I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 726 I have a sword that can break all laws and stabilize the universe!
Romanov stared intently into Li Chen's eyes and asked the question that had troubled him for so long: "Is Tuoba Zhen, the traitor who caused the internal strife in our dynasty, a pawn that you planted in our Great Luo Dynasty long ago?"

If asked about other core secrets, Li Chen would certainly not reveal them.

But he could speak frankly about Tuoba Zhen.

Li Chen shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of coldness and a touch of "appreciation": "No, quite the opposite, I really want to kill him. This man is as cunning as a fox, and has already successfully escaped from my grasp twice."
However, I must say that each time he "stirred things up," although it was unexpected, he always managed to bring me some unexpected "gains" in the end. For example, this time, if he hadn't disrupted the situation in the Great Luo Dynasty, I wouldn't have been able to intervene so easily as the Ancestor of the Witches.

Upon hearing this answer, Romanov felt inexplicably relieved. At least, the internal problems of the Great Luo were not entirely orchestrated by Li Chen.

Even Tuoba Zhen, a variable, could be exploited by Li Chen. This young man's cunning and adaptability are truly terrifying.

If Li Chen even considered Tuoba Zhen as a pawn, then he found it too unbelievable, even somewhat hopeless.

Now that his question had been answered, Romanov said no more. He suddenly straightened his hunched back, and his previously restrained aura erupted like a volcanic eruption!
The terrifying energy shot straight into the sky, causing the entire cave world to change color, and the primordial energy of heaven and earth to converge wildly, forming a huge vortex behind him.

A roar that seemed to come from the ancient wilderness resounded, and an enormous, ancient bear phantom, exuding a savage aura, slowly rose up behind him, its scarlet eyes filled with a violent and destructive will!

"Li Chen!" Romanov's voice boomed like thunder, filled with resolute fighting spirit, "How about we, the two of us, cast aside everyone else and fight to the death?! If you win, the entire Great Luo Empire will be yours! If you lose, I may spare your life, but you must swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao to immediately withdraw your troops and never commit such an offense again!"

This proposal seemed to offer Li Chen a way out, but in reality, if Li Chen were to be defeated, even if he survived, his Dao heart would inevitably be damaged and his prestige would be greatly diminished, while Romanov could use the momentum of his great victory to rebuild the country.

From any perspective, this was the best way for Romanov, who had just suffered a huge humiliation, to save face and salvage the situation.

However, Li Chen refused without even thinking, saying simply, "There's no need."

His gaze swept calmly over Romanov and the terrifying phantom bear behind him, his tone indifferent yet carrying an undeniable resolve: "I brought so many men here today for only one purpose: to eliminate you completely here, with the utmost possibility and at the lowest possible cost, leaving no hidden dangers or room for maneuver."

As for the glory of fighting alone? That's the spirit of a roughneck in the martial world, not the way of an emperor.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing Li Chen's undisguised and even somewhat "unethical" remarks, Romanov not only did not become angry, but instead revealed a complex and enigmatic smile that was almost "gratified".

Looking at the emperor before him, who was excessively young yet already possessed all the qualities of a great ruler, he felt a pang of emotion and regret.

"This is a true emperor," Romanov thought to himself.

Despite possessing overwhelming strength, he remains humble and unperturbed by empty fame. He acts with composure and shrewdness, with far-sighted calculations, striving to achieve his ultimate goal at the lowest possible cost, and keeping all variables firmly in his grasp.

Such character, such decisiveness—what a pity! It's a pity he's not the new emperor of my Great Luo!

This realization made his fighting spirit even more resolute.

Today, only a fight to the death awaits!
Li Chen's refusal was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

The moment the words fell, Master Wanfeng and Master Qingxu understood immediately. The two moved like lightning, instantly standing on either side of the courtyard, each holding several radiant array flags.

"Activate the formation!" Master Wanfeng shouted, his whisk unleashing thousands of silver threads that, like brushstrokes outlining the heavens and earth, instantly illuminated countless runes pre-buried in the void. At the same time, Master Qingxu tossed the formation flag into the air. The flag grew taller in the wind, becoming over ten feet in size, fluttering and radiating a powerful force that suppressed the space.

"Nine Netherworld Locks Bewilder the Immortals, Two Arrays Combined, Sealing Heaven and Earth!"

