In the Blackwater Heavenly Prison, Shi Hao sat silently, enduring the erosion of the black liquid. His body was in excruciating pain, but he seemed accustomed to it—not even a frown crossed his brow.
He had returned victorious, defeating the great royal clans near Blackwater City in succession, stirring massive waves. Naturally, punishment followed.
Even after being imprisoned, he remained shackled and confined. Though no longer restrained by a supreme being, mobilizing his magic power was still difficult.
This was torture. The prison guards had taken revenge on him, preventing him from actively tempering his physique. He could only passively endure the torment.
The recent turmoil had been significant, with far-reaching consequences. The outcome was entirely different from what the prison guards had anticipated. They had intended for the clans to vent their anger, trampling on Shi Hao’s dignity while collectively observing the captive.
Yet, in the end, they had unwittingly elevated Shi Hao’s reputation. They had underestimated the pride of the royal clans in their realm—each clan’s elites sought to rise from where they had fallen.
But instead, these royal clans had only humiliated themselves. None had managed to rise; instead, they had fallen into an even deeper pit.
A group of royal clans had attacked, only to be ruthlessly suppressed by a young Shi Hao. He had crushed them one after another, leaving them utterly defeated—an unspeakable disgrace.
A mere prisoner had made an entire group look foolish, their hearts burning with suppressed fury.
A warlike people had suffered such a humiliation, driving many to madness.
To be precise, they had been knocked down twice by a single man, the final blow stomping them into the dirt—an unbearable shame that stoked their rage.
Shi Hao’s flesh corroded, his bones cracking further, yet he remained silent in his cell, eyes closed, embracing the agony.
Without divine power, he would eventually dissolve into filth. But while alive, this hellish torment was also a form of tempering.
He did not curse fate or despair. Instead, his mind was serene, quietly experiencing the pain inflicted by the black liquid.
If he survived, he knew he would grow stronger. The laws of the foreign realm were complete, refining him at every moment.
Here, as long as his body was not restrained, he would inevitably grow stronger—even if he did nothing, the complete laws would temper his flesh.
**”Shi Hao, you are testing our last shred of patience. We wouldn’t mind crippling you now and throwing you out for the clans to vent their fury!”**
Outside the prison, a low voice spoke. Several figures stood there—the overseers of the prisoners.
**”Have more people arrived, hoping to see me?”** Shi Hao opened his eyes, his tone indifferent.
The figures outside remained silent, their gazes growing colder, murderous intent flickering.
As Shi Hao had guessed, Blackwater City was growing livelier. Cultivators from distant regions—elites of renowned clans—had arrived, demanding to see Shi Hao.
The prison guards were overwhelmed. They had underestimated the scale of this turmoil. Shi Hao had made far too many enemies, especially among the noble clans whose heirs he had slain. The commotion was escalating.
**”If you were wiser, you might live out your days in peace. But if you persist in your arrogance, your fate will be miserable!”** one overseer sneered.
**”What do you want from me? A man doomed to a wretched end—do you think I care about you?”** Shi Hao mocked, his eyes filled with disdain.
As he spoke, parts of his body dissolved into foul blood.
**”Take him out!”** someone barked.
Shi Hao was dragged from the prison and brought to Blackwater City—not hung at the gates this time, but taken directly to the grandest arena in the city.
The arena was vast, capable of holding hundreds of thousands—a battlefield meant for the strongest.
Here, Shi Hao staggered forward, his legs still bleeding, forced into the arena by the guards.
The crowd was immense, a sea of diverse beings: a three-headed black flood dragon, a beauty with snow-white wings, a fallen ancient monk wreathed in divine halos, a towering giant with violet blood…
Top-tier clans from across millions of miles had gathered, along with elites from other domains.
Clearly, the uproar caused by the “madman” Shi Hao had exceeded expectations, drawing the ire of many who wished to see him defeated and slain.
