Immortal Martial Emperor

The two had just stepped into the Crystal Palace.

Waves of powerful auras immediately rushed toward them. The sheer intensity of these auras made even Hong Yu and his companion's expressions change.

Individually, these auras were not particularly strong.

They were each roughly equivalent to the combat power of an Initial to Mid-stage Primordial Embryo Realm expert, but their numbers were simply too vast.

There were at least a hundred of them!

One must understand that Primordial Embryo Realm powerhouses were already rare. An ordinary faction with just one or two such powerhouses could dominate a region, or even an entire nation!

And yet...

They had only just entered the Crystal Palace, and already a hundred Primordial Embryo Realm powerhouses were charging at them. Such a formation was truly terrifying!

"My master has given the order! To enter the Dragon Palace, you must first pass five trials!"

A stiff voice called out from ahead.

It was an expert clad in Battle Armor, shaped like a crab, with a Mid-stage Primordial Embryo Realm cultivation.

Behind it was a large group of Desolate Beast experts, some resembling crabs, others lobsters—a veritable army of Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals!

However, they had no life force. It seemed they were merely puppets!

"This Cyan Celestial Flood Dragon is truly gifted to have been able to refine such powerful puppets," Little One said in amazement. "Tsk tsk, if the Cyan Celestial Flood Dragon's Artifact Refining legacy is here, Hong Yu, your mastery of the Artifact Dao will definitely reach a whole new level!"

Although Hong Yu had the Initial Understanding of the Dao of Artifacts and the aid of the Nine Dragon Celestial Cauldron, his own Artifact Refining techniques were far too limited.

The techniques contained in the Initial Understanding of the Dao of Artifacts were too high-level; many of them could only be used when refining Seventh-grade Divine Weapons.

He was currently a classic case of having grand theories but lacking practical skill.

If he could obtain the Cyan Celestial Flood Dragon's Artifact Refining legacy, Hong Yu's accomplishments in the field would surely be elevated once again!

Hong Yu grew quite excited at the thought.

But the most important thing right now was to defeat these Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals and pass the first trial!

"You or me?" Young Master Yeban asked.

Hong Yu smiled. "I'll do it."

'Since we're partners, I have to show some real power,' Hong Yu thought. 'Otherwise, how can I convince Young Master Yeban to willingly hand over any Treasure to me?'

With this in mind, Hong Yu attacked without mercy.

His Nine Feather Flying Knives flew out simultaneously.

Connecting with the previous Eighteen Celestial Feathers, they formed the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Array. Thirty-six Flying Sabers whistled through the air as blue light erupted.

Under Hong Yu's control, the Flying Sabers moved like fish in water.

At times, they would form the Fish Scale Array; at others, they would execute a Peak Shock, or scatter to attack from all sides...

As a result, the horde of Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals was cut down with ease, as if they were nothing more than vegetables. Within a few minutes, they were all shattered. The leading Crab Grand General had all its arms chopped off by the Nine Feather Flying Knives, leaving only its torso rolling on the ground.

"You pass!"

the Crab Grand General declared in its cold, stiff voice.

A brilliant light surged through the Crystal Palace, and the severed limbs of the Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals reassembled, restoring them to their original state.

This strange technique made Hong Yu's eyes sparkle with even greater interest.

The two continued forward...

The guardian of the second trial was a Deep Sea Yaksha!

This Deep Sea Yaksha had a green face and sharp tusks, a body ten zhang tall, and wielded a Yaksha Battle Halberd. It stood imposingly, guarding the pass.

Seeing Hong Yu and Young Master Yeban approach, the Deep Sea Yaksha said flatly, "You managed to pass the trial of the Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals, so your strength is decent. However, if you wish to pass my trial..."

The Deep Sea Yaksha hadn't even finished speaking.

Young Master Yeban had already charged forward, surrounded by hovering orbs of thunder. After about ten exchanges, he slew the Deep Sea Yaksha, whose strength was comparable to that of a Late-stage Primordial Embryo Realm expert!

