"You could say we're acquainted."
Ye Chen said. The descendant of Donghuang had even entrusted him with the task of guiding the Immortal Soul's return to the Primordial Immortal Realm.
Judging by Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable's tone, even after losing his Immortal Venerable body, Donghuang's status within the Eternal Heaven Realm was still quite high.
But then again, that made sense. Donghuang did not focus on peerless physical prowess like the Xiantian Chaos Demon Gods; his form and spirit were both peerless. Even without his Immortal Venerable body, given Donghuang's cultivation, he was not the slightest bit weaker, surpassing even ordinary colossi from antiquity and Immortal Kings.
There were even rumors that Donghuang had reached the half-step Overlord level many epochs ago.
As for the suffix 'Great Heavenly Venerate' attached to Donghuang's name, Ye Chen paid it no mind. Honorifics often varied from place to place.
Great Heavenly Venerate was also one of the titles for colossi from antiquity.
"Fellow Daoist, you truly know Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang? He is a supreme, peerless existence of the highest order. His Tian Domain is located in the central region of the Eternal Heaven Realm." Upon hearing this, Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable was even more astonished. His eyes, fixed on Ye Chen, flickered with fervent light. He thought to himself that if this Supreme One before him truly knew Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang, and if he could forge a connection, there might be an opportunity in the future to cultivate within the Thirty-three Heavens, absorbing more Eternal Power. Reaching the position of Heavenly Venerate one day might not be a significant problem at all.
Eternal Power was greatly beneficial for the cultivation of Supreme Ones as well, allowing for faster growth in Dao attainment and propelling one's Great Dao towards the Ten Thousand Ancient Times realm.
Of course, he also harbored some doubts. Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang had arrived in the Eternal Heaven Realm many epochs ago, while this Supreme One had only attained the Emperor realm and proven his Dao in this current epoch. How could they know each other?
But soon, he considered the possibility that Ye Chen might be an unparalleled genius from many epochs ago, sealed away through the ages, only emerging and proving his Dao in this epoch.
After all, as a quasi-giant, he was aware of the uniqueness of this epoch. Many Emperor sons and daughters, Immortal Dao descendants, and even descendants of Ten Thousand Ancient Times and Immortal Kings—noble bloodlines all—had chosen to emerge in this era.
Perhaps Ye Chen had known Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang many epochs ago, back when Donghuang was still in the outside world.
Ye Chen was unaware of the multitude of thoughts that had flashed through Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable's mind in those few short sentences. He would have certainly marveled at the richness of his imagination. Ye Chen took the initiative: "I must trouble you, Fellow Daoist, to point me in the right direction. I need to find Donghuang."
"Fellow Daoist, you must remember to revere the title 'Great Heavenly Venerate'. Do not directly utter his true name, otherwise the Great Heavenly Venerate will sense it and punish those who show disrespect. Even if you are acquainted with Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang, it's best not to do so." Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable spoke with great gravity. "Moreover, if you wish to go there, it won't be easy. That is the domain of the rulers of the Thirty-three Heavens. Even the Seventy-two Lands dare not set foot there lightly. It belongs exclusively to the Thirty-three Heavens."
"The Thirty-three Heavens?" Ye Chen was puzzled, not quite understanding.
The Thirty-three Heavens of the Eternal Heaven Realm seemed somewhat different.
Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable explained: "The Thirty-three Heavens refer to the thirty-three Tian Domains divided in the center of the Eternal Heaven Realm. Each Tian Domain is immeasurably vast, connected to one another, forming the unique Thirty-three Heavens."
"Furthermore, 'Thirty-three Heavens' is also an honorific for the most powerful beings qualified to rule these Tian Domains. The central thirty-three Tian Domains each have a ruler, hence they are called the Thirty-three Heavens, or alternatively, the Thirty-three Heavenly Venerates. Each Heavenly Venerate is a Giant!" Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable said. "They occupy the central Tian Domains of the Eternal Heaven Realm, the richest in Eternal Power, for their cultivation. Others, even the Seventy-two Lands—that is, the seventy-two quasi-giants and quasi-Immortal Kings—have no right to enter."
