Martial Emperor Ba Tian was no different.
His "Five Elements Wheel" radiated overwhelming power that dominated the era, with the five elemental forces rotating endlessly, capable of annihilating all creation!
When his Ba Tian Divine Fist struck out,
a mountain-sized fist imprint entwined with five elemental forces unleashed devastating energy,
shattering the void
as it surged toward that golden light.
This was also his ultimate trump card technique.
Even within Hell's Gate,
some peak Martial Emperors dared not face it head-on.
Yet to his astonishment,his strongest attack failed to breach that golden light's defenses!
"What kind of monstrosity is this?"
As the two launched their assaults,
Xing Qi also roared and charged forward: "Hell's Gate's dignity shall not be challenged!"
With a thunderous shout,
energy within him surged like a broken dam into the imperial artifact in his hand.
Instantly,
sword light shimmered with dazzling brilliance!
"Die!"
His longsword swept out,
releasing a ten-thousand-meter golden sword beam slashing toward the golden light currently engaged with Martial Emperors Tai Xuan and Ba Tian.
Predictably,
his attack dissolved into the golden radiance once more.
"Tch! Not bad power, but still useless!"
Chu Long sneered.
Though this was their first time executing this combined battle formation,
they'd practiced it countless times within the Chrono Pagoda!
If only Shen Biyao and the others had reached Emperor-tier cultivation—
with all members at that level,
this formation could slaughter not just Emperors but even deities!
"You've caught my attention. Let's start with you!"
Beyond the golden light,
phantom images of a golden divine dragon and phoenix materialized,
instantly transforming into twin golden streaks piercing toward Xing Qi.
"You think you can touch me?"
Fearless in his Martial Emperor pride,
he possessed absolute confidence in his peerless prowess.
"Careful! Don't be reckless!"
Martial Emperor Ba Tian urgently warned,
but Xing Qi had already committed!
Yet he wasn't entirely foolhardy—
a silver lotus with thirty-three petals bloomed from his brow,
hovering above his head.
Upon the pristine lotus,
stars manifested, radiating silvery starlight,
while beneath it
lay three emerald lotus leaves,
with the stem
vanishing into inky chaos.
Now,
the lotus's radiance enveloped Xing Qi protectively.
"The imperial artifact 'Chaos Starry Lotus'?"
Martial Emperor Tai Xuan exclaimed.
This was an exceptionally powerful and unique Emperor-tier weapon—
legend claimed it originated from an ancient Demon Emperor's true form,
transmuted into a peerless artifact after the demon's demise.
"Wasn't this artifact always wielded by Seventh Gate Lord Mu Tuo? How does Xing Qi have it?"
"Rumors about Xing Qi being the gate lord's illegitimate son might hold truth!"
Otherwise,
how would this supreme artifact appear in the hands of a mid-stage Martial Emperor?
"Still, this ensures their attacks can't breach the Chaos Starry Lotus's defenses."
Martial Emperor Tai Xuan nodded.
Yet the moment he spoke,
those two golden streaks—dragon and phoenix incarnate—
pierced through the lotus's protection
and impaled Xing Qi's brow!
Sensing his lifeforce extinguish instantly,
both Emperors gaped in shock.
How could this outcome occur
even with this legendary offensive-defensive artifact present?
"Disaster! How do we explain this to the Seventh Gate Lord?"
Martial Emperor Tai Xuan's expression darkened.
"Only by capturing them for the gate lord's judgment can we avoid blame!"
Martial Emperor Ba Tian declared grimly.
"I refuse to believe we lack means to kill him!"
In a flash,
both Emperors charged again toward Chu Long's golden radiance!
"Husband, shall we finish them?"
Shen Biyao inquired.
"Patience. Rare to find two peak Martial Emperors for live practice—let's refine our formation synergy!"
"Agreed!"
Previous drills paled compared to
this real combat opportunity!
Terrifying energy clashes erupted across the skies
as the two Emperors' supreme techniques and artifacts collided with golden light,
unleashing shockwave after shockwave.
Below in Nine Saints City,
every citizen stared aghast at the heavens,
particularly at the descending corpse that made their scalps crawl—
This signified
a Martial Emperor's fall!
"Heavens! A Hell's Gate Emperor has fallen!"
Someone shrieked upon seeing the plummeting body,
throwing the entire city into chaos.
Most couldn't discern the battle's details,
only witnessing dazzling stellar collisions
like colliding planets!
Each impact erupted with blinding radiance!
"Who possesses such strength to counter three Emperors—slaying one while fighting the others evenly?"
Martial Saints from Great Luo Sacred Ground arrived upon sensing the battle,
gazing upward in terror.
At their level,
they could vaguely perceive fragments of the conflict.
Wen Buqi and Fu Ming trembled uncontrollably—
events weren't unfolding as anticipated!
If that unknown Emperor could slaughter Hell's Gate's warriors,
what fate awaited them?
Panicking,
Wen Buqi prepared to flee—
as a Martial Saint,
he might yet escape!
As for Fu Ming,
Wen Buqi truly wished to smite him dead.
If not for his lust toward an Emperor's woman,
none of this would've happened!
Yet just as he prepared to bolt,
an icy sensation crawled down his spine—
as if some primordial predator's gaze had locked onto him from above,
making every hair stand on end.
Wen Buqi realized
that Emperor had been watching him all along.
Now,
true despair set in,
his body collapsing bonelessly.
"What's wrong with you?"
A Martial Saint elder frowned.
Compelled,
Wen Buqi confessed everything.
The elders listened,
their bodies breaking into cold sweats!
"Magnificent, Fu Ming! Daring to covet an Emperor's woman!"
"What insanity possessed you?!"
One elder roared.
"And you, Wen Buqi! Fu Ming's ignorance is one thing, but you followed his madness?"
"Even boasted about 'backgrounds' and having our sect 'pay respects'?"
"Seeking Great Luo Sacred Ground's annihilation?!"
The elders nearly fainted from rage.
They'd be grateful if the Emperor spared them,
yet these fools
had actively courted death!
"Elders... what now?"
Fu Ming trembled,
face ghostly pale.
Finally comprehending
he'd provoked the unprovocable,
he knew even if that Emperor perished,
the elders wouldn't forgive him!
"Now? Now you fear?"
"Too late!"
"Remain here awaiting the outcome!"
"If... if that Emperor triumphs,
prepare to atone with your lives!"
This was the wisest course—
at least their sect's millennia-old legacy might survive.
An Emperor's wrath
meant rivers of blood—
no idle threat!