Chen Shengzu was the same. Although his realm was identical to Chen Sanqian's—both at the peak of the mid Great Tribulation Realm—trying to contend with the late Great Tribulation Realm was still asking a bit too much!
Do not underestimate this single step. The higher the realm, the lower the probability of challenging a superior opponent. After all, once one steps into the Great Tribulation Realm, every single step forward becomes exceptionally difficult. Take these Royal Family old monsters, for instance; they had remained in their respective realms for a century, or even several centuries. While their realms had not advanced, their power had grown increasingly stable and solid!
Take Chen Yu, for example. At the peak of the Qiankun base, he could go all out and slay an early Great Tribulation Realm powerhouse like Ye Cangmang. But now, having soared all the way to the Heaven-Opening Realm Level 5, he could only bully powerhouses below the late Great Tribulation Realm.
Chapter 815