novelraw Chapter 580 - 564: Battle of Life and Death_1
Chapter 580 - 564: Battle of Life and Death_1
"My beloved minister, tell me about the significant events that occurred during my seclusion!"
「In the Imperial Study.」
Qin Wudao, adorned in his Emperor’s robe, sat on the throne, smiling as he asked. Perhaps due to his breakthrough to the Emperor realm, the aura of imperial majesty he exuded was far heavier, like a resplendent sun hanging in the nine heavens, its light illuminating the four corners of the world, its might shocking all under Heaven.
"Your Majesty, during your seclusion, the kingdom developed stably!" Zhuge Liang sat below, waving a feather fan as he spoke gravely. "However, looking across the continent, undercurrents are surging. The various Great Saint sects have dispatched envoys to Immortality Mountain, seeking an alliance to jointly defend against the Eternal Temple!"
"An alliance? Ridiculous!" Qin Wudao scoffed upon hearing this. After dealing with them for many years, he had completely seen the true face of these Great Saint sects: a group of selfish, self-serving entities, impressive in appearance but hollow within, as fickle as grass on a wall. Of course, he also understood their intentions; while they spoke of an alliance on the surface, they were, in reality, seeking protection.
"Perhaps to appease the Great Saint sects and prevent them from leaning towards the Eternal Temple, Immortality Mountain agreed to the alliance!" At this point, Zhuge Liang took out an exquisite invitation and said with a wry smile, "Immortality Mountain has also invited the Qin Dynasty to join the alliance. I dared not make a decision without authorization and have not yet replied."
Qin Wudao’s expression turned peculiar. Considering the nature of these Great Saint sects, if they didn’t receive protection from the Eternal Temple, they would very likely pledge allegiance to them. As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them!
"Do not decide yet..." Qin Wudao hadn’t made up his mind about joining the alliance. He had only spoken half a sentence when he saw Guo Jia walk in, his steps hurried, his face filled with anger. In his hand, he clutched a blood-red challenge letter, wreathed in a murderous aura.
The temperature in the hall plummeted.
"Your Majesty, the Eternal Temple has delivered a life-or-death challenge!" Guo Jia, after a respectful salute, said angrily, "Their Saint Heir, Soul Martial Ancestor, is hosting a tournament at Demon Gao Mountain, proclaiming a challenge to Your Majesty to a duel to the death!"
"What?" Zhuge Liang shot to his feet, utterly furious. A mere Saint Heir dares to challenge the monarch of the Qin Dynasty? He’s seeking death! This is a disgrace!
"Your Majesty, the Eternal Temple must have discovered something; otherwise, they wouldn’t have set up this tournament!" A sharp glint flashed in Guo Jia’s eyes as he analyzed coldly.
"Indeed!" Qin Wudao sneered, showing no fear. I fear the Eternal Temple suspects that I possess the Divine Body of Chaos! With a wave of his right hand, he generated a gust of wind and took the challenge letter. If the Eternal Temple wants a battle, then a battle they shall have! He had a thorough understanding of Soul Martial Ancestor, who possessed the second-ranked Divine Body of Voidness, comprehended the laws of the Void Dao, and wielded extremely formidable combat strength. Judging by the strength displayed on the immortal rankings, Soul Martial Ancestor had always been slightly weaker than him. However, since the Eternal Temple dared to issue a challenge, they must be confident. If so, participating in this life-or-death battle could put him in danger. But so what? He was a Martial Artist, an Emperor; he must possess an indomitable will. If he didn’t even dare to face Soul Martial Ancestor’s challenge, how could he ever defeat the Eternal Temple? How could he even fight his way out of the Primordial Continent and contend with the myriad worlds and universes?
"Proclaim to all under Heaven: on the twentieth of the fourth month, I shall personally slay Soul Martial Ancestor at Demon Gao Mountain!" Qin Wudao stood up, his majestic imperial might erupting with terrifying power, as if ready to battle Heaven and Earth, suppressing all heavens, causing Heaven and Earth themselves to pale in comparison.
A colossal dragon shadow tore through the void, coiling at the zenith of the East Border’s sky, roaring towards the Middle Region. The soundwaves spread, shattering the clouds that filled the heavens.
