Strongest War Emperor

Because he wanted to build a solid foundation for his cultivation, Shen Lang didn’t ride a Fiery Demon Wolf or any other Spirit Beast for transportation on this journey.

He even made a pact with the Ghost King that, unless it was a special situation, he would no longer rely on his help to fly.

A fledgling eagle raised in too comfortable an environment can never truly learn to battle in the open sky.

Only by taking one step at a time and constantly unlocking his potential could he truly become powerful and one day stand proudly above all creation!

In just these past two months, Shen Lang’s gains were not much less than what he had achieved in the five months he spent at home.

In those two months, his cultivation had already risen to the Spirit Martial Realm Sixth Heaven.

Using the pressure from the Blue Cobalt Copper and continuing to practice the "Golden Needle Acupoint Forging Body Technique," the number of Ten Divine Beasts particles in his body increased by another hundred or so, and his physical strength improved significantly.

Right now, with the Blue Cobalt Copper and the Immortal Celestial Saber, he was carrying a total weight of over 17,000 jin, but after traveling for so long, he could already bear this force completely.

Furthermore, by cultivating with the Blue Cobalt Copper, he had mastered control over his strength to an optimal state. He could lift the heavy as if it were light; even when walking on grass, he would barely leave a footprint.

Because he was using a Secret Technique to conceal his aura and the "Golden Needle Acupoint Forging Body Technique" for his Body Forging, to outsiders, Shen Lang looked like he was only at the Qi Martial Realm Fourth Heaven.

For a Martial Artist of this cultivation level to be traveling alone, getting robbed was completely normal.

Be it bandits or certain Martial Artists with ill intentions, Shen Lang had run into at least eight or nine groups of them on his journey, some of whom were even Spirit Martial Realm Middle Stage experts.

However, this was the first time he had encountered a group that was waiting for him since early in the morning, as if they had come specifically for him.

Ordinarily, Shen Lang was dressed shabbily and gave off no air of being a "fat sheep," but when the bandits saw that his attire matched their orders and heard him point out the Maze Array, they instantly treated him like a major threat, all of them emerging to stare at him like hungry tigers.

"Are you all waiting for me? This is my first time here. Did you get the wrong person? Never mind, I’m not interested in hearing it. Hand over all your valuables, and I’ll let you leave." Shen Lang’s smile was as bright as the sun, like a boy from next door.

About six meters away, Wang Dazhu’s group of three and the gang of lackeys behind them all stared wide-eyed, thinking they had misheard.

’Damn, isn’t that our line?’

’This kid doesn’t play by the rules!’

A vicious glint flashed in the weaselly-faced Wang Xiaoshan’s eyes. He waved his hand sharply and ordered, "Activate the Maze Array! Trap and kill him!"

The man was cautious. Even though Shen Lang looked harmless and was only at the Qi Martial Realm Fourth Heaven, he still ordered the Maze Array to be activated first.

Six men from the group of lackeys immediately rushed to the edge of the canyon and pressed their hands against the cliff face.

As light flickered, strange-looking Arrays immediately appeared on the cliff wall where their palms rested!

Thick smoke suddenly erupted from the ground. The canyon, which had only been slightly dim, was instantly enveloped in a dense fog so thick you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face!

"I say, Brother Xiaoshan, that kid’s just a Qi Martial Realm Fourth Heaven rookie. A bunch of our own men are stronger than him. Isn’t this too much trouble? Why not just take him down, throw him in a cage, and send him up to the stronghold for the boss? Do we really need to use the Maze Array? It consumes a lot of Spirit Stones each time!"

Wang Dazhu’s voice rang out from within the thick fog.

The group was treading a specific Step Technique, feeling their way out.

Wang Xiaoshan snorted coldly. "What the hell do you know? A Martial Artist’s strength can’t be judged by their cultivation alone. Do you really think a few Qi Martial Realm Sixth Heaven guys like us are that impressive? Even if he’s only at the Qi Martial Realm Fourth Heaven, if he has a High Tier Magical Treasure or High Tier Talismans, we might not be able to handle him!"

"I’ve been in this game for years. Why am I still alive and well while others from different strongholds with my experience are either dead or crippled? It’s because I’m cautious! If you don’t have to take a risk, don’t! Got it?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The woman’s voice chimed in. "Wang Xiaoshan is right. The person our boss mentioned is someone even he is wary of. If this isn’t the kid, fine. But if it is... it’s better to be safe than sorry!"

"Alright, alright, my mistake. I’ll listen to you," Wang Dazhu said, much more subdued after the scolding.

The dense fog filled the canyon, and silence fell once more.

After a while, Wang Dazhu’s impatient voice rang out again. "Brother Xiaoshan, did you take a wrong turn? I feel like we’re going the wrong way. We used to get out of here in no time. How come we’ve been wandering for so long and are still inside the Maze Array?"

Wang Xiaoshan’s voice trembled slightly. "My brain works just fine! I know this Array like the back of my hand; I could walk it with my eyes closed... But this is damn weird. There’s no reason it should take this long to get out. Qu Rong, check if our route is correct."

