Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

For a True God, an ocean spanning millions of miles was nothing at all.

It didn't take Ao Fengyun long at all. After tearing through the Void Barrier just a few times, he arrived outside the Profound Sun Continent.

However, when he arrived, his brow furrowed.

'Hm? Someone actually set up a restriction? To keep people out?'

Ao Fengyun's expression shifted.

He could tell that the person who had set up this restriction, while not overwhelmingly powerful, was certainly not weak. At the very least, if he tried to break it by force, the other party would surely notice.

Unless his power advanced to the level of a Tier Two True God, he wouldn't be able to get inside without being detected. Simply barging in would be a show of disrespect to the person who had set the restriction.

'Judging by this restriction, the one who created it is stronger than I am. If I barge in recklessly, I'll probably offend them for no reason. If that happens, even if this person has nothing to do with the brat who killed my son, I doubt I'll be able to get my revenge! But... this restriction seems to be weakening. It's probably just a temporary measure that will fade away soon enough.'

Ao Fengyun mused.

The fury in his heart began to subside, replaced by a growing calm.

Although he desperately wanted to avenge his son.

But this continent was protected by a True God stronger than himself. Even if that being was just passing through, he had to show proper respect.

Compared to a True God who could potentially kill him, what did something as trivial as avenging his son matter?

In truth, if Ao Fengyun had truly considered Ao Tianjue that important, he probably wouldn't have allowed him to be suppressed and forced to wander all the way to the Profound Sun Continent.

His rage had been born from the belief that no one could stop him, and the feeling that his authority had been challenged.

That was all.

But now, seeing the restriction, he calmed down. Though he hadn't retreated, he decided to first understand the situation before making a move.

'If that brat is connected to the True God who set up this restriction, I'll take Tianjue's revenge in secret. If they aren't connected, I'll strike the moment that True God leaves. I'm a True God now—undying, Immortal, and eternal. What's a little waiting?'

With that thought, Ao Fengyun concealed his aura and hid himself within the void.

The will-imprint of Emperor Xuanyuan at the Xuanyuan Sword Wall naturally sensed his arrival. However, seeing as he made no hostile moves, the will didn't pursue the matter further.

For at that very moment, his mind was in a state of great conflict.

He watched as Yang Xiao ascended step by step, moving faster and higher.

His expression grew heavy.

And his heart was filled with contradiction.

Emperor Xuanyuan had originally made up his mind. He would force Yang Xiao to abandon the Path of the Human Emperor and cripple the Emperor Golden Dragon Secret Technique within him. This was because he already had a more suitable successor.

Therefore, even after Yang Xiao began showing signs that he might be the heir of his cousin, Jiang Yan, Human Emperor Xuanyuan weighed the options and ultimately chose Gongsun Xuan, opting to suppress Yang Xiao.

In fact, his original plan involved more than just the powerful tool of the Ascension Platform. He had a series of other measures ready to deploy, ensuring Yang Xiao would never be able to complete the Path of the Human Emperor.

But he had never expected that Yang Xiao would come to the Ascension Platform, break the seal with his own power, and actually set foot upon it.

'With his current strength, he's probably still a long way from reaching the top. But that method he just used to communicate with the Ascension Platform...'

This was the main reason for Emperor Xuanyuan's confusion and hesitation, and why he hadn't continued to suppress Yang Xiao.

The Ascension Platform was left behind by the first Human Emperor, the Golden Emperor Saint Mother.

It is a Supreme Treasure of the Human Race.

Traditionally, only those who had reached the top could communicate with it.

Since the dawn of time, a mere five people had ever reached the summit. Including himself, only five. In the eyes of the public, Gongsun Xuan was one of them.

But in truth, both Emperor Xuanyuan and the Elders of the Human Race knew perfectly well that this was all just propaganda to build up Gongsun Xuan's reputation.

In reality, although he had climbed to the nine hundred and ninety-ninth floor, he had not been able to stand firm. This meant he hadn't truly reached the top, and naturally, he hadn't received the Ascension Platform's acknowledgment.

For a million years, although the Human Race had grown more prosperous, the Human Emperor Position had remained with Emperor Xuanyuan, unable to be passed on. This stagnation had affected the entire Human Race's destiny, causing it to begin to decay and decline.

Under such circumstances, Emperor Xuanyuan naturally had to make plans for the Human Race. His scheme, which received the approval of the Human Race's Elders, was what led to the situation with Gongsun Xuan.

But now, if Yang Xiao had truly communicated with the Ascension Platform on his own, didn't that mean he was more qualified than Gongsun Xuan to inherit the Human Emperor Position?

If that was the case, Emperor Xuanyuan felt it would be worth waiting another thousand, or even ten thousand, years.

And even if it wasn't his own power, but someone else's, that had its own implications. It meant that a former Human Emperor was backing Yang Xiao. The most likely candidate was the father of his cousin Jiang Yan—his uncle-in-law, the fourth Human Emperor, the Flame Emperor.

If that were the case, it would be unwise for him to continue suppressing Yang Xiao.

After all, his uncle-in-law, the Flame Emperor, had never liked him.

'If the Flame Emperor really is behind Yang Xiao... sigh. This is no blessing for the Human Race.'

Emperor Xuanyuan gave a bitter, helpless laugh.

Ultimately, he still didn't trust Yang Xiao.

He didn't believe Yang Xiao was more outstanding than Gongsun Xuan. He just thought this was the Flame Emperor acting on his own selfish desires.

He never stopped to consider whether his own actions—suppressing Yang Xiao while favoring Gongsun Xuan—were not also born from selfishness.

And while Emperor Xuanyuan was trapped in his hesitation, feeling that disaster was about to befall the Human Race...

...Yang Xiao continued to climb, step by step, ever higher.

Soon, as if on a leisurely stroll, he broke through every obstacle and, step by step, arrived directly at the Ninety-nine Floors.

He had caught up to Qin Qian and the others.

The sight left the onlookers outside completely dumbfounded.

Everyone knew that the weakest person standing there was at the Great Divine Power Realm Sixth Stage Peak. Moreover, they had only managed to get there by using a Secret Technique. Their true power was definitely comparable to the Seventh Level of Great Divine Power Realm.

And yet, Yang Xiao—though his physical body was strong enough to easily defeat Ao Tianjue, who had been at the Great Divine Power Realm Second Stage Peak... but to claim his true combat power was comparable to the Seventh Level of Great Divine Power Realm? They wouldn't believe it if you beat them to death.

But given the current situation... could it actually be true?

At that moment, on the ninety-ninth floor of the Ascension Platform.

The ten remaining Trial Takers were gathered there.

Qin Qian was the strongest among them.

He had originally thought that the Loose Cultivator, Li Mubai, was his greatest rival.

But Yang Xiao's appearance had changed his mind.

He now suspected that this guy was his true opponent.

'Even though Li Mubai is strong, at best he's only on par with me. But this kid... his aura clearly isn't that strong, yet he made it this far. I can't see through him at all. It seems the right move is to eliminate him first. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll just become his foil, and can forget about becoming a Human Emperor Disciple!'

In a flash, Qin Qian made his decision.

He would use the lethal move he had been saving for Li Mubai on Yang Xiao instead.

Immediately, Qin Qian took a step forward.

He walked toward Yang Xiao.

Murder flashed in his eyes.