<h4>Chapter 1223: Indelible Hatred</h4>


    “This punch is returned on behalf of Little Yellow Feather. Did you not hear its baby-like cries? It really is just a little child!”


    Xiao Chen’s hatred was indelible. He sent out another two punches, leaving only one of the eight half-step Martial Emperors alive.


    “Plop!”


    Thest half-step Martial Emperor lost all courage. He directly knelt down and begged, “Azure Dragon King, on the ount that we are both humans, spare my life!”


    “You chose this path yourself. From the moment you intended to kill, you should have been prepared to be killed by others in the future. Just like me now, you must have an unfeeling yet brave heart. On ount that we are both humans, I’ll leave you with aplete corpse!”


    When facing the human half-step Martial Emperor kneeling before him, Xiao Chen remained unmoved. He gently jabbed the half-step Martial Emperor’s forehead. A strand of saber Qi destroyed that half-step Martial Emperor’s sea of consciousness and flew out.


    When the half-step Martial Emperor fell over, he no longer showed any signs of life. However, he was the only half-step Martial Emperor with an intact corpse.


    The instant this half-step Martial Emperor toppled over, the various mysterious phenomena that materialized in the sky as a result of Xiao Chen condensing his Heart of an Emperor vanished like smoke.


    The morning sun appeared once more. The brilliant sunlight shone on the blood-stained, white-robed Xiao Chen, which lent this unfeeling grim reaper a sense of divinity, making him glow golden and full of life.


    All eight half-step Martial Emperors had died.


    However, Xiao Chen’s hatred did not fade by much. He was very clear that these people were just pawns.


    They might not even be considered pawns but sacrifices.


    From the moment those Primes sent out these sacrifices, those Primes hidden behind the scenes and the three Holy Masters no longer cared about the survival of these people.


    Xiao Chen swore to himself that he would make those people hidden behind the scenes all pay the respective prices one day.


    The watching Demon mixed-blood cultivators felt shocked in their hearts as they looked at Xiao Chen, unable to recover from it for a long time.


    Even the Old ck Iron Monster, who could kill a Martial Emperor, felt fear as he looked at Xiao Chen.


    The Old ck Iron Monster analyzed in his heart. Although these eight half-step Martial Emperors had exhausted too much Law Energy beforehand and underestimated Xiao Chen’s strength, for this Xiao Chen to be able to kill eight half-step Martial Emperors in one fell swoop, no matter how he looked at it, the current Xiao Chen could be called the strongest existence below Martial Emperor.


    Even the Old ck Iron Monster was not entirely confident that he could defeat Xiao Chen.


    The most important thing was that Xiao Chen just condensed the Heart of an Emperor and had not familiarized himself with his own strength yet. Even so, he already possessed such strongbat prowess.


    Soon, Xiao Chen might be able to defeat some ordinary Martial Emperors like the Old ck Iron Monster could.


    No, it is not just possible; it is definite. After thinking for a while, the Old ck Iron Monster came to this conclusion resolutely.


    Xiao Chen recovered his wits and quickly rushed over to Mu Xiyan’s side. He looked at the still unconscious Dugu Ao and asked, “How is he? Is he not awake yet?”


    Mu Xiyan squeezed out a smile and replied, “He is still fine. Ao Jiao made him consume a Sage Grade Medicinal Pill. He has now stopped losing lifeforce. However, he still has not woken up, and we can’t do anything about it.”


    Xiao Chen’s heart sank. He understood what Mu Xiyan meant. Dugu Ao was still resisting the other half of his bloodline. Once the effects of the Medicinal Pill wore off, the situation would still deteriorate. Life and death depended on Dugu Ao.


    However, with Dugu Ao’s struggles, barring the interference of external forces, the end would undoubtedly be death for him.


    What to do?


    Although I killed all twelve of the half-step Martial Emperors that caused all this, Dugu Ao is still not waking up.


    Even though Xiao Chen condensed the Heart of an Emperor and advanced to Consummation quasi-Emperor, his mood did not improve. The reason being, Dugu Ao had helped him too much. If Dugu Ao died, Xiao Chen would feel guilty for life.


    “Ao Jiao, do you have any methods?” In the end, Xiao Chen’s experience was limited. He could not think of any ideas and could only turn to Ao Jiao.


    Ao Jiao thought for a while before shaking her head. I do not have any ideas, either. However, there are many Sage Grade Medicinal Pills in Sang Mu’s inheritance. If you can bear the expense, there should not be any problem keeping him alive for two years.


    Naturally, Xiao Chen would be willing to. However, what would they do after two years?


    “Whoosh!”


    Just at this moment, a strong aura suddenly encased the desert ind. A humongous image appeared in the sky, covering the entire ind. This figure swept his gaze through. Everyone on the ind felt like someone was watching them; their hair stood on end.


    “Dugu Kuang!”


    “It’s Dugu Ao’s father. He is here. What a coincidence!”


    “It looks like he has been here all the while. However, it was not convenient for him to make a move on those half-step Martial Emperors.”


    “That would not be strange. No one else here would know better than him the horrors of a Prime’s strength. Furthermore, these half-step Martial Emperors gave Dugu Ao an opportunity to leave. There is no reason for Dugu Kuang to make a move.”


    “However, I heard that of his several sons, Dugu Kuang did not favor Dugu Ao much. That might be part of the reason.”


    The discussion among the Demon mixed-blood cultivators informed Xiao Chen of this person’s identity. This person was a Demon mixed-blood Martial Emperor, Dugu Ao’s biological father.


    “Many thanks for making a move. It is great that you killed them. The Dugu n owes you a favor.”


    A deep voice rumbled in the sky, causing space to shake intensely. A formless might pressed on the ind, stirring fear in everyone.


