Mahayana Second Heaven required balancing body, soul, and domain into a profound harmony, fostering deeper connections for endless vitality. Once achieved, the breakthrough was complete. This synergy granted a flawless aura, vastly boosting body, soul, and domain power.

At this stage, cultivators could instantly heal organs without healing arts, with surging vitality. Establishing this link was tough—ordinary cultivators took one to two years, even decades.

But Ye Chen, starting his breakthrough, grinned. Maybe his physique was too heaven-defying, or the Yellow Spring Water's abundance. Building the trinity was effortless. He estimated half a month to reach Second Heaven!

…

Ye Chen secluded, but his name echoed. He'd nearly wiped out this generation's human prodigies, plus some from the Myriad Races. Too invincible. His battle with Lan Nuo, outcome unknown, didn't dent his unmatched aura. Many believed he'd claim this era's immortal destiny.

Despite the Immortal Path teeming with ancient demons, past-generation prodigies, and revived antiques sealed in divine sources, Ye Chen was favored. This era, the last Immortal Path, saw many ancient beings emerge. Some Eighth Heaven existences held the eighth realm. Others spotted prodigies from other worlds, arriving at great cost.

Yet, Ye Chen was seen as the likeliest to ascend. Historically, 80% of Immortal Path ascensions were by current-generation prodigies. Past prodigies, however great, were often surpassed, suppressed by destiny's bias against those not of this era. Despite Ye Chen's modest cultivation, many saw his immortal potential. His fame drew both praise and enmity.

In the Immortal Path's third realm, a golden-furred monkey, under five feet but robust, sat atop a divine peak. His casual movements held star-plucking might, his breaths warping the void, his body unimaginably strong. Beside him, a plain black iron staff radiated extreme killing intent.

No one dared approach the peak. Even Third Heaven Kings detoured, wary. This was the Holy Prince of the Victorious Fighting Ape Clan. His father, a quasi-immortal who failed ascension 100,000 years ago, foresaw a distant Immortal Path opening. His son, supremely gifted, surpassing him, had immortal potential. Post-Mahayana, he sealed him in the divine source at great cost. Now revived.

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"Holy Prince, Ye Chen left the Immortal Path and Central Continent, taking the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod…" a clan member reported.

The Holy Prince's eyes opened, golden light blazing, thunderous face exuding pressure. Without rising, the void around him twisted, as if the heavens couldn't contain his body. The Holy Prince spoke calmly: "The Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod has always belonged to our clan. Send someone to the Central Continent. Have the Heavenly Emperor's heir return it, and I'll overlook his defiling our sacred relic. As for the Heavenly Emperor's past grudges with our clan, I don't care. This life, I only seek immortality."

Even his calm words carried terrifying pressure, his gaze piercing. The clan member trembled, nodding. "As you command, Holy Prince. But if Ye Chen refuses or bargains?"

The Holy Prince's expression stayed cold, eyes closing. His icy voice rang: "I want it, he gives it. Not a negotiation—an order. If he refuses, I'll take it myself!"

Killing intent surged, his domineering aura rising like a king atop the clouds. The clan member, awed, bowed and left, confident in their prince. Ye Chen was terrifying—Heavy pupils, Scared body, Supreme heart. But their Holy Prince was worse.

Victorious Fighting Ape Clan, unmatched in close combat, could suppress same-realm holy bodies. Even the strongest holy body, the Heavenly Emperor, was nearly torn apart by their clan's prodigy. Plus, the Holy Prince awakened three divine abilities through atavism, mastered the clan's Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art to the eighth turn, and held a realm advantage. Killing Ye Chen? Easy.

…

In the Myriad Races Immortal City, the Heavenly Demon Clan's palace.

Yao Yuekong sat in a corner, head low, meek—unlike his usual domineering air. Before him stood his powerful parents and a tall, graceful figure with arched willow brows, looking tearful and wronged beside them.

"Father, Mother, Brother sold me to the Heavenly Emperor's heir. I don't blame him. His life matters too! But that heir's reputation is vile, consorting with many female cultivators, even elders' orphans and seniors. I fear he'll ambush and abduct me, so I dare not go to the Immortal Path.

"With a supreme Extreme Dao Weapon, I'd feel safer. But our clan has only one, and Ancestor favors Brother, reserving it for his breakthrough. It's fine. Brother's frail. Without it, he'd be suppressed again…

"I don't resent him using me to escape or taking the clan's only supreme Extreme Dao Weapon, nor being a girl who'll never get recognition despite my efforts. I only pity him…"

Hearing his sister's familiar manipulative tone, Yao Yuekong, already guilty, twitched. Her tricks had stolen much from him since childhood.

Before his parents spoke, he conceded, "My talent's lacking. The Extreme Dao Weapon's useless to me. Give it to Sister."