Chapter 53 - Imperial Meridian Powerhouse

“The times have changed,” the old man said calmly. “We of the Ancient Hellblood Race have returned. This is no longer the era of the human race.”

Du Tianyin narrowed his eyes, staring at the two floating pearls above the furnace. “So your Ancient Hellblood Race is still clinging to these experiments, trying to fuse battle physiques. It’s impossible.”

“The Ancient Hellblood Race has always been pioneering and innovative,” the old man replied indifferently. “Unlike you humans, who are content with the status quo and full of smug pride.”

Then, the old man stripped off his red robe, and his entire appearance transformed dramatically.

His body stretched to over two meters tall. Two bull-like horns sprouted from his head. His eyes bulged unnaturally wide, and his nose grew sharp and prominent, with two streams of white breath puffing from his nostrils.

His mouth became grotesquely wide, and he had almost no hair atop his head. His expression was twisted and terrifying.

“Didn’t expect to be this lucky, to run into a pureblood Ancient Hellblood,” Du Tianyin said with a casual smile.

A mighty aura of the Desolate Meridian Realm surged from the old man. His gaze was stormy and cold as he glared at Du Tianyin. Then, spreading his five fingers, he launched five streaks of dark spiritforce, like solid claws, directly at him.

“You’re bringing the Hundred Battle Physiques right to me? Then I’ll gladly accept,” Du Tianyin said, lifting his right hand and effortlessly crushing the five incoming energy blasts in his palm.

In the next instant, like a bolt of lightning, he dashed forward with swirling gales beneath his feet. He appeared before the furnace and reached out toward the two floating pearls.

The old man snorted, his aura exploding. Thick black spiritforce wrapped around his arms as he lunged forward, punching at Du Tianyin’s chest.

“You’re still far too weak,” Du Tianyin laughed. With a loud bang, the fifth Meridian Gate, Bloodveil, opened on his body.

The aura of a Paragon Meridian Realm cultivator burst forth, forming a visible beam of white light that pierced the sky, warping the surrounding space.

The old man’s face twisted in shock. He didn’t even have time to react before he was sent flying by a single slap from Du Tianyin.

“Paragon Meridian Realm!” the old man gasped, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes locked on Du Tianyin.

“Thanks for the gift,” Du Tianyin said with a hearty laugh and once again reached for the two pearls.

“That’s enough. This farce is over.” A cold, disappointed voice echoed out.

Suddenly, the spiritforce in the sky began to rage. Lightning crackled as a dark hole, deep, vast, and suffocating, tore open in space.

“My Lord!” The moment the black hole appeared, the old man immediately dropped to his knees in worship.

“Pathetic. You managed to mess up something this simple,” boomed a majestic voice from within the black hole.

As soon as it appeared, Du Tianyin’s entire body tensed. His heart pounded wildly. He felt a massive power lock onto him.

From within the churning darkness, he faintly saw a throne, and seated upon it, a man.

“An Imperial Meridian Realm powerhouse,” Du Tianyin said grimly.

At that level, one could forge a True-Fate Golden Avatar. Every gesture carried the weight of universal laws and the potential to shatter worlds.

The moment that black hole locked onto him, Du Tianyin knew this was a disaster.

Thinking back, it made sense. The value of two Hundred Battle Physiques was immeasurable. How could the Ancient Hellblood Race trust such a task to a mere Desolate Meridian Realm member and risk letting someone like him take the prize?

“If you want to kill me, go ahead,” Du Tianyin said defiantly, face grim but unflinching. “You remnants of the Ancient Hellblood Race are like sewer rats, filthy and doomed. One day, you’ll be wiped out for good.”

“Hand it over.” The voice from the black hole was commanding.

“Hand over what?” Du Tianyin asked, face clouded with suspicion.

“We’ve been researching battle physique fusion for tens of thousands of years. As you humans well know, to merge battle physiques… you need Imperial Blood,” the voice from the black hole said coolly.

“I don’t have any Imperial Blood. I’m not a descendant of any Grand Emperor,” Du Tianyin replied quickly, though his face tightened.

There had once been a Grand Emperor named Du Tian, but Du Tianyin was no relation, it was just a coincidence in name.

“We laid a trap this large to draw you here. Of course we’re certain,” the voice said coldly. “Open his spatial ring.”

“Yes, my Lord,” the old man replied and moved toward Du Tianyin.

Du Tianyin’s expression changed drastically. How do they know I have Imperial Blood?!

Years ago, he had entered a minor inheritance site of an ancient emperor, Grand Emperor Wan Kun. There had been no godly artifacts or imperial treasures, only a single drop of Imperial Blood.

Du Tianyin had kept it hidden all this time, intending to use it to break into the Imperial Meridian Realm and open his fifth Meridian Gate.

“Little Yang, want a Hundred Battle Physique?” said Old Man Samsara to Chu Yang on the other side of the battlefield.

“I do,” Chu Yang nodded. “But in this situation? It seems impossible.”

“Just an Imperial Meridian Realm, nothing to brag about. Back in my prime, I wouldn’t have cared one bit,” the old man said. “In a moment, try to get as close to that furnace as you can. I’ll channel my power into your body. For a few seconds, you’ll have strength comparable to an Imperial Meridian Realm cultivator.

“But remember, only a few seconds. That’s all your body can handle. Any more and it’ll explode from the strain.”

Chu Yang paused, clenched his fists, and said, “Alright. Let’s gamble everything.”

The old man was working on dismantling the seal on Du Tianyin’s spatial ring.

On the Blood Wolf Guard’s side, the battle was still raging. Feng Bing’s massive hammer swept through the air like a storm, his momentum only growing stronger, but the fight remained evenly matched.

To the Ancient Hellblood Race, these fighters were small fry. Even Boss Thirteen was just one of their lapdogs.

Boss Thirteen’s True Meridian Realm strength was unmatched on the field. Even with ten warriors, the Blood Wolf Guard was completely overwhelmed.

His palm, coated in black demonic energy, cracked the air with sonic booms. As it struck, all the Blood Wolf soldiers dodged, except one.

Chu Yang.

He charged straight into the blow, and was sent flying.

But the direction he flew in... was toward the furnace.

“Master, now!” Chu Yang roared.

His shout drew the attention of everyone present. Even with an Imperial Meridian Realm powerhouse holding the field, this insignificant Spirit Meridian Realm ant dared to yell so loudly?

“Annoying.” From within the black hole came a cold, bored voice.

No action, no movement, just a word.

And instantly, Chu Yang felt the very air around him freeze. Pressure built up in all directions, air collapsing on him like a crushing cage. His body threatened to implode.

Just as his consciousness began to collapse,

A surge of power flowed into his body, straight from the ring.