Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1388 - 1388 0788 How Am I Performing Now_2

Chapter 1388: Chapter 0788: How Am I Performing Now_2 Chapter 1388: Chapter 0788: How Am I Performing Now_2 Emperor Daqian and the others were primarily Princes who had entered the Imperial Family Secret Territory relatively early. In their hands, they had amassed one or two Nascent Soul Stage Magic Weapons, and they hadn’t even revealed any Half-step Nascent Soul level weapons. However, gathering these treasures had taken them hundreds of years. On the other hand, Emperor Zhi Wu had been in the Imperial Family Secret Territory for a little over a hundred years, and no matter what, it shouldn’t have been possible for him to possess two Nascent Soul Stage Magic Weapons. Yet, Emperor Zhi Wu had managed exactly that. Furthermore, judging by his demeanor, he might even have more Nascent Soul Stage Magic Weapons hidden on him. If this assumption was correct, then Emperor Zhi Wu was truly terrifying.

At first, Emperor Daqian and the others did not intend to exert their full strength, believing that three or four-tenths of their power would suffice to crush Emperor Zhi Wu. Now, they realized that if they continued with this mindset, not only would they be unable to defeat Emperor Zhi Wu, they might even suffer a significant loss at his hands.

Instantly, Emperor Daqian bellowed and produced a Nascent Soul Stage Magic Weapon that he had obtained while exploring a Saint’s Tomb. It was a long spear, dark in color, and seemingly unexceptional. Yet, as soon as Emperor Daqian held it in his hands, an overpowering aura immediately emanated from him and swept all around.

The other two Princes reacted just as swiftly, each brandishing a Nascent Soul Stage Magic Weapon like Emperor Daqian had. With their current cultivation and strength, it was very difficult to wield Nascent Soul Stage Magic Weapons, but not using them now was out of the question. If they continued to hide them, they might be at risk of being counter-killed by Emperor Zhi Wu. To prevent this from happening, they had to risk draining a significant amount of their magic power and even damage their own foundations to use their Nascent Soul Stage Magic Weapons and fight alongside Emperor Daqian.

Before long, Emperor Daqian, along with the three Princes, had surrounded Emperor Zhi Wu, and a fierce battle ensued among them. Surprisingly, even though Emperor Zhi Wu’s cultivation level was much lower than that of Emperor Daqian and his cohort, he was not at a disadvantage in the struggle. In fact, it seemed as though he might overturn the situation at any moment and overpower them.

All the Princes were taken aback. If they hadn’t experienced it themselves, they would never have believed such an absurd turn of events could occur. Yet, it was happening right before their eyes, and they found it utterly incomprehensible.

Emperor Daqian was the quickest to respond. He immediately called out to the two other Princes guarding Emperor Liuyong. “You two, stop spectating and come help us! Let’s join forces to take down Emperor Zhi Wu, or it will be too late!”

As the two Princes were about to take action, Emperor Zhi Wu shouted, “Ancestors, don’t be swayed by Emperor Daqian’s instigation. Please, think carefully. You were so frightened by Qi Tian that you dared not make a move, weren’t you? It’s because he could kill Zhao Deyi. I won’t deny Qi Tian’s strength, but please open your eyes and see for yourselves – how am I performing now? Do I have the capability to contend with Qi Tian?”

The two Princes were momentarily stunned. Indeed, just as Emperor Zhi Wu had said, their fear of Qi Tian stemmed from a single reason: Qi Tian’s ability to kill Zhao Deyi. Even Zhao Deyi, who had ascended to the Nascent Soul Stage, couldn’t defeat Qi Tian, let alone them. But now, Emperor Zhi Wu seemed formidable, single-handedly holding his ground against three such as Emperor Daqian. Such formidable combat power – could it mean that Emperor Zhi Wu had strength comparable to the Nascent Soul Stage? And if so, might he be capable of standing against Qi Tian?

