“SKY! OVERTURNING! SEAL!!”
With a thunderous roar, Imperial Elder Liu Ning unleashed the full might of the Sky-Overturning Seal, transforming it into a primordial divine mountain that crashed down toward the Vermilion Bird.
The crushing force behind the seal was pushed to its absolute limit under Liu Ning’s control.
Beneath its shadow, the divine beast immediately sensed overwhelming peril—as if the seal intended to grind it into dust.
A furious shriek tore from its throat.
“NO!!”
In desperation, the Vermilion Bird unleashed its ultimate technique: Vermilion Divine Flames.
The scorching blaze not only slowed the descent of the Sky-Overturning Seal but also lashed at Liu Ning himself, searing the hand that wielded the treasure.
But that wasn’t all.
The Vermilion Bird summoned the power of the Southern Star Constellations, channeling their celestial might into a devastating charge against the seal.
“BOOM!!”
The collision reverberated across the entire realm.
The sheer force of the impact detonated mountain ranges within a ten-thousand-mile radius, flattening them into barren wastelands.
Countless cultivators cowered within their sects, not daring to so much as peek outside.
They all recognized the unmistakable aura of Emperor-level combat—a battle far beyond their comprehension, let alone their right to witness.
Yet Ye Wushuang stood right in the heart of it all.
Though perilous, his position granted him a front-row seat to the clash.
In his eyes, the Vermilion Bird resembled the legendary Gong Gong, the deity who once shattered Mount Buzhou in his rage.
But while the bird had the ferocity of that mythic act, it lacked the divine authority.
And this time, its opponent wasn’t an unyielding pillar of heaven—but the Sky-Overturning Seal, wielded by Liu Ning himself.
The result?
A single collision left the Vermilion Bird wounded.
A smirk tugged at Liu Ning’s lips.
“Hah! Still think our Divine Dragon Imperial Family’s treasure is ‘nothing special’?”
“Let me enlighten you—back when I was just an Immortal Monarch, I used this very seal to face down an Emperor!”
“Now that I’m a Quasi-Emperor? Even a divine beast like you will grovel!”
With that, he slammed the seal down again.
Compared to Ye Wushuang’s laborious activation, Liu Ning wielded the Sky-Overturning Seal like a brick—casual, effortless, yet devastating.
Except this “brick” was a primordial divine mountain refined into a supreme treasure.
The Vermilion Bird had no chance.
It wanted to retaliate, to strike back at Ye Wushuang and Liu Ning.
But the seal came too fast—relentless, crushing, without pause.
Each blow demanded its full attention, leaving no opening for counterattacks.
After a dozen strikes, the divine beast was heavily injured, its defenses on the verge of collapse.
Fury and helplessness warred within it.
But survival came first.
“Hmph! Divine Dragon Imperial Family—mark my words, this isn’t over!”
“What belongs to the demon race will never be yours to keep!”
With that final threat, the Vermilion Bird fled, its crimson form vanishing into the horizon.
If it stayed any longer, the Sky-Overturning Seal would have reduced it to paste.
It needed to regroup—to either devise a strategy or retrieve a treasure capable of rivaling the seal.
Liu Ning considered pursuit, but two factors held him back:
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He wasn’t a true Emperor yet.
-
This was merely a soul fragment projection, not his full power.
Without absolute confidence in killing the Vermilion Bird, he let it go.
With the threat gone, Ye Wushuang was finally safe.
Liu Ning exhaled, his tone shifting to something almost casual.
“Good disciple, now that you’ve mastered the Undying Heaven Art, it’s time to come home.”
“Understood!”
Carrying such precious treasures, Ye Wushuang had no intention of lingering.
The appearance of an Emperor proved that more predators lurked in the shadows.
After several days of travel, he finally returned to the Divine Dragon Heavenly Palace.
Not long after, the two Immortal Monarchs of the imperial family also regrouped, and Huo Lingshan was settled within the Divine Dragon Imperial City.
All in all, it was a hugely profitable venture—no losses, only gains.
But the true shock came when Ye Wushuang presented the Phoenix True Blood he’d retrieved.
Liu Ning’s eyes nearly bulged out of his skull.
“By the heavens—this much Phoenix True Blood?!”
“Does this mean… anyone in our imperial family with sufficient talent could cultivate the Undying Heaven Art now?”
Ye Wushuang nodded. “Exactly. Master, why not try it yourself? Mastery grants blood-rebirth—true immortality!”
Liu Ning hesitated. “Tempting… but no. What I lack isn’t techniques, but the ‘Dao Intent’ to ascend to Emperorhood. Once I grasp it, breakthrough will come naturally.”
“Dao Intent?”
“Think of it as… understanding one’s own path, the truth that fits oneself.”
Truthfully, as a Quasi-Emperor, Liu Ning was already on the cusp of true Emperor status.
He could feel his Dao, but reaching full mastery required time.
By his logic, cultivating the Undying Heaven Art now would be a distraction.
Yet Ye Wushuang pressed on.
“Master, I’ve realized the Undying Heaven Art synergizes perfectly with the Eight-Nine Heaven Art. Combined, they could multiply your power.”
Liu Ning waved a hand, his demeanor eerily calm.
“I’m aware. I’ll… consider it.”
With that, he strode away, every inch the unshakable, dignified master.
Or so it seemed.
The moment he was out of sight—
“ARGH! DAMN IT ALL!!”
Liu Ning clutched his hair, stomping like a petulant child.
“I have to learn a technique my disciple brought back? Humiliating! Utterly humiliating!”
“Why does this keep happening?! Maintaining my dignity as a master is too damn hard!!”
Of course he knew the two arts were complementary.
Hell, he was the one who’d taught Ye Wushuang this very concept, prompting the quest for Phoenix True Blood in the first place!
But pride was a stubborn thing.
Before the Divine Dragon Empress, Liu Ning had spent a lifetime upholding an image of unyielding strength.
How could he possibly admit he wanted to learn his disciple’s technique?
So he refused—outwardly.
In secret, though?
Oh, he’d absolutely be cultivating the Undying Heaven Art.
