Chapter 1268: Doubts Arise

A few individuals recognized Shi Hao, exclaiming in shock.

The name hadn’t been mentioned in a long time. When he first disappeared a year ago, there had been discussions, but they gradually faded. Now, someone had called it out again.

Huang!

Is it really him? The crowd turned, many staring intently.

He looked very familiar—it was indeed him! But compared to before, he seemed more composed, less flamboyant, exuding an air of quietude.

A significant portion of those present had seen Huang before, and now they wore expressions of astonishment. How had he reappeared? In their understanding, he had lost his supreme status and would never return.

No one had expected that, on this very day, he would reappear in the Celestial Deity Institution.

“It’s really him! Huang has returned!”

Nearly three years had passed since his departure. Where had he been all this time? What had he been doing? Many were filled with curiosity.

“Huang, once the supreme youth of his generation! But without a perfect ancient seed, he ultimately fell into obscurity. What does his return signify? Could he have successfully fused with a Dao Seed?”

Some were excited, especially those students of the Celestial Deity Institution who had remained behind, overlooked by the Immortal Academy and the Sacred Academy. Their faces were alight with enthusiasm.

“Our Celestial Deity Institution isn’t without talent—it’s just that they hadn’t returned until now! Here comes a true supreme, one who once defeated the Nine Netherworld Ao and even dared to challenge the Little Heavenly King!” Some laughed heartily, brimming with excitement.

Over the past two years, the Celestial Deity Institution had fallen into disrepute. Its true prodigies had been selected and never returned.

The institution no longer had any dazzling students. Under the pressure of the two great academies, it had lost its former brilliance and glory.

Now, the Celestial Deity Institution kept a low profile—a necessity, as it truly lacked outstanding disciples. Those who remained were seen as “rotten wood” by the Immortal and Sacred Academies, unworthy of carving.

The students of the Celestial Deity Institution held little status, unable to hold their heads high before the disciples of the other two academies, for none could compete with them.

In gatherings where the other academies were present, the Celestial Deity students were often excluded, even harshly rebuked, treated with disdain and lacking the respect they deserved.

“Huang, is it really you?” someone shouted, rushing forward.

In the past, when Shi Hao had been at the Celestial Deity Institution, he had little interaction with these students. Instead, he had clashed with the top prodigies, engaging in battles against the likes of Lü Tuo and Wang Xi.

But times had changed. Only they and Shi Hao remained. The so-called peerless geniuses had all left, with only a handful staying behind. Even though Shi Hao had once been a stranger to them, they now felt an overwhelming sense of camaraderie, as if meeting a kindred spirit.

Some were even moved to tears, their blood boiling, unable to resist the urge to roar at the heavens. They had endured far too much injustice and humiliation.

Take this very moment, for example. In their own Celestial Deity Institution, as the underground immortal cave was about to open, its students were being scolded and ordered to stay back, forbidden from approaching.

What humiliation! It was a disgrace, leaving them burning with shame and indignation, yet utterly powerless.

Some had resisted in the past, but the truth was undeniable—those who remained were no match for the others.

In several conflicts, even without the likes of Zi Ri Tianjun, Qi Gu, or Da Xu Tuo taking action, their mere attendants had been enough to suppress the Celestial Deity students.

A few had been beaten until they coughed up blood, thrown at the institution’s gates, forced to endure in silence, swallowing their grievances and retreating in defeat.

Others didn’t rush forward but watched curiously—these were the disciples of the two academies.

Few were unfamiliar with Huang. Two or three years ago, he had been a figure of legend, with a series of glorious feats—such as subduing Mo Dao, a prodigy from the other shore who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy, and defeating the Nine Netherworld Ao.

Back then, the mere mention of Huang had inspired awe and fear.

But time had passed, and new geniuses had emerged, those who had fused with perfect ancient seeds. Could he still hold the same status? It was unlikely he could reclaim his former glory.

Upon reflection, many believed Shi Hao was destined to lose the brilliance of his Heavenly Deity Realm days—because he lacked a supreme ancient seed!

