Chapter 1006: Being Driven Mad, the Holy Emperor

"Seal attribute..."The Five Signs of Decay murmured softly, their expression slightly startled, no longer able to smile at all.

A mere young girl had suddenly unleashed such combat power, capable of taking down even Meng Po of the Offering Broth in just a few rounds, practically an instant kill. Undoubtedly, he had instantly transformed from a hunter into the prey in the other party's eyes.

The Five Signs of Decay couldn't believe this fact, but what piqued his curiosity was...Why?How was this done?

"Sealing Heaven Sage Emperor, Feng Yujin?"No matter how disbelieving he was, regarding the strongest combatant with seal attributes, only that one name existed in the Five Signs of Decay's memory. He couldn't recall many of this individual's deeds. He vaguely remembered that this person clearly belonged to history and shouldn't appear in this era, yet they were the last famed practitioner of the seal attribute, and there was no one else.

"Interesting!" Feng Yujin chuckled upon hearing this. "I didn't expect someone on this continent to still remember my title. It seems you're not just an ordinary Grand Void; at least you know some secrets of the Sage Emperors."He paused, surveying the Five Signs of Decay's attire, and raised his voice. "King Yama?"

At this moment, the Five Signs of Decay's heart sank to the bottom."My Imperial Self..."He didn't deny it...Was he truly the Sealing Heaven Sage Emperor, Feng Yujin?Shouldn't this figure have vanished into history? Where did he come from?

He thought back to the "little lamb" he had faced earlier, recalling how after he threatened her, her persona completely shifted, and her strength transformed as well...This bizarre phenomenon could only have one explanation."Ghost Beast?" The Five Signs of Decay didn't reply, his tone filled with amazement. "You've survived until now as a Ghost Beast?"

"My Imperial Self detests being called a Ghost Beast!" Feng Yujin's heart surged with an unnamable fury. "My Imperial Self has never died!"With a bang, the space beneath his feet cracked, and he lunged forward, striking a palm towards the Five Signs of Decay.

"There's a solution, there's a solution..."The Five Signs of Decay's pupils constricted, but his thoughts remained incredibly calm. Logically, if the opponent truly was a "Sage Emperor," given his and Meng Po's previous playful attitude, a single glance from the Sage Emperor would have forced them to kneel.But that wasn't the case!Meng Po had suffered from incorrect intelligence and couldn't even unleash a tenth of her power. Whether this "Feng Yujin" was truly the "Sealing Heaven Sage Emperor" was still debatable; even if he was, his strength was greatly diminished while residing in that young girl. And if he could wield even semi-saint power, why would he resort to close-quarters combat?"At most, he's Grand Void level!""And I, the Five Signs of Decay, combat everything below a semi-saint!"

His thoughts settled, and the Five Signs of Decay's resolve firmed.He quickly formed hand seals, and black mist emanated from his body, forming a monstrous, fanged devil behind him."Fiend of Defilement!"Without any arrogance, the Five Signs of Decay first unleashed his Grand Void power. Facing Feng Yujin, who charged with momentum but struck an unremarkable palm, he activated his full strength, and then black energy converged in his palm as the Five Signs of Decay met the strike with his own."Degeneration!"

With a booming sound, the air pressure in the void exploded, and the roaring reverberations tore space apart.Seal versus Decay!Without the interference of saint power, the Five Signs of Decay couldn't be certain who was stronger. Similarly, Feng Yujin had heard of the "Body of Decay" but had never personally experienced it. As a figure who had contended in an entire era, he possessed vast theoretical knowledge. But theories were theories; when two powers, each claimed to be the strongest below semi-saints, clashed palms, whether he could seal the decay was another matter entirely.

"Clang!"Gray and black shockwaves radiated backward from their palms, completely engulfing both of them. After the explosive roar, the first sound to emerge was precisely the peculiar resonance Feng Yujin had made when sealing Meng Po of the Offering Broth earlier.

The Five Signs of Decay's heart skipped a beat."Am I going to lose?"Before he could think further, his Qi Sea power surged, continuing the confrontation with Feng Yujin. However, the Five Signs of Decay felt his body growing weaker and weaker, his strength fading into nothingness."Seal!"He indeed couldn't seal all of me instantly, but the sealing power is gradually eroding my Qi Sea!"If this continues, I will lose..."

The feeling of dread didn't last long, as the Five Signs of Decay suddenly noticed a detail. If his own power was continuously depleting, yet the opponent's showed no reduction, then at this point, he should have collapsed. How could he possibly continue the confrontation?"He can't withstand my Grand Void power either!" The Five Signs of Decay's mind became agile.

