The training ground was vast, capable of accommodating armies from various clans. At this moment, countless warriors from different factions stood upon the earth, clad in cold armor and wielding sharp weapons.
Above them, fierce birds and savage beasts circled the skies, casting vast shadows, each carrying powerful knights upon their backs.
The great army was about to march!
“Aren’t you considering seeking the Immortal Elixir of Longevity? Entering the battlefield now—life and death are uncertain,” whispered the silver-robed law enforcer who had brought him, making one last attempt.
Shi Hao sneered and shook his head. Obtaining the Immortal Elixir was no easy feat—attempting it would likely hasten his death. Moreover, even if he succeeded, would he be forced to surrender it?
“Are you here to atone for the Shi Clan’s sins?” Another powerful knight in the sky spoke, seated atop a massive white lion as towering as a mountain. He gazed down and said, “Quite the bold claim!”
Shi Hao wanted to retort that the Shi Clan was innocent, but he knew arguments were meaningless. All he could do now was pull his clan from the brink of destruction.
Once, the Shi Clan had been a mighty lineage, wielding immense authority within the Imperial Pass. But now, their numbers had dwindled to less than a thousand. If this continued, they would face extinction.
“In the past, when the Shi Clan was populous, atoning for their sins would have required slaying a hundred thousand enemies—merely a fraction of what was needed. Now, perhaps this is truly an opportunity. After all, the Shi Clan is small now. Hmm… for them, this might even be a blessing. Maybe they’ll finally escape their sins and punishment.”
Another knight spoke, his tone light but laced with mockery, stirring deep disgust in Shi Hao.
The Shi Clan was small, on the verge of extinction—and this was called a blessing? This man was clearly taunting them with ill intent!
Shi Hao raised his head and glared at the speaker. The knight sat atop a Southern Luminous Fire Rhinoceros, a sacred beast wreathed in purple mist and flickering flames, a sight of divine majesty.
As for the knight himself, he appeared young, with pale skin. Though male, his demeanor was effeminate—handsome, yet sickly.
“Don’t look at me like that. I am Jin Zhifei, the eighth uncle of Jin Zhan. You’re still far beneath me. It’ll be years before you can even think of challenging me.” The knight paid him no mind, idly trimming his nails with a small knife.
His casual arrogance and dismissiveness made it clear he held Shi Hao in contempt, treating him as insignificant.
“Just barely stepping into the ‘Self-Severing’ realm—what’s there to be proud of? In a true life-or-death battle, who knows who would be the one crushed?” Shi Hao replied coldly.
Beyond the Void Path lay the ‘Self-Severing’ realm, a rare pinnacle of mortal cultivation, for beyond it, the path grew ever narrower.
“Bold words. Should I take that as a challenge? A mere Void Path junior dares to provoke me?” Jin Zhifei set down his knife and fixed Shi Hao with a glare.
“If you think yourself so lofty and wish to discipline me, I won’t hesitate to drag you down,” Shi Hao said evenly.
In an instant, countless eyes from across the training ground turned toward them. Experts from various clans watched intently.
A Void Path youth challenging a Self-Severing expert—this was no small matter. Crossing realms in battle was immensely difficult, especially against Jin Zhifei, a prodigy among knights, renowned for his combat prowess!
For a genius to defeat an opponent of a higher minor realm was unremarkable. But challenging a famed elder genius across a major realm? That was a fool’s errand.
“Tch. These days, even stray dogs dare bark at their betters, forgetting their place. If not disciplined, they’ll never learn their limits,” Jin Zhifei sneered.
His intent had been to humble Shi Hao, to crush the arrogance of his nephew Jin Zhan’s rival. He hadn’t expected such defiance—a direct challenge.
Many shuddered. Despite his sickly pallor, Jin Zhifei was one of the Jin Clan’s rare modern geniuses, a force to be reckoned with.
Moreover, he was young—not yet forty—yet already a Self-Severing expert. Such speed in cultivation was nearly unheard of, earning him widespread reverence.
“What gives you the right to act so high and mighty? Come here. Since you don’t know your place, let this ‘stray dog’ slap you dead!” Shi Hao shot back.
The crowd gasped. This youth was just as domineering, unafraid of the Jin Clan’s famed genius, even daring to speak of killing him. Truly extraordinary.
Shi Hao had long been seething—first with Wang Changhe’s hostility, then the malice of the elder, and now the Jin Clan’s obstruction. He had reached his limit.
“Everyone, see for yourselves—this is the attitude of a junior. Arrogant, disrespectful, utterly dismissive of his elders. I have no choice but to teach him a lesson.” Jin Zhifei examined his manicured nails before glaring at Shi Hao like a beast eyeing prey.
Though not much older, he deliberately played the elder to suppress Shi Hao.
