Dongbo Xueying gazed at the armored warrior wielding a black spear and immediately recognized him—this was ‘Nuo Fan Duo,’ one of the great generals under the command of the Supreme Monarch Shifan.
The North River Divine Emperor showed no irritation, smiling as he looked at the towering dark figure. “Nuo Fan Duo, haven’t you even noticed who stands beside me before raising your voice?”
The dark, burly figure swept his gaze and spotted the white-robed youth next to the North River Divine Emperor. The general under the Supreme Monarch, Nuo Fan Duo, couldn’t help but tense up. Over the past few years, news had spread even among the highest echelons of the Heart Realm Continent about Dongbo Xueying’s exploits in the Broken Tooth Mountain Range. Though the Deathblade Clan was slow with information, the generals under Shifan, one of the Five Supreme Monarchs, were well aware of the name ‘Emperor Feixue.’
“So it’s Emperor Feixue. No wonder you dared to return, North River,” Nuo Fan Duo said, his eyes fixed on Dongbo Xueying.
“I have just enough courage for that,” the North River Divine Emperor replied with a faint smile.
Suddenly—
*Whoosh.*
The void beside them twisted, splitting open a passage. From the distorted spatial tunnel emerged eight figures, led by a kindly-faced elder draped in golden robes, followed by seven Deathblade Clan warriors radiating overwhelming auras.
“Supreme Monarch!” General Nuo Fan Duo immediately descended to the side, bowing deeply in reverence.
“Supreme Monarch Shifan,” the North River Divine Emperor said, his earlier ease replaced by solemnity.
The ten Divine Generals under the North River Divine Emperor grew visibly tense.
“A Supreme Monarch?” Dongbo Xueying felt both curiosity and a tightening in his chest.
Reputation was like the shadow of a tree—inescapable.
The might of a Supreme Monarch was overwhelming. Before them, even the so-called ‘invincible’ existences of the Heart Realm Continent could be extinguished with a mere breath. Even ‘Emperor Xia’ had been obliterated in an instant without resistance. The ‘Undying Nether Emperor,’ capable of burning his heart’s blood to escape from a Divine Emperor, would barely last a few moves against a Supreme Monarch—and that alone would be a feat worth pride.
Such was the power of a ‘Supreme Monarch.’
Even the eight strongest among the low-tier Primordial Lifeforms of the Broken Tooth Mountain Range, the ‘Eight Great Saints,’ were far inferior to a Supreme Monarch—mere playthings to be crushed at will.
“According to the North River Divine Emperor, Supreme Monarchs are those who have cultivated their bloodline power to its absolute peak. One step further, and they would awaken their ancestral heritage, reverting to the form of their progenitor race,” Dongbo Xueying mused silently.
Such power was terrifying.
Even the Eight Great Saints, like Shi Yuanhuang, had been trampled underfoot.
Even the North River Divine Emperor, ranked first among the Divine Emperors, stood a head shorter before a Supreme Monarch. Had Dongbo Xueying not appeared, his visit to Shifan Island would have been nothing but an exercise in humiliation.
“He doesn’t even seem like a Deathblade clansman,” Dongbo Xueying observed as the golden-robed elder, Supreme Monarch Shifan, strode through the void. There was no trace of malevolence or darkness about him—only an aura of warmth. Clad in resplendent golden robes, he smiled faintly, first glancing at Dongbo Xueying before addressing the North River Divine Emperor.
“North River, knowing you had hosted Emperor Feixue of the Heart Realm Continent, I anticipated your arrival here.”
“Of course I had to come,” the North River Divine Emperor replied gravely. “Will the Supreme Monarch still bar my path this time?”
“Bar your path? I have never barred your path,” Supreme Monarch Shifan chuckled. “If I wished to obstruct you, I could easily lure you deeper into the island, then rally my forces to surround and slay you. On these floating islands, we could dismantle your forces one by one—killing you would not be difficult.”
The North River Divine Emperor’s expression darkened.
It was true.
He could bring his own forces, but the Supreme Monarchs could also rally theirs. Yet, throughout the ages, none of the Five Supreme Monarchs had ever done so. At their level, such tactics were beneath them.
“Many desire the treasures of my island. Should I let anyone take them as they please?” Supreme Monarch Shifan smiled. “Either trade fairly, or break through my subordinates and then me. Sadly, you lack the strength—who else is to blame?”
