“If you want my head, you’ll have to work harder than that!”
As Ji Fuyao absorbed a continuous stream of Supreme Spirit Crystals, the momentum surrounding her continued to surge. Though she was only a Half-step Emperor, the condensed Dao and Stance radiating from her were potent enough to suppress a One-star Great Emperor. A shocking transformation was occurring within her inner world.
Her Dao Foundation shone with crystalline purity, and the Dao patterns engraved upon it began to emit Divine Radiance. Her bones chimed with a rhythmic resonance—the Dao Rhyme refining her physique, forging her Quasi-Emperor Body. Both the Grand Dao Scripture and the Heaven-Burning Art operated spontaneously.
The Dao of Fire Principle, like a blazing seed, surfaced between her brows, condensing into the shape of a fiery petal.
Ji Fuyao did not halt her assault. Her jade foot lightly tapped the air, and her speed in Traversing the Void instantly skyrocketed. She appeared directly before a Grey-robed Man, slashing out with her spear.
Pfft!
The spear pierced straight through the Grey-robed Man’s glabella.
At the same moment, a Great Emperor’s attack slammed into Ji Fuyao’s back. Although it was blocked by a defensive Emperor Weapon, the backlash still forced a mouthful of vital blood from her lips.
Ji Fuyao spun around, a veritable killing god, and thrust her spear forward. Scarlet spiritual fire wrapped around the tip, and a bloody hole instantly appeared in the chest of the attacking Great Emperor.
Instant Kill!
Ji Fuyao’s fiery red dress was stained with blood, yet she continued her slaughter.
In short order, the moment she stepped into the Quasi-Emperor Realm, she swept her spear out, and the heads of the remaining One-star Great Emperors flew into the air!
Emperor Realm Experts fell like rain.
Only three heavily wounded Two-star Great Emperors remained, surrounding Ji Fuyao. They immediately began to beg for mercy. “Empress Fuyao, please spare us! We withdraw from the bounty competition!”
Ji Fuyao’s expression was icy, and she spoke with cold finality. “Late!”
She charged directly toward the three remaining Great Emperors!
The onlookers were stunned. The entire world fell into a dead silence.
Today’s battlefield proved that the wrath of a Quasi-Emperor was a blade hanging over the heads of Great Emperors.
Ji Fuyao had broken through from the Saint King Realm to the Quasi-Emperor Realm, and her combat power had soared. Everyone stared intently at her delicate figure. Her body was crystalline and radiant, circulating an immense amount of Dao Rhyme—power that far exceeded the typical scope of a Quasi-Emperor.
They were shocked. Just how pampered was she by the White Robe Great Emperor?
While a Saint King could consume Heaven and Earth Wonders to lay a foundation of Dao Rhyme, the conversion efficiency at that realm was notoriously low, leading to massive waste. This was why even Overlord-level Powers would never feed such Dao Rhyme treasures to their geniuses before they reached the Half-step Emperor Realm.
For Ji Fuyao’s body to condense such a vast amount of Dao Rhyme, just how many Heaven and Earth Wonders had she consumed?
A Grey-robed Elder calculated grimly. “Judging by the Azure Nether Celestial Water, Empress Fuyao must have consumed at least several drops, all sealed within her body by some supreme, creation-level technique, only to erupt now upon breaking through to Quasi-Emperor.”
Everyone gasped in shock. Several drops of Azure Nether Celestial Water—that was a priceless, legendary treasure!
Jealousy burned in their hearts. That White Robe Great Emperor was simply too extravagant!
After a hundred breaths, Ji Fuyao swept out her spear, and the last Two-star Great Emperor was pierced through the chest. His eyes were wide with fury, and he glared at Ji Fuyao, snarling, “How many heaven-defying treasures did your master feed you? Your body contains more Dao Rhyme than mine! What kind of master is this?!”
Screech!
Ji Fuyao withdrew the Emperor Weapon, Heaven-Rending, a faint smile finally gracing her lips. The image of Lu Xuan flashed in her mind. She tilted her snow-white neck. “My master is indeed very good to me.”
Boom!
The corpse of the final Great Emperor plummeted from the void.
Only Ji Fuyao remained, standing tall in the sky, her dress stained with blood, like a female sovereign descending upon the world, or a blood-red flower blooming in the dawn. Her body still contained the Dao Rhyme derived from the Azure Nether Celestial Water and All-Reach Profound Powder, but she could not continue her breakthrough. Her comprehension had reached its current limit, and it was only the power of those heaven-defying wonders that had forcibly extended her path to the Emperor Realm.
Ji Fuyao’s battle intent surged. Her lips parted, and she spoke slowly. “Who else dares to fight? I accept all challenges!”
The arena was silent. No one stepped forward.
After a moment of stillness, several high-star Great Emperors emerged from the void, their faces grim, their killing intent barely concealed. They hesitated.
The White Robe Great Emperor had annihilated the Heavenly Net General Hall, and news had spread that the Blood Demon Race and the Stone Demon Race had completely vanished from the Southern Wilds overnight—clearly the work of the White Robe Great Emperor’s heaven-defying methods.
Should they gamble?
They were too afraid. After all, no high-star Great Emperor had yet dared to make the first move.
They were all waiting for someone to break the stalemate!
