Chapter 302: The Eight Fierce Swords

The experts guarding the Rain Clan's mansion were stunned, completely dumbfounded. Just moments ago, they had been shouting loudly, commanding this young boy to leave with utter disrespect.

Unexpectedly, the boy was even more disrespectful. In an instant, he retaliated by shattering the entrance archway of the Rain Clan's mansion with a single slap, sending rubble flying in all directions, turning the place into ruins.

How powerful must one be to do this? After all, this was the mansion of a prestigious ancient family!

Who would dare come here and cause such a disturbance? Everyone was dumbstruck, unable to believe it. How much audacity must this person have to come to the Rain Clan and wreak havoc? And it was just a teenager! Was he tired of living?

The entire street fell silent at first, then erupted into an uproar.

"Who are you? Do you have a death wish?" The people of the Rain Clan were so furious they stuttered. This was too much—did this boy really think he could treat the Rain King's mansion as some common place?

These days, they had been feeling incredibly stifled. A great demon god had humiliated the entire clan, leaving them suffocated and oppressed. And now, even a mere boy dared to come to their doorstep and act in such a manner. This was simply unbearable.

Had the Rain Clan truly fallen this low? At that moment, even they couldn't help but wonder. Otherwise, why would even a teenager dare to bully them?

"We're talking to you! Didn't you hear? Do you have a death wish?" The guards at the mansion vented their frustration by shouting furiously.

"If you don't want to die, get lost," Shi Hao responded coldly, raising his hand once more. His black hand, massive in size, came crashing down with a thunderous sound, smashing another wall. Stones as large as millstones flew, and dust filled the air.

The people of the Rain Clan were dumbfounded. Was this really happening? They felt a surge of heat rush through their bodies, their minds overwhelmed by the provocation, and then they all screamed, charging forward.

This was too outrageous! Did this boy really think the Rain Clan was an easy target, something to crush and destroy at will? This was the mansion of a noble family with an ancient heritage.

They thought the boy was insane. Otherwise, how could he be so arrogant? This was simply unreasonable!

A piercing "buzzing" sound echoed as various precious arts and symbols flashed, illuminating the area brightly.

However, Shi Hao simply waved his hand, and the glowing symbols in the void all dimmed, dissipating into strands of energy.

"He's so strong," the people thought, their hearts filled with dread, yet they didn't stop.

More than a dozen individuals charged forward like ferocious beasts, each one incredibly fierce. Their anger was explosive. If they couldn't take down the boy before them, they felt they would go mad with fury.

Shi Hao didn't pay them much mind. Instead of attacking them directly, he stomped the ground with tremendous force, exuding dominance.

With a thunderous boom, the stones exploded into the air, and the steps in front of the Rain King's mansion all crumbled. Cracks spread across the ground, deep and dark fissures forming as they extended forward.

The dozen individuals staggered, then were all sent flying by the force, crashing into the broken courtyard walls and the ruins of the entrance archway, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The group was both shocked and enraged. This boy was terrifying. A single stomp had cracked the earth, sending a powerful force that injured them and threw them into the air.

"What a formidable kid. No wonder he's so arrogant," they thought in fear.

At the same time, they immediately reported the situation inside. After their initial shock and fury, they realized this was no simple matter. Even though it was just a boy, it could lead to serious trouble.

"Who dares to cause trouble at my Rain King's mansion?" The destruction of the entrance archway and the collapse of the courtyard walls alarmed the people inside. Several experts who had been stationed there quickly appeared.

"Boom!"

Shi Hao said nothing, delivering another powerful slap, shattering the remaining courtyard walls. The entire street-facing part of the mansion collapsed, turning into ruins.

This scene made the approaching experts' faces turn pale with rage. One of them immediately summoned a treasured artifact, launching it at Shi Hao in a deadly strike. This boy was far too arrogant.

"Clang!"

To his shock, Shi Hao met the attack with a single punch, smashing into the artifact. A clear ringing sound echoed, and the weapon shattered into pieces.

"What? He's that tough?"

"No matter what, we must take him down quickly and teach him a lesson, or we'll face severe punishment from the clan," someone said. After the previous battle with the demon god, the Rain Clan had tightened their defenses.

The few experts stationed in the front courtyard were strong, responsible for the mansion's security. If a major incident occurred today, they wouldn't be able to escape severe punishment.

They solemnly took out a stone box, treating it like an ultimate treasure, and with great reverence, they forcefully opened it. A radiant light burst forth from within, along with a chilling murderous aura.

As they chanted incantations, the stone box emitted a ringing sound.

In an instant, a sword formation appeared, enveloping the area and covering the sky. Eight flying swords, each no more than the length of a palm, shot out, gleaming with a translucent luster and exuding a terrifying killing intent.

The swords slashed through the air like lightning. Shi Hao dodged, and the eight swords swept across the long street. The solid bluestone ground was cut into numerous pieces as easily as slicing tofu.

Shi Hao was startled. These men were experts, but the treasure they wielded was even more formidable. It was undoubtedly a deadly weapon, far beyond their own abilities.

"Swoosh!"

A blue sword blade, just over half a foot long, shot toward him, incredibly sharp, like a divine light rising from the depths of a sapphire sea, brimming with killing intent.

"Clang!"

Shi Hao flicked his finger, striking the blue, gleaming bone sword. A clear sound rang out as it was sent flying, but it didn’t shatter, causing Shi Hao to be momentarily shaken.

What a formidable flying sword! It was made from the bones of a terrifying ancient species, and some runes were carved into it, allowing it to withstand such a strike.

At the same time, the other seven swords slashed forward, their sword light surging like waves, each wave taller and more fearsome than the last.

"What?" Shi Hao was shocked. This sword formation was extraordinary. Each successive sword strike was stronger than the one before, with the light of the swords growing increasingly intense.

With each strike, the power increased, the sword light stacking higher and higher. By the time the eighth sword came down, it was like a vast ocean of sword light crashing down, terrifying beyond belief.

"What a magnificent sword formation! This is definitely an ancient killing weapon passed down through the ages," Shi Hao exclaimed.

It was clear that after their previous calamity, the Rain King's mansion had become much more cautious, setting up this formidable sword formation, a deadly trap.

"This is quite a rare treasure," Shi Hao's eyes gleamed with excitement. He hadn't expected to encounter such a rare and precious artifact as soon as he stepped into the Rain Clan's mansion.

In the end, after careful consideration, he decided not to clash with the formation head-on. When the eight flying swords slashed toward him again, he opened ten heavenly apertures, and within the brilliant sword light, all eight flying swords were sucked inside, disappearing without a trace.

It wasn’t that the sword formation lacked power, but rather that its strength was too great. Not wanting to engage in a bloody battle, Shi Hao used his most effective method to seize the treasure.

"You!" The group was stunned. This was the clan's ultimate killing weapon, a rare treasure forged from the bones of eight different ancient species, with each sword razor-sharp and inscribed with complex runes. Yet, they had been so easily taken away.

Shi Hao had truly gained a rare treasure this time. The Rain Clan had placed this precious sword formation outside the mansion to serve as a deterrent to any invaders, but it had been taken by him before it could even unleash its full power.

"Ten Caves of Heaven, are you..." Their faces turned pale, as if they suddenly remembered something. One by one, they instinctively backed away.

Shi Hao let out a cold snort and spat out a bolt of purple lightning. Not wanting to tangle with them further, the place was instantly shrouded in purple mist, followed by a chorus of miserable screams.

The sound of thunder echoed down the long street, causing everyone to tremble. A major battle was brewing in front of the Rain Clan’s residence once again.

The fight ended swiftly. The area became littered with charred bodies, occasional arcs of electricity still crackling around them. Everyone was twitching, completely incapacitated.

Though none had died, they were in no condition to fight any further.

“I don’t want to initiate a slaughter, but if I’m pushed to that point, you won’t be able to blame me,” Shi Hao said calmly.

The scene was chaotic. Inside the Rain Clan’s estate, word of the battle quickly spread, and a furious group rushed out. Was someone deliberately trying to humiliate their clan?

Everyone knew that not long ago, the Great Demon God had caused an uproar, making the clan lose face. Now, this young boy was doing something very similar. Was he trying to imitate that?

“Who dares to come to our clan’s residence and make trouble?” A loud voice roared as dozens of people appeared, swiftly surrounding the entrance of the estate.

By now, the street had become even more crowded. The series of events happening right before their eyes left the onlookers in a daze. This young boy was audacious beyond belief, shocking everyone.

“Go and see! Something big is happening at the Rain Clan again.”

“Wow, it's really lively today. The Rain Clan's gate has been destroyed again. A young boy fought boldly and took down a group of people. I think we’re in for another spectacle at the Rain King's mansion today.”

The street was abuzz with commotion. News of the incident spread quickly in all directions.

The Rain Clan members' faces turned ashen. Without a doubt, they had once again become a laughingstock, attracting the attention of the capital's citizens. Nothing was going right for them.

At this moment, Shi Hao took out the eight flying swords and examined them carefully, unable to suppress his surprise. They were indeed extraordinary. The swords were forged from the bones of ancient beasts, each with a different color, gleaming with a lustrous glow.

This was truly an exceptional set of treasures. If he hadn’t opened the Ten Caves of Heaven immediately and swiftly taken them away, it would have been quite difficult to break the formation. It would have required much more effort and caused significant trouble.

“The Eight Fiend Swords, they’ve fallen into your hands.” The faces of the Rain Clan members who appeared grew even darker. This was one of their clan’s deadly weapons, yet for some reason, it had failed to unleash its full power and was easily taken by the opponent. Every one of them wore a grim expression.

The true Eight Fiend Swords were famous in ancient times, forged from the primal bones of eight divine birds and pure-blooded ferocious beasts. Paired with a set of sword techniques and incantations, they could form a sword formation reputed to kill saints and demons alike.

However, primal bones from any ancient ferocious beast were rare treasures. How could they fall into the hands of ordinary people?

The incantations and sword techniques had been passed down, but the materials to forge the Eight Fiend Swords were almost impossible to gather. After all, who in this world could slaughter eight mature divine birds or pure-blooded beasts?

Shi Hao was surprised to discover incantations on the stone box, which filled him with delight. This was an ancient artifact, equivalent to a formation map that could set up the true Eight Fiend Sword Formation.

“Hmph, who would have thought I’d come across such a valuable treasure? Maybe one day, I’ll be able to obtain the primal bones of eight ancient ferocious beasts or divine birds and forge the true Eight Fiend Sword Formation,” he muttered to himself, quickly performing a round of refinement. Perhaps he could test the swords in a while.

