Chapter 134: The Schemes of the Fierce Emperor

“Let His Majesty the Divine Emperor reject the insolent challenge issued by Fierce Annihilation Heaven!” The twelve Heavenly Lords of the Divine Race roared in unison, their voices shaking the very heavens, piercing the cosmos, suppressing all dissent.

Atop the silent summit of the sky, all living beings present quietly gazed upward at Nan Luo, awaiting the voice of their Divine Emperor.

No matter how loudly the twelve Heavenly Lords roared, it was useless—they could not make decisions on Nan Luo’s behalf! Whether or not to accept the challenge depended solely on the will of Nan Luo, the Divine Emperor.

Nan Luo was well aware of the worries of the twelve Heavenly Lords: they feared he might rashly accept battle and end up dead beneath the Fierce Emperor’s spear. Yet, since when had Nan Luo ever acted without certainty? How could he be reckless now?

Moreover, the challenge issued by Fierce Annihilation Heaven was far from the simple duel the gods imagined—it was no ordinary challenge letter; it contained the secrets of heaven and earth!

Had Fierce Annihilation’s challenge been just a common summons, why would his incarnation go to such lengths to personally deliver it to Nan Luo?

Taking the blood-red challenge letter thrown by Fierce Annihilation Heaven, Nan Luo opened it with both hands and peered closely, immediately discerning the subtlety within.

Within the blood-red letter, several lines of fierce script, written in fresh blood, read: “On the ninth day of the ninth month, I desire to enjoy the splendid scenery of the Western Wilderness atop the Great Snow Mountain with you.”

This was merely the surface message, intended to deceive other beings.

As if responding to Nan Luo’s divine emperor aura, the original text gradually vanished, replaced by another set of blood-written characters: “Please slay the incarnation I sent to the City of Gods.”

Nan Luo had anticipated Fierce Annihilation Heaven would have demands, but he had not expected such a request.

“Please slay the incarnation I sent to the City of Gods.”

Fierce Annihilation Heaven was asking him to kill the incarnation standing beside him. Nan Luo pondered deeply, contemplating the meaning behind this request.

Before Nan Luo could fully unravel Fierce Annihilation’s intent, the letter’s content shifted again.

The phrase “Please slay the incarnation I sent to the City of Gods” faded away, replaced by another blood-written message: “My incarnation possesses the power of three sacred paths; now I offer it to you in gratitude for your efforts.”

These last few lines were the final message inscribed on the letter.

After reading these words, the entire letter burst into fierce flames of its own accord, burning itself utterly to ashes.

Nan Luo calmly observed the blaze devouring the letter, watching silently as it destroyed itself without leaving a trace.

Fierce Annihilation Heaven, wary of other celestial beings spying on the challenge, had not only set a restriction so only Nan Luo could perceive the true content, but also a self-destruct mechanism to prevent the letter from falling into other hands.

Perhaps these “other beings” included Nan Luo himself.

“Three sacred paths of power?!” Nan Luo savored the final lines, seemingly grasping exactly what Fierce Annihilation sought.

Having discerned Fierce Annihilation’s intent, Nan Luo shifted his gaze to the incarnation standing beside him and transmitted a thought: “Do you know the true content of this challenge letter from Fierce Annihilation Heaven?”

This Fierce Annihilation incarnation, though merely a fragment of the Fierce Emperor, was fearless and insightful. When Nan Luo’s mental voice reached him, he was not startled; rather, he immediately replied inwardly, “Of course I know.”

Curious, Nan Luo inquired further: “Are you not aware that you are about to die? And that your own origin will be the one to kill you?”

Life and death are realms of great terror.

Nan Luo could not believe that even facing death, this incarnation could remain so composed. If so, he would have to reconsider the might of the Fierce Emperor.

Though only an incarnation, this Fierce Annihilation had developed self-awareness. While he could not disobey the will of his origin, he still harbored his own thoughts.

This was one reason why transcendent beings disliked using incarnations or keeping them active for long periods.

Because the stronger the transcendent, the more their incarnations develop self-awareness, gradually becoming independent entities, even if never fully severing ties with their origin.

When such incarnations are destroyed or reabsorbed, transcendent beings like Fierce Annihilation often feel a strange sensation—as if they were killing themselves.

Hence, supreme beings like Nan Luo prefer to use avatars rather than incarnations to avoid this unsettling feeling of self-annihilation.

The Fierce Annihilation incarnation before him smiled bitterly and said, “Life is not my will; death is beyond my master’s control.”

Facing the Divine Emperor who stood alongside the Fierce Emperor, this incarnation seemed to lower his guard somewhat.

Had any other being posed such a question, he would have been blasted to oblivion.

Nan Luo was silent for a moment, then spoke calmly: “For the Fierce Emperor to ascend to sainthood, he must first purge all sacred path power within to avoid becoming a puppet of those primordial saint-immortals.”

“The Fierce Emperor secretly aided me to reach demi-sainthood. I owe him a great debt and cannot refuse his request.”

“You must die.”

Nan Luo’s golden eyes fixed on the Fierce Annihilation incarnation. Then his tone shifted: “However, I can purge the sacred path power within you and seal you beneath the Hall of Gods.”

“In this way, you shall be dead, yet not truly dead.”

The incarnation looked at Nan Luo helplessly and asked, “Does Your Majesty intend for Fierce Annihilation to pledge loyalty to you?”

“Indeed.” Nan Luo did not conceal his intent, nodding slightly to affirm the incarnation’s understanding.

Taking a deep breath, the incarnation cupped his hands in gratitude, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness.”

“Yet, there is only a Fierce Annihilation who dies in battle, never one who surrenders.”

Each word rang with resolute pride.

It spoke of the indomitable spirit of the Fierce Emperor; even as an incarnation, his pride remained unyielding.

Nan Luo listened intently, then sighed, “In you, I see the unyielding pride of the Fierce Emperor.”

“You are right—only a Fierce Annihilation who dies in battle, never one who yields.”

“I apologize for my abruptness,” Nan Luo said sincerely.

His expression returned to calm. “Are you ready? Is the power of the three sacred paths still within you?”

“Your Majesty,” perhaps moved by Nan Luo’s sincerity and respect, the incarnation replied candidly, “Only one of the three sacred paths remains within me.”

“To bypass the Hall of Gods’ restrictions and infiltrate it, I expended one sacred path.”

“In the earlier clash with Your Majesty, I used another.”

“Thus, only one sacred path power remains within me.”

It was Nan Luo’s genuine tone and equal treatment that elicited this honest reply.

Otherwise, with Fierce Annihilation’s arrogance, even facing a Divine Emperor, if displeased, he would have made sure to ruin the other’s day.

“I understand,” Nan Luo thought quietly, calculating. “Then, I shall begin.”

“Life is not my will; death is beyond my master’s control,” the incarnation whispered mournfully.

A brief sorrow came swiftly and vanished just as fast.

Fierce Annihilation was never one to brood over fleeting grief. With a deep, resentful roar, he declared:

“Come then! Let me die by the hand of the Divine Emperor! A worthy death!”