Chapter 529: Chapter 174: When the Emperor Sword Appears, All Swords Submit!

The ancient western wind, endless array patterns.

The competition of Array Dao had concluded, but the Array Platform had yet to be dismantled.

Above the Array Platform, there was a moment of tranquility.

The arrogance, domineering nature, and wild character of the Emperor Qi Sword Body seemed to display itself once more before everyone’s eyes, forming an inexplicable contrast with the spontaneous cheers of many geniuses.

“Ha—hahahaha—”Indeed, it’s absurd to the point of idiocy.”

The Saints did not speak, but two young cultivators behind Illusion Saint and Spirit Saint had already stepped forward boldly, emerging from the group.

Their faces bore expressions of surprise, mockery, and extreme contempt.

One of them, known as ‘Lian Changtian,’ began to laugh out loud in a disdainful manner, his face resembling someone enjoying a joke to the fullest extent.

Zhou Yan was familiar with this individual, for not only was he a disciple of Illusion Saint but also because he had previously insulted the Holy Daughter, Jiang Yuning.

His memory of the young man was vivid; the young man indeed had some capabilities, but his strength was much weaker than that of Ji Wu in his previous battle state, not to mention when compared to Zhou Yan’s current combat power?

Aside from him, another nascent talent by the name ‘Bei Xuan Guang’ standing beside him was slightly weaker in strength, his combat power on par with Ji Wu who had unsealed five of the Profound Restrictions.

Though their combat power could truly be called invincible below the Sword Tribulation, Zhou Yan was confident that he could slay them in a single move.

“Brother Changtian, everyone knows such a person is an idiot and fool, but to utter such arrogant words, it seems he really fancies himself somebody significant. No matter how energetically a small figure jumps, it’s still a small figure.”

Bei Xuan Guang laughed, his tone dripping with mockery.

To them, Zhou Yan’s words were the funniest jokes in the world.

It was always they who looked down on others, never the other way around.

Even the strongest from the East Mansion and West Residence had to treat them with courtesy and give them face.

“Two pieces of trash, if you have the nerve, meet on the Battle Platform for a life-and-death duel. If Illusion Saint and Spirit Saint think your disciples are incapable, or are afraid they might die, then just take those two and get lost.”

Zhou Yan scorned unapologetically.

He wasn’t acting on impulse.

After the return of the Emperor Qi Sword Body, his constitution had achieved Great Perfection, his true nature free of any constraints.

Originally, even as the holder of the Emperor Qi Sword Body, he was already extremely dominant and proud. Now with the Dual Body Perfection, there was no longer any need for caution.

Moreover, the nature of the Emperor Qi Sword Body required dominance; invincible and unmatched arrogance. Being timid would not create the desired impact.

Now, as the Saint Master of Thunder Expansion Sacred Land, facing those who were confirmed enemies, even offering a friendly gesture would not be appreciated. Therefore, the only option was to offend them to death.

“Oh? A mere Void Realm, truly presumptuous to the extreme! Yaochi Saint, the geniuses on your side don’t seem to amount to much, but they sure have sharp tongues.”

Illusion Saint’s brows rose, a rampant killing intent flashing in his eyes toward Zhou Yan, but in that instant, Saint Yao inconspicuously launched a look that annihilated Illusion Saint’s attack, shielding Zhou Yan from the ultimate killing intent.

As if Yaochi Saint had not witnessed this exchange, despite feeling somewhat annoyed, he simply smiled faintly and said, “A small place, native origins, inevitably they lack the bigger picture. You’ll have to excuse the laughter caused by Illusion Saint.”

“Hmm, I’m relieved that Yaochi Saint has such an understanding. As for Saint Yao, you seem quite fond of ‘geniuses,’ don’t you?”

Illusion Saint scoffed with a cold smile.

“Illusion Saint, remember that Saint Yao saved your life before; don’t be ungrateful.”

Fairy Die said calmly.

“Oh? Does that mean Zhou Yan can kill me in one blow? Then why bother participating in the competition for the Holy Daughter’s hand in marriage? Just come and fight me directly.”

Illusion Saint said dismissively, smirking.

His words caused his companion Spirit Saint and the other Six Saints to laugh heartily.

