Eternal God Emperor: Only I Am Emperor One

Chapter 266 Rotten Wood Cannot Be Carved
"Even a Great Sage cannot unleash the full power of a Supreme Artifact. With my cultivation level, I indeed cannot activate a Supreme Artifact for an extended period of time, but how many blows can you withstand?"

Emperor Yi stood atop the Burning Heaven Bell, looking down at Xia Wenxin.

"Then give it a try."

Xia Wenxin didn't plan to delay any longer. After all, the Eastern Holy City was shrouded in an array. If the identity of the Undying Blood Clan was exposed and locked by the array, it would be a very troublesome matter.

He used his finger as a sword, and a huge sword aura swept towards Di Yi, seemingly about to tear Di Yi apart.

"Ninety-nine golden statues!"

Di Yi dared not underestimate it. His blood surged, and golden Buddhist light emanated from his body. He used his physical strength to lift the Burning Heaven Bell and smash it away.

"Oh!"

Xia Wenxin's sword energy was shattered by the impact of the bell.

Then Di Yi continued to throw punches, and demonic energy and Buddhist light surged out together. Divine and demonic matter and the five elements surged along with his blood energy, and the power became more and more domineering. With the blessing of the divine script of the character 'True', a simple and direct attack actually forced the opponent to retreat step by step.

"Such powerful physical strength! He's not far from becoming a Great Sage through physical cultivation."

Xia Wenxin was surprised. Di Yi's physical strength had already made him feel a threat of equal strength.

Emperor Yi said, "This is Xia Wenxin, who is at level nine in danger? She's nothing special."

Xia Wenxin's strength is below the top three levels of powerhouses, but infinitely close to the top of the pyramid.

This exchange also gave Di Yi a better understanding of his current strength. As long as he doesn't encounter any experts below the Great Sage level, he has nothing to fear.

Xia Wenxin's martial arts cultivation had long since reached the Nine-Step Saint King Realm. She had honed her skills at this level for decades, and the number of Saintly Rules within her body exceeded 60 million. She could even exchange dozens of blows with a Great Saint in the early stage of the Immortal Realm.

Even in terms of physical strength alone, he is no ordinary person. Of his 144 acupoints, 120 have already become immortal, and he has the potential to become a Great Sage in the future.

Although Di Yi's physical body acupoints have not yet become immortal, his foundation is too profound, far surpassing other cultivators who have achieved physical sainthood. Against Xia Wenxin, his power is completely overwhelming.

If it weren't for the vast difference in the number of Sacred Rules between them and the different levels of their understanding of the Sacred Path, Xia Wenxin would never be a match for Di Yi.

However, even with the advantage in strength, defeating Xia Wenxin will not be an easy task.

"The Gate of Destiny!"

Xia Wenxin gave a soft shout, and streams of destiny rules flew out from his body, condensing behind him into a gate shrouded in white holy light—the Gate of Destiny.

The Temple of Destiny holds a transcendent position in the Underworld, surpassing all ten races. Almost every member of the younger generation of the Undying Blood Clan comes into contact with the Path of Destiny.

Xia Wenxin's mastery of the Dao of Destiny is quite high; even in the Underworld, she would be considered top-notch.

As soon as the Gate of Destiny opened, an invisible force enveloped Di Yi, attempting to weaken his physical strength.

However, this weakening lasted only a moment before it was broken through by the more vast and sacred path of truth.

Di Yi's achievements in the Path of Truth far surpass Xia Wenxin's achievements in the Path of Destiny, making him a figure comparable to the ten divine disciples of the Temple of Truth.

"The Divine Skill of Subduing Dragons and Elephants!"

Di Yi erected the Boundless Star Sea of ​​Truth Form, and at the same time unleashed the Dragon Subduing Elephant Skill from the Six Divine Skills of Buddhism, drawing upon the power of dragons and elephants to actively attack Xia Wenxin.