Even if Emperor Zhi Wu was slightly inferior to Qi Tian, the difference was marginal. But let’s not forget that they were many in number, and this was Xidu; they could call for additional reinforcements. They could combine all their forces, along with Emperor Zhi Wu’s formidable power, to potentially defeat Qi Tian. If they could accomplish this, why should they continue to fear Qi Tian? Why not just kill him, seize the opportunities he possessed, and maintain their dignity as Princes? Wouldn’t this outcome be preferable to their current subservience to Qi Tian?

“Ancestors, if you trust me, I ask you to release my Ancestor and then join me in taking down Emperor Daqian and the others. Afterward, we can unite against Qi Tian. Please believe me, Ancestors, I have already laid a trap in the Grand Ancestor Temple – a net that Qi Tian cannot possibly escape. Once we clear the surroundings of all possible distractions, we can enter the Grand Ancestor Temple, slay Qi Tian, behead him, and appease the disturbed spirit of our Grand Ancestor.”

Emperor Zhi Wu’s words were highly provocative, and the two princes who were guarding Emperor Liuyong were immediately tempted. They exchanged glances and reached a consensus in an instant, then released Emperor Liuyong.

At this point, Emperor Liuyong knew there was no possibility of reconciliation between them and Qi Tian. He immediately took out a Nascent Soul Stage magic weapon and, pointing at Emperor Daqian and his allies who were fighting intensely with Emperor Zhi Wu, shouted, “Emperor Daqian, I’m giving you a chance. Stop fighting right now, and ally with us to kill Qi Tian and honor the Grand Ancestor’s spirit.”

Emperor Daqian refused to stop. The magic weapon in his hand attacked with even greater ferocity, and the moves he used became increasingly deadly. Just a moment before, he had still been concerned for his own safety, but now he was risking his life, determined to defeat Emperor Zhi Wu in a short time.

The other two princes who had joined forces with Emperor Daqian to besiege Emperor Zhi Wu slowed down, leaving Emperor Daqian to face Emperor Zhi Wu alone, and suddenly the situation became fraught with danger.

Enraged, Emperor Daqian exclaimed, “You two had better not be fools. If Qi Tian is able to kill Zhao Deyi, then it proves that Qi Tian has the strength to kill those at the Nascent Soul Stage. Emperor Zhi Wu may be formidable, able to hold his own against the three of us, but does he possess the strength to kill a Nascent Soul Master? If you fall for his deceit, by the time Qi Tian emerges from the Grand Ancestor Temple, your doom will be upon you, with no place for regret.”

The two princes, originally seeing the tide turning against them and contemplating ceasing their assault, had a wake-up call after Emperor Daqian’s remark. They acknowledged that Emperor Zhi Wu was indeed powerful, but they did not believe that he could possibly be strong enough to kill a Nascent Soul Master. Without such combat prowess, how could he possibly contend with Qi Tian? Was it all just relying on his silver tongue?

The two princes immediately quickened the pace of their combined attack on Emperor Zhi Wu, but by then it was too late. When they had united with Emperor Daqian earlier, they could match Emperor Zhi Wu evenly because they had not been distracted. However, now that Emperor Liuyong had joined with the other two princes, Emperor Zhi Wu had reinforcements—and high-quality ones at that. The battle soon commenced, turning against Emperor Daqian and his allies.

One of the princes was swiftly knocked away, and then, Emperor Daqian and another prince were separated. The battlefield became a one-on-one contest between Emperor Daqian and Emperor Zhi Wu, while the other prince was besieged by Emperor Liuyong with two other princes.

Emperor Daqian was the first to be defeated, his magic weapon flung from his hands by Emperor Zhi Wu, and his arm was chopped off, the severed part turning to dust with no possibility of reattachment. Emperor Daqian became a cripple, incomplete in his limbs.

The prince who was besieged by Emperor Liuyong and the others met an even worse fate, losing half his life and lying unconscious on the ground.