Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

'This kid is in danger, yet Human Emperor Xuanyuan hasn't reacted at all. It seems he really doesn't want this brat to walk the Path of the Human Emperor... But I never expected him to have joined forces with those old geezers from the Lu Family.'

Lu Changsheng let out a cold smirk.

After all, the Clone he had left behind on the Profound Sun Continent was too far away. When it died, the only information it relayed was that Yang Xiao had killed it.

There was no news regarding the Lu Family.

So, when Lu Changsheng discovered that Yang Xiao was mixed up with the Lu Family, his killing intent surged. He desperately wanted to go forward right now and annihilate Yang Xiao.

With his power, he could easily appear anywhere on the Mortal Ascension Platform without a sound, completely undetected. He could strike in an instant and kill Yang Xiao.

As long as Human Emperor Xuanyuan didn't interfere,

Yang Xiao would die without a doubt.

'In fact, if I'm careful enough, even if Human Emperor Xuanyuan senses something, he might not be able to stop me.'

'Besides, would Human Emperor Xuanyuan really make a move?'

'The only thing to consider now isn't the attack, but the escape. Still, with the Blood-colored Teleportation Token, that's not really a problem.'

As an assassin,

and an assassin from the Blood Robe Tower at that, he would leave immediately after a single strike, whether it succeeded or failed.

Lu Changsheng was no exception.

Moreover, the Blood Robe Tower's Blood-colored Teleportation Order was incredibly profound. If Human Emperor Xuanyuan's true body were here, perhaps Lu Changsheng wouldn't be able to hide himself.

But deceiving a mere clone of his will would be an absolute breeze.

Just like now, Lu Changsheng remained undiscovered.

'That kid's cultivation may be low and not worth mentioning, but he is astonishingly talented. Besides, now isn't the best opportunity to strike. As a professional assassin, waiting for the perfect moment is part of the fun.'

However, after a moment of consideration, he ultimately restrained himself.

He did not strike immediately.

Because Lu Changsheng had always believed that killing was an art. The most difficult part of this art wasn't the kill itself, but the judgment—pinpointing the exact moment when the enemy was at their weakest and most vulnerable.

A single, fatal blow.

That was what brought the greatest sense of accomplishment.

And that feeling was intoxicating.

So, Lu Changsheng once again fell silent,

watching Yang Xiao's performance.

It wasn't just him; everyone else was also watching Yang Xiao, wanting to see just how many tiers he could climb.

But Yang Xiao remained completely still.

「One day later.」

Just as noon on the second day was approaching,

he finally stood up.

"They're finally here!"

Yang Xiao smiled faintly.

Seeing him stand up, everyone below felt a jolt of excitement.

"Is he going to continue?"

"Looks like it. He's finally moving again. I wonder how far he'll get?"

"Even Li Mubai only made it to the 108th tier. He's already at the 198th. He's probably at his limit, right? Otherwise, he wouldn't have delayed there for so long."

"That's right. The Ascension Platform only has 333 tiers in total, and he's already more than halfway. As expected of someone valued by the Human Emperor. But it'll probably be very difficult for him to go any higher."

Hearing the voices from below,

Yang Xiao smiled faintly.

Suddenly, he spoke.

"You're right. Having come this far, I am nearly at my limit. However, I still want to keep going. And you... you can help me keep going."

As soon as he said this,

everyone was stunned.

"Help you keep going? What does that mean?"

"Is he saying he wants us to go up and help him? That's impossible. Even Li Mubai couldn't reach the 109th tier. How could we possibly get up there?"

"If we could really help, I'd be willing. But we just don't have the ability."

The crowd erupted in discussion.

But at that moment, the Qin Family Ancestor's expression suddenly changed.

"What is it, Ancestor?"

a Demigod-level powerhouse next to him asked.

The Qin Family Ancestor's expression was grave as he said, "Tell everyone to be careful. A powerful enemy has arrived."

"A powerful enemy?"

The Demigod-level powerhouse was confused.

'In my view,' he thought, 'for our Ancestor to call someone a 'powerful enemy' on the entire Profound Sun Continent, they must be at least a Demigod. But the five Demigods from the Three Hidden Powers are all right here.'

'Could there be other Demigods?'

"Is it the Mo Family, or the Tianyi Sect?"

the Demigod-level powerhouse from the Qin Family asked.

But the Qin Family Ancestor shook his head. "I don't know. However, it seems they have no intention of hiding. They're here."

The moment his voice fell,

six terrifying figures appeared in the sky.

The first had red hair and blue eyes and was leading the charge. His aura suggested he had only just stepped into the Demigod Realm, yet the Qin Family Ancestor felt immense pressure from him. He sensed that this person's strength was actually no weaker than his own.

But that wasn't the most surprising thing. What was truly astonishing was that this man looked exactly like the Yang Xiao on the Ascension Platform.

It was Yang Xiao's Fire God Clone.

The second figure was a member of the Lu Family.

However, this was the first time even Yang Xiao's true self had ever seen this particular member of the Lu Family.

His aura was the most unremarkable of all, but his every move sent shivers down the Qin Family Ancestor's spine.

At the same time, it caused a surge of killing intent within Lu Changsheng, who was hidden in the crowd.

Because he recognized this person.

Lu Changhe.

His clan brother.

One of the people who had participated in hunting him down all those years ago.

As for the remaining four figures, they were Lu Fangliang's four uncles, Lu Yixuan and the others.

Six figures.

All of them possessed power at or above the Demigod level. The moment they appeared, everyone for miles around felt an immense pressure descend upon them.

Including the Qin Family Ancestor.

Of course, when they got a clear look at Yang Xiao's Fire God Clone, their shock deepened.

They couldn't understand what was happening.

"Do you remember when I said I would need your help to reach the top?"

At that moment, Yang Xiao spoke calmly from the Ascension Platform.

Everyone's gaze, including those of the five Demigod-level beings, turned toward him.

"Two months ago, Human Emperor Xuanyuan made a pact with me. If I can become the Human Race's Common Lord on the Profound Sun Continent within three months, I will become one of the candidates for the next Human Emperor. That is why the Ascension Platform descended, and why I am here! Now, I only want to ask you: are you willing to become my subjects? If you are, then kneel. The ritual to honor Heaven and Earth is about to begin. If you are not willing, that is also fine. However, you will no longer be subjects of the Profound Sun Continent and must leave this land!"

Yang Xiao's tone remained indifferent.

It was impossible to tell if it was a request or a threat.

Perhaps it was both.

Many who heard this were, in truth, displeased.

But so what?

The course was now set.

If there were someone else who could stand on the Ascension Platform as he did, perhaps they might still hold out some hope.

'But right now, I am the only one on this entire Ascension Platform.'

'In that case, all I need to do is flex my muscles.'

'The people from the Lu Family.'

'My own Fire God Clone.'

'They are more than enough muscle.'

Therefore, paying no mind to the dissatisfaction and emotions of the people below, Yang Xiao continued, "Three breaths. I will give you only three breaths. Now, decide!"

As soon as these words were spoken,

it was like lighting the fuse on a powder keg.

Below, the nearly one hundred thousand elite Martial Artists gathered for miles around exploded into an uproar.

Every single one of them felt that Yang Xiao was being far too arrogant. Among them, the expressions of the Demigod-level powerhouses from the Mo Family and the Tianyi Sect were especially dark.

Just as it seemed that this single statement from Yang Xiao was about to provoke public outrage,

the Qin Family Ancestor stepped forward.