Defeating Two Half-Step Emperors

"Who are you?"

The Second-tier Quasi-Emperor narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the blue-robed figure before him. His expression grew serious as he sensed the pressure.

"No need to ask my name specifically. You'll be dead soon anyway," Chen Xia turned his head, looking at the White Emperor battling the Out of Body Avatar with disdain, then lightly flicked his fingers in the space before him.

A clear, ringing sound echoed, as if plucking a sword's string.

"A sword cultivator?" the Second-tier Quasi-Emperor inquired.

The blue robe fluttered slightly, and a dim light flashed in the starry sky.

Chen Xia's slender fingers made a grasping motion, as if holding a sword, and he softly said,

"Shh."

He gently waved his hand, still mimicking the grip on an invisible sword.

The Second-tier Quasi-Emperor's face twisted in confusion, then quickly turned to horror. Blood splattered before him, followed by intense pain. Looking down, he saw his body was now gushing blood.

"What divine ability is this? How can it be so overwhelming? What realm are you in? This is impossible, absolutely impossible!"

The Second-tier Quasi-Emperor shouted in panic, utterly bewildered. He couldn't comprehend how his seemingly easy mission to acquire a sword had turned into this predicament.

Chen Xia opened his hand, as if putting down the sword, and lightly shook his sleeves before chuckling,

"It's just a little Time Sword. I'm surprised it didn't slay you in one strike. I suppose you're rather tough. But being tough doesn't necessarily mean you'll survive."

The Second-tier Quasi-Emperor had lost all will to fight. His form instantly dispersed into mist, rapidly fleeing towards the edge of the star region, unwilling to engage Chen Xia further.

He had mastered the Misty Smoke Dao, excelling in escape techniques. This Dao had helped him evade countless deadly attacks, even allowing him to flee from Emperors' grasp.

Surely it would work now too!

That's what the Second-tier Quasi-Emperor thought.

But how could the Misty Smoke Dao compare to the Time Dao?

No matter how misty you become, I'll be waiting for you in the future.

Chen Xia was already standing at the height of the star region. He casually reached out, and numerous wisps of smoke flew into his palm, condensing into a head.

It was the Second-tier Quasi-Emperor!

"Hello there," Chen Xia said with a smile, his manners as impeccable as ever.

The Second-tier Quasi-Emperor, however, looked as if he'd seen a ghost. His entire body trembled, blood still flowing, as he begged pitifully,

"Don't kill me, please don't kill me!"

"If I don't kill you, what am I supposed to do? Keep you as a pet?" Chen Xia asked helplessly.

"Yes, yes, I can be very obedient!" the Second-tier Quasi-Emperor nodded frantically, seeing a glimmer of hope for survival.

His nodding and pleading demeanor did indeed resemble a pet.

But Chen Xia had no need for such a thing.

Hum.

The tip of the Immortal Sword appeared in his grasp, gleaming with sword light. After a long absence, it had emerged, brimming with killing intent!

"In your next life, try to be smarter. Better yet, grow an extra head."

With these words, Chen Xia swung the sword violently.

Time, Celestial Dragon, and Thunder.

Four paths manifested simultaneously.

The strike cleaved through the Second-tier Quasi-Emperor's head, splitting his horrified face, breaking through his body down to his toes, even severing the dark corruption within him.

Chen Xia's expression remained calm as he allowed the Second-tier Quasi-Emperor's spiritual energy to scatter towards the Blue Sky Sword Sea, nourishing the desolate sea of swords.

Perhaps this was the Second-tier Quasi-Emperor's only purpose in the end.

Chen Xia retracted his flying sword and turned his gaze to the side.

The White Emperor was still engaged in fierce combat with the Out of Body Avatar. What had started as a slight advantage for the White Emperor had now turned into him being overwhelmed by the avatar.

Chen Xia was in no hurry. He sauntered over and sat down in the cosmic void, resting his chin on his hand as he watched.

Noticing Chen Xia observing, the White Emperor suddenly became flustered and agitated, his techniques and divine abilities growing erratic.

Chen Xia chuckled and said,

"Don't worry, there's no rush. Take your time fighting. I'm not going to kill you just yet."

He treated it like a spectacle, while also allowing his Out of Body Avatar to improve its combat skills.

"If you manage to win, I might even let you live," Chen Xia added with a smile.

The White Emperor gritted his teeth, finding new motivation, and fought even more fiercely.

But as the saying goes, if you can't win, you can't win. No matter how loudly you shout, it won't change the outcome.

The White Emperor was in precisely this situation, now completely suppressed by the Out of Body Avatar.

"Your Zhun Di cultivation seems rather inflated. Three thousand years have passed, and you're still a Zhun Di with no progress. Are you sure you could become an Emperor even if you obtained the Immortal Sword?" Chen Xia asked curiously.

The White Emperor had no energy to reply, fully focused on fending off the Out of Body Avatar.

Suddenly, a streak of light rushed in from afar, accompanied by an enraged roar.

"White Emperor, I'll have your life!"

The light, carrying immense stellar power, crashed into the already exhausted White Emperor, sending him plummeting to the lower reaches of the cosmos, coughing blood.

Emperor Capital clenched his fists and shouted,

"How dare you raise a hand against my brother Chen! As the saying goes, even when beating the master, you must consider the dog. Did you get my permission?!"

Chen Xia, sitting nearby, nodded, impressed by Emperor Capital's knowledge of proverbs.

As Emperor Capital was about to charge in for the kill, Chen Xia quickly waved his hand and called out,

"Alright, alright, no need for you to get involved."

Emperor Capital turned to look, suddenly puzzled, and asked, "Brother Chen, you've grown up?"

"I was never small," Chen Xia replied helplessly. "I was just sealed before. The seal has been lifted now."

"Oh, I see," Emperor Capital nodded in understanding.

The Out of Body Avatar had already captured the White Emperor and tossed him before the two.

The White Emperor was covered in blood, already exhausted, now looking half-dead.

"Brother Chen, this vile creature must not be spared!" Emperor Capital pointed at the White Emperor and exclaimed.

"Spare me, please spare my life. I know I was wrong!" the White Emperor hurriedly cried out pitifully, all his previous arrogance gone. He then turned to Chen Xia and pleaded,

"Please, I beg you to spare me... I'll never do it again... I'll give you... give you everything, I'll be your dog... your dog, woof woof!"

Slap!

Emperor Capital's palm struck the White Emperor's face, leaving a bright red handprint, then pointed at him angrily,

"You dare try to take my position?!"

Being Chen Xia's dog was no longer a source of shame for him, but rather a point of pride.

Truly befitting of his character.

The White Emperor quickly begged Emperor Capital, "No, no, I'll be your dog, I'll be your dog."

As he spoke, he even tried to lick Emperor Capital's feet.

Slap! Slap!

Two more vicious slaps landed.

"Why?" Chen Xia asked curiously.

"Give him two slaps, see if he still acts crazy!" Emperor Capital replied, pointing at the White Emperor.

These slaps seemed to have stunned the White Emperor, leaving him at a loss for how to beg for mercy.

Chen Xia suddenly looked up.

In the celestial vault above,

A figure like a deity descended, speaking calmly,

"This Emperor heard there were remnants of darkness here, so I came to investigate."

Chen Xia narrowed his eyes and whispered,

"Emperor."