In that critical moment, boom!
A wave of dark, swirling energy erupted from the void, forming a colossal demonic hand that intercepted Cao Chun's blade mid-strike.
"What?" Cao Chun's eyes flashed like lightning as he scanned the void. Someone had intervened, and not just anyone—this was a powerful being.
He glanced toward the origin of the attack. It was the very place where the strange black energy had floated earlier.
Emerging from the shadows of that malevolent aura was a grotesque figure, twisted and unrecognizable, accompanied by the eerie wails of tormented souls. This was no ordinary opponent. It was none other than the demonized Third Prince.
"Wait... there's something familiar about this demon," Zhou Linglong muttered beside her, feeling an unsettling déjà vu. But the figure before her had been so corrupted by dark energy that even she, with all her insights, couldn't recognize him anymore.
"A demon cultivator..." Zhou Linglong's expression hardened.
Demon cultivators, notorious for their brutal methods of gaining power, were the bane of the entire continent. Whenever one appeared, the greatest powers would unite to obliterate it—a tacit, unwritten rule.
But now? Zhou Linglong's face softened, a twisted smile forming. "A demon cultivator or not, it doesn't matter anymore. Right now, he's Orion's enemy—and that makes him our ally."
She chuckled darkly, reveling in the irony. Even the Emperor of Da Zhou had once allied with a demon to serve his interests. There was no moral high ground left. Only power mattered.
"Orion, Orion... you've made enemies at every turn, and now, two Half-Emperors stand against you."
Her gloating was palpable. The situation, which had seemed dire for her side, now seemed like a gift from the heavens. Two Half-Emperors, united against a single foe. The tide had turned, and she was ready to watch the chaos unfold.
Meanwhile, the Third Prince had fixed his gaze on Orion, his twisted features contorting with an unnatural excitement. At last, he had his chance for revenge.
In truth, he had followed Orion's trail all the way to Chang'an, biding his time in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. But when he saw two Martial Emperors emerge at Orion's side, it had nearly shattered his confidence.
He had been moments away from making a fatal error, but his caution paid off. Now, watching from the shadows had revealed an even greater threat—a third powerful figure at Orion's command.
Still, the Third Prince couldn't wait any longer. As Chaoyang Ancestor faltered in his fight against Cao Chun, the demonized prince had seen his opening. He struck, knowing that if the Chaoyang Ancestor fell, he would be next. Alone, he'd stand no chance.
Orion, watching the Third Prince materialize from the dark mist, cursed under his breath. "Seriously? Another Half-Emperor demon cultivator? What is this, some twisted joke?"
First came the Half-Emperor from the Hundred Dynasties Chamber of Commerce, and now this—dark forces were converging on him one after another. What next? Was someone else about to leap out from the shadows?
He stole a glance at Cao Chun, who was in mid-air, assessing the situation. Worry crept into his heart. Could Cao Chun handle this?
Sensing Orion's concern, Cao Chun met his gaze with a confident smirk. "Don't worry, Lord," he said, his voice calm but brimming with arrogance. "I am invincible under the Emperor."
Orion blinked. "Huh?"
The sheer confidence radiating from Cao Chun was both reassuring and unnerving. It reminded Orion of something familiar, something ingrained in the very essence of his elite soldiers. It was like they were built from the same mold: always bold, always unshakable.
Just like that—Cao Chun wasn't even fazed by the appearance of two Half-Emperors.
Far above, Chaoyang Ancestor, who had narrowly escaped death, bowed deeply to the Third Prince. "Thank you... thank you for saving my life, fellow Daoist. I owe you everything."
It was clear that Chaoyang, a seasoned warrior who understood the grim realities of battle, was conflicted. The man who had saved him was a demon cultivator—an enemy of everything he once stood for. But there was no room for honor or grudges now. A debt was a debt.
"Humph," the Third Prince scoffed, not bothering to hide his disdain. If it weren't for Chaoyang's usefulness, he would have devoured the old man's soul by now.
"That man is powerful," Chaoyang said, his tone grave. "Our only chance is to join forces, and even then it may not be enough."
Though it pained him to suggest such an alliance, survival took precedence. There was no time to be picky about one's allies.
The Third Prince grinned wickedly. "Jie Jie, exactly what I had in mind."
At this moment, facing two Half-Emperors, Cao Chun was as fearless as ever, a wry smile playing across his lips. "Have you two figured it out yet? You want to team up?"
He twirled his golden-backed saber effortlessly in his hand. "Fine. Just don't take too long—I've got things to do."
He didn't even bother calling upon the three thousand Tiger and Leopard Cavalry stationed nearby. Why? Because he didn't need to.
If you wondered why Cao Chun was so calm in the face of two formidable enemies, well, it's simple. He wasn't afraid.
Much like a seasoned martial artist with three decades of training wouldn't fear two brawlers from the street.
Fear? No. Only resolve burned in his eyes.