"Ye Chen?"
This name, which had become quite unfamiliar to the Pangu Universe, initially left the Supreme Powerhouses on Pangu Pass looking blank and dazed.
After all, a hundred thousand years wasn't an eternity, but it wasn't short either—enough time for dynasties to rise and fall many times over, and enough for many to forget this once peerless genius who had made countless young generations across the entire Chaos Ancient Universe look up to him as the strongest talent in history.
However, not everyone had forgotten. On the contrary, some still remembered him deeply.
The name of that peerless genius from a hundred thousand years ago, even if temporarily faded from memory, once mentioned, all related memories of its owner would spontaneously surface from the deepest recesses of the mind, appearing vividly before their eyes.
A moment later, on Pangu Pass, one Supreme Powerhouse, now white-haired and aged, suddenly exclaimed in shock, staring sharply at Ye Chen: "Ye Chen? Could the Ye Chen you speak of be the number one genius of the Chaos Sea from a hundred thousand years ago, who dominated all eras, the one who founded the Chaos Heavenly Mansion, His Majesty Ye Chen?"
As his voice fell, shocked gazes immediately turned toward Ye Chen from all over Pangu Pass.
If the name Ye Chen felt somewhat unfamiliar, then the Chaos Heavenly Mansion was something no one from the Pangu Universe could possibly be unfamiliar with; on the contrary, it was a name that thundered in their ears.
And mentioning the Chaos Heavenly Mansion naturally brought to mind that peerless genius who had founded it.
Even after disappearing for a hundred thousand years, the various legends about that peerless genius within the Pangu Universe had never faded, enduring and spreading through the ages, becoming myth.
And that peerless genius who founded the Chaos Heavenly Mansion, who was also its master—his name, it seemed, was also Ye Chen.
Could it be that this extraordinary, transcendent young man before them was the master of the Chaos Heavenly Mansion, Ye Chen, the legendary Battle Saint King?
"Ye Chen? Could it be His Majesty the Battle Saint King, who was invincible a hundred thousand years ago, dominating all geniuses across ancient and modern times?"
"Who else would dare claim the title of Battle Saint King besides His Majesty?"
"But didn't His Majesty the Battle Saint King disappear, presumed fallen, when the Blood-Stained Epoch descended?"
"Impossible. His Majesty the Battle Saint King disappeared long ago, his fate unknown. Moreover, His Majesty's appearance was the most flawless perfection. This person before us can at most be considered handsome; he cannot be His Majesty the Battle Saint King."
"He cannot be. His Majesty the Battle Saint King cared deeply for all living beings of the Pangu Universe. If he hadn't fallen, how could he have remained absent tens of thousands of years ago when alien Giants invaded the Pangu Universe and unleashed catastrophic disasters?"
"Although His Majesty the Battle Saint King was officially declared missing, perhaps he fell long ago. Otherwise, given his nature, how could he stand idly by?"
...
The Supreme Powerhouses on Pangu Pass were essentially super experts who had risen in the past hundred thousand years. They had grown up listening to the various legends of the Battle Saint King's invincibility across eras. Many Supreme Powerhouses had regarded the Battle Saint King as their goal during their youth.
Having cultivated to this level and holding considerable status, they naturally understood many inside stories. They knew that a hundred thousand years ago, when the Blood-Stained Epoch descended, the Battle Saint King had vanished overnight.
Even though members of the Chaos Heavenly Mansion firmly believed their master, the Battle Saint King, had not fallen and was still in the world, and the world thought so too, it was presumed he had likely encountered some terrible calamity, making it difficult for him to emerge.
Otherwise, tens of thousands of years ago, when alien Giants invaded, the Pangu Universe faced imminent destruction, Supreme Ones even fell, and casualties below the Supreme One realm were countless, reaching billions.
Back then, even a figure as powerful as the Formless Monarch, a peerless personage with the hope of attaining the Giant Dao, had met a tragic end, nearly perishing with his Dao extinguished.
