The Legendary Son-in-law of the Emperor Chapter 1709: 1706: The Emperor General Sets Out

"How bold, calling upon Great Sage Realm powerhouses from every corner of the Nine States?" Tianxuan Jumen glared coldly at the aging demon.

With his mana completely sealed, the old demon found himself helpless to resist. He could only roar in defiance, "That is slander!"

Though Tianquan Wenqu and Tianji Lucun remained silent, their gazes grew increasingly frigid. The old demon had clearly resorted to underhanded tactics to transmit secret messages. Attempting such tricks right before them was nothing less than a death wish.

The Saint Master of Qingming had initially been unaware, but upon learning the situation, she turned to Ye Xuan and whispered, "Emperor Ye, should we dispose of him?"

Ye Xuan gave a faint shake of his head. "Let them gather. It merely grants me an opportunity to gauge the extent of the forces Changxi has stationed within the Lower Realm."

A collision between him and the Double Emperors was inevitable. Although the suppression of the Heavenly Dao remained in force, the Double Emperors were increasing their activities, paving the way for a descent into the Lower Realm. It was highly probable that agents of the Double Emperors were already embedded across all the Great Worlds. Since that was the case, why not seize the moment to see exactly how much strength they had sown in the Lower Realm?

"Who are you exactly?" the two remaining old demons demanded, their hearts heavy with mounting uncertainty. What could be the origin of this human youth, and why would he dare utter the Empress’s true name? Even with the Heavenly Dao Suppression in place, invoking her name so freely would certainly alert the Double Emperors. It was an act of extreme disrespect.

Ye Xuan ignored these two insignificant pawns, leaving the Saint Master of Qingming to handle the affairs of the demon race. With the three troublemaking demons sidelined, the suppression of the demon race proved effortless.

As time slipped by, the powerhouses across the Nine States felt a flurry of auras rapidly closing in on Qing State. While most regions were preoccupied with suppressing the Evil God Sect, the unusual movement caused some confusion, though few gave it much thought. Knowing Qing State was the hub of the Evil God Sect’s invasion, many assumed these strong figures were merely reinforcements.

However, the most perceptive souls sensed that the situation was far more complex. The figures converging on Qing State were peerless entities who had stealthily descended from the Heavenly Domain over the recent period. These beings had existed for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years. For instance, among the demons suppressed by Ye Xuan, even the youngest had lasted seven or eight hundred thousand years, while the Holy Ape Ancestor could claim over a million years of life. Great Sage Realm cultivators enjoyed nearly limitless lifespans, only facing expiration if their core essence was shattered.

Such legends were abundant prior to the reign of the Double Emperors. Unlike the current era, where an Invincible Great Sage stands at the pinnacle of myriad worlds, those ancient times demanded much more. Back then, even a Great Saint would not dare move with arrogance. Only those in the Quasi-Emperor Realm could truly lay claim to invincibility.

The era defines the hero. Creatures born within the last ninety thousand years are both cursed and blessed. The curse lies in the End of Dharma Era, where spiritual energy is scarce and the Dao remains hidden, forcing cultivation to crawl. Yet, they are fortunate because this era is destined to transcend the glory of the ancient Emperor Era. The day the Emperor Road finally opens, the myriad worlds will tremble.

Returning to the present, the incoming powerhouses arrived in Qing State. Instead of storming the demon heartland immediately, they held their positions, waiting for someone. Soon, a majestic youth with ivory hair and a cloud-patterned white robe manifested from thin air. His eyes seemed to harbor the destruction of all existence, and his every motion resonated with the rhythms of the Heaven and Earth’s Dao. Beside him stood an elder in black with a Sword Nurturing Gourd at his waist—a clear sign of a peerless sword cultivator.

"Greetings, Emperor Ling Xiao." Upon their arrival, the gathering visitors bowed in unison to the white-haired youth. It was indeed the legendary Emperor Ling Xiao. With him was the Wuming Sword Sage, an ancestor of the Emperor Immortal Sect who had once betrayed their order.

Emperor Ling Xiao offered a slight gesture, signaling them to forgo the formalities. His expression remained taut, bordering on grim. He was aware of the unrest in Qing State. As the Empress had decreed this mission, he had originally intended to remain aloof, but now that the Empress’s subordinates had been wounded and were begging for intervention—citing an opponent of terrifying strength, possibly a group of six Invincible Great Sages—he was forced to act. Such a force, in today’s landscape, was truly an unconquerable entity.

Emperor Ling Xiao suspected these opponents might belong to the Revenge Lineage. In the Lower Realm, only the followers of Emperor Ye possessed the might to muster such a force. "Let us proceed," Emperor Ling Xiao commanded. Regardless of the truth, he would investigate the source of this interference. Whoever they were, they would not walk away from this encounter unharmed.

Including Emperor Ling Xiao, a force of nineteen, with the weakest being at the Great Sage Realm, advanced toward the demon stronghold of Qing State. They paced themselves carefully, scanning for potential traps rather than manifesting instantly. Satisfied that no ambush awaited them, they accelerated their pace. As they neared the heart of the demon territory, each Great Sage unleashed his raw aura. Instantly, the terrifying pressure of their cultivation flooded the expanse of Qing State. Celestial melodies harmonized with the earth, Golden Lotuses bloomed from the ground, and heaven-sent anomalies filled the horizon. A blanket of golden radiance washed over the region. The group of nineteen moved like supreme Immortal Venerables, exuding a breathtaking, ethereal presence.

"When the Emperor General moves, the laws of the world yield!" the Wuming Sword Sage bellowed.

"What? It is the Emperor General himself?" The sheer scale of the spectacle left the entirety of Qing State in shock.

"So, they have arrived," Gutian Nan murmured, opening his eyes alongside the others. They did not rush to reveal themselves, turning their gaze instead toward the figure perched upon the mountain peak. Ye Xuan sat in quiet meditation, his eyes slowly unclosing. His presence felt perfectly integrated with the natural world, his aura tranquil rather than sharp. Observing the approaching figures, Ye Xuan rose to his feet.

Behind him, the imprisoned Holy Ape Ancestor, Tiger Venerate, and the other old demons were overcome with jubilation. Emperor Ling Xiao had arrived! They were finally saved. The Emperor General was the most dominant power beneath a Great Emperor. With the Double Emperors holding the Heavenly Domain, the Emperor General reigned supreme in the Lower Realm—or so they believed.

"You are finished!" The Tiger Venerate, who had been brutally disciplined by Tianxuan Jumen, spat out with venomous hatred.

"Be silent!" The chubby child struck him across the face twice more, forcing the Tiger Venerate into miserable submission. While the Tiger seethed with inner fury, he was currently too weak to retaliate.

"An Emperor General? I would relish the chance to kill one..." Upon hearing the child mutter these words while grinding his teeth, a chill ran down the Tiger Venerate’s spine. Was this madman truly unafraid of death? Did he honestly intend to slay an Emperor General? In terms of pure might, the child could not rival an Emperor General, but with the current Heavenly Dao Suppression in effect, the Emperor General could only manifest the raw strength of an Invincible Great Sage, regardless of his actual status.