At the same time, the Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch returned. He didn't have many injuries, but he appeared exceptionally disheveled, having lost his earlier majesty.
His expression was exceptionally ugly as he looked at the Battle Saint King. In the previous battle, he had actually been instantly defeated. This was simply a monumental disgrace.
Ye Chen glanced at him indifferently and said, "Don't be angry. With your level of strength, you truly don't catch my eye. Let me tell you something in passing. Before coming to the Jiuyan Imperial Clan, I had already slain ten Sovereign-level Hall Masters of the Soul-Restraining Hall. Your strength is only slightly stronger than the Heaven Hall Master of the Soul-Restraining Hall, but before me, you are still pathetically weak."
"If I wanted to kill you, it wouldn't take more than seven moves to annihilate both your body and soul."
Hearing this utterly dismissive and contemptuous attitude, as if looking at an ant, the Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch felt anger, but even more so, a deep sense of terror.
He naturally knew much about the Soul-Restraining Hall, but he never imagined that a full ten Ancient Monarchs of the Soul-Restraining Hall had fallen at the hands of the Battle Saint King. If this was true, just how terrifying must the Battle Saint King's strength be?
Ye Chen said, "Originally, I intended to try courtesy before force. Since everything is out in the open now, I won't waste words here. I'll say it directly: from now on, the position of chieftain of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan will be handed over to my disciple, Yan Wushuang. The Jiuyan Imperial Clan will be under his control, just like the chieftains of the past. I won't interfere in other matters. But if anyone dares to bully or oppress my disciple, I won't mind taking action again—provided your Jiuyan Imperial Clan can bear the cost."
Boom—
As he spoke, the Sovereign's Heavenly Might emanating from his body began to climb once more, reaching an unprecedented height. The Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch, as a Sovereign of the imperial clan, felt it most deeply. He immediately staggered back several steps, his face filled with terror, almost vomiting blood from the pressure. He deeply felt his own insignificance and understood the Battle Saint King's power on an even deeper level.
He was likely at least at the Super Sovereign level, perhaps even stronger.
The Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch realized that everything the Battle Saint King had said earlier was not false. He had probably truly slain ten Ancient Monarchs of the Soul-Restraining Hall. And if they truly fought, he himself would likely be slain by the other party in less than seven moves!
As for the Battle Saint King's decree, although it was humiliating, Yan Wushuang was ultimately a true member of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan. Compared to the cost of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan's annihilation, this was insignificant.
Therefore, the Jiuyan Imperial Clan agreed. The Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch even gave the order on the spot: Yan Wushuang would become the new generation chieftain, ruling over the imperial clan.
Yan Gushen didn't dare utter a single word. He stood there trembling with fear, terrified that Yan Wushuang might ask the Battle Saint King to act and directly eliminate him, the opponent.
"Very wise."
Ye Chen nodded slightly, glancing at the Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch and the several Quasi-Monarch Old Antiques of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan. "If you had chosen war, I might have had Fellow Daoist Ice Flame participate as well. He might have found some interest in campaigning against an imperial clan."
"Ice Flame? Could it be the Ice Flame Monarch!?"
The Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch was greatly shocked.
"Correct. Not long ago, I rescued him from the Soul-Restraining Hall, restored his consciousness, and now he has come with me to the Jiuyan Imperial Star." Ye Chen chuckled lightly, flicking his finger to tear open the Emperor World. A figure appeared—it was indeed the Ice Flame Monarch, who laughed heartily, "Fellow Daoist, have you resolved everything?"
"It really is the Ice Flame Monarch!" The Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch's heart trembled. One could even say that he and the Ice Flame Monarch belonged to the same era of Ancient Monarchs. However, the Ice Flame Monarch had progressed further and further, ultimately dominating an era, his might shaking the Star Sky, invincible.
The Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch had ultimately been limited to the early Sovereign stage, unable to advance further, and chose to slumber as a hidden foundation guarding the Jiuyan Imperial Clan.
He never imagined that after endless years, he would see that former overlord of the Star Sky again.
The Ice Flame Monarch obviously also noticed the Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch and laughed heartily, "Nine Mysteries, I didn't expect you to still be alive."
The Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch very much wanted to say, 'You're alive, so why would I be dead?' But constrained by the Ice Flame Monarch's terrifying strength, he merely snorted coldly and didn't speak.
The Ice Flame Monarch looked around the Emperor World and sighed, "Back in the day, I also entered this Emperor World. Unfortunately, I was still somewhat weak then, having just stepped into the Sovereign realm. If the Jiuyan Imperial Clan dared to wage war now, I might have the chance to face a Supreme Emperor Weapon. Perhaps it would be somewhat helpful for my realm's advancement."
As he spoke, a blazing heat shone in his eyes, filled with excitement. This caused the entire Jiuyan Imperial Clan to pale.
"Wait, Ice Flame Monarch, you misunderstand. My Jiuyan Imperial Clan has no intention of waging war against you all. We have already agreed to give Yan Wushuang the chieftain position," the Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch hurriedly spoke up.
"Is that so?" The Ice Flame Monarch seemed somewhat disappointed, making the Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch's heart tremble with fear. This Star Sky overlord was probably not much inferior to the Battle Saint King. If war broke out, even if they won, the entire Jiuyan Imperial Clan would likely pay an unimaginable price, requiring who knows how many years to recover.
During the conversation, Ye Chen left Yan Wushuang a token, saying that if he encountered any trouble, he should crush the token to make contact. Within this Ancient Universe, even if an Emperor emerged, there would be nothing to fear.
A trace of reluctance appeared on Yan Wushuang's face. "Master, are you leaving?"
Ye Chen nodded and said softly, "I cannot stay for too long. I must soon head to the very end of the Ultimate Ancient Path."
"If one day you encounter a bottleneck on your Path of Faith, come to the Pangu Universe where I belong. There, you can obtain Faith Power far surpassing your current level."
Yan Wushuang's heart was shaken. His master had probably reached a height on the Path of Faith that he couldn't even hope to match. After a pause, he said, "This disciple understands!"
After staying for half a day, Ye Chen, together with the Ice Flame Monarch, continued on their journey, leaving the Jiuyan Imperial Clan. This made Yan Wushuang reluctant, but it also allowed the entire Jiuyan Imperial Clan to breathe a sigh of relief.
However, even though the Battle Saint King had left, they still did not dare to depose Yan Wushuang, both because of the Battle Saint King'sintimidation and because Yan Wushuang was indeed a capable individual.
The Nine Mysteries Ancient Monarch gazed into the deepest reaches of the Star Sky and sighed with emotion, "This great universe is probably about to become turbulent. In the past, the Battle Saint King roamed the two great ancient paths invincible, then drifted away. Now, with his return, those at the ends of the two great ancient paths probably won't be able to rest easy."
Although he had some grievances with the Battle Saint King, he had to admit the Battle Saint King's heaven-defying, domineering nature.
...
The universe was vast, the Star Sky boundless and endless.
Even many Ancient Monarchs, hailed as overlords of the universe, could not set foot in all territories within a single lifetime.
Ye Chen did not deliberately hurry on his journey. Having returned once more, his heart was already invincible.
The greatest immortal opportunity, the "Ultimate Supreme One," was practically locked in for him.
Looking across the Chaos Sea, across all the myriad Chaos Ancient Universes, among the younger generation, if he dared claim second place, no one dared claim first. This was absolute confidence.
He also set out for the Birth Emperor Star.
Back then, it was precisely because of the Birth Emperor Star that he had condensed his Great Emperor Reincarnation Body and was forced to travel far to the Ultimate Ancient Path, entering the Supreme Ancient Path via another special route.
Unfortunately, the Yuanchu Imperial Clan had been destroyed. Ye Chen wanted to find any trace of the Yuanchu Imperial Son but was unsuccessful.
The Yuanchu Imperial Son, who had disappeared after the battle at the Birth Emperor Star, might be at the extreme end of the ancient path. He could potentially become a great enemy obstructing his advance.
Slowly, the news of Ye Chen's return spread once more throughout the Star Sky of the Ancient Universe where the Ultimate Ancient Path was located, shaking the heavens and becoming known to all races. Many were greatly shocked.