Chaotic energy drifted through the air.
The nine Chaos Great Saints waited patiently as the time-space storm within the Mysterious Emperor Universe gradually subsided.
With the Great Saints motionless, the surrounding Chaos Venerables naturally didn’t dare to act rashly.
Though over a hundred Chaos Venerables had gathered here, even if they joined forces, without perfect synchronization, they posed no threat to a single Chaos Great Saint.
In the Source World, with war machines inscribed with chaotic secret patterns, Great Sovereigns could pose a threat to Supreme Ones.
But in the Chaos Void? No such concept existed.
Boom!
Suddenly—
The exposed corner of the Mysterious Emperor Universe finally settled. The surrounding time-space vanished, revealing an entrance into the universe's interior.
"Hahaha, we can enter now." Heiyao Great Saint’s eyes brimmed with endless darkness as he stepped forward, and darkness spread with him.
Where the darkness spread, deathly stillness reigned—even chaotic energy ceased to exist.
The path of chaotic power that Heiyao had evolved was called Chaos Darkness—an incredibly pure darkness, essentially an enhanced version of Shadowfiend Great Saint’s chaotic shadow.
"Heiyao Domain. It’s an extension of his own power. For ordinary Venerables, being enveloped by it means they’ll likely be suppressed without escape."
"Don’t worry, Heiyao isn’t targeting you. His enemies are the other eight Great Saints."
The surrounding Chaos Venerables trembled internally.
Some had harbored thoughts of sneaking in the moment the time-space storm ended.
But under the influence of Heiyao Domain, that possibility was cut off entirely.
"Hm?"
Far off, Shadowfiend Great Saint had been preparing to charge in first, only to be enveloped by Heiyao Domain. Instantly, the surrounding time-space felt like amber—solidified and suppressive.
Heiyao Domain couldn’t fully bind a Chaos Great Saint, but it could easily restrict them. At the moment, Shadowfiend noticed a sharp drop in speed—unable to use time-space transmigration, he could only fly slowly toward the entrance.
"Hahahaha, guess I’ll be going in first."
Heiyao grinned. Within his domain, while others were suppressed, he alone could still teleport.
That meant he could enter the Mysterious Emperor Universe before anyone else.
And being first inside a universe left by a Supreme Saint? Even a head start of moments could lead to massive advantage.
But just as he was about to act—
Buzz!
Two streams of blue-gray energy surged forward, colliding with the Heiyao Domain. Time-space began to shatter in layers.
"What?!"
Heiyao's expression changed. Amidst the tremors of the blue-gray energy, he too became unable to perform time-space transmigration.
Teleportation required relative spatial stability. But now? Time-space had become utterly chaotic. Forcing teleportation now would be random—it might even hurl him away from the Mysterious Emperor Universe.
Realizing this, Heiyao instantly abandoned the idea of teleportation.
Attempting it might still get him inside first—or fling him far off. By the time he returned, the other eight Great Saints—and possibly even some Venerables—would already be inside.
But without teleportation, Heiyao could at least ensure he’d be among the first three.
"Heiyao, did you ask my permission before trying to go in first?"
Dual-Source Great Saint, his twin horns glowing blue and gray, let out a cold chuckle. His horns pulsed, spreading disruptive energy that twisted time-space.
He too was bound by Heiyao Domain and couldn’t teleport.
But though he couldn’t teleport, he could at least prevent Heiyao from doing so.
"Hahaha! Heiyao, go ahead and try teleporting now if you dare!" Savage Great Saint laughed loudly.
Though he believed himself no weaker than Heiyao, he admitted Heiyao had more tricks. Without Dual-Source’s interference, he might’ve had to watch Heiyao enter first.
Now? Perfect. Heiyao and Dual-Source were neutralizing each other, so none could teleport—an ideal outcome for Savage.
"Heiyao Great Saint…" Lin Yuan, within the shroud of darkness, also felt the pressure.
In terms of time-space mastery, he wasn’t stronger than the Chaos Great Saints present, so he too couldn’t teleport. Like everyone else, he’d have to fly in.
"All Chaos Great Saints have evolved their own paths of chaotic power with mysterious techniques—something I indeed fall short in."
Lin Yuan reflected silently.
