Chapter 718 - 719: The Terrifying Zhan Shang

Ye Xuan never expected to run into Zhan Shang in a place like this.

What shocked Ye Xuan even more was how long it had been since he and Zhan Shang had last parted ways. It had been a little over a year at most, yet this guy had already broken through from Tier Seven Triple Peak to Tier Eight Second Layer. What kind of cultivation speed was that?

Although Zhan Shang’s cultivation was now higher than his, Ye Xuan’s unique Soul Sense couldn’t be mistaken. The man had definitely reached Tier Eight Second Layer.

Ye Xuan’s face remained calm as he pressed his lips together, but inside, his heart was a raging sea of shock.

Ye Xuan prided himself on his own cultivation speed. In just one short year, he had gone from just entering Tier Seven First Layer to the Peak of Tier Seven Second Layer. In the Profound Domain, such speed would be considered terrifyingly fast.

He was, after all, a master of Alchemy and Soul Refining, so obtaining Pills of any kind was never an issue. In his past life, he had been a Tier Eight Peak Martial Emperor, meaning cultivation bottlenecks were nonexistent for him. Moreover, the technique he cultivated allowed him to absorb Heaven and Earth Profound Qi at a rate that far surpassed any ordinary Martial Artist.

And yet, with all that, he had only managed to break through from Tier Seven First Layer to the Peak of Second Layer. Still, in Ye Xuan’s opinion, this speed was already absolutely heaven-defying.

But compared to Zhan Shang, his progress paled in comparison. This man hadn’t just crossed a major realm, advancing from a Tier Seven Martial King to a Tier Eight Martial Emperor, he had shot straight to Tier Eight Second Layer.

Judging from the aura emanating from Zhan Shang, he hadn’t just reached Tier Eight Second Layer a day or two ago; he must have been at this level for some time.

’Just what in the world is this Soul-devouring Race?’ Ye Xuan wondered in disbelief. ’If this guy is given another five or ten years, will he advance directly to Tier Nine Third Layer?’

"Your Excellency, as a Tier Eight Second Layer Martial Emperor, to casually injure my subordinate... isn’t that a bit too audacious?"

Jiang Chonghuang didn’t care whether Ye Xuan and Zhan Shang knew each other. Seeing his subordinate injured again in such a short time, and clearly seriously this time, his face instantly filled with rage.

Jiang Chonghuang knew his subordinate’s temperament all too well; the man was an absolute bully to the weak and a coward to the strong. Offending Ye Xuan before might have been understandable, but when faced with a Martial Emperor of Tier Eight or above, especially after the rules had been set, his subordinate would never have dared to be too arrogant.

And yet, his subordinate was still injured. Without a doubt, this newly arrived Tier Eight Second Layer Martial Emperor had shown zero regard for him. Perhaps his subordinate hadn’t even managed to get two words out before the new Martial Emperor struck.

This infuriated Jiang Chonghuang, who felt that his authority and the rules he had established had been violated.

"You think you can act lawlessly just because you’re a Second Layer Martial Emperor? Die!"

With a furious snort, the enraged Jiang Chonghuang didn’t wait for anyone else to speak, directly sending a massive Profound hand to seize Zhan Shang.

He had decided to teach Zhan Shang a lesson he would never forget.

"A mere Third Layer Martial Emperor wants to kill me?"

Zhan Shang’s expression turned savage. With a vicious laugh, a massive skull emerged from his Skull Staff. It opened its jaw and bit down on the Profound hand Jiang Chonghuang had summoned. CRACK! The skull instantly tore a chunk out of the Profound hand.

With another two bites—CRUNCH, CRUNCH—the Profound hand sent by Jiang Chonghuang shattered completely. The skull, its momentum unbroken and radiating a chilling aura, then lunged toward Jiang Chonghuang himself.

What?

Everyone was stunned. A Second Layer Martial Emperor had instantly broken through a Third Layer Martial Emperor’s attack? Not only that, but the Second Layer Martial Emperor even seemed to have the upper hand. Was this some kind of unbelievable fairy tale?

But the most shocked of all was Jiang Chonghuang. He had no time to be stunned; a longsword suddenly appeared in his hand. He thrust it forward, and a brilliant flash of sword light instantly transformed into a vast, surging river that rushed out.

As a Third Layer Martial Emperor, easily repelling a Second Layer Martial Emperor should have been a simple matter. But right now, there wasn’t the slightest hint of ease on Jiang Chonghuang’s face.

As this river of sword light swept out, the surrounding space seemed to freeze. In everyone’s perception, only the vast river of sword light remained, sharp to the extreme, yet perfectly contained.

"Water-Sky Horizon Slash!"

Someone immediately recognized Jiang Chonghuang’s signature Divine Ability.

This Water-Sky Horizon Slash not only contained a powerful River Sword Intent, but also a hint of spatial profundity that could bind space itself. Anyone locked onto by the Water-Sky Horizon Slash would be trapped in an endless spatial lockdown, and those with weaker cultivation wouldn’t even be able to move.

Even those with decent cultivation would find their movements slowed and difficult to evade if their understanding of space hadn’t reached a certain level.

Diao Minghuang and Xu Guanglin watched the scene coldly. Zhan Shang’s arrogant behavior upon arrival had angered everyone present, especially his earlier remark, ’a mere Third Layer Martial Emperor,’ which had particularly irked the two of them.

