Upon seeing the ancient spacecraft, Bailong and Zhuge Fan, along with the others, paused for a moment before their eyes widened in expressions of sheer delight.

In this world, the only one who piloted the Heavenly Dao Divine Ark was naturally Ye Chen.

Crack!

The hatch opened, and two figures drifted out, one dark and one white. They hovered in mid-air before the Heaven-Crossing River, immediately spotting Bailong and the others on the opposite bank.

Ye Chen’s eyes lit up, and he was about to greet them when his gaze shifted. He spotted Baitan and the Wheel-Turning Holy King walking ahead of Bailong’s group. His brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at Bai Yijun beside him and saw that she had clearly recognized her father. A faint veil of mist seemed to cover her clean, clear eyes.

Ye Chen patted her small hand and whispered, "Let's go over together."

Bai Yijun turned to look at him, her eyes filled with emotion. No matter what, Baitan was still her father, bound by blood. Although she could not approve of the things he had done, after ten millennia apart, especially after the recent apocalypse-like scenario, the longing for a loved one had intensified. Seeing Baitan’s familiar face now caused her spirit to tremble. Yet, she also remembered the extremely hostile relationship between Ye Chen and Baitan. For a moment, she was caught in indecision. Seeing Ye Chen’s gentle and kind face now, the surging emotion within her erupted like a breached dam. Her vision blurred with tears, and she nodded, choking back a sob. Then, hand in hand, the two stood opposite the Ancient Void Bridge, quietly awaiting Baitan.

Baitan had naturally seen Ye Chen and Bai Yijun as well. His expression rapidly darkened, but in the next instant, he regained his composure and a smile, even radiating surprise and excitement. Unconsciously, he quickened his pace, descending the Ancient Void Bridge alongside Divine General Huofeng.

"Daughter!" Baitan exclaimed emotionally as he reached Bai Yijun, looking her up and down. He observed that the long separation seemed to have left no trace on her, save that her once gentle and clear eyes had become far more mature and captivating.

"Father!" Bai Yijun looked at him, the tears in her eyes unable to be held back. She rushed forward and they embraced tightly.

Ye Chen stood to the side, watching the scene with a gentle smile.

The father and daughter held each other for a long time before finally separating. Divine General Huofeng, waiting nearby, had grown impatient. However, seeing Baitan’s state, he felt awkward about voicing his impatience, though his nature was inherently proud. Thinking of the father-daughter reunion, he dared not appear unfeeling.

Bailong and Zhuge Fan, seeing Ye Chen, quickly crowded around him, overjoyed.

"Brother Ye, this is fantastic! You're finally out of there," Zhuge Fan exclaimed excitedly. "How was it inside? Did you learn any incredible secret manuals?"

Ye Chen smiled faintly and patted his head. "We'll talk later."

Bailong shot Zhuge Fan a look, then leaned in toward Ye Chen, chuckling slyly. "If you got anything good, remember to share it with your brother. I don't mind!"

Ye Chen rolled his eyes in mock exasperation, pushing his face away. "Don't get so close; we aren't that familiar."

Yue Heng sized Ye Chen up. "It seems your strength has increased significantly over these ten thousand years. Standing before you, I feel a sense of pressure. If I haven't guessed wrong, your physical body is still at the Divine Emperor realm, while mine has reached the strength of the Epoch realm."

Ye Chen did not answer but instead glanced at them. "Where are you preparing to go?"

"You must have seen it when you arrived, right?" Bailong’s expression grew solemn. "Currently, more than half of the Ancient World is saturated with Corpse Poison. This miasma is potent; even experts at the Void Heaven realm can fall victim. Anyone bitten by those things that have turned into mutated dried corpses, allowing the poison to invade their system, will become a monster just like them."

Ye Chen gazed at him, listening quietly.

"This outbreak of Corpse Poison began suddenly nine thousand years ago. Rumor has it that the Heart Realm was behind it. By the time the major empires discovered it, the virus had already spread across the majority of the regions, and its diffusion was frighteningly fast. Consequently, the major empires held an emergency meeting, enacted countermeasures, and dispatched armies to suppress it. However, this virus is too formidable. If even a few individuals within a deployed army become infected, that entire powerful force is effectively crippled."

"Later, the Ten Great Empires were forced to retreat step by step in their resistance against the virus, slowly falling back to Mount Bailing. This mountain commands the geographical throat of the land, a strategically vital and easily defensible position. It was at this juncture that the deepest power of the Ancient World—the Ancient Divine Temple, whose existence had long been unknown—erupted from the earth's depths to assist the surface dwellers in jointly combating the Corpse Poison."

"And our mission outside now is to hunt down these mutated dried corpse monsters."

Bailong finished his account in one breath, then looked at Ye Chen, his eyes bright. "You should join us too. Once your contribution points reach a certain threshold, you can exchange them with the Ancient Divine Temple for the Power of the Ancient World. You should know that obtaining the World Power is equivalent to surpassing experts at the Heaven-Defying realm!"

Ye Chen was momentarily stunned. "There's also a reward of World Power?"

"Yes!" Bailong nodded emphatically.

Ye Chen’s eyes flashed. He reached out and grabbed Bailong’s shoulder. "Don't resist."