All along, his strength lay in comprehending laws, but compared to these Saints, that wasn’t much of an edge now.
"In that case, we’ll each rely on our own ability."
Heiyao chuckled darkly, making no attempt to retract his domain.
Though Dual-Source had disrupted time-space and prevented his teleportation, with Heiyao Domain in place, his flight would still be faster than the others.
Whoosh!
Heiyao transformed into a pure streak of darkness and shot toward the Mysterious Emperor Universe.
"Heiyao! Did you forget about me?"
Savage Great Saint bellowed in laughter, clenching his giant hand and smashing it toward Heiyao’s path.
Instantly—
Time-space exploded once more, forcing Heiyao to stop. He turned and glared at the approaching Savage.
"Dammit."
Heiyao frowned. "I got greedy, thinking I could rush in first, but now Dual-Source and Savage are both targeting me."
He now understood the real issue.
In terms of raw strength, he wasn’t much stronger than the other two. But his domain gave him an edge in treasure hunting situations.
Naturally, the other two would instinctively join forces against him—even if unplanned.
"If that’s the case, no one gets in ahead of me!"
Heiyao resolved fiercely, fully unleashing his domain—not to boost himself, but to suppress Dual-Source and Savage even harder.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The three Great Saints clashed. Terrifying shockwaves radiated in every direction.
"I can’t get through."
Tianlu Great Saint had hoped to sneak past the trio, but quickly realized he couldn’t even get close.
The nearer he came to their battlefield, the heavier the suppression became.
He even sensed that if he pressed forward, the three might attack him together.
Though they were locked in a power struggle, any outsider trying to slip through would likely be struck down.
"Forget it."
"No need to be the first to enter."
Tianlu thought for a moment, then gave up.
While his strength lay in survival, not even he could take a combined blow from those three without serious injury.
And if he entered the Mysterious Emperor Universe wounded, not only would he lose his edge over them—he might even be surpassed by the newer Saints.
"So this is what Great Saint power looks like…"
Among the Chaos Venerables, Shenfeng Venerable sighed in awe. Their battle was on a level the Venerables couldn’t even touch.
Only after the nine Great Saints entered would the Venerables dare to follow.
That’s why, even though over a hundred Venerables had gathered, not one dared compete with the Saints.
The gap was just too vast.
Were it not for the Saints ignoring them and balancing each other, a single Saint could wipe them all out effortlessly.
"Stay close."
Shenfeng sent a mental message to the dozen or so Venerables around him.
They didn’t dare enter before the Saints—or even alongside them.
But after the Saints went in, whoever followed fastest would matter greatly.
Though Heiyao Domain blanketed the area, and teleportation was still impossible, those nearest the entrance would be first to step through.
But they had to tread carefully—close enough not to fall behind, but not so close as to provoke a Saint and risk being struck down.
Even peak Chaos Venerables couldn’t survive a casual blow from a Great Saint.
"This Heiyao Domain…"
Lin Yuan also flew toward the entrance, enduring its suppressive pressure.
"Flying like this, I’ll be among the last to enter."
He frowned. Even with the Mysterious Emperor Universe map, being among the first would be a huge advantage.
"With Dual-Source disrupting time-space, even without Heiyao Domain, I can’t teleport."
He glanced toward the approaching Dual-Source.
"Chaotic evolution power, huh? Definitely a tough opponent."
He rarely felt so completely suppressed. A surging energy began to stir within him.
"No choice then—let’s go all in."
Boom!!!
Lin Yuan suddenly transformed into a blazing eternal sun. The surrounding time-space within hundreds of thousands, millions, even tens of millions of light-years twisted and reversed. Under the radiance of the blazing sun, all became his domain.
Heiyao Domain and Dual-Source’s blue-gray energy—under the endless sun’s radiance—were pushed back and cleared away.
At least within the region around Lin Yuan, both forces were rapidly expelled.
Whoosh—
Time-space stabilized once more.
Lin Yuan ripped open the void with his right hand and stepped through.
In an instant, he appeared in front of Heiyao, Dual-Source, and Savage—all of whom were still locked in conflict.
"Huh?!"
The three Great Saints, caught in their own stalemate, looked up in shock at Lin Yuan—who now stood ready to tear space open again and step into the Mysterious Emperor Universe.
...
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