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With the agreement coming to a close, Zhuo Fan and Bali Yuyu said their goodbyes. The Enchanting Empress had someone walk them out, urging them to talk about the details later.

The Enchanting Empress gazed into the distance once they were gone, sighing, “I can see why a Bone Tempering cultivator got such a high position, he has a knack for it. The rash Demonic Emperor can be said to be soaring to new heights now.”

“Senior sister, you believe he…”

“From his proposal, not only could I not find any reason to refuse, but I also lost the right to haggle. Humph, the brat poses as Demonic Emperor’s representative, but he’s smooth enough to make it look like we’re the one’s winning in this deal.”

The Enchanting Empress’s eyes shone, “Qingcheng had no chance against his guile, thoroughly charmed. Sangu, watch Qingcheng closely. Don’t let him take her.”

Mei Sangu nodded, “Senior sister, I know exactly Qingcheng’s value. I won’t let that nameless brat touch one hair on her!”

The Enchanting Empress nodded and smiled…

In front of the Ruby Cloud Sect, a sudden shout stopped the two from leaving.

“Wait!”

Knowing full well why, Zhuo Fan put on a smile as he turned to his intended, “Qingcheng, you don’t have to send us off. I still need to pay the Sword Emperor a visit. I would much rather be with you and go through a wedding, even raising a cute baby. Sigh, busy, busy, busy.”

“Cut that out! Who’d ever…”

Chu Qingcheng blushed and glared at him. Then she whispered, “Zhuo Fan, forgive me for getting the wrong idea about before. I thought you only wanted…”

“My feelings for you are genuine. You don’t have to say anything. You’ll come to see it in time.”

Zhuo Fan held her soft hand and pecked her cute cheek, “One day I will take you away from the Ruby Cloud Sect.”

Feeling her cheeks burning, Chu Qingcheng showed no anger, just lowering her head. She gave a faint nod and a smile filled with joy.

Zhuo Fan said his goodbye, leaving with Bali Yuyu’s piercing stare on him.

Chu Qingcheng watched them go, her deep gaze filled with emotion…

Three months later, on a lofty mountain range, two people walked by.

Looking up at the few clouds surrounding a glorious palace, Zhuo Fan smiled and cupped his hands, “I represent the Demonic Emperor and request a meeting with the Sword Emperor!”

Whoosh~

Thirty people surrounded them the next instant, holding swords or blades that glinted in the sun.

Zhuo Fan cared not, while Bali Yuyu showed disdain.

[You call that a sword?]

“Zhuo Fan, you have some nerve coming here when we still have a score to settle from Mist City.”

A familiar voice echoed as a man stepped out of the encirclement.

Zhuo Fan smirked, cupping his hands, “If it isn’t young master Xu Zhensheng. It’s been a while.”

“Don’t you give me that!”

Xu Zhensheng sneered, “You’re just looking to get killed, aren’t you? In Gambling Town, the Gambling Emperor’s turf, we couldn’t touch you, but now here you are, in our own lands. You’re practically begging for it. Brothers, sword formation! Kill the bastard and take revenge for Elder Liu!”

“Yes!”

The men pointed their swords at him and a net shot for the two to cut them down.

Bali Yuyu flashed in front of Zhuo Fan, releasing her power. Thunder echoed as icy lightning sword aura spread everywhere.

Boom!

Upon contact, a deafening explosion tore the skies. The thirty swords were reduced to splinters, littering the ground. Their users, however, recoiled from the outburst of power and coughed blood. They slammed on the ground, too wounded to get up.

Xu Zhensheng squinted in shock, his voice shaking, “Y-you dare raise your hand in the Sword Emperor’s land? You’ll get yours, mark my words! Once I get my senior uncles, you’re dead!”

“And? Do they represent Sword Emperor Ao Changtian?”

Zhuo Fan sneered, “Brother Zhensheng, you have to understand, I’m here on behalf of the Demonic Emperor to discuss with the Sword Emperor. As the Sword Emperor’s disciple, instead of walking us in, you attacked us. It’s not just disrespectful to the Demonic Emperor, but you have disgraced your Sword Emperor. Are his disciples so cocky to find him beneath them? Now you won’t even allow his guests to see him? Is he held prisoner in there?”

“Y-you…”

Xu Zhensheng choked, unable to speak as he sweated buckets.

[Right, this is undermining authority. It mustn’t reach master’s ears or I’m dead.]

Whoosh!

Another old face showed up then, dressed in white and having an elegant demeanor. Though he had no legs and floated.

The elder gave them a dark look, shouting, “The Sword Emperor will see you!”

“Thank you!”

Zhuo Fan leaned and walked ahead. Bali Yuyu gave the old guy a look and followed.

“Elder Liu…”

Xu Zhensheng began, but the man held up a hand, “The Sword Emperor will handle everything.”

The old man led the way with Xu Zhensheng at his side. The four reached a magnificent hall, with eighteen lofty pillars looking like divine swords, majestic and kingly.

In the center seat stood an old man with a white beard, a face covered in scars, and a sharp gaze.

[What strong sword energy.]

Bali Yuyu grew grave, clenching her fists. The old man made her feel threatened, in serious danger of dying.

Zhuo Fan grinned.

[Sword Emperor Ao Changtian, we meet after so long. What comes around goes around. With me gone, the second best for ten thousand years finally got the throne, ha-ha-ha.]

Whoosh~

A cold wave flashed and Bali Yuyu caught a cold blade between her fingers. It was seven feet long, covered in intricate dragon patterns. The tip was aiming straight for Zhuo Fan’s forehead, merely an inch from killing him.

[That was too close!]

Bali Yuyu gasped, knowing it was for Zhuo Fan. She looked back at Sword Emperor on his chair.

He stared at her as well, then laughed, “Girl, good skills. Who taught you?”

“Family legacy.”

Bali Yuyu stared at him with anger in her eyes, “What does senior Sword Emperor mean by this?”

Elder Liu floated on a seat next to Sword Emperor, looking coldly at the two. Xu Zhensheng stood at his side.

Sword Emperor began, “The boy took my junior brother’s legs and thinks that being the Demonic Emperor’s representative would absolve him of it. But you’re only going to leave this place without your legs!”

“What?”

Bali Yuyu glared at him, “You want Steward Zhuo’s legs? I don’t think so!”

“Ha-ha-ha, you’ve lost any right the minute you entered my domain. I want his legs and nothing more out of respect for that Demonic Emperor brat, or did you think I’d stop there otherwise?”

The Sword Emperor’s power exploded, flashing in the two’s faces. His pressure slammed like a mountain, making them gasp as even their Yuan Qi slowed down.

Bali Yuyu panicked inside as sweat trickled down.

They were far from able to take on the Eight Emperors’ power…