Three Kingdoms: Start by marrying Cai Yan, then vie for supremacy.

25

Looking at the torrential rain and lightning ahead, Xu Chen sneered.

This is clearly an attempt to cut off his escape route.

Ever since leaving the northern snowfields, it's been like stirring up a hornet's nest; wherever I go, people block my way.

Although the opponent is invisible, a master who can manipulate the celestial phenomena is not someone to be trifled with.

In the first place, the purpose of obtaining the inextinguishable fire to save Su Yu was not to alarm all the various forces.

Unfortunately, this spark became associated with Chi You's resurrection, which made things complicated.

Xu Chen, standing on the cliff, suddenly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the void: "What kind of skill is it to hide your head and show your tail?"

Before the words were finished, the yellow sand carrying spiritual energy suddenly arrived.

With a flick of his fingertips, Xu Chen sent several green vines breaking through the soil to form a wall.

As the sand grains collided, spiritual energy surged. Once the sandstorm subsided, two gray figures appeared.

"The King of Liang truly understands the essence of the Five Elements."

"The gray-robed man on the left spoke with a voice as clear as an ancient well, 'Besides Shennong, you are the first one.'"

"

Xu Chen stood with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed with disdain.

In this vast territory of Liang, what fear had he ever felt?

"Are you two under Chi You's command? Followers of the Five Elements Cult? Or...?"

The gray-robed figure on the right suddenly sneered, her shrill female voice piercing the rain: "We have come on the orders of the Yellow Emperor! Your attempt to seize the Undying Flame has disrupted the Heavenly Way, bringing untold suffering to the people. It's not too late to stop now!"

"Hahaha!" Xu Chen's laughter shook the cliff, causing rocks to tumble down.

The person in gray lifted their hood, revealing flowing black hair; they were indeed a woman.

Messenger of Kunlun Mountain

What are you laughing at?

Seeing Xu Chen laugh heartily, Feng Yao frowned.

"Say 'I'?"

"Of course I'm laughing at you!"

"Every inch of land beneath your feet belongs to me, and the entire world is the territory of Great Liang!"

"All the people under heaven are my subjects!"

"This world belongs to Da Liang, what right do you have to lecture me?"

"you!"

Feng Yao clenched her fists and was about to step forward when her companions quickly stopped her.

"What's wrong?"

"You still want to attack me?"

Xu Chen moved forward, and the emperor's imposing aura swept over him.

"Since you keep claiming to act on behalf of Heaven, today I will have a proper discussion with you!"

"Back then, Dong Zhuo wreaked havoc on the court, warlords carved up the land, and war broke out everywhere."

"

Where were you when people were displaced?

Where were you when Yuan Shu usurped the throne and declared himself emperor?

Where were you when Cao Cao held the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords?

"It was I who quelled the chaos of the world, swept away the barbarians, and restored peace to the people!"

"Now you've come out here to talk to me about the greater good of the common people!"

Xu Chen grew angrier as he spoke, his voice booming like thunder.

"Without me ruling the world, who knows how many emperors would have emerged!"

"This prosperous era of Liang was built by Gu Yijian, one sword at a time. It's none of your business to criticize it!"

After saying that, he drew the Crimson Sky Sword.

The sword roared like a dragon, and a fire dragon soared into the sky, spewing out black flames.

"I seek the inextinguishable flame, for the sake of the people of Liang!"

"Anyone who dares to stop us, kill them!"

Xu Chen's fighting spirit soared, and he was engulfed in flames.

The two Kunlun envoys looked at each other in shock, not expecting him to react so strongly.

They came to offer advice and admonition.

Before he could even speak, the Crimson Sky Sword was already upon him.

"cut!"

A crimson sword aura swept across, heading straight for the gray-clad man's face.

The person on the right suddenly shoved Feng Yao aside, formed a hand seal, and a torrential downpour began.

The rain poured down, and the large raindrops pounded on the sword light, instantly shattering the sword energy!

"Heh, interesting!"

Xu Chen suddenly pushed off the ground and charged forward, swinging his long sword once more.

Just then, Feng Yao suddenly emanated a blue light, and gusts of wind swept towards Xu Chen.

"This wind is strange!"

Xu Chen found that with each gust of wind, the killing intent in his heart subsided a little.

As the wind blew, he gradually calmed down.

Legend has it that the Yellow Emperor had two great generals: the Wind God who controlled the wind and the Rain Master who controlled the rain.

