The arrival of the two startled the world, revealing them to be two Heavenly Venerate-level Dark Giants. Accompanied by intense dark power, they had once alarmed other Heavenly Venerates, nearly triggering a Heavenly Venerate-level battle.
"Dark Giants from the Eternal Night Domain!"
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang revealed a look of surprise. He had not left but had remained in the Immortal Divine City, waiting to accompany Ye Chen. In the past, his immortal soul had wandered the cosmos, leaving the Primordial Immortal Realm and passing through the Endless Lands. Naturally, he had also traversed the Eternal Night Domain and sensed its corresponding aura. He never expected two Dark Giants to have entered the Eternal Heaven Realm, something the Eternal Night Domain should not permit. How had they entered?
As for the two Dark Giants themselves, he did not pay them much mind. With his power, he was more than capable of slaying them.
On the other side, Great Heavenly Venerate Immortal, as Ye Chen's follower, naturally intended to accompany him as well. He was also startled at this moment, casting a cold glance at the two Dark Giants.
The Dark True Dragon and Dark Demonic Tiger sensed this and trembled with fear. Even as Dark Giants, they could feel the presence within the Immortal Divine City of an invincible Primordial Giant-level existence far superior to them, currently gazing down upon them with indifference. If it made a move, they would stand no chance.
"They are my mounts."
At this moment, Ye Chen's voice rang out, causing the two Great Heavenly Venerates to be taken aback. They then recalled Ye Chen's previous words—how he had once crossed the Eternal Night Domain alone, fought nine Dark Giants, and suppressed the Seven Chaos Heroes. The remaining two Dark Giants were likely the Dark True Dragon and Dark Demonic Tiger before them. They hadn't expected Ye Chen to bring them to the Eternal Heaven Realm and even tame them as mounts. This demonstrated that his power was enough to make even the Eternal Night Domain wary. Truly worthy of being a Half-Step Overlord-level peerless figure.
The Dark True Dragon and Dark Demonic Tiger rapidly shrank in size and then entered the Great Heavenly Venerate's ancient hall.
At the same time, related news arrived: during the Supreme One Grand Competition, the two Dark Giants had each defeated a Heavenly Venerate, becoming new Heavenly Venerates and ruling over a Tian Domain, which had caused quite a stir. Of course, this commotion was overshadowed by Ye Chen's contemporary defeat of Great Heavenly Venerate Immortal, so many were not fully aware of it.
"To tame two Dark Giant-level Chaos Holy Spirits as mounts... truly worthy of a Half-Step Overlord. Even his mounts are so powerful," Great Heavenly Venerate Immortal marveled, growing even more impressed.
The two Dark Giants had absorbed sufficient Eternal Power for cultivation within their respective Tian Domains, finally breaking free from the rule restrictions of the Eternal Night Domain. They gradually cultivated powerful Dao Principles, though it had not been long, and the effects were not yet obvious. However, as time passed, when they truly cultivated Dao Principles comparable to the level of Ten Thousand Ancient Giants, their strength would undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds, surpassing many Ten Thousand Ancient Giants and even having a chance to step into the Primordial Giant level.
'This Eternal Power is truly miraculous, worthy of being rumored as the great power scattered from the Eternal Heart!'
This was the two Dark Giants' astonishment regarding Eternal Power.
Several days later, after absorbing enough Eternal Power, Ye Chen stopped and sent a message to the two Great Heavenly Venerates, officially setting off for the Main Celestial Domain.
The Dark True Dragon transformed, becoming a thousand-mile-long dragon body. Ye Chen stood atop its dragon head, hands clasped behind his back, gazing towards the Main Celestial Domain. The Dark Demonic Tiger followed closely behind.
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang and Great Heavenly Venerate Immortal each drove their Great Heavenly Venerate chariots, leaving the Immortal Tian Domain in the blink of an eye and formally entering the Main Celestial Domain.
The Main Celestial Domain was the innermost and most core Tian Domain of the Thirty-Three Celestial Domains, vast and boundless, far larger than even the Primordial Heaven Realm. It also contained the greatest concentration of Eternal Power. It was akin to the center of the Myriad Domains, with its Ten Great Prefectures, but the Human Emperor Prefecture was the true core.
