Many people on the Immortal Academy’s warship gasped in shock, especially the few young men who had been standing with Wu Tai earlier. They shouted in unison, “Stop!”
“Boom!”
Shi Hao’s foot descended. Even an ancient demonic mountain would have been flattened under such force, let alone a mere mortal body. How could Wu Tai possibly withstand it?
“Pfft!”
In an instant, Wu Tai’s body shattered, his remains dissolving into a mist of blood.
Only his head remained, pale with terror, lips trembling, utterly petrified and unable to utter a single word.
Shi Hao withdrew his hand, sparing Wu Tai’s life. After all, several ancient beings were watching. If he had truly intended to kill, they would likely have intervened, making it impossible.
“Audacious!”
Those on the Immortal Academy’s warship finally reacted. Wu Tai’s closest companions pointed accusingly at Shi Hao, their voices filled with fury.
“How dare you commit such an act, injuring one of our disciples right before the elders? Do you hold our Immortal Academy in such contempt?!”
“Where did this wild brat come from, daring to challenge the dignity of the Immortal Academy with such brutality? Leaving Wu Tai with only his head—this is unforgivable!”
They hurled accusations at Shi Hao, framing him as a reckless troublemaker who deserved punishment.
“Enough noise. If you’re dissatisfied, come down and fight me yourselves!”
Faced with their condemnation, Shi Hao responded with a single, cold, and domineering statement: anyone who dared to challenge him was welcome to step forward.
The disciples of the Heavenly Deity Academy exchanged glances. They knew Shi Hao was formidable, but none had expected him to be so fearless, openly defying the Immortal Academy without hesitation.
Many in the Heavenly Deity Academy longed to join the Immortal Academy, some even scheming to befriend its disciples. Yet here was Shi Hao, crushing them without a second thought, treating them as nothing special.
“Are you truly challenging all the elites of our Immortal Academy?!” The group’s expressions darkened. One of them even tried to rally stronger allies from the ship, hoping to suppress Shi Hao.
The ancient beings remained silent, observing calmly, only the occasional glint in their eyes betraying their thoughts. The elders of the Heavenly Deity Academy also stayed neutral, refusing to intervene.
“Enough empty words. If you had the courage, you’d fight me instead of barking like dogs!” Shi Hao mocked them openly, his tone dripping with disdain.
“You insolent brat! Do you think no one in the Immortal Academy can deal with you?” one of them roared.
“At the very least, none of you can. If you’re too scared to fight alone, come at me together—I’ll give you the chance!” Shi Hao declared, brimming with arrogance and confidence.
“Kill him!”
Without hesitation, the group attacked, summoning their treasures to suppress Shi Hao. Brilliant lights erupted as powerful artifacts were unleashed.
Shi Hao stretched out his hand, summoning a massive bronze bow from afar. He nocked an arrow and fired into the sky. The divine arrows streaked like rainbows, exploding with deafening force.
“Boom!”
Some artifacts were sent flying, others shattered outright. The sky trembled from the impact.
“Pathetic. Too cowardly to even step off the ship? You disgrace the Immortal Academy’s name!” Shi Hao laughed, his mockery cutting deep.
His words drew the attention of both academies, putting the group under intense scrutiny.
“Arrogant fool! Prepare to die!”
Two of them leaped down, launching their assault. Backed into a corner, they had no choice but to fight—retreating now would be an unbearable humiliation.
Yet they overestimated themselves. Despite wielding treasures beyond the Heavenly Deity realm, Shi Hao dodged every attack with ease.
“Whoosh!”
A sword beam flashed, piercing one man’s chest. Blood gushed, a gruesome sight.
Shi Hao was merciless. With a finger like a blade, he unleashed a sword aura that sent another reeling, wounded and terrified.
“You—!” The man staggered back, but Shi Hao pursued like a tiger descending a mountain, unstoppable and lethal.
The second attacker rushed to aid his companion, only to be slashed across the abdomen, his blood spilling.
“Pinglian Jue?!”
Someone gasped in shock. This was the legendary sword art of the Wang family, a supreme inheritance. How did Shi Hao know it?
“Are you from the Wang family?” one demanded.
“No!” Shi Hao replied curtly, slashing forward again.
In the distance, Wang Xi frowned. This wasn’t the true Pinglian Jue—Shi Hao was mimicking her techniques, wielding them with terrifying power.
“Die!” The two wounded men roared, launching a desperate final assault.
But Shi Hao remained cold. Once their treasures failed to land a hit, the battle was already over.
“Whoosh!”
A sword beam soared, bisecting one man at the waist. His scream echoed as his upper half crashed to the ground.
Almost simultaneously, the other lost his head, his body exploding from the sword energy.
In moments, two more experts were reduced to heads, just like Wu Tai.
The crowd erupted in shock. Shi Hao had effortlessly defeated three elites without batting an eye.
“Are the rest of you coming down, or are you too scared?” Shi Hao taunted, glancing at the ship.
The remaining three, who had stayed behind, flushed with shame but remained silent. They had no rebuttal—stepping forward would only mean defeat.
Shi Hao sneered, ignoring them. Their silence was humiliation enough.
Even fellow Immortal Academy disciples sneered at their cowardice. They had provoked the fight, only to be crushed in return.
“Disgraceful!”
“Is this the caliber of our academy? Losing to a mere boy—utterly pathetic!”
Some in the Immortal Academy couldn’t hold back their disdain, while others seethed at the blow to their pride.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Deity Academy students watched in awe. Shi Hao was truly fearless.
“We admit defeat. But will you return the Azure Armor?” one on the ship asked meekly, avoiding any mention of freeing Wu Tai and the others—knowing the elders would handle that.
“My spoils of war. Why should I hand them over?” Shi Hao replied coldly.
The armor was ancient, granting Wu Tai an extra strand of immortal energy. It was worth studying.
“That belongs to the Little Heavenly King! Do you really intend to keep it?” one demanded, aghast.
“Who’s this ‘Little Heavenly King’? I’ve never met him. I took this from Wu Tai—end of discussion,” Shi Hao stated firmly.
The Immortal Academy disciples paled. Was this guy seriously daring to provoke the Little Heavenly King?
Even the ancient beings narrowed their eyes.
“Elders, please reclaim the Azure Armor for us,” one finally begged.
*Ahem.* “Young man, that armor has already chosen its master. Keeping it serves you no purpose,” an ancient being interjected, clearly unwilling to let such a treasure slip away.
“Thank you for the advice, but I’d still like to study it,” Shi Hao replied smoothly.
The elder was speechless. That wasn’t advice—it was a demand!
Even the likes of Yao Yue, Wang Xi, and Lü Tuo from the Heavenly Deity Academy were stunned by his audacity.
The Immortal Academy disciples were equally baffled. Who was this guy, daring to defy an elder? Did he truly plan to fight the Little Heavenly King?
Some glared with hostility, while others watched with grudging admiration.
Just then, more figures emerged from the ship’s cabin—several young men and women of extraordinary bearing, their auras transcendent. They fixed their gazes on Shi Hao, their presence commanding attention.
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