Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

'What is this power? It may not seem very strong right now, but its essence... it seems to transcend everything else...'

Emperor Xuanyuan muttered to himself.

He was the Human Emperor, and the Human Race were the world's beloved children of destiny.

The Power of the Emperor within him could be considered the noblest power in the world. That was why the Human Emperor was also known as the Celestial Emperor.

Yet just now, when he discovered the power inside Yang Xiao, he had felt an inexplicable tremor. For the first time, he felt an urge to submit—he, a genius, a Top-tier Emperor whose power was hailed as the closest to any Saint Emperor, the Sword Emperor of the Human Race, the Fifth Generation Human Emperor.

That power was even more terrifying than his own Power of the Emperor.

It was as if it were the power of the world itself.

This greatly puzzled Emperor Xuanyuan.

He was utterly bewildered.

In all his years, even the power wielded by Saint Emperors was, at best, equal to the Power of the Emperor. Never had he encountered a power that could surpass it.

'Could it be that this boy is truly the one chosen by Celestial Destiny? Is that why he possesses such a noble and ancient power?'

Unable to make sense of it, Xuanyuan felt for the first time that Yang Xiao—this youth connected to his cousin, Jiang Yan—might have even greater potential than his handpicked successor, Gongsun Xuan.

If he truly succeeded on the Path of the Human Emperor...

'...he would likely become a great adversary for Xuan'Er in the future.'

'Xuan'Er is a prodigy the likes of which the Human Race hasn't seen in a million years. But when it comes to potential, he probably falls short compared to Yang Xiao, who possesses such a power. The question is, can I truly wait for this boy to mature?'

Emperor Xuanyuan was torn.

On one hand was the successor he had painstakingly groomed.

On the other was the likely protege of his cousin Jiang Yan—who had once mentored him—a boy who not only had greater potential than his own successor but also possessed a power nobler than the Emperor Dao itself.

But his hesitation was brief. Emperor Xuanyuan's expression hardened.

'Xuan'Er is the next Human Emperor, the one I've painstakingly groomed. His potential may not match this boy's, but he has already matured. In the future, once he formally takes the throne, he can break through to the Realm of Great Emperor in a single step. I've done so much for him. I absolutely cannot give up on him now!'

'I can't give up on Xuan'Er. So, what about this boy...?'

A thought crossed Emperor Xuanyuan's mind.

He sighed.

'Why did you have to appear so late? I'm afraid you'll have to be the one to make a sacrifice. However, I will compensate you. Besides, with that noble power of yours, you're bound for greatness even without walking the Path of the Human Emperor.'

Emperor Xuanyuan had made his decision.

As for how to stop Yang Xiao...

He had many methods.

However, there were few he could use at this moment that also complied with the rules.

After much thought...

'I suppose there's only one way,' Emperor Xuanyuan murmured.

And just as Emperor Xuanyuan began plotting to create obstacles for Yang Xiao...

Meanwhile, on Yang Xiao's end, everything had finally settled down.

His Spiritual Power had broken through, reaching the Peak of Void Observation High Rank.

He was now only half a step away from the Divinity Communication Realm.

But once the breach in the seal vanished, he was once again a mere mortal, unable to use any of the power within his body.

This feeling of gaining something only to lose it again was incredibly frustrating for Yang Xiao.

However, his breakthrough in Spiritual Power, combined with his experience with the breach, had given him a deeper understanding of the Sealing Power. He could vaguely sense an opportunity to break the seal for good.

'I remember that the seal on the Path of the Human Emperor isn't necessarily unbreakable. If you can shatter it with your own strength, you can bypass that rule. Of course, the seal is always cast by the reigning Human Emperor. Unless the Emperor deliberately held back, who could possibly break it?'

Of course, there were always exceptions.

Yang Xiao's situation was clearly one such exception.

The seal of the Human Emperor had indeed been placed on him by the current one, but it was cast by a Spiritual Brand, not the Emperor's true self.

Therefore, the resulting seal was obviously not as strong as it could have been.

It was still incredibly powerful from Yang Xiao's perspective, but this time, thanks to Ye Wanyu, a breach had inexplicably appeared, giving him an opportunity.

He now understood the essence of the Human Emperor's seal.

In the future, it would be possible for him to break the seal on his own.

'But there's no rush. Rushing won't help. Now, as for this woman before me...'

Yang Xiao's gaze fell upon Ye Wanyu.

When their auras had mingled moments ago, he had drained her of all her power, which served as a harsh lesson.

It was tantamount to crippling her cultivation.

The blow to Ye Wanyu was clearly immense.

But Yang Xiao felt not a shred of sympathy.

She had brought this fate upon herself.

However, her very presence here meant something else. 'Ye Wanqing must be in trouble.'

Otherwise, no matter how much she resembled Ye Wanqing, no matter how similar their auras were, the elders of the Lu Family would have seen through her instantly if Wanqing were still around.

Therefore, Ye Wanqing must have fallen into Ye Wanyu's hands.

"Speak," Yang Xiao said, his expression impassive. "Where did you take your sister?"

"You want to know where my sister is?"

Ye Wanyu, who had been completely lifeless, suddenly lifted her head.

She looked at Yang Xiao.

A strange smile spread across her face.

"Still trying to play tricks, even now?"

Yang Xiao sneered.

"Of course not. Why would I play tricks? On the contrary... when my sister wakes up and discovers you used some demonic art to plunder her own little sister's power, what do you think she'll think of you?"

"What she'll think of me? 'Wakes up?' So you're saying she's all right?"

Yang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of course she's fine! Did you really think I would harm my own sister?"

Ye Wanyu flared up in anger.

She glared fiercely at Yang Xiao with her wide eyes.

What no one knew, however, was that deep down in her heart, she no longer only wanted to kill the man before her.

Instead, her mind kept replaying that moment from before.

Their auras mingling.

That sensation.

It was seared deep into her mind.

If not for the profound resentment she harbored for Yang Xiao, she would certainly not be acting this way now.

Yang Xiao, however, paid no mind to her current feelings.

Now that he had confirmed Ye Wanqing was safe... '...as for this girl...'

"Emperor's Weapon Spirit, let this girl enter the Inner Realm," Yang Xiao said coolly. "Otherwise, my only option is to kill her."

He couldn't use Telepathy at the moment.

But he knew the Emperor's Weapon Spirit could hear him speak.

Sure enough, moments later, a Realm Gate opened.

Yang Xiao strode forward.

He tossed Ye Wanyu inside without a second thought as to whether she was willing or not.

Having done all this, Yang Xiao's mood lightened considerably.

'Finally dealt with one nuisance.'

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside.

With a SLAM...

...the door was thrown open!