Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang spoke, a gentle smile on his face. "I wonder which Ancient Universe Fellow Daoist Ye hails from. I observe that although you have cultivated certain immortal techniques, you do not seem to be a cultivator from the Primordial Immortal Realm. Especially your physical body's strength—it is something I have rarely witnessed in my lifetime."
Immortal Great Celestial Venerate was also surprised and doubtful. Logically speaking, how many in the world could have a physical body comparable to his? Yet Ye Chen had been able to suppress him. One had to admit, this physique was not ordinarily strong.
Ye Chen did not shy away from the question. "I hail from the Pangu Universe."
Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Venerates were all astonished.
Although most Heavenly Venerates had entered the Eternal Heaven Realm many epochs ago, they had learned through the Giants or Quasi-Giants of the recent epoch that the Pangu Universe had engaged in a universe-level war with the Alien Ancient Universe, suffered a crushing defeat with heavy casualties, and even its Heavenly Dao was incomplete.
While many Giants from the Pangu Universe side had not perished and survived, they had never heard of someone like Ye Chen. Logically, a Half-Step Overlord like him should have shaken the Chaos Sea for endless ages; it was impossible for those present not to know of him.
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang said in wonder, "I observe Fellow Daoist Ye's blood qi contains the vigor of youth. I wonder which Fellow Daoist you are, reincarnated and reborn?"
The other Heavenly Venerates were also taken aback. They too suspected Ye Chen was a peerless Giant from the Pangu Universe who had reincarnated, cultivated to success, and returned. Otherwise, why would they not recognize him? Why would he appear so young?
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "You are mistaken. Although I have undergone reincarnation, I am not an ancient figure you know. I only truly proved my Dao and reached this step in this very epoch."
All the Heavenly Venerates were utterly shocked.
How could such a person exist in the world!
"To think such a person exists in the world! Fellow Daoist Ye, you have shown me that there is always a higher sky and a greater man beyond!" Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang sighed leisurely, forced to acknowledge Ye Chen's monstrous talent. Then, his expression turned serious. "Fellow Daoist Ye has come from the Primordial Immortal Realm, entrusted by my descendant. For that, I thank you. However, at present, I am still unclear about leaving the Eternal Heaven Realm and must remain stationed here for a time."
Ye Chen said, "Because of the Eternal Heaven Realm's Main Tian Domain?"
The Heavenly Venerates were not overly surprised. After all, Ye Chen was also a Half-Step Overlord of his generation; it was only natural he could guess.
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang nodded. "The Main Tian Domain, the very core of the Eternal Heaven Realm, conceals a great secret. It requires the Heavenly Venerates to stand guard constantly; it cannot be neglected."
"What kind of secret?" Ye Chen asked directly. In his current position, he had the right to know, and the Heavenly Venerates dared not conceal it.
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang said, "This great secret cannot be explained clearly in a short time. Why doesn't Fellow Daoist Ye accompany us to the Main Tian Domain?"
"Very well," Ye Chen agreed readily.
After the Heavenly Venerates discussed briefly, Ye Chen looked at Immortal Great Celestial Venerate, making the latter deeply wary and alert.
Ye Chen said indifferently, "Are you willing to become my follower?"
These words left the Heavenly Venerates dumbfounded. He actually wanted Immortal Great Celestial Venerate to become a follower?
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang raised an eyebrow.
Immortal Great Celestial Venerate sneered. "Although I am no match for you, I consider myself, at the very least, a Great Heavenly Venerate. The world is vast, and I can go wherever I please. Whether in the Eternal Heaven Realm or the Chaos Sea, as long as I am willing, numerous powers would be happy to receive me as an honored guest, even to the point of making me the ruler of a Chaos Ancient Universe."
His words held truth. A Great Heavenly Venerate was a Primordial Giant. Moreover, Immortal Great Celestial Venerate had proved his Dao as an Innate Chaos Demon God, his Dao Principles also reaching the Primordial Giant level, making him considerably stronger than an ordinary Primordial Giant. Such a peerless Giant would be eagerly recruited by countless factions.
