Luo Xiu watched Huo Hangku and couldn't help but think of Zhong Mudao, whom he had previously encountered on Mount Green Hills. Judging by his aura and oppressive might alone, it was clear that Huo Hangku, being at the Second Realm of Dao Jade, was indeed far stronger than someone at the First Realm of Dao Jade.

In Luo Xiu's eyes, however, even a master at the Second Realm of Dao Jade like him still felt somewhat "lightweight."

"Luo Xiu... he's a Heavenly God from the Upper Realm! You're no match for him." A voice suddenly echoed in Luo Xiu's mind; it was a Divine Sense Communication from Mu Xueyan.

Mu Xueyan struggled to her feet and resolutely stepped in front of Luo Xiu, directly facing Huo Hangku.

"Luo Xiu, I will never forget that you risked your life to save me... but I can't bear to drag you down with me.

"This is my karma, and you shouldn't get involved. It's not worth you falling into a death trap for my sake, and the guilt would be more than I could bear.

"Either way, I'll do everything I can to stall him. You have to find a chance to escape."

Luo Xiu was truly formidable, capable of slaughtering the entire Ye Family with a single sword. On Earth, perhaps only the most powerful experts from each country could contend with him. But that was only on Earth. Since arriving in the Shanhai Territory and witnessing all that she had, Mu Xueyan now understood that there was always someone stronger, a higher heaven above. The experts of Earth were no different from ants before these Heavenly Gods of the Upper Realm.

At this moment, facing a powerhouse from the Upper Realm like Huo Hangku, Mu Xueyan's only thought was to buy Luo Xiu time to escape, even if it cost her her life.

Luo Xiu looked at the resolute back of the woman before him and smiled faintly. He suddenly reached out, placed a hand on her shoulder, and pulled her to his side.

"What Heavenly God from the Upper Realm? He's nothing but a small fry."

"Palace Master Mu, trust me. With your talent, give it enough time, and you'll soon be crushing trash like him under your heel."

"As for the karma you mentioned, I became entangled in it the moment I decided to save you."

Mu Xueyan's beautiful eyes quivered as she stared blankly at Luo Xiu. For some reason, his calm and carefree demeanor set her heart at ease.

At that moment, Huo Hangku suddenly laughed. "A mere Lower Realm Mortal dares to challenge the divine might of this seat. Truly ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth."

"Indeed, the courage of an ant is sometimes admirable."

"But even if an ant's eyes cannot comprehend a creature as great as an eagle, an eagle will forever soar in the Nine Heavens."

"The life and death of you ants depend solely on an eagle's whim!"

As he spoke, his gaze sharpened. An ethereal Sword Intent manifested, instantly slicing through the Void as it whistled toward them. For a mighty expert at the Second Realm of Dao Jade, killing two mere ants didn't even require lifting a finger; a single glance was more than enough!

However, the next moment, an unbelievable scene unfolded before him.

Luo Xiu simply pinched the air and snuffed out the Sword Intent. He then took a step forward, his gaze focused. A wave of fist energy materialized in the Void, instantly piercing through Huo Hangku's protective Gang Qi and slamming into his face.

This was Luo Xiu's most masterful fist technique—Luo Tian's Control over Xuanzhong! By commanding power with his spirit, he could ignore all defenses and kill without a trace!

BOOM!

Though the fist's energy was invisible, Huo Hangku's face took the full brunt of the blow, and his towering body was sent flying sideways. But before his body even got airborne, Luo Xiu had already reappeared beside him like a phantom. He grabbed a fistful of Huo Hangku's hair, yanked him back, and delivered two resounding slaps.

"Who the hell do you think you're fooling with that act all day long?! You sound like a damn fool. An eagle? You're a maggot at best—good for nothing but making people sick."

Luo Xiu spat out the vulgar words and kicked Huo Hangku squarely in the stomach.

Huo Hangku cried out in pain as his body flew backward, crashing heavily into a stalagmite dozens of meters away.

The area instantly fell silent.

Huo Qian and the group of Divine Sect Disciples were all dumbfounded. The master of the Swordfire Divine Sect, an expert at the Second Realm of Dao Jade, was being beaten up like a common thug?

Mu Xueyan was also staring at Luo Xiu in disbelief, her stunned expression making her look almost adorably dazed. She knew this man was far from simple and was certainly hiding his true strength, but she had never imagined that even a Heavenly God from the Upper Realm would be so completely powerless before him.

