The instant Ye Chen entered the incomplete Emperor's Essence Great World, he sensed an unusual aura of origin.
He could feel that although this origin world was incomplete, it possessed a certain degree of complete Great Dao laws and seemed to be in the process of repairing itself.
To be more precise, this incomplete Emperor's Essence Great World was beginning to mend itself.
At this moment, the other Strongest Prodigies all abruptly changed expressions, for they understood that this was likely the doing of the Divine Nation. It was probably trying to pull other fragmented heavens and earths over, attempting to repair this incomplete Emperor's Essence Great World, making it whole again, and then refining it. By doing so, it would become invincible under this starry sky.
Ye Chen marveled. The Divine Nation's Lord truly had grand ambitions. If this were truly the case, once he achieved the realm of a Great Power in the future, he wouldn't need to open up his own inner world of origin. He could simply refine this repaired Emperor's Essence Great World, making it his own inner world, and his cultivation would inevitably soar by a large margin.
Without a doubt, the Divine Nation's Lord would then become utterly invincible under this starry sky. Just thinking about it, one could understand how powerful an ancient Great Sage possessing a complete Emperor's Essence Great World would be—absolutely not ordinary, but terrifying.
However, achieving complete repair was still a long and arduous road, for it couldn't be accomplished so easily; it would require a very long time.
Moreover, refining an Emperor's Essence Great World into one's body wasn't that simple either. At the very least, Ye Chen himself was an example. As powerful as he was, refining the Ancient Blue Great World would take him decades or even a century, which was why he chose to temporarily forgo refining it and instead enter the Ultimate Ancient Path first.
Woo—
A clear and loud horn blast resounded through heaven and earth.
The world rumbled and trembled. Deep within the Divine Nation's world, the Divine Nation's Lord, having detected the arrival of numerous Ancient Path Trial-Takers, immediately dispatched a terrifying army that charged over from afar.
Among them were many demonic beasts, exotic beasts, ferocious beasts, and even great demons. There were also other special and powerful beings. Ancient beasts that roosted in the starry sky descended, causing the myriad mountains and ravines to tremble. Both sides stood facing each other across the Ancient Battlefield—a vast expanse spanning nearly a million miles created by the great war of the past.
Hum—
At this moment, a peculiar ray of dawn light shot out, arriving beside the Divine Nation's Lord. Its aura was vast and world-shaking. It was the Divine Nation's Ancestor, the previous nation lord, also a being at the peak of the Heavenly King realm, yet seemingly even more powerful. His body was wreathed in myriad origin light, dazzling like a divine sun.
All the Ancient Path Trial-Takers' gazes instantly sharpened, for this mysterious Divine Nation's Ancestor's true form was actually a genuine mass of cultivator origin power. Moreover, it was a being formed from the fusion of several completely different ancient Great Power origins—supremely powerful and unmatched, even slightly stronger than the Divine Nation's Lord, which was startling.
An origin had gained sentience!
First, a divine spiritual source gained sentience, and now a mass of Great Power-level origin had gained sentience. Both were innately extraordinary existences, extremely powerful.
This caused many Ancient Path Trial-Takers to burn with greed and fervor, for once such a Great Power origin gained sentience, it would undoubtedly become even more extraordinary. Its quality could be elevated by several tiers, perfectly manifesting the various Great Power mysteries contained within the Great Power origin.
If someone obtained and refined it into their body, once fused, their mastery of the Dao would increase by a large margin, and their cultivation would soar. It was truly a sight that stirred the heart.
However, what made Ye Chen's heart tremble even more wasn't this. He clearly sensed that within the body of that peak Heavenly King formed from the fusion of several origin masses, there was a faintly discernible aura of origin that transcended ancient Great Sages—so transcendent and ethereal that even ancient Great Sages couldn't possess such an aura.
An Ancient Monarch!?
In that instant, such a thought flashed through Ye Chen's mind. He quickly connected many things, feeling both somewhat shocked and also gazing at the Divine Nation's Ancestor with fervent eyes.
It was highly likely that within the body of that peak Heavenly King existed a mass of Ancient Monarch origin that hadn't dissipated into heaven and earth, concealed by the other Great Power origins, making it difficult to detect. However, he was a Chaos Saint Body, and his soul power was heaven-defying, which was why he managed to vaguely sense it.
If this were truly the case, Ye Chen's heart burned with fervor.
After all, what he lacked most right now was power. Although he could cultivate step by step to regain it, that was ultimately slow. He could also use other methods for rapid cultivation, such as refining Great Power origin or even Ancient Monarch origin power.
Once successfully refined, it would undoubtedly accelerate the recovery of Ye Chen's realm and cultivation, and the path to breaking through to Great Power would also be within reach.
