240: Battle

He walked hurriedly, yet did not dare to move too fast, fearing he might neglect the two mighty beings behind him.

The pavilions and towers along the way blurred past, and before long, the three had arrived at the location of the Sacred Martial Arena.

Looking out, the Sacred Martial Arena stood tall and majestic, incredibly spacious. Its surface was forged from extraterrestrial meteoric iron mixed with Chaos Stone, black as ink and faintly exuding a daunting chill.

The area surrounding the arena was vast and empty, with few figures in sight, save for several guards from the City Lord's Manor standing solemnly to the side.

After all, the amount of Immortal Stones required to activate an arena of this caliber was an astronomical figure. Ordinary Cultivators simply could not afford it, so naturally, few people set foot here.

Steward Zhang stopped, bowed again, his face full of humility: "Seniors, please wait here for a moment."

"Very well," Hongmeng Immortal Emperor replied indifferently, his tone as calm as ever.

Upon hearing this, Steward Zhang nodded immediately and retreated to a stone pavilion to the side, standing quietly with his head lowered and eyes downcast. He did not say a word, not daring to overstep in the slightest for fear of disturbing the conversation between the two Immortal Emperors.

Once Steward Zhang was far enough away, Eternal Immortal Emperor turned his head, his gaze shifting slightly as he asked the Hongmeng Immortal Emperor beside him in a low voice, "Senior Brother, which power has traditionally been in charge of managing the arenas in this Sacred Martial City?"

Hongmeng Immortal Emperor's gaze swept across the empty surroundings of the arena, a faint curve appearing at the corners of his lips as he spoke with certainty: "The City Lord's Manor."

Eternal Immortal Emperor showed no surprise upon hearing this and nodded slightly.

This Sacred Martial Arena was the core of Sacred Martial City. No one other than the City Lord's Manor, which held absolute power over the city, could be in charge of this place.

A breeze blew past, kicking up dust at the edge of the arena. The two figures stood side by side, their bodies suffused with immortal pressure as they began to converse.

After only a short while, the sound of two objects breaking through the air came from the horizon. Carrying immense immortal pressure, they landed steadily outside the Sacred Martial Arena.

The leader was clad in a long robe, his face resolute, with the majesty of a ruler between his brows. He was none other than the Vice City Lord of Sacred Martial City—Tian Yue Immortal Emperor.

Following closely by his side was a man who looked to be in his thirties, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. His tall and upright figure was accentuated by his black martial attire, and his blood-qi surged like a Dragon. He was the Grand Elder of the Hai Family, a peerless Genius rarely seen in a thousand years, Hai Yuan.

Seeing Tian Yue Immortal Emperor, Steward Zhang's expression became solemn. He hurried forward to greet him, bowing with utmost respect: "This subordinate greets the City Lord."

"At ease." Tian Yue Immortal Emperor waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the empty surroundings of the arena as he asked directly, "Who is it that wishes to challenge an Immortal Emperor with Six Supreme Destinies this time?"

"City Lord, please follow me." Steward Zhang did not dare waste a single word and quickly moved to the side to lead the way.

Tian Yue Immortal Emperor nodded slightly and led Hai Yuan to follow. Before long, they arrived before Hongmeng Immortal Emperor and Eternal Immortal Emperor.

Just as Steward Zhang was about to step forward to introduce the two parties, Tian Yue Immortal Emperor took a step forward first. A smile of meeting an old friend appeared on his face as he cupped his hands toward Hongmeng Immortal Emperor and said, "Fellow Daoist Hongmeng, it has been many years. Have you been well?"

Hongmeng Immortal Emperor's eyes shifted slightly as he nodded faintly, his tone peaceful yet possessing its own majesty: "Fellow Daoist Tian Yue, it has been a long time."

Tian Yue Immortal Emperor then turned his head, his gaze falling upon the Eternal Immortal Emperor beside him. After observing for a moment, he asked with certainty, "Your Excellency must be the Eternal Immortal Emperor?"

Eternal Immortal Emperor was slightly surprised and raised an eyebrow at him: "You know me?"

"Of course I do." Tian Yue Immortal Emperor laughed heartily, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes. "It's just that when we met back then, you were still young; you likely don't remember me anymore." Changing his tone, he asked seriously, "Fellow Daoist Eternal, have you come this time to challenge an Immortal Emperor with Six Supreme Destinies?"

"Indeed." Eternal Immortal Emperor nodded, his tone carrying a hint of Battle Intent. "I have long heard that Sacred Martial City produces many geniuses who have achieved sainthood through their Physical Bodies, and that their combat strength at the same Realm is unsurpassed across the heavens. I have come today specifically to seek guidance and witness the style of the experts here."

"Good! With such boldness, you truly live up to the name of Eternal Immortal Emperor." Tian Yue Immortal Emperor clapped his hands in praise. He then stepped aside, leading Hai Yuan forward, and introduced him solemnly, "This is the Grand Elder of the Hai Family, Hai Yuan. He is the one who will accept the challenge this time. Coincidentally, he is also an Immortal Emperor expert who has cultivated Six Supreme Destinies."

Hai Yuan stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting to the two of them, his voice steady and powerful: "Hai Yuan greets Hongmeng Immortal Emperor and Eternal Immortal Emperor."