At the end of the chapter, a book recommendation was made for "The Legend of the Holy Spirit and Demon"—a story about a demon king who reincarnated in pursuit of ascending to godhood and a pure, innocent young boy. As their destinies intertwine, an epic saga of karma and reincarnation unfolds between the realms of saints and demons.

Chapter 301: Unstoppable All the Way

Chapter 301: Unstoppable All the Way

Things were going badly. Everyone felt an icy chill, knowing that the young man, before arriving at their residence, would most likely ensure their silence.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, everyone felt a chill of dread. This was a massacre, and most people present were likely to perish.

"Fight him!"

Someone shouted and activated their precious artifact, causing a burst of dazzling light and radiant runes to cover the courtyard.

With a loud crack, the sound of the artifact shattering filled the air, and a scream followed as one of them was crushed to the ground by Shi Hao’s foot.

“Old Ninth, you—”

The others were enraged and shocked. The person who was crushed by Shi Hao was an important member of their group, but just moments ago, he was the first to attempt escape and incite others to charge forward while trying to flee himself.

In the face of imminent death and disaster, everyone should have united, but seeing this betrayal in the midst of their anger only deepened their despair.

At this point, their emotions were more unstable than ever. Facing the figure of the young demon king, everyone could only furrow their brows and launch their strongest attacks.

At the same time, someone shouted to spread the news of this location and to call for help from those outside the inn.

However, it was all in vain because the courtyard was sealed off. Various runes intertwined, creating a barrier of light that isolated them from the outside world.

Around the courtyard, several array flags emitted light, trapping the space.

Clearly, this was a battle with no suspense. Shi Hao, merged with the black figure, had formed an indestructible golden body, with combat power comparable to a powerful king.

More people arrived outside the Tiger Gate Inn, including some experts from the Martial King’s Manor, who had come to offer assistance upon hearing of the battle.

“Did anything unexpected happen?” asked Shi Ziming, a cousin of Shi Zengteng. He knew that the young man was extraordinary and, upon seeing the Rain Clan’s iron cavalry surrounding the area but not entering, he became worried and said, “Let’s go in and take a look.”

The Martial King’s Manor had a close relationship with the Rain Clan; they were allies, and Shi Zengteng’s lineage had marital ties with them. Therefore, a single word from him prompted action.

As soon as they stepped deeper into the inn, they sensed something was wrong and smelled blood. As they approached the courtyard, they were shocked to see a large array glowing.

“Everyone, attack together and break the array!” Shi Ziming ordered.

Everyone shouted in unison and launched their attacks. In an instant, the light surged, and divine power swept through the entire courtyard.

In fact, as they attacked, the array flags in the courtyard were retracted by someone, automatically opening up and revealing the scene inside.

The important figures who arrived looked at the courtyard, all trembling. The ground was covered in blood, and the experts from the Rain King’s Manor lay dead in pools of blood, having lost their life force.

“Yumu!” someone exclaimed in shock.

There was still one person fighting the young man who radiated black light—Yumu, a renowned general of the Rain Clan who had survived battles in the Hundred Clans battlefield.

His troops were elite, and the iron cavalry surrounding the Tiger Gate Inn were led by him.

However, now he was disheveled, having exhausted all his strength and used all his precious techniques, but was suppressed by a single hand from the opponent, causing him to bend and half-bury himself in the ground.

“He is—” Yumu turned back and shouted to the crowd, trying to reveal something.

“Puh!”

In the end, Yumu spat out blood. He was crushed by that hand, his bones shattered in multiple places, and he was buried in the ground, dying on the spot.

Everyone was horrified. Yumu was a supreme expert who had walked the Hundred Clans battlefield and survived, regardless of the outcome.

Being crushed to death and turned into a cold corpse by a single hand was terrifying and made everyone’s hair stand on end.

“What a young man, so ruthless. Killing eight or nine lives, you are truly a demon king,” Shi Ziming said angrily.

“Do you still have any shame?” Shi Hao asked calmly, but with an authoritative tone that made people shudder. He coldly continued, “You came to kill me, and when I struck back, you blame me for being ruthless. This is a manifestation of shamelessness to the extreme, or is this your nature, or are you just joking?”

Such questioning, with sarcasm and mockery, made those who were already angry blush with embarrassment, though they remained indignant.

“The Rain Clan is truly disappointing, showing no improvement. Look at the people who came, they’re simply not enough to kill,” Shi Hao shook his head.

The Rain Clan members' eyes reddened. Earlier, Yumu and a few strong experts formed a team and led the charge, allowing others to assist. But in just a short time, all the experts had been wiped out.

At this moment, people could not see Shi Hao’s expression. As he was merged with the indestructible golden body, unless he actively manifested it, people could only see the flowing black light and the surging aura of a warrior. However, they could sense his contempt and scorn.

“Who are you?” Shi Ziming demanded, as Yumu seemed to have tried to reveal Shi Hao’s identity before dying, but only managed to utter two meaningless words.

In fact, those who had arrived were all nervous, even contemplating fleeing immediately. With Yumu dead, they knew they were no match, even with their numbers.

“Go and be reunited in death,” Shi Hao’s voice turned cold as he advanced towards Shi Ziming.

In terms of bloodline, Shi Hao was a distant uncle, but now, there was no familial affection left. If they knew his identity and had the ability to kill him, they would definitely not show mercy.

He soared into the air like a black metal figure, cold and ruthless, wielding a large flag that swept through with a thunderous boom, changing the heavens and earth, accompanied by wind and thunder.

With a “puh,” Shi Ziming was struck and coughed up blood. This result was shocking. In just one clash, the expert from the Martial King’s Manor was injured.

“King!”

Only this term could explain it; otherwise, how could one be so powerful and terrifying?

Shi Hao said nothing, observing the others as he made another move. He did not wish to turn into a demon and kill everyone, but he would not spare the leaders.

“Attack together!” Shi Ziming commanded. This person was impossible to fight head-on, at least not by one alone. He called upon his clansmen and the Rain Clan’s iron cavalry to charge forward.

Unfortunately, Shi Hao did not intend to give him a chance. He acted forcefully, unwilling to delay further.

Ten openings to the heavenly realm were activated simultaneously. The void twisted, and radiant runes surged forward like a tide, solidifying the void. Shi Ziming and several leaders were immobilized.

This was an absolute confinement, with no suspense. They could not break free, which was very exhausting, but Shi Hao did not hold back; he wanted to end the battle quickly.

“Puh!”

He charged through, severing Shi Ziming’s head, which fell to the ground.

Almost simultaneously, the other leaders were also decapitated, dying on the spot, with no chance of escape.

The remaining iron cavalry was stunned. It seemed the battle had ended almost as soon as it began, leaving everyone trembling, even those who had experienced blood and fire.

“Kill!” Some shouted, being determined fighters who were not afraid of the demon-like young man.

As a result, a sword light flashed, and these people were sliced in half, lying dead on the ground, with blood gushing out. The place was quite bloody.

Someone shouted, “The Rain Clan will not spare you. No matter where you run, you will die.” But their tone was clearly blustering.

Shi Hao flicked his finger, and a blood bloom appeared on the person’s forehead. The person fell to the ground, lifeless.

“There is no need for your Rain Clan to trouble me. I’ll go straight to your door to seek an explanation,” Shi Hao said as he strode away.

News of the events at the Tiger Gate Inn quickly spread, causing an uproar. The nearby crowds surged, and many people rushed to the scene, all in shock.

What kind of young man dares to be so reckless, killing people from the Martial King’s Manor and challenging the Rain Clan? His ferocity was unmatched.

In fact, as the Rain Clan’s experts fell and suffered a great defeat, iron cavalry rushed back to their clan to report, but they could not outpace Shi Hao.

He did not reveal his true Kunpeng techniques but used the residual power from earlier, moving at lightning speed, with what seemed like a pair of golden wings behind him, crossing the imperial capital and quickly arriving at the Rain Clan’s estate.

It was a vast estate with a grand gatehouse, imposing doors, and two stone beasts flanking it, creating a magnificent and grand sight.

Some time ago, the great demon god had destroyed it, but after repairs and renovations by the Rain Clan, the estate had become even grander.

With gray-red walls and light-golden tiles, it sprawled like a fortress. The Rain Clan had meticulously arranged it, inscribing numerous runes and arrays to protect their entrance.

Standing here, Shi Hao was reminded of many things. The Rain Clan had never inspired any goodwill in him. Apart from Shi Yi’s mother, the attitude of the Rain Clan back then had left him with an extremely negative impression.

When Shi Ziling took him away from the imperial capital and fled to the western frontier, the Rain Clan had sent many experts to hunt them down, nearly causing a disaster for their family.

Back then, the clan had used divine orders in an attempt to exterminate them, leaving Shi Ziling severely injured and in a weakened state.

Even after many years, the Rain Clan was still not reconciled. They continued to search for them and even found the second ancestral land. Even knowing that Qing Feng was a substitute, they still took action against him.

The Rain Clan’s relentless and overbearing attitude made Shi Hao clench his fists every time he thought of it. They had truly gone too far.

“Forget about the grudges with the Mountains of Eternity and the Void Divine Realm. Even recently, when you tried to deal with my grandfather, that still needs to be settled.”

This was not Shi Hao’s first encounter with them, and his resentment had long been established. Therefore, upon arriving here, he had no hesitation and a burning battle intent.

“Who are you? Get away. Do not block the entrance to the Rain King’s Manor.”

“We are talking to you. Are you deaf? This place is not for someone like you.”

It was clear that the guards of the estate were very impolite. Seeing Shi Hao standing there and staring at the estate, they shouted loudly to drive him away.

Boom!

Shi Hao acted directly, ignoring them. He materialized a massive black hand, overwhelmingly powerful. With a thunderous sound, it struck the grand gatehouse.

Even though the estate was protected by a great array and covered with runes, it still shattered under Shi Hao’s full-force strike.

The grand building comparable to the city gates exploded into fragments, collapsing with a deafening roar that shook the long street. The nearby onlookers were stunned. What kind of person was this? First, a great demon god caused chaos here, and now someone directly demolished the Rain King’s Manor’s gate.

The first volume of the "Perfect World" physical book has been released. The cover uses special paper, more exquisite than previous books of mine, and it is a collector’s edition, but the price is the same as ordinary books. Readers who like this book can check major bookstores and newsstands, as they are all available. Additionally, Dangdang.com will also soon have it in stock. To be continued.

Chapter 300: The Wrath of the Rain Clan

Shi Ziteng's face was cold and indifferent, no longer displaying his usual calm demeanor. His eyes flickered, and for a long time, he remained silent, as a chilling aura spread throughout the room.

The others were furious. They had acted on their own, without consulting Shi Ziteng, and took it upon themselves to suppress that young man, only to end up with such a disastrous outcome.

