"Greetings, Senior Human Sovereign, Senior Formless Ancient Ancestor, Senior Xuan Shen Great Emperor, Senior Tai Chu, Senior Golden Crow Great Emperor."
Ye Chen stepped forward and bowed in greeting. Though he was also a Palace Master of Pangu Palace, he remained humble, performing the salute of a junior without overstepping, which earned him silent nods of approval from many.
If it were an ordinary person who had attained such status, their tail would have been raised to the heavens long ago.
"Young Friend, there is no need for such formalities," the Human Sovereign said with a gentle smile.
Ye Chen's heart trembled. Only at such close proximity could one truly sense the Human Sovereign's unfathomable depth.
Though he was publicly known only as a Supreme One, many were aware that his true identity was likely the reincarnation of the Mythical Epoch's Reincarnation Great Emperor, continuously reincarnating throughout this epoch.
His current strength surpassed that of ordinary Supreme Ones, astonishingly powerful.
Moreover, the fact that the Human Sovereign had awakened at this very moment left Ye Chen shocked.
Why the Human Sovereign had suddenly fallen into slumber all those years ago remained a mystery to this day.
The Golden Crow Great Emperor was naturally also immensely powerful, his imperial majesty restrained within. Clad in golden imperial robes, he resembled the rising sun, completely contained yet profoundly unfathomable.
"Young Friend, it has been many days. I never expected you to have reached such heights," the Golden Crow Great Emperor sighed. Although he had recognized Ye Chen's extraordinariness many years ago and witnessed his ascension to God King back then, to think that in the mere three to four hundred years since their last meeting, he had attained the Ancient Monarch level.
To think that at their first meeting, he had been nothing more than a mere Great Power.
To leap from Great Power to Ancient Monarch level in just two to three centuries... one had to admit, this rate of advancement was truly astonishing, rare throughout history. Even the many Supreme Ones in their youth could not have achieved this.
"Senior flatters me. At present, this junior is but a cripple," Ye Chen said with a bitter smile.
"Hmm?"
The Golden Crow Great Emperor was not aware of Ye Chen's specific condition. The Formless Monarch beside him transmitted a detailed explanation via voice transmission, causing the former to show a look of surprise. He hadn't paid close attention before, but now, sensing carefully, he indeed found it to be so.
"Young Friend, though I am not a Ten-Thousand Ancient Colossus, I have been fortunate enough to half-step into that realm. Perhaps I have some methods," the Golden Crow Great Emperor offered.
Hearing this, everyone felt a surge of hope. Perhaps the Battle Saint King could be saved.
"After some time has passed, I can attempt it," the Golden Crow Great Emperor said.
"This junior thanks Senior in advance!"
Ye Chen then withdrew. Though he had some questions he wished to ask, now was not the appropriate time.
The grand feast was lively, with top experts from all sides in attendance. Even most of the contemporary Emperors had come, along with over a hundred Ancient Monarchs, and naturally countless individuals below the Monarch level. Even familiar faces like Yan Shen were present, making it an unprecedentedly magnificent gathering.
"Palace Master Ye!"
At that moment, a group approached. It was a delegation from the Dragon Phoenix Academy, led by none other than the Dragon Phoenix Academy Head. There were elders from the Academy and contemporary top talents as well.
Faintly, in the shadows, were several unfathomable Old Antiques, decrepit with dried-up blood energy, as if they might step into their coffins at any moment, yet each was terrifying, one more sinister than the last.
As they drew near, these formidable Old Antiques looked at Ye Chen, their eyes gleaming with faint rays of light, their hearts trembling slightly.
"Hmm, there are Quasi-Monarchs, and even a peak expert at the Ancient Monarch level."
With a sweep of his gaze, Ye Chen immediately discerned the cultivation levels of these Old Antiques. It was a remarkably impressive lineup.
On second thought, it made sense. After all, the Dragon Phoenix Academy was considered one of the top immortal legacies in the myriad realms. Throughout the ages, reincarnations of the Human Sovereign had emerged from its ranks, so suchheritage / foundation was only natural.
