Chapter 495: The Phoenix Lady Goes to Battle

Chapter 495: Chapter 493: The Phoenix Lady Goes to Battle

Normally, when a cultivator inherited another’s Great Sage Treasure, they could never exert its full power, even if they were at the Great Sage Realm themselves. Unleashing its strongest, ultimate strike was even more unthinkable.

This was a fundamental impossibility. For a cultivator, their own weapon was always the most powerful one they could wield within their realm!

But now, a single strike, invincible and brilliant beyond limit, left everyone dumbfounded. Nothing like this had ever seemed to happen before.

“Wh-wh-what… what kind of Cultivation Technique is that?!” Even the Old Undyings hiding behind the scenes, reluctant to intervene, were horrified. The strike was too terrifying, too heaven-defying.

The Ghost Insect Demon Child and Saint Child Ji Que, both from Emperor Immortal Gates, were left breathless. As successors of such lineages, they had cultivated not only Emperor Techniques but even Heavenly Destiny Secret Skills. Yet, they knew that even their own Heavenly Destiny Secret Skills were likely incapable of producing such a brilliant and invincible strike.

Even the expression of a personage like Tian Lunhui flickered. He hailed from the Ten Thousand Ancient Country, a lineage that boasted Twin Emperors, and was rumored to be a reincarnated Immortal Emperor himself. What invincible Secret Technique or Immortal Emperor’s Technique did his home not possess? And yet, he had never seen a strike like Li Qiye’s. Even he, who was said to be unflappable, could not hide his surprise.

The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady, sitting high upon her Phoenix Carriage, could no longer remain seated. She shot to her feet, her expression changing drastically at the sight!

An invincible strike. It was as shocking as it was terrifying. In that instant, a dreadful realization dawned on many—Li Qiye’s potential wasn’t merely chasing the Three Heroes of the Netherworld. He was already qualified to stand among them as an equal!

At this, many gasped in shock, while numerous cultivators of the Human Race couldn’t help but grow excited, some even cheering aloud.

“Wh-what kind of Secret Technique is this!” An Old Undying, hidden in the shadows, stared at Li Qiye, a cold glint flickering in their eyes. To them, this strike was immensely threatening—so much so that even Great Sect Ancestors felt their own safety was at risk.

The Brilliant Strike was an incredibly ancient Secret Technique, its origins lost to time. When Immortal Emperor Feiyang was young, this technique had helped him achieve countless glorious victories. But after he shouldered the Celestial Mandate, he seldom used it again.

Tens of thousands of years passed. Immortal Emperor Feiyang, who hailed from the distant Pioneer Era, ultimately never passed the technique down, leaving future generations completely in the dark as to its true nature.

“We need Emperor’s Soldiers!” Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child exchanged a look. The two prodigies reached an instantaneous consensus: they had to request an Emperor’s Soldier from their sects. An Immortal Emperor’s Treasure or an Immortal Emperor True Artifact would do, but an Immortal Emperor True Artifact was, of course, the best-case scenario.

They both realized that without an Immortal Emperor’s weapon, they stood no chance against Li Qiye. To even think of contending with him, they needed Emperor’s Soldiers!

It wasn’t just Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child. Even Tian Lunhui was tilting his head in contemplation. He was thinking the same thing: perhaps he also needed an Emperor’s Soldier to suppress Li Qiye.

The Brilliant Strike could destroy any weapon, no matter how powerful—with the sole exception of Immortal Soldier Emperor Artifacts. In fact, even an Immortal Emperor’s Treasure would be damaged. If struck by the Brilliant Strike, it would require a great deal of time to be nurtured back to its full Immortal Emperor’s Aura.

Only an Immortal Emperor True Artifact could remain completely unaffected. Of course, one rumor claimed that with repeated use, even an Immortal Emperor True Artifact could sustain damage.

After slaughtering the Eighteen Beasts in a single blow, Li Qiye smiled. He crossed the mountain range and slowly ascended toward the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady in the Celestial Vault. She, having already risen to her feet, watched him with a cold, unflustered gaze.

Li Qiye stepped into the sky. He looked at the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady with a nonchalant air and said with a smile, “Well then, I suppose it’s your turn now.”

The entire scene fell silent. Everyone held their breath, the atmosphere stretched taut. In truth, no one could have possibly imagined things would escalate this far.

It should have been so simple. With a single command, the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady could rally the Heroic Heroes of the world. To kill a mere junior of the Human Race, an enemy to all—what could be easier?

And yet, here was Li Qiye, having single-handedly slaughtered his way through thousands of foes to arrive before the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s Phoenix Carriage. He had brought the battle right to her doorstep.

The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady descended from her Phoenix Carriage. She still carried herself with the majestic air of a queen. “I must admit, you are truly formidable,” she said coldly. “But one wrong move, and you will lose everything! My husband is destined for Ruling the World. He is unstoppable. No one can stand in the way of his ascension to the throne of Immortal Emperor!”

