Desolate Heaven Ridge.
Located in the southern region of the Eighth Heavenly Realm Ancient Domain, it was a vast expanse of a million mountains, with countless towering, pitch-black peaks that pierced straight into the clouds, imposing and extraordinary.
This was also a relatively famous Forbidden Land within the Eighth Heavenly Realm Ancient Domain, akin to the Canglan Divine Sea.
Furthermore, it was one of the main battlefields during the Dark Blood Era, where several Monarch-level existences from the Primordial Times had engaged in the most terrifying conflicts, tearing the heavens and splitting the earth, a scene of boundless horror.
The million mountains of Desolate Heaven Ridge were rumored to have been formed by the forbidden secret arts unleashed by the Ancient Monarchs of both sides during that era, creating the grand and mysterious region seen today.
The endless black mountains were also said to be stained with the blood of a Beast God of Monarch level from the Primordial Ancient Domain who perished here. Even after countless ages, they remained a dull gray-black, carrying a terrifying aura. This was also the habitat of the Primordial Ancient Beasts left behind from the Primordial Ancient Domain.
Of course, after endless years, the Primordial Ancient Beasts left behind from that era had long since decayed with time. Those present now were merely their descendants. Although powerful, the strongest among them were only at the Divine King Realm, numbering only a handful.
Usually, due to the several Divine King-level Primordial Ancient Beasts slumbering within, Desolate Heaven Ridge was considered a Forbidden Land of the Eighth Heavenly Realm Ancient Domain. Even contemporary Divine Kings dared not set foot there lightly.
However, on this day, one after another, dazzling, boundless rays of light appeared in the sky, like heavenly suns traversing the firmament.
Their majestic pressure tore through heaven and earth, causing the entire Desolate Heaven Ridge to tremble violently. The million mountains shook, and the dense miasma that perpetually blotted out the sky was ripped apart, restoring a clear expanse.
The several Divine King Realm great terrors within Desolate Heaven Ridge were startled, then filled with terror, for they could clearly sense that the aura far surpassed their own by an immeasurable degree—it was truly world-shaking.
Any single one of them was enough to easily tear apart great terrors like them at the Divine King Realm. They emitted submissive whimpers.
Yet the five heavenly suns in the sky, each representing a Quasi-Monarch who shook the world, paid no heed to the several Divine King Realm great terrors. They proceeded directly to the deepest part of Desolate Heaven Ridge, hovering in the air.
They saw, on the particularly massive central black mountain peak of Desolate Heaven Ridge, a graceful figure sitting cross-legged in cultivation. Who else could it be but Ye Chen.
The five Quasi-Monarchs arrived first, forming a pentagonal formation that completely enveloped Ye Chen. Visions of five great world realms manifested, sealing the heavens and earth.
Looking down from their lofty position, one of them spoke, his voice like rolling thunder that echoed across half of Desolate Heaven Ridge: "Battle Saint King, you should surrender. Relying on yourself alone, you are no match for us."
"Is that so?"
Ye Chen opened his eyes, looking at the five Quasi-Monarchs with unruffled calm, maintaining an air of tranquility.
The five Quasi-Monarchs, as if ruling over the world, declared: "Do you still intend to resist stubbornly now? Binding yourself and surrendering is your only way out. We will not kill you."
"You must know, it's not just the five of us who have come in pursuit. There are other Quasi-Monarchs, numbering more than ten. Once they arrive, even if you, Battle Saint King, truly possess heaven-defying strength, you cannot possibly withstand our combined force. Even the most powerful Quasi-Monarch would only meet death."
A Quasi-Monarch pointed towards other directions, where faint yet extremely fearsome auras were rapidly approaching. They were clearly other Quasi-Monarchs, and far from being just one or two, their numbers were considerable, even exceeding those of the Quasi-Monarchs who had arrived first.
They were unwilling to erupt into a great battle. If the Battle Saint King surrendered without a fight, that would be the best outcome, saving them considerable effort. Otherwise, given the Battle Saint King's heaven-defying combat power, comparable to a mid-stage Quasi-Monarch, a fight to the death could very likely drag a Quasi-Monarch down with him—a scenario none wished to see.
Ye Chen nodded and said, "What you say is correct. Indeed, relying on my strength alone, I am no match for you."
Seeing Ye Chen speak in this manner, the five Quasi-Monarchs relaxed slightly, feeling that the Battle Saint King was willing to surrender.
Then, he spoke again: "Which direction has the most Quasi-Monarchs, and which has the fewest?"
Hearing this, the gazes of the five Quasi-Monarchs sharpened slightly: "Battle Saint King, even at this point, you still wish to make a futile struggle? You know we cannot possibly tell you."
As they spoke, the five Quasi-Monarchs each took a step closer from their respective positions, their oppressive aura intensifying significantly, bearing down on Ye Chen at the center.
Ye Chen smiled faintly: "Actually, I already know without you telling me. Four Quasi-Monarchs are coming from the east, two from the south, three from the west, and three from the north. To think that dealing with just me required mobilizing a full seventeen Quasi-Monarchs—truly a major operation. It seems I, Ye Chen, am indeed held in some regard."
Hearing that Ye Chen actually knew the numbers of Quasi-Monarchs from each direction, the five Quasi-Monarchs were slightly startled. What keen perception! Yet, the more this was so, the more intense their killing intent grew.
No matter what, the Battle Saint King must be completely eradicated. Otherwise, once he reached the Quasi-Monarch realm, he would likely become truly invincible.
"Take action! There's no time to delay. We cannot allow the situation to change!"
A Quasi-Monarch spoke up, his expression grave. Such a monstrous talent must be eliminated at all costs.
The other four Quasi-Monarchs nodded slightly, advancing together, then closing in on Ye Chen.
Suddenly, Ye Chen looked towards the south and said, "Aren't you afraid of falling into my trap?"
"What do you mean?"
The expressions of the five Quasi-Monarchs changed. At the same moment, from the southern position, a terrifying fluctuation of Quasi-Monarch level suddenly erupted.
Almost simultaneously, two other terrifying fluctuations of Quasi-Monarch level bloomed alongside it, but were quickly suppressed.
"Damn it!"
The five Quasi-Monarchs exchanged glances, their expressions shifting. They looked towards Ye Chen in the center, only to find him grinning at them: "Gentlemen, until we meet again!"
Puff—
His entire body transformed into a wisp of chaotic ancient energy, scattering with the wind.
"It's not his true body! It's in the south! The Battle Saint King's true body is in the south, attacking the weakest southern flank!"
"Why did Divination Master Guan Tian's divination go wrong? It clearly indicated he was right here!"
Though greatly puzzled, the five Quasi-Monarchs immediately charged towards the south, transforming into five streaks of light.
Their speed was unimaginably fast, creating layer upon layer of air currents that blasted forth, tearing the void to shreds.
Simultaneously, Quasi-Monarchs from other directions, sensing the change, swiftly rushed towards the southern position.
Among them, from the eastern position, was none other than Divination Master Guan Tian, who also revealed a look of shock: "Impossible! I clearly divined that he was at Desolate Heaven Ridge. Yet it was merely an avatar, and his true body wasn't even here? Even if he is a chaos cultivator, he shouldn't be able to block my divination!"