In the distance, Wang Man and Qing Yan rushed over. Wang Man brandished his bloody axe, his eyes wild with fervor, and he roared, “Any lowlife who dares to bully the Empress with superior rank, the White Robe Senior will descend immediately! If you have the guts, come forward!”
The declaration instantly deterred the high-star Great Emperors. They couldn't be sure if the White Robe Great Emperor was nearby. They dared not risk it.
Seeing no further challengers, Ji Fuyao put away her Emperor Weapon spear and looked at Wang Man and Qing Yan. “We depart! Head to the Liangzhou Heavenly Net Hall Branch!”
The crowd was stunned. What? Ji Fuyao intended to continue annihilating the remaining Heavenly Net Hall branches? Who gave her this courage?
Just because no high-star Great Emperor dared to act now didn’t mean there wouldn’t be desperate cultivators later! The Half-step Supreme Opportunity was worth any high-star Great Emperor risking everything. They were simply waiting for the first one to move.
Wang Man and Qing Yan paused, swallowing the words of caution they were about to utter. Wang Man waved his sleeve. “All troops, form ranks! Depart for the Liangzhou Heavenly Net Hall Branch!”
Boom!
Several Spirit Boats shot out, tearing across the sky like a streaking nebula.
Ji Fuyao swallowed an Emperor-tier Healing Pill and sat cross-legged, her gaze burning with resolve. Her master had once said, “The path to the Apex is long, and life and death walk hand-in-hand.”
In life-and-death crises, there is great terror, but also great opportunity. Her master was invincible, but she had to walk her own path. Her Dao Heart became even more resilient.
Behind Ji Fuyao, several high-star Great Emperors followed, their killing intent undisguised. They were waiting for their moment.
***
Grand Dao Sect, Azure Mystery Peak.
Lu Xuan was leisurely lying in his cave dwelling, reading a storybook, feeling quite comfortable. Just then, the System’s voice sounded.
“Ding! Host’s eldest disciple Ji Fuyao has broken through to the Quasi-Emperor Realm! Synchronizing cultivation now!”
“Ding! Host’s eldest disciple has gained insight into the Path of Spirit Fire! Synchronizing now!”
As the voice fell silent, an incomparably pure stream of spiritual energy surged into Lu Xuan’s body, washing over his limbs and bones like a great river. The sensation was soothing, tingling, and indescribable.
Lu Xuan’s cultivation instantly soared, directly reaching Four-star Emperor Mid-stage!
He was slightly surprised and muttered, “Fuyao actually managed to cross two major realms and break through to Quasi-Emperor?”
The System replied dryly, “You don’t even look at how much Azure Nether Celestial Water and All-Reach Profound Powder Ji Fuyao consumed. That amount is enough for Attaining Emperor.”
Lu Xuan was utterly speechless.
Now that Ji Fuyao had reached Quasi-Emperor, wouldn't the rewards for the Saint King quest be heaven-defying?
Just then, the figure of Tianyuan Old Ancestor emerged from his hidden location in the distance. His body moved like lightning, and a Divine Radiance surged through the void as he shot toward Azure Mystery Peak.
He was coming to consult the White Robe Great Emperor about the Silent Destruction Sect’s bounty and to bring Ye Chen and Chen Changsheng for a Great Emperor Dao Pattern Baptism.
Chen Changsheng glanced up and asked Lu Xuan, “Master, did Tianyuan Old Ancestor say he was coming to Azure Mystery Peak?”
Lu Xuan replied, “He didn’t say.”
Chen Changsheng simply replied, “Oh,” and continued cultivating.
A moment later, Tianyuan Old Ancestor stepped directly into Azure Mystery Peak’s array.
He froze. When did Azure Mystery Peak get a formation?
Tianyuan Old Ancestor continued forward and immediately saw a wooden sign.
“Azure Mystery Peak Important Ground, Do Not Enter Without Invitation! – Left by Lu Xuan.”
He ignored it.
Suddenly, an incredibly profound array pattern, like the power of the stars, erupted beneath his feet, enveloping Tianyuan Old Ancestor.
“A bit interesting,” Tianyuan Old Ancestor said, showing delight rather than alarm. He immediately unleashed his Nine-star Emperor Realm power, sweeping his sleeve, and the surging force transformed into a river of stars, striking the array patterns!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
But the stronger the force he unleashed, the stronger the array patterns became! Suddenly, the power of a Heaven-Reaching Spatial Array manifested.
“Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen, Li, Dui!”
Brilliant array patterns spiraled outward, and Tianyuan Old Ancestor was instantly teleported away, shooting out from Azure Mystery Peak like a streak of light.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor was left utterly confused. “What the hell just happened?”
Whoosh!
Tianyuan Old Ancestor vanished into the sky.
At that moment, the Sect Master rushed over frantically. He suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to warn Tianyuan Old Ancestor about the Azure Mystery Peak array. He shouted, “Lu Xuan! Shut down that damn array right now! Tianyuan Old Ancestor was coming to see you!”
Lu Xuan sent a mental transmission to Chen Changsheng, asking for an update.
Chen Changsheng replied, “Just teleported him away.”
Lu Xuan was utterly speechless.
The Sect Master, surging with Divine Radiance, landed on Azure Mystery Peak. Seeing no sign of Tianyuan Old Ancestor, he roared in fury, “Lu Xuan, where did you teleport Tianyuan Old Ancestor to?!”