwhile, Asura Xiao's gaze was transfixed on the blood-red coffin and the Qingxuan Sword in front of Xuan Ce.