Sword Sovereign of the Celestial Emperor

The Hanfeng Empire is nestled between two endless mountain ranges, with treacherous terrains. The strongest among them is merely a martial artist in the Fifth Heaven of the Realm of Transcendence.

"Hmm? No abnormalities?"

Chu Ming frowned. Judging by Elder Miao's appearance of death, the assailant must be a demon beast. However, after thoroughly sweeping the entire Hanfeng Empire, he still couldn't find a trace of that demon beast.

"Could it be outside the Hanfeng Empire?"

Chu Ming speculated inwardly. He did not leave but instead concealed himself in the sky above the Hanfeng Empire, monitoring every move within it.

For a King of the Life and Death Realm, it is common to spend decades in seclusion, so Chu Ming exercised great patience. Even though he found no traces of the demon beast for several consecutive days, he remained calm and unperturbed.

"Hmm? I thought of something!"

A month later, while alternating between cultivation and monitoring the Hanfeng Empire, Chu Ming suddenly opened his eyes, a mysterious smile appeared on his lips.

Swish!

Chu Ming's body flashed like a streak of sword light, disappearing into the sky.

...

Hanfeng Empire, Yuqiong Mountains.

The Yuqiong Mountains are one of the two mountain ranges in the Hanfeng Empire, characterized by its rugged terrain. Stretching from east to the Black Dragon Empire, it is home to numerous demon beasts. Many sect disciples come to the Yuqiong Mountains to train, making it a well-known area.

In the Yuqiong Mountains, it's not uncommon for people to die. Many strong practitioners of the Demon Dao also hide here to escape pursuit. In this place, they not only avoid righteous hunters but can also ambush others and plunder cultivation resources, achieving two aims at once.

At this moment, in the depths of the Yuqiong Mountains, a group of a dozen martial artists in black and blue robes slowly walked forward, their gazes cautiously scanning the surroundings.

Most of them were middle-aged, with three exceptions leading them. Among these three, one was an elderly man and the other two were young. The old man's face was withered, covered in wrinkles, and his temples were white. His arms hung low, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, sweeping the surroundings.

The two youths, a man and a woman, shared their distinct traits. The man's face was fair and chiseled, his bright eyes exuding a noble air, while the woman was beautiful and majestic, her every gesture dignified.

"Uncle Fu, the Yuqiong Mountains span tens of thousands of miles. Where should we start looking for the Blood Ganoderma?"

Sweat dripped from the imposing young man's forehead, and his tone had a hint of complaint. He was an expert of the Guiyuan Realm and in excellent physical condition, but after half a month of traveling, he was beginning to tire.

Hearing this, the dignified woman also paused.

"Your Highness, this old servant does not know either. The Blood Ganoderma is a Seventh Level Spiritual Medicine, only it can extend His Majesty's life!"

The old man respectfully clasped his hands. Their group was unusual, none other than members of the Hanfeng Empire's royal family. The leading man was the Second Prince, a strong contender for the next emperor, while the woman was the emperor's favorite daughter, Princess Hanyue.

Uncle Fu was the tributor of the Hanfeng Empire's royal family. Now that the emperor was advanced in age and running out of time, he had issued a decree that whoever could find something to extend his life would become the next emperor of the Hanfeng Empire.

The Second Prince and the other princes spared no effort to vie for the throne.

The Blood Ganoderma, a Seventh Level Spiritual Medicine, contained abundant Blood Qi. Even ordinary people consuming it would gain ten years of life, let alone martial artists who could extend their lives by a hundred years through refinement.

They ventured into the Yuqiong Mountains after hearing rumors that someone once found Blood Ganoderma here. They held little hope but ventured forth with a glimmer of optimism.

They had been in the Yuqiong Mountains for over twenty days and had searched thoroughly, but still hadn't found any sign of the Blood Ganoderma. Despite their hope, the lack of results was indeed disheartening for the Second Prince and Princess Hanyue.

As for safety, neither was overly concerned. Uncle Fu, though yet to break through to the Realm of Transcendence, was an unbeatable force in the Guiyuan Realm. In the Hanfeng Empire where the Realm of Transcendence experts were scarce, Uncle Fu was nearly the peak of power.

Along their journey, they encountered numerous strong practitioners of the Demon Dao, all of whom were easily eliminated by Uncle Fu.

Swish!

As the group walked, none of them noticed a bloody shadow swiftly passing behind them, too fast for anyone to react.

"Did you feel a cold chill just now?"

One guard felt a chill surge from his feet to his head and asked the guard next to him.

"No, I didn't feel anything. Maybe you're just tired from the journey?"

The other guard shook his head in puzzlement and then chuckled lightly.

"Perhaps you're right!"

The guard looked at Uncle Fu ahead, relieved to see nothing was amiss, and calmed down, thinking he was just being paranoid.

Soon after the group passed by, a bloodied figure emerged from the dense forest. Although it had a human shape, its body was bloody and mangled, its face half-rotten. Only its eyes glowed with a terrifying blood-red color, exuding wickedness.

"Heh heh heh, this Yuqiong Mountain Range is indeed a great place. If this continues, I can advance to the Life and Death Realm in half a month!"

The blood-soaked figure sneered. If Chu Ming were present, he would instantly recognize this figure as the creature blood body from the Black Dragon Vizier, known for its city and immortal slaughter.

Although it was only at the Seventh Heaven of the Guiyuan Realm then, over four years of enduring hardships had brought this creature blood body's cultivation to the Half-Step Life and Death Realm's peak, making it nearly an overlord in the entire Celestial Realm.

"In half a month, I will succeed. Then, I won't have to live like this anymore. Heh heh heh…"

The creature blood body exuded a dreadful chill. Even though he was at the peak of the Half-Step Life and Death Realm, he did not dare show off in the Celestial Realm, fearing discovery and elimination by other Kings of the Life and Death Realm.

However, he would never have expected that, no matter how cautious he was this time, he attracted Chu Ming's attention by killing the disciples of the Celestial Travel Sect.

Swish!

...

In the forest ahead, the Second Prince and Princess Hanyue's group was walking.

"Ah!!!"

At that moment, a scream echoed from behind them, and their faces instantly turned pale.