Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

The longsword flashed with a merciless, cold light as it swept across, brutally cleaving Luo Qing in two.

Blood, organs, and bones scattered across the ground...

Every expert who witnessed this scene gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief.

That was Luo Qing!

He was the Young Master of the Luo Family, one of the Imperial Capital’s Ten Great Aristocratic Families, and one of the top ten prodigies of the Outer Sect. And yet, even with the Grand Elder and Third Elder personally intervening to save him, Jiang Chen had still killed him without a moment’s hesitation!

"He’s insane... This kid is completely insane..."

"He actually killed Luo Qing? This is a slap in the face to the Grand Elder and Third Elder!"

"The sheer audacity!"

"Quick, look at the Grand Elder’s and Third Elder’s eyes! They look like they want to eat him alive... He’s a dead man for sure!"

As the crowd slowly recovered from their initial shock, they looked toward Jiang Chen on the Blood Battle Arena. He stood there, surrounded by the Grand Elder and Third Elder, and everyone wore complex expressions as they watched.

Some looked on with pity, others with schadenfreude, and still others with regret...

He’d only been in the Sect for a few months.

Yet Jiang Chen had already tied Lan Haichen’s record in the Earth Martial Hall, killed Zhong Yi, and crippled Lu Jie—all experts from the Celestial Alliance. And now, he had gone and killed Luo Qing, the third-ranked prodigy!

With his talent, given enough time, he was destined to become a pillar of the Saint Martial Sword Sect.

But now...

Even if the Grand Elder and Third Elder were magnanimous enough not to act against him, the simple act of killing Luo Qing had thoroughly enraged the great Luo Family.

Years ago, when the Luo Family’s Demon Hunting Team was wiped out in the Hundred Beasts Mountains and Rivers, they had posted a sky-high bounty.

But the Luo Qing Jiang Chen had just killed was the Luo Family’s most talented disciple and the heir to the Patriarch. Jiang Chen could never withstand the Luo Family’s retaliation on his own!

What’s more, judging by the expressions on Zong Rui’s and Zong Han’s faces, they clearly intended to see him dead!

Zong Rui’s gaze was chilling, his shoulders trembling slightly. His killing intent was so thick it felt tangible as the aura of the Heavenly Destiny Realm Sixth Stage erupted from him. It pressed down on Jiang Chen like a colossal mountain. "Jiang Chen, you have ignored the bonds of fellowship and wantonly killed a fellow disciple. I sentence you to death!" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The moment the words left his mouth, Zong Rui attacked.

OMMM!

A dark light erupted from his five fingers. The five beams of black light transformed into iron chains that, with a sharp CLANKING, slithered toward Jiang Chen like five nimble snakes.

"Get lost!"

Jiang Chen’s eyes narrowed as his Qingfeng Sword carved a circular arc in the air before him.

The arc bloomed with a brilliant Sword Aura, forming a circular Sword Qi Shield in front of him.

CRACK!

The Sword Qi Shield shattered instantly under the impact of the five black chains. Jiang Chen unleashed a flurry of Sword Techniques, fighting as he retreated. But the gap in power between him and Zong Rui was simply too vast. Even after executing over thirty techniques in succession, he only managed to dissipate two of the five black chains.

"You can’t escape, boy!" Zong Rui sneered.

He thrust his palm down!

BOOM!

The remaining three black chains suddenly shuddered and merged into one massive, bucket-thick chain. It spun rapidly as it hurtled down toward Jiang Chen.

"Divine Wind Extreme!"

"Blood Rain Without Limits!"

"Great Sun Without Limits!"

With a grim expression, Jiang Chen unleashed three techniques in quick succession.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—

Three terrifying booms echoed as the entire Blood Battle Arena shuddered violently. The three powerful blasts of Sword Qi were forcibly dispersed.

The black chain spun wildly, crashing into Jiang Chen like a plummeting mountain.

Jiang Chen coughed up a mouthful of blood as his body was sent flying like a kite with a broken string.

He crashed heavily onto the Blood Battle Arena.

The entire arena shook violently. Dust plumed and debris flew. When the chaos subsided...

A man-shaped crater, more than ten meters deep, had been gouged into the center of the Blood Battle Arena. From within it, Jiang Chen climbed out, his face pale and a grim look in his eyes, a conspicuous trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.

He had actually been injured by that single blow.

"Oh?"

Zong Rui was taken aback. His deep-set eyes flickered with surprise. ’What a formidable physique. To take a direct hit from me and only suffer minor injuries... no wonder you were able to kill Luo Qing. But no matter how tough you are, you’re still a dead man!’

The five black chains materialized and floated behind him, ready to shoot out and kill Jiang Chen at a moment’s notice.

The blood in Jiang Chen’s veins roiled. A cold light glinted in his eyes, his killing intent seething. He gripped his Qingfeng Sword tightly, glaring at Zong Rui without a hint of fear, and spat through gritted teeth, "Old scoundrel, I’d like to see you try and kill me!"

He pushed the Profound Yellow Undying Technique to its absolute limit, his True Essence churning violently like a tidal wave.

Just as Jiang Chen was about to activate his God-Devouring Talent and fight Zong Rui to the death...

But just then...

Two figures shot through the air, landing between Jiang Chen and Zong Rui.

It was Prince Gong and the Tower Guardian Elder!

Zong Rui’s expression darkened. "Are the two of you trying to stop me from cleaning up the Sect?"

"Grand Elder, disciplining disciples is a matter for the Law Enforcement Hall," the Tower Guardian Elder said calmly. "You are overstepping your authority."

