“Though the Deathblade Clan may seem foolish and savage, their Kings possess considerable intelligence, and their Emperors are no less cunning,” remarked the Northriver Divine Emperor. “Both the Deathblade Clan and our indigenous races seek the ultimate awakening and transformation! We vie for every precious resource. The Deathblade Clan, born from the floating islands, holds an advantage and claims the majority of these treasures.”
“Brother Xueying,” the Northriver Divine Emperor turned his gaze to Dongbo Xueying. “I need your assistance. Together, we would surpass even the shortcomings of the Supreme Rulers.”
Dongbo Xueying studied the emperor before him. His eyes were sincere. Xueying understood all too well the frustration of eternal beings who felt like ants trapped in a cage, yearning to break free and ascend to a higher state of existence.
Yet—
Xueying disapproved of the Northriver Divine Emperor’s methods. To achieve his goals, the emperor would stop at nothing. When weaker worlds among the indigenous races refused to submit, he would not hesitate to annihilate them, replacing them with those who bowed to his will. Such ruthless tactics were meant to intimidate others into swift surrender.
“Too unscrupulous to share life and death with,” Xueying thought to himself.
“Your Majesty,” Xueying spoke. “If we join forces, what of the other experts—or even the Supreme Rulers—who might seek my aid in the future?”
“Naturally, you cannot agree lightly,” the emperor replied. “Without your help, they would be at a disadvantage. Resources are finite; if others take them, we lose.”
“I see,” Xueying said. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I have no desire to bind myself entirely to a single cause.”
The Northriver Divine Emperor was taken aback, pausing for a long moment.
“I value my freedom,” Xueying continued. “I prefer to make my own decisions and not be tied to another’s fate.” His reasons were twofold: he disliked the emperor’s ruthlessness, and he cared little for the resources the indigenous and Deathblade Clans coveted. As a cultivator, his focus was on his own enlightenment.
Why, then, should he tie himself to the Northriver Divine Emperor and engage in bloody battles?
“You aided the Starlight Clan and other weaker worlds. Can you not help me as well?” the emperor pressed.
“Of course,” Xueying smiled. “But it depends on the matter.”
“Ah, Brother Xueying, your reputation precedes you—righteous and intolerant of evil. No doubt my methods displease you,” the emperor chuckled. “But the favor I ask concerns dealing with one of the Deathblade Clan’s Supreme Rulers.”
“Oh?”
Xueying understood. “Very well, I agree.”
Though he had his reservations, provoking the emperor would only bring calamity to worlds like Starlight. Moreover, the target was a Supreme Ruler of the Deathblade Clan.
The Deathblade Clan had three Supreme Rulers, each born from death itself, their methods cruel and undisputedly demonic. Only the presence of the two indigenous Supreme Rulers kept them in check, ensuring the survival of the indigenous races.
“Before, I dared not hope. But with you, Brother Xueying, I now have a chance,” the emperor said, delighted by Xueying’s agreement. “I must prepare thoroughly. Once ready, I shall summon you.”
“My avatar will remain in the Starlight World. Seek me there,” Xueying replied.
“Good. Aid me, and you shall not be disappointed,” the emperor smiled. “As a gesture of goodwill, I shall halt my conquests.”
Xueying brightened. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Many worlds will be grateful.”
“They should thank you,” the emperor said.
—
After parting ways with the Northriver Divine Emperor, Xueying departed with the Starlight Sovereign’s avatar.
“Leaving so soon?” the sovereign transmitted.
“Yes.”
“The emperor made such a grand spectacle for you at the Magpie Blossom Banquet, yet spoke only briefly before letting you go?” The sovereign was baffled.
Xueying glanced at him but said nothing, flying onward.
“Wait for me!” The avatar hurried after him—though the avatar itself was insignificant, the Magpie Blossom petal it carried was invaluable.
—
As the banquet concluded, the name of “Emperor Xueying” spread far and wide, shaking the highest echelons of the indigenous races in the Broken Tooth Mountain Range.
“A soul technique that can subdue even Emperors effortlessly? Even Windsmoke, one of the Thirty-Six Divine Generals, fell instantly?” A gaunt, purple-robed elder murmured, his terrifying aura radiating in all directions, lightning crackling around him. He was one of the two indigenous Supreme Rulers—Thundercloud Supreme.
Having awakened his bloodline to the pinnacle of the Emperor rank, he could sense the power of the next realm—a terrifying force capable of transcending this world, breaking the constraints of ‘Yuan,’ and traversing the vast cosmos.
“Such a soul technique is unheard of. Even we Supreme Rulers would need to devote considerable effort to resist it,” the elder mused. “Northriver is cunning indeed, swiftly extending an invitation to Emperor Xueying.”
—
“Emperor Xueying? Such a soul technique exists?”
Supreme Ruler Haogu blazed like a miniature sun, his radiance too intense for weaker beings to behold.
“Though his combat prowess is negligible, his soul techniques can affect even us. The Heartseek Continent has birthed a formidable figure.” Haogu had never paid much heed to cultivators from the Heartseek Continent, but now, he took notice. In his mind, Emperor Xueying posed a greater threat than even the Divine Emperors.
—
“Northriver is too shrewd—acting so swiftly to recruit him.” A black-robed, horned man shook his head in frustration.
—
“Too late. I pray Emperor Xueying does not side with Northriver.” A stunning woman formed from condensed cosmic energy gazed toward the Starlight World. “Northriver’s ambitions are boundless. He has already outmaneuvered the other three emperors under Haogu’s command. If he gains Emperor Xueying’s aid, our race may well see a third Supreme Ruler emerge.”
—
The upper echelons of the indigenous races, well-informed and vigilant, kept a close watch on Emperor Xueying. Meanwhile, Xueying had already returned to the Starlight World.
Soon, news spread like wildfire—the armies of the Northriver Divine Emperor, which had been conquering indigenous worlds, had withdrawn entirely.
“They’ve retreated!”
“All forces have pulled back. Even the territories under Emperor Chenyao are free again.”
“The retreating troops declared it was Emperor Xueying’s plea that moved the Northriver Divine Emperor to cease his conquests.”
“It was Emperor Xueying’s compassion that swayed him.”
The news spread like a storm. Worlds once resigned to despair now rejoiced as peace returned to their homes. The taste of freedom after despair made their gratitude all the deeper.
All knew it was Emperor Xueying’s accord with the Northriver Divine Emperor that had brought this deliverance.
From every corner, gratitude poured forth—this was the salvation of their homelands, the rescue of their races.
“Our savior!”
“Emperor Xueying has delivered us!”
“Given the Northriver Divine Emperor’s nature, he would never halt his conquests without reason. Such a vast territory—Emperor Xueying must have paid a price.”
“All thanks to Emperor Xueying!”
Delegations from countless worlds journeyed to the Starlight World to pay homage to their great benefactor.
—
Endless processions arrived.
“Your Majesty.”
“Emperor Xueying.”
Envoys from different worlds, many led by their sovereigns, came with eyes brimming with gratitude and reverence. Each bore gifts—how could they offer anything less for the salvation of their homelands and kin? They brought treasures they believed would aid this cultivator-emperor.
Faced with the unending stream of visitors and mountains of treasures, Xueying was stunned.
“The Northriver Divine Emperor deliberately framed this as my doing—as a favor to me.” Xueying understood the emperor’s intent.
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