“Hmm?” Shi Hao’s arm only extended a little over ten feet. It had to be said—this place suppressed cultivation to the extreme. Even someone as strong as him, who had surpassed the pinnacle, could only manage this much.
Yet even this was astonishing enough. If other cultivators saw it, they’d surely be struck with awe.
Because while everyone else was suppressed to the level of mortals, only he could still wield secret techniques, towering above the rest with an unshakable foundation.
“Who goes there?” Lunar Grace retreated, the hem of her skirt stained with specks of crimson—evidence of the blood-soaked mud.
No matter how powerful a being was, staying here for too long would force them to tread upon the bloodied earth. None could escape it.
A gust of finger-wind brushed past the tip of her nose, making her slender, jade-like body tense. Her snow-white arms stretched out, desperately trying to form the Heaven-Mending Seal, but it was far too difficult!
“At such close range, she still didn’t recognize my voice. Seems this mist really is a bit strange,” Shi Hao muttered to himself.
He pondered whether to venture in. If he charged in, he could sweep through a crowd, but he also feared becoming blind in there, fumbling around without finding an exit.
If that happened, the “fun” would be immense. No doubt those two old geezers were lurking somewhere, gleefully waiting to see him struggle.
“Bird Grandpa, Fine Jade Grandpa, where are you? Show yourselves!” Shi Hao called out, but no one answered.
Frowning, he thought for a moment before striding straight into the swamp. Here, he was the tiger, while most beings from the Upper Realm were mere sheep. What did he have to fear?
If he encountered them, he’d skin the Lord of the Celestial Nation and the creatures of the Immortal Palace alive, one by one!
Of course, he could also save someone first—Lunar Grace was his first target. With a whoosh, he dashed forward. In an instant, the heavens and earth shifted, winds and clouds darkened, and thunder roared deafeningly.
Though the distance had seemed short, once inside, it felt endless, as if spanning hundreds of miles.
An illusion! Shi Hao realized he had to discard his five senses and rely on his inner judgment. So he maintained his speed, free-falling, trusting his initial instincts.
Like leaping hundreds of miles in a single bound, Shi Hao landed with a thud, splattering blood everywhere. Yet his body remained pristine, enveloped in a faint golden glow that shielded him.
If any ancient monks were present, they’d be shocked—this was the Indestructible Golden Body, or perhaps something even higher. At a certain level, all laws and paths converged.
The moment he landed, the thunder vanished, the lightning disappeared. Only the mist remained, along with a hazy figure standing nearby.
“Who are you?” Lunar Grace stepped back, wary and ready.
Shi Hao rubbed his face, and in an instant, his mouth widened, fangs protruding. Only he could still use certain techniques to alter his form here.
“This lord is the Great Calamity of the Barren Lands, in need of a few mountain stronghold wives. You’ve been chosen!” With that, he hoisted her over his shoulder.
Lunar Grace nearly fainted. She wanted to slap him—what kind of creature was this? Not only did he dare call her a “mountain stronghold wife,” but he also said he needed several, with her being just one! Unbearable!
Bam!
Yet the moment they clashed, Lunar Grace’s expression changed. Even the divine light at her fingertips couldn’t hold him back.
Shi Hao was surprised. After Lunar Grace’s partial fusion with Qing Yi, she had indeed grown much stronger. But after a few exchanges, he still subdued her.
When she saw the monstrous, fanged visage up close, her face paled.
“Hehe, mountain stronghold wife, let’s go.” Shi Hao carried her off without hesitation.
Lunar Grace’s vision darkened. She’d come to the Lower Realm only to be captured by a calamity just like that? After just mastering her divine arts, this blow was too much.
And the worst part? She was to become a “mountain stronghold wife.” Infuriating!
“Wait… you’re Shi Hao!” Suddenly, her heart trembled. Carried on his shoulder, she had an epiphany.
“Bastard!” She punched him, realizing she’d been startled into panic earlier. Now calm, she knew only Shi Hao could possess such terrifying combat prowess in the Lower Realm, suppressing all challengers.
“Behave. This lord is the Heartless Flower-Crushing Demon King!” Shi Hao threatened.
“Heartless my foot! How dare you trick me? Asking for a beating?” Qing Yi struggled, tugging his ear.
Smack!