Prince Gong smiled. "Elder Zong, while the Royal Family should not interfere in the affairs of your Sword Sect, Jiang Chen is the holder of a Golden Martial Fighting Order from my Martial Arts Arena, not to mention an honored guest of my estate. If Jiang Chen has truly broken the Sword Sect’s rules, I will naturally not intervene. But I have witnessed today’s events from start to finish. Jiang Chen has done nothing wrong, so I cannot simply stand by and watch!"

In the entire Outer Sect...

The Tower Guardian Elder’s status was no lower than the Grand Elder’s, and his cultivation had also reached the Heavenly Destiny Realm Sixth Stage. Prince Gong, on the other hand, represented the Royal Family itself.

With both of them stepping forward, Zong Rui hesitated.

Prince Gong smiled lightly. "Elder Zong, you saw Jiang Chen kill Luo Qing and attacked out of anger. I can understand that, and I won’t pursue the matter. However, if you continue to press this issue, I will have no choice but to report it to my Imperial Brother and let him demand an explanation from your Sect Master personally!"

"You..."

Zong Rui’s face sank.

’If Prince Gong really reported this to the current Holy Emperor... with His Majesty’s temper, he might actually go to the Saint Martial Sword Sect and demand an explanation.’

’Zong Rui knew the Sect Master’s personality all too well. To appease the Holy Emperor’s wrath, the Sect Master would very likely hand him over, and he would lose his life for nothing.’

’However...’

’After all, Jiang Chen was the target of the Blood-colored Killing Order. If he failed to eliminate him, he would face dire consequences when the Saint Child eventually came out of seclusion and held him accountable.’

As Zong Rui hesitated, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind. "Why trouble yourself, Grand Elder? Let the boy enjoy his freedom a little longer. When it is time for this disciple to act, I will be the one to kill him."

’Li Yunlong?’

Zong Rui was stunned for a moment, then inwardly overjoyed. ’If Li Yunlong kills Jiang Chen on the Blood Battle Arena, not even Prince Gong or the Tower Guardian Elder can say a word.’

Zong Rui nodded toward Li Yunlong. His icy gaze swept over Jiang Chen as he said flatly, "Fine. Since you two have pleaded on his behalf, I shall spare him for now. Let the duels continue!"

Without another word, he flicked his long sleeves and flew back to the high platform.

On the Blood Battle Arena, Prince Gong gave a wry smile as he looked at Jiang Chen. "Young friend Jiang Chen, I don’t even know what to say to you... Luo Qing... you really just killed him, just like that. And then Zong Rui, a master at the Heavenly Destiny Realm Sixth Stage, you dared to fight him head-on?"

"He wanted to kill me," Jiang Chen said, rolling his eyes. "Was I supposed to grovel and beg him to spare my life?"

"..."

Prince Gong was speechless for a moment before forcing a smile. "Fair enough! But I could only save you this once. I can’t do it a second time. You’ll have to be careful from here on out!"

"Thank you for your help, Your Highness, and you as well, Tower Guardian Elder. I, Jiang Chen, will never forget this kindness!" Jiang Chen didn’t respond to the prince’s warning, but simply cupped his fists toward the two men in thanks. Then, he flew off the arena, sat down cross-legged, and began to tend to his injuries.

He poured bottle after bottle of pills into his mouth, pushing his Profound Yellow Undying Technique to its limits.

His body absorbed the surging medicinal power, which began to repair his injuries.

While Jiang Chen was recovering...

Yuwen Xunyi rose to his feet, his golden battle armor gleaming with a dazzling light. He strode through the air and landed on the arena. Glancing at Li Yunlong, he declared, "Li Yunlong, I lost to you last year. For this entire year, I have dreamed day and night of this moment. Come up and fight me!"

"Fine."

Li Yunlong nodded, flew onto the arena, and met Yuwen Xunyi’s gaze. With one hand clasped behind his back, he said coolly, "Yuwen Xunyi, you have made great progress this past year. It’s a shame you’re still no match for me. I only need three moves to defeat you!"

"Arrogant! We’ll see how you defeat me in three moves!"

Yuwen Xunyi roared, his eyes turning crimson.

He was the second-ranked expert on the Spirit List, after all! For Li Yunlong to claim he could be defeated in three moves was the ultimate humiliation!

"Furious Dragon Fury!"

Yuwen Xunyi wielded his Long Spear, the spear’s aura tearing through the air like a pillar supporting the heavens.

"Your strength has improved, but unfortunately, your flaws are just as obvious as ever. First move!" Li Yunlong said with a nonchalant expression as he suddenly slashed out with his sword.

HUMMM—

The strike seemed slow, but in reality, it was incredibly fast.

BOOM!

His sword flicked aside the sharp aura of the spear. He then took a step forward and slashed diagonally. "Second move!"

SWISH!

A peerless ray of sword light shot diagonally from left to right.

"Crimson Flame Golden Armor, block it!" Yuwen Xunyi roared, his eyes wide with fury.

However, the power of Li Yunlong’s strike was too immense. It shattered the brilliant golden light of the armor, leaving a hideous crack upon the plate. Li Yunlong immediately struck again. "Third move—fall!"

BOOM!

The sword in Li Yunlong’s hand dissolved into a hundred rays of Sword Aura that shot out, merged together, and finally coalesced into a single, incomparably sharp blade of light.

It slammed heavily into Yuwen Xunyi.

"ARGH!"

Yuwen Xunyi cried out in pain as he was sent flying by the blow, tumbling off the arena.

Li Yunlong looked down, his face a mask of arrogance. "Yuwen Xunyi, you have lost!"

"You... you’re this strong? Don’t tell me... you’ve already broken through to the Heavenly Destiny Realm?" Yuwen Xunyi’s face was ashen as he stared up at Li Yunlong.

Li Yunlong just smiled faintly and nodded. Then, his gaze swept across the crowd, finally landing on Jiang Chen. He spoke slowly, his voice carrying across the arena, "Jiang Chen, come up here and meet your death!"