Reborn After 3,000 Years, I Adopted the Future Empress - Chapter 6:

Chapter 6: Lin Tian’s True Trump Card…

At the same time, Ye Chen’s martial meridian force swept forward like an unstoppable torrent, nearly annihilating Lin Tian’s martial meridian power completely.

The crushing pressure surged like a tidal wave, crashing down on Lin Tian’s proud head, making it hard for him to breathe.

“Young Master Ye, I’m truly sorry for earlier. Please give Ling’er a chance to rephrase her words,” Jian Ling’er could no longer hold back. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Ye Chen. “Lin Tian is but a flickering candle—how can a candlelight compare with the brilliance of a full moon? Besides, in Ling’er’s heart, you’ve always been the scorching sun hanging above the firmament!”

As she spoke, Jian Ling’er smiled sweetly at Ye Chen, her beauty on full display, brimming with charm and temptation.

If this had been his previous life, Ye Chen would’ve already been completely smitten—he probably would’ve even thought of names for their future grandchildren.

But in this life, after knowing the venomous nature of Jian Ling’er, he now only found her nauseating.

If it weren’t for the fact that now wasn’t the right time to break ties, Ye Chen would’ve already slapped her across the face and taught her just why the flowers were so red.

“No!”

“I refuse to accept this!” Jealousy twisted Lin Tian’s face into a grotesque snarl.

He drew his sword, and sword aura soared into the sky—he was actually a sword cultivator!

What shocked everyone further was that the sword technique he used was exquisite beyond measure—a saint-level technique.

“You’re reckless. Exposing a saint-level sword technique like this will attract countless greedy eyes. And with your current cultivation level, recklessly using it will cause backlash,” the remnant soul within Lin Tian quickly warned.

But Lin Tian cut him off, “I must win this duel! Please assist me fully in using this sword technique!”

“But—” the remnant soul tried to speak again.

Lin Tian interrupted once more, “I know your help will cost you dearly, but if you don’t help me, I’ll lose! If you help, at worst, you’ll fall into a coma. But if you don’t—I’ll be utterly defeated!”

The remnant soul was speechless.

Seeing that Lin Tian had already begun using the technique, the remnant soul knew there was no turning back and had no choice but to channel what little power she had left into his body.

Lin Tian suddenly felt a rush of unprecedented strength and was overjoyed. Madness filled his eyes. “Die!”

With the secret assistance of the remnant soul, Lin Tian successfully performed the saint-level sword technique called Sword Dao Enlightenment.

Dozens of sword auras erupted from his sword. Each one slithered like a spirit snake, brimming with lethal intent, shooting toward Ye Chen from all sorts of sharp, unpredictable angles.

Ye Chen remained calm, even slightly scornful.

In his previous life, Ye Chen had cultivated for 3,000 years. Although he wasn’t even a speck compared to Empress Qingshang, he had still achieved the realm of a Great Emperor.

And he had achieved it through the sword.

Though his sword cultivation realm hadn’t carried over in this life, all his insights and comprehension had remained crystal clear in his memory.

To Ye Chen, Lin Tian’s so-called flawless sword moves were riddled with openings.

He teleported instantly, easily dodging all of it.

Then he drew his sword.

With a single slash, an overwhelming wave of sword aura exploded forth like a raging tide, layer upon layer crashing toward Lin Tian.

Lin Tian was horrified. He quickly released sword aura to form a protective barrier.

Unfortunately, in front of Ye Chen’s sword aura tide, that seemingly impressive barrier was as fragile as a withered leaf in autumn—instantly shattered.

The ruthless wave smashed into Lin Tian’s face and body like a storm. Like a kite with a broken string, he was sent flying off the battle stage.

Everyone saw Lin Tian land battered and bloodied. His once-handsome face was now unrecognizable—blood and teeth flew through the air, his nose and eyes twisted in different directions…

Hisssss—

The crowd erupted with endless gasps of disbelief.

Ye Chen wasn’t just a sword cultivator—he had defeated Lin Tian in a single move! Terrifying!

That slash was from Ye Chen’s self-created sword technique from his past life: the God-Slaying Sword Technique, an emperor-level sword art!

In both name and rank, it utterly crushed Lin Tian’s saint-level Sword Dao Enlightenment.

