CHAPTER 516: CHAPTER 515: CULTIVATION SOARS_1

"Life and death are fated; why worry too much?"

As he watched Xiao Muyu and the others withdraw from the battle, Ling Chen felt an uncharacteristic sense of ease, momentarily viewing life and death with detachment.

"You have no regrets? For a woman," the Human Emperor said indifferently.

"I would surely regret it if I didn’t come. How can I regret fighting for the one I love?" Ling Chen chuckled and shook his head. He couldn’t possibly stand by and watch Xu Ruoyan marry another man. If that happened, it would be worse than death.

"Hehe, you young man, you do possess some of my demeanor from back then," the Human Emperor suddenly laughed.

"Could you please elaborate?" Ling Chen asked. Though surrounded by formidable enemies, he himself seemed calm and composed, as if oblivious to the dire straits he was in.

"Back then, I was just a minor figure in the Great River Tribe. But my wife, Tu Shan Jun, was the princess of the Tushan Kingdom; our statuses were worlds apart." As the Human Emperor reminisced, a hint of nostalgia touched him. "But the disparity in status can be bridged by strength. If I hadn’t tenaciously pursued her and ultimately risked my life to defeat the King of the Tushan Kingdom, I wouldn’t have won the beauty’s hand. Otherwise, I would have lived a life of regret."

So, Master has such a story. A look of surprise emerged in Ling Chen’s eyes. The current generation had no idea that this supreme expert of the continent had such a history.

"Today’s matter is somewhat similar to your story, Master," Ling Chen said, his gaze narrowing slightly. But I wonder whether my fate today will be life or death. If I were to die here today, it would truly be unbearable...

"Don’t worry, you won’t die today," the Human Emperor’s voice sounded again. "You are, after all, my, the Human Emperor’s, final disciple. I’m still counting on you to handle matters for me. How could you die in such a nondescript place?"

"But the opponent is a Sky Apex Realm Third Layer expert."

A jolt ran through Ling Chen’s heart. It seems the Human Emperor has a plan.

"A mere Sky Apex Realm Third Layer? In my eyes, he’s no different from an ant." The Human Emperor sneered contemptuously. He reckoned that even a randomly chosen subordinate of his would possess far greater cultivation than that.

"If I weren’t merely a will projection right now, I could wipe out these people without lifting a finger. However, for now, you can only rely on yourself."

"I will temporarily lend you the power of this will projection. However, you’ll have at most the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. After that, the power will be exhausted. Remember that!"

As the voice faded, Ling Chen felt a surge of power suddenly emanate from the Heavenly Mansion Ring, gushing into his body like a spring.

In that instant, his aura began to soar wildly!

Great Grandmaster Eighth Layer!

Nine Heavy Realm!

...

Sky Apex Realm First Layer!

Ling Chen felt as if ten thousand wild horses were stampeding within him; his cultivation actually surged, breaking through to the Sky Apex Realm First Layer in a single breath!

And it wasn’t just a boost in cultivation. Ling Chen’s aura now carried an air of kingship, a commanding presence and majesty as if he ruled over the Nine Provinces.

Only a true king could possess such an imposing aura.

"How is this possible? This kid actually reached the Sky Apex Realm?" Dong Shenglong had watched Ling Chen’s cultivation skyrocket before his very eyes. When he sensed that Ling Chen’s cultivation had reached the Sky Apex Realm, his eyeballs nearly popped out, his eyes filled with utter disbelief.

"It’s true! Dammit, how did he do that?"

"Just a moment ago, his aura suddenly erupted. Did he use some forbidden secret art?"

"Probably. After all, he is the Demonic Path Saint Child; he might indeed possess some demonic forbidden technique. But this is too abnormal! Such a significant increase in an instant—what kind of demonic secret art is that?"

The six Sky Void Palace Elders, along with the many warriors watching, were all profoundly shaken, scarcely believing their own eyes.

"He... he actually reached the Sky Apex Realm?" Xiao Muyu, Shangguan Qiushui, Nie Wu Xiang, and the others were all dumbfounded. Such methods were utterly unheard of, seeming almost supernatural. No wonder Ling Chen had been so confident in letting them leave. So, he had been concealing such a terrifying trump card all along.

Feeling the surging, immense power within his body, Ling Chen felt as if he had been reborn. He had never experienced such terrifying power before. This... this was the power of a Top Sky Apex Strong.

The Human Emperor was merely a remnant will projection, yet it could provide such terrifying power. The true extent of the Human Emperor’s own divine power was simply immeasurable.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn, huh... Ling Chen hadn’t forgotten the Human Emperor’s warning. This power could only be maintained for the duration of one incense stick burning. In other words, after that time, his cultivation would regress to the Great Master level.

However, the time it took for an incense stick to burn should be sufficient to accomplish his task.

"Little Demon, I never expected you to possess such a trump card! However, today, on my Sky Void Palace’s territory, you won’t escape even if you sprout wings!"

After the initial shock, Dong Shenglong’s expression turned cold again. Then, with a wave of his hand, the six Sky Void Palace Elders immediately formed hand seals, their bodies shifting continuously as they assembled an array formation.

"It’s the Sky Void Palace’s Six Harmonies Void-breaking Array!" Xu Ruoyan exclaimed, a hint of worry flashing in her beautiful eyes as she watched Dong Shenglong and the six Sky Void Palace Elders form up. The Six Harmonies Void-breaking Array was a Heaven-rank array formation that required a Top Sky Apex Strong to preside over it for its true power to be unleashed. This array formation was typically used to deal with Top Sky Apex Strong; she never expected it to be used on Ling Chen today.

An array formation, huh?

Faced with this encompassing array formation, Ling Chen’s expression remained unchanged. He slightly angled the Red Sky Sword in his hand, and a scorching aura emanated from the blade.

With his current, incredibly profound internal strength, even frequently channeling the Red Sky Sword and executing the Red Sky Sword Technique placed no burden on him.

After a quick scan of his surroundings, Ling Chen tapped his foot and, sword in hand, shot towards a specific point in the array formation.

Seeing Ling Chen charge over, two Sky Void Palace Elders immediately channeled their cultivation. Instantly, a distorted wall of air materialized in front of Ling Chen, blocking his path.

SLASH!

Without a second glance, Ling Chen swung his sword, and in a flash, the wall of air was cleaved in two.

Having breached the wall of air, Ling Chen immediately slashed out again, intending to break the array formation.

WHOOSH!

A figure flashed before him, and Ling Chen saw Dong Shenglong appear. Dong Shenglong wielded a long knife, its blade incredibly sharp as it sliced through the air.

"Breaking Void Saber!" Dong Shenglong bellowed, his strike parting the air before him, seemingly tearing a rift in space itself as it aimed straight for Ling Chen’s throat.