Emperor Yan's Trump Card

"Flames, come forth!"

Emperor Yan's gaze was steady as he uttered a light command, his voice carrying the weight of divine decree.

In an instant, countless fissures tore through the endless void, revealing bottomless abysses within. From these cracks, molten lava, seething with terrifying heat, erupted like geysers.

Emperor Yan raised his hand, palm upturned as if holding up the heavens.

The endless rivers of molten lava converged toward his grasp, coalescing into a colossal sphere of destruction. The world itself turned crimson, as if he had become the sovereign ruler of all flames in existence.

The other Emperors witnessing this scene couldn't help but show astonishment—especially Emperor Qilin, whose expression darkened.

He never imagined that Emperor Yan, a junior in comparison, could wield flames so potent that their heat rivaled his own Solar True Fire. Though lacking the yang attribute, the sheer temperature even seemed to surpass it slightly.

An attack of this caliber might draw a glance from the Emperors, but not outright shock.

What truly stunned them was the realization that Emperor Yan, known for dual cultivation—with his primary path being the Dao of Life and Death—had attained such mastery over the Dao of Flames that he surpassed many Emperors. If this was his secondary path, how terrifying must his true focus, tempered through a hundred cycles of reincarnation, truly be?

BOOM—!

The molten sphere, spanning over ten thousand zhang in diameter—akin to a small planet—was hurled casually by Emperor Yan toward Gu Qingfeng.

Though its speed was not overwhelming, its sheer scale left no room for evasion. It engulfed the entire battlefield, rendering escape impossible.

Gu Qingfeng frowned slightly as he observed the incoming inferno. It felt... weak. Was there some hidden profundity within? Perhaps the true killing strike lay concealed inside?

CRASH!

The planetary mass of molten rock exploded, swallowing his figure in a sea of scorching lava.

Just as the onlookers expected Gu Qingfeng to be obliterated, an unharmed figure emerged from the flames.

"Are these tedious tests really necessary?" Gu Qingfeng said impatiently, his eyes locked on Emperor Yan.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Emperor Yan's gaze. "As expected of the legendary Chaos Body—impervious to all laws. Since flames are useless... it seems I must get serious."

The moment his words fell, the flames around him vanished, and the fiery radiance dissipated. In its place arose an ineffable, profound aura.

Then, shades of black and white surged forth, transforming the battlefield into a monochrome painting—a realm of Life and Death.

Within this domain, an eerie sensation took hold—as if one foot stood in hell while the other rested in paradise.

And Emperor Yan? He stood as the supreme arbiter of existence, his gaze as detached as a god's.

"This is the Domain of Life and Death. Within my realm, only one outcome is possible—I live, and you die."

His domineering declaration reverberated across the battlefield, brimming with unshakable confidence.

The Emperors watching from outside trembled, their hearts roiling with terror.

"Such a horrifying Life and Death Domain!"

"Once inside, life and death are no longer your own!"

"Never make an enemy of Emperor Yan—this man is a calamity incarnate!"

Their exclamations reached Gu Qingfeng's ears, stirring a rare tension within him.

He swiftly activated his Golden Eye of Truth, scanning the domain meticulously. Yet the more he observed, the more unsettled he became.

Damn it!

Is this the true power of the Chosen One?

Hiding his trump card within this crude domain? Even with my Golden Eye, I can't detect where the killing strike lies.

Unless... this seemingly flawed Life and Death Domain is the trump card itself?

The thought barely formed before Gu Qingfeng dismissed it.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

From Emperor Yan's unwavering confidence to the awestruck reactions of the seasoned Emperors, it was clear—this domain held unfathomable depths. It couldn't possibly be as weak as it appeared.

Emperor Yan's cold voice echoed once more.

"Gu Qingfeng, did you think your Immortal Sin made you invincible? What Heaven's Dao can do, I can as well. Within this domain, you will endure endless deaths. Even if you revive, it means nothing—for you will die again, trapped in an unending cycle.

Soon, you will realize that your so-called Immortal Sin is your greatest shackle. A fate worse than death—where living is more torturous than dying."

"Millstone of Life and Death!"

With a thunderous roar, streams of black and white energy swirled before Emperor Yan, forming a colossal grinding wheel etched with intricate runes. A power capable of reshaping life and death pulsed from it.

His hands moved in a blur, imprinting seals upon the millstone. With each mark, the wheel spun faster, its glyphs blazing with radiant light, illuminating the cosmos!

BOOM—!

The millstone rolled forth, crushing the void in its path. Where it passed, all life withered—yet paradoxically, waves of vitality emanated from it, replenishing Emperor Yan endlessly.

It descended upon Gu Qingfeng with unstoppable force, seeking to grind him into pure life essence, refining and erasing him utterly!

Gu Qingfeng's expression grew graver. His golden eyes traced the millstone's path, observing the enigmatic runes swirling upon it—each symbol a profound mystery, capable of annihilating all things while converting their essence into sustenance for its wielder. A technique that rendered its user nigh invincible.

Yet his unease wasn't due to the millstone itself.

The Millstone of Life and Death could transmute life into death and death into life—but only against suitable foes. A millstone grinds beans, not steel.

What truly troubled him was Emperor Yan's hidden killing move. Despite his scrutiny, he still couldn't pinpoint its location.

Damn it!

How deceitful can Emperor Yan be?!

BOOM!

Gu Qingfeng mustered a tenth of his power, reserving the rest to shield himself.

His fist lashed out, shaking the heavens. A brilliance akin to a supernova erupted, blinding all who witnessed it.

BANG!

The devastating force struck the millstone—which shattered instantly, crumbling into dust.

With the millstone destroyed, Gu Qingfeng didn't press the attack. Instead, he withdrew all his strength, fortifying his defenses as he warily scanned his surroundings, wary of the elusive killing strike.

Emperor Yan stood frozen. The observing Emperors gaped in disbelief.

That was the Millstone of Life and Death—a manifestation of the supreme Dao itself!

Every Emperor present knew they couldn't withstand it. The millstone's death energy would erode their power, fueling Emperor Yan's vitality until they perished.

Yet Gu Qingfeng not only endured it—he obliterated it with a single punch.

What kind of monstrous strength was this? Was this still the power of an Emperor?

How could the gap between Emperors be so vast?

Emperor Yan's mind reeled. For a moment, he doubted his own eyes—wondering if he had fallen into an illusion.

How... is this possible?!

This was my strongest strike—the ultimate trump card I had honed through a hundred lifetimes of reincarnation!

I had intended to end this battle with a single decisive blow, yet it was effortlessly shattered by a mere casual punch!?

Why call it a casual punch?

Because that punch was utterly ordinary. Though its power was staggering, there was no trace of profound mystery, no ripple of divine might—just like a simple swing from an ordinary person.

Suddenly, as he watched Gu Qingfeng bracing himself in full defense, the Flame Emperor realized the truth.

That punch must have been an unfathomably profound technique, one he had never encountered before—a strike that condensed endless mysteries into a single fist, leaving not a single wisp of power to spill outward. That’s why it appeared so plain! Only such perfection could surpass the limits of an Emperor’s might!

It had to be! It had to!!

Gu Qingfeng’s defensive stance was the clearest proof!

That punch had drained him completely—otherwise, why wouldn’t he press his advantage instead of shielding himself?

He must be hollow inside, weakened by the backlash, forcing him to guard against retaliation!

If I unleash the Wheel of Life and Death once more, he won’t withstand it! Victory will be mine!!

I’ve endured a hundred cycles of rebirth, struggled through eternity to reclaim my path as an Emperor—I didn’t come this far just to fall here!

This battle… I will prevail!!

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.