Great Emperor Tunri

"From now on, stay by Situ Yunqing's side," Xu Zimo said.

Shili Changkong nodded and asked, "Are you really going to hand the power over to a little girl?"

Xu Zimo smiled. If his memories were correct, Situ Yunqing was not a woman to be underestimated.

In his Previous Life, she had spent only a few decades within the Situ Family before spreading the Situ Chamber of Commerce across the entire Eastern Continent, turning it into one of the foremost Major Powers.

If Situ Yunqing had not truly possessed such ability, Xu Zimo would not have gone to such lengths to bring her under his command.

"Give her two years. If she can spread the power across the entire Far West Land, then I'll believe in her ability," Xu Zimo said.

"And if she can't do it in two years?" Shili Changkong countered.

"Does a person without value have any reason to keep living?" Xu Zimo asked with a smile.

Shili Changkong fell silent. How cold-blooded.

After settling matters in Zhouque City, Xu Zimo and the other two decided to leave. After all, the sect mission he had accepted when leaving the sect still had not been completed.

They rode onward beneath blue skies and white clouds, past rolling green mountains. Their Desert Steeds galloped valiantly into the distance.

Birds beat their wings as they flew, circling overhead, while the breeze swept dead leaves into spirals through the air.

The blazing sun hung high overhead as they rode along the road when a burst of explosions suddenly rang out from the sky.

Then they felt a powerful aura descend from above and envelop them.

Above their heads, two people walked through the air. One was an old man in a gray robe, holding a five-foot heavy sword. An invisible aura rippled around him, pressing the entire space until it exploded with booming cracks.

The other was a middle-aged man, blazing with roaring flames. The fire was scorching and dazzling, as though the surrounding space itself would be reduced to ashes.

The gray-clad elder wore a steady expression as he spoke loudly. His voice shook the heavens and echoed across the universe, making space rumble.

"Ren Pingsheng, hand over Great Emperor Tunri's inheritance, and I'll spare your life."

The man wreathed in flames gave a contemptuous smile. He appeared to be seriously injured, his face somewhat pale, yet he said disdainfully, "Yue Buli, a despicable wretch like you thinks he deserves to be a sect master? What a joke!"

Xu Zimo lounged atop his horse's back, watching the battle between the two with great interest.

Xiao Guizi looked panicked. Seeing that Xu Zimo was not tense in the slightest, he asked in confusion, "Senior Brother, do you know them?"

"What are you afraid of? Who would dare touch you while you're following me?" Xu Zimo said with a light laugh.

"That gray-robed elder is Yue Buli, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect," Lin Ruhu explained from the side. "As for that man in white, I don't know him."

"Ren Pingsheng—'a raincoat amid mist and rain, Ren Pingsheng'—a descendant of Great Emperor Tunri," Xu Zimo said with a smile.

"Great Emperor Tunri!" Xiao Guizi cried out. That was an exceedingly famous Great Emperor from the Era of Emperors.

"Yue Buli is an expert in the Venerable Meridian Realm, while Ren Pingsheng is only in the Empty Meridian Realm. It looks like he won't be able to hold on much longer," Xiao Guizi said thoughtfully.

"Never underestimate the methods left behind by a Great Emperor." Xu Zimo waved his hand. "Let's go. This has nothing to do with us."

High in the void, Yue Buli held his heavy sword as endless Sword Qi gathered upon its blade, compressed, then burst apart. Cracks began appearing throughout space.

This sword carried boundless killing intent. Fierce winds raged and roared around him as he raised the heavy sword high above his head, as though he were about to cleave the entire firmament in two.

"Yue Buli, are you truly determined to fight to the death?" Ren Pingsheng asked with an ugly expression.

"Hand over Great Emperor Tunri's treasure, and I'll spare your life!" Yue Buli roared.

Endless power gathered upon his sword, twisting his entire face out of shape. It seemed he intended to use this sword, poised and ready to strike, to end the battle.

"You forced my hand." Ren Pingsheng coughed several times and slowly drew a long flute from his waist.

Xu Zimo, who was ahead of them, narrowed his eyes at the sight of the flute, then smiled. "Looks like there's a good show to watch."

"Is that flute very powerful?" Lin Ruhu asked doubtfully.

"The origins of that flute are tied to a love story from Great Emperor Tunri's past. Do you want to hear it?" Xu Zimo asked with a smile.

Xiao Guizi was somewhat puzzled. Great Emperor Tunri had lived several eras ago, so how could Senior Brother know about his romantic history?

Yet when it came to gossip about a Great Emperor, Xiao Guizi was still deeply interested.

"Legend has it that this was a story from Great Emperor Tunri's youth." Xu Zimo smiled and began recounting it with great interest. "When Great Emperor Tunri was young, he had a childhood sweetheart. Their families had arranged their marriage when they were still children, and they were extremely close.

But one day, that girl suddenly fell gravely ill. Before she died, she gave her favorite flute to Great Emperor Tunri.

It was meant to commemorate the precious yet fleeting love they had shared.

From then on, whenever Great Emperor Tunri missed the girl, he would play the flute alone in solitude.

Even after he eventually became a Great Emperor, he never abandoned that habit.

The flute itself was made from ordinary materials, but Emperor's Marks had been carved into it."

As Xu Zimo spoke, Ren Pingsheng cut open his finger and let a drop of blood fall into the flute before slowly raising it to his lips and playing.

The moment that drop of blood entered the flute, his already pale face turned even whiter.

A melodious flute tune drifted gently through the air. It was slow, carrying the tranquil ease of little bridges over flowing water.

Yet the instant that utterly ordinary melody began, the entire world seemed to stop.

All sounds fell silent. Whether it was the roaring river surging in the distance, the faint peaceful breeze at the edge of the sky,

or even Yue Buli's Sword Momentum before them, sworn to split the heavens in half, all of it seemed to come to a silent halt.

The flute continued to play, and Yue Buli's expression turned horrified.

The flute stirred up endless tempests. A black blazing sun appeared out of nowhere at the far end of the horizon.

Then space collapsed, laws descended into chaos, and immeasurable might gathered above the firmament.

"Is this... is this a Great Emperor?" Lin Ruhu and Xiao Guizi both stared in shock. "A mere flute once used by a Great Emperor, carved with Emperor's Marks, already carries such majesty. Then how peerless must the Great Emperor himself have been?"

"Ren Pingsheng, count yourself lucky this time. But you have not gained the treasure's recognition. With your vital blood, how many times can you use it?" Yue Buli roared unwillingly, then fled into the distance as though his life depended on it.

The blazing sun, like a devouring vortex, was about to take shape. Yue Buli felt as though a giant hand had clenched around his heart, squeezing its pounding to the point of bursting.

He did not dare remain any longer. The majesty of a Great Emperor could not be offended.

Only after watching Yue Buli flee like a madman did Ren Pingsheng slowly lower the flute. The devouring sun gradually dissipated.

His body swayed, and he nearly collapsed. The expenditure just now had been far too great.

Then he slowly descended and glanced at Xu Zimo and the others.

Thanks to brother Following the Wind 8888888 for becoming a helm master. I'll give you an extra chapter tomorrow.