Chapter 1783: Ready to Set Off

"It's as if you've already reserved the championship for this martial arts competition in advance. Don't assume that just because you shattered the treasured cauldron with one palm, you're invincible. There are many objective factors in actual combat between martial artists that can affect the final outcome. Even if your cultivation level is the highest, you could still be defeated if you encounter an opponent whose attribute techniques and overall abilities completely suppress yours. Don't speak too boastfully, or you'll be the one left embarrassed in the end."

Faced with such provocation, how could Xu Yang and Long Kun remain tolerant? Without Xu Yang needing to act personally, Long Kun, who was beside him, directly approached the richly dressed young man. Disregarding their surroundings, he unleashed his powerful martial aura, sending the young man flying over a hundred meters away.

The richly dressed young man no longer possessed his previous elegant aristocratic demeanor. He tumbled and scrambled for a long time before finally getting back in front of Long Kun.

"No matter who you are, if you dare to disrespect my boss, you'll regret it. If this weren't the Imperial Palace, I would have beaten you to a pulp by now."

Seeing Long Kun roaring like that, Qing Ya quickly sent him a telepathic message.

"Don't be so brutal, kid. He's the nineteenth prince of the Imperial Dynasty. If you cripple him, it will cause us serious trouble."

Hearing Qing Ya's warning in his mind, Long Kun snorted coldly, reined in his wild aura, and returned to Xu Yang's side.

However, the Emperor, seated high on the main dais, did not show anger at the scene that had just unfolded involving Xu Yang and his companions. Instead, he chuckled with a look of satisfaction.

"Excellent. True powerhouses should have spirit. I appreciate your fiery, fearless demeanor—it best represents the might of our imperial martial artists. Each year, in the Hundred Martial Alliance, more than twenty percent of the martial artists are killed on the spot by powerful forces. Remember, this alliance represents the prestige of each imperial family. Once those martial artists enter the arena, they will show no mercy to their opponents. If you draw an opponent from your own imperial family, that's one thing. But if they're from another imperial family, they are true enemies. I want you two to be our secret weapons for this martial arts alliance. Once you reach the final elimination rounds, no matter who your opponents are, you must use your full power to eliminate their top martial artists."

Even Xu Yang raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing such an order.

"What happened to 'friendship first, competition second'? The Hundred Martial Alliance has a completely different flavor. It seems the conflicts between the imperial families have never ceased. These so-called friendly alliances are just for show, giving each side more time to recuperate and gather strength. In Xu Yang's view, a chaotic war among these four imperial dynasties is inevitable, sooner or later."

Xu Yang nodded gently.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, we are here for the ultimate victory, and there will be no unexpected incidents. Of course, since Your Majesty wishes for us to use our full power, I must make one thing clear: if, during the competition, any experts from within the imperial family provoke us first and threaten our safety, then regardless of their status, I will not hesitate to retaliate with even greater force."

Xu Yang's words were actually directed at the few exceptional talents present. According to the competition rules, these individuals were likely to be matched against Xu Yang and his companions during the Hundred Martial Alliance. To prevent these people from putting pressure on Xu Yang and Long Kun, Xu Yang simply turned the tables, effectively giving an order to the high and mighty Emperor.

As expected, the Emperor smiled faintly. After a moment of hesitation, he finally nodded.

"Go ahead and do as you please. Anyone who dares to hinder your progress, I permit you to punish them by any means necessary."

Indeed, upon receiving such a command from the Emperor, Xu Yang finally revealed a satisfied smile, now free of any further worries.

In truth, he himself certainly didn't fear these individuals. He was merely concerned that Qing Ya, by associating with him and Long Kun, might become a specific target for those ill-intentioned martial artists. Originally, Xu Yang had wanted Qing Ya to withdraw from the competition. However, the girl was insistent on challenging herself and honing her practical combat skills, so Xu Yang could only agree to her request.

Just as Grand Martial Venerable had promised, over the next three days, Xu Yang and his two companions truly enjoyed treatment befitting imperial nobles. They lived like immortals for a few days.

During this time, Xu Yang also sent a telepathic message, sharing their luxurious experience with Ling Yao and Xiao Hua through a spiritual link, intentionally teasing them. Xiao Hua remained as calm as ever, but Ling Yao couldn't resist grabbing her Celestial Sword, ready to confront them.

Although those two girls couldn't participate in the Hundred Martial Alliance, their role in guarding the Xuanhuang Gate provided Xu Yang and Long Kun with a stable rear. With them there, Xu Yang and Long Kun could naturally roam freely anywhere within the Ancient Martial God Path.

Three days later, two hundred martial artists representing the imperial family set off at full speed towards Juexing Peak, located at the imperial border, carried by two massive, exclusive imperial flying vessels.

Due to their special status, Xu Yang and his two companions were assigned to the main flying vessel, which carried the hundred elite nobles. Throughout the journey, young imperial nobles from prominent families constantly mocked them. The underlying reason for this was none other than the prince who had been beaten by Long Kun; he continuously stirred up trouble and deliberately targeted Xu Yang and his companions. To maintain overall harmony, Xu Yang paid no attention to their taunts. However, these princes and royal descendants had secretly decided to teach Xu Yang and his two companions a lesson on the battlefield. Little did they know, their fate would be far more tragic than they could imagine.

Since these two flying vessels carried the most important elite martial artists of the imperial family, the entire escort team, in addition to the two massive vessels themselves, comprised over two hundred martial artists. Furthermore, the direct disciple of Grand Martial Venerable Qin Zhaoming served as the head of the escort team.

However, most of the martial artists had not anticipated that such a formidable escort formation could still encounter powerful martial artists launching a surprise attack en route. Although these attackers, all clad in black, suddenly appeared, Xu Yang could clearly sense that the aura they emitted differed from that of the previously encountered assassin organization, the Heavenly Sect, indicating they were not from the same power.