Immortal Martial Emperor

The battle was raging, on the brink of escalating, when both Hong Yu and Xiahuang Dun came to a halt.

The two of them simultaneously looked toward the Outer City.

In the void.

A chariot, glowing with golden light, soared through the air. A faint golden radiance enveloped it, and powerful Spirit Array Inscriptions coiled around its frame.

In front of the chariot, six powerful, snow-white Two-winged Unicorns pulled it along at great speed.

Their speed was comparable to lightning.

"Hiss! Who is this? What a grand display!"

"Two-winged Unicorns pulling a chariot... Only a few of the most favored princes in the Imperial Family receive such treatment."

"I know who it is! It’s Xiahuang Shang!"

"What? Prince Xiahuang Shang? The Xiahuang Shang who’s ranked second among the Ten Great Unparalleled Prodigies?"

A series of sharp gasps could be heard from the crowd.

Ranked second among the Ten Great Unparalleled Prodigies... What immense power and glory did that represent?

"Even he was drawn here?" Xiahuang Dun frowned, a hint of confusion on his face.

They were both members of the Xiahuang Family.

But...

...the difference in status between Xiahuang Shang and Xiahuang Dun was like the heavens and the earth.

Xiahuang Shang was not only a Prince favored by the current Emperor of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom, but he was also a True Dragon Genius at the Fifth Heaven Realm and a popular candidate for the throne.

In contrast, there was Xiahuang Dun.

In his entire life, the most he could hope for was to become a mere Prince. He was in a completely different league from Xiahuang Shang.

More importantly, Xiahuang Dun belonged to the Eldest Prince’s faction and was not on good terms with Xiahuang Shang.

Hong Yu narrowed his eyes and muttered, ’He must have known I’d arrived in the Outer City and came here specifically for me, didn’t he?’

"WHOA!"

The Two-winged Unicorns slowly came to a halt.

They stood suspended in mid-air, their hooves treading on auspicious white clouds, their wings gently trembling.

These six Two-winged Unicorns were all Fifth Grade Desolate Beasts, comparable to human Primordial Embryo Realm Powerhouses, yet they were merely used to pull a chariot.

One could only imagine the magnificent resources of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom!

"Hahaha, it’s quite lively here today!" A hearty voice came from within the chariot.

The chariot door opened, and Xiahuang Shang’s figure slowly emerged.

He wore a magnificent purple-and-gold robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns and a Purple Jade Golden Crown on his head.

His eyes seemed to contain the sun and moon, shining with a profound and far-reaching light, as if they could pierce through the void and see into the very depths of a person’s heart.

This was Xiahuang Shang!

A magnificent True Dragon Demon Fiend of the Fifth Heaven Realm, his strength was profound and immeasurable.

"Brother Huang!"

Xiahuang Dun hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and speaking respectfully.

Xiahuang Shang smiled at him and said calmly, "Xiahuang Dun? Heh, you’re not with my eldest brother. What are you doing here?"

"The Eldest Prince is preparing to invest in the auction house, so he sent me to the Aolai Inn to discuss a partnership with the Zhangg Family. However..."

Xiahuang Dun raised an eyebrow, his cold gaze shifting to Hong Yu. He said flatly, "On the way, I ran into this commoner named Hong Yu. He dared to insult my Xiahuang clan and showed no respect for the Xiahuang Family. So, I took it upon myself to teach him a lesson!"

"Oh? You say Hong Yu insulted the Xiahuang Family?" Xiahuang Shang’s tone was playful.

Xiahuang Dun nodded. "That’s right. Not only did he insult the Xiahuang Family, but he also boasted that the prodigies of the Xiahuang Family are nothing special in his eyes!"

"Doesn’t that mean he insulted me as well?" Xiahuang Shang narrowed his eyes, a seemingly fierce light swirling within them.

Seeing this, Xiahuang Dun’s heart stirred.

’Xiahuang Shang is incredibly arrogant,’ he thought. ’If I can incite him to attack Hong Yu, not only can I use him to kill Hong Yu, but I can also use this opportunity to start rumors and paint Xiahuang Shang as tyrannical and aggressive!’

At this thought, Xiahuang Dun’s resolve hardened. He nodded seriously. "He even threatened to kill the Emperor! As you know, our Xiahuang Family has existed for so long, and no one has ever dared to publicly hunt members of the Imperial Family. His actions show a complete lack of respect for our Imperial Family—it’s a blatant contempt for and challenge to imperial authority!"

"Brother Huang, if you don’t believe me, you can ask the guests who were just dining at the Aolai Inn. They can all testify!"

Xiahuang Dun spoke with absolute conviction.

"Hiss!"

A wave of sharp gasps rose from below.

They had all heard Xiahuang Dun’s words.

This wasn’t a secret plot; it was an open and blatant frame-up.

And...

...since Xiahuang Shang and Xiahuang Dun were both members of the Imperial Family, everyone assumed Xiahuang Shang would surely believe Xiahuang Dun’s account. In that case, any defense Hong Yu offered would seem feeble and powerless.

The most devious part was that Xiahuang Dun had even named the guests at the Aolai Inn as witnesses.

Who among them would dare to oppose the Imperial Family?

They would certainly cooperate obediently with Xiahuang Dun and "prove" that Hong Yu had indeed said such treasonous things.

If that happened, Xiahuang Shang would be forced to act to preserve the Imperial Family’s dignity. Wouldn’t Hong Yu be doomed then?

"Your Highness, that Xiahuang Dun is lying—"

Landy, who was watching the battle from below, shouted at the top of his lungs.

But before he could finish, Xiahuang Dun shot him a cold glare and viciously slapped a palm strike his way. "I am speaking with Brother Huang! What gives you the right to interrupt?"

"Damn it!"

Landy grunted in anger, raising his hand to send out a brilliant Palm Light of his own.

"BANG!"

The two palm shadows collided, and a violent wave of energy rippled outward.

Landy stumbled back three steps, the blood and qi in his body churning.

Xiahuang Dun was about to strike again when Xiahuang Shang snorted coldly. "Enough. Am I invisible to you?"

"I wouldn’t dare!"

Xiahuang Dun immediately stopped.

Although he had the Eldest Prince’s protection, the Eldest Prince was currently in seclusion, and he had no desire to clash with Xiahuang Shang. He snuck a glance at Xiahuang Shang and saw a cold, furious light in his eyes. Xiahuang Dun decided to add more fuel to the fire. "Brother Huang, if you feel it’s inappropriate for you to act because of your status, then just leave this Hong Yu to me!"

"I will be sure to punish him properly and defend the dignity of the Imperial Family!" Xiahuang Dun declared righteously.

Xiahuang Shang narrowed his eyes and chuckled, his laughter as cold and hard as clashing metal. "Are you trying to force my hand to punish the true culprit in this matter?"

"The true culprit?"

Xiahuang Dun froze for a second, thinking, ’It seems Xiahuang Shang believes me. He sees Hong Yu as the true culprit?’

With that in mind, Xiahuang Dun cleared his throat and said, "Of course I’m not forcing you, Brother Huang. I just feel we shouldn’t allow someone who spreads malicious rumors and insults the Imperial Family to remain at large."

"Mm, you’re not wrong about that."

Xiahuang Shang nodded.

Then...

He turned to face Hong Yu.

Their eyes met, and the corners of their mouths curled into an imperceptible smirk.

Xiahuang Shang cleared his throat a few times and said sternly, "Audacious Hong Yu, do you know your crime?"

"Your Highness, I know my crime!" Hong Yu cupped his hands, playing along perfectly.

"Uh..."

This time, it was Xiahuang Dun’s turn to be stunned.

He blinked, his gaze darting back and forth between Hong Yu and Xiahuang Shang, a sudden unease growing in his heart.

The powerhouses watching from around Bright Mirror Lake also showed their confusion.

"What’s going on? Hong Yu confessed so easily?"

"Isn’t he afraid Xiahuang Shang will kill him?"

"Is this guy overestimating himself and thinks he can challenge an Unparalleled Genius, or has he lost his nerve and is hoping for leniency by confessing?"

Landy had a look of exasperation. "Hong Yu, oh, Hong Yu, aren’t you usually so sharp? What’s wrong with you today? Did you get your brains scrambled? How can you possibly admit to a crime like that?"

Young Master Yeban didn’t answer, merely frowning and murmuring, "Strange. Something is strange about these two!"

Xu Wudi’s brow furrowed slightly, her beautiful, amber-like eyes shining as she stared at Xiahuang Shang, somewhat puzzled. ’This person... why does he feel so familiar?’

In mid-air.

A powerful aura surged from Xiahuang Shang’s body—peerless and unrivaled.

Hong Yu met his gaze, neither servile nor overbearing.

A terrifying fluctuation of power also emanated from his body.

"Are they going to fight?"

"Is Hong Yu really going to challenge an Unparalleled Genius?"

"Is he overestimating himself, or does he have something to rely on?"

Countless powerhouses were filled with confusion, anticipation, and doubt.

Seeing their momentums condense and clash in the void, a triumphant and excited smile spread across Xiahuang Dun’s face.

He was just thinking about how he’d successfully used a borrowed knife to kill, and how after Hong Yu’s death, he would spread rumors to paint Xiahuang Shang as a tyrannical brute.

"BOOM!"

The two men in the standoff suddenly moved.

Hong Yu and Xiahuang Shang shot forward at the same time, rushing toward each other like two colliding comets.

"BOOM!"

They both smashed their hands forward simultaneously.

Fingers facing fingers, their four palms slammed heavily into one another.

A powerful aura exploded outward, and the surging, violent storm blasted downward, instantly blasting a watery crater in Bright Mirror Lake that reached all the way to the bottom.

Many people could barely keep their eyes open.

When everything settled, the crowd finally saw the situation between the two in the void. Those who had just been waiting in suspense to see who would win were now completely stupefied.

They stared at the sky, blank and in utter disbelief.

"Wh-What’s going on?"

"My heavens, are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

"An illusion! This must be an illusion!"

Among them, the most shocked was undoubtedly Xiahuang Dun.

He stared blankly at the two men before him. "Wh-What is this situation?"

The scene of Hong Yu and Xiahuang Shang fighting to the death he had expected did not happen. Instead, the two were giving each other a bear hug, their heavy palms patting each other on the back.

They then separated.

They looked at each other and burst into laughter. "Excellent, excellent! Little brother Hong Yu, you really didn’t disappoint me. To think you’ve grown to this extent in less than a year is simply unheard of!"

Hong Yu also smiled. "Eldest Brother Xiahuang, hasn’t your cultivation also improved greatly?"

His knowing smile made Xiahuang Shang pause. "You can tell?"

"Congratulations on taking that step, Brother Xiahuang!"

Hong Yu said with a grin.

Xiahuang Shang laughed heartily. "It was a fortunate coincidence. I just took that step not long ago. But compared to you, little brother, I’m still far behind!"

"I was just lucky," Hong Yu said.

Xiahuang Shang smiled without saying more and asked, "How is that matter coming along?"

A warm feeling flowed through Hong Yu’s heart.

Xiahuang Shang was concerned for Tianshuang’s safety and had even lowered himself to befriend him. He would never forget this kindness.

He nodded and replied, "I’ve already found the Ten Thousand Year Cold Marrow to forge the Ice Coffin. Now, I’m just waiting for the True Dragon War to end before heading to the Lifeless Secret Realm!"

"Good. When the time comes, if you need my help, don’t hesitate to ask!" Xiahuang Shang said.

Hong Yu nodded.

At the side, Xiahuang Dun was gulping nervously. He couldn’t for the life of him understand why the high and mighty Xiahuang Shang would be acting like a sworn brother to Hong Yu.

His mouth felt dry. Xiahuang Dun asked tentatively, "Brother Huang, you... you know this Hong Yu?"

Xiahuang Shang glanced at him, his expression gradually turning cold and severe.

His tone was calm, yet it carried a steely and resolute weight...

"He is my brother!"