Shi Zi Teng stood tall and slender, his jet-black hair cascading down his back, his skin as pale and flawless as jade. His piercing eyes sparkled with vitality, exuding an air of both elegance and vigor. Were it not for his true age, one might mistake him for a youth. Having cultivated the Dao for many years, his visage remained untouched by time, forever frozen in youthful splendor—a testament to his formidable and extraordinary nature.
“Hao’er, come forth. Let your uncle witness your extraordinary prowess, a beacon of our clan’s prosperity. Unleash your divine might!”
For years, Shi Zi Teng had sought enlightenment at the Demon Spirit Lake, his name unknown to many, his demeanor unassuming. Yet those who knew him understood his terrifying capabilities—when he struck, it was always with lethal intent.
Though Shi Hao was barely over thirteen, in the wilderness, he was already of age to marry and sire children. His stature was tall, nearly matching that of a grown man, with thick black hair and large, luminous eyes. His movements were as majestic as a dragon’s and as fierce as a tiger’s.
The two entered the martial arena, its ground reinforced with protective glyphs to prevent collapse. Otherwise, given their cultivation, their battle would have been nothing short of catastrophic.
Shi Hao stood at the center, poised like an unshakable mountain, exuding calm and dignity. He bore no resemblance to a mere youth; once he entered combat mode, his composure surpassed even those who had cultivated for decades.
On the other side, Shi Zi Teng appeared indifferent, his every motion in harmony with the heavens and earth, radiating an aura of profound Daoist resonance, as if he were an immortal sage from beyond the mortal realm.
“Fight!”
A thunderous shout echoed as both combatants lunged forward simultaneously. Shi Zi Teng flicked his sleeve, unleashing a tempest that darkened the skies, sending sand and stones flying. Entire palaces seemed on the verge of being swept into the heavens. Fortunately, radiant barriers flared up around them, sealing the area and averting disaster.
Yet within the arena, chaos reigned. A swirling yellow cyclone howled as his sleeve unfurled like a celestial cloud, blotting out the sky.
“Sleeve Cosmos!”
Gasps erupted from the onlookers. This was a supreme divine ability, originally created by a legendary human sage, not something from the Demon Spirit Lake. It was clear that Shi Zi Teng had encountered extraordinary fortune.
The vast sleeve blotted out the sun, threatening to engulf Shi Hao entirely. Once trapped within, escape would be near impossible—it was a realm unto itself, where life and death rested solely on Shi Zi Teng’s whim.
Shi Hao retaliated. A golden Dragon-Serpent Scissor materialized in his hand, transforming into two golden flood dragons that roared defiantly in the void. Their tails intertwined as their bodies coiled together, slicing through the tempest and allowing Shi Hao to dart past the encroaching sleeve unscathed.
The spectators trembled in awe. This was only the beginning, yet such divine techniques were already on display.
“Zi Teng has advanced far beyond the Marquis realm!” Shi Yuan smiled proudly. This was his own grandson, who had also fathered a prodigy with double-pupils—a source of immense satisfaction.
Shi Hao remained vigilant. His uncle was formidable, ranking among the elite in the Marquis realm. A single exchange had made that abundantly clear.
“Hao’er, be careful. Your uncle won’t go easy on you,” Shi Zi Teng warned, a flash of crimson light flickering deep within his eyes. His jade-like skin glowed even brighter as his aura surged.
He had resolved to kill. This child had shaken him deeply. At barely over a decade old, he was already this terrifying—what heights would he reach in the future? One double-pupiled prodigy was enough; there was no need for another supreme sovereign!
“Uncle, enough talk. Let’s fight!”
Shi Hao shot forward like a streak of light, his back surging like an endless ocean as a colossal Black Tortoise emerged, its dark, mountainous form radiating oppressive might to suppress Shi Zi Teng.
With a sharp cry, Shi Zi Teng’s hair whipped wildly as a chorus of metallic clangs erupted behind him. A forest of gleaming swords, each forged from condensed runes, shot forward—thirty-six in total, arranged in perfect formation.
A deafening explosion rocked the arena, as if a prehistoric beast had stirred. Shi Hao’s oceanic backdrop surged violently as the Black Tortoise rose, its massive body shielding him while its runes dissolved the incoming swords.
The tortoise’s movements boomed like thunder as it clashed with the runic blades, sparks flying with each impact. Then, it spun, transforming into a shield engraved with tortoise patterns, shattering every last sword with its astonishing defense.
“Impressive!” Shi Zi Teng exclaimed, charging forth in a frenzied assault.
He swung his palm downward, unleashing a torrent of molten fire as a golden crow erupted from his grip, its wings spread wide. This was the pinnacle of treasure technique mastery—condensing a supreme divine ability into a single palm strike.