「Inside the Endless Cliff.」
’The Calamity’ seemed to sense something, turning his head to look, a cold smile touched his lips. A heart of invincibility?
BOOM!
A black, giant dragon shot out from the canyon, soaring through the Heavenly Universe, letting out a world-shaking draconic cry. Its bloodthirsty draconic eyes blazed with a dazzling, horrifying murderous intent.
"What’s happening?"
Two draconic roars, echoing through the ages, reverberated across the skies of the Primordial Continent, lingering for a long time. Countless factions were alarmed and hurriedly dispatched intelligence personnel to investigate.
Soon, news of the life-or-death duel between Qin Wudao and Soul Martial Ancestor spread throughout the Primordial Continent, leaving everyone stunned and in an uproar. Both Qin Wudao and Soul Martial Ancestor represented top-tier powers. Especially Soul Martial Ancestor; as the Saint Heir of the Eternal Temple, he was backed by a Demi Immortal expert. As for Qin Wudao, although his faction had no Demi Immortal presiding over it, his fated marriage with Jade Snow Gentleman meant he was essentially backed by Immortality Mountain.
The slightest misstep could trigger a war between Demi Immortals! And if the Eternal Temple and Immortality Mountain went to war, could the other factions truly remain uninvolved and watch from the sidelines? Of course not! Could it be that a war destined to sweep the continent would begin with this tournament battle?
Having sorted through their thoughts, many people gasped, their scalps tingling with dread, feeling increasingly uneasy about the future. It was no exaggeration to say that the Primordial Continent was now a powder keg, ready to be ignited at any moment!
"Are we about to relive the catastrophe from before the ancient times?" someone cried out in terror, their face deathly pale. In truth, before the ancient times, the Primordial Continent had birthed a glorious civilization, which later mysteriously vanished. According to surviving records, it was likely destroyed in a great war. The shockwaves from a fierce battle between supreme experts had annihilated that civilization!
「Heaven Beyond Heavens, on a celestial mountain.」
Immeasurable immortal energy ebbed and flowed. Jade Monarch looked at the intelligence report in his hand and said coldly, his voice exuding a terrifying law capable of obliterating everything, "Interesting! Are they trying to use this life-or-death battle to hasten the arrival of the cataclysm?"
Ordinary experts might not discern anything, merely seeing it as a power struggle between factions. However, he could clearly sense the power of the cataclysm in the void growing ever more concentrated. The cataclysm is approaching! And the Eternal Temple will be its source! During our last battle, you used Soul Emperor’s body to injure me! Now, we are both Demi Immortals. If you dare to make a move, we shall see who is stronger! Jade Monarch sneered, his gaze piercing the Heavenly Universe, looking towards the Eternal Temple, which was shrouded in black miasma. A dense battle intent, accompanied by a suffocating killing intent, emanated from him. Kill! Only by killing can one find a sliver of hope for survival in the cataclysm! Qin Wudao, I hope you don’t disappoint me! Then, he looked towards the East Border, a trace of anticipation in his cold, stern eyes.
「Within the Endless Cliff.」
BOOM!
A beam of black, profound light shot straight into the nine heavens. Soul Martial Ancestor slowly opened his eyes, his gaze chilling to the soul. He looked at ’The Calamity’ seated on the high throne, his eyes revealing an intense killing intent. The Calamity Power entering his body had subjected him to inhuman torture! His hatred for ’The Calamity’ had seeped deep into his bones!
"You want to kill me?" ’The Calamity’, with a playful expression, wasn’t outraged at all. He smiled and said.
"Unfortunately, I can’t kill you!" Soul Martial Ancestor said coldly, not concealing his murderous intent in the slightest.
"Childish!" ’The Calamity’ squinted. His figure flickered, and a gray light swirled in his palm as he pressed it onto Soul Martial Ancestor’s head, saying cruelly, "Memory... altered!"
Immeasurable Calamity Power poured into Soul Martial Ancestor’s body, forming a new memory! In this new memory, Soul Martial Ancestor had no idea that he was going to die!
A few breaths later, Soul Martial Ancestor knelt on one knee, as if he had become a different person, his face filled with fanaticism. "Many thanks for the gift, Master!"