The starlight twinkled, casting an eerie glow over the crimson-brown earth, which was thick with an aura of slaughter.
This place was far more treacherous than anyone had imagined. Barely had they begun when lives were already lost.
A shiver ran through the hearts of the crowd. No one dared to be careless anymore. Their expressions turned grave as they advanced cautiously into the depths of the land, weapons at the ready.
Wang Xi’s robes fluttered gracefully as three strands of immortal qi swirled around her. Every step she took was measured, poised for battle, her figure under the moonlight resembling a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm.
Shi Hao stood not far away, equally vigilant as they moved together into the vast battlefield.
The same tension gripped the other directions. The formal disciples wore stern expressions, each treating this as a life-or-death trial. Here, both opportunity and immense peril awaited.
Forming a fan-shaped formation, they stepped into the cold, desolate ruins. Every formal disciple was accompanied by followers, guarding them closely—except for Wang Xi, who had only Shi Hao by her side.
Even figures like Lü Tuo and Xuan Kun had at least five or six powerful experts accompanying them.
In the distance, another woman moved with ethereal grace, bathed in moonlight, untouched by worldly filth—Princess Yao Yue. She smiled faintly at Wang Xi and said, “Sister, I heard this is your ‘companion,’ not a servant. How delightful, walking side by side like an immortal couple.”
Her words naturally drew attention. Though they were spread far apart, those with keen hearing among the powerful could hear every word clearly.
Was this a provocation? Barely had they entered the battlefield, and already conflict loomed.
The elders of the Celestial Deity Institution had hinted that some degree of strife was permitted here, without severe repercussions. This was one reason the disciples were so tense.
“Hmm, your discernment is impressive, seeing right through it,” Shi Hao interjected before Wang Xi could respond, muttering under his breath with a self-satisfied air, as if truly part of an immortal couple.
Many were stunned. This guy had the audacity to speak so boldly—wasn’t he afraid Wang Xi would turn on him?
Sure enough, Wang Xi’s expression stiffened. Her flawless face, illuminated by the moonlight, turned icy as she fixed him with a frosty gaze.
“Just a jest!” Shi Hao quickly raised his hands in defense.
In the distance, Princess Yao Yue chuckled, her beauty unparalleled as her dark hair danced in the wind. “Congratulations, fellow Daoist. Walking together like this must make many envious.”
As she spoke, she glanced at the others, and indeed, many wore strange expressions. Wang Xi was a jewel of an immortal lineage, a peerless beauty—walking beside her was a dream for countless men.
“Lady Wang Xi is wise and saintly, like an immortal descended. I am but a mere mortal, fortunate to accompany her,” Shi Hao said, then turned to Princess Yao Yue. “But I feel a deeper connection with you, Princess. Walking together would be a perfect match, without any sense of inferiority.”
“Insolence!” A young man beside Princess Yao Yue snapped.
The princess herself was momentarily stunned. This man dared to speak to her like this—praising Wang Xi while belittling her? They were equals in reputation, yet he had just elevated one and demeaned the other.
After a brief pause, she burst into laughter and beckoned. “If that’s how you feel, why not abandon Wang Xi and walk with me instead?”
“Then first, Fairy, dismiss those unsightly figures around you,” Shi Hao retorted, eyeing the men who glared at him with hostility.
Killing intent surged from Princess Yao Yue’s followers.
The crowd was astonished. Was a battle about to erupt so soon?
This competition could determine their rise or fall. Victory meant not only seizing opportunities in this ancient battlefield but also earning the institution’s favor. Defeat would mean losing everything.
Rumors had long circulated that the Celestial Deity Institution was like a crucible, forging them through brutal trials—perhaps even pitting them against each other until only the strongest remained.
Though it was still early, signs of this were already emerging.
“Let’s go,” Wang Xi said. With so many watching, she couldn’t afford to clash with Princess Yao Yue—lest others like Lü Tuo and Xuan Kun profit from their conflict.
Princess Yao Yue smiled sweetly, unperturbed, and waved at Shi Hao before leading her group away.
