Chapter 107: Six Emperors
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Cui Chong Xuan’s face remained calm, but within, his emotions churned violently. Who was this person before him, reciting passages from the Six Imperial Heart Sutra? That scripture was no ordinary text—only the most extraordinary could access it.
Back then, even with the Cui family’s vast resources and countless rare treasures, his father had barely managed to obtain the first volume. The terms were clear: if Cui Chong Xuan proved himself worthy, only then would he be allowed access to the later volumes.
“What’s wrong with it?” Cui Chong Xuan asked evenly. Despite his youth, he had no lack of composure and displayed no visible signs of unease.
Qin Ming’s expression was tranquil. “Your Six Imperial Force can only be considered the ‘Lesser Six Imperials.’ It lacks the grandeur of true mastery.”
Though his words were confident, Qin Ming only knew a fragment of the sutra, making it of little direct use to him. Long ago, Cui Chong Xuan had inadvertently recited the passage while deep in study, sparking Qin Ming’s interest.
At that time, Qin Ming had hoped to borrow the text to cross-reference it with his own Awakening Method. Cui Chong Xuan’s father had stared at him with quiet intensity, then asked whether Qin Ming lacked the confidence to master the techniques in the Silk Script Method. The matter of borrowing the text was left unresolved.
“Lesser and Greater Six Imperials?” Cui Chong Xuan maintained his composure, though curiosity flickered in his eyes.
“The heavens are governed by six forces: yin, yang, wind, rain, darkness, and light,” Qin Ming began. “By harnessing these six forces, one can manifest all phenomena. Your Six Imperial Force is rooted in this principle.”
Qin Ming wasn’t bluffing; these concepts were mentioned in other texts he had read. His combat with Cui Chong Xuan only confirmed that the young man’s technique was based on this foundation.
“And what’s the problem?” Cui Chong Xuan pressed.
“Your foundation is shallow. It doesn’t live up to the true essence of the Six Imperials,” Qin Ming said bluntly.
This time, a faint glimmer of light flashed across Cui Chong Xuan’s eyes. His years of arduous training, his relentless pursuit of perfection—all dismissed with a few cutting words.
“What constitutes a technique with grandeur? Do enlighten me,” Cui Chong Xuan challenged, his voice steady but his interest clearly piqued.
Qin Ming replied without hesitation. “Yin and yang may remain, but wind and rain are insufficient to command the world. Darkness and light are encompassed within yin and yang. You must seek four additional forces that embody the essence of all things. That would be the ‘Greater Six Imperials.’”
For a moment, Cui Chong Xuan’s composure cracked. The words struck a chord, stirring an unshakable wave of doubt within him.
This was precisely what Qin Ming had been waiting for. He wanted to test something: could he resonate with the emotions of those around him and extract fragments of knowledge from their mental turbulence?
Focusing intently on Cui Chong Xuan, Qin Ming succeeded. He glimpsed fragmented pieces of the Six Imperial Heart Sutra, confirming a connection between the concepts of the ‘Lesser’ and ‘Greater’ Six Imperials. Unfortunately, the resonance was fleeting, and the connection was lost almost immediately.
Qin Ming maintained a calm facade. “I’ve only read one volume of the Six Imperial Heart Sutra. These are merely my observations. You’re free to disregard them.”
“Perhaps you’re a senior disciple of my sect?” Cui Chong Xuan asked, his suspicion growing.
How else could this person have come into contact with such a legendary text? The Cui family had paid an enormous price just to grant Cui Chong Xuan an entry point into this profound technique.
Qin Ming smirked. “The sutra’s title—‘Heart Sutra’—suggests infinite possibilities for the Six Imperials. Don’t confine yourself to rigid forms.”
He wasn’t misleading Cui Chong Xuan. His understanding of the fragmented sutra informed his interpretation.
Long ago, Qin Ming and Cui Chong Xuan had shared a bond, like brothers. But on the night of their parting, when Qin Ming chose a perilous path, he had turned to see Cui Chong Xuan and his parents walking away without a glance back. The memory left his heart cold.
In their childhood, Cui Chong Xuan had viewed Qin Ming as an older brother. But as their separation neared, it became clear that he had begun to understand the truth.
Now, Qin Ming had moved beyond the past. Yet he couldn’t help but recall how the Cui family had once studied his Silk Script Method—unsuccessfully. Today, he saw no harm in scrutinizing their Six Imperial Heart Sutra in return.
He continued, “If we set aside the sutra itself and consider only the Six Imperial Force, there’s a simpler, truer meaning to it.”
“Oh?” Cui Chong Xuan’s emotions rippled again.
Qin Ming’s gaze grew sharp. “In ancient texts from the Path of the Beyond and the scriptures of the Secret Sect, there are mentions of six legendary near-immortal beings, quasi-divine creatures collectively called the Six Imperials.”
