A torrent of spiritual light burst forth, gradually coming into Xu Yang’s view.

He saw that the glow shimmering on the surface of the stone spirit concealed, within, pods resembling spiritual cocoons.

Inside each cocoon, a figure sat cross-legged.

Bang bang bang!!

The endless shattering sound echoed throughout heaven and earth.

The seated figures trembled ever so slightly, then, one after another, their eyes opened.

Buzz!

Waves of terrifying aura spread and overflowed.

Their force converged, ancient and vast.

Gulp!

Xu Yang struggled to swallow his saliva, his mind utterly blank.

"Is this the heritage of the Battle King Family?"

Most of these martial artists were unmistakably aged, though some appeared as middle-aged and even youthful figures.

Ninety percent were Shenxiao Realm experts!

With a single sweeping glance, there were at least several hundred.

"The current patriarch, Shi Feng?"

"You call us forth—has some major incident occurred?"

One mighty figure’s confusion vanished from his eyes; clarity returned as he fixed his gaze on Shi Feng, speaking aloud.

Shi Feng nodded slightly, replying, "A junior from the clan just snatched a secret realm tree from outside, yet was nearly slain by an enemy right at our Battle King Family’s doorstep!"

"At this moment, experts from all the main factions are gathered outside, seeking to compete."

As his words fell, a surge of startled exclamations broke out.

"Secret realm tree?"

"Hiss, it truly is a secret realm tree!"

"Heavens, I have a chance to break through!"

Dozens of Peak True Monarch martial artists below, upon seeing the secret realm tree, immediately erupted in shouts of excitement.

Even the Shenxiao Realm experts struggled to remain composed.

The secret realm tree benefits even Shenxiao Realm martial artists.

Especially for those whose lifespans were nearing their end; it could grant prolonged years!

Shi Feng continued, "You all understand the value of the secret realm tree better than I do. With this tree, my Battle King Family is on the verge of tremendous growth!"

"That is why I have awakened everyone—to deliver a devastating blow to those outside coveting the secret realm tree!"

"Let them see: though my Battle King Family may lack Celestial Humans, we are not to be underestimated!"

As his speech ended, an elder immediately rose. "Good!"

No one knew the importance of the secret realm tree better than they.

It was clear: so long as they safeguarded the secret realm tree, the Battle King Family’s experts would surge forth like a tide.

Xu Yang was completely stunned.

He hadn’t expected Shi Feng to be so decisive, so ruthless.

Moments later.

Shi Feng raised a finger and pointed once more.

The stone spirit trembled, and a vast tide of spiritual power surged forth, lightning-like, pouring into the secret realm tree.

In an instant, the secret realm tree greedily devoured it all, swelling at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In only a short moment, it had grown to one hundred zhang tall, its branches waving in the wind, standing erect beside the stone spirit, profoundly mysterious.

"Any below Shenxiao, rely on the secret realm tree and break through to Shenxiao as quickly as possible!"

Shi Feng gave his command.

The many Peak True Monarchs who had just awakened surged forward in excitement.

Shi Feng let out a sigh: "These Peak True Monarchs are all clan members who, for various reasons, had no hope of breaking through to Shenxiao—thus chose to sleep."

"They have deep reserves, and perhaps might never have awakened again; but with the secret realm tree, at least half will break through! Once they do, they’ll wield formidable power."

"Soon, the other Peak True Monarchs of the clan will come as well."

Xu Yang’s eyes sparkled; licking his lips, he asked, "Patriarch, what are your plans next?"

Shi Feng grinned broadly. "The group leading outside is the Star Nebula Infinite Sea. The rest are just here for the ruckus. No Celestial Human, with Emperor Qian present—they won’t make a move."

"They’ve bullied us right to our door—if my Battle King Family does nothing, won’t we be laughed at?"

"We strike first, catching them off guard!"

"If they want to fight, we’ll fight!"