Xu Chen sized up the two men, "Your skills are quite similar to theirs."

"

Feng Yao steadied herself and said softly, "I didn't expect that the King of Liang would also know the story of the Wind God and Rain Master."

That's right, my name is Feng Yao, and his name is Yu Ke. We are the inheritors of the legacy of these two sages.

"

"Now that I have received the true teachings of my predecessors, I should naturally follow the example of the sages."

Feng Yao's gaze was resolute. "No matter how eloquent you are, we will not allow you to take even half a step south today!"

Xu Chen's expression changed drastically upon hearing this: "It seems you didn't listen to a single word I said just now! How dare you accuse me of making excuses? I don't care what kind of descendants you are, anyone who dares to block my way—"

"kill!"

The Crimson Sky Sword emitted a deafening dragon roar, and Xu Chen's figure shot out like lightning.

Feng Yao formed a hand seal, and a sudden gust of wind arose; at the same time, Yu Ke made a hand gesture, and raindrops condensed into water columns that crashed down.

This is their combined ultimate technique, "Wind and Rain Annihilation"—using wind to trap the enemy and rain to attack them!

Just as the water column was about to pierce Xu Chen, his figure suddenly disappeared into the wind and rain.

Feng Yao was still in shock and doubt when she suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck.

"Watch out behind you!" Yu Ke exclaimed.

Feng Yao hurriedly turned around, only to be met with a crimson sword light rushing towards her.

Just as she was about to dodge, she found that her feet were tightly entangled by emerald green vines, and her spiritual energy was rapidly draining away.

"This is...wood-type magic!" Feng Yao's face turned ashen, her eyes filled with despair.

Yu Ke's figure blurred, and he transformed into a water dragon, rushing straight at Xu Chen!

The dragon's roar shook the heavens, and the sharpness of the Crimson Sky Sword burst forth between heaven and earth.

The sharp sword energy made the entire cliff tremble, and amidst the flying sand and stones, deep ravines were carved into the cliff face.

Swish!

The water dragon flashed, and Yu Ke stood firmly in front of Feng Yao, the Crimson Sky Sword Qi striking him squarely.

How could a mortal body withstand the might of the Crimson Sky God?

Yu Ke crashed heavily to the ground, his clothes torn to shreds, a gruesome sword wound running across his chest, blood gushing out like a fountain.

Feng Yao stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what she was seeing—her companion, who had been so lively just moments before, was now lying on the ground, unable to get up.

Clang!

Xu Chen sheathed his sword and walked south without looking back: "I spared his life."

"

"Whoever tries to stop me from taking the inextinguishable fire, this is their fate."

"

Feng Yao screamed at the departing figure, "So many eyes are watching you!"

"We're trying to save you!"

"Stubbornly persisting in our wrongdoings will only lead to the deaths of more people—"

"Including yourself!"

Xu Chen did not hesitate for a moment.

Xu Chen's journey south has not stopped.

He could have killed Feng Yao and the other two, but he held back in the end—the two were dull-witted, but not truly evil.

They have the blood of the Yellow Emperor flowing through their veins; that alone is enough to warrant sparing their lives.

If they were minions of an evil god, they would have long since perished under his sword.

Passing through the last village and climbing to the icy pool at the summit, one can find the entrance to the undying fire.

The bottom of the pool is guarded by the ancient ferocious beast, the Fire Beast. Only by subduing it can one obtain the divine fire and then the treasure left by Shennong.

At that time, the ice in the northern border will melt, Chu He's teacher Su Yu will be rescued, and the key clue to save Xiu Mi and three thousand soldiers will be found.

As Xu Chen was pondering, he stepped into the village and suddenly saw a strong wind whipping up a sky full of yellow sand.

The village was eerily silent; there wasn't a single person in sight.

Xu Xiao looked up and saw yellow sand flying everywhere, with a few shallow footprints on the ground, and wisps of smoke rising from the village.

The village was clearly not deserted; it seemed as if someone had deliberately moved the villagers away before his arrival.

"interesting.

"

Noticing these clues, Xu Xiao's lips curled into a playful smile.

Looks like the real show is about to begin!

Since Feng Yao said that many forces are trying to stop him from obtaining the Undying Flame, then this village must be the final obstacle.

There is an inn at the entrance of the village, with a wine flag standing in front of the door, fluttering in the wind and sand.

