Chapter 1230: Overwhelming Aggression

In the sky, a group of people stood on an arch bridge formed by converging rays of dawn light, their robes fluttering like celestial beings.

Little Heavenly King’s demeanor was peerless, standing there like a true immortal reborn. His mere presence imbued the surroundings with an aura of the immortal realm.

Such grace and fortune were rare even in ancient times!

By his side, the others also exuded extraordinary temperaments, especially those who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy, standing shoulder to shoulder like a gathering of immortals.

The men among them were ethereal, the women agile—all untouched by mortal dust, transcendent and aloft, bathed in divine light and wrapped in mist.

Princess Yao Yue stood among them, no less remarkable. Positioned beside Little Heavenly King, she appeared even more radiant and peerless, like a fairy stepping out of a painting. Together, they seemed to transcend the mortal world, their presence ethereal and sublime.

“Shi Hao, do you still dare to resist? Now that Little Heavenly King has arrived, why delay in surrendering the Azure Armor?” someone on the arch bridge shouted.

When silent, these figures seemed transcendent, but now they exuded authority, looking down imperiously and demanding Shi Hao return the Azure Armor.

The main figure had arrived, accompanied by a group of followers who berated him. The situation was dire, drawing the attention of all in Heavenly Deity Institution. The oppressive atmosphere rendered the place silent.

All eyes turned to Shi Hao, making him the focal point—though not in a favorable way. This was a calamity. With Little Heavenly King here, how could he possibly contend?

Some watched with schadenfreude, eager to see Shi Hao humbled.

“Finally, he’s met his match. Little Heavenly King’s belongings aren’t so easily taken. I doubt Shi Hao dares to defy him now—he’s bound to submit!”

Whispers spread through Heavenly Deity Institution. Clearly, some had suffered defeat at Shi Hao’s hands before and now hoped Little Heavenly King would suppress him.

“I obtained this armor from an opponent. What right do you have to demand its surrender?” Shi Hao retorted.

“Audacious! That is Little Heavenly King’s battle armor, merely lent to Wu Tai. Do you think you can keep it? It doesn’t belong to you!” came an unyielding shout from above.

“This is my rightful spoils of war. If I surrender it just because you threaten me, where does that leave my dignity?” Shi Hao replied calmly.

“Impudent! You dare deny it? This is clearly Little Heavenly King’s armor. Will you refuse to return it?” A voice boomed from above, accompanied by a surge of killing intent.

Shi Hao’s brows furrowed sharply. “Enough! You keep calling me ‘audacious’ and ‘impudent.’ Who do you think you are, speaking to me like this?”

He paused briefly before continuing, “Wu Tai wore this armor and attacked me recklessly, trying to kill me. He lost, and the armor became mine. And now you expect me to grovel and offer it back? What kind of nonsense is that?”

The crowd was stunned. Shi Hao had been composed moments ago but now erupted in defiance. The arch bridge above shimmered brilliantly, radiant with seven-colored mist. The group on it stared coldly downward, taken aback.

Within Heavenly Deity Institution, murmurs arose. Was Shi Hao truly challenging Little Heavenly King here? But the latter had already fused with a Dao Seed—terrifyingly powerful, unmatched!

“You still dare to oppose us?” someone on the bridge roared.

“What are you lot? Arrogant and disrespectful—if you want a fight, then bring it on!” Shi Hao declared decisively. Some matters couldn’t be settled with submission, as even sacrificing dignity wouldn’t bring peace.

Moreover, Shi Hao was no coward who would trade dignity for survival. He had always been unrestrained, refusing to chain himself with forced compromise.

**”Boom!”**

In an instant, over a dozen beams of divine light descended from the sky—supreme techniques aimed at suppressing the defiant youth below.

Shi Hao spread his arms like a phoenix unfurling its wings, then shook them violently. One after another, he deflected the incoming techniques, employing the bone inscriptions from *Primordial True Solution* to neutralize the myriad divine arts.

“Hmm, *Primordial True Solution*—some skill!” someone above remarked in surprise.

The first volume of *Primordial True Solution* was no secret; many great sects possessed it, let alone the Immortal Academy. But few at this age could grasp its bone inscriptions and turn decay into magic—usually only sect masters or higher achieved such mastery.

Even Little Heavenly King showed a flicker of astonishment, giving Shi Hao a deep look.

“Tch, an ancient technique—nothing special. It’s not like he’s the only one who’s studied it,” someone dismissed.

“Shi Hao, this is your last chance. Come forth and plead for mercy, and we may forgive you,” another said coldly, silver light swirling in their pupils.

“How shameless and laughable. Who do you think you are, to dictate others’ lives and dignity? My conflicts with the Immortal Academy don’t warrant this trial-like condemnation. Spare me your nonsense—scram!” Shi Hao’s temper flared.

