Who dares to be so bold? Provoking the sect master, openly challenging him—the declaration of war is nothing less than the head of a Heavenly God!
The Netherworld Lord remained silent, seated atop a floating mountain of white bones, shrouded in billowing black mist. The temperature around him plummeted, chilling to the bone.
That was his disciple—a Heavenly God of the Nether Clan—slain and beheaded, his head callously tossed back. This was no mere insult; it was a direct affront to him!
The Forbidden Zone buzzed with heated discussion.
People debated who could have done such a thing—such audacity!
Other sect masters also wore displeased expressions. The earlier voice had been domineering, its words targeting many.
**Boom!**
The Nether Clan’s sect master struck. A black flame erupted from his brow, surging like a torrent toward the entrance—a hellfire capable of incinerating even sect masters.
Yet, the boundary barrier glowed, its embedded runes repelling excessive force. Otherwise, these sect masters would have long since entered.
Only a wisp of black flame slipped through, its power diminished and uncontrollable by those outside, burning harmlessly upon the ancient ground of the Immortal Ruins.
“Whose child is playing with fire? Where are the adults to rein them in?” Shi Hao’s voice echoed from within.
He seethed with anger. Several major sects had relentlessly targeted him—first their disciples, and now even Heavenly Gods, openly declaring his execution.
Moreover, back in the Lower Realm, the Netherworld and Celestial Court had hunted him relentlessly. The descent of the Seven Gods had led to his death, buried in the earth for over a year before his revival.
Now, these factions escalated their efforts, sending wave after wave to exterminate him. How could he tolerate this?
Shi Hao’s fury had long since boiled over.
Thus, his words were far from polite.
The Forbidden Zone fell into stunned silence.
Even some sect masters twitched at the corners of their mouths, exchanging glances but saying nothing.
The Netherworld faction could no longer remain passive. Enraged, one of their members roared, pleading with the Netherworld Lord for permission to enter and execute the insolent wretch, restoring their clan’s dignity.
The audacity! To liken the Nether Clan’s sect master to a child, mocking and taunting them so brazenly—such arrogance incensed the entire clan.
Even the Netherworld Lord’s eyes darkened. Though he spoke not a word, the black mist swallowing the bone mountain and the chilling gleam of his gaze revealed the depth of his killing intent.
Who was it? Speculation ran rampant, but none could peer into the Immortal Ruins through the petals of the Immortal Dao.
Since the great rift had appeared and a group of Heavenly Gods was sent in, the Immortal Ruins had undergone mysterious changes, becoming increasingly unfathomable. Observation was now impossible.
The petals of the Immortal Dao blurred, no longer reflecting events within.
Thus, those outside could only wait patiently, unable to glean real-time updates.
A few Heavenly Gods had returned, reporting some developments, but the information was outdated.
From what was known, the Heavenly Gods had taken control days prior. Figures like the Ten Crown King and the Banished Immortal had gone into hiding, while some Heavenly Gods had seized supreme scriptures—even sending one out.
Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. No one understood the sudden provocation.
Of course, some suspected Shi Hao—but without hearing his voice, confirmation was impossible.
Only a select few knew it was him.
“Fellow Daoists, lend me your strength. Let us breach the barrier together and descend in person,” the Netherworld Lord declared.
Some responded, joining him in unleashing their might. Divine techniques and treasure arts erupted, runes cascading toward the entrance.
The air trembled with immortal resonance, the aura of the Great Dao permeating the space as chaos itself was torn asunder.
The barrier cracked but refused to yield, its supreme rules manifesting in eerie, interwoven symbols.
“The fire-playing child is at it again, and now his little friends are joining in. Won’t anyone stop them? Take your misbehaving children home before they embarrass themselves further,” Shi Hao taunted, his words dripping with disdain.
Had the sect masters been less composed, they would have erupted in fury, resorting to extreme measures.
Even the most restrained among them burned with cold killing intent. If they ever caught that brat, they would make him wish for death.
Such insolence—to belittle and humiliate them so openly!
