Huang’s identity was revealed, causing a sensation!
Crowds of young people gathered, many of whom had grown up in Emperor Pass and had never left before, seeing Shi Hao for the first time.
“Brother Huang, your battle shook the Borderlands. Though we reside in Emperor Pass, it’s embarrassing to admit that while we’ve been cultivating, we haven’t yet fought against renowned figures from the other side. But we’ve heard of their combat prowess—your performance was truly dazzling, earning our admiration!” someone said earnestly, not merely flattering.
Shi Hao found it difficult to move, surrounded by figures—both men and women—all brimming with youthful vigor, at the prime of their lives.
Some sought details of the battle, while others tried to recruit or befriend him, their enthusiasm making the scene lively and chaotic.
“Wow, is this little ant the legendary Heavenly Horned Ant? It’s all golden, with such big eyes—so adorable!” a young girl exclaimed, her beautiful eyes wide as she stared at the ant perched on Shi Hao’s shoulder.
This drew many gazes toward the Heavenly Horned Ant.
“It’s too cute! Golden and sturdy, just looking at it makes me happy!” the girl chirped. She was only eleven or twelve, not yet an adult, likely brought here by an elder sibling.
Many were speechless. This was the descendant of one of the Ten Fierce, possessing terrifying combat power. Once enraged, it could dominate its peers with its invincible bloodline.
As for the Heavenly Horned Ant itself, black lines practically covered its forehead. Being called “cute” was a first, making it want to bash its head against a wall. Hearing itself described as “sturdy” only darkened its expression further. It couldn’t help but retort, “What’s a tiger got to do with me? If you compared me to a True Dragon, I might have let it slide.”
Apart from the giggling girl, no one else dared to laugh. This was the descendant of the Ten Fierce, a being of True Immortal bloodline—its origins were terrifying.
It hadn’t even reached maturity yet. Once it did, who knew how fearsome it would become?
Someone whispered, “I heard that during the Immortal Ancient War, some True Immortals desperately tried to preserve their bloodlines, but all failed. Only a few remnants survived, and even they were sabotaged.”
The other side had been thorough in their extermination, leaving nothing behind.
That era was truly dark—True Immortal legacies were severed, descendants wiped out. The few that remained were damaged, unable to emerge properly.
Later, some of these bloodlines were sealed in chaos or sent into the ancestral veins of heaven and earth’s creation. Yet, it was futile—most perished.
Even preserving them for future generations to solve their issues proved impossible!
“The Heavenly Horned Ant’s bloodline remained intact, completely unharmed.”
Everyone could only marvel.
“The Heavenly Horned Ant of that time rivaled Immortal Kings in combat power. Truly remarkable—to protect its offspring in such a dark age!”
In truth, the reality was far crueler than they imagined. Shi Hao had once visited the little ant’s birthplace and witnessed the fragmented imprints of its progenitor.
The Heavenly Horned Ant of the Ten Fierce had paid a tremendous price to ensure its descendant’s survival. Without exhausting every means and pouring its essence into the effort, this golden little ant wouldn’t exist today.
Huang being accompanied by a Heavenly Horned Ant made many envious. Once this ant matured, it could undoubtedly protect an entire clan, ensuring its prosperity.
Of course, that was assuming the other side hadn’t breached Emperor Pass.
“Brother Huang, you have immense fortune. Compared to yours, our mounts—auspicious beasts and divine birds—pale in significance,” someone remarked.
“What do you mean by that?” The golden little ant didn’t appreciate the comment, its eyes narrowing. It wasn’t some servant to Shi Hao.
The speaker immediately realized his blunder. A descendant of the Ten Fierce would never stoop to being a battle beast—others should be the ones following them.
“It’s my brother,” Shi Hao clarified.
“Brother Huang, Brother Heavenly Horned Ant, please come this way.” Qi Hong, master of the Five-Spirit War Chariot, smiled, diffusing the awkwardness as he ushered them to the seats of honor.
Here, seating arrangements were significant. The central area had only a few chairs, and Shi Hao was directly invited to one.
Meanwhile, Cao Yusheng was also escorted to sit nearby.
Earlier, the plump Cao had been nearly squeezed out of sight by the crowd of cultivators swarming around Shi Hao.
Now, his treatment was entirely different. People realized he was Shi Hao’s sworn brother and treated him as a distinguished guest.
“Hmph!” Someone snorted coldly, displeased with Qi Hong and others for honoring Shi Hao.
Cao Yusheng turned and saw Jin Zhifei’s icy gaze—the source of the scoff.
“Who’s that?” Cao Yusheng feigned ignorance.
“Jin Zhan’s uncle, Jin Zhifei—a prodigious figure!” someone whispered.
“Brat, asking about me—planning to challenge me?” Jin Zhifei swept a disdainful glance over him before fixing Shi Hao with a murderous glare, which lingered before fading.
His arrogance was blatant, openly targeting Shi Hao and his companions, itching to provoke them into action.
“Who’s this old man? I thought this was a gathering of the younger generation. Why’s there an elder mixed in? Doesn’t fit at all!”
Cao Yusheng’s tongue was sharp. Jin Zhifei wasn’t even forty—no longer young, but hardly an old man.
Yet, Fatty Cao labeled him an “old man” without hesitation, a blatant mockery.
“You little—!” Jin Zhifei slammed the table, rising to grab Cao Yusheng.
