Soul Emperor Awakening

Lin Xuan had finally understood what the middle-aged man before him had said, which was why he had calmed his mind and started meditating. Only by quieting his heart could he merge with this region.

’Thinking back on the trials he had been through, none of them were random; they were all connected. Fearlessness in the face of harsh environments, no regrets for one’s choices, and a calm heart in the face of all illusions—these were the key tests on the Path of the King.’

It was just as he had thought. He didn’t need to do anything in this vast expanse of snow. He only needed to calm his mind, feel no regret and no fear, and that was the way to break the Illusion here.

’Strictly speaking, this isn’t an Illusion, but a mental space. Only a Great Power like the one before me could create something like this.’

"Senior, are you the Youlan Emperor?" Lin Xuan asked after a moment of thought.

He knew a little about the Ice and Snow Tower, so of course he knew of the Youlan Emperor. This was an Emperor! Only an unparalleled expert who controlled an entire region could be called a Great Emperor.

He was just like Xu Qianlong, who was called a Great Emperor in the Soaring Dragon Empire because he possessed immense strength and controlled a seat of power. Of course, compared to the Youlan Emperor, Xu Qianlong wasn’t even worthy of carrying his shoes.

"The Youlan Emperor?" the Youlan Emperor sighed wistfully. "I didn’t expect that after so many years, someone would still know my name."

"Thousands upon thousands of the Demon Race cultivate in the Ice and Snow Tower. Of course they remember your name," Lin Xuan said, looking at the Youlan Emperor. "Junior has a presumptuous question. Is it true that Senior is not of the Demon Race?"

He sized up the Youlan Emperor but couldn’t detect the slightest hint of a Demon Race aura. Instead, he emanated the aura of a human. ’Could he be half-human, half-demon?’ But this was just a Divine Thought. A Divine Thought didn’t carry the host’s true aura, so all he could sense was a terrifying Energy.

"The Demon Race? Who told you that I, the Youlan Emperor, am of the Demon Race?" the Youlan Emperor asked, puzzled.

"Well... if you’re not from the Demon Race, why would you build the Ice and Snow Tower on the Demon Race Continent instead of in human territory?" Lin Xuan was stunned. He never would have thought the Youlan Emperor was truly not of the Demon Race. ’If this news got out, it would be a huge slap in the face to the entire Demon Race.’

"I like the Demon Race Continent, and I like the Demon Race here. Am I not allowed to build my tower here?" The Youlan Emperor sighed. "In truth, all things are ultimately one. Why must we kill one another?"

"In that case, was the barrier separating the continents also your doing?" Lin Xuan’s heart skipped a beat, waiting for the Youlan Emperor’s reply.

"Yes. Everything on the Demon Race Continent was my doing." The Youlan Emperor didn’t deny it, a few glints of light flashing in his blue eyes. "In the future, you will all come to understand. The chaos is confined to this place. At a higher level, all are ultimately one!"

"Senior, have you... already ascended?" Lin Xuan had read about this before. Those super-Great Powers would often leave behind a Divine Thought to find a successor before their ascension.

Ascension. To put it nicely, it was ascension. To put it bluntly, it meant he was dead.

The Youlan Emperor laughed heartily. "How could that be? I am simply no longer in this space. Since I’m not here anymore, I wanted to leave something behind and, more importantly, find a successor. However, to inherit my abilities, one must possess the Heart of the King, have outstanding talent, and pass a series of tests. Also, their Cultivation cannot exceed the Essence Pill Stage. Any higher and the environment here would be useless for them."

’These tests are way too hard! The Demon Race might have a slight advantage, but how could a human possibly climb this far?’ Lin Xuan couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

’Since he hasn’t ascended, he must be like the Martial God, leaving behind a Divine Thought to find an heir. This world is truly full of hidden masters. These Great Powers are just too strong, and the Youlan Emperor before me seems even stronger.’

The Youlan Emperor seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled. "My Ice and Snow Tower wasn’t built specifically for the Demon Race; it’s universal. Humans can adapt to this place as well. It’s just that the human physique is far too weak and must be strengthened, or you will regret it later! However, it is quite difficult for humans to come here. Speaking of which, aren’t you a human? Hmm? ...You also feel very familiar. Are you a successor of the Martial God?"

"Junior has received the Martial God’s preliminary inheritance, but there is still much more I have yet to obtain. I can’t be called a full successor," Lin Xuan answered honestly. Lying in front of an expert of this caliber was not a good idea.

"No need to be so tense. The Martial God and I are old friends. I just didn’t expect you to even be able to inherit from that old stubborn fool. It seems you truly are an excellent seedling!" The Youlan Emperor smiled. "I wonder, are you willing to become my successor?"

"Junior is willing!" Lin Xuan agreed without a second thought. It would be an absolute waste not to accept the inheritance of such a Great Power. That palm strike from before was definitely world-destroying.

From that palm strike, he had also sensed the aura of the Yulan Sacred Fire. It was an attack comprehended entirely from the Yulan Sacred Fire.

"Willingness is one thing, but whether or not you can pass is another. To inherit my power, you will need to pass three tests!" A smile crept onto the corner of the Youlan Emperor’s lips, as if he had found something amusing.

"Senior, I’ve already been through so many trials to get here, and almost all of them were life-or-death situations. Those don’t count as tests?" Lin Xuan almost wanted to cry. ’Aren’t there a few too many tests?’

"Hmph!" The Youlan Emperor snorted coldly. "If you can’t even pass these, you’ll die sooner or later anyway. The tests I’m giving you are rather ordinary. Besides, this is to inherit my legacy and become the Controller of the Ice and Snow Tower. If the requirements weren’t strict, how could you be worthy of the position!"

Perhaps the Youlan Emperor felt he was being a bit too strict, as his tone softened slightly. "Don’t worry. The tests will have their difficult parts, but they won’t be exceptionally hard. They all test the most fundamental abilities."

Lin Xuan asked blankly, "Senior, you’re not going to make me challenge you, are you?" If it was like the Martial God’s trial, a crazy fight against the Emperor himself, then he would be in deep trouble. The difficulty would increase by more than just a little.

’I felt that palm strike earlier. I can’t beat him at all! If that’s really the test, I might as well just give up.’ He believed that even Hei Zhenxuan wouldn’t be able to win.

"Do you think I’m a martial arts fanatic like the Martial God?!" The Youlan Emperor shot him a glare and explained, "If I wanted to fight you, I would have started long ago. Why would I waste time chattering with you?"

"Alright then. What are the tests?" Lin Xuan could only brace himself and accept, hoping they wouldn’t be too difficult.

"The first test is very simple. That Ice and Snow Badge isn’t just for show. First, release your Yulan Sacred Fire and let me see your control over it." The Youlan Emperor immediately began the first test.

"The Yulan Sacred Fire?" Lin Xuan immediately mobilized his Yulan Pearl. With a WHOOSH, a ball of Yulan Sacred Fire erupted from his arm. Even within this soul space, he was still able to summon it.

"Kid, how do you have the Yulan Pearl I gave to Hu Bai!?" the Youlan Emperor’s eyes widened in shock.