Shi Hao turned around and entered Wang Xi’s cave abode, settling onto a clean bluestone as he began inspecting his spoils—the Purple Mansion Liquid.
The liquid emitted a five-colored mist. Though it wasn’t immortal qi, it was undoubtedly extraordinary.
“What a shame, it’s not immortal qi,” he muttered, somewhat unsatisfied.
The crowd around him curled their lips in disdain. True Purple Mansion Liquid that nurtured immortal qi was an astonishing treasure, nearly on par with longevity medicines. Throughout history, it had only appeared a handful of times.
“I challenge you to a duel!” A silver pangolin emerged, revealing its true form.
“Cut the nonsense. Bring out a divine treasure first, or I won’t waste time playing with you,” Shi Hao said bluntly, showing no mercy.
In the eyes of the formal disciples, those who hadn’t cultivated immortal qi were still considered “inferior.” Though Shi Hao had just won, many believed it was due to luck.
Thus, his words provoked displeasure among many.
After all, in their eyes, he was merely a “servant.” Yet now, he acted with such arrogance, as if he were above them. Many found it hard to accept.
Wang Xi didn’t share their view. Only she knew how extraordinary this young man truly was—far from “inferior,” as he possessed two strands of immortal qi!
Moreover, she had carefully sensed earlier and confirmed that Shi Hao hadn’t secretly reinforced himself with immortal qi. He had defeated his opponent without relying on immortal dao energy.
“I have a quasi-Patriarch artifact here!” the silver pangolin gritted its teeth and declared.
Since when had “servants” in the academy dared to challenge formal disciples like him? It felt like an insult.
“Be careful!” someone warned from the side. Though unwilling to admit it, many had to acknowledge that this man was terrifying—defeating an immortal qi user without relying on it himself was nothing short of genius.
“Forget quasi-Patriarch artifacts. Even the real deal won’t do. I only want divine medicines, phoenix blood, and the like. If you don’t have any, step aside,” Shi Hao said.
His tone and attitude made the pangolin and others gnash their teeth in frustration.
“I have a bit of phoenix blood here. I’ll fight you!” the pangolin roared, pulling out a fist-sized crystal orb from his chest. Inside was a radiant, crimson drop of blood, sealed and shimmering.
In this academy, only a select few like Lü Tuo, Feng Xingtian, and Wang Xi had the privilege of bathing in the Blood Pool, immersing themselves in vast quantities of phoenix blood. Others could only obtain small amounts through extraordinary achievements or merits.
“Bring it on!” Shi Hao laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming. He himself had a bit of phoenix blood, seized when he suppressed a group of geniuses in the Primordial Ancient Mine.
He planned to gather more, intending to bathe in phoenix blood one day, refining his flesh and achieving a great nirvana.
“Your life is mine!” the silver pangolin bellowed, exhaling a strand of immortal qi that swiftly enveloped its body as it charged forward.
“Is this the Iron Head technique?” Shi Hao mocked, likening the pangolin’s innate divine ability to a mundane martial art.
The void shattered as the pangolin moved with terrifying speed—not through mountains, but through space itself. Its body twisted like a savage dragon, wild and explosive, lunging forward to impale Shi Hao.
Shi Hao sidestepped, but the pangolin’s silver tail lashed out mid-charge, splitting the void with a thunderous crack as spatial fissures spread.
A strange law manifested, attempting to bind Shi Hao in place.
**Boom!**
In an instant, Shi Hao’s body erupted with light, breaking free like a beast unleashed. His every movement exuded oppressive force as he swung his hand toward the tail.
**Crack!**
A crisp sound rang out as his palm collided with the pangolin’s tail, sparks flying alongside ripples of runes and laws that shook the void.
The crowd paled. The pangolin was renowned for its physical might, yet even with immortal qi reinforcing it, this man could still match it blow for blow.
“Is this guy walking the path of the strongest body cultivator?”
Someone speculated, deeply wary. To clash head-on with an immortal qi-enhanced pangolin was terrifying.
With a furious roar, the pangolin spun like a top, erupting in blinding silver light as its entire body whirled, sweeping toward Shi Hao.
The void was shredded as it transformed into a slaughtering demon god.
In such a state, even immortal qi users would struggle, for the pangolin had unleashed its most lethal domain—physical annihilation.