This was truly infuriating. Not only were the dispatched individuals killed, but their heads were sent back as a taunt and humiliation.

"Does he want to start a war with us? He's just a boy. Even if he has some significant backing, he's without any real protection. Does he really think he can challenge our Wuwang Manor?" said a middle-aged man, his tone sinister and murderous. He could no longer sit still. This was a severe provocation, and if not dealt with, they would lose all face.

Inside the Humen Inn, Shi Hao sat in the courtyard. He had anticipated the other side would be enraged and refuse to reflect on their own actions, instead blaming others for provoking them.

"You want to kill me, yet you blame others for fighting back. You're used to getting your way," Shi Hao muttered to himself. He figured if trouble was going to brew, it might as well escalate, causing them utter humiliation. After all, the Emperor’s birthday was approaching, and events were converging.

"First, inquire at the Rain King’s Manor and see if Yulin has returned," Shi Ziteng said.

At this moment, the Rain King’s Manor was also shrouded in a grim atmosphere. Many faces were dark with anger. When the heavy box was opened, it contained the head of one of their clan’s top experts.

Blood still dripping, Yulin's eyes were wide open in terror, as if he had been subjected to extreme torment before his death, filled with unwillingness.

"Is this a challenge to the authority of the Rain Clan?" someone roared in fury.

Recently, the clan had been enveloped in a heavy gloom. After the great demon god's incident, the Rain Clan’s reputation in the imperial capital had plummeted. That battle had left them utterly passive and humiliated.

Now, whenever the Rain Clan was mentioned, people would immediately recall the scene of them being massacred inside their own manor by the demon god, a complete disgrace and a hallmark of failure.

This was a far cry from the once mighty, prestigious, and glorious image they had built up. Their reputation was utterly ruined, and this defeat had struck them to the core.

"The head was delivered from the Humen Inn. Investigate! This cannot be left alone. No matter who it is, they must pay!" someone ordered.

"The other side's actions are equivalent to declaring war, waiting for us to react. They want to start a war!"

The Rain King's Manor had been in turmoil lately, with everyone holding back a simmering rage. First, the demon god had left their entire clan unable to lift their heads, and now this incident had occurred. It was like a fuse, ready to ignite a storm.

"Fine, let's see who dares to target our clan. We can use this as a means to vent the frustrations of some in the clan and remind the people of the capital that the Rain Clan is still an ancient family," one of the clan elders said.

Soon, several belligerent high-ranking members of the Rain Clan arrived to inquire about the situation. They were immediately furious, feeling utterly humiliated.

Recently, they had been investigating the trouble caused by the mischievous child, suspecting he might be the descendant of the demon god, which had already left them in a foul mood. Now, this incident gave them a reason to vent their pent-up anger.

"Gather some men and surround the Humen Inn. Don’t let him escape," the Rain Clan moved into action, sending out experts and swiftly executing their plan.

The main street descended into chaos, with the roars of savage beasts and the clatter of ironclad soldiers echoing through the streets. Pedestrians were shocked and quickly scrambled to avoid getting caught up in the fray.

The Rain Clan was on the move, a group of powerful warriors surrounding the Humen Inn. Many onlookers were left dumbfounded. What was this? Were they about to start a war?

Those warriors were the elite of the Rain Clan, clad in iron armor, wielding sharp weapons that gleamed coldly in the light. They sat atop fierce beasts, exuding an intense killing intent.

"Huh? What's happening with the Rain King’s Manor? After suffering a crushing defeat, they’ve been keeping a low profile lately. Why are they suddenly making such a fuss today?"

"Sir, what's going on?" the innkeeper appeared. To run such a large business and establish a presence in the capital, he must have had some notable background.

"Move aside," but the Rain Clan paid him no heed, pushing him away as they marched into the quiet garden.

Shi Hao’s courtyard gate was wide open, as if he had been waiting for a long time. He was surprised to see that the Rain King’s Manor had arrived first; this wasn't his first encounter with them.

"You're the one who killed my clan’s members?" The group that barged in wore icy expressions, radiating killing intent. They hadn't expected their target to be sitting here calmly, not having fled.

"Don’t you want to ask why?" Shi Hao glanced at them. These were seasoned warriors, having been through bloody battles, with a lingering scent of blood clinging to them.

"No need. You killed our clan’s members. Whatever the reason, you’re dead," one of the young men said coldly, brandishing a black demon blade and pointing it directly at Shi Hao’s forehead.

"Arrogant, overbearing, and conceited— you’ve got it all. Who do you think you are, killing without asking questions?" Shi Hao replied icily.

"If you provoke the Rain Clan, you should be prepared for the consequences. Not just anyone can step on our clan. If you seek death, you’ve only yourself to blame."

"Don’t take yourself too seriously. The Rain Clan may have been a royal family, and sure, it produced gods in ancient times, but now you’re nothing more than a shadow of your former glory," Shi Hao mocked.

"The Rain Clan, no matter how far it’s fallen, is not something any random nobody can provoke. Offend our clan, and you'll pay the price," the young man sneered, his black demon blade humming and emitting a sharp glow.

"This isn’t ancient times. The Rain God fell ages ago. You’re all too full of yourselves. Do you really think you can lord over the capital, deciding who lives and dies at will? It’s laughable how arrogant you are," Shi Hao scoffed.

"Clang!"

The black demon blade gleamed as the young man swung it, slashing at Shi Hao’s head.

"Clang!"

Shi Hao flicked his fingers, sending out radiant runes. A bolt of lightning clashed with the young man’s blade, producing a brilliant flash of light and a metallic clang.

The black demon blade trembled, arcs of electricity coursing through it, causing the young man’s body to shake violently. Though he was powerful, he had still been impacted by the force.

"Not many dare to make enemies of the Rain Clan. You’ve got some nerve," a middle-aged man spoke, his gaze cold as he studied Shi Hao, trying to discern something from him.

Shi Hao laughed aloud, "How ridiculous. Not long ago, the great demon god had you all beaten down, cowering in fear, afraid to leave your own manor while he tore down your gates. Where was your so-called dignity then? And now, here you are, putting on airs again, acting as if you’re untouchable. Isn’t that laughable?"

Shi Hao’s laughter grated on their ears, an open mockery that made them burn with rage. The demon god was like a shadow imprinted on their hearts, a constant source of shame and pain.

"Clang!"

The demon blade slashed again, as the young man charged forward. He was a prodigy of the Rain Clan, confident in his two decades of cultivation, believing he could suppress the young expert before him.

In fact, he underestimated Shi Hao’s strength. Even without merging with his Immortal Golden Body, Shi Hao broke through the blade’s light and closed in on him, his body radiating power.

"Slash!"

Shi Hao's palm, like a blade, met the opponent's weapon with a resounding "clang," shattering the runes and sending a tremor through the black demon blade. Cracks appeared along its length before it finally shattered.

The result astonished not only the young man but also the middle-aged individuals behind him. The power required to shatter a treasure with bare hands was immense.

"Bang!"

Shi Hao slapped the young man’s chest, sending him flying. His entire ribcage collapsed, suffering irreparable injuries with nearly all of his ribs shattered.

Blood spurted from his mouth, his face turned pale, and he crashed into the courtyard wall, sending debris flying and dust rising into the sky. He did not rise again.

The others were shocked. The youth was too powerful. With just one exchange, the outcome was clear—decisive and fierce. His combat experience was so rich that it made them uneasy.

At that moment, their contempt vanished. One of them, with eyes as cold as ice, was enveloped in mist, as heavy rain began to fall accompanied by thunder.

This was a true master of the Rain Clan, experienced on the battlefield of the Hundred Clans, and a formidable figure in the Inscription Realm.

Shi Hao did not dare to be careless. He had previously relied on lightning techniques to swiftly approach and incapacitate the young warrior. But now, the situation was different as the opponent was on guard.

In an instant, he radiated dark light, merging with the black metallic figure, his strength soaring to that of a top master in the Inscription Realm.

Raindrops fell, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder, drenching Shi Hao. Yet, amidst the clangs, he was unharmed and charged forward directly.

At this moment, the Rain Clan's masters were terrified, gasping in awe. Though they had anticipated that the opponent would be formidable, they had not expected him to be this powerful.

This was just a young man, yet he possessed the strength of a prince. It was beyond comprehension.

"Attack!" The others charged forward, and all spectators joined in, each using their treasures and invoking their magical artifacts.

However, the results were chilling. The young man’s strength was so overwhelming that it was heart-stopping. He seemed truly comparable to a prince, invincible. With a single slap, he shattered a treasure effortlessly.

It was like a humanoid Tyrannosaurus, crushing everything in its path. With a thud, a middle-aged man, who had transcended the Spirit Transformation Realm, was like rotten wood before the mighty palm, splitting into pieces.

It was incredibly powerful, causing others to tremble in fear.

"Clang!"

Another treasure shone and fell, but it was shattered into sparkling light rain by a single, simple, and forceful punch from the young man.

"Who are you?" The leader of the strong ones was thoroughly alarmed. This was too extraordinary. Even if the opponent had exceptional talent, it shouldn’t be this terrifying.

Shi Hao revealed his true face, deliberately allowing him to see it clearly.

"What? It’s you?" The people exclaimed, a mix of shock and terror on their faces.

They immediately thought of the mischievous child from the Void God Realm. There had been some rumors within the Rain Clan, with astonishing guesses about his background. Now, their faces turned pale, and they retreated continuously.

At this moment, their thoughts were not on killing their opponent immediately but on fleeing as quickly as possible, for the quagmire was too deep, and they feared never escaping it.

"You must have realized my origins by now," Shi Hao said calmly. "My grandfather once visited your manor. How could I, as his grandson, not follow in his footsteps?"

The people were stunned, as if they had fallen into an ice cave. While the Rain King’s Manor had speculated about this, the vast majority did not believe it. Now, the young man himself had revealed it.

"You intend to visit my Rain King’s Manor?" someone asked, trembling.

"Exactly," Shi Hao responded affirmatively.

Chapter 299: Delivering Oneself to Defeat

The witch left without revealing anything else, but her words left Shi Hao restless for a long time. These revelations were too shocking.

The keywords "great calamity," "descendants of the sinful bloodline," "other powerful beings fallen into the Desolate Domain," "igniting divine fire," and "true deities" kept flashing in his mind, lingering for a long time.

The outer area of Qinglin Garden was vast, with many bronze war chariots parked around. As Shi Hao passed by, he saw Liu Han and his group. Remembering how they had tried to have someone deal with him, he waved and said, "I’ll borrow your chariot again. You can pick it up at the Tiger Gate Inn later."

He spoke casually, but the faces of those people turned dark. They looked deflated, as if they had no energy left. How unlucky they were to run into this troublemaker again.

