Attack . . .
The Purple Cloud Mine held a prestigious status as one of the three largest and most lucrative mines within the domain ruled by the Jialan Monarch. It stood as a pillar of the trio of primary mines, boasting the ability to yield a variety of attributed immortal stones. Emperor-ranked stones were a common find here, and there had even been instances where stones of a grade surpassing emperor-rank had surfaced.
In the eyes of the Jialan Monarch, this mine held an importance far surpassing that of the previously plundered one. The guards stationed here were of considerably higher cultivation bases compared to the laborers in the other mines.
At this very moment, the mine was under the watchful eyes of two formidable mid-stage immortal emperors who personally oversaw the extraction of resources. The strength of the guards stationed here was nothing short of terrifying.
Moreover, there were six teleportation arrays directly linked to the Jialan Monarch's emperor palace. The Purple Cloud Mine itself was not too distant from one of the major cities. Even if the teleportation arrays were to be damaged, the Jialan Monarch could swiftly reach the nearby city and then proceed to the mine.
This was why bandits rarely dared to venture near the Purple Cloud Mine. Ordinary bandits would never take such a perilous gamble, given the formidable defenses in place.
Furthermore, a little over two years ago, an incident of banditry had transpired in one of Jialan Monarch's mines. This served as a testament to the rigorous security measures now in place.
Far away from the Purple Cloud Mine, the Evil Emperor continued to lead their group at a rapid pace. Qin Wentian couldn't help but notice that this band of experts dwarfed the previous bandit group in both number and strength. They possessed a greater number of experts, including more immortal emperors among their ranks.
Suddenly, Ye Qianyu's voice resonated in Qin Wentian's mind, snapping his attention back to the present.
"Although the Jialan Monarch is a mid-stage immortal emperor, he is one of the nine monarchs serving under the Lifire Empyrean. He governs a vast territory and should not be underestimated. During the upcoming battle, you must steer clear of him. Your objective is to eliminate as many peak-stage immortal kings among the enemy as possible and bait initial-stage emperors to pursue you before dispatching them."
Qin Wentian's expression shifted slightly. Ye Qianyu had just advised him to avoid the Jialan Monarch, implying that the monarch's combat prowess was nothing to trifle with. The Jialan Monarch might be capable of defeating him with ease.
In the span of time he had spent in the Supreme Ancient Immortal Realms, Qin Wentian had grown more acquainted with the intricate web of this realm. He was well aware that he should not overestimate his own abilities, as this world undoubtedly harbored countless formidable individuals.
As he flew alongside the bandit group, he couldn't help but ponder recent events. Qin Wentian turned to Ye Qianyu and transmitted his thoughts, "Palace mistress, it seems you are certain that the Jialan Monarch will make an appearance. Should we confront his forces directly for this operation?"
Ye Qianyu responded through their mental connection, her voice filled with determination. "Just sit back and enjoy the show. Rest assured, I'll only target the guards, sparing the innocent miners." Her smile carried a hint of irony. Ye Qianyu, as the daughter of the Night Empyrean, had sworn vengeance against two of the nine empyreans under the Lifelong Realmlord, who had orchestrated the annihilation of her entire family. Her path as a bandit naturally placed her in opposition to those who claimed to uphold 'justice.'
Their journey continued until they reached the airspace above the Purple Cloud Mine. Qin Wentian gazed downward, witnessing countless sharp gazes aimed up at them.
Ye Qianyu's voice broke the silence, commanding coldly, "Attack." The armored experts of their bandit group descended from the skies, opting for a direct assault instead of destroying the teleportation arrays, as they had done in the past.
Qin Wentian felt his heart race; Ye Qianyu's strategy this time was a blatant provocation to the Jialan Monarch.
In the air, beams of light rained down. The colossal lion, the Evil Emperor, roared and charged without hesitation toward the two mid-stage immortal emperors, paying no heed to any consequences. Meanwhile, Ye Qianyu, encased in dark armor and wielding a pitch-black spear, plunged her weapon toward her adversaries, shrouding them in a shroud of darkness.
Numerous experts swiftly emerged from the fray, and within the enveloping darkness, their immortal senses were rendered useless, rendering them blind to their surroundings.
The Evil Emperor's thunderous roar echoed as his eyes emitted piercing light, targeting the soul of one of the mid-stage immortal emperors. His gaping maw sought to swallow his opponent whole. The targeted immortal emperor's face contorted in terror as he scrambled to retreat with all his might.
A surge of green light emanated from the Evil Emperor, halting his adversary's retreat and eventually swallowing him whole. The sight left everyone stunned; a formidable mid-stage emperor had been devoured in an instant.
Qin Wentian's heart raced. In the Supreme Ancient Immortal Realms, the death of immortal emperors seemed like an everyday occurrence, failing to elicit significant commotion.
The battlefield erupted into chaos, with Qin Wentian thrusting his fingers like swords, each strike spelling death for an enemy immortal king. Within moments, numerous experts fell to his hand. However, Qin Wentian soon spotted a familiar figure amid the teleportation arrays – the Jialan Monarch himself.
The Jialan Monarch had not forgotten the bandits who had plundered his mine over two years ago, as he stood fully prepared, awaiting an opportune moment to apprehend them. Now, the bandits had indeed reappeared.
