Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

"So, you old man, you finally couldn’t resist showing yourself."

A weathered, ancient sigh suddenly echoed from the void. In that instant, endless energy surged, flooding the world.

Vast and mighty, the energy saturated the realm in a single breath!

The clouds in the Celestial Vault above turned crimson, like a fiery sunset, inspiring awe and dread in all who watched. Simultaneously, as the voice faded, a blue Ice and Snow Storm abruptly materialized in the void, gradually condensing into a majestic figure a hundred zhang tall!

The moment this figure appeared, it instantly became the focal point of the entire world.

Jiang Chen recognized him at a glance—it was the Ice Emperor he had encountered in the Profound Celestial Ancestor Realm!

Right now...

The Ice Emperor’s aura was far stronger and more immense than when Jiang Chen had seen him in the Profound Celestial Ancestor Realm. Clearly, he had fully awakened!

The Ice Emperor’s icy gaze swept toward the mass of fiery clouds in the void. He snorted. "Elder Fire," he said coolly, "since you know this Emperor has awakened, you still dare to interfere?"

"Hmph!"

The weathered voice sounded again. In the sky above, the fiery clouds instantly morphed into a blazing whirlwind. Spinning furiously, the vortex gave birth to a crimson figure bathed in the light of fire. The figure was clad in crimson battle armor, and his eyebrows burned like twin flames.

Chains of fire coiled around his body, each link pulsing with what seemed like enough power to incinerate the world.

The moment he appeared, the temperature in the void skyrocketed.

Upon seeing the elder’s arrival, Yang Qiong’s face lit up with ecstatic reverence. He bowed deeply. "Disciple Yang Qiong pays his respects to the Forefather!"

"Mm. Yang Qiong, you and Six Mountains may withdraw for now."

The Fire Emperor nodded, then turned to the Ice Emperor. "Ice Emperor, how many years has it been since we last met?"

"Over a hundred thousand years, I’d say."

The Ice Emperor’s reply was nonchalant, as if over a hundred thousand years were merely the blink of an eye to him.

The Fire Emperor nodded at his words, a wistful look on his face as he murmured, "A full one hundred and fifty thousand years. Ever since that battle back then... we old bones either fell into slumber or vanished without a trace... It’s really been one hundred and fifty thousand years since we’ve seen each other!"

"And what of it?" the Ice Emperor said dismissively. "For beings like us, if we cannot break through to that realm, we are doomed to fall into the cycle of Reincarnation no matter how long we live. What’s the point of another three or four hundred thousand years?"

"Break through to that realm? Easier said than done," the Fire Emperor sighed, shaking his head.

The Ice Emperor waved his hand impatiently. "Elder Fire, today I promised this boy I would help him slay the Six Mountains Sword Venerable. Are you certain you want to stand in my way?"

"I swore an oath to protect Six Mountains. If you move against him, I have no choice but to stop you."

The Fire Emperor smiled placidly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Jiang Chen. "Little one, if I’m not mistaken, that ancient castle behind you is a Divine-tier Profound Weapon, isn’t it? Tsk, tsk. A Divine-tier Profound Weapon... even among us experts of the Emperor Realm, only a handful of the old fossils have one. Little one, just offer that castle to me, and I’ll spare your life. Trading an external object to save your own skin... it’s quite the bargain, don’t you think?"

Though the Fire Emperor’s words were framed as a question, his stare felt like the weight of a thousand mountains pressing down on Jiang Chen, leaving him struggling to breathe.

He could barely breathe.

’This isn’t a question!’

’It’s a blatant threat!’

’Trade an external object for my life? A bargain, he says?’

’Bargain my ass!’

Jiang Chen sneered and was about to speak, but the Ice Emperor cut in. "Elder Fire, Jiang Chen is under this Emperor’s protection. To act this way in front of me... is to show this Emperor no respect at all, wouldn’t you say?"

"Oh? What’s this? Elder Bing, are you also interested in this Divine-tier Profound Weapon?" the Fire Emperor asked, his eyes narrowing.

The Ice Emperor shook his head, his expression one of stern righteousness. "This Emperor is only interested in the item left behind by the Sect Leader. While this Divine-tier Profound Weapon may be precious, it is not worthy of my Dharma Eye. However, I gave my word to protect Jiang Chen, and I will not allow you to bully him!"

As he spoke, the Ice Emperor looked at Jiang Chen and sent him a voice transmission. "Little one, this Elder Fire is incredibly strong. Having just awakened, I am not yet his match. How about this: lend me your Divine-tier Profound Weapon for now. After I use it to slay Elder Fire, I will return it to you."