“You dare compare yourself to true seniors? They’d be ashamed to stand beside you. Stop flattering yourself,” Shi Hao retorted.
“Enough! If you have the skill, take it to the battlefield! Infighting is worthless!” The great knight seated upon the Devouring Heaven Beast finally spoke.
“It’s not that I’m unreasonable, but this upstart is too insolent. I merely wish to teach him some manners,” Jin Zhifei said.
The great knight’s gaze was cold. Though he disliked Jin Zhifei’s attitude, he knew the Jin Clan of the Eternal Families was not to be trifled with—especially with Jin Taijun fiercely protective of her kin.
“You? Lecturing on manners and discipline? With so many great knights present, who gave you the right to act so brazenly? If you don’t understand respect, let me educate you—let’s see who teaches whom,” Shi Hao said.
The crowd chuckled, sensing a spectacle. These two were locked in, and a battle seemed inevitable.
“Elder, you see it yourself—this stray dog is barking at me. How can I not respond?” Jin Zhifei said with a laugh.
“Perhaps it’s best to let them spar. Internal discord is unwise,” suggested the knight atop the white lion.
“Keep it controlled. I won’t tolerate severe injuries. I need you all fit for battle!” the great knight on the Devouring Heaven Beast said coldly.
“Excellent! A quick battle won’t delay our march!” Jin Zhifei laughed.
This caused a stir. Cultivators from all clans turned their attention, surprised to see two prodigies clashing before the campaign.
The training ground was vast, offering ample space for their duel—even the colossal Devouring Heaven Beast could spread its wings here unimpeded.
“A Void Path challenging a Self-Severing expert? This youth is too proud, too easily provoked. He’s bound to suffer!” someone sighed.
“He’s challenging a heaven-sent genius. There’s no way he can win across realms!”
Many shook their heads, pessimistic about Shi Hao’s chances, certain he faced only humiliation.
A large area was cleared for their duel.
A Self-Severing expert was a rare powerhouse in the mortal world.
Some believed that beyond the Void Path lay only two major realms: Self-Severing and Escape-From-One.
By common understanding, Escape-From-One experts were so formidable they were often called “Supreme.”
Yet many argued that Escape-From-One beings didn’t yet qualify as Supreme, and another major realm should exist—one truly named “Supreme.”
“In this world, there is only one Supreme!” Though the origin of this saying was unknown, it had been passed down through generations. The Eternal Families claimed that without touching this realm, immortality was impossible.
Some ancient monsters theorized that, unless the heavens changed, only one being per epoch could ascend to immortality—perhaps the meaning behind the saying.
Others believed multiple Supremes could emerge per era, but only one could become immortal.
To the Eternal Families, the path beyond Void Path should consist of three realms: Self-Severing, Escape-From-One, and Supreme.
Now, Meng Tianzheng and Wang Changsheng had stepped into the unfathomable Supreme realm, both vying for that singular destiny.
Alas, the heavens had changed. Their hopes of immortality were slim.
Others, like Escape-From-One beings, were flattered with the title “Supreme,” but before true Supremes like Meng Tianzheng, they wouldn’t dare claim it.
As for figures like Yuan Qing, who called themselves “Half-Step Supreme,” they were merely half a step into Escape-From-One.
Strictly speaking, true Supremes in this era were few—like the invincible beings secluded within the Imperial City’s ancestral altar.
On the training ground, Shi Hao and Jin Zhifei faced off.
“No need for complications. Since we march soon, let’s settle this swiftly with a single clash of divine sense. Agreed?” Jin Zhifei proposed.
“Agreed!” Shi Hao answered without hesitation.
Some paled. Rumors spoke of Jin Zhifei’s unparalleled divine sense, terrifyingly powerful.
“Haha, Old Eighth has this in the bag. He’ll crush Shi Hao effortlessly, shattering his soul and leaving him forever humiliated,” a Jin clansman said.
For it was said Jin Zhifei had been blessed by fortune, stumbling upon a rare Soul-Nourishing Divine Herb in his youth.
He survived its overwhelming power and, with his clan’s aid, tempered his soul to extraordinary strength.
“Since you refuse to know your place, young man, let me teach you some humility,” Jin Zhifei said, still seated upon his Southern Luminous Fire Rhinoceros, looking down with disdain.
They stood apart, not engaging in physical combat. A clash of divine sense was far more perilous—a direct collision of souls!
“Save your gloating. You haven’t won yet. How will you feel if I defeat you? Ashamed of your arrogance?” Shi Hao said coolly.
“Confidence is good. But when I crush you, don’t let it break your Dao heart, leaving you a failure for life,” Jin Zhifei retorted, his eyes flashing with icy brilliance, sharp as lightning.
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