Within the Main Celestial Domain, there was more than one Great Heavenly Venerate. According to Ye Chen's knowledge, at least four Great Heavenly Venerates were stationed there, demonstrating the importance placed on this domain. In fact, Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang was one of the Great Heavenly Venerates stationed in the Main Celestial Domain. His strength was particularly formidable, playing a significant role in its defense.
The moment they entered the Main Celestial Domain, the several Great Heavenly Venerates stationed there detected them immediately. Seeing Ye Chen arriving astride a Dark Giant-level True Dragon, they revealed traces of astonishment.
Ye Chen sensed that the Eternal Power in the Main Celestial Domain was several times greater than that in the four core Tian Domains, a truly astonishing concentration. He could also see that at the very core of the Main Celestial Domain, dense Eternal Power was constantly radiating forth, distinct from the myriad Dao laws of the heavens and particularly conspicuous.
This place was the most core location of the entire Eternal Heaven Realm. Unless one was a Great Heavenly Venerate, even other Heavenly Venerates were not permitted to set foot here without authorization.
The group arrived at the core of the Main Celestial Domain, precisely the location of the Eternal Ancient Stele.
Contrary to expectations, the place housing the Eternal Ancient Stele was rather ordinary, seemingly plain. Only a single ancient stele about ten feet tall stood there, its material unknown, inscribed with prehistoric ancient script and exuding an aura of immense antiquity.
"Fellow Daoist Ye!"
The other three Great Heavenly Venerates stationed in the Main Celestial Domain appeared simultaneously.
Ye Chen glanced with surprise at the three arriving Great Heavenly Venerates. All were at the Primordial Giant level, and their strength was formidable, basically not inferior to Great Heavenly Venerate Immortal, with some even approaching the Half-Step Overlord level.
Although the Dark True Dragon and Dark Demonic Tiger were at the Heavenly Venerate level, they held no advantage here and appeared somewhat apprehensive, for aside from them, everyone present was at least a Great Heavenly Venerate.
However, it seemed somewhat odd that the true Half-Step Overlord, Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang, had left the Main Celestial Domain instead of sending a Primordial Giant-level Great Heavenly Venerate to participate in the Heavenly Venerate Grand Competition.
Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang smiled slightly. "Fellow Daoist Ye, there is another Half-Step Overlord stationed within the Main Celestial Domain. He did not come but is guarding a critical location."
"Fellow Daoist Ye!"
Sure enough, as soon as Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang's voice fell, an ethereal voice sounded—a message from the other Half-Step Overlord.
"Fellow Daoist!" Ye Chen responded.
The Main Celestial Domain had five Great Heavenly Venerates permanently stationed there: two were Half-Step Overlords, and three were relatively powerful top-tier Primordial Giants. This was an extremely formidable lineup. Furthermore, each of the four core Tian Domains had a Great Heavenly Venerate, and the Heavenly Venerates from the other twenty-eight Tian Domains surrounded them, implicitly protecting the Main Celestial Domain.
They were guarding, not occupying it. This indicated that the Main Celestial Domain must conceal an ancient, unknown great secret requiring the protection of all these Heavenly Venerates.
"The critical location is special and requires someone to guard it long-term; otherwise, great calamity would ensue. After Fellow Daoist Ye comprehends the Eternal Ancient Stele, you may proceed there. As a Half-Step Overlord, you are qualified to learn the great secret of the critical location," Great Heavenly Venerate Donghuang said. "And this is the prehistoric Eternal Ancient Stele, recording the prehistoric era of this Eternal Heaven Realm. It is suspected that true Eternity was lost here, leaving behind an Eternal Heart. The Eternal Ancient Stele is also suspected to have been left behind by Eternity itself, containing mysteries different from the Chaos Sea and even the profound meaning of Eternity. Fellow Daoist Ye can contemplate it; even for a Half-Step Overlord, it offers insights."
"Good!" Ye Chen did not refuse. He walked before the Eternal Ancient Stele, immersing his mind and releasing vast soul power from between his brows, pouring it into the stele.
Boom—
Sensing the invasion of Ye Chen's Half-Step Overlord-level soul power, the Eternal Ancient Stele, which usually appeared simple and unadorned, erupted with infinite radiance, overshadowing the entire Main Celestial Domain.