Eternal God Emperor: Only I Am Emperor One

Chapter 51 The Taiyuan Halberd is Acquired

The sacrificial ceremony lasted for half a day. Countless young men and women received the Divine Martial Mark, but many more gained nothing and were not qualified to embark on the path of martial arts.

Among them was Zhang Ruochen, the ninth prince of Yunwu County.

After the ceremony concluded, the Prince of Yunwu hosted a banquet in the palace, inviting prominent figures from Yunwu Royal City to attend.

Di Yi's thoughts had already drifted to the Taiyuan Halberd after Liu Chuanshen's words.

The Taiyuan Halberd is a ninth-tier True Martial Treasure, the highest-grade divine weapon in the entire Yunwu Kingdom.

Emperor Yi never expected that the Taiyuan Halberd would be forged from fragments of the Luo River.

How can I obtain the Taiyuan Halberd?

As a national treasure, the Taiyuan Halberd was naturally kept in the heart of the royal palace year-round, personally guarded by the elders of the royal family's Heavenly Realm clan.

The Zhang family of the Yunwu royal family has ruled the Yunwu Kingdom for nearly three hundred years, so their foundation is naturally profound. On the surface, there are only two Heavenly Realm warriors, the King of Yunwu and the Princess of Qingxuan, but the number of Heavenly Realm elders hidden behind the scenes is definitely more than that.

Entering the palace and taking the Taiyuan Halberd right under the noses of a group of Heavenly Realm experts seems impossible.

Although Di Yi's Dark Martial Soul could conceal his form, it still could not be perfectly hidden in front of a Heavenly Realm expert who had cultivated a Martial Soul.

"No rush. Now that we know the whereabouts of the extraterrestrial fragment, we can slowly devise a plan."

……

The Poison Spider Guild is a heretical organization in the nine counties of Lingxi that is on par with the Underworld Gate.

Hua Minggong, the president of the Poison Spider Merchant Guild in Yunwu County, is one of the three major figures of the evil path in Yunwu County, along with the leader of the Underworld Gate and the president of the Black Market.

About a thousand miles from Yunwu Royal City, a giant red ship was slowly moving forward on a lake.

This is the Poison Spider Merchant Guild's most prized possession, the Crimson Spider Giant Ship. It is engraved with numerous runes and formations and is activated by Hua Minggong, a martial artist at the early stage of the Heavenly Realm. It is powerful enough to contend with a strong person at the middle stage of the Heavenly Realm.

The former king of Yunwu County once fought against the former president of the Poison Spider Merchant Guild with the Taiyuan Halberd. Even with the national treasure weapon in hand, he was still severely injured by the Red Spider Giant Ship and died shortly after escaping back to the royal city.

The renowned Crimson Spider behemoth appeared less than a thousand miles from the royal city, and scouts immediately reported back to the city on horseback.

In less than half a day, the entire Yunwu Royal City was shrouded in a tense atmosphere.

A year ago, the manager of the Poison Spider Merchant Guild in Guanchao City died in the wilderness, which severely damaged the Poison Spider Merchant Guild's interests in the western part of Yunwu County.

For the past year, Hua Minggong had been investigating the truth. Until recently, a mysterious person passed on information to him through the black market, telling him that the manager of the Poison Spider Merchant Guild in Guanchao City had died at the hands of Princess Qingxuan and had been killed by the royal family of Yunwu County.

On the giant Red Spider ship, Hua Minggong and his son Hua Qingshan stood on the deck, gazing at the distant lake and mountain scenery.

Hua Qingshan is a somewhat eerie young man. Although he is not old, his cultivation has already reached the middle level of the Earth Realm. He is known as the 'Poison Spider Young Master' and is one of the Ten Heavenly Demons.

"Father, are we really going to war with the Cloud Martial Royal Family by bringing the Crimson Spider Giant Ship this time?"

Hua Minggong stroked the green jade thumb ring and said calmly, "The Poison Spider Merchant Guild has lost a manager at the Great Perfection of the Earth Realm. If there is no response, wouldn't it make others look down on the Poison Spider Merchant Guild? Moreover, the person who sent the news spread the matter widely in the black market, clearly wanting to see the Poison Spider Merchant Guild and the royal family of Yunwu County fight to the death."

"Then why did Father bring the Crimson Spider warship here? Isn't that playing right into the hands of the person behind it?" Hua Qingshan asked, puzzled.

“Even if it’s exactly what I wanted, I still have to come.” Hua Minggong’s face was solemn. “Last year, the old ghost Lan from the Underworld Gate was forced back by the three swords of that Hidden Dragon Hall Master, which greatly increased the prestige of the righteous path. During this period, the Martial Market Bank and the Moon Worshiping Demonic Cult took advantage of this time to seize the assets of the Black Market. If this continues, the Black Market’s power in Yunwu Royal City will be completely swallowed up sooner or later.”