From anyone else, such words would be pure arrogance. But coming from the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady, they weren’t arrogant in the slightest. In the Ghost Sacred Realm, Emperor’s Throne was truly the one with the greatest hope of Ruling the World and becoming an Immortal Emperor.

Even Tian Lunhui remained silent, offering no rebuttal. In fact, no one present, not even the Great Sect Ancestors lurking in the shadows, felt she was overstating things.

It was the consensus of the Ghost Sacred Realm that Emperor’s Throne had a better chance than anyone of becoming an Immortal Emperor. This was a fact that was difficult for anyone to deny.

“Lose?” Li Qiye laughed. “Perhaps I’ll lose one day, but it certainly won’t be to your husband. Besides, the path of an Immortal Emperor is long and arduous. Come and brag to me after your husband actually becomes one. But I’m afraid that’s an impossibility. With Li Qiye here, who else can become an Immortal Emperor? The Celestial Mandate belongs to me, and me alone. The title of Immortal Emperor is mine for the taking.”

If the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s words were domineering, Li Qiye’s were even more so. Many present found his words outrageously arrogant, but they had to admit one thing: given his accomplishments today, he was indeed qualified to vie for the title of Immortal Emperor.

“Big talk!” The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady sneered. “I’d like to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve! Bring out whatever trump cards you’re hiding! I’ll face every single one!”

The Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s tough stance took many by surprise.

Li Qiye had slaughtered thousands in a single battle; his record spoke for itself. And his final Brilliant Strike had left everyone terrified. No one denied that the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady was powerful, but after witnessing Li Qiye’s strength, they all understood that it would be incredibly difficult for her to defeat him. Unless she had an absolute ace up her sleeve, she would have a hard time turning the tables.

After this battle, everyone understood. Even geniuses like Saint Child Ji Que and the Ghost Insect Demon Child, successors of Emperor Immortal Gates, couldn’t hope to contend with Li Qiye without an Immortal Emperor’s Treasure in hand.

Yet the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady still challenged Li Qiye, showing no intention of backing down. This was truly unexpected.

“A true heroine. Impressive.” Li Qiye smiled at her challenge. “You want to test me, don’t you? To figure out what I’m capable of? Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I don’t have any trump cards. These two hands are more than enough.” He smiled and spread his hands.

Li Qiye’s words were a wake-up call. Upon hearing them, a chill went down the spines of many, while others felt a surge of admiration.

Despite Li Qiye’s heaven-defying power, the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady still confronted him head-on. This wasn’t a simple act of pride; her true goal was to test him.

From the very beginning, Li Qiye had fought almost bare-handed. While his techniques were astonishing, it gave the impression that this was merely a form of self-tempering, a Baptism, and not yet the full extent of his abilities.

Especially after he unleashed the Brilliant Strike. It made many realize that Li Qiye still had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, a thought that sent a chill through them.

For the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady to confront him so forcefully now… it was a deliberate attempt to probe the depths of his power. She was paving the way for her fiancé, Emperor’s Throne.

Things had come to a point where reconciliation between Li Qiye and Emperor’s Throne was impossible. One of them would have to fall.

And yet, even now, so little was known about Li Qiye. Even though Emperor’s Throne was hailed as invincible, this lack of information was not necessarily to his advantage.

Thus, the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady’s firm challenge was, without a doubt, the opening salvo in her fiancé’s war. She was testing Li Qiye on behalf of Emperor’s Throne.

“A man should marry a woman like the Phoenix Lady!” Countless people sighed with emotion in their hearts. Regardless of their feelings toward her, it was impossible to deny that she was the perfect partner, a truly wise and capable woman.

Not only could the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady devise strategies for Emperor’s Throne, she could also clear obstacles from his path, contributing greatly to his journey along the Great Dao to become an Immortal Emperor.

Emperor’s Throne had definitely chosen the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady for a reason—and it wasn’t just for her beauty or her talent.

“To have such a wife… he and Emperor’s Throne are a perfect match.” At that moment, countless people envied Emperor’s Throne. He truly had chosen an ideal wife.

“Incredible. She is worthy of being the fiancée of Emperor’s Throne. With such wisdom and courage, she is absolutely his equal!” Even the older generation of Sect Leaders and Emperors couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Having witnessed her methods today, everyone understood that the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady truly had the bearing of an Empress.

All eyes were on the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady. Everyone wanted to see how this battle would conclude.

“Enough talk. Make your move!” the Shen Ran Phoenix Lady snapped. With a HUM, her Blood Qi surged into the sky. Her Life Wheel emerged, and a bloody light fanned out behind her like the divine plumes of a Phoenix. In that instant, she began to radiate Emperor’s Divine Force and Immortal Force! Immortal Emperor Dao Patterns swirled around her.

“How is that possible?! An Emperor Technique!” Sensing the Emperor’s Divine Force and Immortal Force radiating from her, many were stunned, and someone cried out in shock.

No one knew if she was cultivating an Immortal Emperor Longevity Technique or one of the Immortal Emperor’s Techniques, but one thing was certain: she had definitely mastered an Emperor Technique. As for which one, and from which Immortal Emperor it came, that remained a mystery.