The already chaotic Immortal Realm has been in even greater turmoil recently.
The reason? The Heaven Emperor launched an aggressive attack on Chong Shang Yun Zhou, engaging in a fierce battle with the Supremacy. The intensity of their fight has already reached the point where it seems like a life-and-death struggle.
The Five Paths Great Emperor from the other major states are watching from the sidelines, enjoying the show but unclear why the Heaven Emperor is in such a hurry to settle things with the Supremacy. Are there ancient grudges at play here?
It's hard to fathom; many of these disputes date back hundreds of thousands of years, and not everyone knows the details.
Chen Xia from the East Jia State, though unaware of the specifics, is grinning from ear to ear. He sits on a small stool in front of the gate of the Blue Sky Sword Sea, gazing at the dark Chong Shang Yun Zhou, clenching his fists and muttering,
"Fight, keep fighting! I hope you both end up destroying each other!"
Emperor Capital, sitting nearby, is puzzled and asks, "Why do you want them to destroy each other? Wouldn't it be better to pick up the spoils if they weaken each other?"
Chen Xia turns to him, remains silent for a moment, and then asks,
"Do you know what the Five Paths Great Emperor represents?"
"Who cares about that? We'll take them on anyway at the Blue Sky Sword Sea. With your skills, Chen Xia, you could even take down the Emperor of the Six Paths and make him obedient!"
"We should also consider changing the gatekeeper at the Blue Sky Sword Sea. Old Bai has been guarding the gate for so long; he deserves some recognition, even if it's just for his hard work. And I'm someone who always cares about others."
"Of course, Chen Xia, don't overwork yourself. The Emperor of the Six Paths is too much to handle, so let's just capture a Five Paths Great Emperor to guard the gate. I’d also like to train a Five Paths Great Emperor."
Emperor Capital speaks casually, showing complete faith in Chen Xia.
"Alright, alright," Chen Xia nods several times, unable to hold back a chuckle. He pats Emperor Capital's shoulder and sincerely says,
"Among the brothers at the Blue Sky Sword Sea, you're the one who most wants me to die."
Emperor Capital furrows his brow, sensing something amiss. He glances at Qiu Li behind him and asks doubtfully,
"Are the Five Paths Great Emperor really that powerful?"
He remembers that Chen Xia is a Fourth Path quasi-emperor. Based on Chen Xia's track record, surpassing one level should be no problem. Taking down a Fourth Path Great Emperor would be easy. With Chen Xia’s past achievements, augmented by his demonic influences and magical swords, defeating a Five Paths Great Emperor should also be a piece of cake.
Taking into account Chen Xia’s historical miracle battles and his ability to break through on the spot, it seems reasonable to assume he could even take on a Six Paths Great Emperor.
In short, Emperor Capital knows how to put pressure on Chen Xia.
"Are the Five Paths Great Emperor really that powerful…" Chen Xia repeats Emperor Capital’s question, nodding before replying,
"Why don’t you go to Chong Shang Yun Zhou and ask those two Five Paths Great Emperor yourself?"
"Sure," Emperor Capital agrees straightforwardly, then adds with a chuckle, "Will you come with me, Chen Xia?"
"Looking for a comrade to die with, huh?" Chen Xia raises an eyebrow, realizing Emperor Capital knows how to sweet-talk.
Emperor Capital finally catches on to the dire situation and exclaims with surprise, "Are the Five Paths Great Emperor stronger than you, Chen Xia?"
The rest of the Blue Sky Sword Sea members look over, as they haven't directly faced the Five Paths Great Emperor and aren’t sure about their true strength or whether they’re even more formidable than Chen Xia.
"Sit down, Ya Tian Dao Ren," Chen Xia says first, waving to the puppet body.
The puppet body then sits down stiffly.
Chen Xia then addresses them, "I’m not singling anyone out, but all of you combined wouldn’t be enough to take on a Five Paths Great Emperor, including me."
He has a clear understanding of his own capabilities.
The members of the Blue Sky Sword Sea realize the gravity of the situation. The Immortal Realm is no longer a safe haven but a battlefield of bones.
