Chapter 984

To him, the Western Emperor had been like a revered master, his guide, and the hidden supporter behind all his successes. Now, however, Xu Yang's arrival had obliterated all the glory and dignity he once held, and even his right to life was firmly in Xu Yang's grasp.

"That's right! There's no need for further wild speculation. This fellow kneeling beside me possesses an immortal soul. He now has a new identity: the sword-slave of my blade. Of course, if you still wish to acknowledge him, he remains your master—the invincible Great Heavenly King of the Executioner Legion." As Xu Yang spoke these words, filled with sarcasm and contempt, the various skirmishes across the flagship immediately ceased.

Everyone understood that the moment they saw the Great Heavenly King kneeling beside Xu Yang, the battle had lost all meaning. No matter how fiercely they resisted, their faith had vanished, and the glory of the Executioner Legion had utterly collapsed. It was as if their very existence had turned to dust, just like the royal banner of the Executioner flagship that Xu Yang had previously crushed in his palm.

"Hahaha, Boss, I didn't realize you were so efficient! It really proves the saying: 'To catch the thief, first catch the king!' I can't believe you moved so quickly and already conquered their leader. There's no longer any need to continue this battle. It seems I'll have to be your spokesperson, Boss! From this moment on, all sailors of the Executioner Legion who wish to live, immediately lay down your weapons, kneel, surrender, and shout the name of the Glory Squad! You will be granted new life. Otherwise, those who do not surrender to the Glory Squad will be executed without mercy!" The Clown finally savored the joy of "borrowing the tiger's prestige." With Xu Yang backing him and the golden aura protecting him, he had absolutely no reservations and began to fully embrace his role as the controller. He had to admit, the feeling was truly exhilarating. No matter how wildly arrogant he became in that moment, no one dared to disregard his words. With Xu Yang present, even if he had once been an insignificant clown overlooked by everyone, he now held absolute power over the lives and deaths of the entire Executioner Legion.

A wave of individuals swiftly knelt to the ground. Almost everyone within sight instinctively abandoned any thought of resistance, respectfully kneeling and shouting, "Long live the Glory Squad!" The resounding cheers quickly spread to every corner of the surrounding smaller warships. Within the shortest possible time, the entire Executioner Legion, comprising hundreds of warships, surrendered completely.

As the Western Emperor had previously explained to Xu Yang in the underground storage area, the Executioner Legion boasted a formidable force of fifty thousand sailors, making it a considerably vast maritime power. It was no surprise then that they ranked among the top ten in the entire Endless Sea region. According to the Western Emperor, the Executioner Legion held the ninth position among the ten strongest legions. Now, Xu Yang had assumed complete control of one of the Endless Sea's most powerful forces without incurring significant cost. This acquisition and action undoubtedly laid an incredibly solid foundation for his future path of maritime conquest.

On Lister's side, the fighting quickly subsided. Though excellent in many respects, Jeldorf was little more than a combat weakling when it came to actual fighting. He mostly relied on his status as a second-generation cultivator to act recklessly, lacking significant practical combat experience. Initially, Lister genuinely regarded him as a formidable opponent. However, not long after the engagement began, with the two mermaid maidens joining the fray, Jeldorf quickly caved after only a few hundred rounds. It turned out he was nothing more than a pretty face. Soon after Jeldorf was subdued by the two mermaid attendants, Lister strutted over, a proud look on his face, and planted a large boot print directly on Jeldorf's cheek. "Young man, you're far too green. If you're just a pretty face, don't go showing off in the Endless Sea. You're better suited to return to a major city-state on the mainland, live a life of luxury, and be a rich young master. This kind of battlefield, a man's domain, isn't for you." Undoubtedly, Lister's humiliating words were a massive blow to Jeldorf. Yet, Lister was utterly unprepared when Jeldorf, unable to hold on much longer, burst into tears. It seemed the boy was not only a pretty face but also had a glass heart! This reaction was certainly effective; even in the eyes of the two mermaid maidens beside him, Jeldorf no longer posed any threat. Each mermaid maiden delivered a kick, sending the handsome, vase-like Jeldorf flying like a discarded sack, landing uselessly on the ground. Many people didn't know that Lister himself was originally a rich young master, also from a cultivation second-generation. Why was he so exceptional while Jeldorf was utterly useless? Clearly, titles and status can bestow glory, but they cannot dictate one's true development. Although Lister had been somewhat wayward in recent years, he had truly experienced a great deal. His underlying foundation was far beyond anything this naive, inexperienced young man could compare to. Of course, all things considered, the most crucial reason for his easy victory was that Xu Yang had equipped him with two powerful bodyguards. With these two stunning mermaid maidens assisting him, Lister could now easily conquer even formidable opponents of average strength. Even if he couldn't win outright, self-preservation was never a concern.

Notably, the fierce duel between Lingyao and the Third Heavenly King Uzumaki Goro gradually drew everyone's attention. Initially clashing on the deck, neither was willing to yield. Eventually, finding the space insufficient, they simply moved their confrontation directly onto the sea surface for a peak showdown. With each move, massive surges of blade and sword light caused endless waves to crash and collapse. It was clear that the conflict between these two had become the absolute focal point of the battlefield. They did not cease their exchange even after Xu Yang had gained control of the overall situation. For these two, who valued the path of cultivation above all else, only a definitive victory, with one falling by the other's blade, could bring their contest to an end. "Hehehe! Little girl, you are even more formidable than I imagined. You are truly the most exhilarating opponent I have encountered in my life. Even if I am the one who falls today, I will have no regrets!" Lingyao offered little reply, simply giving a slight smile. Clearly, she had thoroughly enjoyed the fight. "You are indeed a worthy opponent, but regrettably, your strength is insufficient to warrant further conversation from me." "There's no point in prolonging this battle. Let's finish it quickly! Unleash your most powerful technique. Let me see the pinnacle you can achieve in this life, and if it truly astounds me. If it doesn't, it will prove that your decision to challenge me was a mistake." Uzumaki Goro smiled. However, his subsequent action utterly shocked everyone. Without the slightest fluctuation of aura, as if losing all will to fight, all spiritual energy around him completely vanished. Then, he directly extended two fingers and gouged out his own eyes. The instant blood streamed down, his wild, hysterical laughter burst forth. This laughter, unadorned by any cultivation power, was nevertheless terrifying. Even Xu Yang, whose heart was usually as calm as still water, felt a rare ripple upon witnessing this scene. "Is this... the spirit of a martial artist?"