Indeed, the rule was annexation.
The more platforms one devoured, the higher and faster their own platform would become, granting greater advantage in the competition for the Ancient Monarch's inheritance.
This was essentially a rule of survival of the fittest, where the law of the jungle—the strong preying on the weak—would be applied to its extreme here.
Naturally, within the space of this Immortal Divine City, the supreme Sovereign's dao principles left behind by the Ancient Monarch descended, making it impossible to ascend very high. Upon reaching a certain limit, one could rise no further, and even ancient Great Sages who arrived would face the same restriction.
Moreover, everyone's dao techniques would be severely limited under the Sovereign's dao principles, making it difficult to exert much of their magical power. Many would even have their power directly stripped away, becoming ordinary mortals.
Under such rules, the battle for the Monarch's inheritance became even more perilous.
After explaining the platform rules, the Ancient Monarch swept his gaze over the assembled powerhouses, revealing a faint smile as he spoke softly, "If everyone understands clearly, then this Sovereign will not waste time. Let us begin now."
As his words fell, almost simultaneously, hundreds of powerhouses shot into the sky, vying for the various platforms.
Although there were eight hundred platforms here, the number of powerhouses who had entered the secret realm was also considerable—even if not eight hundred, at least over six hundred. To seize a platform, everyone immediately rushed onto them.
Naturally, figures like the Divine Nation's Lord, the Divine Nation's Ancestor, the Blood Robe Tower Master, the Blood Desolation Eight Riders, the Ancient Stone King, and Ye Chen were among the first to secure platforms. Being supreme powerhouses, no one dared to snatch the platforms beneath them, forcing others to rush toward the remaining ones.
However, at this moment, Ye Chen and the others did not wait for other powerhouses to occupy all the platforms before making their move. They each charged toward other platforms. When two platforms collided, a flash of light ensued, and annexation occurred directly.
It was visible to the naked eye that whenever a platform devoured another, it would subtly enlarge, and its speed would increase, becoming higher. It was clear that advancement relied on annexing other platforms.
Whoosh—
Both the Divine Nation's Lord and the Divine Nation's Ancestor were genuine pinnacle Heavenly Kings. They acted directly; even though their dao techniques were suppressed, they could still unleash certain divine abilities and spells. Divine light surged, illuminating all directions as they blasted a group of powerhouses off their platforms.
The two pinnacle Heavenly Kings quickly annexed three or four platforms in succession. Their platforms grew noticeably larger overall, appearing higher and faster.
Everyone came to understand that annexing two platforms of the same level allowed advancement by one grade. In other words, three platforms of the same level could elevate one to the next tier or higher.
If one annexed a higher-level platform, they would directly rise to the level of the devoured platform.
By this logic, advancing from first to second grade required three first-grade platforms; third grade required nine first-grade platforms; fourth grade required twenty-seven; fifth grade required eighty-one; sixth grade required two hundred forty-three; and seventh grade required seven hundred twenty-nine.
That meant, out of the eight hundred first-grade platforms, the vast majority would need to be annexed to create a single seventh-grade platform capable of reaching the Sovereign's divine throne.
To be precise, only by creating a seventh-grade platform could one obtain the true inheritance of the Ancient Monarch.
The two strongest figures of the Divine Nation finally grasped this. They swiftly piloted their second-grade platforms, charging like lightning toward other platforms, forcefully and domineeringly blasting powerhouses off one after another, continuously annexing platforms to become larger and faster.
Naturally, the Blood Robe Tower Master, the Ancient Stone King, and the Blood Desolation Eight Riders were truly ferocious characters. They too continuously annexed other platforms, dominating the field with force. Other trial-takers from the ancient paths and powerhouses from the Divine Kingdom found it difficult to resist, and the battle grew increasingly intense.
Boom—
Ye Chen made his move. With a single palm strike, he killed a Heavenly King. Piloting his platform like lightning, he annexed a full three platforms, quickly advancing a tier. Without slowing down, he charged like a wolf among sheep, swiftly annexing platform after platform, continuously advancing.
Soon, Ye Chen's platform reached the current highest level—fourth grade—and its speed increased further.
Each advancement required annexing three platforms. After understanding the rules, Ye Chen's movements became even more lightning-fast and thunderous. Swish, swish, swish—who could truly withstand Ye Chen's assaults?
Eventually, Ye Chen's platform also reached fifth grade. By now, first and second-grade platforms were scarce. To truly advance further, one needed to annex other fifth-grade platforms.
But at this moment, who among those standing on fifth-grade platforms wasn't a true top-tier powerhouse? Figures like the Divine Nation's Lord, the Divine Nation's Ancestor, the Blood Robe Tower Master, and the Blood Desolation Eight Riders were the strongest prodigies. There were also several powerful Heavenly Kings from the Divine Kingdom, all with astonishing cultivation. It was clear this would be a arduous and bitter battle, requiring duels against other top experts.
Yet even so, nothing could truly block his path. Ye Chen still charged forward, piloting his fifth-grade platform to break through.
"Brat, you're definitely dead this time!"
Suddenly, a cold roar rang out.
Following the source, on another direction stood a fifth-grade platform. The person atop it was none other than Pang Shan, riding his Tyrannosaurus into battle. He too had reached a fifth-grade platform and was swiftly charging toward Ye Chen, aiming to settle old and new grudges once and for all.
"I wasn't looking for trouble with you, yet you dare seek trouble with me? Fine, I'll settle you today to avoid future troubles!"
How could Ye Chen fear? He similarly piloted his fifth-grade platform and charged over. The two immediately began a fierce battle.
The two fifth-grade platforms collided with a thunderous impact, causing terrifying tremors in the sky, with booming roars echoing incessantly.
Simultaneously, Pang Shan urged his Tyrannosaurus forward, brandishing his spiked club to strike down directly. Strands of dao light and divine principles coiled around it—he could still employ certain dao techniques and divine principles, a testament to the prowess of a strongest prodigy.
But Ye Chen possessed the Chaos Saint Body, peerless and unmatched. He intended to display absolute combat power and directly kill Pang Shan.
Boom—
Suddenly, during the battle, Pang Shan's combat power instantly surged, his cultivation skyrocketing by a significant margin.
"Hmm? A breakthrough in realm?"
Ye Chen was slightly startled. He hadn't expected Pang Shan to break through his own realm mid-battle, which was somewhat beyond his anticipation.
After the realm breakthrough, Pang Shan's combat power naturally became even more fearsome and astonishing. As he charged into battle, even Ye Chen found it difficult to suppress him immediately.