    The humongous figure extended his hand, and an irresistible force pulled Dugu Ao from Mu Xiyan’s embrace.


    Just as this figure was about to leave, he looked at the stunned Mu Xiyan and said, “Not bad, you can be my Dugu n’s daughter-inw. Come, let’s go together.”


    The figure reached out and brought Mu Xiyan along as well.


    The dark clouds churned. Dugu Kuang did not discuss anything. He only said that he owed Xiao Chen a favor before bringing Dugu Ao and Mu Xiyan away.


    After Dugu Kuang left, the suppressive atmosphere at the desert ind faded away, which put everyone’s hearts at ease.


    Being brought away by his father might be the best result. The other party should have a way to awaken Dugu Ao.


    Xiao Chen wondered, Is this the strength of a Martial Emperor?


    Even a Martial Emperor as strong as Dugu Ao felt such fear for the Primes. This truly gave one a sense of despair.


    The people on the ind slowly scattered. After this battle, the name of the white-robed desman, the Azure Dragon King, would surely resound throughout the entire Human-Demon Sea.


    Ao Jiao brought Little Yellow Feather into the Immortal Spirit Ring to treat its injuries. Then, Xiao Chen sat on the stone stele alone, looking at the endless and empty desert. He showed aplicated expression; his thoughts were unclear to anyone watching.


    He stabbed the Lunar Shadow Saber into the ground beside him. Blood still flowed down the de slowly. In the sunlight, it had a certain sinister beauty, a lonely pride.


    Logically speaking, Xiao Chen already achieved the goal he set before he left Heavenly Star Ind.


    Not only had he advanced to Consummation quasi-Emperor early, but he even condensed the Heart of an Emperor that only a Martial Emperor could have. After amassing umtions for three years and clearing the Great Tribtion of wind and fire, he could advance to Martial Emperor.


    However, would things go that smoothly?


    Today, Xiao Chen had only wanted to obtain a Flower of Life, and it already made three Primes and the three Holy Masters restless. If he really underwent his Great Tribtion of wind and fire, what other tricks would the other side y?


    Azure Emperor, Azure Emperor, what kind of existence was he exactly? How tyrannical was he back then? Even ten thousand years after his death, people were still so wary of him.


    This wariness aggravated Xiao Chen’s path to Martial Emperor.


    Xiao Chen shook his head and stopped thinking. He pulled out the Lunar Shadow Saber and used a piece of cloth to wipe off the blood on it slowly.


    When the saber regained its cold and bright gleam, a figure suddenly appeared before Xiao Chen. This figure carried a sword on his back, and his face showed a carefree expression that never seemed to change.


    This person looked exactly the same as he did when Xiao Chen saw him back then. Even after so many years, there were still no changes.


    Chu Chaoyun, the opponent destined to contest with Xiao Chen for the rest of their lives. After everyone left, he appeared before Xiao Chen.


    “Huang dang!”


    Xiao Chen seated the Lunar Shadow Saber in its scabbard. Holding his saber, he walked over to Chu Chaoyun and asked, “Why did you help me?”


    Even until now, Xiao Chen still could not understand why the other party had mysteriously shown up and helped him block that lethal move.


    From all of Xiao Chen’s memories of Chu Chaoyun, he did not know how to define him. He was definitely not a friend, but he could not be called an enemy, either.


    If Xiao Chen really had to describe this person who was neither enemy nor friend, he could only call him an opponent.


    Chu Chaoyun smiled faintly and replied, “There is nothing much to it. I already said it many years ago. We happen to have different standpoints. However, our destination is the same. Right now, this story is far from over. How can I let you die? Even if I did not make a move, you would not die anyway.”


    Xiao Chen did not wish to continue these riddles with him. All his doubts needed to be resolved today.


    Now, Xiao Chen had already advanced to Consummation quasi-Emperor and condensed a Heart of an Emperor. He believed that he was stronger than Chu Chaoyun. If Chu Chaoyun was not willing to say more, Xiao Chen could only use force.


    “Tell me your true motives. From the first time you made a move on me in the Sky Dome Realm to now, more than ten yearster, what exactly are you nning?!”


    Xiao Chen’s gaze turned sharp as he stepped forward and asked, projecting a strong aura and pressing the other party.


    He did not want to kill or harm the other party. He only wanted to know the other party’s true motive, not wishing to continue being kept in the dark.


    All the matters of the past and future needed to be made clear today.


    Chu Chaoyun did not feel any surprise at Xiao Chen’s actions. When Xiao Chen’s strongest aura pressed over, Chu Chaoyun suddenly released his own aura as well.


    Chu Chaoyun pressed back against Xiao Chen’s pressure. The two’s auras were about equal. Neither could do anything to the other.


    ck and white lights flickered interchangeably on Chu Chaoyun’s body. That was the will of light and the will of darkness mixing with each other, forming the brand-new will of primal chaos.


    However, this will of primal chaos had not merged perfectly. Otherwise, it would definitely be able to suppress Xiao Chen’s peak will of thunder.


    Shock shed in Chu Chaoyun’s eyes. He had not expected his strong will of primal chaos to fail to suppress Xiao Chen immediately.


    Chu Chaoyun said, “Not bad, peak will of thunder. It looks like you will be able to form an Innate Thunder Crystal before advancing to Martial Emperor. Heart of an Emperor and Innate Thunder Crystal. If one day you really manage to advance to Martial Emperor, I wonder what kind of storm you will stir up.”


    Chu Chaoyun felt shocked in his heart, but so did Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen already made use of the might of his Heart of an Emperor. Despite adding in the peak will of thunder, he still could not gain a clear advantage over Chu Chaoyun with his aura.


    What exactly did Chu Chaoyun experience in the past decade or so for him to have improved so vastly?