Wang Ping looked at the simulated text content and was initially very satisfied with his performance. However, when he read the last line, he felt a lump in his heart.
"Come on, let's not show off, have you forgotten the consequences of showing off in the previous simulation?"
Wang Ping's mouth twitched, and he silently grumbled to himself.
However, no matter how Wang Ping complained, the simulated text would not stop.
[Amidst the attention of the masses, you said the words, 'Those I defeat will never be considered my opponents. I'll give you time to catch up until you're out of sight.']
[Upon hearing these words, whether they were prodigies, supremes, quasi-emperors, or even emperors, they were all greatly astonished, finding these words incredibly pompous. Even your mentor, Emperor Tianyu, looked at you strangely and couldn't help but chuckle. He marveled, "I didn't realize you were so good at showing off."]
[Upon hearing these words, the Nether Abyss Demon Child was infuriated. He glared at you. While you had defeated him, saying such words to insult him, using him as a backdrop for showing off, was utterly despicable.]
[However, despite the Nether Abyss Demon Child's hidden resentment, like other prodigies, he silently etched these pompous words into his heart, intending to use them in the future after some modifications. He also planned to defeat you once he became stronger and throw these words back in your face.]
[Next, amid discussions from all sides, the two main protagonists who had been overshadowed finally made their appearance. Whether it was the Great Thunder Immortal Lei Wanqian or the Rain Spirit Emperor's daughter Shi Yuyan, they both looked at you with subtle expressions.]
[In response, you simply nodded slightly to both of them, showing no signs of embarrassment.]
[Soon, right before your eyes, the Great Thunder Immortal and Shi Yuyan engaged in battle. Their fight intensified, causing your expression to become serious. Both of them had even greater strength than you had imagined.]
[In your estimation, if you were to go all out in a battle against Shi Yuyan, your chances of winning would be around 95 percent. As for Lei Wanqian, if you were to battle him right now, you'd have a fifty-fifty chance of winning. However, if you were able to cultivate the Dark Era Emperor's Scripture instead of using the Dao Tian Emperor's Scripture as a substitute, your chances of defeating Lei Wanqian would be well above 80 or 90 percent.]
[Of course, this calculation doesn't take into account the effect of your purple-tier talent, the Endless Blade. Although the probability of triggering the Endless Blade, even for a purple-tier talent, becomes lower as you reach your current level, in the midst of a fierce battle, it could collide thousands of times per minute. If it triggers once out of ten thousand collisions, it would give you an advantage.]
[If you were lucky enough to trigger it when using a powerful move, it could decisively seal the victory. Not to mention, you also have a purple-tier talent, Godsend Nullification, which surpasses its purple-tier rating, a golden-tier talent, Damage Nullification, a bug-level defense talent, and currently, a guaranteed golden-tier talent, Multiple Resonance, which can turn attacks into double attacks.]
[Overall, if you were to reveal all your trump cards, you could easily win against Lei Wanqian without needing to find the Dark Era Emperor's Scripture. You even have the confidence to confront Longevity Gu's Gu Xuan.]
[However, you've always been a cautious player. Although you can do this, there's no need to do so. It would be foolish to reveal all your cards just for the sake of your ranking on the Saint King List.]
[Although the Battle of the Prodigies is a competition of luck, fortune, and the path to enlightenment, it hasn't reached the point of life and death. Revealing all your cards would be truly foolish.]
[As you contemplated these thoughts, the battle between Lei Wanqian and Shi Yuyan reached its climax. Ultimately, just as in the previous simulation, Lei Wanqian defeated Shi Yuyan.]
[However, after Lei Wanqian defeated Shi Yuyan, he set his sights on you, eager to battle you.]
[In response, you furrowed your brow, feeling that Lei Wanqian was truly a battle maniac.]
[Although you thought that there was no real meaning in a battle against Lei Wanqian, you now represented the Taiyi Emperor Palace and couldn't avoid a fight. You couldn't let the Taiyi Emperor Palace lose face, and especially not your mentor, Emperor Tianyu.]
[For this reason, in front of everyone's eyes, you calmly accepted Lei Wanqian's challenge. However, you expressed that you didn't want to take advantage of him and allowed him to fully recover to his peak state before the battle.]
[Upon hearing this, Lei Wanqian laughed heartily, thunderous energy surging around him. He said that you had expended a lot of energy in your previous battle against the Nether Abyss Demon Child, and there was no need to rest, making it a fair fight.]