"Let alone you, Fellow Daoist, who is merely a Supreme One who recently proved his Dao. You absolutely cannot enter."
"If you are discovered trespassing into the lands of the Thirty-three Heavens, a Heavenly Venerate's mere thought, spanning an infinite distance, could slay a Supreme One."
As he spoke, Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable's tone held reverence, awe, and fervor.
The Thirty-three Heavenly Venerates were the thirty-three strongest taboo existences of the Eternal Heaven Realm, transcendent figures who had stepped into the Ten Thousand Ancient Times realm.
They were also the aspiration and pursuit of everyone in the entire Eternal Heaven Realm.
"And Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang is one of the strongest among the Thirty-three Heavenly Venerates, a king among Heavenly Venerates, hence he is called Great Heavenly Venerate." Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable continued. "The Tian Domain under Great Heavenly Venerate's jurisdiction is naturally one of the cores of the Thirty-three Heavens. If you wish to find Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang, you must traverse other Tian Domains. And once you trespass, if discovered by a Heavenly Venerate who unleashes the might of the Ten Thousand Ancient Times or an Immortal King, you will inevitably be annihilated, body and soul."
Ye Chen couldn't help but laugh. He hadn't expected that 'Great Heavenly Venerate' had become the title for the strongest in the Eternal Heaven Realm.
Those who could be called Great Heavenly Venerate were probably, at the very least, first-generation Giants or Immortal Venerables.
He wondered if Great Heavenly Venerate Cang Xuan would feel somewhat ashamed upon hearing this, given that he was merely a colossus from antiquity yet called Great Heavenly Venerate.
However, if Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable knew that before arriving, Ye Chen had slain the Seven Heroes of Chaos and the other seven Dark Giants—who, judged by strength, were equivalent to seven Heavenly Venerates—with the leading Flame Demon God being at the Great Heavenly Venerate level, and that two Dark Giants of Heavenly Venerate level had become his mounts and were right before him, he wondered what he would think.
The Dark True Dragon and the Dark Demonic Tiger couldn't help but roll their eyes inwardly, thinking, 'Little guy, this one here is the most terrifying of all. What Heavenly Venerates, Great Heavenly Venerates—they're all nothing in front of him. Haven't you seen that the two of us, Dark Giants comparable to your so-called Heavenly Venerates of the Eternal Heaven Realm, have become like his pets?'
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "It's fine. You just need to tell me the way."
If anyone tried to stop him, he would simply use overwhelming force to break through all obstacles and plow straight through.
He truly didn't believe there were many existences within the Eternal Heaven Realm that could genuinely threaten him.
Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable said, "Fellow Daoist, could you perhaps have Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang personally descend a Heavenly Venerate's Great Dao to guide your arrival?"
A Heavenly Venerate's Great Dao was the path a Heavenly Venerate traversed while patrolling the world. Once manifested, it contained the aura of a Heavenly Venerate. All Supreme Ones and quasi-giants would have to retreat, and the various Heavenly Venerates would naturally recognize the identity and not hinder an outsider from entering the Thirty-three Heavens.
Ye Chen said, "No."
He knew Donghuang, but Donghuang didn't know him.
"In that case, Fellow Daoist, it's best you don't go for now. For outsiders to enter the Tian Domains, unless a Heavenly Venerate personally bestows a Heavenly Venerate's Great Dao to guide them, no one else may trespass, or they will incur the wrath of a Heavenly Venerate. Of course, the various Great Heavenly Venerates are exceptions."
Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable frowned. "Fellow Daoist Ye, you are, after all, one who came from the Chaos Sea, and you are still young. I cannot stand by and watch you foolishly trespass. Here's an idea: I am, after all, one of the Seventy-two Lands, occupying a territory in the sub-central region of the Eternal Heaven Realm, adjacent to the Thirty-three Heavens. Why don't you follow me back? Before long, the Thirty-three Heavens will be hosting a Grand Competition for Supreme Ones. Any Supreme One is qualified to participate. The victors will be able to enter the Thirty-three Heavens and obtain the right to use a sacred cultivation ground for a million years. At that time, Heavenly Venerates will personally attend, and may even select disciples."