Naturally, these Supreme Ones also paid a considerable price. Because they were close enough, the Dao Collapse phenomenon affected their own foundational Emperor Daos, causing them to show signs of collapse as well.
If not for the Pangu Universe's profound foundation and the previous existence of the Alchemy Emperor, who left behind many Emperor Pills for these Supreme Ones to consume, the further tendency of their foundational Emperor Daos to collapse would not have been suppressed.
However, these Supreme Ones showing signs of Dao Collapse had no choice but to retreat, taking the Emperor Pills to suppress the true emergence of Dao Collapse.
"You all retreat. Let us handle this!"
Silently, three extremely powerful and majestic figures appeared outside the Chaos Heavenly Mansion. They stood like a tripod, encircling the mansion, with boundless immortal aura surging from their bodies.
These three were not merely Immortal Dao Supreme Ones, nor were they Quasi-Immortal Kings. They were genuine, peerless Immortal Kings, firmly established within the Immortal King realm.
It was unbelievable that there were still giant-level existences within the Pangu Universe—three Immortal Kings at that—and not from the Primordial Immortal World, but from within the Pangu Universe itself.
The three were none other than the three Immortal Kings: Wang Xiong, Jian Wuhen, and Shi Baitian. They had not entered the Origin Land back then.
Originally, they had been in seclusion, striving to impact the higher Immortal Venerable level.
However, they were forced to emerge from seclusion, disturbed by the Dao Collapse phenomenon affecting their Master, the Chaos Heavenly Emperor. Witnessing this scene filled them with trembling hearts.
Once upon a time, their Master, the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, was invincible under heaven. Now, he was experiencing such terrifying phenomena as Dao Collapse, making their hearts race with fear and ache with pain.
Yet, at the absolute center within the Chaos Heavenly Mansion, the Dao Collapse was most terrifying. Thick, blood-red light pillars, massive as galactic rivers, shot into the sky, filled with severe Dao Collapse influence. This could affect Supreme Ones, and if one was close enough, even giant-level existences would be impacted.
"Master's injuries are actually this severe."
The three Immortal Kings frowned. Even someone as powerful as their Master, the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, was in such a state. What exactly had he experienced in that battle back then?
However, now was not the time for excessive thought. The three took action, setting up numerous Immortal King-level grand formations that interwove across the exterior of the entire Chaos Heavenly Mansion.
Immortal King Dao patterns densely covered the area, even connecting to the great universe's origin. They went so far as to summon a Primordial Chaos Great World, refining it with Immortal King might into an Immortal King-level great world artifact to envelop the Chaos Heavenly Mansion, preventing the Dao Collapse phenomenon from further affecting the outside world.
Unfortunately, this was merely that. The effect was not ideal.
Because Ye Chen's Dao Collapse influence was too terrifying, it had already caused the myriad Daos of the entire Pangu Universe to nearly collapse at one point. If not for the joint efforts of the many Supreme Ones maintaining the continued operation of the myriad Daos, the myriad Daos would have long since crumbled, plunging the great universe into an unprecedented, Dao-less age of decline.
Moreover, the phenomenon of Dao Collapse was constantly eroding the Primordial Chaos Great World, beginning to rot it. It simply could not be maintained for too long.
It could only be said that Ye Chen was simply too powerful, so much so that his Dao Collapse had an equally massive impact.
"Summon the Sealing Gate. With the help of the Sealing Gate, we should be able to better seal and prevent the further spread of the Dao Collapse phenomenon!" Shi Baitian said, gaining the agreement of the other two.
The three Immortal Kings summoned the Sealing Gate that was by Ye Chen's side, then awakened the Sealing Gate's artifact spirit.
"We ask you to suppress and seal the Dao Collapse phenomenon!" the three Immortal Kings said.
"It is only right!"
The ten-fold Sealing Gate transformed into massive portals as tall as the heavens. Each layer resembled an indestructible heavenly pass; ten layers meant ten indestructible heavenly passes. They sealed the six directions around the Chaos Heavenly Mansion, successfully preventing the further spread of the Dao Collapse phenomenon.
At this moment, Wang Xiong inquired of the Sealing Gate's artifact spirit: "What is Master's current condition?"
