Strongest War Emperor

When Shark’s Kiss saw Shen Lang identify the saber’s material at a glance, a proud look crossed his face. "I won’t lie to you, young brother. I found this Immortal Celestial Saber in an ancient Secret Realm, and it is indeed forged from Ashen Abyss Evil Iron. When I first obtained it, this Palm Seal and these cracks were already there. I was utterly shocked back then! I simply couldn’t believe it!"

"Ashen Abyss Evil Iron is not only incredibly hard and extremely difficult to smelt and forge, but it’s also exceptionally rare. To think someone actually got their hands on so much of it to forge a long saber like this... And yet, a saber like this was cracked by a single palm... and judging by the handprint, it looks like it was done by a child..."

Shen Lang couldn’t help but laugh. "You can’t judge a person’s age based on something like that. The three of you are the Elder Ancestors of the Three Sects, yet standing here now, you look even younger than Chu Qingcheng... Besides, the Star Continent is home to the Ten Thousand Races. There are races as large as Giants, and there are races with the stature of children. Even among the Demon Race, which we are more familiar with, many old monsters can take on the appearance of human children."

Shark’s Kiss’s face reddened as he nodded in agreement.

Nangong Yan shook her head as she watched. ’That blockhead Shark’s Kiss really doesn’t know how to talk. If you’re going to introduce the saber, shouldn’t you focus on its benefits and the rarity of its material? And he just had to bring up the cracks. He’s lived all these years for nothing... Is now really the time to be studying that Palm Seal?’

"Never mind. I’ll take over for him."

Nangong Yan smiled gracefully and said, "Legend has it that only a minuscule amount of Ashen Abyss Evil Iron can be found in the deepest reaches of the Barbaric Abyss. It only forms when a vein of Abyss Evil Iron is subjected to the intense flames of Earth Fire. After being incinerated for tens of thousands of years, the entire vein is reduced to ash, and only then might a tiny piece of Ashen Abyss Evil Iron be left behind."

"Even a vein dozens of miles long might only yield a palm-sized piece of Ashen Abyss Evil Iron in the end. Based on its material alone, Shark’s Kiss’s saber is immeasurably precious, truly priceless! Of course, what we consider precious might not mean much to you, young brother. However, judging from your aura, the Cultivation Technique you practice is a perfect match for this saber’s Attribute. This saber would be far more powerful in your hands than in Shark’s Kiss’s."

Shangguan Feiyue chimed in, "That’s right. In addition to possessing Masculine Energy, Ashen Abyss Evil Iron is also an excellent material for storing Thunder Power. A Martial Artist who cultivates a Thunder Attribute Cultivation Method can infuse their Thunder Power into the Immortal Celestial Saber and then release it all at once, amplifying its power severalfold!"

"At the same time, Ashen Abyss Evil Iron also has unparalleled defensive properties—it’s indestructible! It also possesses the power of Breaking Ten Thousand Techniques. Adding just a tiny amount to an ordinary Magical Treasure Secret Artifact can vastly increase its Attack Power, allowing it to easily pierce through powerful Barriers. It is a truly rare treasure. Back in the day, this rascal Shark’s Kiss made quite a name for himself in the Eighteen Snow Countries with this very saber. Few could withstand its might..."

Shen Lang nodded lightly, his fingers tracing the lightning patterns on the blade as he spoke. "This saber was forged using Ashen Abyss Evil Iron as the base, supplemented with Nine Yang Nether Iron and Celestial River Vermilion Geothermal. It was tempered in Abyss Earth Fire for eighty-one days to absorb the converging energies of Yin and Yang. This fusion of energies transformed it, allowing it to shed its deathly stillness and manifest life..."

"At that point, the blade was as hard as steel but still six feet long. It was then placed in a nexus where water and fire share the same origin, where it was tempered for ten years to form a four-foot prototype. Three more years of forging finally brought the Immortal Celestial Saber into being. Upon completion, the saber measured three feet long and was indestructible, capable of shattering something as durable as Profound Iron as if it were rotten wood."

