Jin Zhifei was beheaded just like that, sending chills down everyone’s spine. A prodigious figure had been executed so decisively—it was truly shocking!
Shi Hao held up his slightly charred head, singed by lightning, its hair disheveled and blood dripping. With a single slash, the head had fallen, marking an absolute victory.
This sight sent tremors through every young cultivator present. Jin Zhifei was no ordinary figure—he was a renowned young genius of the Jin Clan, with immense potential, having even survived a heavenly tribulation. Yet today, he had been defeated and decapitated on the spot!
The scene carried an overwhelming sense of deterrence, leaving many in silent awe. Truly, this was the legendary “Huang”! His ability to single-handedly slay the Ten Kings at the Great Scarlet Sky’s border was no fluke—now, it had been proven beyond doubt.
Only, his remark about finding a jar to pickle Jin Zhifei’s body into a dish somewhat tarnished his otherwise heroic image.
“Ah—!” Jin Zhan let out a furious roar, his body erupting with bone runes, blooming like divine flowers of the Great Dao, radiating terrifying power.
He stepped forward, ready to engage Shi Hao in a life-or-death battle.
“Don’t push him to kill. Eighth Uncle isn’t dead yet!” Wang Xi whispered, trying to dissuade Jin Zhan.
As a peerless prodigy who had dominated his generation, Jin Zhan had never witnessed such a scene—someone beheading his clansman right before his eyes.
“Ah, I have a jar here. Let’s pickle him and make salted meat. With the Dark Calamity approaching, such delicacies will be rare in the future. We should savor it sparingly,” the golden ant chirped.
With a *whoosh*, it tossed over a bronze jar.
“I have one too—a large jade jar, perfect for refining the flesh of a Severing Self cultivator!” the Lunar Jade Rabbit shouted, waving a massive container with great enthusiasm.
Despite her innocent appearance, her behavior was utterly shameless.
Everyone was speechless, watching them and silently mourning Jin Zhifei’s misfortune. To provoke this group—what a tragedy! He had sought to kill Huang, only to end up being pickled instead.
“Are you even human? This is giving me psychological trauma. Hurry up and reveal your true form—let’s see if you’re a mule or a horse!” Cao Yusheng jeered.
Their mockery stemmed from deep resentment toward the Jin and Wang Clans, who had relentlessly targeted Shi Hao, seeking his death. Now that they had captured one of their key figures, they spared no effort in ridiculing him.
“Seeking death!” Jin Zhan growled, his usual icy demeanor shattered.
At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to strike, to suppress these people and engage Shi Hao in a decisive battle!
*Boom!*
Just then, an elder appeared, gripping his arm firmly. “You cannot act. You must remain undefeated—your reputation as the unrivaled leader of the younger generation must not be tarnished!”
“Twelfth Granduncle!” Wang Xi greeted respectfully.
This was a direct descendant of the Wang Clan, a powerhouse who had arrived personally to restrain Jin Zhan.
Clearly, the two clans had been closely monitoring Shi Hao’s every move—otherwise, this elder wouldn’t have appeared so swiftly.
Jin Zhan’s expression darkened. “Do you think I fear him?”
“Nephew, I know you are unparalleled among your peers, but this ‘Huang’ is unfathomable. His earlier display carried the aura of the Immortal Dao. When two tigers fight, one is bound to be injured. If you battle him now, you may win, but it won’t be without risk. The cost may not be worth it,” the elder explained.
“Don’t act yet,” Wang Xi also advised.
The two clans sought to establish Jin Zhan as the undisputed leader of the younger generation, a figure who would dominate the Nine Heavens in the future.
At this moment, Jin Zhan could not afford even a single misstep—he *must not* lose!
Shi Hao’s earlier performance had been witnessed by all—he had *commanded* the heavenly tribulation, a feat far beyond initial assessments. It was terrifying. Jin Zhan might not have the certainty of victory if he fought now.
“Wahaha! First, an oversized ‘youngster’ gets killed, and now a genuine old geezer shows up. Is this a gathering of the younger generation, or a geriatric brawl?” the little rabbit cackled.
The tense atmosphere was instantly broken as many couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
The Wang and Jin Clans’ members glared coldly at her.
“Nephew, don’t be angered. Even I remain calm—you must do the same,” the elder said.
Jin Zhan’s expression flickered between rage and restraint. “But I *want* to crush Huang now. If I lack the confidence to do so, how can I claim supremacy in this world?”
Seeing his clansman’s head held in Shi Hao’s grasp only deepened his fury. He *had* to act!
“Stand down—I’ll handle this!” Another elder appeared, a senior from the Jin Clan with profound cultivation, materializing silently.
“Fifth Granduncle!” Jin Zhan called out. This was a close relative, also an elder of Jin Zhifei’s lineage, and his expression was stormy.
“Bwahaha! What’s going on today? A convention of old geezers? One after another, what kind of gathering is this—a ‘Fossil Summit’?” the little rabbit mocked, rolling her ruby-like eyes exaggeratedly (though she had no whites to show).
