Chapter 33: Battling the Emperor Realm

Mu Qingqing’s protector was a woman in a black dress at the third level of the Saint Realm. She looked at King Lanyang with a wary expression and said, "Isn't it inappropriate for an Emperor Realm expert like you to intervene in a dispute between juniors?"

"Whether it is appropriate depends on whether it is worth it," King Lanyang replied.

"An Emperor-grade weapon is not something these juniors are qualified to possess."

"Are you determined to set yourself against my Haotian Empire?" the woman in the black dress asked coldly. She felt a surge of confidence because reinforcements from the Haotian Empire would arrive soon.

King Lanyang sneered, "Do you think my Shenlan Empire fears your Haotian?"

"I'll give you five seconds to consider. Leave behind the Emperor-grade weapon and that little girl with the Ice Phoenix bloodline."

The atmosphere became tense instantly. Five seconds passed quickly, but none of the women made a move.

King Lanyang directly unleashed his Domain. Those who reach the Emperor Realm attain a domain; within its scope, one's strength is suppressed, and consumed spiritual energy cannot be replenished unless one also possesses a domain to counter it. Thus, the gap between the Saint Realm and the Emperor Realm was immense.

Once enveloped by King Lanyang’s domain, An Miaoling felt the gravity of the space shift. She was pressured and forced to use her spiritual energy to resist, yet she found that the energy she consumed could not be recovered, as she could not absorb any energy from the outside world under the influence of the domain. Furthermore, her strength was halved.

After releasing his domain, King Lanyang walked slowly toward Mu Qingqing, intending to seize the Emperor-grade weapon, the Ancient Sun Blade. The woman in the black dress stood in his way, sword drawn. King Lanyang snorted and struck out with his palm, sending her flying backward.

Just as he was about to snatch the sword, a beautiful woman appeared beside Mu Qingqing like a shadow. She was dressed in red palace attire, exuding a noble aura, her cold eyes filled with chilling frost.

"How shameless, attacking a junior."

As soon as she finished speaking, her own domain countered King Lanyang’s. Both were at the first level of the Emperor Realm.

"Aunt!" Mu Qingqing exclaimed in surprise.

The beautiful woman nodded. "You have performed a great service this time."

Seeing her arrival, King Lanyang knew that seizing the item was no longer possible. He decided to settle for second best and capture An Miaoling first. Mu Qingqing noticed his gaze shift to An Miaoling and realized his intent. She pointed to her friend and said, "Aunt, this is my friend; she possesses the Ancient Ice Phoenix bloodline."

The beautiful woman’s eyes widened in surprise as she examined An Miaoling, then said kindly, "Stay with me, and no one will be able to harm you."

An Miaoling smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Senior."

King Lanyang was angered, but he knew defeating the woman would be difficult. Just as he was hesitating, a voice rang out.

"We shouldn't let the Haotian Empire take all the benefits. Brother Lanyang, why don't we join forces? The Emperor-grade weapon will be mine, and the girl will be yours."

Everyone turned to see a white-robed sword cultivator flying toward them on a sword. It was Jian Wuchen, the junior master of the Sword God Valley.

Jian Wuchen glanced at An Miaoling and continued, "Aside from her ancient bloodline, the sword in her hand is extraordinary. Plus, she obtained all the treasures of the Ancient Sun Emperor besides the weapon itself. You won't be at a loss."

After a brief moment of thought, King Lanyang agreed. At least this way, he could secure some benefits. The situation had reversed; it was now two against one.

The two men attacked the beautiful woman together, and she fought back with all her might. However, after a dozen exchanges, she fell into a disadvantage.

Mu Qingqing looked at the battle with a gloomy expression, knowing it was too late to call for more reinforcements. Her aunt had only come because the Haotian Empire had received intelligence that King Lanyang was on the move.

An Miaoling clutched the Space-Time Token in worry, but she did not use it, fearing that even her master might not be able to defeat an Emperor Realm expert. After all, the gap in power was vast.

Boom!

After further exchanges, the beautiful woman was forced back, a trickle of blood spilling from her lips. The two men pressed their advantage, striking with their half-Emperor-grade weapons. The beautiful woman’s expression turned bitter as she began to consider retreat.

Just then, a sword flew in and intercepted their combined strike. Everyone present stared at the weapon in shock, searching for its owner. An Miaoling, however, smiled, relieved that her master could parry such a blow. She was also astonished by her master’s strength; she had thought she understood his true power, but it seemed she hadn't.

Amid the astonishment, a handsome man descended through the air. It was Qin Tian.

Mu Qingqing’s eyes lit up upon seeing him, for she had never seen someone so handsome. Qin Tian gripped his Life-Death Sword and said calmly, "If you want to bully my disciple, you'll have to ask me if I agree."

The three Emperor Realm experts scrutinized Qin Tian’s strength. Spirit Movement Realm? Impossible! They immediately dismissed the thought, as those in that realm could not fly, let alone deflect that strike. It meant they could not fathom his power. Jian Wuchen and King Lanyang felt a tinge of wariness.

The beautiful woman, however, smiled, knowing she had gained a powerful ally. Seeing her poor condition, Qin Tian switched to the Intent of Life. With a wave of the Life-Death Sword, a ripple of energy surged toward her. She was startled, thinking he was attacking, and raised her sword to block, but when she felt the vitality within the ripple, she lowered her guard. A pure force of life flooded her body, rapidly healing her wounds.

Jian Wuchen and King Lanyang were stunned. Was he a life-type martial artist?

"Shall we end this here?" Qin Tian asked.

"No," Jian Wuchen and King Lanyang replied in unison. They hadn't lost their momentum, and since the man before them lacked a domain, they didn't think he could be that powerful.

"In that case, let us fight!"

Qin Tian looked at the beautiful woman. "You pick one."

She nodded and pointed her sword at King Lanyang. Qin Tian nodded back, patted An Miaoling on the shoulder, and said, "Have faith in your master."

He then charged toward Jian Wuchen. As soon as they clashed, Jian Wuchen’s Sword Domain enveloped him. Qin Tian slowed down; having never encountered this before, he was slightly surprised, but that was all.

He activated his Eternal Undying Body. Instantly, the pressure of the domain became completely ineffective, as his physical body could easily adapt to the changes in gravity, and he didn't need to replenish his spiritual energy.

Jian Wuchen frowned, surprised that Qin Tian was a powerful body cultivator. Still, he didn't worry much, as he was a sword cultivator with the highest offensive power.

Qin Tian, in his Eternal Undying Body, moved like a wild beast and appeared beside Jian Wuchen, slashing with his sword like a torrential storm. Though Jian Wuchen blocked with all his might, he was forced back, his arms trembling. His sword even began to sustain damage. This was because the force of Qin Tian’s strikes was immense, and the quality of the Life-Death Sword was far superior.

Having gained the upper hand, Qin Tian raised his sword high and shouted, "Break the Heavens!"

He slashed down, and a notch appeared in Jian Wuchen’s blade. Qin Tian followed with a knee strike to Jian Wuchen’s chest, sending him flying. Jian Wuchen gasped in pain, his internal organs damaged. To him, Qin Tian was nothing but a beast.

Qin Tian pressed the attack, swinging the Life-Death Sword at Jian Wuchen’s neck. Jian Wuchen hurriedly blocked, but the force of the blow drove him back again, and another notch appeared on his sword.

Looking at the two nicks, his heart ached; his sword was his most precious possession. Although it wasn't an Emperor-grade weapon, it was a half-Emperor weapon made of the same materials. There was only one possibility: Qin Tian’s sword was an Emperor-grade weapon, and likely of a grade above the lowest tier.