Zushan Dijun, a Monarch of a generation, stood above Sovereigns and below Supreme Ones, at the very pinnacle, not far from the Supreme One realm.
In a sense, a Monarch could also be called a quasi-achiever of the Dao.
An existence on the verge of proving the Dao and becoming an Emperor.
The world referred to them as quasi-emperors, quasi-sovereigns, quasi-immortals, quasi-Supreme Ones, and so on.
Naturally, he was the same.
Facing Zushan Dijun alone, he wouldn't be so wary, as they were both quasi-achieving Monarchs.
But the thirty-two Ancient Monarchs following behind Zushan Dijun—such a fearsome lineup of Sovereigns—was enough to prove that the visitors came with ill intent!
Had they sensed that the Battle Saint King was about to advance to Ancient Monarch?
Suddenly, such a thought surfaced in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
The Battle Saint King's tribulation had only begun two or three moments ago. He had arrived here immediately, blocking everything. Even if Zushan Dijun had sensed something, he couldn't have discovered it so quickly. Moreover, with his own blocking technique in place, it should be impossible to detect even the slightest trace.
He had absolute confidence in his blocking technique.
"Xuanxu!"
Zushan Dijun spoke, looking at Xuanxu Dijun of the Flame Emperor Domain with a faint smile. "Long time no see."
Xuanxu Dijun's expression remained impassive. "But I'm not very keen on seeing you."
Zushan Dijun chuckled, not responding directly. Instead, he led the numerous Ancient Monarchs of the Sacred Emperor Domain straight towards the territory of the Flame Emperor Domain.
"Zushan, what is the meaning of this?"
Xuanxu Dijun's expression darkened slightly. With a flick of his sleeve, he severed the sky, transforming it into a dark abyss that blocked the path of Zushan Dijun and the others.
Zushan Dijun smiled faintly. "Xuanxu, let's not mince words. Today, I'll tell you plainly: I am going to your main camp to slay the Battle Saint King who is advancing to Ancient Monarch."
Xuanxu Dijun's expression changed slightly. How could they know the Battle Saint King was advancing to Ancient Monarch?
He had still blocked everything on his side. Even if Zushan Dijun himself took action, he shouldn't be able to undo the block and learn of this.
There was only one way they could know this—
There was a traitor in the Flame Emperor Domain camp!
Xuanxu Dijun's expression turned somewhat ugly. He looked at Zushan Dijun and said darkly, "Zushan, your Sacred Emperor Domain's capabilities are truly impressive, managing to plant a spy in my Flame Emperor Domain. And this spy's abilities are not low either."
After all, only the powerhouses of the nine Immortal Halls had witnessed the Battle Saint King soaring into the sky. Those who could enter the nine Immortal Halls were naturally extraordinary.
Soon, he guessed the level of the spy within the Flame Emperor Domain camp.
The more he thought about it, the uglier Xuanxu Dijun's expression became. The Sacred Emperor Domain's capabilities were truly not small, able to plant a powerhouse who could reach the upper echelons within the Flame Emperor Domain.
Who exactly was it?
Zushan Dijun said lightly, "Xuanxu, I advise you to leave sooner rather than later. Our target this time is only the Battle Saint King. We don't wish to start the war prematurely. Otherwise, with so many of us entering the Flame Emperor Domain camp, we could cause countless casualties on your side."
Indeed, at the very least, they were all Ancient Monarchs, led by a Monarch. Their power, capable of destroying heaven and earth at a moment's notice, would absolutely inflict heavy casualties on the Flame Emperor Domain camp.
Xuanxu Dijun snorted coldly. "Zushan, don't dream too much. With me here today, I won't let you pass. Stay right here. As for starting the war early? Hah, do you really think my Flame Emperor Domain is afraid? And if you dare to take action, aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of the Flame Emperor? Can you compare to the two Supreme Ones of your Sacred Emperor Domain? Even they were shattered alive by the Flame Emperor."
