At this moment, a grand sacrifice was underway below. Before a colossal sculpture, several massive beast heads were displayed. A sea of people knelt on the ground, praying, "Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor, open your eyes and behold the world we inhabit! We have no cultivation resources and are forced by the people of the Red Leaf Kingdom to mine spirit stones and hand them over to the royal family. Most of our tribesmen die from torture before completing their cultivation. Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor! I, Hei Kui, leader of the Black Water Tribe, lead my entire tribe in beseeching you to descend and save us from this abyss."
With a whoosh, a figure descended from the sky, landing on the statue, causing it to topple and shatter on the ground.
Everyone looked up, a profound silence falling. The air itself seemed to freeze.
"Who did you just invite to descend?" a tribesman named Tie Gang tentatively asked Hei Kui.
Hei Kui blinked, then slowly came to his senses. "You mean, he's the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor? But he doesn't look like it. So young, and his cultivation seems low."
At this point, Mo Qi's entire body felt as if it were falling apart. He rolled on the ground, groaning in pain.
After a long while, he managed to struggle to his feet. Seeing a circle of people surrounding him, he asked with some confusion, "What are you all doing? No need to be so polite. By the way, where is this place?"
Tie Gang nudged Hei Kui, urging him to make a decision.
Hei Kui hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you think there's a possibility he's not the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor?"
Cao Hehua said, "Why don't we just ask directly? If he is, he is; if not, he's not. What's the big deal? I believe if he truly is the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor, he'd be broad-minded and wouldn't fuss over such minor details."
Hei Kui stood up and looked at Mo Qi. "Are you the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor?"
Mo Qi was stunned by the question.
He seemed to understand. No wonder so many people were kneeling here; they mistook him for some Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor!
What was that?
But should he tell them the truth?
If he told them the truth, would they be angry because they had knelt before him, perhaps even fly into a rage and attack him?
He quickly scanned the crowd and broke out in a cold sweat. Everyone he looked at had a cultivation level higher than his own!
This was life-threatening!
Were all these otherworldly realms so exaggerated?
A flash of inspiration struck him. If he didn't deny it, and let them believe he was, then he wouldn't be lying, right?
"Uh," Mo Qi coughed dryly, "It's like this, I'm here on a secret mission, and I don't want anyone to know my whereabouts. Also, I've concealed some of my cultivation. I hope you won't spread the word or try to test me."
Hei Kui immediately prostrated himself again and whispered, "We understand, greetings, Sacred Emperor!"
"Greetings, Sacred Emperor!" the others echoed in unison, kowtowing respectfully.
Mo Qi put on a stern face and put his hand to his mouth. "Shhh!"
The others immediately became alert and cautiously raised their hands to their mouths. "Shhh!"
Mo Qi waved his hand. "You may all rise."
The crowd slowly stood up.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out, startling Mo Qi. "He's not the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor, absolutely not!"
Everyone turned to look at the speaker. It was Yan Xing! The deputy leader of the Black Water Tribe and a strong contender for the chieftainship. He had nearly ousted the chieftain several times.
Ultimately, his schemes failed because the chieftain still had more supporters.
However, he hadn't given up and was constantly plotting how to depose the chieftain and take his place.
His shout not only startled Mo Qi but also the chieftain, who roared, "How dare you, Yan Xing! It's bad enough you defy me normally, but now that the Sacred Emperor has descended, you spew such rebellious nonsense. Are you tired of living? Guards..."
He was about to order Yan Xing to be dragged away, but Yan Xing interrupted him. "Stop acting so high and mighty, and you're not even a tiger you're borrowing power from, at best a fly."
"Bold! You deserve to die!" an elder, as ancient as a sculpture, tottered forward and struck Yan Xing with his staff.
His staff was meant to support his body, but in striking Yan Xing, it failed to injure him; instead, the elder himself stumbled and fell to the ground.
The crowd rushed forward, helping him up. "Ancestor, take it easy."
The elder struggled, trying to strike again, but was pulled back by others.
Yan Xing glanced at him dismissively. "Old man, why don't you just die."
He then turned back to Mo Qi. "Are you the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor?"
"Are you qualified to know?" Mo Qi met his gaze and said.
"See? He doesn't even have the courage to admit he's the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor. How can he be the Sacred Emperor?" Yan Xing chuckled dryly, looking at the surrounding people, and finally fixed his gaze on Hei Kui. "Do you still believe he is the Sacred Emperor?"
After Yan Xing's words, Hei Kui also began to suspect that the person before him might not be the Sacred Emperor. But at this point, how could he admit he was wrong?
If he admitted his mistake, Yan Xing and his cronies would seize upon it, stir up emotions, and force him to abdicate. That was something they were capable of.
Moreover, everyone was merely speculating; he had no direct evidence to prove this person was not the Sacred Emperor.
