The Legend of Futian - Chapter 1049

Chapter 1049: Flag Battle

Chapter 1049 Flag Battle

After the mighty ones from the three realms of the emperors left, one figure after another was seen descending onto Jiuxiao Tower; all of them were cultivators from Kongxuan City.

“Seems like the Battle of the Empty Realm this year is going to be rather interesting. Who do you think will win?” someone asked.

“Emperor Li’s Realm dominated the Empty Realm for the past ten years and they had the greatest amount of power accumulated in Empty Realm, enabling them to pull all manner of tricks. With the cultivators from Dali Dynasty added to the list, it is very, very possible that they might end up as the winner again.”

“It’s been said that that imperial adviser of Dali developed new methods and created a bunch of killing machines. It seems like Emperor Li’s Realm is going to bag it again this year.”

“The twins, Kong Zhan and Kong Xuan, have unparalleled combat prowess. It’s been said that the descendants of great monsters of the demonic realm serving the Demon Peacock Emperor have been here to support the twins in order to secure victory in the upcoming battle. Seems to me that the Demon Peacock Emperor’s Realm has just as good a chance to come out on top.”

“Yeah, Emperor Xia has claimed that her daughter, Xia Qingyuan, has talents rivaling his own, which meant she might become the empress of Emperor Xia’s Realm in the future. There is no doubt that she is extremely exceptional. But then again, they are not fighting mighty ones from Emperor Xia’s Realm this time, but are fighting those of similar levels from Emperor Li’s Realm and Demon Peacock Emperor’s Realm. Li Yao, Kong Zhan, and Kong Xuan are probably just as capable as she is. We’ll see if Emperor Xia’s Realm has any secret weapons with them this time around.”

Many talked, and judging from the looks of things, Emperor Li’s Realm had the best chance of emerging victorious still. They secured an overwhelming victory ten years ago after all. However, things were different at present. The leading figures of the Battle of Empty Realm at the moment consisted of the princes and princesses of their respective realms. Things had never been of such grandeur the past hundred years or so. If the royalties were leading their forces personally, then their subordinates would also definitely consist of the most powerful lineup they were able to gather. However, no one would know the final outcome until things were in the very last stage.

At that moment, all of the spectators were only speculating. They were those who had set games in Kongxuan City, betting on who would have emerged as the victor in the Battle of Empty Realm. Many saints put down heavy bets as soon as the games were set. It was only natural that most betted on Emperor Li’s Realm emerging victorious.

…

Three days later, the forces from Emperor Xia’s City, Emperor Li’s City, and Demon Peacock Emperor’s City—three cities representing their respective realms and laid out in a triangular layout—gathered at the central region between the cities. Stern, solemn pressure was felt everywhere. Countless mighty ones emerged in the air from far away, watching things unfold before them quietly.

Three grand armies appeared above that area. Their might shrouded the entire area as if they were celestial armies themselves. It was the day of the flag battle as agreed by all three sides, which was also the start of the Battle of the Empty Realm.

Mighty ones from the three imperial cities had all left their respective cities and gathered there. One figure after another took to the air and they formed three distinct camps as well. The Sacred General of Tian, the Sacred General of Dou, and other saints were high up in the air. The saints were forbidden from entering the battlefield and participating in the Battle of Empty Realm as soon as the flag battle commenced.

Deciding who would be the ruler of the Empty Realm through battles between those beneath Saint Plane was a consensus reached by the three emperors for many years. None dared to break the rules without good reason, as any mishap could result in a breakout war between the emperors’ realms. None of the realms dared to wage a war against one another until they were absolutely sure of it, as the price for doing so would be too great.

As such, having one battle held once every ten years and only fought by the sages was the most peaceful way they had been able to come up with to settle the matter. All three imperial realms had their chance once every ten years, and the losers would be able to yield easily. If the battle decided the right to rule the Empty Realm indefinitely, however, the other two that lost would be able to sit well with the result for long.

While the saints were not participating in the battle, all three sides nonetheless mobilized a great number of saints to ensure that none would flaunt the rules. Things would turn dire if something untoward were to happen. Furthermore, given how it was the royals leading their armies personally in that year’s battle, they needed to be extra certain of how things proceeded.