These divine skills and sacred arts of Buddhism are most compatible with the path of the physical body. When they are used now, Di Yi's physical body is completely enveloped in golden light. After continuous collisions, it eventually transforms into a golden Buddha that is 33 feet tall.

"Buddhist golden body?"

Xia Wenxin grew increasingly alarmed as the battle progressed. He kept recalling the powerful figures in the Heavenly Court Realm, but he couldn't find one who was proficient in both the Way of Truth and the Way of Buddhism.

A golden body exceeding three zhang in length is something that only Bodhisattvas at the Great Sage Realm can condense in Buddhism. If the battle continues, I might truly be defeated.

"Blood clouds stretch for thousands of miles."

Xia Wenxin no longer concealed her aura and released her full strength. A pair of enormous blood wings spread out behind her, like two blood clouds, and the vast blood energy soared into the sky, making the entire Eastern Holy City clearly visible.

“It is a powerful member of the Undying Blood Clan. A powerful member of the Undying Blood Clan has infiltrated the Holy City of the Eastern Region.”

A sage within the Eastern Region Holy King's Palace immediately noticed and reported it to King Chen Yin of the Eastern Region.

Inside the Tianjue Pavilion, Zhang Ruochen and Jiang Yunchong gazed at the distant battlefield where the fighting was raging fiercely, their expressions solemn.

"What terrifying aura! These two have already reached the pinnacle below the Great Sage level," Jiang Yunchong said.

“Jie Canghai’s aura has completely disappeared, and he has most likely perished. Mr. Shenya has also suffered serious injuries. The Heavenly Realm’s plan to seize the Eastern Holy City will have to be postponed for at least some time,” Zhang Ruochen said.

"In the end, it's just a delaying tactic. Once Mr. Shenya recovers from his injuries, or other powerful figures from the Heavenly Realm faction arrive, it will still be difficult to protect the Eastern Holy City, unless a sufficiently powerful leader is stationed there." Jiang Yunchong said, looking at Zhang Ruochen, clearly placing high hopes on him.

Under his gaze, Zhang Ruochen immediately felt considerable pressure. His cultivation was only at the seventh step Saint King level. He could deal with a weaker ninth step Saint King, but he was still far from being able to contend with Mr. Shenya.

……

On the sea, Di Yi and Xia Wenxin fought fiercely, neither able to gain the upper hand. One possessed unparalleled physical strength, while the other had unparalleled Taoist magic. For a time, neither could defeat the other.

Xia Wenxin was now truly enraged, no longer displaying her usual composure. Her blood-red hair flew wildly, and together with the blood-red wings behind her, they gathered into a thick cloud of blood.

"You really think that just because you have a Supreme Sacred Artifact, I can't do anything to you?"

"The Treasure Mirror of Myriad Beasts, emerge!"

With a low roar, the Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror flew out from Xia Wenxin's body. Even before it was activated, the heavy, ancient aura emanating from the treasure mirror made the sea surface tremble with solemnity.

Emperor Yi's golden body shone brightly, his demonic eyes were like blood. He held up the Burning Heaven Bell in one hand and held the battle axe he had retrieved from the sea in the other, which was the weapon that Jie Canghai had used before.

Upon seeing the Treasure Mirror of Myriad Beasts, Di Yi suddenly burst into laughter, showing no fear whatsoever.

Xia Wenxin narrowed her eyes, a murderous intent rising within her, and said coldly, "What are you laughing at?"

"I laugh at your naivety; you actually dared to use the Myriad Beasts Mirror against me."

The Holy Heart in Di Yi's chest throbbed, and a surge of powerful spiritual energy erupted. Almost simultaneously, the Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror, which had been under Xia Wenxin's control, suddenly showed signs of going out of control.

"You tampered with it?" Xia Wenxin's face was cold and stern, like frost, as she tried to put away the Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror.

"late."

Emperor Yi laughed loudly, and in an instant, the Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror shone with dazzling light. It broke free from Xia Wenxin's restraints and flew towards Emperor Yi on its own, landing behind him.