The Ice Emperor stared at Jiang Chen, his gaze intense, his face a mask of utter sincerity.

Jiang Chen was stunned for a second, then the corners of his lips curled upward.

He met the Ice Emperor’s gaze without a hint of weakness, his eyes flashing with deep sarcasm and ridicule as he thought, ’This Ice Emperor’s acting is really something. Said he’d protect me? Not a match for the Fire Emperor? Do you fucking think I’m a three-year-old?’

From their brief encounter in the Profound Celestial Ancestor Realm, Jiang Chen had already gotten a good measure of the Ice Emperor’s character.

This was a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

If he really handed over the Celestial Demon Ancient Castle, not only would it be like throwing a meat bun at a dog—gone for good—but the Ice Emperor would likely turn on him the very next second.

Jiang Chen spoke calmly, "Senior, I don’t need you to deal with the Fire Emperor. I only need you to fulfill your promise to strike a second time. Slay the Six Mountains Sword Venerable. That is all. As for the Celestial Demon Ancient Castle, I have my own ways of protecting it, so you needn’t trouble yourself."

"Hm?"

The Ice Emperor’s expression darkened slightly.

He hadn’t expected Jiang Chen to see right through him. He put on a deeply wounded expression. "Little one, are you suggesting this Emperor would covet your Profound Weapon? That is an insult! Am I that sort of person? Hurry, lend me the castle. Once I have slain Elder Fire, not only will I dispose of the Six Mountains Sword Venerable for you, but I will also help you seize control of the Six Mountains Dynasty and the Fengyang Ancient Country. Then, I will personally escort you to the Mystic Sect, and you will easily become the most powerful man in the entire Eastern Continent!"

The Ice Emperor’s words were a patient, methodical temptation, promising a mountain of benefits.

However...

Jiang Chen simply shook his head and smiled. "I am not a greedy man, Senior. I only ask that you fulfill your promise and help me slay the Six Mountains Sword Venerable."

"You..."

The Ice Emperor’s face fell, his patience clearly exhausted.

Seeing this, the Fire Emperor on the sidelines burst into laughter. "Ice Emperor, oh, Ice Emperor! And you call yourself the brains of the Nine Emperors of Mystic Sect. It seems one hundred fifty thousand years of sleep has addled your wits. You can’t even handle a mere boy!"

The Fire Emperor’s words made the Ice Emperor’s expression turn uglier still. The last vestiges of warmth vanished from his face.

His features turned grim. He stared at Jiang Chen, speaking each word with deliberate force, "Jiang Chen, I will give you one last chance. Hand over the Celestial Demon Ancient Castle. I will still honor my previous promises. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being merciless!"

’He’s dropping the act already?’

Heh...

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes. "Senior, we had an agreement."

"Hmph! An agreement? So what?" the Ice Emperor threatened, his words sharp. "I only promised to act on your behalf, not that I would do so to your satisfaction. I already made my move once, only to be thwarted by Elder Fire. If you knew what was good for you, I would naturally continue to uphold my end. But if you’re going to be difficult, I can just as easily stand by and do nothing. Don’t forget... you can’t even defeat the Six Mountains Sword Venerable. If Elder Fire decides to attack, I’m the only one who can save you!"

A confident smirk played on his lips.

In the Ice Emperor’s mind, there was no doubt that Jiang Chen would compromise when faced with the combined threat of the Six Mountains Sword Venerable and the Fire Emperor.

Unfortunately for him...

He had severely miscalculated.

Jiang Chen met the Ice Emperor’s gaze with calm defiance, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Sorry, but the word ’compromise’ is not in my vocabulary."

In the face of the Ice Emperor’s threats, Jiang Chen chose outright refusal.

It was a blatant slap in the Ice Emperor’s face.

His expression sank. "Fine," he seethed, gritting his teeth. "Very good. You’re digging your own grave." He then turned to the Fire Emperor and said coolly, "Elder Fire, I will no longer stop you from dealing with this brat. But as for the treasure, we will share it."

"No problem!"

The Fire Emperor grinned, his mocking gaze falling upon Jiang Chen. He glanced at the Six Mountains Sword Venerable. "Six Mountains, go and teach this boy a lesson."

"Yes, sir!"

The Six Mountains Sword Venerable let out a vicious laugh, his murderous gaze locking onto Jiang Chen...