Wayfarer

Chapter 992: Three Women Against the Emperors

The Divine Emperor chopped forward with her hand, an attack that pierced through the Immortal Emperor of Dazhu's chest. An overwhelming surge of energy erupted within his body, shredding the majority of his internal organs.

The Immortal Emperor of Dazhu spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed, limp and powerless.

With a sorrowful roar, a weakened golden dragon of fortune flew out from his body, ascending to the sea of fortune overhead before falling motionless.

The Immortal Emperor of Dazhu's soul attempted to escape from his mindscape, only for the Divine Emperor's other hand to slap down on him. With a deafening crack, the Immortal Emperor's head burst open. Blood splattered everywhere.

The Divine Emperor held the limp and bloodied Immortal Emperor in one hand. He was barely clinging to life.

The onlookers gasped in unison, their hearts gripped with terror. This was supposed to be Dazhu's domain! How could its Immortal Emperor be defeated even while channeling imperial might?

"Release the Immortal Emperor!" A chorus of cries rang out as countless powerful figures from Dazhu rushed forward.

The Divine Emperor's eyes turned cold. Holding the bloodied body in one hand, she struck her bell with the other. A golden shockwave spread outward, slamming into the advancing forces with immense force.

With a deafening explosion and cries of agony, the golden shockwave sent the Dazhu warriors flying, leaving only the Divine Emperor in the sky. She stood tall and gazed down upon the world.

"Yu Banruo, mark my words. This is the first day," the Divine Emperor declared.

With that, she carried the bloodied Immortal Emperor of Dazhu in one hand and held her bell aloft in the other as she strode away.

At that moment, no one dared to stop her. No one could stop her. All she left behind was an overwhelming sense of despair. Who could possibly stand against such a mighty cultivator?

The Divine Emperor's battle shook the world. It was even more shocking than when Yu Banruo killed a saint or when Madam Rouge defeated Yu Banruo.

After all, this battle had revealed the existence of a world tree to one and all. With a world tree's strength, it seemed natural—even inevitable—that the Divine Emperor had easily slain another Immortal Emperor.

The revelation set the world's strongest into a frenzy. Many rushed to identify the whereabouts of the saints.

Meanwhile, in a grand hall, a group of saints sat in fear and disbelief.

"Chi Hai's charm of heavenly law, granting him power over life, is in the Divine Emperor's hands... We should have guessed."

"To think the Divine Emperor would have grown so powerful after finding the world tree!"

"Why can't we find these world trees ourselves?!"

The saints seethed with frustration.

"These world trees shouldn't be our priority right now. The issue is that the world's top powerhouses are all hunting for us."

"Even the Void Saint has perished, but that's his own fault! Tang warned him not to provoke Xiao Nanfeng, but he did it anyway. He brought this on himself!"

"Tang? Speaking of him, I need to keep him close by. He seems to be able to predict one's fortune."

"Nonsense! Tang is mine."

"No, I'll be taking him with me!"

The saints began arguing among themselves.

In a dimly lit hall, Yu Banruo clutched his chest as he listened to a trusted subordinate's report.

"The Divine Emperor is doing this on purpose. I pierced Xiao Nanfeng's chest, so she's piercing the Immortal Emperor of Dazhu's. She wants to avenge Xiao Nanfeng, does she? Ahem!" Yu Banruo coughed up blood as he spoke.

"The Divine Emperor's strength is overwhelming. Bolstered by a world tree, she may be as strong as Madam Rouge. She's determined to avenge Xiao Nanfeng. What should we do?"

"What a madwoman. The world tree of life is a tremendous treasure. Instead of keeping it hidden and accelerating her growth, she exposes it to the world for the sake of a man. Doesn't she fear that others will steal it? What's her relationship with Xiao Nanfeng? They're not even close!" Yu Banruo ranted in frustration.

"Your Highness, she's declared war against you. If you don't respond, she'll attack one of our Immortal Emperors every day. What do we do?"

"And how am I supposed to fight her in my current condition?" Yu Banruo demanded.

Just then, his subordinate's eyes widened. "Your Highness, there's been another development. My avatar just received word that Madam Rouge has issued a challenge against us as well."

"What?"

"Just now, Madam Rouge declared that Your Highness is a plague upon the world. She has vowed to challenge you and capture one of your loyal Immortal Emperors every day until you face her in battle," the subordinate explained.

"She's insane! She already injured me severely. What more does she want? Why is she copying the Divine Emperor?" Yu Banruo exclaimed furiously.

"I have a feelingMadam Rouge is competing with the Divine Emperor," the subordinate remarked.

"Competing? Competing over what?"

"The Divine Emperor has already issued Your Highness a challenge. Now, Madam Rouge is repeating that challenge. What's the point?"

Yu Banruo frowned. "What do you mean?"