At this point, they had no temper left. All their pride and dignity as sons of noble houses had been put away. This guy had even dared to suppress the people from the Devil Spirit Lake, not giving Shi Ziteng any face, confronting him head-on.

They asked themselves, knowing they were far inferior, unable to compare with pure-blooded creatures. Seeing this youth again made them shiver as they stood by and watched him climb onto the bronze war chariot, each of them frozen in place.

“Stop bullying others just because you’re descendants of nobles. If you keep stirring up trouble everywhere, next time I’ll put you all into my Heaven-Evolving Bowl and let you have a heart-to-heart with that little spider.”

Shi Hao left this remark before driving the bronze chariot away, leaving behind a group of people who were both indignant and helpless.

"Wow, Liu Han! You’ve really got connections, lending your bronze chariot to someone from the Supreme Palace," someone teased.

"Get lost!" Liu Han was fuming, practically ready to explode. His outburst drew the attention of a crowd, who whispered among themselves.

Many people, upon learning the details, couldn’t help but laugh.

The Tiger Gate Inn was located in a bustling area of the capital, surrounded by gardens, a place of luxury. Shi Hao’s residence was a secluded courtyard, a quiet and expensive retreat with rock gardens, fountains, and flowing water, all arranged with great care.

He threw the bronze chariot outside the inn, but as soon as he returned, he sensed something was off. Someone had been watching him, and retaliation had come quickly, making his heart tense.

Yet he wasn’t afraid. In this capital, the only thing he feared was not making enough of a scene. He had come to Stone Country's capital to make a grand entrance and let his family know that he was still alive.

Of course, the best time for this would be during Stone Emperor's grand birthday celebration, where he could deal with all those who meant him harm in one fell swoop. But things rarely go as planned.

A thin mist rose, enveloping the courtyard. A few banners lit up, sealing the area, making it eerily silent, as though everything had come to a standstill.

“Hiding in the shadows, are you?” Shi Hao wasn’t afraid. He stood in the courtyard, staring ahead.

"You’re a bold young man, I'll give you that. But usually, people like you don’t live long. They die from their recklessness and foolishness," a middle-aged scholar stepped down from a small stone bridge, snapping open a folding fan with a crisp sound, looking quite refined.

"Are you from the Martial King's estate, a servant of Devil Spirit Lake, or do you belong to some other faction?" Shi Hao asked.

“Watch your tone,” the middle-aged scholar's eyes gleamed coldly. He wore a deep blue robe that gave him a scholarly look, though his gaze was icy.

"You want to kill me, and you still expect politeness? If you’re sick, you should get treated," Shi Hao’s words were sharp, and a small black metallic figure appeared from his sleeve, firmly gripped in his hand.

“You’re utterly arrogant. I’ll admit your talent is extraordinary, and you've caught the attention of many, but you need to understand that not every genius lives to reach their potential. No matter what your background is, how special you are, I’ll kill you before you grow. All your gifts will come to nothing,” the middle-aged scholar said in a sinister tone, speaking frankly as if he had no fear of future retribution.

His power was immense, his cultivation higher than Shi Hao’s. At this moment, he felt no fear, believing everything was under his control. That’s why he hadn’t struck yet—he wanted to humiliate this young enemy first.

“You’re overconfident. If you want to die, come and try,” Shi Hao said, looking down at him.

Being treated with such disdain by a young boy infuriated the middle-aged scholar. He was a well-known expert in the capital, acting on behalf of the Martial King’s estate today, yet he was being looked down on by a mere youth. It was unbearable.

“Courting death!”

The middle-aged scholar erupted. As he opened his mouth, a stream of divine fire shot out, instantly covering half the courtyard. The heat was astonishing.

Shi Hao was surprised. This scholarly-looking man turned out to be like a raging dragon, spewing fire the moment the fight began, which was completely at odds with his refined demeanor.

Shi Hao quickly dodged. That was the man's dao fire. If touched, it could burn his body to ashes.

Clearly, this was an expert at the Engraved Mark realm, a level higher than Shi Hao. His power was terrifying. After advancing to this realm, one could roam freely, just like a fish in the sea or a bird in the sky, unrestrained.

Reaching the Engraved Mark realm made one a true expert among humans, worthy of respect wherever they went. The best among them could even be ennobled.

This realm was exceedingly difficult to attain. One had to carve symbols into their bones and in their vital apertures, while also breaking the shackles of order. Only then could they start laying the foundation of their own path, each step more arduous than the last.

It was the true beginning of creating one’s own way, no longer fully relying on the symbols of ferocious beasts or birds of prey. At this level, one could start engraving their own dao symbols.

Of course, these so-called "personal symbols" were only simple combinations, not groundbreaking creations. Only supreme experts had the means to create original symbols.

With a whoosh, Shi Hao dodged, and the flames landed on the artificial hill, turning it into molten rock. The fountain evaporated, and half the courtyard became scorched and barren.

This was dao fire, a special flame born from the engraved symbols within one's body. Its divine power was overwhelming, easily subduing lower-level cultivators.

However, Shi Hao was no ordinary person. He had continuously broken through to extreme realms. Even without using his undying golden body, he could still challenge someone who had just entered the Engraved Mark realm.

"Do you cook with this fire often? Not bad, you're like a cook," Shi Hao mocked.

The middle-aged scholar’s face darkened instantly. He prided himself on being refined and elegant, often referred to as a scholar. But now, this young brat had insulted him, calling him a mere cook. It was intolerable.

"Whoosh!"

He opened his mouth again, spewing more fire, while his whole body began to glow. Threads of symbols coiled around him, and he rose into the air, enveloped in a blazing divine light as he charged at Shi Hao.

This was the power of dao fire, driven by secret arts, spreading in all directions to kill Shi Hao. He didn’t believe a mere teenager could defy the heavens.

No matter how talented he was, his cultivation level was still there. Escape from death seemed impossible.

This time, Shi Hao didn’t dodge. He directly unleashed his ten great vital apertures. Some of them housed a Kunpeng, a Suan Ni, a Black Tortoise, and a humanoid spirit body, while others contained weapons such as bells, towers, and cauldrons. These weapons could materialize and vanish at will, transforming as he wished.

When the ten apertures opened, they absorbed the dao fire, drawing in endless essence, like bottomless pits devouring everything.

The middle-aged scholar was stunned. Even though he had heard of Shi Hao’s extraordinary abilities, witnessing it firsthand still made his face change color. Ten vital apertures—this was defying the natural order. It was like witnessing a miracle.

The dao fire was drawn into the ten apertures, making them glow with even more brilliance, becoming increasingly sacred and radiant, replenishing Shi Hao’s energy and spirit.

"Break!"

The middle-aged scholar calmed himself, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He fiercely controlled the flames from his body, intending to burst the opponent's cave, using his higher cultivation level to overpower him.

In fact, this approach wasn't wrong. Those with a higher cultivation realm generally had the ability to burst the caves of lower-level cultivators using their own battle energy and divine power.

However, the ten caves were too extraordinary. His suppression was ineffective, as Shi Hao continuously absorbed the essence through his caves, rendering the flames completely harmless.

"Boom!"

Seeing that he couldn’t burst the caves, the middle-aged scholar's expression became grim. He waved the fan in his hand forcefully, releasing a four-colored light. The earth rumbled, and endless symbols pressed down like a mountain.

This was the Four Symbols Fan, a powerful magical artifact that had a renowned reputation in ancient times.

Unfortunately, it was difficult to gather the divine materials in the present age, so the four-colored fan couldn’t compare to the sacred artifacts of that era. Still, for someone at the Imprint Realm, it was formidable.

The four-colored light shot out, as sharp and unstoppable as heavenly thunder, aiming to destroy Shi Hao. This was an extremely powerful attack. When a master of the Imprint Realm wielded a treasure in full force, most Spirit Transformation cultivators would be shattered on the spot.

Shi Hao felt the pressure but remained unafraid. The middle-aged scholar had only just stepped into the Imprint Realm; he was not a king or marquis-level figure.

His eyes gleamed, turning a light gold as he decided to test his abilities. A Kunpeng slowly emerged from one of the caves, spreading its wings and soaring into the sky, rushing forward.

The Kunpeng didn’t grow too large, as the courtyard was sealed, and Shi Hao didn’t want to attract too much attention. He limited its movements to the confined space.

"Boom!"

The four-colored light shattered as the Kunpeng charged through, smashing half of the middle-aged scholar’s body into a bloody mess. The treasure fan in his hand exploded instantly, leaving a gruesome sight.

"What kind of divine technique is this?" he exclaimed in shock. The battle had barely begun, yet as an Imprint Realm master, he couldn’t even withstand a single strike from a Spirit Transformation teenager. It was utterly astounding.

After using this divine Kunpeng technique, Shi Hao had no intention of letting him go. Having tested the Kunpeng's abilities, he decided to silence his opponent.

His heart was filled with excitement. He hadn’t even fully comprehended this technique, yet its killing power was already so overwhelming. It thrilled and astonished him.

"Hmm, there are more people here. I’ll need to deal with all of them." Shi Hao’s keen spiritual sense detected more individuals hidden in the courtyard, lurking in places that ordinary people couldn’t sense.

"Clang!"

In an instant, his body glowed, and the small black figure in his hand merged into his body, becoming one with him.

At that moment, his entire body emitted a dark light, shimmering with a cold metallic sheen. He had fused with his Undying Golden Body, instantly boosting his combat power.

Even though Shi Hao was already strong enough to deal with the middle-aged scholar, he summoned his treasure to ensure nothing went wrong and no one escaped.

"Swish!"

A streak of blood flashed, and the middle-aged scholar, whose body was already half destroyed, widened his eyes in terror. He couldn’t believe how terrifying Shi Hao had become. A single rush severed his head.

It was too quick. Even though he was gravely injured, it still shouldn’t have happened this way. He didn’t understand and died with his eyes wide open.

The others hidden in the area cried out in terror, struggling desperately. They knew what had happened—the opponent had unleashed ten caves, locking down space, making it impossible for them to move.

Shi Hao appeared before them, cold and emotionless. The black Undying Golden Body fused with him. With a few swift and ruthless strikes, the remaining four individuals were decapitated, all killed instantly.

He cleaned up the battlefield, inspecting their belongings. As expected, there were people from the Martial King’s Manor, and among them was a strong expert from the Rain Clan, bearing their family emblem.

"I haven’t even fully unleashed myself, and you couldn’t wait to act?" Shi Hao muttered to himself.

Soon after, he called for the inn staff and prepared several exquisite gift boxes. He placed a severed head in each one and ordered them to be delivered.

