Chapter 8: The Deceptive Lies of the Imperial Capital

“Your Excellency, you must think this through carefully...”
A flicker of restrained anger glimmered in Jia Xingtian’s eyes.
The Imperial Capital was the heart of the Gamma Empire. For Su Yun to seize the capital was nothing short of usurpation—surely a treacherous ambition against the realm?
“This place is prosperous and enchanting; I find it most agreeable. I ask only for your magnanimity in parting with it,” Su Yun said calmly.
Jia Xingtian’s expression was unreadable, neither joy nor anger apparent. “Your actions are a provocation against me, a challenge to the entire Gamma Empire!”
The Amethyst Winged Lion King bared his blood-stained maw. “What a joke! It’s you, old fool, who schemed against our lord first! And yet you have the gall to speak thus!”
Yun Yun, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke for the first time: “Your Excellency, the Imperial Capital holds profound significance for the Gamma Empire. Is it truly necessary to press the matter? The Empire does not lack splendid locales and bustling markets; there is no need to fixate on this single capital.”
As Yun Yun was about to continue persuading, Su Yun waved his hand.
“No need to waste words. On the Douqi Continent, strength is the ultimate law. Let us settle this with a duel and end the matter once and for all.”
“Are you truly intent on fighting?”
Jia Xingtian frowned. If possible, he hoped for peaceful negotiations; to make enemies of a Dou Emperor was not something he desired.
“Afraid to make the first move?”
A faint sneer flickered across Su Yun’s lips.
“No matter. I shall grant you two blows.”
Jia Xingtian clenched his fists. Though he knew this was a provocation from Su Yun, an endless fury surged within him.
Even the Medusa Queen dared not treat him with such disdain—both were Dou Emperors, after all!
“Very well!”
“Old Jia...”
“Master Yun, there’s no need for more words!”
Jia Xingtian roared fiercely, his Douqi spiraling violently around him, revealing his peak nine-star Dou Emperor cultivation.
“If you can defeat me, then I shall relinquish the Imperial Capital to you!”
“Excellent.”
Su Yun nodded.
Both vaulted into the sky, soaring above the clouds, reaching such a height that any impact on the ground would be minimal.
Jia Xingtian’s Douqi surged, condensing around his fist. The power of heaven and earth poured into him, forming a colossal fist shadow.
“Earth-Shattering Crushing Fist!”
“Boom!”
Jia Xingtian unleashed his punch, carrying the momentum of a landslide, fierce and domineering, as if capable of splitting mountains.

“Petty tricks.”
Su Yun’s slender hand extended forward without haste. Suddenly, emerald flames erupted from his palm, transforming into a massive fiery hand tens of meters wide, the heat warping the very void.
The fiery palm collided thunderously with the rocky fist, unleashing a tremendous roar!
“Boom—!”
The immense energy detonated high above. The onlookers gazed skyward, expecting a clash of equals, but instead, under the intense heat of the exotic flames, the rocky fist visibly melted before their eyes, vanishing in an instant!
“First move.”
Su Yun said calmly, his robes billowing in the wind, not a speck of dust sullied.
Yun Yun murmured to herself, “Old Jia struck with full force from the start. The Earth-Shattering Crushing Fist is a royal secret, a profound advanced Dou technique he masters above all... How could he fail to even provoke his opponent’s Dou technique?”
“The lord’s power is beyond your imagining. Just wait—the old man’s defeat is only the beginning; next, it will be your turn!”
The Amethyst Winged Lion King howled with glee, its face full of schadenfreude. The suffering it endured in the Beast Mountains would be visited upon others now!
“You must have stronger moves. Win or lose, show me something worthy. Let me see the true level of power honed over a millennium on this continent.”
A smile played across Su Yun’s face, warm as spring sunlight.
But Jia Xingtian felt a chill run down his spine.
“That flame... it cannot be mistaken. It is an exotic flame!”
His expression grave, Jia Xingtian knew the immense boost exotic flames granted to combat strength. Without unleashing his trump card, today’s battle might not end well.
“Ha!”
He roared as the power of heaven and earth surged. Jia Xingtian raised both hands, channeling his Douqi fully. Behind him, a massive rocky phoenix coalesced.
“Shriek!”
The rock phoenix emitted a deep cry, its wings spanning dozens of meters, brimming with violent power. As it took form, the clouds beneath them tore apart instantly!
Yun Yun’s pupils contracted; even she felt the oppressive energy wave from above.
“A lower Earth-grade Dou technique, Rock Phoenix Meteor Seal. This is Old Jia’s signature move. Even the teacher dared not take it head-on back then!”
The Amethyst Winged Lion King jeered, “A mongrel dog not worth a hair of my lord!”
“Some skill, but not much.”
Su Yun’s robe sleeves fluttered as ghostly poisonous flames poured forth, a strange dark green. The flames gathered in the void, swelling into a giant fireball over ten meters in diameter.
Sporadic poisonous flames churned on its surface, exuding a suffocating, terrifying aura.
“Strike!”
Jia Xingtian’s eyes blazed red; veins bulged on his forehead as earth-element Douqi roared wildly. With a sudden thrust of both palms, the rock phoenix screamed shattering the heavens and stones as it lunged toward Su Yun!
“Go.”

Su Yun flicked his fingers lightly, sending the enormous fireball, filled with boundless flames and toxins, crashing forward.
“Boom—!”
The massive energy exploded, dazzling and blinding all who looked up. Moments later, as the aftershocks faded, the denizens of the Imperial Capital slowly lifted their heads.
Jia Xingtian’s breathing was erratic, his face pale. He had charged too long; this blow had drained most of his Douqi.
Su Yun, in contrast, remained as ethereal and poised as before, handsome and refined.
“Great-grandfather is no match for him...”
In the royal city, Yao Ye looked up at the spectacle, a bitter smile curling his lips.
“Two moves have passed.”
Su Yun murmured softly, his soul power also watching the situation within the capital amid the battle.
The grand clash had stirred the entire city; now all eyes were fixed on their duel.
The stage was set. Now it was his turn to perform!
“Your Excellency, we have both suffered great losses... How about we call this battle a draw?”
Thinking to flee? Not a chance.
Su Yun sneered coldly within his heart.
“Agreed.”
Jia Xingtian’s face brightened, but Su Yun’s next words made his expression darken instantly.
“However, it is rude to take without giving in return. You shall receive one of my blows, then this battle ends.”
“But... very well.”
Jia Xingtian knew he could not avoid this fate; his face turned solemn as he prepared.
Su Yun’s ten fingers danced gracefully, sparks of fire bursting from his fingertips, coalescing before him into one green flame butterfly after another, each radiating terrifying heat and poison.
“Your cultivation and Dou techniques are crude. Young master, allow me to teach you a lesson.”
Su Yun condensed his Douqi at his throat, amplifying his voice so all within the Imperial Capital could hear.
Jia Xingtian’s face darkened like iron; he misread Su Yun’s true intent, believing himself humiliated before the people he swore to protect!
“My cultivation is the ‘Netherworld Poison Codex,’ complemented by numerous matching Dou techniques. ‘Azure Miasma Phantom Sword,’ ‘Deadly Nine Heavens Gang,’ ‘Netherworld Bone-Eating Butterfly’... all top-tier lower Earth-grade Dou techniques, far surpassing your pitiful phoenix.”
As Su Yun’s words fell, countless emerald butterflies, imbued with dreadful fire and poison, danced in the high sky!