In an instant, the atmosphere reached a peak of tension. No one had expected Shi Hao to directly challenge the great cultivators—and not just one, but several at once!
The implications were enormous, leaving the onlookers stunned. If things went wrong, it could spell disaster. What if Jin Kun, Jin Yi, Luo Han, and the others decided to act ruthlessly and deliberately struck with lethal force?
“Kid, have you lost your mind? These scoundrels may be despicable, but there’s no need for you to act so recklessly!” The Jade Rabbit of the Lunar Yin anxiously tried to stop him.
“Hey, don’t get worked up. There’s no need to take them seriously. Let’s wait for Elder Meng Tianzheng to deal with them later!” Cao Yusheng also hurriedly advised.
Qing Yi stepped forward, tugging at his sleeve and shaking her head, signaling him to endure and not confront them head-on—otherwise, he would suffer greatly.
Even Da Xutuo, Lan Xian, and others whispered to Shi Hao, urging him to hold back. Though they had once competed as rivals among the younger generation, they now found themselves in agreement.
Even Tuo Gu Yulong and Qi Hong, the master of the Five-Spirit War Chariot, gestured for Shi Hao to restrain himself.
Only a small golden Heavenly Horned Ant remained defiant, clamoring in support of Shi Hao, declaring that it would call for reinforcements to beat these so-called great cultivators into submission.
The little ant’s crude language turned Jin Kun and Jin Yi’s faces ashen, their expressions icy.
“Do you really think Elder Meng Tianzheng won’t be angered by your provocations?” the Ten Crown King said coldly.
The wrath of a supreme being could leave millions dead, rivers of blood flowing—its impact was immeasurable.
“Hah, youngsters, you’re overthinking. Oh, I forgot to mention—we’ve just received news that the soul lamp hanging in Meng Tianzheng’s secluded chamber is about to extinguish,” Jin Yi said dismissively, showing no respect when mentioning the elder.
“What?!” The crowd was stunned.
Was the elder about to perish?
This was too sudden—like a storm brewing. The implications were earth-shattering, destined to shake the Imperial Pass.
Could it be true? People couldn’t believe it.
Shi Hao’s heart ached with grief and worry upon hearing this.
But soon, he calmed down, recalling the elder’s parting words. He steadied himself, convinced that the elder would be fine.
Most likely, as the elder had said, he was undergoing a transformation, attempting a breakthrough!
Perhaps his life force had weakened, but Shi Hao firmly believed the elder would not falter.
This might even be an opportunity—the elder was charging toward a wondrous realm while coldly observing the outside world!
This was the unspoken understanding between Shi Hao and the elder. He trusted that nothing would go wrong.
“Young man, you don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. Provoking those you shouldn’t is truly pitiable,” Luo Han sighed, stepping forward one slow stride at a time.
Many hearts were unsettled, emotions surging.
But the Golden Lion, Shi Hao’s mount, remained eerily calm, its eyes gleaming with amusement. No one knew Shi Hao’s strength better than it—he had slain more than one or two great cultivators with his own hands.
Now, hearing Luo Han’s words, the lion watched with a mocking gaze, as if enjoying a spectacle.
“Huang, your talent is commendable. With enough effort, you might soon stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us. But you’re too impatient—you must learn humility. Let me… enlighten you,” Jin Kun said shamelessly, his face unflushed as he spoke of suppressing Shi Hao as if it were guidance.
To the Golden Lion, this was even more absurd. Did he really think he could “enlighten” Huang? More likely, he’d be crushed into eight pieces before he could blink!
“Hah, heh!” Qi Lin approached from another direction, effectively encircling Shi Hao. He didn’t speak, only letting out a few disdainful chuckles.
“Come, come. Didn’t you want to test us? This old man will oblige. Show me what you’ve got—hit me if you dare,” Jin Yi taunted, an elder among them, older than the rest.
“Fine. You asked for it—so I’ll hit.” Shi Hao urged the Golden Lion forward and struck without hesitation.
