Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 616: Swordsmanship Competition at Mount Hua

Su Han had not come to the Central Plains for leisure; he had two goals in mind. One was to visit his Fairy Sister Yun Xian, and the other was to grow strong enough to exact his revenge.

The Liu Family was an Ancient Family, even stronger than an ordinary Imperial Clan. It was replete with countless formidable members and produced generations of geniuses. Fairy Sister Yun Xian herself was ranked ninety-ninth on the Hidden Dragon List.

If he were to approach them rashly, he would certainly face various obstructions and jealousy. Without sufficient strength, he feared not only failing to meet Fairy Sister Yun Xian but also becoming a target of the Liu Family.

Furthermore, Su Han’s arrival in the Central Plains was not of his own volition but a compulsion. His enemies included the Demon Slayer Sect’s Slaughterous Great Emperor, the Ye Family Great Emperor, the Xiao Family Great Emperor, and the Heavenly Dragon Saint from the Tian Luo Net Holy Land. None of them were weak. For Su Han to take his revenge, he had to become much stronger.

Whether it was to meet Fairy Sister Yun Xian or to return to the Eastern Region for revenge, everything hinged on two words: strength!

Though the Central Plains teemed with opportunities, it also bristled with talent, and the major powers were in constant strife. As an outsider, Su Han would find it difficult to secure these opportunities and compete with the various Saint Heirs and Emperor’s Daughters on his own.

For instance, during the recent events in Peach Blossom Paradise, although Su Han emerged as the ultimate victor, he had to pin the blame on the Zi Mansion Holy Son and quietly slip away because he had no powerful background. But one could not always count on having a scapegoat. Su Han needed a powerful backer to compete fairly with the greatest prodigies and gain the qualifications to enter the various lands of opportunity.

The identity of the Nineteenth Prince of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty was nothing short of a godsend.

Firstly, the Nineteenth Prince possessed considerable talent and a small measure of renown, ensuring he wouldn’t be overlooked. Secondly, with prodigies like the Second Prince and the Third Prince above him, not to mention the esteemed Heavenly Sword Crown Prince, he was talented without attracting excessive attention. This would make it easier for Su Han to impersonate him.

Taking all these factors into account, a daring plan formed in Su Han’s mind.

If he succeeded, he would become the Nineteenth Prince. He could openly compete with other great talents and visit the various Blessed Lands and Grotto-Heavens without fear of being at the mercy of others.

Soon, he arrived at Fine Copper City. Using Thousand Changes and Transformations, he altered his appearance and boldly walked inside.

「...」

In the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, the Nineteenth Prince was still waiting, his expression growing more impatient by the moment.

"What is that Copper Tiger Saint doing? It’s taking him this long to catch a single person! Did he treat my words as idle wind?"

The Nineteenth Prince was arrogant and conceited. Although the Copper Tiger Saint was a Saint Realm powerhouse, the prince showed him no respect and was now blaming him incessantly.

"Your Highness, why trouble yourself over a mere local tyrant?" the Crane Sword Saint said, his tone relaxed. "The Heavenly Sword Pavilion is the property of the Imperial Family, which makes you its master. If you order him east, he wouldn’t dare go west. If you bid him steal a chicken, he wouldn’t dare touch a dog. I’d wager his strength is simply too limited to capture them."

He was even more conceited than the prince. Considering himself a Sword Saint, he looked down on ordinary Saints like the Copper Tiger Saint. Moreover, as the Nineteenth Prince’s Protector, he held a high station that was immeasurably more noble than the Pavilion Master’s. He had disdained the Copper Tiger Saint from the very beginning and naturally wouldn’t speak up for him now.

"Worthless, all of them are worthless! If he can’t even capture one woman, what use is he? If he fails to satisfy me this time, I’ll strip him of his title as Pavilion Master and send him to the mines to dig Fine Copper!" the Nineteenth Prince snarled, his expression ferocious. He was extremely dissatisfied with the Copper Tiger Saint’s incompetence.

He had no intention of wasting time here. He had more important matters to attend to. Any further delay meant that even flaying the Copper Tiger Saint alive wouldn’t quell the rage in his heart.

"The Mount Hua Sword Tournament is in one month. I must claim first place this time. Only then will I capture Father’s attention. I cannot afford to waste any more time! Since the Copper Tiger Saint has proven incompetent, I’ll have to trouble you, Crane Sword Saint. Please make a trip and bring those three people back, along with the Copper Tiger Saint!"

Having run out of patience, the Nineteenth Prince was unwilling to wait any longer and gave his order to the Crane Sword Saint beside him.

Mount Hua, located north of Cangzhou, was where the Empyrean Void Emperor had achieved sainthood. The mountain bore sword marks left from his ascension, which could help cultivators comprehend Sword Momentum and enhance their Sword Intent. Because of this, a sword tournament was held there annually, attracting talented Sword Cultivators from all quarters. Winning first place in the Mount Hua Sword Tournament not only brought supreme honor but also the priceless baptism of the Empyrean Void Emperor’s Sword Intent.

For the Nineteenth Prince, beyond the fame and the Sword Intent baptism, what mattered more was gaining his father’s attention, which would grant him access to more cultivation resources.

Within the Imperial Family, the most crucial concept was the struggle for favor!

Concubines in the harem, ministers in the court, and even the princes themselves were no exception—all had to vie for favor. Only by winning the affection of the Flying Immortal Great Emperor could one obtain everything they desired. The Nineteenth Prince had long since understood this, which was precisely how he had managed to stand out among his many brothers.

He had never participated in the Mount Hua Sword Tournament before, as the Second and Third Princes always did. This year, however, both of them were occupied with other matters and could not attend. As for the other princes, he didn’t even consider them a threat. This was his first time participating and his greatest opportunity to clinch first place. He had been preparing for a long time and could not afford a single mistake.

Coming to Fine Copper City for a closed-door breakthrough was part of his plan. The Yin Sword Body was an unexpected delight. If he could obtain the Primal Yin of the Yin Sword Body, his chances of winning first place would be even greater.

Therefore, no matter what, he had to have Li Qingyue!

"Rest assured, Your Highness. With me on the case, I will not fail," the Crane Sword Saint said confidently. He had anticipated this and was not surprised. He slowly rose to his feet and bowed to the Nineteenth Prince.

Never mind those three, he was confident he could capture and kill the Copper Tiger Saint himself, even if he rebelled. As a Sword Saint, he was on a completely different level from an ordinary Saint.

SWISH!

The Crane Sword Saint transformed into a sharp ray of sword light, shooting out of the main hall and toward the outskirts of the city. He wasn’t worried about the Nineteenth Prince’s safety. This was Fine Copper City; who would be so bold as to attempt an assassination here? Besides, the prince possessed numerous treasures, including a life-saving artifact bestowed by the Flying Immortal Great Emperor himself. Even a Saint would find it difficult to kill him, so there was no need for concern.

"Hmph, you insolent wench who doesn’t know what’s good for her. Once the Crane Sword Saint captures you, I’ll make you taste all eighteen kinds of torture and teach you the consequences of defying me!"

Watching the Crane Sword Saint depart, the Nineteenth Prince’s eyes filled with deep resentment, already imagining how he would toy with Li Qingyue.

"Oh? Is that so?" an icy voice suddenly rang out.