“Empress Fuyao,” the Grey-robed Man called out, his voice echoing with false bravado. “I challenge you to a Life-and-Death Duel at the Saint King Realm. We shall both forgo our Emperor Weapons. Do you dare accept?”
A Life-and-Death Duel!
Ji Fuyao turned abruptly, her fire-red gown billowing around her. She held the Emperor Weapon, Heaven-Rending, its shaft still slick with the blood of a fallen Emperor Realm Expert, its tip shimmering with cold light. She fixed her gaze on the Grey-robed Man. “Why are you attacking me?” she asked, her voice dangerously calm.
The sudden challenge from one of the factions that had been assisting her confirmed her suspicion: something was seriously wrong. She needed to know the motive.
The Grey-robed Man flinched. Ji Fuyao’s aura, her 'Stance', was like a burning fire domain, instantly crushing him. Though they shared the Saint King Realm, he was already defeated before the fight even began.
Hesitantly, he flicked his sleeve. Infinite, dazzling spirit runes surged into the sky, forming a colossal, ethereal list that hung above the heavens. It was the Silent Destruction Sect's Bounty Order!
“Bounty for Ji Fuyao’s head: A Half-step Supreme Opportunity! Bounty for Ye Chen’s head…”
Ji Fuyao remained utterly composed as she finished reading the list. Her Divine Sense swept the surroundings, confirming the surge of hidden killing intent. The Silent Destruction Sect had truly gone all out! To obtain the Secret of Reincarnation and Re-cultivation, they were willing to offer a reward capable of elevating a Nine-star Great Emperor.
The moment this heaven-defying bounty was announced, the numerous factions that had been supporting Ji Fuyao instantly switched allegiance. Clearly, Ji Fuyao’s head offered a far better return on investment.
A deathly silence descended upon the world. Every cultivator present stared fixedly at Ji Fuyao.
Just then, Wang Man and Qing Yan, having seen the bounty, erupted into motion. Divine Radiance surged beneath their feet as they shot toward their Empress. Wang Man, wielding his Emperor Weapon battle-axe, roared, his face twisted in a ferocious snarl, “Who dares lay a hand on the Empress!”
The Dragon Guards swiftly mobilized, their killing intent soaring to the heavens. Wielding Quasi-Emperor and Emperor Weapons, they formed an impenetrable circle around Ji Fuyao. Their combined momentum was overwhelming. Even the three Emperor-tier Monster Beasts subdued in the Blackflame Mountain Range reverted to their true forms, roaring defiance.
To the left, a massive Teng Snake, its thick body covered in shimmering, iridescent scales, resembled a small mountain range. It spewed a thousand feet of toxic mist, isolating Ji Fuyao from the hostile factions.
To the right, a colossal Giant Crocodile stood firm in the void, its hide covered in rugged, trench-like ridges. The Giant Crocodile stomped its massive legs against the air, its eyes flashing with savage light. “Take one step closer, and die!”
The atmosphere instantly became explosive. Yet, Ji Fuyao raised a delicate, jade-like hand, supremely composed. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with starlight. “All of you, stand down,” she commanded softly.
Wang Man gripped his battle-axe tightly, his voice laced with anxiety. “Empress, but—”
Before he could finish, Ji Fuyao lifted her fair hand again. “Stand down!”
Obediently, Wang Man and the Dragon Guards retreated a thousand yards.
A slight ripple of emotion did stir within Ji Fuyao, but she instantly recalled her Master’s profound aphorism: “Every time a major event occurs, the heart must be calm.” If Wang Man and the others rashly intervened, it would only inflame the greed of her enemies. It was better to face them calmly.
She was currently approaching the Half-step Emperor Realm. Without relying on the power of an Emperor Weapon, she was already Invincible below Quasi-Emperor. If she chose to wield Heaven-Rending, she could even fight a One-star or Two-star Great Emperor.
With her mind settled, she became utterly unhurried. Ji Fuyao’s gaze turned cold as she looked at the Grey-robed Man. “You are not my opponent,” she stated plainly.
The Grey-robed Man sneered. “Without your Emperor Weapon, how much strength do you truly possess? Or perhaps, without the White Robe Great Emperor backing you, you would have already been slain by the Heavenly Net Hall Branch Great Emperor back in Cangzhou...”
