It was clear that this Ancient Monarch recognized the identity of the Taichu Emperor, having personally witnessed the Taichu Emperor entering the Primordial Immortal Realm from the River of Time in the past.
Moreover, upon seeing the numerous fearsome powerhouses gathered before the Heavenly Gate below, he couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath of cold air.
Just the number of Monarchs alone exceeded the fingers of one hand, and as for Ancient Monarchs, there were far more than one could imagine.
Those below the Monarch rank were countless!
What a terrifying army this was, absolutely capable of sweeping across a supreme immortal kingdom.
How many years had it been? Not only had the Taichu Emperor successfully attained the Monarch rank, but he had also arrived leading an invincible legion. Even the true body of a Supreme Immortal descending would likely feel some apprehension.
The Taichu Emperor also recognized the expression of the opposing Ancient Monarch and said with a faint smile, "So it's Fellow Daoist Lugu. A pleasure, a pleasure."
Monarch Lugu gave a bitter laugh, tinged with a hint of reverence, not daring to address him as an equal. "Since Your Excellency the Emperor wishes to open the Heavenly Pass, I naturally dare not disobey."
"Men, open the Heavenly Pass and let His Excellency the Emperor lead his people through."
He issued the command, showing reverence when facing the Taichu Emperor, but still maintaining the majesty befitting an Ancient Monarch when addressing his subordinates.
"Yes!"
At his command, the Immortal Heavenly Pass prepared to open.
But at that moment, a terrifying Monarch's Heavenly Might bloomed as another Ancient Monarch appeared, roaring majestically, "Stop immediately! Monarch Lugu, how dare you! Why are you opening the Heavenly Pass gate without authorization?"
Seeing the newcomer, Monarch Lugu said, "Monarch Xialuotian, His Excellency the Taichu Emperor requests the opening of the Heavenly Pass to depart. How could I dare to refuse?"
"Hmph, so what if he's an Emperor? This is the Primordial Immortal Realm. Not just anyone can casually open the Heavenly Pass," Monarch Xialuotian sneered, sweeping a glance at the Taichu Emperor without a trace of the reverence one should show an Emperor.
Monarch Xialuotian looked at the Taichu Emperor and said indifferently, "My apologies. The Heavenly Pass cannot be opened recklessly. Please leave."
Moreover, deep within his eyes, there was a faint hint of provocation.
This was surprising. Although Ancient Monarchs were hailed as overlords of the universe, they still had to bow before an Emperor. Where did Monarch Xialuotian get the courage to defy the Taichu Emperor, even harboring a hint of provocation?
This was akin to a subordinate rebelling against a superior.
The Taichu Emperor gave Monarch Xialuotian a meaningful glance, then immediately produced a token in his hand. It shimmered with immortal light, carrying a trace of the peerless aura of a Supreme Immortal. "What if it's an Immortal Command Token?"
The so-called Immortal Command Token was the token of a Supreme Immortal.
It was as if the Immortal themselves were present!
In the Primordial Immortal Realm, holding an Immortal Command Token allowed one to command an immortal realm army and even open the Immortal Heavenly Pass.
Monarch Lugu breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Your Excellency the Emperor, with the Immortal Command Token in hand, you may naturally open the Heavenly Pass. Men, ope—"
"No—"
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Monarch Xialuotian.
His expression also changed, clearly not expecting the Taichu Emperor to possess an Immortal Command Token. But now he had no choice but to brace himself and say, "No, even with an Immortal Command Token, it cannot be done. Now that various major powers are awakening one after another, the defensive forces along the borders of the Immortal Realm have been strengthened everywhere. This is to prevent external forces from entering the Primordial Immortal Realm. The Immortal Heavenly Pass cannot be opened casually."
"Monarch Xialuotian!" Monarch Lugu looked at him in shock. This was absolutely impossible.
An Emperor holding an Immortal Command Token to open the Immortal Heavenly Pass—who could stop him?
Daring to obstruct was purely seeking death.
"Oh?"
The Taichu Emperor looked at Monarch Xialuotian with interest, a faint, ambiguous smile on his lips. "You seem to be targeting this Emperor."
He did not refer to himself as "I," but as "this Emperor," indicating some anger.
Monarch Xialuotian felt a slight chill on his scalp, but remembering the words of those behind him, he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Taichu, you misunderstand. How would I dare to target you?"
"How dare a mere Monarch like you address me as 'Fellow Daoist'!"
Suddenly, the Taichu Emperor made his move. His expression darkened, and a vast, peerless Emperor's Might instantly erupted, sweeping across heaven and earth like an ancient primordial beast awakening, all of it bearing down on Monarch Xialuotian.
