At this moment, high atop a remote peak far from the fray, Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan stood alone, clad in a sweeping black dragon robe. His expression was severe, yet an indomitable will to fight radiated from within him, as if nothing in this world could ever overcome him…
Before him stood another man also robed in a dragon's garment, though this one was brilliant imperial yellow. In contrast to Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s sheer combat intent, this man possessed less overt dominance and more profound composure. This, naturally, was Luo Xiao Feng, the Emperor of the Southern Cloud Empire.
Beside Luo Xiao Feng stood a man whose frame was stooped, dressed in a rich purple python robe—this was none other than Nan Feng Yun, Eunuch Yun, Luo Xiao Feng’s most trusted confidant. At this moment, his face was utterly devoid of expression, but his eyes betrayed a searing murderous intent, a pure distillation of hatred…
Three centuries ago, the Nan Feng clan had been nearly annihilated, all at the hands of the Xuanyuan family. Three centuries of humiliation endured, all for this very day of vengeance.
With every member of the Xuanyuan family he eliminated, Nan Feng Yun could not help but feel a surge of excitement, let alone facing the man who was currently the most powerful visible figure of the Xuanyuan line…
To kill him—what a devastating blow that would deal to the Xuanyuan family… Utterly shattering the Xuanyuan lineage was Nan Feng Yun’s greatest aspiration…
As for Liang Xiao Ke, he stood off to the side, a faint smile playing on his pale face, his thoughts utterly unreadable.
Beside him stood a monstrous beast the size of a young calf—who else but Little Peach? Facing the formidable Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan, its greenish eyes held a disconcerting gleam.
And from the beast’s lips dripped clear, glistening saliva, as if calculating just how much his own power would increase upon devouring an existence that might very well surpass the Martial Saint realm…
Behind Luo Xiao Feng and his retinue stood a white-haired elder whose body seemed withered and frail, as if a strong gust of wind might sweep him away. Yet, he emanated a sense of absolute, crushing power. Even facing Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s overwhelming battle fervor, the elder remained utterly unmoved. This was Hai Lang Bing, the Soul Immortal from the Hai family, whom Luo Xiao Feng had summoned…
“Two Martial Saints, a Zombie, a Soul Immortal, and an immature Fierce Beast. This level of power is enough to make any master hesitate. But do you truly believe this is enough to kill me?” Despite facing such overwhelming force, a look of confident defiance remained etched on Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s face…
“Heh heh, why would we go to the trouble of killing you? We only needed to draw you away! Your army should be in complete collapse by now, correct?” Liang Xiao Ke chuckled, though inwardly, a monumental wave of shock crashed through him—how did this man know he was a Zombie?
Luo Xiao Feng and Nan Feng Yun exchanged glances, betraying little surprise. Since the Xuanyuan and Nan Feng families were both counted among the three great houses, it was hardly strange that Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan knew Liang Xiao Ke was a Zombie…
“Is that so? With your current army’s morale, how could they possibly withstand the assault of my main force? Even if some miracle occurred, once I eliminate you all, wouldn't the capital city of Yun Jing still fall just the same?” Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan stated confidently, seemingly unshaken in his faith in his own soldiers.
“Hahahahahaha… Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan, at a time like this, how can you still utter such childish words? Do you still see me as the Grandmaster I was years ago? Do you think you can simply kill me if you desire it?” Hearing Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan speak of slaughtering them all now, Luo Xiao Feng burst into laughter. Of course, this was not because he believed they were certain to win, but because he could not allow his own momentum to falter.
If he, with all these powerful individuals at his side, could not contain Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan and ended up being slain by him instead, what right would he have to unify the realm?
“Luo Xiao Feng, so what if you’ve broken through to the Martial Saint realm? In this King’s eyes, you are still nothing more than an earthenware dog, utterly brittle…” Facing Luo Xiao Feng’s words, Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan offered a mocking smile. When Luo Xiao Feng was still merely a Grandmaster, Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan was already a Martial Saint; he held no regard for such a junior…
“Your Majesty, why waste words on this fellow? Since he is so formidable and fancies himself the God of War, for the sake of his reputation, let us all strike together and finish him off!” Liang Xiao Ke sneered.
“He speaks the truth. The Suppressing North Divine King is renowned as a generation’s God of War. If we attack him one by one, wouldn’t that show him too little respect? Gentlemen, let us combine our might and grant him the most dignified death possible!” Hearing Liang Xiao Ke’s words, Luo Xiao Feng internally gave a thumbs-up; this suited his own intentions perfectly. Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan was overwhelmingly powerful, and in a fair fight, he held no confidence. But to rush him recklessly in a group… where would his own dignity lie? He was, after all, the ruler of a nation. But since Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan proclaimed himself the God of War, then a coordinated assault upon him was hardly beneath notice…
After all, he was still human, wasn't he?
Humans must learn to be shameless… And an Emperor must learn to be even more so…
“Hahahaha…” Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan roared with laughter, perhaps mocking Luo Xiao Feng’s shamelessness, or perhaps mocking the arrogance of all his foes…
“Laugh at your skull…” Liang Xiao Ke loathed arrogant men the most, especially those who, clearly surrounded by powerful enemies, insisted on putting on an air of utter control. Seeing Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s wild laughter, Liang Xiao Ke shot a punch straight toward him…
This punch bypassed the very barrier of space itself, slamming brutally into Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s chest, but it struck only an afterimage. Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s figure had already retreated several hundred paces…
“You think that’s enough to evade my blow? Break for me!” Liang Xiao Ke roared, and the immense power of his punch ripped through the air, continuing its trajectory toward the retreating Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan…
Faced with the hurtling punch energy, Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan no longer bothered to evade. Without any visible movement from him, a stream of sword qi materialized mid-air, slicing directly toward the ferocious punch force…
With a sharp Chii!, the violent punch energy was cleanly cleaved into dust. The resulting sword qi, however, continued its forward trajectory, instantly arriving before Liang Xiao Ke, piercing his lower abdomen almost before he could react…
A bloodied hole the size of a fist appeared in Liang Xiao Ke’s abdomen, yet he acted as if unharmed, continuing his charge toward Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan…
At this juncture, Luo Xiao Feng and Nan Feng Yun exchanged a look and simultaneously moved, appearing almost in unison to Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s left and right…
Seeing Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan now encircled by them, Luo Xiao Feng unleashed a palm strike, one devoid of any discernible emotion—the Heartless Palm…
The supreme technique of the Heartless Gate—the Heartless Palm…