The three forces below stood against each other in a similar fashion. The grand entourage brought about thick might and pressure to the place, making even the spectators standing from faraway feel somewhat pressured.

A group of people emerged from the army. Xia Qingyuan from the army of Emperor Xia’s Realm went forward. Tian Ji was seen bearing a huge flag and walked right behind her. There was an image of a lotus flower on the flag and said flag was none other than the flag of Emperor Xia.

That day was the day of the flag battle. Xia Qingyuan’s side was not the only one doing so, as both Li Yao and the twins emerged as well, coming to the very front of their armies. The flags behind them billowed in the wind. The flag of Emperor Li had an image of a golden dragon on it while the flag of Demon Peacock Emperor had an image of a peacock.

“Per the rules of Battle of Empty Realm, after the flag battle, the bloodstained flags shall be placed at the highest point of the three imperial cities. The side with the shaft of their flags snapped shall be eliminated from the battle.” Li Yao then continued, “Life and death occurring during the Battle of Empty Realm shall remain as the affair of the battle. Saints are not allowed to interfere. Anyone who violates the rule shall be punished by death. Battle matrixes are forbidden within the imperial cities. Any side that violates the rule shall be eliminated. Other than that, all sages are permitted to participate in the battle.

“The battle shall be held for three months. If flags remain intact after the duration of three months, the victor shall be determined at this very spot. The victor shall be granted the right to rule the Empty Realm for the next ten years.”

Everyone looked serious. The Battle of Empty Realm had been held more times than they were able to count, so there was no way any of them did not know about the rules.

“We shall begin.” Kong Zhan’s voice was cold as he turned his eyes to Li Yao.

“Well then,” Li Yao nodded, “the flag battle shall be one to be fought to the death. No divine implements are allowed. The flags shall be stained with blood. I present to you… my candidate.”

A stout figure was seen walking out from the army of Emperor Li’s Realm as soon as he finished, emanating terrifying power as if there was no way to conceal his aura. Ye Futian took a look and knew that he was one of those killing machine warriors fighting outside of Emperor Xia’s Palace back then, forced into semi-saint status using special means. However, their planes were unstable and they were no longer able to go further in their training, forever stuck at being semi-saints.

A mighty one emerged from the side of the Demon Peacock Emperor’s Realm, emanating thick, unbridled demonic aura. His body transformed as soon as he walked out, taking the form of a demonic beast. It was a terrifying-looking demonic ape, who was leaking frightening power all over him.

The flag battle was one that would determine the morale of the forces in the Battle of Empty Realm. There were three battles to be fought, and in principle, the victors would be able to stain their flags with the blood of their opponents by winning one battle each. Furthermore, the flag battle was a battle fought to the death. Among the three emerging, only one would be able to emerge alive, making the fight harrowingly cruel.

Emperor Xia’s Realm was the last side to field their warrior in the first battle, giving them an edge by allowing them to decide their candidate according to the other two fielded.

“Who will be the one to fight?” Xia Qingyuan said.

“I will.” A figure emerged. It was Xuanyuan Ao of Xuanyuan Palace. He was one of the most powerful figures under Saint Plane in Emperor Xia’s Realm and a descendant of Emperor Xuanyuan. As a descendant of a Renhuang, Xuanyuan Ao was extremely prideful, yet he was none one of those who lived off the glory of his ancestors and did nothing himself. On the contrary, he had a keen battle sense and possessed an overbearing temperament. Despite the flag battle being one that would have him fight to the death, he remained staunch in coming out to fight in that very first battle.

Three candidates emerged and stood at the center between the armies. Terrifying aura swept all over the place. Xuanyuan Ao burst with an extremely dazzling golden light that looked like the light of Renhuang. An enormous sword appeared. While the blade was not long, it was thick and looked overbearing.

There seemed to be images carved on the sword. The light of celestial entities coursed on it. Sparks of lightning jumped as well. Xuanyuan Ao was basking in terrifying light all of a sudden.

