The Old Monarch still frowned. The value of the World Stone was simply too great; the Dan Emperor Clan was unwilling to give it up.
The greatest value of a World Stone lay in forging weapons. It could be refined into a weapon containing a vast world, its worth not the slightest bit inferior to Chaos Immortal Gold, and in fact, it was far rarer. Once such a World Stone was refined into a Supreme Emperor Weapon, it would be a treasure among Supreme Emperor Weapons, truly hard to come by.
If, one day, an Imperial Daughter of the clan were to prove her Dao and become an Emperor, this World Stone could undoubtedly be fused into her weapon, elevating her Dao Weapon by several grades and placing it among the ranks of the strongest Supreme Emperor Weapons.
However, a favor from the Battle Saint King was equally rare. To become a peerless figure akin to a supreme Sovereign at such a tender age, with heaven-defying combat power to boot, and having also received the Alchemy Emperor's alchemy legacy, his potential was limitless. It was not impossible for him to one day become a colossus of the ages on par with the Alchemy Emperor. Such a favor could be considered priceless.
Moreover, the Battle Saint King was willing to repay with a treasure of equivalent value in the future.
The powerhouses of the Dan Emperor Clan were subtly beginning to waver.
Seeing their hesitation, Ye Chen pressed his advantage while the iron was hot: "The World Stone is indestructible and imperishable; even an Emperor would find it difficult to damage. If your clan's Imperial Daughter proves her Dao and becomes a Supreme One, it will still require a very long time. During that period, I can guarantee that I will be able to find a treasure no less precious than the World Stone. And there's one more thing I'm not afraid to tell you: back on the Origin Ancient Path, I once met Senior Alchemy Emperor. He showed me kindness and helped me. I know where he is."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, the Old Monarch could no longer maintain his composure, looking at Ye Chen in astonishment.
The other Dan Emperor Clan powerholders reacted similarly.
He had seen the Alchemy Emperor?
The Old Monarch exclaimed in shock, "Our Imperial Ancestor is on the Origin Ancient Path?"
"Correct!" Ye Chen said. "Senior Alchemy Emperor is in the deepest part of the Origin Ancient Path. He reigns supreme across the ages, suppressing all the Supreme Ones of the myriad heavens, his prestige unmatched. I was fortunate enough to receive Senior Alchemy Emperor's assistance, and Senior Alchemy Emperor has deep ties with several of the supreme colossi from my Pangu Universe."
The group of Dan Emperor Clan powerholders immediately felt their eyes welling up with tears. Ever since they had seen a single incarnation of the Alchemy Emperor return from the sky above the Fallen Emperor Battlefield all those years ago, the members of the imperial clan had not seen the Alchemy Emperor for countless millennia. They did not know where he had gone, only that he was still alive, engaged in some monumental undertaking.
Never had they imagined that he was actually on the Origin Ancient Path, the legendary mysterious ancient path said to lead to the Origin Land.
"May I ask, Battle Saint King, did the Imperial Ancestor ever mention when he might return to the imperial clan?" the Old Monarch suddenly asked.
The other Dan Emperor Clan powerholders also looked at Ye Chen with hope.
Sighing, Ye Chen shook his head. "He did not."
Disappointment washed over everyone. Could it be that the Alchemy Emperor had already forgotten the imperial clan?
"You need not be so disappointed," Ye Chen consoled them. "Who is the Alchemy Emperor? The strongest Emperor, a colossus of the ages, a truly towering existence overlooking countless epochs. The task he must undertake is of cosmic scale, immeasurable. The reason he does not return to the Dan Emperor Clan is simply because he fears drawing boundless bloodshed and calamity upon it. He is at the forefront of the Origin Ancient Path, facing enemies he must confront. Enemies powerful enough to require his attention—you can imagine what kind of supreme existences they are. If he were to return, allowing those enemies to find a trace leading to this ancient universe, the entire Dan Emperor Clan would inevitably suffer an annihilating bloodbath."
The Dan Emperor Clan powerholders were instantly sobered, naturally understanding the meaning behind Ye Chen's words.
However, learning the news that the Alchemy Emperor was still alive filled them with excitement. The Old Monarch then said, "Battle Saint King, please move to the guest hall and wait a moment. The matter of the World Stone is of great importance. Allow our clan to consider it briefly."
