Read Novel Full Book 8 Chapter 37 - A Clash of Soul Awarenessses
Book 8 Chapter 37 - A Clash of Soul Awarenessses
So, they’ve arrived already?
Upon receiving the message carried by that Soul Awareness, Bai Qiuran narrowed his eyes and mused.
Although the emergence of a Ghost Emperor was bound to attract the attention of the Five Immortal Emperors of the Immortal Realm, Bai Qiuran hadn’t expected them to arrive with such haste.
Their eagerness was truly unsightly.
That said, proper etiquette still had to be observed—though, naturally, this was also the perfect opportunity to assert his dominance.
Bai Qiuran briefly sensed the strength of the five individuals’ Soul Awarenesss; he found them to be evenly matched with one another, yet still a cut below Jiang Lan’s.
He rose from his seat, and as he stood, an indescribable, unfathomable Soul Awareness erupted from his body.
The five Soul Awarenesss hovering over Fengdu City were instantly shoved aside; his own will engulfed the entire Underworld, forcing those five intrusive wills into the uppermost reaches of the realm’s space.
“A pleasure, a pleasure.”
Bai Qiuran cupped his hands in a salute toward the sky, and Jiang Lan followed suit.
“I am the Ghost Emperor, and this is my wife. Meeting the five of you today truly brings great honor to the entire Underworld.”
Caught off guard, the five Soul Awarenesss had been pushed to the fringes of the Underworld. Bai Qiuran noted that they were projecting across realms from five distinct spatial rifts.
Once forced into the upper reaches of space, lights of various colors coalesced within the range of each Soul Awareness, forming five humanoid figures made of pure radiance. They cupped their hands in salute toward Bai Qiuran, their voices carrying across the vast distance.
“We have long heard of the Ghost Emperor’s renown; meeting you today, we see that your reputation is well-deserved.”
Having been pushed back by Bai Qiuran, the five Soul Awarenesss could no longer broadcast their presence across Fengdu City through mere fluctuations alone. Left with no other choice, the five Immortal Emperors were compelled to manifest projections of themselves within the spheres of influence of their respective Soul Awarenesss. Yet, despite being routed by a single blow from Bai Qiuran, these Immortal Emperors seemed unwilling to give up. One of their soul awarenessss wisely held its ground rather than pressing the attack, while the other four joined forces, attempting to collectively counter Bai Qiuran’s soul awarenesss.
“Hah.”
Bai Qiuran chuckled softly as he continued to press forward with his soul awarenesss, speaking with a cheerful tone:
“I am humbled, truly. It is but a trivial trick—nothing compared to the magnificent feat of cross-realm projection you five have displayed. Such a remarkable skill is enough to make a humble Ghost Emperor like myself quite envious.”
Even as they exchanged polite pleasantries, Bai Qiuran’s soul awarenesss clashed violently with those of the four Immortal Emperors. Their formless mental energies battled in the upper reaches of space, causing the very fabric of space to ripple and tear apart under the ferocity of the conflict.
“Speaking of which…”
Amidst the fierce clash, their voices remained steady. From among the five figures, a cyan-clad one spoke to Bai Qiuran:
“I must offer an apology to the Ghost Emperor. That my subordinate—the unfilial traitor Li Jue—committed such an act is truly a source of shame.”
“Indeed.”
A red-clad figure chimed in:
“I, too, must apologize to the Ghost Emperor—and indeed the entire Ghost Realm—for the foolish actions of Ran Qiu.”
“Oh?”
Bai Qiuran asked:
“Might I ask who you two are?”
“The Eastern Azure Emperor of the Eastern Immortal Realm.”
The cyan-clad figure replied.
“The Southern Red Emperor of the Southern Immortal Realm.”
The red-clad figure added.
What the hell are these nobodies? I’ve never even heard of them. Bai Qiuran grumbled inwardly, yet his spoken words remained polite:
“So, it is the two Immortal Emperors. I have long admired your reputations.”
“You are too kind, Ghost Emperor.”
After the two figures spoke, the red one—the projection of the Southern Scarlet Emperor—added:
“We have come today with a request.”
“Oh?”
