"It's him, the Chaos Young Supreme Battle Saint King who dominates the Ultimate Ancient Path, he's here too!"
"He is indeed powerful, but this is the Alchemy Grand Ceremony, why has he come?"
Many were curious. They only knew Ye Chen's formidable cultivation, but few truly knew that Ye Chen also had attainments in the path of alchemy.
Boom—
An ancient Great Power descended directly before Ye Chen. Although not that imperial clan Great Power, he was still an ancient Great Power above the fifth heaven. His entire being radiated a powerful oppressive aura that would make ordinary Great Powers feel suffocated.
Yet Ye Chen's expression remained unperturbed, calmly looking at the Great Power before him.
The Great Power's expression was relatively mild. He nodded towards Ye Chen, saying, "You are that Battle Saint King, I presume? Welcome! However, this is not the Ultimate Ancient Path. To proceed to Dan Tian City to participate in the Alchemy Grand Ceremony, one must possess the corresponding invitation."
Ordinary visitors naturally wouldn't warrant a Great Power personally inquiring. But Ye Chen was the Battle Saint King who shook the starry skies, with a record of ultimate glory. Even the several ancient Great Powers stationed here dared not look down on him.
Moreover, this Great Power clearly sensed a special bloody aura emanating from Ye Chen. Although much faded, he could still keenly feel it. The other party had recently experienced a bloody battle and had even slain an existence at the Great Power realm. His strength was truly not to be underestimated, making the Great Power regard him even more highly.
Ye Chen took out that invitation. Opening it, a pill cauldron soared into the sky, accompanied by wisps of medicinal fragrance swirling about. The ancient Great Power nodded. "This is a genuine Alchemy Grand Ceremony invitation, and a first-class one at that. I never imagined Saint King, little friend, is also an alchemist. Truly impressive."
Though his faint smile held a hint of indifference. Because no matter how talented an alchemy expert was, facing the Dan Emperor Clan which possessed the true Alchemy Emperor's legacy, they all seemed so insignificant.
This Great Power was not from the Dan Emperor Clan but a vassal powerful clan of the Dan Emperor Clan. Yet he still took pride in the Dan Emperor Clan.
Ye Chen didn't mind this. The Dan Emperor Clan indeed had the qualification to be arrogant. In the Alchemy Dao, even if the Dan Emperor Clan wasn't number one in the entire Chaos Sea, they weren't far off.
However, Ye Chen inwardly shook his head. Arrogance was permissible, but one must never think it is eternal. Because in this world, there is always a sky beyond the sky, a person beyond the person. One should never truly believe anything is forever.
Perhaps during the Alchemy Grand Ceremony competition, a peerless alchemy expert might emerge, or even a Pill God might appear. The Dan Emperor Clan would probably cry then.
After all, a Pill God, that level of peerless alchemist, couldn't just appear randomly even for the Dan Emperor Clan. Perhaps one might not even exist.
"Battle Saint King, please follow my imperial clan clansman to the main hall to rest briefly, awaiting the opening of the Dan Realm's gate."
A city attendant walked over, leading Ye Chen into one of the resplendent pavilions within the ancient city.
Inside, some exquisite and precious delicacies were already prepared, along with Dao tea served, allowing Ye Chen to wait here for a while. The Dan Realm's gate would open soon.
Ye Chen nodded, tasting the delicacies here, sipping the Dao tea, silently cultivating.
During this period, streams of light continuously descended upon this ancient city from all corners of the starry skies. More and more experts arrived from various places, naturally including many genuine alchemy experts whose purpose was to participate in the grand Alchemy Grand Ceremony held once every ten thousand years.
Generally, this type of alchemy expert basically had their own pride. Typically, those with a faintly arrogant expression were this type of alchemy expert.
However, alchemy experts indeed had the qualification for pride. After all, pills were still extremely tempting for many experts.
The arrival of these alchemy experts attracted the attention of many in the ancient city.
Even Ye Chen saw that among these alchemy experts, many were actually young elites from the Ultimate Ancient Path. Clearly, among the strongest talents from various ancient universes, there were also outstanding figures in the Alchemy Dao.
But these alchemy experts, upon arriving here, basically restrained their inner arrogance.
Not only because too many alchemy experts gathered here—basically all alchemy experts with attainments in the Alchemy Dao from the entire ancient universe were invited—but also because they faced the imperial clan of the Alchemy Emperor, the foremost in alchemy from ancient to modern times, the most powerful alchemy force. How many alchemists could remain arrogant?
Perhaps only those great figures with profound attainments in the Alchemy Dao like eighth-level Alchemy Masters or ninth-level Alchemy Grandmasters could maintain some arrogance upon arrival.