As the two chanted their incantations, an enormous and extremely complex array of light condensed and took shape in the sky above the courtyard at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Half of the light array was a deep, dark black, with countless runes intertwined like chains, emitting fluctuations of laws that imprisoned, bound, and slowed down; the other half was filled with a misty, ethereal milky-white fog, and as the fog rolled, countless illusions seemed to arise and disappear, disturbing the mind and confusing the senses.

As soon as this grand formation appeared, it created a violent repulsion against the small world that Romanov had painstakingly built!
The inherent defensive restrictions and energy channels of the cave were forcibly distorted and blocked, and the entire space emitted an unbearable "humming" sound. The earth trembled slightly, and the originally clear scenery around us began to become blurry and distorted, as if two different worlds were forcibly superimposed and squeezed together!
"Damn it! How dare you use formations to take over my cave world?!" Romanov was both shocked and furious. He felt his connection with the cave world being rapidly weakened, and the once effortless sense of control was becoming sluggish.

The ancient giant bear phantom behind him roared furiously, swung its giant claws, and with the power to tear through space, slammed them down on the forming double array!
"Your opponents are us!" How could Helan Xuan and Bichen Tianzun let him have his way?
Helan Xuan let out a wild laugh, his muscles bulging, his blood and qi soaring into the sky like smoke. The giant axe in his hand emitted a dazzling golden light, and he unleashed a simple "Mountain-Splitting" strike at the giant bear's claws. The two clashed head-on, producing a deafening sound like metal striking metal. The shockwaves rolled and tore deep trenches into the ground.

Bi Chen Tianzun moved like a ghost, circled to the side, and pointed his fingers like a sword. A highly refined emerald green sword aura silently pierced the core node of the giant bear phantom's energy flow. The angle was tricky, forcing the giant bear to be distracted and defend.

During this brief stalemate, the dual formations were finally fully formed!
Dark chains, as if alive, emerged from the array and coiled around Romanov's real body and the giant bear phantom. The misty fog also spread out, making Romanov feel as if he were sinking into a quagmire, slowing his movements and drastically compressing the range of his divine sense.

At the same time, Li Chen took a step forward, his figure appearing instantly at the core of the dual array, like ink merging into water.

The moment he stepped into the eye of the array, the light of the entire array suddenly surged!
"Your Majesty, please receive the power of the formation!" Master Wanfeng and Master Qingxu shouted simultaneously, their hand seals changing.

The dark, mysterious power of the lock flowed like rivers flowing into the sea, transforming into torrents of pure black energy that surged into Li Chen's body. Instead of causing any burden, it caused his aura to rise steadily, and faint dark golden patterns appeared on his skin, as if he were wearing an invisible, sturdy armor, greatly increasing his defensive capabilities.

Meanwhile, the mist of the Enchanting Array swirled around him, forming a natural barrier that further interfered with and weakened Romanov's ability to lock onto and perceive him.

As one side weakens while the other strengthens! With the support of the formation, Li Chen's aura has surpassed his usual peak state. His gaze is like lightning, locking onto Romanov, who is suppressed by the formation.

Romanov felt as if he were carrying a mountain on his back. The surrounding space became viscous and filled with malice, making it difficult to even mobilize the energy of heaven and earth. His strength was suppressed by nearly 30%!

"Roar! A mere formation, you think you can trap and kill me?! Nine Transformations of the Azure Sky - Bear Shaking the Heavens!" Romanov knew he couldn't delay any longer; he had to finish the battle quickly and break the formation to survive.

He roared and poured all his life's cultivation into the ancient giant bear phantom behind him.

The giant bear phantom expanded again, becoming even more solid, as if a real ancient ferocious beast had descended. Its two feet stomped on the ground, causing the entire cave to shake violently. Then, it clasped its two claws together, condensing a dark red ball of light containing destructive energy, and smashed it fiercely towards Li Chen and the array eye beneath his feet!
Wherever the sphere of light passed, space shattered, revealing a pitch-black void.

Faced with this earth-shattering attack, Li Chen showed no fear whatsoever.

He slowly raised his right hand, his fingers forming a sword shape. A dazzling light began to gather at the tip of his finger. The light was not a single color, but rather flowed with seven-colored rays, as if it contained the most primordial power of the laws of heaven and earth.

"I possess a sword that can shatter all laws and stabilize the universe."

(End of this chapter)