Before he could finish his insolent remarks, Ji Fuyao’s expression turned glacial. She immediately put away her Emperor Weapon. Her figure blurred, covering thousands of feet in an instant, appearing within a hundred yards of the Grey-robed Man. She slammed a palm down.
BOOM! Boundless, scorching flames erupted, forming a vast Sea of Spirit Fire that seemed capable of boiling the heavens. The void was stained crimson as the inferno crushed down upon the Grey-robed Man.
The Grey-robed Man’s face was a mask of terror. He frantically activated his defensive technique to block the assault. It was useless! The power of that single palm strike, imbued with the rage of the Heaven-Burning Art, was world-shattering. His defense didn't last even a single breath before it was incinerated by the towering flames, reducing him to dust. Instant Kill! A Saint King, Form and Spirit Destroyed!
Everyone present was stunned into silence. They hadn't realized Ji Fuyao's true combat strength was this terrifying. Without relying on the might of an Emperor Weapon, she had just achieved an Instant Kill against an Eight-star Saint King!
At that moment, several more Saint King cultivators burst from the crowd. Their voices were chilling, laced with mockery. “Ji Fuyao, since this is a battle of equals, don't run crying to the White Robe Great Emperor later, claiming we ganged up on you!” As their voices faded, the group charged, unleashing a torrent of attacks toward Ji Fuyao.
Ji Fuyao’s fire-red gown fluttered, making her look like a goddess emerging from a Sea of Spirit Fire. Her figure was peerless, her hair dancing lightly, ethereal and beautiful. Her jade feet stepped into the void, meeting the charging Saint Kings head-on.
BOOM! The Saint Kings attacked in unison, their bodies surging with immense spiritual energy, like a vast ocean overturning. Terrifying Divine Radiance illuminated the sky, their momentum overwhelming.
Ji Fuyao suddenly appeared above one of the Saint King's heads. Her delicate palm slammed down, imbued with the power of the Heaven-Burning Art. The divine might was world-shaking. Though the strike appeared simple, its destructive force reached the heavens. Shhhk! A scream ripped through the air. The Saint King’s body was instantly pulverized by Ji Fuyao's strike, turning into a cloud of blood mist that spread across the field.
Ji Fuyao continued Traversing the Void, moving with the grace of an immortal. Her robes billowed as she unleashed another stream of Divine Radiance toward a second Saint King. Shhhk! A bloody head flew into the distance. Another Instant Kill!
Seeing this, the remaining Saint Kings’ eyes nearly burst from their sockets. They turned to flee. They were utterly shocked; they were all cultivators approaching the Half-step Emperor Realm, yet they were completely outmatched by Ji Fuyao! Ji Fuyao let out a cold, soft hum. Her starry eyes shone brightly, her voice melodic yet icy. “Die!”
Ji Fuyao showed no mercy. Her delicate hands struck down, condensing infinite Spirit Fire that covered the sky, blotting out the sun. Within the flames, the profound rhythm of the Dao and Essence surged. Pfft! The remaining Saint Kings screamed continuously as Ji Fuyao’s terrifying Spirit Fire pierced their bodies, instantly setting them ablaze. Their physical bodies and spiritual essences were utterly annihilated.
Witnessing this scene, everyone was dumbfounded. They had been completely fooled by Ji Fuyao’s previous reliance on artifacts. They had always believed she only possessed the power to kill Emperor Realm Experts by leveraging the might of her Six-star Emperor Weapon, which, when fully activated by any Saint King, could indeed challenge a One-star Great Emperor.
Ji Fuyao stood tall in the void, her gaze sweeping across the multitude of powerful figures in the world. Her Divine Radiance was dazzling, her presence peerless. Though not yet an Emperor Realm Expert, she already possessed the majesty of an Empress!
Wang Man and Qing Yan trembled, their voices choked with emotion. “She has returned. The Empress has truly returned!”
Ji Fuyao flicked her sleeve, an aura of absolute dominance radiating from her. Her battle intent soared as she addressed the crowd. “Who else desires my head? I accept any Life-and-Death Duel! Without the need for my Emperor Weapon, anyone below the Quasi-Emperor Realm may try to take me on!”
The entire world was stunned.