Chapter 420: Peak of the Emperor

Chapter 420: Peak of the Emperor

In the cosmic starfield.

Many ancient stars have cities built upon them, teeming with cultivators who form vast defensive lines.

In front of these lines.

The vast expanse of the void.

Cultivators engage in relentless battles.

On one of these ancient stars, in an ancient city, Xia Tianjun sits cross-legged. His aura is immense and overwhelming; even a single strand of his pressure could crush the heavens, with countless worlds forming and dissipating around him.

After a long while.

Xia Tianjun opens his eyes, and a glimmer of Dao light pierces through the void, the path to Emperor already faintly visible.

"The Heavenly Sovereign List... The Dynasty’s Heavenly Mandate is indeed mysterious. Being third on the Heavenly Sovereign List is already this powerful; if I could reach the top, the mandate I would receive would be even greater!"

Despite this.

Xia Tianjun also understands that he cannot reach the top of the Heavenly Sovereign List.

With the Azure Wind Emperor present, the throne of the strongest in the world is unshakable.

Even so, Xia Tianjun is very satisfied.

The power of the Dynasty’s Heavenly Mandate is even stronger than he imagined.

Just being third on the Heavenly Sovereign List has granted Xia Tianjun a significant boost in the Dynasty’s Heavenly Mandate, making his cultivation feel like it is receiving divine assistance. This has allowed him to glimpse the existence of the Emperor’s path.

He has a premonition that he will surely achieve the Dao and become an Emperor in this lifetime.

While he had the confidence to achieve the Dao and become an Emperor before, the real chances were less than thirty percent.

Of course.

Even a less than thirty percent chance.

For many cultivators, this is still an astonishing success rate.

After all, throughout history, those who truly achieved the Dao and became Emperors are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Out of a hundred Empire Aspirants, it's uncertain if even one can become an Emperor.

A less than thirty percent success rate is naturally extraordinary.

However.

After receiving the Dynasty’s Heavenly Mandate.

Xia Tianjun now has a fifty percent chance of breaking through to the Emperor realm.

In fact.

Even if he doesn't break through this time, Xia Tianjun can wait for the next opportunity.

After all, lifespan is not a significant issue for him.

The Ancient Xia Clan has the resources to easily find an Eternal Life Immortal Herb. As long as he doesn’t break through to the Great Emperor Realm, he can use the Eternal Life Immortal Herb to extend his lifespan.

However.

If he can achieve the Dao in this lifetime.

Xia Tianjun is not willing to wait for the next life.

Moreover.

In this lifetime.

Xia Tianjun feels that things are not so simple.

He believes that this lifetime might be the third opportunity for the Immortal Gate to open.

Achieving the Dao and becoming an Emperor is Xia Tianjun's goal, but stepping into the immortal realm and attaining eternal life is an even greater one.

To enter the immortal realm, one must at least have the cultivation of the Great Emperor Realm.

At this moment.

Xia Tianjun looks toward the foreign battlefield, where a terrifying force is faintly visible, causing a cold smile to form on his lips.

"Foreign Empire Aspirants, you have come just in time. I will use your blood to take the first step on the Emperor’s path!"

With that said.

Xia Tianjun disappears from the hall and reappears in the sky above the foreign battlefield.

"Boom!!!"

A heaven-shattering force erupts from the void, and Xia Tianjun raises his hand to strike. The collision of the two forces shatters the endless void into dust.

The residual force rages in all directions, causing Xia Tianjun's robes to flutter loudly, but it cannot budge him in the slightest.

"Xia Tianjun!"

A deep voice echoes, and a towering figure steps through the air, followed by several more auras.

When the Divine Martial side sees this situation, many cultivators change their expressions.

"Five foreign Empire Aspirants!"

Any single Empire Aspirant can shatter this defensive line, let alone five of them. The mere aura they emit already suppresses the other cultivators, making it difficult for them to breathe.

Now.

All the other cultivators look at Xia Tianjun.

With five foreign Empire Aspirants present, whether they can hold them off depends on this thirteenth ancestor of the Ancient Xia Clan.

Despite Xia Tianjun being third on the Heavenly Sovereign List, they have little confidence.

It can't be helped.

Five Empire Aspirants.

The numbers are there.

Even if there are differences between Empire Aspirants, how significant can these differences be?

Compared to the unease of the others, Xia Tianjun's expression remains calm, showing only a slight ripple when he sees the five Empire Aspirants together.

"Five Empire Aspirants, it seems you are well-prepared!"

"The third strongest on the Divine Martial Heavenly Sovereign List, we must show a certain level of respect. We did not wish to be enemies with the Divine Martial, but your relentless provocations leave us no choice. If the Divine Martial does not perish, how can we live in peace?"