**Golden Crow Treasure Technique!**
Unfazed, Shi Hao clenched his right fist and punched forward. Purple lightning exploded as countless runes manifested, tearing through the air with terrifying force. From his fist emerged a Suan Ni, its blazing form vivid and lifelike as it collided with the golden crow.
What appeared as a simple clash of fist and palm had escalated into a contest of supreme techniques. True masters wielded runes in every motion, their divine might unfathomable.
**Boom!**
The golden crow shattered midair, its mournful cry fading, while the Suan Ni roared before exploding in a burst of light.
Shi Hao’s eyes narrowed. His uncle’s palm was unnaturally hard—protected by an artifact radiating dazzling runes, it unleashed a sea of divine power, threatening to shatter his fist.
A blinding eruption of light sent both combatants flying backward. Shi Hao remained unharmed, his Indestructible Golden Body merging seamlessly with his being, making him indistinguishable from a true Marquis.
Shi Zi Teng’s gaze turned icy. His palm artifact was meant to amplify his strikes to lethal levels, yet his nephew’s physical resilience had defied expectations.
Thus, the battle raged on. Their figures blurred as they clashed again and again, each collision unleashing dazzling bursts of energy.
**Clang!**
Shi Hao dove like a Kun Peng spreading its wings, his body radiant as golden feathers streaked with black markings materialized, descending upon Shi Zi Teng with lethal intent.
**Swoosh!**
Shi Zi Teng crouched low, motionless until the last moment. Then, his palms thrust upward as a crimson stinger lashed out from behind him, dripping with venomous intent.
Brilliant runes enveloped him, shaping the form of a monstrous scorpion. The stinger, a manifestation of his treasure technique, struck with deadly precision, aiming straight for Shi Hao’s brow.
**Clang!**
Scorpion and Kun Peng collided violently. The stinger’s piercing force was unmatched, forcing Shi Hao to block with his wings, runes scattering like shattered heavens.
**Thud!**
Shi Zi Teng was sent flying, blood trickling from his lips. The Kun Peng’s might had overwhelmed him.
He glared at Shi Hao but said nothing.
Shi Hao tensed. Though he hadn’t used the flawless Kun Peng technique, even a casual strike carried immense power. Had his uncle discerned something?
The spectators were stunned. Shi Zi Teng had been wounded—a rare sight.
Outside, many observers hovering on treasures in the distance shuddered. This so-called “Young Supreme” was indeed fearsome.
The battle resumed, fiercer than before.
As they separated, an almost imperceptible thread—sharper than any spear—shot silently through the void, aiming for the back of Shi Hao’s skull.
A chill ran down his spine. He barely dodged in time as the thread grazed his cheek, shearing off locks of hair. The mere gust of wind left a thin cut, blood welling up.
“Spider Silk Ascension!” Shi Hao murmured. He had studied the ancient demon spider’s techniques—this was a lethal hidden strike, nearly impossible to guard against.
Though just a thread, it was indestructible, capable of piercing even treasures. A fraction slower, and it would have impaled his brain.
Both combatants now bore wounds, though neither was grievously injured. Shi Hao’s cut healed instantly, vanishing in a flash of white light.
“Uncle, you won’t kill me like this.”
“Nephew, what do you mean? This is merely a spar. Do you find me lacking in ferocity? Then witness this!”
With a metallic clang, a cascade of crimson light enveloped Shi Zi Teng as a set of scarlet armor assembled itself upon his body, encasing him completely. Its design was bizarre, with spider-like appendages extending from its sides.
Now, he resembled a humanoid arachnid, gripping a massive crimson halberd that exuded both majesty and menace.
Testing the waters, Shi Hao summoned a dagger—a sharp artifact acquired from Greenwood Garden.
**Swoosh!**
Shi Zi Teng swung the halberd, cleaving the dagger in two before reducing it to shards with a pulse of runic force.
The crowd gasped. That halberd was no ordinary weapon—its edge was peerless, its runic power devastating.
“Be careful, nephew,” Shi Zi Teng warned coldly.
“Uncle, that halberd is impressive. Lend it to me,” Shi Hao said, his eyes gleaming with interest.
“Win it from me first.”
Shi Zi Teng raised the halberd, its tip pointing at Shi Hao as an overwhelming killing intent erupted, flooding the arena.
The entire Martial Prince Manor trembled under the oppressive aura. Even distant observers from various clans paled—this weapon was extraordinary.
“Good. I’ve been in need of a heavy weapon. My thanks in advance, Uncle.”
Shi Hao advanced, ready to fight.
“First, you must defeat me!”
Shi Zi Teng struck, the halberd descending like a crimson bolt of lightning—a river of blood crashing from the heavens, its murderous intent boundless!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage