The Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit could sense from the Flame Emperor a pressure more vast and boundless than the starry sky.
Under that pressure, even he—a being who had followed the Sovereign of Formlessness for many years to become a Supreme Emperor Weapon, a deity spirit that upon revival was nearly on par with a Supreme Emperor—felt an overwhelming sense of oppression.
Whoosh—
Instantly, the Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit instinctively shielded Ye Chen, looking gravely at the Flame Emperor and transmitting a message: "Little one, though I don't know how I was revived, this place is dangerous. Especially this person—he is likely even stronger than my master. Leave immediately. If he intends to capture you, you will have no chance of escape."
Though unclear about his own revival, the Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit still recognized Ye Chen and immediately protected him, facing the Flame Emperor himself to ensure Ye Chen's safety.
Ye Chen grew even more excited and hurriedly said, "Senior, don't worry. He is not an enemy."
"Not an enemy?" The Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit, whose majestic face resembled that of the Sovereign of Formlessness, showed surprise as he looked at the Flame Emperor. Now fully regaining his senses, he bowed respectfully. "Heavenly Desolation pays his respects to Your Majesty, the Flame Emperor."
In the past, the Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit had followed the Sovereign of Formlessness and had naturally met the Flame Emperor. He had just failed to recognize the Flame Emperor's identity immediately upon revival. Now, he felt reverence.
The Flame Emperor of that era was also a peak Supreme One capable of slaying other Supremes, just a step away from being among the Strongest Emperors.
Moreover, having followed the Sovereign of Formlessness, the Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit was privy to many secrets. He knew that even the Solar Sovereign's Solar Great Dao was actually inherited from the Flame Emperor's Emperor Dao.
The Flame Emperor looked gently at the Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit and said with a faint smile, "You truly are exactly like that kid Wuxiang. Worthy of being the deity spirit of his Dao Weapon."
After reviving, the Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit quickly realized that his revival was likely related to the Flame Emperor. After all, the Flame Emperor was not just an Ancient Great Emperor but an extraordinary one; possessing such means was unexpected yet reasonable.
He bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Your Majesty the Flame Emperor, for reviving me."
The Flame Emperor waved his hand and pointed at Ye Chen, smiling. "If you want to thank someone, thank this kid."
The Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit looked at Ye Chen in astonishment, seemingly unable to believe that the latter could have persuaded a peerless Great Emperor like the Flame Emperor to revive him.
Ye Chen smiled slightly and explained the situation to the Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit.
After a long while, having been shocked several times, the Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit grew numb, but with intense joy.
One reason was that his master, the Sovereign of Formlessness, had truly been revived, was not weaker than a Supreme One, had hope of impacting the Strongest Emperor rank, and had now returned to the Sealed Universe to battle the invading alien races.
The other reason was Ye Chen, who had never forgotten him, truly worthy of his own desperate rescue back then.
He also marveled at Ye Chen's experiences over the years and how he had met a strand of the Flame Emperor's soul in the mortal world, leading to the Flame Emperor's subsequent intervention.
He couldn't help but sigh: Ye Chen was indeed the legendary key figure, with truly extraordinary encounters.
The Heavenly Desolation Divine Spirit finally retracted, transforming into the bronze great halberd and entering Ye Chen's body.
However, the Flame Emperor said, "The Heavenly Desolation Halberd has been refined by me using a complete Emperor Dao origin, surpassing its former state. In the future, even if you wish to awaken, it will be much simpler. Moreover, the power of this Heavenly Desolation Halberd has also become stronger."
Originally, according to the Azure Heaven Great Emperor, only fifty percent of Emperor Dao origin was needed. But the Flame Emperor had refined it using the complete Emperor Dao origin of the Futu Great Emperor. One could imagine how much the Heavenly Desolation Halberd's power had increased.
Its origin was more powerful, not inferior to a true Supreme Emperor.
The Flame Emperor looked at the surrounding Sovereigns of the Flame Emperor Palace, including his direct disciple Flame God. He glanced at the latter and said, "Little Chen, you've probably met this kid. He's my newly accepted disciple, also a direct disciple. His talent in the Fire Great Dao is decent."
