Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1046 - 1046 0618 The First below Nascent Soul_2

Chapter 1046: Chapter 0618: The First below Nascent Soul_2 Chapter 1046: Chapter 0618: The First below Nascent Soul_2 Emperor Jianwu and the Huoyang Emperor had not expected that at this time, Yang Yongqi would still maintain such a resolute attitude, showing them not an ounce of face and utterly unwilling to take a single step back.

Both emperors were enraged; Emperor Jianwu spoke first, “Hear my command, no outsider is permitted to step foot in my Jianwu Palace without my permission. Those who defy this order shall be executed without mercy.”

The Huoyang Emperor followed suit, saying, “Let all those of Huoyang Palace prick up their ears and listen closely, from this day forward, Huoyang Palace and Jianwu Palace forge an alliance, sharing life and death. Anyone who dares to threaten the security of Jianwu Palace is a threat to our Huoyang Palace’s security, and thus, an enemy of Huoyang Palace. We have only one stance towards our enemies: kill, kill, kill!”

Emperor Jianwu and the Huoyang Emperor issued their commands in succession, causing the crowd from Zhao Shibo, Li Mijia, and others to surge with emotion, each revealing a chilling intent to kill, ready to fight to the death with Yang Yongqi.

Yang Yongqi had brought many people with him this time, but no matter how many he brought, they could not be compared to the combined forces of Jianwu Palace and Huoyang Palace. If they were to really come to blows, Yang Yongqi felt he would stand no chance. However, Yang Yongqi was not afraid or timid in the slightest. “The First below Nascent Soul” was not just an idle title; it represented not only Yang Yongqi’s personal strength but also a fearless courage.

As more and more people gathered around, Yang Yongqi suddenly lashed out. He moved swiftly, like an eagle snatching a rabbit, his strike as fast as lightning, aiming to capture Emperor Jianwu.

If he could capture Emperor Jianwu alive, then the people of Jianwu Palace, worried about harming their emperor, would not dare to move against him. He could then forcefully demand that Emperor Jianwu hand over Qi Tian, thereby completing the task given to him by Emperor Chaoyang.

As for whether this would offend Emperor Jianwu and incur the hatred of thousands of cultivators of Jianwu Palace, Yang Yongqi did not consider it at all.

How could the Emperor Jianwu’s people harbor greater hate? Did they actually have the ability to kill him? If someone could kill him, he would not have earned the title of “The First below Nascent Soul.”

Emperor Jianwu indeed harbored a cautious heart towards Yang Yongqi, but he truly did not expect that with so many people around, Yang Yongqi would still dare to make the first move on him. He really didn’t take him, the prince, seriously, thinking he was easy to bully.

Enraged, Emperor Jianwu’s body shimmered with light as several defensive magical instruments equipped on him were activated all at once, enveloping him in a tight shield. Emperor Jianwu had always feared death and had many as a dozen half-step Nascent Soul level magical instruments on him, over half of which were defensive in nature. With all these instruments activated at the same time, the strength of the defense could well be imagined.

Yang Yongqi seemed not to notice the light radiating from the activation of those defensive instruments around Emperor Jianwu, his speed unrelenting as he continued to charge straight toward Emperor Jianwu, determined to capture him.

“Yang Yongqi, what audacity you have.”

Seeing Yang Yongqi make a move to capture Emperor Jianwu right before him, the Huoyang Emperor became furious. Yang Yongqi’s actions had now thoroughly proven one thing: in his eyes, these former emperors of the Great Zhao Nation did not exist.

The Huoyang Emperor realized that words would no longer stop Yang Yongqi, so he hastily took action, condensing the magical power of his whole body into his palm and chopping towards Yang Yongqi’s back. His intent was to use the tactic of “rescuing Zhao by besieging Wei,” forcing Yang Yongqi to withdraw his attack to ensure Emperor Jianwu’s safety.