Shi Hao scanned them and spoke bluntly:
**”Another batch of trash. Are there any so-called ‘Ten Ancient Experts’? Any so-called Imperial Clan members? If not, then get lost!”**
No one had expected such audacity from a wounded, bleeding captive. Before they could act, he had already insulted them.
Before tens of thousands of cultivators, Shi Hao hurled his defiance.
No further provocation was needed. The younger generation’s eyes burned with fury, while the elders scowled, their pupils glinting with cold light.
They had always looked down on the creatures from the Imperial Pass. Yet here was a mere prisoner, scorning them openly.
**”Shi Hao, what are you? We’ll flay you alive soon enough!”** someone roared in humiliation.
**”Even your ancestors became our slaves—some still serve the clans today. Where does your confidence come from?”** another retorted, aiming to shame him.
Shi Hao frowned but replied coldly:
**”Empty words. All I know is that in a fair fight, you’re all trash.”**
To this day, many in the foreign realm found it unbelievable. They should have held the upper hand, yet a single prisoner had stirred such fury.
Ultimately, it was their warlike nature. Accustomed to dominance, they could not accept being suppressed by Shi Hao.
**”Is there an Imperial Clan member here today? If so, our humiliation can end!”** someone muttered.
**”They’ve come. I’ve heard several young Imperial Clan elites have left their ancient lands, summoned to Blackwater City!”**
The news spread quietly, causing a sensation.
Many waited eagerly.
**”I’ll fight you!”** A Mantis-Centipede emerged—its lower half a gleaming centipede body, its arms silver scythes. A powerful royal clan warrior.
Shi Hao had slain one of their kind before.
But this one was stronger, already in the Dunyi Realm—a middle-aged expert who shot forward like a silver streak.
Shi Hao took a deep breath, his body glowing as he rapidly healed his legs. He stood unmoving, only his fist shining brilliantly.
His condition was poor—no, dire. Fresh from prison, he had not yet recovered.
Yet he showed no fear. In an instant, he inhaled sharply, his right fist turning golden, wreathed in immortal mist and swirling with dao principles!
At that moment, Shi Hao felt something profound. In the foreign realm, the Indestructible Scripture felt different—the complete laws enveloped him, making even his golden fist extraordinary.
Undoubtedly, this was a display of power!
**Boom!**
His fist shot forward, tearing through the air, golden radiance piercing the heavens as rules and order coiled around it.
The Mantis-Centipede wore a cold smirk, its scythe-like arm slashing down with equal force, ripping through space with traces of chaotic energy.
**”Hmm?”** Shi Hao frowned. His body felt wrong—agonizingly torn, his foundation unstable. His fist’s golden light dimmed.
He saw the hidden mockery on his opponent’s face and the eerie smiles of the prison guards. He understood—this was sabotage, meant to ensure his defeat.
The overseers had tampered with him, interfering at the critical moment to humiliate him publicly and end the recent turmoil.
**”Despicable!”** Shi Hao’s veins bulged.
**”Roar!”**
With a deafening cry, his body blazed with light. Countless gates within him opened, their energies converging into a seed that bloomed inside him.
**Boom!**
His body cracked, on the verge of tearing apart—someone had tampered with him, now fully suppressing him.
Yet his fist still shone, brighter than ever, golden radiance erupting with even greater power!
Unprecedented madness seized Shi Hao. Ignoring his body’s fractures, his golden right arm struck with unstoppable force.
**Crack!**
The silver scythe shattered, followed by the Mantis-Centipede’s arm. The fist pierced its chest.
**Splat!**
The Mantis-Centipede expert exploded!
Shi Hao had unleashed power beyond his limits, channeling all his potential into this single strike.
The crowd was stunned. One move—and a royal clan elite was annihilated?
The prison guards’ faces darkened. Despite their arrangements, Shi Hao had triumphed again, infuriating them.
Perhaps only an Imperial Clan member could end this. And they knew—such figures had indeed arrived.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage