Primordial Era: Becoming the Great Emperor of Humanity from the Start

Chapter 143 Who do you think you are?

Within the Shang Dynasty, there were many feudal lords who were enfeoffed to help the Shang Dynasty guard various regions. Among them, the four most powerful feudal lords were the most powerful.

Among these four powerful vassal states, the Marquis of Xibo was the most powerful. Moreover, the Marquis of Xibo was a renowned wise ruler.

However, in the present Shang Dynasty, the Holy Emperor is on the throne and has governed the entire human race in an orderly manner. The four major vassal states can only submit and dare not make any rebellious moves.

The same was true of the Marquis of Xibo. On the surface, he submitted to the Shang Dynasty, but under his rule, the land of Xiqi became increasingly prosperous.

The people around Xiqi lived in peace and prosperity, and the Marquis of Xibo was also respectful to scholars and virtuous men, thus winning over a group of accomplished immortals.

Unbeknownst to many, the Marquis of Xibo had accumulated terrifying power and undoubtedly became the number one vassal of the Shang Dynasty.

For this reason, the Marquis of Xibo has been very worried lately. He knows in his heart that as Xiqi’s power grows stronger, it will inevitably arouse the fear of the current emperor.

If it were the former Shang Dynasty, the Marquis of Xibo wouldn't be worried. With Xiqi's current strength, changing dynasties isn't out of the question.

However, after the current emperor ascended the throne, the Marquis of Xibo dared not make any further moves and even tried his best to hide the strength of Xiqi.

There was no way around it! This emperor was simply too terrifying; in a short period of time, he led the entire Shang Dynasty to its former glory once again.

The entire human race praised this generation's human emperor. Under such circumstances, if the Marquis of Xibo were to rebel, it would be no different from courting death.

At that time, even without the intervention of the current Shang Dynasty, other powerful vassal states would likely launch a coordinated attack on Xiqi.

The Marquis of Xibo was also a master diviner with a profound understanding of the Eight Trigrams and had even divined the future of Xiqi.

But what puzzled the Marquis of Xibo greatly was that the divination technique, which had always been invincible, had completely lost its effectiveness at this time.

Not only is the future of Xiqi shrouded in mystery, but even the future of Xibo Hou himself is difficult to predict.

Under such unpredictable circumstances, the Marquis of Xibo became even more cautious, not daring to reveal the strength of Xiqi in the slightest.

But on this day, an incomparably magnificent aura appeared in the sky above Xiqi, and countless colorful lights fell from the heavens.

Amidst the dazzling array of colors, celestial maidens danced gracefully, five-clawed golden dragons appeared, divine phoenixes soared, and golden lotuses fell.

"What's going on?"

Not only were the humans in the entire Xiqi stunned, but Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, was also completely dumbfounded as he stared at the strange phenomena that filled the sky.

Such an extraordinary phenomenon could only occur when a sage descends to earth, but this was precisely what puzzled the Marquis of Xibo: what kind of sage could descend to earth in Xiqi?

Moreover, if a sage were to truly descend upon Xiqi, what would the Shang Dynasty think? And what would the current Human Emperor think?

Before the Marquis of Xibo could recover, an old man with white hair and a youthful face walked step by step from the heavens toward Xiqi.

"The Marquis of Xibo, Ji Chang, governed the land of Xiqi with skill, allowing the people under his command to live and work in peace and contentment. He was truly blessed with great fortune and was a sage in the world!"

The Jade Emperor Haotian, the ruler of Heaven, was overjoyed to hear of the virtuous reputation of Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, and specially ordered me to descend to the mortal realm to bestow the title of Marquis of Xibo upon Ji Chang.

From this day forward, the Heavenly Court hereby bestows upon Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, the title of the Great Emperor of the Central Heavenly North Pole, one of the Four Emperors of the Heavenly Court!

Once Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, has overcome his tribulations, his merits will be complete, and he will be able to take up a post in the Heavenly Court!

A tremendous sound resounded throughout Xiqi City, and countless humans unconsciously knelt down in the face of that magnificent aura.

"The Heavenly Court?" Even the Marquis of Xibo could not withstand the magnificent aura and had already knelt down on the ground, but his heart was full of doubts.

Most humans were completely unfamiliar with the name of the Heavenly Court. However, as the Marquis of Xibo, Ji Chang was aware of it.