Emperor Capital furrows his brow, takes a step back, and suggests to Chen Xia,
"Brother Chen, maybe we should return to the Blue Sky Sword Sea. It’s safer there, and we have more people."
His motto is, if there’s a battle, retreat immediately!
Chen Xia shakes his head. "We can’t escape. This is our fate."
"Oh, then I won’t leave either," Emperor Capital says, stepping back to stand behind Chen Xia.
The others from the Blue Sky Sword Sea also step forward, standing behind him. Chi Yu speaks calmly, stating firmly,
"Then let’s face the trial together."
"We’re all from the Blue Sky Sword Sea, all old friends. Facing a trial is nothing major for the Blue Sky Sword Sea," Qiu Li says with a light laugh.
"You still owe me ten thousand spirit stones from back in the Blue Sky Sword Sea. After we get through this trial, remember to pay me back when we return," Li Yang says, crossing his arms, his voice steady.
"You’ve saved me in the past; now it’s my turn to save you!" Li Yang’s voice is not loud, but his words are resolute.
Chen Xia has always shouldered the burden of the Blue Sky Sword Sea alone. Now, it’s their turn to help Chen Xia bear the brunt of this impending calamity.
The puppet body sits to the side, its hollow eyes flickering with a faint light.
All these words are part of the opportunity that will lead Chen Xia to become a Pseudo Emperor. Just a little more time, a bit deeper, and it will be secure.
The clash between the Heaven Emperor and the Supremacy finally sees a victor after several months.
Three-tenths of Chong Shang Yun Zhou has been destroyed, and the Heaven Emperor has taken possession of that territory with an imposing demeanor, declaring arrogantly,
"In the future, I will visit every state. Each state will give me three-tenths of their land. If they refuse, we’ll settle things with a fight. Win against me, and you can keep your land. Lose, and it won’t just be three-tenths."
Arrogant. Purely arrogant.
"What a show-off," Emperor Capital comments directly.
The Heaven Emperor indeed has the right to be arrogant.
Chen Xia shakes his head. "Forget it, let’s wait and see. We’re not soft targets either. If pushed to the limit, we might as well leave the Immortal Realm and stay out of this chaotic power struggle. Survival is the most important thing."
"Don’t worry, Chen Xia, let me—your second brain—find a solution. We’ve come this far; we can’t leave just like that!"
So, Emperor Capital begins to ponder deeply.
Qiu Li chuckles beside him. "Give it up. It feels like the higher your cultivation, the less brain you have. All your talent seems to have gone into your fighting skills."
"True," Chi Yu chimes in, agreeing for a change.
"Some people are like that—high cultivation but low intelligence. Always boasting about being the first Great Emperor of the Blue Sky Sword Sea as if it was pure luck," Li Yang comments.
"Can’t blame him entirely. Even if it was mostly luck, he still put in one percent of effort," Li Yue adds.
Emperor Capital rolls his eyes, not wanting to engage with these naysayers, knowing they’re just jealous of his rapid cultivation growth.
The conversations continue, seeming like bickering but feeling unexpectedly warm.
Chen Xia sits on his stool, smiling quietly as he watches the scene, feeling a rare sense of peace in this tumultuous Immortal Realm.
The demonic influence leans against the wall, his words fewer and thoughts deeper. Perhaps this is how he’s growing.
At the base of the Heaven Pill Gate.
A tall figure appears today, his hair silver and his face aged, with a sword hanging from his waist, swaying with each step. He stands at the entrance of the Heaven Pill Gate, looking up and grins, a long-lost smile on his face.
After thousands of years, he’s finally found the right path.
"So this is it," he mutters as he quickens his pace and starts climbing the mountain, his old body agile as he ascends.
The setting sun is falling, and he’s climbing upward, as if chasing the sunset.
Chen Xia sits on his small stool, propping his head up, watching the lingering sunset.
As the sun sets, a tall figure emerges from the shadows, an elderly man who spots Chen Xia and gives him a bright smile, waving to him.
Chen Xia freezes, not knowing what to say, then quickly stands up and waves back, smiling.
"Old Wang!"