Under Xia Wenxin's murderous gaze, a graceful, immortal vampire figure emerged from behind Di Yi.

She held the Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror in her palm, its aura perfectly integrated, as if it were one with her.

Yinghuo glanced at Xia Wenxin with disdain and said scornfully, "No one but my master can take the Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror from me." "An immortal bloodline cultivator actually serves a Heavenly Court cultivator as his master. You are courting death."

Xia Wenxin's eyes were surging with crimson flames. Since embarking on the path of cultivation, he had never suffered such a great loss, being made a fool of from beginning to end.

The person in front of him had clearly been coveting the Heavenly Demon Blood Axe Diagram in his hands from the very beginning, intending to get something for nothing.

Faced with the threat, Yinghuo showed no fear and sneered, "Ignorant fool, let me show you the true power of the Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror."

As she spoke, she channeled her spiritual power into the Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror. Instantly, spatial fluctuations surged from within the mirror, forming a phantom spatial gate on the sea surface.

The Myriad Beasts Treasure Mirror is a special time-space treasure, containing a vast inner space like a great world, sealing countless high-level sacred beasts and divine beasts.

Only the ruler of Yinghuo can open the Treasure Mirror of Myriad Beasts and summon the sacred and divine beasts within.

From within the spatial gate, a terrifying pressure surged forth, landing on Xia Wenxin and instantly causing her expression to change.

"Is this the aura of the Beast King?"

Although he was furious, he did not lose his mind. He understood that he could not win today, and that continuing to fight would only risk serious injury.

"I underestimated you today." Xia Wenxin stopped fighting, her blood wings flapped, and she transformed into a blood-red dot of light, disappearing into the sea.

Di Yi did not pursue it, partly because he could not catch up, and even if he did, he was not confident that he could keep it.

Xia Wenxin's strength is indeed very strong. Before breaking through to the Ninth Step Saint King level, Di Yi was not confident that he could defeat her.

After taking Yinghuo into the Yuanchen Sumeru Stabilizing Banner, Di Yi also transformed into a stream of light and headed towards the direction of the Eastern Region Holy King's Mansion.

With the great battle over, the cultivators in the Eastern Holy City breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside the Tianjue Pavilion, Jiang Yunchong's expression changed drastically.

"Oh no, he's heading towards the Tower of Fire."

"The Tower of Fire? What is that place?" Zhang Ruochen asked, puzzled.

"The Flame Tower is the core of the entire Eastern Region Holy City and even the Eastern Region Divine Land. The Eastern Region Heavenly King Chen Yuhua personally oversees it. If anything happens to the Flame Tower, the entire Eastern Region will be put on the defensive." Jiang Yunchong could no longer remain calm. He looked at Zhang Ruochen and continued, "Crown Prince Ruochen, I'm going to the Flame Tower. Would you like to come with me?"

In the previous battle, both Xia Wenxin and Di Yi displayed strength so great that it inspired despair. Going to the Fire Tower at this time would be tantamount to courting death.

Zhang Ruochen did not hesitate at all: "The Fire Tower is so important that it cannot fall into the hands of cultivators outside the Kunlun Realm. Brother Jiang, there is no time to lose, let's set off immediately."

There is not just one Holy King's Palace in the Eastern Holy City; each district has its own branch palace.

The Tower of Ink is located within the branch government of the Sixth District.

When the Emperor appeared outside the Holy King's Mansion, the world had already fallen into night. The mansion was brightly lit and peaceful, seemingly unaffected by the events happening outside.

Deep within the Holy King's Mansion, Di Yi sensed an extremely well-hidden aura, vast and boundless, far stronger than Jie Canghai, yet still somewhat weaker than Xia Wenxin.

Without hesitation, he went straight in.

Within the Holy King's Palace, various formations and restrictions are arranged. At its deepest part stands a sacred mountain with steep slopes, from which five-colored holy clouds burst forth.

