A Cup of Tea Defeats the Divine Emperor Physique! Shenkong Ye's Utter Humiliation!

Over by the Yun Family's Emperor Clan contingent, Shenkong Ye stood at the edge of their ranks. His golden robes stirred without wind, and dark golden light flickered in his empty eye sockets.

Sensing Su Linxian's gaze, he abruptly raised his head.

Across thousands of yards, those two empty sockets locked onto Su Linxian's position with unerring precision.

His hatred was so intense that it almost took solid form, palpable even across thousands of yards of empty space.

Bang!

The golden divine light around Shenkong Ye suddenly swelled, and dense cracks spread through the stone slabs beneath his feet.

Beside him, the Yun Family's Great Emperor sensed the disturbance and frowned. "Shenkong Ye, today is no time for a tantrum."

"Calm down."

[Name: Shenkong Ye]

[Titles: Heaven-Destined Protagonist, Imperial Court Heir]

[Physique: Divine Emperor Physique]

[Realm: Quasi-Emperor Realm, third stage]

[Heaven-Destined Points: 2,000,000]

Two million Heaven-Destined Points?

He's only in the Quasi-Emperor Realm, yet his destiny already surpasses what Li Junhua had back then.

It seems the Primordial Imperial Court and his newly acquired Divine Emperor Physique have given him quite a few Heaven-Destined Points.

Su Linxian looked at him and grinned.

Dong—!!!

Atop the Emperor Platform, nine luminous pearls lit up simultaneously, and an ancient, far-reaching toll resounded throughout the city.

The Ancient Emperor Festival had begun.

Shangyu Su was the first to take the platform.

Dressed in a blue robe, he stood tall and straight, his expression composed.

He walked to the center of the Emperor Platform and lightly cupped his hands, his voice clear.

"Shangyu Su of the Su Family."

"Supreme Realm."

Below, a figure soared out of the Chen Family's ranks and landed on the Emperor Platform.

He was a young man with a stern face, the aura of his peak Saint Realm cultivation restrained, a trace of eager battle intent in his eyes.

The Chen Family ranked toward the bottom of the Ten Great Emperor Clans, but its prodigies had always been renowned for their fierce courage. Even if his cultivation was not particularly high here, he remained fearless.

"Chen Yuan of the Chen Family."

"Brother Su, shall we get things started?"

Shangyu Su nodded and cupped his hands. "Please."

The two stood facing each other without wasting any more words.

"Great Wilderness Fist!"

Chen Yuan attacked first, opening with the Chen Family's directly inherited Great Wilderness Fist. The full power of his peak Saint Realm cultivation gathered over his fist.

Bang!!

His punch blasted out, shattering the void.

Shangyu Su sidestepped it and struck Chen Yuan's shoulder with a backhanded palm.

The instant the palm's force entered his body, Chen Yuan was sent flying. He rolled several times across the Emperor Platform before steadying himself.

"You really are formidable!"

Gritting his teeth, Chen Yuan rose and charged again.

Shangyu Su gave him no further chance, unleashing another divine ability in quick succession.

Bang!

Chen Yuan was knocked clean beyond the Emperor Platform's boundary. He spat out a mouthful of blood in midair before the Chen Family's people caught him.

There had been no suspense whatsoever.

Clean and decisive.

A low chorus of cheers rose from below.

Shangyu Su lightly cupped his hands and withdrew to one side of the Emperor Platform to await the next challenger.

The festival continued in full blaze.

The prodigies of the various Emperor Clans took the platform in turn, exchanging blows and insights into the Dao. Divine abilities collided atop the Emperor Platform, and Dao laws crisscrossed through the air.

Some won and some lost. Some made their names in a single battle, while others withdrew in dejection.

Su Linxian sat on the elevated dais with a teacup in hand, watching at his leisure and occasionally offering a comment or two.

Yu Yao crouched beside him, hugging a bag of Spirit Fruit and watching with relish.

"Master, aren't you going to participate?"

Ming Suwen chuckled. "With His Highness the Divine Son's cultivation, I'm afraid the Ancient Emperor Festival couldn't continue if he participated."

Just then.

A golden figure shot skyward from the Yun Family's ranks and landed on the Emperor Platform.

Shenkong Ye.

Golden divine light wreathed him, Imperial Court Dao Markings flickered across his skin, and dark golden light danced like flames in his empty eye sockets.

"I'll take the stage."

"Among the Emperor Clans, does anyone wish to... challenge me?"

Shenkong Ye stood in the center of the Emperor Platform, his golden robes snapping in the fierce wind. He resembled a golden divine sword drawn from its sheath.

The crowd below erupted at once.

"Shenkong Ye?! Why did he go up there?!"

"He isn't a member of the Yun Family! What right does he have to fight for them?!"

"This breaks the rules! He never even participated in the preliminaries!"

The elders of the various Emperor Clans spoke up one after another, their expressions hostile.

Only members of the Emperor Clans could participate in the Ancient Emperor Festival.

Shenkong Ye was a rogue cultivator with neither sect nor school. What qualified him to stand atop the Emperor Platform?

A gray-haired elder rose from the Yun Family's ranks and lightly cupped his hands toward those around him, speaking unhurriedly.

"Everyone, please remain calm. Shenkong Ye has already joined our Yun Family as a marrying-in son-in-law. He will wed Miao Yin Yun in the coming days."

"Having entered our family, he is one of us. What is improper about him fighting on the Yun Family's behalf?"

"Well..."

The elders of the various Emperor Clans exchanged looks. Some frowned, while others shook their heads.

"The Yun Family has gone a little too far."

Grand Elder Su stood beside the Emperor Platform, his brow slightly furrowed.

He turned toward Su Linxian on the elevated dais and cast him a questioning look.

"Your Highness, what do you think?"

Su Linxian set down his teacup and leaned against the back of his chair. "Let him participate if he wants."

"It's a good opportunity. I'd also like to see how far you've come after more than a hundred years."

Shenkong Ye sneered.

"I won't disappoint you."

Having obtained the Primordial Imperial Court's inheritance, he was already a far cry from his former self!

"Since His Highness has said so..." Grand Elder Su nodded slightly and announced to the Emperor Platform, "Shenkong Ye will fight on behalf of the Yun Family. Does anyone wish to challenge him?"

As his words fell, a figure shot skyward from the Wang Family's ranks.

He was a stern-faced young man dressed in a black robe, his aura sharp as a sword.

He landed on the Emperor Platform and stood facing Shenkong Ye. Ancient, dark red patterns emerged across his skin.

An exceedingly ancient demon god's aura wreathed him, holding a primordial power of wilderness, brutality, and utter destruction!

Wang Ling of the Wang Family, son of a Divine Emperor.

The primordial demon god physique!

"Wang Ling of the Wang Family. Quasi-Emperor Realm, sixth stage."

Shenkong Ye turned his empty sockets toward him, the corners of his mouth curving into an icy smile.

He raised his hand, golden Imperial Court Dao Markings dancing at his fingertips.

"Shenkong Ye."

"Come."

Bang!

Both moved at once.

Wang Ling threw a punch. The power of his primordial demon god physique erupted over his fist, and a dark red fist seal swept forward with untamed power, caving in the entire expanse of void.

Boom! The sheer might of that punch made even several Quasi-Emperor Realm prodigies below the platform pale slightly.

Shenkong Ye did not retreat.

He met it with a palm of his own.

Golden Imperial Court Dao Markings gathered in his palm, and a mysterious aura impervious to all arts coursed through his body.

The instant fist and palm met, dark red wilderness power crashed into golden Imperial Court power in the void, shaking the entire Emperor Platform.

Rumble!

The Divine Emperor Physique?!

Wang Ling's fist was forcibly stopped by that golden Imperial Court Dao Marking.

