Lü Tuo, Wang Xi, and Xuan Kun stepped forward together. Even the likes of the Ten Crown King and Princess Yao Yue moved, pressing closer. They all harbored suspicions, wanting to confirm Shi Hao’s true identity.
How could someone who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy remain nameless? Such a figure would inevitably leave a unique mark across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. A simple test would reveal the truth.
Unless he hailed from the Sacred Academy or the Immortal Academy, descended from those ancient monsters or their disciples, having remained secluded all this time—only then could he have maintained such mystery, unseen until now.
“Sure, who wants to fight me? Or do you all plan to come at me together?” Shi Hao surveyed the crowd, unbothered and unafraid. At this point, facing them in his true form no longer mattered.
Mo Dao stood by his side, confronting these figures without retreating a single step.
The atmosphere atop the stone furnace grew intensely tense. Young supreme beings were about to clash—this was undoubtedly a momentous event!
The others retreated, holding their breaths, not daring to interfere. Even though the furnace’s entrance was now unguarded, no one dared to recklessly charge in.
Everyone knew that until these supreme youths settled their contest, no one would dare descend first. Otherwise, they would face a combined strike from those who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy.
Who could withstand that? They’d be obliterated instantly!
“Haha, fellow Daoist, your demeanor is truly admirable. To remain so composed even when facing multiple supreme beings—I, Lü Tuo, wish to learn from you,” Lü Tuo spoke.
The crowd shuddered. Was one of the strongest figures in the Celestial Deity Institution about to make his move?
Lü Tuo wasn’t particularly burly, but as he stood there, chaotic energy overflowed from his body. His green hair cascaded freely, and his voice boomed like a golden bell, shaking many to the point of unsteadiness, nearly toppling them.
Just his speech alone was like thunder, causing blood and qi to churn uncontrollably in those who heard it.
“Get past me first!” Mo Dao stepped forward, blocking the path.
People frowned. No matter what, this was a young supreme being who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy. Though he served as a servant, no one dared underestimate his strength.
In truth, no one had truly witnessed Mo Dao’s full power. During his great battle with Shi Hao, he hadn’t yet revealed his third strand of immortal energy.
“Brother, do you refuse to fight me?” Lü Tuo looked past Mo Dao, his gaze fixed on Shi Hao. He wanted to test Shi Hao’s depths himself.
Shi Hao’s lips curled slightly, a faint smile playing on his face. Before he could speak, Mo Dao had already stepped forward, reaching the center of the field. With a metallic *clang*, a golden war spear appeared in his left hand, while his right gripped a sword shaped like a dragon-serpent.
No one knew how many weapons he possessed—each one a treasure!
Silence fell as everyone recognized Mo Dao’s resolve. Three strands of immortal energy surged above him, coalescing into three great Dao flowers, unmistakably showcasing his peak Celestial Deity combat prowess!
Even Shi Hao’s eyes gleamed with an enigmatic light. In his view, Mo Dao was formidable—three great Dao flowers formed at the peak of Celestial Deity realm signified an invincible momentum.
He already knew Mo Dao had an elder sister, rumored to be even more terrifying, deeply favored by the undying beings. Even the imperial clans of the foreign realm feared and respected her. Just how strong was she?
Lü Tuo nodded. “Very well. In that case, I’ll first experience the methods of another world, see what makes them so special. Consider it preparation for the great upheaval to come.”
*Boom!*
Space shattered the moment Lü Tuo nodded. Bathed in chaos, a towering tree materialized above his head, its branches lush and vibrant—a manifestation of immortal energy. He lunged forward with terrifying speed.
The void before him tore like tattered parchment as he clashed with Mo Dao in an instant, erupting with dazzling immortal light.
This was a peak-level confrontation—six strands of immortal energy colliding!
“Incredible! Lü Tuo truly lives up to his reputation. His immortal energy can condense into three great Dao flowers and even form a tree—utterly awe-inspiring!” the crowd marveled.
Even Yao Yue and Xuan Kun were visibly moved.
The two combatants fought like true dragons vying for supremacy, like fire phoenixes locked in mortal combat. Their battle was ferocious, with chaos erupting and filling the furnace’s entrance within moments.
Their techniques were soul-shaking, leaving other cultivators trembling as if witnessing two primordial deities clashing before the creation of heaven and earth, threatening to annihilate the very elements.
The mountain wasn’t home to just one young supreme being. At this moment, not only Wang Xi and Xuan Kun but even the Ten Crown King and Princess Yao Yue turned their gazes, their eyes radiating oppressive divine light.