“The Xuanyuan Sword Spirit.” The mighty ones from Emperor Xia’s Realm gazed at Xuanyuan Ao. As one of the top-notch figures below Saint Plane, it was only natural that he was renowned. It seemed like he would be able to bag that very first battle.

Li Yao turned his eyes to Xuanyuan Ao as well, whose ancestor was Emperor Xuanyuan and of great renown. There was no way Li Yao would not have known. It was said Emperor Xuanyuan had infused the great path’s power on his Life Spirit that enabled him to manipulate powers of the celestial entities as well as thunderstorms. It was then passed down through his bloodline, enabling his descendants to possess superior talents from birth. The Xuanyuan Sword Spirit that Xuanyuan Ao summoned was indeed terrifying.

Ye Futian kept his eyes on Xuanyuan Ao as well. He had never spoken to Xuanyuan Ao before, yet he was nonetheless able to sense that Xuanyuan Ao was an extremely prideful person. The man’s ancestor had been a Renhuang, after all. Huang Jiuge’s Life Spirit had only been able to be awakened again and became stronger all those years after inheriting the lineage of his ancestor. Xuanyuan Ao, on the other hand, has had his powers long awakened and had always been extremely powerful.

As one who was lauded to be among the handful of the Edge of Pinnacle below the Saint Plane in Emperor Xia’s Realm, it was only natural that Wang Chuan fought him before as well. All the others in that battle were naturally anything but weak.

His blade was drawn and he blitzed like a streak of lightning at the mighty one from Emperor Li’s Realm. His opponent stepped forward and seemed to be shining with boundless golden light, seemingly having taken an invincible golden form. Saintly light burst from within. That mighty figure seemed like a human-shaped divine implement and actually lifted his arm, intending to beat down the Xuanyuan Sword Spirit lashing out at him. The flash of the sword dropped with a loud boom. The light of the celestial entities showered and lightning crackled. The power of the great path hammered down on its target with the force of doomsday.

Boom. That mighty one from Emperor Li’s Realm remained totally unfazed. His legs steadied and both arms were outstretched, barging through the dazzling light and heading straight for the sword spirit.

Xuanyuan Ao took one step forward and appeared right above the sword. He held the blade with both hands and brought it down hard. A beam of light of the great path out to tear space apart appeared from above, seemingly like a bolt of devastating lightning as it was brought down on the body of its target. That extremely powerful golden body was shattered, chopped in half. It died on the spot. Saintly aura seemed to still emanate from that broken body after the man had died.

“So the imperial adviser of Dali crafted men like he crafts divine implements?” the Sacred General of Tian said coldly in the air. While such means enabled one to craft human-form weapons, it was nonetheless inhumane.

The people from Emperor Li’s Realm did not respond. Li Yao looked at that dead body dropping below with a deadpan face. They were the ones to field their candidate first in that very first battle, so it was only normal that they ended up losing. It was impossible to win all three rounds of the flag battle, but each side had a chance of fielding their candidate last, which would enable them to secure one victory.

Xuanyuan Ao walked towards the mighty one from the demonic realm and, as expected, that demonic ape was quickly cut down as well. The Xuanyuan Sword Spirit flew towards Emperor Xia’s flag, staining it with the blood of his opponents.

The Demon Peacock Emperor’s Realm was the first to field their candidate in the next round. Yet another powerful figure emerged and looked extremely ferocious, as they turned around to look in Xia Qingyuan’s direction.

“Who will be fighting in the next round?” Xia Qingyuan asked.

“Yu Sheng,” Ye Futian responded calmly. Yu Sheng then walked out and Xia Qingyuan knew what was going on.

With Emperor Li’s Realm being the last to field their candidate, Li Yao would definitely want to take one victory for his side, and as such, would field someone extremely powerful. The very reason why Ye Futian wanted Yu Sheng to fight was precisely to prevent Emperor Li’s Realm from being able to win.

At that moment, Ye Futian stood calmly in the crowd and took a cold look at Li Yao. He wanted the blood of all three mighty candidates in all three rounds of the flag battle to stain Emperor Xia’s flag!