Unfortunately, at the critical moment, the remnant soul within Lin Tian had expended a large amount of energy to shield him from the full blow. Otherwise, Lin Tian would’ve already been dead.

“Stop!” Lin Tian roared, blood in his eyes, as Ye Chen prepared to leave the stage.

Ye Chen frowned. “You’ve already lost. What more do you want?”

If not for the powerful remnant soul in Lin Tian’s body, Ye Chen would’ve struck again and ended him right here.

“I… haven’t lost! I can still fight!” Lin Tian shouted, dragging himself back onto the stage.

He had come here to trample Ye Chen and gain glory—but now, he had been trampled instead. Jian Ling’er didn’t even spare him a second glance. He couldn’t accept this!

“You were knocked off the stage and still have the face to crawl back up? Have you no shame?”

“Seriously. Lin Tian can’t even match Young Master Ye in bloodline or swordsmanship. What’s he still trying to fight with?”

…

The crowd ridiculed him without restraint.

Even the remnant soul in his body transmitted a warning, “Don’t act rashly. Let it go for today. We clearly underestimated Ye Chen—you are no match for him right now.”

Lin Tian exploded, “What?! Even you are praising Ye Chen and belittling me?”

The remnant soul sighed, “I’m just being objective. There’s no need to risk your life today. In three days, the secret realm will open. There’s an incredible opportunity inside—one only I can obtain. It could greatly boost your cultivation. Wait three days, and defeating Ye Chen will be easy.”

Lin Tian shook his head violently. “Three days? No. I can’t wait even one. I want Ye Chen dead—today, now, immediately!”

Especially after hearing that Jian Ling’er had invited Ye Chen to Moonlight Pavilion to admire the moon, Lin Tian completely lost all reason. “I want to unlock the second layer of the Demon-Suppressing Tower!”

“Absolutely not!” The remnant soul panicked.

She knew very well that Lin Tian’s greatest trump card wasn’t her, but the Demon-Suppressing Tower inside his body.

That tower had nine layers. Each layer sealed a terrifying demon.

There was the Sword Demon, who could shatter the heavens with a single slash…

The Pill Demon, who could refine heaven and earth…

The Formation Demon, whose formations were invincible…

…

The higher the layer, the stronger the demon.

Since acquiring the tower, Lin Tian had only opened the first layer, which sealed the weakest demon—Sword Demon—who was already heavily wounded. Even then, it had taken nearly all of the remnant soul’s strength to help Lin Tian kill it.

In return, Lin Tian had obtained the Sword Demon’s legacy and began his path as a sword cultivator.

But the second layer sealed the Pill Demon—far stronger and cruel beyond measure. In the past, he would refine entire cities into living pills with no hesitation.

If released recklessly, not even the remnant soul could control him. The entire Imperial Capital could be destroyed.

“Why not? The Pill Demon has contacted me many times. He promised that if I free him, he’ll grant me all his inheritances—and as thanks, he’ll protect me for three years, free of charge!”

Lin Tian imagined that once he released the Pill Demon, he’d immediately order him to kill Ye Chen—no, wipe out the entire War King Manor to eliminate any future threat.

The remnant soul wanted to cough up blood. “You actually believe that monster? I guarantee you—once unsealed, the first thing he’ll do is slaughter everyone and refine them into pills!”

“His body is a demonic vessel! Once released, not even I—just a remnant soul—can hold him back. Even the Sword Emperor in his prime couldn’t! Unless someone awakens an Emperor Physique—but those are rarer than phoenix feathers across the Profound Sky Continent! The Sword Empire certainly doesn’t have one!”

Lin Tian sneered, “That’s just your guess. I’m the current master of the Demon-Suppressing Tower. How could the Pill Demon not fear me? I’m granting him freedom—how could he repay kindness with betrayal?”

Before the remnant soul could speak further, Lin Tian cut her off again, “Besides, cultivation is the road of risking life and limb. If I acted as timidly as you, I’d never achieve greatness! I’ve made up my mind—enough talking!”

With that, Lin Tian began reciting the incantation.

The gate to the second layer of the Demon-Suppressing Tower began to shake.

Outside, a violent wind kicked up. Black clouds pressed low over the city.

And from above the heavens—a massive demonic face began to descend…