Chapter 180: One Sword Slays Nineteen Immortal Emperors
On Heavenly Dao Mountain, Gu Daoshi — deep in Seclusion — suddenly snapped his eyes open and turned his gaze toward the First Heaven.
"That aura... a Dao Spirit?"
"Wait — and is that... Fellow Daoist Profound Immortal?"
Gu Daoshi's senses were sharp enough to detect Lu Xunxian's presence on the First Heaven as well.
With that realization, it was obvious — Profound Immortal had his eye on the Dao Spirit too.
What did surprise him, though, was a question. Having broken through to the Dao Practitioner Realm, shouldn't one ascend to the Dao Realm? How was Profound Immortal still in the Immortal Realm?
Perhaps he had employed some kind of secret art?
Regardless, one thing was certain: the Dao Spirit was out of reach for anyone else. Even before breaking through to the Dao Practitioner Realm, he had already been no match for Lu Xunxian.
Now that Lu Xunxian had broken through, the gap was even more insurmountable.
Besides, a mere Dao Spirit was of little use to him at his current level.
With that thought, Gu Daoshi closed his eyes and sank back into Seclusion.
Elsewhere, the Clan Chiefs of the remaining nine great races all detected the Dao Spirit's emergence. One by one, excitement seized them.
If any of them obtained the Dao Spirit, the benefits to their respective race would be staggering.
And so, the nine Clan Chiefs raced toward the First Heaven, their sights set on the Dao Spirit.
The First Heaven.
The Tiansheng Continent's Ascension Node.
"Master."
Seeing Lu Xunxian appear, Lin Chongtian hurried forward, his expression grave.
He naturally understood what the current phenomenon signified and what was about to descend upon them.
But still, he took his place at Lu Xunxian's side without a moment's hesitation.
"Mm. Be ready. When the time comes, I'll need you to protect the Tiansheng Continent." Lu Xunxian gave a slight nod, showing no concern whatsoever for the forces the Dao Spirit had attracted.
The only thing worth noting was that if Peak Immortal Emperors showed up and their numbers exceeded nine, he might need to expend some extra effort to kill them.
And in that event, he would need Lin Chongtian to shield the Tiansheng Continent from the fallout.
Lin Chongtian agreed without hesitation, and together with Lu Xunxian, settled in to await the Immortal Emperors' arrival.
Meanwhile.
Lu Xuanyuan, who had been searching for Lu Xunxian, was also drawn by the Dao Spirit's emergence.
"Now that's interesting. A Dao Spirit? If I obtained it and offered a bit of guidance, it might very well reach the Dao Venerable Realm."
Without an instant's hesitation, Lu Xuanyuan stowed his search compass and headed for the First Heaven.
Just then, several figures materialized before Lu Xunxian and the others.
The moment they spotted Lin Chongtian, they let out cold snorts.
"Out of the way, boy. Hand over the Dao Spirit!"
Those bold enough to make a play for the Dao Spirit were, at minimum, Immortal Emperors at the mid or late stage.
After all, they were fully aware of the Dao Spirit's extraordinary value. Given enough time, it could elevate one to the Peak of the Immortal Emperor Realm.
So when they saw Lin Chongtian, they dismissed him out of hand.
As for Lu Xunxian standing beside him — devoid of any detectable aura — they took him for nothing more than Lin Chongtian's servant.
Seeing Lin Chongtian about to act, Lu Xunxian calmly stepped forward and regarded them with an even gaze.
"Leave, or die."
Hearing this, the dozen-plus Immortal Emperors first stared in stunned silence — then broke into raucous laughter.
Lu Xunxian sighed with resignation.
"It seems you've chosen death."
With that, Lu Xunxian held nothing back. He drew a Top-Tier Immortal Artifact.
It was an Immortal Sword. The instant it was unsheathed, a terrifying wave of Sword Qi erupted skyward, as though it would rend the very fabric of the First Heaven.
The laughter died on the Immortal Emperors' lips the moment they saw the sword.
Because before they could so much as react, Lu Xunxian swung it once. A single, simple swing.
In that instant, a cataclysmic wave of Sword Qi swept outward and annihilated all nineteen Immortal Emperors where they stood.
The moment those nineteen Immortal Emperors perished, a mournful wail resonated through the void of the entire Immortal Realm.
As though heaven and earth themselves were weeping.
"This is a Dao Lament. It's said that whenever an Immortal Emperor falls, the Heavenly Dao mourns."
Lin Chongtian spoke with a solemn expression.
He had never witnessed a Dao Lament before. This was his very first time.
As the Dao Lament echoed across the Immortal Realm, countless powerhouses raised their heads, terror written across their faces.
They all knew what a Dao Lament meant.
Another Immortal Emperor had fallen.
The last Dao Lament had sounded with the death of the Ghost Lightning Immortal Emperor.
How long ago had that been? And already, another Immortal Emperor had perished?
Almost the very instant after Lu Xunxian slew the nineteen, nine towering figures appeared before him.
It was the Clan Chiefs of the nine great races.
The moment Lin Wangu laid eyes on Lu Xunxian, his pupils contracted sharply.
He remembered. The terror of being utterly dominated by Lu Xunxian came flooding back.
But a glance to his side, where eight other Peak Immortal Emperors stood, settled his nerves somewhat.
He would admit that Lu Xunxian was powerful.
But no matter how powerful Lu Xunxian was, surely he couldn't take on nine Peak Immortal Emperors at once.
The True Dragon Immortal Emperor and the other Peak Immortal Emperors, meanwhile, fixed their gazes on Lu Xunxian with the utmost gravity.
Each of them sensed an absolutely terrifying aura emanating from him — the kind of presence they had only ever felt from Gu Daoshi.
Connecting the dots, the True Dragon Immortal Emperor clasped his fists toward Lu Xunxian.
"Might I ask, fellow Daoist — were you the one who engaged in a Discourse on the Dao with Fellow Daoist Gu atop Heavenly Dao Mountain?"
"What of it if I was? And what of it if I wasn't?"
Hearing the non-denial in Lu Xunxian's tone, the True Dragon Immortal Emperor broke into an amiable smile.
"So it's Fellow Daoist Profound Immortal — your reputation precedes you. Since this Dao Spirit has caught your eye, we certainly won't contest it. Please, help yourself."
With that, the True Dragon Immortal Emperor spread his palms and voluntarily stepped aside.
After all, anyone capable of holding a Discourse on the Dao with Gu Daoshi was guaranteed to be no weaker. He had no intention of throwing his life away over a Dao Spirit.
Watching the True Dragon Immortal Emperor withdraw, Lin Wangu's jaw nearly hit the ground.
Hang on — Old Dragon, this wasn't how you used to be. You used to be the height of arrogance. What happened to turn you into such a coward?
But to his further disbelief, seeing the True Dragon Immortal Emperor voluntarily bow out, the remaining Peak Immortal Emperors also wore solemn expressions. After a moment's deliberation, none of them chose to stay, withdrawing one after another.
To them, a Dao Spirit was indeed precious — but only if one lived long enough to use it.
Before long, only the Immortal Emperors of the Four Great Divine Beast Races remained.
Seeing the others scatter, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Emperor stepped forward first, addressing Lu Xunxian in an urgent tone.
"Fellow Daoist Profound Immortal, might I ask a favor? Could you lend your aid in resolving a crisis within my Vermilion Bird Race's Clan Territory?"
Lu Xunxian's brow creased.
"What does your Vermilion Bird Race's Clan Territory have to do with me?"
"To be frank, our Clan Territory has been invaded by a strange force. Even after I asked Fellow Daoist Gu to investigate, he couldn't resolve it."
"But you, Fellow Daoist Profound Immortal, possess the strength to hold a Discourse on the Dao with Fellow Daoist Gu. Moreover, Fellow Daoist Gu himself stated that your power far surpasses his own. That is why I wish to ask for your help."
"Furthermore, this force is extremely sinister. If my Vermilion Bird Race's Clan Territory is consumed by it, I suspect it will spread across the entire Immortal Realm."
"When that happens, no one will be safe. The Immortal Realm will know no peace ever again."
Gone was every trace of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Emperor's former arrogance. He faced Lu Xunxian with a bitter, self-deprecating smile.
Watching the Vermilion Bird Immortal Emperor grovel like this, Lin Wangu's jaw was practically on the floor.
No way. This was not the Vermilion Bird Immortal Emperor he knew.
The Vermilion Bird Immortal Emperor he knew would pick a fight with Gu Daoshi himself without batting an eye. How had he turned into a meek little bird begging for scraps?