Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Hearing Su Han’s voice, Li Qingyue turned around in delight, her cool demeanor warming like the spring.

Although Su Han currently wore the guise of the Nineteenth Prince, in Li Qingyue’s eyes, his presence was a source of pure joy.

”Congratulations to Your Highness on emerging from seclusion!” Li Mingliang’s earlier anxiety vanished, and he quickly bowed. As for the Crane Sword Saint, he had already become Su Han’s most loyal follower and thus had no need for such formalities.

”First Layer of the Phenomenon Realm. Not bad, you’ve progressed quickly!” Su Han’s gaze fell upon Li Qingyue. Noticing her significant improvement and sensing her Sword Intent of Cold Moon, he nodded, not sparing any praise.

Basking in Su Han’s compliments, Li Qingyue’s heart felt sweet, yet she did not become complacent. She secretly resolved to work even harder.

After emerging from the underground passage, Su Han had learned the current date. Knowing only one day remained until the Mount Hua Sword Competition, he wasted no more time on reminiscing. ”It’s getting late,” he said. ”Let’s set off now!”

”Yes!” Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue naturally had no objections.

Due to the time constraint, Su Han did not bring along the Nineteenth Prince’s maids and attendants, letting them make their way to the venue on their own.

”A respectful farewell to Your Highness!” The members of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion saw him off with great respect. As for the death of the Copper Tiger Saint, Su Han, using his identity as the Nineteenth Prince, had already fabricated a reason to temporarily placate the Pavilion’s higher-ups.

”Let’s depart!” Seated in the Golden Chariot, Su Han activated it with the Secret of the Soldier Character. Instantly, the chariot became a streak of golden light, speeding toward Mount Hua. As for Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue, the Crane Sword Saint brought them along to travel faster.

The Golden Chariot was not merely a symbol of status; it was also a Low Grade Holy Artifact. When fully powered, it was capable of traversing time and space at incomprehensible speeds.

With Su Han’s current strength, he couldn’t unleash the full power of the Holy Artifact, even while wearing the Ghostly Face Mask. However, activating just forty to fifty percent of its power was enough for the Golden Chariot to exceed the speed of sound. This speed was comparable to his all-out sprint using the Character Technique of Motion.

The Golden Chariot was the transport of choice for each prince, while princesses used white jade palanquins. Both were equally precious and impressive Holy Artifacts.

Riding in the Golden Chariot, Su Han moved with extreme speed, tearing through the sky and quickly vanishing from the territory of Fine Copper City. Meanwhile, the Crane Sword Saint enveloped Li Qingyue and Li Mingliang in Spiritual Energy, leading them in pursuit of the Golden Chariot. Their speed was also remarkable.

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Luckily, Fine Copper City was situated within Cangzhou’s borders. Although it was some distance away, after a day and a night of travel, Su Han and the Crane Sword Saint finally arrived.

It was the break of dawn. The first light of morning spread across the sky, dispelling the darkness and bringing light to the entire world.

The first ray of sunlight pierced the thick clouds, descending from the heavens with a golden glow. It landed atop Mount Hua, and instantly, the summit was adorned with a touch of gold. It was as if the mountain wore a golden diadem, making it look all the more extraordinary.

Mount Hua was not particularly towering, standing less than four thousand meters high. However, the mountain itself was massive, with connected mountain ranges on all sides. It stood out among the surrounding peaks like a crane among chickens, its presence as noticeable as a giant in a crowd.

While the mountain ranges surrounding Mount Hua were lush with vegetation, a sea of forests, Mount Hua itself was completely barren. Not a hint of grass or even moss could be found, giving it a stark and sudden appearance.

”Your Highness, the sword scars left by Great Emperor Zhankong remain atop Mount Hua,” Li Mingliang explained. ”Even after ten thousand years, they are still as fresh as the day they were made, and a faint Sword Intent of Ages lingers within them. That is why not a single blade of grass grows here.”

