Chapter 1404: The Challenge

“You dare strike and kill my men?!” Jin Zhifei’s hair billowed wildly as a gale erupted around him—his aura exploding forth!

At that moment, he shot forward like a javelin, landing with a thunderous crash that shattered the diamond-hard ground, sending debris flying into the air.

Shi Hao had just publicly executed two men, his expression calm as he responded simply and directly, “And what are you?”

“Today, I will cut you down!” Jin Zhifei’s face darkened, his entire body glowing as thousands of radiant beams erupted from his pores, dazzling like the sun.

“You’ve always wanted to fight me, haven’t you? You’ve made so many excuses. Now I’m giving you the chance—stop being so hypocritical!” Shi Hao said coldly.

“Hold!” Qi Hong stepped forward, positioning himself between the two to prevent the battle.

“Young Qi, step aside. Don’t shield him. Today, I *will* slay this wretch!” Jin Zhifei’s eyes gleamed with malice as he advanced, killing intent laid bare.

“Acting like you’re invincible, untouchable—what a joke! Weren’t you the one who got beaten bloody by Shi Hao last time, forced to surrender your mount and flee in defeat? What are you strutting about for now?” Cao Yushen mocked.

“Don’t be so cocky. You’re not up to it. Watch out, or you’ll be blown apart on the spot!” The golden ant chimed in, its voice icy.

Today, the Jin Clan had pushed things too far—even a junior and a mere servant dared to provoke and berate Shi Hao. This was outright humiliation!

After their feud, Jin Zhifei had clearly sought Shi Hao’s death, provoking him repeatedly from the start. There was no reconciliation possible.

Thus, when a servant and a Jin junior insulted Shi Hao to his face, he showed no mercy—he executed them. They were destined to be enemies. No words were needed.

“Fine, fine, fine! Since you’ve all said so much, if I don’t act and crush you now, I’d be doing you a disservice!” Jin Zhifei roared, his gaze sharp, murderous intent soaring.

At the same time, Jin Zhan arrived, standing behind his clansman with a cold expression, his stance firm—aligned with Jin Zhifei.

“Huang, you’ve gone too far! Do you think the Jin Clan is weak? You killed one of our own—this debt will be repaid in blood! Will you surrender, or must we act?!” Jin Zhan pressed, his tone threatening.

The atmosphere grew tense. Everyone was shaken, never expecting things to escalate so quickly.

“Your Jin Clan is full of cowards. Stop pretending—everyone here knows you came for Shi Hao. Spouting noble words now? Disgusting!” Cao Yushen spat.

“Enemies are enemies. Stop acting high and mighty. If you’ve got a problem, come at us!” The Heavenly Horned Ant was even more direct.

“I’m right here. If you want a fight, come at me!” Shi Hao stood unflinching, his gaze like golden lightning, piercing souls.

On Bìluò Island, the crowd tensed. The gathering had barely begun, yet the hostility was already explosive—life-and-death combat loomed.

Some, however, wished to avoid bloodshed and conflict.

The master of the Five-Spirit War Chariot, Qi Hong; Tuogu Family’s True Dragon, Tuogu Yulong; and the Four Phoenixes of the Wei Clan stepped forward, separating the two sides.

“Such a grand occasion shouldn’t be marred by conflict. I suggest you both step back and avoid battle today,” Tuogu Yulong said.

“Brother Tuogu, you’re being too biased,” Wang Xi interjected, her snow-white robes untouched by worldly dust, her beauty ethereal yet cold.

She had arrived in the Tuogu Clan’s lightning chariot, indicating their ties, yet now their views clashed.

“I speak the truth. Today, we’ve gathered as peers to discuss the Dao. Must we resort to bloodshed and hatred?” Tuogu Yulong countered.

Wang Xi’s smile was faint, devoid of warmth. “Regardless, this man has committed murder—slaying a key Jin disciple and a servant. That’s fact. And in the Imperial Pass, killing without cause is a capital offense, punishable by death—even implicating one’s entire clan!”

The crowd gasped. This stunning woman in white was ruthlessly sealing Shi Hao’s fate—and the Shi Clan’s.

Initially, no one had cared—the Jin disciple and servant had gone too far, insulting a warrior who’d slain ten kings at the border. Many had secretly cheered their deaths.

But now, trouble loomed. Wang Xi had invoked the law, cornering Shi Hao.

“I recall that if someone provokes and humiliates another to incite a fight, their death is justified—no crime committed,” Shi Hao said calmly.

“True, that is the rule,” one of the Wei Clan’s Four Phoenixes nodded.

“If you provoked him, taunting him into action, then your deaths were deserved!” Cao Yushen said bluntly.

“Everyone here can attest—that old brat challenged Shi Hao first!” The golden ant pointed at Jin Zhifei, whose face darkened.

Old man, brat, now “old brat”—Jin Zhifei’s titles today had varied wildly, fueling his rage.

“And that little runt outright demanded Shi Hao fight the old brat, hurling insults. His death was earned!” the Heavenly Horned Ant added.

Wang Xi’s expression turned icy.

Jin Zhan’s brows furrowed, murder in his eyes, while Jin Zhifei’s face twisted with fury, ready to strike.

“Then let’s follow the rules. Huang killed a Jin disciple—an act of provocation, or acceptance of a duel. They must fight!” Wang Xi declared.

“Agreed. Since blood has been spilled, let the battle proceed!” Jin Zhifei growled.

Tuogu Yulong, Qi Hong, and the Four Phoenixes moved to intervene, but Shi Hao stepped forward, laughing as he accepted.

“You want a fight? I’ll oblige. Bring it on!” Shi Hao said.

The crowd erupted, voices rising as eager eyes fixed on the scene.

These two were no ordinary men. Huang needed no introduction—his solo slaughter of ten kings was legendary. Many yearned to witness his prowess firsthand.

Jin Zhifei, meanwhile, was a famed genius of his clan, barely thirty yet already at the “Severing Self” realm—a prodigy.

“Good! I’ve waited for this. Today, I’ll crush you!” Jin Zhifei laughed, brimming with arrogance.

“Old man, forgot your recent defeat already?”

“Brat, memory as short as your lifespan?”

Cao Yushen and the Heavenly Horned Ant struck again, shattering Jin Zhifei’s triumphant mood.

“Patience. After I finish with Huang, you’re next!” Jin Zhifei spat.

The battle was imminent. Tuogu Yulong and Qi Hong stepped back, allowing it.

“The Bìluò Platform is ideal for duels—sacred ground, unbreakable,” one of the Four Phoenixes suggested.

The platform was massive, visible from afar—a severed mountain, its surface smooth as if sliced by a divine blade.

Legend said it was once a peak reaching the heavens, cut down by an ancient immortal who meditated atop it. Over time, it became indestructible.

Even now, with the immortal long gone, it remained impervious to damage.

“Need help, or can you handle this alone?” Shi Hao asked mildly as they reached the platform.

Since Jin Zhifei had provoked him relentlessly, Shi Hao saw no need for courtesy. He twisted the knife.

“Your Jin and Wang clans are allied. Why not team up? I’ll take all three of you!” Shi Hao’s gaze swept over Jin Zhifei, Jin Zhan, and Wang Xi.

Jin Zhan’s face darkened. A prodigy who’d forged his own path in cultivation, he was not one to be belittled—yet here was Shi Hao, dismissing him outright.

Wang Xi pressed her lips together, silent.

“Brat, your life ends here!” Jin Zhifei lunged, murder in his strike.

“Old man, time to die!” Shi Hao met him head-on.