A heavy atmosphere pervaded the air, making even the common folk in the Hou Qian Capital feel as if a catastrophe was imminent.

If the two were to engage in battle here, it would be a disaster more terrifying than any natural calamity, and countless lives would be lost in the conflict.

"I never imagined that before the Sword God even returned, you and I would fall into infighting," the Shengde Emperor's face was shrouded in gloom, his Qi Force rising and falling with the shift in his mood, resounding in all directions.

"The world is bustling for profit, all the clamor of the world comes from the pursuit of gain. You, I, and those common folks are essentially no different. Because of interest, we formed an alliance, and because of interest, we part ways.

In recent times, haven't you been secretly infiltrating the Northern Zhou, wanting to play tricks on them?"

Qing Yu's tone was rather calm, as if nothing was out of the ordinary; perhaps it was because he had taken the initiative, and now he was the one reaping the benefits.

The position of Hou Qian in the Central Plains was, in fact, quite awkward. To the south lay the vast Daqian, to the north the Northern Zhou, and to the west, the Western Regions—a sandwich between two powerful countries.

In the past, with Daqian being overwhelmingly strong, Hou Qian and Northern Zhou were like Shu and Wu among the Three Kingdoms, forming alliances. However, as Northern Zhou conquered the grasslands, gaining Meng Province, equivalent to three provinces, and fully united with the Four Demonic Sects, the Shengde Emperor realized that the situation was deteriorating.

Unknowingly, Hou Qian had become a buffer zone between two powerful nations, and the former ally was now a potential enemy.

Not to mention, Qing Yu, that ever more enigmatic ally and potential foe.

"Are you not afraid that I might turn to Elder Shiming and the others?"

"Therefore, this humble Daoist only led Shenxiao Dao back to the Taoist sect and did nothing more," Qing Yu said.

But in fact, his true thoughts were...

He was somewhat indifferent now.

With the advancement of his cultivation, Qing Yu felt more liberated and cared even less.

'I must still be a bit careful for now, lest the Shengde Emperor gets pushed too far and truly sides with Elder Shiming. Until then...'

'Wait, did I just say the Shengde Emperor is pushed too far? Tsk tsk, I guess I'm really getting a little too arrogant.'

Qing Yu internally chided himself, but his thoughts remained unchanged.

Indeed, saying the Shengde Emperor is pushed too far might sound arrogant, but the idea is quite similar. Aside from the fear of the Shengde Emperor completely turning against him, Qing Yu wasn't too concerned about the rest.

After all, with deeper studies into the "Soldier Armor Martial Scripture," Qing Yu's understanding of the Dao of Heaven and Earth had become exceedingly thorough, and it was time for him to delve into the Tenth Layer of the "Primordial Treasure."

"Did nothing more? Haha," the Shengde Emperor laughed deeply, "it seems I've truly been underestimated."

In an instant, the Qi Mechanism changed suddenly, the earlier stalemated formation shifting drastically, as the Shengde Emperor gathered energy and his punch stunned the world, representing the pinnacle of force.

"Overturning Mountains and Rivers."

With robust power capable of crushing mountains and rivers, the simple yet fiercely domineering Fist Power distorted the void.

"Firmamen Blood Armor."

Similarly, with a genuine palm strike, Qing Yu gathered the power of the Blood Vault, Extreme Yang's Qi Blood Essence converged in his palm and engaged in the most straightforward clash with the Shengde Emperor.

"Boom—"

When fist and palm collided, two massive powers fiercely countered, and the instantaneous impact caused the high-rise beneath them to collapse immediately, the exploding waves crashing like thunder, prompting all within the city to rush into the nearest shelters.

"Snap—"

The Shengde Emperor staggered back a step in mid-air, his stepping on the void causing the air to explode with a deafening sound.

As for Qing Yu, he merely wavered slightly before quickly stabilizing himself.

Who was superior was instantly clear to all. The Shengde Emperor, though mastered over force, failed against Qing Yu in terms of sheer strength, thus the outcome was evident.

For someone else, even if their strength was inferior, they could still find ways to compete with Qing Yu, for battles aren't solely won by strength. However, for the Shengde Emperor, adept in cultivation of strength, lacking in power meant slim chances of victory.

"It seems, this humble Daoist has the upper hand," Qing Yu withdrew his palm and smiled self-assuredly.

If the Shengde Emperor hadn't hidden his strength, then even if he were to persistently fight, he wouldn't stand a chance.

Moreover, this was the Hou Qian Capital; if a real battle were to unfold, the consequences...

certainly wouldn't be pleasant.

Compared to Qing Yu's smile, the Shengde Emperor's expression couldn't be described as anything other than foul; his lowered eyelids concealed endless anger.

But this Emperor wasn't to be underestimated, having risen from being Prince Shunping to a mighty hero; though his anger was intense, it vanished in an instant, hidden behind a composed facade.

He gazed intently at Qing Yu and spoke with extreme calm, "I have lost. Shenxiao Dao is yours."

Being able to pick up and put down, even if reluctance remained, was no reason to continue fighting. The recent clash between fist and palm had already affected many innocents, and continuing would only cause further losses, not to Qing Yu.

"Then this humble Daoist thanks the magnanimity of the Shengde Emperor," Qing Yu said with a polite bow.

He then turned his gaze toward Lin Zixiao, "Daoist Lin, the future master of Shenxiao Taoist School, please!"

"Daoist Master, you flatter this humble Daoist."

Lin Zixiao returned the courtesy, departing alongside Qing Yu.

From today forth, Dragon Tiger Mountain was utterly relegated to the past, stripped of the status of the Four Great Taoist Sects.

Watching the two depart, the Shengde Emperor's face showed no emotion, but the fists clenched beneath his sleeves indicated his heart was far from peaceful.

In his life, he had a discerning eye and made countless investments. The most successful investment should have been Qing Yu; the most failed investment should also have been Qing Yu.

Qing Yu had significantly aided the Shengde Emperor's current achievements and done many things for him, but no amount of help could compensate for the loss Qing Yu brought today.

And in the future, matters between them were still unfinished.

Elsewhere, Zhengtian Taoist knelt trembling on the ground, assembling the scattered limbs and perforated torso, staring at the blood-stained, pale face, a fierce flame of anger in his heart.

He had devoted nearly all his efforts to this grandson. Whether due to years of friendship with Lin Zixiao or his own conscience, both were sacrificed without hesitation, all so that his beloved grandson could have a brighter future.

But now, it was all gone.

"Was it that woman in black?" The words seemed to emanate from the sinister depths of the Nine Netherworld, filling everyone present with tremendous unease.

After a moment of silence, seeing Zhengtian Taoist's increasingly violent killing intent, finally, someone braved a reply: "From the current situation, yes."

Whether it was the remaining Evil Sword Energy in the corpse or the sword marks all around, it was clear it was that woman's doing.

This was not something hard to discern.

And the reason everyone dared not speak more was...

"Boom—"

In that instant, thunder erupted, unable to hold back the killing intent any further, Zhengtian Taoist found a vent through which his anger exploded in violent lightning and thunder.

And in this region, save for where Qu Zhen's corpse lay, all turned into a thunderous hell.

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