In comparison, the third trial was much more bizarre.

It was not Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals, nor a Deep Sea Yaksha, but an enormous sea turtle.

The turtle lay on the ground, covering an area of a hundred square meters. It said in a muffled voice, "If you can sever my head, you pass!"

As soon as it finished speaking, the sea turtle immediately retracted its head into its shell.

Hong Yu: "..."

Young Master Yeban: "..."

The two looked at each other as a stampede of a thousand mythical beasts ran through their minds.

'Shameless!'

'This old turtle is too damn shameless!'

Everyone knew that a turtle's shell was extremely hard, especially one belonging to an old sea turtle of this size. It must have cultivated for countless years.

At its age, its shell was likely no weaker than a Fifth-Grade Primordial Weapon.

'How are we supposed to cut off its head now?'

To top it off, the shameless old turtle started snoring. The RUMBLE RUMBLE of its snores shook the area.

"I have a way!" Young Master Yeban revealed a shameless grin.

Hong Yu looked at him, puzzled.

Young Master Yeban rubbed his nose but didn't elaborate. He just said, "You wait in front of its head. The moment it pokes its head out, chop it off!"

"Alright!"

Hong Yu sighed, took out his Godslaying Spear, and stood beside the old sea turtle.

Young Master Yeban snuck furtively behind the old sea turtle.

He took a deep breath. Palm Light swirled as a slender Battle Halberd appeared in his hand.

The Battle Halberd glowed with Flowing Light; it was clearly a powerful Primordial Weapon.

Hong Yu could see clearly that this Battle Halberd was a Fourth-Grade Primordial Weapon. While valuable, it would be incredibly difficult to break through the old turtle's defense with it!

'Wait... he wouldn't...'

Hong Yu's expression suddenly turned strange.

Soon, he knew he hadn't guessed wrong!

Young Master Yeban crouched down, gripped the Battle Halberd with both hands, aimed it at the old sea turtle's rear end, and then...

...he thrust the Battle Halberd forward forcefully.

With Young Master Yeban's immense power, the entire Battle Halberd disappeared into the old sea turtle's behind.

"AOWWW!"

The old sea turtle's expression twisted in agony. It let out a bloodcurdling scream and poked its head out.

At the same time...

Hong Yu's Godslaying Spear sliced down without a shred of mercy.

PFFT!

The enormous head fell to the ground. There was no blood; it was also a puppet.

"WAHAHAHA, I told you my method would work!" Young Master Yeban crowed, his hands on his hips, looking quite pleased with himself.

Hong Yu rubbed his nose, his expression strange. 'Damn, this depraved ass-stabber!'

Young Master Yeban felt no shame, chuckling, "It's not shamelessness, it's resourcefulness!"

"Fine, you're amazing!"

As the two talked, the turtle puppet's form was restored once more.

He shot the two a gloomy look, his gaze toward Young Master Yeban filled with deep resentment. 'My... my chrysanthemum... a virgin for thousands of years, ruined just like that!'

Young Master Yeban glared. "Damn it, old turtle, haven't you been poked enough?" He feigned another attack.

The old turtle's neck shrank back, its sphincter clenched, and it quickly said, "Enough, enough... You pass!"

The two strode proudly toward the fourth trial.

The Gatekeeper for this trial was a Deep Sea Frenzied Shark.

Before them lay a body of water with rolling waves. A Deep Sea Frenzied Shark emerged, glanced at the two indifferently, and said, "Passing my trial may cost you your lives!"

"This Deep Sea Frenzied Shark is very strong!" said Hong Yu.

Young Master Yeban nodded. "It probably has the combat power of the Peak of Primordial Embryo Realm. To kill it, we'll have to join forces and slay it before it can escape back into the sea!"

"That will be difficult, unless we can restrain it!"

"Then how about you trap it with your Flying Sabers, and I'll find a way to finish it with a Thunder Strike?" Young Master Yeban suggested.

Hong Yu hesitated for a moment. "My Flying Saber Array is focused on offense. It would be difficult to restrain it."