“I’d like to spar with you,” Xuan Kun said.
Shi Hao glanced at him, then at the others. He had fought them in the Immortal Battlefield before—just under a different guise.
“Brother, may I take this one?” Wang Xi spoke up, her robes fluttering, her white shoes and socks pristine, exuding an ethereal grace. Her raven-black hair swayed in the wind, her eyes shimmering with misty light.
The crowd exchanged meaningful looks. They all knew the backstory.
After returning from the Immortal Battlefield, the Wang Clan had acted arrogantly, treating Shi Hao with disdain—especially after forcibly placing their clan’s Vajra Bracelet on him, which some saw as a mark of subjugation. This provoked his fierce resistance.
In the ensuing conflict, the Wang Clan suffered a severe loss of face. Even Wang Xi herself became entangled in some scandalous rumors.
Now, she was stepping forward to confront that very youth, drawing everyone’s attention and inviting speculation.
“Who are you, really?” Wang Xi’s lips were crimson, her teeth pearly white. Her large, expressive eyes stared unblinkingly at the young man before her, her expression tinged with displeasure.
“Didn’t you regard me as a fellow Daoist? Though your clan clearly didn’t share that sentiment,” Shi Hao replied.
“I’m asking where you’re from, your true identity,” Wang Xi said, tucking a strand of jet-black hair behind her ear, her gaze piercing.
“Does it matter?” Shi Hao asked.
“Of course it does. You’ve embarrassed my clan,” Wang Xi said.
“And what about how they embarrassed me first? Since you’ve made your choice, there’s nothing more to say. Come and fight. Win, and you’ll know everything,” Shi Hao said calmly.
“Oh? You’re very confident. Let’s see what you’re so proud of!” Wang Xi’s tone carried an uncharacteristic edge, a departure from her usual serene demeanor.
“I don’t recall offending you. In the Immortal Battlefield, when you were severely injured, I even protected you. Now you want a life-or-death duel?” Shi Hao said coldly.
“You hid your intentions, lurking by my side, then returned to tarnish my reputation,” Wang Xi said icily, stepping forward with a complicated expression.
Shi Hao laughed. “It was just dual cultivation. What’s the big deal? It’s already been clarified. Why worry?”
“You—come fight!” Wang Xi’s face flushed with anger. With a single step, silver lotuses descended from the sky, their fragrance overwhelming as she charged at Shi Hao.
She knew her clan leader had arranged her marriage—likely to a peerless genius from the Sacred Academy. She couldn’t afford scandalous rumors now.
“Careful, or I might capture you and cause even more trouble,” Shi Hao teased.
*Swoosh!*
Wang Xi flicked her wrist, sending a storm of petals swirling through the air, each one gleaming and wreathed in chaotic energy. These were more lethal than any treasure, slicing toward Shi Hao. Every petal was like a razor-sharp blade, riddling the sky with holes.
Shi Hao flicked his fingers, sending out emerald-green willow leaves, carved like jade, piercing through the void to meet the petals.
“Flowers need their green leaves to shine,” Shi Hao laughed, taunting her.
The crowd was speechless.
To Wang Xi, this was outright mockery. Combined with the earlier rumors, it made her grit her teeth, her radiance intensifying.
*Boom!*
The green leaves and silver lotuses collided, triggering a seismic shockwave that rattled the entire furnace, causing it to spew auspicious mist and immortal energy.
*Swoosh!*
A black immortal sword appeared in Wang Xi’s hand, its dark blade shimmering with iridescent light, dazzlingly beautiful.
Gasps filled the air. This was undoubtedly an extraordinary treasure—just its aura alone was enough to make hearts tremble.
Rumors had long circulated that the Wang Clan had been collecting immortal metals to forge a supreme artifact. As a long-life clan, their accumulated wealth over the ages had allowed them to gather enough—even with some to spare for their most important members.
Clearly, Wang Xi was one of them. Her sword contained traces of immortal metal, explaining its eerie allure.
“Dark Immortal Metal,” Shi Hao mused, recognizing its rarity at a glance.
But he wasn’t concerned. If pushed, he could simply destroy her sword with his Great Luo Immortal Sword and absorb its essence.
*Boom!*
Shi Hao took the initiative, raising his hand to manifest a colossal earthen-yellow palm in the sky—a divine ability, a coalescence of dharma form.
Without hesitation, the massive hand enveloped the heavens, reaching for Wang Xi’s graceful figure, aiming to seize her whole!
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