"However, the name ’Immortal Celestial Saber’ is a bit strange. This Divine Weapon is certainly powerful, but where does the ’Immortal’ part come from?"

Listening to his abstruse explanation, the others felt as if they were witnessing the forging of this Supreme Divine Weapon with their own eyes. They marveled inwardly.

These men were all Elder Ancestors; even if they didn’t specialize in Artifact Refining, their knowledge was vast. They understood that every word from Shen Lang was pointed and accurate—he had no reason to put on an act in front of them.

But even Shark’s Kiss, who had possessed the Immortal Celestial Saber for a thousand years, had yet to unravel its mysteries. For Shen Lang to grasp the essentials after a mere glance and a touch... it was frankly a little frightening.

"Although this saber doesn’t have an Artifact Spirit sealed within it, its power is in no way inferior to the prized treasures of many Dark Gold Level Sects. For you to gift it to me, Senior... I am truly unworthy..."

"The Immortal Celestial Saber may be a Supreme Divine Weapon, but it isn’t necessarily the right one for me. To be frank, after all these years, I’ve been unable to grasp its mysteries, and it has actually hindered my progress on the path of the Saber Dao. But you, young brother... out of everyone I’ve met in my thousands of years, you are without a doubt the most suitable person to wield it! A fine blade belongs to a hero, as the saying goes. Please, don’t refuse again. In the future, I’ll probably have to rely on you for many things..."

Shark’s Kiss was a straightforward man who didn’t like to beat around the bush. His words were blunt, essentially saying: ’I admire you, I want to help you, and since we’re all friends, don’t forget about me in the future...’

"In that case, thank you!" Shen Lang said, unable to suppress a smile.

Shen Lang’s gaze grew fervent.

With the memories of the War Emperor, he had seen countless world-shaking Magical Treasure Secret Artifacts, so most magical treasures failed to pique his interest.

But as a Saber Dao Martial Artist brimming with Battle Intent, Shen Lang desperately wanted a saber that was truly his own.

He didn’t care how ornate it looked, or even how powerful it was.

Sabers and swords alike were merely extensions of one’s own body; ultimately, everything depended on the Martial Artist’s personal strength.

For Shen Lang, it was enough to find the right materials and forge a saber that could become one with his body, allowing him to unleash the full potential of his Cultivation Technique.

The problem was, acquiring the right materials required more than just Spirit Stones; it also required fate and opportunity... Many top grade materials couldn’t be obtained even if one had all the Spirit Stones in the world.

Besides, he was practically broke at the moment.

He had recently swindled some Spirit Stones from a few Imperial Dragon Sect disciples, and combined with the proceeds from selling a bottle of Giant Potion, he was considered quite wealthy in Celestial Phoenix City.

But didn’t every one of those Top Grade materials command an astronomical price?

On the other hand, while he was highly accomplished in the Artifact Refining Dao, he was still constrained by the current level of his Divine Thought.

Even if a piece of Ashen Abyss Evil Iron were placed right in front of him, all he could do at his current level was stare at it helplessly.

Forging a weapon to his liking at his current stage was far easier said than done.

And yet, here before him was just such a saber!

From its material to its forging process, it was a perfect match for the Thunder Element Technique he practiced!

"You’ve all given something. This poor monk is so broke I jingle, so I have nothing to give Senior Brother... However, I did happen to catch this little wolf pup. I’m sure Senior Brother will like it. Take a look..."

Just as Shen Lang was gently stroking the Immortal Celestial Saber, Master of Chaos, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

A miniature, transparent wolf, no more than a foot long, appeared on the table in front of Shen Lang.

The little wolf was bound by threads of condensed Buddha Light, unable to move on the table. It slowly began to stir.

As soon as it woke up and saw the people around it, it flew into a rage and began snarling relentlessly at Master of Chaos.

Wasn’t this the very same Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Soul that had secretly struck a deal with Shen Lang to take down Yuwen Huaji?

Shen Lang was instantly amused. ’I can’t believe this guy is still alive,’ he thought. ’And he was captured by Master of Chaos!’

