Immortal Martial Emperor

Blood trickled from Hong Yu’s mouth as he stared intently at Venerable Xiahuang. "What are your conditions?"

The image of the adorable, angel-like baby kept flashing in his mind. He had promised her parents that he would take good care of Little Chenxi.

Over the past few days, their time together had transformed Hong Yu’s feelings for Little Chenxi far beyond the promise he had made.

It had evolved into an instinct.

Or perhaps, a sense of responsibility and heartfelt care.

He would never allow any harm to come to Little Chenxi.

He would protect her just as he would protect his own family!

A playful smile touched Venerable Xiahuang’s lips as he spoke lightly, "My demand isn’t that difficult... As long as you can take first place in the upcoming pre-war hunt, I will release the little girl. Of course, if you fail, not only will you not get the little girl back, but you will also have to swear an oath to become my servant. How about it?"

"BZZT!"

Hong Yu’s body trembled.

The surrounding experts gasped.

First place in the pre-war hunt?

One had to understand that the pre-war hunt was also known as the ’little True Dragon Convention’.

The stars of the True Dragon War were destined to be the Ten Great Unparalleled Prodigies.

So...

This pre-war hunt, where the Ten Great Unparalleled Prodigies could not participate, was the best stage for all the experts beneath their level to shine and attract the attention of true Great Powers.

Because of this.

The competition in the pre-war hunt was even more brutal than the True Dragon War itself!

Under such circumstances, how difficult would it be for Hong Yu to claim first place?

His apparent victory over Zhao Wushuang was deceiving.

In reality, a good deal of luck was involved.

It also had much to do with Zhao Wushuang underestimating his opponent.

If it were a true battle to the death, Hong Yu would at best rank around seventh or eighth among the Unparalleled True Dragons. To break into the top five, he would need another boost in combat power.

"Brother, isn’t this demand a bit too much?" Xiahuang Shang said grimly.

Venerable Xiahuang glanced at him. "I’m not forcing Hong Yu to accept. He is free to refuse my terms!"

"..."

Xiahuang Shang’s eyes flickered, his heart filled with discontent.

But, as if remembering something, he gritted his teeth and suppressed his anger.

He secretly sent a transmission to Hong Yu: "Younger Brother Hong, don’t be rash and fall into my brother’s trap. He has you cornered. Whether you win this bet or not, he will surely have other ways to deal with you."

Hong Yu glanced at Xiahuang Shang, feeling a wave of gratitude.

For Xiahuang Shang to help him like this proved he was truly a man who valued relationships and loyalty.

He also understood that Xiahuang Shang was looking out for him.

But...

’How could I not save Little Chenxi? For her sake, what does it matter if I take this gamble?’

Hong Yu took a deep breath. "Fine, I accept your terms!"

"HAHAHA, excellent, excellent! A straightforward man indeed. In that case, during this time, I guarantee that the little girl will be well-fed and unharmed."

Venerable Xiahuang licked his lips. "I’m looking forward to the pre-war hunt more and more. When the time comes, I’ll have another loyal dog. HAHAHA..."

Amidst his loud laughter, Venerable Xiahuang took Zhao Wushuang and flew into the sky.

Zhao Wuji, having been crippled, had long been abandoned.

Xiahuang Shang said nothing more. He arranged for his men to rescue Xu Wudi and the others before leaving with Hong Yu.

「That night.」

Xiahuang Shang found Hong Yu, his expression grave. "Younger Brother Hong, you were too reckless. My brother is ruthless and never makes a losing deal. He was definitely behind today’s events. By attacking the Liger Garden, you’ve already made an open enemy of him. This bet is clearly a trap designed to be the end of you!"

Hong Yu looked at Xiahuang Shang and smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Brother Xiahuang. However, there are some things you have to fight for, even when the future looks bleak and hope is slim."

"Little Chenxi isn’t your daughter. Why do you have to throw your own life into the mix?" Xiahuang Shang asked, confused.

He was from the Imperial Family.

From a young age, he had been exposed to nothing but schemes and the art of ruling.

He valued interests above all else.

Take his friendship with Hong Yu, for example. If his own Father Emperor hadn’t secretly ordered it, why would Xiahuang Shang have ever humbled himself to approach Hong Yu?

Of course, by now...

...in his heart, Xiahuang Shang truly respected Hong Yu and considered him a friend.

Hong Yu smiled. "Some people don’t need to be related by blood, nor do they need to be lovers. This is a responsibility. It’s what my heart truly believes."

"Alright. There’s no use for regrets now."

With a flip of his palm, Xiahuang Shang produced several items and handed them to Hong Yu.

"The first one is the Spear Technique, *Piercing Void*, that Xu Wudi and the others found for you. Although it’s an incomplete Martial Skill, it’s still beyond Celestial Level, and its first three moves far surpass other Celestial-Level Martial Skills."

Xiahuang Shang paused, pointing to a second, black-covered book. "This is a collection of information on your main rivals in the pre-war hunt, compiled by my men! Alright, I won’t disturb your rest. We head to the Sumeru Sea for the pre-war hunt early the day after tomorrow!"

"Alright!"

Hong Yu nodded.

No words of gratitude were exchanged.

Since they were brothers, such empty pleasantries were unnecessary.

After Xiahuang Shang left, he began to flip through the black book. Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat!

The black book contained information on over a hundred people in total.

Some entries were detailed, others were brief.

Among them, Xiahuang Shang had marked ten names in red.

These ten were all ranked in the top ten of the Unparalleled True Dragons, and the strength of each could not be underestimated.