His pupils contracted. The power of his primordial demon god physique surged wildly, and he unleashed a second punch, then a third.

Every punch carried untamed power enough to shatter mountains and split seas. Fist shadows poured down upon Shenkong Ye like a torrential storm!

The golden Imperial Court Dao Markings around Shenkong Ye shone ever brighter, blocking every one of Wang Ling's attacks.

Those fist seals, powerful enough to gravely injure an ordinary Quasi-Emperor, struck him as though striking an ancient divine mountain. They could not leave so much as a pale mark!

Impervious to all arts!

"Is this all an Emperor Clan prodigy can do?"

Shenkong Ye spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly across the entire Emperor Platform.

"Too weak..."

"You've truly disappointed me."

He spread his fingers and gently closed his hand in Wang Ling's direction.

Boom—!!!

A golden Imperial Court Dao Marking burst from his palm, transforming into a gigantic golden hand that blotted out the sky and sun as it slammed down toward Wang Ling's head!

The enormous hand held the Divine Emperor Physique's power of immunity to all arts. Its palm lines resembled mountain ranges and river networks, each radiating pressure that could crush everything.

This is bad!

Wang Ling's expression changed drastically, and he formed a dark red barrier overhead.

Crack!

Yet beneath the enormous palm, the barrier lasted only a single breath before shattering with a crash.

Bang! Wang Ling was struck flying by the palm. He rolled dozens of yards across the Emperor Platform, spraying a great mouthful of blood.

"Urgh!"

He struggled to rise, but Shenkong Ye had already appeared before him.

Golden Imperial Court Dao Markings spread from beneath Shenkong Ye's feet, sealing the void within a hundred-yard radius into an independent domain.

Shenkong Ye slowly raised his hand toward the various Emperor Clans below, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

"So this is all the Emperor Clans amount to."

The entire gathering fell silent.

The prodigies of the various Emperor Clans wore differing expressions.

Ji Wuye narrowed his eyes and murmured.

"The Divine Emperor Physique is the foremost physique of the Primordial Imperial Court."

"I fear this man's true combat strength is already enough to fight and kill an ordinary Great Emperor..."

Shenkong Ye stood in the center of the Emperor Platform, his golden robes snapping in the fierce wind.

"No one else?"

His hollow eyes swept over the crowd below before finally settling on the white-robed figure seated on the elevated dais.

"Su Linxian."

His voice was low and hoarse, every word seemingly forced through clenched teeth.

"Your turn."

Shenkong Ye stood in the center of the Emperor Platform, the Divine Emperor Phantom behind him gazing down in all directions.

"Su Linxian."

"It's been a hundred and forty years. Come down and settle this."

"Wait, did I hear that right?"

"This fellow wants to challenge His Highness the Divine Son?"

The entire gathering burst into an uproar.

The prodigies of the various Emperor Clans exchanged looks, unable to hold back their derisive laughter.

"Has he gone mad? Challenging the Su Family's Divine Son?"

"A hundred-year-old Great Emperor, the son of a Divine Emperor—and he actually dares to say it!"

"He doesn't know how high the heavens are or how deep the earth runs!"

Despite their words, everyone tacitly turned to look.

Truth be told, they did indeed want to see what the Su Family's Divine Son was capable of.

Su Linxian held his teacup, sipping at an unhurried pace.

He studied Shenkong Ye's stern face, along with the Divine Emperor Phantom baring its fangs and claws behind him.

Then he suddenly grinned.

"Fine."

He set down his teacup and rose. The murmurs below the platform abruptly fell silent, and every gaze converged on that white-robed figure.

Seeing him rise, Shenkong Ye's pupils contracted slightly. Then he said coldly, "I hate that high-and-mighty attitude of yours."

Su Linxian looked at him, the curve of his lips deepening. Rather than coming down, he picked up his tea again and gently swirled the cup in his hand.

"If you can catch this cup of tea,"

Su Linxian began.

His tone was casual.

"I'll count it as your win."

