Chapter 530: The Great Emperor's 3 Requirements

Ye Wushuang continued to walk, his expression calm and composed. In a short while, he had surpassed most of the prodigies and was closing in on the Celestial Prides.

He drew the attention of others as he passed one figure after another.

In the crowd, Gu Chenfeng was near the front, far ahead of most. But as he watched Ye Wushuang's receding figure, a sense of bitter indignation suddenly welled up within him.

That familiar back was unforgettable. It belonged to the young man who had given him two slaps and told him to "get lost." He was only at the Rebirth Level, yet he had already surpassed him, dealing a heavy blow to his pride.

"So fast! He... he seems to be walking slowly, but his steps are so effortless. Now he's already keeping pace with the Celestial Prides."

The eyes of the crowd below followed Ye Wushuang's figure all the way to the very front. Their pupils constricted in disbelief.

Even the geniuses from the Zong Family fell silent, the mocking sneers frozen on their faces.

Because Ye Wushuang had just surpassed Zong Shuai—their very own Celestial Pride had been overtaken.

'So he came!'

As he watched the familiar figure suddenly appear, Mo Wentian's eyes narrowed. Three words surfaced in his mind.

He knew that for Dii Qingxue's marriage selection, Ye Wushuang would definitely come.

Nearby, Young Master Xie Qing's gaze darkened, and his steps faltered slightly as he stared at Ye Wushuang up ahead.

The man he could once defeat with ease had now surpassed him.

The other Celestial Prides also stared at the unfamiliar figure who had suddenly rushed to the front. Their expressions varied, but all held a trace of surprise and wonder.

Ye Wushuang ignored them and pushed all the way to the front. He only glanced at Mo Wentian, a faint smile on his face.

At the sight, Mo Wentian's expression stiffened.

He was all too familiar with that smile. It was the exact same one Ye Wushuang had worn when he'd snatched away the Heavenly Concealing Hand.

As a result, he had been completely played, schemed against to the point of near death.

If his clan elders hadn't saved him, he would likely be dead.

But because of that incident, he had changed completely, obtained an unexpected stroke of fortune, and became a Celestial Pride.

He was no longer the same man he used to be!

'Ye Wushuang, what could you possibly have to compete with me now? I can't wait to find out.'

Mo Wentian glanced back at Ye Wushuang before making a final sprint. With only three steps left, he had no choice but to give it his all.

However, to Ye Wushuang, those three steps were no different from any other.

In an instant, he strode past them, ascending to the ninety-ninth step to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the two figures from the Nirvana Realm.

Afterward, the Dragon King, Mo Wentian, and a few others also set foot on the ninety-ninth step.

But they hadn't managed to reach the top. They were one step too late!

Standing beside the two Nirvana Powerhouses, Ye Wushuang's expression remained serene and untroubled as a wave of Emperor's Power erupted from his body.

It made the two stoic Nirvana Powerhouses glance over, their eyes filled with utter shock.

Emperor's Power!

They sensed a pressure from this young man that was identical to His Majesty the Great Emperor's. Combined with the golden crown on his head, he looked like a born Emperor.

'Emperor's Qi suffusing my body. Not bad at all.'

Sensing the change in his aura, a faint smile finally blossomed on Ye Wushuang's face.

He immediately retracted the Emperor's Power, his expression returning to its initial, unruffled state.

As he scanned the others who had made it up, he couldn't help but feel a sense of lament.

Before, thousands had gathered, a veritable sea of people. Now, a single ninety-nine-step staircase had reduced their number to less than a few dozen.

Only these few dozen had managed to ascend the stairs and pass the test!

What seemed like a simple test was actually so brutal!

Ye Wushuang couldn't imagine how much more difficult the subsequent trials would be.

"Congratulations. You are now official candidates for the marriage selection."

One of the two Nirvana Powerhouses spoke, his gaze sweeping over the prodigies and Celestial Prides before them before finally landing on Ye Wushuang.

Ye Wushuang nodded slightly, offering a faint smile in return.

This took both Nirvana Powerhouses by surprise. Such composure was a rare sight.

The two of them nodded back and said, "Now that you have passed the assessment, please follow us for an audience with His Majesty the Great Emperor. The trials to select the Prince Consort will continue."

With that, the two led the way toward a palace in the center of the Holy Palace.

The host of Celestial Prides followed closely behind, leaving those at the bottom of the stairs filled with immense envy and a hint of resentment.

However, all they could do now was watch from below.

"Passing this trial doesn't mean you've won. Be careful, Rebirth Level."

As they walked, a Celestial Pride whispered a word of warning to Ye Wushuang.

This Celestial Pride was Nanbei, ranked tenth on the Dragon List.

One step spans north and south; he traverses east and west at will!

This was the title everyone had given him. Possessing the Wind Profound Body, his movements were like the wind, like a shadow—he could come and go without a trace.

This innate gift allowed him to move at extreme speeds, delivering an endless barrage of fatal attacks to an opponent in a mere instant. It was utterly terrifying.

"Looks like Nanbei has his eyes on that guy."

Some of the other prodigies heard Nanbei's whisper and glanced over with cold smiles.

Young Master Xie Qing, Zong Shuai, Jing Hui, and other Celestial Prides also fixed their gazes on Ye Wushuang, their brows furrowed and their eyes sharp and piercing.

'Ye Wushuang!'

Everyone silently repeated the name in their minds.

"Junior Brother Ye, I didn't expect you to come to the Holy City. And you've changed so much, it's quite a surprise."

Mo Wentian walked over with a smile.

Anyone who didn't know Mo Wentian would have thought him an easygoing and gentle person.

His smile was so sincere, as if he were greeting an old friend, that it was impossible to see through his facade.

But Ye Wushuang knew better. Mo Wentian clearly hated his guts, yet he put on such a hypocritical smile.

Ye Wushuang was repulsed by that kind of smile. People like that were often the most terrifying of all.

"With Senior Sister Qingxue selecting a husband, how could I not come? But you, Senior Brother Mo... I heard you were injured. I wonder if you've fully recovered? It would be terrible if you had a relapse."

Ye Wushuang turned his head, offering a smile of his own.

Mo Wentian's smile faltered, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

He quickly composed himself, however.

"It was nothing. If not for that injury, I wouldn't have been able to emerge from my cocoon, reborn," Mo Wentian said with a faint smile.

"Is that so?" Ye Wushuang feigned surprise. "By that logic, if you get injured a few more times, Senior Brother Mo's Cultivation should advance by leaps and bounds!"

'A few more times?'

No matter how practiced his smile, it finally froze on Mo Wentian's face. That one incident had nearly cost him his life. A few more times? Would he even have a life left to lose?

"Junior Brother Ye, you must be joking."

Mo Wentian's smile vanished. He knew he couldn't win a battle of wits against Ye Wushuang, so he dropped the subject.

Just then, the group arrived at the Saint Martial Hall.

This was the main hall of the Holy Palace. As everyone entered, they saw the Great Emperor seated on a golden throne carved with Golden Crows. He was tall and imposing, with sharp features and an expression of immense authority.

A terrifying Emperor's Might filled the hall, making it difficult to breathe.

The terrifying aura he exuded was so potent that even Ye Wushuang's expression turned grim.

Without a doubt, His Majesty the Great Emperor was a supreme powerhouse, a peerless figure in the world.

"Congratulations on successfully passing the first test We have set for you. However, Our daughter is not so easily won. If you wish to marry her, you will need to satisfy three of Our requirements."

The Great Emperor spoke, getting straight to the point without any preamble.