Strongest War Emperor

Shen Lang gritted his teeth. Despite his severe wounds, his long blade flashed in a brilliant horizontal slash. "Get lost, beast!"

A flash of blade light sent intense ripples of energy spreading outward. The creature attacking Shen Lang shrieked in mid-air as it was thrown backward.

It was the Netherworld Wolf King, which had lunged at him in silence!

"Stop him!"

Behind him, Xu Daolin and the other three roared angrily. Wings sprouted from their backs almost simultaneously as they soared into the sky. With a blur, they rapidly closed in.

’Damn, they’re all loaded! Every single one has a Flying Spiritual Artifact! Looks like I’ll have to get one myself...’

Shen Lang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. The moment his feet touched the ground, he dodged and weaved across the bluestone path, bursting out of the canyon at an even greater speed.

Although the Flying Spiritual Artifacts were fast, Shen Lang’s speed in his burst state was not much slower.

The only frustrating part was that this Burst Secret Technique couldn’t be maintained for very long.

...

The chase continued, one party fleeing and the other giving pursuit, until they reached Yinfeng Cliff, over fifteen miles from the canyon, where it finally came to a halt.

Ahead of Shen Lang, there was no way forward...

"Keep running, haha! Why’d you stop? You reckless fool, you actually dared to cross our master. Let’s see where you run to this time!"

The youth in resplendent robes laughed maniacally.

"Got tired of running, so I’m taking a break. Damn, I really can’t outrun you winged freaks," Shen Lang jeered.

The four men and one wolf immediately surrounded Shen Lang, trapping him at the edge of the cliff.

Across from Yinfeng Cliff lay the Dark Forest, separated by a chasm several miles wide. A fierce Gang Feng howled overhead, making it difficult to cross even with a Flying Spiritual Artifact.

Below was a seemingly bottomless abyss, its depths densely packed with Cannibal Flowers—the mortal enemy of all living things.

Furthermore, it was shrouded year-round in a thick, toxic mist. If an ordinary person were to touch even a little of it, their entire body would rot away, leading to death.

Even Martial Artists who had reached the Spirit Martial Realm and were protected by powerful Spiritual Power wouldn’t dare to linger in the toxic mist for long. Otherwise, the mist would corrode and invade even their Spiritual Power, eventually spreading through their meridians and causing an agonizing death!

In front of him was an abyss that could only be described as a deathtrap. Behind him, several disciples of the Imperial Dragon Sect and the Netherworld Wolf King blocked his path...

The situation seemed a little grim.

"Looks like this is going to be a bit of a hassle," Shen Lang said with a smirk.

Shen Lang’s Silver Eyes of Truth had already given him a clear look. Xu Daolin was only at the Spirit Martial Realm First Heaven and posed no significant threat.

Of the remaining three, two were at the Spirit Martial Realm Sixth Heaven, comparable in strength to the black-cloaked figure from the fight for the Nine Immortals Lingzhi.

The blue-robed youth was at the Spirit Martial Realm Seventh Heaven, likely not much weaker than Celestial Phoenix City Lord Ye Xiao Zheng.

As for the Netherworld Wolf King, it was a Sixth Level Demon Beast! That was roughly equivalent to a martial artist at the Spirit Martial Realm Eighth or Ninth Heaven, and it was the fastest one here!

During his escape, Shen Lang had already taken several of the Netherworld Wolf King’s claws to his back, which was now a bloody and gruesome sight!

On top of that, Shen Lang had taken a direct hit from the Blood Handprint. With blood still staining the corner of his mouth, it was clear he was heavily injured!

Back at the altar, Shen Lang hadn’t even felt this much pressure.

Although Yuwen Huaji was a Peak Xuanwu Realm Powerhouse at the Half-Step King Martial Realm who could have crushed him with a single finger in a real fight...

...the old geezer had been at a critical moment in refining the Ten Thousand Beasts Circle. Not only was he already heavily injured and needing to control the Array from within, but Shen Lang had also broken the Locking Chains that sealed the statue. By now, he was probably struggling just to handle the Wolf Soul’s will.