As long as this person held his ground and refused to back down, Yan Xing would have no recourse.
Therefore, even if he was wrong, he could only stubbornly persist in his error until it was unequivocally exposed.
He nodded heavily and said with firm conviction, "It's not what I think, it *is* the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor! We called him, and he descended from the heavens. This is the resonance between heaven and earth, do you understand? You wouldn't understand, this is something destined by fate, just like how you want to be chieftain but can't be."
"You..." Yan Xing gritted his teeth in anger.
Then, he thought, the one who tied the knot must untie it. He glared fiercely at Mo Qi. "It's not too late for you to admit you were impersonating him. We might spare you, considering you lied to save your life, and won't pursue your offense. However, if I find out later that you are not the Sacred Emperor, it will be a death sentence."
Mo Qi shivered, terrified. How would he test him?
If it came to a fight, he would surely be no match for them!
But hadn't he already stated that he had concealed his cultivation? Was this guy still so stubborn?
If he truly was so stubborn, then the test would reveal everything!
What should he do? Should he admit it now?
If he admitted it now, would they be kind enough to let him go?
Probably not!
The chieftain coughed dryly. "Yan Xing, who do you think you are, deciding everything? This matter is up to me. If he is not the Sacred Emperor, he will be executed on the spot, no room for negotiation."
The chieftain was truly ruthless!
He was forcing Mo Qi to continue playing the Sacred Emperor!
Damn it, why were they dragging me into their squabble?
Yan Xing also realized that the chieftain was determined to be stubborn, even if he was wrong!
He thought for a moment, then smiled. This was a good thing. The more stubborn the chieftain was, the more egregious his mistakes would be, and the harder he would fall later!
Let him fall and break!
Yan Xing laughed triumphantly for a while, making both the chieftain and Mo Qi uneasy.
His followers found his laughter imposing, while the chieftain's loyal followers frowned. This man was a lunatic; it was fortunate he hadn't become chieftain, otherwise, they would all be driven mad.
After laughing his fill, Yan Xing looked at Mo Qi and slowly said, "Since you are the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor, then all matters of the Myriad Realms are within your control. Tell me, what will I do next?"
Mo Qi's heart trembled. This was a deadly question!
He clearly intended to attack him.
But if he said Yan Xing was going to attack, then Yan Xing wouldn't attack.
Therefore, no matter what, he would lose!
Mo Qi's anger surged. Ever since he left Fengxi Village, he had never faced such a severe threat. Minor threats had all been eliminated by him.
In essence, this was a test of his deduction skills.
Although the laws of heaven and earth were in his heart, and he occasionally had flashes of insight, he couldn't predict things at will with complete mastery.
The surrounding people watched Mo Qi intently, their expressions varied.
Yan Xing's gaze was sharp as he stared at Mo Qi, looking as if he had him cornered. In fact, there was a hint of pity in his eyes.
Mo Qi was completely enraged. He suddenly erupted, "You will retaliate next!"
"Star Sea Illusion Flow!"
The sky suddenly erupted with starlight, striking towards Yan Xing.
Yan Xing had not expected such a fierce move!
This was completely outside his predictions!
He hadn't even offered this option!
And judging by the momentum, it was an overwhelming, world-devouring attack, a desperate move intended to kill him instantly!
But if he killed Yan Xing, could he survive?
Certainly not. He would be swarmed and killed by everyone else.
But he seemed fearless of death!
This was a madman, even crazier than himself.
A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind as the starlight bore down on him. If he didn't retaliate, he would surely die on the spot.
So, he sighed and quickly formed a hand seal. "Nine Revolving Windmill!"
A windmill-shaped light projection appeared out of thin air and spun rapidly in the air. As it spun, the light projection grew, extending like tentacles and piercing the starlight. A rustling sound was heard as the starlight was shattered. The fragmented light projections were stirred by the windmill and pulled into it. With a creaking sound, the starlight disappeared, and the windmill gradually dissipated.
"Was my prediction accurate?" Mo Qi looked at Yan Xing with a triumphant smile.
Yan Xing snorted. "You're very clever, but your cleverness will be your undoing. That move just now revealed your true nature. The cultivation displayed was less than mine. And you still dare to claim you are the Myriad Realms Sacred Emperor?"
Mo Qi broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed he was doomed today.
But no matter what, he had to struggle. "I wasn't using my full strength just now. I was afraid of killing you."
Hei Kui immediately stepped forward, echoing, "Yes, yes, the Sacred Emperor wasn't using his full strength. Otherwise, how could your frail body withstand the destruction?"
Yan Xing was speechless. One plan failed, so he devised another. "I heard the Sacred Emperor possesses the Phoenix True Body. If you can display your Phoenix True Body, then I will believe you are the Sacred Emperor."