The crowd gasped. Was he really going to act here? The event had barely begun!
Nearby, Jin Zhan stood but didn’t intervene, merely watching his uncle warily.
Wang Xi’s gaze finally shifted to Shi Hao and the little ant, while Six Crown King Ning Chuan and others remained aloof.
“Brother Jin, isn’t this a bit much?” Qi Hong stepped forward, blocking the way.
Many were surprised. Earlier, Qi Hong had arrived with Jin Zhan in his war chariot, leading many to assume he was close to the Jin Clan. Yet, he was the first to oppose Jin Zhifei.
Qi Hong was in his twenties, while Jin Zhifei was in his thirties—Jin Zhan’s uncle. Yet Qi Hong addressed him as “Brother Jin,” refusing to acknowledge any seniority.
“Brother Jin, today’s gathering isn’t for settling grudges. If you have issues with Brother Shi, arrange a duel another day,” Tuoba Yulong, the True Dragon of the Tuoba Clan, added, also blocking the way.
The crowd was stunned. Two top young talents were clearly siding with Shi Hao.
“Targeting my friend in front of me?!” Shi Hao stepped forward, his pupils flashing like lightning.
Everyone tensed. Was Huang really going to act here?
Cao Yusheng had deliberately provoked Jin Zhifei, standing up for Shi Hao. Naturally, Shi Hao wouldn’t let him be threatened.
“Huang, who do you think you are, daring to face me like this?” Jin Zhifei said coldly.
His resentment ran deep. He’d only come today because he’d heard Shi Hao would attend. His unexpected loss in their previous soul battle left him humiliated, desperate for a rematch.
His sole purpose here was to fight Shi Hao—to force a confrontation by any means.
“A defeated opponent still dares to act tough?” Shi Hao replied dismissively, his calm only fueling Jin Zhifei’s fury.
“You—dare to fight me?!” Jin Zhifei challenged outright.
Nearby, Jin Zhan approached, standing behind his uncle without a word—a silent show of support.
Wang Xi also stepped forward, aligning with them.
Were the Jin and Wang Clans declaring opposition to Shi Hao? Many felt uneasy at the tension.
“You’ve already lost,” Shi Hao said lightly.
“In a real fight, I’d crush you with one hand!” Jin Zhifei hissed.
“This kid’s hopeless—all talk, driven mad by defeat,” the golden little ant remarked, shaking its head.
The crowd was speechless. A tiny ant calling someone a “kid” was beyond disrespectful.
“Old man, have you no shame? At your age, picking fights with the young—why not go smash your head into tofu?” Cao Yusheng added, his tongue as sharp as ever.
People didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Jin Zhifei was truly unlucky—called an “old man” one moment, a “kid” the next.
“Senior Jin, this gathering isn’t for personal vendettas. If you have grievances with Brother Shi, settle them another day,” one of the Wei Clan’s Four Phoenixes said coolly.
Influential youths of Emperor Pass were subtly siding with Shi Hao.
Jin Zhifei’s gaze was icy as he nodded at Qi Hong, Tuoba Yulong, and the Wei Clan’s Four Phoenixes. “Fine. Today’s for discussing the Dao—I wanted to spar with Huang. But since you’re reluctant, another time.”
With that, he turned to leave.
In the distance, beast roars echoed as four golden divine beasts pulled a war chariot onto the island, stopping before Jin Zhifei.
“Uncle, you’re leaving just like that?” A handsome youth leaped from the chariot, his lips red and teeth white, though his gaze toward Shi Hao was hostile.
“My lord, are we really leaving without teaching that brat a lesson?” a battle servant whispered to Jin Zhifei.
“He refused the fight,” Jin Zhifei said coldly.
“Huang, you’re nothing! Too scared to face my uncle? Fight me if you’ve got the guts—otherwise, get out of Emperor Pass!” the youth taunted.
The crowd’s expressions darkened. This Jin Clan youth was spoiled rotten, flaunting his family’s influence with outrageous arrogance.
To insult Huang so brazenly—many found him detestable.
“Let’s go,” Jin Zhifei said, though he didn’t reprimand the youth’s behavior.
“Huang, you’re weak and shameless! Too cowardly to fight—just leave already!” the youth laughed triumphantly as he departed.
“Pathetic, lacking even the courage for battle,” the battle servant added.
Jin Zhifei offered no rebuke, merely boarding the chariot.
“Hahaha—!” The youth’s laughter rang out arrogantly.
**BOOM!**
Suddenly, everyone felt suffocated, their hearts aching as if a war deity had struck, shaking the heavens and earth, their souls trembling in terror!
“Stop!” Jin Zhan finally shouted, trying to intervene.
All eyes saw Shi Hao raise his hand, a golden palm the size of a house crashing toward the chariot, space shattering under its force.
**SMACK!**
“Ah—!” The handsome youth screamed, his body splintering apart, his face frozen in horror as he died, disbelief in his eyes.
**SPLAT!**
The battle servant was also struck, exploding into a mist of blood.
“I don’t engage in pointless challenges—I kill,” Shi Hao said coldly.
Hearts pounded. Huang was truly peerless, executing a direct descendant of the Jin Clan right before Jin Zhan and Jin Zhifei.
“You dare?!” Jin Zhifei roared, leaping from the chariot.
“Why not? This is a grand gathering—if random strays can barge in and cause trouble, they deserve death,” Shi Hao retorted.
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