Chapter 52: Unraveling the Mystery of the Void Emperor

The cold night air carried the lingering scent of blood as Jiang Cheng stood amidst the fallen assassins. Their lifeless bodies lay scattered across the deserted alleyway, a testament to his overwhelming strength. He flicked his wrist, shaking off the last traces of their weak ambush, and turned his gaze toward the ancient jade talisman he had acquired from the auction.

"The Void Emperor's Legacy…" Jiang Cheng murmured, his fingers tracing the intricate carvings on the talisman.

This artifact was supposed to contain traces of the Ancient Void Emperor's power, but so far, it hadn't reacted. Even when he infused it with his spiritual energy, it remained unresponsive.

Just as he was about to store it away, a gust of eerie wind swept past him. The jade trembled faintly, and an ethereal voice echoed in his mind.

> "Who dares seek the path of the Void?"

Jiang Cheng's eyes narrowed. "So there really is something hidden within this talisman."

He swiftly activated his Vajra Diamond Body, reinforcing himself in case of any hidden dangers. Closing his eyes, he sent a focused thread of his Void Essence into the talisman. Instantly, a powerful suction force pulled his consciousness into a vast, starry expanse.

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A Realm Beyond Time

Jiang Cheng found himself standing in what seemed like an endless void. Stars flickered in the distance, and space itself twisted and folded like waves in an unseen ocean. In front of him, a towering figure sat cross-legged on a throne made of void energy.

The Ancient Void Emperor.

His body was wreathed in flowing cosmic energy, his piercing eyes filled with wisdom and an unfathomable depth. He gazed at Jiang Cheng with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

> "It has been ten thousand years… Who are you, boy?"

Jiang Cheng cupped his fists. "Jiang Cheng."

The Void Emperor chuckled. "A name that carries fate. And what do you seek?"

Jiang Cheng met his gaze fearlessly. "Power. Knowledge. The means to stand at the peak."

The emperor's expression shifted. "Power? Many have sought my inheritance before you, but none were worthy. Tell me, Jiang Cheng… how do you perceive the void?"

Jiang Cheng closed his eyes briefly, recalling his own understanding.

"The void is boundless, yet it contains everything. It is not merely emptiness; it is the foundation of all existence. To control the void is not to wield nothingness—but to master everything within it."

For the first time, a flicker of surprise crossed the Void Emperor's face.

"Interesting… You have some understanding, but you are far from grasping the true essence of the void."

Raising his hand, the emperor flicked his fingers.

A Void Gate materialized behind Jiang Cheng.

"If you desire my inheritance, step through the gate. But be warned—what lies beyond is not a mere trial. It is death for the unworthy."

Jiang Cheng smirked. "I've never feared death."

Without hesitation, he stepped forward.

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The Void Trial Begins

As soon as Jiang Cheng entered the gate, he was met with a crushing force that sought to obliterate his very existence. The endless void around him warped, and a deep, suffocating pressure bore down on his soul.

His Vajra Diamond Body flickered under the immense strain, cracks forming along his golden skin. But Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth and pushed forward.

> "This test… is it trying to erase my presence?"

A voice whispered in his mind.

> "The void does not accept the weak. Only those who can exist without existing will survive."

Jiang Cheng took a deep breath, drawing upon his Heaven Blitzing Step technique. His body flickered, and his presence began to fade, blending into the surrounding void.

Slowly, he adapted.

The crushing force lessened.

His Impenetrable Fortress Technique activated instinctively, reinforcing his body while his Cloudstep allowed him to navigate the chaotic energy flows.

Before him, a massive shadow emerged.

A Void Beast.

Its entire form was composed of swirling void energy, its crimson eyes locked onto Jiang Cheng like a predator eyeing its prey. With a roar that shook the very fabric of the space around them, it lunged forward.

Jiang Cheng's eyes sharpened.

His sword appeared in his hands, its aura burning with a mixture of void energy and his own essence.

> "Let's see if you can handle this—Heaven Severing Slash!"

With a single motion, his sword cleaved through the void itself, splitting apart the beast's energy. The creature let out an unearthly scream before dissolving into nothingness.

The void around him rumbled.

And then—silence.

A voice echoed once more.

> "You have proven yourself… but this is only the beginning."

A mark appeared on Jiang Cheng's right hand, glowing with the power of the void. He could feel an immense reservoir of knowledge flowing into his mind—the foundation of the Void Emperor's Techniques.

Jiang Cheng opened his eyes, finding himself back in the real world.

The talisman had crumbled into dust.

And yet, in its place, a single black crystal floated before him, radiating unfathomable energy.

> "A Void Origin Stone… A treasure of this caliber… even supreme sects would kill for this."

Jiang Cheng clenched his fist. His power had taken a massive leap forward.

But he knew that those who had failed to steal the talisman from him wouldn't simply give up.

A storm was coming.

And he was ready for it.

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