“Illusion Saint, this matter has nothing to do with Zhou Yan. It is a rule set by the Thunder Origin Sword God that Saints must not intervene and cannot lay hands on juniors. The earlier changes in the Void, the crisis sensed by Heaven and Earth, I suppose you’re aware of that too? The details, I’ll discuss with you later,” Yaochi Saint explained.

“Oh? If that’s the case, then let’s deal with this noisy trash first. Changtian, go see for yourself the might of the South Desolate First, Lee Sha—no, I mean Zhou Yan.”

Illusion Saint said casually.

His tone was condescending from beginning to end.

Especially when he deliberately used the name ‘Lee Sha’ instead of Zhou Yan, it triggered laughter among many Saints.

“If my Master so instructs, I, Lian Changtian, will show you barbaric natives what a true genius is, what it means to have combat power near the Ninth Layer’s pinnacle.”

Lian Changtian spoke with an air of supreme confidence.

He thought that this statement would cause a sensation, shock everyone, with people exclaiming things like ‘What? Combat power near the Ninth Layer’s pinnacle? Impossible!’

But he heard none of that. Instead, he was met with a chorus of boos.

A chorus of inexplicably mocking boos.

He even faintly heard some cultivators saying, “Tsk, combat power that’s only near the Ninth Layer’s peak dares to compare to the number one genius, Zhou Yanxuan? It’s a complete joke.”

“Looking for trouble, seeking your death!”

“Wait to be crushed.”

…

Unexpected remarks and discussions made Lian Changtian feel strangely uneasy. He wondered, could it be that the Southern Wilderness, notoriously weak, now didn’t even understand what ‘near the Ninth Layer’s peak’ combat power meant? Perhaps their ‘Prohibition Genius’ had claimed the title without truly understanding the Prohibition?

Thinking this, an inexplicable sense of superiority in intelligence, status, and capacity surged within him.

“Truly a speck of land, a bunch of ants; to think they are native bumpkins who have never seen the world, not even understanding the pinnacle of the nine peaks of the extreme path, it’s really sad.”

Lian Changtian’s lips curled up with a mocking smile, as he glanced at Bei Xuan Guang, the Prohibition Genius next to him, and said, “Brother Xuan Guang, let me be the first to witness the elegance of the South Mansion’s number one.”

“Changtian, brother, you really overestimate these natives.”

Bei Xuan Guang, far from polite, said with fan in hand and a graceful demeanor.

He thought himself cultured and graceful, but in truth, the prowess and capabilities of Ji Wu, who was once the foremost figure of the Guanghan South Mansion, could instantly annihilate him.

At least in the past, with the Ninth-Layered Profound Restriction within him, Ji Wu’s combat power had also approached the nine peaks, so what was Bei Xuan Guang in comparison?

Hence, no Cultivators held him in high regard; after all, they had been shocked by Zhou Yan’s combat power. Furthermore, many Cultivators disapproved of the arrogance of the Saints and Zhou Yan’s daring to insult a Saint to his face, and had long regarded Zhou Yan as the representative of the Guanghan South Mansion.

As such, the more they looked down on Zhou Yan’s actions, the more they actually incited animosity from these geniuses.

Now, many of the geniuses of the Guanghan South Mansion, having received much of Zhou Yan’s grace during the Frost Tears incident, were united in enmity at this moment. Thus, Zhou Yan naturally won hearts through these people’s arrogant and rude behavior.

“Enough with the nonsense, both of you come at me together, otherwise you won’t get the chance!”

Zhou Yan’s eyes were filled with killing intent, not hiding his urge to kill in the slightest. When others had trampled upon his head, even calling his woman a prostitute, it would be a shame to remain calm.

If earlier, for the sake of the bigger picture and all considerations, he had still been worried and could suppress his feelings to a certain extent. Now, with the Yuan Ci Secret Realm and three Guardians like Xiong Ba standing guard, the Yuan Ci Secret Realm could even set coordinates in the Void, existing independently from the Purple Flame Void and in a safe rear position. With everything around him secure, Zhou Yan was not going to shy away any longer.

He had a fiery nature, and although he had to suppress it many times before and his temperament had matured through constant restraint, with the recent attainment of Dual Body Perfection, there were no more fetters, and no need for restraint.

Those who should be killed, would be killed; those who should be insulted, would be insulted. There would be no more reservations.

“Such arrogance! But since you’re courting death, I’ll be the one to grant it.”

