Chapter 355: Chapter 359: Jade Honor_1
"Guo Jia, Guo Jia, please come out!" Qin Wudao sprinted to the deep pit. Staring into its vacant depths, he called out repeatedly, an indescribable sense of desolation and pain welling up within him.
He had already summoned Bianque and was about to summon Sun Simiao. With the God of Medicine and the King of Medicine gathered, only the Saint of Medicine was missing. He was on the verge of breaking the Great Dao curse, yet to his utter dismay...
"Your Majesty, Minister Guo’s soul has scattered and dispersed! He sacrificed himself to protect us; he cannot return!" Li Yuanba ran over and knelt, his face etched with profound sorrow.
He held Guo Jia in the highest esteem: an official with卓越 (outstanding) administrative skills and extraordinary military talent, magnanimous to his people yet ruthless towards enemies.
"He was prepared to sacrifice himself from the moment he came!" Qin Wudao sank to the ground, clenching his fists so tightly that his sharp nails dug into his flesh, drawing blood.
Since Guo Jia’s emergence, he had reformed the regional systems, formulated expansion strategies, and conquered the Canghai Ancient Court, achieving illustrious military honors in a remarkably short time.
He was like a shooting star that streaked across the Heavenly Universe, leaving behind a transient trail of luminescence.
He was also like a night-blooming cereus: beautiful in its brief bloom, then swiftly withered.
"All from the Qin Saint’s Court must die!"
The Soul Emperor looked down upon Qin Wudao and Li Yuanba, murderous intent flaring in his eyes. He slightly lifted his battle blade.
In a mere breath, countless streams of blade energy materialized, their sharp brilliance seemingly infinite as they surged towards Qin Wudao and Li Yuanba, aiming to obliterate them into ashes.
"HUMPH!"
A chilling voice echoed throughout the universe.
Above the Nine Heavens, the Void ripped apart. An indescribable, mysterious Rhyme of Dao permeated the emptiness, emanating a seven-colored divine radiance that enveloped Qin Wudao and Li Yuanba.
BANG!
The blade energy descended, yet it failed to harm Qin Wudao or Li Yuanba in the slightest.
"Immortality Mountain’s Yuzun! It’s you again!" The Soul Emperor looked up, his face twisting in fury as he roared with boundless hatred.
In his life, ever since following his ’Master,’ everything had been smooth sailing. He had only one true enemy: Yuzun of Immortality Mountain. They were like fated arch-nemeses.
Whenever he had a crucial plan, Yuzun would invariably appear to obstruct him, causing him to suffer heavy losses.
"Indeed. You have failed again!"
A tall expert clad in a golden robe and wielding a golden sword stepped out slowly. His every gesture exuded an air of invincible, majestic power.
With his appearance, countless auspicious signs manifested; even the clouds on the horizon turned golden.
His gaze was cold. As he advanced towards the Soul Emperor, the wind ceased and the air stilled in his wake. Even the very rules of this world seemed to alter where he passed.
The Soul Emperor regained his composure. His body began to grow taller, levitating above Yuzun as he chuckled coldly, "It’s been tens of millions of years since we last fought. Shall we test our skills again today?"
In their previous clashes, he had always ended up defeated. Now that he had broken through to the Supreme Emperor Realm, the ambition to contend for supremacy surged within him.
If he could defeat Yuzun and completely eliminate the threat of Immortality Mountain, his subsequent plans could proceed without restraint, free from the worry of obstruction.
"Childish!"
Yuzun’s eyes were profound, as if capable of perceiving all things. His gaze lingered on Qin Wudao for a moment before he turned to the Soul Emperor and said the word.
"Die!"
The Soul Emperor, assuming Yuzun was afraid to fight, let a cold glint flash in his eyes. A terrifying aura vibrated the Void as he slashed out with his blade.
A monstrous crimson radiance flooded the sky.
Yuzun shook his head imperceptibly. His right hand flipped, forming an immense palm imprint. The might it exuded far surpassed the Supreme Emperor Realm, making heaven and earth tremble.
BOOM!