Especially in this blood-soaked epoch of storms and slaughter, Immortal Great Celestial Venerate's strength could intimidate many heroes. Even ordinary Primordial Giants would be reluctant to make an enemy of him, and even the Primordial Immortal Realm would be willing to pay a great price to recruit him for defense.
Ye Chen said calmly, "If you wish to advance further, then follow. If not, I will not force you."
Hearing this, Immortal Great Celestial Venerate immediately hesitated.
At his level, advancing further meant becoming a Half-Step Overlord.
To say he did not desire to take that step would be a lie. After all, that was a realm even more invincible than that of a Primordial Giant. Looking across the entire Chaos Sea, the number of Half-Step Overlords likely did not exceed twenty.
And that was considering all of history.
Upon reaching that step, aside from those few, countable invincible Overlords, who could pose a threat?
Even in this blood-soaked epoch, one could be fearless.
To say he did not yearn for it would be false, but Immortal Great Celestial Venerate did not quite believe Ye Chen's words. Because the path of every Half-Step Overlord was unique, and in terms of realm, they were only slightly higher by half a step, nothing more. It was very difficult to offer much guidance.
Even if there was guidance, it would be the most precious cultivation experience, essentially impossible to impart to others.
Therefore, Immortal Great Celestial Venerate hesitated, but still asked, "Can you truly allow me to step into the Half-Step Overlord domain?"
Ye Chen stated bluntly, "At most, I can offer a pointer or two. Whether you can step into it depends entirely on your ownopportunity / chance. It is not something an outsider can help with. But I can tell you, my body refinement path is most suitable for Innate Chaos Demon Gods like you. Whether you are willing depends on you. My purpose is simple: if you follow me, you will fight for me, and may even be plunged into the most terrifying battles within the Chaos Sea. Not just you, even I face the danger of falling."
Immortal Great Celestial Venerate fell even more silent. If even a powerful Half-Step Overlord like Ye Chen faced the danger of falling, one could imagine how brutal the future battles would be.
Ye Chen did not try to persuade him further.
At this moment, Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang spoke up. "The blood-soaked future is the most brutal. All races will wither, all realms will be destroyed, universes will collapse. It is highly likely that even the strongest Overlords will fall. You had best consider carefully."
Immortal Great Celestial Venerate remained silent for a moment, then walked before Ye Chen and said solemnly, "Very well. I am willing to follow you and fight for you. But I hope there is hope of stepping into the Half-Step Overlord realm."
"You will have it."
Ye Chen said these words, then turned and left.
Immortal Great Celestial Venerate followed behind him.
Witnessing this scene, the Heavenly Venerates sighed with emotion. Truly worthy of a Half-Step Overlord. Even Immortal Great Celestial Venerate, who had shaken the Eternal Heaven Realm, had become a follower.
However, they also felt a sense of oppression because of Ye Chen's words.
Yes, the blood-soaked future was drawing ever closer. It was a truly brutal future that would stain the Chaos Sea with blood. Even the most deeply hidden old fossils would emerge. No one could avoid it. Half-Step Overlords also faced the danger of falling. Even those few Chaos Sea Overlords who had dominated past and present, suppressing all without equal, would likely be the same.
The Heavenly Venerates left the Great Heavenly Venerate Ancient Hall.
Within Immortal Divine City, no one had left. They all waited silently for the Heavenly Venerates.
At this moment, they saw Ye Chen and Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang appear side by side, with Immortal Great Celestial Venerate closely following behind, and the other Heavenly Venerates coming after.
From their order of emergence, one could discern their respective statuses. Clearly, Ye Chen and Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang were supreme, Immortal Great Celestial Venerate was slightly inferior, and the other Heavenly Venerates came last.
However, everyone believed that the Immortal Tian Domain was about to change. The position of Great Heavenly Venerate was to be replaced; Ye Chen would become the new Great Heavenly Venerate, and the Immortal Tian Domain would also be renamed.