Chapter 800: Magic Sword Tournament (Part 1)

Over five hundred people from the Supreme Emperor Sect were seated. Yun Che quickly scanned them with his spiritual sense. Although he was mentally prepared, he was still inwardly astonished. Among these more than five hundred people, excluding Xia Yuanba, there were a staggering one hundred and sixty-three Emperors!

The remaining nearly four hundred people were all Tyrannical Emperors of level seven or higher!

This was the Supreme Emperor Sect, possessing ten millennia of heritage and ranked first among the Four Sacred Grounds!

Just this single Supreme Emperor Sect alone would probably require six or seven Guardian Families from the Illusory Demon Realm to unite to contend against.

In the front row of seats, with True Master Ancient Azure taking his place, there were exactly twelve people!

These twelve people were dressed similarly, each with white hair and beards, holding a whisk. Their auras were immensely powerful... Especially the three seated in the center; when Yun Che's spiritual sense touched their profound energy, it was like suddenly falling into a boundless ocean, utterly unable to perceive its limits.

Those three people...

“The twelve people in the front row are the Twelve True Masters of our Sacred Ground,” Xia Yuanba whispered in Yun Che's ear, noticing where his gaze was directed. “The three in the center are True Master Suffering, True Master Nine Sighs, and True Master Absolute Heart, the three Level Ten Emperors of the Supreme Emperor Sect, besides the Sacred Emperor himself!”

Yun Che nodded slightly. “For experts of this caliber, their profound energy is usually either as violent as thunder or as formidable as a mountain. But the Supreme Emperor Sect seems vastly different.”

“That’s because the core of the Supreme Emperor Sect’s profound cultivation is the ‘Sacred Heart’. The stronger their profound energy and the higher their profound art level, the more detached and desireless they become,” Xia Yuanba replied, then added quietly, “Actually, within the Supreme Emperor Sect, I’m considered a complete anomaly.”

“Detached and desireless?” Yun Che recalled that the Supreme Emperor Sect was not absent among the forces that invaded the Illusory Demon Realm a century ago. He smiled faintly. “Perhaps their other emotions and desires have faded, but their desire for profound power seems not to have diminished in the slightest, otherwise they wouldn't have come out in full force to attend this Devil Sword Assembly.”

While he was observing the Twelve True Masters of the Supreme Emperor Sect, hundreds of profound auras from the Supreme Emperor Sect also swept over him. However, no one approached him for conversation. Almost none of the Twelve True Masters or the Sacred Ground elders in the front row turned their heads; their entire focus was on the ongoing Devil Sword Assembly.

“Brother-in-law, there’s something I don’t understand,” Xia Yuanba asked quietly. “Why did you send Sister Xue’er away?”

He didn’t believe Yun Che was doing it for the reputation of the Divine Phoenix Sect.

Yun Che's breath hitched. He slightly closed his eyes and sent a profound energy message to Xia Yuanba: “Xiao Yun has been missing for three days.”

“What?!” Xia Yuanba was startled and almost leaped up. He quickly sent a message: “What happened? Who did this?”

“Given the strength of Xiao Yun and his wife, and with the world’s number one protecting them, yet Xiao Yun could be kidnapped without a sound… there aren’t many people on the Azure Cloud Continent who could do that.”

Xia Yuanba’s brows furrowed. “The Four Sacred Grounds… Could it be the Heavenly Might Sword Region!?”

He finally began to understand why Yun Che’s attitude towards Xuanyuan Wentian had been so unyielding earlier.

“Most likely,” Yun Che exhaled slightly. “When we met Xuanyuan Wentian on our way to the Moon Slaughter Devil Nest, the way he looked at me and what he said, even then, made me feel something was amiss.”

“Outrageous!” Xia Yuanba clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead. “The Heavenly Might Sword Region is one of the Four Sacred Grounds, yet they would do something like this… Wait, no, why would they abduct Xiao Yun? What’s the reason?”