Bailong was startled. "What are you doing?"

Ye Chen ignored him, closed his eyes, and after a moment, opened them with an expression of sudden realization. Through the brief probing, he had grasped all the changes that had occurred over the past ten thousand years.

Currently, the Ancient World was divided into two factions. The first was the Human Faction, with the Ancient Divine Temple serving as the supreme administrative center for resisting external enemies.

The second was the Mutated Dried Corpse Faction, which reportedly also had a supreme administrative center, named the Dark Divine Temple.

Although the mutated dried corpses were formed from countless creatures succumbing to the Corpse Poison, some powerful monsters retained a portion of their previous intellect even after transforming, albeit with drastically altered temperaments.

"You all actually became the 36 Divine Generals of the Ancient Divine Temple. This temple is actually governed by the primordial power of the Ancient World itself. Being able to exchange for the Power of the Ancient World here means achieving sudden ascension—becoming super-experts transcending the Heaven-Defying realm. Those who can command the World Power are essentially the Sovereigns of the Eight Great Worlds!"

A sharp light gleamed in Ye Chen’s eyes. "Ordinarily, one requires immense talent and fortune to become a World Sovereign controlling World Power. Even Senior Huoxue Phoenix, the foremost divine beast of the Fire Path in the Ancient World, only reached the peak of that level with its inherent power. It seems the Ancient World is indeed facing its greatest calamity in countless ages, to the extent that such a shortcut is permitted."

"Brother Ye, you should join us too," Zhuge Fan urged, his eyes shining brightly.

Ye Chen reached out and patted his head. "Alright."

Such a favorable opportunity naturally warranted acceptance.

Hearing Ye Chen’s agreement, Bailong and Zhuge Fan’s group couldn't help but feel an urge to cheer. They were keenly aware of Ye Chen’s strength; having him join them would undoubtedly make hunting monsters significantly easier in the future.

"I'll take you immediately to register and join the Temple," Zhuge Fan said excitedly.

Ye Chen nodded.

Baitan, who had been quietly talking with Bai Yijun about their separation, had been paying close attention to the conversation between Ye Chen and Zhuge Fan’s group. He couldn't help but frown now, intending to intervene, but then stopped as if remembering something. He merely snorted coldly. "It's fine for you all to join together; I can catch you all in one sweep. Ten thousand years ago, relying on the inheritance granted by the Heavenly Dao, you stirred up trouble in the Ancient World. Now, ten thousand years later, things have changed. I will let you witness my true capabilities!"

As his thoughts churned, Zhuge Fan announced to the group, "Everyone wait a moment. My elder brother has arrived and also wishes to join. I'll take him to register quickly, and we'll be right back."

Huofeng frowned, casting a sidelong glance at Ye Chen. He immediately sensed that Ye Chen’s constitution was merely at the Divine Emperor realm, and he sneered coldly. "This time, we are only hunting a single mutated vicious beast of the Void Heaven realm. We don't need too many people. I don't want to split contribution points with useless individuals."

Zhuge Fan and Bailong, who held Ye Chen in the highest regard, were filled with surging anger upon hearing him treated with such contempt—an anger ten times greater than if they themselves had been insulted. They immediately disregarded everything else, their energy surging, clearly preparing to fight.

Ye Chen waved his hand, restraining them, then turned, looking calmly at Huofeng. "I am merely accompanying them to observe. I will contribute my strength, but I do not require a share of the contribution points."

"Brother Ye!" Zhuge Fan cried out anxiously.

Ye Chen raised a hand, cutting him off, then smiled lightly. "Let’s go. Take me to register."

Huofeng frowned but let out another cold snort and said nothing further.

Zhuge Fan sighed inwardly. He could only hastily escort Ye Chen back across the Ancient Void Bridge, then head to the peak where the registration temple was located. He quickly completed the application for Ye Chen to enter and then withdrew.

"Brother Ye, why did you do that? This is a huge loss for you," Zhuge Fan lamented.

Ye Chen smiled gently. "It's fine. This time, you are going with Baitan, and he certainly won't have good intentions. I just reviewed Bailong’s memories and learned everything. This Huofeng is just someone Baitan found to intercept you; there is definitely a conspiracy afoot. I must follow, or you will suffer a disadvantage. As for the contribution points, there will be time for that later."

Zhuge Fan sighed in resignation. "Alright."

Returning to the Ancient Void Bridge, Ye Chen then took Bai Yijun back to the registration temple to complete her registration. Afterward, he joined the rest of the group, their destination being a place known as the Burial Ground.

As they prepared to depart, Huofeng waved his hand, and a massive spacecraft materialized in the sky. It was entirely engulfed in burning flames, resembling an ark forged from searing fire, exuding a cold austerity and domineering aura.

"Everyone get aboard. Your spacecraft is too slow," Huofeng said as his figure flashed, entering the hatch of the vessel.

Ye Chen put away the Heavenly Dao Divine Ark and followed the others inside. Saving energy on the journey was certainly a welcome benefit.

Inside the flame-ship, the décor was lavish and dazzling, resembling a noble palace, adorned everywhere with gold inlay and jade carvings, magnificent and grand.

Whoosh!

The hatch closed, and the flame-ship shot away like a beam of light toward the distant sky, vanishing from sight.