"Then what do we do?"

While the two were hesitating, Little Chenxi suddenly started babbling, "Yiya yiya!"

Hong Yu was taken aback. He looked at Little Chenxi. "Chenxi, are you not feeling well?"

Little Chenxi shook her head, her lively eyes sparkling like two brilliant, treasure-like pearls.

She pointed a slender finger at the water before them.

Hong Yu asked, puzzled, "You mean, you want me to put you in the water?"

"Yiya yiya!"

Little Chenxi cried out.

Hong Yu thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll give it a try!"

He then placed Little Chenxi's small hand in the water. She babbled, "Yiya yiya!" and suddenly, the blue Ice Tear on her chest began to glow with a layer of blue light.

A bone-chilling cold began to spread.

Then...

...the two watched in shock as the vast expanse of water, stretching for hundreds of kilometers, was instantly frozen solid.

The Deep Sea Frenzied Shark leaped out of the water, landing on the surface of the ice. It thrashed about but was unable to break through the frozen layer.

Its eyes gleamed with malice. "You froze my home! Unforgivable!" The Deep Sea Frenzied Shark twisted its massive, hundred-meter-long body and whipped its tail, like a Divine Dragon lashing out, striking toward Little Chenxi.

"Get back!"

Hong Yu's eyes turned cold.

The Godslaying Spear shot forward with a BOOM.

The Bloodthirsty Rune erupted with terrifying brilliance. Crimson light coiled around the spear's shaft like a Blood Dragon. With a resounding BOOM, it collided with the Deep Sea Frenzied Shark.

The Deep Sea Frenzied Shark was instantly sent flying.

Hong Yu didn't fare much better. His arm went numb, and the webbing between his thumb and forefinger split open.

The Deep Sea Frenzied Shark's power was terrifying!

"Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang, merge!"

Hong Yu suddenly let out a low shout.

Thirty-six Flying Sabers flew out at once, converging in the void, their forms blurring and rearranging to create the illusion of a hundred-meter-long Giant Sword.

"BOOM!"

The sword shadow swept down.

Like an autumn wind scattering fallen leaves, it brutally smashed the Deep Sea Frenzied Shark away again. The sound of BANGING impacts vibrated across the entire frozen expanse of water.

The Deep Sea Frenzied Shark was now in a sorry state.

It was also extremely frustrated.

If the water hadn't been frozen, it would have long since dived deep, waiting for the right moment to strike.

How could it have ended up so passive and battered?

But Hong Yu paid it no mind, charging forward to attack. Young Master Yeban followed close behind. Under the duo's storm of attacks, like a violent Thunderstorm, the Deep Sea Frenzied Shark was forced to retreat again and again.

In its miserable state, it was finally impaled and killed by a single thrust of Hong Yu's spear.

A moment later...

The re-formed Deep Sea Frenzied Shark puppet looked at the two gloomily. "You pass."

"Many thanks!"

Hong Yu cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute.

The Deep Sea Frenzied Shark hung its head. "Could you please unfreeze my water?"

"Yiya yiya!"

Little Chenxi giggled, and the blue light of the Ice Tear swirled on her chest.

The frozen water thawed, and the Deep Sea Frenzied Shark carried the three of them—Hong Yu, Young Master Yeban, and Little Chenxi—across to the other side.

As they neared the shore, the Deep Sea Frenzied Shark seemed apprehensive. It said in a low voice, "You are truly formidable to have made it this far, but the next trial will not be so easy. I advise you to be careful!"

"Thank you for the warning. We will be careful!" Hong Yu and Young Master Yeban replied solemnly.

"Mm."

The Deep Sea Frenzied Shark submerged back into the water.

Hong Yu and Young Master Yeban flew to the sandy shore.

The beach was covered in golden sand. Or rather than sand, it looked more like fine grains of gold.

They stepped onto the golden beach.

As the two gazed into the distance, they suddenly saw a golden figure slowly approaching them. They looked at each other in dismay...

"What the hell is that thing?"