[You shook your head, stating that defeating the Nether Abyss Demon Child hadn't cost you much energy, and it was quite the opposite for Lei Wanqian. Defeating Shi Yuyan, who was incredibly powerful, had not only consumed a great deal of his strength but also caused him injuries, making it an unfair match.]
[Your words broke through the Nether Abyss Demon Child's defenses once again, his face darkening, his killing intent surging. He wished to devour you alive. As for the other prodigies and ancient beings, their gazes also became subtle.]
[Your sharp tongue was truly venomous, and they felt that if this continued, the Nether Abyss Demon Child would lose his composure. At that point, as long as you weren't defeated, the Nether Abyss Demon Child, a prodigy with the potential to achieve the Dao, would likely be ruined.]
[Lei Wanqian also laughed heartily, thinking that you had a point. He showed no mercy and began meditating to recover his strength. You also started to regain your power.]
[Facing Lei Wanqian, who possessed an Immortal Body, you would not be careless, thinking that your numerous talents could secure your victory.]
[An hour later, in front of everyone's eyes, both of you were filled with battle intent and burst into a fierce battle. This battle was even more astonishing than the previous two fights. The collision between the Great Thunder Immortal Body and the Space-Time Dao Body caused incredible phenomena to appear in the world. Both thunder and space-time phenomena emerged and merged together, stunning countless cultivators.]
[Your battle with Lei Wanqian was also terrifying. Thunder and lightning pierced through space and time, distorting the laws and divine abilities of space-time, making it impossible for people to keep up. With the Great Thunder Immortal Body and his cultivation of the Mad Thunder Emperor's Scripture, Lei Wanqian's speed and attack power were unparalleled, and few could match him.]
Chapter 217: Suppressing Lei Wanqian! Returning to the Forbidden Land
王平 (Wang Ping) read the simulated text content and found it quite satisfying. However, he couldn't help but frown when he read about the unexpected appearance of Zhù Huǒwàng.
"It's one thing after another. Zhù Huǒwàng's sudden rise to power is surprising. He's grown so strong in such a short time," Wang Ping muttered to himself.
As he continued reading, Wang Ping couldn't help but ponder over the information revealed in the simulation.
"Wait, these powerful figures from the upper realms seem to know about the Celestial Paradise. How is that possible? And they can't enter it themselves? That's strange," Wang Ping mused.
He also wondered why these upper realm experts didn't fully recruit some of the formidable beings from other worlds who had obtained incredible abilities and items in the Celestial Paradise.
"Maybe there's more to this story than meets the eye. I'll have to keep an eye out for any further developments," Wang Ping thought.
As the simulation continued, Wang Ping was impressed by his own performance in the battle against Lei Wanqian. He couldn't help but smile.
"It seems that my assessment in the simulation was correct. I can hold my own against Lei Wanqian now, and if I acquire the Dark Era Emperor's Scripture, I'll surpass him completely," Wang Ping said with confidence.
He marveled at the power of his Space-Time Dao Body and couldn't help but compare it to the Great Thunder Immortal Body.
"This Space-Time Dao Body is truly remarkable. If it were to evolve into a Space-Time Immortal Body, its strength would be unimaginable. It might even surpass the Great Thunder Immortal Body. I guess it's safe to say that the Great Thunder Immortal Body is no match for it," Wang Ping chuckled.
However, Wang Ping also had concerns about Zhù Huǒwàng's reckless actions.
"Zhù Huǒwàng's rise to power is impressive, but he's drawing a lot of attention to himself. People are going to investigate his background, and his sudden transformation from a weakling to a powerhouse will raise suspicions. I hope he doesn't get into trouble," Wang Ping thought.
As the simulation continued, Wang Ping observed the interactions between Zhù Huǒwàng and the upper realm experts with interest. He wondered about their motives and intentions.
"Why are they so interested in Zhù Huǒwàng? And why are they inviting him to their respective places? There's definitely more to this story than I know," Wang Ping pondered.
Ultimately, Wang Ping decided to stay focused on his own cultivation and growth.
"I'll keep an eye on the situation, but for now, I need to continue getting stronger. Once I reach a higher level and have more knowledge, I'll be in a better position to understand what's going on in this world," Wang Ping concluded.
He returned his attention to the simulation, eager to see how the story would unfold further.
Chapter 218: Protecting Zhù Huǒwàng - A Desperate Escape
The unexpected turn of events left Zhù Huǒwàng surprised, as he hadn't anticipated being invited by so many outstanding talents. However, you, with a sense of unease, realized that the powerful beings behind these young talents might have discovered something and uncovered Zhù Huǒwàng's secret.