"Now that this secret realm tree has landed in our Battle King Family’s hands, there’s no reason whatsoever to hand it back out."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yang felt exhilarated.

The pent-up resentment in his heart was completely released.

"But if a fight breaks out, won’t the other factions interfere?" Xu Yang asked, slightly worried.

As Patriarch, Shi Feng saw farther, his words laced with amusement: "The other factions? Hmph, do you really think they’re all united? Each of the seven top factions has its own hidden schemes."

"Once the fighting starts, who targets who in secret is anybody’s guess."

"With the ancient land of Fallen Immortals soon to open, since they wish to test us, my Battle King Family will give them the perfect chance!"

Such boldness!

Xu Yang clicked his tongue, slowly coming to grasp Shi Feng’s intent.

On the surface, things seemed grim for the Battle King Family.

But at this rate, it would greatly benefit them too.

Once tempers flared and eyes turned red, the secret realm tree would be easy for others to overlook.

Moreover, with the Battle King Family displaying such recklessness—awakening all its sleeping experts at the slightest provocation—no other faction dared show such resolve.

Shi Feng suddenly swung his sleeve with a flourish.

A phantom figure appeared, suspended in midair.

"That old bastard is the one who attacked you at the gate just now."

Shi Feng grinned again, then called out to the assembled Shenxiao Realm experts coming down, "This person attacked the youngster who brought back the secret realm tree at our gates. Fellow elders, please look after him properly once you head out!"

All the potent gazes locked onto the old man, each one memorizing his face, their lips curling into sneers.

"Do not worry, Patriarch. Any who lay a hand on the Shi Family’s hero must suffer a fate worse than death!"

"Heh! I’ll flay his skin and hoist up a flag with it!"

"Only one? That’s nowhere near enough to kill!"

...

Listening to these words, Xu Yang’s mouth twitched. Good heavens—every one of them was merciless!

He almost felt a pang of pity for the unfortunate experts still lingering outside.

No one could have predicted that, upon his return, Shi Feng would pull something this shocking.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think the Battle King Family was going to wage all-out war against the other top factions.

Half an hour later.

Xu Yang arrived beneath the secret realm tree.

At this moment, after absorbing enough energy, the secret realm tree seemed to touch the very heavens; looking up, he could faintly make out a river of spiritual light.

Each Peak True Monarch sat cross-legged beneath the secret realm tree—in just a short while, the aura around them swelled tremendously, pushing toward the Shenxiao Realm breakthrough.

"Only Peak True Monarchs can gain the greatest benefit."

"Still, given my current strength, it’s best I improve as well."

Xu Yang drew a deep breath and quickly sat cross-legged.

Meanwhile, the other experts—after a brief recovery—charged out in waves.

Beyond the secret realm.

Countless figures hovered in the void, occupying all directions; their surging auras blanketed a region of ten thousand miles with oppressive dread.

"They’re coming out."

"Holy shit!"

A shrill cry echoed throughout the void.

"Has the Battle King Family gone insane?"

"All these auras are ancient—they... they’re the formerly sleeping experts!"

Hiss!

In an instant, experts from every faction were dumbfounded.

What is Shi Feng planning?

What does the Battle King Family intend?

The leading expert gazed into the void, roaring furiously, "Do you take my Battle King Family for fools?"

"The treasures of heaven and earth should belong to the worthy; why do a bunch of old geezers meddle in the affairs of juniors? Shameless!"

"You attacked our Battle King Family’s secret realm, as dignified Shenxiao Realms, to slay our juniors?"

"Today, if you do not give an explanation, none of you will leave!"

"Kill!"

At the command.

Murderous intent flooded the sky.

Ten thousand miles of void turned blood-red!

In an instant, hundreds of Shenxiao Realm experts, like a locust plague, tore through heaven and earth, charging straight into the void.

Their terrifying might instantly caused every face to go bone-white, every scalp to tingle and crawl.