The Heavenly Dao collapsed, the myriad Daos grew distant, and the great universe returned to an environment where attaining the Supreme One Dao was impossible tens of thousands of years later.
Given the Battle Saint King's nature, how could he stand idly by?
This person before them could not be the Battle Saint King.
Moreover, Ye Chen's appearance had changed drastically from his perfect visage of a hundred thousand years ago. The Supreme Powerhouses on Pangu Pass found it even harder to believe he was the Battle Saint King from a hundred thousand years past.
Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged. His gaze was profound, more unfathomable than a black hole. Not to mention ordinary people, even Supreme Ones could easily lose themselves if they stared into it for too long.
He looked toward Pangu Pass. Silently, a Supreme One descended upon this place.
Xuan Shen Great Emperor!
The Ancient Great Emperor from the Mythical Era had arrived. Clearly having received word, he had appeared at the first opportunity.
"We pay our respects to His Majesty Xuan Shen Great Emperor!"
The Supreme Powerhouses on Pangu Pass all performed grand bows of respect.
Xuan Shen Great Emperor's figure was somewhat stooped, the white hair on his head more abundant than in the past, making him appear much older.
Supreme Ones were immortal, ageless and deathless; they could not age like this. Yet Xuan Shen Great Emperor's appearance clearly showed that the past hundred thousand years had not been kind. He had suffered terrible injuries, involving his Emperor Dao foundation.
Xuan Shen Great Emperor gazed deeply at Ye Chen. Ye Chen allowed the scrutiny, revealing a faint smile.
After a long while, Xuan Shen Great Emperor smiled slightly: "Although his appearance has changed, I can confirm he is the Battle Saint King. Open the gates immediately and welcome him inside."
The Supreme Powerhouses exclaimed in shock: "Your Majesty, we cannot allow entry so easily. What if he is an alien colossus from antiquity in disguise?"
An Emperor guarding Pangu Pass also said solemnly: "Your Majesty Xuan Shen, this matter requires careful consideration!"
Over the past hundred thousand years, alien supreme experts had infiltrated more than once, causing heavy casualties to the Pangu Universe. The most terrifying incident had seen a Supreme One fall, Pangu Pass opened, and alien colossi from antiquity once breaching inside.
Therefore, over the past hundred thousand years, Pangu Pass had rarely been opened. Only under the most dire circumstances was it truly unsealed.
Xuan Shen Great Emperor frowned: "Are you doubting this Emperor's judgment?"
"We dare not."
The Supreme Powerhouses smiled wryly. How could they dare doubt?
However, once bitten, twice shy. The grave mistakes of the past remained unforgettable, and they naturally dared not open Pangu Pass lightly.
If an alien supreme existence infiltrated once more and opened Pangu Pass, the entire Pangu Universe would be in immense danger.
It must be known that the current Pangu Universe was far from its former state, its situation critical, not permitting the pass to be opened lightly.
Xuan Shen Great Emperor was about to speak when Ye Chen, outside Pangu Pass, stopped him. Smiling faintly, he said: "It's fine. Seeing you all safe is enough to put my mind at ease. Coincidentally, a hundred thousand years have passed, and the alien races have repeatedly invaded my Pangu Universe. I'd like to see where they get the audacity. Today, I shall personally slaughter some aliens."
With those words, Ye Chen turned and left.
The people on Pangu Pass were dumbstruck. This extraordinary young man, suspected to be His Majesty the Battle Saint King, intended to slaughter the alien races alone?
Xuan Shen Great Emperor's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly said: "Young friend, stay your steps! In recent years, various supreme Giants among the alien races have emerged in succession. Going alone is a brush with death."
A brush with death was putting it lightly; it was more likely certain death.
"Senior, please rest assured. Over the past hundred thousand years, I have not remained stagnant." Ye Chen did not pause in the slightest.
A brush with death?
