Chapter 1163: The Endless Nymph Emperor Falls |
As it unleashed the water tornado, the Endless Nymph Emperor had also risen into the sky. But in the very next moment, it came crashing back down, driven by a golden spear that nailed it to the ground like a helpless butterfly.
Boom!
The other Emperors scattered aside as a deep rumble shook the earth.
Orange-golden flames exploded outward—flames fueled by holy energy. The Endless Nymph Emperor did not even have time to utter a scream before its body was consumed by the blaze.
With its own element completely suppressed, it could not even resist.
The sky instantly darkened once more, but this time, blood rain poured down instead of lightning.
The Endless Nymph Emperor had fallen.
Tang San extended his right hand, and the Holy Dragon Spear returned to his grasp.
Jin Miaolin had actually killed the Endless Nymph Emperor!
Even if this was Conquering the Heavens, there was no need for slaughter, let alone killing an Emperor of the Solstice Empire! In that instant, the gazes of all the Emperors changed, their expressions growing grim and heavy.
"I didn't expect it to be so weak. To think it was unable to withstand even a single strike…" Tang San's calm voice rang out, as though what he had done was nothing worth mentioning.
In all actuality, he very much did intend to use Conquering the Heavens to slaughter them.
For humans to survive between demons and nymphs, what they needed was space to grow. Tang San and Xiao Wu would eventually leave, but before that, he had to weaken the Ancestral Court to a degree and leave behind some deterrent force so they would not dare to move against humanity lightly. Humanity needed time.
And so, from the very start, he struck to kill.
This was already the third Emperor to fall at Tang San's hands.
The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's gaze froze. "Jin Miaolin, do you understand what you are doing?"
Tang San answered evenly, "I am acting according to the Ancestral Court's rules for Conquering the Heavens. I don't believe these rules have a clause forbidding the killing of an Emperor. If someone cannot withstand even a single blow from a fellow Emperor, how are they worthy to be called an Emperor?"
All the other Emperors stared at Tang San in stunned silence. Even the Sunborne Nymph Emperor's aura shifted dramatically. One after another, the gathered Emperors slowly rose into the air, their eyes fixed on Tang San. All of them had sensed something was wrong. This Jin Miaolin who had just passed his tribulation and ascended was clearly no longer the same as before.
An immense pressure erupted from their bodies, pressing down upon Tang San and Xiao Wu.
The Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor looked on in shock, the White Tiger Demon Emperor frowned in deep thought, and even the Undying Demon Emperor was aghast. These were the Emperors closest to Tang San and Xiao Wu, and they could not fathom why Tang San would suddenly act in such a way at this moment.
Tang San extended his left hand and a thick tome appeared in his palm—the Book of All Laws. It was somewhat different compared to before; what was once dark-golden now blazed in radiant gold. The moment it appeared, dazzling light burst forth, and the suppressive might of the gathered Emperors weakened noticeably.
He opened the book on the first page. His voice was calm as he intoned, "I hereby decree: Conquering the Heavens shall continue according to the rules."
At once, the world around them seemed to turn to gold. Each word Tang San spoke struck the ears of the Emperors like morning bells and evening drums.
Their divine consciousness and bodies shook violently. They all felt an invisible binding force fall upon them, and in that instant, the oppressive weight they had unleashed against Tang San simply vanished.
Looking at the heavy tome in his hand, Tang San allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. Upon his ascension, or rather, upon his return to true godhood, the Book of All Laws had been elevated with him, transformed into a true divine artifact, an artifact bearing the power of a divine realm.
Just as he'd told Xu An'yu, if it was called the Book of All Laws, then naturally, it could do far more than just replicate abilities. In truth, it held three great powers. Two of them were granted by this world—the Peacock Demon Emperor's Celestial Plume, which granted the book some measure of future-predicting abilities, and the book's original copying abilities, which Tang San had strengthened.
But what he had just unleashed was something else—a divine power, the authority of a god. It was a power he had been entirely unable to use until now, yet he could now finally access: an Edict. The power of words shaping reality.
The word of a true god was absolute law to all those beneath. If a true god decreed something within a mortal world, then that decree had no less force than the natural laws of that world; in fact, with enough power, that decree could even bend the laws of nature.
Tang San had only just returned to godhood and had yet to regain his original power. Thus, his Edict could not simply command all Emperors, especially not the stronger ones. It could, however,strengthen the world's existing rules. In particular, it was very effective at reinforcing rules that had strong binding force to begin with—such as the rules of the Ancestral Court, and subsequently, the rules governing Conquering the Heavens.
That strike just now had been the Blue Silver Overlord Spear, one of his former life's Blue Silver Grass abilities. Coupled with the power of the Sea God's Trident and his control over water, it was no wonder that he had slain the Endless Nymph Emperor in a single blow.
Of course Tang San had been well aware that this would enrage all the Emperors in an instant. For that reason, he had prepared himself well. If he just let them do what they wanted, they would all have attacked at once.
He turned his calm gaze upon the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor. "Since you are willing to defy your own rules, then let me take charge of them. The nymph side has just fought. Next, it is the demons' turn. Your Majesty Sword Saint, please step forward."
As he spoke, he put away the Book of All Laws, and gestured courteously toward the Sword Saint Demon Emperor.
Immediately, the binding force upon the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's consciousness vanished, in accordance with the rules of Conquering the Heavens. The Sword Saint Demon Emperor leapt into the air, soaring toward Tang San, until he stood before him.
Unlike the other Emperors, who displayed shocked and furious expressions, the Sword Saint Demon Emperor simply narrowed his eyes, studying Tang San and Xiao Wu. "You are not Jin Miaolin, are you?"
Tang San blinked. "Your Majesty, how did you see through me? Did I reveal a flaw?"
By this point, he no longer felt the need to hide.
The Sword Saint Demon Emperor shook his head. "There was no flaw, or at least I couldn't see any. It's because of her. One who wields such a sword would never transfer her affections in such a manner. In other words, I believe I should call you Asura… or maybe you have another name?"
"My true name is Tang San." Tang San dispelled the illusion that veiled his face, revealing his true features. He also lifted the veil from Xiao Wu's face.
The Emperors below looked up at the two unveiled faces, feeling a strange sense of unfamiliarity. This was only natural; among them, only the White Tiger Demon Emperor had seen Tang San's real appearance before. Mei Gongzi, too, had changed, although nowhere near as radically. Her beauty was now further underlined by an ethereal aura; her features seemed more refined, making her look transcendent and holy. Moreover, although she still looked like Mei Gongzi, there was something different about her features—something belonging to Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu had truly returned, in body and spirit. Her two lifetimes' appearances had blended into harmonious perfection.
The Sword Saint Demon Emperor looked from Tang San to Xiao Wu, then said in a deep voice: "I do not know how you have accomplished all this. But it is clear you now hold the advantage. For me, the end can only be death, but if that's the case… I hope to die beneath your sword, and truly witness a greater sword art. Back then, even in your weaker days, you were qualified to guide me. Surely, you will not disappoint me now."
Xiao Wu glanced at Tang San. He smiled.
"Your Majesty Sword Saint, you once saved me, and I still owe you a debt. Your wish shall be fulfilled."
As he spoke, the Holy Dragon Spear in his hand vanished. He did not summon the Asura Divine Sword, but instead flicked his wrist. A slender Blue Silver Grass sprouted in his palm, lengthening into what looked like a literal blade of grass.
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