Chapter 1871: Dark Evil Qi

"Wait a moment. Do you sense a strong malevolent energy from this?"

Seeing Xu Yang suddenly become tense, Po Xiao didn't rush to swallow the precious primal core. Yet, even with Xu Yang's guidance, she still couldn't detect any trace of malevolent energy on it. Long Kun also approached during this time.

"Something's not right, Boss. This primal core comes from a Martial God-level expert. With his immense life force, how could there be any malevolent energy?"

Xu Yang was also puzzled by this, but he trusted his perception and judgment implicitly.

"No, I must ensure that every opportunity I create for you is absolutely pure. If this is truly surrounded by malevolent energy, it's not the purest life essence. Once you ingest it, it won't just offer no benefit to your future; it could very well bring about greater hidden dangers."

After speaking, Xu Yang directly took the primal core back from Po Xiao's hand and, without hesitation, crushed it between two fingers.

This sight made the three people beside him gasp. The title of Martial God was the rarest and most revered symbol throughout the entire Ancient Martial God Way.

A primal core from a Martial God-level expert had a value that could undoubtedly rival several city-states within the empire.

Yet, such an invaluable item was utterly insignificant in Xu Yang's palm, easily crushed to dust.

But it was precisely because of Xu Yang's action that the next scene unfolded, astonishing the three onlookers. Long Kun was so shocked he clutched his head.

"My heavens, Boss, you were right! This primal core truly hid such dense malevolent energy within it.

The reason none of us sensed it before is because the life force of a Martial God-level primal core is inherently too powerful.

The potent life aura completely enveloped the source of this malevolent energy, confusing our senses.

Now it's clear, given the intensity of this malevolent energy, if Po Xiao had truly ingested it, her life force would have likely been completely corrupted."

Xu Yang nodded solemnly. "I suddenly have a new theory. Perhaps that impostor who seized the emperor's position, his true goal is to instigate a war between the two empires.

And his motive for doing so must be connected to this malevolent energy."

As soon as Xu Yang voiced his hypothesis, Po Xiao, following his train of thought, gained a broader insight.

"Your implication is that the impostor who usurped the emperor's identity is actually a devotee of a Martial God-level being. And his real reason for instigating war is to make all the powerful martial artists who fall on the battlefield release malevolent energy, which he and other believers in dark powers can use to strengthen their own source of power!"

"Exactly, you truly are a clever girl. Speaking of which, you're also an assassin from the Heavenly Sect. Have you never encountered this kind of malevolent energy in your previous missions?"

Po Xiao shook her head.

"Perhaps my rank wasn't high enough. I am a disciple with a purple mark, and there's a significant gap between my strength and that of those believers with golden marks, who possess Martial God level power.

If I hadn't distinguished myself in multiple missions within the Heavenly Sect and received special promotion from the Sect Master, I wouldn't even have been qualified to meet someone of your stature."

Xu Yang was not surprised by this answer; it was clearly within his expectations. He nodded slightly and spoke again.

"In that case, I'm afraid we'll only know all the answers once we've suppressed that impostor in the imperial palace. According to my guess, his network of spies isn't limited to this group alone.

News of us helping the emperor escape should reach him quickly, and he will likely resort to more tactics.

On one hand, he'll try to prevent us from returning to the palace, and on the other, he'll definitely accelerate his plan, assuming all my previous conjectures prove true.

I believe it won't be long before a full-scale war between the two empires breaks out. At that time, countless lives will be lost, and innumerable martial artists from both nations will fall. The only ones who will ultimately benefit are those lurking in the shadows!"

Xu Yang's words made the old emperor by his side fully realize the perilous situation they faced. The emperor suddenly knelt on one knee before Xu Yang in an act of submission, which utterly surprised Xu Yang and his two companions.

"What are you doing? There's no need to be so polite."

As Xu Yang spoke, he lightly waved his hand, causing the old emperor to stand up again. However, the old emperor continued to gaze at Xu Yang with a devout expression.

"Your Excellency's power is unparalleled throughout history; no one in the entire Ancient Martial God Way can compare to you. Now that I have the honor to stand with you in the same alliance, I hope to gain your wisdom. As long as you can help me reclaim what was once mine—this empire's territory—I will hold you as my eternal belief."

To show his sincerity, the old emperor, in front of Xu Yang and his two companions, directly extracted a portion of his soul essence from his spiritual world and injected it into Xu Yang's body. He used this method as an embodiment of his absolute loyalty and support for Xu Yang.

It was known that with this portion of the soul essence, Xu Yang could effortlessly control the old emperor's life and death, effectively holding the entire empire's future destiny in his hands.

Xu Yang had no such intention, but the old emperor's fervent devotion compelled Xu Yang to alter his plans.

"Very well. Since you trust me so much, I, Xu Yang, will naturally not disappoint you. My team and I will not lay claim to even an inch of the empire's territory.

However, we will continue to do what we must. Regardless of your perspective or any other, that impostor emperor must be suppressed by my own hand.

Rest assured, if conflict between the two empires truly cannot be avoided, I will personally quell it with my own power.

Furthermore, this puppet who usurped your imperial position likely has his own dark beliefs. The true master hidden behind him is the target I've been searching for all along.

Once I help you reclaim all that is yours, that will be the time for us to leave this empire."

Xu Yang's words completely dispelled the last trace of doubt in the old emperor's heart. It was from this moment onward that the two parties truly forged a spiritual partnership.

Xu Yang would contribute his immense power, and the old emperor would undoubtedly fulfill his promise. Before long, all beings nurtured within this empire would come to regard Xu Yang as their sole belief.