I tricked you into thinking you had the makings of an emperor, but you actually did it?

Bystanders witnessed the entire process.

Xiao Panhuang's golden armor first let out a mournful cry of unbearable strain, and the divine armor symbolizing supreme imperial power dimmed instantly.

Then, the chaotic sword light pierced through Xiao Panhuang's chest, and blood splattered everywhere.

Xiao Panhuang's aura instantly weakened.

A shocking bloody hole appeared in the golden armor, and blood gushed out, staining his tattered clothes red.

His face was deathly pale, his eyes filled with shock and resentment, and he muttered to himself.

"Impossible... How could I, the Emperor, be defeated?!"

However, without even a chance to catch his breath, the edges of his wounds were scorched by chaotic lightning and fire, sending waves of unbearable pain through him.

"What kind of demonic swordsmanship is this?!"

Little Panhuang had never seen such exaggerated swordsmanship.

He quickly activated his magic to resist the sword fire.

Shen Ming stepped forward, sword in hand, exuding murderous intent.

Little Panhuang remained unmoved, seemingly having something to rely on.

Suddenly, the Panhuang Void Sword that had been released from the hand began to hum.

The sword shone with a dazzling light, transforming into a bridge of light.

"The Panhuang lineage will never perish!"

A magnificent and ancient pressure descended, its vastness and power like an ancient star collapsing, shattering the surrounding void layer by layer.

The golden light of the Panhuang Void Sword suddenly receded, transforming into a golden figure standing in the void.

Panhuang Sword Spirit!

Shen Ming was very familiar with this scene; Jian Li had done the same thing when she transformed into human form.

Sword spirits have no gender distinction; the Panhuang Sword Spirit is a tall figure with a blurred face.

His entire being was formed from golden light, and ancient spatial power flowed around him.

With a gentle wave of the sword spirit, the void rippled like the surface of water.

"Quasi-Saint...no, this secret realm can only be inhabited by Quasi-Saints!"

"Quasi-Saints are more than enough; this is the true strength of the imperial dynasty!"

Even though Shen Ming's performance just now was unexpected, the difference in strength between him and such a sword spirit was still enormous.

"It's as if you have a sword spirit," Shen Ming said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Great Luo Sword vibrated violently, emitting a deep hum.

The lightning and fire on the sword suddenly dissipated, and a brilliant light burst forth from the sword, like the glow of dawn illuminating the earth.

Then, the radiance gradually coalesced and took shape, transforming into an unparalleled figure.

Like a banished immortal descending from heaven, she wore a white robe as pure as clouds and mist, flawless and ethereal.

Her eyes were like the boundless void, deep and unfathomable, carrying an indescribable majesty and mystery.

Jian Li's appearance shook the entire battlefield.

"What a powerful sword spirit!"

Both Gu Tianming and the Sword Fairy were deeply moved upon seeing such a top-tier swordsman.

They realized that the total value of all the treasures in the secret realm might not even compare to this sword.

Compared to the Panhuang Sword Spirit, Jian Li exudes a completely different aura.

"Xiao Pan, are you sure you want to draw your sword?" Jian Li's voice was cold and clear, revealing boundless confidence.

The two sword spirits knew each other.

Jian Li is the sword spirit of the Moon Emperor. This sword spirit belongs to the Pan Emperor, and its image and temperament are derived from the first Pan Emperor.

Therefore, that face was blurry and indistinct, not allowing outsiders to see it.

"You are not as good as you used to be. You can't recover your fifth sword and are no longer my match," the Panhuang Sword Spirit said in a deep voice.

As soon as he finished speaking, golden light filled the entire void in an instant, and space stood still.

The figure of the Panhuang Sword Spirit became more solid, its face still unclear, but its eyes revealed a cold light.

"Conquest!"

As the sword spirit charged out, a crack suddenly appeared in the void, creating a series of spatial turbulence.

Jian Li did not immediately use her sword techniques, but instead engaged in close combat.

The blazing white sword light and golden spatial turbulence erupted into countless sparks.

The two sword spirits attacked, seemingly a continuation of the battle between Shen Ming and Xiao Panhuang, but even more intense.

Before long, the Panhuang Sword Spirit expanded, its light shone brightly, and it transformed into countless phantoms, each carrying a sharp sword aura.

Cut through space, traverse the void.

Jian Li transformed herself into a sword, its dazzling light tearing through the void and shattering the illusory image.

The fierce battle between the two sword spirits was so captivating that it kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

Just then, more than ten figures slowly approached Shen Ming, led by Xuan Xiao, the national guardian general.

"A swordsman is nothing without a sword."

Xuanxiao held a huge battle halberd, the tip of which gleamed with a chilling light.

Clearly, he wanted to take advantage of this perfect opportunity to get rid of Shen Ming.

Among those following him were not all from the Panyue Dynasty; there were also those who wanted a share of the spoils.

Their thinking was simple: the Great Luo Immortal Sword, their natal sword, would fight against the Panhuang Sword Spirit.

Shen Ming has lost his swordsmanship realm and is now merely a quasi-emperor.

Even if we take a step back and say it's a mere human emperor, it's still a very low rank.

"Are you sure?" A cold light flashed in Shen Ming's eyes, and a layer of lightning and fire rose around his body.

“He’s bluffing!” Xuanxiao said.

"Whether it's bluffing or not, it doesn't matter."

When a quasi-saint spoke, he was an elder of a major sect, and he had the confidence to say such a thing.

"Those who make a move today will face death," Shen Ming said coldly.

"Ha, young man, this is not a contest between peers, this is a life-or-death battle." The Quasi-Saint found it amusing; he didn't believe Shen Ming had any trump cards that could threaten a Quasi-Saint.

"Then die."

Shen Ming's aura changed, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth around him began to surge wildly from the inside out.

The world suddenly changed. The once clear sky was suddenly covered with dark clouds, which quickly spread and obscured the entire battlefield.

"Cataclysmic clouds?!"

Those who were about to make a move were all taken aback.

They were somewhat confused. What was the point of summoning a calamity when faced with a dead end?

If they fail to transcend the tribulation and are reduced to ashes, they can simply pick up what's already taken.

Even if he successfully transcends the tribulation and becomes a minor emperor, it's still useless if the Sword Emperor can't solve the current predicament.

"No! Stop him quickly!"

Xuanxiao's expression changed drastically; he had some understanding of Shen Ming.

"He can unleash his power by harnessing the Heavenly Tribulation, and once triggered a double lightning tribulation! He is invincible, slaughtering those of the same realm. Make your move quickly!" he said.

"A double tribulation? That's nonsense. How can you trigger a tribulation of the next realm if you're not even at the next realm level?"

"That's right, a double lightning tribulation is bound to fail, leaving not even ashes."

The cultivators of the Fifth Realm did not believe that such an outrageous thing could happen.

“Even if it exists, it cannot be replicated in the complete Fifth Realm,” said a Quasi-Saint of a Great Sect.

These words reassured Xuanxiao somewhat.

Indeed, the laws of the lower realm are flawed, and the world is incomplete, so some illogical things happen from time to time.

This is the Fifth Realm; recklessness is not allowed here.

"Probably," Xuanxiao thought to himself, silently hoping.

Above the sky, lightning flashed, and the tribulation of the fifth heaven was about to be unleashed.

"bring it on!"

Shen Ming's gaze was firm, and lightning and fire burned fiercely.

He is already a potential emperor and can undergo tribulation at any time; there is no more suitable opportunity than now.

Moreover, this is the perfect opportunity to comprehend the Thunder Emperor's Immortal Scripture.

"It's time to transform the Thunder Dao Heart into an Immortal Heart!"