Strongest War Emperor

At this moment, two villagers were supporting Yu Lingfeng.

One of them said sorrowfully, "The Eternal Tree requires a massive amount of the world’s energy to grow. While we were being hunted, it lost its connection to the earth and had to sustain itself by absorbing the Prophet’s own Power of Life... She was already severely injured from protecting us, and then she had to constantly withstand attacks from the outside to maintain the barrier in the cave. And now..."

Shen Lang looked at Yu Lingfeng, whose presence was now almost nonexistent, and was filled with solemn respect.

He supported the Eternal Tree with one hand, continuously funneling energy from his Tai Chi Diagram into it.

Then, he took out a Withered Wood Revives Spring Pill, which had been refined from the Nine Immortals Lingzhi, and placed it in Yu Lingfeng’s mouth.

Yu Lingfeng’s unique physique made it especially easy for her to absorb the medicinal power of a Withered Wood Revives Spring Pill.

After doing all this, Shen Lang placed a hand on Yu Lingfeng’s shoulder without a moment’s hesitation.

Instantly, Spiritual Power brimming with potent Life Energy surged into Yu Lingfeng’s body like a tidal wave.

How could the Feather Wood Race not be familiar with this kind of Power of Life?

Feeling the heaven-defying Power of Life in Shen Lang’s Spiritual Power, the despondent Feather Wood woman’s eyes suddenly flashed with irrepressible joy!

’This is something my mother never saw, not even in her dreams...’

’This Power of Life is beyond heaven-defying!’

’A Power of Life so incredibly pure, not even the Eternal Tree could possess it!’

’I really didn’t choose the wrong person...’

’This man has given me endless confidence. He’s made me believe that I will see a new dawn!’

"Prophet, leave everything here to me. I know what to do," Shen Lang said in a low voice. "Please take the villagers and leave at once. Go to the Shui Family in the Purple Chu Imperial Capital. I’ll find you later."

As he spoke, there was a flash of light, and a gallant figure in a full suit of armor appeared before him—it was Evil Song.

With a flick of his finger, Shen Lang dispelled the barrier Yu Lingfeng had created, then turned around.

Outside the barrier, ten members of the Jifeng Mercenary Corps stood awkwardly, not knowing whether to leave or stay, their faces a picture of misery as they watched.

Shen Lang made a grasping gesture, and all the items in their hands were instantly pulled into his.

Only then did he say leisurely, "Evil Song, you and the Jifeng Mercenary Corps will escort the Prophet and these villagers to the Imperial Capital."

The men from the Jifeng Mercenary Corps were stunned. ’What the hell? There’s more?’

’Didn’t we already do what you asked? Why won’t he let us go?’

’This guy really is vindictive! He refuses to let us off the hook!’

Just as Ling Shaoyi and his men were thinking this, Shen Lang’s next words nearly made them collapse in fear. "Take the Jifeng Mercenary Corps with you. If these wily veterans try anything funny or disobey your orders, don’t hesitate. Kill them all."

The men of the Jifeng Mercenary Corps really wanted to cry.

’What is this? There are so many other groups here, why does he keep picking on us?’

’Picking up his stuff for him was already a huge risk, we could be targeted by the White Bone Hall! Now he wants us to be bodyguards... Fine, we’ll be bodyguards, but can’t you be a little more courteous about it?’

’Threatening to kill us all at the drop of a hat?’

"Understood!"

Evil Song responded grimly, her icy gaze sweeping over each member of the Jifeng Mercenary Corps, sending a chill down their spines.

Then, the longsword in Evil Song’s hand flared with brilliant light. She spun around and slashed at the mountain wall!

Sword Qi shot toward the heavens!

BOOM!

Amid the tremendous roar, the mountain wall was split open by the unrivaled slash, revealing a massive fissure.

Rubble flew everywhere as Powerful Qi radiated outward.

With Shen Lang’s help, Evil Song had recently opened three more Elements Mansions, and her cultivation had reached the Peak of Xuanwu Realm Eighth Heaven.

