The Yan Family's Old Ancestor was, in the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain, something of a legendary figure. The three great sects of the domain had not even known that such an Old Ancestor was still alive.
However, the Yan Family Old Ancestor had ultimately been limited in the resources available to him within the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain. Though he had barely managed to break through to the Emperor realm, his overall cultivation level was middling at best. Let alone compare him to Mo Wushuang—even between the two brothers of the Huaishan pair, the Old Ancestor fell short by half a tier.
Now, surrounded by four Emperor-realm cultivators, the Yan Family Old Ancestor was in utter panic. He pushed his speed to the limit, attempting to break through at full velocity and flee the area.
In this moment, how could he not realize his life was hanging by a thread? Forget killing Jiang Chen—whether he could even escape with his life was entirely uncertain!
The Old Ancestor was, after all, a man of decisive temperament. Once he resolved to flee, he considered nothing else. With a swipe of his hand through the void, he produced a powerful talisman that blazed like a golden sun, illuminating the emptiness of space. The Old Ancestor's figure flickered as he was drawn into the golden radiance, transforming into a streak of golden light that shot toward the void, seeking to escape.
"Hmph!"
Emperor Wushuang appeared to have anticipated the Old Ancestor's moves all along. He rubbed his palms together, and two colossal hands materialized, crashing inward from either side like a pair of ice mountains squeezing shut.
Emperor Canghai also let out a savage laugh: "Trying to leave? Stay right there!"
Emperor Canghai raised both arms, and dazzling ripples of power unfurled—curtains of water that wove together through the void like crashing waves.
In an instant, the surrounding dozens of zhang of empty space seemed to gain an additional watery barrier, imprisoning the heavens and earth within its grasp.
Even Jiang Chen, upon witnessing Emperor Canghai's grand display, was thoroughly surprised. Emperor Canghai had always been the type to flatter and ingratiate himself, appearing something of a spineless yes-man. He had not expected such formidable power behind those attacks.
The Huaishan brothers exchanged glances, a flash of astonishment passing through their eyes. They had always held a certain disdain for Emperor Canghai. But seeing this, Emperor Canghai's individual strength was clearly above either of them!
With both Emperor Wushuang and Emperor Canghai striking simultaneously, the Old Ancestor's escape technique was instantly sealed. The streak of golden light dashed back and forth through the void, but could never break through a single opening.
The Old Ancestor's expression changed drastically, his heart gripped by desperation. Once the space was locked down, the Old Ancestor's combat strength was such that he might not even be able to defeat a single one of the Huaishan brothers—let alone withstand the combined assault of four Emperors.
Emperor Canghai, clearly eager to display his prowess before Jiang Chen, fought with everything he had. He unleashed Divine Ability after Divine Ability, his aura majestic and overwhelming, driving the Old Ancestor to a frantic scramble with nowhere to turn.
"Hmph! Heaven and earth alike—there is nowhere you can go!" Emperor Canghai sneered again and again, wave after crashing wave bearing down upon the fleeing Old Ancestor.
The Old Ancestor was already struggling to keep up. Faced with Emperor Canghai's overwhelmingly aggressive assault, he was forced to retreat again and again.
Emperor Wushuang, for his part, remained perfectly composed. He could see that Emperor Canghai was putting on a show for Young Lord Jiang Chen, and he had no intention of stealing anyone's thunder. For the moment, Emperor Wushuang was perfectly content to serve as Emperor Canghai's supporting act, playing backup.
The Huaishan brothers, meanwhile, watched like tigers eyeing their prey. The two of them wanted to act, but seeing Emperor Canghai's relentless onslaught, they seemed unwilling to earn the reputation of ganging up on a single opponent. So they simply kept their eyes locked on the Old Ancestor without directly joining the beatdown.
In a one-on-one fight, the Old Ancestor might have lost to Emperor Canghai, but he certainly would not have been reduced to such a wretched state. The problem was that he was desperately trying to flee—his will to fight was never firm to begin with—and the gap in strength made it all the more impossible for him to put up any real resistance.
Boom!
Two forces collided head-on, and the Old Ancestor's body was sent hurtling backward. Emperor Canghai pressed forward without retreat, delivering two consecutive punches.
The fist energy churned up wave-like ripples in the air, producing a terrifying twisting force. Twin pillars of energy spiraled outward like two azure dragons—waterspouts of pure destruction.
Every avenue of retreat was sealed. Caught in the twin columns, the Old Ancestor was helplessly dragged into the massive vortex. Once caught within it, he had entered Emperor Canghai's domain field. From that point on, he could only be molded and crushed at Emperor Canghai's will.
Boom, boom, boom!
Emperor Canghai's speed was like lightning. Lethal blows rained down upon the Old Ancestor in rapid succession. The old man had nowhere to dodge, his body bound tight by the twin forces of destruction.
"Pfft!" The Old Ancestor vomited torrents of blood. The golden radiance enveloping his body seemed to evaporate in an instant, and his entire form burst open like an overstuffed balloon finally popping.
In those few exchanges, Emperor Canghai had completely shattered the Old Ancestor's qi sea and crushed his meridians.
Boom!
The Old Ancestor's body crashed into the dust in utter despair. His limbs twitched ceaselessly, curled up like a dying stray dog, struggling to rise, blood pouring endlessly from his mouth.
The survival instinct drove him to crawl desperately across the ground.
But an Emperor-realm cultivator whose qi sea and vital gate had been destroyed was no different from a cripple. Added to the injuries he had sustained, even if he was not dead yet, he was barely clinging to his last breath.
"Haha, congratulations, friend Canghai," Emperor Wushuang said with a leisurely smile. "This man must be a figure of Old Ancestor status in the Scarlet Cauldron Central Domain. You've earned no small credit this time."
Emperor Canghai chuckled. In front of Emperor Wushuang, he did not dare put on airs. "I know—the three of you held the perimeter and let me take this one. I'm honored, truly honored. I, Canghai, will remember this favor."
Emperor Wushuang smiled. "Let's go down and take a look."