“Esteemed ones, he may be Shi Hao!” a Heavenly God from the Celestial Clan announced loudly, revealing his suspicion to all.
Inside, Shi Hao’s gaze turned icy. This clan had repaid his kindness with betrayal, imprisoning him in the Black Jail and nearly killing him in the Celestial City. Now, they still targeted him, fueling the hatred against him.
Without a doubt, once Shi Hao emerged, he would settle scores with them.
Outside, the sect masters remained silent. Though many suspected it was Shi Hao, none voiced it.
Engaging with a junior would be beneath their dignity. Only upon capturing him would they deign to act, suppressing him with ruthless methods.
“Still trying, little ones? Come on in—I’ll be waiting!” Shi Hao continued his brazen provocation.
“Sect Master, let me enter!” A Nether Clan expert stepped forward, his body radiating eerie light. Where he walked, the very earth corroded.
This was a Poison King—a Heavenly God born from the reanimated corpse of an ancient insect, his innate toxins lethal even to fellow Heavenly Gods.
“Poison King, it’s too risky for you to enter,” someone cautioned.
“Releasing bugs now? Send it in—I’ll play along,” Shi Hao mocked, likening the Poison King to a mere insect.
“Brat, when we attained Heavenly Godhood, your ancestors were still playing in the mud. Know your place, lest you court death,” the Poison King retorted coldly, again requesting entry.
The Netherworld Lord hesitated, then instructed him to send only an avatar, keeping his true form outside.
**Boom!**
With the sect masters’ support, the Poison King’s avatar surged toward the entrance.
“Such naughty children, really sending in a bug? How reckless,” Shi Hao jeered, feigning solemnity.
The moment the insect’s head breached the barrier, Shi Hao struck—his palm wreathed in immortal qi, unleashing his full power.
**Splat!**
The Poison King’s avatar spat forth a deadly miasma, a toxin potent enough to slay Heavenly Gods. Yet Shi Hao’s immortal qi shielded him, rendering the poison useless.
**Thud!**
The palm landed unimpeded, cracking the avatar’s carapace and splattering its flesh.
Shi Hao was surprised. Against most, this strike would have reduced them to pulp—yet the Poison King endured.
But not for long.
**Boom!**
Relentless blows rained down, and the avatar finally exploded into bloody mist.
Outside, shock and fury spread—especially from the Poison King’s true form, whose boast had ended in humiliation.
Inside, Shi Hao swayed slightly. Though the toxin hadn’t touched him, its mere proximity left him dizzy.
Golden runes flared as he invoked the Willow Deity’s technique, restoring his vitality instantly.
Silence fell outside.
Even the sect masters darkened. The enemy had barricaded the entrance, cutting off all entry.
Their plans were thwarted. Though some Heavenly Gods had entered, far more remained outside—and now, none could pass.
“Report! Disaster—Heavenly Gods are being slaughtered!”
A messenger sprinted toward the entrance, only for a golden hand to snatch him mid-air and crush him effortlessly.
The sect masters’ fears were confirmed. The enemy was lying in wait, slaughtering all who approached.
One after another, messengers and even Heavenly Gods met the same fate—their heads lobbed beyond the barrier, igniting fury among the Nether Clan and Celestial Clan.
Yet they were powerless to intervene.
“Still sending people in? If not, I’ll start purging the Immortal Ruins—Heavenly Gods, elite disciples, none shall be spared!” Shi Hao’s voice was icy.
No more messengers came. All who approached the exit had been slaughtered.
**Purge the Immortal Ruins?** The outsiders paled. Such arrogance!
But they doubted it was empty bravado. A massacre loomed—their disciples faced annihilation.
What could they do? The sect masters couldn’t enter, and no one else stood a chance.
“Remember those mysterious visitors who descended upon our Three Thousand Provinces? Those youths—all Heavenly Gods with immortal qi. If we lure them here, perhaps they can eliminate this threat,” someone suggested.
Eyes lit up at the idea.
But others hesitated. “What if they ally with him instead?”
“Farewell, then. I’ll begin the purge.” Shi Hao’s voice rang out as he rose, ready to strike.
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