Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

The Mount Hua Tournament had concluded, but as the news spread, it shocked the entire Heavenly Sword Dynasty.

The Saint Heir of the Heart Sword Sacred Palace had emerged, and this Mount Hua Tournament had gathered the Saint Heirs and Holy Maidens of the three great sacred lands. In addition to two princes and a princess, the lineup was extraordinarily grand. Furthermore, the remnants of the Myriad Swords Sect, wanted by the Heavenly Sword Dynasty for 3,000 years, also appeared. They successfully achieved Enlightenment on Mount Hua, causing their strength to surge as they set a new record. However, both the Heartless Holy Son and Li Qingyue were relegated to supporting roles. The protagonist of this Mount Hua Tournament was a single person: the Nineteenth Prince!

The name of the Nineteenth Prince was already well-known, though only for his reputation as a prodigy. It was said his innate talent could rival that of the Second and Third Princes, but his strength was slightly inferior due to his youth. Yet, during this Mount Hua Tournament, the Nineteenth Prince stunned everyone. He not only defeated the Eighth Prince and the Thirteenth Princess one after another but also bested the descendants of the three great sacred lands.

Most terrifyingly, the Nineteenth Prince fought consecutive battles without any real rest, yet still had strength to spare by the end, indicating his true power was far greater than what he had shown. Moreover, upon ascending the summit of Mount Hua, he underwent a baptism of Sword Intent and comprehended an extremely dreadful Slaughter Sword Intent. This Sword Intent, which used slaughter as the sword to massacre all living beings, was among the highest tier. If cultivated to its extreme, it would be in no way inferior to the Sword Intent of Ages.

These various feats transformed the Nineteenth Prince’s name from being widely known to utterly sensational.

The entire Heavenly Sword Dynasty—its nine Daozhou, countless Sword Cultivators, and billions of living beings—was astonished by the Nineteenth Prince’s brilliant battle record. For a time, he was the subject of endless discussion.

”How did the Nineteenth Prince cultivate? He seems to be only sixteen this year, yet he’s so powerful. He will surely be able to achieve Path Enlightenment, become a Great Emperor, and command respect throughout the eight desolations.”

”The Nineteenth Prince has been lying low for many years, perhaps waiting for this stunning opportunity. Now his fame has already surpassed the Second and Third Princes, second only to the Heavenly Sword Crown Prince.”

”It’s said that the Nineteenth Prince subdued the remnants of the Myriad Swords Sect and obtained the *Myriad Swords Returning Origin Technique*. Perhaps his strength is related to this miraculous Cultivation Technique.”

All kinds of speculation arose as everyone grew curious about how the Nineteenth Prince cultivated and why he was so powerful. In no time, a dozen different versions of his story were circulating.

But no matter how they speculated or what they fabricated, one fact could not be changed: the Nineteenth Prince had indeed made a stunning debut. His fame within the Heavenly Sword Dynasty was now second only to that of the Heavenly Sword Crown Prince. Sooner or later, this news would reach the ears of the Flying Immortal Great Emperor. When it did, the Nineteenth Prince’s status might rise to be second only to the Heavenly Sword Crown Prince, making him the second-greatest prodigy.

Mingzhou, one of the nine great Daozhou of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty, bordered Sword Province and was incomparably prosperous. Within a certain region of Mingzhou, a palace was nestled amidst towering mountains and steep cliffs. This palace was extraordinarily luxurious and imposing, no less magnificent than the grand halls within the imperial palace.

This was the private palace of the Second Prince.

Today, this private palace welcomed a special guest: the Third Prince!

It was common knowledge that the Second Prince and the Third Prince were close in age and possessed exceptional innate talent. Coupled with the fact that their mothers were not on good terms, the two princes were in constant conflict, always at daggers drawn.

The Third Prince had a tall and commanding stature, towering like a mountain. Although he bore some resemblance to the Nineteenth Prince, he had a square face and an air of iron-blooded slaughter forged on the battlefield. As a general, the Third Prince had led armies on northern expeditions and southern campaigns, earning outstanding military honors for the Heavenly Sword Dynasty. At this moment, he strode into the palace, heading straight for the Inner Palace under a servant’s guidance.

Soon, the Third Prince met the Second Prince.

In contrast to the Third Prince’s towering and rugged appearance, the Second Prince was clad in white, exuding an aura of scholarly grace. At that moment, he was absorbed in painting a stalk of green bamboo. It was so lifelike and lush that it seemed ready to spring from the paper.

”Second Brother, you seem to be in high spirits. With such a major event unfolding, how do you still have the heart for painting?” the Third Prince huffed, sitting down without any pretense.

The Second Prince did not reply, continuing his work. Only after laying down the final stroke did he set down his brush, wash and dry his hands, and turn to face his brother. The Second Prince was well-proportioned with a face as fine as jade and black hair draped over his shoulders. His scholarly bearing was so distinct that he seemed less a prince and more a great scholar from a learning academy.

”Third Brother, your heart is in turmoil,” the Second Prince said after taking a sip of tea. His expression was calm and his pace unhurried, as if nothing in the world could perturb him.

”If Second Brother’s heart were not in turmoil, he wouldn’t be painting to calm his mind,” the Third Prince sneered. He had always seen the Second Prince as his rival and naturally understood him well.

The Second Prince simply smiled at being called out, showing no anger. He had cultivated his character and nurtured a core of vast righteousness, so he was not easily provoked.

”Second Brother, though neither of us is destined for the Crown Prince’s throne, the position of the second-greatest prodigy has been our battleground for years. Previously, no one else could contend with us, but now our Nineteenth Brother has come out of nowhere. His innate talent and strength are in no way inferior to ours. If we don’t restrain him in some way, I’m afraid he will seize that position,” the Third Prince said, his military background and straightforward nature making him unable to hold back his thoughts.

They could not challenge the Heavenly Sword Crown Prince’s position, but the second-greatest prodigy also wielded immense power and resources. If nothing else, the mere opportunity to cultivate in the Myriad Virtual Realm was enough to make anyone burn with envy. The Myriad Virtual Realm was a Great Emperor’s Void Realm personally created by Great Emperor Zhankong. It was later augmented by successive Emperors, making it in no way inferior to any Blessed Land. For Sword Cultivators, it was an even more precious existence.

Throughout history, only the Emperor and the Crown Prince were qualified to cultivate there. This generation’s Flying Immortal Great Emperor, however, decided to add one more spot, further intensifying the princes’ struggle.

”Worry not. The Sword Path Convention is still three months away,” the Second Prince said calmly, showing no sign of panic.

This Sword Path Convention had been personally decreed by the Flying Immortal Great Emperor. The first-place winner would earn the right to cultivate in the Myriad Virtual Realm. Moreover, the Flying Immortal Great Emperor had made a bold innovation this time. The event was not limited to the Imperial Family; he had issued a broad invitation to heroes from across the land. Any Sword Cultivator could participate, making the scale of this Sword Path Convention truly unprecedented. The emergence of the Heartless Holy Son was also related to this event. Even beyond the Heavenly Sword Dynasty, many talented Sword Cultivators were sharpening their blades and heading toward the Imperial Capital.

”Even if he is monstrously talented, how much can he improve in three months? You and I are both at the Seventh or Eighth Layer of the Supreme Realm.”

”Furthermore, as long as we join forces, he may not even make it back to the Imperial Capital alive!”

A triumphant smile played at the corners of the Second Prince’s lips, as if victory was already in his grasp. This time, he intended to join forces with the Third Prince to nip this threat—their nineteenth brother—in the bud.