However, the Huoyang Emperor soon recognized that he had underestimated Yang Yongqi, who didn’t take his move seriously at all and continued to charge at Emperor Jianwu with the same rhythm.

Although there was some distance between Emperor Jianwu and Yang Yongqi, it wasn’t too far, especially since both were Gold Core Realm powerhouses. In particular, Yang Yongqi, known as the First below Nascent Soul, moved with such swiftness that it surpassed many people’s imagination. Nearly in an instant, he pounced to Emperor Jianwu’s side.

The only thing Emperor Jianwu had time for was to activate the defensive artifacts he wore, with no time left to strike back.

The large hand of Yang Yongqi, like an eagle’s claw, ferociously clutched at the luminescence swirling around Emperor Jianwu. Within that light, numerous runes swam around Emperor Jianwu like schools of fish. As Yang Yongqi’s hand came down, the runes seemed to have received a command, scrambling to block in front of his hand.

These runes were part of the defense provided by the Half-step Nascent Soul level artifacts, their defensive power incredibly strong, not something that could be easily breached by anyone. Yet, to everyone’s shock, the runes shattered like eggshells in front of Yang Yongqi’s hand, failing to provide any meaningful defense.

Emperor Jianwu’s face was a picture of shock; he had paid a tremendous price to acquire these Half-step Nascent Soul level artifacts, believing they would provide him with a strong defense and ensure his safety. He could never have imagined that when he actually used these defensive artifacts in real combat, they would be so fragile, so effortlessly penetrated by Yang Yongqi.

Although Yang Yongqi had only breached a part of the defense provided by these artifacts, his unstoppable momentum already made Emperor Jianwu lose all hope that they could genuinely ward off Yang Yongqi’s attacks.

A cold smirk appeared on Yang Yongqi’s lips. He wasn’t nicknamed “the First below Nascent Soul” for nothing. As the Commander of the Imperial Guard serving close to Emperor Chaoyang, Yang Yongqi not only received vigorous cultivation from the emperor but also pushed himself hard. He made good use of the resources provided for cultivation by Emperor Chaoyang, diligently practicing and placing considerable emphasis on the study of practical combat techniques and various spells and artifacts, hoping to find ways to enhance his combat prowess.

Emperor Chaoyang was very satisfied with his self-imposed rigorous practice. To reward Yang Yongqi’s efforts, he shared secrets with Yang Yongqi that outsiders were oblivious to. One of the biggest secrets was that within the Imperial Family Secret Territory, the Half-step Nascent Soul level artifacts actually varied in quality, with a massive disparity between the best and the poorest ones of their kind. When put to the test, the former almost always had a crushing advantage over the latter.

Of course, to utilize this advantage required certain techniques, and these were yet another secret Emperor Chaoyang told Yang Yongqi. This secret was known to very few within the Imperial Family Secret Territory; and according to Emperor Chaoyang, across the entirety of Eastern Capital City, those in the know could be counted on one hand.

Emperor Jianwu was not among this select few; otherwise, he would not have piled so many Half-step Nascent Soul level artifacts upon himself. Emperor Jianwu did not realize that the artifacts he possessed were essentially the lowest tier among their peers. No matter how many such artifacts he accumulated, when facing a superior grade, they would prove to be of little use.

Just like now, as Emperor Jianwu activated all the Half-step Nascent Soul level defensive artifacts on his body, which seemingly constructed an impregnable fortress around him. Yet without using any other special move, Yang Yongqi merely reached out with one hand to tear open a large gash in this so-called fortress.

All of this was thanks to a glove Yang Yongqi wore on his hand, a gift from Emperor Chaoyang. Among Half-step Nascent Soul level artifacts, it was definitely considered top-notch. Wearing such a glove, coupled with Yang Yongqi’s strength far surpassing Emperor Jianwu’s, joining forces made breaking through Emperor Jianwu’s defense not just easy but utterly effortless for him.