If that were the case, it could spell trouble. The rarity and power of the Devouring Essence Pearl made it highly sought after, even by emperors. If these individuals were to take Zhù Huǒwàng away, his fate would likely be grim.
While you believed that Zhù Huǒwàng was an auspicious figure, being an "Auspicious Son of Fate" didn't make one invulnerable. Faced with so many formidable figures, you doubted whether Zhù Huǒwàng could emerge unscathed.
However, it was also possible that these powerful beings genuinely wanted to nurture Zhù Huǒwàng and were not solely interested in the Devouring Essence Pearl within him.
As you contemplated the situation, Zhù Huǒwàng hesitated but ultimately made a choice. He politely declined the various invitations, expressing his wish to visit the Taiyi Emperor's Palace first before meeting the other outstanding talents.
Hearing Zhù Huǒwàng's decision, you felt that he had made a wise choice. While you were somewhat relieved, you couldn't entirely relax. The real concern lay in the attitudes of those powerful beings, particularly the Taiyi Emperor.
You also couldn't help but wonder why you hadn't heard of Zhù Huǒwàng challenging anyone in the previous simulation, which would have exposed his abilities. Perhaps it was your own actions in these two great battles that had created an atmosphere of competition, prompting Zhù Huǒwàng to test his strength.
Indeed, the simulation confirmed your suspicion. Zhù Huǒwàng hadn't originally planned to join the battles but had been influenced by the prevailing atmosphere. He wanted to assess his current strength and make new friends.
With Zhù Huǒwàng's announcement, the expressions of many present individuals changed, especially that of the ominous figure, the Shadowy Demon Child, whose gaze turned icy as he emitted a disdainful snort. He seemed to imply that Zhù Huǒwàng wouldn't leave as easily as he thought. If he wanted to depart, he could, as long as he handed over the Devouring Essence Pearl.
Upon hearing this, Zhù Huǒwàng's face turned pale. He hadn't expected his Devouring Essence Pearl to be discovered. He had once conversed face-to-face with a quasi-emperor, who hadn't detected the pearl's location.
The Devouring Essence Pearl possessed inherent concealment abilities that, in his opinion, should have rendered it undetectable. Its sudden exposure to the eyes of all was a dangerous turn of events.
As Zhù Huǒwàng panicked, the gazes of the outstanding talents fixated on you and him. The great saints and powerful individuals on the Great Saints' List also revealed a hint of greed and restlessness in their eyes.
Seeing this, you sighed inwardly. You knew that you couldn't protect Zhù Huǒwàng from their grasp. While you weren't afraid to face the mysterious figure, Gu Xuán, on equal ground, you were no match for these powerful beings who were far beyond your current level.
Furthermore, you were facing not one but a group of them.
At this moment, the Shadowy Demon Child spoke again, demanding that you step aside. He threatened that if you wished to continue monopolizing Zhù Huǒwàng, they would kill you as well.
You glared at the Shadowy Demon Child and remarked, "A lackey dares to be arrogant. If we were to fight again, I could take you down with one hand."
His arrogant words left the Shadowy Demon Child infuriated, his face red with anger, but he couldn't come up with a retort. In the end, he could only angrily instruct his protector to attack you and Zhù Huǒwàng.
Seeing this, your own protector intervened, blocking the attack from the Shadowy Demon Child's protector.
"This naive disciple of mine, why is he so carefree? Doesn't he realize the significance of such a grand opportunity right before him?" Wang Ping muttered as he read the simulated content, shaking his head. He began to doubt whether Zhù Huǒwàng was indeed the Auspicious Son of Fate.
If he truly was, why would he find himself in such a dire situation? Without you, Zhù Huǒwàng would likely have met a grim fate.
Well, it wasn't the first time that Ye Chen had died in the mortal realm.
Oh well, that's not a concern now.
Wang Ping sighed and continued to stare at the screen, feeling that Zhù Huǒwàng's prospects were bleak. In the presence of so many powerful beings, even the Golden Talent, which allowed for instant teleportation, seemed useless. Not even the Taiyi Emperor could protect him.
At the same time, you took direct action, grabbing Zhù Huǒwàng's arm and using space-time manipulation to escape to a distant location.
As Zhù Huǒwàng found himself in a perilous situation, seemingly caused by your presence, he wore a bitter smile of regret and gratitude. He felt both unwilling and guilty as he apologized and thanked you.
