Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

A hush fell over Martial Saint Mountain.

All eyes were locked on Jiang Chen. He stood on the ground, one hand clamped around Qinn Shou’s neck, holding him up as easily as one would a chick.

Everyone’s eyes were filled with profound shock and utter disbelief.

"Qinn Shou lost? An expert at the Union Palace Realm Second Stage... defeated just like that?"

"But isn’t Jiang Chen only at the Heavenly Destiny Realm Ninth Stage? How did he do it?"

"Back when Lan Haichen was at the Heavenly Destiny Realm Ninth Stage, he also managed to kill a Union Palace Realm Second Stage expert, but it wasn’t this easy, was it?"

"It’s simply unbelievable!"

"The Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has lost all face this time!"

The experts whispered amongst themselves.

These words echoed across Martial Saint Mountain, and upon hearing them, the Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, the Purple Star Beast Emperor, wore an ashen and incredibly ugly expression.

He also hadn’t expected Qinn Shou to be so easily defeated.

To have his Dantian crippled and then be captured by Jiang Chen... it was a direct slap in the face to him, the Purple Star Beast Emperor of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect!

’Damn it...’

The Purple Star Beast Emperor’s face was grim. The Golden Giant Wolf lying beside him also revealed a savage light in its eyes, letting out heavy huffs.

The corners of its mouth lifted, revealing sinister fangs.

As if sensing the Purple Star Beast Emperor’s gaze upon him, Jiang Chen glanced sideways at the man and broke into a cold grin. "My apologies. Your lackey seems a bit incompetent! My hand slipped, and I ended up crippling him. You don’t mind, do you?"

"..."

The Purple Star Beast Emperor’s shoulders trembled, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

A monstrous rage erupted within him like a blazing fire.

He snorted coldly and said, "Jiang Chen, you are digging your own grave!"

"Digging my own grave?"

Jiang Chen raised a finger and wagged it. "No, I’m playing a game. A killing game!"

His gaze swept over the powerful figures of the Ten Great Dynasties seated in the Celestial Martial Hall.

’These people...’

’Every single one of them wants me dead.’

’Every one of them is an enemy!’

’And when dealing with enemies, there is only one word for it—kill!’

’Mercy is forever an excuse the weak use to console themselves.’

’In this world where the weak are prey for the strong, where the powerful are revered, a world full of darkness and slaughter, only iron-fisted methods and tyrannical strength are the foundation for one’s survival.’

Kill one and you are a villain; slaughter ten thousand and you are a hero.

Slaughter nine million, and you are a hero among heroes!

"I know at least half the people here want nothing more than to see me killed, to grind my bones to dust. But it doesn’t matter. I, Jiang Chen, will take you all on right here, today. Whether you’re a powerful sect leader or the overlord of a dynasty, if you want my life, then by all means, come and get it!"

Jiang Chen took a deep breath, his gaze blazing. A surging wave of True Essence emanated from his body.

It formed spiraling whirlwinds around him.

They encircled his entire body, spinning faster and faster.

The gales they stirred up were dozens of meters high.

A wild battle intent, a fighting spirit that soared to the heavens, and the aura of a chilling sword’s edge all erupted from his being.

It was awe-inspiring!

The Purple Star Beast Emperor snorted. "You truly don’t know your own limits. There are over fifty Union Palace Realm experts here. If I wished to kill you, I could crush you with a single finger, yet you dare challenge all of us?"

"Hehe, little one, this old woman quite admires your courage!" Ghost Mother Lishan cackled sinisterly. Black Ghost Qi pulsed around her like a demon from the Nine Nether Hell as she licked her lips with a scarlet tongue. "I have a Secret Technique for refining Corpse Puppets. A little fellow like you, so full of courage and vigorous lifeblood..."

"The Ten Thousand Swords Piercing Heart Prison on my Ten Thousand Swords Peak is waiting for you!" Xiao Tianqi sneered.

"You’re courting death!"

"Killing you would be as easy as killing a chicken!"

"..."

Jiang Chen had become a public enemy, a thorn in everyone’s side.

Among the members of the Tenth Hall...

An anxious expression appeared on Bai Ling’s pretty face. She looked at Bai Yetao. "Grandfather, you have to help him, quickly!"

Bai Yetao’s face was grim, and he remained silent.

Beside her, the Tenth Hall’s Hall Master, Bai Lingfei, gave a bitter smile and held Bai Ling back, whispering, "Little Ling, don’t make things difficult for your grandfather. Look at all these people. They’re all here to take Jiang Chen’s life, and many of them are Union Palace Realm experts who wish they could kill him with their own hands. If your grandfather steps in, he’ll be implicated. At that point, I’m afraid even the Tenth Hall won’t be safe..."

"But..."

