The Final Showdown

Fang Xiu was dumbfounded, gazing at the four warriors fiercely battling before him.

The mysterious phenomenon lingering in the hall, akin to the simultaneous descent of the shadows of the four divine beasts, was yet to dissipate.

Was it luck? Coincidence? Or is the hand of destiny at play?

The four individuals he casually adopted turned out to possess the bloodlines of the four divine beasts.

Not only did others find it hard to believe, but even Fang Xiu himself lacked confidence in this extraordinary alignment.

As the figure in the divine palace had foretold, acquiring a single bloodline of the four divine beasts was akin to an insurmountable challenge.

Yet, Fang Xiu had effortlessly gathered all four.

It was inexplicable.

Many things seemed fated.

Perhaps, it was all a matter of destiny.

"However, their bloodlines have yet to awaken. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so feeble, lingering in the Postnatal Realm cultivation even at their age, without stepping into the true path of martial cultivation," remarked Old Rascal.

The path of cultivation knows no bounds.

In the vast Xuanhuang World, martial cultivation was distinctly classified.

Forging Veins was merely foundational, belonging to the Postnatal Realm.

Only at the Ninth-Rank veins, could one's true energy transform from postnatal to innate.

Even those beyond the Innate Realm, couldn't be considered true martial artists unless they entered the realm of martial cultivation.

Above the Innate Realm, one could convert innate qi into more advanced elemental force, mastering control over the elemental energies of heaven and earth, achieving the aerial realm known as the "Flying Realm".

Reaching the Flying Realm marked the entry into the realm of martial cultivation.

Mo Nation claimed to be a martial arts nation, yet it lacked even a single practitioner in the Flying Realm.

Hence, its self-proclaimed status as a martial arts nation was not acknowledged by true martial forces.

The absence of Flying Realm was, in fact, a blessing for Mo Nation.

In the Yun State, there was an unwritten agreement among major martial factions not to interfere in the affairs of secular nations.

Although this unwritten rule existed, secular nations sought to curry favor with martial forces, searching for stable support.

Within the Azure Cloud Palace, the battle had intensified.

The Four Great Rakshasas confronted nine Innate Realm experts, the Four Phantom Celestial Lock Formation countered the Nine Star Kill Formation, not only holding their ground but gaining the upper hand due to the seamless coordination between the four.

They had subtly taken control of the situation.

On the other hand, within the Nine Star Kill Formation, due to a lack of cohesion, signs of disarray began to appear.

Moreover, the Four Phantom Celestial Lock Formation, crafted by Fang Xiu specifically to counter the Nine Star Kill Formation, had been honed to perfection by the Four Great Rakshasas, specializing in exploiting the weaknesses of the formation.

Continuing this battle would soon lead to the dissolution of the Nine Star Kill Formation, with each of the nine Innate Realm experts falling one by one.

In the grand hall, perceptive individuals sensed the shifting tide of the battle and couldn't help but feel a growing sense of concern.

"Your Majesty, this cannot continue. We should join the fight. Let all the Ninth-Rank practitioners present participate," someone suggested.

Zhao Qingyun furrowed his brows.

Even with his confidence, he hadn't anticipated the overwhelming strength of the Four Great Rakshasas by Fang Xiu's side.

Deploying nine Innate Realm experts seemed foolproof and guaranteed no mistakes.

"Fang Xiu, oh Fang Xiu, I underestimated you," Zhao Qingyun sighed, then stood up abruptly.

"Your Majesty!"

Someone, wielding a sword, stepped forward to protect the Emperor.

"Step aside."

Zhao Qingyun coldly ordered, unleashing a violent surge of true energy that erupted from within him.

The nobles in the court rejoiced, realizing that their Emperor was himself an Innate Realm expert.

"Fang Xiu, the strength of your Four Great Rakshasas is indeed astonishing. However, if your reliance is solely on them, let it end here. Witness my strength," declared Zhao Qingyun, elevating his aura to the mid-stage of the Innate Realm.

Fang Xiu frowned.

Zhao Qingyun had advanced from the early-stage to the mid-stage of the Innate Realm without letting others knowing it.

The surging waves of qi ignited the atmosphere in the entire hall.

Azure Cloud Palace erupted in cheers.

They had almost forgotten that their Emperor was also an Innate Realm expert.

His sudden intervention not only reversed the situation but positioned him as the top expert in Mo Nation.

Amid the jubilation, remarks circulated among the crowd.

"Ha-ha! It's been so long since we've seen His Majesty in action. I almost forgot that our emperor is also an Innate Realm expert."

"Not only that, His Majesty's cultivation has advanced once again, reaching the mid-stage of the Innate Realm. Cheers to His Majesty!"

"He truly deserves the title of the Son of Heaven, possessing an Innate Realm mid-stage cultivation. Fang Xiu, how can you and your Four Great Rakshasas resist when facing His Majesty in the mid-stage of the Innate Realm?"

Everyone present was excited.

Most of them were accustomed to a life of luxury, enjoying prosperity and wealth.

They had already been intimidated by the formidable strength of the Four Great Rakshasas.

Now, with the Emperor taking action, the situation immediately shifted in their favor.

Dong, dong...

Zhao Qingyun stepped heavily, each footfall on the sturdy rocks of the hall produced a deep resonating sound, striking at the hearts of the onlookers.

"What should we do?"

Ji Mo furrowed his brows, feeling somewhat at a loss.

