Heaven-Surpassing Divine Emperor

Jiang Chen walked out of the Dark Swamp.

A surge of True Essence shot toward the heavens, coalescing into the image of a Divine Bird high in the Celestial Vault before exploding with a BOOM.

In an instant, brilliant fireworks filled the entire Celestial Vault.

A vast radiance swept across the Celestial Vault.

CHIRP—

Before long, a clear cry echoed from high above. The Celestial Burial Divine Bird could be seen flapping its wings, flying in rapidly from the distant sky.

In the blink of an eye, it was before Jiang Chen.

Its black and white eyes darted about, staring intently at Jiang Chen as they emanated a sharp, divine glow. "Did you get the Mystic Sect Sword Order?"

Jiang Chen nodded. "I got it. Take me to see Senior Ice Emperor."

"Alright!"

The Celestial Burial Divine Bird nodded, letting Jiang Chen climb onto its back. With a single flap of its wings, it soared into the Celestial Vault.

Its speed increased continuously.

Everything around them blurred and receded. Space itself began to distort, and a Teleportation Passage suddenly appeared directly in the Celestial Burial Divine Bird’s flight path.

The Celestial Burial Divine Bird transformed into a streak of Flowing Light and shot directly into the Teleportation Passage.

’A teleportation space!’

This was a power only a Human Emperor Realm expert could command. The fact that this Celestial Burial Divine Bird was actually a Human Emperor sent a slight tremor through Jiang Chen’s heart, giving him a deeper appreciation for the power the Ice Emperor wielded.

Led by the Celestial Burial Divine Bird, Jiang Chen soon found himself back in front of the small wooden cabin where the Ice Emperor resided.

The Ice Emperor was sitting in the small courtyard, seemingly already aware of Jiang Chen’s arrival. He made a welcoming gesture, a stiff smile on his face. "How did it go? Did you bring back the Mystic Sect Sword Order?"

"I did!"

Jiang Chen said with a smile.

A flash of fervor crossed the Ice Emperor’s eyes, and his hand tightened involuntarily. Outwardly, however, he maintained a nonchalant expression as he gazed at Jiang Chen. "Since you’ve brought it, yet you’re hesitating to hand it over to me, you must have some demands, right? State them."

"Alright!"

Jiang Chen nodded and began. "I have inspected the Mystic Sect Sword Orders. Each one can grant ten people entry into the Mystic Sect. I have two Sword Orders, which means twenty spots. I want half of them. Additionally, I want the one hundred jin of Profound Celestial Ice Marrow, as well as a Saint-Tier Martial Skill or Secret Technique. Furthermore, Senior must swear an oath not to harm me. And, I hope Senior will agree to act on my behalf three times when I need it!"

These were all demands Jiang Chen had carefully considered on the way here.

Of course, it was an outrageous opening bid!

But this also gave the Ice Emperor room to negotiate.

The Ice Emperor narrowed his eyes and leaned forward slightly. The cold smile on his face grew wider as he said slowly, "Little one, do you know who you’re sitting in front of? Don’t you think your terms are a bit... excessive?"

"Excessive?"

Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head, replying calmly, "I obtained both Mystic Sect Sword Orders myself. Asking for only half the spots is already a huge concession on my part. As for the Profound Celestial Ice Marrow, I imagine it’s child’s play for someone with Senior’s abilities to acquire it. And a Saint-Tier Martial Skill? Senior is a magnificent Emperor Realm master; you could probably toss out a whole pile of them without a second thought. Since Senior wants to cooperate with this junior, asking you not to harm me should be a given, right? How is any of that excessive?"

From beginning to end, Jiang Chen showed no trace of fear.

On the contrary, he was firm, confident, and resolute.

The Ice Emperor stared at Jiang Chen, as if trying to see right through him, but in the end, he was disappointed.

Jiang Chen’s gaze remained steady, as calm as an ancient well, betraying no ripple of emotion.

The Ice Emperor took a deep breath and said coolly, "The spots. I can only give you one. Don’t even think about getting more. As for the Profound Celestial Ice Marrow... I don’t know what you want it for, but its uses are limited. I can give you one hundred jin of Profound Celestial Mother Marrow, which is far more effective. I do have a Saint-Tier Martial Skill; giving it to you is no problem. As you said, we are cooperating. Since we are partners, I will naturally not harm you; in fact, I will ensure your safety. As for the last point, three times is too many. I can promise to act on your behalf twice. How about it?"