The staff at the Tiger Gate Inn had no idea what was inside. They simply carried out the task of delivering the boxes—four to the Martial King’s Manor and one to the Rain King’s Manor.

"You want to provoke and retaliate against me? I’ll gladly oblige. Today, I’ll accompany you all the way. When the time comes, I’ll personally pay you a visit." Shi Hao muttered to himself.

When the Martial King’s Manor received the four luxurious gift boxes, they were heavy, with glowing symbols. Everyone in the manor believed they contained precious treasures. But when the boxes were opened, all of their expressions changed.

With a loud bang, Shi Ziteng shattered the stone table with his hand, his face dark and menacing. He knew his men had made a move, intending to teach the boy a lesson. He hadn’t stopped them at the time, never imagining that their heads would be returned so quickly.

This was a blatant provocation and a slap in the face!

Moreover, one head was missing—that of the Rain Clan’s representative, who had visited the Martial King’s Manor earlier that day. He had gone along with them, yet his fate was unclear. What had become of him?

Chapter 298: The Wasteland Prison

Shihou glanced sideways, wondering what Princess Yuechan was planning—did she want to get involved as well? Had the recent battle forced her into making a decision?

He scanned the room, noticing that the other party remained calm as usual. He was not afraid; despite his young age, he had weathered numerous storms and fought even with revered elders. He was not intimidated by any external sects.

Shi Ziteng smiled when he heard this. Although he was middle-aged, he still exuded an aura of youthful vigor, more like a young hero. "Yi’er might come back," he said.

Everyone was shaken. If Shi Yi really returned, the capital would be truly lively.

Princess Yuechan smiled slightly and nodded before speaking. "Let’s overlook today’s matter. I witnessed the conflict earlier, and indeed, the people from Demon Spirit Lake were at fault."

People were astonished. Just a moment ago, she seemed to be extending an olive branch and discussing Shi Yi with Shi Ziteng, now she was saying this—who exactly was she supporting?

Shi Ziteng's expression remained calm. He did not immediately voice his stance, but backing down like this would be too embarrassing. How would it look if he couldn't even rescue his own nephew?

"Princess, those were people from Demon Spirit Lake. Isn’t this a bit hasty?" A middle-aged man beside Shi Ziteng questioned skeptically.

"Demon Spirit Lake is so impressive? It’s your mindset that’s flawed. You worship them, willingly becoming their servants and abandoning your dignity," Shi Hou said, showing no mercy.

"You’re too arrogant," the middle-aged man said coldly, his killing intent unmistakable.

"Princess Yuechan, human lives are at stake. Even if my nephew has made mistakes, he shouldn’t be treated like this," Shi Ziteng refused to back down.

Princess Yuechan looked at Shi Hou and said, "Brother, there’s no need to push things to the extreme. Let him keep his life."

Shi Hou considered this. Since Princess Yuechan had just mediated and was not opposing him, he did not want to create a rift. He nodded and said, "Alright, for the sake of the Princess, I won’t kill him."

Everyone realized that this matter would likely end here, and a conflict was unlikely to occur.

Some of Shi Ziteng's relatives and nephews were present. One of them sneered, "Then please release him."

"Who told you I would release him? Why should I?" Shi Hou responded with indifference.

"Just now..." The middle-aged man realized that Shi Hou hadn’t said he would release him, only that he wouldn’t kill him. He said angrily, "Switching one thing for another. What do you mean by holding him back?"

Shi Hou spoke coldly, "It doesn’t mean anything. I just want to teach him a lesson. If I can’t handle a small spider, how will I deal with various wolves and tigers in the future? Not killing him doesn’t mean I’ll let him go immediately. He needs to atone properly."

These words moved the crowd. People were astonished that a strong figure from Demon Spirit Lake was considered just a small spider. This was truly domineering.

"Let it be then. Nobles and commoners are equally accountable for their crimes. Although Demon Spirit Lake is formidable, it can’t be too arrogant. After being subdued, they should naturally receive some discipline," said Princess Tianhu.

With two external fairies saying this, people sighed inwardly. This young man was indeed impressive, making them want to ally with him.

The few people from the Martial King’s mansion were indignant, but only Shi Ziteng remained calm. He nodded and said, "Alright, let my nephew suffer a bit. I’ll have him picked up in a few days. I believe the elder from Demon Spirit Lake would also want to give him a lesson."

His words were calm, lacking any fiery emotion, but they carried a sense of gravity. When a pure-blooded being of such age came to the capital, everyone felt a weight in their hearts, measuring their actions carefully.

In a sense, this was a severe warning. Anyone who dared to provoke the demon spider would face terrifying revenge from an ancestor.

Shi Hou smiled when he heard this and said, "Don’t worry, I will discipline him well. Without proper training, such arrogant youths should be thoroughly dealt with."

"You..." The others beside Shi Ziteng glared with fiery eyes, clenching their fists so tightly that their knuckles turned blue.

Shi Ziteng gave Shi Hou a deep look, turned, and boarded his bronze war chariot. The beast roared, and the rumbling noise echoed as it disappeared into the distance.

Two others stayed behind, seemingly tasked with monitoring Shi Hou’s every move. They were filled with resentment.

"Don’t forget your surname. You are not Demon Spirit Lake’s servants. You come from the same lineage as the royal family. Don’t shame the Martial King’s mansion along with yourself," Shi Hou said disdainfully. It was an outright contempt, almost like slapping their faces in front of everyone, making the two men’s faces turn ashen before they finally left.

"You didn’t seem to expect your mouth to be so sharp," the demoness said with a smile.

"Respect others by a foot, and I will respect them by a mile. If they dare to provoke me, how can I not retaliate?" Shi Hou replied.

"I think it’s quite troublesome for you to handle this spider yourself. How about you leave it to me? If it turns into a divine medicine, I won’t forget your kindness," Princess Tianhu said with a grin.

Everyone listening felt overwhelmed by her audacity. It was incredibly bold.

Shi Hou smiled and naturally refused. Since he had already offended Demon Spirit Lake, it was unnecessary to give away such an important ingredient. It was better to keep it himself. After all, the enmity had already been established and was irreconcilable.

Although this gathering consisted of geniuses, it had clearly changed its tone. After Shi Hou’s disturbance, many unruly individuals had also restrained themselves.

The young man was so dazzling that even pure-blooded beings dared to capture and kill. This made others more subdued at this exchange conference.

Chi Long, Bi Fang, and other pure-blooded beings arrived, all with gleaming eyes, seemingly sensing something.

Next, Shi Hou searched for treasures, using his重瞳 (Heavy Eye) to explore carefully, and indeed found several materials, purchasing two of them.

In the distance, some disgruntled people also began to fight. Among the prestigious families and royal offspring, some used this opportunity to confront each other, attracting spectators.

However, this held no appeal for Shi Hou. He focused on selecting treasures and performing his so-called treasure hunting.

With fragrant scents filling the air, Princess Yuechan, in white robes, approached gracefully and started a conversation with Shi Hou, drawing much attention.

To Shi Hou’s surprise, she did not attempt to win him over. They exchanged a few casual words and did not utter any extraordinary statements.

"Princess Yuechan is becoming more and more astute. Clearly wanting to ally with him, yet saying nothing, only engaging in casual conversation to leave a good impression and leave everything for the future," a small fox beside Princess Tianhu murmured.

"Sometimes there’s no choice. It depends on whether the one with the Heavy Eye returns. If it’s true as rumored, on par with ancient deities, then it will be interesting," the demoness said with a smile.

Shi Hou continued to explore, filling his stomach and selecting some treasure materials. After drinking the last cup of fine wine, he turned and left.

At this point, the gathering was about to disperse, and many people had already left. Overall, this gathering held little significance for him.

He pondered as he walked, feeling a bit of longing for the outer realms.

"Do you know why the Wasteland is in chaos?" The demoness approached and walked with him toward the exit. Her flawless elfin face and devilishly perfect figure made many young heroes swallow hard, grumbling internally. Why did these two fairies both engage with this young man? It was truly inexplicable.

"I don’t know. Could you tell me more?" Shi Hou was very eager to know.

"This domain was a prison in ancient times, holding many great calamities," the demoness said, not holding back.

Even Shi Hou, who was usually calm and composed, was momentarily stunned. He suddenly looked up and locked eyes with Princess Tianhu, staring at her in shock.

The demoness, with her unparalleled beauty, was truly a rare sight, even in the Shi Kingdom where only Princess Yuechan could be considered her equal. She lightly blew a breath toward Shi Hou, with a hint of provocation, her eyes shimmering as she smiled and said, "Are you stunned?"

"No, I’m just very surprised," Shi Hou replied honestly.

"The great chaos is related to this," Princess Tianhu told him directly.

This revelation naturally shook Shi Hou's mind. He immediately thought of many things, realizing that the situation was even more severe than he had imagined.

"Of course, the great calamities of ancient times should have been wiped out, but later, some beings managed to escape here. Moreover, the descendants of those early transgressors are still around, which attracts the attention of outsiders," the demoness explained candidly, providing Shi Hou with valuable information.

"I see that you seem very concerned about the Wasteland, otherwise, you wouldn't have come here. What are you planning to do?" Shi Hou asked.

Behind every action is a benefit. Otherwise, why would the Celestial Sect and the supreme sect behind Princess Yuechan be in conflict? There must be a reason.

"Indeed, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal temptations and interests. This time, the war could create true deities," the demoness admitted.

"True deities?" Shi Hou was surprised, sensing an unusual significance. He felt that a massive upheaval was coming to the Wasteland, which would engulf every place and lead to complete chaos.

The phrase "true deities" was emphasized by the demoness, suggesting a difference from conventional notions. Was it different from the deities he knew?

"Hehe," the demoness smiled and said, "They are not the deities you often talk about, those who light the divine fire and eventually fall."

Shi Hou was deeply moved by this. It seemed that the demoness did not recognize the gods of the Wasteland. What did this imply?

"Becoming a deity, lighting the divine fire—generally, how could it be extinguished? In the end, they haven't reached that step," the demoness said.

To create true deities from the Wasteland clearly had enormous implications.

"How can true deities be created?" Shi Hou asked. Naturally, he wanted to know. As someone from this domain, he should at least have some understanding, if not hope.

"That’s a secret. If you want to know, pay more attention in the future. If you join my Celestial Sect, you might gain great fortune later," the demoness tempted without revealing more details.

"Can’t you reveal a bit more?" Shi Hou asked.

"This domain, although once a prison, still has extraordinary things. This is the root of the great chaos. Even the supreme sects want to obtain some of these things," the demoness said.

Chapter 297: Clash of Titans

Shizi Teng appeared in person, and Shi Hao decisively rejected his request. The scene immediately grew cold, and the atmosphere became exceptionally tense.

