"Preposterous demand!"
"Indeed, utterly outrageous!"
Eight hundred high-grade Emperor Crystals. The peak eighth-tier Great Emperor of the Star River Empire only had five hundred. Was that not preposterous?
"Heh heh, congratulations to Guest Official Ye for becoming a Guest Official of our Star River Empire."
Dai Liubai chuckled, then added, "Now that this matter is settled, I shall take my leave."
With that, Dai Liubai strode out of the courtyard. A crowd had already gathered outside, including the Star Lord of the Qiong Long Planet, Lu Tian.
It wasn't for any other reason than Dai Liubai entering the courtyard where Ye Xuan resided, which already indicated a great deal. Especially after learning that Dai Liubai had personally come to see Ye Xuan.
Only after Dai Liubai disappeared from sight did the various Star Lords begin to approach.
"Esteemed young friend, may I inquire what business Guest Official Liubai had with Ye Xuan just now?"
A Star Lord curiously asked Tu Meng, and with those words, many surrounding Star Lords and powerhouses perked up their ears. Even Star Lord Lu Tian and King Yan Yue were no exception.
"What business?"
Tu Meng heard the Star Lord's question and said meaningfully, "You might not believe it when I say it, but Guest Official Liubai invited our Atlantean general, Ye, to take up the position of Guest Official of the Star River Empire."
"From this day forward, General Ye is a Guest Official of the Star River Empire!"
"Hiss~!"
The moment these words were spoken, a ripple of shock went through the crowd of over a thousand people. What was this?
A Guest Official of the Star River Empire? My heavens, this decision by the Star River Empire was too rash!
After all, although that brat was powerful, he was only a fifth-tier Great Emperor, even if his combat prowess was comparable to a sixth-tier Great Emperor, or even the peak of the sixth-tier Great Emperor!
"Damn it, it seems Atlantean Star has produced an incredible genius."
"Congratulations!"
"Indeed, Atlantean Star's future is bound to be glorious."
For a time, congratulations and well wishes poured in from all sides. It was no laughing matter; if Atlantean Star truly rose to prominence because of this Ye Xuan in the future, then perhaps they too could benefit in some way.
In short, building good relations now was nothing but beneficial.
Inside the courtyard, after a long while.
"Hoo~"
Ilif breathed a sigh of relief. He had considered that Ye Xuan might one day break free from the constraints of Atlantean Star, but he hadn't expected this day to come so soon.
"General Ye."
Ilif pursed his lips, "Ahem... With your current strength, you are qualified to hold the position of Battle King of Atlantean Star. Are you willing?"
"Of course, if you choose to leave the Atlantean Star Guard, that is also an option."
Ye Xuan's status was now different from before. After all, a Guest Official of the Star River Empire was someone even he, Ilif, had to treat with great respect. To be honest, Ye Xuan's status was no less than Dai Liubai's, and perhaps even...
In the near future, this young man's achievements might even make Dai Liubai look up to him!
Perhaps...
Even the Star River Empire wouldn't be able to restrain Ye Xuan. His true world would ultimately be in the Galactic Empire.
As for the olive branch from the Star River Empire, how could Ilif not understand? It was nothing more than an early investment, a tactic quite similar to his own. After all, who wouldn't want to recruit a future potential star?
"Of course, I am willing."
How could he not understand Ilif's concerns? However, the forces of Blue Star had not yet emerged, and the Xuan Alliance had not yet grown. At this moment, he would not leave Atlantean Star.
"It is my honor to become the Battle King of Atlantean Star."
Ye Xuan smiled faintly. Hearing Ye Xuan's words, Ilif's heart was greatly relieved. Even King Killing and Tu Meng's impressions of Ye Xuan improved considerably. As for the other hundred-plus geniuses of Atlantean Star, their image of Ye Xuan became even more towering.
This was the hero of their Atlantean Star!
With this matter settled, a fighting intent surged in King Killing's eyes. "General Ye, no, Battle King Ye, would you be willing to spar with me?"
"So I can experience firsthand how strong the second-ranked individual in this year's Star River Empire's Planetary Ranking Competition truly is."
"Hmm!?"
King Killing's words immediately drew the attention of the entire crowd, and then gazes fell upon Ye Xuan.
"It would be my greatest honor!"
Not long after, the two arrived outside the courtyard. The onlookers who had been discussing the matter suddenly saw the two figures brimming with fighting spirit. Lai Yuejing of the Qiong Long Planet twitched his mouth.
"Damn it, is that Ye Xuan going to spar with King Killing!?"
Star Lord Lu Tian and King Yan Yue also obviously realized this and quickly retreated, leaving the arena to the two of them.
"Battle King Ye, I won't hold back!"
At that moment, King Killing flipped his right hand, and the Overlord Blade appeared. An invisible aura of dominance caused King Killing's power to surge once more, even rivaling that of a peak sixth-tier Great Emperor.
"Good heavens!"
"King Killing is going all out!!"
King Yan Yue pursed his lips, as even he had to treat King Killing with caution in this state.
"Come!"
A booming voice came from Ye Xuan's mouth. Then, with a flip of his right hand, the Sky-Breaking Thunder Spear appeared. Terrifying lightning surged, and his peak fifth-tier Great Emperor aura was fully unleashed.
However, the moment Ye Xuan unleashed his aura, everyone was stunned!
"Peak fifth-tier Great Emperor!"
Even Ilif was somewhat taken aback. "Battle King Ye, he... he broke through again!?"
"This..."
Star Lord Lu Tian's mouth twitched. A peak fifth-tier Great Emperor, that Ye Xuan was truly monstrous.
"Good!!!"
King Killing, who had initially felt somewhat restrained, instantly became fully prepared upon sensing Ye Xuan's breakthrough to the peak of the fifth-tier Great Emperor.
*Swish~*
The Overlord Blade, carrying immense power, engulfed Ye Xuan. Immediately, thunderous lightning surged, clashing with King Killing's Overlord Blade.
*Boom!*
Under the terrifying shockwave, the two separated after a single clash. However, King Killing was forced back over ten feet, while Ye Xuan only retreated a few feet.
The eyes of the onlookers widened.
Lai Yuejing, "!!!"
"How is that possible!!"
Clearly, this scene was an unprecedented shock to Lai Yuejing. What a joke! That was the Atlantean Star's King Killing, a terrifying existence on par with King Yan Yue.
And yet... Ye Xuan had gained the upper hand!
"Good heavens!!"
King Killing clearly sensed that he was at a disadvantage. "It seems Battle King Ye's combat strength far exceeds our imagination."
"Again!!!"
At that moment, King Killing's eyes turned crimson, clearly entering a semi-berserk state. In this state, he could probably even contend with a seventh-tier Great Emperor.
*Clang, clang, clang~*
Thus...
The sound of dense weapon clashes resounded. In an instant, the two had exchanged over a hundred blows. "Hahaha, exhilarating!!"
King Killing's attacks grew stronger as he descended into a frenzy, unleashing his combat power to his fullest.
Even King Yan Yue observed the scene with great solemnity, as he himself didn't believe he could easily withstand it as Ye Xuan did. This meant that Ye Xuan's strength had already surpassed both him and King Killing.
A quarter of an hour later.
With a dull thud, both of them retreated. However, King Killing retreated a full dozens of feet, while Ye Xuan didn't even retreat ten feet. The difference in skill was immediately apparent.
Then, King Killing retracted his aura and laughed heartily, "Battle King Ye is indeed impressive, he shall be the number one Battle King of Atlantean Star!!"