Bai Ling was frantic. She looked toward Tu Shanhe. "This is the Saint Martial Sword Sect! Is the Sect Master just going to stand by and watch Jiang Chen be killed?"

"The Sect Master?"

Bai Lingfei shook his head with a bitter smile. "The Sect Master would love nothing more than to kill Jiang Chen himself. He’s only holding back because he’s wary of His Majesty’s reaction..."

"..."

Bai Ling’s eyes reddened slightly as she looked at Jiang Chen, her face filled with worry.

...

Just then, the high and mighty Tu Shanhe finally spoke.

His expression was icy, his gaze falling upon Jiang Chen like a divine spirit looking down upon mortals. He said faintly, "Jiang Chen, how long are you going to keep this up? You are deranged and bloodthirsty by nature. If you are allowed to grow, you will sooner or later become a great demon and bring disaster to this world. Today, I hereby announce that you, Jiang Chen, are expelled from the Saint Martial Sword Sect. You no longer have any connection to our Sword Sect."

Expelled from the Sword Sect!

When these words were spoken, everyone’s expression changed.

At a time like this...

Jiang Chen’s only backing was the Saint Martial Sword Sect!

And yet, at this very moment, Tu Shanhe had expelled him? This was a public declaration, not just a private discussion among a few powerful figures like before.

With this, those powerful figures would have no more reservations about dealing with Jiang Chen.

"Hahaha, young Jiang Chen, what do you have to say for yourself now?" the Purple Star Beast Emperor sneered.

Ghost Mother Lishan rubbed her bony hands together. "Since Sect Master Tu has spoken, this old woman can act without restraint in a moment!"

Mu Feiyang stated indifferently, "From this day forward, there will be no place for you, Jiang Chen, within the Cloud Domain!"

"Brat, you’re now a rat that everyone wants to squash!"

"The world is vast, yet there is no place left for you. Jiang Chen, what’s the point of you even living?"

The jarring taunts were like steel needles, piercing Jiang Chen’s heart.

Pain.

Immense pain.

All this time, no matter how fiercely he had fought with Lan Haichen, Jiang Chen had never forgotten that he was a part of the Saint Martial Sword Sect.

There were too many people he cherished in this Sect: his master, Qii Daotian; his brother, Lui Yifa; White Tiger; and his friends Bai Ling, Lin Feifei, and Yuwen Xunyi.

But now...

...just when he needed the Sect’s protection the most, Tu Shanhe had chosen to abandon him. Even though he had long expected this, when it finally happened, Jiang Chen was still stunned for a moment.

Seeing this, Qinn Shou, still held in Jiang Chen’s grasp, revealed a savage and smug grin. "Hahaha, you little bastard, even your own Sect has abandoned you! You must be so disappointed, right? So desperate? I suggest you release me right now, cripple your own cultivation, and get on your knees to beg for mercy. This Elder might even plead your case to the Sect Leader and ask him to spare your life..."

"Disappointed? Desperate?"

Jiang Chen looked at Qinn Shou, his expression complex.

’Am I disappointed?’

’Am I desperate?’

’Yes!’

’I am truly disappointed in this Sect. Truly desperate!’

’However...’

"So what if I’m abandoned by the world? I am still myself. And under all of heaven, there are still people who care for me."

Jiang Chen took a deep breath, the light of confidence returning to his eyes. He scanned the hundreds of thousands of people on Martial Saint Mountain and spoke, word by word. His voice wasn’t loud, yet it spread across the entire mountain, rumbling like thunder. "From beginning to end, I, Jiang Chen, have never provoked anyone. But every single one of you wishes me dead. I have only acted in self-defense!"

"Since the Saint Martial Sword Sect has no place for me, then what does it matter if I leave? And so what if this world has no place for me? If the heavens will not have me, then I shall slay the heavens! If the earth will not have me, then I shall bury the earth!"

Jiang Chen’s voice grew louder and louder, causing the expressions of the Union Palace Realm experts to change one after another.

If the heavens will not have me, then I shall slay the heavens! If the earth will not have me, then I shall bury the earth!

What forceful, confident, and domineering words!

Jiang Chen took a deep breath and slowly looked at Qinn Shou. "You’re right. Having offended you all, there is indeed no place for me within the Ten Great Dynasties. But so what? Since you won’t give me a place to stand, then I’ll just kill all of you! I’ll carve out a new world for myself and build my fortress from your blood and bones. And Qinn Shou, it starts with you!"

"Wh-What? You... you can’t kill me, you can’t—"

Qinn Shou’s expression changed drastically, but before he could finish his words, Jiang Chen tore him in half. Flesh and blood flew everywhere.

Amidst a mist of blood,

Jiang Chen threw his head back and let out a long cry, his long hair fluttering. Like a god, like a demon, he let out a low roar...

"Who else wants to kill me? Come on, all of you! I, Jiang Chen, am not afraid to fight!"