Of course, all this was still unknown, but Ye Chen was already staring fervently at the Divine Nation's Ancestor, already thinking of ways, considering how best to make a move.
At the same time, the other Strongest Prodigies were also staring fervently at the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor, clearly having set their sights on their true forms. Regardless of which, once they gained sentience, the effects of their true forms would immediately increase by a large margin. Refining them in the future would bring immense benefits to oneself. Who would easily let go of such an opportunity?
However, both the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor were truly terrifying powerhouses, unimaginably powerful. They weren't people ordinary individuals could easily kill; even a group of Strongest Prodigies had to be wary.
They commanded the Divine Nation's army, facing the many Ancient Path Trial-Takers across the Ancient Battlefield. A great battle was on the verge of breaking out.
On the side of the Ancient Path Trial-Takers were the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, the Bloody Robe Tower Master, Nine Swords King, Ancient Stone King, Pang Shan, and a group of other Strongest Prodigies, leading over a thousand Ancient Path Trial-Takers. Although each of them was bound by Great Dao shackles, these couldn't restrict them much, and over time they had adapted.
On the battlefield, the ones that required careful handling were only the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor; the others could be set aside for now.
"Begin the battle!"
Boom—
Both armies charged head-on across the Ancient Battlefield, an unavoidable clash.
Rumble—
Yet at this moment, the void of the Ancient Battlefield tore open, revealing another world within, slicing through the Ancient Battlefield and drawing everyone's attention.
Visible to the naked eye, within this mysterious inner world, treasure light shone brilliantly, myriad auspicious rays flowed, immortal qi misted, and many special supreme treasure auras appeared, enticing the heart.
"Could it be that the Ancient Monarch's divine treasury has appeared?"
At this moment, both sides preparing to engage halted, all focusing their attention on that suddenly appearing world. Inside, the auras of many Great Dao supreme treasures were manifesting, truly tempting the hearts of everyone present.
At the center of the Ancient Battlefield, treasure light shone brilliantly. A mysterious inner world had appeared, slicing through the sky, capturing everyone's gaze, all falling upon the surging treasure light blooming within.
Rumors said this was the divine treasury of the Ancient Monarch, the master of this origin great world in the past, hidden somewhere within the origin world. It was a special inner world that would only appear by chance.
It could be said to be the true secret treasury of the Ancient Monarch, housing countless various supreme treasures collected by the Ancient Monarch, each truly priceless. How immeasurably valuable would an Ancient Monarch's treasure vault be? Enough to make any ancient Great Sage burn with greed and madness, enough to stir even an Ancient Monarch's heart.
It might even contain the Ancient Monarch's ancient scriptures, unique handwritten notes, or lost Monarch-level immortal weapons.
However, the Emperor's Treasure Secret Realm had rarely appeared before the world. Even the powerful of the Divine Nation, who occupied this incomplete Emperor's Essence Great World, had never given up searching for it over the years. Yet, after so many years, they had never truly found it, simply because it was hidden too secretly.
Moreover, the secret realm was personally opened by the Ancient Monarch, containing supreme Ancient Monarch laws, possessing that kind of supreme domain's Dao power, transcending everything. Ancient Great Sages couldn't even come close to matching it; how could they possibly find it?
However, there had always been rumors that this Emperor's Treasure Secret Realm would appear at a specific time. No one knew what the true timing was, but no one expected it to appear at this moment, truly gripping the heartstrings.
Without a doubt, the appearance of the Ancient Monarch's secret realm truly captivated the heartstrings of everyone on both sides. Even the many Ancient Path Trial-Takers each revealed fervent gazes, even forgetting that the true purpose of coming here this time was to find the passage to the third trial and proceed to the third trial of the Ultimate Ancient Path.
However, all this paled in comparison to the appearance of the Ancient Monarch's secret realm, for no one could easily ignore the priceless divine treasury of an Ancient Monarch. Even if an ancient Great Sage were here, they would likely go mad with desire.
Swish, swish, swish—
Lured by this secret realm, both the powerful of the Divine Nation and the many Ancient Path Trial-Takers abandoned the great battle, simultaneously rushing toward the Emperor's Treasure Secret Realm, hoping to obtain the legendary Monarch treasures, even aspiring to receive the Ancient Monarch's inheritance. Then they could ascend to the heavens in a single step, joining the ranks of the true ultimate overlords of the Ultimate Ancient Path.
However, the Emperor's Treasure Secret Realm seemed to possess intelligence. It actually sliced through the sky, soaring upward, and from within scattered ten palm-sized light masses, vaguely revealing a fuzzy meaning.
Only by obtaining these light masses could one gain the qualification to enter the secret realm.
In that instant, everyone in this world rushed over, instantly charging forward to compete for those ten light masses.
