Immortal Martial Emperor

The middle-aged man in black armor and the woman in white armor both grew somewhat curious.

Of course, it was merely a fleeting curiosity.

For powerhouses of their level, unless they were facing the absolute top geniuses of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom, other so-called talents were little more than slightly stronger commoners.

Unless a genius like Yao Yueye appeared—someone approaching the level of a Second Transformation Heavenly True Dragon—it was nearly impossible for anyone to catch their Dharma Eye.

Although Hong Yu’s talent was strong, he hadn’t yet entered the ranks of the First Transformation Heavenly True Dragons.

Let alone being compared to Yao Yueye, who was considered a top-tier expert even among First Transformation Heavenly True Dragons!

"This little fellow seems to be called Hong Yu. According to his file, he once killed an Early-stage Primordial Core Realm powerhouse," the white-armored woman said, her eyes showing a hint of surprise.

The black-armored man mused, "Someone at the Peak of the Celestial Soul Realm killing an Early-stage Primordial Core Realm expert? Such talent could indeed qualify for the First Transformation Heavenly True Dragon level. But don’t forget, the file also mentions that he seemed to have relied on some kind of Treasure with an immense cost to kill that Primordial Core Realm expert."

The world was infinitely vast!

Mysterious and magnificent!

It was only natural that some immensely powerful treasures would emerge, whether man-made or naturally formed.

For example, there was once a Primordial Core Realm expert who, while being hunted by his enemies, fell into a perilous situation. In the end, this expert obtained an Exotic Treasure from that dangerous place.

At the cost of his entire cultivation, this Primordial Core Realm expert managed to slay three Primordial Embryo Realm powerhouses with that Exotic Treasure.

This incident once caused a huge stir in the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom.

But so what if such an Exotic Treasure was powerful?

The more powerful the Exotic Treasure, the greater the negative side effects. Many of them were even single-use consumable items.

Relying on an Exotic Treasure to kill a powerful enemy was, in the eyes of a true powerhouse, a completely unorthodox and even distasteful method.

Because of this, the black-armored man was not optimistic about Hong Yu. "Although his current speed of comprehension seems to rival Yao Yueye’s, it’s most likely because the True Martial Arts Intent he originally comprehended is Vibrating Power. He basically cheated his way through this first trial, the Path of Heart Refinement. His true level of genius is still inferior to Yao Yueye’s!"

The white-armored woman, however, covered her mouth with her hand and smiled, shaking her head slightly. "I don’t see it that way. I still think that little fellow Hong Yu’s potential is no weaker than Yao Yueye’s!"

"He relied on an Exotic Treasure to kill a Primordial Core Realm expert and is suspected of cheating on the Path of Heart Refinement. A little fellow like him can’t even reach the level of a First Transformation Heavenly True Dragon. I predict he’ll be eliminated in the second trial!" the black-armored man said with conviction.

The white-armored woman beamed. "Old Hei, do you have the guts to make a bet with me?"

"Oh?"

The black-armored man frowned at her. "You seem to have a very high opinion of Hong Yu?"

The white-armored woman gently stroked a lock of dark hair at her temple and said nonchalantly, "Just give me a straight answer. Are you in or not?"

"How do we bet? What’s the wager?"

The white-armored woman said, "Didn’t you just say Hong Yu would be eliminated in the second trial? I think he’ll last until the third trial before being eliminated. If I win, you give me that Yin Nether Stone you have. If I lose, I’ll give you the piece of Profound Yin Iron I acquired before. How about it?"

"Profound Yin Iron? That’s the Treasure you almost lost your life to get from the Great Void Heaven Secret Realm! You’ve never been willing to use it, yet you’re willing to wager it now. It seems you really do have high hopes for Hong Yu!"

The two of them knew each other very well.

They had a clear understanding of the treasures the other possessed and, more importantly, what those treasures meant to them. That was why the black-armored man was so surprised.

The white-armored woman looked at him with a half-smile. "So, are you in or not?"

"I’m in! Why wouldn’t I be? Since you’re so intent on handing me a sure win, how could I possibly refuse!"

