I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 554: Wang Baole: How Can You Be So Unreasonably Arrogant

Under the collective gaze of the crowd, the Forgetful Affection Palace disciples filed into North Jade Mountain with disciplined precision.

No figures emerged from the mountain, no sounds echoed from its depths, and no mishaps occurred during their entry.

They had made it inside safely.

This realization rippled through the minds of everyone gathered at the perimeter.

Exchanging a quick look, the Jinchan Buddhist Son and the Crown Prince of North Abyss spoke simultaneously: "Fellow Daoist, after you."

The Crown Prince of North Abyss offered a thin smile. "Since Fellow Daoist Jinchan has made the offer, this Crown Prince shall not refuse. Black Dragon Army, receive my orders! The entire host shall advance!"

"Understood!"

With a thunderous roar, the Black Dragon Army marched with grand momentum into North Jade Mountain, with the disciples of the Great Thunder Sound Temple following closely behind them.

Observing the movement, Nie Xiuyuan turned to Elder Huang. "Inform the disciples; it is time for our departure as well."

"As you command."

Elder Huang nodded and immediately began relaying the instructions.

Moments later, the cultivators representing the Inquiry Path Academy also made their way into the mountain pass.

Other cultivators from various sacred grounds had hoped to be among the first to enter, but they halted their progress out of respect when they saw Nie Xiuyuan leading his group forward.

Upon crossing into North Jade Mountain, a brilliant radiance flared, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.

Once the blinding glare faded, Wang Baole realized he was standing alone. He muttered to himself, "I didn't expect North Jade Mountain to function like the ruins Senior Brother Ye once brought us to, where people are automatically separated."

Still, this was not a major concern for those from the sacred grounds. Each disciple possessed communication talismans, which usually made reuniting with their Sect brothers a simple task.

Wang Baole pulled a communication talisman from his storage ring, only to quickly realize the device was non-functional.

Closing his eyes, he reached out with his senses. Aside from the incredibly dense spiritual energy permeating the mountain, the environment felt no different from the outside world.

He opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. Taking in the sight of the thick, vibrant forest, he wasted no time and began trekking into the greenery.

The spiritual energy within North Jade Mountain was immense, and since it only opened once every millennium, the woods likely hid many treasures.

After a short walk, the sound of rustling leaves reached Wang Baole’s ears.

The noise came from several directions, suggesting that many cultivators had been dropped into this specific sector.

He stopped in his tracks immediately, his hand tightening around his firewood knife as he fixed a sharp gaze on the closest source of the noise.

Two men stepped out from the deep shadows of the forest. Both were cultivators from the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty, and one wore the uniform of the Black Dragon Army. Based on his gear, he was clearly more than a common soldier; he was a powerful cultivator.

The duo also spotted Wang Baole. Given the existing friction between their factions, their eyes flared with instant animosity upon recognizing their foe.

The man sneered, "Kid, it’s your misfortune to run into this General here!"

The surrounding rustle of the woods died down instantly at his shout, as numerous hidden eyes shifted their focus toward the confrontation.

When the onlookers realized the standoff was between the Inquiry Path Academy and the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty, expressions of excitement broke out on their faces.

"General?"

Wang Baole replied with a calm tone, "So, you are one of the experts from the Black Dragon Army."

"Indeed."

The man puffed out his chest with pride. "The Crown Prince’s Black Dragon Army is comprised of seven divisions, each commanded by a king or a marquis. This General serves as the Vice General of the Seventh Army. Dying by my blade is an honor you can take to your grave."

Hearing this, Wang Baole gave a slight nod and whispered, "A Vice General of the Black Dragon Army... you are actually qualified to be my opponent."

???

The hidden observers in the woods were baffled, their minds racing as they tried to identify this plump youth.

However, no matter how they searched their memories, they couldn't place which genius from the Inquiry Path Academy this little fatty was supposed to be.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Vice General’s expression turned dark. He hadn't expected that this boy clutching a firewood knife would not only remain unfazed by his title but would actually treat him with such casual indifference.

He snarled, "What a boastful brat. Do you have the guts to name yourself?"

Wang Baole smiled. "Listen well. My name is Wang Baole, the fourth true disciple of the Great Sage Qiankun."

"The Demon-Slaying Heavenly Saber!"

"That little fatty is actually the Demon-Slaying Heavenly Saber?"

"..."

Audible gasps erupted from the thicket.

Upon hearing the title "Demon-Slaying Heavenly Saber," the mockery in the Seventh Vice General's eyes vanished. It was replaced by a look of intense fervor as he shouted:

"I have heard that the disciples of the Great Sage Qiankun are all peerless geniuses, dominating their own generation and even slaying those in higher realms. Today, I shall see if you—a boy who relied on his master’s Sword Jade to hold back extraterritorial celestial demons—actually dare to face me in a real fight!"

"Hehe."

Wang Baole let out a soft chuckle. "How can you say something like that to me with such an incredibly straight face?"

"Just answer me! Do you have the courage or not?"

While hurling provocations, the Seventh Vice General was secretly circulating his Qi, preparing a path for a swift retreat if necessary.

"I will give you what you want," Wang Baole agreed without hesitation.

Hiss...

The spectators in the forest drew in sharp breaths at his response.

Quiet whispers could be heard among the trees.

"The Demon-Slaying Heavenly Saber is being reckless. Every vice general in the Black Dragon Army has the blood of Nirvana Realm cultivators on their hands. He's in serious trouble."

"Sigh... the Demon-Slaying Heavenly Saber is still too green."

"..."

Listening to the chatter, the Seventh Vice General cursed them internally.

These damn fools, revealing my combat history like that. Once I've dealt with Wang Baole, I'll hunt them down first.

He narrowed his eyes and challenged, "Surely you aren't getting cold feet now?"

Wang Baole laughed at the remark. "What is going through your head? Taking on a Nirvana Realm cultivator is just the bare minimum. If you weren't even at that level, I wouldn't bother drawing my blade. Stop stalling; I'll let you take the first strike."

How arrogant!

The onlookers couldn't help but mentally give Wang Baole a thumbs-up.

They truly wanted to know how he could deliver such a conceited line with such a tranquil expression.

The Seventh Vice General was pushed to the brink of rage. However, his experience as a commander kept him grounded. He slowly unsheathed his prized blade and growled, "You asked for this!"

As the final word left his lips, he swung his blade down with violent force!

"Sweeping Through a Thousand Armies!"

It was a fundamental technique, yet one refined through countless battles for maximum lethality.

It was a strike meant to kill, saturated with an intense fighting spirit.

A terrifying blade intent erupted, sweeping across the clearing.

"A perfected blade intent? It's nothing special," Wang Baole remarked, casually bringing his firewood knife down in a simple chop.

It was swift, pinpoint accurate, and devastating!

There wasn't a single wasted movement!

Clang!

A flash of light streaked through the air, and the forest fell into a sudden, heavy silence.

The clashing energies vanished. Before the crowd could process what had happened, the Seventh Vice General spoke in a weak, trembling voice.

"What... what kind of blade technique is that?"

"A firewood-chopping technique."

As Wang Baole spoke, a look of pure shock washed over the Seventh Vice General's face, and his body slowly slumped to the ground...