The charging Soul Emperor’s expression froze; he was sent flying by a single palm strike, spewing a mouthful of blood.
He stared fixedly at Yuzun, his heart filled with unwillingness. Why? Why, even after breaking through to the Supreme Emperor Realm, was he still no match for Yuzun? Why, after struggling through nine eras, could he not win even once?
"Still not leaving?" Yuzun spoke calmly, not delivering a killing blow.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to kill, but that he couldn’t. He knew a far more terrifying existence backed the Soul Emperor.
The Soul Emperor clenched his fists. Without a word, he turned and departed.
Soul Martial Ancestor and the disciples of the Eternal Temple hastily followed, dejected and fleeing in disarray.
"He’s finally gone!"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The battle that had just erupted had been too soul-stirring. Even now, many had yet to recover their composure.
"Thank you, Yuzun, for saving our lives!"
The Martial Artists who had regained their senses knelt and paid their respects.
Those of high status knew that Yuzun was the continent’s protector and the savior of numerous factions. He had thwarted the Eternal Temple’s schemes many times, saving the continent from dire crises.
"Arise!"
Yuzun spoke little, cherishing words like gold. His gaze remained on Qin Wudao, his expression constantly shifting—now shaking his head, now nodding, even a faint hint of jealousy flickering within.
He could see a red thread of matrimony tied to Qin Wudao’s leg!
After a few breaths, Yuzun withdrew his gaze. Stepping onto a seven-colored numinous cloud, he flew towards the rift in the Nine Heavens, like a deity riding the clouds into the distance.
"Emperor Qin, please accept my condolences!" The Dao-Seeking Elder stood up. After a moment’s hesitation, he walked to the edge of the deep pit and cupped his fists toward Qin Wudao in salute.
Guo Jia’s sacrifice to save others had drawn his attention to the Qin Saint’s Court, prompting him to approach and offer his respects.
"Emperor Qin, rest assured. As long as I, this old ancestor, am alive, I will protect the Qin Saint’s Court!"
"Indeed, focus on your development! During this period, anyone who makes an enemy of the Qin Saint’s Court is making an enemy of me..."
Figures like the All-Demon Old Ancestor and Dongfang Wudi stepped forward, each expressing their stance.
"Thank you, everyone!"
Qin Wudao stood up, temporarily setting aside his grief, and returned their salutes by cupping his fists.
These alliances were forged with Guo Jia’s very life. He had to nurture them well; he could not let Guo Jia’s painstaking efforts go to waste.
After chatting for a while, the group departed together. Watching their retreating figures, Qin Wudao knew this matter was far from concluded. A vicious battle between the continent’s powers and the Eternal Temple was yet to come.
At the very least, powers like the Heretic God Sect, Thunder Sound Temple, and Demon Saint Religion, who had lost their prodigies, wouldn’t just let things lie.
"Let’s go!"
Qin Wudao scanned his surroundings, hoping to find fellow prodigies who had journeyed with him, but found none. He could only turn to Li Yuanba.
Li Yuanba nodded, bowed deeply towards the pit, and departed with heavy steps.
「In an unknown minor realm」
Yuzun descended from the sky, hands clasped behind his back, walking through an Immortal Realm of picturesque beauty.
"Someone, come!"
Returning to his chamber, Yuzun sat in the seat of honor. After some thought, he commanded in a deep voice.
The Void rippled, and a black-robed figure appeared. His aura was entirely retracted, resembling a black hole, impossible to fathom. He cupped his fists and asked, "What are the Clan Leader’s instructions?"
"Go find the Young Miss and tell her to visit the Qin Saint’s Court." A rare smile touched Yuzun’s otherwise indifferent lips as he tapped his fingers on the desk.
"As ordered!"
The black-robed figure flickered and vanished.
Yuzun murmured to himself, "Since it is a marriage ordained by heaven, then I, as your father, shall lend you a hand." He picked up a dossier from the table. It contained detailed information about the Qin Saint’s Court and Qin Wudao’s life story.
The final assessment read: "Boundless prospects!"