“The winds and clouds shift abruptly—is Netherworld about to fall?!”
Many widened their eyes in shock. The battle had escalated to this point, far beyond anyone’s expectations. The turn of events was simply too swift.
Both the younger generation and the older experts were stunned. Netherworld, who had no rivals across dozens of provinces, had suffered such a brutal setback—it seemed he was in grave danger!
“Cough… Pfft!”
Netherworld staggered backward, coughing up another mouthful of blood. His tall and robust body was riddled with golden feathers, drenched in blood—a truly shocking sight.
He had been peerless since his debut, unstoppable and invincible, never allowing anyone to last more than a few dozen exchanges against him. His strength had left the younger generation in despair.
Yet now, he was grievously wounded!
Golden Wolf, the Holy Maiden of Sword Palace, the Rift Sky Demon Butterfly, the Blood Sea Young Master, and Jiao Tu—all first-generation prodigies—gazed with astonishment as the battlefield shifted unpredictably, leaving them deeply shaken.
The Celestial Clan erupted in chaos. The younger generation turned pale, unable to fathom how their foremost genius could suffer such a defeat. In their hearts, Netherworld was invincible.
But what they witnessed now chilled them to the bone, filling them with a sense of defeat. Was Netherworld, the hope of the Celestial Clan’s resurgence, truly about to fall?
The Divine Flame Realm experts of the Celestial Clan erupted with killing intent, flames surging around them as they prepared to strike down the delicate-looking youth before them.
A disciple from a minor sect—how could he be so formidable?
“He cannot be allowed to live!” a True God of the Celestial Clan hissed, his voice resonating in the minds of every clansman through divine sense.
This outcome was an unacceptable disgrace. They could not permit a mere youth to trample upon the Celestial Clan’s foremost young supreme!
Yet, acting openly before so many witnesses would invite condemnation and give rival factions an opportunity to exploit their weakness.
“Create chaos—kill him!” someone whispered, intending to incite the younger generation’s fury, turning the battlefield into turmoil before striking from the shadows.
Many among the Celestial Clan’s youth were already seething with rage. This was humiliation—their invincible idol was on the verge of collapse, an unbearable thought.
“Kill him!” some roared, brandishing treasures as they charged forward.
Yun Xi’s robes fluttered in the wind, clinging to her graceful figure, accentuating her perfect curves. Her violet hair danced, her delicate face radiant like jade, her gem-like eyes gleaming, her nose elegantly arched—utterly breathtaking.
She could not remain calm. Even the mighty Netherworld had fallen—this was beyond all expectations. Was the Celestial Clan’s youthful glory about to dim in this battle?
How could such a powerful disciple emerge from a declining minor sect? Her heart churned as she glanced between Netherworld and the composed youth.
“Yun Xi, you must act too,” a True God transmitted to her, urging her to unleash the secret treasure bestowed by the clan’s elders.
Hesitation flickered across Yun Xi’s flawless face. Though she was a member of the Celestial Clan and bound to obey, this felt dishonorable.
“Hurry! Time is running out!” an elder barked.
Light shimmered in Yun Xi’s palm as an object materialized—a radiant lotus, crystalline and dazzling, held between her fingers. A sacred relic gifted by the Heavenly Deities!
She knew just how powerful this treasure was. A single strike could slay even a True God.
Suddenly, ripples of mysterious energy emerged nearby. A woman in pristine white robes, ethereal as a disciple of the Moon Palace, cast her gaze toward them.
Yun Xi recognized Qing Yi. Memories of their recent conversation at the Celestial Academy flashed through her mind, stirring complex emotions. Back then, the peerless maiden in white had stood up for Shi Hao.
Now, Qing Yi smiled faintly, a flicker of azure flame igniting between her brows like a divine mark, radiating terrifying power.
Moreover, Qing Yi had brought Feng Wu and several elders from the Celestial Academy.
Yun Xi froze—was this a countermeasure? Were they here to stop the Celestial Clan from interfering?
“Elders…” Yun Xi turned to the clan’s deities.
“What is there to hesitate about? Do you wish to watch Netherworld die and our clan be humiliated?” a Divine Flame Realm expert snapped, his expression dark.
Suddenly, all the Celestial Clan’s divine-level experts shuddered, their expressions shifting dramatically as they focused on the battlefield.
At that moment, a thunderous revelation struck them—Netherworld’s desperate transmission.
“He is Huang—Shi Hao from the Lower Realm!”
Netherworld’s body was a tapestry of wounds, blood pouring from golden feathers that had not only pierced his flesh but embedded themselves in his bones.
Fury burned within him. This man had stolen their clan’s priceless treasure from the divine mine and slaughtered their finest talents—this was a blatant insult!
“It’s him? Then there’s nothing to discuss. Strike him down without hesitation!” a True God growled, his killing intent erupting as he prepared to act.
“No!” Netherworld stopped them. He wanted to personally execute Huang, to see Shi Hao’s corpse at his feet. He could not lose to this man—he had to reclaim his dignity.
“What are you saying?!” the True God frowned in displeasure. Now that they knew the youth’s identity, how could they stand by?
“This is my fight. I don’t want your interference. I will fight to the limit!” Netherworld declared. If he lost today, what face would he have left?