Even from a distance, you could feel the chilling killing intent emanating from inside; it was practically a blatant challenge to Xu Xiao—let's see if this kid has the guts to come in!

How could Xu Xiao tolerate such audacity on the territory of Daliang?

He tightened his grip on the Crimson Sky Sword and strode into the inn.

As soon as he stepped across the threshold, the shop assistant came up to him nervously, forcing a stiff smile as he invited him to sit down.

Xu Xiao glanced at him and confirmed that the waiter had no spiritual energy fluctuations and posed no threat whatsoever.

Since comprehending the power of the Five Elements, his ability to discern the spiritual energy of mortals has become unparalleled.

The waiter led Xu Xiao to a seat in a corner.

The hall of this deserted inn was surprisingly packed with people.

"A pot of liquor and a roast chicken!"

"Okay, okay!"

The waiter, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, hurriedly retreated.

Xu Xiao closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, but his consciousness spread throughout the hall like ripples.

"Evil God Cult, Five Elements Sect, Kunlun Mountain, Jiuli Tribe..."

Sensing the presence of the diners around him, Xu Xiao couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

All sorts of strange and monstrous figures have gathered here; it's truly a gathering of extraordinary events!

The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.

In the vast hall, apart from Xu Xiao, all the diners wore straw hats or long robes, completely covering their faces.

The food and wine in front of them remained untouched, as if silently proclaiming something.

Since the other party remained inactive, Xu Xiao was happy to continue resting with his eyes closed and waiting for the right opportunity.

Undercurrents were brewing within the inn.

"403" keenly sensed that everyone present had come for the Unquenchable Flame and belonged to different factions.

He predicted that soon someone would be unable to contain themselves.

After an unknown amount of time, the waiter finally brought the wine and dishes that Xu Chen had ordered.

Just as he was about to pick up his chopsticks, the inn's door creaked open.

Feng Yao carried the dying Yu Ke across the threshold, and as soon as she entered the room, she felt something was wrong—the atmosphere in the inn was eerily suffocating.

She immediately locked her gaze on Xu Chen in the corner, her lips trembled but she ultimately remained silent, only her eyes burning with rage.

All the diners stared at the two uninvited guests, but no one uttered a sound.

Xu Chen continued to drink his wine slowly and steadily, tearing into the chicken leg, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.

"Yao-mei?"

The woman in black at the next table suddenly stood up, her voice clear and melodious.

Feng Yao's eyes lit up when she saw who it was: "Sister Su Xi!" Finally, she met someone she knew.

Su Xi hurried forward, and when she saw Yu Ke's injury, she couldn't help but gasp – the sword wound was terrifyingly precise; any deeper and it would have been fatal.

Even more terrifying was the violent sword energy emanating from the wound; it was clear that the attacker had deliberately spared his life.

A yellow halo emanated from Su Xi's palm, sizzling as soon as it touched the wound, and the smell of burning instantly filled the entire inn.

"Ah—!" Yu Ke, who was unconscious, suddenly opened his eyes wide, his neck veins bulging, and his heart-wrenching scream was terrifying.

Xu Chen continued to leisurely sip his wine, while the other guests held their breath.

Su Xi's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat. This sword energy was so domineering! She finally understood that the person who attacked her was going to give Yu Ke a lesson he would never forget.

"Who did it?" Before Su Xi could finish speaking, Feng Yao had already stood up, her slender finger pointing directly at the corner: "It was him!"

"Who else could it be? Of course, it's the renowned King Xu Chen of Liang!"

"Sister Su Xi, we absolutely cannot let him steal the Undying Flame!"

Xu Chen was marveling at the remarkable healing methods of Kunlun Mountain when Feng Yao suddenly slammed her hand on the table, pointed at him, and reprimanded him sternly.

Xu Chen slowly put down the half-eaten roasted chicken leg: "Oh? So you still recognize me?"

"All land under heaven belongs to the king. Within the territory of Great Liang, why should I, as king, need to explain my actions to you?"

Feng Yao was so angry that her face turned ashen, and her nails dug deeply into her palms.

She longed to draw her sword and confront him immediately, but considering the unfathomable strength of her opponent, she ultimately dared not make a rash move and could only anxiously look at Su Xi.

After all, Kunlun Mountain is extremely protective of its own—Xu Chen seriously injured eight disciples earlier, and this debt cannot be left unresolved!