Shi Hao broke through, feeling an unprecedented surge of power. The beams from his eyes were like sharp swords, clanging against the cliff walls as they swept past, slicing off a section of the rock with dazzling sharpness!
Boom!
Massive boulders tumbled, and dust surged into the air!
At the same moment, his blood and qi surged violently within him, writhing and transforming until—with a resounding roar—his flesh resonated like a true dragon’s cry.
This wasn’t a sound from his mouth but a reaction from his very flesh, his blood and bones vibrating in harmony, unleashing a draconic roar!
Simultaneously, a streak of bloody light erupted from the crown of his head, rising like a beacon of smoke before coalescing into the form of a true dragon. It scattered the clouds and cast its gaze over the land!
“This is…” Even Qi Daolin was startled, his profound gaze fixed on Shi Hao as if trying to see through him.
At this moment, Shi Hao’s black hair cascaded freely, his body glowing inch by inch, wreathed in mist and radiating an astonishing aura. The blood-dragon soared above him, its roars unceasing.
The heavens trembled, and the earth shook!
Near the dilapidated mountain gate, the ground rumbled violently, and the surrounding peaks resonated as if on the verge of collapse.
“A mere Venerable, yet his blood and qi surge to the heavens, even manifesting as a true dragon that hovers above him, surveying the world—how many in history have achieved such a phenomenon?!”
This was the reason for Qi Daolin’s shock. In ancient times, those who accomplished such feats were either ancient patriarchs of body-refining lineages or extraordinary individuals who had consumed heaven-defying treasures.
He never expected Shi Hao to reach this level!
Soon after, the blood-dragon swooped down, coiling around Shi Hao before merging into his body, making his skin glow even brighter, like jade or immortal metal.
“Excellent!” Qi Daolin nodded. Such praise from him was unprecedented—those who knew him understood that this notorious sect master never complimented anyone.
“Sect Master, I wish to see how the outside world fares,” Shi Hao said.
“Go. Hold nothing back,” Qi Daolin replied with a warm smile.
Outside, turmoil raged!
The experts of the Celestial Clan had arrived. After receiving reports of a heaven-nurtured divine stone in the ancient mines of Fire Province, even their upper echelons were shaken.
Enveloped in primordial qi and concealing an immortal seed—such a rare treasure would make any major sect covetous. Naturally, Heavenly Deities emerged, not just one but several, rushing over at top speed.
Alas, they were too late. Upon arrival, they learned the sacred object had already been taken, driving them into a frenzy.
Over the past two days, Heavenly Deities howled at the moon. After placing You Yu and Yun Xi at the Celestial Immortal Academy, they scoured the Fire Province grasslands, nearly overturning the earth in their thunderous rage!
This was an incalculable loss, one even the Celestial Clan could scarcely bear. That “immortal seed” contained boundless fortune, crucial to their lineage.
“The Celestial Clan dispatched two Heavenly Deities to Fire Province at once? What divine material could have driven them to such madness?”
In Windsoar City, bordering the Celestial Immortal Academy at the edge of Fire Province, many were abuzz with speculation.
Shi Hao arrived here silently, listening to the tales of recent upheavals.
The news caused a sensation. For two Heavenly Deities to lose their composure and rage across the grasslands alarmed all major sects. Everyone speculated they had lost something extraordinary.
“Could it be immortal metal, stolen after excavation?”
Such conjectures sent shockwaves through the crowd, stirring their blood. The emergence of such a treasure would inevitably trigger monumental upheavals, drawing even sect masters into battle.
Even in the Immortal Ancient Era, such materials were peerless, nearly impossible to find. To achieve immortality, one needed corresponding weapons forged from immortal-grade materials.
In this era, such “heavenly materials” had long been exhausted, making their discovery all the more shocking.
Windsoar City buzzed with activity, its streets filled with all manner of beings, their eyes alight with fervent desire to glimpse such a treasure.
“Did the Celestial Clan reveal who stole the treasure?” Shi Hao asked the city’s inhabitants.
An elder shook his head. “They only spoke of a despicable human thief. They vowed to make him regret it—if he doesn’t surrender it, they’ll ensure he lives a fate worse than death.”
Shi Hao smirked coldly at this.
Since leaving the Celestial Clan, they had not exposed his identity as Shi Hao, the “Wasteland.” Clearly, they still coveted his secrets—fearing other sects might learn he possessed not only the Thunder Emperor’s techniques but also the Kun Peng’s treasure arts. The Celestial Clan sought to monopolize him, capturing or killing him before the upper realm caught wind.
“Breaking news! The thief’s trail may have been uncovered!”
Suddenly, shouts echoed through Windsoar City as someone brought the latest updates from the depths of Fire Province.
“Enraged, the two Heavenly Deities employed forbidden arts to trace faint clues, pursuing several sects. Heavy-handed measures may follow.”
Shi Hao was baffled. Were the Celestial Clan fools or madmen? He had left clear hints pointing to himself—why were they blaming others?
“Which sects are under suspicion and pressure?” someone asked.
“Rumor has it the two Heavenly Deities first went to the Peacock Clan’s divine mines, intending to force entry but ultimately backing down without conflict. Later, they targeted weaker sects.”
Hearing this, Shi Hao’s heart stirred. The Celestial Clan had sought trouble with the Peacock Clan—was this retaliation? The Peacock Divine Lord had protected him in the Celestial City.
Fortunately, the Peacock Clan was inherently powerful, a renowned noble lineage of the upper realm. Even the once-imperial Celestial Clan dared not provoke them lightly.