"Master Gu Lan is here!"
Accompanied by an exclamation, an old man in Daoist robes descended from the sky. He had crane-like hair and a youthful face, white eyebrows and long beard, appearing transcendent and immortal. Faintly, he carried an air of proud integrity. Special pill fragrance also wafted from him. He was clearly a master-level figure who had reached the eighth-level alchemist realm.
Such an Alchemy Master, no matter where in this ancient universe, was a top-tier first-rate figure. Relying on his transcendent, sage-like alchemy skills, even various peerless Great Powers would treat him with equal courtesy upon meeting.
Even Ancient Monarchs would nod in acknowledgment upon encountering him, showing some respect.
"Master Gu Lan!"
The ancient Great Power who received Ye Chen also personally stepped forward to greet him. Master Gu Lan nodded indifferently.
The Great Power wasn't annoyed at all. After all, even the Dan Emperor Clan showed some respect towards eighth-level alchemists. For those without the Alchemy Emperor's legacy to reach the eighth-level Alchemy Master realm, the Dan Emperor Clan would also feel some admiration.
"Master Li Xun is also here—"
"And Master Ban Gu—"
...
As time passed, those Alchemy Masters famous throughout the ancient universe appeared one after another. Each appearance caused waves of earth-shattering exclamations.
After all, these Alchemy Masters were almost legendary figures, rarely seen ordinarily. If not for this Alchemy Grand Ceremony, the world would find it difficult to see so many Alchemy Masters appear at once.
Precisely because of this, people exclaimed so repeatedly.
Within just two or three days, a full eight Alchemy Masters arrived. The originally calm ancient city suddenly boiled with excitement.
Those ancient Great Powers originally cultivating quietly in their own treasured pavilions were stirred into appearance, personally visiting these Alchemy Masters' locations to pay respects, hoping to befriend them, even wishing to have one or two become honored guests.
Such great figures must not be offended no matter what. Befriending them brought immeasurable benefits.
Especially since many alchemy talents specifically ran over, also wanting to pay respects to the masters, even hoping to take these Alchemy Masters as teachers.
After all, such opportunities were rare.
It could be said the entire ancient city became lively.
Regarding this, Ye Chen continued cultivating quietly.
Suddenly, Ye Chen's gaze swished towards the high heavens. At this moment, clattering chain sounds rang out endlessly, shaking the entire ancient city.
Clearly, a group of experts descended. There were eight, all genuine ancient Great Powers. Looking at their attire, who else could it be but the Soul-Restraining Hall?
The Soul-Restraining Hall's people had also come, descending in the ancient city. The leader was an extremely powerful peak Great Power, extremely formidable, drawing attention from all sides.
However, the Soul-Restraining Hall had always been notorious. Their arrival also made other experts in the ancient city wary.
After all, in recent years, the Soul-Restraining Hall not only captured those ancient path trial-takers on the Ultimate Ancient Path but also captured many experts who never returned. They were a force despised by everyone.
Boom—
A terrifying aura suddenly surged forth overwhelmingly.
In the ancient city, the imperial clan peak Great Power responsible for guarding appeared. His entire person was bathed in a layer of divine light, extremely terrifying and powerful.
The Emperor's supreme bloodline power within his body continuously grew stronger, suppressing the entire ancient city, making almost everyone feel a terrifying oppressive sensation. Even Great Powers felt horror.
This was the imperial clan's strength. Even at the peak Great Power realm, the Emperor's bloodline power flowing within could still amplify oneself.
An imperial clan peak Great Power's strength could almost be called invincible below the Ancient Monarch realm.
"People of the Soul-Restraining Hall, why have you come?" the imperial clan peak Great Power directly demanded, carrying a sharp tone. The terrifying pressure directly pressed towards the Soul-Restraining Hall's group of experts.
Boom—
Another great terrifying aura surged forth, blocking the imperial clan peak Great Power's aura.
It was precisely the Soul-Restraining Hall's leading peak Great Power. He wasn't some decrepit old man; on the contrary, he was a handsome, tall, and imposing middle-aged man with a majestic bearing, his gray hair loose. His pupils had no whites, completely pitch-black, so dark they seemed capable of devouring everything in the world.
He was a Vice Hall Master of the Soul-Restraining Hall, named Qin Jiuyou, with high status, second only to those invincible Hall Masters.
At this moment, Qin Jiuyou strode forward, coldly blocking the front, letting the two peak Great Powers' auras collide, tearing the great void, shaking the entire ancient city, making all heaven's experts tremble in fear.
