Strongest War Emperor

Shen Lang had originally intended to use his Silver Eyes of Truth to scan Celestial Phoenix City for Corpse Qi and locate the Demon Martial Artist in the black cloak.

But what he saw left him pale with shock!

Through his Silver Eyes of Truth, he spotted the auras of experts at the Emperor Martial Realm and above!

Although these experts had formidable Cultivation and had each used a Secret Technique to conceal their auras, his Silver Eyes of Truth saw them as clear as day.

Having inherited the War Emperor’s memories, Shen Lang normally wouldn’t have been surprised even by experts stronger than the Emperor Martial Realm.

The problem was that all of them had appeared, right now, in the small city of Celestial Phoenix.

And it was happening at the exact same time the City Lord’s Mansion was in trouble!

Experts of the Emperor Martial Realm were beings on par with the Ancestors of a Spirit Copper Level Influence!

Their power could shake the heavens and earth, command the clouds and summon the rain with a mere flick of a wrist!

Even within a Spirit Copper Level Influence like the Imperial Dragon Sect, there were only a handful of such individuals.

Shen Lang’s gaze sharpened. His Silver Eyes of Truth pierced through all illusion as he began to analyze the auras, cross-referencing what he saw with the War Emperor’s memories...

In the skies above Shuangta Temple in South City, countless golden rays bloomed outward. Buddha Light radiated in every direction, solemn and majestic. It was as if a Buddha was chanting in the void, the sacred hymns rolling through the air.

’An expert from a Buddhist Sect. I wonder which one it is!’

In East City, above an inconspicuous cottage, streams of qi swirled and coalesced into the form of a dragon. The winds howled and clouds churned, its presence seeming to suppress eternity itself and sweep across the cosmos!

’An old-timer from the Imperial Dragon Sect!’

In West City, beneath a waterfall, the sharp, tyrannical gleam of a blade flashed into existence, slicing through the vast curtain of mist. A terrifying Sword Qi, hundreds of feet long, condensed into a tangible form, flickering in and out of sight as it spanned the sky.

’A Sword Dao expert from the Li Hen Sect!’

In North City, an aura no less powerful than the others was likewise exposed by his Silver Eyes of Truth. It was ethereal and elegant, untainted by the mortal world. Endless auspicious clouds, blessed light, and gentle dawn rays rippled outward, creating a transcendent and otherworldly air.

’The Flower Sect is here, too!’

A sharp glint flashed in Shen Lang’s eyes, and his breathing grew slightly ragged. ’The Emperor Martial Realm experts from all three of the Purple Chu Country’s great Spirit Copper Level Influences are here. And that Buddha Light from Shuangta Temple seems even more formidable than any of them... What in the world is happening in Celestial Phoenix City to attract so many powerful figures?’

Just then, Zuo Wentian’s voice echoed in Shen Lang’s mind. "Master, I’m afraid... these people might be here for you."

"What makes you say that?" Shen Lang’s eye twitched.

Zuo Wentian spoke cautiously. "Back when you faced a crisis on the Tala Prairie, Master, you used the Heaven-Sealing Cauldron. When you did, a great celestial phenomenon occurred. A massive vortex formed in the sky amidst the swirling winds and clouds, as if connecting to the heavens themselves! You used the Heaven-Sealing Cauldron a total of two times: once above the Abyss to shatter the Cannibal Flower, and once inside the Ghost King Array to annihilate a Bone Demon and a horde of Ghosts. I fear... it was this phenomenon that attracted them."

’Damn it! Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?’ Shen Lang raged internally.

"I assumed you already knew, Master, so I never mentioned it... Hmm, but I don’t believe I have a sister?" Zuo Wentian mumbled.

"..."

Shen Lang was utterly speechless.

After a moment of silence, Shen Lang sighed. ’I never imagined the Heaven-Sealing Cauldron’s power was so immense. Just borrowing a tiny fraction of it was enough to cause a celestial anomaly... It doesn’t make any sense. The power was strong, but it shouldn’t have been enough to stir the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi to that degree, right? I suppose I should use it as little as possible. Whatever. These people can’t possibly care about the trivial matters of Celestial Phoenix City. I’ll just stick to my own business.’

