Chapter 802: Sect Master’s Instructions
“Elder Han, Xiao Chen will be leaving too.”
Han Qinghe stopped Xiao Chen, saying, “Don’t be in such a rush. There were some things that I could not say in front of the others. However, now I can. The Sect Master asked me to pass on a message to you.”
Xiao Chen stopped moving. He felt somewhat suspicious. That Supreme Sky Emperor whom I never met has something to say to me?
Han Qinghe said gravely, “The Three Holy Lands should know about your Martial Spirit. It is just that, for some reason, even if they do not want to see the Azure Emperor’s descendant rise up, they will not do anything outrageous to you.
“However, those Sovereign Noble Clans are different. Back then, when the Azure Emperor controlled the Martial God Palace, he was too overbearing. Some of the Sovereign Noble Clans did not want to submit and, in the end, he destroyed three or four clans.
“Aside from the Ying Clan, the other surviving Sovereign Noble Clans have a deep hatred for the Azure Emperor. If they find out about your Azure Dragon Martial Spirit, they will no doubt make a move on you after this Sage War.”
This warning startled Xiao Chen slightly. He had not expected such a story. Surprisingly, the Azure Emperor even exterminated Sovereign Noble Clans at his whim. How strong exactly was the strongest Sovereign Martial Emperor since the Ancient Era?
Han Qinghe continued, “Although the Dragon Subduing Slash has not been seen for several tens of thousands of years and many people have forgotten about it, those seniors from the Sovereign Noble Clans will not have done so. Thus, the Sect Master instructed me to tell you not to use the Dragon Subduing Slash in this Sage War.”
Xiao Chen laughed for a while. However, he did not reveal astonishment or fear in his eyes. Instead, it was sharpness and rage. He said, “Xiao Chen understands and accepts the Supreme Sky Emperor’s kind intentions. However, the things that will happen will eventually happen.”
When Han Qinghe saw his reaction, he quickly said, “Xiao Chen, don’t be rash. You still have a long future ahead of you.”
Xiao Chen stretched his hand out, and the Lunar Shadow Saber appeared in his grasp. The corners of his lips curled up into a smile. “Future? I do not need to cheat myself and others. The things that will come are inevitable. Unless I cripple my Martial Spirit once again, I can never avoid them.
“Running away has never been the solution. I have been holding back the frustration in my heart for five years already.
“Five years ago, my father chased me out of the clan. The reason is rather funny; it is because I condensed the Azure Dragon Martial Spirit. Because of one Martial Spirit, a father cast out his beloved child. Who can understand his pain? I can’t tell anyone of my frustrations, and who can even understand them?!
“Who exactly did the Dragon’s Gate’s Azure Emperor offend that my Xiao Clan has to carry such a heavy burden, forcing us to tread carefully like we are on thin ice, even after ten thousand years?
“Since everyone fears the Azure Dragon’s reappearance, then today I shall make a declaration before everyone. I will declare that the world does not have just three Holy Lands. My Azure Dragon Martial Spirit is not something to be hidden!”
I will cut off all grievances here, putting an end to all these; all the things of the past shall be put down.
I have long since suffered enough already.
Since they will find out eventually, why the need to pay them so much mind? Since I will have to die sooner or later, I have to, at least, control my own life or death!
Five years of resentment! I have a home that I cannot return to! I have a frustration that I cannot vent! I have already waited five years and advanced to an undefeatable half-Sage. If I still cannot vent this frustration, do I have to wait until I become a Sovereign Martial Emperor before I can do what I want?
Until when do I have to wait? Do I have to bear this for a hundred years?
That is not me, Xiao Chen, and never will be. I would rather be reckless this once, settling this grievance quickly, and be myself. I am the descendant of the Dragon’s Gate’s Azure Emperor! I am Xiao Chen!
“My apologies, Supreme Sky Emperor.”
Electric light flashed under Xiao Chen’s feet. Then he took a step forward, traveling five kilometers. He overtook a large number of people straight away. He moved in an instant, like a bolt of lightning tearing through the sky, leaving many cultivators behind.
“Boom!”
A figure landed on the Supreme Sky Sect’s warship. A strong Emperor’s Might spread out, startling Han Qinghe. He turned back and looked. Incredibly, the Supreme Sky Emperor had come personally.
“Sect Master, why are you here?”
The Supreme Sky Emperor smiled gently and said, “I have nothing to do anyway. This fellow really exceeded my expectations. He probably exceeded the expectations of these three as well.”
Han Qinghe looked at Xiao Chen, who was drawing farther away. Then he asked, “Then, for him, is it a good thing or bad thing?”
The Supreme Sky Emperor revealed a contemplative gaze. Then he replied in a deep voice, “Logically speaking, there is no way to traverse a blocked road. Perhaps by exceeding expectations, he might succeed in surprising us.”
Han Qinghe asked doubtfully, “Sect Master, what are you trying to say?”
The Supreme Sky Emperor smiled faintly and said, “This Xiao Chen is not as simple as you take him to be. Did the Dragon’s Gate’s Azure Emperor leave any contingency plans ten thousand years ago? If not, then the enemies that the Azure Emperor once offended would have killed off all his descendants already.
“Xiao Chen is trying to push himself into a corner to force out the Azure Emperor’s contingency plan. He does not want to remain ignorant of the situation. His sharpness made it such that he will not submit to manipulation.
“If Xiao Chen can prove himself, I do not mind placing my bet down early.”
The Supreme Sky Emperor revealed a determined gaze as he muttered.