Bai Qiuran asked:
“What matter requires the Scarlet Emperor to trouble the Underworld Ghost Realm?”
“It concerns a matter regarding Ran Qiu.”
The Southern Scarlet Emperor spoke courteously, yet the pressure exerted by his soul awarenesss intensified.
“We are all well aware that Ran Qiu committed a grave error; however, he is, after all, an Immortal Venerable of the Southern Immortal Realm—one of our own. I wish to ask the Ghost Emperor to hand him over so that I may personally mete out punishment. I guarantee that I will provide a satisfactory explanation to everyone in the Ghost Realm.”
So, he wants to play the game of extraterritorial jurisdiction with me.
Bai Qiuran sneered inwardly.
A satisfactory answer? Not even a ghost would believe that!
Bai Qiuran pondered for a moment, then spoke aloud:
“Before that, I have a few questions for the Scarlet Emperor. First, the Underworld Ghost Realm and the Immortal Realm belong to the same system—realms within the same faction—do they not?”
“They do.”
The Southern Scarlet Emperor cupped his hands respectfully:
“Whether it is the Immortal Realm or the Underworld Ghost Realm, both are subject to the jurisdiction of His Majesty, the Primal Immortal Emperor, Bai Li.”
“Then, do the Iron Laws of the Ghost Realm apply to Immortals as well?”
“By convention…”
“Don’t talk to me about convention.”
Bai Qiuran’s soul awarenesss forcefully repelled the Scarlet Emperor’s counter-pressure as he interrupted:
“Did the Primal Immortal Emperor state that the Iron Laws of the Ghost Realm apply to Immortals?”
The Southern Scarlet Emperor fell silent for a moment before replying:
“If an Immortal falls under the jurisdiction of the Ghost Realm, then they apply.”
“Then, considering Venerable Ran—one of the Three Venerables of the Ghost Realm—was arrested for inciting rebellion and colluding with remnants of the Celestial God Clan within the Ghost Realm, was I wrong to punish him according to the Ghost Realm’s Iron Laws?”
Bai Qiuran asked this final question. “Of course, there is nothing wrong with that.”
The Red Emperor of the South paused, then cupped his hands in a salute and said:
“However, I must still say this: Ghost Emperor, do not forget—beyond the letter of the law, there is also the matter of human sentiment.”
“Whose sentiment? The Primordial Immortal Emperor’s? Or yours?”
Bai Qiuran’s voice turned cold.
“When faced with life and death, there is no room for sentiment!”
As he shouted, his soul awarenesss surged forth like a raging torrent, sweeping across everything within the Underworld. The five Immortal Emperors’ soul awarenessss were powerless to resist and were forcibly pushed out into the void.
“The five of you.”
There in the void, Bai Qiuran employed the projection technique he had just pilfered from the Immortal Emperors. Within his own soul awarenesss, he projected a flickering, ghostly silhouette. He cupped his hands toward the five emperors’ soul awarenessss and said:
“Time is pressing; it is time for you to leave.”
“Heh. The candidate so adamantly chosen by the Primordial Immortal Emperor is truly extraordinary.”
The five figures, having been forced out into the void, showed no signs of anger. They offered polite salutes—their expressions unreadable—and bade him farewell.
The yellow-clad figure walking at the very back turned around one last time to speak to Bai Qiuran.
“They will not simply let this matter rest. Ghost Emperor, please take care.”
“Thank you for the warning.”
Bai Qiuran spoke solemnly:
“May I ask who Your Excellency is…”
“In Your Majesty’s presence, my humble name is not worth mentioning.”
The yellow-clad figure bowed to Bai Qiuran.
“I shall take my leave now. Farewell.”
He withdrew his soul awarenesss and projection, retreating into a world within the void.
Was that the Kaiyuan Immortal Emperor of the Central Immortal Realm?
Bai Qiuran narrowed his eyes and withdrew his soul awarenesss as well.
Regardless of who that person was, he had memorized the unique fluctuation of their soul awarenesss. Should he ever have the opportunity to visit the Immortal Realm and meet face-to-face, the sheer strength of his own soul awarenesss would allow him to recognize them instantly.