"Do not provoke me again. You cannot afford to provoke me, otherwise I wouldn't mind erasing you right now."
Ye Chen's words were spoken calmly, yet his tone was overwhelmingly domineering, showing no regard for Pang Shan whatsoever, treating him as an object to be casually eliminated.
Yet he truly possessed such confidence. Although his divine power was only at the third level of the Heavenly King realm, whether it was his divine soul, his Chaos Saint Body, or his original state, he was capable of slaying even the Strongest Prodigies. This was not an empty boast.
"You—!"
Pang Shan was furious. He was, after all, a Strongest Prodigy, yet he was being looked down upon in such a manner.
However, the other Strongest Prodigies all felt a sense of gravity in their hearts. A third-level Heavenly King could directly blast away Pang Shan, who was at the sixth level? Could this be a young generation's supreme?
No, even a young generation's supreme shouldn't be this terrifying. Perhaps he was a suspected Imperial Son!?
Just the thought of this possibility made these Strongest Prodigies feel a heavy weight in their hearts.
It could be said that for many years, no young generation's supremes had embarked on the path. That class of super-powerful individuals had basically all set out when the Ultimate Ancient Path opened in this era, already advancing far ahead on the Ultimate Ancient Path.
Now, another young generation's supreme, or even a suspected Imperial Son, a supreme genius, had appeared out of nowhere. He would undoubtedly become one of the strongest on the Ultimate Ancient Path, inheriting the most powerful imperial bloodline power, and would pose a powerful psychological impact on other trial-takers on the ancient path who aspired to reach the final gate.
However, this type was also the most unprovokable. They inevitably possessed various protective treasures, making them far, far more difficult to kill than even the Strongest Prodigies.
It could be said that the appearance of a suspected Imperial Son, a young generation's supreme, now made many Strongest Prodigies like the Bloody Robe Tower Master, the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, and the Ancient King of Unyielding Stone feel a sense of gravity. For a long time to come, they might have to contend with him, and if they didn't break through, they would be overshadowed by the radiance of his imperial bearing.
This was something everyone had to guard against.
Boom—
At this moment, the gates of the central Immortal Divine City were slowly opening, instantly drawing the attention of all the powerhouses within the secret treasure realm.
"The gates are open, hurry inside!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The Divine Nation's Lord, the Divine Nation's Ancestor, the Bloody Robe Tower Master, the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, and many other top powerhouses rushed towards the Immortal Divine City at the first moment, hoping to be the first to enter and obtain the supreme treasures of the Great Dao left behind by the Ancient Monarch.
However, contrary to everyone's expectations, entering the Monarch's Ancient City did not reveal a once prosperous and flourishing divine city. Instead, it was a mysterious, vast, and empty void-like space, resembling a starry sky but without stars. Instead, there were numerous ancient and mysterious platforms floating in the air.
At the highest point in the very center of this inner world, there stood an ancient and majestic Divine Throne, engraved with the traces of the myriad Heavenly Dao and imprinted with the images of all living beings upon it, as if it were a Divine Throne of All Beings, attracting everyone's gaze.
But it was precisely this simple and unadorned Divine Throne that was alluring, capturing everyone's attention.
For this was the Monarch's Divine Throne, the supreme Divine Throne upon which this Ancient Monarch of the Primordial Times once sat, overlooking the Monarch's Great World, proudly surveying the heavens, and symbolizing invincibility across the starry skies.
Whoosh—
In an instant, everyone's eyes burned with fervor as they stared at that Monarch's Divine Throne. Perhaps, by successfully ascending this Monarch's Divine Throne, one could truly obtain the Ancient Monarch's priceless divine treasure, even the Monarch's inheritance and the lost Monarch's Immortal Ancient Weapon.
Even Ye Chen was moved by the prospect of a Sovereign-level inheritance. Moreover, this was an Ancient Monarch from the Ultimate Ancient Path, who likely was also a tenth-level Great Perfection Ancient Monarch in his time. Naturally, this would be greatly beneficial to Ye Chen's cultivation. Furthermore, within the mysterious ancient cosmos where the Ultimate Ancient Path was located, the dao techniques and divine laws were different, and the paths naturally diverged. Perhaps this would be extremely beneficial for his cultivation of the Chaos Dao techniques.