The Heavenly Court was appointed by Dao Ancestor Hongjun as the ruler of heaven and earth, nominally managing the entire prehistoric world, but in reality, this was not the case.

In the primordial world, not only did the Sage Sect not care what the Heavenly Court was, but the human race also completely ignored it.

In ancient times, the Human Emperor personally confronted the Heavenly Court. Since then, the Heavenly Court has fallen into complete silence in the primordial world.

To be frank, in the current primordial world, the investiture by the Heavenly Court is not as substantial as that by the Human Emperor.

In the present human race, with the Holy Emperor on the throne and the Great Shang Dynasty at its peak, Xiqi can only lie low. How could it dare to accept the Heavenly Court's conferment?

Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, was certain that as long as he dared to accept the Heavenly Court's investiture, the Shang Dynasty would immediately issue an edict to all the feudal lords in the world to attack him.

At that time, with the strength of the Great Shang Dynasty, a single, swift strike would likely destroy Xiqi in an instant.

Marquis Ji Chang of Xibo had barely managed to calm himself and was preparing to refuse the Heavenly Court's investiture when suddenly, a strange aura invaded his body.

The Marquis of Xibo's expression changed slightly, but he returned to normal in an instant. Even those around him did not notice anything unusual.

Then, the Marquis of Xibo knelt on the ground, performing the three kneelings and nine prostrations towards the heavens, and then said loudly:

"The Marquis of Xibo, Ji Chang, thanked the Jade Emperor. From this day forward, Ji Chang will surely obey the mandate of Heaven and strive to overcome this great calamity in the human world."

After overcoming this tribulation and achieving perfect merit, Ji Chang will surely go to the Heavenly Court to serve under the Jade Emperor!

Upon hearing this, countless humans in Xiqi were shocked and stared in disbelief at the figure of the Marquis of Xibo kneeling on the ground.

Although these humans did not know what the Heavenly Court was, only a sage and the current emperor could command such great respect from the Marquis of Xibo.

Now, the Marquis of Xibo has not only accepted the title bestowed by the Heavenly Court, but has also performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine prostrations before the Jade Emperor Haotian.

If this matter were to reach the ears of the current Emperor, it would be considered an act of utter treason. What would Xiqi do then, given the Emperor's wrath?

"Emperor Ziwei, there is no need for this. Although you have not yet served as an official in the Heavenly Court, your divine position is already established. In the future, you will be one of the Four Emperors in the Heavenly Court, second only to the Jade Emperor."

Humanity is facing a great calamity. The Ziwei Emperor is destined by Heaven to accomplish great things. The Jade Emperor has specifically instructed that our Heavenly Court will definitely provide full assistance.

"Your Majesty Ziwei, please be aware that soon, experts from my Heavenly Court will descend to the mortal realm to await Your Majesty's command!" the old man said.

Upon hearing these words, Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, once again knelt down and performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations before the Jade Emperor Haotian in the heavens above.

"Hmph! Jade Emperor Haotian, my human race's ancestor once said that the affairs of the human race belong to the human race, and no being can interfere with the affairs of my human race."

During the reign of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the Heavenly Court was warned twice. "Third time's the charm," the warning goes. "Is the Heavenly Court preparing for war with our human race?"

Just then, a tremendous sound resounded throughout the heavens and earth. A violent force erupted instantly, scattering the chaotic scene across the sky.

Under the watchful eyes of countless humans, an incomparably domineering figure stood proudly in the heavens.

"Greetings, Emperor!"

Without Jiang Heng revealing his identity, when his aura erupted, all the humans sensed it and knelt down.

The Marquis of Xibo stared at the domineering figure in the sky with a gloomy expression, but at this moment, he did not choose to kneel down.

Moreover, upon closer inspection, one would notice a fleeting, intense killing intent in the eyes of Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo.

"Hmph! The current human emperor, Xin, is the ruler of heaven and earth, personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor, and I manage all affairs, large and small, in the primordial world."

"This appointment of Ji Chang, the Marquis of the West, as the Great Emperor of the North Pole of the Central Heaven is a divine mandate. Do you intend to defy the will of Heaven?"

A figure appeared before Jiang Heng, emanating a powerful and domineering aura. This was none other than the Jade Emperor Haotian, the ruler of the Heavenly Court.

What the Jade Emperor Haotian said earlier is correct. The appointment of Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, as the Great Emperor of the North Pole of the Central Heaven is indeed the will of Heaven.

