Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Lu Yuan had long received instructions from the Second Prince, instructing him to ally with others and deal a heavy blow to Su Han. Even if they couldn’t kill him, they were to inflict serious injuries that would prevent his participation in the upcoming Sword Dao Conference.

Originally, Lu Yuan had other plans. He didn’t believe Su Han would come to the Haoran Sect, as its strength was formidable. Without a Protector, Su Han would find the sect too tough a nut to crack. Only when he discovered Su Han heading straight for the Haoran Sect did he urgently summon Sword Master Tao Ming and two others, waiting specifically for Su Han’s arrival.

Although he had only gathered Sword Master Tao Ming and the two others on short notice, Lu Yuan believed they were more than sufficient. Including himself, the Haoran Sect had a total of six Supreme Realm powerhouses, and he himself was at the Ninth Layer of the Supreme Realm. Dealing with a prince who has no Protector? How could that possibly be difficult?

Of course, he didn’t dare to actually murder Su Han. The crime of assassinating a prince was too grievous. If he truly did so, the Imperial Court would send its forces to annihilate the Haoran Sect without Su Han even needing to lift a finger. Therefore, Lu Yuan had maintained a smiling facade, repeatedly pleading for Su Han to spare the Haoran Sect. He only decided to act, with great apparent reluctance, once Su Han’s killing intent became undeniable. Lu Yuan believed his performance had placed him firmly on the moral high ground. Even if he seriously injured Su Han, he was confident no one would have much to say about it. With every step calculated, Lu Yuan was clearly not to be underestimated.

”Your Highness!”

Li Qingyue’s brows furrowed with worry. After all, Lu Yuan was a formidable expert of the Supreme Realm Ninth Layer. Besides him, there were still Sword Master Tao Ming and the others. Today’s battle would not be an easy one. Although she knew Lu Yuan and his men wouldn’t dare kill Su Han, the Sword Dao Conference was imminent. Sustaining injuries now would be extremely disadvantageous. Li Qingyue fretted for Su Han, hoping he would temporarily avoid a direct confrontation.

WHOOSH!

At that moment, Su Han stepped down from the Golden Chariot. His hair was bound by a Golden Crown and his body was draped in a Python Robe. He looked majestic and imposing, his gaze piercingly sharp.

”I have already declared it,” Su Han’s arrogant voice boomed as he glanced around with disdain, paying Lu Yuan no mind whatsoever. He was bringing his persona to life perfectly. ”The Haoran Sect will be annihilated today. Since you are so keen on provoking me, I shall grant your wish!”

Naturally, such arrogance caused the three thousand disciples of the Haoran Sect to glare with fury, wishing they could tear Su Han’s mouth apart.

Even the expressions of Sword Master Tao Ming and the other two shifted. They had heard of the Nineteenth Prince’s arrogance and conceit, but they had never expected him to be so delusional as to speak of annihilating the Haoran Sect under these circumstances. If not for his status as a prince, a man with such an arrogant and conceited disposition would have been killed many times over by now. The thought of the factions he had already wiped out evoked a sense of shared misfortune—the fox grieving for the dead rabbit. This strengthened their resolve to injure Su Han severely. Otherwise, once Su Han left the Haoran Sect, who was to say they wouldn’t be his next target?

”Your Highness, please!” Lu Yuan maintained his false smile and bowed respectfully.

Su Han snorted coldly, took a step forward, and rose into the air, stopping beside a thousand-meter-high waterfall. The thunderous roar of the waterfall filled the air, its spray catching the sunlight to cast a faint rainbow. The scenery was breathtaking, but the impending battle was brutal.

Lu Yuan slowly ascended to level with Su Han, still appearing cultivated and amiable, like a great scholar who had transcended the mortal coil. However, Su Han knew this was all just Lu Yuan’s disguise. He had already seen the coldness in Lu Yuan’s eyes. Although he didn’t know the Second Prince’s true plan, he could guess the gist of it. Use these people to harm me? What a foolish dream!

As Su Han and Lu Yuan faced off in mid-air, they were instantly spotted by the thousand followers outside the sect. Gasps of shock erupted as countless eyes turned to watch. ”Look! Isn’t that the Nineteenth Prince and Sect Leader Lu? They’re really going to fight!”

”With Sect Leader Lu personally taking action, there’s no suspense in this battle!”

”The Nineteenth Prince is far too arrogant. He only just broke through to the Supreme Realm Fifth Layer, a full four minor realms below Sect Leader Lu. Even if he’s a genius of the sword, he can’t possibly bridge such a massive gap.”

”Hmph, does he think he’s invincible just because he won the Sword Duel on Mount Hua? Sect Leader Lu will definitely teach him a lesson for us and show him that for every arrogant fool, there’s someone stronger to put them in their place!”

Most of these followers were loyal supporters of the Second Prince, so they naturally sided with the Haoran Sect. They craned their necks, eyes glued to the scene, eager to witness Su Han’s defeat firsthand.

”Alas, Your Highness, my hand is forced today. If I cause any offense, I beg your forgiveness!” Lu Yuan sighed, his face a perfect mask of reluctance, as if this was his only choice. Unfortunately for him, the glint of excitement deep within his eyes did not escape Su Han’s Nine Heavens Eye.

”Hypocrite!” Su Han sneered. He reached out his hand, and in an instant, the Soul Severing Sword was in his grasp.

With the appearance of this sword, the temperature between heaven and earth plummeted to freezing. Even the cascading waterfall seemed to stiffen, a thin layer of frost misting its surface. This was the Yin Energy contained within the sword. Having been nurtured for many years, the Soul Severing Sword had become a weapon of ultimate Yin and cold, chilling to the very soul.

So this is the Soul Severing Sword... it’s truly terrifying! Lu Yuan’s heart lurched, his gaze captivated by the weapon. He had long heard that the Nineteenth Prince had obtained a Sword of Slaughter from the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield. That sword, forged by the Iron Grinding Saint, had been nurtured there for many years with Yin Energy until it reached the Low Grade of a Holy Artifact. Seeing it with his own eyes today, it was even more terrifying than the rumors suggested; the dense Yin Energy seemed capable of freezing a person’s very soul.

Given the innate talent the Nineteenth Prince displayed at the Sword Duel on Mount Hua, Lu Yuan wouldn’t be confident of victory in a battle between equals. However, with his advantage in cultivation realm, he had an excellent chance of defeating the prince, perhaps even ’accidentally’ injuring him severely! If I severely injure the Nineteenth Prince, the Second Prince has promised me great rewards. The thought made his heart race with excitement. Among the benefits promised this time was something he had coveted for years. With that treasure, he might even have a chance to attain Sainthood.

At this thought, Lu Yuan’s gaze on Su Han became unshakeably firm. All the pretense was complete. All he had to do now was defeat Su Han in a direct confrontation and inflict serious injuries. Then, his mission would be accomplished. For the sake of that treasure, the key to my Sainthood, I will hold nothing back!

CLANG!

Lu Yuan stretched out his hand, and a Holy Sword landed in his grasp. It was ancient and simple in design, its body the color of pure white clouds.

”This sword is named Passing Clouds. It can slice through clouds in all ten directions. Once drawn, its power shakes the heavens. Your Highness, be careful!” Lu Yuan said, completing his charade.

But his hypocrisy had long been seen through. Su Han let out a cold laugh and, without a word, swung his own sword, striking first.

The highly anticipated battle erupted with a deafening boom