Eternal Life as False Emperor

"Ant, there’s no need to put on a pretentious show. I know very well that only Fang Zhuo has come."

"You have quite the guts, daring to toy with me repeatedly. As a reward, I’ll throw your soul into the Karmic Fire of the Netherworld, making you live in torment for eternity."

Zheng Yi impatiently dug at his ear: "Old geezer, why is it that even when threatening others, you’re exactly like your useless son who died? You may not tire of saying it, but I’m getting calluses in my ears from hearing it."

"If you truly had the ability, would I still be standing here unharmed?"

These simple words almost drove the Azure Moon Flame Emperor insane with rage.

He, a dignified Enlightenment Stage expert, couldn’t do anything to the one who killed his son.

If this enemy was at the level of Sword God Fang Zhuo, then that would be understandable.

But the opponent was merely a petty ant without any real skills beyond a sharp tongue.

Mid-stage Crystal.

Under normal circumstances, didn’t even qualify for his notice.

Yet now, repeatedly challenging his authority.

The Azure Moon Flame Emperor’s whole body turned visibly red, showing the extent of his anger.

Zheng Yi seized the opportunity to communicate with Fang Zhuo: "Sword God senior, before this guy calms down, he certainly won’t think about how to escape. Whether we can solve this critical threat depends on you."

"By the way, are you really the only one here, no other experts with you?"

Fang Zhuo shook his head helplessly: "Just me for now, others are still on their way."

Zheng Yi sighed with regret: "Doesn’t that also mean the Nether Spirit Race’s other experts have already taken action."

Though still exhibiting his carefree demeanor, a hint of shock flashed in Fang Zhuo’s eyes.

With just casual words, the young man could infer so much.

Before Fang Zhuo could finish marveling, the Azure Moon Flame Emperor roared in anger, launching an attack.

Fang Zhuo did not dare to slack off, immediately swinging his sword to engage with the Azure Moon Flame Emperor.

As soon as they clashed, a powerful force directly blew Zheng Yi away. He frantically activated his cultivation technique, barely managing to stabilize his body and land safely.

The Golden Core Cultivators all had their own ways to protect themselves.

However, the less cultivated disciples were less fortunate.

Some were lucky enough to have sect elders nearby, shielding them from most of the attack.

As for the less fortunate, they suffered ruptured meridians and died on the spot.

Two Enlightenment Stage experts had exchanged just one move, not even using full strength, merely probing each other.

Yet, Wenxian Temple already suffered heavy losses.

Fang Zhuo did not want to save people for no reason; otherwise, he wouldn’t have depleted his spiritual qi to come to such a remote place.

But facing the Azure Moon Flame Emperor, he dared not be careless.

His swordsmanship grew increasingly fierce, forcing the Azure Moon Flame Emperor to retreat continuously.

Although unwilling, the Azure Moon Flame Emperor dared not confront the sharpness, resigning himself to being forcibly driven away from Wenxian Temple by Sword God Fang Zhuo.

"Senior, how are you all? Can you activate the Mountain Protection Array immediately?" Zheng Yi anxiously inquired of the old Daoist and others.

Although the Azure Moon Flame Emperor had been pushed back several thousand meters by Sword God Fang Zhuo, Zheng Yi felt no relief.

Another expert of the Nether Spirit Race had already mobilized and could arrive anytime.

On our side, we only start responding passively after the opponent acts.

The opponent’s experts are certain to arrive before ours.

During this period, how could these weaker cultivators protect themselves?

The only thing to rely on, perhaps, is the Mountain Protection Array.

"We should save people first; many disciples still have a chance to be rescued," a Daoist from Wenxian Temple retorted discontentedly.

Zheng Yi said no more, merely locking eyes with the old Daoist and Zui Jiu.

Now was not the time for verbal sparring.

Even if he could persuade them, what good would it do? Time would still be wasted pointlessly.

As long as the host of Wenxian Temple, along with Zui Jiu and others, trusted him, they could act directly and explain later.

