Chapter 986: Extreme Collision

The Western Emperor, of course, dared not defy Xu Yang's orders now. After a moment of thought, he finally spoke with a grave expression. "Master, this Uzumaki Goro once told me he came from the Underworld when he joined the Executioner Legion."

"Oh? So, he's also an otherworldly expert from the desolate reaches? No wonder the power he wields is unlike anything we've ever seen. I have to admit, this guy is truly a cultivation genius. He has mastered at least five cultivation systems, and more importantly, as an otherworldly expert, he can now perfectly integrate his own path with a fierce cultivation system. It would be a great pity to extinguish such astonishing cultivation talent."

Seeing the slight upward curve of Xu Yang's lips, the Western Emperor beside him seemed to have already guessed Xu Yang's thoughts.

In fact, from the moment he saw the opponent gouge out his own eyes, Xu Yang had decided to keep this very unique individual by his side.

"So, Master intends to let Ling Yao go easy?"

Xu Yang gently shook his head. "With Uzumaki Goro's current strength, he still cannot defeat Ling Yao. But even Ling Yao, that girl, must admit that Uzumaki Goro's cultivation talent far surpasses hers. I believe she will handle the conclusion of this duel in the most appropriate way. That girl has never disappointed me; she is also the one among my teammates who understands me best."

Hearing Xu Yang's words, the Western Emperor naturally understood. With Xu Yang personally present on the battlefield to control the situation, even if something unexpected happened in this battle, Xu Yang's immense strength and wise mind would surely handle it most appropriately.

In the next moment, Uzumaki Goro completed this contract-like method of inheriting power.

Standing there, his hands raised slightly above his head, he perfectly inherited the black, shimmering blade of power behind him. At that moment, his entire demeanor underwent a complete transformation.

His shattered pupils had also completely transformed into two blood-red whirlpools, firmly locking onto Ling Yao's essence not far away.

"Young lady, I cannot be certain what the outcome of this strike will be. If you are willing to concede, you can tell me at any time. I do not wish for someone as talented and outstanding as you, possessing such material spirit, to fall beneath my blade."

Ling Yao, however, burst into laughter. "You are indeed surprising, but what of it? I told you that your current strength is not enough to control my destiny. Since you are more powerful than I imagined, this game will bring me even greater enjoyment. Let's fight with all our might!"

Finally, in the next instant, Ling Yao no longer held back. She soared into the air, hovering a hundred meters above the endless ocean surface opposite Uzumaki Goro, and for the first time, the Celestial Sword Totem behind her unleashed its complete physical form.

Its outline was dozens of meters vast, emanating an incredibly pure sword dao. Even before it moved, it sent continuous towering waves surging across the ocean surface below.

"Heavens! One of them embodies the pinnacle of swordsmanship, and the other is an envoy of the underworld. I'm already eager to see the outcome. Boss, do you think Second-in-Command truly has full confidence in this battle?"

Clown and Lister had returned to Xu Yang's side at some point and couldn't help but ask.

After all, in their eyes, only Boss Xu Yang truly knew Ling Yao's full strength.

However, this time, Xu Yang's answer left Clown and Lister helpless; he merely shook his head gently.

Beings who truly reach their level of martial artist realm can pay an unimaginable price for a satisfying duel.

"Tell me, if you two were in Ling Yao's position, how would you choose?"

As expected, upon hearing Xu Yang's soul-piercing rhetorical question, Clown and Lister fell silent simultaneously.

They knew very well that if they were to truly swap places with Ling Yao at this moment, they would absolutely not, like Uzumaki Goro, risk everything for a battle in pursuit of an unknown outcome.

In their view, such an approach was foolish, and it was precisely because of this mindset that Clown and Lister were destined never to reach the true pinnacle of cultivation in their lives.

While all are cultivators, the complex interplay of various emotions, desires, and pursuits among individuals creates differences in their dispositions, which naturally determines their distinct cultivation paths and the noticeably different heights they can reach.

For Clown and Lister, their goal was simply to cling to Xu Yang's coattails, making the name "Glory Squad" famous across Yingzhou Continent.

Then, to enjoy everything that name brought them as core members of the Glory Squad was their lifelong pursuit.

Ling Yao, however, was different. Like Uzumaki Goro, she was capable of sacrificing everything to pursue higher cultivation realms.

Different beliefs determined their different paths, and this was precisely the core reason for the diverse and vibrant nature of the entire cultivation world.

If everyone strived for the same goal, this cultivation world would likely become incredibly understated and dull.

As expected, once both had made their final preparations, the ultimate clash that would decide their respective destinies was about to unfold.

The Hades Totem behind Uzumaki Goro finally vanished, and he staked his entire being on the blade in his hands, emanating a black aura, seemingly capable of severing all.

At the same moment, Ling Yao, standing opposite him, also pushed her Celestial Sword Dao to its absolute limit.

Although Ling Yao did not display the extreme "break and then stand" posture like Uzumaki Goro, even so, with the profound accumulation she had gained from following Xu Yang for such a long time, she possessed the strength to contend with Uzumaki Goro, even if she hadn't reached her absolute peak state.

Boom!

In the next instant, both moved simultaneously. The moment they unleashed their ultimate powers, a hundred-zhang-high surge of waves swept out below, forming a watery curtain that, at this most crucial juncture, almost completely obscured the vision of all surrounding onlookers.

At the same moment, two golden beams shot from Xu Yang's pupils, instinctively bypassing all visual obstructions and allowing him to see the precise instant the two collided with absolute clarity.