"Ye Chen, I come from the Primordial Immortal Realm at the behest of your eldest son, Immortal King Taiyu, and the two other Immortal Kings, Youyou and Haozun." Ye Chen said, a wisp of Immortal Venerable essence flying out. "This is the final wisp of Immortal Venerable essence you left in the Donghuang Sacred Hall. Using it as a guide, I came here from the Primordial Immortal Realm."
The two Great Heavenly Venerates and the assembled Heavenly Venerates were greatly shocked. Ye Chen had actually come from the Primordial Immortal Realm.
Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang frowned. Having once roamed the great void and lost his immortal soul, he knew just how difficult it was to travel from the Primordial Immortal Realm to the Eternal Heaven Realm. Not only was there the endless Chaos Sea, but also the boundless dark territories of the Eternal Night Domain blocking the way. It was a journey fraught with countless hardships to successfully reach the Eternal Heaven Realm. For Ye Chen, a mere Supreme One, to have come here from the Primordial Immortal Realm was somewhat inconceivable.
Flicking his finger, Ye Chen sent the wisp of Immortal Venerable essence back before Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang. "This is returned to you. The situation in the Chaos Sea is currently very dangerous. The Donghuang Domain, as the eastern land of the Primordial Immortal Realm, faces the Alien Ancient Universe directly. Recently, the Alien Ancient Universe has frequently instigated great wars in the Chaos Sea. Therefore, your descendants and disciples hope you can return to hold the line in the Donghuang Domain."
"Junior, you are but a Supreme One, yet you show no respect for Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang."
At this moment, Great Emperor Jin'e made his move, pointing out that Ye Chen's words held no trace of reverence for Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang, an offense against a Great Heavenly Venerate.
All eyes fell upon Ye Chen. Even the other Heavenly Venerates felt somewhat displeased. If he showed no respect to Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang, how could he possibly respect them, Heavenly Venerates of a lesser rank?
"It is of no consequence. This Young Friend has merely come to find This One on a commission." Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang did not mind.
However, Immortal Great Celestial Venerable spoke with a hint of coldness. "Donghuang, you may not care, but in the Eternal Heaven Realm, the majesty of a Heavenly Venerate cannot be offended. This time, out of respect for you, we can forgive him once. But if there is a next time, he will not be spared."
Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang frowned slightly but had no words to refute. "Immortal, you may rest assured."
He then turned to Ye Chen with a gentle tone. "Young Friend, you have come on behalf of This One's descendants, undoubtedly having endured countless hardships to arrive. This One can make a decision: to bestow upon you a Celestial Venerable Token, granting you the same treatment. How about it?"
As soon as these words were spoken, countless gazes within Immortal Celestial City fell upon Ye Chen, filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
To obtain a Celestial Venerable Token without having to undergo the Supreme One Grand Competition—what an immense honor! Only a Great Heavenly Venerate could bestow such a gift; even an ordinary Heavenly Venerate lacked such authority.
Great Emperor Jin'e gnashed his teeth. "A junior who's stumbled upon incredible luck."
"No need!" Ye Chen, however, shook his head, causing all the Supreme Ones and Quasi-Giants present to stare dumbfounded, looking at Ye Chen in astonishment. He had actually directly refused a Celestial Venerable Token bestowed by a Great Heavenly Venerate.
The Heavenly Venerates were also taken aback. This little Supreme One certainly had quite the nerve.
Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang was also slightly stunned for a moment before shaking his head with a bitter smile. This was the first time in so many years that something he offered had been refused.
He said, "Very well. Since you, Young Friend, have no need for it, This One shall keep it. However, if you have any other requests, as long as they are not excessive, This One can promise to fulfill one request for you."
The masses grew even more fervent. Although he had lost the Celestial Venerable Token, he had gained a promise from Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang. Without a doubt, this was even more valuable.
Especially if one could become a personal disciple of Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang, even receiving his direct guidance—that would be far more precious than obtaining a Celestial Venerable Token.