His only frustration was that he had originally planned to have Zuo Wentian strike at the critical moment to kill Yuwen Huaji. But now that even Emperor Martial Realm experts had appeared in Celestial Phoenix City, he had no choice but to keep Zuo Wentian completely hidden.

The Emperor Martial Realm was a powerful Realm far beyond the King Martial Realm.

Emperor Martial Realm experts were beings capable of soaring into the heavens, delving into the earth, and overturning rivers and seas.

If Zuo Wentian were recognized, it would be a disaster. Before long, they would be hunted down by the top powers of the entire continent...

’Man proposes, Heaven disposes, indeed...’

Shen Lang sighed to himself, then activated his Silver Eyes of Truth once more and began to scan the city slowly.

Suddenly, Shen Lang’s gaze locked onto a location in South City.

There, an undisguised pillar of Corpse Qi shot toward the sky, moving at an incredible speed. Three auras, no weaker than the first, were in hot pursuit.

’This guy is really something else. I crippled one of his hands and seriously wounded him, and he still hasn’t recovered, yet he managed to escape the City Lord’s Mansion while besieged by three Spirit Martial Realm masters. Hehehe! Good, you’re not dead yet. Just you wait for me!’

Shen Lang let out a sinister laugh and left an afterimage in his wake, his figure hugging the rooftops as he sped toward South City.

Flying at his full speed as a Ghost King—a speed comparable to an expert of the Xuanwu Realm Fifth Heaven—people in the streets below only caught a glimpse of a black shadow flashing past. By the time they tried to get a better look, there was no trace left, and they all assumed their eyes were playing tricks on them.

Shen Lang locked onto the Demon Martial Artist’s aura. In just a few minutes, he had caught up to the group as they neared the South Gate.

PFT!

A puff of dust rose as Shen Lang’s feet landed gently on the roof tiles. He crouched low on the eaves, knees bent.

His figure, shrouded in a black mist, seemed to merge with the dark roof tiles.

Crouching on the eaves, Shen Lang looked down. In the ruins below, the Demon Martial Artist—the same one he had fought and from whom he’d taken the Nine Immortals Lingzhi—was locked in a desperate battle with three Spirit Martial Realm masters. His situation was dire and fraught with peril.

The three Spirit Martial Realm Martial Artists were already wounded, their faces masks of fury, their attacks relentless and without mercy.

Perhaps because they were martial brothers from the same Sect, their coordination was flawless.

The Demon Martial Artist, however, was far more gravely injured. Blood had stained great patches of his black robes red. He wielded his Black Dragon Halberd with his right hand, but he was clearly struggling to fend off their attacks, unable to escape the increasingly perilous situation.

Individually, none of the three were much weaker than him; against their combined might, he wouldn’t be able to hold out for much longer.

Amidst the ruins, stone fragments flew everywhere, and the sound of explosions was incessant.

The Spirit Light flaring from Spiritual Artifacts and Magic completely outshone the setting sun. In the distance, families aware of the battle had barricaded their doors, not daring to even peek outside.

Many had hoped the guards of the City Lord’s Mansion would intervene, but alas, the Mansion could barely protect itself, and not a single patrolling guard was to be seen.

"I’ve never wronged your Imperial Dragon Sect! Why are you hunting me down like a dog?!"

Ji Chengwu, clad in black, struggled to force the three attackers back. He retreated several meters, panting as he roared in defiance.

"Heh heh, you demon! You slaughtered over a hundred innocent people in Celestial Phoenix City, and you dare claim you haven’t wronged the Imperial Dragon Sect?"

"That’s right! Today, we will eliminate you and avenge the people of Celestial Phoenix City! A Demon like you is a blight that anyone has the right to purge!"

"You’ve been lucky to live this long after acting so brazenly in the Imperial Dragon Sect’s territory!"

The three Imperial Dragon Sect Martial Artists jeered as they lunged forward again, their attacks growing even faster.

A saber, a sword, and a spear pressed the attack, forcing strange cries from Ji Chengwu.

In the blink of an eye, several new wounds appeared on Ji Chengwu’s body, blood gushing from them freely.

"Bullshit! You knew I was here all along! You were just using me as a pawn! Did you think I wouldn’t figure it out?"

