Chapter 763: Bearing the Imperial Sword, Walking Among Humans

On the Ancient Emperor Star, statues of ancient sages stood all around. Mist and clouds churned, opening into blossoming mist-flowers that rose to form splendid canopies. Bathed in radiant light, these canopies shimmered with a myriad of colors, as if every auspicious omen had manifested.

Golden dragons soared, their auspicious aura swirling, revealing the figures of all the human prodigies who were in contemplation.

At this moment, each of these human prodigies felt something stir within them. One by one, they opened their eyes, looking towards the Emperor's Sword that had shot out from the Ancient Emperor Star, streaking like a whistling rainbow directly towards the palace.

Each was filled with astonishment and doubt.

Ning Yan, who was also among them, widened his eyes, his mind buzzing.

The tip of the streaking light, where all their gazes converged, was none other than the Emperor's Sword!

This sword, bronze in color, was engraved with intricate patterns, ancient and profound, yet it simultaneously exuded an aura of dominance and nobility.

All of this unfolded with such breathtaking speed that before anyone could even fully process their emotions, the Emperor's Sword—radiating the essence of creation and supreme nobility—had, with astonishing swiftness, arrived before the imperial palace.

There, it showed no hesitation, instantly shooting towards the crowd in front of the palace!

Wherever it passed, space itself fractured. Even the imperial palace trembled, and the ground of the plaza cracked, filling the hearts of those present with terror!

The moment the sword arrived, its immense power and rainbow-like momentum, capable of engulfing mountains and rivers, swept through the air. Carrying the destiny of humanity and imbued with the ancient vicissitudes of ages, it bypassed the Human Emperor, flew past the Grand Tutor, cut through the crowd, and headed directly for Xu Qing's raised right hand!

In the blink of an eye, the sword appeared above Xu Qing. The heavens and earth echoed with its resonant hum, conveying a clear recognition of a master, as the Emperor's Sword slowly descended into Xu Qing's hand.

Xu Qing's right hand grasped it firmly!

The moment he touched the hilt, heavenly thunder reverberated across the sky. The sacred images of the ancient sages on the Ancient Emperor Star, as if drawn by some mystical force, simultaneously bowed in a ceremonial gesture. The cultivators in front of the palace were all important human officials, dragons among men in both character and cultivation.

Yet at this moment, their hearts were all stirred. One by one, they turned their gazes towards Xu Qing and the Emperor's Sword in his hand.

The seven-inch blade of the bronze Emperor's Sword was intimidating; its crisscrossing sword energy was sharp enough to cleave the very sky!

As sword light shone brilliantly in Xu Qing's hand, it rose to fill the sky, causing the winds and clouds to change color and the sea of clouds to churn. All who witnessed it felt their spirits profoundly drawn in.

It was as if all divine weapons would lose their luster beneath its sword light, and a thousand armies would yield before it.

And between the trembling earth and sky, intertwined with the sword light, an ancient and vast aura formed, as if pure light absorbed the sun and moon, and vital energy swept away all opposition.

The masses were utterly astonished, and its aura shook all directions.

No matter how deeply the thousands of human prodigies on the Ancient Emperor Star had previously comprehended, flourished, or captivated hearts, it all became meaningless when compared to Xu Qing. The difference was immediately apparent; the two sides were no longer on the same level.

They were comprehending legacies, while Xu Qing had summoned the Great Emperor's Sword.

Especially since it was the Sword-Wielding Great Emperor's sword.

Its significance was extraordinary!

The Sword-Wielding Great Emperor founded the Sword Palace lineage, establishing it to protect humanity to this day. The sword in his hand could slay anyone who hindered the development of humanity, no matter who they were, even an emperor.

At this moment, upon recognizing the sword's origin, some immediately recalled the Great Emperor's awakening and summons that had occurred when Xu Qing first arrived in the imperial capital. It was as if everything had perfectly aligned at this very moment!

As the Sword Palace inheritor stepped forward, the officials were visibly stirred. They gazed at Xu Qing and the Emperor's Sword with a hint of contemplation, their eyes also showing respect.

For now, this respect had nothing to do with Xu Qing himself; it was the Emperor's Sword they revered.

But at this moment, great waves also churned in Xu Qing's heart. Holding the Emperor's Sword, he recalled the last words the Sword-Wielding Great Emperor had said during his summons: "All is but mind!"

Yet there was not much joy in his heart, for the moment he obtained this sword also confirmed that his earlier premonition had been true!

The Great Emperor was about to fall!

He was entrusting his legacy!

And while he might not be the Great Emperor's only successor, this sword carried an equally immense significance!

Xu Qing sighed softly in his heart. Just as he was about to put away the Emperor's Sword, which carried such a profound mission, its radiance erupted once more. The shimmering sword light formed a sea of light that engulfed Xu Qing's figure, then detached from his palm and rapidly shot towards his glabella.

In the blink of an eye, the Emperor's Sword and the scattered sword light vanished, merging into Xu Qing's glabella. His body trembled at that moment. While the three divine treasures behind him rumbled forth, exuding terrifying pressure, a fourth secret treasure suddenly appeared.

Though it was only a silhouette, its appearance caused Xu Qing's cultivation to instantly surge, and his aura grew accordingly.

That fourth secret treasure was currently still a swirl of mist, but upon closer inspection, one could see the vanished Emperor's Sword being nurtured within it. Occasionally, the sharpness it emitted was enough to shake heaven and earth and make ghosts and gods weep!

The moment this Emperor Sword secret treasure appeared, all three of Xu Qing's divine treasures trembled, emitting divine might, and the Emperor Sword secret treasure was no less impressive, its sword might filling the sky!

Although Xu Qing's three existing secret treasures were unrelated to deities, the terrifying power contained within this Emperor's Sword gave it an equally high status. However, Xu Qing was currently unable to wield or control it.

This was a sword imbued with a mission; its control was not something individual will could influence.

It was less that Xu Qing was recognized as its master, and more that he was chosen by the Great Emperor to be the sword-bearer!

To bear the Emperor's Sword and walk the world—this sword was waiting for the moment it needed to emerge and fulfill its mission. At that point, it would fly out from the secret treasure and cleave its destined strike between heaven and earth!

As the sword-bearer, he would also gain numerous benefits and achieve extraordinary feats, empowered by the sword intent and the gathered auspicious aura.

Gazing at the Emperor Sword secret treasure, Xu Qing's heart filled with understanding.

The humming secret treasure blurred and vanished along with the three divine treasures.

The heavens and earth fell silent. The Human Emperor looked at Xu Qing, a faint, meaningful smile on his face.

"Excellent!"

The Imperial Advisor beside him maintained an unchanged expression, watching with a smile.

Xu Qing's gaze also fell upon the Imperial Advisor at this moment. He tried to summon the Emperor's Sword from his heart, wishing he could unleash a strike right then if possible.

But unfortunately, the Emperor's Sword remained unmoved.

Xu Qing felt regret. As the Emperor's Sword vanished, the fluctuations on the Ancient Emperor Star dissipated. The sacred images of the sages blurred, the final vortex remained, and the imperial princes' inheritance storm also reappeared.

Everything returned to how it was before the Emperor's Sword appeared!

But at this moment, most of the human prodigies who were comprehending the inheritances could not avoid feeling a sense of defeat in their hearts; only a very few could remain unaffected.

Ning Yan was one of them. Though he was shocked, upon reflecting on Xu Qing's past experiences, he suddenly felt this was quite normal, and thus he calmed down.

Another was the Third Prince!

He was happy to see Xu Qing make a move, because if the Fourth Prince had truly succeeded in comprehending the Great Emperor's inheritance, then in this opening of the Ancient Emperor Star, the Fourth Prince would have left everyone in the dust.

The current situation was perfect for him!

However, for the Fourth Prince, everything that happened today intensely stirred his emotions. Normally, he presented himself as mild-mannered and friendly in public, but today...

Sitting cross-legged amidst the clouds, he looked towards the palace, his expression initially grim.

He knew his reputation had been severely trampled, and his actions would become a foolish joke, spreading throughout the imperial capital.

Moreover, his own inheritance had been taken by someone in front of everyone, in front of his master and his imperial father!

Within a few breaths, his expression recovered, becoming gentle once more. He even raised his hand to bow towards the palace, showing respect for the Emperor's Sword and congratulating Xu Qing.

Such a demeanor led many to view him more favorably.

However, while the Fourth Prince showed gentleness, some people seemed unwilling to let go of this opportunity.

So, as Xu Qing calculated the time, preparing to leave early under the pretext of comprehending the Emperor's Sword, on the rainbow bridge outside the imperial palace gate, someone stood before the golden-armored giant cultivators, clasping his fists and bowing towards the palace.

"Greetings, my Emperor! This humble one is Tuomu Wei. Born in the Sunken Cloud Great Domain, I returned to our clan sixty years ago. Today, I witnessed County Governor Xu, before the multitude, seizing the Fourth Prince's inheritance, and my heart is filled with indignation."

"For us cultivators, if our thoughts are not clear, our cultivation is difficult to advance. And Your Majesty has also advocated for our clan to uphold the martial spirit and cultivate combat. Today, this humble one dares to request a lesson from County Governor Xu!"

"Please, Your Majesty, grant permission!" The speaker was a burly man dressed in a coarse linen robe. His build was sturdy, his long hair fell over his shoulders, his expression was defiant, and his eyes held a hint of death.

As his voice spread in all directions, fluctuations of Great Perfection in the Spiritual Treasure realm also emanated from his body.

Five secret treasures, comprehended through body cultivation, appeared behind him. As he stood there, his vital energy surged, and the secret treasures combined to form a blood-red cloud that spread in all directions.

The moment he spoke, all observers outside the palace turned their heads.

On the Ancient Emperor Star, the Fourth Prince suddenly looked up, murderous intent in his eyes. The man was indeed from his manor, but his actions at this moment were not instigated by him.

Such an action by the other party at this time was extremely disadvantageous to him. Even discerning people could see the problem, but some matters, once exacerbated and spread by rumor, would change their nature.

Especially if it displeased his imperial father, then even if he was wronged, he would still be affected. So, the Fourth Prince's heart surged with sudden murderous intent, and he fiercely stood up and bowed towards the palace, then loudly admonished:

"Tuomu Wei, what are your intentions? Retreat at once!"

Outside the imperial palace gate, Tuomu Wei lowered his head, stating, "Obeying Your Highness's command!"

"Tuomu Wei was indeed presumptuous, but County Governor Xu's actions were truly malicious and utterly greedy. He is unworthy of being enfeoffed, and even less worthy of possessing the Emperor's Sword."

The moment these words were uttered, the Fourth Prince's expression turned to even greater shock and fury. The man had lowered his head, but his words were equally displeasing, so the Fourth Prince was about to reprimand him.

But just then, the Human Emperor's voice calmly echoed!

"Disrupting the grand ceremony. Behead him!"

As the Human Emperor's voice rose, the massive, dazzlingly sharp swords in the hands of the two golden-armored giant cultivators outside the imperial palace gate fell with a piercing sound.

Furthermore, the principle of 'words becoming law' descended. Tuomu Wei's entire divine body trembled, and the next instant, his body was cleaved into four pieces by the two great swords, falling to the ground.

Awe filled all directions!

As for Xu Qing, he had been calm from beginning to end, as if none of it concerned him. At this moment, he bowed to the Human Emperor.

"This Xu has just acquired the Emperor Sword secret treasure, and it is unstable. I request permission to leave early to stabilize my comprehension!"

"Granted!"

The Human Emperor looked up towards the Ancient Emperor Star.

After Xu Qing straightened up and nodded to those around him, he walked down the steps, crossed the Immortal-Bearing Plaza, and continued until he reached the imperial palace gate, stepping over the corpses on the ground without even a glance.

The wind blew, and his figure remained calm and unperturbed as he walked away.