Sure enough, the Dragon Phoenix Academy Head proactively introduced them. These Old Antiques were the hiddenheritage / foundation of the Dragon Phoenix Academy—either former retired Academy Heads or past Supreme Elders. Each was a reclusive Old Antique of great age. Ordinarily, unless events occurred that shook the very foundation of the Academy, they remained in the deepest levels of secluded cultivation or slumber. Thus, their cultivation was formidable; at the very least, they were Quasi-Monarchs, with one even having reached the Ancient Monarch level.
Even by contemporary standards, this was an absolutely powerful lineup.
Unfortunately, their blood energy was dried up, their lifespan nearly exhausted, and they had only barely reached the Monarch level.
Facing Ye Chen, who was in the prime of his human form with flourishing blood energy, they felt a natural sense of awe, secretly astonished by the might of this Battle Saint King renowned throughout the myriad realms.
Even though Ye Chen was currently severely injured, his combat power still surpassed that of ordinary Monarchs.
Ye Chen was polite. "Seniors."
The Dragon Phoenix Academy Head gave a wry smile. "How could this old man dare to accept being called 'Senior' by you?"
Over the years, though he had made some progress, he remained only at the God King level, a world of difference compared to Ye Chen, who stood firmly among Monarchs and could absolutely be considered a powerhouse.
Moreover, Ye Chen was now the fifth Palace Master of the contemporary Pangu Palace, a peerless figure on equal footing with the four Human Supreme Ones.
"Senior is too courteous," Ye Chen said with a light smile, showing not a trace of the haughtiness one might expect from a Pangu Palace Master. He was approachable and amiable, which greatly endeared him to others.
Behind the Dragon Phoenix Academy Head were the top talents of the Academy's current young generation. Their eyes shone as they looked at Ye Chen, their emotions stirred. They never imagined they would one day have the chance to face the Battle Saint King, the strongest genius of their era, up close.
At the same time, Yi Wu, the Goddess, and others also arrived, greeting the Dragon Phoenix Academy Head.
Seeing the Battle Saint King's family before him, the Dragon Phoenix Academy Head recalled the golden age of competition among the younger generation hundreds of years ago, when the strongest were merely Saints.
Hundreds of years had passed, and such earth-shattering changes had occurred. The little Saint of yesteryear had now become one of the universe's topOverlord-level supreme experts in the myriad realms.
Feeling a slight sense of nostalgia, both sides conversed briefly, and their relationship grew closer.
Ye Chen also learned much about the current situation.
The Dragon Phoenix Academy Head got straight to the point. "Battle Saint King, the reason for my visit this time is to request some pills. But I will offer sufficient compensation."
He mentioned that although the Dragon Phoenix Academy's Old Antiques were still alive, their years were ultimately too many, and they had but a few years left. He hoped Ye Chen could help refine several pills to extend their lifespans.
Especially since, sensing the peculiarities of the current era—though the alien races that invaded the Pangu Universe had been utterly exterminated, the alien races still existed and remained as unprecedentedly powerful as ever, not to be underestimated—the Dragon Phoenix Academy hoped to have sufficient strength to guard its grounds.
He then further mentioned that the Dragon Phoenix Academy controlled some Imperial Traces left behind by ancient Great Emperors, including the strongest ones, which might be useful to Ye Chen. These could serve as compensation, allowing Ye Chen to study them.
"Agreed," Ye Chen said, accepting. His impression of the Dragon Phoenix Academy had never been bad to begin with. Moreover, Imperial Traces could still be of some use to him.
Not long after, another top cultivation academy from the myriad realms—the Myriad Realms Academy—also arrived with the same purpose. Naturally, they also promised similar compensation, possessing some sites of Imperial Traces, even relics from Mythical Epoch ancient emperors.
At the feast, Ye Chen was as conspicuous as the sun. All sides were courteous; even the Emperors did not act arrogantly, showing great respect, which made the world marvel at the Battle Saint King's current status, surpassing all imagination.
Half a day later, a voice transmission entered his consciousness.
"Young Friend, proceed to—"
It was a transmission from the Golden Crow Great Emperor, providing an address.
Ye Chen left the Human Sovereign Palace alone, then took a single step, entering the profound and boundless depths of the starry sky.