Huo Hangku's face was pale, and he looked utterly disheveled.

Seeing this, Li Huan momentarily ignored the beauty before him, hastily flying over to support Huo Hangku and bringing him onto the divine carpet. Li Huan had always held great respect, even fear, for Huo Hangku. This was not only because Huo Hangku was the master of the Swordfire Divine Sect, but also because he was the husband of his own master, Empress Mei Ji.

However, this was a secret known to only a handful of people in the Upper Realm. Huo Hangku himself refused to acknowledge it in public. Even though Empress Mei Ji had reached the Emperor Realm, he still felt it was a disgrace.

…

"Master Huo, how is my master?"

Huo Hangku shook his head. "Don't worry, your master is fine. She is currently in the Sword Array comprehending the Gluttonous Sword Intent."

Then he added with a bitter smile, "But this Gluttonous Sword Array is far too dangerous. With my cultivation at Dao Jade Two, I couldn't withstand the Sword Intent. If I hadn't escaped in time, I'm afraid…"

As he spoke, he suddenly froze, for he had just seen Luo Xiu standing on the back of the Pig Dragon up ahead. At the same time, Luo Xiu was watching him with a faint, unreadable smile.

Huo Hangku's expression turned hideous. Mei Ji was currently in the Sword Array, comprehending the Gluttonous Sword Intent, so she couldn't be disturbed. With his own strength, facing an existence like the Azure Emperor, he feared he couldn't make the slightest ripple. Moreover, he knew full well that Luo Xiu would not let him off the hook this time.

This was because he had deceived Luo Xiu at the entrance to the Spirit Tomb. He had claimed the spot in the Array belonged to the Swordfire Divine Sect, hoping to incite a conflict between Luo Xiu and others, thereby attracting the attention of the Lingtian Plateau. Afterwards, he had entered the Spirit Tomb and headed straight for the Gluttonous Palace precisely because he knew Luo Xiu wouldn't spare him, forcing him to seek protection from his wife.

Since Mei Ji had reached the Emperor Realm, her power was immense. Even if she couldn't surpass the Azure Emperor, she could at least hold her own against him.

"Master Huo, please rest well. I have some business to attend to with these few Lower Realm Mortals."

As Huo Hangku's thoughts raced, Li Huan suddenly spoke up. He then saw Li Huan and his four junior brothers take to the air, leaving with flagrant arrogance.

Seeing this, Huo Hangku groaned with bitterness, wishing he could fly up and slap Li Huan to death. He had already provoked the Azure Emperor, yet this suicidal fool, Li Huan, was about to add fuel to the fire! He could also guess that Li Huan had taken an interest in the woman at the Azure Emperor's side.

"Li Huan, get back here!" he roared. He naturally couldn't let Li Huan act so foolishly and flew over in a flash to grab him.

Li Huan's face was full of confusion, but before he could ask why, Huo Hangku's palm struck his face. The crisp smack stunned the nearby onlookers, who couldn't understand why Huo Hangku would strike Li Huan.

"Master Huo, what is the meaning of this…?" Li Huan clutched his face, looking at Huo Hangku in disbelief. He had never expected Huo Hangku to suddenly strike him.

But Huo Hangku ignored him, instead dropping to the ground and kneeling respectfully.

"Huo Hangku of the Swordfire Divine Sect pays homage to Your Majesty, the Azure Emperor!"

His voice was loud and clear. As his words rang out, everyone present froze. They all turned their stiff necks to look at Luo Xiu standing on the Pig Dragon, their bodies and souls trembling uncontrollably.

This is… His Majesty the Azure Emperor? The most terrifying Great Emperor in all of history?

Struck as if by lightning, Li Huan's gaze trembled. He hastily led his four junior brothers to the ground and knelt in reverence. He had no reason to doubt Luo Xiu's identity. In the world today, no one dared to impersonate the Azure Emperor. Besides, even a powerhouse at Dao Jade Two like Huo Hangku had knelt. Even if he wasn't the Azure Emperor, an existence that could frighten a man like Huo Hangku into this state was certainly a titan he could not afford to offend.

The thought that he had actually planned to make a move on the woman beside the Azure Emperor sent a chill down Li Huan's spine, and he was filled with boundless regret. His master, Empress Mei Ji, was still inside the Sword Array and couldn't support him. And even if she came out, she wouldn't necessarily be a match for the Azure Emperor.

Luo Xiu gazed down at Huo Hangku indifferently. "Do you think," he said with a faint smile, "that if you keep groveling before me, I won't kill you?"

Hearing this, Huo Hangku's face grew even paler. Despite being mentally prepared, he was still terrified. He could genuinely feel Luo Xiu's killing intent.

It seems I won't escape death today!

But he had no intention of giving up until the very last moment.

Luo Xiu said, "Speaking of which, I'm curious. Back at the entrance to the Spirit Tomb, why did you decide to lie to me? Did you think those people could actually get rid of me?"

Huo Hangku forced a smile. "Your Majesty, you've misunderstood. I truly did not deceive you. It's just that Yan Daoling was too tyrannical. He had clearly acknowledged that the entry spot belonged to my Swordfire Divine Sect, but when the Array opened, he went back on his word."

Luo Xiu shook his head slightly. "Enough. I can't be bothered with your nonsense. Once I've killed you, I'll just scour your soul for your memories."

"Then you might as well try."

Suddenly, a cold, clear voice echoed from the Void. In an instant, a profound aura of the Dao permeated the area.

Luo Xiu turned to see a graceful figure slowly walking out of the Gluttonous Sword Array. The figure wore a green gauze dress and possessed a face as beautiful as the moon and flowers. She exuded a cool, detached temperament, with flawless, jade-like skin. Her long hair, which reached her hips, swayed gently with the aura she radiated. She wore what appeared to be high heels made of crystal on her lily-white feet. She walked with an elegant stride, each step radiating thousands of charms.

Behind her in the Void, a purple halo was visible. The halo seemed to be composed of countless runes, filled with a sacred and profound aura of the Dao.

That was the Great Dao Destiny Wheel! Only a powerhouse who had entered the Emperor Realm could manifest the Life Wheel phenomenon.

Looking at the Empress, Luo Xiu was reminded of Chi Sha. He remembered when Chi Sha had used the Chaos Origin to reconstruct her Physical Body, refining the Chaos Sacred Body to become an Empress. She had been quite similar to the woman before him now.

Master Ping's voice suddenly echoed in Luo Xiu's mind, "Kid, this is a Profound Emperor. With your strength, she's no threat, but fighting her might trigger your ailment."

Luo Xiu replied indifferently, "It just so happens I want to test its capabilities."

Master Ping added, "That being said, since this woman has cultivated to become an Empress, her Yin Essence would be a great help to you. Ever considered taking her down?"

Luo Xiu pursed his lips. "Give it a rest. Do you really think I'll go for just anyone?"

While Luo Xiu and Master Ping were conversing, Empress Mei Ji had already appeared beside Huo Hangku as if by teleportation. By this time, Huo Hangku and the others had already risen to their feet. For some reason, the arrival of Empress Mei Ji brought them an inexplicable sense of security, erasing their fear even in the face of the Azure Emperor.

Empress Mei Ji tilted her head up slightly, looking at Luo Xiu on the Pig Dragon. "To meet the legendary Azure Emperor in person is a great honor," she said faintly.

"I just didn't expect that after so many years, Your Majesty's prestige remains undiminished."

"Since I have the good fortune to meet you, if possible, I would like to test Your Majesty's profound Dao Technique."

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