That was the only reason Shen Lang had been able to escape.

But the Imperial Dragon Sect’s Blood Handprint was nothing to scoff at. Even though the Crystal Wall and his Inner Armor had absorbed most of its force, that single palm strike had still left him severely wounded.

Shen Lang’s frantic escape had actually been a tactic to buy time.

On one hand, he wanted to put distance between himself and the altar; on the other, he was circulating the energy from the recently ingested Life Spiritual Liquid to mend his wounds.

That was why he had been caught so quickly.

But now, here at Yinfeng Cliff, there was nowhere left to run!

’The Blood Handprint is as powerful as they say. It’s a good thing that old bastard was already heavily injured, and that I have this heaven-defying Life Energy in my body... otherwise...’

’Still, the chase wasn’t that long, and my meridians are already mostly healed. It should be enough to slaughter these pigs and dogs.’

The corners of Shen Lang’s mouth curved upward, and his eyes grew even brighter.

The more he was cornered, the more his Battle Intent flared. It was as if he were born with a thirst for battle, as if savage blood ran in his veins.

"Big Grey said this is the kid who injured him. Who knew he had some fight in him?" the youth in resplendent robes said haughtily as he landed. "So, who’s going first? Surely Senior Brother Long Fong won’t steal this from us?"

With his arms crossed, the blue-robed youth, Long Fong, spoke indifferently. "If you can resolve this quickly, I will not make a move. However, this person’s Sword Skill is viciously sharp. Big Grey was injured by him, and he severed the Locking Chains on the statue with one blow. Yun Qing, do not underestimate him."

Yun Qing, the youth in resplendent robes, sneered. "Big Grey already said he was just careless. He wasn’t even badly hurt, just startled. What waves can a mere Spirit Martial Realm First Heaven Martial Artist make?"

Just then, the purple-robed youth who had been silent until now stepped forward and said coldly, "One move. If he can withstand a single move from me, I lose."

"Hahaha, Qin Ling, always so blunt! But just one move? Aren’t you being a bit arrogant... Fine! Let’s make a bet. If he can take that one move from you, you lose. The stake is a Qianyuan Creation Golden Pill, how about it?" Yun Qing roared with laughter.

"It’s a bet!"

The purple-robed youth, Qin Ling, said coldly. He took another step forward, standing before the others, his Divine Thought locking onto Shen Lang.

The blue-robed youth, Long Fong, frowned slightly but said nothing more.

No matter what, it was impossible for the boy before them to escape from his grasp. That would be true even if he weren’t injured!

Besides, the Netherworld Wolf King was here. No matter how fast this kid was, how could he possibly outrun the Netherworld Wolf King, let alone several people with Flying Spiritual Artifacts?

Besides, Long Fong was extremely confident in Qin Ling’s cultivation. Though his junior brother was quiet and reserved, his cultivation was profound. Even Long Fong would have a hard time gaining an advantage against him without using his full strength.

"Junior Brother Qin Ling," Long Fong said coolly, "this person’s Sword Skill is exceptional. Even though he’s only at the Spirit Martial Realm First Heaven, you can’t treat him as an ordinary cultivator at that level. You might need to show some of your real strength."

Overhearing this, Yun Qing burst into laughter. "Senior Brother, you think too highly of this brat! Junior Brother Qin Ling has already mastered his ’Fiery Fire Spring’ Sword Intent. Once he draws his sword, this kid is as good as dead! The only reason I made that bet was to return a favor to Junior Brother Qin Ling for helping me in the past, haha!" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"’Fiery Fire Spring’ Sword Intent?" Long Fong couldn’t help but nod slowly. "To think that in just two years, Junior Brother Qin Ling has already mastered it. That’s truly worthy of celebration! If he were to use that technique, even I would find it difficult to escape unharmed!"

CRACK! Qin Ling took another step forward, crushing a small pebble under his foot.

"Wait."

