Chapter 1872: Ancient Evil Beast

“What did you say?!”

Inside the imperial palace, the impostor emperor exploded in a fit of rage after receiving the first-hand battle report from the Misty Mountain Range.

He simply couldn't believe what kind of power had helped the true emperor, whom he had imprisoned for countless years, break free from that terrifying and maddening seal.

"It makes no sense. Based on my understanding of him, even if he were willing to be imprisoned and suppressed in that formation for all eternity, he would never sacrifice his woman's soul in exchange for his freedom. If he weren't so indecisive, I wouldn't have found an opportunity to act against him in the first place. Why would he suddenly break the seal at such a critical and sensitive time now?"

The impostor emperor racked his brains but couldn't fathom the reason. Just then, his informant, a figure cloaked in a silver robe and appearing unwell, finally recounted the true situation on the Misty Mountain battlefield in full detail. Only then did the impostor finally grasp the truth.

"So that's it! That brat really did ruin my plans. I never fully trusted him; I only intended to use his value to help me provoke a war with the neighboring empire. But I never expected him to become such a grave threat in the end. Could it be that I underestimated his true strength?" As the impostor emperor mused, the silver-robed disciple before him offered an unreserved affirmative reply.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. This time, you truly misjudged the human speaker's strength. Based on what I observed, that individual's power likely surpasses that of a Martial God. Even a true Martial God within the ancient martial arts realm would find it extremely difficult to contend with him, because, previously, in the Second Desert Restricted Zone, he personally slew a true Martial God Totem."

As the impostor emperor listened to the silver-robed disciple's interpretation, his shock regarding Xu Yang intensified.

"What do we do now? Could it be that all those powerful figures I stationed around the Misty Mountain Range, including the Golden Robed Follower, have also fallen at Xu Yang's hands?"

The silver-robed disciple had not participated in the battle. Instead, he had meticulously gathered every clue from the battlefield before immediately returning to the palace to report to the impostor emperor. His expression showed a hint of helplessness, but he ultimately nodded.

"Although I find it hard to believe, the intelligence I've gathered indicates that everything is as Your Majesty surmised: the individual named Xu Yang has begun to break free from our control. We must find a way to suppress him, or else all our subsequent plans will likely be disrupted by him alone."

The impostor emperor paced anxiously in the grand hall, seemingly unable to devise any special method to deal with Xu Yang, this grave concern on his mind.

Just as he felt at a loss, a middle-aged man slowly emerged from behind the palace, a calm smile still gracing his face.

"Your Majesty need not be so anxious about Xu Yang. After all, we still have our ultimate and most powerful trump card. As long as we hold that card, no matter how strong that person becomes, it will ultimately be futile."

This middle-aged man was the impostor emperor's trusted confidant and also the empire's chancellor. His words served as a reminder to the impostor emperor, instantly making him feel as though he had taken a calming pill, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

"You are right. I was indeed a bit anxious just now. We still have our biggest trump card. It seems we will have to invite the High Priest out sooner than planned."

Meanwhile, Xu Yang's three-person team rapidly advanced with the true emperor towards the imperial capital.

It's worth noting that although the true emperor had been sealed atop Misty Mountain for a long time, after his escape, he received support and replenishment from Xu Yang's soul essence. He has now almost fully recovered to his peak combat state.

Furthermore, he himself is a top-tier expert, second only to a Martial God, and his martial arts cultivation has reached the late stage of Grand Accomplishment. He is but one step away from achieving the ultimate ascension to the Martial God realm.

His combat ability even surpasses that of Longtou and Po Xiao. Of course, the true emperor is now considered a key protection target by Xu Yang. Regardless of the opponent's strength encountered along the way, Xu Yang will not allow the true emperor to face them personally.

This is also Xu Yang's best way to demonstrate his sincerity in their cooperation.

In Xu Yang's view, the true emperor's status undoubtedly makes him the team's most important client. As long as he is protected, everything else is secondary.

To minimize the time it took to return to the imperial palace, Xu Yang temporarily decided to alter their return route, choosing a much shorter path.

However, the environment along this path was quite harsh, with toxic, swollen swamps covering nearly the entire route.

As they journeyed, a giant venomous python, glowing green all over, suddenly appeared without warning before Xu Yang and the three others.

Upon closer inspection, this massive python appeared to be one of the ancient fiendish beasts, possessing terrifying strength. Its mastery over poison-attributed elements also far exceeded the limits that ordinary martial artists could withstand.

"Humans are truly getting bolder. They dare to invade even my territory. Don't you know that no human martial artist has dared to approach this poisoned jungle of mine for nearly ten thousand years?"

Before Xu Yang could speak, Long Kun, who was beside him, scoffed.

"We have urgent business and need to pass this way. If you're smart, old snake, you'll clear the path quickly. We can go our separate ways without trouble. But if you insist on being stubborn and trying to show off in front of us, then you might just face my wrath."

Since undergoing a new nirvana with Xu Yang's help, Long Kun's strength had rapidly increased, and his desire for battle also seemed far more intense than before.

Whenever he encountered an opponent he could fight, Long Kun would eagerly provoke them, seizing more opportunities to act.

As expected, the venomous snake before them had no intention of indulging Long Kun. It suddenly sneered and began flicking its tongue.

The purplish-black tongue appeared to possess powerful paralyzing abilities. At the same time, its thick body began to move rapidly, directly locking onto Long Kun as its target and launching an attack.