The Great Dao has myriad paths, and no two are the same.
Yet, there is one path that some madmen choose.
Combat.
They choose to comprehend in battle, to advance through fighting.
Ba Wang is one such person, and Old Demon Chu is too… In fact, Kuang Di is also, only he temporarily doesn't need to because of his past life's foundation.
Once the need arises, he too will make the same choice without hesitation.
"Let's go."
If persuasion fails, then one can only agree.
Old Demon Chu's choice is his own path.
Chen Fan left, taking Kuang Di and the strong individuals within his Emperor Palace.
Not long after they departed.
"Boom."
The battle behind them erupted.
Overwhelming demonic clouds filled the heavens and earth, that was Old Demon Chu's demonic path.
A gluttonous maw of a beast suppressed the world, devouring the entire city.
"Clang."
It was the chime of a sword.
A sword of rules tore through the heavens and earth, cleaving the demonic clouds, cleaving the gluttonous maw.
"Kill."
Old Demon Chu never liked idle talk.
With the word 'kill' uttered, he transformed into a demon king, carrying immense demonic energy, clashing against that sword expert.
Slaughtering the world.
...
At this moment, Chen Fan retracted his gaze.
Old Demon Chu was not at a disadvantage.
"I underestimated him," Chen Fan sighed.
Kuang Di responded with a smile, "That old fellow was also a monstrous talent. He just didn't stand out under your radiance. Facing a mere first-tier Emperor Venerable with the cultivation of a Half-Emperor, his chances of victory are quite high."
Chen Fan heartily agreed.
Though it was only a fleeting glimpse, he could vaguely discern the outcome.
Old Demon Chu had a high probability of winning.
The Western Continent, ignited by Old Demon Chu, saw the first sparks of war.
On this land where strength reigns supreme, battles occurred at every moment.
A continent is vast, and there are always endless prodigies challenging the elders.
Sharpening their swords.
Prodigies would all choose this path.
As for the battle between Old Demon Chu and that first-tier Emperor Venerable, no one paid much attention, assuming it was merely a common dispute of the Dao.
Meanwhile, Chen Fan had already accelerated towards White Emperor Mountain.
"Almost there."
White Emperor Mountain loomed, becoming increasingly clear.
Finally, it came into view...
...
At the same time.
In a mountain range in the Eastern Continent.
People continuously entered the mountain range, converging with the large contingent already present.
The Angler and others arrived, a group of several dozen, but a mere handful compared to the numbers within the mountain range.
Within the mountain range, over a thousand individuals waited in silence.
The atmosphere was solemn.
"Senior Angler."
A strong individual stepped forward and addressed the person by name, "The Honored One requests your presence."
"Mm."
The Angler was the temporary leader of their group.
Before, it was Monk Meng, but after Monk Meng's demise, she took charge.
In the center of the crowd stood a large tent.
The Angler approached the tent and bowed, clasping her fists, "Honored One..."
"Enter."
A voice devoid of emotion echoed from within the tent.
The Angler entered. Inside the tent, several people were already waiting.
Nine individuals stood on either side.
These nine, some young, some old, shared one commonality: they were all once renowned experts.
Among the nine, six were Emperor Venerables.
Emperor Venerables, once figures of immense authority, were now as common as cabbage here.
Whether it was the Five Directions Emperor Palace or their own group, Emperor Venerables were not lacking.
The Angler calmly found the tenth chair and took a seat.
She looked up at the figure seated at the head of the table, hidden within a cloak.
This was the Honored One.
The one who had initiated the command to slay the Green Emperor back then.
The Honored One sighed first, "I am aware of the matter concerning Monk Meng and the others. It is a pity."
Indeed, it was a pity.
Monk Meng, as well as Yan Wushuang, would have undoubtedly become Emperor Venerables had they not perished.
Anyone would lament the demise of someone at the Half-Emperor realm.
The Angler did not rise, speaking from her seat, "The betrayal of Tian Zi caused us to lose the Ancestral Dragon Horn, and we suffered heavy casualties..."
"I am aware."
The Honored One continued, "I have found the Ancestral Dragon Horn. As for Tian Zi..."
Speaking of this traitor, the temperature within the tent dropped.
It was evident that the Honored One was furious. "After we have slain the Green Emperor, even if we descend to hell, I will find him and cripple him completely."
Traitors would meet a grim end, even in death.
After discussing Tian Zi, the Honored One changed the subject, "Now that everyone is here, it is time to discuss the plan."
"..."
Everyone fell silent, preparing to listen to the Honored One's plan.
"Firstly,"
The Honored One spoke directly, "Under the Green Emperor, there are four third-tier Emperor Venerables, six second-tier Emperor Venerables, and thirteen first-tier Emperor Venerables."
This was a despairing number.
Moreover, there was the Green Emperor himself, a fourth-tier Heavenly Emperor who stabilized the world.
And what about them?
Their few Emperor Venerables numbered less than ten.
Everyone's expression grew more somber.
The Honored One continued, "To slay the Green Emperor, we must first deal with his subordinates. Aside from those four third-tier Emperor Venerables, the rest are scattered around the Green Emperor Mountain. These individuals are our targets."
*Hoo.*
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment, the Angler suddenly spoke, "San Bi Emperor Venerable is in Sword City."
"Hm?"
San Bi Emperor Venerable was one of the four third-tier Emperor Venerables under the Green Emperor.
"Why is he there?"
"To intercept us."
The Angler continued, "Senior Kuang Mu is currently intercepting four first-tier Emperor Venerables, while Ba Wang has intercepted San Bi Emperor Venerable."
"..."
Silence.
The last sentence was somewhat shocking.
"Are you saying... Ba Wang alone intercepted San Bi Emperor Venerable?" an elder from the first seat asked, astonished.
He wanted to confirm.
"Yes."
"And the outcome?"
"Unknown."
The Angler shook her head, "We took the opportunity to escape..."
She then recounted the death of the female Emperor Venerable.
The relieved expressions immediately turned somber once more.
"Boom."
At this moment, a violent aura was rapidly approaching from afar.
"An unfamiliar Emperor Venerable, who?" everyone's expression turned grave.
Could they have been discovered by the Green Emperor Palace?
Before they could react, they heard the Angler say, "Ba Wang is back."
No one here was more familiar with Ba Wang's aura than she was.
"Haha."
Indeed, with the sound of laughter, everyone was confirmed.
They were all too familiar with that laughter.
"Esteemed sirs, I escaped from under San Bi Emperor Venerable's pursuit. Impressive, am I not? Haha..." Ba Wang exclaimed boisterously.
It was somewhat out of character for his usual demeanor.
But it no longer mattered.
Ba Wang had achieved the status of Emperor Venerable. Although he was only a first-tier Emperor Venerable, it was enough to make everyone envious.
Were Emperor Venerables common?
No, they were rare.
For them to have nearly ten Emperor Venerables present was the result of countless years of accumulation.
The Green Emperor Palace had over ten Emperor Venerables due to tens of thousands of years of accumulation.
Ba Wang had become an Emperor.
"Haha."
Ba Wang continued to laugh.
Cheers erupted around them.
"Ba Wang."
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice entered Ba Wang's mind, "Where is Kuang Mu?"
"Dead."
Ba Wang's tone betrayed no hint of sadness.
It was as if he were referring to the death of an ordinary person.
"Alas."
A sigh echoed from all around.
Ba Wang added, "Senior Kuang Mu could not escape San Bi Emperor Venerable's pursuit and was obliterated."