"Indeed, talent emerges with each generation," Shizi Teng said, his expression unchanged, remaining calm as ever.

He was ethereal and almost otherworldly, with flowing black hair and skin as white and translucent as snow. His beauty was almost enchanting, giving him an otherworldly presence that was hard to forget upon first sight.

Shi Hao’s expression remained calm as he locked eyes with him. If he could capture Shizi Teng, it was likely that the true ancient demon spider would appear.

However, Shizi Teng was no ordinary person. From the moment they made contact, Shi Hao had determined that he was a formidable ruler-level powerhouse, making him quite difficult to handle.

Only by deploying his Immortal Golden Body and unleashing its full potential could Shi Hao hope to contend with him, though this might damage his black figurine. Otherwise, he was definitely not a match for this man.

Shi Hao wasn’t afraid. He did intend to use the small tower for something significant. If his opponents targeted him, he would eliminate them thoroughly. If pushed to a point with no other options, he wouldn’t mind taking down a single opponent.

“Youth, do you know that those who are overly rigid are easily broken? In these matters of right and wrong, one must understand how to choose and maintain some bottom lines. Otherwise, even the heavens will grow weary of you. Talents dying young is a frequent occurrence,” Shizi Teng said.

A middle-aged man stepped out behind Shizi Teng, his face dark and his tone measured, yet carrying an undercurrent of threat.

“There have been many middle-aged people who have fallen as well,” Shi Hao responded, without any hint of fear, confronting him head-on.

“Will you release the person or not?” a young man demanded.

These individuals were all strong members of the Martial King’s Mansion. They were either Shizi Teng’s cousins or his nephews, naturally standing by his side to reprimand Shi Hao.

“There is no person here, but there is indeed a spider. However, it clearly won’t be released,” Shi Hao said, holding a small bowl with strands of auspicious light swirling around it, encircling the green spider within.

“I truly don’t understand. Does the Martial King’s Mansion need to worship a large spider, willingly becoming its servant, bending so low? Do you still have any self-respect? Don’t forget that your bloodline flows with royal blood, descending from the same surname as the Emperor of Humans. Don’t be too ashamed,” Shi Hao continued.

These words were aimed at their hearts, positioning them through their association with the Demon Spirit Lake. The anger they felt was evident on their faces, their gazes turning cold.

“Youth, you are quite outstanding. I am curious which sect you belong to. If you mention it, we might have a significant connection,” Shizi Teng finally spoke again, stopping the others who were about to lose their tempers.

He wore a faint smile, remaining serene. This was a rare state of mind, far surpassing the others and impressing the observing talents.

“I come from the Supreme Hall,” Shi Hao said, introducing himself.

Upon hearing this, everyone was moved. The name was quite startling, but it seemed no one had heard of it. At least, none of these human talents knew of it.

There were also pure-blooded beings present, and they too were skeptical, having never heard of such a place.

Shizi Teng laughed and said, “A very impressive name. However, forgive me for my ignorance; I have no impression of it.”

“I have heard of it,” the Celestial Fox Fairy said, arriving gracefully. Her figure was curvaceous, her beauty captivating, with a snow-white body and sparkling eyes that stirred hearts.

“The Supreme Hall only produces one disciple per generation. Whenever one appears, they are a Supreme. They do not reside in this realm,” the Sorceress said.

Everyone gasped upon hearing this, their awe evident as they looked at Shi Hao. Could it really be true? No wonder he was so powerful.

Initially, no one had paid much attention to him. But now, it was clear they had overlooked something significant. Besides the two fairies, there was also a superlative figure from beyond the domain.

Shi Hao remained silent. Was the Sorceress helping him? She was indeed cooperating, creating a background for the Supreme Hall that was quite intimidating here.

However, he did not expect that the Moon Lady Fairy would also arrive, gazing at him. “I have also heard of the Supreme Hall. It is an ancient and supreme temple.”

“This...” Even those who had earlier been doubtful and unconvinced were now stunned. Could it really be true?

Given that the Moon Lady Fairy and the Sorceress were adversaries with enmity between them, they would never cooperate. Now both acknowledged the existence of this place, it seemed unlikely to be false.

Shizi Teng's expression remained unchanged, still calm and peaceful. His eyes sparkled with a divine light as he nodded and said, “Indeed, it seems to have a significant background.”

“In the ancient battle, the last Supreme of the Supreme Hall fought against the gods and demons to their death. Since then, no Supreme has emerged again, separated by endless ages. It is truly lamentable,” the Moon Lady Fairy said with a gentle sigh.

People were astonished, pausing in shock upon hearing her additional remarks. It seemed the ancient battle’s legacy had been severed, and this young man might be a descendant, bringing back the glory, or perhaps a pretender.

Such revelations only led to more doubts.

Shi Hao was surprised. Was there really such a place? Could the Moon Lady Fairy be lying? If it did exist, it was quite a coincidence.

Shizi Teng smiled and said, “Impressive indeed. Regardless, you are a remarkable young talent with skills that astonish the world.”

Shi Hao was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Shizi Teng to remain so composed, never showing anger, but instead maintaining a serene and detached attitude.

As everyone sighed in their hearts, Shizi Teng became serious again and said, “If your sect’s disciples are captured, will you rescue them? Even if you come from the Supreme Hall, with an impressive background and status, I am not afraid and will act to rescue the disciples.”

He spoke with earnestness, stepping forward resolutely.

Shi Hao sneered. This uncle was indeed formidable. Not only had he revealed the Martial King’s Mansion's reliance on the Demon Spirit Lake, but he had also avoided the criticism of using his superior position to bully someone smaller, placing himself in a position where he had no choice but to act, seemingly in a weak position against the mighty Supreme Hall.

In just a few words, Shizi Teng expressed a lot and easily led to many associations. He was clearly preparing to confront a terrifying Supreme legacy, showing no fear.

In reality, Shi Hao believed that this uncle didn’t truly believe his words and was likely sneering, using this opportunity to appear strong.

“Old man, is it necessary? If you want to take action, just come forward. Why bother scheming against a junior like this?” Shi Hao transmitted secretly, mocking him.

Some things were useless to say outright. It was better to make him uncomfortable by directly expressing his disdain.

Shizi Teng, with his skin as white as jade and thick black hair, appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Being called “old man,” he still smiled and transmitted back, “You’re overthinking it. However, even if you are a youthful Supreme, so what? My Yizi is also one. Young people should conceal their talents and not be so sharp; otherwise, they may perish young.”

He smirked, pressing forward.

“In fact, I came to the Imperial Capital specifically to fight your Yizi,” Shi Hao said directly this time, rather than using divine sense. “Are you worried? Do you intend to act against me in advance?”

These words caused an uproar.

Who was Shi Yi? A prodigy renowned throughout the Stone Kingdom, with many legends surrounding him. He was born with twin pupils and an ancient divine appearance. Who here did not know him?

This young man had come for Shi Yi, causing a stir and evoking many speculations.

"Has he arrived?" After Shi Hao spoke these words, some people in the shadows became alert, their minds filled with doubt as they watched him closely.

"Is that so? If you have such a wish, I’m pleased. I also hope that Yi’er has an opponent to hone his skills," Shizi Teng nodded, his expression still extremely calm. "Today, if you hand over my disciple, I won’t take action against you. I’ll give you a chance to fight Yi’er."

Although his words were calm, there was a coldness and an invisible intimidation that pressured Shi Hao to comply, forcing him to hand over the spider or face a life-threatening situation.

If Shi Hao handed it over, it would indeed mean submission. However, doing so would be a blow to the belief of the young supreme. Shizi Teng’s seemingly casual advice was, in reality, a ruthless and sharp strike aimed directly at his heart.

"If you want a fight, I’ll grant your wish. Come over, and then we’ll discuss fighting Yi’er," Shi Hao said, unexpectedly assertive, his gaze clear as he pointed at Shizi Teng.

Everyone knew of Shizi Teng’s terrifying prowess. With his affiliation to the Demon Spirit Lake, his cultivation was profound, even daring to challenge the Great Demon God. Although this young man was extraordinarily talented, he was still quite young. Wasn’t this tantamount to digging his own grave? Was he overly confident?

Shizi Teng’s smile vanished for the first time, his eyelids twitching. After a moment, he returned to his calm demeanor. The audacity of the young man, so young and yet pointing a finger at him, kindled a spark of anger within him. Could this young man truly challenge him?

Shizi Teng was a cautious person, deep in thought. Therefore, he did not press aggressively or speak too forcefully. Now, he focused his attention on Shi Hao.

As for his cousins and some nephews behind him, they were not as patient. They became restless, shouting loudly, their faces dark with anger, and two middle-aged men even advanced menacingly.

"Are you seeking death by wanting a fight?" one of the middle-aged men said, preparing to take action, his face grim as water.

"If you want to die, come on," Shi Hao retorted sharply, leaving the Sixteenth Princess, Lei Clan’s elder sisters, and others dumbfounded by his fierceness.

"No one can save you," the opposing side sneered, advancing with big strides.

The Celestial Fox Fairy, smiling gently, spoke up at this moment, "What if the Heavenly Rejection Sect intervenes?" Her voice was melodious and heavenly, incredibly sweet, with a mesmerizing allure.

Her words changed the expressions of everyone present. The members of the Martial King’s Mansion grew uneasy. They knew from their status that this sorceress had a fearsome background, hailing from an exalted sect beyond the domain.

The Heavenly Rejection Sect was a name that had not been heard by these talents before, stirring their minds.

Shi Hao sighed internally, feeling a bit of annoyance. The sorceress seemed to want to protect him, but he didn’t really need it at the moment. He hoped the situation would escalate further, ideally attracting the ancient demon spider.

He understood the Celestial Fox Fairy’s intention was a blatant attempt to ally with him. By targeting the Martial King’s Mansion and even the Demon Spirit Lake, she was showing her sincerity and the immense power of the Heavenly Rejection Sect.

It seemed unlikely that this battle would proceed. Shi Hao judged that Shizi Teng, being an extraordinary person, would not be provoked into a fight.

Even the Emperor of Humans treated the sorceress with courtesy, speaking with her in the palace, which demonstrated the terrifying nature of this grand sect, claimed to be supreme.

The key question was how Shizi Teng would retreat gracefully without losing face.

At this moment, the Moon Lady Fairy approached. Her beauty was ethereal, untainted by worldly dust, dressed in snow-white robes, transcending the mundane world, always distant and unattainable.

"Senior, when will your son return? Will he come back to the capital for the Emperor’s grand birthday celebration?" she asked, drawing the attention of everyone.