The two of them struck a deal instantly.

Then, they both turned their gazes back to the Path of Heart Refinement...

... ...

On the Path of Heart Refinement.

The area around Hong Yu was no longer as crowded as before!

After witnessing Hong Yu smash the head of a Celestial Soul Peak Powerhouse with a single punch, the other experts who had been crowded around him all scrambled to get away, fearing they might get caught in the crossfire.

As for Hong Yu himself, he remained immersed in the Shadow Martial Space, continuously deducing and perfecting the inspiration and understanding he had just gained.

BUZZ! BUZZ!

The cyan-brown shadow threw a punch.

At this moment...

Its fist was incredibly fast, reaching the absolute limit of speed.

If this had been before, upon seeing such a fast punch, Hong Yu would have helplessly given up his deductions, assuming the technique had failed!

But after the insight from that earlier punch, his mind was now as clear as a mirror.

A punch this fast, one that reached the very limit, actually contained a profound trajectory.

’The Vibrating Rune Technique isn’t just about extreme speed or extreme slowness!’

’A true vibration should be as sudden as a clap of thunder, yet also like the slow crawl of a snail.’

’The essence of the Vibrating Rune Technique is like the sudden, unpredictable force of an earthquake, and also like the propulsive force a snail generates as it inches forward, its body vibrating with each movement.’

’This is the true essence of the Vibrating Rune Technique!’

Hong Yu’s gaze suddenly became clear and bright.

With each successive deduction, his understanding and mastery of the True Martial Arts Intent: Vibrating Rune Technique progressed by leaps and bounds, slowly advancing from the Middle Success Realm to the Great Success Realm.

If the Vibrating Rune Technique at the Middle Success Realm could unleash ninety-nine waves of Vibrating Power with a single punch...

Then at this moment...

A simple punch from Hong Yu could now easily produce one hundred and eighty waves of Vibrating Power.

Of course, he was not satisfied with this level.

His goal was to raise the Vibrating Rune Technique to the Realm of Perfection. Only with the Vibrating Rune Technique at the Realm of Perfection would he have the confidence to evade the Gatekeeper Puppet’s miraculous punch.

At the same time!

At the very front of the group, Yao Yueye followed closely behind the Gatekeeper Puppet, his eyes glittering with a sharp, profound light.

He had, of course, also noticed the burst of power from Hong Yu’s earlier punch.

In response, the eyes of this First Transformation Heavenly True Dragon, who stood above all the other geniuses of the Southern Ten Nations, remained as calm as ever. He couldn’t even be bothered to show a trace of disdain. ’Hong Yu from the Qin Kingdom? Heh, in all the vast Southern Ten Nations, it’s hard to find a worthy opponent!’

With a soft sigh, his gaze swept over to the Gatekeeper Puppet. ’In about ten more minutes, I should be able to complete my deductions!’

’The winner of the first trial of the Path of Heart Refinement can only be me!’

At this thought, he slowly closed his eyes.

Behind Yao Yueye, Prince Zhui Ri’s expression flickered. ’Dammit, it’s bad enough that Yao Yueye is completely suppressing me, but even that Hong Yu has such a profound Power of Understanding? A pity my specialty isn’t the Martial Dao... but that move from the Gatekeeper Puppet just now could also be applied to Spiritual Power...’

Similar thoughts were swirling in the minds of other powerhouses like Ziyan Wuhen and Ling Bingxin.

In the crowd...

A burly, rugged young man dressed in simple beast hides glanced at the Four True Dragons far ahead of the pack.

His gaze then swept over Hong Yu and the others, his eyes erupting with a fiery battle intent. ’For my family’s revenge, I must attain a True Dragon Position!’

A refined-looking young man with a long, slender sword on his back also radiated a sharp battle intent. ’Master said I must obtain a True Dragon Position, or he won’t let me leave the mountain again. I am determined to win this True Dragon Position!’

Shui Rou’er, whose movements were as graceful as if she had no bones, had a blue silk ribbon wrapped around her slender waist.

Shui Rou’er gently stroked the ribbon at her waist and murmured, "My Shuixiu Kingdom hasn’t produced a True Dragon Powerhouse in many years. I cannot let my father, the King, down!"

Ding Zhentian, as cold and grim as a Netherworld Ghost Envoy, had eyes that glowed with a sinister green light, like two wisps of Ghost Fire dancing in their sockets.

He curled his lips into a smirk, revealing a Bloodthirsty look. ’I am determined to claim a True Dragon Position. Anyone who dares stand in my way will be killed!’

Swords were drawn and bows were bent; the will to fight was soaring!

This was the truest reflection of what every powerhouse on the Path of Heart Refinement was feeling inside!

Time gradually passed...

Five minutes.

Ten minutes.

Fifteen minutes...

When this moment arrived, among the thousands of talented powerhouses competing, two experts suddenly opened their eyes at the same time.

These two were the ones leading the charge.

One was Yao Yueye, who since childhood had displayed a talent that surpassed everyone in the Southern Ten Nations, a First Transformation Heavenly True Dragon Demon Fiend who stood above millions of other geniuses!

He was born into the Royal Family of the powerful Yaoyue Kingdom, and he was the most beloved Prince!

At three, he began training with a wooden sword. At five, he took his first steps into cultivation. At eight, he reached the Essence Realm. At thirteen, he broke through to the Earth Soul Realm, and at fifteen, the Celestial Soul Realm!

For a Demon Fiend like him, who put countless powerhouses and geniuses to shame, no achievement was too great. Even if he had passed the Gatekeeper Puppet the moment he stepped onto the Path of Heart Refinement, no one would have been surprised.

But Hong Yu was different!

Compared to Yao Yueye’s glorious journey, Hong Yu had risen from obscurity.

He didn’t have a prominent status. He wasn’t a Prince, nor was he from a Noble Family, and he certainly wasn’t born with a silver spoon.

He was merely a down-and-out member of a branch family from a remote, humble little city, bullied by others, his status lowly!

He didn’t start training with a sword at three, nor did he step onto the path of cultivation at five.

In fact, by the time Yao Yueye had already entered the Essence Realm, he was only just beginning to taste the mysteries of cultivation.

He didn’t have the endless resources of a Kingdom to support him; he had to fight and struggle with his own two hands for even a single Low Level Nourishing Essence Pill. He had no famous masters to guide him; he had to comprehend even the most basic Martial Skills himself through countless life-and-death battles with Desolate Beasts.

In everyone’s eyes, how could a young man with no status and no background possibly compete with Yao Yueye?

Watching Hong Yu charge toward the Gatekeeper Puppet,

everyone’s first reaction was, ’Has this kid lost his mind?’

’Didn’t he see that even Yao Yueye is only just now preparing to challenge the Gatekeeper Puppet? He’s going now? Does he really think he has the same talent and strength as Yao Yueye?’

’He’s overestimating himself!’

’If you don’t court death, you won’t die. He’s bringing this upon himself!’

A constant stream of insults and jeers filled the air.

Hong Yu’s expression remained unchanged, letting their words go in one ear and out the other as he strode firmly toward the Gatekeeper Puppet.

At the same time...

Yao Yueye also launched his assault on the Gatekeeper Puppet.

The two of them charged toward the left and right sides of the Gatekeeper Puppet almost simultaneously. Sensing their approach, the Gatekeeper Puppet let out a low roar and swung both fists at them.

This punch was even more bizarre and profound than the one it had used against the Celestial Soul Peak Powerhouse earlier.

Under the intimidating might of this punch, both Hong Yu and Yao Yueye’s figures faltered for an instant.

But very quickly, their eyes began to shine with the resolute light of absolute determination and an indomitable will to fight.

"No one can stop me!"

The two of them roared in unison, a sound that shook the heavens, and threw their punches at the same time.

In this clash of fists, who would be the first to break through the Gatekeeper Puppet’s defense and seize the champion’s title for the first trial of the Path of Heart Refinement?

The halo-wreathed Yao Yueye?

Or...

The upstart from obscurity, Hong Yu?

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