Xiao Chen cleared the first test without facing any resistance, arriving in the small world. Flickering starlight filled the surroundings. The whole place was dark, just like he was really in the starry heavens.
The reports of chaotic battle resounded everywhere. At least a hundred cultivators fought around each throne. Saber lights and sword images flew everywhere. Occasionally, blood spurted, and people died to someone’s attack.
However, this place was rather special. After one died, they did not truly die. Instead, they were thrown out of the starry heavens.
These cultivators would not be hurt at all. However, they could not reenter the small world of the starry heavens, losing their right to compete for the Proud Son of Heaven Ranking.
Avoiding accidental injuries in the chaotic battles was hard. Along the way, Xiao Chen ran into several disciples flying towards him.
He dodged those that he could. With those that he could not, he used his fist. When his strength surged out, he knocked away all his attackers with one punch, ejecting them from the starry heavens.
After sending out a hundred people, Xiao Chen’s horrifying strength completely cleared the area within a kilometer of him. No one dared to approach him.
Xiao Chen’s gaze continued to climb higher. Now, he looked at the highest ten thrones of the starry heavens. The easily obtainable thrones of the bustling scene were not his target.
The tenth-ranked to the second-ranked thrones all had cultivators of the peak Rank 9 sects and the Sovereign Noble Clans fighting over them. The battles here were at least ten times more intense than below.
However, the highest golden throne in the sky only had people surrounding it, all remaining silent, cautiously watching each other.
The Phoenix’s Passion Palace’s Nuan Muyun, the Divine Martial Gate’s Feng Wuji, the White Emperor City’s Xia Houjue, the Thunder and Lightning Palace’s An Junxi, the Yan Clan’s Yan Shisi, and the recently famous mysterious swordsman, Duan Yi.
These six eyed one another cautiously, measuring the others. However, no one dared to make the first move in fear of becoming a common target of the rest.
The first-ranked golden throne of the Proud Son of Heaven Ranking held a fatal attraction for some people. Even though the competition was enormous, they would still do their best and give it a try.
A bright light flashed in Xiao Chen’s eyes. Electric light burst out under Xiao Chen’s feet. He pushed Thunder Dragon Steps to its peak, instantly reaching the apex of the starry heavens.
Then, he descended from above, slowly falling towards the golden throne.
This golden throne had the least number of contenders. However, the likely intensity of the competition for it and the excellence of the rivals were the greatest among the top-ranked thrones.
The six experts, without exception, were all absolute demonic geniuses who comprehended wills.
Of these six people, three of them were legendary existences in the Tianwu Domain. They gave off a bright light as Holy Might spread, deterring others from approaching.
The first rank of the Proud Son of Heaven Ranking was not just for show. The Luck of the ancient Sages would fall into the hands of this ranker. The rewards from the Martial God Palace were also very attractive.
The White Emperor City’s Xia Houjue held a long sword, and his gaze was like lightning piercing the sky. He stared at that golden throne in a display of absolute confidence.
Before the refresh, Xia Houjue had been the one at the top of the Proud Son of Heaven Ranking. Now that it was refreshed, he did not intend to let anyone else have it.
However, the intensity of this Sage War far surpassed Xia Houjue’s expectations. Not only did his two old rivals from the Holy Lands target the first rank, but the Sovereign Noble Clan’s Yan Shisi, the mysterious swordsman Duan Yi, who was the bearer of a lower realm’s Luck, and An Junxi, who recently fought Feng Wuji to a draw, did as well. None of them were minor characters.
“No one dares to sit? In that case, I, Yan Shisi, will take it.”
Smiling gently, Yan Shisi strode forward, intending to land directly on the throne.
“Boom!”
The moment Yan Shisi took a step, the other five immediately drew their weapons. Strong auras accompanied by the light of wills swept out.
An Junxi held the True Dragon Lightning Whip, Feng Wuji held the Scarlet Blood Spear, and Nuan Muyun held the Heavenly Phoenix Sword; all of them were Sub-Divine Weapons.
The instant they brandished their weapons, loud reports roared out. Melodious buzzing interwove with raging cries, lingering for a long time.
Xia Houjue stood still like a mountain. However, the azure ring on his index finger started to emit a bright radiance. He seemed like he was preparing to make a move.
Only that mysterious swordsman Duan Yi revealed a faint smile, appearing to be the most at ease.
Under the pressure of the five experts’ auras, the air turned dense. Winds blew and tensions rose. Just a spark was all it would take to trigger a huge battle now.
When the experts fighting for the other nine top-ten-ranked thrones felt the horrifying auras, they could not help but feel moved.
As per their agreement, the other geniuses of the four Sovereign Noble Clans did not compete for the golden throne. As for those from the peak Rank 9 sects, even though they wanted to, they were not capable enough; they feared they would end up losing out due to their greed.
Due to all these various reasons, they could not fight for the top rank. However, not doing so did not mean that they did not yearn for it.
Yan Shisi stepped back, and a bright look filled his face. He smiled and said, “I was just joking. Why so serious? Brother Xia, your eyes are the biggest. How about you take the first rank?”
Xia Houjue smiled coldly in his heart, but his expression did not change. He replied, “Yan Shisi, there is no need to pretend. Since you want to compete for it, as a brother, I don’t mind letting you try first.”
They were all not fools. The first person to fly to the throne would definitely face simultaneous attacks from the others, turning into dust immediately.
Furthermore, one had to sit on the throne for ten seconds to succeed in obtaining the throne. How could it be so easy?
Everyone here was an outstanding talent. However, no one was arrogant enough to think that they could simultaneously defeat everyone else by themselves. They had to take advantage of the chaos later.