The Profound Artifact in her hand had even reached the Fifth Grade, rivaling the Dragon Bone Holy Sword once wielded by Ling Chen of the Evil Wind Valley!

Wielding such a powerful Profound Artifact at her level of cultivation, even a casual slash from her carried the might of a warrior at the Peak of Xuanwu Realm Ninth Heaven!

Everyone present was left completely dumbfounded.

’For such a beautiful woman to be so terrifying in a fight is just... With that kind of power, wiping out the entire Jifeng Mercenary Corps really wouldn’t be that hard.’

’Even though Jifeng Mercenary Corps’ Vice Leader Ling Shaoyi has reached the Xuanwu Realm Eighth Heaven, the gap between him and Evil Song is enormous...’

Seeing that the men from Jifeng Mercenary Corps were still in a daze, Shen Lang gave a wicked smile. "I’ll make two points. First, the seal on the fissure in the Desolate Land will likely be broken by Dark Power soon. It could be today, tomorrow, or a year from now. Once it’s broken and the Supreme Yin Qi rushes out, only one or two of you with the highest cultivation might be able to escape."

"Holy crap, you can’t be serious!" The members of the other groups were shocked and immediately broke into a panicked clamor.

Shen Lang ignored them and continued, "Second, if you escort these villagers to the Imperial Capital, I’ll give you a generous reward. But if anything goes wrong along the way, you’ll be in for a world of pain. A world of pain. I guarantee you won’t make it out of the Purple Chu Country alive."

His voice was soft, but everyone heard him loud and clear.

If Shen Lang had spoken like this before, never mind the Jifeng Mercenary Corps, even the other groups present would have dismissed him as an idiot.

But now, having witnessed his power, not a single person thought his words were arrogant or absurd.

The Jifeng Mercenary Corps might be famous in the Mercenary Realm, but it was anyone’s guess if they could even survive two strikes from him.

Besides, who knew how many other powerhouses like Evil Song he had at his side?

Ling Shaoyi decided he couldn’t stay silent any longer.

He strode forward and waved his arm. "Jifeng Mercenary Corps, listen up! Put everything you’ve got into protecting these villagers... and this beautiful young lady! We’re escorting them out of the Desolate Land and to the Imperial Capital!"

The moment Ling Shaoyi finished speaking, everyone from the surrounding groups—save for a small few—scattered like frightened animals, frantically fleeing for their lives.

What Shen Lang had said before was simply too terrifying.

The matter of the fissure was no joke. If the seal truly was weakening and the Supreme Yin Qi inside surged out, anyone near the fissure would meet their death in the blink of an eye.

It might not break right away, but who was brave enough to take that bet?

Shen Lang had been speaking to the Jifeng Mercenary Corps, not them. They didn’t know him, and there was no conflict of interest between them, so he had absolutely no reason to lie.

When it came to something like this, it was better to be safe than sorry!

And just like that, the large crowd began their exodus out of the Desolate Land, moving at top speed as if a pack of wolves were nipping at their heels.

Shen Lang watched Evil Song and the others depart, then stored the Eternal Tree away. Just as he was about to leave himself...

Five figures suddenly plummeted from the sky like meteors!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

With a series of loud thuds, the five figures landed and instantly surrounded Shen Lang.

All five were old men, with weathered faces and long, flowing beards.

Their auras were overwhelming. One looked like a Demon God, another seemed to look down upon the world, and a third appeared utterly malevolent. All five of them locked their Divine Thought onto Shen Lang.

Their immense spiritual pressures merged, crashing down on Shen Lang like a mountain.

Five powerhouses of the Xuanwu Realm Ninth Heaven!

"You killed men from my White Bone Hall. Did you really think you could just walk away?"

The leader’s eyes were filled with killing intent; he looked as if he wanted to tear Shen Lang to shreds on the spot.

"Whether I can leave or not isn’t for you to decide."

Seemingly unaffected by their combined pressure, Shen Lang took two leisurely steps toward the one who had spoken, as if he were on a pleasant stroll.

"If you dare block my path, then I’ll just kill you too."