Boom—
Monarch Xialuotian's figure plummeted from the void onto the battlements of the pass, shaking the entire stretch of the Heavenly Pass.
Crackle, pop—
Monarch Xialuotian was seen half-kneeling there, bearing the full Oppressive Might of an Emperor alone.
Even a powerful Monarch like him wasenduringing unparalleled pressure. The bones and tendons in his body creaked and groaned as if about to snap, as if an imperial mountain were pressing down on him, heavier than billions of jun.
The Taichu Emperor stepped onto the Heavenly Pass in a single stride, standing with his hands behind his back, looking down from a superior position at Monarch Xialuotian, who was trembling under the Emperor's Oppressive Might. He said coldly, "Speak. Open, or not?"
His voice carried a terrifying force, like the reverberation of a great bell. Monarch Xialuotian's heart pounded wildly, and a trickle of blood slowly seeped from the corner of his mouth—he had suffered internal injuries.
Although he was an Ancient Monarch, the gap between him and an Emperor was too vast. He felt that if he continued to obstruct, this Taichu Emperor might very well kill him.
Just as he was about to speak and yield, a cold snort exploded like rolling thunder, forcibly tearing apart the Taichu Emperor'sseal of Emperor's Oppressive Might in an instant.
Monarch Xialuotian immediately felt relieved all over, gasping for breath in great heaves, his eyes still filled with intense terror.
An Emperor must not be insulted!
If mere Oppressive Might was this terrifying, if he truly made a move, Monarch Xialuotian knew he would not last a single exchange against the Taichu Emperor.
"How dare you! Using your might to pressure an Ancient Monarch guarding the Heavenly Pass—what crime do you think this is?"
From the depths of the Primordial Immortal Realm, boundless majesty suddenly descended.
A fearsome Immortal Monarch emerged from there, hiswithin reach the Immortal Daorealm, with wisps of Supreme Immortal auradescended around him.
In just a few steps, the Immortal Monarch traversed endless space, crossing billions of li in an instant, finally appearing before the Immortal Heavenly Pass.
"We pay our respects to the Santai Immortal Lord!"
On the Immortal Heavenly Pass, whether it was the two Ancient Monarchs or the numerous guardians, all performed grand bows of respect.
An Immortal Lord was an existence equivalent to an Emperor,only thetitle was different.
The former cultivated to become an immortal; the latter proved their Dao to become a Great Emperor.
Butdifferent paths lead to the same destination, both could ultimately be called Supreme Ones.
The Santai Immortal Lord had the demeanor of an immortal, his face as smooth asfocused / sharpenedsmooth. If not for his silver hair and white brows, one would certainly think him very young, though in truth his years wereextremely great. At this moment, he gave the Taichu Emperor a faint nod.
The Taichu Emperor also nodded in response.
But this response prompted the Santai Immortal Lord to make his move. His face darkened as he snorted, "A mere newly-advanced Emperor, meeting a senior without even performing a salute, showing no respect for teachers and the Dao. How will you ever break through to become a Supreme One in the future?"
Indeed, the Taichu Emperor had only attained the Emperor rank a few hundred years ago, while the Santai Immortal Lord hadset foot on it for tens of thousands of years. Calling him a senior was not at all excessive.
But below, Ye Chen and the others' expressions darkened upon hearing this.
The other party was clearly seizing an opportunity to make trouble.
Both were Emperors, peers who should interact as equals. Why would a salute be necessary?
The Taichu Emperor swept a glance at the Santai Immortal Lord, slightly surprised.
He was honored as the Eternal Emperor, hailed as the number one beneath the Supreme Ones. Other Emperors and Immortal Lords should be the ones saluting him.
And even without a salute, they would never dare speak to him in such a manner.
Where did this Santai Immortal Lord get his courage?
Soon, he understood. It was likely that the Santai Immortal Lord was still unaware of everything that had happened on the Path of Origins.
The Taichu Emperor smiled faintly and said, "We are both Emperors and Immortal Lords, peers who should instruct each other. Fellow Daoist, your words are too severe."
The Santai Immortal Lord snorted coldly. "Although those who attain the Dao first are teachers, peers are still distinguished by seniority. Although you are an Emperor, your character has not yet beenthoroughly polished and smoothed. How can you speak of proving your Dao and becoming an Emperor?"
polished and smoothed?
Ye Chen and the others almost laughed upon hearing this. Just who hadn't beenpolished and smoothed yet?
The Taichu Emperor glanced at him, his expression gradually turning cold. "I only ask one thing: the Immortal Heavenly Pass—open, or not?"