The Ice Emperor was suspicious by nature.

Seeing Jiang Chen so confident and resolute, he didn’t attack immediately but instead took a step back.

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes. "Senior, can’t we discuss this a little more?"

"No!" the Ice Emperor said resolutely.

’It seems the Ice Emperor really isn’t going to back down any further.’

Jiang Chen sighed inwardly, but he was already quite satisfied with being able to squeeze out these extra benefits.

Especially the Profound Celestial Mother Marrow!

This was a material far more precious than Profound Celestial Ice Marrow. If a Profound Celestial Ice Coffin made from Profound Celestial Ice Marrow could keep Xiao Qingyi alive for another three years, then one made from Profound Celestial Mother Marrow would be enough to let her live for two more years!

Two years!

This would greatly increase the chances of Qingyi’s revival!

’In any case, I’ve already absorbed the Origin Sword Qi from within the Mystic Sect Sword Orders. I’ve made a killing on this deal.’

Jiang Chen nodded immediately, took out the two Mystic Sect Sword Orders, and handed them to the Ice Emperor. "Senior, here are the Mystic Sect Sword Orders. Please fulfill your promises."

The Ice Emperor’s hand trembled, almost imperceptibly.

His eyes were filled with excitement and ecstasy.

He snatched the two Mystic Sect Sword Orders, examined them up and down to confirm they were genuine, and then burst into laughter. "Good, good, good! They really are the Mystic Sect Sword Orders! Jiang Chen, I will naturally not go back on what I promised you. The things you asked for are all here!"

SWOOSH!

The Ice Emperor waved his hand.

A trove of treasures shimmering with light suddenly appeared before Jiang Chen.

The first thing to catch his eye was the one hundred jin of Profound Celestial Mother Marrow. It was entirely translucent, emitting a faint, seven-colored light. It wasn’t cold; on the contrary, it radiated a warmth like that of a living body, which felt very pleasant.

Next was an Iron Scroll.

The Iron Scroll glowed with a faint, ghostly blue light, exuding an ancient and weathered aura. The Ice Emperor said coolly, "This is the Saint-Tier Martial Skill, *Seven Luminaries Divine Kill*. To cultivate this Martial Skill, you need to collect seven types of the world’s most extreme Yin and frigid Yin Evil Powers. With each type you collect, its might will increase tenfold. It is a Secret Technique that is perfect for you!"

"*Seven Luminaries Divine Kill*, you say? Then I thank you, Senior Ice Emperor!" Jiang Chen nodded, suppressing the excitement in his heart as he put away the Profound Celestial Mother Marrow and the Iron Scroll.

He cupped his fists toward the Ice Emperor and said, "Senior, since the Mystic Sect Sword Orders have been handed over to you, this junior will take his leave."

"Mm, I will awaken fully soon and return to the Eastern Continent. The Profound Celestial Ancestor Realm should be closing as well. It’s time for you to leave."

The Ice Emperor nodded, and with another wave of his hand, a Teleportation Passage appeared before him. "This is the passage to the outside world!"

"This junior will take his leave then. When the Mystic Sect opens, I hope Senior will honor his promise and take me with you!" Jiang Chen said with a smile.

The Ice Emperor gave a noncommittal "mm."

With a smile on his face, Jiang Chen stepped into the Teleportation Passage.

Watching Jiang Chen disappear into the Teleportation Passage, the smile on the Ice Emperor’s face slowly faded, replaced by a sinister look. The stone armrest where his hand rested turned to dust with a BANG. A chilling coldness filled the Ice Emperor’s expression. "If I weren’t still yet to fully awaken, would I have allowed a junior like you to threaten me? Take you to the Mystic Sect? Heh heh, what a pipe dream!"

His voice echoed slowly throughout the wooden cabin.

「Meanwhile...」

Not only had Jiang Chen entered the passage leading out of the Profound Celestial Ancestor Realm, but all the other surviving experts within the realm were also being teleported out.

However, at that moment, Jiang Chen, who was still in the Teleportation Passage, had no idea.

As experts began to leave the Profound Celestial Ancestor Realm, the news that he had killed powerful figures like Song Jiuxiao, Long Jingyun, Bing Long, and Zhang Ruhai was also spreading at an astonishing speed...