Immortal Martial Emperor

"Th-this... How is this possible?"

Jin Zhiyong trembled all over, his face a mask of disbelief.

Before him...

Hong Yu was already holding the Ancient Magic Cube—the very same one that had left him helpless and nearly crippled him with its backlash.

This Magic Cube, whose secrets he had failed to uncover despite using every trick in the book, was now being effortlessly manipulated in Hong Yu’s hands. Hong Yu’s fingers moved like nimble elves, as if playing a triumphant melody.

With every movement of his fingers, the Demon Patterns on the Magic Cube underwent a wondrous transformation.

The once-dull Demon Patterns were being guided by Hong Yu’s hands into a marvelous combination of arrangements, constantly shifting into various new formations.

Amidst these changing arrangements, clear lines began to appear on the Magic Cube’s surface.

Jin Zhiyong truly lived up to his title as the number one genius Spiritual Craftsman of the Imperial Capital.

His eye for detail and his own abilities were quite formidable.

Although he had been completely helpless against the Magic Cube, watching Hong Yu manipulate it—especially when those lines appeared—he knew that Hong Yu had found a way to solve it.

’Impossible. How could he possibly solve the Magic Cube?’

Jin Zhiyong was utterly devastated.

Beside him, Jin Zhiqiang’s expression was also extremely grim.

The two brothers were very close, and he naturally couldn’t bear to see his younger brother suffer such a blow.

His gaze toward Hong Yu now carried a trace of cold malice and resentment.

’Hm? This Ancient Magic Cube is quite interesting. It seems to have a clever trick to it. You can’t use any Spiritual Power or Primordial Gang’s Power while dismantling it, or you’ll suffer a backlash? No wonder those other Spiritual Craftsmen couldn’t open it!’ Hong Yu thought to himself.

Solving this Magic Cube wasn’t a test of strength or Spiritual Power, but rather a test of one’s understanding of Spirit Array Runes.

With the vast amount of information and knowledge about Spirit Array Runes from the "Initial Understanding of the Dao of Artifacts" that he had mastered, the Ancient Magic Cube was difficult, but not impossible to crack.

A full ten minutes later.

CLICK!

With a crisp sound, the entire Magic Cube was completely dismantled.

As the disassembly was completed, a black light surged out from within the Magic Cube, revealing a Jade Scroll.

Numerous Runes flowed across the surface of the Jade Scroll.

Although they were indecipherable, he could feel a wondrous fluctuation from within, indicating it was a significant inheritance.

Hong Yu snatched it up, tossing it along with the dismantled Magic Cube back to Zhu Ling’Er. He smiled and said, "Princess Ling’Er, the Magic Cube is solved. Please take it back!"

"Huh? You really solved it?"

Zhu Ling’Er was stunned for a moment. Then, looking at the Jade Scroll and the dismantled Magic Cube in her hands, her eyes filled with excitement.

She had possessed this Magic Cube for a long time.

She had even sought out the chief Spiritual Craftsman of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom and the Chairman of the Spiritual Craftsman Association, but none of them could solve the Magic Cube.

This had left Zhu Ling’Er feeling utterly helpless and disappointed.

At one point, she even felt that she was fated to never unlock the Magic Cube’s secrets.

She had brought out the Magic Cube at this Martial Arts Tea Party as a last-ditch effort, never expecting that Hong Yu would actually solve it.

"Holy crap, he actually solved it?"

"My heavens, is Hong Yu trying to defy the heavens?"

"In terms of Martial Force, he’s an Unparalleled Genius! And in the way of the Spiritual Craftsman, he can solve a Magic Cube that even Jin Zhiyong, a Fifth Grade Advanced Spirit Craft Master, was helpless against. Doesn’t that mean he’s also a powerful Spiritual Craftsman?"

"Didn’t Jin Zhiyong just boast that no one could compare to him? Now he’s getting his face slapped!"

"I couldn’t stand that arrogant, nose-in-the-air attitude of his for a long time."

The crowd was in an uproar!

