“Ah, I was wondering why Taoist Cao looked like a stray dog, all flustered. Turns out there really is a little pup here.” Laughter rang out from the towering, gilded tavern.
“Hahaha…” Many in the tavern joined in the mirth. A group of young nobles—scions of top-tier clans and heirs of immortal sects—were gathered there.
Among them, the light laughter of women could also be heard.
Though they remained unseen inside the building, one could easily imagine the scene: a crowd finding the remark utterly ridiculous.
“Pup, you’re being mocked!” Cao Yusheng turned around, looking down at the little dog.
At that moment, the pup’s eyes glowed faintly blue—a sign of rage—as white smoke puffed from its nostrils. Gnashing its teeth, it spat, “Kid, you won’t die today, but mark my words—living will be worse than death!”
Despite its small stature, its temper made it clear this was no pushover. A creature that never took insults lightly, it was already plotting revenge.
“Human pet, onward! Let’s teach them a lesson!” The pup barked, urging Cao Yusheng into action.
With a *whoosh*, it leaped up. Though no bigger than a palm, its agility was unmatched. Before anyone could react, it perched atop Cao Yusheng’s head.
“Damn it, get off! My reputation can’t afford to be ruined by you!” Cao Yusheng yanked at it furiously, but to no avail.
This dog’s origins were extraordinary. Even if its cultivation had regressed, its physical form remained indestructible. No weapon could harm it, even if it sat still and let itself be struck.
Perched firmly on Cao Yusheng’s head, the pup was immovable, as if rooted there.
“Human pet, charge!” the pup commanded.
The onlookers were dumbfounded. Who were these people? A tiny dog, no larger than a bean, dared to act so arrogantly—and now they were even fighting among themselves!
“Hahaha…”
The tavern erupted in laughter once more.
The building, though situated in the market district, was a resplendent treasure—more a magical artifact than a mere structure. Designed for the elite to rest and conduct business, it gleamed with golden splendor and intricate carvings.
Shi Hao said nothing. This duo truly seemed fated to clash, like sworn enemies from a past life now entangled in this one.
“Damn you, mutt! Get off!” Cao Yusheng tugged at it with his chubby hands.
“Go!”
The pup’s body shimmered, its reddish fur glowing as it lifted Cao Yusheng into the air, soaring toward the tavern.
Ahead, two gray-robed elders exchanged glances but did not intervene. Their goal had been to capture the plump Cao Yusheng—now he was delivering himself to them.
“Put me down!” Cao Yusheng flailed.
“Stay still. This is the Art of Human Riding. Consider yourself a human-shaped flying sword,” the pup retorted.
A crowd quickly gathered outside the tavern, eager for spectacle.
Shi Hao followed silently. At his current level of cultivation, even standing plainly among them, none could discern his true power.
Bickering all the way, the duo ascended the tavern, reaching the topmost floor—the tenth.
The grand hall was spacious, lined with private chambers glowing in radiant hues, suffused with dense spiritual energy. The entire structure was a cultivation artifact, ideal for immortal practitioners.
Wang Tian, the eldest grandson of the Wang Clan, stepped forward, smiling down at Cao Yusheng. “Taoist Cao, Wang Tian welcomes you.”
The room was filled with people, mostly young elites, though a few senior cultivators were present, all scrutinizing the newcomers.
“Taoist, your situation seems dire. Even a pup lords over you. Why not join our Wang Clan sooner?” Wang Tian spoke with feigned amiability.
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Cao Yusheng cut a pitiful figure.
“Teehee…” Some young women covered their mouths, their giggles laced with mockery. Compared to the heroic youths they admired, he fell far short.
“The Wang Clan is beyond my reach,” Cao Yusheng said coldly. He had intended to make a grand entrance, but the pup’s impulsiveness had ruined any semblance of dignity.
Meanwhile, the pup was grinding its teeth, gathering energy.
“Is this your pet, Taoist? Quite tiny and adorable. What breed is it? Already awakened to wisdom—I might get one myself someday,” Wang Tian remarked lightly.
His words, though seemingly pleasant, were a veiled insult to Cao Yusheng.
Unbeknownst to him, he had just provoked the pup beyond forgiveness.
“Woof! Slap him!”
With a flash, the pup left an afterimage in the air. A crisp *smack* echoed as its tiny paw struck Wang Tian’s face—too fast to dodge.
Only Shi Hao saw it clearly. To the rest, it was a blur.
The strike was brutal. The pup’s sharp claws left bloody gashes as Wang Tian staggered, then crashed into a jade table, sending it toppling.
Silence fell.
No one expected a mere pup to be so ferocious, sending the Wang Clan’s eldest grandson flying with a single swipe.
Wang Tian was no ordinary figure. As the eldest grandson of the immortal Wang Clan, his strength was formidable, nurtured by the legendary Wang Changsheng himself.
Yet in one encounter, this palm-sized pup had sent him sprawling, bloodied.
Gasps escaped the lips of stunned young women.
The scene was surreal.
“How dare you!” Two gray-robed elders lunged forward—one to seize the pup, the other to grab Cao Yusheng by the collar.
Their methods were deliberately humiliating.
“Hmph!”
A cold snort rang out. The two elders trembled violently, their pupils dilating in terror as they locked onto another young man.
A mere sound had struck them like thunder, their bodies quaking uncontrollably, knees buckling.
“Who do you think you’re laying hands on?” Shi Hao’s voice was icy.
The crowd tensed, staring in shock. Who was this youth, to intimidate Wang Changsheng’s own attendants?
“You—”
The elders shuddered, their fear primal.
*Thud! Thud!*
Against their will, they knelt, prostrating before Shi Hao like beasts cowering before their king.
“Who are you?” Wang Tian rose, his face twisted in fury and disbelief.
Humiliated by the pup, his rage burned unchecked. Even sensing Shi Hao’s power, he could not suppress his anger. With members of the Wang Clan’s Nine Dragons guarding the fortress, he felt secure.
“Who am I? Heh.” Shi Hao’s gaze was frigid.
Under that look, even Wang Tian—a master of the Dunyi Realm—felt his legs weaken. His body betrayed him, kneeling instinctively, forehead pressed to the ground.
The crowd was stunned.
Even those from immortal clans paled.
Young immortals from the Celestial Domain watched in awe.
A maiden covered her mouth. Wang Tian, the Wang Clan’s pride, had knelt after a single glance!
“Hah! Wang Tian, where’s your pride now? Kneeling to welcome me, just as I predicted!” Cao Yusheng crowed, finally savoring vindication.
*Hmph!*
A thunderous snort shook the air, rattling souls.
“Daring to cause trouble in Wang Clan territory?” A massive hand descended from the fortress, aiming to crush Shi Hao.
“Wang Da, you overestimate yourself.” Shi Hao raised his arm, fingers closing around the spectral hand—and yanked.
A roar of shock and fear erupted from the fortress as Wang Da was dragged bodily into the tavern.
*Boom!*
Shi Hao released him, sending the gray-haired elder crashing to the floor.
Silence.
Every soul stood frozen, utterly stupefied.
Wang Da, eldest of the Nine Dragons, had been plucked from his stronghold like a weed.
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