A month later, inside Devil Mountain, Zhuo Fan came before a stone door, âDemonic Emperor sir, weâve taken three cities and 2,350 prisoners.â
âSend them in already!â
A gruff voice echoed, followed by loud booms as the stone door rumbled open.
Zhuo Fan walked in. Zhao Chen was panting like a beast, his eyes bloodshot from madness, as he roared, âWhere are they? Give them to me!â
People appeared in the dark room out of nowhere, covering the floor.
Zhao Chenâs eyes were frenzied, setting his black energy on them like a tide to consume them.
He was too deep into his madness and thirst to cultivate to notice Zhuo Fan smirking as he left.
His own aide didnât even say goodbye.
A cold shout boomed and the black energy released a terrifying ripple.
Zhao Chen jumped to his feet, slow to react.
The explosions were endless, all over the black energy, sending deadly shockwaves all around. The blasts were so strong they flattened the top of Devil Mountain.
Thick dust spread around, swallowing all the eerie, yet lavish, buildings below.
The wind whistled as someone moved through the thick dust, landing on the ground and soaking it with his blood.
âThe Wraith Emperor!â
Zhao Chen raised his sinister face, his eyes bleeding, and roared, âWraith Emperor, Iâm going to pulverize you for what you did!â
âHa-ha-ha, but what about the others?â
A cackle responded as five figures landed before him, the other five emperors.
Zhao Chenâs eyes flashed staring hard at them, âSo decrepit fools like you ganged up just so to play me? I shouldâve known none of you are worth crap. First you ganged up on my master, and now on me!â
âZhao Chen, did you already forget about your share when we attacked your master? Donât call us evil when it suits you. Youâre no better!â
The Sword Emperor mocked him. The Wraith Emperor cackled, âZhao Chen, donât be quick to insult others when youâre just as vile. Itâs so poetic, if you think about it. This is karma for everything you did to your master, ha-ha-haâŚâ
Zhao Chen exclaimed, âYou couldnât have entered my lands without someone finding out, especially on Devil Mountain. There are countless arrays on it that would react to your coming. What is going on?â
All looked at him with disdain, turning to one side and making Zhao Chen look there as well. He gasped, âYou?â
âYes, it is I, Demonic Emperor sir!â
Zhuo Fan smirked with a bow, âIâm thankful for all your care, in giving me final word over your lands and Devil Mountain so that I could get the Eight Emperors inside. Forgive me.â
Zhao Chenâs face twitched, âZhuo Fan, you rotten traitor, Iâve given you everything and this is how you repay me, by selling me out? God damn bastardâŚâ
Zhao Chen shook and a powerful aura shot for Zhuo Fan. A huge black palm loomed over him.
Zhuo Fan paled and fled back.
The Sword Emperor intervened, striking with his sword, âSky Breaker!â
A blinding light flashed and turned into a three hundred meter sword, clashing with the huge black palm.
The sky rumbled under their power, with the Sword Emperor frowning and falling back ten steps and looking at the other in shock.
Zhao Chen shuddered and coughed blood.
âSword Emperor, how is it?â
The others rushed to his side, looking at Zhao Chen in worry. It was beyond their expectation to find that Zhao Chen was stronger than him, just like Zhuo Yifan.
[A Sovereignâs inheritance is so incredible!]
The Sword Emperor panted, looking grave, âHeâs not the same old weak brat. We have to be careful. Itâs fortunate we acted in time and gave him heavy wounds or it would be us whoâd pay the price later.â
Zhao Chen raged as he glared.
Zhao Chenâs face was covered in blood, âIâve been nothing but good to you. Why would you sell me out? Iâm wounded because you let the Wraith Emperor fiddle with the corpses and trigger the trap as I absorbed them. Whatâs an ungrateful bastard still doing standing here?â
Zhuo Fan stepped up, âDemonic Emperor sir, everyone has a price. I came under your wing for a career, but as you become stronger and stronger, one day you wonât need me. Iâd avoid being expendable. And the Eight Emperorsâ terms are quite enticing, making me one of them forever. I had no reason to refuse. So, ha-ha, forgive me.â
âScrew your apology! Youâre dead for betraying me!â
Zhao Chen struck with a palm, a black dragon enveloping him. He was going to kill them all, especially Zhuo Fan.
âSteward Zhuo, not to worry. He canât harm you.â
The Sword Emperor shouted, shielding a sneering Zhuo Fan.
[They said the same thing to Zhao Chen then, but didnât they still attack him now? Their promise isnât worth crap.]
The others surrounded Zhuo Fan to shield him, unaware of his thoughts. When Zhao Chen drew closer, they struck, âZhao Chen, you dare mention others when you betrayed your own master? Compared to Steward Zhuoâs act, yours is heresy. You have no right to speak!â
âI can betray while no one else can betray me!â
Zhao Chen focused all his strength into his palms, making the dragon roar and shoot at them.
âIâll refine all of you with the Nether Script, ha-ha-haâŚâ
âYou wonât succeed!â
The Sword Emperor released his Imperial Mark, âDecimate, Supreme Sword!â
âHaunt, Elusive Wraith!
âUnite heaven and earth, Enchanting Jasper!â
Five Imperial Marks took the skies, making contact with the black dragon in a resounding explosion. A hole got punched in the endless darkness, bringing light.
The six Imperial Marks coming together felt like the Sacred Domain was going to crumble.
The five shuddered back with red faces and blood at their mouths. Zhao Chen got pushed back a dozen steps and spat so much blood, he soaked the ground.
The Wraith Emperor laughed, âZhao Chen, we know your cultivation method is great, but you wonât get to refine us so long as we donât let you surround our soul. We just need to match your every blow with all our strength. In your condition, you wonât be able to take the shock. A few more times and your body will break. Demonic Emperor, give it up, itâs over!â