Sword Emperor

"Doctor! Get a doctor quickly!" Li Zheng roared in grief and anger. His fingers rapidly pressed on several acupuncture points on Li Ang, and his King-level cultivation fully activated, imprisoning the invisible space around Li Ang! 

As a Martial King-level powerhouse, Li Zheng possessed a unique comprehension of space, allowing him to restrict a specific area, a technique exclusive to this realm. 

Li Ang seemed to be trapped in a sealed space, his entire body functions stagnating. This included the raging flames of true Qi that Lin Yang had forcefully infused into his body, which were now under control. 

This immediate action aimed to delay the fading of Li Ang's vitality, preventing the further destruction of his body by the fire-attributed true Qi. 

Following that, Li Zheng lightly tapped Li Ang's back, causing the motionless body to uncontrollably spew out a flame from its mouth! 

Yes, an actual flame! 

Li Zheng grabbed the flame that Li Ang spat out, crushing it fiercely. 

The scorching sensation made him uncomfortable. 

He coldly looked at Lin Yang on the stage. "Such pure and fierce true Qi!" 

"Prime Minister Wang, please take care of my son," Li Zheng threw Li Ang's body towards Wang Hua, who was on the high platform, displaying a mixture of surprise and concern. 

After seeing Wang Hua catching Li Ang, Li Zheng swiftly ascended the stage, appearing in front of Lin Yang. "Kid, your methods are too vicious. You cannot be allowed to live today!" 

Saying that he reached out with a big hand, grabbing Lin Yang's neck! In a fit of rage, Li Zheng intended to crush the person behind Li Ang's life and death-predicament and avenge his son! 

The formidable strength of a King-level expert was beyond Lin Yang's current understanding. He could only watch helplessly as Li Zheng approached, and attacked, while he was unable to resist! 

Because of that, he could no longer move! 

"Li Zheng! How dare you!" Steward Lin, hidden in the crowd, glared with reddened eyes, about to rush forward and stop him. 

Although he knew that he only had the cultivation level of a Grandmaster, which was only slightly stronger than an ant compared to a Martial King-level opponent, Lin Yang displayed talents that were almost unrivalled among the new disciples of Yuan Sword Sect in this plan. 

Currently, he was the last hope of the Yuan Sword Sect in this turmoil. 

If he fell here today, one could imagine the punishment they would face when they returned to the sect. 

Chu Yanran couldn't hold back her tears, wanting to pass through the crowd to save Lin Yang, but it seemed as if some mysterious force was holding her in place, rendering her unable to move. 

"Teacher, save me!" This was Lin Yang's final cry in his heart. 

"Alright, let's risk our lives for once, considering our student-teacher relationship," Saint Alchemist sighed softly. 

However, hiding within Mo Qingkuang's ring, Mo Fan knew clearly that, though Saint Alchemist was at the Martial Saint realm during his lifetime, now even with his soul's strength attached to Lin Yang, it was challenging to counter a Martial King-level powerhouse like Li Zheng, especially without the element of surprise. 

Furthermore, there was the danger of exposing themselves! If enemies discovered them, the Tianxuan Empire would never let them return to the Yuan Sword Sect peacefully. 

A super genius and a former top alchemist, weakened by age, was far too tempting for the Tianxuan Empire to let go, especially in the days of their declining influence. 

There were several Martial King-level powerhouses present, and even a Martial Emperor sitting behind the misty veil. 

Even with the Saint Alchemist's extraordinary foresight, escaping would be challenging! 

However, as the author, Mo Fan was well aware that Lin Yang would not easily die here. 

The reality unfolded just as he had imagined. 

In the critical moment when the Saint Alchemist was about to possess Lin Yang, and Li Zheng's palm was about to crush Lin Yang's throat, Zheng Tao appeared out of nowhere in front of Lin Yang. His slender and seemingly ageless fingers firmly grabbed Li Zheng's wrist. 

The entire arena, still reeling from the shock of Li Ang's defeat and Li Zheng's furious retaliation, finally awakened from the series of astonishments as they witnessed this sudden turn of events. 

"Whoa!" The audience erupted into exclamations as they saw Zheng Tao intervene to stop Li Zheng's imminent lethal strike, causing a collective uproar. 

"Zheng Tao? Let go!" Li Zheng, realizing that Zheng Tao had intercepted him, tried to shake off his grip angrily. However, to his surprise, he couldn't break free, and he glared fiercely, roaring in anger. 

Zheng Tao continued to hold onto Li Zheng's wrist and spoke solemnly, "In a competition on the stage, life and death are predetermined. Outsiders should not interfere." 

He lowered his voice, "Minister Li, everyone is watching. If you act aggressively against someone much younger, wouldn't it tarnish Tianxuan's rules?" 

Li Zheng, still in a fit of rage, retorted, "But he almost killed my son! Not killing him would leave an unbearable grudge in my heart!" 

Saying this, his free hand turned into a tiger claw and fiercely attacked Zheng Tao. 

Despite a slight difference in their cultivation levels, Zheng Tao was slightly superior. 

However, Zheng Tao did not expect that Li Zheng would act even after being restrained. He was unable to stop him in time, and he couldn't help but think it was a disaster unfolding. 

People exclaimed in succession; Li Zheng's murderous intent seemed excessive, and interrupting Zheng Tao's intervention showed a lack of respect for Tianxuan's rules. 

Unfortunately, Lin Yang, who had resigned himself to death, had requested Saint Alchemist to possess him at the last moment, risking everything. 

"Teacher!" Lin Yang shouted in his heart. 

However, fate had other plans for the protagonist. In a moment of life hanging by a thread, a sword light descended from the sky, brushing against Lin Yang's cheek and forcefully striking Li Zheng's tiger claw. 

This sword strike, incredibly fast and exquisite, displayed unparalleled power. 

Not only did the enraged Li Zheng retreat more than ten yards from the impact, but even Zheng Tao, standing beside him, was affected and staggered back a few steps. 

"Is this the rule of the Tianxuan Empire? Attacking the weaker just because of a small grudge?" A mature voice resonated from afar, carrying a touch of resolute determination. 

All eyes turned towards the source of the voice and found an elder in grey robes, floating in mid-air with hands behind his back. 

His well-groomed silver beard and robe swayed gently in the breeze, presenting an otherworldly and dignified demeanour. 

Such an appearance exuded an air of an immortal. 

Li Zheng's face turned miserable, and he tightly clutched his hand that was hit moments ago. Crimson blood relentlessly dripped down. 

If one looked closely, the palm had been split into two by a sharp weapon, and Li Zheng held it tightly, not to stop the bleeding, but to prevent it from falling off. 

"Sword Emperor! You actually came!" Li Zheng's expression was filled with bitterness, resentment, and even fear. 

"Sword Emperor?" The crowd was in shock! 

Anyone suffixed with the title 'Emperor' was undoubtedly a Martial Emperor-level powerhouse, much like Mo Fan's title War Emperor. The Sword Emperor, in particular, was the title of one of the dual Emperors of the Yuan Sword Sect, Qin Wufeng. 

The Yuan Sword Sect had a unique status with two Emperors, Qin Wufeng, and the Sect Master, Yuan Emperor. 

The power of the dual Emperors was a significant force that instilled awe in the hearts of many. 

The most powerful individuals in the Tianxuan Empire recognized Qin Wufeng. As soon as he appeared, everyone rose to their feet, treating him with utmost respect. 

However, Li Zheng's face revealed a gloomy defeat, and he held onto his bleeding hand, dripping with resentment and fear.