Especially the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor, both peak Heavenly Kings, incomparably powerful. They charged forward almost in the blink of an eye, their might suppressing heaven and earth, making many Ancient Path Trial-Takers feel suffocated.
However, the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, the Bloody Robe Tower Master, Pang Shan, Ancient Stone King, and the other Strongest Prodigies were utterly fearless. They were the Strongest Prodigies from various ancient universes. Even if not as strong as young supremes, they were truly powerful seed-level figures, their combat power far exceeding that of ordinary Ancient Path Trial-Takers by many times.
They also charged forward, plunging into the Ancient Battlefield to compete for those ten light masses.
The great battle erupted again, only this time it became a battle for the qualification to enter the Emperor's Treasure Secret Realm.
Countless divine abilities exploded. Heavenly Kings roamed freely, Strongest Prodigies soared through the air, and peak Heavenly Kings roared and bellowed, their cries shaking the million-mile Ancient Battlefield. All revolved around the ten qualification light masses, charging toward them.
"Alright, no need to hide too much strength. We can make a move."
Among the many Ancient Path Trial-Takers, Ye Chen's gaze deepened considerably. He strode forward, seemingly slow and relaxed, yet each step he took was enough to leave ordinary Heavenly Kings far behind. In an instant, he charged toward the center of the Ancient Battlefield, startling everyone.
Swish—
His figure flashed into view, leaving many dumbfounded.
The ten qualification light masses were all at the center of the Ancient Battlefield. Over a dozen powerful Heavenly Kings had already charged forward first, including the strongest from both sides. For instance, the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor were the first to grab one each. The qualification light masses shone brightly, directly enveloping the two peak Heavenly Kings and carrying them away through the air, disappearing into the secret realm.
However, there were still a full eight left, falling at the center of the Ancient Battlefield, triggering a fierce battle. Among them were the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, the Bloody Robe Tower Master, Pang Shan, and a group of other Strongest Prodigies. Various supreme divine abilities continuously appeared, Dao weapons and magical instruments flew about, light shone brilliantly, attacks blasted through the sky, and heavenly and earthly dharma forms constantly manifested, soaring through the air.
Rumble—
The most terrifying melee erupted, all stemming from the remaining eight qualification light masses. Because the distribution was uneven—even among the Ancient Path Trial-Takers alone, there were more than eight Strongest Prodigies—and for the sake of obtaining a qualification light mass, no one was willing to yield. A terrible internal conflict was bound to occur among them.
Roar—
Pang Shan, riding his tyrannosaurus, brandished his spiked club, sweeping through a thousand troops, fiercely smashing against a ferocious beast king ahead, clashing with it. Meanwhile, the tyrannosaurus beneath him roared mightily, its tail sweeping through a thousand troops, cleaving in all directions—an extremely intense scene.
The Bloody Robe Tower Master, clad in blood-red battle armor, wielded a blood-dripping divine sword. His entire person resembled a blood-colored deity, wildly sweeping through a thousand troops. When he swung his sword, great winds rose and clouds flew, a blood-colored world manifesting and descending.
Ancient Stone King was a Strongest Prodigy born from a divine stone gaining sentience. His true form was indestructible, extremely powerful, able to clash head-on with other Strongest Prodigies bare-handed.
The Blood Desolation Eight Riders were even more so. Although not every member was a Strongest Prodigy, the first and second brothers were Strongest Prodigies, and the remaining six were also very strong, not much weaker. They had always fought together, a powerful team not to be underestimated.
On the Divine Nation's side, there were twelve powerful Heavenly Kings, none ordinary. Among them, the five leading Heavenly Kings were not weaker than Strongest Prodigies, engaging in fierce battle. All this was for the sake of competing for the eight qualification light masses.
Swish, swish, swish—
Suddenly, several individuals exerted force explosively—like the first and second brothers of the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, Ancient Stone King, and the Bloody Robe Tower Master. On the Divine Nation's side, two powerful Heavenly Kings also made their move, directly seizing two qualification light masses and teleporting into the Emperor's Treasure Secret Realm.
At this moment, only one qualification light mass remained, fiercely contested by Nine Swords King, Pang Shan, the remaining six of the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, and several powerful Heavenly Kings from the Divine Nation.
Visible to the naked eye, no one had managed to seize the last qualification light mass, because it was blasted about by each other's divine abilities, flying everywhere, making it difficult for anyone to get close.
Boom—
The qualification light mass was indestructible, blasted away again by the attacks of the various powerhouses. However, this time the qualification light mass shot toward a location not far from Pang Shan. He couldn't help but grin triumphantly; it was finally about to fall into his hands.
Yet his triumphant smile quickly froze on his face, for at that moment, a fair palm reached out, steadily grasping the qualification light mass in its palm. That handsome face wore a light smile: "My apologies, everyone. This qualification light mass is mine."