The words had barely left his lips when, with a sharp *SHING*, the Immortal Celestial Saber was instantly unsheathed!

This was a form of Iaido, cultivated to such an extreme that it was nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye!

And as the Immortal Celestial Saber was drawn, a palpable Qi of Death instantly swept across the area!

"The Immortal Celestial Saber!"

Feeling that unrivaled, domineering aura, the man who had spoken cried out in terror, spun around, and fled!

He wasn’t afraid of Shen Lang.

He was afraid of the Immortal Celestial Saber.

If he hadn’t recognized it, that would have been one thing, but he knew this infamous, baleful weapon all too well!

Although he didn’t know the extent of Shen Lang’s power, he knew that any Martial Artist capable of wielding the Li Hen Sect’s ultimate treasure, the Immortal Celestial Saber, was far beyond what someone of his caliber could handle!

The old man was keenly aware of this fact, so he didn’t hesitate for a second. He just turned and ran!

Just as the man turned to flee for his life and the other four scattered in every direction...

The Immortal Celestial Saber descended in a sudden slash, unleashing an unparalleled blade of light!

The beam of light, suffused with peerless Sword Intent, instantly caught up to the Xuanwu Realm Ninth Heaven powerhouse!

Feeling the immense threat from behind, the man, without even looking back, flung his Double Dragon Silver Silk Qilong Staff backward. The staff swelled in the air, spinning like a whirlwind to form a massive shield!

At the same time, his body blurred and, in the blink of an eye, he began to sink into the ground!

*SLICE!*

The peerless blade of light instantly shattered the Double Dragon Silver Silk Qilong Staff and, after a momentary pause, slashed violently into the ground!

Amidst flying sand and rubble, a massive fissure appeared in the earth.

Given that his opponent was a powerhouse at Xuanwu Realm Ninth Heaven, Shen Lang had used his full strength in that attack.

The power of this slash was far greater than the one he had used to kill the other men from the White Bone Hall.

However...

After unleashing the attack, Shen Lang couldn’t help but frown.

After all, the Xuanwu Realm Ninth Heaven was on a completely different level from the Fifth and Sixth Heaven.

Against a powerhouse of this caliber, if they faced him head-on, Shen Lang had countless ways to kill them.

But if they were determined to flee, it was a real headache for him.

The Ghost King’s speed, at the Peak of Xuanwu Realm Seventh Heaven, was still a far cry from that of an old monster at this level.

’Looks like it’s time to create the Wind-Thunder Wings through Refinement,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, when I run into old monsters at the Xuanwu Realm Ninth Heaven, all I can do is watch them escape.’

Shen Lang was left a little speechless as he watched the remaining White Bone Hall powerhouses scatter and flee.

’Those old bastards. They arrived fast and ran even faster. All they did was show up, make fools of themselves, and vanish. Truly, the older you get, the craftier you become.’

"Oh, my esteemed boss, if you just give me a bit more Supreme Yin Energy and raise my cultivation to the Xuanwu Realm Ninth Heaven, I could definitely catch those old geezers..."

Sensing Shen Lang’s frustration, the old ghost immediately started clamoring in his mind.

"Shut your trap!"

Shen Lang cursed irritably.

The word had just left his mouth when a sudden sense of alarm flared in Shen Lang’s mind.

’Where did this powerhouse come from?!’

Without a second thought, Shen Lang shot forward, then abruptly spun around, bringing his saber down in a vicious arc behind him!

To be able to sneak up behind him so completely undetected that he only felt something was wrong the moment they struck... This newcomer was hostile.

It was important to remember that Shen Lang had already comprehended the Trend of Heaven and Earth. Even without extending his Divine Thought, he had a crystal-clear perception of his surroundings!

For this reverse slash, Shen Lang used his full power. The Sword Momentum was earth-shattering and utterly domineering!

A beam of saber light burst forth, streaking across the sky as if to cleave the Azure Vault itself.

Yet, as he unleashed the attack and got a clear look at his ambusher, Shen Lang’s expression changed dramatically.