"Damn it! The Emperor has advanced unexpectedly. Mo Nation's first Innate Realm mid-stage expert. We can't possibly match up. Unless we can advance to the Innate Realm, but that's unrealistic," Bai Zhan cursed, frustrated that their previous efforts were about to be in vain.

"You three protect Young Master and breakthrough. I'll stay behind," calmly suggested Yu Shuai.

"Nonsense! Just because you're the eldest doesn't mean we have to listen to everything you say. I'm not leaving," Bai Zhan, as fierce as his White Tiger bloodline, retorted.

The Four Great Rakshasas, bound by deep camaraderie, wouldn't abandon any of their own.

"You listen to me. I'm, after all, a member of the Myth Sky Sect, and I've been assessed with an eight-star talent value. Do you understand the significance of an eight-star talent value? Even in the entire Eastern Barren Land, it represents absolute genius. In the Myth Sky Sect, there are only three with an eight-star talent value. I recently joined under Senior Zhou Huadong, a Golden Core Elder of the Myth Sky Sect. Zhao Qingyun won't dare to harm me," explained Yu Shuai while engaged in battle.

With the inevitable defeat at hand, the top priority was to ensure Fang Xiu's safety.

With their talents, escaping the Azure Cloud Palace was almost a certainty, allowing them to regroup and make a comeback.

"Damn it."

Bai Zhan's anger soared, filled with profound unwillingness. "I will surely plunge the Mo Nation into chaos."

Bai Zhan and Ji Mo had already shown signs of retreat. Though unwilling, Yu Shuai's words were not wrong. With the value of an Eight-Star Talent, the Myth Sky Sect would surely treat it as a treasure. If Zhao Qingyun were to harm an Eight-Star Talent of the Myth Sky Sect, his reign as emperor would come to an end.

"Hold steady!"

Just as Yu Shuai was preparing to withdraw the Four Phantom Celestial Lock Formation, Fang Xiu spoke up, his voice as composed as ever.

"Young master."

Yu Shuai and his companions turned simultaneously towards Fang Xiu, their gazes filled with confusion. This wasn't like him. The Marquis of Guanjun was always adept at strategizing. How could Fang Xiu not see the current situation?

At such a critical juncture, what use was there in holding steady with the Four Phantom Celestial Lock Formation?

"Leave Zhao Qingyun to me. The grievances will be settled between us."

Fang Xiu flexed his arms, emitting crackling sounds, then took a step forward, stepping out of the Four Phantom Celestial Lock Formation.

"Young Master..."

Yu Shuai and his companions exclaimed in shock, hastily moving forward to intercept.

"The young master has recovered. Look at how anxious you all are."

Fang Ying teased.

"What?"

The three exclaimed simultaneously, seeing Fang Xiu standing not far from Zhao Qingyun, releasing his aura, colliding directly with Zhao Qingyun's.

"Haha, I told you, the Young Master is the Chosen One. Look, he can even recover from a shattered dantian. Besides him, who else can do that?"

Bai Zhan burst into laughter, tears streaming down his face.

"You fatty, you're crying all over my face."

Ji Mo's face was drenched in tears, unable to distinguish between Bai Zhan's sprayed tears and his own.

"Ying'er, you're too sly. You knew Young Master had recovered but didn't tell us, causing us unnecessary worry," reproached Yu Shuai, his eyes slightly red, looking at Fang Ying.

"How was it? Big brothers, the thrill of these ups and downs, the intense joy and sorrow. Isn't it incredibly stimulating?" Fang Ying teased the three.

"Little sister is getting more mischievous," Bai Zhan chuckled, wiping away the tears.

The Four Great Rakshasas, arranged by age, had Yu Shuai as the eldest, Bai Zhan as the second, Ji Mo as the third, and Fang Ying as the youngest.

Fang Ying, the youngest sister, had grown up under the care of the Marquis of Guanjun and her three older brothers.

This incident, which involved Fang Ying withholding information about Young Master's recovery, would have resulted in a beating if Bai Zhan had done the same.

However, Fang Xiu's restored strength filled the Four Great Rakshasas with unprecedented confidence.

This confidence stemmed from their unwavering faith in the Marquis of Guanjun, who stood before them like an unyielding mountain.

Though not a towering figure, Fang Xiu was a towering mountain in the hearts of the four, immovable and unswayed.

Their actions infuriated the nine Innate Realm experts on the other side.

This was a battle of life and death, yet here they were, crying and laughing, even joking. Wasn't it too impolite?

They were the top experts of Mo Nation, first-class Innate Realm experts.

This behavior lacked respect.

Meanwhile, as Fang Xiu stood before Zhao Qingyun, exuding a formidable presence, the entire Azure Cloud Palace, including the grief-stricken Princess Royal, fell into dumbfounding.

"Impossible! This cannot be."

Zhao Qing'er shook her head repeatedly as if receiving an unprecedented blow, "I clearly saw him turn into a cripple that day, unable to withstand even the slightest wind chill. How could he recover so quickly?"

On that day, Zhao Qing'er had gone to annul the engagement and witnessed Fang Xiu in a feeble state, devoid of any true energy fluctuations.

How could he recover in just a few days?

"Why?"

Zhao Qingyun squinted, attempting to discern Fang Xiu's true state.

The crowd was in a commotion.

The recovery of Marquis of Guanjun's strength was like thunder on a clear day, making them feel dizzy and overwhelmed.

"Come, Zhao Qingyun, let us settle our grievances in a final battle," Fang Xiu bellowed.