Eons passed in the blink of an eye.
A million years had gone by in a flash.
Ye Chen gazed at Yan Wushuang, who remained nurtured within the endless power of faith.
This disciple of his had yet to awaken.
Even though Ye Chen was now a Half-Step Overlord, and could even be considered a powerful one among Half-Step Overlords, exceptionally formidable, he still could not accomplish reviving Yan Wushuang.
Because it involved the deepest level of the true spirit.
Back then, Yan Wushuang had nearly been completely annihilated, body and soul. He had only managed to preserve a single wisp.
The method he had always employed was to use the endless power of faith, to have all living beings remember Yan Wushuang, to let him recover and return from the faith of the masses.
But so far, it had not succeeded.
However, Ye Chen now felt that success was not far off.
He believed that one day, Yan Wushuang would be completely revived and return.
Turning, Ye Chen arrived at the Violet Pole Lingxiao Palace for the first time since returning to the Pangu Universe.
The Violet Pole Lingxiao Palace was located at the source of the universe.
Upon the palace dais, the Heavenly Emperor was present.
Since returning to the Pangu Universe, the Heavenly Emperor had basically remained within the universe's source, never leaving.
"Greetings, Senior Heavenly Emperor." Ye Chen bowed in salute. Regardless of anything else, he held respect for the Heavenly Emperor in his heart. Even though he knew the Heavenly Emperor hailed from the Origin Land, without the Heavenly Emperor, there would be no Pangu Universe as it was today.
The Heavenly Emperor was the undisputed great hero of the Pangu Universe, his monumental achievements indelible.
The Heavenly Emperor looked at Ye Chen and said, "Have you come to ask me why I did not intervene earlier to stop it?"
The question encompassed both why he did not stop Shidai from dealing with the Tianjue Ancient Universe, nor stop Shidai from acting against the Henggu Monarch, and also why he did not prevent the Primordial Will of the Eternal Night Land from capturing the Profound God Ancestor, nor stop Shidai from rescuing the Chaos Burial Ground.
Shidai had only acted a few times, yet it had thrown the entire Chaos Sea into utter chaos, even nearly plunging it completely into the Blood-Stained Future.
Now, hearts were filled with fear and anxiety throughout the Chaos Sea.
Ye Chen fell silent. He wanted to ask, but he questioned his own qualification to do so.
Because whether the Heavenly Emperor acted or not surely had his own considerations.
Throughout the ages, the Heavenly Emperor had always been one of the wisest existences.
The Heavenly Emperor said, "I cannot act lightly. Over these years upon the River of Time, I have sustained injuries that have yet to recover."
Ye Chen's expression shook, seemingly finding it hard to imagine that someone as invincible as the Heavenly Emperor could also be wounded.
But upon careful thought, while somewhat surprising, it was also reasonable.
No matter how powerful the Heavenly Emperor was, he was just one person. Moreover, back then, he was first forced into the River of Time due to the Ancient and Modern First Killing Formation—the Myriad Epoch Annihilation Grand Array, and later faced alone the most terrifying group of peerless evils from ancient and modern times, which included no shortage of Half-Step Overlords.
No matter how powerful he was, facing so many peerless evils alone over endless eons, fighting for countless ages, it was impossible for him to remain completely unscathed.
"This junior was inconsiderate. Please forgive my offense, Senior." Ye Chen apologized sincerely. The Heavenly Emperor's injuries were certainly not ordinary.
Such injuries might be fine when dealing with others, but if he were to face Shidai, another peerless Overlord, they would likely be exposed. If Shidai seized the opportunity to strike, it would be troublesome.
"It is of no consequence. Your visit this time likely has another purpose, does it not?" The Heavenly Emperor smiled slightly, a very infectious smile. A ray of imperial light appeared in his hand, brimming with endless mysteries that even a Half-Step Overlord would find difficult to comprehend immediately. "This is the one-third of the Pangu Divine Soul that I possess, also one-third of the Eternal Great Dao. It should effectively complete the missing part of your complete Chaos Great Dao."
Ye Chen could not help but marvel. Truly worthy of being one of the most powerful figures of all time, the Heavenly Emperor was indeed wise, having discerned all the purposes of his visit.
Indeed, one purpose was to hope to obtain the one-third of the Eternal Great Dao that the Heavenly Emperor possessed.
The Heavenly Emperor, Shidai, and the Immortal Ancestor were the three who had divided the Pangu Divine Soul in the past, each possessing one-third of the Eternal Great Dao.
Receiving this cluster of imperial light, which was both the "Heavenly Emperor Scripture" founded by the Heavenly Emperor and also contained the various mysteries of the one-third Eternal Great Dao he possessed.
Only by fully comprehending it could one truly master it.
It must be said, the Heavenly Emperor thought highly of him, giving it to him without hesitation.
"Additionally." The Heavenly Emperor suddenly fixed his gaze on Ye Chen. Those eyes seemed capable of discerning everything, piercing into his body, seeing that Pangu's Heart. "Unless absolutely necessary, do not refine Pangu's Heart. Anyone else may refine it, but you cannot!"
Ye Chen was stunned. What did that mean?
Anyone could refine it, but he specifically could not refine Pangu's Heart?
"You may leave. I need to recuperate." The Heavenly Emperor offered no explanation, dismissing Ye Chen.
Thanking the Heavenly Emperor, Ye Chen turned and returned to the Chaos Heavenly Mansion to contemplate this "Heavenly Emperor Scripture."
This period of secluded cultivation lasted ten thousand years.
Ye Chen had to admit the profound mysteries of the "Heavenly Emperor Scripture." Even though he was already at the Half-Step Overlord level, he could still gain many insights from it, benefiting greatly for the final completion of his Chaos Great Dao.
Suddenly, Ye Chen was awakened, forced to end his seclusion.
A majestic, abyss-like figure of a Great Emperor appeared. It was his disciple, the Primordial Demon God, who had now also become an Ancient Great Emperor. He performed a disciple's salute and said, "Master, a message has come from the Ultimate Ancient Path Universe."
Hearing this, Ye Chen's expression shifted slightly.
The Ancient Chaos Universe where the Ultimate Ancient Path was located was the very one where the Cang Ying Da Tian Zun resided.
Ever since the Cang Ying Da Tian Zun left the Pangu Universe back then, there had been little communication.
Now, a sudden message—what was the matter?
He saw a communication formed from pure soul light appear in the Primordial Demon God's hand, then transform into a familiar figure—it was indeed the Cang Ying Da Tian Zun. However, at this moment, this esteemed and virtuous Great Heavenly Venerate was covered in blood, half of his Ten Thousand Ancient body blown apart, his Ten Thousand Ancient Dao Weapon, the Ten Thousand Ancient Indestructible Body, mostly shattered, appearing exceptionally wretched.
The Cang Ying Da Tian Zun gasped for breath, his aura feeble. "Young Friend Ye, our Ancient Chaos Universe is under attack. It's the work of the Alien Race. They suddenly attacked, sealing off the surrounding realms of our Ancient Chaos Universe, preventing us from calling for help to the outside world. This soul light is something I tore through the blockade with all my strength to transmit. By the time you see this soul light communication, I will likely already be dead."
"You must beware the Alien Ancient Universe, you must—"
Before his words finished, three terrifyingly formidable figures charged in, instantly blasting the Cang Ying Da Tian Zun to pieces. The soul light communication vanished along with him.
Ye Chen's expression changed immediately.
Something had happened to the Ancient Chaos Universe where the Ultimate Ancient Path was located.
He left the Pangu Universe at once, entered the Chaos Sea, and headed for the Ancient Chaos Universe of the Ultimate Ancient Path.
However, when he arrived, he witnessed a scene that filled him with grief and indignation.
The Ancient Chaos Universe had completely collapsed, just like the Eight Desolates Ancient Universe of the past. The heavens were shattered, the universe's boundary walls were broken, and endless blood stained the entire ruined ancient universe.
Everything had fallen into silence.