Chapter 1514: Astonishing Conditions

The scalp of the Fearless Lion sent chills down its spine—this was too outrageous! Did this “Huang” actually intend to devour it?

It bristled with fury. Given its race’s status—second only to the Imperial Clans and surpassing many Noble Clans—being treated as mere food would be the ultimate humiliation.

“You—!” The Fearless Lion was both shocked and enraged, yet also terrified. Being eaten was a fate worse than death.

*Crack!*

A bone-snapping sound echoed. The Golden Lion felt excruciating pain in its tail—its once-glorious golden appendage had been snapped clean off by Shi Hao, who now held it in his grip. The humiliation and rage were unbearable.

This was utter disgrace. The opponent was a monster, one it couldn’t hope to match in its current state.

Earlier, underwater, it had fought desperately, unleashing everything it had in a life-or-death struggle. Yet, Huang’s flesh was unbreakable, impervious to its attacks.

For the Fearless Lion, which had just reforged its indomitable golden body, this was a devastating blow.

Its greatest fortune in the Reincarnation Pool had been body refinement—a nirvana, the pinnacle of evolution. Yet, in the very domain it had just mastered, it had been utterly crushed.

*Splash!*

Waves rippled as Shi Hao emerged from the water, gripping the massive Golden Lion before the crowd. The sight was domineering—his cold, electric gaze fixed on the once-dominant young prodigy of the Foreign Realm, now held like a lifeless dog in his grasp, treated as mere ingredients.

The gathered youths paled. Huang had grown even stronger, far beyond their ability to contend. Only the elders stood a chance now.

Having fully surfaced and tempered his indestructible body, Shi Hao surveyed the crowd with newfound clarity.

“Huang, do you know the consequences of your actions?” an elder barked, glaring at the young man in the lake.

“Old fool, spare me your threats!” Shi Hao retorted sharply. After being relentlessly hunted by the Foreign Realm’s forces, what worse fate could await him?

This was a fight to the death—no retreat, no compromise. He cared little for their posturing.

Now, with his invincible physique, he faced them all with unshakable confidence, even surrounded.

He assessed the situation calmly.

“You’re courting death! You won’t survive this!” someone roared.

“Wait!” The silver-robed elder raised a hand, silencing the others. A faint smile played on his lips as he addressed Shi Hao. “Your achievements and talent are undeniable—truly awe-inspiring.”

Shi Hao remained unmoved, his expression indifferent.

“Young man, it’s a waste for you to remain in the Imperial Pass. The environment there is too harsh—you’ll never attain immortality,” the elder continued.

“Get to the point,” Shi Hao replied with a mocking smirk.

“With your gifts, staying in the Nine Heavens is like casting pearls before swine. Join our realm, and your name will shine through history, immortalized for eternity.” The elder was actually trying to recruit him.

“Delusional,” Shi Hao spat coldly. He would never betray his people like the Fearless Lion lineage.

“True wisdom lies in discerning the tides of fate. The Imperial Pass *will* fall—resistance is futile. You know the inevitable outcome.”

The elder eyed him. “Swear a blood oath to our realm, and your future will be limitless. You could even establish your own supreme clan, surpassing Noble Clans, exempt from bowing to Imperial Clans!”

Gasps erupted. The offer was staggering—such status for someone so young?

In history, only clans like the Gu and Blood Phoenix had enjoyed such privileges.

“And who are you to make such promises? Are you Yu Tuo? An Lan?” Shi Hao scoffed. “Spare me your nonsense.”

The elder, initially bent on killing Shi Hao, now spoke with grave sincerity. “Doubt me if you will, but I speak the truth. I hail from an Imperial Clan—though my bloodline is diluted, I can summon an ancestral decree to prove it!”

The crowd was stunned. He was serious?

“I heard Imperial bloodlines are dominant yet scarce, struggling to produce heirs. Yet, any offspring retain their lineage. Why is yours diluted?” Shi Hao mused, ignoring the gravity of the situation.

The elder’s face darkened with humiliation.

“Young man, is this your way of mocking me? I offer you salvation, yet you scorn it. If you agree, I’ll summon the decree immediately, elevating you to a supreme clan!”

“Save your breath. Not everyone kneels like the Fearless Lions. I’ll never submit. On the battlefield, I’ll slaughter your ancestors one by one!” Shi Hao declared, his voice ringing with steel.

The crowd gaped. The audacity! A mere youth, not even immortal, daring to threaten An Lan and the others?

Ignoring them, Shi Hao turned to the Golden Lion, pondering its fate. “Braised lion head? Fitting. Or perhaps pan-seared ribs, medium-rare—that should be delicious.”

The Fearless Lion seethed with humiliation.

Beneath its rage, however, a cold glint flickered. It had been suppressing its breakthrough to the “Severing Self” realm, waiting for the perfect moment after the Ancient Buddha’s Eighteen Strikes. But now, cornered, it had no choice.

*Boom!*

The Golden Lion erupted with overwhelming fury, its golden mane bristling. Even seasoned cultivators gasped—this was power rarely seen even among Severing Self experts.

“All that hiding, just for this?” Shi Hao remarked casually, unfazed.

With a single palm strike—jade-like, glowing faint gold—he shattered the lion’s momentum, sending it crashing back, blood gushing from its cracked body.

The Fearless Lion trembled in fear. Huang was monstrously strong. Even at its peak, it stood no chance.

“Try again,” Shi Hao said calmly.

The lion roared, golden light surging as it forced another breakthrough. Yet again, Shi Hao crushed its power with ease.

Despair set in. This foe was beyond comprehension.

Sighing, Shi Hao thought of an old friend—the Nine-Headed Golden Lion from the lower realm. Memories of youthful folly and brotherhood surfaced. He missed home, missed Stone Village.

“I won’t braise or steam you,” he said, not out of mercy, but to preserve it for his old comrade.

Then, he turned to the crowd. “Enough delay. Let’s end this.”

“You dare boast like this?!” someone sneered.

“Most of my pursuers are here. Wiping you out would be a fitting conclusion,” Shi Hao said.

“Outrageous!” the silver-robed elder snapped, his patience gone.

“Outrageous? Outrageous your grandfather’s head!” Shi Hao shot back.

“You’re just a brat, still wet behind the ears. If not for hiding in the Reincarnation Pool, you’d be dead already!” another mocked.

“The Yellow Springs await. Farewell,” Shi Hao said softly, as if bidding them a final journey.

“Retreat! Now!” the elder bellowed, panic-striken, as they scrambled to flee.