C18 Evil Emperor Xiang Yutian

Su Chen couldn't simply vanish without a trace. Before departing, he made sure to inform the doyen of his departure, and then he and Zhang Sanfeng left this realm.

The grand hall was still familiar, but now spotless, showing no signs of the fierce battle that had taken place just two days prior.

"I wonder how those three masters are faring," Su Chen mused, scanning the empty hall. At that moment, it was just him and Zhang Sanfeng.

Zhang Sanfeng remained silent, knowing full well who Su Chen was thinking of.

Boom!

Suddenly, a fist, cutting through the air with tremendous force, aimed straight for Su Chen's face.

Startled but not panicked, Su Chen knew he was in the company of a great master.

With a swift motion, a palm intercepted the punch, effortlessly redirecting and dissipating its energy, then pressing downward. The assailant, unable to resist Zhang Sanfeng's control, found not just the force of the punch neutralized, but his entire body's strength as well.

With a resounding boom, Zhang Sanfeng slammed the attacker into the ground, creating a sizable crater.

"My apologies, I didn't manage my strength well after my recent breakthrough," Zhang Sanfeng said, his movements fluid and instinctive. By the time he realized what had happened, Emperor Shun of Yuan had already been defeated.

Su Chen...

What could Su Chen possibly say? This was the mark of a true powerhouse! Now, Su Chen finally had a moment to see who had launched the attack.

"Hmm, Emperor Shun of Yuan." Su Chen recognized the familiar figure, then glanced at Zhang Sanfeng, rubbing his eyes before looking back at the dispirited Emperor Shun of Yuan.

It was confirmed; he wasn't mistaken. The man who had been so arrogantly untouchable two days ago had just been thoroughly trounced.

"Why, why have you become so powerful all of a sudden? It's impossible for someone as strong as you to exist in this world. And you've even grown younger. Could it be that you...!" Emperor Shun of Yuan exclaimed incredulously, the idea of the young man being an immortal crossing his mind.

Zhang Sanfeng, with a gentle stroke of his beard and a smile, simply said, "Nothing is impossible."

"Spill it," Su Chen said as he dragged a chair over, took a seat, and looked down at Emperor Shun of Yuan. The smug expression on his face only fueled the emperor's rage and disbelief. He couldn't fathom how, in just two days, Zhang Sanfeng had transformed so dramatically, even his wounds had healed.

"What's your name, and where do you hail from?"

"Haha, since I'm at your mercy, it makes no difference whether I speak or not. Why should I bother talking?" Emperor Shun of Yuan responded icily.

Su Chen was at a loss for what to do next. As a 21st-century homebody, this was his first attempt at interrogating someone. He glanced at Zhang Sanfeng, a seasoned figure in the martial arts world, hoping he might have some techniques up his sleeve.

Catching Su Chen's expectant gaze, Zhang Sanfeng spread his hands in a gesture that suggested he was out of ideas, hinting at the use of torture. As a martial arts doyen, it had been ages since he'd resorted to such methods. Judging by Emperor Shun of Yuan's demeanor, it seemed standard punishments would be ineffective.

"What's your name? I can't just keep calling you Emperor Shun of Yuan, can I? If you were to die, and I had to inscribe a tombstone with 'Tomb of Toghon Temür,' I wouldn't believe that's your real name."

"Hmph," Emperor Shun of Yuan grunted, considering the point. After a moment, he conceded, "My name is Xiang Yutian."

"Xiang Yutian," Su Chen repeated to himself, feeling as though he'd heard the name before. "Where do you come from?"

"I could tell you, but..." Xiang Yutian paused, glancing at Zhang Sanfeng before continuing, "But first, you must explain how he became so powerful. Is there truly a realm of immortals?"

"There's no secret about it. I'm not from this realm. I came here to recruit individuals for my organization. Regarding why Sage Zhang is so powerful, that's a bit complicated. You'd have to ask him yourself," Su Chen replied candidly. With Zhang Sanfeng's capabilities, dominating this world wouldn't be a challenge. If all else failed, they could always make a swift exit.

"I see," Xiang Yutian said, a flicker of comprehension crossing his face, as if he now understood the source of Zhang Sanfeng's strength and refrained from further questioning.

"I, too, am not of this world, as you might have surmised. I hail from the Meawunao Empire, known historically as the Meawunao Empire," Xiang Yutian continued, sighing deeply, his expression tinged with melancholy. "The pursuit of martial arts, to shatter the void, is the ultimate aspiration of every warrior. Yet, no one knows what lies beyond the shattering—whether it leads to ascension as an immortal or rebirth into ultimate bliss."

In the Bicaisha Empire, Su Chen stumbled and fell, landing squarely on his behind. Disregarding his disheveled state, he scrambled behind Zhang Sanfeng, finding a sense of security in his presence. "You know who I am," Xiang Yutian said, his surprise evident as he regarded Su Chen.

"Yes, I do. You're the master of the Evil Sect, the foremost expert of the Demon Sect, and the first to master the Demonic Seeds in a Sacred Heart technique," Su Chen rattled off the facts he knew.

Xiang Yutian chuckled, "I never imagined that my reputation would reach other worlds." He was torn between laughter and tears, reflecting on how the once-mighty Evil Emperor had been humbled by fate.

"I'm guessing that even if I killed you, you might still resurrect through the Demon Seed, right? Evil Emperor," Su Chen speculated.

His extensive reading had paid off; Su Chen was well-versed in the peculiar and powerful nature of the Demonic Seeds in a Sacred Heart. If not for the drastic personality changes it induced, he might have pressed Xiang Yutian for the secrets of the technique.

"Indeed, you're well-informed. How did you come to learn of my identity?" Xiang Yutian inquired.

Just then, a loud voice echoed from outside, "Those within, you are surrounded. Release His Majesty at once!"

The synchronized footsteps of the Imperial Guards marched towards the main hall, albeit belatedly. Xiang Yutian's lips curled into a smirk. "No matter your strength, how long can you withstand an army?"

Su Chen's heart pounded as he listened to the approaching footsteps. "Can we hold them off?"

"Act as you see fit, my young friend. This army is hardly worth concern," came the reassuring response.

Who gave you such confidence, Liang Jingru? Su Chen thought to himself. This isn't a tale of immortals and armies—it's martial arts. Still, he trusted Zhang Sanfeng's reassurance, for the name Zhang Sanfeng alone carried enough weight.

Outside, the calls persisted, "Release His Majesty at once!" But Su Chen's worries had already dissipated.

Su Chen glanced over at Xiang Yutian, feeling increasingly frustrated. This was a tough situation! As a homebody, he had never taken a life before! Releasing him seemed out of the question. What to do? He was urgently seeking a solution.

"Listen, Old Xiang, I'm going to let you go today. You've got to promise not to come after us again, deal?" After much deliberation, Su Chen made up his mind to let him go; he just couldn't bring himself to harm another person.

"You're... letting me go?" Xiang Yutian couldn't believe his ears.

Su Chen nodded emphatically.

"Fine. I, Xiang Yutian, vow never to trouble Wudang Mountain or this gentleman again. Should I break this vow, may I be struck down by thunderous retribution." Xiang Yutian was decisive. Knowing he was being spared, and recognizing a good turn, he made his vow then and there.