Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 697: Chapter 697: The Flying Immortal Great Emperor

This Sword Dao Conference was initiated by the Flying Immortal Great Emperor, making him the only one suitable to preside over it. No one else had the qualifications to take his place. The Flying Immortal Great Emperor was a legendary figure of his generation. The swordsmanship he created, "One Sword Ascends to Immortality," was renowned throughout the Central Plains. It was said that a single slash could truly conjure a scene of a Flying Immortal, cleaving through the Void and shattering the path to Ascension. It was an exceedingly profound technique.

Although there were many powerhouses in the Great Emperor Realm from the Central Plains, the Flying Immortal Great Emperor was strong enough to rank among the top ten, a testament to his formidable strength. To Sword Cultivators, he was an idol worshipped by countless. He was a Great Emperor Realm powerhouse who had achieved Path Enlightenment through the sword, making him the ultimate goal for innumerable Sword Cultivators. Therefore, everyone from the common folk of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty to the talented Sword Cultivators of other major powers was filled with anticipation. They all wanted to witness this mighty emperor in person and perhaps even perceive a trace of his Sword Intent.

I wonder if my Thousand Changes and Transformations can deceive the Flying Immortal Great Emperor!

Su Han was also waiting. He didn’t just want to see the Flying Immortal Great Emperor; he was eager to test if his technique could elude the emperor’s detection. Although Thousand Changes and Transformations was a Divine Method, Su Han’s own strength was low and his mastery of the technique wasn’t deep, so he was naturally worried. He had come this time prepared to take a gamble. If he were discovered, his only option would be to flee for his life. As for whether he could actually escape from the Flying Immortal Great Emperor, Su Han had no confidence. But life was never smooth sailing, and fortune had to be sought amidst danger. Su Han was naturally unwilling to miss an opportunity like the Sword Dao Conference.

"He’s here! The Emperor is here!"

With a great cheer from the crowd, a figure flew out from the imperial palace. Su Han dared not use his Nine Heavens Eye, fearing the Flying Immortal Great Emperor would sense it. However, as the emperor drew closer, he was still able to see him clearly. The Flying Immortal Great Emperor was a middle-aged man with a well-proportioned build, dressed in a Sword Patterned Imperial Robe. He had long limbs and sharp features, his expression serene. A faint smile played on his lips, giving him an approachable, sun-like warmth. He displayed no terrifying sword light, nor did he emit an oppressive aura. He appeared before the crowd like a leisurely middle-aged man, strolling forward at a slow pace. At the Flying Immortal Great Emperor’s level, one no longer needed external objects to display majesty or the pomp of the Imperial Family to bolster prestige. He alone was enough.

As he stood there, despite not exuding any powerful pressure, his sheer presence was enough to astound everyone. Su Han looked up and felt as though the Flying Immortal Great Emperor was a Heaven-Cleaving Earth-Sundering Divine Sword. He was incomparably sharp, so keen it seemed he could pierce the very heavens. The man was the sword, and the sword was the man. Even though the Flying Immortal Great Emperor hadn’t made a move, Su Han could sense his immense power and fearsomeness.

By now, Su Han had seen quite a few powerhouses of the Great Emperor Realm. These included the Kun Jing Great Emperor from the East Sea, as well as Empress Duobao and the Killing Emperor from the Eastern Region. Yet, the Flying Immortal Great Emperor before him gave Su Han the most intense sense of danger. Of course, this feeling wasn’t directed at Su Han specifically; everyone who saw the emperor felt it. It was as if he wasn’t a person, but a sword—one suspended over their heads, ready to fall at any moment. The mere presence of this "sword" struck fear and unease into everyone’s hearts, and no one dared to act rashly.

"Greetings, Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

As soon as the Flying Immortal Great Emperor appeared, everyone in the Imperial Capital fell to their knees. From nobles and royals to commoners, not a single person dared to remain standing.

"You may rise."

The Flying Immortal Great Emperor’s voice was sonorous and powerful, like the ring of a sword. It was so clear and resonant that everyone heard him perfectly. The crowd rose, their gazes fixed fervently on the Flying Immortal Great Emperor. Meanwhile, the many talented Sword Cultivators in the inner circle were rubbing their hands together, eager to test their skills.

Standing among the princes, Su Han breathed a small sigh of relief. He hadn’t detected any special attention from the Flying Immortal Great Emperor. He didn’t see through my Divine Method! It seems that while my mastery isn’t deep, it is still a Divine Method—not something an ordinary person could see through. A Great Emperor might be strong, but he is still a mortal!

Just then, however, the Flying Immortal Great Emperor’s gaze shifted to another person: Liu Xu.

A murmur went through the crowd. They were certain the Emperor knew what had happened last night and was about to call Liu Xu to account. She should have fled earlier; now it was too late. Since Liu Xu had killed the Third Prince, the Emperor’s own son, retribution was inevitable. They speculated on her punishment. Would he kill her on the spot? Probably not, others reasoned. If he had intended to kill her, he would have done so last night. Still, she was definitely going to suffer for this.

Seeing the Flying Immortal Great Emperor’s gaze land on Liu Xu, the onlookers watched with relish, eager to see her miserable end. Killing someone right under the Flying Immortal Great Emperor’s nose—and a prince, no less—was no small matter. Even if she came from the Ancient Liu Family, her chances of survival looked slim.

Yet, as she faced the Flying Immortal Great Emperor’s stare and the crowd’s mockery, Liu Xu’s delicate face showed not a trace of nervousness, let alone fear. Instead, she met the Emperor’s gaze head-on.

"We are aware of the reasons for Our third son’s death," the Flying Immortal Great Emperor said, his voice ringing out. "He was in the wrong. You are not at fault."

His words stunned the entire crowd. What did that mean? The Flying Immortal Great Emperor wasn’t going to pursue the matter? How was that possible? No one would believe that he feared the Ancient Liu Family. After all, the Heavenly Sword Dynasty was slightly more powerful, and the Flying Immortal Great Emperor himself was stronger than the Liu Family’s own Great Emperor. The decision simply baffled everyone. But one thing was clear: Liu Xu was safe. Since the Flying Immortal Great Emperor himself had declared her blameless, no one else would dare trouble her. The Third Prince had died for nothing.

"Thank you, Great Emperor, for your just ruling!" Liu Xu, also taken aback for a moment, had not expected this outcome. She quickly bowed in gratitude.

The Flying Immortal Great Emperor nodded, not dwelling on the matter. To him, the death of one Third Prince meant little when he had other sons. I only value the strongest. As for the rest, if they die, they have only their own incompetence to blame. Besides, the Third Prince brought this upon himself. The Sword Dao Conference is far too important to be disrupted by his affair.

With this in mind, his gaze swept over the more than one thousand talented Sword Cultivators in the inner circle, lingering for a moment on the Demon Swordsman, the Sword Lunatic, and the Sword Maniac. He smiled slightly, a warm and inviting expression like sunshine pouring down.

"I hereby declare," he announced, "the Sword Dao Conference officially begins!"