"Boom——
As the Heavenly Thunder Emperor wielded the imperial weapon, a strike shattered Lu Qingyang's form once more, as if starlight vanished into the void.
Just when everyone thought Lu Qingyang had finally fallen, he reappeared in mid-air, the previously dissipated emperor's mark reactivated.
Once!
Twice!
...
Each time his dharma body was annihilated, Lu Qingyang could reform it, though each reformation greatly consumed his cultivation.
The power of the incense offerings from the Heavenly Court's followers flowed in torrents, rapidly depleting.
However, the surge in followers meant Lu Qingyang's incense power was abundant, giving him enough resources to contend with the Heavenly Thunder Emperor.
After all, what he faced was not the true Heavenly Thunder Emperor, but a residual mark of his power.
Though the emperor's power was profound, it would eventually run out.
Once the power of the emperor's mark was exhausted, no matter how strong the imperial weapon, it would be insignificant to Lu Qingyang.
He didn't believe that a few peak True Lords from Heavenly Thunder Cave Heaven could wield the imperial weapon multiple times.
After all, the rank of the imperial weapon was extraordinary. Each activation was a huge drain on the peak True Lords. If he could hold on, he would surely be able to take control of the Thunder Halberd.
As for the supreme treasure of a ninth-stage emperor, Lu Qingyang was equally covetous.
If he could seize it and forcibly refine it, then below the ninth stage, he would fear nothing.
Therefore,
he was determined to obtain this Thunder Halberd.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Thunder Cave Heaven seemed to realize Lu Qingyang's intent, their expressions suddenly growing grim.
"He intends to exhaust the power of the emperor's mark. What kind of divine ability does this person have to die multiple times under the imperial weapon and yet remain unscathed?"
An elder's face showed horror, as if seeing an unimaginable beast.
Dongfang Qi's expression was dark: "I suspect that this person is not here in his true form, but merely as a divine consciousness avatar..."
"A divine consciousness avatar?"
"Impossible, no one's divine consciousness avatar could contend with an emperor's mark wielding an imperial weapon, unless they are an emperor themselves!"
The other elders were shocked, finding it hard to believe that Lu Qingyang was merely a divine consciousness avatar.
It was well known,
that a divine consciousness avatar was much weaker than the main body, just like the Heavenly Thunder Emperor's mark was only at the quasi-emperor level.
Lu Qingyang being able to battle the emperor's mark to such an extent proved his strength had reached the quasi-emperor level.
If his divine consciousness avatar could rival a quasi-emperor, his true strength was unimaginable.
An emperor!
Only an emperor could achieve such a feat.
But this was impossible.
If the Qingyang Immortal Nation had a living emperor, he would have come in person, not as a divine consciousness avatar.
However,
if he wasn't a divine consciousness avatar, how could he repeatedly resurrect after being slain by the Heavenly Thunder Emperor?
"Could it be... the Qingyang Immortal Nation really has a living emperor?!"
An elder's voice trembled.
A living emperor!
Such an existence could dominate an era, invincible in the world.
Every emperor was the overlord of their time, unmatched across the seas.
In fact,
throughout history, few emperors had fallen unexpectedly. Even in ancient, terrifying places like the Forbidden Zone of Life, an emperor who wished to leave would not be detained. Emperors either entered nirvana or embarked on the path to immortality, disappearing into the Dao.
However,
the path to immortality was a legendary concept, beyond the reach of the mundane.
If in the Wuxian Realm, any emperor of any era would be invincible, unchallenged except by ancient forbidden zones or the mysterious path to immortality.
At this moment,
the possibility that the Qingyang Immortal Nation had an emperor was a devastating blow to Heavenly Thunder Cave Heaven.
If an emperor arrived in person, even with an imperial weapon, they would not be able to contend.
An imperial weapon,
was ultimately just the weapon of an emperor.
No matter how strong an emperor's weapon, it could not surpass a true emperor.
In an instant,
the people of Heavenly Thunder Cave Heaven all felt the urge to retreat.
This news was too shocking, fear arose spontaneously.
They had thought the Qingyang Immortal Nation was an easy target, gathering forces to destroy it and divide its resources.
But upon realizing an emperor's involvement, they felt immense pressure.
Just then,
an astonishing sword beam tore through the void, the sword intent soaring to the sky. Qing Ye stepped into the void, his terrifying power enveloping the entire Heavenly Thunder Cave Heaven.
"How dare you!"
Seeing Qing Ye attack, Dongfang Qi didn't hesitate, bursting forth with full power to block the destructive strike.
However—
The power of the Reincarnation Sword Dao was unparalleled. Even though Dongfang Qi was a peak True Lord, he struggled to withstand it.
"Boom!"
Dongfang Qi's qi and blood surged, a mouthful of hot blood nearly spurted out, but he forcibly swallowed it back.
With Qing Ye joining the battle, the battlefield was in turmoil again.
Heavenly Thunder Cave Heaven came with great momentum, followed by many holy lands and sects, with numerous peak True Lord powerhouses. However, the Qingyang Immortal Nation was not weak either.
After destroying the three cave heavens and unifying the ancient desolation, the Qingyang Immortal Nation's strength had greatly increased.
They had over two hundred sixth-stage powerhouses.
Over a thousand fifth-stage powerhouses, totaling more than 1,200.
The remaining fourth-stage powerhouses had mostly stepped into the fifth stage.
As for those below the fourth stage, their numbers had also greatly increased.
Thus, the Qingyang Immortal Nation now surpassed many emperor-level forces in the number of powerhouses below the sixth stage.
Although the Wuxian Realm came with great force, they did not mobilize their entire forces, forming a coalition of small groups of cultivators.
The real focus was on the imperial weapon.
"Boom!
Lu Qingyang condensed a shield from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to resist the Heavenly Thunder Emperor's attack. The power of the imperial weapon was destructive, and when it struck the shield, cracks appeared on its surface, then it shattered.
This scene,
instead of causing fear, brought joy to Lu Qingyang's face.
In previous clashes, the power of the imperial weapon was unstoppable, shattering the spiritual energy shield almost instantly.
Now, it could resist momentarily, revealing a crucial piece of information.
The power of the Heavenly Thunder Emperor's residual mark was nearing exhaustion, just as Lu Qingyang had calculated.
In an instant,
Lu Qingyang's dharma body was once again annihilated, and a new one was reformed.
4o