Just now, on the Investiture of the Gods list in Jiang Ziya's hands, the first spot for deification appeared, and it was none other than Ji Chang, the Great Emperor of the North Pole of the Central Heaven.

Without a doubt, this was the work of Heaven, and Heaven naturally represents the general trend of Heaven. So it is no mistake for the Jade Emperor Haotian to say this.

Otherwise, after being challenged twice by the human race, why would the Jade Emperor Haotian have easily caused such a commotion among the human race without a sure chance of victory?

Under the overwhelming force of Heaven, no matter what kind of human emperor you are, you have to step aside. The Jade Emperor Haotian simply doesn't believe that the human race can turn the tide this time.

"It is destiny? What a destiny! Even if Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, is destined to be the Great Emperor of the North Pole of the Central Heaven, it should be me who bestows the title."

"Who do you think you are? What right do you have to bestow titles upon my human race? Do you really think my human race wouldn't dare to destroy your Heavenly Court?" Jiang Heng said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor's expression immediately turned extremely gloomy. New grudges combined with old ones made the Jade Emperor's anger even more difficult to suppress.

"Hmph! What a fool you are, Human Emperor! You're courting death! Today I'll see how you defy the heavens!" Jade Emperor Haotian said coldly.

Others may fear the current Human Emperor, but the Jade Emperor Haotian is the nominal ruler of heaven and earth. Why would he fear a mere Human Emperor?

Furthermore, this time, the Heavenly Court was following the Mandate of Heaven in bestowing the title of the Great Emperor of the North Pole of the Central Heaven upon Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo. Who can say anything against it?

Even if the current human emperor opposes it, the Jade Emperor Haotian doesn't need to pay any attention to it. If he can anger the current human emperor, that would be best.

Given the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Dao, if the Human Emperor dares to make a move, the Jade Emperor Haotian will dare to seek revenge.

How many years has it been! Ever since he was personally appointed as the Jade Emperor by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, the Jade Emperor Haotian has lived a truly stifling life.

What kind of Lord of Heaven and Earth? What kind of ruler manages all things in the primordial world? In the primordial world, does anyone actually take the Jade Emperor Haotian seriously?

In ancient times, he was even rebuked twice by the Human Emperor, but at that time, the Jade Emperor Haotian didn't dare to utter a single word.

For a long time, no one knew how much anger and resentment had accumulated deep in the heart of the Jade Emperor Haotian.

Having finally witnessed the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, and with the day of Heaven's triumph just around the corner, how could the Jade Emperor not be in high spirits?

This time, even the Jade Emperor Haotian did not expect that, under the great trend of Heaven, Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, would actually be conferred the title of the Great Emperor of the North Pole of the Central Heaven.

How could the Jade Emperor miss such a golden opportunity? Therefore, after some planning, this scene unfolded before our eyes.

As expected! Everything unfolded exactly as planned. The current Human Emperor of the human race appeared, and the Jade Emperor Haotian's long-awaited opportunity for revenge finally arrived.

"Hahaha! You painstakingly planned all of this, wasn't it all just to scheme against my human race? Wasn't it all just to force me to take action?"

"I've seen through all of this, but do you think I wouldn't dare to make a move? I'm going to make a move anyway! Haotian! Do you dare to fight me?" Jiang Heng said disdainfully.

Hearing that Jiang Heng had seen through his scheme, the Jade Emperor Haotian was somewhat shocked, but he did not expect that the Human Emperor in front of him would still want to fight him.

Why? Because he is the current Human Emperor of the human race. With the human race's fortune concentrated, no one dares to easily attack the Human Emperor.

Even sages fear the Human Emperor, but who is Haotian? He is the Lord of Heaven, personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor, and the nominal ruler of the primordial world.

According to the rules of Heaven, Heaven is above humanity, and the Jade Emperor is naturally above the Human Emperor. The Jade Emperor Haotian can attack the Human Emperor without any scruples.

Furthermore, although Haotian could be said to have accomplished nothing during his years as the Jade Emperor, the merit he had accumulated had reached an unimaginable level.

Even if it meant sacrificing some merit to kill the human emperor before him, it wasn't something the Jade Emperor Haotian couldn't bear.

"Hahaha! Since you know my scheme, you still want to fight me. I don't know whether to call you ignorant or arrogant!"

"Fine! Since you want to die, I'll grant your wish. I want to see what gives you the confidence to utter such arrogant words!" Jade Emperor Haotian said with a loud laugh.