On the other side, Feng Yujin was indeed struggling to hold on.The "Five Signs of Decay" was too powerful!This was a power utterly detested by the Heavenly Dao; while seals still existed within the Heavenly Dao, this ability transcended the five elements. Even though he feigned composure on the surface, Feng Yujin knew his body was already manifesting too many abnormalities.Earlier, when Mo Mo confronted the Five Signs of Decay, two signs were already apparent: her clothes were stained with dirt, and sweat streamed from her armpits. When he fought Meng Po of the Offering Broth, the Five Signs of Decay's continuous cursing power from behind appeared normal, but Feng Yujin could distinctly smell an unpleasant odor emanating even from his body.Now, clashing palms and directly contacting the Body of Decay, his sealing power was indeed sealing the opponent's abilities, but the opponent's power of decay and degeneration was also affecting him. Feng Yujin keenly noticed that his hairpin, waist jade, bracelets... All his jewelry and elaborate ornaments had lost their original luster, and his face appeared even more haggard. Such a withered and deteriorated physical change filled him with disgust.

"This host body has decayed and is completely unworthy of my Imperial status. Perhaps I should just leave directly and transfer myself..."At this thought, Feng Yujin was startled and alarmed.It's over!Dirty clothes, withered crown, sweaty armpits, foul body odor, aversion to one's seat...All five signs of decay had arrived simultaneously—wasn't this going to be fatal?!Moreover, Mo Mo was a seal body rarely found in a thousand years. If he truly abandoned this host body as he just thought, his soul would likely wither away before he could find a suitable second option.

"Little Mo Mo, do you see?"This is the manifestation of the 'Five Signs of Decay' that I, your Imperial Self, went to such lengths to show you."Remember this: in the future, when you encounter such people, absolutely do not make eye contact or physical contact with them, or you will surely die. Do you understand the consequences of not running earlier?"

Feng Yujin grandly declared this in his mind, then without delay, chose to take a hit himself rather than allow the Five Signs of Decay's palm clash to continue.

With a loud bang, Feng Yujin spat out a mouthful of vital blood, flipped in mid-air, and then sharply retreated. If he didn't withdraw, even if he sealed this masked opponent, he would still have to endure the Five Signs of Decay and face a certain death from the tribulation of a fallen saint!

"Pfft!"On the other side, the Five Signs of Decay, having broken the confrontation and taken the backlash, also spat out a mouthful of fresh blood under his mask, covering his face. Fortunately, it was Feng Yujin who actively broke the standoff, so the latter bore the brunt of the impact. This mouthful of blood from the Five Signs of Decay was merely a drop in the ocean of his power.However...Upon inspecting his Qi Sea, the Five Signs of Decay's eyes dimmed, and dread filled his heart. His Grand Void Qi Sea, in such a brief confrontation, had been sealed by Feng Yujin by a full seventy percent, even with the power of his "Fiend of Defilement" Grand Void ability active. The opponent, meanwhile, had only used a seemingly ordinary palm strike...Who was stronger, who was weaker—it was clear at a glance!

"Senior Feng is truly formidable, worthy of being a former Sage Emperor. This junior was presumptuous today."The Five Signs of Decay knew when to retreat, and his intention to withdraw grew stronger. He glanced at Meng Po of the Offering Broth, who was still unconscious nearby. The battle had barely begun, and his side had already lost one member. Lord Huangquan's mission was still ongoing, and Meng Po of the Offering Broth couldn't die, nor could he himself perish at the hands of some inexplicable Ghost Beast. Since this was a former Sage Emperor, Lord Huangquan would surely understand upon his return...Realizing this, the Five Signs of Decay no longer wished to fight. He cupped his fists, bowed, and said:

"Senior's current state is still one of recovering power. This junior is grateful for your willingness to grant me a palm strike today, and certainly has no intention of further offending you."How about we cease this conflict for today?"As for my earlier presumption, I shall repay it another day, what do you say?"

This was undoubtedly a win-win solution.Feng Yujin was tempted. This was merely an encounter, not a battle against a mortal enemy, so why insist on fighting to the death? He wasn't afraid of this Yama-masked individual; it was simply that the Seal Body was too precious. It had been difficult enough to find such a host body immediately after escaping the Void Island. If the fight continued, both would be injured, and Mo Mo's life would be in peril. All he would gain were two heads. It wasn't worth it!

"Little girl, how do you say this, your body can't take it anymore."Others may not understand the power of the Five Signs of Decay, but I, your Imperial Self, can resolve it, though it will take time. It's best to leave the battlefield immediately and find a place to hide."As long as you're not hiding in Solitary Sound Cliff, I can completely seal away your Five Signs of Decay manifestation in ten days to half a month."But if we continue fighting..."

Feng Yujin explained the stakes clearly in his mind. He knew Mo Mo was a smart girl, very empathetic, and would surely understand his thoughts and the current predicament of the body they shared.But it was clear. Normally, Mo Mo was content and would have retreated without a second thought. However, this matter concerned the First Heavenly Tower, and this masked individual was coming for Mu Zixi. Even Feng Yujin, the Sealing Heaven Sage Emperor, didn't want to continue fighting this opponent after one palm strike. If this masked person truly went after Mu Zixi, or Xu Xiaoshou...How would they fight?Mo Mo couldn't imagine how Mu Zixi and Xu Xiaoshou could possibly resolve the Five Signs of Decay, which would surely result in death even if they won. And since everyone was helpless against it, and she just happened to encounter this trouble...If I don't enter hell, who will?

"Feng Yujin, didn't you say you were the strongest below semi-saints, and that if I released you, you could walk freely across the five regions of the continent?" Mo Mo's tone held a hint of anger.Feng Yujin's scalp tingled.My dear lady!Who can't boast?You also need to consider what state I'm in right now!If only you had accepted my Imperial anointing earlier, and broken through to the Throne realm sooner, I could at least have recovered some saint power by now. And with saint power, I could swiftly subdue any Body of Decay, no matter what it was, and shred it into a thousand pieces.But now...It's a stalemate!If we keep fighting, this body will become unusable.Xu Xiaoshou and all that, can you not care so much? You probably don't know how Eight Revered Ones of Void Island tortures people!With that fellow, just feign compliance; why go to such lengths?

"My Imperial Self did say that, but..." Feng Yujin ultimately didn't dare to speak loudly."You said it, so you said it. You also said you'd capture these two and hand them over for me to deal with; was that also a lie?" Mo Mo retorted with indignation.

With a clatter, Feng Yujin's mind reeled from her undisguised anger. Suddenly, an unnamable fury surged within him again."Little girl, what nonsense are you spouting?! When have I ever lied to you?"I told you, didn't I, that accepting the inheritance wouldn't harm you, nor would it be a soul-possession."But you're just arrogant, you don't shed tears until you see the coffin, insisting on waiting until you couldn't keep up with Xu Xiaoshou's growth pace before you'd accept the inheritance."Who is Xu Xiaoshou? That guy already has more than one 'Imperial Self' on him; how many Sage Emperors are making plans, how many powerful figures are giving him resources? You just had to wait!"And now, how much time was wasted in between because of that waiting?"Yet even so, did I forcefully transfer power to you? Didn't I still go along with your wishes? Everything in good time..."

The more Feng Yujin spoke, the angrier he became, his expression losing all control.The Five Signs of Decay, while recovering his strength, watched the Sealing Heaven Sage Emperor in complete silence, yet gnashing his teeth within that silence, as if he had gone mad, clearly no longer focused on himself. He couldn't help but be bewildered, but quietly reached towards Meng Po of the Offering Broth, attempting to snatch her and flee.

In his mind, Mo Mo calmly accepted Feng Yujin's harsh criticism, and only when he realized something was amiss and his voice gradually softened, did she calmly reply:"So, it's my fault?"Feng Yujin was instantly silenced, practically wanting to clutch his head and weep.What was all this?!Was this what women were like?Indeed, it was right for him, this Imperial Self, to never marry and never deal with women his entire life.What kind of creature was this? Completely unreasonable!

"My mistake, my mistake..."But we really can't keep fighting now. In my Imperial Self's opinion, the best option is to leave, and immediately remove the Five Signs of Decay from us!"Feng Yujin noticed the orange-masked man's cautious movements but only wanted to yell, "Can't you damn well hurry up and snatch her and leave?! What's with all the dilly-dallying, are you stupid or something?"

Mo Mo saw it too. She stopped trying to persuade him, instead stating with extreme calm, "If you dare to leave, from this day forward, I will no longer acknowledge you."

"Ha,""Haha,""Hahahahaha!"The Five Signs of Decay was in the middle of attempting to snatch someone when suddenly, a fit of hysterical, almost demonic laughter erupted from the scene, causing his heart to skip a beat and goosebumps to rise all over his body.He sharply turned his head.He then saw the figure who had originally been restrained by gray sealing energy suddenly flash black demonic energy in their eyes, and then, with a "whoosh," endless black and gray energy erupted from their body like a volcanic explosion."What's this 'Body of Decay' worth? Just a moment, and I, your Imperial Self, will bring back his head!"