Meanwhile, Huo Hangku scrambled up from the ground, his previous air of leisurely confidence completely gone. His face was already swollen, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Luo Xiu's brutal beating hadn't been fatal, but it was incredibly painful and, more importantly, utterly humiliating! What made it even harder to bear was that it had all happened in front of his disciples.

"Lower Realm Mortal, I'll make you wish you were never born!" Huo Hangku roared, his body suddenly erupting with terrifying might that seemed to freeze the very space around him.

Behind him in the Void, his two Dao Jades began to radiate a dazzling light. Clearly, he was getting serious.

But Luo Xiu's expression remained unchanged as he walked toward him at a steady pace.

"A small fry like you really thinks he's someone important?"

"Back when This Emperor fought alone against the Three Thousand Worlds of the Upper Realm, vermin like you weren't even qualified to be killed by me."

As he finished speaking, a green Spiritual Power began to emanate from Luo Xiu's body. The instant he saw that brilliant flash of green, Huo Hangku was utterly dumbfounded. The terrifying power he had summoned vanished in an instant, and the rage in his eyes was replaced by sheer terror.

"The... the Azure Emperor?"

Luo Xiu stopped walking as his aura surged. Illusions of green lotuses bloomed throughout the cave, plunging everyone into a dreamlike state.

"Since you know it is This Emperor, why have you not knelt?"

Cold sweat beaded on Huo Hangku's brow. He didn't dare hesitate for a second and hastily dropped to his knees. Seeing this, Huo Qian and the other Divine Sect Disciples scrambled to kneel as well. Although their generation had not been born in that turbulent era, the legends of the Azure Emperor still echoed throughout the Upper Realm, their legacy eternal! Besides, even their Sect Master was kneeling in reverence!

"Forgive me... It was my foolishness and ignorance that led me to offend the Azure Emperor, and... and the Empress Consort." Beads of sweat trickled down Huo Hangku's pale face, and his voice trembled as he spoke.

"Hahahaha..."

Just then, a hoarse and eerie laugh echoed through the cave.

"I never expected this, never in my wildest dreams! For a Great Emperor to deliver himself right to my doorstep, it is truly a gift from the heavens!"

As the voice rang out, a horrifyingly malevolent aura filled the Void, weighing down on everyone's bodies and souls. The next moment, the entire cave began to shake violently. From beneath the shattered altar, a Crystal Skull emitting a strange light slowly rose.

Luo Xiu turned to face the Crystal Skull, his expression growing serious. That must be the Source of the Mysterious Realm.

At the same time, Huo Hangku quietly got to his feet. He shot a look at Huo Qian and the others, then produced a golden talisman and ignited it with his sword's flame. In an instant, the entire group vanished as if they had evaporated into thin air. It was a popular disposable Magical Treasure in the Upper Realm—the Eradication Talisman. The Eradication Talisman allowed for short-distance spatial travel and was typically used as an escape tool.

Luo Xiu no longer had time to worry about the fleeing group. He shielded Mu Xueyan behind him, his expression growing even more grave. "Palace Master Mu, when I give the signal, run as fast as you can and don't look back."

Faced with this mysterious, bizarre, and immensely powerful Crystal Skull, Luo Xiu wasn't entirely confident he could protect Mu Xueyan.

"Below the gods, the Great Emperor reigns supreme... I truly didn't expect that a Great Emperor of your caliber could emerge in this New Era."

"Boy, your imperial body will make the perfect Taoist Body for me."

Luo Xiu gave a calm smile. "You look pretty good yourself. Just right for me to take and polish."

After a moment of observation, Luo Xiu could already sense that this Crystal Skull was on the same level as his own left eye—a creation of an Ancient God! Moreover, the Crystal Skull contained an immense Aura of the Dead, which was precisely what he needed.

Just as Luo Xiu was contemplating how to get his hands on the skull, a familiar voice echoed in his mind. "Kid, leave this to me. This thing is a real treasure."

Hearing this, Luo Xiu's eyes lit up. "Master Ping? When did you come out of seclusion?"

Master Ping chuckled. "I actually came out the moment you entered the Ancient God Ruins. I just wanted to watch from the shadows and see how much you've grown."

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