"This, I can accept." Ye Chen accepted this favor. Although he had no need for it now, that did not mean he wouldn't find a use for it in the future.
"Enough. You may withdraw. This is not a place where you can linger." Immortal Great Celestial Venerable seemed rather displeased with Ye Chen. With a flick of his sleeve, a vast force surged forth, intending to blast Ye Chen out of the place. He paid no heed to Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang's opinion, nor did he care about Ye Chen's feelings.
However, when this vast force landed on Ye Chen, it dissipated with a boom, causing many to be shocked and suspicious.
This was the power of a Great Heavenly Venerate. Even if it wasn't much, it shouldn't be something a mere Supreme One could withstand.
Ye Chen swept a cold glance at Immortal Great Celestial Venerable, a trace of displeasure in his eyes. "I originally intended to leave of my own accord, but you have repeatedly confronted me. Do you truly think I am a soft persimmon to be squeezed? Fine. Today, I shall challenge you, to replace you and become the new Great Heavenly Venerate of this core celestial domain."
The entire world was shaken. Ye Chen wanted to challenge Immortal Great Celestial Venerable and replace him?
Everyone felt Ye Chen had gone mad. A mere little Supreme One dared to challenge a Great Heavenly Venerate.
Zhu Tian Ancient Venerable's face changed drastically. Even if Ye Chen knew Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang, provoking Immortal Great Celestial Venerable like this meant no one could protect him, and he himself would be implicated.
Great Emperor Jin'e sneered. "Zhu Tian, the Supreme One under your command certainly has immense guts, daring to challenge even Immortal Great Celestial Venerable."
Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang's expression shifted slightly. "Young Friend, quickly apologize to Immortal Great Celestial Venerable."
The implication was that he wanted to protect Ye Chen.
Otherwise, provoking a Great Heavenly Venerate like this would truly enrage Immortal Great Celestial Venerable. Even he, as a fellow Great Heavenly Venerate, might not be able to protect Ye Chen then.
The majesty of a Great Heavenly Venerate was not to be challenged. This was an unchangeable rule of the Eternal Heaven Realm.
Immortal Great Celestial Venerable snorted coldly. "No need. Since he dares to challenge This One, This One shall see what virtue or ability this little Supreme One possesses to dare challenge This One. Today, This One grants you death!"
Clearly, Immortal Great Celestial Venerable was truly angered. Being provoked by a mere little Supreme One was absolutely intolerable.
An unprecedented, peerless might erupted from his body, a power of ten thousand ancient eras far surpassing anything before, surging forth and instantly enveloping the entire Immortal Celestial City, even the entire Immortal Celestial Domain, transforming him into a supreme sovereign.
Under the resplendent might of a Great Heavenly Venerate, all beings trembled. Even Supreme Ones and Quasi-Giants felt fear in their hearts. Only the various Heavenly Venerates could remain calm, though their expressions were grave.
Immortal Great Celestial Venerable pointed out a single finger. This was the finger of a Great Heavenly Venerate, possessing the surging, world-destroying power to annihilate anyone below the Heavenly Venerate level, shattering the void as it pointed toward Ye Chen.
"Immortal, give me face and spare him." Great Heavenly Venerable Donghuang spoke up, his expression serious, also releasing a blazing Great Heavenly Venerate's might to intervene and stop the attack.
"No need, Donghuang."
Ye Chen stopped Donghuang from acting. He took a step forward and similarly pointed out a finger, saying indifferently, "Don't think that being a Great Heavenly Venerate makes you so remarkable. Although you are an ancient Giant, you are not invincible in this world. Before arriving in this Eternal Heaven Realm, I once ventured alone into the Eternal Night Domain, where I fought against nine Dark Giants, among them the Seven Heroes of Chaos. Those seven were strong, all Giants of ten thousand ancient eras, equivalent to Heavenly Venerates. Their leader, the Flame Demon God, was no weaker than you, a Great Heavenly Venerate level. Yet after they arrived, I smashed them all and suppressed them. In my eyes, you are nothing special either."