"In this battle, all we need to do is demonstrate the power of the Poison Spider Merchant Guild and let all the forces in Yunwu County know who the true overlord of Yunwu County is." Lord Hua Ming was full of confidence. With the Red Spider behemoth in the army, who in Yunwu County could stand against them?
When the news reached the palace, Prince Yunwu, who was in seclusion, immediately broke out of his seclusion and, together with General Wan Chengzhong, mustered 50,000 imperial guards and headed towards the location of the Red Spider giant ship.

Most importantly, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, the Yunwu Kingdom also retrieved the national treasure, the Taiyuan Halberd, from its ancestral temple.

Emperor Yi stood on the city wall, watching the Imperial Guards march out of the city in a grand procession, a smile playing on his lips.

For half a year, he tried various methods to obtain the Taiyuan Halberd, but all ended in failure. The royal palace was the stronghold of the royal family and was so well-managed that it was impregnable. The only way to obtain the Taiyuan Halberd was to find a way to have someone take it out of the palace.

The truth about the death of the manager of Guanchao City from the Poison Spider Merchant Guild was spread widely in the black market by the Emperor's faction, in order to use the Poison Spider Merchant Guild to force Prince Yunwu to leave the city with the Taiyuan Halberd.

Prince Yunwu is a proud man and may not truly fear the Red Spider Giant Ship, but his father, the late King Zhang Xianyi, died because of the Red Spider Giant Ship. Given the opportunity to fight the Red Spider Giant Ship again, he will naturally spare no effort.

Emperor Yi looked at the metal mission token in his hand. This was a mission token for a Heavenly-level mission from the First-Class Hall. It could identify the items required to complete the mission. In other words, this mission token could distinguish the fragments from outer space.

……

Half a day later, a great battle between Heavenly Realm experts broke out on the lake where the Red Spider giant ship was located.

Prince Yunwu, wielding the Taiyuan Halberd, fought alongside Wan Chengzhong, the commander of the Imperial Guards, against Hua Minggong, who was piloting the giant Red Spider ship, for a day and a night.

Finally, the Red Spider giant ship retreated, and both Prince Yunwu and Wan Chengzhong were seriously injured.

The 50,000 Imperial Guards suffered heavy losses after a major battle, and were exhausted.

Emperor Yi stood above a valley that the Prince of Yunwu would inevitably pass through on his return to the capital, accompanied by the four Zhao brothers.

"Master, our scouts report that Prince Yunwu was hit by the Red Spider warship and is seriously injured. The Imperial Guard Commander Wan Chengzhong is now in command, and he also wields the Taiyuan Halberd." Zhao Quanzhong, who is nearly two meters tall, reported the situation to Di Yi while carrying a giant sword on his back.

“The Prince of Yunwu trusts Wan Chengzhong so much that he has entrusted him with the temporary command of the national treasure weapon.”

"Master, should we just take the Taiyuan Halberd directly?" asked Zhao Quanren, a pale-faced, short, and stout man.

"No rush, let's wait a bit longer." Di Yi looked at the vast Imperial Guard in the distance. The Prince of Yunwu was seriously injured. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Black Market and the Moon Worshiping Demonic Cult would definitely not let it go easily.

As expected, a riot broke out in the Imperial Guard a quarter of an hour later. The leader of the Underworld Sect and the president of the Black Market made their move at the same time, leading many evil experts to storm into the Imperial Guard and head straight for the location of Prince Yunwu.

The Moon Worshiping Demonic Cult also revealed its experts. Together, more than a handful of Heavenly Realm experts from the heretical sects and the demonic cult attacked, attempting to bury Prince Yunwu in this valley. Wan Cheng, wielding the Taiyuan Halberd, single-handedly blocked three Heavenly Realm experts, but ultimately could not stop all the enemies.

The leader of the Underworld Gate flew past Wan Chengzhong and into the carriage of the Prince of Yunwu.

However, the next moment, several terrifying martial arts auras erupted from inside the car.

Led by Prince Yunwu, there were actually five Heavenly Realm experts hidden inside the carriage.

Seeing this, Di Yi couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Prince Yunwu.

"The Prince of Yunwu is actually faking his injury. Is he trying to wipe out the black market and the experts of the Moon Worshiping Demonic Cult in Yunwu County?" Zhao Quanyi, with his dark and gaunt face, exclaimed in surprise.

The five experts inside the carriage, besides the Prince of Yunwu, included the Princess of Qingxuan, the Grand Preceptor of Yunwu Kingdom, and two elders from the royal Zhang family, all at the Heavenly Realm level. They had truly revealed their full strength.