Shi Hao found himself surrounded by over a dozen students from the Celestial Deity Institution, their fervent gazes almost overwhelming. It also made him sigh—clearly, the institution had been excessively belittled over the past few years, suffering all manner of injustices.

“What’s that?” Many in the distance wondered, their eyes fixed on Shi Hao’s hand.

A faint auspicious glow emanated from a simple yet mysterious stone box in his grasp. Wisps of white mist curled from it, accompanied by immortal radiance.

This stirred the hearts of many—it was a treasure box!

It had flown out from the muddy pond below, clearly sentient, igniting greed in everyone present. Even Lan Xian, Zi Ri Tianjun, and Qi Gu were curious about its contents.

Shi Hao weighed it in his hand, about to open it, when a voice called out from afar, “Hold it!”

“What do you want?” Shi Hao didn’t stop, casually continuing to examine the box. Wrapped in flowing light and exuding a serene aura, it was surprisingly sturdy—his first attempt to open it failed.

“Fellow Daoist, that stone box emerged from the muddy pond, likely from the immortal cave. It’s ownerless and shouldn’t belong to you,” said a towering humanoid figure.

A golden horn crowned his head, his eyes a pale gold, his hair aflame like fire. His imposing stature exuded pressure.

Clearly, he recognized Shi Hao as Huang. Even if he hadn’t seen him before, the earlier discussions would have clued him in. Yet he still stepped forward, silently declaring his stance.

The crowd exchanged glances. This man had no good intentions—he was testing Huang’s authority, probing his current strength.

Though his words were tactful, his tone and posture were deliberate provocations.

“If it’s ownerless, why call for a halt? Once it’s in my hands, it’s mine,” Shi Hao replied coolly, sweeping him with a glance.

The golden-horned figure shuddered under that gaze. His heart skipped a beat—was Huang still as terrifying as before? Hadn’t he failed to fuse with a suitable Dao Seed?

His fiery hair billowed as his golden pupils gleamed ominously. Instead of retreating, he advanced several steps. “It’s ownerless and should be surrendered. Its ownership must be decided collectively!”

Many remained silent, their eyes gleaming as they watched the drama unfold. It was clear this man was determined to block Shi Hao from claiming the box.

The Celestial Deity students burned with anger. This was outright bullying! If Da Xu Tuo or Lan Xian had obtained the box, would this man have dared interfere?

Had he seen Huang’s return and assumed he was no longer a threat, deliberately provoking him?

One of the Celestial Deity students snapped, “Are you the Golden-Horned Rhino from the Immortal Academy? I’ve heard of you—your spiritual rhinoceros abilities are formidable, your physique strong, your defense impressive. But this arrogance is unwarranted. By what right do you block our institution from claiming treasure?”

“You jest, fellow Daoist,” the Golden-Horned Rhino smiled. “I’m merely advocating fairness. Shouldn’t the Celestial Deity Institution abide by the rules as well?”

He turned to the crowd. “Don’t you agree? The ownership of this ownerless item should be decided collectively. What say you, fellow Daoists?”

The Celestial Deity students seethed. This man was blatantly provoking them, mocking their lack of power.

Naturally, self-interest prevailed. With someone blocking Shi Hao, many were unwilling to let the immortal treasure fall into another’s hands. They voiced their support for the Golden-Horned Rhino.

“If Da Xu Tuo or Zi Ri Tianjun had obtained it, would you dare do this?” a Celestial Deity student retorted, glaring at the rhino.

“Huang, Brother Shi, I mean no offense,” the Golden-Horned Rhino said with a smile, his golden pupils blazing. “But fairness is paramount. Please surrender the box. This is the collective will, not mine alone. We seek harmony, not bloodshed, and fairness for all.”

The Celestial Deity students gnashed their teeth. The rhino’s hypocrisy was infuriating.

“Is this the collective will, or yours? Or perhaps the will of those behind you? If you want it, come and take it,” Shi Hao said dismissively.

His indifference was palpable.

“What do you mean?!” The Golden-Horned Rhino’s pride was stung by Shi Hao’s scornful gaze. A fallen star dared look down on him?

And that gaze—so blatant, so unapologetic—as if watching the performance of a lowly wretch.

“I heard the rule here was ‘finders keepers.’ Who authorized you to change it? Da Xu Tuo? Zi Ri Tianjun? Or Lan Xian?” Shi Hao mocked.

The Golden-Horned Rhino wanted to retort, to claim it was the collective will, but he feared offending the four supremes. Caught in a dilemma, he hesitated.

“Take it if you want it. Otherwise, scram,” Shi Hao said bluntly.

“You—!” The rhino’s face darkened. He had only meant to test Shi Hao, but now he was trapped. “Fine, I’ll take it myself—on behalf of all!”

“You represent no one. Don’t posture so grandly, or the fall will be harder,” Shi Hao said coldly.

The crowd’s hearts skipped. This was Huang’s true nature! Moments ago, he had seemed serene, as if his edge had dulled. But no—he hadn’t changed at all.

The Golden-Horned Rhino advanced cautiously, his body swelling. His upper half transformed into a divine rhinoceros, his hide gleaming gold.

His horn shone brilliantly, crackling with lightning and metallic energy, terrifying sword rays erupting from it.

His lower half remained humanoid as he charged, aiming to seize the box by force.

Only when he was upon him did Shi Hao move—graceful yet swift, his strike a thing of beauty. Then, all brilliance faded, leaving only stillness, as if a fleeting shadow.

A blur. Shi Hao formed an ancient seal, leaping past the rhino’s defenses—and with a crack, severed his mighty horn.

Silence. Then a piercing shriek rent the air, shaking the earth, splitting mountains.

The Golden-Horned Rhino was powerful, his divine energy fearsome. Yet in one move, he had lost his most prized asset—his golden horn!

The crowd was stunned. It had ended as soon as it began. One move, and the rhino was crippled.

“To break a Heavenly Deity’s defense with Heavenly Deity Realm power and sever his horn—impressive,” a voice remarked.

The crowd turned. It was Lan Xian, the Blue Fairy, offering her assessment.

All were shocked. Heavenly Deity Realm power breaking a Heavenly Monarch’s defense? That defied belief—it was a full realm above!

“Interesting. He exploited the weakest point in the rhino’s defense, then used the enemy’s own power to resonate and break his horn,” Lan Xian mused.

The crowd gasped. Huang had turned the rhino’s strength against him—a terrifying feat!

“You—!” The Golden-Horned Rhino was in agony. That horn was his path to greatness—now destroyed. He wanted to die.

“Do you still want the box?” Shi Hao asked coldly.

With a roar, the rhino turned to flee. Huang was still a monster, even without a perfect seed.

“Who said you could leave? I hear rhinoceros meat is delicious. Stay,” Shi Hao said.

“Ah—!” The rhino screamed, transforming into his true form—a golden rhinoceros the size of a hill—and bolted.

He had heard the rumors. In his prime, Huang had been a demon king, fond of roasting rare beasts.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Shi Hao murmured.

Just then, a gale swept the skies, and purple light flooded the horizon. A youth descended, wreathed in auspicious violet energy.

“Zi Tong, save me!” the rhino wailed, truly terrified.

Huang’s might, even after years away, remained undiminished. The rhino’s test had backfired horribly.

“Zi Tong—the attendant of Zi Ri Tianjun!” someone whispered.

“Golden-Horned Rhino, stand by me. Let’s see who dares touch you!” Zi Tong declared, radiating confidence.

Shi Hao smirked. So the rhino had been acting on behalf of Zi Tong—and thus, Zi Ri Tianjun.

“Zi Tong, step back.” A voice thundered from the skies as a violet sun descended, its pressure crushing.

Within that sun stood a blurred figure, radiating divine might—Zi Ri Tianjun himself.

“You are Huang? We meet at last, though I’ve long heard of you,” Zi Ri Tianjun said.