I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 597: Consecutive Victories

Cao Youqian and Yi Xi stood poised in the high sky, facing each other from across the void.

Their physical bodies appeared completely unmarked by the struggle. However, the Dharma Manifestations conjured from their Great Dao True Meaning were riddled with spiderweb cracks.

In the preceding clash, neither side had managed to gain the upper hand.

With a smirk, Cao Youqian rubbed his nose with his thumb. "Thrilling, truly thrilling," he remarked. "It's no wonder you have the nerve to seek a duel with my Senior Brother; you do possess a shred of talent. But if this is the extent of your power, you aren't fit to stand in my Senior Brother's presence."

A look of frenzied excitement flickered in the eyes of Holy Son Yi Xi. He replied, "The Unmatched Domineering Fist is indeed formidable. You have earned the right to face my sword."

"Oh?"

Cao Youqian’s interest was instantly piqued. "Then let me witness exactly how sharp your blade truly is."

"As you wish."

Holy Son Yi Xi spoke as he deliberately lifted his precious sword. Though his movement was slow, his aura surged toward its peak as the blade rose above his head. The pressure radiating from him intensified far beyond its previous levels.

"Destroy the World!"

The command left Yi Xi’s lips, and the sword descended.

Boom!

The sky seemed to buckle and the earth split apart the moment the blade fell. Once again, the Nine Tripods Secret Realm was rocked to its core.

That strike carried the apocalyptic weight of world destruction. Everywhere the sword’s edge passed, reality itself was reduced to a void.

"Unmatched!!!"

With a thunderous roar, Cao Youqian launched both his fists forward. Two streaks of fist energy—one pitch black and one snow white—tore through the atmosphere.

These fists embodied the essence of Ultimate Yin and Ultimate Yang. They merged in mid-air, coalescing into a single, unified strike.

To the naked eye, the fist appeared simple and unassuming, almost plain. Yet, the spectators could feel a supreme Great Dao True Meaning vibrating within it.

It was as if this single strike contained the core of every fist technique in existence. Rather, it felt as though every fist style in the world had been birthed from this one motion.

What kind of technique could this possibly be?

While the crowd was lost in thought, the sword and the fist collided in the heavens. Rumble! A deafening explosion followed as a massive mushroom cloud erupted, consuming both warriors within its reach.

As the roar of the blast faded, the grand phenomena from before vanished. Only a thick shroud of dust and smoke remained draped across the sky.

Whoosh...

A sudden breeze swept through. As the haze cleared, the two figures became visible to the onlookers once more.

Cao Youqian remained standing exactly where he had been, looking entirely unbothered. There was no sign that he had just survived a life-and-death struggle.

In stark contrast, Holy Son Yi Xi was in a wretched state. His mask had partially shattered, exposing half of a scarred face. Blood leaked from the side of his mouth, and his frame shivered uncontrollably.

Despite his condition, Yi Xi leaned on his sword to remain suspended in the air, refusing to fall.

Whoosh...

Another gust of wind passed. Yi Xi stumbled, nearly toppled by the breeze, and coughed up a spray of fresh blood.

Wiping his mouth, he asked hoarsely, "Dao friend, what Emperor Technique is that fist of yours?"

Cao Youqian grinned. "That was no Emperor Technique. It is the Unmatched Fist, which I developed over decades of listening to my Master's teachings. Nowhere under the heavens will you find a fist that can rival mine."

"A truly Unmatched Fist. Yi Xi admits defeat. My only regret is that I will not witness the grace of the Invincible Sword."

With those final words, Yi Xi turned away and vanished from the spot.

Cao Youqian offered a slight cupped-fist salute toward the departing figure; he maintained a level of respect for such a capable opponent. However, a cocky grin soon returned to his face. "Next!"

Hiss...

The gathered crowd collectively inhaled in shock at his words.

To call Cao Youqian 'strong' felt like an understatement now. To fight two Holy Son-level Heavenly Prides back-to-back and still demand more—this was the power of a literal monster.

The Heavenly Prides from the remaining seven Holy Lands began to waver. The prowess Yi Xi had shown was equal to or even greater than their own.

They lacked the confidence to defeat Cao Youqian. If all the geniuses of the Nine Great Holy Lands were systematically crushed by a single person, their reputations would be utterly destroyed.

As the cultivators from the various Holy Lands debated their next move, a new figure descended through the air.

The moment this newcomer arrived, Cao Youqian’s smile turned eager. "State your name. This Holy Son does not waste time on nobodies."

"Wuming."

The man spoke the two syllables calmly.

"Are you the Heavenly Pride Wuming, the one invited from the Heaven Continent by the Divine Sword Holy Land?"

Upon hearing the name, Cao Youqian began to scrutinize the stranger.

The man before him looked incredibly average. He was the sort of person who would vanish instantly in a crowd of commoners.

He lacked the sharp, piercing aura typical of a Sword Cultivator. At first glance, he seemed like nothing more than a random bystander.

"I am, and I am not."

Wuming paused, then clarified, "A friend of mine returned from training in the Sword Continent and claimed that Xiao Chen is the premier sword below the Great Sage. I have come to see the Invincible Sword Xiao Chen for myself, to determine who is truly without equal."

"Is that 'friend' actually just you?"

Cao Youqian asked instinctively.

Wuming slowly gripped his sword. "I do not tell lies."

"Whatever you say. Why get so tense? The rule remains the same: if you want a piece of my Senior Brother, you have to get through me first," Cao Youqian said with a lazy shrug.

"Very well."

Wuming spoke as he began to unsheathe his precious blade.

The instant the sword left the scabbard, his entire presence underwent a radical transformation.

The man who had looked so ordinary now appeared to the world like a divine, razor-sharp blade piercing the heavens.

Human and Sword as One!

The phrase flashed through the minds of everyone gazing at him.

Even without intentionally exerting pressure, Wuming’s mere presence with a drawn sword caused the Sword Hearts of many nearby Sword Cultivators to tremble. Most wouldn't even have the courage to draw their weapons against him.

The older cultivators watched this extraordinary youth and sighed with deep emotion.

"This boy is truly something else. It makes sense that he would dare challenge Holy Son Xiao."

"I wonder if he has what it takes to bring down Holy Son Cao."

"..."

Over in the Asking Dao Academy camp, Xiao Chen watched Wuming. His fingers twitched as a sudden urge to enter the fray washed over him.

This subtle reaction did not miss Chu Feng’s keen eyes. He joked, "You can't sit still anymore, can you?"

Xiao Chen nodded. "I admit it. Finally, a worthy opponent has appeared. I wish to see his swordplay."

Chu Feng smiled. "Xiao Chen, isn't it better to let Da Qian test the waters for you? You don't always need to fight to understand a technique. In fact, because your sword is so dominant, he might not get the chance to show his most refined moves against you."

Xiao Chen looked thoughtful for a moment before smiling back. "I appreciate the wisdom, Master."

In the sky, Cao Youqian noticed Wuming's transformation, and his eyes brightened. His expression turned playful. "You're quite something. Among my peers, I've only ever seen this kind of Sword Cultivator temperament in my Senior Brother."

"Begin."

Wuming didn't bother with small talk, simply uttering the single command.

"Fine by me."

Cao Youqian’s aura exploded outward. A massive confrontation was about to begin...