“Heh heh…” The laughter was unrestrained and arrogant, laced with scorn and a chilling mockery. “Always losing, never winning—what pride and confidence can a decaying land and inferior race possibly have?”
This was no mere taunt but a blatant humiliation, a branding of failure and disgrace upon all living beings of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Not just Shi Hao, Xuan Kun, and the other men, but even the young women from immortal families like Wang Xi and Yao Yue felt a surge of anger, a stifling fury burning in their chests.
The insult was unbearable. The crushing defeat of the past remained an eternal wound for the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—an entire era buried, life nearly extinguished, with only a handful, like the long-lived families, surviving.
Every remembrance was agony, a scar of shame.
Now, the descendants of their ancient enemies had reopened that wound, speaking with such disdain, as if peeling back the scab to reveal a fresh, bleeding gash.
“What, am I wrong? Why the silence?” The voice spoke again, still hidden in the shadows, its true form unseen.
At this level of cultivation, detection was near impossible—this was no ordinary cultivator.
The deliberate arrogance only amplified the contempt, a calculated humiliation.
“Come out if you dare! I’ll fight you for three hundred rounds and then kill you!” A disciple of the Celestial Academy roared, unable to endure the insult.
“A petty cultivator who barely condensed a strand of immortal energy dares challenge me? You’re unworthy.” The voice was cold, dismissive.
“Show yourself! Let’s settle this with strength!” The disciple shouted, unwilling to back down despite knowing he was likely outmatched.
“Death is easy. I’ll grant your wish.”
The moment those words fell, everyone’s expression changed. An invisible sword qi shot forth, piercing the disciple’s body.
It was too fast—no one could react.
And it came not from the opposing group but from the void itself, meaning the enemy had been lurking nearby all along, undetected.
A chill ran down many spines, a deep unease settling in.
A spray of blood erupted as the disciple collapsed, his body nearly split in two.
The only mercy was that he survived—thanks to the Ten Crown King, who intercepted part of the attack, standing close by.
“Fool. This is the price of defiance.” The voice was icy, detached.
What more could be said? This enemy was lethally dangerous, wielding an invisibility technique so refined that killing was effortless.
Shi Hao frowned. The method resembled that of the Heavenly Nation, the assassin dynasty of the Three Thousand Provinces—only far more terrifying.
The Celestial Academy’s side seethed with indignation. Though fear lingered, many brandished their weapons, shouting in defiance.
“Who are you? Face us!”
“Cowardly specter! Show yourself!”
The crowd was incensed.
Yet, those who had condensed three strands of immortal energy—the elite—furrowed their brows, sensing a formidable foe. Even with their heavenly eyes, they couldn’t locate the hidden enemy.
“Tsk. This rotten wasteland grows weaker by the day.” The voice sighed, as if shaking its head in disdain.
Shi Hao spoke up, his voice low. “Basking in ancestral glory means nothing. Don’t make me despise you—relying on dead forebears to prove your courage?”
“Heh heh…” The voice laughed, light and arrogant. “My ancestor still lives.”
The words struck like thunder. Shi Hao stiffened. Even Lü Tuo, Wang Xi, and the Ten Crown King were stunned.
How ancient must that being be?
Undoubtedly, it had fought in the Immortal Ancient War—a living fossil, surviving to this day. The sheer terror of such power was enough to induce despair.
“I know you must be that little insect. Soon, I’ll drag you out and make you my servant.” The voice was calm, as if stating an inevitability.
“The hunt begins. Let’s see who captures whom.” Shi Hao retorted.
Neither side knew who was speaking, their voices echoing, untraceable.
Tension thickened. The open expanse was perfect for battle—a storm was about to erupt.
“Why wait? Crush them, just as our ancestors did!” A brown-haired woman from the opposing side declared, her tall, muscular frame radiating strength.
“No need for words. Just slaughter them all.” A gray-haired man beside her added, smiling as he advanced, a staff in hand.
“Come, let’s test ourselves. They should be swiftly dealt with—anything less is shameful.” A white-robed youth spoke, his eyes dark and fathomless.
Their superiority was innate, their gazes condescending.
Perhaps it was their unbroken streak of victories, their ancestors’ dominance over the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, that bred such confidence.
“Kill!” The Celestial Academy’s forces charged forward, refusing to retreat.
The enemy was numerous, each clad in armor, wielding halberds, spears, and blades—their killing intent palpable.
They were a formidable force, their auras surging like an ocean tide.
Among them were humans, stone beings, and metallic creatures, all in humanoid forms, their brilliance illuminating the heavens.
“Kill!”
The brown-haired woman, lithe and powerful, lunged at Lü Tuo like a panther. She, too, had three strands of immortal energy.
“Boom!”
Their clash erupted in dazzling light, chains of order soaring like a sunburst.
The brilliance was blinding, drawing blood from many eyes.
And this was just the first strike.
Had they not been within the Ten Realms Diagram and Universe Pouch’s constructed world, the land would have shattered and collapsed.
“Interesting. Some in this broken world aren’t entirely worthless.” The woman remarked, her battle with Lü Tuo intensifying.
“Fair maiden, radiant as the moon, may we spar?” A man in golden armor addressed Princess Yao Yue.
Her beauty had drawn attention, and now a strong foe sought to capture her.
“Whoosh!”
Yao Yue’s fist surged with lunar radiance, a tidal wave of sacred power crashing toward her opponent.
“Kill!”
The battlefield erupted.
This was a grand spectacle—two worlds clashing anew after eons. Word of this would shake the heavens.
The cacophony of battle filled the air—halberds snapped, cauldrons shattered, armor burned.
The carnage was immediate, blood staining the earth.
Shi Hao fought, his fists a blur, but his focus was elsewhere—searching for the hidden enemy.
Then, the white-robed youth approached Wang Xi.
“Exquisite beauty. A scion of a long-lived family, no doubt.” He struck, forcing her back.
“Three strands of immortal energy!” Wang Xi gasped, dodging.
She was grievously wounded, having avoided such foes until now.
“Need to run?” Shi Hao asked.
Wang Xi fumed. Was he seriously suggesting retreat?
“You’re heavily injured. How can you fight?”
She sighed. Was this his way of caring? “I came to test their strength.”
Shi Hao scoffed. Stubborn pride wouldn’t heal her wounds.
“Don’t worry. I have a secret art—the Hundred Days Ten Phoenix Rebirth Technique. It can restore me to peak condition temporarily.”
“Oh? The suicide art that lets you revive ten times in a hundred days before even an Immortal King can’t save you?” The white-robed youth mused.
Shi Hao was stunned. Was she really this desperate?
“I only need one revival.” Wang Xi’s body blazed with light, her power surging back.
She was at her peak again, though the cost would be severe. But for this battle, she’d risk it.
“White-robed brat, behave, or I’ll pummel you later!” Shi Hao threatened.
The youth, mid-strike, nearly faltered at the audacity.
He and Wang Xi clashed, each testing the other’s limits.
“I need to find that hidden one.” Shi Hao’s focus sharpened.
Where was he? The enemy lurked, perhaps waiting to strike.
Shi Hao stilled his mind, honing his senses.
To others, he seemed aimless—drifting through the battlefield, striking randomly.
But in truth, his spirit was razor-sharp, hunting his prey.
“So you’re the insect. Found you. Submit or die!” The voice hissed from the void.
“Come! Face me!” Shi Hao roared, tearing through space, locking onto the enemy’s aura.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage