Chapter 31: The Inheritance Of The Great Emperor, The Remnant Soul Of The Great Emperor

Council members nodded in agreement, their face full of stern expressions. "We believe so too. No one in Feihua City would be a big menace to those three. But circumstances with Xian Zhan are quite obscure. There could be 'hidden dangers' in his family as well.

One of the council members continued with caution: "But what if Xian Zhan didn't die? What if he survived and found some fortuitous occasion…"

At this, Wang Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "Whatever happened to them, Xian Zhan must die, and no one from his family should be left alive. This is the Wang family's way—either we don't act, or we ensure nothing survives. No one escapes."

Another council member asked, "What are your instructions, Patriarch?"

Wang Yuan reclined, speaking with cold certainty. "Now that we know Xian Zhan hails from Feihua City, the road's clear. Send several experts from the Soul formation Realm to annihilate any family in Feihua City by the name of Xian. No one should be left alive."

"And Xian Zhan, in particular—I want him caught if he still lives. If not, I want his body."

Although very young, the strength of Xian Zhan had already reached the Soul formation Realm. If he somehow broke through into the body integration Realm, then the danger that he posed would be fatal. Among the most powerful figures in the YunXian Dynasty were only at the body intergration Realm. Meanwhile, although the Wang family had many Soul formation Realm experts, no one among them had stepped over into a new realm.

"We can't let Xian Zhan grow," Wang Yuan concluded, his tone dark and final. "No chances can be taken."

The council member bowed down. "Understood, Patriarch. I'll start preparing immediately."

Wang Yuan paused before dismissing him. "And don't forget, if you can retrieve Xian Zhan's body, search it extensively. There might be some powerful inheritance we overlooked last time. This time, we leave nothing to chance."

Meanwhile, deep into the space of the Feihua Mountains, Xian Zhan stood before an enormous ancient sword floating in front of him. Two other long swords, one silver and one black, hovered in his rear, shining with latent power. In just a short time, Xian Zhan had already absorbed the soul of two swords whose blades inscribed ancient scriptures.

It was one of those rare moments where he braked his focus and a series of cracks showed up on the surface of the huge sword, and the golden light leaked out, and finally, the sword broke apart, revealing the gold blade which symbolized a fierce and cutting aura with which anything could be cleaved into pieces. The sword let out a sharp cry before floating behind Xian Zhan, forming a trio with the other two swords.

"This place. it doesn't just preserve the inheritance of swordsmanship. It is also a sword formation," he marveled, wide with the fearful might of the nine-sword formation.

"And it is an inheritance of a Great Emperor." He spoke with a disbelief that crackled through his voice. "That such a mighty legacy can exist here, in the mountains of Feihua City. it's too fantastic to believe!"

Xian Zhan felt weighed down by his newfound knowledge. The title "Great Emperor" belonged only to the most powerful beings in the universe-- way beyond the lot of mortals. And there he was, grasping the legacy of a figure so mighty.

"The Feihua City, the Feihua Mountains, and now. the Feihua Sword Emperor. Everything is connected to him and nobody has ever known!" Xian Zhan muttered. "If it weren't for Xian Yue fusing the Eternal Sword Body with me, I would never have managed to inherit this power. But why would he go so far as to grant me such a powerful physique rather than taking advantage of it himself?"

Although Xian Zhan didn't know where Xian Chen even had this idea from, he still shook his head. "The head of the clan must have his own ideas. Right now, I need to concentrate on learning about this inheritance."

This time, as Xian Zhan dug himself further into the sword formation, another giant sword crumbled to dust, and another sword soul was found. The swords floating behind him continued steadily to increase in numbers, each holding different energies. The black sword represented death, the red one slaughter, while the green one shone with life but the white one shone with the light of purity.

Xian Zhan widened his eyes upon hearing more. "The Feihua Sword Emperor's talent. unbeatable. He created this terrifying sword formation that wields such diverse sword intentions. Unbelievable!"

Finally, the last purple sword soul materialized before Xian Zhan. He had now fully ingested the knowledge contained within all nine ancient swords. Just in time to let out a sigh of relief, cold crept over him. A strange voice echoed in silence chilling him all over.

"Ah. finally. Do you know how long I've waited for this moment?"

Xian Zhan straightened up, his body stiff with tension as he looked around in every direction. "Who. who's there?"

"You carry my legacy, yet you don't know who I am?" The eerie voice chuckled ominously. "Well then, let me show you."

Instantly, the nine swords behind Xian Zhan lit up, and their lights converged into a translucent figure standing before him. He was huge and towering, his eyes sharp as blades. Though just a soul, his presence was intimidating for Xian Zhan.

"You're, the Feihua Sword Emperor?" Xian Zhan's heart pounded; his pupils narrowed in shock.

"Hahaha, now you know," the figure said with dark amusement. "But enough talk. I'll be taking your body now."

Xian Zhan's mind racing together with the horrific truth as it fell into place. The Feihua Sword Emperor wasn't dead—his soul had been kept, locked away inside the nine swords, merely waiting for the right vessel to emerge. A body strong enough to house his soul.

Xian Zhan's blood went cold. The Feihua Sword Emperor was planning to take possession of him.

"Don't worry," the Emperor said, his face twisted in a sinister grin. "It'll be quick. You won't even feel it."

Before Xian Zhan could say or do anything, the Emperor's soul shot out toward his forehead.

"Wait!" Xian Zhan screamed, trying desperately to stall for time. "At least tell me why you have survived so long!

"Why should I care?" the Emperor sneered. "But all right, if you need to know—you wouldn't have had a chance to return to life without a body as robust as this one. Consider it an honor to be chosen as my vessel."

Xian Zhan felt his heart sink within his chest as the Emperor's soul closed in.

"I'm done for." he whispered, despairing.

"Yes, you are," declared the Emperor triumphantly as he built up his excitement. "You will be the first to witness the return of the Great Emperor!"

Just before he would lay a claim on Xian Zhan's body, the Emperor suddenly suspended mid-possession, stiffening his body.