Chapter 867: From the Emperors' Pursuit

Chapter 867: Pursuit from the EmperorsAuthor: Sanjiu YinyuWord Count: 1248

Jian Changsheng's brows furrowed deeply after hearing Sun Bumin's explanation.

"You mean... I've become his subordinate?" Jian Changsheng pointed at Chen Ling, his face filled with displeasure. "I don't accept that! We're equals, how could I be a subordinate?"

Chen Ling also nodded, a rare occurrence. "I don't need such a foolish subordinate."

Jian Changsheng was taken aback.

"I mean, that's roughly the principle," Sun Bumin explained. "Emperors typically have their own posthumous titles, era names, or temple names. Someone without a specific name, possessing only an imperial destiny, isn't truly an emperor... So your previous statement was essentially a bestowal of a title upon Hongxin." Sun Bumin paused. "But it's quite strange. Hongxin clearly doesn't have the qualifications to become an emperor; it shouldn't be able to resonate with the Imperial Dao Treasury at all..."

Chen Ling knew very well that this was due to his imperial destiny, but after Sun Bumin's reminder, he suddenly realized something.

He didn't have other skills from the Imperial Divinity Dao, which meant he couldn't "recruit" ministers; he was just an "isolated emperor" with an empty destiny... Unlike other emperors, his power as this "isolated emperor" came solely from himself.

Was it possible that precisely because of this, even if Jian Changsheng wasn't his minister, he could still acknowledge him?

Chen Ling generally understood the situation concerning himself and continued to ask:

"What about others besides me?"

"The group ahead of us should be candidates for the new emperor, randomly selected to be here. Although we haven't seen them, I suspect they are currently experiencing something akin to 'donning the yellow robe'—ascending to the throne. It's like a Gu-breeding process, where the most suitable person to become emperor is chosen from a group."

Chen Ling pondered for a moment. "I have no objection to the rest, but I don't believe this group was randomly selected..."

"Oh?"

"The Imperial Divinity Dao is like a magnet; an emperor possesses the ability to attract other divine destinies... As the repository for all emperors throughout history, the Imperial Dao Treasury's ability in this regard must be even stronger." Chen Ling paused.

"Perhaps it has already subtly influenced fate. No one comes here by coincidence; instead, they are genuinely fated with an imperial destiny."

"That explanation certainly makes sense."

Sun Bumin pondered for a moment. "But you must understand, an imperial destiny is too formidable; not everyone can bear its weight... Take me, for example. My destiny is weak. Even if I were given an imperial destiny, it would only accelerate my death."

"There's such a saying?" Jian Changsheng was a bit surprised. "What about me? Is my destiny strong or weak?"

"You? You're still alive after all that bad luck. No one's destiny is tougher than yours."

Jian Changsheng felt insulted, yet he was somewhat pleased.

"But a weak destiny isn't necessarily a bad thing. Those with weak destinies have less intrinsic energy but can easily harness external energy... Those with strong destinies are like dragon boats, capable of soaring through the wind and lightning purely by their own power.

"Those with weak destinies are like sailboats without oars; they can only drift in circles when there's no wind, but once they catch the wind, they cannot be easily overtaken by a dragon boat. In short, both types of destinies have their advantages and disadvantages."

Sun Bumin spread his hands helplessly. "But in any case, a weak destiny cannot bear the weight of an imperial destiny. So I can only be like a carefree cloud and wild crane... Even if those lingering imperial spirits took a liking to me, they would quickly be disappointed."

Chen Ling looked down at his hands and suddenly spoke:

"But, since a moment ago, I seem to have established a connection with this ancient treasury..."

Jian Changsheng and Sun Bumin stopped talking and simultaneously turned to look at Chen Ling, their expressions somewhat peculiar.

"A connection with the Imperial Dao Treasury...?"

"Brother, are you really an emperor?"

Facing their doubts, Chen Ling didn't explain. Instead, he slowly closed his eyes, sensing the connection within himself... This feeling was familiar; he had similar authority in the Dao of Theater Treasury, though the current connection wasn't as strong.

Just as Jian Changsheng was about to speak again, Chen Ling's aura suddenly shifted!

The next moment, all the wind and snow within a five-meter radius of Chen Ling stopped. To Jian Changsheng and Sun Bumin's astonishment, the three of them shot rapidly skyward, as if riding an elevator!

The environment around the three continually shifted, transforming from frigid, high-altitude winds into a battlefield resounding with cries of war.

Horse hooves trampled yellow sand, neighing amidst clashing weapons. Distant yellow tents fluttered in the wind, and armored figures moved swiftly across the battlefield.

Layers of war scenes overlapped at this moment. Battle flags from different regions and dynasties seemed to surround the three. Some depicted chaotic struggles among warring states, while others showed armies breaking through the cities of previous dynasties, their swords pointed at the imperial city... New and old intertwined with time, but only resistance and war remained constant.

Chen Ling and his two companions stood in a void that belonged to no specific dynasty, overlooking everything. Jian Changsheng spoke, astonished:

"What are these?"

"These are the wars where each dynasty was overthrown, and also the wars before a new emperor ascended the throne..." Sun Bumin's gaze swept over several of the battlefields, a sense of seeing familiar faces in his eyes.

"So that's it... This ancient treasury must have several layers, like a pyramid. The snowfield we were in earlier, 'Hidden Dragon in the Abyss' (潜龙在渊), corresponds to an emperor's humble beginnings—that was the first layer.

"This current stage, 'Leaping Dragon in the Abyss' (或跃在渊), corresponds to the struggles and conflicts before claiming the throne—that's the second layer. If I'm not mistaken, the next stage up will be 'Flying Dragon in the Sky' (飞龙在天), which signifies an emperor's ascension... That would be the highest layer of this ancient treasury."

"Precisely."

Chen Ling looked up at the void above. Beyond the clouds, he vaguely saw ethereal figures of emperors, observing him with expressions of immense shock and apprehension.

Ever since Jian Changsheng uttered the phrase "Actor Emperor," his imperial destiny seemed to have been acknowledged by the Imperial Dao Treasury. Although he possessed none of the abilities of an emperor and had no dynasty of his own, within this ancient treasury, he truly held the same authority as all past emperors...

The lingering imperial spirits of past emperors could stand at the pinnacle of the Imperial Dao Treasury, and so could he.

"I can feel their presence... They are right above us, within reach."

Chen Ling instinctively raised his hand, seemingly intending to use his imperial destiny to traverse the treasury and reach the area where the lingering imperial spirits resided... But the next moment, lines of text rapidly appeared before his eyes!

Four hundred and seventy emperors feel fear towards you.Four hundred and seventy emperors do not acknowledge the existence of the 'Actor Emperor'.Four hundred and seventy emperors harbor murderous intent towards you.

Before Chen Ling could even react, a brilliant and vast imperial might slammed down from the heavens above!

Like a divine punishment unleashed by a god from the clouds, a thick pillar of divine power instantly struck the three. Under the surging imperial might, their forms were forcibly hurled through the barrier of "Leaping Dragon in the Abyss," plummeting back into the vast snowfield of the lowest layer!

Four hundred and seventy emperors began their pursuit of the 'Actor Emperor'!