Boom!
His palm shot toward Jin Yi. Since the man had invited it, why hold back?
Hm? Jin Yi sensed something amiss—how was this kid so fast? He raised a hand to block.
Yet Shi Hao’s fingers glided past his arm with uncanny speed, landing squarely on his face with a crisp, resounding slap.
“Ah—?!” Jin Yi screamed, blood gushing from his shattered nose as he staggered back.
Everyone froze. Jin Yi had been slapped in the face in the very first exchange—how humiliating!
Even the Golden Lion was surprised—though for a different reason. It thought the strike was too light. Why wasn’t the man dead or sent flying? This wasn’t like Huang’s usual style.
“How could you be so careless?” Jin Kun muttered from a distance, embarrassed for his fellow clansman.
“That must be the legendary secret art—Immortal’s Silk Hand. Swift and intricate, nearly impossible to evade,” Qi Lin speculated.
No one considered that Shi Hao’s combat prowess might rival that of a great cultivator at the Dunyi Realm.
But could they be blamed? It was unthinkable that a youth in his twenties could match such experts.
At higher realms, cross-realm battles became near-impossible. Those who ascended were all prodigies—how could one surpass them?
Shi Hao smirked. “One down. Is this your idea of a test?”
“Again!” Jin Yi roared, his pride in tatters. Even if he flayed Shi Hao alive now, the humiliation of being slapped by a junior would haunt him forever.
“You still want me to hit you?” Shi Hao asked.
“Brat, use whatever tricks you have!” Jin Yi snarled, now fully guarded, not daring to underestimate him again.
His body surged with battle energy, divine light swirling around him in a flawless defense, ready to make Shi Hao regret his audacity.
Meanwhile, Luo Han, Qi Lin, and Jin Kun advanced step by step, their faces icy. As great cultivators, their majesty was undeniable.
“Be careful, Shi Hao! Don’t push yourself!” someone urged.
“Why won’t you listen?!” The Jade Rabbit and others fretted, stomping in frustration, fearing for his safety.
Only the Golden Lion muttered under its breath, “Huang is truly shameless.”
“This is just bullying!” it grumbled internally.
It grew even warier, realizing Shi Hao was toying with them—luring them in to be beaten despite being stronger.
It couldn’t help but sympathize, recalling its own past suffering.
“You three… want me to hit you too?” Shi Hao glanced at Luo Han, Qi Lin, and Jin Kun.
“Don’t get cocky, brat. If you can take on all four of us, it’d be a miracle—unless the sun rises from the west,” Luo Han scoffed.
Qi Lin shot him a cold look. “You dare act insolent before me?”
“You’re a fool. Knowing Meng Tianzheng is about to die, you still dare oppose my Jin Clan? How unwise,” Jin Kun sneered. “Come and accept your punishment!”
“If you’re all begging to be hit, I’ll oblige.”
Whoosh!
In the next moment, he transformed into a streak of golden light, combining the Kun Peng’s speed with the Thunder Emperor’s secret arts, reaching an extreme velocity. He unleashed the Scattered Buddha’s Eight Strikes, targeting each of them simultaneously.
The world trembled—then froze.
Everyone was stunned, as if turned to stone.
Jin Yi was struck again, his face caved in, blood spraying as he was sent flying, nearly dead.
Jin Kun fared no better—his nose shattered under Shi Hao’s kick, his face collapsing as he was stomped into the ground.
Luo Han took a brutal slap, teeth flying, his skull nearly splitting.
Qi Lin, who had sneered earlier, now paled, scrambling back—but too late. A Buddha’s Palm strike shattered his spine, sending him crashing into a pool of blood.
All this happened in an instant. These men had underestimated Shi Hao, never imagining a junior could wreak such havoc.
In truth, Shi Hao not only surpassed them in strength and speed—he had also held nothing back. Thus, in mere moments, the four who had begged for a beating now lay in ruin.
Too tragic!
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