Xu Daolin suddenly strode forward, his expression dark. "Senior Brothers, this kid isn’t as simple as you think. He was once the famous cripple of Celestial Phoenix City, born with a Celestial Vein Sacred Body that prevented him from cultivating. For many years he was stuck at the Power Martial Realm Second Heaven... but a while ago, rumors surfaced that he’d reached the Qi Martial Realm Fifth Heaven or higher... And now, the boy in front of us is a true Spirit Martial Realm First Heaven! He injured the Wolf King and even escaped from our master’s grasp. We absolutely cannot let our guard down!"

He continued, "We can’t afford to delay our master’s business. I say we all attack together, kill him, and just take his body back to report our success."

"Tch!" Yun Qing sneered. "Junior Brother Xu, don’t praise the enemy and diminish our own prestige. What’s so great about hiding one’s cultivation? Weren’t you hiding yours for a long time, too? Based on what happened with Big Grey and back at the altar, this kid’s strength is at most equivalent to the Spirit Martial Realm Second Heaven, and that’s likely only thanks to some powerful Magical Treasure he has."

"But..." Xu Daolin started to say, then hesitated.

Yun Qing sneered, "There are no ’buts.’ Junior Brother Xu, do you lack confidence in Qin Ling’s ’Fiery Fire Spring’? Heh, I’m not trying to criticize you, but while our master treats you well, your cultivation is currently too low. You have no idea how terrifying that technique is! Half a year ago, he used that very move to obliterate a Spirit Martial Realm Seventh Heaven Demon Martial Artist from the Celestial Defying Demon Realm! In one move! A single move!"

"I’m not doubting Senior Brother Qin Ling..."

Xu Daolin had just begun to speak when Yun Qing gestured to cut him off.

"Enough," Yun Qing said impatiently. "Junior Brother, look where you are. There’s a bottomless abyss filled with toxic mist in front of him, and we have Senior Brother Long Fong and Big Grey watching over things! You should know that Senior Brother Long Fong is the strongest among our lineage. In the Sect tournament, he severely wounded a Senior Brother at the Spirit Martial Realm Eighth Heaven in under three moves with his Cyan Blade! Don’t tell me you actually think this cripple can escape from Senior Brother Long Fong?"

Hearing this, Long Fong’s expression also turned a little sour.

A flash of anger flickered in Xu Daolin’s eyes before vanishing, replaced by a forced smile. "That’s not what I meant. I was just afraid our master would reprimand us for being late... Since my senior brothers wish to have some fun, so be it. Let’s just watch how this kid dies."

"Mm," the blue-robed youth, Long Fong, said with a grim face. "The Imperial Dragon Sect is a Major Sect. Ordinary people don’t dare to oppose us, so it’s true that my junior brothers rarely get the chance for a real fight. It’s fine to let Qin Ling test the results of his recent months of cultivation."

"Senior Brother is right," Xu Daolin replied softly, saying no more.

Shen Lang remained silent, merely watching them talk with a cold gaze.

These guys already saw him as a fish in a barrel, completely unworried that he might escape.

Among the Imperial Dragon Sect disciples, Long Fong was composed, Yun Qing was ferocious, and Qin Ling was disdainful of everything. But Xu Daolin remained expressionless, his composure unnervingly calm!

And in their midst, the Netherworld Wolf King watched like a tiger stalking its prey!

"Are you done? All that nonsense, and you’ve got nothing else to say?"

Shen Lang’s voice was grim. "My Sword Skill is so tyrannical it can cleave through eons and shatter the void. A single punch from me can make mountains collapse and the earth split! If I were up against that old fossil you call a master, I might have to flee. But you lot are trash. Your bodies are weaker than mine, you’re not as fast as I am, and you dare to yap in my face? For me, killing you will be like butchering pigs and dogs!"

"Dammit!"

The four from the Imperial Dragon Sect had never imagined that this heavily injured Spirit Martial Realm First Heaven boy would be so outrageously arrogant and domineering!

Every one of them was seething with rage!

"Qin Ling, do it! Butcher this suicidal brat for me!"

Killing intent surged in Long Fong’s eyes. If he hadn’t already said that Qin Ling would be the one to act, he would have attacked himself.