Two supreme geniuses unfolded a peak showdown in a desolate area of the Western State, a battle that many martial artists throughout the Western State eagerly anticipated witnessing.

The world shook, mountain peaks shattered, and towering trees were uprooted and turned into powder.

The terrifying nature of the True Martial Physique was fully realized by Xiao Ye through Shen Tu.

The combat techniques Shen Tu displayed were far more exquisite than those of other geniuses from the Ancient Era, but they still couldn’t compare to the techniques of later generations. Yet, each move pointed directly to the origin of martial arts, possessing the ability to transform decay into wonder.

The True Martial Physique was exploited to the fullest in Shen Tu.

Even Shen Tu only possessed half of the True Martial Physique, and Xiao Ye could hardly imagine just how frightening a complete True Martial Physique would be.

The first Great Emperor of the Human Clan, the Unrivaled Emperor, could rise in such an era and advance into the supreme realm, indeed not without reason.

"Wind and Cloud Hand!"

As Shen Tu struck again, the Heaven and Earth primordial Qi trembled, like a Divine hand pushing forward, swallowing a vast expanse of distance, stirring the winds and clouds, intending to suppress Xiao Ye.

"Suppressing Universe Palm!"

Xiao Ye directly utilized four kinds of Emperor Martial Power to activate emperor-level combat skills. A handprint with an Eight Diagrams totem emerged, as if a Young Emperor had awakened, sweeping across the realm, the handprint charging towards the Heavenly Dome to meet Shen Tu’s strike.

The two’s attacks clashed, needle point to wheat spike, and after a thunderous roar, they were mutually annihilated. A terrifying energy storm swept forth, causing Xiao Ye’s body to stagger back, spitting a mouthful of blood once more, his internal organs vibrating, already suffering internal injuries.

Too terrifying!

Xiao Ye engaged in a showdown using four types of Emperor Martial Power, yet still fell under, as the opponent’s True Martial Physique could entirely offset his advantage in combat techniques.

The opponent was already an invincible titled Emperor Martial, a gap hard to bridge.

"Damn, if truly forced, then today I can only eliminate the top ranked genius on the True Dragon List!"

As Xiao Ye’s figure retreated explosively, operating his Domineering Body Healing, his eyes flashed with coldness.

Although even his emperor-level combat skills couldn’t contend with Shen Tu, once he summoned the half-step Emperor’s body, eliminating the opponent wouldn’t be too difficult in his confidence.

"Brother Xiao, my apologies!"

However at this moment, Shen Tu suddenly stopped, the terrifying suppression receding through him, and his gaze towards Xiao Ye was filled with admiration.

It seemed at this moment he completely regarded Xiao Ye as a peer-level strongman, even his address changed.

"Hmm?"

Xiao Ye was slightly startled.

This guy who suddenly attacked and now stopped, even apologized to him, left him somewhat perplexed. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Brother Xiao, not only do you possess perseverance, the courage to face all adversities, but also such formidable strength. If you undergo the True Martial Baptism, your strength definitely would not be weaker than mine, indeed, I didn’t judge you wrongly."

"Actually, my visit this time is because I’ve indeed confirmed you don’t belong to any faction within the Four Great States, hence I wanted to invite you to join our Pure Yang Alliance. Before this, I needed to test your strength and character." Shen Tu lightly smiled.

"Pure Yang Alliance?"

Xiao Ye slightly furrowed his brows. He was not unfamiliar with this faction’s name, having descended into the Ancient Era for some time.

The Western State is considered one of the Four Great States of the True Spirit Continent during the Ancient Era, standing with various tangled and complicated factions, often embroiled in battles, more brutal than later generations.

Yet in the Western State, some extremely potent factions were untouchable.

Such as the Pure Yang Alliance!

This faction is very powerful, with numerous formidable martial artists, ranking in the top three in comprehensive strength within the Western State, controlling hundreds of thousands of miles of territory.

However... he hadn’t heard that Shen Tu was actually a martial artist of the Pure Yang Alliance.

This wasn’t surprising.

Since during the Ancient Era, without the support of strong factions, obtaining the True Martial Baptism was too difficult.

"Do you think I will agree to you?" Xiao Ye spoke indifferently.

He exhibited his brilliance in the Western State and carried many cultivation techniques and combat skills. Once this news spreads, although many are deterred by the half-step Emperor’s body, these major factions cannot be guaranteed not to take action against him.

That aspect, Xiao Ye understood clearly.

"But if I say... temporarily joining our Pure Yang Alliance might grant you a qualification for the True Martial Baptism?"

Shen Tu said.

"What?" Xiao Ye trembled at the words.

Having descended alone into the Ancient Era, unfamiliar with everything in the East State, he was indeed troubled by obtaining the qualification for the True Martial Baptism.

Now, such a convenience presented itself?

Yet, he didn’t believe the opponent’s kind intentions.

"Brother Xiao, I mentioned the energy of the True Martial Baptism is getting rarer, and this time the quota is even less. Just half of it goes to the East State, the other half our Three Great States factions aim to acquire only through powerful strength."

"Therefore, our Three Great States factions agreed that each time the quota for the True Martial Baptism is decided by a duel of talents within the factions who’ve never undergone the baptism."

"Though our Pure Yang Alliance is strong, there are still numerous comparable factions within the other Three Great States, plus this time, many terrifying geniuses have emerged within the other Three Great States, hence why I’m here to invite you."

Shen Tu perceived Xiao Ye’s vigilant, explaining with a wry smile.

"I see!" Upon hearing, Xiao Ye realized, finally leaving his doubts.

To acquire the True Martial Baptism quota, he must exert his strength for the Pure Yang Alliance.

"Engaging in a duel with the talents of the Three Great States... I’m quite looking forward to it, then I agree." Xiao Ye nodded.

He had no reason to refuse the Pure Yang Alliance’s condition.

The Ancient Era spawned many geniuses, yet besides Tie Xue, he was confident no genius without undergoing the True Martial Baptism surpassed him.

"I knew Brother Xiao, you’d agree. Let’s go, our Pure Yang Alliance will accompany you to the East State, where we will converge with the Three Great States’ factions, needing your strength then."

"This ’White Dragon Root’ can aid in healing your injuries."

Shen Tu smiled, simultaneously retrieving a treasure from his bosom that exuded dense life energy, resembling a finger-thick tree root, handing it to Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye didn’t hesitate, directly accepting it.

Presently, as Shen Tu explained about the Pure Yang Alliance, he took Xiao Ye away from this place.

"Damn it, that mysterious young man Xiao Ye was pulled away? Which faction exactly?"

"Ah, we arrived late..."

"Now it’s troublesome, it’s rumored that strong geniuses have emerged in the Northern and Southern States over the years."

Shortly after the two departed, gusts swept the area, several martial artists arrived in sequence, inspecting the battle traces nearby, even rushing into Barre City. Discovering Xiao Ye had already left, they were quite disappointed.

They were all martial artists from powerful factions in the Western State, equally keen on recruiting Xiao Ye.