The Moon Lady Fairy was as clear as snow on blooming trees. Her inquiry made everyone’s hearts tremble. Everyone knew Shi Yi and was aware of his terrifying potential.

The Heavenly Rejection Sect, represented by the sorceress, had chosen this mysterious young man, clearly intending to protect him from harm.

Now, did the Moon Lady Fairy aim to challenge Shi Yi, the one with the twin pupils? What was the name of the supreme sect behind her?

Everyone fell silent, watching the scene unfold, and the atmosphere grew even tenser.

Chapter 296: Esc

The powerful pure-blooded creature was taken away, leaving everyone stunned and silent. This was indeed a terrifying event.

Even the Chishen Dragon was in shock. Although it had long anticipated the youth's strength, it had not expected him to be this powerful and sinister. The youth had subdued the demon spider effortlessly.

"Let me go," the demon spider struggled, trying to escape. However, the ceramic bowl was special, endowed with powerful runic magic. It did not seal the bowl's mouth, but the runes coiled around it and autonomously suppressed the spider.

The demon spider was firmly stuck to the bottom of the bowl and could not escape. Even a slight push from Shi Hao would unleash a terrifying force to refine it.

"You think you can just come to the imperial capital and stir trouble with a tiny spider? If not to suppress you, then who?" Shi Hao said, holding the small bowl and inspecting it closely.

He treated the pure-blooded creature as if it were an ordinary spider, saying, "It’s not enough to guard the village, the alchemical fire isn’t ready yet. It’s just a young spider and needs some time to grow."

Everyone was dumbfounded. Who was this person? Treating a pure-blooded creature as if it were a pet was astonishing—this was more like raising a pig and waiting to slaughter it when it was fattened.

At that moment, even Princess Sixteen, the elder sisters of the Lei Clan, and the pearls of the imperial capital were shocked. This was simply astounding.

"Who are you?" A descendant of a noble family asked. With such a powerful figure appearing, they were unaware of his identity and felt somewhat out of the loop.

"I’m just passing through," Shi Hao said with a smile, offering no further explanation.

"Brother, you’ve done a great job. I’m very grateful that you’ve subdued this spider," said a drunkard from the Martial King’s residence, who was now fully sober due to the gravity of the situation.

Meanwhile, a few young men looked very displeased. They were strong figures who had accompanied the demon spider, including people from the Martial King’s residence and other creatures.

"Can this Daoist brother spare a moment to talk?" a young man spoke up.

"Say what you need to," Shi Hao replied calmly.

"Do you know that this demon spider's identity is quite significant? It might not be wise to treat it this way. I hope you will be merciful and let it go," the young man said.

"What’s wrong? Just because it comes from the Demon Spirit Lake, should it be allowed to act recklessly? This is the imperial capital of the Shi Kingdom, not the Demon Spirit Lake," Shi Hao’s expression turned serious, and his voice grew louder as he scolded, "You are a member of the Martial King’s residence, not a servant of this spider. You are surnamed Shi, not Zhu. Do you know what you’re doing? Step aside quickly!"

The young man was scolded until he was red-faced and nearly furious, but he did not dare to lash out because the youth was too formidable. He muttered, "You’re making a big mistake. No one will save you."

Shi Hao looked at him with disdain and said, "Fool, don’t you understand? With such an incident, you, as a member of the Martial King’s residence, are involved. This is truly foolish. You are bringing shame to the entire residence and provoking public ire."

The few young men were speechless, their faces flushed red with anger. They were from the Shi family’s faction and had recently allied with people from the Demon Spirit Lake, so they were naturally enraged.

"Get lost," Shi Hao roared. Just this single word shook the Qinglin Garden like thunder, and the nearby Bi Lake churned with waves soaring to the sky.

Everyone was astonished. This youth was so forceful—pointing out the world, subduing the ancient demon spider’s descendants, scolding the noble descendants. He was fearless, truly like a youthful supreme.

"You traitors, get out and bring shame to your families!" The drunkard and other members of the Martial King’s residence roared, already displeased with the people opposite.

"Alright, alright, alright, just you wait," the few young men, enraged and embarrassed, turned and left, casting a fierce glance at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao sneered, flicked his sleeve, and a gust of wind swept the group away. There was a splash as they all fell into the lake, drenched like drowned chickens.

"Get lost quickly. If I see you acting as lackeys or servants of the demon spider again, I’ll cut you down next time." His voice was cold, chilling to the bone.

"Understood."

At this moment, not only the drunkard and his group but many noble descendants were also cheering. Shi Kingdom was founded on martial prowess, and as the direct descendants of the nobility, many were filled with fighting spirit.

Recently, some powerful pure-blooded creatures had entered the imperial capital under the guise of celebrating the Emperor's birthday. This had caused some weak-willed nobles to flatter and ingratiate themselves, which annoyed many strong-willed nobles.

Today, Shi Hao’s forcefulness had naturally stirred the fighting spirit within many, evoking a passionate response.

"Hehe," the Heavenly Fox Fairy smiled brightly, her graceful figure swaying as she walked. Her ivory-like body was exquisitely shaped, and her dress could hardly conceal her curves. Her black hair flowed freely, and her fair, charming face was full of allure, with large, sparkling eyes.

Such a stunning girl made people unconsciously make way for her. The sorceress said, "This demon spider in your hands is a source of trouble. Give it to me."

Everyone was stunned. She actually wanted to take this pure-blooded creature. Was she going to share the burden of trouble for this youth? What was their relationship?

Shi Hao’s response was unexpected. He directly shook his head and refused, saying, "No, this is one of the Five Poisons of Antiquity. To refine a divine medicine, it’s a crucial ingredient."

"Don’t you know? If you don’t hand it over, you might face great trouble soon," the Heavenly Fox Fairy said.

"Does giving it to you mean no trouble? Someone will come seeking revenge. This is a crucial ingredient for a divine medicine. If you want it, trade it for something valuable."

This was meant to be a gathering of talented individuals, but it had evolved into this. Many people’s attention was focused on Shi Hao. His appearance was beyond everyone’s expectations.

Before long, Duke Huitian approached and clinked glasses with Shi Hao, laughing heartily and saying that heroes emerge young, which made him admire Shi Hao.

Duke Huitian was a powerful noble, having been conferred titles for several years. Yet, he was only twenty-five, the youngest regional official of the Shi Kingdom, renowned and formidable.

He left with a beautiful woman, carefree and content, and merely informed Shi Hao that he could find him if he went to the frontier.

Soon, other famous noble descendants came forward to make friends with Shi Hao and clink glasses with him. Regardless of whether he could pass this test, his strength was worth befriending.

To Shi Hao’s surprise, there were more pure-blooded creatures than he had imagined. Besides the Chishen Dragon, he also saw Bifang and Zhu Qian, opponents he had encountered on Hundred Cut Mountain, now in human form.

In addition to these beings, there should be other guests from the divine mountains, as he saw the purple-clad girl Yunxi. She glanced at him briefly and did not approach but was conversing with several powerful beings.

"It’s really lively. I wonder if any esteemed figures will make an appearance. It seems the Wild Lands are really going to be chaotic. These divine mountain representatives should also be gathering information," Shi Hao muttered to himself.

"You’re quite interesting, so powerful yet never heard of before. Could you also be from beyond the domains?" The elder sisters of the Lei Clan approached, smiling and raising their cups to him, with red lips leaving a bright mark on the jade cup.

Gu Linglong was also nearby, looking uneasy. Not long ago, she had wanted to suppress Shi Hao, but a series of events had made her very awkward. As for her brother, he had long since kept his distance, filled with lingering fear.

"I've heard you have a younger sister," Shi Hao asked casually, as he had some vague memories.

"What do you want to do?" The elder sisters of the Lei Clan were extremely cautious. Her sister was the pride of the family, having truly entered the ancient divine mountain sect with radiant glory.

Moreover, the Lei Clan’s second eldest sister held the title of the most beautiful woman in the imperial capital, surpassing all other pearls. Many had their eyes on her.

"Nothing much, just asking," Shi Hao replied.

Nearby, Gu Linglong and others finally relaxed, laughing quietly and showing an understanding look, while the elder sisters of the Lei Clan frowned and glanced at him sideways.

At that moment, a commotion arose in the distance. Fierce beasts roared, and war chariots rumbled, descending from the sky.

"They're here. That’s the noble’s war chariot."

"That’s Shi Ziting."

People exclaimed in surprise, and Qinglin Garden erupted in excitement. Even though they had anticipated this, seeing the powerful figure in person still shocked everyone, clearly signaling that an inquiry for justice was about to begin.

The war chariots came to a halt, and several people disembarked, stepping onto the fragrant grass with solemn expressions.

Shi Ziting was considered a legendary figure. He had joined the Demon Spirit Lake and had always been mysterious, known to few. His presence confirmed many rumors.

Over the years, though he had kept a low profile, anyone who provoked him had never survived. Even those surrounded by glory who had dared to challenge him had ended up dead.

Now that he had personally arrived, it was sure to be a significant event.

Shi Ziting’s hair shone, and his skin was as white as jade, exuding an aura of composure. His eyes were calm, and he appeared to be in his late twenties. He did not show any anger, walking step by step with his footsteps in sync with the rhythm of the world.

At that moment, all sounds ceased, and the place fell silent. He seemed to merge with the natural world, exuding a terrifying Daoist aura.

Everyone felt their hearts tremble.

"You have subdued the disciples of the Demon Spirit Lake," Shi Ziting said.

Behind him, several people ranged from their twenties to forties, all impressive, radiating strong auras and sharp, intimidating gazes, watching intently.

Shi Hao looked up and faced him. According to blood relations, he should address this person as "uncle," but there was no sense of familial affection. Instead, he felt a coldness in his heart.

"Yes, it’s me," Shi Hao responded calmly, holding a small bowl in his hand. It seemed ordinary, but inside, radiant clouds shimmered, and a green spider lay motionless at the bottom of the bowl.

Everyone looked on, sensing that a storm was about to hit.

"Release him," Shi Ziting said, still calm. Though he was standing there, he seemed ethereal, as if he had merged with the natural world.

"No," Shi Hao replied. This was not the first time he had seen Shi Ziting, but it was the first time he would confront him.

Chapter 295: Suppressing the Demon Spider

Shihou's words immediately brought a profound silence to the area. Did he not take the creatures of the Ancient Divine Mountain seriously? How dare he directly reprimand them? Who was this person?

Everyone looked at him as if they had seen a ghost, incredulous. Even though the Chi Dragon had already warned some people, they still found it hard to believe.

The Chi Dragon had warned not to provoke this person. To the onlookers, he seemed to be on a similar level as them, yet unexpectedly, he had directly scolded the strong beings from the Demon Spirit Lake.