Everyone present was a powerful genius, and there were even a few Unparalleled Geniuses of unknown identity hidden in the private rooms.

But...

Everyone has their own specialization.

While they possessed the strength to dominate a region in the Martial Dao, most of them were completely in the dark when it came to the path of the Spiritual Craftsman.

Yet Hong Yu not only had peerless talent in the Martial Dao, but was also so proficient in the path of the Spiritual Craftsman, possessing profound attainments. This made everyone idolize him!

Jin Zhiyong’s face was ashen.

Spiritual Craftsman.

This was the talent and capital he was most proud of.

Now...

’Hong Yu, who specializes in the Martial Dao, is actually stronger than me? This has completely shattered the confidence I’ve built up for decades. How can I not be dejected?’

Seeing his younger brother’s devastated state, Jin Zhiqiang felt a surge of anger. He stared daggers at Hong Yu, already plotting how to win back his brother’s dignity.

Hong Yu smiled at Jin Zhiyong and held out his hand. "A bet is a bet. You can fulfill your promise now!"

"I... I..."

Jin Zhiyong opened his mouth, but looking utterly lost, he couldn’t get the words out.

"What? Are you planning to go back on your word?" Hong Yu asked, still smiling.

"Hahaha, is the great number one Spiritual Craftsman genius going to renege on his bet?"

"He was the one who insisted on the bet. Now that he’s lost, he’s backing out. So much for the former number one Spiritual Craftsman genius!"

"How shameful. If you can’t afford to lose, don’t bet. What a disgrace!"

There’s never a shortage of people who’ll kick a man when he’s down.

Hearing the mockery and ridicule from the crowd of experts, Jin Zhiyong’s face flushed red. "WAH!" He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and staggered.

Jin Zhiqiang quickly supported him, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Hong Yu. "Hong Yu, don’t push it too far."

"Me, pushing it too far?"

Hong Yu paused, then frowned and sneered. "How strange. You two were the ones who initiated this bet. How have I suddenly become the one who’s ’pushing it too far’?"

"Don’t tell me it would only be fair and reasonable if I had lost the bet? Did a donkey kick you in the head? If you want to renege, just say so. I can do without the one billion worth of Elemental Essence Ore, but you can’t just slander me like this, can you?"

Hong Yu said with an innocent look.

"You..."

Jin Zhiqiang’s face alternated between green and white. When had he ever been cursed at like this?

But this time, Hong Yu was completely in the right, leaving him speechless.

His lips trembled for a long moment before a vicious glint flashed in his eyes. He said angrily, "A man of the Jin Family would never go back on a bet! However, the last wager was unfair to my brother. He’s not feeling well today. I’ll make you another bet!"

"Another bet?"

Hong Yu sized up Jin Zhiqiang from head to toe, then waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. If you lose, you’ll just accuse me of pushing it too far again. I’d rather not bet. It’s no fun playing with sore losers like you!"

"Y-you, don’t talk nonsense! When did we say we were going to renege?"

Jin Zhiqiang’s face was beet red as he roared, "I’ll bet you! We’ll double the previous stakes! Do you dare accept?"

Hong Yu’s eyes lit up.

’Double the previous stakes? Doesn’t that mean Elemental Essence Ore worth two billion? My Primordial Gang Fighting Technique needs a massive amount of Elemental Essence Ore to advance.’ A smile immediately touched his lips. "Fine, I’ll bet with you one more time. What’s the wager this time?"

"Good, as long as you’re willing to bet!"

Jin Zhiqiang breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. His only fear was that Hong Yu would refuse!

A sinister smile appeared on his face. "I heard you’re also a Spirit Cultivator with Mastery over Spiritual Power. Let’s bet on a Spirit Cultivator’s control over Spiritual Power. Do you dare?"

"Hong Yu, don’t bet with him! Jin Zhiqiang is known as the number one Spirit Cultivator in the Imperial Capital! His control over Spiritual Power is incredibly refined!"