"You'll soon see what I'm capable of! But by then, you, the so-called ruler of heaven and earth, will probably lose all face!" Jiang Heng said disdainfully.

"You're courting death!" The Jade Emperor Haotian could no longer suppress his anger and roared.

"If you want to fight, then let's fight outside the Thirty-Three Heavens!" After saying that, Jiang Heng ignored the Jade Emperor Haotian and flew towards the outside of the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Although this is Xiqi, it is also human territory. A major war breaking out here would naturally not be a good thing for the human race.

Even the Jade Emperor Haotian dared not act recklessly in the primordial world, for if too many humans perished, he would also have to bear boundless karma for it.

Seeing that Jiang Heng had already flown beyond the Thirty-Third Heaven, the Jade Emperor Haotian naturally could not let Jiang Heng go, and turned around and also arrived beyond the Thirty-Third Heaven.

"Hmph! The quasi-saints of the human race are all in the Fire Cloud Cave. Even if they are outside the Thirty-Three Heavens, they cannot make a move!"

"If you want to gather the power of the human race again, you've probably made a mistake!" Jade Emperor Haotian looked at Jiang Heng and said in a deep voice.

In the Jade Emperor Haotian's mind, the reason why this Human Emperor dared to fight him was probably because he wanted to do the same thing as when he fought the Sage of Reception last time.

Unfortunately! The Jade Emperor Haotian knew very well that after Dao Ancestor Hongjun issued the prohibition, the quasi-saints of the human race could no longer step out of the Fire Cloud Cave.

Even if this were outside the Thirty-Three Heavens, the power of the human race could not possibly coalesce again. Otherwise, Dao Ancestor Hongjun would surely have intervened.

Without the power of the human race, the human emperor before us is just a Grand Luo Golden Immortal, how could he be a match for him?

With new grudges added to old ones, the intense killing intent in the eyes of the Jade Emperor Haotian as he looked at Jiang Heng was no longer concealed in the slightest.

"Hahaha! Jade Emperor Haotian, you overestimate yourself! Why would I need to gather the power of the entire human race to deal with you?"

"Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Do you think you're a saint? With my own strength, suppressing you would be a piece of cake!" Jiang Heng said disdainfully.

"Even now, you are still so arrogant and ignorant. You are still pathetic, but you will soon realize that you are nothing but an ant."

"In the face of a true strongman, a weakling like you has absolutely no chance to decide your own fate!" Jade Emperor Haotian said disdainfully.

"A strongman? No, in my eyes you have never been a strongman, just a clown!" Jiang Heng said.

"Since that's the case, I'll show you what true power is!" The Jade Emperor Haotian said proudly, standing with his hands behind his back.

As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful force erupted from the Jade Emperor Haotian's body, and a terrifying aura pressed down on Jiang Heng.

Jiang Heng remained calm, as if he had not been affected in any way, and did not even reveal his aura. He simply looked at the Jade Emperor Haotian with extreme disdain.

Seeing Jiang Heng's gaze, the Jade Emperor Haotian was enraged once more. That gaze completely disregarded him, the Jade Emperor Haotian.

Today, the Jade Emperor Haotian will establish his authority before all the powerful beings of the primordial world by slaying the current Human Emperor of the human race.

He wanted all the powerful beings in the primordial world to know that he, the Jade Emperor Haotian, was also a top-tier powerhouse, and he wanted to establish the authority of the Heavenly Court in one battle.

When the battle between Jiang Heng and the Jade Emperor Haotian broke out, neither of them concealed anything. Therefore, all the powerful beings in the primordial world sensed it.

Apart from the absence of a sage, almost all the powerful beings with names and surnames in the primordial world have already reached beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Among them, the disciples of the Chan Sect and the Jie Sect paid particular attention to this battle. This is because both the Jade Emperor Haotian and the current Human Emperor are closely related to the Investiture of the Gods calamity.

Now that these two powerful figures are about to fight to the death, both the Chan Sect and the Jie Sect have to consider what kind of impact this battle will have.

This was also something the Jade Emperor Haotian deliberately did. He wanted to use this battle to tell all the powerful beings in the prehistoric world that he, the Jade Emperor Haotian, was the true ruler of heaven and earth.

"Senior Brother, what's your take on this battle?"

