These ten ancient figures, like withered leaves, all had white hair and faces covered with wrinkles, appearing to be of a very advanced age.
However, the fluctuations bursting forth from their aged bodies were suffocating even for Xiao Ye.
These fluctuations were terrifyingly powerful; among them, two were unfathomable, having even surpassed the Holy Palace Master of Taiyi Palace.
Xiao Ye’s face was filled with shock; what was the origin of these ten elders?
It was well known that the Holy Palace Master was a super strong being, infinitely close to the Great Emperor Realm; yet these two elders were even stronger than the Holy Palace Master—could they be Half-step Emperors?
"Jianan kid, is this the disciple valued by Hong Ji?" At this moment, the central elder spoke, his voice causing the void to tremble incessantly, like the echoes of a bell.
"Reporting to Elder Su, it is indeed!" Elder Jianan, daring not show the slightest disrespect, saluted with his fists clasped.
"I have also heard of this junior’s deeds; this time Hong Ji’s judgment was good, even better than the choice of that evil disciple Jun Shitian; this junior must have a great fortune upon him, even I cannot see through it."
The central elder, Elder Su, had his ancient eyelids tremble, and from his turbid eyes shot out a piercing brilliance that landed on Xiao Ye, before it was retracted, and he slowly nodded his head.
Xiao Ye’s heart was startled.
Elder Su’s gaze was too sharp, as if wanting to see through all the secrets within him, much more formidable than the Holy Palace Master of Taiyi Palace; even the Four Emperor Skills within him, which had been extremely restless, had ceased to operate as if encountering something terrifying.
Hearing Elder Su’s words, Xiao Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing the methods of the Supreme Empress were truly extraordinary; even Elder Su could not see through them.
Since he couldn’t see through, Xiao Ye didn’t need to worry about exposing the Four Emperor Skills and Time Tower, and attracting unnecessary trouble.
"Xiao Ye, these elders are the old antiques left behind by our Holy Palace, the youngest having been around for four hundred years; several of them have been Palace Masters from previous generations."
"Usually, they guard around Emperor Valley, making an appearance only when the Holy Palace faces an existential crisis," Elder Jianan explained to Xiao Ye via a transmission of power.
Xiao Ye suddenly realized.
No wonder the cultivation level of these elders was so terrifying; they were truly old antiques.
"Disciple Xiao Ye greets all the seniors of the Holy Palace!" Xiao Ye took a deep breath, and stepping forward against the overwhelming presence of the elders, he bowed with his hands clasped.
"Alright, we old antiques no longer concern ourselves with worldly affairs, wholeheartedly pursuing the supreme Great Emperor Realm. Since Hong Ji has made such arrangements, we will duly comply," Elder Su in the center spoke.
As he finished speaking, with a wave of his hand, the Emperor Valley behind him emitted a dragon’s roar that reverberated through the Nine Heavens; the thick mist enveloping the valley dissipated quite a bit, revealing a stone path leading into the heart of Emperor Valley.
"The array protecting Emperor Valley has been lifted, youngster, you may enter now."
"However, before that, I must remind you that although you have received Hong Ji’s recognition and have the same treatment as Main Hall Disciples, you can only stay inside for one day. If you wish to enter again, you must wait for one month—this is for your own good," Elder Su said.
Xiao Ye listened carefully and, although somewhat puzzled by the meaning of Elder Su’s words, he still nodded: "Thank you, Elder Su, for the instruction."
"Xiao Ye, proceed. After one day, you can return to Heavenly Hall on your own," Elder Jianan said to Xiao Ye, and after saluting the ten elders, he left gracefully.
Even he, as the Law Enforcement Elder of the Heavenly Hall, had no right to step into Emperor Valley.
"Disciple bids farewell to the seniors!" Xiao Ye also saluted the ten elders, then, with firm steps, he proceeded along the stone path into Emperor Valley.
Watching Xiao Ye’s retreating figure, one particularly aged elder among the ten turned to Elder Su and asked, "This guy, clearly this junior has the same treatment as Main Hall Disciples, with at least five full days to stay in Emperor Valley, yet you deliberately mystify things by having him come out after one day; what are you really up to?"
Elder Su, gazing at Xiao Ye’s disappearing back, said, "It is said that this junior, in a battle against Shi Tian at the same realm, totally crushed his opponent. As you know, the Invincible Demon Technique that Shi Tian cultivated is not the least bit weaker than the Emperor Level Techniques."
"And yet this junior managed to surpass even that. Aside from his King Martial Combat Skills being at Great Success, the Cultivation Technique he has practiced is probably extraordinary."
"Just now, I specifically released the Emperor’s Martial Intent trying to detect what Cultivation Technique the junior has practiced. Unexpectedly, I failed, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t find out anything."
Listening to Elder Su’s words, the other nine elders fell silent.
The elder who had just questioned was eager and asked, "Old Man Su, what exactly did you discover? Speak up, even I am very curious."
"I discovered..." Elder Su took a deep breath, as if the discovery bore an immense significance, and he spoke with emphasis on each word, "the aura of the Supreme Empress!"
"What?" Thɪs chapter is updated by n0velfire.net
The moment these words were spoken, the other nine elders were finally moved, unable to accept it even with their composure.
They were thoroughly aware of Xiao Ye’s background, coming from the Endless Sea and only because of an outstanding performance in the Dynasty Battle did he enter the Taiyi Palace in Central State.
How could a Martial Artist with no background like Xiao Ye be related to the Supreme Empress?
"When I went to the Absolute Emperor Domain, I entered the Treasure Land left by the Empress, so I am very sensitive to her aura."
"Besides, have you forgotten the legend that was spread during the time of the Supreme Empress’s dominance over the True Spirit Continent, that she left a treasure in the Endless Sea?" Elder Su said blandly.
Despite his light tone, it triggered the ruminations of the other nine elders.
Indeed, the legend was widespread back then, but few people were willing to believe it—how could the Empress leave her treasure in the Endless Sea instead of the Emperor Domain?
"So, I speculate that the rumor is true, this junior might have obtained the Empress’s treasure, her inheritance."
"This Emperor Valley, left by the Undefeated Emperor, could likely conflict with the Empress Inheritance the junior carries; that’s why I made those remarks," Elder Su added.