He had slumbered and transformed for a hundred thousand years. He only knew his strength had increased tremendously, not inferior to a true colossus from antiquity, but he didn't know exactly what level he had reached.
It was said that once an Extreme Realm Quasi-Giant broke through, they would reach the level of a Primordial Giant.
Ye Chen also wanted to know if he could reach that level.
On Pangu Pass, Xuan Shen Great Emperor was momentarily stunned before suddenly showing excitement. Could it be that over the past hundred thousand years, the Battle Saint King had successfully taken that critical step, making the ultimate leap to become a true supreme Giant?
At this moment, Ye Cangqiong, Shen Rong, Angel Imperial Son, and the others finally ascended and stood in the sky. Seeing their appearance and sensing their auras—all were Supreme Emperor Great Emperors—the Supreme Powerhouses on Pangu Pass were greatly shocked: "Have the Imperial Sons attained the Ancient Great Emperor realm?"
Beyond shock, they felt joy.
The return of several Supreme Emperor Great Emperors was a tremendous boon for the Pangu Universe, adding power at the Supreme One level.
Ye Cangqiong frowned: "Were you just questioning the Battle Saint King's identity?"
Shen Rong's gaze also turned unfriendly. Ye Chen was a colossus from antiquity. His return's significance for the entire Pangu Universe far exceeded theirs by an immeasurable degree.
Having witnessed Ye Chen's combat power, he was an indispensable, crucial force for defending the Pangu Universe. How dare they doubt him?
"We dare not. We beg the Great Emperors for forgiveness." The Supreme Powerhouses hurriedly pleaded for mercy.
Xuan Shen Great Emperor shouted lowly: "Hurry up and open Pangu Pass!"
"Yes!"
The guarding Supreme Powerhouses did not dare delay, immediately opening Pangu Pass.
Xuan Shen Great Emperor was the first to exit the pass, intending to rush toward the alien Ancient Universe's direction to catch up with Ye Chen and bring him back. But Shen Rong said: "Senior Xuan Shen Great Emperor, the Battle Saint King is going alone this time. You shouldn't chase after him by yourself. Even if we Supreme Ones chase after him, it wouldn't be good. We might end up becoming a burden to the Battle Saint King."
Supreme Ones were the highest-tier combatants of a Chaos Ancient Universe, often rulers dominating an entire epoch. How could they be a burden?
But Shen Rong and Ye Cangqiong both knew that Ye Chen was an existence at the colossus from antiquity level. If they chased after him now and a battle between colossi from antiquity across eras erupted, Supreme Ones would indeed be nothing but burdens.
Ye Cangqiong said: "Senior, please summon the Quasi-Giants of the Pangu Universe. It would be best to invite a colossus from antiquity to come personally."
Xuan Shen Great Emperor nodded, naturally understanding the risks involved.
He didn't know how strong Ye Chen was, but he deeply understood the terror of the alien races, who possessed multiple colossi from antiquity. Once a colossus from antiquity emerged, only another colossus from antiquity could oppose them!
Meanwhile, in just a few steps, Ye Chen traversed an infinite distance, arriving at the border fortress of the alien Ancient Universe.
It was as before, but at this moment, the borderlands were filled with endless armies, with eight Supreme Ones stationed there, and even one Quasi-Giant.
Faintly, he could sense that within the alien Ancient Universe, the aura of a supreme Giant was undulating.
A supreme Giant was not far from the alien border fortress.
Ye Chen looked down upon these alien armies from above, a faint smile on his lips, brimming with boundless killing intent.
He flipped his palm, pressing it down into the void.
Boom—
An immense, colossal hand appeared out of thin air above the alien border fortress. Words like 'shrouding the sky and covering the sun' were insufficient to describe it; it was simply too enormous, large enough to cover countless star domains. Carrying an unparalleled Chaos might, it crashed down.
In an instant, the endless alien armies were reduced to ashes.