Qu Rong didn’t answer. Her teeth were chattering, a rapid KLAK-KLAK-KLAK sound that set everyone on edge.

"Hey, Qu Rong, can’t you say something? What’s with the teeth chattering!" Wang Dazhu demanded gruffly.

Qu Rong’s voice was tinged with tears. "Our route is correct, and Wang Xiaoshan didn’t lead us astray, but... but look at the footprints on the ground. It looks like we’ve walked in a circle..."

"What?"

Wang Dazhu roared, "I told you not to activate this damned Maze Array! Now look, we’re trapped in here ourselves! What do we do now?"

Wang Xiaoshan and the others froze. A chill ran up their spines, and they all shivered in unison.

They were well aware of how formidable this Maze Array was.

Back when they had invited the Array expert from the White Rainbow Sect, Qingfeng Stronghold had spent a fortune and pulled a lot of strings.

To set up this Maze Array, not only had they used a massive amount of Spirit Stones, but the expert from the White Rainbow Sect had also worked with dozens of men for over half a month.

Even a Spirit Martial Realm expert wouldn’t last three days if trapped inside this Maze Array!

Once inside this Maze Array, illusions would begin to appear after thirty minutes. If one couldn’t break free from them, they would be completely lost and unable to escape.

They might see an army of thousands charging at them;

Or they might see powerful, bloodthirsty Demon Beasts leaping from the clifftops to devour them whole!

They could even be struck by lightning, burned by fire, or drowned by floods...

But the Array was so powerful... and aside from an idiot like Wang Dazhu, several of them had clearly memorized the exit route and directions. How could they possibly get lost inside it?

"The boy in black! It must be that boy in black! He’s behind this!" Wang Xiaoshan roared like a wild beast, his voice suppressed.

However, his words didn’t incite anger. Instead, a wave of chattering teeth spread through the group.

Such a powerful Array had not only failed to trap the black-clad youth, but had been turned against them in an instant. Just how terrifying was this kid?

This was simply impossible!

The White Rainbow Sect expert had spent over half a month setting it up!

Even if one could break a Maze Array like this, it should take a considerable amount of time, right?

But now, it didn’t seem like it was just broken; it seemed like it had been seized?

This was fucking unheard of...

Among the group from Qingfeng Stronghold, fear spread like a flood. Many began to scream and complain.

Just as terror was gripping their hearts, Shen Lang’s voice finally sounded. "How many people have you harmed with this Maze Array? Now that you’re trapped inside it yourselves, how does it feel?"

"Bastard! If you have the guts, fight us fair and square! What kind of hero uses such despicable tricks?" Wang Dazhu bellowed, swinging his Wolf Fang Club.

Shen Lang chuckled, dumbfounded. "Weren’t you the ones who used this despicable trick? How did the blame fall on me?"

"..." Wang Dazhu was speechless.

"Alright, I’m going to ask you a few questions now. Answer them well, and you’ll have a chance to leave this Maze Array. Otherwise, you can prepare to experience its full power."

As soon as Shen Lang finished speaking, the members of Qingfeng Stronghold saw the thick fog begin to roil and part to the sides, forming a clear path.

In the center of that path, a black-robed Shen Lang slowly walked toward them.

"This guy can actually control the Maze Array!" The eyes of Wang Xiaoshan and the others narrowed.

The trio’s lowered fingers shifted through several positions, sending a secret signal. ’We’ll attack together and subdue him in a moment!’

The slowly approaching Shen Lang seemed completely unaware that they were preparing to strike simultaneously. He simply smiled faintly and said, "First question: how many people have you harmed with this Maze Array?"

"Second question: why did your boss have you look for me? Who is he?"

"Third question: I want all of your valuables. I wonder if you have them ready for me?"

The group from Qingfeng Stronghold looked at each other, all remaining silent.

After a moment, Qu Rong stepped forward with a charming laugh. "Oh, little brother, we were just trying to play a little joke on you. We don’t know why our boss is looking for you, you see. He just told us your description and asked us to bring you to the stronghold as an honored guest. You have to believe me!"

As she spoke, she coquettishly moved closer to Shen Lang.

Shen Lang was walking toward them, and Qu Rong was walking toward him. In the time it took to say those few sentences, the two had drawn close.

"You still haven’t answered the first question," Shen Lang said coolly.

Qu Rong giggled and reached out as if to place a hand on Shen Lang’s shoulder. "Aiya, our boss was right. You really are a handsome little brother. You may be young, but you’re so dashing. I wonder how many women you’ve charmed to death..."

"PFFT!"

Before she could finish her sentence, her right palm trembled slightly, a nail flicked, and a cloud of white powder shot toward Shen Lang’s face!

In the next moment, Qu Rong’s languid posture changed abruptly. A vicious light flared in her eyes as her left hand, with its long, razor-sharp nails gleaming strangely, slashed toward Shen Lang’s neck!

Behind her, Wang Dazhu and Wang Xiaoshan lunged at almost the same instant. One swung a giant Wolf Fang Club, while the other gripped a pair of daggers that glinted with a cold light. They rushed forward from the left and right with astonishing speed!