A thirty-three-story ancient tower was built on the mountaintop. Under the True Source Demon Eye of Emperor Yi, the ancient tower revealed its true form. It was far more than thirty-three stories high, with its body reaching straight into the clouds, and the top could not be seen at all.

It's not thirty-three floors, it's clearly three hundred and thirty-three floors.

As the Emperor stepped into Mount Ling, it was as if he were passing through a curtain of water, and the scenery before him changed accordingly.

Mount Ling remains the same, but with a touch more desolation. At the foot of the tower sits an old man with a full head of silver hair, dressed simply, his face full of wrinkles, his eyes cloudy, his life force like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

In front of him lay a withered and rotten tree root, so decayed that it would crumble into powder at the slightest touch.

But the old man was unwilling to give up. He held a small knife in his hand and began to carve on it, wanting to create a masterpiece.

"Da da!"

Di Yi walked over step by step, his figure straight as a sword. He carefully examined the tree root in the man's hand and said, "Rotten wood is hard to carve. No matter how amazing your carving skills are, you can't change the fact that it's rotten. Your direction was wrong from the beginning, and you can't succeed."

The old man's hand, gripping the knife, was extremely thin and trembled slightly upon hearing this. His heart, honed over a thousand years, was suddenly stirred by a subtle emotion.

"You mean, I did something wrong?"

"Of course you're wrong, utterly wrong. No matter how profound your understanding of the Dao is, even if you achieve perfect harmony with it, you cannot change the fact that your blood and energy are depleted and your lifespan is exhausted. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are also part of the Dao. Without transcending the original Dao, you will never experience a revival." Emperor Yi said.

Chen Yuhua stopped carving and fell silent, pondering his words.

After a moment, he asked, "According to your advice, what should I do?"

“Eight hundred years ago, the Chen family’s ‘Four Nine Mysterious Techniques’ was incomplete and lacked a Great Sage level technique. It was understandable that you couldn’t break through to the Great Sage level, but Zhang Ruochen had already returned the fourth volume of the ‘Four Nine Mysterious Techniques’ to the Chen family. So many years have passed, and you still haven’t been able to comprehend your own path to the Great Sage. Your talent is indeed quite ordinary.” Di Yi shook his head and said.

Chen Yuhua's wrinkled brows furrowed even more, and he said with considerable displeasure, "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. Have you come here specifically to humiliate this old man?"

"Humiliate you? I'm not that bored." Di Yi said flippantly, opening his palm and picking up a piece of rotten tree root from the ground.

Under Chen Yuhua's puzzled gaze, the rotten tree roots gradually regained their vitality, sprouted green buds, and in the blink of an eye, grew into a sapling.

Emperor Yi threw it to the ground, but the sapling did not stop growing. It grew lush and leafy at an astonishing speed, and soon its canopy was like an umbrella.

Chen Yuhua was shocked. The tree roots here were influenced by his holy path and were imbued with the meaning of annihilation. Even a Nine-Step Saint King who was proficient in the Dao of Life could not reverse life and death.

"how did you do it?"

Di Yi calmly looked at Chen Yuhua, his appearance changing, transforming into Chen Yin, the King of the Eastern Region, and then into Chen Wutian...

He transformed into nine people familiar to Chen Yuhua before finally revealing his original appearance.

"Formless and shapeless, changing oneself from the root, this is the Daoist method in the 'Four Nine Mysterious Techniques'. If you comprehend it, you will be able to revive like withered wood and have the qualifications to challenge the Great Sage again. If you cannot comprehend it... you are truly rotten wood that cannot be carved."

Chen Yuhua remained silent, standing there, gazing at the towering giant tree, his eyes gradually regaining their former brilliance.

"The black market is truly enviable; it produces so many outstanding people."

“If the Heavenly King of the Eastern Region wants to be sentimental, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Now is not the time. My gift has been delivered, and it is time for the Heavenly King of the Eastern Region to hand over his gift,” Di Yi said calmly.

"What is that?" Chen Yuhua asked, his expression turning wary.

“Naturally… the Torch Relay Order.”

(End of this chapter)