The sight was astonishing—a colossal purple sun spanned the heavens, full and majestic, radiating intense violet light. Streaks of purple energy filled the void, swirling like celestial rivers.
Around it, streams of radiant light cascaded like waterfalls, painting the sky in dazzling hues.
No one could glimpse the true visage of the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch. His form remained indistinct, as though standing beyond the distant cosmos. Only when his eyes flickered open and shut could one sense the overwhelming vitality surging within him, vast and unyielding.
No one had expected that upon Shi Hao’s return, the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch would immediately confront him. Would these two engage in battle?
Yet, what of Shi Hao’s current strength? Having vanished for nearly three years, none knew his true power now. Without a flawless Dao Seed, could he truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the supreme Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch?
For a moment, anticipation swelled among the crowd. Everyone yearned to know—just how strong was Shi Hao now?
“Was it you who sent the Golden-Horned Rhinoceros to test me?” Shi Hao’s voice was icy, devoid of warmth.
In stark contrast, the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch exuded serenity despite the imposing presence of his celestial sun. His tone was gentle, almost benevolent. “My attendant is mischievous, and my subordinates act recklessly. Do not take offense.”
His words were dismissive, brushing aside the earlier incident.
Shi Hao’s gaze flickered, but he said nothing. Had the Heavenly Monarch not harbored some intention, his subordinates would never have dared to act so boldly.
“The Netherworld Ao and I are old friends—close companions,” the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch declared outright.
Shi Hao was taken aback. Was this an attempt to silence him, to preempt any harsh words? The Heavenly Monarch had laid out the connection plainly.
“Oh, the Netherworld Ao. How is he? It’s been a while. I wonder how far his cultivation has progressed,” Shi Hao replied calmly.
“In his past duel with you, he fought thousands of rounds but ultimately lost. The defeat struck him deeply, casting him into a period of despair. Yet, shame spurred him to rise. He ventured into an ancient cave abode and obtained a perfect seed, fusing with it successfully!” the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch explained.
“Shame spurred him to rise? Do you consider his loss to me a disgrace?” Shi Hao stared at the purple sun suspended in the sky.
“You overthink, fellow Daoist,” the Heavenly Monarch replied with a tranquil smile, though an air of detachment now lingered. The purple sun blazed even brighter, dominating the heavens like a sovereign decreeing life and death.
“Have you sought me out for a duel?” Shi Hao asked.
“When I emerged from seclusion and heard of the Netherworld Ao’s defeat, I was both surprised and relieved. I knew his pride would one day meet its match—such trials forge true strength. At the same time, I was eager to spar with the one who defeated him. Yet, when I sought you, I learned you had vanished, unable to obtain a suitable Dao Seed. It was a great regret, for I had hoped to test myself against you at the Heavenly Deity Realm. Now, it seems that chance is lost forever,” the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch said serenely.
His final words sent ripples through the crowd, stirring varied reactions.
The implication was clear—the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch stood transcendent, peerlessly powerful and self-assured. Without a clash at the Heavenly Deity Realm, any contest at the Sect Leader level would be meaningless.
For Shi Hao, lacking a flawless seed, the gap between him and the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch would only widen. He would never catch up!
“However, witnessing your earlier display, I suspect I may have misjudged. That level of skill is beyond ordinary. To defeat the Golden-Horned Rhinoceros at the Heavenly Deity Realm is remarkable!” the Heavenly Monarch praised.
His words sent shockwaves through the onlookers. Was he implying that Shi Hao might possess a perfect seed after all? But how? The number of invincible seeds was fixed—only a handful existed!
“At a certain level of cultivation, finding a worthy opponent becomes rare. Shi Hao, you are a miracle. I’ve heard much of your exploits since emerging from seclusion. Today, perhaps I can fulfill a long-held wish!” The Heavenly Monarch’s voice carried a magnetic charm, exuding unique allure.
To many female cultivators, his peerless talent—ranked among the strongest of the younger generation—combined with his striking presence, made him one of the most exceptional young men of the era.
Nearby, the jewels of various sects, countless beauties, and enchanting female cultivators gazed at the purple sun with admiration.
Even among the proud young elites of various clans, though envy simmered, none could deny the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch’s unrivaled supremacy.
“Do you wish to fight me?” Shi Hao asked. His jet-black hair, lustrous and smooth, cascaded over his chest and back. His tall frame, radiant skin, and refined features gave him an ethereal, transcendent aura—like an exiled immortal untouched by worldly dust.
Yet, to many female cultivators, the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch held greater allure. His strength and mystique, fused with the ancient Primordial Violet Qi, left few in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths capable of rivaling him.
Admiration for the strong was innate, and thus the Heavenly Monarch’s prestige had soared over the past two years, especially among female cultivators.
Shi Hao, absent for so long and presumably without a perfect seed, had lost his claim to supremacy. His popularity paled beside the radiant Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch.
“Indeed. I wish to spar with you. Do you accept?” The Heavenly Monarch nodded. Within the purple sun, a faint silhouette emerged, exuding vast violet energy, as though capable of swallowing the sun and moon.
The crowd trembled. Two supreme talents were finally about to clash—but could Shi Hao still stand as the Heavenly Monarch’s equal?
