Immortal Martial Emperor

One Finger Shakes the Heavens and Earth!

This was merely the first technique of the Thunderfire Heaven-Breaking Finger, and also its weakest offensive move.

Hong Yu had to give it his all just to barely withstand such an attack.

But now...

The Thunderfire Heaven-Breaking Finger had a total of five techniques.

Each technique was stronger than the last!

’Based on the power of the first technique, One Finger Shakes the Heavens and Earth, I can already tell I’ll never be able to withstand the fifth!’

And for that very reason, Hong Yu chose to risk it all in one final gamble!

’It was do or die!’

As he watched Two-Finger Shattering Mountains and Rivers take form, an endless vista of mountains and rivers threatened to crush him.

At that critical moment, Hong Yu’s eyes snapped open. A mass of blue light twisted madly within them, like a swirling blue tempest.

"SWOOSH!"

With a howl, the Spirit Storm merged with the Ice Divine Blade and surged toward the Thunder Fire True Monarch.

The blue tempest churned and twisted upon itself. Within its writhing form, each Spiritual Wind Blade was like a dormant Flood Dragon bursting free, twisting its body wildly and kicking up terrifying gales.

The bizarre Spiritual Energy converged into a blue torrent. In the wake of its charge, the air filled with a beautiful, deadly flurry of what looked like petals and snowflakes.

Facing the dual assault of the Spirit Storm and the Ice Divine Blade, the Thunder Fire True Monarch paused for a moment. "This is... a Spiritual Power attack? My goodness. To possess such immense Spiritual Power at your age... Incredible, truly incredible!"

At the same time, the overlapping mountain peaks condensed from Two-Finger Shattering Mountains and Rivers came crashing down.

However, an attack of Primordial Gang was corporeal in nature; it was fundamentally incapable of blocking an attack made of Spiritual Power.

The Spirit Storm swept forward, passed right through the momentum of the mountains and rivers, and slammed into the Thunder Fire True Monarch.

The Thunder Fire True Monarch’s projection had no intention of dodging. He simply remained seated, cross-legged, seemingly content to only attack Hong Yu with the Thunderfire Heaven-Breaking Finger, making no move to counter or evade.

Taking the blow head-on, the Thunder Fire True Monarch’s entire body trembled slightly.

A dazed look clouded his eyes.

However, the expression only lasted for a few moments before he gradually began to regain his senses.

Meanwhile, Hong Yu had already dodged aside.

"BOOM!"

A terrifying explosion sounded behind him.

Under the impact of the mountainous peaks condensed from that single finger, the ground shattered. It was as if a bulldozer had gouged out the earth, sending rubble flying. A trench over ten meters deep was left in its wake, extending for a full hundred meters.

It truly shattered mountains and rivers, crushing everything in its path.

Of course, Hong Yu paid it no mind; he had already dashed in front of the Thunder Fire True Monarch.

His hands blurred into a series of afterimages before his chest, and a faint light flickered deep within his pupils.

The Thunder Fire True Monarch had just begun to recover from the Spirit Storm.

Suddenly, he saw Hong Yu appear by his side.

A smile touched the Thunder Fire True Monarch’s lips, the light of thunder and fire dancing in his pupils. He was just about to strike again.

But at this very moment...

The Thunder Fire True Monarch’s calm and peaceful expression suddenly changed. "What’s going on? Th-this, how is this possible?"

Before the Thunder Fire True Monarch’s eyes, everything changed again.

Hong Yu was no longer in mid-air, but back on the ground where he had been before. Meanwhile, the Monarch’s own body was uncontrollably condensing Two-Finger Shattering Mountains and Rivers and launching the attack.

The terrifying aftershock of the explosion washed over him.

The Thunder Fire True Monarch suddenly saw Hong Yu appear at his side again.

He once again gathered his attack, but just then, Hong Yu disappeared again.

Just as he was about to gather his power to repeat the scene, the Thunder Fire True Monarch suddenly snorted. The thunderous light and fire in his eyes flared wildly.