Cui Chong Xuan’s breath caught. He was familiar with the legends. To align the Six Imperial Force with such a concept was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Sensing Cui Chong Xuan’s reaction, Qin Ming honed his focus, his mental acuity sharpening. This was his chance to extract more knowledge. Yet the chaotic emotions of a living person proved far more complex than the distilled clarity of a written text. The fragments he gleaned remained incomplete.
“‘Imperial’ means dominion,” Qin Ming said. “A true Six Imperial Force requires unmatched ambition.”
Cui Chong Xuan muttered to himself, “Six near-immortal beings… quasi-divine entities, said to have perished in the depths of the Night Fog World. Could this be the true direction of the Six Imperials?”
“Indeed,” Qin Ming affirmed. “With such a foundation, the Six Imperial Force could evolve into the Six Emperor Force.”
Cui Chong Xuan’s thoughts churned. For two years, he had been consumed by the study of the Six Imperial Heart Sutra. Now, with a new perspective, his mind raced with possibilities. Qin Ming seized the moment to absorb as much as he could from Cui Chong Xuan’s thoughts.
Suddenly, a voice echoed within Cui Chong Xuan’s mind: “Chong Xuan, wake up! He’s leading you astray!”
“What’s happening?” Qin Ming froze. His connection to Cui Chong Xuan’s emotional resonance had intercepted this foreign voice.
“Brother, why are you awake so soon?” Cui Chong Xuan asked inwardly.
“Your turbulent emotions disturbed me,” the voice replied.
Qin Ming’s expression darkened. His ability to resonate with strong emotions had revealed something unexpected. An outsider’s consciousness—an immensely dangerous figure—had intruded. Despite the restrictions on veteran disciples entering the ruins, Cui Chong He had managed to infiltrate through a fragment of his consciousness bound to his brother.
Cui Chong Xuan’s eyes regained clarity, his brother’s reminder anchoring his focus. Whether or not he accepted the ideas about the Six Imperial Heart Sutra, now was not the time for contemplation.
He blinked, realizing the battle among the core disciples had ended. Had he made a critical mistake?
“You wouldn’t have made a difference,” Cui Chong He’s voice assured him. “She’s far beyond your level.”
From across the fiery lake, Li Qing Yue approached, her silver armor faintly glowing. Her flowing hair and flawless face were tinged with uncharacteristic seriousness.
Her mystical Spiritual Eyes detected the presence of a powerful consciousness within Cui Chong Xuan, radiating danger. Nearby, Zhou Cheng Ru knelt on one knee, coughing blood. Despite his protective golden robe, he had suffered severe injuries.
With great effort, Zhou Cheng Ru lifted his head, his gaze falling on the armored woman before him. A faint sigh escaped his lips. He had given everything, but the truth was undeniable—he wasn’t her match.
He now understood why Li Qing Yue hadn’t brought any young elites skilled in unique celestial light techniques to serve as her Golden Armor Protectors. She simply didn’t need them.
Zhou Cheng Ru realized that even if he and Cui Chong Xuan’s group joined forces to encircle Li Qing Yue, they wouldn’t be able to defeat her.
“Cui Chong He, you’ve violated the rules!” Li Qing Yue called out, signaling Qin Ming to step back.
In truth, Qin Ming had already noticed Cui Chong He’s presence within Cui Chong Xuan’s body. He had been about to warn her, but her Spiritual Eyes had detected the anomaly on their own.
“What?” Zhou Cheng Ru’s head snapped up. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shakily pushed himself to his feet. Cui Chong Xuan stood completely still, unmoving.
After a moment of silence, Cui Chong He’s voice finally emerged, calm yet resigned. “Li Qing Yue, your perception is truly extraordinary to have uncovered my presence.”
He sighed. If his consciousness hadn’t stirred prematurely, Li Qing Yue wouldn’t have noticed him. The unexpected turn of events left him in an awkward position.
“Brother, this is my mistake,” Cui Chong Xuan apologized inwardly, filled with guilt.
Nearby, Zhou Cheng Ru’s expression flickered between anger and wariness. He now realized they were in an extremely dangerous situation. Even though Cui Chong He was his senior uncle’s favorite disciple, there was a real possibility that he might be silenced as well. Zhou Cheng Ru was prepared to join forces with Li Qing Yue if it meant protecting himself.
At that moment, Cui Chong Xuan’s body began to glow blindingly, as if a terrifying entity within him were awakening. The light of his consciousness radiated outward, tearing through boulders and trees alike, reducing the ancient medicinal fields around them to scorched earth. The sheer power was horrifying.
Zhou Cheng Ru’s face paled. He braced himself for a life-or-death battle.
“Cui Chong He, I’ve heard your master—the venerable elder who commands such renown in the Night Fog World—recently completed refining a batch of Dragon-Tiger Great Medicine,” Li Qing Yue said, her expression calm, showing no signs of preparing for battle.
“And what if he has?” Cui Chong He’s voice responded, steady and cold.
Standing by the fiery spring, Li Qing Yue’s silver armor shimmered in the light. Her flowing hair danced in the breeze as she replied evenly, “I’m not unreasonable. If you leave now and hand over three Dragon-Tiger Pills, I’ll act as though none of this ever happened.”