Ye Chen smiled. To be called 'decent' by the Flame Emperor, the foremost expert in fire-attribute Great Daos in the Chaos Sea, was no simple compliment—it was practically heaven-defying.
And becoming a Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarch in just a year was proof enough.
Of course, this also benefited from Flame God originally being at the peak of the Great Perfection Quasi-Monarch realm, just a step away from Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarch, having mastered as many as four hundred and ninety-nine Sovereign rules.
Subsequently, the Flame Emperor introduced the twenty-two Ancient Monarchs and Emperors stationed at the Flame Emperor Palace.
These absolute peak powerhouses of the outside world appeared quite reserved before the Flame Emperor.
After all, he was a Strongest Emperor, a giant of the Chaos Sea surpassing even Supreme Ones, a truly invincible existence throughout the ages.
Even Supreme Ones would be somewhat reserved before him, let alone these Emperors and Ancient Monarchs.
The Flame Emperor introduced Ye Chen with a faint smile. "His name you all know—Ye Chen, known to the world as the Battle Saint King, the Eternal Quasi-Monarch, and also a friend of this Emperor."
Instantly, almost everyone's gaze toward Ye Chen changed.
'Friend of the Flame Emperor'—just those five words carried weight likely no less than that of an ordinary Supreme One.
Moreover, they could tell that Ye Chen was no ordinary friend; his relationship with the Flame Emperor was extremely close, to the point where he called the Flame Emperor 'old fellow' without the latter showing any anger.
The powerhouses of the Flame Emperor Palace sighed in admiration: the Battle Saint King, this Eternal Quasi-Monarch, indeed had extraordinary encounters.
The Flame Emperor then sternly glared at Flame God. "Little Yan, when you have time, you should learn more from Little Chen. Look at him—already an Eternal Quasi-Monarch. You're just a Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarch and already so proud and complacent. Do you really think you're invincible under heaven?"
Hearing the Flame Emperor's address for him, Flame God felt quite helpless, almost rolling his eyes.
And what was most frustrating was the Flame Emperor's words: 'just a Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarch'?
Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarch was the absolute pinnacle of the Quasi-Monarch realm! Did you, old master, really think anyone could be as monstrous as Ye Chen, an Eternal Quasi-Monarch?
Throughout the ages, it was only heard that the two leaders of the Chaos Ancient Universes—the Primordial Ancestor of the alien ancient universe and the Heavenly Emperor of the Sealed Universe—were Eternal Quasi-Monarchs in their youth.
But he also knew his master was a Strongest Emperor, standing at the very peak of the Chaos Sea, not even placing Supreme Ones in his eyes, let alone a mere Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarch.
Flame God could only brace himself and say, "Master's teaching is absolutely correct. This disciple will certainly advance further and break into the top ten of the Epoch Quasi-Monarch Ranking."
"Top ten?" The Flame Emperor glanced at him. "If you're not in the top five, don't say you're a disciple of me, the Flame Emperor."
Flame God felt like crying.
It was heard that some on the Epoch Quasi-Monarch Ranking were also direct disciples of Strongest Emperors. Even the top two, Di Yongheng and Qian Xunyue, who could stand above many Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarchs, were proof enough.
Even being able to rank in the top ten would be immensely impressive.
Top five?
Flame God, this newly advanced Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarch, seemed to see no hope whatsoever.
The Flame Emperor snorted coldly. "Can't even manage a measly top five? If Little Chen were to do it, forget top five—first place would be a nailed-on certainty."
Flame God wanted to vomit blood. He's an Eternal Quasi-Monarch; I'm just a Heaven-Defying Quasi-Monarch. Is there any comparison?
But since his master had spoken, he had to brace himself and agree. "This disciple will certainly fulfill Master's command."
The Flame Emperor nodded indifferently, then looked at Ye Chen, revealing a completely different, gentle smile. "Little Chen, are you interested in participating in the Supreme-level Domain Battle a year from now?"