As Lu Chen turned to leave, a cold snort came from the depths of the Undying Mountain. Clearly, the Ancient Supreme within was displeased that he had so brazenly plucked the enlightenment tea leaves.
"What, if you're unhappy, you can emerge and fight me!" Lu Chen continued toward the mountain's edge without stopping, merely tossing back a cold reply.
He knew that the one lurking within the Undying Mountain was the Stone Emperor. This Ancient Emperor, a Saint Spirit who had taken the ultimate leap to become a Proving the Dao, was indeed immensely powerful.
Only after a million years of nurturing by heaven could a perfected Saint Spirit emerge, with strength equal to a Great Accomplishment Sacred Body, capable of challenging a true Great Emperor.
And when such a Child of Heaven took another step into the Imperial Dao Realm, it was equivalent to a Sacred Body breaking its shackles and becoming a Proving the Dao emperor. Even among the many Supremes, he ranked near the top.
That was also why the Stone Emperor had been the only survivor of the last dark turmoil: his strength was greater.
But Lu Chen had slain even the Carefree Heavenly Venerate, who had lived for three lifetimes. Why would he fear a mere Stone Emperor?
In the end, the Ancient Supremes within the forbidden zones were no longer true emperors. What they had severed was not only their Dao Fruits, but also their once-invincible Dao Hearts. Even if they underwent ultimate sublimation, their strength would likely still be weaker than before they had severed themselves.
Lu Chen and the Stone Emperor gazed at one another across the distance, their auras faintly clashing like needle points. In the end, neither launched a battle.
The Immortal Mausoleum was a desolate expanse, covered in hills.