Chapter 286: Can

What is an Emperor Weapon? It is a strategic weapon.

Generally, it is the foundation of an immortal faction, never lightly brought forth.

Only when engaging in an immortal war, a life-or-death duel, or when the fate of an immortal faction hangs in the balance, is it unveiled.

Otherwise, who would casually carry an Emperor Weapon around for no reason?

That is precisely why Emperor Weapons rarely appear in the world.

Many cultivators have never seen one in their entire lives.

But now, before countless factions and innumerable beings, Jun Xiaoyao directly unveiled the Panhuang Sword.

Most importantly, this Emperor Weapon is not from the Jun Clan—it belongs to Jun Xiaoyao himself.

This is terrifying.

The Ancestral Dragon Nest also possesses Emperor Weapons, but they could never be entrusted to Princess Long Ji for personal use.

That would be excessive.

"My goodness, first time seeing an Emperor Weapon—let me take a photo."

A prodigy from a minor faction excitedly pulled out a light-image stone and recorded a photo of himself with the distant Emperor Weapon.

This act seemed ridiculous, yet no one mocked him.

Because the vast majority of the younger generation present had never seen an Emperor Weapon.

Even the older generation had seen few.

The Immortal Realm of Huang Tian has not witnessed an immortal war in a long time.

All cultivators present were stunned.

The beings of the Ancestral Dragon Nest were furious, faces flushed, barely holding back curses.

This is a battle among the younger generation—how dare you bring out an Emperor Weapon?

It's like two three-year-olds fighting with wooden swords, and one suddenly pulls out a Gatling gun…

Boom!

While everyone was still reeling from the shock.

The Panhuang Sword emitted terrifying sword light.

Because it sensed provocation.

The Dragon-Engraved Black Gold Sacred Sword slashed through the air.

Although this sword was also forged from divine materials used to craft Emperor Weapons,

it still differed fundamentally from an Emperor Weapon—the two were not on the same level.

Jun Xiaoyao, of course, could not fully unleash the Panhuang Sword's power.

But even one ten-thousandth of its power was far beyond what any other prodigy could withstand.

Clang!

Before the Dragon-Engraved Black Gold Sacred Sword even touched the Panhuang Sword, merely colliding with its sword light, it was instantly blasted away.

A notch appeared on its blade, and cracks spread across its entire length.

"Retrieve it!" Princess Long Ji's beautiful face paled.

The Dragon-Engraved Black Gold Sacred Sword was her personal weapon.

If nurtured well, it might one day grow alongside her into a Semi-Emperor Weapon—or even an Emperor Weapon.

Seeing her sword damaged, Princess Long Ji's heart ached as if bleeding.

The Jun Clan members felt immense satisfaction, as if they had finally vented their pent-up anger.

Earlier, Princess Long Ji had suddenly unveiled this sword to injure Jun Lingcang.

Without it, Jun Lingcang would never have fallen so easily.

Now, Princess Long Ji sought to use the same tactic against Jun Xiaoyao.

Instead of stealing victory, she lost her sword—and suffered damage to it.

The Sacred Sword flew backward, but Princess Long Ji controlled it.

Yet the residual sword light still shoved her back, bringing a sweet taste to her throat, which she suppressed.

Seeing Princess Long Ji's slightly disheveled state, all present sighed.

How can she fight?

There's no way she can fight!

"Jun Xiaoyao, you've gone too far! This is a battle among the younger generation—why bring out an Emperor Weapon?!" a being from the Ancestral Dragon Nest roared.

Without the Emperor Weapon, Princess Long Ji would never have been so suppressed.

"Exactly! Relying solely on an Emperor Weapon—what kind of skill is that?!"

Beings from the Ten Thousand Phoenix Spiritual Mountain and the Qilin Ancient Cave also shouted.

One rises, all rise; one falls, all fall. Princess Long Ji's defeat shamed every Ancient Imperial Clan.

Facing these baseless accusations, Jun Xiaoyao remained as calm as ever.

His mind was like a still well—unshakable by anyone.

"Oh? When did I say Princess Long Ji couldn't use an Emperor Weapon? She's free to use one."

Jun Xiaoyao's casual remark left all the Ancient Imperial Clan beings speechless, unable to utter a single rebuttal.

That's right!

Jun Xiaoyao never said Princess Long Ji couldn't use an Emperor Weapon.

But—

Who else could casually pull out an Emperor Weapon like Jun Xiaoyao?

Hearing this, Princess Long Ji nearly suffered internal injury from rage.

Jun Xiaoyao's casual remark not only silenced the Ancient Imperial Clans but also slapped Princess Long Ji hard across the face.

How could she possibly carry an Emperor Weapon with her?

Hearing Jun Xiaoyao's retort, those around him murmured in awe.

"I heard the Jun Clan's Divine Son rarely speaks, but when he does, he drives enemies to rage until they suffer internal injuries."

"True—his verbal swordplay fears no provocation."

At this moment, Jun Xiaoyao stood atop the void, Panhuang Sword in hand, transcendent and sublime, like a Divine King of Sword Dao.

Princess Long Ji dared not move a muscle—she feared the Panhuang Sword too much.

Jun Xiaoyao could casually unveil the Panhuang Sword because he was confident no one would dare seize it from him.

A prodigy with no background who revealed an Emperor Weapon in public would be asking for death.

"If you can't handle it, just say so. Perhaps I'll show mercy." Jun Xiaoyao smiled faintly.

That smile deeply wounded Princess Long Ji's pride.

She wanted to refute, to resist.

But feeling the Emperor Weapon's might, that impulse was crushed.

Princess Long Ji had never felt such humiliation!

She, a descendant of an Ancient Emperor, an ancient anomaly of the Ancestral Dragon Nest, was silenced, unable to speak a word.

After a long silence, Princess Long Ji clenched her jade hand tightly and spat out a single phrase through gritted teeth.

"Without an Emperor Weapon, I would never fear you!"

This statement meant Princess Long Ji had surrendered—she dared not challenge the Emperor Weapon.

"Hmph… So you can't handle it. No matter. I'll accommodate you, after all…"

"Why use an ox to kill a chicken?"

Jun Xiaoyao looked down, his tone cold, dripping with mockery.

His meaning: to deal with Princess Long Ji, he didn't even need an Emperor Weapon.

Princess Long Ji's fury nearly burst her lungs; her exquisite face flushed crimson.

She truly wanted to tear Jun Xiaoyao apart limb by limb.

"Xiaoyao…"

Seeing Jun Xiaoyao about to sheathe the Panhuang Sword, the Jun Clan members grew uneasy.

Jun Xiaoyao, however, remained calm and composed.

He was no fool who refused to use an Emperor Weapon when he could.

On the Emperor Path, or in any life-or-death struggle, Jun Xiaoyao would certainly use it.

Fair duels meant nothing to him.

The one who laughs last is the winner.

But the situation now was different.

This was a formal challenge.

If Jun Xiaoyao used the Emperor Weapon and easily subdued Princess Long Ji,

everyone would attribute the victory to the Emperor Weapon, not to Jun Xiaoyao himself.

Jun Xiaoyao wanted the Jun Clan's reputation to soar—he had to subdue Princess Long Ji with his own strength.

Because of this consideration, Jun Xiaoyao chose to sheathe the Panhuang Sword.

Otherwise, in another setting, Jun Xiaoyao would likely have used the Emperor Weapon to kill Princess Long Ji outright.