“It’s highly possible that my identity as a son of the Yun Family from the Illusory Demon Realm has been exposed. They also know Xiao Yun’s identity. Besides this, I can’t think of any other reason,” Yun Che transmitted in a low voice.

These words made Xia Yuanba instantly realize the severity of the situation, which was far from ordinary. He grabbed Yun Che’s arm, saying anxiously, “If it’s highly possible you’ve been exposed, then why are you still here?! You should know that the Illusory Demon Realm is demonized on the Azure Cloud Continent. Today, all the world’s heroes are gathered here. If this matter is revealed, you will become the target of public criticism!”

“I know, but I cannot abandon Xiao Yun.”

That single sentence left Xia Yuanba feeling hollow inside. He immediately knew that with this reason, any further persuasion from him would be futile.

“Yuanba, you don’t need to worry too much,” Yun Che said calmly. “The situation might not be that severe. I have the Primordial Profound Ark with me; as long as it isn’t exposed, I can retreat safely from any situation… For now, let’s wait and see how things unfold.”

“However, if things truly reach the worst point, Yuanba, remember to distance yourself from me! Don’t forget, the other three Sacred Grounds secretly resent the Supreme Emperor Sect for having a disciple like you with a Tyrannical Emperor Divine Vein. Even within our own Sacred Ground, the Sacred Emperor’s adopted sons and their supporters surely see you as a thorn in their side. If my identity is truly exposed publicly and you defend me, they will seize the opportunity to label you as a ‘demon.’ So, at that time, you must not…”

Just then, Yun Che’s brows suddenly furrowed, and his eyes instantly grew cold… as a chilling killing intent locked firmly onto him.

“Yun Che, you brat, die!!”

This sudden roar was like a bolt from the blue, startling all the experts present. From the seats to the right of the Sacred Ground, a green-robed elder flew up, swooping towards Yun Che like a great eagle.

Yun Che had never seen this person before.

The incident was sudden, and no one expected anyone to dare launch a sudden attack at the Devil Sword Assembly venue. Furthermore, as the Supreme Emperor Sect’s seats were close by, almost the instant the roar sounded, the green-robed elder had already rushed in front of Yun Che. His profound energy transformed into a sword, clearly intending to deliver a killing blow… others wouldn’t even have time to intervene.

Yun Che remained still, but Xia Yuanba had already erupted, letting out a loud roar and throwing a punch.

Boom!!

A circular energy wave exploded in mid-air, fiercely dispersing a thin cloud above. Two profound energies of the Sovereign Profound Realm clashed across the air, remaining locked in a stalemate for a moment. Xia Yuanba’s expression was grim, while the green-robed elder’s face showed shock, as if he couldn’t believe his power had been so easily countered by a junior like Xia Yuanba.

“Get lost!!”

Xia Yuanba roared. His already thick arm suddenly doubled in size, and the power he unleashed instantly transformed from a storm into a hurricane.

Bang!!

The sword aura formed by the green-robed elder’s profound energy shattered instantly. He himself was struck as if by a massive hammer, sent flying dozens of meters backward before finally stopping himself, a faint pallor appearing on his face.

Xia Yuanba, however, only recoiled slightly, his gaze as fierce as before. The aura he unleashed caused countless profound practitioners present to gasp… and many others, like the green-robed elder, changed color in horror.

Although Yun Che didn’t recognize the green-robed elder, almost everyone among the Four Sacred Grounds knew him.

An elder of the Heavenly Might Sword Region… and one ranked among the top ten!

His profound cultivation was as strong as Sovereign Profound Realm Level Seven!

Yet, he was sent flying by a single punch from Xia Yuanba, clearly at a disadvantage!

Countless deeply shocked gazes landed firmly on Xia Yuanba, some even gasping. Those who could enter this Sea God Platform were the top experts of the Azure Cloud Continent, and naturally, they had long heard that the Supreme Emperor Sect had produced a disciple with a Tyrannical Emperor Divine Vein, who had already achieved the rank of Emperor in his early twenties.

However, they had only heard about it; today was their first time seeing it.

But… this was far more than just achieving the rank of Emperor! To send a Level Seven Emperor flying with a single punch, his strength had clearly reached the late stage of the Sovereign Profound Realm!

Even within the Four Sacred Grounds, this was the peak of power!

To be so formidable at twenty years old, he would be unimaginable a century later! Among those of similar age, the other three Sacred Grounds… not to mention comparing, they probably couldn't even find someone fit to tie his shoes!

The Twelve True Masters of the Supreme Emperor Sect all turned their heads. They nodded silently, their faces showing no surprise, only faint smiles and admiration… admiring Xia Yuanba’s profound energy for improving so much in such a short time.

True Master Ancient Azure slowly rose and said calmly, “Xuanyuan Jue, as an elder of the Sword Region, why would you suddenly attack a junior?”

Xuanyuan Jue… that name made Yun Che’s brows twitch: It’s him indeed!

Xuanyuan Jue, the Ninth Elder of the Heavenly Might Sword Region! Xuanyuan Yufeng’s biological father, and Ling Yun and Ling Jie’s maternal grandfather!

“Hmph!” Having been sent flying by Xia Yuanba’s punch, the shock in Xuanyuan Jue’s heart already surpassed his anger. However, if he retreated now, he would completely lose face. He stared fixedly at Yun Che and cursed angrily, “This Yun Che brat not only injured two elders of my Sword Region but also attempted to kill my beloved daughter! If I don’t slice him into a thousand pieces today, I am unworthy of being a father!”

Yun Che remained seated, scoffing, “Xuanyuan Yufeng is vicious and sinister in her actions! If she weren’t Ling Jie’s biological mother, I wouldn’t have quenched my hatred even if I killed her ten times! I ultimately spared her life, and it’s fine if you don’t thank me, but you still have the audacity to bark at me!”

“You wretch, you seek death!” Yun Che’s words undoubtedly added fuel to the fire, making Xuanyuan Jue erupt in even greater rage.

“Please calm down, both of you.”

A voice as calm as water sounded from the seats of the Supreme Ocean Palace. Zi Ji slowly stood up, a faint smile on his face. “It’s normally inappropriate for outsiders to interfere in your grievances. However, all the world’s heroes are gathered here today for the Devil Sword Assembly, and it’s not advisable to cause further incidents. Even if it weren’t for the Devil Sword Assembly, since you are guests of my Sea Palace, my Sea Palace naturally does not wish to see any guest suffer misfortune here. I ask both of you to grant this old man a little face; even if your enmity is as vast as the heavens, please resolve it after leaving the Sea Palace.”

Having been forced back by Xia Yuanba’s punch, Xuanyuan Jue had already lost face and was in a difficult position. Zi Ji’s words undoubtedly provided him a way out. Xuanyuan Jue flicked his long sleeve and snorted angrily, “Fine! For the sake of Mr. Zi, I shall let this wretch live a few more days. Yun Che, you brat! I hear your master is the Heaven Devouring Old Man, who should have long turned to ash, possessing world-shaking abilities… Hahahaha, never mind if he’s some Heaven Devouring Old Man, even if he were the King of Heaven, I wouldn’t fear him! I’ll see how he protects your life from my hands when the time comes!”

Yun Che: “…”

“Ridiculous!” Xia Yuanba scoffed. “If you want to lay a hand on my brother-in-law, you’ll have to get past me first! It’s a pity you can’t even defeat a junior like me, yet you brazenly provoke my brother-in-law’s master. Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at until your teeth fall out?!”

“You!” Xuanyuan Jue’s eyes widened, and he nearly spat out blood.

“Yuanba, don’t be rude,” True Master Ancient Azure admonished faintly.