The scene was very cold, with no one speaking. The place was silent. Princess Sixteen, the senior members of the Thunder Clan, and other prominent figures of the Imperial Capital were all stunned.

“Such arrogance. Let me see who dares to speak like this.”

A frivolous voice came from afar, and a figure approached step by step. Instantly, people felt almost suffocated as a massive pressure enveloped them like a mountain.

The figure was a youth of about fourteen or fifteen, with long, emerald-green hair. His eyes were narrow but emitted sharp beams, full of vitality and spirit.

He walked slowly, with steady steps. He appeared extremely calm, carrying a sense of coldness and mockery, as if everything was under his control.

The Demon Spirit Lake was a forbidden area for the human race. Any creature that emerged from there would make every region feel like they were facing a formidable enemy. Such creatures were rare but incredibly powerful.

“Chi Dragon, have you been subdued by him? This person doesn’t seem special at all. I don’t find anything remarkable about him,” said the green-haired youth.

The Chi Dragon remained indifferent and said nothing.

All eyes were on Shihou, with many people nearby gathering to witness an impending clash.

“What are you flaunting there?” Shihou suddenly said, causing the newcomer’s eyebrows to twitch violently. It was incredibly audacious to provoke someone from the Demon Spirit Lake like this, indicating that they were indeed facing a tough opponent.

The green-haired youth stared at Shihou, observing closely, but he could not sense any aura. Shihou stood there calmly, as if he were in an empty valley, plain and natural.

The Chi Dragon said nothing, watching coldly. He had no intention of getting involved and found the Demon Spider distasteful, hoping it would suffer a bit.

“Some people think they are superior and unmatched, not realizing that when they step out and look at the entire wasteland, they are nothing,” said the green-haired youth, glancing sideways at Shihou.

“Since you know that, why are you still flaunting? Hurry up and get lost,” Shihou said coldly, especially emphasizing the last word “get lost,” which made many people shiver.

The green-haired youth’s face changed color. This was a disgrace. He had intended to teach Shihou a lesson, but all his words were turned back against him, and with the addition of the “get lost,” the humiliation was overwhelming, finally causing him to lose his composure.

He darkened his face and roared, “Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“Just a spider,” Shihou replied disdainfully, speaking casually.

Having fought many times with pure-blooded beings, even having eaten a green phoenix in the Northern Sea, Shihou had developed an invincible aura and was indifferent to the beings of the Ancient Divine Mountain.

However, the people around changed color. This person was too aggressive, actually despising the creatures from the Demon Spirit Lake. It was truly too harsh, and everyone knew a terrifying battle was about to erupt.

“You’re looking for death,” the green-haired youth shouted, his eyes cold. His previous composure was gone, and as a youth, his anger surged and he could not tolerate it.

“You’re not capable. If you don’t want to die, get out immediately,” Shihou sneered, showing no mercy. He was not afraid of escalating the situation.

“Good, very good. It’s extremely satisfying. I’ve long disliked these spiders. How dare they wreak havoc in my Martial King’s Manor. Get lost!”

From afar, a drunkard laughed loudly and staggered closer. A few people beside him appeared worried, quickly supporting him and guiding him away to avoid causing a major incident.

“You people from the Martial King’s Manor are tired of living, aren’t you? Don’t you want to continue existing?” the green-haired youth shouted. Meeting such a tough opponent had already made him furious, and now the drunkard’s mockery was intolerable.

“Bah, who do you think you are? Go back to your Demon Spirit Lake. When Young Master Fifteen returns, he’ll clean you all up,” the drunkard yelled.

The crowd was astonished. They were aware of the matters concerning the Martial King’s Manor but did not expect the conflict to escalate to this extent.

“The Great Demon God is doomed to death, and there’s no escape. In front of my Demon Spirit Lake, he’s nothing. And you small fry dare to spout nonsense? Die!” The green-haired youth finally made his move. He knew Shihou was formidable but didn’t immediately target him. Instead, he planned to deal with the people from the Martial King’s Manor first and then confront Shihou.

He needed a few heads to fall and blood to spill to clear the awkwardness and display his strength and authority.

However, as soon as he raised his hand, another figure moved to block him, sneering, “This is the human imperial capital. You’re just a spider. How dare you be so arrogant? Seeking death.”

The scene was silent. Everyone’s hearts trembled. This youth was even more imposing than they had imagined. Not only did he reprimand, but he also stepped forward, looking down at his opponent.

“Hiss.”

The Demon Spider immediately became enraged, unable to tolerate it any longer. Its emerald-green hair suddenly surged, transforming into a vast green river sweeping toward them, blazing intensely.

Shihou remained indifferent. He did not move, directly raising his hand to grab the oncoming attack without evading, as the green runes filled the sky.

A rumbling sound echoed through the air. Everyone knew how terrifying that green hair was, capable of crushing treasure artifacts. It was a powerful weapon.

In mid-air, the rumbling continued. The hair shone, splitting into dozens of strands, wrapping around Shihou’s arms like snakes, with runes filling the sky. The area was submerged in green divine light.

People retreated, unable to hide their fear.

The Demon Spider was too formidable. It immediately used a lethal technique. The fluctuation from the runes made the ground shake, the green lake boiling. The divine power was overwhelming.

“Crack.”

In an instant, the green light extinguished. The youth in the field slapped down, severing all the dozens of green strands, which fell to the ground, simple and direct.

At the same time, he thrust his hand forward, an overbearing and powerful palm, resembling a golden grinding disc, pressed close to the green-haired youth.

The Demon Spider roared in fury. It was truly insulting, as the opponent had underestimated him too much, standing still and using only one hand throughout.

It pushed with both palms, aiming to teach the opponent a lesson, hoping to shatter the youth’s arm and make his arrogance a joke.

However, in just a moment, the Demon Spider’s heart trembled, sensing that something was terribly wrong.

The casually pushed palm was excessively violent. The golden grinding disc sealed its entire body, like a mountain pressing down. The Demon Spider’s palms were like mantis claws blocking a chariot, giving a sense of immovable terror.

“Boom.”

The green-haired youth was struck by the golden grinding disc, flying through the air and coughing up blood, his entire body trembling violently, eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

If it hadn’t been for the crucial moment when he withdrew his palms, blocking with endless runes, his arms would have definitely been broken. The golden grinding disc was too terrifying, indestructible, with horrifying power.

“Bang.”

The green-haired youth crashed into a giant boulder, which finally stopped his momentum. Blood spilled from his mouth, and the boulder behind him quickly cracked and then shattered.

The result was heart-stopping; it was so powerful and domineering.

Everyone looked up at Shihou, their faces filled with shock. A pure-blooded being had been sent flying by a single slap—how terrifying.

Gu Lingyu’s face turned pale as she remembered that she had just been competing with him for a ceramic bowl and even asked her sister to help. She felt a surge of fear and found it hard to stand, almost collapsing.

Gu Linglong, Princess Sixteen, and the senior members of the Thunder Clan were also stunned. Their beautiful faces were filled with astonishment. They were overwhelmed by the sheer might of this being.

Only at this moment did they realize how timely the Chi Dragon’s warning had been. This youth was incredibly monstrous; even the Green Demon Black-Pupil Spider had been directly knocked over, demonstrating an extreme level of dominance and ferocity.

“Ah!” The Demon Spider screamed, almost going mad. Its body was glowing, covered in runes, and quickly transformed into its true form.

A giant spider appeared, with its entire body covered in emerald-green hair like divine needles, each strand shimmering. It was enormous, several meters long, floating in mid-air and staring at Shihou.

Everyone gasped. Was this the true form of the Green Demon Black-Pupil Spider? It looked terrifying, with eight spider legs thick and icy, resembling eight battle spears.

“Clang.”

A metallic sound rang out as one of the spider’s legs shot through the air, no different from a battle spear. When it was fully extended, it was incredibly sharp, almost indestructible.

Shihou tested it by throwing a bone rune, which was instantly pierced and exploded, turning the ancient treasure bone into dust.

The crowd was shocked, their faces turning white. This Demon Spider was too powerful. How many of the current human generation could handle it?

“Great, so solid. This is excellent material for refining treasure artifacts,” Shihou’s words left everyone dumbfounded. Whether they were geniuses or notable figures, they were speechless.

“Bang.”

Shihou struck the spider’s leg with his palm, causing the Demon Spider to wail. Cracks appeared at the base of the leg, with fluid oozing out. It almost got severed.

The Demon Spider roared in anger and sprayed out a snow-white thread from its mouth, binding toward Shihou’s body with incredible speed and power.

Shihou dodged, and the thread fell to the ground. In this place for artifact exchanges and exhibitions, several items from a weapon shop were touched, instantly turning to green smoke due to corrosion.

“How terrifying,” the crowd was greatly frightened.

The Demon Spider roared, continuously emitting threads from its mouth like cascading star rivers, weaving into a vast net, forming an intricate divine chain, dazzling and enveloping Shihou.

“Boom.”

Endless runes appeared around Shihou, transforming into flames that burned fiercely. He advanced like a battle god.

He did not use any treasure techniques but relied on the most essential bone runes in their original form to create flames, countering the opponent’s innate divine powers with the purest vitality and spirit, burning everything away.

“Chirp, chirp.”

The divine chain in the air shattered. The threads, brilliant like star rivers, all ignited. The Demon Spider screamed, never expecting a human younger than itself to be so terrifying.

“Bang.”

Shihou kicked out like a golden pillar pressing down, hitting the Demon Spider. It clearly heard the cracking sound from its body, and its entire form was cracked.

It screamed and flew away, covered in blood, unable to get up again.

“Even if the Spirit Transformation Realm is not yet perfected, you dare to challenge me?” Shihou said lightly. His arrogance and words stunned everyone.

After all, he appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, yet he had already reached the perfect level of the Spirit Transformation Realm. It was incredibly defying expectations, surpassing even the training speed of pure-blooded beings.

“Excellent, very good, it’s so satisfying,” the drunkard from the Martial King’s Manor shouted.

Shihou raised his hand, and a small bowl appeared in his palm, emitting rays of light. With a swish, he drew the spider into the bowl. It quickly shrank and settled at the bottom of the bowl.

“This is one of the Five Poisons of the Ancient Times, used as a main ingredient in refining divine medicine,” he murmured.

Such a powerful spider had now shrunk to only an inch long, its size reduced by an unknown number of times, entirely green, and immobilized at the bottom of the bowl.

The crowd was petrified. Was this youth joking? Such a powerful pure-blooded being was being treated as a main ingredient?

Scorpions, spiders, snakes, centipedes, and toads—these are the Five Poisons used in the cultivation world for refining medicine. The ancient Five Poisons he mentioned were once taboo demon gods in ancient times.