He took a deep breath. "So that’s how it is. What a marvelously intricate Pupil Technique and Illusion Realm. Young man, what is this Pupil Technique of yours called?"

His calm, quiet voice caused the violent energy fluctuations rippling from his body to subside.

In front of him, Hong Yu slowly materialized.

At that moment, Hong Yu’s face was pale and there was a trickle of blood at the corner of his lips. His eyes held an indescribable weariness.

But his frame, though not particularly strong or imposing, was as straight and unyielding as an ancient pine.

He looked at the Thunder Fire True Monarch, neither servile nor arrogant. His heart was at ease, and his expression remained calm and resolute. "Maze City. My Pupil Technique is called Maze City!"

"Maze City? It draws one into a spiritual fortress of your own design, entrancing them. If my Spiritual Power weren’t superior to yours, I fear even I would have struggled to break free from your Maze City."

The Thunder Fire True Monarch suddenly burst out laughing. "Excellent, excellent! It has been many years since I’ve seen a young man with such outstanding talent in the realm of Spiritual Power. Hong Yu, you have passed my trial!"

"Hm?"

Hong Yu’s eyes widened, dazed and somewhat in disbelief.

’After the Thunder Fire True Monarch shattered my Maze City, I’d already prepared for the worst. I was even ready to use the Senluo Seal and risk exposing my connection to the Luosen Sect just to pass this trial.’

But now...

’The Thunder Fire True Monarch just told me I passed?’

The Thunder Fire True Monarch laughed. "There’s nothing to be surprised about. The Fallen Tower is, at its core, a way to verify the qualifications of the geniuses participating in the tournament. For example, some young participants rely on their Sect or family’s influence to perform well in the early stages, when in reality, they are merely pretenders filling a spot."

"We naturally won’t let such participants pass. And since they dare to cheat the system, the Fallen Tower will, of course, claim their lives as punishment."

The Thunder Fire True Monarch opened his palm, and a Jade Token flew into Hong Yu’s hand. He said coolly, "Imprinted within this Jade Token are the cultivation secrets of my Thunderfire Heaven-Breaking Finger. This is your reward. As for how much of it you can comprehend, that will depend on your own aptitude."

"Alright, you may go now," the Thunder Fire True Monarch said calmly.

Holding the Jade Token for the Thunderfire Heaven-Breaking Finger, Hong Yu took a deep breath. "Thank you, Senior!"

"Hahaha, don’t thank me. This is the reward you’ve earned."

The Thunder Fire True Monarch’s figure slowly faded, his voice drifting back faintly, "Young man, I look forward to your performance in the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom’s True Dragon ranking tournament! Keep up the good work. Perhaps one day, you and I will meet again!"

"Take care, Senior!"

Hong Yu said earnestly and respectfully.

The Thunder Fire True Monarch slowly vanished completely, and the pillar of golden light also disappeared.

The vast, domed hall crumbled and fell apart.

When his surroundings stabilized, he was once again alone.

In the dark space, a glowing door appeared before him, and a faint, calm voice drifted over: "Congratulations on passing the Fallen Tower. Please enter the Transmission Channel and proceed to the final trial of this martial gathering—the Dragon Sealing Platform!"

"HUMMM! HUMMM! HUMMM!"

The Transmission Channel emanated a faint blue light.

Hong Yu walked towards it.

Swallowed by the blue light, Hong Yu’s figure disappeared.

The world before his eyes underwent a dramatic transformation. The dark, domed hall had become a scenic paradise of green mountains and clear streams—a veritable Peach Blossom Spring.

All around were towering and majestic mountain peaks.

Atop each of the surrounding peaks, a statue of a strange Divine Beast was perched.

Cyan Dragon and White Tiger, Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise!

The four statues were precisely of these Four Directional Divine Beasts.

The heads of the four Divine Beast statues were all aimed toward the center of the valley. The eyes of each beast held a startling and soul-stirring sharpness and majesty.

Down in the valley, birds chirped and played among the flowers, and a stream gurgled softly. The atmosphere was tranquil and secluded.

"Hm?"

Hong Yu suddenly saw a figure leap high out of the stream in the distance.

