Battle Begins

"The Saintess Mingyue truly lives up to her reputation as one of the era's renowned prodigies—her bearing is unmatched!"

Voices rose all around, a clamor of noise. Countless gazes from Heaven and Earth fixed upon her, the majority belonging to male cultivators, all prostrating themselves before the immortal maiden's skirts.

Gifted with immense talent, peerless in appearance, and the Saintess of the Flying Immortal Sacred Land.

It had to be said, Liu Mingyue having so many suitors was only natural; even several Holy Sons pursued her.

Golden hair flowing, stature upright and imposing, Long Hao, the Holy Son of the Ten Directions Sacred Hall, strode through the air toward Liu Mingyue.

His figure appeared before Liu Mingyue, a sinister smile curling on his lips.

"Mingyue, long time no see!"

"Rest assured, in this battle between you and that Imperial Son, the Ten Directions Sacred Hall stands firmly on your side. What does the Primordial Forbidden Zone matter!"

Long Hao's voice was brimming with arrogance; one might think the Mystic Heaven Immortal Domain was under the jurisdiction of his Ten Directions Sacred Hall.

Hearing their Holy Son's words, the elders of the Ten Directions Sacred Hall behind him furrowed their brows and shook their heads, sighing inwardly.

Holy Son, if you want to show off in front of a beauty, could you not drag the Ten Directions Sacred Hall into it? Not even the Sacred Master would dare speak such words before the Primordial Forbidden Zone.

Though the Ten Directions Sacred Hall was powerful, its influence was limited to the Immortal Heaven Immortal Domain, specifically Central Province among the Three Thousand Dao Provinces. Compared to a forbidden force like the Primordial Forbidden Zone—one capable of sparking the Dark Turmoil—the gap was unimaginable!

"Thank you, Holy Son. This matter is my Liu Family's affair; Mingyue will handle it alone!"

Liu Mingyue's voice was soft as she declined Long Hao.

Time passed.

Everyone had already arrived, but Ye Ming was nowhere to be seen, drawing discontent from the assembled prodigies.

"Hmph! Why hasn't that Forbidden Son of the Primordial Forbidden Zone arrived yet?"

"Heh, perhaps he's too scared to come!"

"Possibly. With his strength, not daring to show up would be normal!"

"From what I know, that Forbidden Son is only at the Qi Condensation Realm. He's worthy of a battle with Mingyue? This Holy Son could crush him with a single finger!"

Voices rang out, especially from Long Hao, whose face was haughty and gaze filled with contempt. He wanted to show off before his goddess, lofty and spirited.

Boom!

At that moment, ripples spread through the surrounding void, like waves stirring on a calm lake.

"Who's barking like a dog here?"

A voice rang out.

Crack!

The void was torn open, splitting into a massive rift.

Nine Black Dragons soared through the air, their Dragon Might overwhelming the heavens and shaking the cosmos. The dragons pulled a War Chariot, radiant with golden divine light that illuminated the world, causing the sky to tremble. Purple haze surged as Great Emperor Runes were inscribed upon it, with countless Magic Arrays rising in brilliance. Intricate Dao Patterns swirled, gales swept through, and the void shattered.

It was Ye Ming, his long hair flowing, clad in black robes, shrouded in Demonic Mist as he stood atop the War Chariot, his aura formidable.

Behind him followed several elders of the Forbidden Zone, all at the Saint Realm, along with a host of Demonic Slaves. Demonic Flames roiled skyward, majestic and imposing, as they stood in the heavens, looking down upon the countless righteous cultivators below.

"Oh... is this that Imperial Son? He doesn't seem quite like the rumors!"

As Ye Ming appeared, a seductive voice rose from below—the Demoness of the Joyous Union Sect.

Her eyes were like water, captivating and soul-stealing; her lips were vivid red, her features exquisitely delicate. Her slender willow waist could be encircled with one hand, her fair, flawless legs were alluring, and her face was enchanting. She wore revealing attire, her curves undulating in perfect proportion, a red dress fluttering in the wind.

Her violet eyes gazed at Ye Ming, a hint of surprise flickering within.

"I didn't expect this Imperial Son to actually dare come!"

Voices of the surrounding prodigies rose as they looked at Ye Ming.

"The Battle of Prodigies has always belonged to prodigies alone; elders from his Forbidden Zone are not allowed to intervene!"

"Knowing it's death, yet he still comes—I have to admire this Imperial Son's courage, at least."

"Heh, courage? What use is that? He's still going to die. Does he not understand the gap between us?"

The scene buzzed with noise, mostly from righteous prodigies who didn't believe Ye Ming had the strength to fight Liu Mingyue.

"Hmph, putting on an act! You think you're worthy of a battle with Mingyue? Get down here and die!"

Long Hao sneered, looking at Ye Ming with utter disdain.

"What are you? A fight with you isn't even on the table."

Ye Ming's face showed contempt as he swept a dismissive glance over Long Hao.

"Wait until This Imperial Son takes down this stray fish from the Liu Family—you're next!"

His voice was haughty as he looked toward Liu Mingyue in the distance.

"You slaughtered my entire Liu Family. Today, I will use your blood to honor them all!"

Liu Mingyue's features were pure and beautiful, clad in green robes. The moment she saw Ye Ming, her composure shattered. Her curvaceous figure trembled slightly, and her eyes blazed with boundless killing intent.

"Heh, Liu Mingyue, This Imperial Son has heard of you—a Cold Spirit Physique among the three thousand constitutions."

"Excellent. This time, I'll take you back and make you This Imperial Son's Cauldron!"

Ye Ming said with a faint smile, his gaze sweeping over her figure.

"I swear, I will kill you!"

Liu Mingyue, the saintess revered as a celestial maiden by countless prodigies, had lost her usual calm and elegant demeanor. Her ample chest heaved violently.

"Kill me? That depends on whether you have the skill!"

Ye Ming sneered in reply.

Boom!

The battle erupted in an instant.

"Ice Seal Heaven and Earth!"

With a soft cry, Liu Mingyue struck.

Her long black hair danced wildly in the air as an aura of extreme cold surged around her. Her azure robes fluttered as she extended a hand as pure as jade. The palm strike appeared light and effortless, but it carried boundless Spiritual Power, amplified by her Cold Spirit Physique, which granted her innate mastery over the world's ultimate cold.

Boom!

A frigid light enveloped three thousand miles. The rocks, soil, and rubble near the imperial capital were instantly frozen solid, sealing all worldly things in ice. This strike was immensely powerful, causing ripples in the void itself. Given that the laws of the Mystic Heaven Immortal Domain were exceptionally sturdy, the mere fact that the void rippled was a testament to Liu Mingyue's strength.

At this moment, some recognized Liu Mingyue's current cultivation level.

"Hiss... Saintess Mingyue truly lives up to her reputation as one of the era's prodigies. She has already cultivated to the Dao Palace Realm!"

"Judging by the intensity of her Spiritual Power, she must have condensed at least four immortal lights within the Dao Palace!"

An elder cultivator spoke, his voice trembling with profound shock.