"The number one Unparalleled True Dragon, Xiahuang Ba? He cultivates the Tyrant’s Cauldron Lifting Divine Techniques and possesses Innate Divine Strength. His combat power is roughly equivalent to the eighth-ranked Unparalleled Genius. He is the most likely expert in this generation to break into the ranks of the Unparalleled Geniuses!"

"The number two Unparalleled True Dragon, Ling Aotian of the Sword Kingdom. A born Sword Cultivator who carries two swords. It is said that when he was born, a celestial phenomenon occurred, and he was found holding a long Stone Sword. His *Proud Heaven Sword Technique* is peerlessly sharp, and his combat power is no less than Xiahuang Ba’s. He is also a popular candidate to become an Unparalleled Genius."

"The number three Unparalleled True Dragon, Zhao Wushuang. Limitless combat power."

Below this was a handwritten note from Xiahuang Shang: "Younger Brother Hong, do not underestimate Zhao Wushuang. He did not use his full strength in today’s battle. The world knows of his unparalleled talent in the Sword Dao, but in reality, his most formidable techniques do not involve a saber. Be extremely careful!"

The list went on and on.

In short, not a single one was an easy opponent.

And at the very end...

...Xiahuang Shang had explicitly stated: This dossier still has discrepancies and omissions. There may be many hidden masters lurking among the crowd. You must not let your guard down!

’Brother Xiahuang has really done everything he possibly could for me.’

Hong Yu let out a long breath, a grave light in his eyes. ’If I use my full strength, I can put up a fight against Zhao Wushuang. But Ling Aotian and Xiahuang Ba will be difficult to deal with.’

Hong Yu contemplated quietly.

He realized that if he wanted to break through the pack in the pre-war hunt and take first place, conventionally training and improving his strength would be too slow.

’My cultivation just broke through to the Mid-stage Primordial Embryo Realm with the help of a Void-Breaking Pill. Without some fortuitous encounter, it will be hard to break through again in the short term. In terms of Martial Skills, however, I can increase my combat power with *Piercing Void*. Other than that, I can’t wait any longer to advance my *Heaven-Swallowing Divine Technique*.’

Once the *Heaven-Swallowing Divine Technique* was upgraded, his Spiritual Power would advance.

And with it, the *Flying Thunder Divine Skill* would improve as well.

The *Flying Thunder Divine Skill* was currently at the Third Layer, the Power of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang.

If he could raise it to the Fourth Layer, the Seventy-two Earthly Fiend Realm, his combat power would definitely jump to a new level.

What’s more...

An increase in Spiritual Power also meant an improvement to his Pupil Technique.

Currently, his Pupil Technique: Sky-covering could only affect experts at the Early-stage Primordial Spirit Realm, and only with a sneak attack. Unless he could improve it again, it would be impossible for it to have any effect on an Unparalleled Genius.

With this in mind, Hong Yu decided to first cultivate *Piercing Void*.

The Shadow Martial Space naturally appeared.

With his photographic memory, he committed the many essentials and secrets of the *Piercing Void* Spear Technique to heart.

Inside the Shadow Martial Space, a brilliant golden shadow began to deduce and cultivate the technique. As this deduction and cultivation progressed, Hong Yu’s grasp of *Piercing Void* became increasingly profound and skilled.

「Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the dawn of the next day.」

Xiahuang Shang hurried over to urge Hong Yu along. Reluctantly, Hong Yu left the cultivation room and headed to the docks with him.

Feng Xue Xin, Young Master Yeban, and the others naturally followed.

Only Luoo Xiaoguai, who didn’t have a spot in the True Dragon competition, stayed behind at the Prince’s Mansion to recuperate.

Their destination this time was called the Sumeru Sea.

It was said to be the hunting ground of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom’s Imperial Family, located in a mysterious region of the vast ocean.

Of course...

...some experts believed that this mysterious Sumeru Sea was actually enveloped by a Grand Array.

It was a grand undertaking of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom.

Without the correct method and path, it would be impossible to find the entrance to the Sumeru Sea.

Naturally, Hong Yu had no interest in any of this.

The group boarded the enormous Yellow Heaven Battleship.

This Yellow Heaven Battleship was a hundred times the size of a Celestial Dragon Warship and was one of the top-tier warships in the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom.

Tens of thousands of experts boarded the Yellow Heaven Battleship.

"HUMMM!"

The Yellow Heaven Battleship cut through the wind and waves, setting off.

Its speed was unbelievable.

The voyage lasted for three full days and nights.

On the morning of the third day, when everyone opened their eyes, they found they could no longer see any scenery, only a thick fog.

This fog was extremely strange, capable of blocking Spiritual Power and Perception.

Everyone was completely blind to their surroundings.

Fortunately, after more than an hour, the Yellow Heaven Battleship pierced through the thick fog, and light appeared before their eyes once more.

"HISS!"

"What is that?!"

"My heavens, are those two Cyan Arm Iron Apes fighting? Those are powerful Desolate Beasts comparable to the Early-stage Primordial Spirit Realm! They went extinct on the mainland long ago. I can’t believe they’re here."

"Those are two Flood Dragons, comparable to the Peak of the Primordial Spirit Realm! They seem to be fighting over some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures!"

"A Nine-headed Serpent Emperor, a powerful Desolate Beast rumored to have surpassed the Primordial Spirit Realm..."

"Heavens, where is this place? Why are so many legendary Desolate Beasts alive here? Could it be... this is the Sumeru Sea?"

Countless experts were horrified, shocked by the scene before them.

As if to confirm their suspicions, a majestic voice boomed across the entire warship...

"Welcome, everyone, to the Sumeru Sea!"