The disciples of the Jie Sect were also watching the battle from a distance. Fairy Yunxiao looked at Jiang Heng with a solemn expression and asked Daoist Duobao a question.

"Although the current Human Emperor is an unparalleled hero and once fought against the Sage of Guidance, you and I both know that the result of that battle does not mean anything."

The Jade Emperor Haotian is the ruler of the Heavenly Court. Although he has kept a low profile all these years, he is an absolute quasi-saint powerhouse.

"Under normal circumstances, the Human Emperor should have no chance at all in this battle!" Daoist Duobao said in a deep voice.

"Could it really be like this?" Fairy Yunxiao murmured to herself.

What Daoist Duobao said was not a big problem. The human emperor in front of him was only a Great Luo Golden Immortal. How could he be a match for the Jade Emperor Haotian, who was at the Quasi-Saint level?

However, Fairy Yunxiao, who had previously met Jiang Heng, always believed that the Human Emperor before her was definitely not a simple person.

Moreover, this battle was initiated by the Human Emperor. If he wasn't confident, why would this unfathomable Human Emperor take the initiative to fight?

The other powerful spectators were also discussing the matter, but most of them believed that the outcome of this battle was a foregone conclusion.

The only uncertainty is whether the current human emperor will perish completely because of this battle.

The Jade Emperor Haotian, exuding a terrifying aura, took a step forward. This was the true Heavenly Emperor descending to earth, about to suppress the heretics who rebelled against the Heavenly Emperor.

The Jade Emperor Haotian looked at Jiang Heng with arrogance, throwing a single punch without any fancy moves; it was pure brute force.

As a Quasi-Saint, and at the peak of Quasi-Saint, when facing a Great Luo Golden Immortal, the Jade Emperor Haotian did not think he needed any special methods.

All he had to do was overpower him and defeat the human emperor in a fair and square manner, which would naturally demonstrate his supreme authority as the Jade Emperor.

An immense and magnificent power erupted from the Jade Emperor Haotian's punch, pressing down on Jiang Heng with tremendous force.

Jiang Heng ignored the terrifying pressure once again, took a step forward, and then simply threw a punch.

A violent power erupted instantly, so powerful that it seemed impossible for a Great Luo Golden Immortal to unleash such strength.

"Boom!"

The two powerful forces collided instantly, and a tremendous roar resounded beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

In an instant, the chaotic energy surged, the void trembled continuously, and an invisible force spread outwards, causing many powerful figures to change their expressions slightly.

Without a doubt, this was a clash of powers at the Quasi-Saint level. Although the Jade Emperor Haotian did not use any special methods, he did not hold back either.

The Jade Emperor Haotian wanted to subdue Jiang Heng with a single punch, so that he could demonstrate his strength as a peak quasi-saint and establish the authority of the Heavenly Court.

But clearly, the Jade Emperor's plan had completely failed. Even with the same punch, Jiang Heng unleashed an unexpectedly powerful force.

"Impossible! How could a Grand Luo Golden Immortal possess such power!"

Even though the Jade Emperor, Haotian, possessed the magnanimity to remain unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, was still filled with shock at this moment.

The Jade Emperor himself knew perfectly well the power of that punch; it was something no Grand Luo Golden Immortal could withstand.

But this human emperor not only blocked it, but also seemed unusually relaxed. Judging from his expression, it was as if he hadn't even used his full strength.

But how could this be? The Human Emperor before us is merely a Great Luo Golden Immortal. When did Great Luo Golden Immortals become capable of such immense power?

"Nothing is impossible! It just means you know nothing about power!" Jiang Heng said with extreme disdain.

An ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortal would naturally be no match for a Quasi-Saint, but Jiang Heng is the most unique Great Luo Golden Immortal in the entire prehistoric world.

Peak Quasi-Saint? Jiang Heng has fought before, whether it was Donghuang Taiyi or Kong Xuan, neither of whom were weaker than the Jade Emperor Haotian.

"Hmph! You did surprise me by blocking my punch, but you think that's enough to fight me? You're too naive!"

The Jade Emperor Haotian still looked at Jiang Heng with extreme disdain. Although Jiang Heng surprised him somewhat, the outcome of this battle would not change in the slightest.

"Hahaha! I already told you, you know nothing about power. What follows will only surprise you more!"

Jiang Heng's gaze gradually turned cold; it was time to teach the Jade Emperor Haotian a lesson.

(End of this chapter)