At those words, the entire venue fell deathly silent.

Then an uproar erupted like a surging tide.

"What?! He wins if he catches a cup of tea?"

"That's just... far too arrogant!"

"The Su Family's Divine Son is being far too confident! Shenkong Ye has a Divine Emperor Physique at the Quasi-Emperor Realm, not to mention the Primordial Imperial Court's inheritance. How could he possibly fail to catch a cup of tea?"

"But if he really can do it... just how terrifying is the Su Family's Divine Son's cultivation?"

Comments rose one after another. Some thought it arrogant, others absurd, but even more felt an indescribable chill well up in their hearts!

What did it mean to decide victory with a cup of tea?

It meant Su Linxian did not even need to fight in person. A casual toss alone would be enough to crush someone with a Divine Emperor Physique at the Quasi-Emperor Realm!

"What did you say?!"

Shenkong Ye's pupils abruptly contracted.

His face turned ashen.

"Bastard!"

He regarded Su Linxian as the greatest enemy of his life.

Yet the other man had treated him with this same careless attitude from beginning to end!

It had been like this a hundred and forty years ago, and it was still like this a hundred and forty years later!

He had endured a century of darkness, awakened his Divine Emperor Physique, and obtained the Primordial Imperial Court's inheritance!

He had fought his way to where he stood today, yet in Su Linxian's eyes, he was not even worthy of catching a cup of tea?!

"You're courting death! Get down here!!"

Shenkong Ye roared, the golden divine light around him surging to its utmost limit. The Divine Emperor Phantom behind him suddenly swelled, bathing half the sky in brilliant gold.

[Ding! Heaven-Destined Protagonist Shenkong Ye has lost his composure. Heaven-Destined Points decreased by 30,000!]

[Congratulations, Master! You have obtained 30,000 Villain Points!]

Shenkong Ye formed seals with both hands. Imperial Court Dao Markings coalesced before him into an impenetrable golden barrier, each marking containing the profound mystery of immunity to all arts.

At that moment, his aura erupted to its limit.

The power of his Quasi-Emperor Realm Divine Emperor Physique poured out without restraint, making the entire Emperor Platform tremble slightly.

"Today, I'll show you what a Primordial Divine Emperor Physique truly is!"

"You talk too much." Su Linxian raised his right hand.

Holding the rim of the teacup between two fingers, he gave it a gentle flick.

Bang!

The cup of tea flew out.

The instant it left his hand, the teacup traced a perfectly straight line through the void. It did not spin or tumble; not even a single drop of tea splashed out.

Wherever it passed, it plowed a deep furrow through the void. Before that force, space seemed to become a sheet of paper bent under pressure.

What kind of power was this?!

Shenkong Ye stopped breathing.

He felt an utterly terrifying pressure!

That pressure was indescribably heavy, as though the entire sky were bearing down on him within that single cup of tea!

His golden barrier flickered before that force. The Imperial Court Dao Markings flashed wildly, their mysterious aura of immunity to all arts crushed inch by inch beneath that supremely pure Law of Strength.

"Hold it back! Aaaah—"

Shenkong Ye gritted his teeth, bracing the barrier with both hands. Every bone in his body creaked, and golden blood seeped from his seven orifices.

Crack—

The barrier cracked.

The teacup struck the barrier, opening a hairline fissure at its center. The crack spread rapidly, instantly covering the entire golden barrier like a spiderweb. Then the barrier shattered with a crash, scattering golden fragments across the sky. Without losing any momentum, the teacup continued hurtling toward Shenkong Ye!

"I, Shenkong Ye, will not lose!!"

Shenkong Ye roared, crossing his arms in front of him. The source essence of his Divine Emperor Physique burned wildly as he concentrated all his power of immunity to all arts into his arms.

The instant the teacup struck his arms.

Shenkong Ye's knees buckled violently.

His kneecaps cracked sharply beneath the immense pressure.

With a thud.

He dropped straight to his knees!