"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"
The appearance of an Ancient Monarch required all present experts, including the young Overlords like Monarch Odin and Tianchen, to bow in greeting.
They all understood that while Quasi-Monarchs were powerful, compared to an Ancient Monarch, there was a vast, insurmountable gap.
The Ancient Monarch from the Eight Desolates Supreme Hall gave a faint nod, then arrived before Ye Chen, who stood as immovable as a mountain.
Everyone glanced at Ye Chen and secretly shook their heads.
Although this person was strong, having even passed the Trial Star Path—making him at least a Quasi-Monarch—what did it matter? Compared to an Ancient Monarch, the difference was immense; he was simply no match.
However, in the next moment, everyone was utterly dumbstruck. They saw the Ancient Monarch step forward and actually perform a deep bow of respect toward Ye Chen: "Xue Ye pays his respects to the Monarch!"
Monarch!?
As these words fell, instantly, everyone felt their minds explode. This mysterious expert before them was actually a peerless, unrivaled Monarch?
A Monarch still stood above Ancient Monarchs; one could even say they had one foot already within the Emperor's domain, peerless and invincible.
Even an Ancient Monarch, compared to one, possessed an unbridgeable gap, let alone others.
Recalling their earlier impudent, direct questioning, Monarch Odin, Tianchen, and the others felt a chill run down their spines. They had actually dared to ask a Monarch his name so rudely? Such disrespect was simply suicidal behavior!
"We beg the Monarch's forgiveness!"
Immediately, Monarch Odin, Tianchen, and the other young Overlords apologized respectfully, not daring to show the slightest neglect.
Cold sweat also beaded their foreheads.
They were terrified!
Ye Chen still smiled, faint and peaceful. "As the saying goes, ignorance is no crime. Besides, you haven't truly offended me. There's no need for such fearful apologies."
Hearing this, Monarch Odin and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief, while also secretly speculating: just which Monarch was this person before them?
The Eight Desolates Ancient Domain was a Primordial Chaos Great World moved here by the Supreme Ones of the myriad heavens. It was difficult for outside Monarchs to enter. Furthermore, the Monarchs born throughout the ages within the Eight Desolates Ancient Domain could be counted on one's fingers. Moreover, this Monarch before them had no recorded history.
Could he be a newly-advanced Monarch, and also a person of the Ultimate Ancient Path? Otherwise, he couldn't have set foot in the Eight Desolates Ancient Domain.
Suddenly, everyone's expressions changed, because thinking of these two points, they all pointed toward one person who had been extremely prominent recently.
That person could be called a mythical existence!
Monarch Xue Ye saw through their guesses and smiled slightly, then said solemnly, "Correct. The Monarch before you is precisely the Battle Saint King!"
Once this name was spoken, it shook the world.
Whether it was Monarch Odin, Tianchen, and the other Quasi-Monarch-level young Overlords, or everyone else, astonishment appeared on their faces—shock, and also reverence. The younger generation, including several young Overlords, revealed looks of admiration and worship.
Don't be fooled; these few were all Quasi-Monarchs, the next step being to impact the Ancient Monarch realm. They were also Overlord-level existences among the younger generation of the Eight Desolates Ancient Domain. But only they understood that everything they possessed today, the Battle Saint King had already accomplished hundreds of years ago when he roamed the ancient paths—and had done so even more perfectly, even suppressing two ancient paths without rival, becoming the sole Overlord.
Moreover, the current Battle Saint King had now achieved the Monarch fruit. Forget the Eight Desolates Ancient Domain; even those ancient path Overlords who had entered the Supreme Ancient Domain years ago, like the Chaos Overlord, Tianjizi, and others—for them to become Ancient Monarchs would be remarkable. To contend with the Battle Saint King at the Monarch level? Utterly hopeless.
Compared to him, they were but a pale imitation, nothing more.
For the Battle Saint King, he was the idol of all young talents on the Ultimate Ancient Path.
The Great Might Divine Lord and others, seeing that the one who had traversed the trial path was actually the Battle Saint King, couldn't help but reveal excited expressions, difficult to conceal.
"Lord Battle Saint King, may we ask if we can follow you?"
The one who spoke was actually Monarch Odin, the Quasi-Monarch-level young Overlord of the Eight Desolates Ancient Domain. At this moment, however, he possessed none of his usual majesty and pride, only a near-yearning gaze fixed on Ye Chen, his eyes fervent. That expression made people sigh.
Furthermore, Tianchen and the other three young Overlords also expressed the same wish, fearing to fall behind.
Although this declaration surprised some, few found it unexpected.
They were all outstanding talents competing on the ancient paths, but everyone understood it was impossible to surpass the Battle Saint King. Within a few hundred years, he had already become a Monarch. At the very least, for them, a Monarch was an unattainable aspiration. Perhaps achieving Ancient Monarch wasn't a problem, but Monarch was absolutely a monumental barrier, difficult to cross.
Moreover, they knew the Battle Saint King had suppressed two ancient paths, slaying many Imperial Sons, Imperial Daughters, and Immortal Dao descendants. Proving the Dao and becoming Emperor was not a question for him.
To become a follower of such a future Great Emperor, even a future titan, would allow them to bask in glory. They might even receive guidance from this future titan, perhaps gaining a sliver of hope to Prove the Dao and Become Emperor in the future.
Monarch Xue Ye sighed softly. The Battle Saint King's influence on the Ultimate Ancient Path was beyond imagination.
Fortunately, however, the Battle Saint King's relationship with the Ultimate Ancient Path was extremely close.
Ye Chen naturally wouldn't refuse. Such outstanding talents were even more excellent than the trial talents of the Ultimate Ancient Path's Hundredth Pass, and were also among his recruitment targets.
However, he didn't agree immediately. Instead, he gave them sufficient time to consider and informed them of certain risks.
Whoever followed him would inevitably enter the Pangu Universe in the future.
At the current stage, the Pangu Universe was safe, with the alien races expelled. Even the Heavenly Dao had been completely restored, and a new Tenth Heaven had been born. However, ahead lay the alien Ancient Universes, and behind lay the Chaos Burial Grounds—both were extremely terrifying Primordial Chaos Ancient Universes.
Without a doubt, choosing to continue following him would mean facing the covetous gaze of these Primordial Chaos Ancient Universes. The danger was immense, the peril great.
Of course, crisis also represented opportunity.
Ye Chen was an invincible existence comparable to the Heavenly Emperor and the Primordial Ancestor in their youth, with immense potential. His Sovereign path had not yet reached its end, yet he could contend with Monarchs. If he were to Prove the Dao and Become Emperor in the future, achieving the status of a supreme titan would be no great problem.
Following by his side would naturally yield rich opportunities.
Monarch Xue Ye gave a slight bow. "Monarch, the Hall Master knows of your arrival and requests your presence in the hall."
"The Hall Master of the Eight Desolates Supreme Hall!?"
Monarch Odin and the others were greatly shocked. In a sense, the Hall Master of the Eight Desolates Supreme Hall was the undisputed Overlord of the Eight Desolates Ancient Domain, suppressing the entire domain. Countless Ancient Monarchs, even Starry Sky Overlords, had to bow their heads to him.
Moreover, such a Hall Master figure was lofty and exalted. Forget Monarch Odin and the others; even past ancient path Overlords like the Heaven-Defying War God and Tianjizi, during their eras of dominating the Eight Desolates Ancient Domain, had never had an audience with this Hall Master.
But then they remembered Ye Chen's current status—the Monarch position. With no Great Emperor appearing, who dared ignore him?
"Agreed!"