However, before all the powerhouses could soar into the air to contend for the Monarch's Divine Throne, they saw a figure suddenly appear on that Divine Throne, sitting directly upon it. His stature was immensely majestic and peerless, like an invincible being overlooking the starry skies, lofty and supreme. An immortal aura of the Great Dao naturally emanated from him, enough to make all the powerhouses of the heavens submit.
Even ancient Great Sages would be far from comparable—
An Ancient Monarch!
Almost in that instant, everyone understood that the one seated on the Monarch's Divine Throne was an Ancient Monarch. Moreover, although his aura was vast and boundless, it carried a peculiar sense of illusoriness.
Clearly, this was not a true Ancient Monarch, but most likely a Great Dao Imprint left behind by that Ancient Monarch, or perhaps a wisp of remnant soul, lingering in the world, awaiting his inheritance so it wouldn't be truly lost.
Boom—
A terrifying aura naturally emanated from the Ancient Monarch. In an instant, the heavens fell into great turmoil. The winds and clouds changed color in this mysterious space, and many of the floating mountain ranges and platforms trembled violently, as if they were about to completely collapse.
All present fell into a state of awe and reverence—reverence for the Ancient Monarch. Such an existence was worthy of reverence no matter where they went.
However, Ye Chen's expression held the most shock. Although the face of the Ancient Monarch on the Monarch's Divine Throne was unclear, veiled by the descent of myriad Heavenly Dao charms and impossible to see clearly, Ye Chen sensed a peculiar familiarity. This sense of familiarity had been felt not long ago, very similar to that of the Hall Guardian in the fiftieth ancient hall, though far, far more powerful.
Ye Chen suddenly thought of a startling possibility. He stared in shock at the figure of the Ancient Monarch on the Divine Throne. Could he be the Hall Guardian of the fiftieth ancient hall? Or, more accurately, was the Hall Guardian of the fiftieth ancient hall a phantom Imprint of this Ancient Monarch?
It seemed somewhat impossible, but in reality, it could truly be connected. Because the Hall Guardian of the fiftieth ancient hall was excessively powerful, far surpassing the other Hall Guardians, even stronger than ordinary young generation's supremes. Otherwise, Ye Chen wouldn't have been pushed to such a state in that battle.
If this were truly the case, then he had genuinely faced the young Imprint of an Ancient Monarch.
However, no matter how powerful that Imprint was, it couldn't be compared to the phantom of the Ancient Monarch now seated on the Monarch's Divine Throne. In the end, the difference was too great—one was heaven, the other earth, worlds apart.
But why would the young Imprint of an Ancient Monarch appear in the fiftieth ancient hall? This point always left Ye Chen somewhat puzzled.
Yet, all of this was not the key issue at hand. The truly crucial matter was actually how to seize the inheritance of the Ancient Monarch and his lost secret treasure. This was what everyone present cared about most.
However, as long as the Ancient Monarch on the Divine Throne did not speak, no one dared to act rashly. Even though this was merely an Imprint of the Ancient Monarch, far from his peak invincible state of the past, it still far surpassed everyone present. Even if an ancient Great Sage were to come, they wouldn't be truly comparable—the difference was too great, not on the same level.
If one were to inadvertently offend this Ancient Monarch, a casual strike would be enough to reduce anyone here, including the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor, to ashes. That would be the most unjust outcome.
The scene was deathly silent. No one dared to speak, not even dare to breathe heavily.
Only after a long time had passed did the Ancient Monarch on the Divine Throne open his eyes. In that instant, his gaze instantly entered the minds of everyone present, causing them all to lose their senses momentarily. Even super-powerful beings as strong as the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor, both at the pinnacle of the Heavenly King realm, couldn't truly maintain control over themselves and fell into a daze.
Even Ye Chen lost his senses for an instant.
Boom—
At this moment, light suddenly erupted from between his eyebrows. His Chaos Saint Soul was awakening. This was a supreme divine soul, in no way inferior to that of an ancient Great Sage, and in a certain sense, even more transcendent. It emanated a special Chaos light, resisting the effect and preventing him from losing his senses.
Unbeknownst to everyone, the Ancient Monarch on the Divine Throne saw this scene and slowly revealed a faint smile beneath, looking at Ye Chen with great satisfaction.
In this space, he was the absolute controller, even in death. He could perceive that Ye Chen's divine soul power was special and powerful, pleasantly surprising him. As expected of one who cultivated the legendary Chaos Great Dao, truly extraordinary, definitely not inferior to a true ancient Great Sage.