**BOOM!**
Soon after, the earth trembled. From the depths of the crimson-brown land came a deafening roar, like a cataclysmic flood.
What was that sound? What had happened? Everyone was shocked.
Then, a crimson tide surged forth—countless beastly shadows charging toward them.
Horror gripped the crowd. These were hordes of red-furred beasts, their forms like giant rats, each the size of a bull, their shrieks piercing as they stampeded with blood-red eyes and gnashing teeth.
How could they fight this? The sheer numbers were terrifying.
These weren’t ordinary beasts—they were manifestations of battlefield slaughter-qi, some even infused with immortal energy. Such creatures were notoriously deadly.
“Illusions! There aren’t that many—hold the line!” someone shouted.
Fleeing now would mean losing face before the elders. If they couldn’t even enter the depths of this ancient land, how could they hope to rise above the rest?
Some realized that while the beasts seemed overwhelming, many were mere mirages—crimson mist not yet fully formed.
**CRACK!**
Lightning erupted as a green-haired figure—Lü Tuo—charged forward with a thunderous battle cry, tearing through the beasts like a blade through paper.
His ferocity was unmatched. Where he struck, the red-furred creatures exploded into mist. Behind him, his followers advanced like a tide.
Inspired, the others rallied, led by their formal disciples, and surged forward.
The battlefield echoed with roars and clashes. Despite the beasts’ ferocity, the disciples fought fiercely, pushing ahead.
No one had expected to face the legendary beast tide so soon.
Behind the red-furred horde loomed even greater monstrosities—golden fiends, blood-colored giants—all grotesque and menacing.
“If we break through, we’ll find peace. We must fight our way past!” Feng Xingtian declared. As a descendant of the Feng Clan, he knew the secrets of this place.
The battle raged on, blood staining the earth.
Half an hour later, Shi Hao split from Wang Xi, rushing to aid his old comrades, fearing for their safety.
**BOOM!**
A golden tiger, ten zhang tall, lunged at him—only to be sent flying with a single palm strike, exploding midair into golden mist.
The onlookers gasped. Such power was usually seen only from elites like Lü Tuo and Wang Xi.
That golden tiger had carried immortal slaughter-qi, yet Shi Hao obliterated it effortlessly.
“Thanks!” Feng Wu said gratefully.
Shi Hao had come to aid the cultivators from the Three Thousand Provinces, who were comparatively weaker.
During the disciple selection, standards had been relaxed for them due to their lack of immortal qi cultivators. Feng Wu, Zhen Gu, and others had entered the Boundless Heaven, hoping for a breakthrough at the peak of the Heavenly Deity Realm.
Shi Hao moved like a storm, cutting down beasts to protect his kin.
Then, a sneering voice reached him:
“Pathetic. The Three Thousand Provinces truly are weak.”
Yuan Feng—a powerhouse with two strands of immortal qi—stood nearby, his disdain palpable.
“Worthless trash, without immortal qi, yet daring to come here. Just die already!” he spat.
His lineage held a grudge against the Three Thousand Provinces. Yuan Qing had once tried to suppress Shi Hao for a decade on another’s behalf.
“Scram if you can’t fight. Don’t block my path!” Yuan Feng coldly added, humiliating the Three Thousand Provinces’ cultivators.
Shi Hao’s eyes blazed. These weren’t his close friends—those were strong enough to hold their own—but the insult still burned.
“Who are you insulting?” Shi Hao’s body erupted with radiant flames as he strode forward like a war god, runes dancing around him.
“Did I strike a nerve?” Yuan Feng smirked.
“These weaklings!” one of Yuan Feng’s followers jeered.
“If you call them weak, fine. But to mock them? Then in my eyes, you’re the real trash!” Shi Hao roared.
**BOOM!**
His fist tore through the sky.
**SPLAT!**
Blood sprayed as Yuan Feng’s followers exploded on impact.
Splattered with their blood, Yuan Feng stared in shock, as if truly seeing Shi Hao for the first time.
“You trash—come and die!” Shi Hao bellowed, lunging like a dragon through the air.
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