Her perfectly rounded rear was met with a crisp slap, sending a light tremor through it.
After a moment of stunned silence, Lunar Grace’s jade-like face flushed crimson.
“Shi, you—I’ll fight you to the death!” Humiliated and furious, she flailed on his shoulder, ready to brawl. How dare he spank her like that!
Her emotions were conflicted. After the partial fusion, Qing Yi’s feelings leaned toward Shi Hao, while Lunar Grace’s side seethed with resentment.
A drawback of incomplete fusion—she wasn’t yet one whole person.
“Hehe, we’re practically an old married couple. Stop fussing.” Shi Hao patted her long legs and kept walking.
“Shi, let me go, or I swear I’ll fight you!”
Shi Hao called into the void, “Bird Grandpa, Fine Jade Grandpa, enough’s enough. I’m taking someone out.”
Still, no response.
“Put me down!” Lunar Grace struggled.
Shi Hao laughed and set her down.
Lunar Grace stared at him, her expression complex. “Your cultivation isn’t ruined. So it was you who suppressed Yi Hai?”
“It’ll be ruined soon. Less than half a month left. My fate’s tough, but I can’t defy the heavens. I only delayed the Soul-Severing Curse by a dozen or so days,” Shi Hao sighed.
Lunar Grace fell silent, then asked, “Really?”
“Hey, isn’t that a Netherworld cultivator? Let’s check it out.” Shi Hao pointed ahead at a golden skeleton walking through the mist.
“Oi, skeleton! Pay the toll!” His shout startled the skeleton into retreat.
“Who are you?” The golden skeleton’s eyes gleamed coldly. In this place, no one could immediately recognize the fanged creature as Shi Hao.
“This lord is the Great Calamity of the Lower Realm you all speak of. Hand over your life!” Shi Hao struck without hesitation. He’d show no mercy to the Netherworld or Celestial Nation.
In the past, these two factions had repeatedly targeted him. And when the crippled immortal came to ruin him, they’d cheered from the front lines.
Boom!
A single punch shattered the golden skeleton into motes of light.
“Hey, anyone got a Soul-Extinguishing Needle? Lend me one.” Shi Hao glanced at Lunar Grace.
“Wait, the light didn’t disperse—it merged into the blood mud.” Lunar Grace stared in shock.
Normally, if a cultivator died in the Void Realm without being captured, their soul-light would escape, returning to their body. But here, the swamp absorbed it.
Only now did Shi Hao realize how perilous this place was. Death here meant true annihilation.
He cursed—Bird Grandpa and Fine Jade Grandpa had gone too far this time.
“Cao Fatty’s over there!”
Here, Shi Hao’s senses remained sharp, far surpassing others’. He spotted Cao Yusheng instantly and dashed over with Qing Yi.
Like a silent bolt of lightning, he appeared before Cao Yusheng in a blink.
Thump! Shi Hao clapped Cao Yusheng’s shoulder, making the fatty yelp and half-sink into the blood mud, thoroughly startled.
Someone had gotten this close without him noticing? If this person had ill intent, he’d be done for!
“You… who—?” Cao Yusheng’s hair stood on end as he stared at the fanged creature.
“This lord is the Great Calamity of the Lower Realm. Boy, pledge allegiance to me and kneel!” Shi Hao declared, reaching to pat Cao Fatty’s head.
“It’s… you!” Cao Yusheng’s eyes lit up when he spotted Lunar Grace trailing behind. He instantly guessed who this was.
“Shh, keep it down.” Shi Hao warned.
“Hahaha!” Cao Yusheng laughed heartily. “The Immortal Palace swore you were crippled, mocking us. Now here you are, alive and well. What expression will they make when they see you?”
“Oh? The Immortal Palace is here? Where? I’ve missed them.” Shi Hao grinned.
Hearing this, Cao Yusheng bared his teeth in a wide grin. This was classic Shi Hao.
“I saw them earlier and avoided them. Didn’t want trouble.” Cao Yusheng pointed in a direction.
“A lot of them?” Shi Hao asked.
“Yeah, some strong followers with them.”
“Even better. Saves me the trouble of hunting them down. Come, let me show you how to barbecue a sect master.” Shi Hao waved grandly.
Qing Yi and Cao Yusheng exchanged glances. Was this guy for real?
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