The Sealing Gate's artifact spirit sighed: "The Chaos Heavenly Emperor's injuries are too severe. His Chaos Great Dao origin is showing signs of collapse. During that battle back then, he suffered impacts from the Origin Land's heaven and earth rules, attacks from an Eternal Heavenly Venerate, and later a life-and-death battle with the Origin Will of the Eternal Night Domain. Therefore, his injuries are unprecedentedly severe. Even though the Chaos Heavenly Emperor's achievements overshadow the world and his cultivation reaches the heavens, during his healing process, his Dao injuries erupted, leading to this Dao Collapse. The situation is very unfavorable now."
The three Immortal Kings were shocked. Were their Master's injuries that severe?
"Right now, the Chaos Great Cauldron is suppressing his Chaos Great Dao origin. He is also using the Heavenly Emperor's Heaven-Binding Chains and Heaven-Burying Stele to suppress himself. That's why the Dao Collapse hasn't erupted further and is temporarily suppressed. But this cannot last too long. Because the Dao Collapse is erupting from the inside out, external suppression cannot last indefinitely. If within the next ten thousand years, the Chaos Heavenly Emperor cannot continue to suppress his Dao injuries, they will inevitably erupt directly, and the possibility of his fall is very high." The Sealing Gate's artifact spirit also showed a trace of worry.
The three Immortal Kings were also deeply concerned. Especially now, the most critical point was that all the most capable supreme powerhouses of the current Chaos Sea had gone to the Origin Land. No one could help the Chaos Heavenly Emperor; he could only rely on himself to endure through this.
Somehow, these words spread to the outside world, causing a huge uproar.
Everyone knew that the Chaos Heavenly Emperor was now in an extremely precarious stage.
The Dao Collapse continued, albeit slowly. With the suppression of the Chaos Great Cauldron and the two Taishang realm Dao weapons, the further expansion of the Dao Collapse was merely being held back.
The various powerhouses of the Chaos Sea also learned of this, their gazes growing increasingly profound, gradually harboring other thoughts.
Now, with the Chaos Heavenly Emperor in such an unfavorable situation, was this not an excellent opportunity to act?
If the balance were once broken, perhaps the Dao Collapse would erupt completely. At that time, no matter how invincible the Chaos Heavenly Emperor was under heaven, he would inevitably perish.
Thinking this, a peerless giant arrived before the Pangu Pass and said, "This venerable one possesses an Immortal Emperor Medicine that can resolve some of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor's Dao injuries. Please open the Pangu Pass!"
Stone Emperor, guarding the pass, replied apologetically, "My apologies, Imperial Venerable. The Pangu Universe is temporarily not open to the outside. Everything must wait until the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, His Excellency, awakens before receiving guests!"
This peerless giant said, "This venerable one has come precisely to resolve the Chaos Heavenly Emperor's Dao injuries and suppress the influence of Dao Collapse. Therefore, open the Pangu Pass immediately, so this venerable one's Immortal Emperor Medicine can be delivered into the Pangu Universe. It might play an important role for the Chaos Heavenly Emperor. If you stop me now, you might miss the great opportunity to treat the Chaos Heavenly Emperor."
"Well said. This venerable one agrees with Fellow Daoist's words." Myriad Swords Imperial Venerable also arrived, saying, "This venerable one has also brought Emperor Pills, also for the sake of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor. Fellow Daoists of the Pangu Universe, please open the pass and allow us entry, to contribute our part in saving the Chaos Heavenly Emperor!"
Other Supreme Ones, Quasi-Giants, and Eternal Giants outside the Pangu Pass all spoke up, demanding the Pangu Pass be opened so they could enter and treat the Chaos Heavenly Emperor.
Naturally, Stone Emperor could see their wolfish ambitions. They were not here to treat the Chaos Heavenly Emperor; they likely wanted to seize the opportunity, waiting for the moment when the Chaos Heavenly Emperor completely collapsed and perished to strike—a pack of tigers devouring a dragon!
Just as he was about to continue refusing, suddenly, a Quasi-Giant appeared within the Pangu Universe and said, "Open the Pangu Pass. Welcome our Fellow Daoists inside."