Zhou Cheng Ru froze, dumbfounded. Was Li Qing Yue truly threatening Cui Chong He? How could she risk provoking such an explosive response?
“You’re very confident,” Cui Chong He remarked, his tone icy.
“You’re in no condition to kill me,” Li Qing Yue said with certainty. “And since you’ve taken over Cui Chong Xuan’s body, you can’t erase your presence entirely. If the elders investigate, they’ll uncover everything.”
Cui Chong He was silent for a moment before conceding. “You can have the item I was after. I’ll withdraw.”
Li Qing Yue’s voice was resolute. “It’s not a matter of you conceding. If I claim it, it’ll be because I earned it through my own efforts.”
“One pill,” Cui Chong He offered curtly.
“Three.”
They began to negotiate through secret transmissions.
“Junior Brother,” Cui Chong He said to Zhou Cheng Ru, “I’ll make it up to you later.” With that, the radiant light of his consciousness receded into the depths of Cui Chong Xuan’s body.
Qin Ming felt a strong urge to ask, “What about me? Where’s my compensation?” But he thought better of it, choosing to avoid any unnecessary risks.
When Cui Chong Xuan regained full control of his body, his gaze shimmered with the light of the Six Imperial Force. Looking at Li Qing Yue, he said, “Sister Qing Yue, we must admit our defeat. Even if Zhou Cheng Ru and I teamed up, we wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”
Zhou Cheng Ru’s handsome face reflected his frustration. He wanted nothing more than to leave this place immediately.
Turning to Qin Ming, Cui Chong Xuan asked, “Who are you, really?”
Qin Ming replied, “You don’t believe I’m Tathagata’s Abandoned Disciple. You doubt I’m a disciple of the Jade Purity Sect. Fine. Just think of me as a successor to the Six Imperial Force.”
“Before we leave, I’d like to challenge you,” Cui Chong Xuan said, his eyes burning with determination. He wanted to measure himself against this enigmatic opponent.
Truthfully, Qin Ming’s mention of the Greater Six Imperials and the Six Emperors had stirred something deep within him. The ideas echoed in his mind, leaving him restless.
Qin Ming responded, “Forget about the Greater Six Imperial Force for now. Even your Lesser Six Imperial Force isn’t solid. You’ve awakened more times than I have, yet you still can’t suppress me.”
“I’ve only mastered the Bright Imperial Force so far,” Cui Chong Xuan admitted. “I’m building my foundation carefully.”
He was using the Six Imperial Heart Sutra to temper his body, accumulating potential rather than rushing through his nine awakenings. According to the sutra, mastering two Imperial Forces in the Awakening Stage was the hallmark of success.
Each Imperial Force came from a single page, densely inscribed with intricate celestial light techniques. Each was notoriously difficult to master, requiring personal insight and the discovery of a domain that resonated with the practitioner’s essence.
Cui Chong Xuan activated his Bright Imperial Force, bathing himself in dazzling light as if wrapped in divine radiance. His technique was a fusion of light, fire, and sun-based forces.
When he struck, his fist resembled a blazing sun, illuminating the battlefield and engulfing it in scorching heat.
Qin Ming met the attack head-on, using his Yellow Mud Palm. The two forces collided with a deafening crash, dimming Cui Chong Xuan’s radiant fist.
Armor clanging like dragon scales, Cui Chong Xuan launched a flurry of punches and palm strikes, his speed leaving brilliant afterimages in his wake.
The two figures moved like lightning across the fiery lake’s edge. Their celestial light techniques clashed with explosive force.
Qin Ming’s Golden Silkworm Force extended slightly beyond his body, piercing Cui Chong Xuan’s hands and drawing blood.
With a loud crack, Qin Ming unleashed his Separation Flame Force, colliding with Cui Chong Xuan’s fiery strikes. The impact sent sparks flying in all directions.
Using a sticky internal force, Qin Ming latched onto Cui Chong Xuan’s arm, causing him to stumble. Their elbows collided with a thunderous boom.
In that brief exchange, Qin Ming unleashed his unified celestial light techniques, leveraging his mastery of various unique forces. The impact left Cui Chong Xuan’s blood and qi surging uncontrollably.
Cui Chong Xuan staggered backward, coughing up blood. His radiant fist was bloodied and battered, with four fractured finger bones.
His defeat was undeniable. Alongside Zhou Cheng Ru, he departed in silence.
Outside the ruins of Luo Fu Immortal Mountain, onlookers eagerly awaited updates on the battle.
They speculated about how long Zhou Cheng Ru could hold out against Li Qing Yue and whether Cui Chong Xuan’s Six Imperial Force could overcome the mysterious youth.
Tension rippled across various factions. Not only the Path of the Beyond and the thousand-year aristocratic families were on edge, but even outsiders felt the weight of the stakes. Betting markets across the region were in chaos as the shocking results spread like wildfire.