The two Heavenly Deities withdrew, likely realizing this clan was not to be trifled with.
Yet, subsequent reports ignited Shi Hao’s fury, revealing the Celestial Clan’s true intentions.
“Oddly, the two Heavenly Deities accused the Fire Clan and others of suspicion, descending upon their ancient mines to demand answers.”
“Aren’t these sects from the Sin Province? They hail from the lower realm.”
The upper realm housed clans like the Fire Clan, originating from below. How could Shi Hao not connect this to Fire Spirit and others?
Did some lower-realm great clans have roots here? His mind raced—only now learning of their presence, his heart unsettled.
At the same time, Shi Hao clenched his fists, his blood boiling with rage!
The Celestial Clan’s intent was clear: this was a threat and warning, implicating the Fire Clan and others to force him into surrendering the stolen “immortal seed.”
“Reports from deep in Fire Province confirm the two Heavenly Deities arrived, pressuring several sects with severe accusations.”
The two Heavenly Deities were unyielding, declaring that if these clans couldn’t provide answers, they wouldn’t hesitate to slaughter and bathe the land in blood!
Upon hearing this, Shi Hao’s gaze turned icy, his fury reaching its peak. He swiftly left Windsoar City, heading into Fire Province’s grasslands.
Soon, he arrived at the Celestial Clan’s mining region. In an instant, a chilling killing intent erupted from him, his blood and qi rolling like storm clouds.
“Celestial Clan, I’ve returned—to slaughter!”
Shi Hao murmured, first descending upon a mid-sized mine guarded by Divine Flame experts but no True Gods.
His body blazed like a conflagration, soaring into the sky—from afar, he resembled a war god descending, golden flames churning with thunderous roars.
“Who goes there?”
The mine’s experts sensed the disturbance, rushing out immediately.
Two Divine Flame experts gaped in shock upon recognizing Shi Hao—this was the Wasteland, revealing his true face without concealment!
“You dare show yourself?”
“Hah! Truly seeking death, delivering yourself to us!”
They laughed, both startled and elated. Capturing the Wasteland here would be a monumental achievement.
Yet, wariness quickly set in. If he dared come, he must have confidence—enough to make them tremble and brace themselves.
Shi Hao’s hair shimmered, cascading freely as his golden eyes gleamed menacingly. Contrary to their expectations, he advanced directly, without subterfuge.
“Kill!”
The two exchanged glances, summoning treasures to attack. Runes flooded the grasslands as they sought to suppress him with their higher cultivation.
Crack!
To their astonishment, Shi Hao’s fist pierced through a treasure, shattering it mid-air in a burst of light.
“What?! That was a Divine Flame artifact—he destroyed it barehanded?!”
Both paled. Another treasure met the same fate, exploding into golden fragments. “Magic immunity—the legends are true!” they realized. Their artifacts’ power had been nullified, allowing easy destruction.
At their level, they’d heard rumors of Shi Hao’s temporary immunity to magic—but witnessing it firsthand was terrifying.
Shi Hao charged, wreathed in blazing light, engaging the two in fierce combat.
They raged, feeling absurd—a mere Venerable hunting deities? Though the Wasteland was a prodigy, his realm was inferior.
“Disaster! His immunity lasts too long—did he succeed in consuming the Golden Bodhi Fruit?”
They shuddered, having timed his ability’s duration, yet still found themselves powerless.
Thud!
A fist pierced one expert’s chest, his body cracking apart before exploding in a shower of blood.
The other turned pale, fleeing in terror. Since when could a Venerable slay deities so effortlessly?
“Where do you think you’re going? The Celestial Clan bullies the world—today, I slaughter your strongholds!” Shi Hao roared, overtaking him swiftly.
“Aaaah—!”
Amidst roars and runes, the Divine Flame expert fought back but met the same fate, torn apart and staining the grass with blood.
Only then did Shi Hao’s magic immunity fade.
Boom!
The entire mine collapsed under his assault, reduced to rubble.
Next, he surged toward another mine, waiting for his ability to recharge before striking.
“Who are you?!” came the challenge.
“He’s the Wasteland—don’t let him escape!” Two more Divine Flame experts appeared.
“Correct. I am the Wasteland—here to kill you!” Shi Hao declared, charging forth with overwhelming force.
Thud!
Blood rained as the battle ended swiftly, both experts slain and the mine buried in debris.
…
“Heavens! The thief who stole the Celestial Clan’s treasure has appeared—and you’ll never guess who! It’s the Wasteland!”
News spread rapidly to Windsoar City, igniting a frenzy.
“The Wasteland strikes again, slaughtering his way through the Celestial Clan’s mines! Eight destroyed, over a dozen Divine Flame experts slain—he’s unstoppable!”
The city erupted. This was explosive, earth-shattering news.
For years, even sects at odds with the Celestial Clan dared not act so brazenly, fearing all-out war. Yet today, someone shattered tradition.
The Wasteland had returned, unleashing carnage!
This was a blatant challenge to the Celestial Clan’s authority, a mockery of their Heavenly Deities’ folly in targeting the wrong suspects.
Their blunder would become a laughingstock.
But most shocking was the Wasteland’s audacity—slaughtering his way through the Celestial Clan’s heartland. This would set Fire Province ablaze, reverberating across the upper realm.
“Good! I’ve long despised the Celestial Clan—kill them all!”
“Slaughter them! This is justice!”
Many cheered, their blood boiling with excitement.
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