As the Celestial Clan’s foremost genius, even if he failed in the Three Thousand Provinces’ grand tournament, he could not lose to Huang—their sworn enemy. He refused to swallow this humiliation.
No matter what, he had to win. He would cut Shi Hao down and wash away his shame with the latter’s blood!
From a broader perspective, he had already revealed Shi Hao’s identity to his clan. That was enough. Now, this was a battle between him and Huang.
Netherworld had retreated far enough. The runes within his body blazed brilliantly as he burned the Kun Peng’s true feathers, struggling to endure the agony.
Shi Hao was genuinely surprised. Any other Venerable would have perished long ago, yet Netherworld persisted.
Those were not mere feathers—they were bone runes infused with Kun Peng’s power, embedding themselves in flesh and bone, tearing the victim apart from within.
Even the strongest first-generation prodigies could not escape such a fate!
Yet Netherworld was extraordinary. Though his body cracked, he forcibly suppressed his injuries. A divine bell’s resonance echoed within him, deafening and profound.
This was not just due to his secret arts—something within him was helping him defy death.
Shi Hao advanced.
Netherworld retreated, his form blurring as he vanished into the void—a divine technique of the Celestial Clan, making him untraceable.
Boom!
Suddenly, a holy light erupted from Netherworld’s body.
A peculiar stone within him radiated auspicious light—now crimson, now violet, now pure white—illuminating the battlefield with dazzling brilliance.
Netherworld’s body shone, lighting up the heavens with a vast, sacred, and solemn aura. Everything stemmed from that stone.
“Whoosh!”
The Kun Peng feathers embedded in him were expelled, dissolving into bone runes before vanishing.
“That’s… the Stone of Destiny!”
Everyone’s eyes widened as they beheld the radiant stone within Netherworld’s body, its divine glow harmonizing with the Great Dao.
Many burned with envy. Such treasures were rare beyond measure—each capable of forging a peerless expert. None could forget the legend of the Six Celestials of antiquity.
It was six such stones that had birthed an imperial lineage!
“Pity. Once the Stone of Destiny bonds with a host, it cannot be taken by another.”
“Still, grinding it into powder might retain some of its divinity.”
Netherworld underwent a miraculous transformation. His wounds closed, his bones mended, and every inch of his body gleamed with newfound power.
The crowd marveled—this was the Stone of Destiny’s legendary power.
Its name was no mere title. To possess it was to be acknowledged by heaven itself, to embody destiny.
With the stone, one gained multiple lives. As long as it remained, recovery was swift. It also contained profound Dao truths and mysterious substances, enabling perfect evolution.
Its value was beyond imagination!
The mountains erupted in clamor, voices rising like thunder.
Not only was the Stone of Destiny priceless, but the two combatants were about to clash again.
“A mere stone—what of it?” Shi Hao said calmly, advancing with confidence, his hair flowing freely.
“Your ignorance will be your doom,” Netherworld growled, his voice like thunder shaking the earth.
His body radiated light, restored to peak condition, with auspicious energy swirling around him—clearly transformed.
“Wait… something’s different. Netherworld has… evolved,” even the Celestial Clan murmured in awe, let alone outsiders.
“Stand back—do not interfere,” the Celestial Clan’s True God commanded, his eyes burning with anticipation.
On another peak, Qing Yi extinguished the azure flame between her brows, watching the duel with serene eyes.
Boom!
A shocking sight unfolded—Netherworld’s back erupted with silver radiance, shaking the heavens and scattering the clouds.
A pair of colossal silver wings unfurled behind him, wreathed in sacred light, as if countless stars had aligned.
“Wings of Heaven!” a Divine Flame Realm expert whispered in awe.
“Rumble!”
The sound of tidal waves surged from Netherworld’s body—his blood flow alone created this overwhelming force, staggering onlookers.
Whoosh!
A pair of dragon horns sprouted from his forehead.
“Horns of Heaven!” a True God exclaimed, trembling with excitement.
“Clang!”
Next, pieces of armor materialized on Netherworld’s body, formed from radiant runes rather than physical matter.
“Divine Armor of Heaven! He has ascended to this state!” The Celestial Clan’s elders quivered with joy.
Relieved, they stepped back to observe.
“Is this… the Legend of Destiny?” The other factions soon realized, recalling the Celestial Clan’s ancient tales.
Bonding with the Stone of Destiny meant being chosen by heaven. For the truly gifted, it could trigger further evolution, unlocking unparalleled power.
Some gained Wings of Heaven, Horns of Heaven, or donned Divine Armor—capable of conquering the world!
This transformation was known as the Legend of Destiny.
Throughout history, those who manifested it were as rare as phoenix feathers—but each was incomparably mighty!
“Perish!” Netherworld charged, clad in radiant armor, his speed unmatched as he lunged at his foe.
“Even at your strongest, you merely echo the glory of the Six Celestials. I will crush you!” Shi Hao declared, his gaze unwavering, his demeanor unshaken.
He stood firm, unafraid, exuding absolute confidence!
The crowd was stunned. Even against one who had manifested the Legend of Destiny, he remained unyielding. What kind of monster was he?
Shi Hao raised his fist—golden light erupted, shaking the heavens!
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