Their repeated arrogance and disrespect had stoked his fury.

“Stubborn fool. Today, we’ll suppress you with ease,” came the reply from above.

“The principal hasn’t even spoken, yet you’re so eager to prove your loyalty. Aren’t you afraid of being mocked for your lack of restraint? It reeks of sycophancy,” Shi Hao sneered.

“Audacious!” the figures above roared.

At that moment, Little Heavenly King on the bridge raised a hand, silencing them. His gaze turned downward, warm and serene like sunlight.

“The Azure Armor is my personal artifact, meant for future battles against the foreign realm. It cannot be lost,” he stated, clarifying his stance.

Shi Hao looked up, replying coldly, “Then let’s fight. You won’t force me to surrender it like this.”

Submitting would only invite scorn. Even if this was Little Heavenly King—renowned for perfectly fusing with a Dao Seed—if he wanted the armor back, it would have to be through battle.

“Hah! Did I hear right? He actually dares to challenge Little Heavenly King? Does he think he’s the first among the Four Supreme Bloodlines? How ridiculous!”

“Bringing suffering upon himself. To defy Little Heavenly King is sheer folly—does he think this will make him famous across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths?”

Mocking laughter erupted. The Immortal Academy cultivators above all saw this as a futile struggle—like an egg striking a rock.

“Enough,” Little Heavenly King silenced them.

His authority was evident. Though he spoke softly, his words carried weight, and the jeering ceased immediately.

“I know you defeated Wu Tai and took the armor. Asking for its return outright may seem unfair. But I must reclaim it—it cannot remain outside. I hope you understand,” Little Heavenly King said, his tone measured yet unyielding.

Normally transcendent, once he made a decision, he was immovable—his word final, his will absolute.

His demeanor was extraordinary: water-blue hair gleaming, face pale as jade, eyes deep with swirling mist, like a true immortal descended.

Though he appeared gentle now, an unshakable dominance lurked beneath, inspiring awe.

“Spare me the talk. What do you propose—a fight?” Shi Hao said.

“I won’t oppress you with force. Having fused my Dao Seed, suppressing you now would be unfair. Instead, let’s have a civil contest—I’ll give you a chance,” Little Heavenly King replied with a smile.

The crowd was stunned. He had indeed fully fused, reaching an unparalleled peak. Facing Shi Hao with such composure, he intended to overwhelm him with absolute strength.

All eyes fixed on the sky, breaths held, awaiting the terms of this “civil contest.”

“We can discuss ancient immortal Dao puzzles. Solving them would benefit all,” Little Heavenly King proposed brightly.

Gasps arose. Many ancient cultivation puzzles remained unsolved for millennia. That he suggested this spoke volumes of his genius—a prodigy with unparalleled comprehension.

This only deepened the reverence others held for him.

“Alternatively, if you prefer, there’s another method. I’ll stand here, shielded by immortal light, and let you attack. If you can move me, I lose,” he added.

An uproar followed. Such audacity! To stand unmoving and let an opponent strike—what confidence!

Merely shifting his feet would count as defeat. The sheer boldness was staggering.

Shi Hao’s gaze turned icy. This level of arrogance was truly domineering, as if Little Heavenly King stood above all.

If Shi Hao took the bait and attacked, even a “victory” would only highlight Little Heavenly King’s invincibility, reducing Shi Hao to a mere foil.

Shi Hao knew the so-called “immortal light shield” was likely impervious, ensuring Little Heavenly King’s invincibility.

“If you want to fight, then fight properly. No need for these roundabout games,” Shi Hao said, refusing to play the fool.

Even against someone who had fused a Dao Seed and reached unimaginable heights, he wouldn’t bow.

“You have pride, but battling me now is unwise. Your cultivation time is still short,” Little Heavenly King said serenely.

The crowd was speechless. Though young, Little Heavenly King already stood atop the martial peak, looking down on his peers.

“Shi Hao, let’s talk this out. No need for conflict,” Princess Yao Yue interjected, radiant in her snow-white robes. Standing on the bridge, she had ties to the Immortal Academy.

She urged Shi Hao to relent and turned to Little Heavenly King, standing close beside him. “Please show leniency. This is just a misunderstanding—it can be resolved.”

“Too late for that!” someone beside her snapped, hostility toward Shi Hao evident.

“At this point, retreat is impossible. He should come and accept judgment!” another sneered.

“You overestimate yourselves,” Shi Hao said coldly, then addressed Little Heavenly King. “If you seek fairness, let’s meet on the Divine Battle Stage and settle this there!”

“The Divine Battle Stage?!” The crowd’s hearts raced. Shi Hao remained as unyielding and fierce as ever.