Hongmeng Immortal Emperor nodded slightly in return.

Eternal Immortal Emperor also cupped his fists in return, his tone polite: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Hai Yuan."

Next, Tian Yue Immortal Emperor reached out and took out a lustrous Storage Ring. Spiritual light flowed over it, clearly indicating that its internal space was immense.

He handed the ring toward Hongmeng Immortal Emperor and said, "Hongmeng Immortal Emperor, this is the challenge fee and arena activation fee you paid earlier."

Hongmeng Immortal Emperor waved his hand, his tone carrying an undeniable dominance: "Keep it. Since the two of us have come to your door today, how could we let Sacred Martial City bear the cost? If you do not accept it, you are looking down on me, Hongmeng."

Tian Yue Immortal Emperor did not press the matter further upon hearing this.

Given their status and position, six million top-grade Immortal Spirit Stones were but a drop in the bucket. He immediately put the ring away and said loudly, "In that case, I shall accept it. Fellow Daoists, for this spar, let us stop when the point is made; do not let it harm our friendly relations."

"Very well," Hai Yuan was the first to agree.

Eternal Immortal Emperor also spoke in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Hai Yuan, please do not hide your strength; feel free to go all out."

As his voice fell, Tian Yue Immortal Emperor said no more. Majestic magic power surged from his body, and golden immortal light swept out like a tide.

He was seen quickly forming hand seals, letting out a low shout: "Rise!"

In an instant, the originally empty plaza began to vibrate violently. Deep fissures tore through the earth, and countless Chaos Stones inscribed with ancient formation runes rose from the ground, colliding, piecing together, and merging with one another.

In just a few breaths, a majestic arena tens of millions of feet high and stretching across a million miles rose from the ground. The runes of the Nine Revolutions Indestructible Formation on the surface shone brilliantly, emitting a pressure that looked down upon heaven and earth.

As the dust settled, Eternal Immortal Emperor and Hai Yuan looked at each other, Battle Intent rising in both their eyes.

With a flicker of their bodies, they became like two streaks of light, landing steadily upon that staggering arena.

Below the arena, fierce winds howled, kicking up dust everywhere. Tian Yue Immortal Emperor's gaze fell upon Hongmeng Immortal Emperor, who stood with his hands behind his back. With a smile on his lips, he spoke loudly, "Fellow Daoist Hongmeng, it has been ten thousand years since we parted at the Myriad Dao Immortal Sect. What brings you to my Sacred Martial City today?"

Hongmeng Immortal Emperor's gaze indifferently swept over the vibrating earth beneath his feet. The pressure atop the arena had already begun to spread. He replied faintly, "I had nothing to do, so I traveled the Immortal Realm. Walking where my feet took me, I arrived here."

Hearing this, Tian Yue Immortal Emperor turned his head toward the ten-thousand-foot arena that had risen from the ground. His gaze fell upon the upright figure of Eternal Immortal Emperor, and a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes: "Time flies, and the years pass like a white horse crossing a gap."

"I remember when I was cultivating at the Myriad Dao Immortal Sect, Eternal Immortal Emperor was only a few years old, running around behind you. Now, he has become a top-tier Immortal Emperor who has cultivated Six Supreme Destinies. Such talent is truly admirable."

"Indeed," Hongmeng Immortal Emperor echoed in a low voice, his gaze distant. Looking at that familiar figure on the arena, it seemed to gradually overlap with that majestic figure deep in his memory—his Master, the Eternal Heavenly Emperor.

The scenes of his Master teaching and preaching in the past were vivid in his mind. In the blink of an eye, the world had changed completely.

Seeing his expression shift, Tian Yue Immortal Emperor knew he must be reminiscing about the past. He immediately stopped mentioning it and instead changed the subject, pointing toward the two people on the arena who were at each other's throats. He asked with great interest, "Fellow Daoist Hongmeng, you and I have both seen experts from all over the heavens. In this competition of physical bodies, do you think your Junior Brother, Eternal Immortal Emperor, will be superior, or will my Sacred Martial City's Hai Yuan take the lead?"

Hongmeng Immortal Emperor withdrew his thoughts, a certain sharp light flashing in his eyes. His tone was categorical, carrying an unquestionable confidence: "Naturally, it will be my Junior Brother."

"Oh?" Tian Yue Immortal Emperor raised an eyebrow and let out a light laugh, his tone carrying a hint of praise for his own junior. "You are quite confident, Fellow Daoist. This Hai Yuan is a rare Genius in my Sacred Martial City, seen only once in a thousand years. He has tempered his Physical Body since childhood, feeding on Nine Heavens Mysterious Iron and forging his body with Astral True Fire. His Physical Body is incomparably powerful; even ordinary Emperor Weapons can hardly wound him. Among Immortal Emperors with Six Supreme Destinies, he has few rivals."

"Of those who can reach this step, which one is not a gifted favorite of heaven?" Hongmeng Immortal Emperor glanced at him indifferently, his tone calm yet hiding a sharp edge. "But even among geniuses, there are the strong and the weak."

Hearing this, Tian Yue Immortal Emperor could not help but clap and laugh loudly: "What a 'strong and weak'! Your words have piqued my interest. In that case, let us wait and see who will have the last laugh in this battle between dragons and tigers."