The old Daoist was silent for a few seconds, presumably contemplating what to do.

Zui Jiu urgently said, "Senior brother, I trust this young man’s words. His cultivation might be lacking, but his intellect is very sharp. Since I first met this young man, he has rarely been wrong."

The old Daoist also recalled Zheng Yi’s earlier performance; without him, Wenxian Temple might have been completely eradicated by now.

"All Golden Core and above, immediately go to repair the Mountain Protection Array, strive to restore its operation as soon as possible."

"As for the rest..." The old Daoist looked around, still concerned for the disciples of Wenxian Temple: "Focus on saving people; save as many as possible."

Although the response was a bit slow, it was still the best choice under the circumstances.

Seeing everyone spring into action, Zheng Yi turned his attention to Fang Zhuo and the Azure Moon Flame Emperor’s battle.

The more he watched, the more astonished he became.

Fang Zhuo indeed deserved the Sword God’s name.

A simple iron sword in his hand seemed as invincible as a divine sword.

Neither the Azure Moon Flame Emperor’s protective spiritual qi nor his protective magical artifact could withstand Fang Zhuo’s attacks.

Though Sword God’s speed wasn’t exceptional, and his moves weren’t particularly mystical, they seemed mundane, as if he wasn’t engaging an opponent but merely practicing swordsmanship.

Yet it was this leisurely attack style that left the Azure Moon Flame Emperor flustered.

In no time, three wounds appeared on his body.

Though these were mere surface wounds, incapable of truly affecting an Enlightenment Stage expert like him, they still shocked the Azure Moon Flame Emperor into a cold sweat.

If he hadn’t dodged in time, those attacks might have indeed ended his life.

"Fang Zhuo, are you hell-bent on my death?"

"Ridiculous." Fang Zhuo’s offensive did not relent: "You invade my human race’s territory, murder my human cultivators, destroy my human sect? How dare you think I’d spare you?"

"Aren’t you afraid of igniting a bloody war between the two races?" The Azure Moon Flame Emperor originally didn’t think much of Fang Zhuo.

From earlier probing, he noticed Fang Zhuo’s cultivation progress hadn’t been particularly fast.

Originally, their cultivation levels were about the same, but now, he should be slightly higher.

Therefore, he recklessly initiated a fight on the human race’s territory.

Even if he couldn’t win, he could delay for reinforcements.

This tactic was, surprisingly, learned from that human ant.

However, after only a few moves, the Azure Moon Flame Emperor was startled to find that even though the opponent’s cultivation was slightly inferior, the seemingly ethereal swordsmanship was immensely powerful.

Seemingly not particularly swift, but it pressured him relentlessly.

Having fought for only a short while, he found himself barely able to hold out.

"Such ridiculous words; wasn’t it your Nether Spirit Race that initiated the war? These days, our human race has lost so many promising juniors."

"Now, you’ll pay with your life for them." As he spoke, Fang Zhuo’s sword techniques became increasingly fierce.

At this point, Wenxian Temple’s Mountain Protection Array, under the repair of Golden Core Cultivators, was reactivated.

Just as the array was being activated, Zheng Yi shouted at Sword God Fang Zhuo: "Sword God senior, please save our lives!"

Fang Zhuo was taken aback; the Mountain Protection Array had just started, and there seemed to be no danger.

Nonetheless, his purpose was ultimately to save people.

Though he temporarily suppressed the Azure Moon Flame Emperor, defeating him wasn’t that simple.

He decisively withdrew into the Mountain Protection Array of Wenxian Temple.

"What happened?" Seeing it was calm within the array, without any unexpected occurrences, he frowned.

Before anyone could answer, a harsh sound echoed, followed by the sudden appearance of a glowing Vajra Circle.

Like a meteor, it collided with the spot Fang Zhuo previously occupied.

The Vajra Circle’s power was formidable; had Fang Zhuo not retreated into the Mountain Protection Array of Wenxian Temple, evading it wouldn’t have been easy.