A heavy and strange aura slowly spread out around Xiang Kunlun.
"A mountain need not be tall; it becomes famous with an immortal," Xiang Kunlun said slowly.
His tone was calm and deep.
A massive mountain gradually appeared behind him.
The mountain was divided by the energies of yin and yang, vast and majestic.
"The mountain is called Kunlun, flowing eastward. On Mount Kunlun, the heavenly wind falls, and flutes play at the Twenty-Four Bridges."
As his voice fell, the phantom of the mountain behind him gradually became clear.
"Kunlun Mountain, Nine Cycles of Yin-Yang," Xiang Kunlun said as he slightly raised both hands.
At that moment, the mountain above his head was lifted into his palms, as if he was holding up the heavens.
On Kunlun Mountain, black and white energies of yin and yang intertwined and merged.
They turned into two beams of yin-yang light, surging mightily into the sky.
"Even if I lose, I want to fight you honorably and with all my strength," Xiang Kunlun roared.
He carried Kunlun Mountain on his back, his waist bent under the weight.
Blue veins bulged on his forehead as blood and sweat dripped from his head.
"Kunlun Within Me, Nine Cycles of Yin-Yang!" Xiang Kunlun shouted again.
The Kunlun Mountain behind him enlarged hundreds of times, merging with the yin-yang energies in the sky, pressing down toward Xu Zimo.
The Heaven-Shattering Giant raised its arms and lifted Kunlun Mountain overhead.
As the mountain fell, the giant’s body sank half a meter under the pressure.
Within Xu Zimo, the Power Vortexes spun wildly, each reaching its limit.
As more and more power flowed, the giant gradually stabilized.
Xiang Kunlun struggled to control Kunlun Mountain, pushing it step by step to suppress Xu Zimo.
This was the limit of what his body could withstand.
Still, he persisted, trying to fully suppress Xu Zimo.
As time passed, Xiang Kunlun’s body was covered with deep wounds. Blood sprayed from them, and even his eyes were filled with blood.
Cracks spread across his skin, if it went on, his body would shatter.
"Enough!" Elder Bei from the Imperial Throne Sacred Ground shouted. "Kunlun, surrender!"
"Elder, I won't," Xiang Kunlun shook his head. Cracking sounds echoed from within his body.
"In life, success and failure are inevitable. The tides rise and fall. Surrender now, and return when your destiny awakens," Elder Bei yelled.
He had watched Xiang Kunlun grow up and couldn’t bear to see him perish.
"Elder, I’ve had it too easy all my life. Undefeated among my peers, hailed as a prodigy by all, born into a lineage of three Grand Emperors. I can’t accept failure," Xiang Kunlun shouted. "If I surrender today, I may never have the courage to face him again."
"Why do this to yourself?" Elder Bei shook his head.
Looking at Xu Zimo, he said, "Young man, would you spare his life? We admit defeat, name your compensation."
"I don’t like trouble. Since we’ve fought, it’s to the death," Xu Zimo smiled.
"Do you not fear our Imperial Throne Sacred Ground’s revenge?" Elder Bei narrowed his eyes.
"You're welcome to try," Xu Zimo laughed.
Behind him, the Heaven-Shattering Giant roared toward the heavens, raising Kunlun Mountain even higher.
"I walk the path of cultivation, defying the heavens. The path of Heaven’s Will is paved with bones. If I wish to become a Grand Emperor, even if the whole world stands against me, so what?"
Hearing Xu Zimo's words, the people of Crown City were shaken.
"To stand against the world, how confident must a man be to say such words?"
"That guy..." Qin Fusu's eyes twitched, and he swallowed hard.
"Young Master Xu," Qin Shuang's gaze turned dazed as she stared.
It wasn’t until Qin Feng coughed that she snapped back to reality, her face flushing red.
"Father doesn't oppose you being together," Qin Feng said. "But your body still needs a solution."
"Is it because you see Young Master Xu's potential that you changed your mind?" Qin Shuang asked.
"Of course not," Qin Feng blushed and quickly explained. "I knew he was extraordinary all along. I just wanted to test him a bit. He’s a fine young man, he’ll do."
...
In the sky, Xiang Kunlun's body was on the verge of collapse.
Even Elder Bei dared not act rashly. This level of battle was beyond even him.
"Kunlun, let go, many people are still waiting for you," Elder Bei said anxiously.
"Elder Bei, please tell Master that I’m ashamed to face him. I’ve failed the Imperial Throne Sacred Ground. The lineage gave me everything, and I, Kunlun, have no way to repay it," Xiang Kunlun said solemnly. "I’m not worthy of becoming a Grand Emperor."
"Have you thought of Feiyu Qingyun? She’s still waiting for you at the sect," Elder Bei said, still unwilling to give up.
"Tell Qingyun that if there’s a next life, I won’t be a Holy Son. I won’t fight for Heaven’s Will. I’ll just live a quiet life with her," Xiang Kunlun said.
His body had completely begun to fracture.
With one final roar, he poured everything into it.
"Though I die, I am still the Holy Son of the Imperial Throne Sacred Ground!"
Kunlun Mountain instantly radiated blinding light and descended with his final strength.
Xiang Kunlun's body exploded.
As the mountain fell, the world shattered, everything returning to void.
"Kunlun!" Elder Bei shouted.
Kunlun Mountain vanished, and the world turned empty and silent.
Everyone looked toward where Xu Zimo had stood in the void, hoping to see the outcome.
A waist token swayed gently down from the sky in the wind.
Elder Bei reached out and caught it, it was Xiang Kunlun’s Holy Son token.
He stared around in confusion.
From the void, Xu Zimo calmly walked out.
Completely unharmed. Clothes unwrinkled.
"From today onward, you are an enemy of my Imperial Throne Sacred Ground," Elder Bei said quietly, his tone filled with murderous intent.
"Cool. Bring it on," Xu Zimo shrugged indifferently. "I am the current Holy Son of the True Martial Sacred Ground. I’ll be waiting for you at the lineage. Send as many immortals as you like."
Hearing this, Elder Bei's pupils contracted.
He turned his head in a daze, staring at Xu Zimo.
Xu Zimo had originally wanted to kill him, but considering he was still in Qin City, he didn’t want to drag the city into it, so he let him live.
Ignoring Elder Bei, Xu Zimo stepped through the air back into the Qin estate.
He glanced at Qin Fusu and said coldly, "If you ever come to Crown City again, I’ll destroy Supreme Crown."