As more and more experts from the Jialan Monarch's side arrived through the teleportation arrays, Qin Wentian's gaze fell upon a figure he recognized well. This figure exuded an icy aura and a captivating beauty, none other than Beiming Youhuang. She had also come to this tumultuous scene.
"Evil Emperor," the Jialan Monarch growled as he witnessed the Evil Emperor kill one of his mid-stage immortal emperor subordinates, his face contorted with rage and murderous intent radiating from him.
The atmosphere crackled with tension as the two mid-stage immortal emperors guarding the Purple Cloud Mine were swiftly dispatched by the Evil Emperor. It was clear that this group had come with the intent of declaring war, showing no mercy in their ruthless assault, snuffing out the lives of two immortal emperors in an instant.
For the Jialan Monarch, this marked another grievous loss. In just three short years, he had seen four of his powerful emperor-ranked subordinates meet their end. The weight of such losses bore heavily upon him. He knew he would need to embark on a recruitment drive, seeking out new experts and carefully nurturing their loyalty to rebuild his ranks.
With a thunderous howl, the Evil Emperor lunged directly at the Jialan Monarch. His jade-green eyes imprinted themselves into the Jialan Monarch's consciousness, but in the next instant, the Jialan Monarch's own eyes transformed into something equally terrifying—a gaze that could ensnare others. A surge of ominous power emanated from his form, devouring the Emperor's light emitted by the Evil Emperor.
The Jialan Monarch's entire being became resplendent, like a beacon shining through the darkest night. Arcane runes materialized around him, resonating with deafening thunderclaps as they summoned serpent-like phantom dragons that swirled through the air.
"PERISH!" the Jialan Monarch roared, and the snake-dragons whirled wildly, converging into a massive beast that charged at the Evil Emperor, creating a thunderous shockwave upon impact. Violent auras surged, forcing nearby experts to retreat, steering clear of the brewing battlefield.
This colossal creature resembled a dragon, yet not entirely so. It also bore the semblance of a snake but with a malevolent and demonic countenance. It sported sinister eyes and spiraled menacingly above the Jialan Monarch's head.
The Jialan Monarch's eyes glinted as he fixed his gaze upon the Lion King. "Evil Emperor, even after the Night Empyrean's demise, you persist in sowing chaos. Today, I shall obliterate you."
The Evil Emperor pressed forward, his jade-green eyes taking on an otherworldly, demonic hue. Ye Qianyu joined the fray, her dark spear poised menacingly, her expression frigid.
Amid this intense confrontation, Beiming Youhuang's voice cut through the tension like an icy blade. "Where is Qin Wentian?" Her cold inquiry sent ripples through the battlefield, drawing the attention of all present, including Qin Wentian himself.
This unexpected twist in the situation had Ye Qianyu casting an appraising glance at Beiming Youhuang. Was this the famed senior sister of Qin Wentian? Undoubtedly, she possessed a peerless beauty that could rival anyone's.
But before anyone could react, a figure charged recklessly toward Beiming Youhuang. To Qin Wentian's astonishment, it was none other than the fully armored Barbarian Emperor.
Beiming Youhuang radiated an aura of imperial light, her cold intent freezing the surroundings. The Barbarian Emperor found himself encased in ice, his anguished howls piercing the air as he struggled to break free. Unfazed, Beiming Youhuang raised her hand, releasing a deadly wave of ice qi, intensifying the chill in the air.
As the battle unfolded, Qin Wentian found himself pondering Beiming Youhuang's incredible strength. Surely, dealing with the Barbarian Emperor wouldn't pose much of a challenge for her, he thought. Back in the Azure Mystic Immortal Realms, Beiming Youhuang had been a supreme genius, known for her swift ascent to the immortal emperor realm. She held the distinction of being the youngest cultivator in the Darknorth Immortal Dynasty to achieve this milestone, her journey culminating at the peak of the Demongod Mountain. Her cultivation talent was undeniable, yet her extraordinary beauty sometimes overshadowed her exceptional abilities in the eyes of others.
"Did you forget how to fight just because you caught a glimpse of your lover?" Ye Qianyu's voice teased in Qin Wentian's mind, leaving him momentarily speechless. He swiftly snapped out of it, stepping forward to engage a peak-stage immortal king. With a mere thought, the dimension of his eye technique manifested, and within it, sword qi surged, swiftly dispatching his opponent.
Qin Wentian had fully regained his peak cultivation level, making him a formidable force. Those at his level scarcely stood a chance against him. Even without relying on the law domains he had established, his punches and sword strikes alone were enough to slay his opponents.
A field of swords materialized around him, and each step he took unleashed boundless sword intent, swiftly dispatching immortal kings in the blink of an eye.
Suddenly, a powerful immortal emperor closed in on Qin Wentian. It was one of the two immortal emperors who had accompanied the Jialan Monarch when Qin Wentian was in Windthunder City.
Realizing the danger, Qin Wentian retreated hastily, attempting to flee in the opposite direction. However, the relentless immortal emperor pursued him, unrelenting in his pursuit. Emperor light radiated around his body, creating a massive prison that ensnared both Qin Wentian and himself. This prison was constructed from the immortal emperor's own law domain, fueled by the ceaseless flow of astral light from his constellation, ensuring a constant source of energy.