If Jiang Chonghuang hadn’t been the first to strike, Diao Minghuang, with his fiery temper, would have probably already charged in himself.

But since Jiang Chonghuang had already made his move, Diao Minghuang naturally wouldn’t intervene. If the two of them had to team up against a single Second Layer Martial Emperor, they would lose all face if word got out. Besides, Diao Minghuang didn’t feel his intervention was needed.

It wasn’t just him; the other Martial Emperors present also wore cold smirks, all believing that Zhan Shang had only managed to break Jiang Chonghuang’s Profound hand because Jiang Chonghuang had been careless. Now that Jiang Chonghuang had unleashed his famous ultimate technique, this Second Layer Martial Emperor was sure to die on the spot.

Zhan Shang’s relaxed expression tensed slightly, but he still showed no signs of worry. He gave a sinister smile, waved his Skull Staff, and another stream of dark energy flowed into the skull.

The already dark and menacing skull grew even more grim. Boundless black mist spread from it, merging with the surroundings of this mysterious place. Then, with a mighty crunch, it bit down on the Water-Sky Horizon Slash from Jiang Chonghuang.

BOOM!

A massive roar erupted as the brilliant, ocean-like sword light and the black skull clashed violently in mid-air. A continuous sound of destruction burst forth from where they met, and a terrifying force swept out from the impact.

PTHOO!

Several of the surrounding Tier Eight First Layer Martial Emperors immediately spat out mouthfuls of blood, while the Second Layer Martial Emperors turned pale, their bodies trembling violently as they staggered backward.

KABOOM!

Finally, the energy of both the black skull and the brilliant sword light was completely exhausted. With a final, massive roar, both attacks annihilated each other, vanishing into nothingness.

HISS!

Everyone around sucked in a sharp breath. Where did this Second Layer Martial Emperor come from? He actually blocked Jiang Chonghuang’s ultimate move, the Water-Sky Horizon Slash? Just how heaven-defying was he?

No wonder this Second Layer Martial Emperor was so arrogant. It had to be said, he truly had the capital to be.

Diao Minghuang’s eye twitched, his gaze filled with surprise and horror. He knew very well that Jiang Chonghuang hadn’t held back in his previous attack. And yet, even so, his Water-Sky Horizon Slash had been stopped by that black-robed Second Layer Martial Emperor.

What surprised them even more was Zhan Shang’s youthful face. He was simply too young—thirty years old at most—yet he was already a Second Layer Martial Emperor with strength comparable to a Tier Eight Third Layer Martial Emperor.

Could this person be a young expert from the Profound List? Only the most supreme geniuses in the Profound Domain could possess such terrifying cultivation, right?

"Well? Shall we continue?" Zhan Shang floated in the sky, a cold smile on his face. Black energy swirled around the Skull Staff in his hand. "If you want to keep fighting, I’m happy to oblige."

Jiang Chonghuang’s face was ashen. He took a deep breath and did not continue his attack on Zhan Shang.

It wasn’t that he was certain he couldn’t defeat Zhan Shang, but facing such a terrifying genius, Jiang Chonghuang couldn’t help but feel a little wary.

A genius like this could not have been nurtured by an ordinary power. There was no great enmity between them, and only an idiot would continue to fight and make such a powerful enemy over a petty squabble.

At this thought, a smile actually appeared on Jiang Chonghuang’s ashen face. He clasped his hands and said, "Your Excellency jests. To have such cultivation and strength at such a young age... I am truly impressed."

After speaking, he shot a cold glance at the First Layer Martial Emperor on the ground and snorted. "Hmph. A master of this caliber, and you not only failed to introduce him properly but actually stood in his way? The fact that he didn’t kill you is a sign of his mercy. Now, apologize to him!"

The First Layer Martial Emperor was dumbfounded, never expecting things to develop this way.

He had already been taught a lesson by Ye Xuan, which was unlucky enough. Now he’d been put in his place by Zhan Shang, and both times, Lord Jiang Chonghuang hadn’t stood up for him. His heart was filled with frustration.

But no matter how frustrated he was, after witnessing Zhan Shang’s power, he didn’t dare let it show. He hurriedly said with respect, "Thank you for your mercy, Senior. I was the one who didn’t understand the rules. I hope Senior can be magnanimous and not hold it against this lowly one."

Only then did Jiang Chonghuang turn back to Zhan Shang with a smile. "With your cultivation, Your Excellency is more than qualified to join our exploration team. We’ve discovered an ancient ruin here and are currently working to break its Restriction. If you are willing, you can join forces with us. When we acquire the treasures, we can distribute them based on contribution."

It had to be said, Jiang Chonghuang was an incredibly calculating man. Just moments ago, he was ready to kill Zhan Shang, but now he was extending a warm invitation as if nothing had happened.

Compared to those Martial Emperors who wore their grudges on their sleeves, a man like this was far more insidious and terrifying.

Zhan Shang hovered in mid-air, his eyes shifting slightly as if he were pondering something. After a long moment, he said coldly, "I have no objections."

"Haha, then we’re all on the same side now," Jiang Chonghuang said with a smile.

Zhan Shang’s expression remained impassive as he instantly landed in front of the ruins. His gaze, however, immediately fell upon Ye Xuan, radiating a chilling killing intent.