Lian Changtian was unapologetic. With a move, he launched a terrifying strike towards Zhou Yan.

The overpowering and brutal aura surged through Heaven and Earth, with Sword Spirit Intent fierce enough to pierce the Void!

One strike, with near-nine combat power, elicited the radiance of Tao Rules and the breath of Great Dao Resonance in the universe.

Illusion Saint’s face showed a look of satisfaction and pride.

Spirit Saint couldn’t help but stroke his chin, seemingly quite optimistic about Lian Changtian.

Kong Ji and Wuxu Saint couldn’t help but have their muscles tremble on their faces, remaining silent with cold expressions. In their eyes, it seemed they felt some sadness for Lian Changtian’s plight.

Wu Ji still stood not far from the Yaochi Saint, his expression calm. He watched Lian Changtian’s peerless strike, seemingly contemplating how Zhou Yan would respond.

Saint Yao and Fairy Die, witnessing this scene, both turned their faces away, as if they couldn’t bear to watch directly.

Even the Yaochi Saint had a look of uncertainty on his face, worried that if Zhou Yan did not know what was good for him and really killed Lian Changtian, it would be bad.

Although he was displeased with Zhou Yan, even he had to admit that Zhou Yan’s combat power was indeed very strong.

He had previously thought to normalize the issue of the Holy Daughter seeking a suitor, but he did not expect that Illusion Saint would let his disciple take the initiative…

This, too, displeased Yaochi Saint, who thought, ‘Do you really take the geniuses of the Guanghan South Mansion for trash natives? I was merely being modest before, yet you few dare to boldly climb up the pole; this time, it serves your disciples right to be suppressed.’

With these thoughts in his belly, he saw Zhou Yan standing still and unshaken, not striking back, allowing Lian Changtian’s attack to hit him.

Relying solely on the strength of his body, Zhou Yan withstood Lian Changtian’s attack imbued with Sword Spirit qualities!

This scene truly shocked many.

Lian Changtian thought that Zhou Yan had been slain under his strike. After landing the hit, he proudly said, “To have no power to fight back at all, how weak—ugh—”

After he spoke, he realized that Zhou Yan casually patted his clothes, which appeared to have a few wrinkles from the attack, and nonchalantly said, “I told you, the two of you should come at me together, otherwise, you won’t get the chance to make a move.”

“Two pieces of trash, come at me together!”

Zhou Yan, with his hands behind his back, maintained a calm tone as he looked at Lian Changtian with a chilling stare.

Behind Lian Changtian, Bei Xuan Guang’s eyes narrowed, his countenance turned solemn, and he questioned, “Holy Artifact-level armor?”

While he questioned, his killing intent burst forth, and he immediately launched a lethal assault, seeking to seize the initiative.

“Holy Artifact-level armor?”

Zhou Yan scoffed, “Is that all the insight you have? What a waste of time. Two pieces of trash, kneel down!”

After Zhou Yan spoke, boundless Emperor Qi energy manifested. The Emperor Qi Sword Body, an ancient and ultimate Sword Body, presented its commanding presence – all Sword Dao Practitioners had to submit.

With the Emperor Sword unsheathed, all swords bowed in submission!

This was the true presence of the Emperor Qi Sword Body.

Having gone through a battle with Ji Wu, Zhou Yan’s combat power trended towards Perfection. He had taught his disciple Hou Chen the Emperor Qi Dragon Transformation Technique, and while instructing Hou Chen, he also helped his disciple comprehend parts of the Emperor Qi Dragon Transformation Skill, thereby learning some insights into the Emperor Qi Dragon Transformation and perfecting the Emperor Qi Sword Body.

Now, with the Emperor Qi Sword Dao Sword Intent presented, Lian Changtian was caught off guard, and Bei Xuan Guang was swept aside in a counterattack; both men kneeled immediately.

But, this was just the beginning.

With the Emperor Qi Sword Body erupting, Zhou Yan casually unleashed the Killing Spirit Divine Dao—a defenseless, unavoidable technique that not even a Sword Saint could save someone from.

“Putsh—”

“Putsh—”

The two genius Cultivators suddenly turned against each other as if seized by madness, attacking one another as if facing a nemesis unseen for millennia!

Lian Changtian pierced Bei Xuan Guang’s head with a sword, while Bei Xuan Guang clawed out Lian Changtian’s heart.