With the addition of Wan Chengzhong, the Black Market, and the Heavenly Realm experts from the Demonic Sect, nearly half of the Heavenly Realm warriors in the entire Yunwu Kingdom have gathered here.

Di Yi's gaze remained fixed on Wan Chengzhong.

Wan Chengzhong's martial arts cultivation has reached the peak of the late stage of the Heavenly Realm. He has cultivated the Vajra Savage Elephant Martial Soul. With the Taiyuan Halberd in hand, he has driven the Black Market Chairman into a series of defeats.

Struck by a halberd, the black market guild leader was sent flying over a hundred feet away, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his heart filled with rage.

"What a cunning Prince Yunwu! Is he trying to wipe us all out in one fell swoop?"

Princess Qingxuan rushed over, wielding a mountain-splitting axe. The six-tusked barbarian elephant was too conspicuous, so she did not bring it.

"General Wan, kill him first, then deal with the others."

Seeing this, the black market guild leader knew he was no match for the enemy and retreated without hesitation. With a Heavenly Realm martial artist focused on escaping, it would not be an easy task to keep him here.

Wan Chengzhong and Princess Qingxuan naturally did not want to miss this rare opportunity, so they chased after them together.

Upon seeing this, Di Yi's aura suddenly changed.

"Do it!"

Behind them, the four Zhao brothers answered the order in unison, forming the Four Symbols Battle Formation. The four distinct martial arts true energies converged into a true energy ball with a diameter of 100 feet, carrying endless destructive power as it descended upon the Black Market Chairman, Wan Chengzhong, and Princess Qingxuan.

The combined attack of the four was comparable to that of a martial artist at the highest level of the Heavenly Realm.

The three of them, Wan Chengzhong, Wan Chengzhong, and Wan Chengzhong, were all at the late stage of the Heavenly Realm in terms of martial arts cultivation. Faced with this attack that was like a divine sun descending from the sky, they were all horrified.

"Oh no, there's another expert!"

The three of them immediately tried to dodge, and fortunately, they reacted in time and only suffered minor injuries, without any danger to their lives.

After their attack, the four of them stopped as Di Yi had instructed, concealing their presence and trying to avoid revealing their identities.

Wan Chengzhong was sent flying hundreds of feet away by this blow, crashing into the cliff face of the valley, his armor tattered and torn.

He gripped the Taiyuan Halberd tightly, using his martial spirit to raise his protective true energy, and sensed a powerful aura approaching.

A figure completely shrouded in black robes appeared like a ghost, extending sharp claws covered in ebony.

"Who are you?"

Wan Cheng raised his palm and struck out, colliding with the black-robed man's sharp claws, and was actually forced to stagger back several steps.

Emperor Yi glanced at Taiyuan Halberd. With the mission completed in sight, he no longer needed to deliberately hide it.

Princess Qingxuan rushed over from the side, wielding the Heaven-Opening Axe and slashing down at Emperor Yi.

Emperor Yi raised his hand and unleashed a Dragon Elephant Prajna Palm strike. The violent yang energy surged out from the Ghost King's claw, sending Princess Qingxuan flying backward.

After half a year of cultivation, Di Yi's cultivation level has improved again, and he has stepped into the minor extreme position of the Earth Extreme Realm. He has also cultivated the fifth level of the Heavenly Demon Suppressing Prison Diagram to its peak.

"Who exactly are you, sir? When did Yunwu Kingdom produce such a powerful figure as yourself?"

Wan Chengzhong's expression was solemn as he poured all his martial arts true energy into the Taiyuan Halberd. Dozens of runes within the halberd were activated, unleashing a battle might capable of splitting mountains and cleaving rivers.

Di Yi seemed not to hear, and unleashed the strongest offensive move of the Hell King Claw with all his might.

"The Yellow Springs are without end"

The claw mark materialized and struck the Taiyuan Halberd before Wan Cheng could unleash his powerful halberd strike.

Two streams of true energy exploded apart, and Wan Chengzhong's figure crashed into the depths of the cliff, his breath becoming barely audible.

The Taiyuan Halberd flew out diagonally and pierced the ground.

Princess Qingxuan landed in front of Wan Chengzhong, shielding him behind her, and looked solemnly at the figure in black robes.

The figure in black robes ignored him, turned and walked to the Taiyuan Halberd beside him, pulled it out, and then leaped up and disappeared.

"He came for the Taiyuan Halberd?"

The black market guild leader seized the opportunity to escape, his brow furrowing as he recalled the black-robed figure who had attacked him earlier.

"The martial arts technique that person just used is very similar to the legendary Hell King Claw. Could he be a black market person from the Eastern Evil Land?"

(End of this chapter)