One of the Empire Aspirants, with a cold and fierce expression, looks at Xia Tianjun with eyes full of killing intent.

The Divine Martial Dynasty's ambitions have ignited the fires of chaos across the land for centuries, a situation that the foreign powers cannot tolerate.

During the ancient era, the emergence of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty had already reached an extreme limit. If another Taiyi Divine Dynasty were to arise, it would not be what they desired.

"Five Empire Aspirants, indeed, to dare speak so arrogantly before this Emperor. Since you have come, you shall not return!"

Xia Tianjun smiled coldly and was the first to strike, his fist smashing out with an unparalleled force that spanned the ages, causing the void to explode and a torrent of energy to sweep across like a tidal wave.

The Empire Aspirant who had spoken changed expression and immediately retaliated.

However, the moment their forces clashed, the Empire Aspirant's arm exploded, his flesh and bones shattering, and his body flew out like a broken reed.

"Kill!"

The other four Empire Aspirants were shocked, Xia Tianjun's strength leaving them in awe. A mighty Empire Aspirant had been injured in a single exchange.

But at this point, they could not retreat.

So, the moment Xia Tianjun struck, the remaining four Empire Aspirants also attacked.

A great battle unfolded on the foreign battlefield.

---

"Your Majesty, urgent news from the foreign battlefield!"

In the imperial court, an Imperial Guard rushed in and respectfully reported to the assembled officials.

Upon hearing this, the officials were taken aback.

The foreign battlefield!

This name was now extremely sensitive.

Gu Yang remained calm: "Speak!"

"Your Majesty, several days ago, five Empire Aspirants from the foreign lands launched a surprise attack on the No. 9 Battlefield. Subsequently, the thirteenth ancestor of the Ancient Xia Clan, Xia Tianjun, intervened and subdued the five foreign Empire Aspirants!"

The Imperial Guard reported truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yang's face broke into a smile.

"Excellent. Xia Tianjun's actions have bolstered the Divine Martial Dynasty's reputation. By my command, Xia Tianjun is rewarded for his valor. The Ancient Xia Clan shall receive a thousand pounds of Supreme Divine Blood Stone and three Nine Tribulation Divine Herbs!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The officials were deeply moved by this announcement.

Supreme Divine Blood Stone!

Nine Tribulation Divine Herb!

Either of these items was incredibly precious, and the latter was especially rare.

However, no one found Gu Yang's reward excessive.

Xia Tianjun had slain five foreign Empire Aspirants, and such a feat deserved such a reward.

Soon, the news of the reward reached the Xia Clan.

The entire clan was elated.

"A thousand pounds of Supreme Divine Blood Stone and three Nine Tribulation Divine Herbs—what a generous reward from the court!"

Xia Chunqiu took a deep breath, his face showing a mix of excitement and relief.

After all, even as an ancient imperial clan, the Xia Clan had consumed much of its resources over the years. This level of reward was indeed precious.

The other elders of the Xia Clan also looked pleased.

"Ancestor Tianjun's victory has truly enhanced our clan's reputation. I believe that in this great era, our Xia Clan will surely produce another Emperor!"

"Indeed, and Ancestor Tianjun, though not yet an Emperor, has already ranked third on the Heavenly Sovereign List. If he ascends to the Emperor realm, he will surely rise to the second position. That would further elevate our clan's standing!"

As for the first position on the Heavenly Sovereign List, they had no illusions.

With the Azure Wind Emperor in existence, no one had the qualifications to claim the top spot.

But even reaching the second position would be a significant achievement.

Second on the Heavenly Sovereign List.

That would mean being the second strongest in the world.

This honor needed no further explanation.

There was another crucial point.

Being on the Heavenly Sovereign List meant receiving the Dynasty's Heavenly Mandate, which not only protected the listed strong individuals but also bestowed blessings upon their respective families and sects.

Since Xia Tianjun entered the Heavenly Sovereign List, the Ancient Xia Clan has been influenced by the Dynasty's Heavenly Mandate, resulting in the emergence of many more powerful individuals.

Even Xia Chunqiu, the clan's patriarch, had advanced from the Sheng Ren realm to the third level of the Saint realm in just three hundred years.

Ultimately, this was the effect of the Dynasty's Heavenly Mandate.

Otherwise, the Xia Clan's strength would not have improved so rapidly.

At this moment, Xia Chunqiu said, "I will inform the ancestor of these rewards and await his instructions on how to proceed."

The other elders had no objections.

Given Xia Tianjun's status, he would not be interested in these rewards, and they would ultimately benefit other members of the Xia Clan.

But the final decision must be made by the ancestor.