"It seems Lady Rouge is jealous," the subordinate suggested hesitantly.

"Jealous? Are you saying the Divine Emperor is also one of Xiao Nanfeng's women?" Yu Banruo's face froze in disbelief.

"I'm not certain, but it certainly appears that way."

Yu Banruo's face twisted in frustration. "Didn't you tell me Xiao Nanfeng was weak, lacking in both power and resources? How has he managed to garner the support of women like the Divine Emperor and Madam Rouge?"

"I don't know, Your Highness," the subordinate replied, utterly baffled.

Yu Banruo's eyes twitched violently. He felt as if he had severely underestimated his opponent.

Xiao Nanfeng might not be formidable, but the women backing him were a different story altogether.

In Danan's imperial palace, within a peach blossom grove, Yan Zhenhuo rushed to meet with Xiao Nanfeng. "Your Majesty, I've just heard that Lady Rouge has declared war against Yu Banruo to avenge you. And the Divine Emperor has already captured the Immortal Emperor of Dazhu! What's going on?"

Xiao Nanfeng smiled wryly. "I didn't expect them to be so... fiery."

"But Madam Rouge wasn't planning to act so soon. What happened?" Yan Zhenhuo asked, confused.

"Ah..." Xiao Nanfeng was at a loss for words.

He knew what was going on. The Divine Emperor was furious at Madam Rouge for allowing Xiao Nanfeng to be injured on her watch, and wanted revenge on his behalf. Madam Rouge, unwilling to be outdone, had decided to escalate the situation.

He... didn't know quite how to deal with this issue with his wives.

"Well, let them handle it," Xiao Nanfeng said nonchalantly.

Yan Zhenhuo blinked, taken aback.

Was such a response really acceptable? Why was Xiao Nanfeng treating this development so casually?

"However, we must ensure they act with righteousness. They cannot afford to be seen as reckless. You must immediately issue a public statement on my behalf," Xiao Nanfeng commanded.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Yan Zhenhuo replied.

"Declare to the world that Yu Banruo, in his ambition to dominate, used sinister methods to forcibly replace some Immortal Emperors' truesouls, scheming to steal their empires and deceive the world. You are the best example of this. Let the world know of this conspiracy. Yu Banruo's actions in Dayan are proof, and it's likely he did the same to the other nine Immortal Emperors," Xiao Nanfeng explained.

"Perhaps some of the nine Immortal Emperors didn't have their truesouls replaced. Some may have willingly joined Yu Banruo," Yan Zhenhuo pointed out.

"That doesn't matter. If I say they're fake, then they're fake," Xiao Nanfeng said firmly.

"Understood!"

"The Divine Emperor and Madam Rouge's actions are to restore justice to the nine divine empires. Their cause must be seen as righteous. Their actions are solely to eliminate the cancer that seeks to dominate the world," Xiao Nanfeng emphasized.

"Understood! I shall prepare the statement immediately," Yan Zhenhuo responded.

"Good. I'll have the spectral guards assist in spreading the word," Xiao Nanfeng added.

Yan Zhenhuo nodded and quickly left.

Just then, a spectral guard ran into the peach blossom grove in haste.

Madam Rouge had granted Xiao Nanfeng's subordinates access to her palace as well.

"Urgent news, Your Majesty," the spectral guard reported.

"Hm?"

"Just now, the Immortal Emperor of Dajing, Liu Miaoyin, declared war on Yu Banruo. She announced that if Yu Banruo does not show himself, he will capture one of his loyal Immortal Emperors daily,"

Xiao Nanfeng's face darkened. "Why is Miaoyin getting involved in this chaos too?"

Yan Zhenhuo was also stunned. First, the Divine Emperor had acted without notifying Xiao Nanfeng. Then, Madam Rouge followed suit. Now, Liu Miaoyin had joined in, also without prior discussion.

None of them had spoken to His Majesty about this—and His Majesty had even addressed Liu Miaoyin informally as "Miaoyin"!

Suddenly, Yan Zhenhuo seemed to realize something. He gave Xiao Nanfeng an odd look.

Seeing Yan Zhenhuo's peculiar gaze, Xiao Nanfeng sighed inwardly but feigned indifference. "Dazheng, Dajing, Shenfeng, and Danan are four allied divine empires. They're simply acting in unity against injustice."

"Of course. I understand, Your Majesty," Yan Zhenhuo replied, smiling slyly.

"If you understand, then go!" Xiao Nanfeng snapped.

Yan Zhenhuo chuckled as he departed.

After inquiring for more details from the spectral guard, Xiao Nanfeng dismissed him.

Then, he sat alone at the stone table in the peach blossom grove, massaging his temples.

"The Divine Emperor, Miaoyin, and Yanzhi are bound to meet. This battlefield of love is becoming hard to manage—I really need to come up with a solution," Xiao Nanfeng muttered to himself, troubled.