"Very well." Ye Chen nodded and left the Emperor's formation. Someone had already prepared a seat of honor within the Emperor's hall. Ye Chen sat down, sipping on Dao tea as he waited silently.
A night passed, yet the Dan Emperor Clan still hadn't given a reply. However, the World Stone was a matter of great importance; it couldn't be decided upon immediately.
Boom—
Suddenly, the portal connecting the Dan Emperor Clan to the outside world shook violently. With a deafening roar, the mighty fortress exploded. Blood radiance splashed everywhere as numerous powerhouses of the Dan Emperor Clan were slain, including one God King and two Half-Step God Kings. The casualties were severe.
"Who dares to invade my Dan Emperor Clan!"
A majestic shout rang out. It was the Clan Leader. Sensing the terrifying fluctuations from the portal, he immediately led a group of high-ranking Dan Emperor Clan powerhouses to appear.
At the site of the shattered fortress stood a figure with disheveled hair, like a wild madman. A terrifying, boundless aura wantonly emanated from his body, accompanied by the chaotic, swirling dance of Monarch rules. Vast stretches of the Alchemy World's heavens and earth collapsed, shaking for millions of miles in an instant, causing heavy casualties.
"It's an Ancient Monarch!"
The Clan Leader's expression changed drastically. He immediately sent a message, requesting the Old Monarch be summoned. Otherwise, even with several Quasi-Monarch-level old-timers present, they would be hard-pressed to stop an Ancient Monarch.
At the same time, he communicated with the Alchemy World's origin to stabilize it, and even reached out to the Alchemy Emperor's Cauldron.
If necessary, he wouldn't hesitate to unleash the Supreme Emperor Weapon for a decisive, lethal strike.
"What exactly has happened?"
At this moment, the Old Monarch appeared. He saw that figure with disheveled hair, wantonly exuding a savage, violent aura like a peerless great evil, powerful beyond belief. It made even his heart race with fear; this was no ordinary Ancient Monarch.
The Dan Emperor Clan powerhouses all wore grave expressions, also filled with confusion. Even they didn't understand why this mysterious Ancient Monarch would suddenly break into the Alchemy World.
In the distant sky, several majestic dark ancient halls floated, accompanied by a rustling sound. An Ancient Monarch manifested, causing the Dan Emperor Clan's expressions to change.
They recognized them—they were people from the Soul-Restraining Hall. It was actually them who had driven such a terrifying, savage Monarch to attack the Dan Emperor Clan.
The Dan Emperor Clan was furious. The Clan Leader shouted on the spot, "Soul-Restraining Hall! My Dan Emperor Clan has no quarrel with you. How dare you attack my clan? Do you truly think my Dan Emperor Clan fears your Soul-Restraining Hall?"
A Monarch-level Hall Master of the Soul-Restraining Hall appeared, shrouded in black mist. A sinister, cold voice emerged, "Dan Emperor Clan, my Soul-Restraining Hall has no intention of troubling your imperial clan. We have come this time for the Battle Saint King."
"The Battle Saint King?"
The Dan Emperor Clan powerhouses were greatly shocked. For the Soul-Restraining Hall to mobilize such a large force to find the Battle Saint King, it couldn't possibly be for a chat. But such a massive, aggressive display was rare.
Roar—
Sensing the danger, the disheveled figure let out a great roar, its ferocious might boundless, causing the entire Alchemy World to tremble.
Even so, Ye Chen was now a guest of honor of the Dan Emperor Clan and was valued by the Alchemy Emperor. How could they simply hand him over? The Old Monarch snorted coldly, "Soul-Restraining Hall, even if you are seeking the Battle Saint King, how dare you act within the bounds of my Dan Emperor Clan's world? My Dan Emperor Clan will not let this rest easily. Otherwise, wouldn't everyone in the entire ancient universe think my Dan Emperor Clan is easy to bully?"
"Cauldron, come!"
Rumble—
A massive cauldron appeared, larger than a star, suspended in the heavens. It was inscribed with infinite patterns, billowing with alchemical fragrance, layer upon layer, like ten thousand auspicious colors blooming—very special, yet emanating boundless Supreme Emperor might.
The entire Alchemy World shook, and it also suppressed the peerless ferocious aura of that great evil, disheveled being.