The heavy rain pounded the earth, kicking up a thin layer of white mist. Thick arcs of lightning stretched between heaven and earth like metallic pillars, rooted in the ground and propping up the sky.
Finally, the lightning vanished, plunging everything back into darkness so thick that one couldn’t see their own outstretched hand.
Shi Hao turned and vanished into the pitch-black expanse, disappearing from the grasslands.
He knew that lingering any longer would be perilous. Though the two Heavenly Deities had ventured deep into the grasslands, word would eventually reach them, no matter how distant they were.
The grasslands were destined for chaos. The destruction of the Celestial Clan’s foremost divine mine was no trivial matter—it would deal a severe blow to the imperial clan’s prestige.
Sure enough, the place soon erupted in uproar. But all of it was now irrelevant to Shi Hao. He had already withdrawn, leaving the vast plains behind.
As the dark clouds dispersed, dewdrops clung to the grass blades, shimmering with iridescent hues under the sunlight. The storm had passed.
Fufeng City, situated at the crossroads of three provinces, was a place of unique significance. A melting pot of people from all walks of life and various clans, it thrived with bustling activity.
Unsurprisingly, news traveled fast here.
Whether it was the grasslands of Fire Province, the Celestial Immortal Province, or Kun Province, any significant event would spread to this place in no time.
“Earth-shattering news! Just moments ago, during the downpour, the Desolate One struck again—transforming into a reaper of death, harvesting the heads of the Celestial Clan’s elites in a bloodbath! He destroyed half of their divine mines!”
As the clouds cleared and the skies brightened, the details of the battle on the grasslands quickly spread, leaving everyone stunned. The Desolate One was ruthless, his strikes decisive and merciless.
“The Celestial Clan’s foremost divine mine was also obliterated! Three True Gods were slaughtered, their forms and spirits utterly annihilated!”
The moment this news broke, Fufeng City erupted. This revelation eclipsed all prior reports, leaving the gathered heroes wide-eyed and breathless.
“The Desolate One… killed True Gods? And not just one, but three?! Am I hearing this right?”
Such news felt unreal, bordering on absurd. A feat like this defied all logic—how had he accomplished it?
“It’s absolutely true! The Celestial Clan is in an uproar. All the True Gods from their mining region have gathered, their killing intent piercing the heavens! They vow to grind the Desolate One’s bones to dust!”
How could such a feat not shake the world? Several teleportation arrays in Fufeng City lit up immediately. Such an extraordinary achievement demanded swift reporting to the major clans.
Within moments, the battle report spread in all directions, soon landing on the desks of many great sects, scrutinized by influential figures.
“The Desolate One has made his name in a single battle. His fame won’t just echo across the Five Elements Province—it will shake dozens of provinces. He’s impossible to ignore now.”
“The Celestial Clan has been humiliated this time, becoming the laughingstock of many great sects!”
“They’ve provoked a terrifying young demon king with boundless potential. He could very well become their greatest future threat.”
That day, winds surged and clouds churned, sending tremors across the land. Many analyzed and debated, concluding that the Desolate One was extraordinary—while the Celestial Clan had been thoroughly outmaneuvered.
Numerous great sects turned their attention to the region, now in turmoil.
The Celestial Clan had stood tall for tens of thousands of years, its glory undeniable. But it also had many enemies, who now seized the opportunity to mock and scorn.
“Hah, the Celestial Clan has truly fallen. A mere youth has sent them into disarray, even slaying three True Gods—while he himself is only a Supreme Being. The clan is rotting from within.”
“By the way, where is the Desolate One? He should join our sect! We’ll protect him until he grows strong enough to eradicate the Celestial Clan!”
Without a doubt, if Shi Hao appeared now, all eyes would be on him. He had become the focal point of the region, the subject of every conversation.
Meanwhile, distant great sects analyzed the situation with keen interest.
Some genuinely sought to recruit him, not just with empty words but with the intent to nurture him—to one day pit him against the Celestial Clan in a decisive battle.
Shi Hao’s achievements were nothing short of glorious. His status as a rogue cultivator made him all the more intriguing to many great sects.
Deep in the grasslands, nine million miles from Fufeng City, within a mining region, the two Heavenly Deities of the Celestial Clan roared in fury, shaking the earth and scattering the clouds above.
Not long ago, they had marched in force with several True Gods, pressuring the Fire Clan and other major clans from the lower realm to hand over the Desolate One.
Their domineering stance had been a deliberate show of force, an attempt to intimidate and coerce Shi Hao into surrendering himself.
Yet, in such a short time, disaster had struck their rear!
It was like a resounding slap to their faces—sharp and humiliating.
Their divine mines had been ravaged, their elites slaughtered—all by the Desolate One, who had even admitted to stealing the “Immortal Seed.”
How could the two Heavenly Deities bear such shame? Their actions had backfired spectacularly, failing to pressure Shi Hao while bringing disgrace upon themselves.
“Are the two lords still investigating?” someone from one of the major clans in the mining region asked with feigned indifference.
Though the Fire Clan and others lacked supreme figures like the Celestial Clan’s ancient deity, they still had Heavenly Deities of their own. They wouldn’t tolerate being bullied without retaliation.