Overstepping one's bounds would not be wise.

---

At this moment, the Heavenly Sovereign List was updated again.

When other cultivators saw Xia Tianjun's latest achievements, they were also deeply shocked.

Slaying five foreign Empire Aspirants!

Such power is indeed awe-inspiring.

Many ancient powerhouses understand that if any new Emperors are to rise in this great era, Xia Tianjun will surely have a place among them.

Meanwhile.

As shockwaves spread across the various factions.

Inside the Gu family.

Gu Qingfeng, who had been in seclusion for three hundred years, finally stirred. He opened his eyes, and the aura of the Dao permeated the void, a terrifying pressure sweeping through all directions.

Fortunately.

The Dao Realization Hall was already sealed with restrictions set by Gu Qingfeng, preventing the aura from leaking out.

Otherwise, that moment alone would have been enough to turn the entire Gu family into a dead zone.

This is no joke.

In fact, this is the terrifying power of an Emperor.

A single thread of energy can collapse a galaxy.

A single glance can slay a Saint.

Such a level of strength is beyond the imagination of ordinary cultivators.

"Three hundred years!"

Gu Qingfeng took a deep breath.

This three-hundred-year seclusion was the longest he had ever undergone, even surpassing twice the duration of his previous longest seclusion.

After all, before entering seclusion, Gu Qingfeng was only a little over a hundred years old. This three-hundred-year seclusion has already doubled his age.

Despite this.

His seclusion has been immensely fruitful.

Firstly.

It was the matter of the Dao Sutra.

Three hundred years of seclusion allowed Gu Qingfeng to successfully refine the Gu family's legacy to the level of an Emperor Sutra, one that can propel someone to the peak of the Emperor Realm in a single leap.

With this Emperor Sutra as a legacy, the Gu family can ensure the emergence of a large number of powerful cultivators.

After all, a sufficiently advanced legacy is a crucial asset for any faction.

Without a legacy.

Relying solely on self-discovery will ultimately limit one's growth.

Don't think that Gu Qingfeng managed to refine an Emperor Sutra in just three hundred years.

But it must be understood that Gu Qingfeng could refine the Dao Sutra due to his own post-Emperor Realm cultivation, combined with references to other Emperor Sutras and various cultivation techniques. This allowed him to gradually refine it.

Otherwise.

Even if given three thousand or even thirty thousand years, it would be incredibly difficult for Gu Qingfeng to refine an Emperor Sutra.

Thus.

For others to refine an Emperor Sutra, the difficulty is unimaginable.

Apart from refining the Emperor Sutra, the three-hundred-year seclusion also allowed Gu Qingfeng to further solidify his strength.

This improvement was not in terms of cultivation level but in the depth of his foundation.

With a single thought.

Gu Qingfeng examined his attribute panel.

...

Name: Gu Qingfeng

Age: 465/12000

Realm: Post-Great Emperor Realm

Cultivation Techniques: Depth Sutra (Emperor Chapter, Complete), Ancient Divine King Sutra (Post-Emperor Chapter), Heaven Vein True Scripture (Fourth Level), Dao Sutra (Emperor Chapter, Complete)

Great Dao: Annihilation Dao (First Level, Complete), Yellow Spring Dao (First Level, Complete)

Enhancement Points: 5,351,500

...

"Five million enhancement points!"

Gu Qingfeng's mind was not overly stirred.

Accumulating five million enhancement points in three hundred years is a normal occurrence.

On average.

It comes to about ten thousand enhancement points per year.

This rate.

In Gu Qingfeng's view, is not a problem.

After all, when he broke through to the Emperor Realm, he significantly boosted the strength of the Gu family's cultivators. Further breakthroughs are not so easy.

Accumulating five million enhancement points in three hundred years is natural.

However.

As the number of Vein Snows in the Gu family increases, this rate will naturally rise.

Compared to three hundred years ago, Gu Qingfeng can sense that the number of Vein Snows in the Gu family has increased significantly.

A moment later.

Gu Qingfeng spent one million enhancement points to directly advance the Ancient Divine King Sutra from the post-Emperor Chapter to the peak, complete level of the Emperor Chapter.

With the breakthrough of the Ancient Divine King Sutra, Gu Qingfeng's aura surged, his physical blood and qi vibrated, and various Dao essences were born within his blood, as if a celestial phenomenon were manifesting, but the restriction force prevented it from spreading outward.

After a long while.

This aura gradually subsided.

Gu Qingfeng introspected his body, feeling the changes brought about by his breakthrough.

"Peak Emperor Realm!"

"This cultivation level marks the end of the lower realms. The next step is to challenge the Heavenly Sovereign Realm!" (End of Chapter)

Chapter end