The Blood Slaughter Emperor arrived about thirty miles outside the Alchemy Emperor City and halted, refraining from launching a direct assault. Instead of going to the Alchemy Emperor Manor himself, he sent one of his trusted subordinates.
Yao Niming understood clearly that the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s actions suggested he still wanted to leave room for negotiation.
"Left Dharma Protector of the Blood Slaughter Hall, greets the Alchemy Emperor."
Left Dharma Protector?
An Emperor-level cultivator?
Though Yao Niming’s physical condition had deteriorated, his soul power and discernment remained intact. He could clearly see that this Left Dharma Protector of the Blood Slaughter Hall was no longer a half-step Emperor but a genuine Emperor-level expert.
Did this mean the Blood Slaughter Hall now had more than one Emperor-level powerhouse?
"Truly unexpected. The Blood Slaughter Hall has gained another Emperor-level expert. Congratulations," Yao Niming said with a faint smile.
"Alchemy Emperor, you may be mistaken. I’m not the only one who has broken through."
"The Right Dharma Protector has also reached the Emperor level."
As the Left Dharma Protector spoke, his eyes brimmed with arrogance and disdain, as if he no longer regarded the Alchemy Emperor with any respect.
In the past, this man would never have dared to act so insolently. But now, it seemed the news of the Undying Alchemy Emperor’s impending demise had spread far and wide.
Yao Niming paid no mind to the man’s expression, but Kuang Zhongtang and Lie Zhankuang beside him felt deeply irritated.
Wasn’t this just a case of a petty man growing arrogant with newfound power?
In the past, would this damned Left Dharma Protector have dared to speak to the Undying Alchemy Emperor like this?
However, the revelation that the Blood Slaughter Hall now possessed three Emperor-level experts was far from good news.
Lie Zhankuang assessed that he could handle this Left Dharma Protector—but only him alone.
What about the Right Dharma Protector and the Blood Slaughter Emperor?
Da Huang…
Never mind, that one was too unpredictable…
"Let’s cut to the chase. What is the purpose of the Blood Slaughter Emperor sending you here?" Yao Niming asked.
"Very well, straight to the point."
"The Hall Master has instructed me to inform you: if you are willing to hand over all your lifelong knowledge and alchemy insights, and unconditionally refine pills for our Blood Slaughter Hall from now on, we will spare your life."
"Of course, we will also leave everyone in the Alchemy Emperor City unharmed."
"What does the Alchemy Emperor think of this proposal?" the Left Dharma Protector asked with a smirk.
Hearing this, Yao Yuan’s expression darkened, while Kuang Zhongtang and Lie Zhankuang cursed inwardly.
How shameless could they be?
Demanding the Alchemy Emperor refine pills for them unconditionally?
And hand over all his lifelong knowledge? Even if he did, would these bastards even know how to refine pills?
This was sheer arrogance!
"Do you really think you’ve already won?"
"Do you take us all for dead men?" Lie Zhankuang said coldly.
"Oh?"
"You? An Emperor-level cultivator?"
"Hahaha! Who would’ve thought that even in his decline, the Alchemy Emperor still has people willing to help him?"
"But even if you are, so what?"
"Can you alone stand against our Blood Slaughter Hall?"
"You overestimate yourself." The Left Dharma Protector shot Lie Zhankuang a dismissive glance.
"Damn it! If you’ve got the guts, let’s step outside and fight right now!" Lie Zhankuang roared in anger.
"I’m not here to fight."
Ignoring Lie Zhankuang, the Left Dharma Protector turned back to Yao Niming.
"What is the Alchemy Emperor’s decision?"
"Think carefully. If you refuse, consider the consequences."
"Do you truly wish to see the Blood Slaughter Army massacre the Alchemy Emperor City tomorrow?"
Tomorrow?
They were really moving ahead of schedule?
This didn’t align with the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s usual methods.
Would sacrificing himself alone really save everyone else?
"I…"
"This matter is non-negotiable."
"Go back and tell the Blood Slaughter Emperor: if he’s got the guts, come at us. Don’t think he’s truly invincible."