The Sword Intent of Ages was something every member of the Imperial Family yearned for, as it represented not just a powerful sword intent but also the majesty of their ancestors. Unfortunately, over the past ten thousand years, very few had been able to comprehend it.

Although the sword scars on Mount Hua contained the Sword Intent of Ages, it was extremely tenuous. This was because the scars were left when Great Emperor Zhankong achieved Instant Sanctification, not when he ascended to emperorhood or godhood. Furthermore, ten thousand years of erosion had greatly diminished the intent.

Originally, Mount Hua was forbidden territory, cordoned off by the Heavenly Sword Dynasty and accessible only to the Imperial Family for contemplating the sword intent. However, with the passage of time and the emergence of many sword cultivation prodigies, the thirtieth Emperor ordered the mountain to be opened. He established the annual Mount Hua Sword Competition to attract talented individuals and bolster the dynasty’s strength.

Although the Sword Intent of Ages on Mount Hua was tenuous, it was still an invaluable treasure to others. This was why the annual Mount Hua Sword Competition attracted countless sword cultivation prodigies. Moreover, the first-place winner was granted the opportunity to ascend the summit and receive a baptism of sword intent. Some achieved a massive breakthrough with a single baptism, while others even managed to comprehend the Sword Intent of Ages afterward. Such possibilities only added to the importance of the Mount Hua Sword Competition, which drew innumerable participants and prodigies every year.

”Your Highness, the Heavenly Sword Crown Prince was originally just the Fifteenth Prince,” Li Mingliang continued, revealing another piece of information. ”Three years ago, he participated in the Mount Hua Sword Competition here and won first place. After undergoing the baptism of sword intent, he comprehended the Sword Intent of Ages and successfully cultivated the Sword Scripture of Ages. Only then did he gain the attention of Great Emperor Zhankong, who appointed him Crown Prince and began tutoring him personally!”

This news was not a secret, as many people knew it. It was for this very reason that the Mount Hua Sword Competition had been even more bustling than usual in the last two years, attracting even more sword cultivation prodigies.

The Heavenly Sword Crown Prince was a legendary figure. Before his rise, he was an inconspicuous and ordinary prince. His innate talent was considered slightly inferior even to that of the Nineteenth Prince, let alone the Second and Third Princes.

But it was on Mount Hua that he comprehended the Sword Intent of Ages and cultivated the Sword Scripture of Ages, becoming the legendary Crown Prince. It was well known that while the sword scars on Mount Hua contained remnants of the Sword Intent of Ages, the intent was too diffuse. For countless years, no one had succeeded in comprehending it. The Heavenly Sword Crown Prince was the first to do so. Combined with his previously inconspicuous reputation, his success brought even greater fame to Mount Hua.

The Eighth Prince and the Thirteenth Princess were here this time for the same reason. They also hoped to comprehend the Sword Intent of Ages as the Heavenly Sword Crown Prince had. Even though the chances were slim, it was still a worthwhile opportunity.

Gazing at the sun-bathed peak of Mount Hua with a touch of curiosity, Su Han spoke. ”Although the Heavenly Sword Dynasty is the archenemy of the Myriad Swords Sect, Great Emperor Zhankong was a legendary figure in his own right.” He then turned to advise Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue. ”The sword scars he left behind from his Instant Sanctification certainly have remarkable aspects. I hope you can set aside your prejudices and contemplate them with an open mind. Even if you cannot comprehend the Sword Intent of Ages, I hope you can use this opportunity to affirm your own sword path and refine your sword intent.”

He did not want Li Mingliang and Li Qingyue to miss this opportunity because of hatred.

”Your Highness, rest assured. We will not let hatred blind us,” Li Mingliang replied, understanding Su Han’s intentions. He, too, did not wish to miss such an opportunity.

”Dawn has broken, and sunlight bathes the peak. Today is surely a good day. Let’s go!” With a wave of his hand, Su Han led everyone as they flew toward Mount Hua.

The Mount Hua Sword Competition was about to begin