Chapter 219: Escape to an Ominous Place
You chose not to say much and embarked on a desperate escape. After all, the beings on the Great Saints' List were not opponents you could contend with, especially the semi-supreme existences who could easily end your life with a casual strike.
However, you did possess an advantage. Your mastery of spatial-temporal manipulation was unparalleled when it came to fleeing. Even the semi-supreme beings might struggle to catch you in a short time.
Your plan was clear: run as fast as you could, escape this region, and increase the distance between you and the pursuing forces. The longer it took for the quasi-emperors to react, the better your chances of using the Golden Talent - Teleportation to turn the tables with Zhù Huǒwàng.
Although you could have easily abandoned Zhù Huǒwàng and ensured your own safety, you couldn't bring yourself to do it. Given the opportunity to save a disciple you recognized, you were unwilling to let him face danger alone.
Soon, numerous powerful beings began a frantic pursuit, unwilling to miss out on this tremendous opportunity. The Devouring Essence Pearl was such a valuable treasure that obtaining it practically guaranteed an increase in quasi-emperor-level power. For the vast majority of cultivators, it was an incredible stroke of luck and a significant boon.
Even though the emperors had established strict rules forbidding emperors from intervening, the quasi-emperors were not bound by such restrictions. If danger loomed, they would not hesitate to seize the treasure.
As you and Zhù Huǒwàng fled, you were subjected to relentless attacks from the pursuing cultivators. You did your best to evade their assaults, but the vast difference in cultivation and their overwhelming numbers made it impossible to completely avoid the attacks and escape the pursuit.
In this dire situation, Zhù Huǒwàng made a difficult decision. He activated the Devouring Essence Pearl's power. With his current physical strength, he couldn't fully unleash the pearl's might, but he could utilize a portion of its power.
However, using the power of the Devouring Essence Pearl came at a great cost. At that moment, you were astonished as the forces of the pursuing cultivators were halted, and some of their strength was transformed into spiritual energy stored within the pearl.
This display of power left you in awe. The Devouring Essence Pearl was truly a natural emperor-level treasure, possessing incredible abilities. Your surprise was shared by the emperors, who were deeply moved. Other cultivators became even more fervent in their pursuit, recognizing the tremendous benefits it could bring.
It became clear to you that you couldn't afford to delay any longer. Zhù Huǒwàng couldn't sustain this for much longer, especially after using the power of the Devouring Essence Pearl. Furthermore, by doing so, he had already violated some unspoken rules.
Despite his lower cultivation, Zhù Huǒwàng's use of the Devouring Essence Pearl's power disrupted the balance. Other cultivators might now resort to using supreme-level and quasi-emperor-level treasures to deal with him.
With a heavy heart, you activated the Golden Talent - Teleportation and transported yourself and Zhù Huǒwàng away from the pursuing cultivators. Your abilities surprised many of the ancient beings, and some were tempted to intervene, but a cold snort from the Taiyi Emperor halted their actions. They didn't want to violate the rules.
However, they were not worried. As long as you didn't return to the Taiyi Emperor's Palace, they believed they could eventually locate you. In that case, you would still be unable to monopolize the Devouring Essence Pearl.
"Did they manage to escape? Looks like my master is reliable after all," Wang Ping mused as he read the simulated content, a smile on his face.
Having a powerful emperor as a master did provide a sense of security. Even in such circumstances, he could still hold his ground.
Although not everything could be protected, he aimed to safeguard Zhù Huǒwàng. In the end, it would depend on his own abilities, but as long as the ancient beings refrained from intervening, he could escape with Zhù Huǒwàng using the Golden Talent - Teleportation.
It seemed he had found a loophole in the rules.
As Wang Ping contemplated these thoughts, the simulation continued.
After the teleportation, you found yourselves in a familiar yet ominous place. The surroundings filled you with a sense of unease and frustration because you recognized this place as the location of the eerie Yellow River. Although you couldn't see the blood-yellow river itself, the eerie atmosphere was unmistakable.
You felt a sense of dilemma, unsure of how to proceed. Randomly wandering could lead you straight into the clutches of the sinister blood-yellow river, a situation that would undoubtedly result in certain death.
However, staying in this place was also unsafe. Without access to the Golden Talent - Teleportation, you had no means to escape, and you couldn't stay here indefinitely.
As you grappled with your frustration, Zhù Huǒwàng wore an expression of astonishment. He had no idea how you had managed to escape the pursuit with him. With a pale face, he retracted the Devouring Essence Pearl, expressing gratitude towards you and acknowledging the life debt he owed.