Mentioning this incident, Zushan Dijun and the Ancient Monarchs of the Sacred Emperor Domain couldn't help but show ugly expressions, even tinged with a hint of fear.
Clearly, the event from years ago, when the Flame Emperor alone charged into the alien Supreme One's territory and shattered two alien camp Supreme Ones in succession, shaking heaven and earth, was naturally known even to these Ancient Monarchs of the Sacred Emperor Domain, filling them with awe.
The Flame Emperor was truly a being who feared nothing, the strongest Emperor, one of the most powerful existences in the entire Origin Ancient Path.
Last time, he had taken action for the Battle Saint King. If they truly killed the Battle Saint King this time, the consequences would be equally unimaginable.
Zushan Dijun's expression shifted repeatedly before finally settling into a cold sneer. "Xuanxu, don't try to scare me. Last time, the Flame Emperor was so enraged only because someone dared to infiltrate the Flame Emperor City and take action. But this time, in a giant-level Domain War, death in battle is commonplace. Even the Flame Emperor cannot arbitrarily break the rules. Besides, our Emperor will not stand idly by."
The other Ancient Monarchs of the Sacred Emperor Domain also calmed down.
Indeed, slaying the Battle Saint King was a mission arranged by several Supreme One Emperors. If the Flame Emperor dared to take action, they believed the strongest Emperor, the Holy Emperor, would intervene to stop him.
"Since that's the case, you can try."
Xuanxu Dijun wasted no more words. An extremely powerful Monarch's aura rippled around him, far surpassing the heavenly might of a Sovereign. Alone, he confronted Zushan Dijun and the numerous Ancient Monarchs of the Sacred Emperor Domain.
Zushan Dijun stepped forward, directly engaging Xuanxu Dijun. "I will hold him off. You all enter the Flame Emperor Domain camp and ensure the Battle Saint King is slain!"
"Yes!"
Over thirty Ancient Monarchs of the Sacred Emperor Domain forcefully charged into the Flame Emperor Domain. Xuanxu Dijun, held back by Zushan Dijun, could only watch helplessly.
"Zushan, you're seeking death!"
Xuanxu Dijun raged coldly, immediately taking action. Every move and gesture unleashed boundless divine might, vast and magnificent, terrifying beyond belief.
Zushan Dijun sneered, naturally not willing to be outdone. He also struck out, unleashing boundless power that collided fiercely with Xuanxu Dijun. Half of the Sacred Prison Domain battlefield almost trembled, erupting with endless annihilating light.
...
Just as the two Monarchs clashed at the border between the Flame Emperor Domain and Sacred Emperor Domain camps, high above the sky of the Flame Emperor Domain camp, Ye Chen appeared with eleven Monarch Puppets.
Facing the infinite tribulation light and sea of thunder that descended almost simultaneously, witnessing the terrifying heavenly tribulation that could transform into Dao soldiers, alien beasts, or even holy spirits at any moment, a trace of gravity appeared in Ye Chen's eyes.
Naturally, this was not his tribulation to advance to Ancient Monarch.
He had not yet reached the limit of a quasi-Sovereign and would not choose to undergo tribulation for advancement.
This was the heavenly tribulation for the eleven Monarch Puppets. Because these Monarch Puppets were too extraordinary, heaven could not tolerate them, directly descending the tribulation to prevent their completion.
Just like when Wuxiang Junwang crafted numerous puppets in the past, their excessive power caused the heavenly tribulation to descend. Wuxiang Junwang directly fought his way to the heavens beyond heavens to help the numerous Monarch and Sovereign puppets undergo their tribulations.
Similarly, only after truly undergoing the tribulation could these Monarch Puppets be considered genuine Monarch Puppets. Otherwise, once they appeared in the world, they would be struck by heavenly lightning until they were destroyed or the tribulation ended.
Facing the boundless, vast tribulation descending from the heavens, Ye Chen, standing before the eleven Monarch Puppets, finally took action at this moment, displaying the cultivation he had attained during his ten years of seclusion.
Combat power comparable to a third-layer Ancient Monarch erupted in full force.