A dense black mist erupted from Ji Chengwu’s Black Dragon Halberd, lashing out like a Black Dragon and forcing the three men back two steps.

"Hehehe, so you knew? Since you’ve figured it out, why not just surrender? Did you really think you could escape from the three of us?"

The spear-wielding Martial Artist among them said coldly.

He flicked his Long Spear, and its tip whistled through the air, grazing past Ji Chengwu’s neck. It had nearly run him through.

Ji Chengwu sneered. "I, Ji Chengwu, may have harmed countless people, but how different are you so-called Righteous Sects? You wave your banner of justice while committing unspeakable deeds in the shadows, a hundred, a thousand times filthier and more evil than me! You want me to surrender? Dream on! Even if I die, I’m taking you with me!"

The characteristic madness of Demonic Cultivators was on full display. He was even willing to take a sword strike just for the chance to wound the swordsman.

It was a style aimed at mutual destruction.

The three from the Imperial Dragon Sect grew furious. The light from their Spiritual Artifacts flared as their attacks grew fiercer, yet a trace of fear crept into their eyes. They were all wary of a final, desperate counterattack from the Demon Martial Artist.

This, in turn, gave the Demon Martial Artist a moment to catch his breath, easing the pressure he was under.

’These three juniors... their encirclement is too tight. I have to seriously injure one of them and break through!’

The moment he felt the pressure lessen, the thought of breaking out immediately surfaced in Ji Chengwu’s mind.

No matter how vicious Demonic Cultivators were, they still feared death. No one would choose to die if they could live.

His constant threats to make them pay a price were merely a bluff, banking on the fact that many disciples from so-called Renowned and Righteous Sects were inexperienced, afraid of death, and easily intimidated by words.

And sure enough, upon hearing his vicious threat, the three from the Imperial Dragon Sect began to have their own selfish thoughts, and a flaw immediately appeared in their coordinated attack.

Ji Chengwu was overjoyed. He instantly retreated through the gap that had opened between them. Then, opening his mouth, he spat out a Short Sword as black as ink, sending it flying straight at the face of the spearman in front!

"A pathetic little trick, and you dare show it off?"

The spear-wielder snorted, flicking his Long Spear in an upward flourish to block it.

"Watch out! He’s going to self-destruct his Spiritual Artifact!"

The saber-wielding Martial Artist on the other side yelled.

The spearman was startled. Sure enough, he saw a burst of Spirit Light flash from the pitch-black Short Sword.

"Not good!"

The three of them made an instant decision, scrambling backward in a hurry!

"Hmph! You three brats dare to fight me?"

Ji Chengwu laughed wildly as a pair of transparent, glowing wings unfurled from his back. Kicking off the city wall—BANG! BANG! BANG!—he shot upward.

Meanwhile, the pitch-black Short Sword burst with a blinding light that sent the three Imperial Dragon Sect members scrambling for cover, but then it simply fizzled out like a firework.

It lacked the devastating explosive force of a self-destructing Spiritual Artifact. It was a Blinding Technique!

"You three little bastards! You fell for it! Hahaha!"

Ji Chengwu let out three wild laughs and suddenly accelerated, seeing he was just moments away from the top of the city wall!

Once he was over the wall, out of Celestial Phoenix City, and into the Phoenix Mountain Range, it would be nearly impossible for them to pin him down again!

Just then, a powerful gust of wind assaulted him from above.

"Get down!"

A crisp, cold voice rang out from above.

Ji Chengwu, who had just been celebrating his imminent escape, paled. He looked up to see a black figure spiraling down from the sky. With the speed of a lightning strike, it slammed a foot viciously onto his chest!

BAM!

Amidst a blast of Powerful Qi, Ji Chengwu, who had been rocketing upward, let out a wretched cry and was sent plummeting back down like a cannonball.

"Who are you?! Why are you helping the Imperial Dragon Sect?"

Ji Chengwu struggled to his feet amid the rubble, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. Although his Spiritual Armor had blocked most of the blow’s impact, the fierce, unparalleled force had still left him severely injured.

"Your death is imminent. The answer is meaningless."

Shen Lang hovered in the air, looking down coldly at Ji Chengwu as he spoke.