One of the Celestial Clan’s Heavenly Deities, unable to endure the humiliation, flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.
“Very well, fellow Daoists may disperse. There’s no need to spectate further. The two lords of the Celestial Clan were mistaken,” someone declared.
Many sects controlled mines in the area, and the gathered crowd burst into laughter at these words.
“What is the Celestial Clan doing, making baseless accusations? They’ve lost the dignity befitting an imperial clan.”
“Shh, keep your voice down. Otherwise, their two Heavenly Deities might blockade your mine and bully your clan. You’ll regret it then.”
Mockery abounded, with some sects openly ridiculing the Celestial Clan, unafraid of repercussions.
The two Heavenly Deities couldn’t bear to stay a moment longer. Though powerful, they couldn’t act recklessly without facing condemnation from other sects.
Their actions had already drawn criticism, and rival sects were quick to pour scorn upon them.
“We miscalculated. That brat is far bolder than we imagined—daring to launch a long-range assault on our rear, slaughtering our people. And he’s grown even stronger.”
One Heavenly Deity’s face was ashen, his gaze sinister as they retreated. If Shi Hao continued growing at this rate, he would become a calamity in the future.
“He must be eliminated!” the other said coldly.
The Celestial Clan withdrew in disgrace from the Fire Clan’s mining region, returning to the outer grasslands.
Eventually, news reached Fufeng City, where people marveled at how the Celestial Clan had been thoroughly bested by a mere Supreme Being.
Meanwhile, the Celestial Immortal Academy was anything but calm.
Such a major event had reached every student, sparking an uproar. Everyone was abuzz with discussion.
“I heard the Celestial Clan’s top genius, You Yu, is here at our academy. I wonder if he’ll go out to confront the Desolate One in a decisive battle.”
The Desolate One had proven his valor and prowess, capturing the attention of many. Female students gazed at the news with admiration, while male students regarded him with awe.
A single man, daring to storm the Celestial Clan’s stronghold and slaughter their gods—what kind of courage and power did that require?
To the younger generation, he was a king among peers, a war god worthy of reverence—even worship.
Shi Hao arrived, causing an uproar. That troublemaker from the rundown mountain sect had come down again?!
Many were stunned to see him here.
Little did they know, the infamous figure they scorned—the one who boasted of thrashing seniors and bullying juniors—was the very subject of their heated discussions: the true Desolate One.
“He entered the academy… Is this a provocation?” someone gasped. The guy had nerves of steel.
Shi Hao remained composed. He intended to find Yue Chan, but as he entered the garden, he spotted familiar figures from afar—Yun Xi, You Yu, Phoenix, and others.
By the lakeside, on the verdant grass, the elites of great sects sat in discussion. Yue Chan plucked the strings of a jade zither, her music enchanting, causing nearby flowers to bloom and glow, drawing birds to dance in harmony.
As the melody ended, praises rang out.
Then, the group engaged in free conversation.
“Sister Yun Xi, you are truly beautiful and serene, a sight to behold,” Yue Chan said with a smile before shifting the topic. “The Desolate One, who’s been the talk of the town, seems connected to you. I heard he once escorted you across hundreds of thousands of miles, battling the War Clan. Is that true?”
Though rumors circulated, the Celestial Clan had vehemently denied them, denouncing them as malicious lies.
Everyone was taken aback—whether it was Mu Zixiao and Zuo Xiaodi, the top disciples of Divine Cliff Academy, or Feng Wu of Celestial Immortal Academy, or other sect elites. Few dared to confront the Celestial Clan so directly.
Yun Xi sighed softly, meeting Yue Chan’s gaze.
…
Shi Hao observed from afar but didn’t approach. He turned and left, uninterested in joining the commotion.
As if sensing something, Yue Chan and Yun Xi glanced in his direction, catching sight of his retreating figure.
“Hey, why are you leaving? Scared?”
At the academy’s entrance, many watched him depart with curiosity.
In truth, many had already spread the word, informing various powerhouses that the inheritor of the Supreme Dao Field had come of his own accord.
Shi Hao scoffed, unfazed. He knew his true identity would soon be exposed. What expressions would they wear then?
“The Celestial Clan’s Six Heroes have arrived. I was hoping to see them clash with him. His departure means we’ll miss an epic battle—though it wouldn’t compare to the Desolate One’s exploits.”
“All six have come. Some even spoke of storming his mountain to demand answers.”
Shi Hao raised an eyebrow, then smiled faintly. “Oh? I’ll be waiting at the Supreme Dao Field. Let them come. Whoever dares challenge me at my doorstep, I’ll crush them.”
With that, he flicked his sleeves and vanished into the distance.
Silence fell over the scene. Only after he disappeared did many erupt in exclamations. That guy from the shabby mountain sect was truly audacious!
“Quick, spread the word! The ‘senior brother’ of the Supreme Dao Field has issued a challenge. He’s waiting for them to come!”
Clearly, peace was no longer an option. The commotion grew.
On his way, Shi Hao murmured calmly, “If the Six Heroes don’t come, so be it. But if they dare… the Celestial Clan will surely grieve.”
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