“No problem,” Shi Hao agreed without hesitation. He welcomed the chance to test the fruits of his three-year seclusion.
His prolonged absence had nearly erased him from memory, emboldening even the Golden-Horned Rhinoceros to challenge him. Perhaps a battle was needed to reassert his dominance.
“Master, must you face him personally? Allow me,” the attendant interjected, drawing shocked glances.
Though called an attendant, he was a grown man in his mid-twenties—the prime of his vitality. His reputation stemmed from serving the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch, studying scriptures and ancient arts under his guidance. His strength had soared, making him a fearsome adversary.
“How dare a mere attendant speak so arrogantly!” students of the Heavenly Deity Academy cried out in anger. Shi Hao’s status was beyond reproach—how could a servant challenge him directly?
“Step back,” the Heavenly Monarch chided, displeased.
The attendant, Zitong, fair-skinned and handsome, smirked but complied, retreating beside the Golden-Horned Rhinoceros with an air of indifference.
“Brother Shi, your disappearance for two to three years is mysterious. Which ancient seed did you fuse with?” the Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch inquired.
He was genuinely curious. Throughout history, only a handful of seeds could be deemed invincible—most already claimed. Where had Shi Hao found another?
The crowd held its breath, eager to learn of Shi Hao’s fortunes. Had he regained the qualifications to stand among the supreme?
All eyes fixed upon him.
“You’ll be disappointed. The number of perfect seeds is fixed—I obtained none. The Immortal Academy refused to grant me one,” Shi Hao admitted plainly.
Reactions varied. Some lamented his plight—a once-peerless genius, now denied the means to compete with the likes of the Purple Sun and Great Xu Tuo.
Others sighed in relief, particularly members of the Immortal and Sacred Academies, their fears alleviated.
Some even chuckled. Without a flawless seed, Shi Hao was doomed to mediocrity, never to tower above the rest again.
“Pity. Though his return was striking, he’s fallen too far to rival true supremes.”
“If it were me, I’d retreat into seclusion. Why return to be humiliated?”
Schadenfreude spread. Shi Hao’s decline meant they had nothing to fear.
Students of the Heavenly Deity Academy felt powerless, a pang of sorrow striking them. This was reality—after this clash, their academy’s prestige would wane.
“How tragic,” Wu Tai of the Immortal Academy sneered. Having been slain and stripped of his azure armor by Shi Hao in the Realm of Graves, his hatred ran deep.
“Unimpressive! Without a flawless seed, what can he achieve? Let me face him!” the attendant declared, battle-ready.
“Did you fuse with a seed second only to the perfect ones?” the Heavenly Monarch pressed.
“No. I obtained nothing,” Shi Hao replied.
“Hahaha!” Wu Tai burst into laughter, his grudge against Shi Hao fueling his glee. The day of reckoning had come—his enemy’s downfall was sweet.
“Master, let me handle him. Someone of his level, inferior even to my seed, isn’t worthy of your attention!” the attendant insisted.
Many from the Immortal Academy laughed, relaxed now that their old rival posed no threat.
The scene grew chaotic, voices overlapping.
“Who dares bully my brother?!” A streak of light split the sky as figures descended.
Boom!
Dust billowed as they landed, led by a rotund figure in moon-white robes—Cao Yusheng. Beside him stood a silver-haired girl with ruby-like eyes—the Little Rabbit.
“Who do you think you are, a lowly attendant daring to challenge Shi Hao? A few years ago, we’d have eaten you for breakfast!” she snapped, baring her teeth.
Behind them were Chang Gongyan, the Enchantress, Feng Wu, Zhen Gu, Teng Yi of the Firegold Clan, and others—mostly from the three thousand provinces, now aligned with the Sacred Academy.
The attendant seethed. For years, he’d basked in the Heavenly Monarch’s glory, revered by all. Today’s insults were unbearable!
“You—ignorant fools! Shi Hao was strong once, but now? Without even a flawed seed, his future is limited!” he spat.
“Even without a Dao Seed, he could crush you with a finger!” the Little Rabbit retorted, cheeks flushed with fury.
“Back when Shi Hao ruled the world, you were still hiding in some hole!” Cao Yusheng jeered.
“Though I don’t know what happened these past years, I believe he could flatten you with a finger!” the Enchantress added, her bewitching smile unwavering.
“Exactly! One finger!” echoed the crowd from the three thousand provinces.
Warmth filled Shi Hao’s heart. After so long, their unwavering support moved him.
The attendant’s face darkened with rage. Never had he endured such humiliation. He stepped forward, snarling, “Let’s see who can crush me with a finger!”
Silence fell, broken only by his heavy breaths as he closed in on Shi Hao.
“As you wish,” Shi Hao said coolly. His movement was deliberate, his right hand lifting, index finger extending.
“Try it!” the attendant sneered, erupting with radiant energy, violet qi surging skyward.
Shi Hao’s finger expanded, slow yet inexorable, pressing down like a mountain, suffocating all in its path.
The attendant’s pupils shrank. Instinct screamed danger, but escape was impossible.
The colossal finger descended, deflecting all evasion. Terror gripped him.
Boom!
The finger struck. Bones shattered within the attendant’s body as he vomited blood, hurled backward.
His chest caved in, limbs twisted—as though on the verge of disintegration. The force of the blow was unimaginable.
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