However, after searching around, Ye Chen discovered that although there were many Giant-level Heavenly Venerates within the Immortal Divine City, with numerous Supreme Ones and Quasi-Giants, there was only one Great Heavenly Venerate—the ruler of this Tian Domain, the Immortal Great Celestial Venerable.
Donghuang, along with several other Great Heavenly Venerates, had not yet arrived. Perhaps the time for the Venerable Grand Competition had not yet come, so they had not made their appearance.
Of course, for the Venerable Grand Competition, Heavenly Venerates were not required to attend, and this was even more true for Great Heavenly Venerates. Their status was lofty, and they would not easily take on disciples.
Ye Chen frowned slightly. His main objective was Donghuang.
If Donghuang wasn't here, he would have to go directly to the very core of the Thirty-Three Tian Domains to search personally.
Just as he was leaving the celestial palace where he resided, Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable happened to be outside as well. Seeing Ye Chen appear, he said, "Fellow Daoist Ye, as far as I know, Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang has not yet arrived. It's also unclear whether he will come for this Venerable Grand Competition. However, we will know on the day of the competition itself. There are only seven days left; please be patient and wait a few more days."
Ye Chen did not want to openly go against his wishes, so he nodded and said he planned to tour the Immortal Divine City.
Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable said, "Good. I haven't been to the Immortal Divine City for a long time either. Let us accompany each other."
Ye Chen found it difficult to refuse and agreed.
Shortly after they left, they encountered another group of Supreme Ones, numbering eight. Their leader was also a Quasi-Giant, leading the other seven Supreme Ones. Upon seeing their party, the leading Quasi-Giant sneered openly, "Zhu Tian, your side had best be careful. If your strength isn't up to par in the Venerable Grand Competition, you might fall. If you're not strong enough, don't participate lightly!"
Seeing this Quasi-Giant clad in golden robes, Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable frowned. He glanced at Ye Chen and explained, "This is Emperor Jin E, a Quasi-Giant who ranks in the upper-middle tier even among the Seventy-Two Earths. He is very strong and has some grievances with me. But what Emperor Jin E said is true. Even in the Venerable Grand Competition, Supreme Ones can fall. So if you plan to participate, you need to be careful and not take it lightly."
Although all participants in the Venerable Grand Competition were at the Supreme One level, some Supreme Ones were indeed extremely powerful. There were even Supreme Ones who had already set one foot into the Quasi-Giant realm, making them Half-Step Quasi-Giants capable of challenging true Quasi-Giants. Such Supreme Ones were the most unwise to provoke.
Of course, at the Supreme One level, who was truly that much weaker than another? Even a Quasi-Giant would find it difficult to kill a Supreme One.
Therefore, the actual possibility of falling was extremely slim, almost negligible.
Ye Chen nodded, naturally not caring about it.
There wasn't really much to see in the Immortal Divine City. Not long after, Ye Chen returned to the celestial palace and began absorbing the Eternal Power of the Immortal Tian Domain.
Of course, in this place, he did not excessively devour over thirty percent as he had in the Zhu Tian Divine Domain. He only absorbed slightly more Eternal Power than an ordinary Supreme One, unwilling to stir up unnecessary trouble before Donghuang's arrival.
If necessary, after finding Donghuang, he could simply seize a Tian Domain under a Great Heavenly Venerate's jurisdiction and devour its Eternal Power.
Beside him, Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. He had truly worried that Ye Chen would act as he had in the Zhu Tian Divine Domain, absorbing such a vast amount of Eternal Power all at once. Although the Immortal Tian Domain's Eternal Power reserves were dozens of times greater than those of the Zhu Tian Divine Domain, absorbing too much would still displease the Immortal Great Celestial Venerable.
Soon, seven days passed, and the day of the Venerable Grand Competition arrived.
On this day, powerful, ancient auras permeated the Immortal Divine City as Heavenly Venerates from all corners of the Thirty-Three Tian Domains descended upon the city one after another.
The Heavenly Venerates from the Thirty-Three Tian Domains numbered over twenty—a truly astonishing figure.
After all, Heavenly Venerates often did not appear, spending most of their time within their respective Tian Domains absorbing Eternal Power to cultivate. Each period of seclusion often lasted for billions of years, or even an entire epoch.
The world was electrified. Countless people watched with fiery admiration as the Heavenly Venerates descended from the heavens. Even the Supreme Ones and Quasi-Giants were filled with longing.
Suddenly, all eyes, including those of the Heavenly Venerates, turned toward the ancient Immortal Hall at the center of the Divine City. A figure emerged, instantly becoming the focal point of the world!
The Immortal Great Celestial Venerable!
The ruler of the Immortal Tian Domain had personally appeared, his might suppressing all directions. Even the Giants who were Heavenly Venerates had to harbor reverence.
Suddenly, immortal light blazed forth. A dazzling immortal light path descended from the heavens, piercing straight through the vast Tian Domain. A majestic figure descended, his imposing aura surpassing that of all the other Heavenly Venerates, rivaling even the Immortal Great Celestial Venerable.
"Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang has also arrived!"
Exclamations of excitement rippled through the Immortal Divine City as people gazed fervently at that peerlessly heroic figure.
In the heavens, Donghuang descended, his body shrouded in immortal light, transcendent and ethereal. His radiance bathed the mortal world. Even the other Heavenly Venerates showed reverence upon seeing him.
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang—one of the true, peerless powerhouses among the Thirty-Three Tian Domains. His title as a Great Heavenly Venerate spoke for itself.
"Donghuang!"
The Immortal Great Celestial Venerable spoke, his voice accompanied by a sky-surging might. His true visage could not be discerned, with Dao light swirling around him and the myriad Daos adding to his form, making him appear supremely majestic and unapproachable.
The two Great Heavenly Venerates stood side by side, supreme and peerless!
Present, Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable also narrowed his eyes, unable to look directly. Only Ye Chen gazed calmly, seeing the true face of the Immortal Great Celestial Venerable and also looking at the descending Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang.
However, upon this gaze, Ye Chen's pupils contracted slightly, and he let out a soft sigh. "As expected of the legendary Donghuang, suspected to be a Half-Step Overlord. After so many epochs, he has already reached this stage."
"Donghuang, I didn't expect you to come personally this time. Aren't you afraid?" The Immortal Great Celestial Venerable frowned slightly, his gaze looking toward the very core of the Thirty-Three Tian Domains.
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang said, "It's fine. They can guard the Main Tian Domain. If anything happens, I will return to the Main Tian Domain immediately."
The Immortal Great Celestial Venerable nodded. "Good. Since you say so, it means no major problems will arise for now."
Ye Chen swept his gaze over the two Great Heavenly Venerates, a thoughtful expression on his face.
The core of the Thirty-Three Tian Domains seemed to hide a great secret unknown to others.
He directly transmitted his voice to Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable. "Do you know what lies in the very core of the Thirty-Three Tian Domains?"
Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable shook his head. "I don't know. The Thirty-Three Tian Domains have always been controlled by the various Great Heavenly Venerates, especially the Main Tian Domain at the very core. It is said that more than one Great Heavenly Venerate jointly presides over it, with no fewer than four Great Heavenly Venerates personally stationed there year-round."
Four Great Heavenly Venerates...
That meant the Thirty-Three Tian Domains likely did not have just thirty-three Heavenly Venerates, but exceeded that number. Moreover, about half of the Great Heavenly Venerates were concentrated in the Main Tian Domain at the very core.
Ye Chen stared at the core of the Thirty-Three Tian Domains. Unfortunately, that area was shrouded by endless Dao laws. Even he could not penetrate it, as his Dao techniques had not yet fully recovered. At the Heavenly King level, even with his Chaos Supreme Body, he could not pierce through the shielding methods laid down by numerous Great Heavenly Venerates to perceive everything.
The Eternal Heaven Realm was also more complex than imagined.