I Am Not Your Pawn

The blockade against the Fuyao Immortal Sect by the Emperors of the Divine Realm formed instantly, leaving the cultivators of the Fuyao Immortal Sect in a state of shock before they could react, sealing their fate.

Three Emperors of the Divine Realm, led by Ao Pai, who was in charge of overseeing the Fuyao Immortal Sect, stood at the forefront, their faces grim. They demanded an explanation from the entire Fuyao Immortal Sect.

"Xu Zhen of the Fuyao Immortal Sect, you dare to defy the order of the Divine Realm and injure one of our Emperors-in-training. Your intentions are despicable. Are you trying to overthrow the rule of the Divine Realm and establish your own domain here in the Treasure Ring Scale State?"

This accusation, like heavenly thunder, descended with immense pressure, causing the ground to tremble as if an avalanche was imminent. The territory of the Fuyao Immortal Sect began to crack and crumble, spreading outward, threatening to shatter the entire sect.

A figure stepped forward, standing before the advancing waves of destruction. With a single wave of their hand, they calmed the rumbling earth. Though their expression remained composed, a suppressed rage burned within. They confronted the three Emperors of the Divine Realm.

"Explanation? What explanation? I, Xu Zhen, simply refuse to submit. This isn't about the Fuyao Immortal Sect. We are both Emperors. The truth lies in who can win in a duel. If you can overpower me, then your argument holds weight."

Ao Pai's face remained expressionless as he flicked a finger against his robe, sneering coldly.

"The Treasure Ring Scale State belongs to the Divine Realm. A mere cultivator from the celestial realm having a place to rest within the Treasure Ring Scale State is already a great honor. How dare you speak so brazenly to me? A duel? What gives you the right to challenge me?"

His stern question directly targeted Xu Zhen, escalating the tension to its peak.

The surrounding Divine Realm cultivators cheered loudly, echoing their Emperor's words with fervor.

Behind Xu Zhen, the cultivators of the Fuyao Immortal Sect stood, divided in their reactions. Some clenched their teeth in outrage, while the majority bowed their heads, too timid to even raise their eyes to look at the Emperors of the Divine Realm.

It was truly Xu Zhen standing alone against three Emperors of the Divine Realm, yet she showed no fear. Suddenly, a radiant white lotus appeared beneath her feet, and she locked eyes with Ao Pai, her voice steady and firm.

"Whether you agree to a duel is your choice. Today, I stand here representing only myself, not the Fuyao Immortal Sect. Come at me, all three of you, and I will ensure one of you perishes."

Her words were incredibly domineering, daring to threaten three Emperors of the Divine Realm all by herself.

Ao Pai narrowed his eyes, shaking his head with a cold smile. "Foolish. You dare speak of facing all three of us alone. You truly are reckless. As the sect leader of the Fuyao Immortal Sect, your sect will also be held accountable for your actions."

With those words, he raised his hands, and a torrential downpour descended from the heavens, turning the sky dark and freezing the spiritual energy in the air.

This was Ao Pai's divine ability, his own small world.

Xu Zhen reversed her left hand, waving it lightly. The radiant white lotus beneath her feet shot upward, reaching the heavens, blocking the torrential rain. In an instant, her figure appeared before Ao Pai, her hands pressing forward with brute force.

Images of mirage and moonlight materialized, flowers of the white lotus blooming, the crescent moon shimmering with a chilling glint.

The lotus petals formed a path, spreading around a pond. In the pond, the crescent moon's faint light resembled a bloodthirsty curved blade.

Xu Zhen stood at the end of the path, her expression haughty, like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens. Her slender fingers pointed at Ao Pai, her voice cold, echoing with an ominous timbre, almost prophetic.

"Kill."

The crescent moon from the water hung silently at Ao Pai's neck, its blade glistening with white lotus petals, exuding a bone-chilling aura.

Ao Pai's expression turned to one of fear, cold sweat breaking out on his back. He exclaimed in shock.

"You are a Second Path Emperor!"

His words and abilities activated simultaneously, turning his body into an unbound stream of water, retreating backward to escape Xu Zhen's divine ability.

But how could the words of a Second Path Emperor be so easily evaded?

The crescent moon contained the laws of causality. The free-flowing water was not spared, and blood splattered as Ao Pai's startled cry echoed, his spiritual soul even being slashed. He shouted:

"She is a Second Path Emperor! Help me!"

At his cry, the other two Emperors instantly intervened, their faces solemn as they blocked the pursuing Xu Zhen, shouting in anger:

"The Treasure Ring Scale State is territory of the Divine Realm! Even if you are a Second Path Emperor, you cannot act with such impunity. We urge you to stop and apologize, showing genuine remorse. Given your status as a Second Path Emperor, our master may forgive you!"

Xu Zhen remained silent, continuing her assault, engaging all three Emperors in battle without faltering, appearing evenly matched.

The Divine Realm cultivators knew this was bad, and some had already gone to notify more powerful beings, reporting that a Second Path Emperor sought to rebel against the Divine Realm with the Fuyao Immortal Sect.

The cultivators of the Fuyao Immortal Sect were overcome with excitement, gazing at the colossal battle unfolding in the sky, hopeful for the future of their sect.

The clash of four Emperors was earth-shaking, even drawing attention from neighboring states.

In the East Jia State, there was a meditative figure known as the 'Pill Sovereign,' who had a penchant for curiosity. He peered toward the Treasure Ring Scale State, asking his inner demon:

"What kind of celebration is happening in the Treasure Ring Scale State? Why is it so lively?"

"Nothing special, just some young Emperors clashing. It's noisy, but not particularly impressive," his inner demon succinctly assessed.

Chen Xia nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's just average. But why do I feel a sense of familiarity? Do you have any idea?"

"Perhaps it's an illusion," his inner demon replied.

Chen Xia suddenly looked up, glancing toward the Treasure Ring Scale State. "Another Third Path Emperor has arrived. What's going on here? A civil war among the Emperors of the Divine Realm?"

His inner demon folded his arms behind his back, shaking his head. "I can't say. But you mentioned the familiar aura—I suddenly recall a name. Any recollection?"

Chen Xia frowned in thought, his gaze sharpening suddenly. "Xu Zhen!"

He reacted swiftly, preparing to head toward the Treasure Ring Scale State.

But a standoff emerged before him.

A puppet figure blocked his path, its hollow gaze devoid of emotion, its stiff voice calm as it declared:

"You should not go to the Treasure Ring Scale State. The greater scheme forbids it, and it might disrupt the calculations. I will handle Xu Zhen's situation; she will not perish."

"That's not what I want," Chen Xia replied, his voice firm as he walked toward the gate.

"Those who aspire to great things must not be swayed by trivial matters, nor their hearts softened by emotion. Yet you act so sentimentally. How can you achieve greatness with such a temperament?" the puppet's voice rose sternly, challenging Chen Xia.

Standing at the doorway, concealed in shadows, Chen Xia's face visible in alternating light and darkness, he replied:

"I have never been someone destined for greatness."

"Agreed," his inner demon nodded, concurring.

"Remember one more thing," Chen Xia added, his voice heavy: "I am not your pawn."

Having said that, he turned and descended the mountain, his robe fluttering as the gray-white river of time flowed around him, carrying him from the East Jia State to the Treasure Ring Scale State, traversing endless distances.