Space tore like a crude painting, trapping Shi Hao within.
**Clang!**
To everyone’s shock, Shi Hao formed fist seals, striking the silver whirlwind repeatedly as if hammering iron. His steps were illusory as he circled the pangolin, attacking relentlessly.
“He’s still matching it physically?”
“No—his strikes are precise, targeting the pangolin’s weakest points!”
The crowd gasped. Could he see through the pangolin’s techniques, even the flow of bone inscriptions within its body?
His precision dismantled the pangolin’s ferocious assault, dispersing its regenerative power before it could coalesce.
It was astounding. Without using supreme divine techniques, relying only on the simplest attacks, he suppressed the pangolin, restricting its mana.
Most crucially—he was dismantling immortal qi with his bare hands!
Witnessing this, the crowd inhaled sharply. This man’s combat awareness was peerless, deciphering the pangolin’s every move with godlike skill.
**Thud!**
Shi Hao unleashed a barrage of heavy blows, sending the pangolin flying. His terrifying fist seals shattered scales, leaving it bloodied and battered.
The pangolin shrieked, barely protected by its strand of immortal qi as it crashed to the ground, grievously wounded.
“Thanks. I really needed this phoenix blood,” Shi Hao said lightly, landing gracefully as he picked up the crystal orb.
“Anyone else want a match?” He grinned innocently at the crowd. “Just so we’re clear—from now on, I’ll only accept phoenix blood. No other treasures.”
The sheer audacity made many want to pounce on him, beat him senseless, and seal him in the Netherworld Well for a century.
This “servant” was far too arrogant. Many still couldn’t reconcile his status with his actions.
Naturally, some refused to believe it and challenged him—only for Shi Hao to claim another drop of true phoenix blood, thoroughly satisfied.
Though resentful, few dared to step forward now. They had encountered a freak—a man without immortal qi who could suppress them.
When Wang Xi finally spoke, her oppressive aura silencing the crowd, they scattered, not daring to linger.
But this was far from over. A storm was brewing.
Wang Xi was renowned across the Nine Heavens, having cultivated three strands of immortal qi. None dared provoke her directly, but they couldn’t stomach her so-called “follower”—or rather, the “fellow daoist” she had invited.
Word spread, and challengers arrived in droves.
The earlier losses didn’t mean the academy lacked experts. The true elites had been in seclusion, but now, some were being summoned.
“No need to call those with two strands of immortal qi. Just let Ran Long, Mo Jiu, and the others step in. One strand is enough to crush him!”
Some were still in retreat, unavailable for battle.
Yet others were persuaded, demanding to fight Shi Hao, stirring up a frenzy.
Shi Hao remained firm—no phoenix blood, no fight. Infuriated, his challengers had no choice but to borrow some.
Of course, they set conditions: if Shi Hao lost, he would forfeit his phoenix blood or Purple Mansion Liquid.
The result? They lost. Again and again.
In just two days, Shi Hao claimed six more drops of true blood, leaving his opponents devastated.
“This is intolerable! Are we really inferior to one of Wang Xi’s servants?!” someone growled, face dark with humiliation.
They were the elites of their clans, hailed as the strongest young geniuses of their domains. Being overshadowed by Lü Tuo, Princess Yaoyue, and Wang Xi was one thing.
But now, even a mere follower of Wang Xi’s surpassed them. It was a crushing blow, leaving many disheartened.
With nearly ten drops of phoenix blood and a cauldron of Purple Mansion Liquid, Shi Hao was content. He planned to secure more treasures before going into seclusion.
Wang Xi found it amusing. Since arriving, he had made himself at home, cultivating in her cave abode without hesitation.
Even Chen Nuo and Su Lan were speechless and displeased. They usually trained on their own sacred peaks, rarely setting foot in her abode.
Yet this man had no such reservations.
“Your strength is decent. Focus on improving. Soon, you’ll join me in battle,” Wang Xi told him.
Shi Hao had little interest in her battles, responding half-heartedly—until one topic caught his attention.
“The Immortal Battlefield?” He was stunned.
“You mean Lü Tuo, Feng Xingtian, and the others are bringing their people too?” His mind raced. Could this be an opportunity to eliminate some rivals?
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage