Chapter 981: Servant

Immediately after, the not-so-powerful skeleton began to creak and shatter, with cracks appearing on every inch of its bones.

This skeleton, it should be noted, was the physical body of a powerful cultivator that the Western Emperor had forcibly seized after arriving in the Endless Sea, using it as a temporary vessel for his immortal soul.

While this skeletal body was far from the perfect form the Western Emperor had envisioned, it was nonetheless adequate for temporary use.

Unfortunately, in Xu Yang's palm, this skeletal frame easily crumbled into a pile of ash.

Once the Western Emperor lost the skeletal support, his complete soul essence manifested before Xu Yang, glowing with a transparent, deep green light.

The outline of this soul essence was, however, identical to the desiccated skeletal remains of the Western Emperor found in his tomb.

"As expected of one who possesses immortal power," Xu Yang remarked, "your soul form has, in a sense, evolved to another level. No wonder these individuals on Yingzhou Continent are no match for you. Yet, before me, no matter what form you take, you will always be nothing more than an ant."

Xu Yang's words were cold and arrogant, yet despite this display, the Western Emperor remained powerless against him.

"Young man," the Western Emperor retorted, "you're making this very difficult for me. Since you insist on being my enemy, I have no choice but to fight you to the bitter end! And of course, after I forcefully eliminate you, your remarkably powerful physical body might just become my new vessel, my greatest trophy!"

The Western Emperor's murderous intent towards Xu Yang was clear, yet Xu Yang remained utterly unperturbed.

"I forgot to tell you something," Xu Yang continued, "all the foundations and forces you painstakingly built up over tens of thousands of years in the Western Emperor's Tomb have already been incorporated by me. I must say, it's an incredible twist of fate that I can now capture your immortal soul—it's truly the perfect trophy!"

Upon hearing Xu Yang's words, the Western Emperor's face involuntarily twitched, and he instinctively flared up in anger once more. The idea that the legacy and lineage he had painstakingly established had all been effectively handed over to this young man infuriated him beyond measure. How could he possibly feel at ease?

The old man finally realized that there was only one way to vent his rage: to use his immense power to utterly obliterate this presumptuous young man before him.

"Very well, young man!" the Western Emperor snarled. "I'd like to see how long your soul power can last against me!"

The old Western Emperor's declaration was a clear sign that he intended to attack Xu Yang.

In the next instant, several green soul flames swiftly coalesced in his palm.

Undoubtedly, with his soul imbued with immortal power, his use of these soul flames was virtually limitless. For every trace of decay or consumption his soul experienced, it would be instantly replenished. This was precisely the greatest strength and mystery of immortal power.

According to Xu Yang's assessment, this power was originally a manifestation of Yun Wangji's strength, left in the mortal realm after his arrival on Yingzhou Continent not long ago.

Little did the Western Emperor know, Xu Yang's Jade Bone Divine Sword was, in fact, formed from the arm bone of the Sword Immortal himself.

The reason Xu Yang was so confident in his ability to dismantle the opponent's immortal soul power was precisely because he possessed the Jade Bone Divine Sword.

"I forgot to tell you something," Xu Yang declared, "the revered, supreme deity you worship has another identity in the desolate outer world beyond the void: that of the world's ultimate master known as the Sword Immortal. And, coincidentally, my sword dao was inherited directly from him."

Upon hearing Xu Yang's revelation, the Western Emperor, who had been relying on his immortal power inheritance, visibly trembled.

"What did you say?" the Western Emperor stammered. "You actually have a master-disciple relationship with the deity? How is that possible?"

Xu Yang chuckled softly. "Whether you believe it or not," he said, "I will prove everything I've said with action immediately!" In the next instant, Xu Yang gently waved his hand, summoning the Jade Bone Divine Sword.

An incredibly powerful sword glow locked onto the Western Emperor. The mere chilling aura emanating from the sword's edge was enough to make the opponent's soul tremble uncontrollably.

In no time, an aura, also emitting a faint green light, emanated from the Jade Bone Divine Sword. It was this particular aura that utterly stunned the Western Emperor.

"You! You! You!" the Western Emperor stammered, "You actually possess the deity's power?! Who are you?! Could you be an emissary sent by the deity?!"

Xu Yang clearly understood that the old man before him had gone completely mad, and further explanation would be pointless.

"You only need to remember my sole identity," Xu Yang stated, "I am the one who will slay you."

The next moment, Xu Yang no longer held back. Grasping the hilt of the Jade Bone Divine Sword, he cleaved the air towards the immortal soul before him, unleashing an incredibly powerful and chilling sword edge.

In just an instant, the sword aura released by the Jade Bone Divine Sword utterly shattered the very void before it.

The shattering of the void simultaneously served another purpose: it completely sealed the Western Emperor's soul within this treasure storage space.

Even if he possessed other elaborate escape methods, they would not succeed.

A soul without a physical body, floating in the void, is absolutely subject to the corresponding exclusive spatial laws.

Simply put, at this moment, the Western Emperor had completely exposed his full soul essence. Thus, the spatial laws governing the void he occupied became his sole weakness.

And now, Xu Yang's sword strike was powerful enough to directly shatter spatial laws!

In this way, even an immortal soul like the Western Emperor's would have nowhere to reside. And a soul body without a place to reside would be even easier for Xu Yang to deal with.

The moment the Jade Bone Divine Sword flew out, the Western Emperor's immortal soul had nowhere to escape. He could only endure the sword strike head-on.

However, in the very next instant, he finally realized that Xu Yang's words were entirely true.

This was because the sword was, in his eyes, the deity—a part of the legendary man who governed all of Yingzhou Continent. The moment the Jade Bone Divine Sword pierced the Western Emperor's soul essence, it was not immediately or completely blocked by him.

This single fact alone was enough to confirm everything Xu Yang had said earlier.

"It seems you truly are connected to the deity!" the Western Emperor cried. "I was blind and failed to recognize your greatness! I have offended you; please forgive my transgressions. Please, by all means, do not kill me! I am willing to serve you wholeheartedly!"