"You really think your ragtag bunch of weaklings can sweep through everything?"
Before Yao Niming could finish speaking, Da Huang cut him off.
"A dog?"
"Hahahaha!"
"How amusing! Does the Alchemy Emperor Manor let a dog make decisions now?"
The Left Dharma Protector’s mockery didn’t faze Da Huang in the slightest. Instead, he glanced at Yao Niming and asked, "Do I have the authority to decide?"
"You do," Yao Niming replied with a smile.
With Da Huang stepping in, the situation now had room for maneuver. Though the Blood Slaughter Emperor was formidable, Da Huang might still have the power to fight back.
"Good!"
"Then kick him out."
"There’s nothing left to discuss."
"Lie Zhankuang, what are you waiting for?"
At Da Huang’s words, Lie Zhankuang’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he struck.
The Left Dharma Protector hadn’t expected that even in his weakened state, the Undying Alchemy Emperor would remain so stubborn.
Dodging Lie Zhankuang’s attack, the Left Dharma Protector retreated outside the Alchemy Emperor Manor.
"Fine!"
"Since you insist on being obstinate, don’t blame the Blood Slaughter Hall for showing no mercy."
"Just wait. Tomorrow, our Blood Slaughter Hall will crush your Alchemy Emperor City!"
The Left Dharma Protector deliberately amplified his voice, ensuring his words echoed throughout the entire Alchemy Emperor City. With that, he swiftly departed.
"Damn it, these Blood Slaughter Hall bastards are downright vile, pulling stunts like this!"
"Trying to sow panic among the people of Alchemy Emperor City?" Lie Zhankuang cursed furiously.
"Alchemy Emperor, didn’t you say the Blood Slaughter Emperor always follows his own rules?"
"The time on the Blood Slaughter Edict hasn’t even arrived. Why is he preparing to attack early?"
"This…"
At Kuang Zhongtang’s question, Yao Niming could only shake his head helplessly. He, too, hadn’t anticipated the Blood Slaughter Emperor breaking his own established rules.
Why was he in such a hurry?
Was there something he feared?
"Speculating won’t help now."
"Let’s focus on how to deal with tomorrow’s attack."
Originally, Yao Niming had been ready to compromise. Sacrificing himself to save everyone else seemed like a fair trade.
But Da Huang’s intervention had made him reconsider.
"Senior Da Huang, is Chen Chang’an about to return?" Lie Zhankuang asked excitedly.
"How would I know when he’s coming back?"
"Eh? Then why did you…"
"No reason. I just couldn’t stand that guy’s attitude."
"What’s there to fear? Fight them head-on. At worst, we die."
"I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines!"
Cheer?
From the sidelines?
After all that bold talk earlier, you’re just here to enjoy the show while we do the dying?
How dog-like of you…
Well, it is a dog.
"Senior Da Huang, stop joking."
"I know your strength. That’s why Chen Chang’an trusted you to come here."
"Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let those two girls accompany you." Yao Niming looked at Da Huang with a knowing smile.
Hearing this, Lie Zhankuang suddenly remembered—Gu Xian’er and Gu Fengyao were still here.
One was Chen Chang’an’s maidservant, the other his fiancée. More importantly, both ranked among the top ten on the Human Ranking, with limitless future potential.
If there was any real danger, why would Chen Chang'an let them come?
"Sigh!"
"You actually saw through my strength."
"Fine, I'll come clean. No more pretending. Truth is, I'm at the peak of the Emperor realm."
"I've been staying by Chen Chang'an's side all this time because... I plan to seize his body."
"That way, I can finally abandon this wretched form of mine."
"Hahahaha! Once all of you are dead, Chen Chang'an will surely lose his composure in rage. That’s when I’ll strike and take over his body."
"Well?"
"Isn’t my scheme brilliant?"
After Da Huang finished speaking, everyone was left speechless.
In such a perilous situation, it still had the mood to joke around?
"What’s wrong?"
"Not funny?" Da Huang asked curiously.
"It’s... it’s funny."
"Then laugh."
"Ha... hahaha..."