When he saw the person clearly, he was speechless. "Senior Brother Feng?"

This person was, of course, Feng Xue Xin.

At this moment, Feng Xue Xin was bare-chested, clutching several wriggling fish in his hands.

Feng Xue Xin used the Seven-Star Cloud Sky Step to return to the shore, condensed a ball of scorching fire in one hand, and with a flick, lit a campfire.

He then took a few sticks, skewered the gutted and cleaned fish, and set them over the campfire to slowly roast.

"TSS! TSS!"

As Feng Xue Xin roasted the fish with his masterful skill, the rich aroma soon began to waft through the air.

He didn’t even notice that Hong Yu had appeared.

’This guy,’ he thought. ’He really lives up to his reputation as the number one foodie!’

Rubbing his nose in resignation, Hong Yu walked over. "Senior Brother Feng, you certainly seem to be enjoying yourself!"

"Hm? Junior Brother Hong, you’re finally here..."

Feng Xue Xin mumbled, his mouth already full of savory fish.

Hong Yu didn’t stand on ceremony.

He found a spot to sit, took a roasted fish, and took a bite. It was just as delicious as ever; Feng Xue Xin certainly hadn’t tarnished his reputation as a gourmand!

"Senior Brother Feng, what is this place?" Hong Yu asked, looking around.

Feng Xue Xin waved his hand. "I don’t know either. Anyway, after I passed the Fallen Tower, I was teleported here."

"Are you the only one here?"

"Of course not!"

Feng Xue Xin shook his head. "When I arrived, Yao Yueye was already here. Then came a youth with a Cyan Blade Sword named Jian Chen, and Shui Rou’Er from the Shuixiu Kingdom. Then you showed up!" He blinked and pointed behind Hong Yu. "Hey, look, here comes Zheng Tian!"

"Zheng Tian?"

Startled, Hong Yu glanced behind him.

Zheng Tian had also spotted Hong Yu. He hesitated for a moment, then walked over. "Hong Yu!"

"Mm."

Hong Yu nodded, tossed him a roasted fish, and asked, "Zheng Tian, do you know what this place is?"

Zheng Tian took the roasted fish and took a hesitant bite. Then, he began to wolf it down. Only after he’d eaten his fill did he say, "This should be the Dragon Sealing Platform."

"Dragon Sealing Platform?"

Hong Yu was puzzled.

’That name sounds pretty impressive,’ he thought, ’but I have no idea what a Dragon Sealing Platform actually is.’

Zheng Tian smiled. "The Dragon Sealing Platform is the final arena where the True Dragon rankings for the tournament are decided. I don’t know many of the specifics myself. In a little while, the Inspectors and the strongest experts from the Ten Kingdoms and Ten Sects will arrive. Two Inspectors will oversee the proceedings on the Dragon Sealing Platform. We’ll understand everything then!"

Hong Yu nodded.

The three of them chatted for a while longer before Zheng Tian suddenly turned to Hong Yu and bowed deeply. "Hong Yu, I know I was blindly arrogant before and offended you. But I hope that, for the sake of us both being from the Qin Kingdom..."

Before he could finish, Hong Yu waved his hand dismissively.

Zheng Tian froze, a bitter look on his face. ’Of course. After how I targeted him before, how could he forgive me so easily?’

"You idiot."

Feng Xue Xin face-palmed in frustration. "What Junior Brother Hong means is, let bygones be bygones!"

"Huh?"

Zheng Tian was overjoyed.

Just then...

"RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!"

The entire valley began to shake violently, heaving as if the world were ending. Mountains crumbled and the earth split apart.

The four Divine Beast statues perched on the four mountain peaks simultaneously broke free from the peaks, leaped high, and collided in the void.

A ball of blinding light like a scorching sun enveloped the entire valley.

At the same time, a mighty voice also came through...

"The Dragon Sealing Platform is now open!"

Author’s Note: An Qiye’s water and power are out, so there will only be two Chapters today. I’m his buddy, Yao Yueye, posting this for him. You all can check out my book, Immortal Martial Venerable. Just search for it on the platform!