“Exactly! Why don’t we all go back and bring our own uncles and granduncles as bodyguards? Then we can roam the world invincibly! Who dares oppose us? Our ‘nanny elders’ will handle it—dominance assured!” Cao Yusheng’s mouth was as unkind as ever.
“Haha, might as well bring a ‘nanny granny’ too—then we’d lack nothing!” the golden ant added, fueling the mockery.
The crowd erupted in laughter, unable to contain themselves.
Jin Zhan’s face turned icy as he swept a cold gaze over them. Wang Xi remained silent, her expression frosty.
The two elders radiated killing intent—this was intolerable. They had come here for a reason and would not back down.
“Esteemed seniors, today is a gathering for the younger generation. You were not invited,” Qi Hong, master of the Five Spirit War Chariot, spoke up.
Tuo Gu Yulong also stepped forward, echoing the sentiment. They did not want the event to devolve into interference from ancient powerhouses of major factions.
“Nephew, this matter cannot end peacefully. Huang’s arrogance knows no bounds—he beheaded a member of our clan, showing merciless cruelty. We demand an explanation,” Jin Zhan’s Fifth Granduncle declared.
“Brother Huang, could you spare Jin Zhifei’s life?” Tuoba Yulong pleaded.
All eyes turned to Shi Hao. The sea of thunder still churned around him, and within it, a primal thunder pool exuded terrifying heavenly might.
Inside the pool, Jin Zhifei’s torso had been reduced to charred remains, utterly annihilated by the tribulation.
Only his head remained, clutched by Shi Hao by the hair. Amidst the lightning, his face was a mask of disbelief, humiliation, and unwillingness—he could not accept this defeat.
He was still alive, at least his head was. His soul remained, though trapped within his skull by Shi Hao’s restraints.
Nearby, two jars sat—the Heavenhorn Ant and Lunar Jade Rabbit had *actually* delivered them.
“This is *unbearable*!” Jin Zhifei’s soul roared in fury.
“Show your true form!” Shi Hao was merciless. Seeing his defiance, he delivered two resounding slaps to his face, the sound echoing sharply.
Everyone was stunned. A prodigy of his stature reduced to this state—it was beyond words.
“I’m straightforward. You wanted to kill me? Then I won’t waste words—I’ll just take your head,” Shi Hao said coldly.
“My blood carries traces of the *immortal*! How could I fail to resist? Impossible!” Jin Zhifei muttered like one possessed.
“A mere wisp, not even half a drop. And you thought it could repel heavenly tribulation? After so many generations, who knows if even that wisp remains truly immortal?” Shi Hao scoffed.
Tuoba Yulong and Qi Hong approached again, pleading once more.
“The border war rages, with the foreign enemies besieging us. No strong cultivator should die within the city—they should fall on the battlefield. We cannot afford internal strife. Brother Huang, please spare him—let him redeem himself in battle,” Qi Hong urged.
Shi Hao had hesitated to kill Jin Zhifei for this very reason.
“This isn’t over!” Jin Zhan’s Fifth Granduncle snarled, glaring at Shi Hao with cold fury.
“Old man, will you ever stop? One falls, another jumps out. Why not all come at once?” Shi Hao retorted.
“Such arrogance!” Wang Xi’s granduncle stepped forward, striking out with a massive palm, aiming to suppress Shi Hao.
He was no ordinary Severing Self cultivator—his power was immense.
Unfazed, Shi Hao let out a sharp cry. The thunder pool beside him flared and shot forth, colliding with the descending hand.
*Crack!*
Lightning erupted, charring the hand black before it exploded.
“Ah—you!” Wang Xi’s granduncle screamed in agony, his heart trembling. The legendary thunder pool was no myth—it had *destroyed* his hand.
The spectators were even more shaken. Even an elder had been grievously wounded by the tribulation’s might.
“You seem unconvinced too. Then come together!” Shi Hao commanded, directing the thunder pool toward the Jin Clan elder.
*Boom!*
Lightning crackled as the Jin elder recoiled in shock and rage, not daring to face it head-on.
Everyone was stunned. Huang’s strength had reached such heights—he had *repelled* a renowned elder!
“Let’s end this here,” one of the Four Phoenixes suggested, mediating.
“I have no objections.” With that, Shi Hao tossed the head aside. “Remember—your head belongs to me. Perform well on the battlefield, kill more enemies. Otherwise, I’ll reclaim it.”
“You—you—!” Jin Zhifei seethed with shame before finally passing out.
His vitality was severely damaged. Without rare treasures to restore him, his cultivation would suffer greatly—he had burned much of his immortal blood.
“I *will* kill him!” Jin Zhan growled from behind, but the two elders held him back.
“Since this matter is settled, step aside. I’ve gained insights into the Thunder Emperor’s techniques and will now undergo my own tribulation here,” Shi Hao announced.
The mysteries of the Thunder Emperor’s art had led him to manifest the thunder pool—a profound and formidable feat. Now, he would transcend his own heavenly trial!
Shi Hao sat cross-legged mid-air, still contemplating the thunder pool’s mysteries, pondering the intricacies of commanding tribulation.
To meditate, comprehend, and *seclude* oneself within heavenly tribulation—Huang’s actions left the crowd dumbfounded, their hearts roiling with awe.
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