The end of the epoch.
The most prosperous epoch in all of history had already entered its late stage.
This epoch was unprecedented.
Some had proven their Dao, while others had become kings and venerables among the Supreme Realm.
The Chaos Sea had experienced a massive explosion during this epoch. Countless Supremes had been born, and numerous giants or Immortal Kings had risen, with no shortage of Immortal Venerables and first-generation giants successfully ascending.
The Chaos Heavenly Mansion was also exceptionally powerful.
Because more individuals had become first-generation giants or peak existences at the Immortal Venerable level, further strengthening the power of the Chaos Heavenly Mansion.
Even without the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, the strength of the Chaos Heavenly Mansion had reached a level that could dominate the entire Chaos Sea.
In the present era, with Qingtian Dadi not appearing, the Chaos Heavenly Mansion alone could suppress the world, its overall power surpassing that of many ancient Chaos Universes of the past.
However, despite this epoch being so prosperous, the Chaos Heavenly Emperor still had not appeared, which puzzled everyone.
In the past, the Chaos Heavenly Emperor had never disappeared for such a long period.
Nor had any new peerless geniuses been seen rising.
Where exactly had the Chaos Heavenly Emperor gone?
At the same time, within the origin of the Alien Ancient Universe, Qingtian Dadi suddenly awoke.
The very origin of the universe was undergoing a great tremor; the entire Alien Ancient Universe could sense that supreme, terrifying fluctuation.
Qingtian Dadi gazed into the distance toward the Chaos Sea, murmuring to himself, "Have you succeeded?"
Deep within the Chaos Sea, a figure sat in meditation.
Around him, figures appeared one after another, each one unimaginably powerful, comparable to the Supreme Realm level.
At the center was Ye Chen, his black hair flowing, radiating infinite chaotic brilliance.
He looked at the eight figures surrounding him, seemingly speaking to himself, "Cultivating the 'Ten Revolutions Heaven-Defying Transformation,' excluding the first life as Qian Yue and the second life as Ye Chen, I have cultivated a total of seven lives, making nine lives in total. This is the limit, falling one life short of the imagined ten lives."
In theory, cultivating the 'Ten Revolutions Heaven-Defying Transformation' to its limit should allow one to cultivate ten lives.
Because the first life was Qian Yue and the second was Ye Chen, the true main body of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, theoretically, eight more lives could be cultivated, thus bringing the 'Ten Revolutions Heaven-Defying Transformation' to its absolute peak and achieving complete transformation.
But strangely, Ye Chen had only managed to cultivate seven subsequent lives.
When the seventh life reached the Supreme Realm level, he could no longer successfully reincarnate and cultivate a tenth life.
It was as if this was the limit.
Was the 'Ten Revolutions Heaven-Defying Transformation' incomplete?
But Ye Chen rejected this notion; he knew the 'Ten Revolutions Heaven-Defying Transformation' in his possession was complete and flawless.
If so, then what aspect had gone wrong?
Regarding this point, a terrifying speculation arose in Ye Chen's heart. His gaze suddenly became countless times more blazing, causing the surrounding realms to undergo a terrifying, great collapse: "Could it really be so? No, with cultivation like mine, I have already reached the ultimate limit of this world. Even if someone wished to use me as a pawn on a chessboard, they could no longer manipulate me however they pleased."
"I am me!"
"All preparations are complete. It is time for the final moment!"
Crack—
Ye Chen retracted his other eight life-bodies, tore through the absolute space of the Chaos Sea, and instantly descended from the endless depths into the Pangu Universe, displaying unprecedented, peerless methods.
He had returned to the Chaos Heavenly Mansion.
Upon seeing his appearance, the entire Chaos Heavenly Mansion erupted in cheers: "The Chaos Heavenly Emperor is eternal and boundless!"
"Master!"
His disciples were all extremely excited. An entire epoch had passed, and their master had finally returned.
"You have all done well, cultivating to such a level. Prepare yourselves, for we will soon march on the Origin Land!" Ye Chen declared, shaking the world.
Was this day finally arriving?
The entire Chaos Heavenly Mansion was immensely exhilarated; this day was finally coming!
Boom—
At the same time, a terrifying, vast, and mighty aura swept across the Pangu Universe. A majestic, peerless figure descended from the heavens—it was Qingtian Dadi.
He had arrived, entering the Chaos Heavenly Mansion.
"Senior Qingtian Dadi!"
Within the Chaos Heavenly Mansion, Shi Baitian, Wang Xiong, Jian Wuhen, Yan Wushuang, the Ancient Desolate Demon God, and others performed grand bows of respect.
Di Wentian also followed.
Qingtian Dadi and Ye Chen left together to discuss their grand plan.
Qingtian Dadi looked at him and said, "I am prepared and ready at any time."
Ye Chen could sense Qingtian Dadi's aura. Over the past epoch, he too had advanced further, becoming exceptionally powerful.
However, he still fell somewhat short of the Supreme Realm.
In a sense, he could be called a Quasi-Supreme, stronger than an ordinary Half-Step Overlord.
After all, Qingtian Dadi was not only at the Half-Step Overlord level himself but had also completely mastered the Alien Ancient Universe—the strongest Chaos Ancient Universe comparable to the Primordial Immortal Realm. With its power augmenting him, his might was peerless. Within the Alien Ancient Universe, he could even fight a Supreme Realm Overlord at their peak.
Unfortunately, becoming a Supreme Realm existence was not so simple.
Otherwise, throughout history, excluding the Heavenly Emperor, the Primordial Beginning, the Immortal Ancestor, and the few Supreme Realm Overlords like Zhenyuan Taishang who originated from the Origin Land, apart from Ye Chen, only the Universe Great Emperor had achieved the Supreme Realm.
Moreover, the Universe Great Emperor himself was the Pangu Axe of the Great God Pangu, the war weapon of the Celestial Venerable King.
This shows just how difficult it is to become a true Supreme Realm Overlord.
Even Ye Chen could not be considered a true Supreme Realm Overlord; he had only reached that level in combat power.
It must be noted that his true cultivation realm was still only at the Eternal Emperor level.
To achieve the Supreme Realm, no one could help Qingtian Dadi; he had to rely solely on himself.
However, the fact that Qingtian Dadi had reached this step was somewhat beyond Ye Chen's expectations.
Ye Chen said, "Wait a while longer. When I begin my campaign, I will send word to you."
"Good!"
Qingtian Dadi departed.
Ye Chen returned to the Chaos Heavenly Mansion. Although his reincarnation cycle was complete, he did not set out immediately; he still needed some preparations.
Not long after, he summoned Shi Baitian and the others, inquiring, "Have you still not found them?"
Shi Baitian shook his head. "We have not found them yet."
Ye Chen's sword-like brows furrowed slightly. Had an entire epoch passed, and they still had not appeared?
Could they truly no longer be in the Defective Origin World, having silently departed for the Origin Land?
A hundred years later, when all preparations were finally complete.
Ye Chen sat upon the Heavenly Emperor's throne within the Chaos Heavenly Hall.
At this moment, a pillar of unparalleled chaotic light erupted from the crown of his head, shooting directly into the vast Nine Heavens above, piercing through the great universe's barrier and penetrating to the highest reaches of the Chaos Sea.
A supreme aura of the Chaos Dao surged and spread throughout the boundless Chaos Sea.
No matter where one was within the Chaos Sea, they could sense this supreme, matchless aura.
It reached everywhere, vast and boundless, causing even giants to tremble, feeling themselves as insignificant as dust, utterly incomparable.
The entire world was terrified!