Dongbo Xueying silently agreed.
Though most treasures of the Broken Tooth Mountain Range lay within the floating islands, the native clans would naturally compete for them.
But competition was a matter of strength.
“Interesting. They say the Deathblade Clan rarely engages in trade, yet this Supreme Monarch Shifan is willing,” Dongbo Xueying mused, sensing no trace of hostility or malice from him. “Yet he delights in ‘bestowing death,’ consigning countless lives to oblivion. His temperament is indeed fearsome.”
—
As Dongbo Xueying pondered, the North River Divine Emperor spoke solemnly.
“Supreme Monarch, shall we battle this time? With Brother Feixue’s aid, your subordinates will be of little use.”
“A battle? Of course we shall cross blades,” Supreme Monarch Shifan replied.
The North River Divine Emperor, his ten Divine Generals, and Dongbo Xueying all tensed.
The battle was coming.
Just how powerful was a Supreme Monarch?
“Good. Then do not blame us for joining forces against you today,” the North River Divine Emperor said coldly.
“We shall indeed cross blades—but only with the Heart Realm cultivator, Emperor Feixue,” Supreme Monarch Shifan said, his gaze fixed on Dongbo Xueying. “I have no interest in you native experts. Only Emperor Feixue intrigues me. I’ve heard you can plunge even Kings into eternal slumber. I wish to test your soul techniques.”
“Me? Against a Supreme Monarch?” Dongbo Xueying was stunned.
At best, he could slightly weaken a Supreme Monarch. Even a fraction of their power could annihilate him effortlessly. The gap between him and the likes of Eternal Night Patriarch was vast—but the chasm between him and a Supreme Monarch was unimaginable.
“Hahaha, just unleash your techniques,” Supreme Monarch Shifan laughed. “I won’t bully a weak cultivator.”
Dongbo Xueying’s heart twinged with discomfort.
*A weak cultivator.*
In the eyes of a Supreme Monarch, all Heart Realm cultivators were weak. Emperor Xia and the Undying Nether Emperor would be mere sacrifices. Thankfully, the rules set by ‘Yuan’ prevented Supreme Monarchs from ever setting foot in the Heart Realm Continent.
Yet, knowing this didn’t ease the sting of being looked down upon.
“Very well.”
As Dongbo Xueying spoke, his eyes blazed with light.
*Boom!*
The Illusory Realm of the Void descended, enveloping Supreme Monarch Shifan.
Though the technique spared the nearby subordinates and the North River Divine Emperor’s party, they all felt an irresistible pull toward Dongbo Xueying’s eyes—a lethal allure. His killing move, derived from the ‘Gray Eyes,’ made his gaze a vortex of endless temptation, capable of drowning souls.
Fortunately, they were merely spectators, not trapped in the illusion. All could resist, but none could hide their astonishment.
“Such a terrifying soul technique. If I were caught in it, how much of my strength would remain?” The North River Divine Emperor and the others exchanged uneasy glances.
“Hmm?”
Supreme Monarch Shifan initially remained composed, but suddenly, his expression shifted.
*Boom!*
A terrifying dark aura erupted from his body, surging outward in an instant, plunging the surroundings into abyssal darkness. Warriors like Nuo Fan Duo were sent flying, some even injured, their faces filled with shock.
“Hold!” The North River Divine Emperor barked.
Sword light surged around him, forming a protective barrier that shielded Dongbo Xueying and his ten Divine Generals.
*Sizzle—*
The dark aura clashed against the sword light, eroding it relentlessly.
“This… this is too much,” Dongbo Xueying murmured under the barrier, watching the dark energy gnaw at the sword light. A primal fear gripped him—one touch from that darkness, and his body would disintegrate.
*Hmph!*
Supreme Monarch Shifan suddenly snorted, forcibly reining in his aura. He opened his eyes and looked at Dongbo Xueying.
“Emperor Feixue, you may withdraw your soul technique now.”
Dongbo Xueying immediately dispelled it.
“A formidable illusion,” Supreme Monarch Shifan sighed. “I believed I could remain lucid and deliberately immersed myself to probe it. Yet I suffered a backlash, leaking some of my power. Today, I’ve witnessed a first-class soul technique—truly enlightening. Emperor Feixue, North River… you may proceed.”
—
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