Slayed With A Single Sword Strike . . .
The Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire was a direct appointee of the Greencloud Sovereign, entrusted with the rule of ten countries and wielding immense authority. His unwavering loyalty to the Greencloud Sovereign and seniority in the Greencloud Pavilion elevated his status considerably.
At present, he reigned over ten countries, amassing vast resources from his dominion and even marrying several women from these realms, living a life of opulence reminiscent of an immortal. His ambitions knew no bounds, with plans to merge all ten countries into a single entity, erasing their individual identities. He aspired to become the uncontested hegemon of the region.
Previously, he had been relatively complacent within the Greencloud Pavilion. Aging had extinguished his talent long ago, and he had stagnated at the seventh level of Heavenly Dipper. In the Greencloud Pavilion, he remained overshadowed by more powerful figures.
However, circumstances had changed, and he now soared high like a bird. Little did he expect that in a seemingly insignificant country like Chu, someone would display such audacious arrogance, summoning him to appear within seven days or face irrelevance.
As the Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire, backed by the transcendent power of the Greencloud Pavilion, he was determined to discover who in this world dared to be so recklessly bold.
"Subject Chu Wuwei, swiftly extend your greetings to His Majesty!" A resonant voice shook the entire royal palace like a tsunami attempting to lift the Royal Capital from its foundation.
Within the royal palace, a line of figures emerged, among them Chu Mang, standing protectively near Chu Wuwei. They advanced to where Chu Wuwei awaited, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on the Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire as he greeted, "Chu Wuwei respectfully welcomes Your Majesty."
The Imperial Emperor remained seated in his dragon carriage, his eyes sharp as they bore into Chu Wuwei. Beside him, an expert adorned in silver-white armor unfurled an imperial decree and declared with an imperious tone, "On His Majesty's orders, the people of Chu are egregiously arrogant. Henceforth, this land shall no longer be recognized as Chu Country but instead as Chu Prefecture, governed directly by the Greencloud Imperial Empire. Chu Wuwei, you shall accompany us back to the empire, where a suitable replacement shall oversee this region."
As the decree resounded, a wave of shock swept through the royal palace. Fearful expressions painted the faces of many, as the Greencloud Imperial Empire forcefully absorbed Chu.
"Your Majesty, while my Chu Country acknowledges its status as a vassal of the Greencloud Imperial Empire, we remain an independent nation. Regrettably, we cannot comply with this directive," Chu Wuwei replied calmly, defying the imperial command.
"INSOLENCE!" The expert in silver-white armor thundered, radiating an intimidating aura. Chu Mang stepped forward, positioning himself before Chu Wuwei, his countenance turning icy, and his own formidable aura surging forth.
"Not bad, your strength is commendable. It's no wonder you dared to be so audacious in your defiance," the Imperial Emperor remarked as he disembarked from his dragon carriage. Clad in imperial robes with a crown atop his head, he exuded an overpowering presence. His gaze swept across the royal palace, and he chuckled, "Henceforth, the men here shall be sent to serve penance, while the women shall be dispatched to my palace and distributed among our loyal troops."
The royal palace was thrown into turmoil as the female occupants' faces drained of color. The Imperial Emperor's ruthlessness was laid bare as he treated them as mere commodities for distribution, devoid of any semblance of humanity.
His tyranny and ruthlessness cast a shadow over the entire Chu Country, dissuading other vassal nations from entertaining thoughts of rebellion. The Greencloud Imperial Empire's might seemed boundless, and any who dared to challenge it were destined for grim fates.
The Imperial Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire regarded the vast expanse of Chu with a discerning eye, relishing the grandeur of the land. He couldn't help but comment, "What a vast country. This place truly isn't bad at all. I've heard that the females of Chu are renowned for their beauty. I wonder if the rumors hold true." His voice carried an imposing majesty that deterred any form of resistance.
Chu Mang's aura surged, preparing for a potential confrontation. However, before the tension could escalate further, a deafening roar, akin to a ferocious storm, rumbled from the distance. It carried a menacing force, like an approaching tempest of unparalleled might.
"The seven-day deadline I imposed upon you was meant for introspection, not for you to swagger around, flaunting your feeble military might."
As the voice faded, a terrifying vortex of sword qi materialized in the skies. Onlookers watched in awe as a monstrous King Sword, enveloped by a tempestuous cyclone, manifested in the heavens. The very atmosphere quivered as the sword qi rent the firmament, sundering the very fabric of reality itself.
The colossal King Sword possessed the power to dominate and obliterate all. It cleaved through the air, unerringly aimed at the Imperial Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire.
"Your Majesty, be cautious!" Alarm coursed through the ranks of the Greencloud Imperial Empire's entourage. Even the Imperial Emperor himself recoiled in shock, overwhelmed by the sheer force of the sword.
"I may be the Imperial Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire, appointed by the Greencloud Sovereign, but do you dare to be so audaciously defiant?" the Imperial Emperor roared. Nevertheless, the immense sword descended, reducing his envoys to pools of blood in its wake.
The Imperial Emperor's visage contorted with dread as he attempted to flee, but the King Sword bore down upon him. The resonant clash of titanic forces resounded, and the Imperial Emperor's body was rent asunder, leaving nothing but dust and echoes of his former existence.
A thunderous boom echoed through the space as the King Sword pierced the ground. The Greencloud Imperial Empire's envoys, witnesses to the Imperial Emperor's demise, quivered uncontrollably, their faces ashen and lifeless.
A single sword strike had vanquished the mighty Imperial Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire.
Below, the Chu Royal Palace's inhabitants stood dumbfounded, bewildered by the surreal turn of events. The Imperial Emperor had arrived in an aura of arrogance and dominance, altering Chu's status to Chu Prefecture, and intending to consign the palace's men to servitude while subjecting the women to unwarranted distribution. His presumptuous demeanor had been unparalleled.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, a single sword strike had ended his life, with no chance for retaliation. He had invoked the Greencloud Sovereign's name to suppress others, but his assailant had shown no mercy, delivering a swift and unrelenting judgment.
Outside the royal palace, countless onlookers turned their gaze towards the unfolding spectacle. As they comprehended the gravity of the situation, a tide of astonishment and admiration surged within them.
The Imperial Emperor, ruler of the Greencloud Imperial Empire, governing ten countries. Wasn't he formidable?
However, he had met his end with a single sword strike.
Approaching from afar, a figure in white robes strode forward. A subtle aura of otherworldliness enveloped him, and his deep eyes seemed to draw observers into their depths. This young man, seemingly under thirty, was the one who had slain the Imperial Emperor.
"Is this Qin Wentian, the one who demanded the Imperial Emperor's presence within seven days?"
"Ten years ago, he was the top contender at the Jun Lin Banquet. Now, he returns with Chu's most coveted beauty, Mo Qingcheng, planning to celebrate their nuptials in his homeland. The Chu Emperor has even declared the entire Royal Capital as the venue for their festivities."
"If my memory serves me right, he should be twenty-eight years old this year. Returning in glory to his hometown, celebrating his wedding in Chu, and unapologetically dispatching the Imperial Emperor in response to his arrogance—simply astounding."
The audience, a diverse mix of onlookers, held a plethora of thoughts as they bore witness to the unfolding spectacle. The colossal sword whistled through the air once more, sending shivers down the spines of the Greencloud Imperial Empire's experts. However, Qin Wentian refrained from delivering the killing blow. His King Sword astral nova retracted into his body, yet even this simple motion sent ripples of fear coursing through them.
"Return to the Greencloud Sovereign and convey my message. I, Qin Wentian, shall host my grand wedding here in Chu. Inform him to grace the occasion with his presence," Qin Wentian declared emotionlessly. While he had concealed his identity during his transformation into a primordial great roc during the Nine Mystical Palace incident with Fairy Qingmei and Old Man Greencloud, the upper echelons of the Greencloud Pavilion had recognized him. Although this Imperial Emperor held a relatively low position in the hierarchy of the Greencloud Pavilion, the Greencloud Sovereign was bound to know of this event. Qin Wentian believed that once these envoys returned with the news, the Greencloud Sovereign would identify him.
Mixed emotions played across the faces of the departing envoys. A tempestuous tide surged within their hearts. Did this young man not fear the Greencloud Sovereign? If not, why had he slain the Imperial Emperor outright and dared to challenge the Greencloud Sovereign to attend his wedding?
"Understood," replied the envoys before leaving, their arrogance replaced by the demeanor of defeated souls. The Imperial Emperor, who had perished with a single sword strike, seemed almost absurd in retrospect. They had previously issued a decree to rename Chu as Chu Prefecture. Reflecting on it now, the entire episode appeared ludicrous.
Chu Wuwei observed the events with calm composure, his heart equally astounded. While Chu Mang had briefed him on Qin Wentian's circumstances in the outside world, witnessing the sheer dominance of the former Jun Lin Banquet champion felt like a dream. This surreal feeling permeated the entire Royal Capital, enveloping its inhabitants in a bewildering reality.
Qin Wentian nodded at Chu Mang and the others before turning to depart. To him, the death of the Imperial Emperor was an insignificant matter. The Imperial Emperor's demise should serve as a sufficient message to the Greencloud Sovereign and the master of Misty Peak, signaling his return to Chu.
The incident within the royal palace triggered an uproar across Chu Country. Once again, Qin Wentian's name echoed throughout the land, stirring waves of excitement among the populace. People from all walks of life animatedly discussed his exploits.
Upon hearing the news, the Mo Residence, Qin Residence, Emperor Star Academy, and various powers found themselves shaken, struggling to regain their composure. Just how powerful had Qin Wentian become? He exhibited no fear toward a Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant like the Greencloud Sovereign, even inviting him to attend his wedding.
However, a few days later, when Gongyang Hong and others from the Greencloud Pavilion arrived in Chu for a visit, Qin Wentian had already departed.
In the vast expanse of Grand Xia, a white-clad figure rode a flying sword, soaring through the skies. His gaze fixed upon the landscapes below, brimming with nostalgia. Chu was his homeland, but Grand Xia was where he had matured. He had arrived in Grand Xia at eighteen and blossomed into a man here. Countless memories were etched into the land.
Now, he returned to this expansive territory once more, with the intention of settling all matters in Chu and Grand Xia.
Presently, Grand Xia's various transcendent powers were similarly scattered across different regions. Besides the Great Solar Chen Clan and the Nine Mystical Palace, which remained as powerful as ever, other transcendent powers had also regained their strength. Despite the turmoil that had beset the Pill Emperor Hall, they had made a remarkable recovery due to Jun Yu's return. Leveraging his status as a disciple of the Royal Sacred Sect, the Pill Emperor Hall resumed recruitment, rebuilding its strength. It once again stood among the upper echelons of transcendent powers.
As for the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan in the Azure Continent, they had made commendable progress in recent years, although the discord between Ouyang Kuangsheng and the clan remained unresolved. Nevertheless, this was a minor issue that garnered little attention.
In the heart of Grand Xia Empire, covert currents surged beneath the surface. Rumors circulated that the Azure Factions, under the banner of Azure Emperor Di Cang, were preparing to stage a comeback and reclaim their former glory. There were now two branches of the Azure Emperor Palace, one operating openly and the other concealed in the shadows.