Under the command of Theia, everyone gathered back at the store. Although they were fighting their own battles, everyone was still able to see how unstoppable Theia was during the entire skirmish, so after hearing her command to retreat, they immediately obeyed her. Even Hu Xiandao who had a minor conflict with her yesterday didn’t dare voice out any form of protest. Heck! Even those experts who were on the same level as him died in merely one sword strike, so wouldn’t he be courting death if he opposed this paragon of destruction?
Throughout the entire fight, none of them received any fatal injuries. Can Ye, Hu Xiandao, and the two barbarians were only slightly injured, but with their cultivation level, it wouldn’t take long for them to recuperate.
Seeing their retreat, the remaining experts of the temporary alliance between Shao Fenhua and the others were perplexed. Their opponent will surely win in no time, so why the sudden retreat?
Shao Fenhua felt the burden in his chest lightening a bit after Theia left. He sighed in relief while also feeling suspicious at this abrupt reaction from them. He was sure that Theia was about to kill him just now, but something compelled her to stop. Whatever it was, he didn’t care anymore. His only thought left was to escape this forsaken land and never step foot in here again! He was even planning to no longer return to the Crimson Sun Sect. The mental and emotional trauma that this battle gave him was just too overwhelming that his body and soul almost collapsed.
Just as Shao Fenhua and the others were about to escape, a loud battle cry drifted on their ears. “His Majesty Emperor Elyk Silveria II has brought reinforcements to aid Wine Master Jiu in battle!”
After hearing the loud shout, realization dawned on Lu Sulan and the others.
So that’s why Sister Theia gathered all of us to retreat. They thought.
Jiu Shen remained seated even after hearing that the emperor has personally arrived. His actions were disrespectful to the emperor’s image and could be taken as a treasonous act, but would the emperor dare to punish him? Definitely not.
Shao Fenhua and the others felt their bodies grew cold. Emperor Elyk’s reputation was too resounding for them to disregard. He managed to prevent many neighboring empires and sects from attack the Silver Wing Empire. Although he was only an expert at the 8th-rank Divine realm, he was a genius in the field of warfare and battle tactics. No matter how the others schemed to conquer the Silver Wing Empire, they could only shake their heads and leave in defeat.
“Shit! To think that even Emperor Elyk is willing to offer his assistance to this store! No, I have to escape here! As long as that woman does not prevent me from leaving, no one else could!” Shao Fenhua’s eyes flickered as he planned on how to escape.
The sound of more than a hundred savage beasts marching echoed about. Everyone including Jiu Shen glanced at the majestic-looking line-up of soldiers. All of them were at least at the 5th-rank Spirit realm!
Each soldier wore the standard military armor of the imperial guards. The savage beasts they were riding were also at the 5th-rank Spirit realm. It was a breed of a warhorse that was raised by the most trusted subordinates of the Silveria Imperial Family, the Blue-Eyed Unicorn.
Leading this hundred-strong army was a man dressed in silver armor and with a golden cape behind him. The silver helmet he was wearing was shaped like a dragon opening its mouth. This was none other than Emperor Elyk Silveria II in his full body armor. Just his presence alone was enough to incite fear in weaker cultivators.
He leaped off his mount in one graceful movement and rested his right hand on the hilt of his sword that was tied to his hips. His facial expression could not be seen but the towering killing intent of the emperor was truly oppressive that even Shao Fenhua felt apprehensive.
“Is he really just an 8th-rank Divine realm expert?” Shao Fenhua muttered while silently gathering his true essence. No matter what, he had to escape here!
With that thought in mind, Shao Fenhua immediately turned around and fled from the scene. I am a coward? Who cares! As long as I can leave this bloody place alive! Then so what if I’m labeled as a chicken?!
It was as if all the righteous words he had spoken earlier was merely a pretense. In fact, he only said those words because he was too scared to even beg for mercy.
After seeing Shao Fenhua’s escape, Da Bi and the others who were still alive immediately fled in different directions, scattering like rats who had seen a cat.
Emperor Elyk coldly watched them and issued a command in a loud voice. “Soldiers, kill them all!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
The soldiers’ battle cries resonated, making everyone’s heart pound in excitement. Although these soldiers were much weaker than the fleeing experts in terms of individual ability, their solid teamwork and coordination were more than enough to compensate for this weakness. Furthermore, the enemies’ morale was already in tatters and their combat prowess was also at their weakest since they had just fought with Theia and the others.
The emperor did not join them in killing those defeated experts, instead, he walked towards the store while taking off his dragon helmet, revealing the face of a middle-aged man with a heroic image. His long wavy black hair had signs of turning grey, and his sharp eyes also carried a hint of exhaustion, but among everyone present, only Jiu Shen saw through this.
Can Ye, Hu Xiandao, and the two barbarians stood respectfully and bowed in respect. They could already be considered as top experts, so there was no need for them to kneel before the emperor.
As for Lu Sulan and Hestia, the two beauties remained standing as if they were treating the emperor as someone with equal status as them. Meanwhile, Theia stood subserviently behind Jiu Shen like how a maidservant would.
Emperor Elyk did not take this too seriously. He had a rough estimation of everyone’s strength, so he didn’t mind their lack of proper salutation.
Emperor Elyk stepped forward and gave Jiu Shen a light bow which made everyone present a bit surprised. “Wine Master Jiu, my apologies for our late arrival.”
Can Ye’s mouth gaped wide at what he saw. Is this really the majestic and lionhearted emperor of their Silver Wing Empire? I’m not seeing things wrong, right?
Even Defender Duanmu was a bit surprised, but since the emperor had already shown his stance, he could only follow suit. With a gesture of his hands, he commanded the few soldiers behind them to offer their respects as well.
And with that, they all offered their respects to Jiu Shen who was still reclining nonchalantly on his chair. He looked very calm even at this absurd scene. Who was he? He was a Heavenly God in the Primordial God Realm, someone that was only a bit weaker than the three Celestial Emperors! Who knew how many immortals were willing to pledge their allegiance to him, only to receive his cold rejection?
Jiu Shen nodded his head at the emperor and waved his right hand as if telling the latter to stand at ease.
Emperor Elyk smiled wryly, but he didn’t dare express any form of discontent. The man in front of him was an Alchemy Saint and he had already asked Master Fengzi about this. Just Jiu Shen’s status as an Alchemy Saint alone was enough for him to greet the former with warm respect. Aside from that, the latter also gave off a mysterious aura that was veiled by his cold and aloof air.
’This Wine Master Jiu is an expert! Could he be a 10th-rank God realm expert?!’ Emperor Elyk cried out in his heart. Although he had yet to see an expert at that level, the emperor was convinced that this man sitting calmly even in his presence was most likely an expert at the 10th-rank God realm! Just the thought of it made his heart quiver.
A brief moment of awkward silence enveloped the scene, but Jiu Shen’s indifferent voice suddenly drifted, making everyone recover from their stupor. “You should be Silver Wing Empire’s emperor… Tell me your name since I don’t have the habit of calling someone ’emperor’.”
Can Ye almost had a heart attack after hearing Jiu Shen’s disrespectful tone when he spoke to the emperor, but to his surprise, Emperor Elyk merely smiled and replied in a humble voice. “It’s an honor to make Wine Master Jiu remember this old man’s name. Just call me Elyk.”
Can Ye’s jaw dropped and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