"That’s right! Even a Spirit Cultivator at the Primordial Spirit Realm lost to him in a comparison. Don’t fall for his trap!"

A few of the experts who idolized Hong Yu reminded him anxiously.

Jin Zhiqiang’s face darkened, but he then looked at Hong Yu arrogantly. "Of course, if you don’t have the guts to bet with me, or if you can’t afford to lose, you can always choose to give up!"

He was clearly using reverse psychology!

Hong Yu rubbed his nose and smiled playfully. "I have to admit, your attempt at goading me is pretty lame. But, I’ll take your bet today. What are the rules?"

"Sigh, Hong Yu is too impulsive."

"Why did you agree? Jin Zhiqiang is clearly digging a pit for you to jump into!"

"I get it! Hong Yu definitely doesn’t want to offend the Jin Family too much, so he’s deliberately accepting the bet to lose back what he just won!"

Someone analyzed, thinking they were clever.

Hong Yu remained unmoved.

Jin Zhiqiang grinned. "Among Spirit Cultivators, there’s a method for testing Spiritual Power control. I have a set of control Spirit Balls here. We will compete in the art of Spiritual Power manipulation. Whoever can control more Spirit Balls simultaneously, and with greater precision, wins. How about it?"

"Spiritual Power control?"

A strange expression appeared on Hong Yu’s face.

’I cultivate the Flying Thunder Divine Skill, a Secret Technique for Spiritual Power manipulation. Why would I be afraid of him?’

He nodded immediately.

"I won’t bully you. I’ll go first!" Jin Zhiqiang said.

Then, from the box in front of him, silver metal spheres began to float out one by one. Each was the size of a walnut. Under the control of his Spiritual Power, a total of seventy-two metal spheres flew out and began to circle in the air.

Under Jin Zhiqiang’s control, they combined to form a fish swimming through the air.

Then, they suddenly transformed into a great bird soaring.

The seventy-two metal spheres were incredibly agile, as if they were alive.

Watching this, Hong Yu couldn’t help but frown. ’This Jin Zhiqiang isn’t just an empty name after all. Such control of Spiritual Power is indeed exquisite. A few days ago, this would have been the limit of my abilities as well, but now...’ The corners of Hong Yu’s lips curved upward in a confident arc.

SNAP!

Jin Zhiqiang returned the metal spheres to the box, a thin layer of sweat already beading on his forehead.

He looked at Hong Yu arrogantly and said with confidence, "A total of seventy-two metal spheres, capable of forming ten different arrangements. Your turn!"

Hong Yu rubbed his nose.

His Spiritual Power seeped into the box.

BUZZ!

One, two...

Thirty-six metal spheres appeared.

"Hmph, only thirty-six metal spheres? I’ve already won!" Jin Zhiqiang said confidently.

But soon, his brow furrowed.

SWISH SWISH SWISH!

Another thirty-six metal spheres flew out.

A total of seventy-two metal spheres formed two neat square formations in the air. Under Hong Yu’s control, they looked like two armies deploying troops and clashing with each other.

One moment, a Fish Scale Array countered a Sword Blade Array.

The next, a White Horse Array clashed with an Eight Trigrams Array.

The display was so vivid that cold sweat began to seep from Jin Zhiqiang’s forehead. Still, he clung to a sliver of hope. ’Only nine transformations. I’m still a notch above him!’

"Alright, warm-up’s over. Time for the main performance!" Hong Yu said with a playful smile.

And then...

A surging torrent of Spiritual Power erupted like a tidal wave.

More metal spheres flew out of the box again, bringing the total to ninety-nine dancing in the air.

Under Hong Yu’s control, one moment they formed a soaring Celestial Dragon, the next a giant phoenix spreading its wings, and the next a ferocious tiger pouncing on its prey...

He effortlessly completed a full thirty-plus transformations.

Without his face flushing or his breath quickening, Hong Yu returned the metal spheres to the box. He looked at the dumbstruck Jin Zhiqiang with a smile and said, "Sorry, I won again!"