Outside the Martial Arena, the noise rose and fell as the gathered young prodigies fixed their eyes on Su Li.
The moment he appeared, the entire arena fell silent, as though time itself had stopped. People marveled at his heroic bearing. He was like a dazzling star, lighting up the whole Martial Arena.
"Simply incredible!" someone exclaimed sincerely.
"Truly worthy of being the young supreme of my Primal Ancient Realm!" someone said with deep feeling.
"To think Ancestor Wang is the same age as us! What a point of pride!" someone shouted excitedly.
Amid the crowd, Yue Xian spotted Su Li at once. Her smile shone like spring sunshine, and her eyes sparkled with excitement and joy.
With Qing Xuan, the princess of the South Sea Dragon Palace, by her side, Yue Xian walked lightly and gracefully up to Su Li.
She said sweetly, "Ancestor Wang Su Li, congratulations on your triumphant return!" Her voice was like music from heaven, captivating everyone who heard it.
Qing Xuan smiled beside her, her gaze revealing her admiration and respect for Su Li.
Su Li smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
When Su Li said nothing, Yue Xian wasn't offended. For someone of Ancestor Wang's standing, a smile and nod in her direction were already an enormous honor.
She wouldn't presume to overstep.
Soon after, when Thunder Emperor appeared, the crowd immediately broke into discussion.
They pointed at Thunder Emperor, their eyes full of surprise and confusion. His appearance was utterly unlike the image they had held of him.
Thunder Emperor's hair was in disarray, as though a gale had swept through it.
His face was pale, utterly bloodless, and he looked exhausted. His eyes were sunken and dull. The purple armor on his body was in tatters, its plates scattered across the ground, as if he had just come through a fierce battle.
His left arm was still wrapped in bloodstained bandages, clearly bearing a severe wound.
His right leg was slightly bent as well, as though injured. He looked utterly disheveled, a stark contrast to his former imposing, arrogant self.
One of the young prodigies said, "Thunder Emperor gave it his all. Ancestor Wang is so powerful that this is already the best outcome." His words were filled with helplessness and regret.
The other young prodigies chimed in. "That's right. Thunder Emperor has done more than enough."
"Ancestor Wang is simply too strong. Thunder Emperor held his own against him for so long—that's already impressive."
"We can't ask for more. Thunder Emperor has his limits, after all."
Their words of agreement held both praise for Thunder Emperor and acknowledgment of Ancestor Wang's strength.
They all knew the outcome of this battle had been inevitable. Thunder Emperor was powerful, but Ancestor Wang was stronger still.
"Thunder Emperor is certainly worthy of his name. His strength is incredible!" someone said with a sigh.
"That's right. Thunder Emperor's lightning power is astonishing. It's enough to make anyone tremble," another person agreed.
Still, they all understood that no matter how powerful Thunder Emperor was, he was a little outmatched before Ancestor Wang.
Ancestor Wang's strength had reached an unimaginable height, leaving everyone in awe.
"Ancestor Wang is truly amazing. His strength is beyond anything we could hope to match," someone said with feeling.
"Indeed. Ancestor Wang is not only powerful, but also shrewd and calculating. He's truly admirable," another person said with a nod.
Before long, a powerful, white-haired Quasi-Immortal King arrived, bearing an Immortal King's decree.
The Quasi-Immortal King was named Bei He. Though his hair was white, he was full of vigor.
A powerful aura radiated from him, inspiring awe. His gaze was keen, as though it could see through every illusion, leaving no one daring to deceive him.
Quasi-Immortal King Bei He looked solemn, commanding respect without having to raise his voice.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His voice was low and firm, every word carrying authority.
"Thunder Emperor, Su Li, the Immortal King commands you to enter the main hall." Quasi-Immortal King Bei He's voice echoed across the island, clear for everyone to hear.
The two young prodigies, Thunder Emperor and Su Li, exchanged a glance, both with a hint of confusion in their eyes.
"Yes," Thunder Emperor and Su Li answered in unison, their voices tinged with reverence.
They knew this was the Immortal King's command, and they had to obey.
Suddenly, Thunder Emperor felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He felt as though some boundlessly powerful being had fixed its gaze on him, and his heart trembled.
Following the feeling, he looked over and saw Quasi-Immortal King Bei He watching him.
Quasi-Immortal King Bei He's gaze flashed like lightning as it swept over Thunder Emperor, seemingly piercing every falsehood.
He gently raised a hand. Countless strands of auspicious power gathered at his fingertips, shining like brilliant stars.
With a wave of his hand, that auspicious power fell like spring rain, enveloping Thunder Emperor.
Beneath the cleansing of the auspicious power, Thunder Emperor's body gradually returned to its former state, as though reborn.
The surrounding landscape seemed to brighten under the auspicious power. Clouds and mist swirled, radiant light shimmered, and the entire space filled with a sacred, solemn aura.
Quasi-Immortal King Bei He stood there like a guardian of heaven and earth. Framed by the auspicious power, he appeared even taller and more imposing, inspiring awe.
Under the cleansing of the auspicious power, Thunder Emperor's form gradually returned to its former state.
He straightened his back, pressed his palms together, and bowed deeply in Quasi-Immortal King Bei He's direction. His eyes brimmed with gratitude, as a warm current welled up in his heart.
Quasi-Immortal King Bei He's expression was composed, a faint smile in his eyes.
He looked at Thunder Emperor without speaking, but his gaze was full of approval and recognition.
He knew Thunder Emperor had felt the help and salvation he had given him. That gratitude would become a deep bond between them.
If Thunder Emperor became a king one day, he would surely remember the kindness shown today.
"Let's go." Quasi-Immortal King Bei He turned and left. Su Li and Thunder Emperor followed him, and the two soon arrived outside the main hall.
Outside the hall, Su Li, Thunder Emperor, and Quasi-Immortal King Bei He waited respectfully.
Ancient stone steps wound down from the hall, like the spine of a giant dragon, exuding a steady and solemn air.
The towering entrance was inlaid with intricate golden patterns, like a painted scroll telling of the passage of ancient ages.
Above the lintel was a carving of a phoenix in flight, wings spread wide, symbolizing power and glory.
Mysterious runes covered the walls around the hall, radiating a faint golden light as if guarding its peace and secrets.
Under the sunlight, the hall looked even more magnificent and stately, inspiring reverence.
Quasi-Immortal King Bei He suddenly seemed to sense something. Turning his gaze toward Su Li and Thunder Emperor, he said with a hint of solemnity, "The Immortal Kings are speaking inside the hall. You two may go straight in."
His eyes held an unfathomable depth, as though they could see through every illusion.
Though his tone was serious, there was not the slightest hint of reproach in it. Instead, it conveyed a warm sense of protection and concern.
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