"Hm?"

Xiao Ye looked at the young figure blocking his way.

It was a tall young man with his hands behind his back, wearing a white linen robe. His long hair draped over his shoulders, and his long eyebrows reached his temples. In his eyes, there was an anomaly of stars falling and vanishing. Although he seemed calm, just standing there gave off an overwhelming sense of oppression, making one feel as if facing the vast universe, with little inclination to fight.

On this plain, those preparing to leave, as well as those who hadn’t yet, all turned to look at this young man who had appeared suddenly.

"Lord Shentu, is this person also a young genius from the Three Great States? Why don’t I recognize him..." Guo An’an, who was about to approach Xiao Ye, paused in curiosity upon seeing the newcomer block his path.

She had come to the Plain Battlefield of East State with Xiao Ye to compete for a spot in the True Martial Baptism. To help Xiao Ye, she had silently gathered information on powerful geniuses, yet she didn’t recognize the newcomer.

"No..."

"He shouldn’t be. My intuition tells me his power is incredibly terrifying, stronger than any genius in the Three Great States." Shentu’s expression turned somber as he muttered to himself.

"What!"

Hearing Shentu’s words, Guo An’an turned pale with shock.

Could the newcomer be that intimidating?

If he was blocking Xiao Ye, what was his purpose?

"You... you are..."

Xiao Ye was struck as if by lightning, his mind buzzing, eyes wide open.

He had seen this young man before!

Or rather, he had seen him in an unusual way!

His friend, Nangong Xingyu, bore a striking resemblance to him, yet their auras were as different as night and day.

Moreover, when he first arrived in the future’s True Spirit Continent’s East State, and participated in the Dynasty Battle, he once encountered an energy avatar left by the Iron Blood Emperor. He battled with it on the final layer.

At that time, the Iron Blood Emperor was very young, looking almost identical to the young man before him.

Could this be the Iron Blood Emperor?

Was it the young Iron Blood Emperor of the Ancient Era, or still an energy avatar left behind by the Iron Blood Emperor?

Xiao Ye’s heart trembled violently.

If considered, the Iron Blood Emperor could be regarded as his Master too!

His crossing of the river of time, arriving in the Ancient Era, was caused by the Supreme Array left by the Iron Blood Emperor back then. The two had long been tied by cause and effect.

"Lord Iron Blood, why are you here?"

"Lord, if you have something to deal with, you could just notify us elders, no need to come personally."

...

At this time, three elderly figures descended from the sky.

They were the elders presiding over this battle for spots.

The strength of these three elders was impressive, and in the presence of Martial Artists from the Three Great States, they usually behaved arrogantly. However, in front of this young man, they were very respectful, faces beaming with smiles.

Lord Iron Blood!

Compared to the respectful attitude of these three elders, the words they uttered resonated even more shockingly, silencing Heaven and Earth, freezing the expressions of the Martial Artists present as if they were petrified.

Immediately, a clamor arose, the sound of inhaling cold air spreading.

The words of the three elders were clear: he was the foremost figure of the younger generation on their continent, though not possessing the True Martial Physique, yet unmatched across the lands, a revered existence among peers!

Tie Xue, a defiant monster!

He actually showed up at this Plain Battlefield; what was his purpose?

"I happened to pass by, saw Xiao Ye’s duel with the Four Great Talents of Northern State, so I came here," Iron Blood said lightly to the elders.

"Above the East State, there is an Unrivaled Peak, where the Unrivaled Emperor fought his strongest opponent and broke through to the Supreme Domain. I am very much in awe."

"But unfortunately, I can’t find a suitable opponent to ascend to Unrivaled Peak for a battle."

"Xiao Ye, your performance is quite impressive. After you undergo the True Martial Baptism, let’s ascend Unrivaled Peak together and spar in Martial Arts, what do you think?"

After speaking, Iron Blood Emperor looked at Xiao Ye with a gentle smile.

"Iron Blood wants to spar with Xiao Ye at Unrivaled Peak?"

At this moment, all Martial Artists were once again in shock.

Who is Iron Blood?

He is the undisputed number one of the younger generation on the entire continent, now inviting Xiao Ye to duel, and at Unrivaled Peak, no less.

The implication was clear.

Iron Blood wanted to regard Xiao Ye as his lifelong rival, a duel to prove himself, striving to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Unrivaled Emperor!

"Brother Iron Blood, I’ve long admired your name. Since I’m invited to this duel, I wouldn’t dare decline." Xiao Ye said with a helpless smile.

Is he about to have a battle with his own Master on equal ground?

Others fear Iron Blood for his strength, but Xiao Ye knew well, Iron Blood would become one of the four mightiest figures in the ten-thousand-year Martial Arts history of True Spirit Continent, standing at the peak of Martial Arts, overlooking all beings.

History is thus narrated.

For this battle, his chances of winning were not high, as history was already laid out, unrelated to one’s strength.

However, to battle with the young Iron Blood Emperor, he was eager for it.

What’s worth mentioning is, at this moment, Iron Blood Emperor hadn’t recognized him, nor the Four Emperor Skills he cultivated. It seemed likely this was the genuinely young Iron Blood Emperor of the Ancient Era.

"Good, I await you." Iron Blood nodded with a smile, then shot into the sky, swiftly disappearing as if in instant teleportation.

"Waiting for me?"

"Doesn’t Iron Blood plan to undergo the True Martial Baptism?" Xiao Ye was momentarily stunned, then put the thought aside.

Iron Blood, as the foremost genius of this era, could likely undergo the True Martial Baptism at any time; he might not even get to meet him then.

"Xiao Ye, you’ve become famous."

The three elders’ gazes toward Xiao Ye had changed.

"Become famous?"

Xiao Ye gazed around and indeed saw the nearby Martial Artists looking at him with complex expressions.

Even Shentu looked utterly incredulous.

It seemed that getting an invitation from Iron Blood Emperor was hard for them to accept.

"Brother Shentu, An’an, let’s go." Xiao Ye shook his head, filled with emotions, and then shot into the sky first, heading towards Pure Yang City.

"Next, when I undergo the True Martial Baptism and acquire the True Martial Physique, there shouldn’t be any issues. Just hope the Jade Talisman lasts until I complete the Baptism." Xiao Ye’s eyes shone with excitement.

He was very eager for the True Martial Physique.

Once he obtained the True Martial Physique, his strength would undoubtedly soar, and his cultivation speed would increase significantly.

"However... someone is secretly targeting me, I must find out!" Xiao Ye’s eyes suddenly turned icy.

He remembered well that someone was secretly stirring up trouble, putting him in the spotlight.