Yet Ye Chen also felt a wave of fear. He had almost fallen for it. He looked at the Ancient Monarch on the Divine Throne with some awe. Even though he had fallen, leaving behind only an Imprint, such an existence was still peerless in the world, possessing means and abilities that even ancient Great Sages could not match.
If not for his Chaos Saint Soul being sufficiently powerful, containing Chaos laws, even a super-powerful being who had just stepped into the Great Power realm would likely have been greatly affected.
The special power contained within the gaze soon faded. Many people woke up one after another. Remembering what had just happened, they couldn't help but feel waves of fear and looked at the Ancient Monarch with even greater terror.
Truly worthy of being an Ancient Monarch, indeed extraordinary enough. With just a single glance, he had caused everyone present to fall into a blank state of lost senses. If he truly had killing intent, probably no one here could have escaped.
"Oh, your body actually contains part of that person's origin. Your fortune is also quite remarkable."
At this moment, the Ancient Monarch spoke. His voice carried a special magnetism and charm. His gaze fell upon the Divine Nation's Ancestor. Even though the Sovereign-level origin was concealed by several other Great Power-level origins, who was he? It couldn't be hidden from him at all. With a single glance, he saw through it, causing the Divine Nation's Ancestor some alarm.
The 'that person' in the Ancient Monarch's mouth naturally referred to another Ancient Monarch, a great enemy who led another side in the battles across this starry sky in the past, also supremely powerful. Otherwise, he wouldn't have caused his own fall.
The Ancient Monarch shook his head: "You need not fear. Just act according to the rules I have established. Even though you have hidden your methods and even thought of refining my origin world, have I ever truly stopped you? As long as you do not truly endanger the Ultimate Ancient Path, I will not blame you for any of this. After all, I am ultimately a dead man. What use do I have for this incomplete Monarch's origin world?"
He chuckled lightly, very gently, yet it caused both the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor to feel terrified.
They never imagined that all their actions over the years had been seen by this long-fallen Ancient Monarch.
Fortunately, he did not blame them, otherwise it would have been real trouble.
"Alright, let's not talk about this for now. This time, your entry into the secret treasure realm was actually my deliberate doing." Suddenly, the Ancient Monarch let out a light sigh. His words carried a sense of helplessness, even a faint hint of powerlessness, giving people a bad premonition.
The Ancient Monarch spoke softly: "What I have left here is merely a remnant soul, or perhaps more accurately, not even a remnant soul, just an Imprint. It could dissipate or be destroyed at any time. I only wish to leave it for a destined individual, to pass down my dao techniques so they are not lost."
So, the Ancient Monarch had left behind an inheritance?
Many people's eyes burned with fervor, gazing fervently at the Ancient Monarch. The inheritance of an Ancient Monarch was incomparable to anyone. Even if an ancient Great Sage were to arrive, they would covet it. How could they not be moved?
"I understand your thoughts, but the true inheritance can only be given to one person, to be selected from among you." The Ancient Monarch spoke, smiling as his gaze swept over everyone present.
However, no one noticed that the Ancient Monarch's gaze lingered on Ye Chen for an extra instant—very brief, difficult to detect—but Ye Chen noticed it and felt some surprise and doubt.
"Naturally, my inheritance is not for mediocrities to obtain. It requires passing through a series of selections. Whoever among you can pass through the selections the fastest, my inheritance will belong to that person." The Ancient Monarch spoke, then, lofty and supreme, seated on the Divine Throne, pointed at the floating platforms and said: "This is a trial space. These floating platforms are your means to reach the Divine Throne. You can use the platforms to continuously ascend in height, heading towards the Divine Throne."
The Ancient Monarch explained the rules for obtaining the Divine Throne inheritance, which relied on these floating divine islands and platforms.
There were a total of eight hundred platforms here. Anyone could ascend a platform. Each platform had the same base size, about ten feet square. They could only reach a certain height, but if one wanted to ascend to another height, they must control the platform beneath them to charge at others, devouring their platforms. Each time two platforms of the same level were devoured, the platform could evolve to a higher level, increasing in height and speed.
And so on. When reaching the seventh-level platform, one could truly reach the height of the Divine Throne and obtain the lost inheritance of the Ancient Monarch.
Now, everyone finally understood: it was about annexation.