The Soul-Restraining Hall Vice Hall Master spoke indifferently, "Why can't my Soul-Restraining Hall come?"
"Participating in the Alchemy Grand Ceremony requires an invitation," the imperial clan peak Great Power snorted coldly.
Yet the Soul-Restraining Hall Great Power took out an invitation, placing it before them. A pill cauldron even soared out, pill fragrance gushing forth. It was indeed a genuine Alchemy Grand Ceremony invitation, astonishing everyone. Even the imperial clan Great Power couldn't help but ask, "How did you obtain this Alchemy Grand Ceremony invitation?"
"That is not for you to ask," the Soul-Restraining Hall Vice Hall Master sneered coldly.
The imperial clan Great Power snorted coldly, "This is the Alchemy Grand Ceremony hosted by my Dan Realm. As the enforcer, I naturally have the right to require relevant information. Now I suspect this is not your Soul-Restraining Hall's invitation, possibly obtained by your Soul-Restraining Hall through unscrupulous means. You'd better explain honestly, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite."
Boom—
Instantly, the aura from his body intensified. Moreover, the ancient Great Powers originally stationed at various points in the ancient city all soared into the sky, landing behind the imperial clan peak Great Power, also looking coldly at these Soul-Restraining Hall experts, as if on the verge of erupting.
"Is that so? Do you want to fight us?" the Soul-Restraining Hall Vice Hall Master also snorted coldly, radiating a powerful aura. The seven Soul-Restraining Hall Great Powers behind him did the same, their auras terrifying, ready to erupt at any moment for a dreadful battle.
Both sides, a full dozen or more Great Powers, confronted each other, creating a dreadful atmosphere between them. Terrifying auras clashed, then spread overwhelmingly, engulfing the entire ancient city, making countless experts feel panic.
After all, genuine ancient Great Powers weren't many; more had cultivation below the Great Power realm.
If both sides initiated a great battle, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Ye Chen in the pavilion immediately focused, his Chaos Divine Power quietly boiling within.
If a great battle occurred, he wouldn't mind secretly attacking the Soul-Restraining Hall's experts amidst the chaos, killing one or two.
"Enough!"
At this moment, a loud shout suddenly exploded, vast and mighty, deafening, making all heaven's experts' ears ring.
Simultaneously, an even more terrifying figure abruptly appeared in the sky. No one knew where it came from or where it went, only knowing it was extremely terrifying. His entire being radiated an invincible aura that made all heaven's Great Powers submit—
An Ancient Monarch!
A genuine Ancient Monarch had appeared, supreme and peerless, directly stopping the two sides about to start fighting. He indifferently swept his gaze over both sides, then slowly said, "Dan Chen, you've overstepped. Guests are guests. Since they have an invitation, they must not be slighted."
Hearing this, not just all heaven's experts, but even the imperial clan peak Great Power Dan Chen and his group of Great Powers were dumbfounded.
The Ancient Monarch Ancient Ancestor actually allowed the Soul-Restraining Hall's experts to participate in the Alchemy Grand Ceremony? Everyone knew these Soul-Restraining Hall members were people everyone wanted to execute.
"Ancestor, but—"
The imperial clan peak Great Power Dan Chen wanted to refute, but after the Ancient Monarch gave a slight hum, Dan Chen dared not speak further, forced to shut up.
Then the Ancient Monarch looked towards the several ancient Great Powers on the Soul-Restraining Hall's side. Invisibly, a vast, heavenly might swept towards the Soul-Restraining Hall's various Great Powers, making each of them turn pale. Even the leading Vice Hall Master Qin Jiuyou couldn't help but change expression slightly, giving a faint hum.
The Ancient Monarch then said lightly, "Guests are guests. Even if you are from the Soul-Restraining Hall, having an invitation makes you guests, eligible to participate in the Alchemy Grand Ceremony. But if I learn you are causing any trouble within, I will be the first to not spare you."
After leaving this warning, the Ancient Monarch's body exploded, transforming intofilling the sky light rain and Dao principles scattering, disappearing just like that.
This was merely an Ancient Monarch's projection clone. The true original body wasn't here at all, but within the true Dan Emperor Clan's imperial realm.
Since the Ancient Monarch ancestor had spoken, a peak Great Power like Dan Chen dared not oppose his will. He could only look coldly at the Soul-Restraining Hall's group of experts. "You'd better not engage in any sneaky, underhanded schemes. When the time comes, don't say the ancestor, even I will be the first to exterminate you."
"Heh, is that so?"
The Soul-Restraining Hall Vice Hall Master only sneered coldly, showing not a hint of fear.