"You bald-headed donkey! What the hell is your problem, catching me just to give me away as a gift? Back in my prime, I was every bit your equal, so don’t get too cocky! And you’re giving me to *him*? What makes this brat worthy? I’m warning you, let me go right now, or else..."

The Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Soul was incredibly arrogant.

"Or else what?"

"Or else I’ll curse your entire family line for eighteen generations!"

"..." Veins popped on Master of Chaos’s forehead. He stepped forward and let his hands fly. "ATATATATATATA!"

A flurry of slaps sent the wolf soul spinning, leaving it dazed and unable to react for a good while.

After the beating, Master of Chaos instantly reverted to his harmless-looking self, placing his palms together and chanting, "Amitabha Buddha. How virtuous, how virtuous."

The Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Soul burst into tears. "None of you humans are any good! That damn brat conspired with me against Yuwen Huaji, and then at the last second, he tried to fucking cut me down along with him! If I weren’t so damn lucky, I’d be nothing but ashes by now! And you, you rogue monk! You put on this act of being so compassionate, spouting ’mercy’ this and ’mercy’ that, but you don’t hesitate to get rough! Letting me go would be a good deed, you fucker, but giving me to this Evil Star? You’re just sending me to my death! Is this how you so-called holy men do things?! HUH?!"

"Amitabha Buddha. Monks do not speak falsehoods. If you were to submit... bah, I mean, if you were to follow my Senior Brother, it would be the greatest fortune of your life. When you understand this in the future, you will naturally come back to thank me," Master of Chaos said with a beaming smile.

It was a charming smile, but in the eyes of the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Soul, it was no different from the grin of a Demon.

At this, Shen Lang, who had been sizing up the wolf soul, finally spoke. "You have the nerve to call me no good? Did you really think I didn’t know what you were planning?"

"Bullshit! What could I have been planning, other than teaming up with you against Yuwen Huaji? I had a grudge against him, you had a grudge against him. What’s wrong with that?" the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Soul snorted.

"Perhaps you spent too much time under that altar, and it addled your brain... Do you really take me for a fool? Weren’t you just planning to possess my body the moment my guard was down, right after I killed Yuwen Huaji while you had him under your control?"

"Bastard! You’re just making things up! I never, ever thought of doing that!" The Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Soul’s voice clearly lacked conviction, but it stubbornly refused to confess.

Shen Lang waved his hand dismissively. "Whether it’s true or not is no longer important. What’s important is that you now have two choices: life, or death."

"..." The wolf soul fell silent.

In a world where might makes right, being in the right or in the wrong often made little difference.

Never mind that it had, in fact, planned to betray Shen Lang. Even if it hadn’t, so what?

It was now the fish on the chopping block, and they were the knife.

"What does ’life’ entail, and what does ’death’?" the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Soul asked, completely deflated.

Shen Lang stabbed the long saber into the ground. With a sharp *CLANG*, it stood embedded in the floor.

"This saber lacks an Artifact Spirit. Although your Soul Power is weak right now, there’s truly no one more suitable than you. Submit to me, become this saber’s Artifact Spirit, and in the future, I will grant you a supreme opportunity," Shen Lang said calmly.

"Bullshit! A little punk like you dares to speak to me of a ’supreme opportunity’? When I roamed the world unopposed, you weren’t even a twinkle in your father’s eye!"

In a flash, Master of Chaos was there, his hands a blur as another flurry of slaps landed. "ATATATATATATA!"

Master Kong Jing couldn’t bear to watch, muttering "Amitabha Buddha" under his breath.

But no matter how pained his expression was, he made no move to pull Master of Chaos away. This infuriated the wolf soul, which now hated him even more than it hated the chaotic monk.

Meanwhile, Shark’s Kiss and Shangguan Feiyue stood at the side, cracking their knuckles and eagerly waiting for Master of Chaos to finish so they could have their turn.

"Damn it, they’re all in the Emperor Martial Realm... This is just bullying!" The wolf soul finally noticed the others waiting on the sidelines and was horrified.