Shidai—this was a mysterious title, and also a supreme one, for it commanded the submission of all living beings across the myriad heavens of the alien race's universe.
It could be seen that within the vast alien universe, from the lowest-level creatures to powerful existences as mighty as Sovereigns, all were at this moment devoutly performing obeisance, wholeheartedly paying respects to this mysterious Shidai who drifted within the ancient temple at the universe's center.
It was like worshipping and believing in the one and only supreme deity—the true sole deity. Even other Emperors and Sovereigns within the alien universe did not receive such treatment, shocking Ye Chen.
What kind of immense origin did this Shidai possess, to hold such a supremely exalted status within the alien universe?
Only, Shidai's true body could not be seen, forever concealed by chaotic mist and haze, hidden within the ancient temple, submerged at the universe's center, resonating with the universe's origin.
It was as if Shidai was the sole existence of the alien universe.
As Ye Chen looked back, he also witnessed other scenes.
Within the boundless Chaos Sea stood a supreme, paramount existence, his figure appearing towering and majestic, yet his form similarly blurred. The myriad Daos spontaneously submitted; his true body remained unseen. The turbulent Chaos Sea appeared utterly placid before him.
He was so powerful, strong beyond estimation.
Though his true body was invisible, beside this majestic existence, several supreme ancient weapons could be seen, rippling with world-destroying might, churning the Chaos Sea. Among them was the renowned Heaven-Burying Stele, its colossal, sky-piercing body stained with the blood of alien Emperors and Sovereigns—blood that had yet to dry.
Heavenly Emperor!
This term surfaced autonomously in Ye Chen's mind—this universe's most ancient Emperor, rumored to have been born during the creation of heaven and earth, also one of the most powerful Emperors throughout history, having slain true Emperors and Sovereigns.
The Most Ancient Heavenly Emperor stood thus within the boundless Chaos Sea, several supreme Emperor's weapons drifting around him, fully awakened, as if gazing across at Shidai within the ancient temple at the alien universe's center, the two confronting each other.
Heavenly Emperor and Shidai?
Suddenly, a spark of insight flashed in Ye Chen's heart. He suddenly felt that perhaps Shidai within the ancient temple might be an existence similar to the Heavenly Emperor—the first Emperor and Sovereign from the creation of heaven and earth, the most ancient Great Emperor.
From the term 'Shidai' itself, it denoted the very first individual.
Boom—
The boundless Chaos Sea erupted as other supreme, majestic existences appeared one after another.
Ye Chen saw an immensely colossal Indestructible Golden Body, radiating golden light for billions of zhang, accompanied by endless golden blood energy, shaking the boundless Chaos Sea, appearing so heroic and mighty that a single person could prop up the entire great universe.
Resonating from the blood energy, Ye Chen's own blood energy boiled, stirring with excitement.
This was the peerless Battle Saint Ancestor, appearing extraordinarily valiant and formidable, supremely powerful.
Tai Sheng Huang also appeared, accompanied by the Dual Energies of Yin and Yang, with primordial Chaos Qi drifting as well, and the Qiankun Bagua Mirror floating around him.
Finally, Ye Chen even saw a mysterious figure—an old man. His appearance influenced all existences, tangible and intangible.
The myriad Daos could not invade him; heaven and earth could not contain him. He disrupted the flow of time and space, with countless worlds and epochs manifesting upon his form, the flow of years drifting around him.
This feeling was very similar to the River of Time.
Time-Space Great Emperor!
Ye Chen guessed this old man's identity—a Great Emperor said to be capable of traversing throughout the ages, standing alongside the Heavenly Emperor, Battle Saint Ancestor, and Tai Sheng Huang, also the most mysterious of the mythical Great Emperors.
It could be said that these four Emperors and Sovereigns were enough to be hailed as this universe's four most powerful Emperors and Sovereigns. Now, they all stood side by side within the Chaos Sea, each gazing across at Shidai within the ancient temple at the alien universe's center.
He also saw that at the universe's center, several other mysterious and grand ancient temples had appeared, drifting and resonating with the great universe's origin, yet vaguely led by the mysterious Shidai.
Ye Chen was shocked. What kind of existence was Shidai within the alien universe, that it required the Heavenly Emperor, Battle Saint Ancestor, Tai Sheng Huang, and Time-Space Great Emperor to gaze upon him from afar, even confronting him?
He knew that this was still the time of the Great Cataclysm of the Mythical Era, with the Sealed Realm Universe being invaded by the alien army. The four strongest Emperors and Sovereigns seemed to have no time to spare.
Could it be that his journey through endless darkness to this era, his true purpose, was to come here and witness this scene?
Suddenly, Ye Chen's heart trembled, for he saw that Shidai's gaze had turned toward him.
Though he was an unreal existence to the Mythical Epoch, he could feel that Shidai's gaze truly fell upon him.
It was as if Shidai could truly perceive his existence, his gaze capable of piercing through all falsehoods in the world.
Ye Chen felt as if he were about to explode, but a serene aura blocked it, also protecting him.
"Is he the key person who will reverse the situation of the Sealed Realm Universe in the future?"
Shidai actually spoke, across an infinite distance, seemingly inquiring of the four peerless Emperors and Sovereigns of the Sealed Realm Universe.
Ye Chen could understand his words.
Clearly, the Heavenly Emperor and the other Emperors and Sovereigns were aware of Ye Chen's existence. They were the most powerful Emperors and Sovereigns throughout history, capable of towering over all ages, strong to the absolute peak of the world, able to perceive all existences, tangible and intangible.
Even though Ye Chen had arrived here through the Land of Creation, they had sensed him; it was impossible to hide.
The four Great Emperors remained silent. Shidai said indifferently, "What does it matter if you four left contingencies in the Land of Creation upon the River of Time, painstakingly arranging for this key person to come to this era? Can it change the situation? The Sealed Realm will ultimately crumble. Unless that thing falls into our hands, it is impossible to twist the entire situation."
That thing?
What exactly was that thing, for which the alien universe would spare no effort to destroy the Mythical Era, to seek that existence?
"You will not succeed. That thing, you cannot obtain it either," the Heavenly Emperor spoke with authority, and all the supreme Emperor's weapons beside him erupted with imperial and sovereign principles, severing everything.
In the end, he saw the Heavenly Emperor, Battle Saint Ancestor, and Tai Sheng Huang charge into the alien universe, erupting into great battle, shattering starry skies, destroying galaxies, killing toward the universe's center, and taking action to sever all insight.
There was also the Time-Space Great Emperor acting, distorting time and space.
But everything suddenly vanished. Ye Chen did not get to witness the true ultimate Emperor's battle. He disappeared from the Mythical Epoch, sent to a special place—a point in time.
There, a mysterious, ethereal voice drifted into Ye Chen's mind: "Little fellow, to be able to come here, traversing endless darkness, your willpower is astonishing. You are the key person we have chosen. Your appearance this time is no accident; it is our deliberate arrangement, allowing you to witness the most terrifying enemy."
"Within the ancient temple at the alien universe's center are the most terrifying existences, especially Shidai, who will be this realm's greatest enemy. He is the architect of all bloodshed and chaos. Your future requires you to resist Shidai; otherwise, the Sealed Realm Universe cannot be completely stabilized."
Ye Chen's heart was shaken. Was Shidai truly that powerful, to make even the four peerless Emperors and Sovereigns—the Heavenly Emperor and the others—so wary, unable to contend against him?