Chapter 1032: Unrelenting Pressure

The higher-ups of the Celestial Clan were filled with both disappointment and indignation.

They deeply regretted missing out on a prodigy who had cultivated three strands of immortal energy—a rare genius, unmatched across the three thousand provinces. Yet, they also seethed with resentment. After all, back then, Shi Hao was merely a mere Venerable, someone they could have crushed effortlessly. If not for unforeseen circumstances, they would have erased him long ago.

In those days, even a single True God could have slain Shi Hao, let alone their higher-ups, who could have obliterated him with a mere flick of a finger—or even a single roar.

Now, the contrast was too stark, and they struggled to accept it.

“Hey, anyone coming out for a fight?” Shi Hao’s voice thundered across the skies above the Celestial City, shaking the heavens.

This was no ordinary place—it was the ancestral land of a once-glorious imperial clan. Even in decline, it was not to be underestimated. Yet now, a mere youth dared to stand outside its gates, openly challenging them.

The faces of the Celestial Clan’s higher-ups darkened, their gazes icy.

They knew that no matter the outcome today, their clan’s prestige in the upper realm would plummet, dropping an entire tier.

A youth barely twenty years old, blocking their ancestral land and issuing wild challenges—this alone spoke volumes.

Many would likely conclude that the Celestial Clan had truly fallen. Otherwise, how could things have come to this?

This was a signal, a manifestation of a clan in decline.

Even if they killed Shi Hao, it would hardly restore their reputation. Worse still, they had no confidence in defeating “Huang.” His feats were already legendary—what ordinary Heavenly God could stand against him?

“How infuriating!” The Celestial Clan seethed, the day’s events unfolding disastrously.

In truth, Shi Hao didn’t even need to fight. Simply standing there for half a day would deal a devastating blow to their prestige.

Clearly, this was unacceptable for a clan of their stature!

“We must erase him—kill him as swiftly as possible. If word spreads, others will think our Celestial Clan is weak, inviting predators to circle!” someone hissed coldly.

But his suggestion was quickly met with skepticism.

“Don’t forget, this youth has the Willow Deity behind him. How many in the three thousand provinces dare oppose her? Killing him would invite catastrophe!”

At the mention of the Willow Deity, a shadow fell over everyone’s hearts. That day, they had all witnessed her battle against numerous powerhouses, slaying sect masters with terrifying ease.

Who would dare provoke her lightly?

“He’s humiliating us at our doorstep! Are we not even allowed to retaliate? Even if we don’t kill him, we must suppress him. I doubt the Willow Deity would escalate over this. If she comes knocking, we can always release him later.”

Someone spoke these words, their voice thick with frustration. Once, they had been an imperial clan, revered across the world. Now, they were forced to compromise—a disgrace.

Some were consumed by regret. Had they not antagonized Huang back then, things would never have come to this!

Had they befriended him, even the Willow Deity and the Undying Being might have stood with the Celestial Clan, forming an unstoppable alliance!

A few glanced at Yun Xi, hesitating. They wished she would intervene, sensing that had they not interfered, something might have blossomed between her and Shi Hao.

Some even speculated that, had they not obstructed, he might have become the Celestial Clan’s son-in-law.

But now, it was too late. All they could hope was that Yun Xi would step forward and persuade Shi Hao to stand down.

Yun Xi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her jade-like face tinged with sorrow. She sighed, looking at her clansmen. Had their elders not been so domineering, coveting others’ treasures and repaying kindness with malice, would things have come to this?

Yet, the hardliners of the Celestial Clan remained unmoved. “There’s nothing to discuss. We cannot yield to this brat. Suppress him forcefully—spare his life, but nothing more!”

“Exactly! If we show weakness, how will the outside world perceive us? It would only worsen our standing. He came to our doorstep—even if we capture him, the Willow Deity, in her pride, would not slaughter indiscriminately,” another agreed.

“Very well. Activate the formation—suppress him!” After deliberation, the higher-ups made their decision.

In the next moment, the Celestial City blazed like a colossal sun, its surface alight with countless ancient runes, layer upon layer, dense and intricate.

**BOOM!**

The Celestial City moved—no, it *flew*, transforming into a massive treasure artifact, hurtling toward Shi Hao with the force of a tidal wave, symbols surging like a storm.

Shi Hao was stunned, darting away at top speed.

This artifact was terrifying, radiating divine might capable of obliterating even Heavenly Gods in an instant.

This was no ordinary treasure. It was an ancient city discovered by the Six Celestial Ancestors of antiquity, refined over generations with countless divine materials.

A clan’s ultimate weapon!

Though it hadn’t made the upper realm’s top ten divine artifacts, it was not far off—a force to be reckoned with.

Shi Hao, gripping Huo Ling’er’s hand, weaved through the skies, evading the artifact of the Six Celestial Ancestors. Engaging it head-on was impossible.

“You insolent whelp! You’ve barely stepped into the Sacred Sacrifice Realm—far from invincible—yet you dare provoke the Celestial Clan? Prepare to die!”

A voice rang out from the Celestial City, laced with vindictive glee.

Earlier, one of their Heavenly Gods had fallen, and the entire clan had been humiliated, trapped inside their own city by a mere youth. Now, in pursuit, they finally felt some satisfaction.

“Kill him! Slay this upstart!”

“Those who offend the Celestial Clan shall perish, no matter how far they flee!”

Cheers erupted, stirring the clan’s fervor. Hot-blooded youths clamored for Shi Hao’s immediate execution, dismissing all caution.

Huo Ling’er was anxious. She felt Shi Hao had acted rashly. Even in decline, this was still an imperial clan with unimaginable means. Now, with the Celestial City in pursuit, they were in grave danger, forced into a desperate retreat.

Yet, she showed no fear, her delicate hand tightly clasping Shi Hao’s, ready to face whatever came together.

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t prepared,” Shi Hao reassured her.

Then, he drew forth the **Myriad Spirit Diagram**, holding it before him to counter the Celestial City.

**BOOM—!**

The colossal city cast a vast shadow, yet the sky blazed with brilliance as runes surged like tidal waves.

At that moment, the Myriad Spirit Diagram awakened, glowing with radiant light. From its surface emerged countless figures—primordial spirits of all forms.

Divine beasts, sacred birds, and even towering plant-like beings filled the skies, shaking the heavens with their presence.

The Myriad Spirit Diagram held firm, blocking the Celestial City.

As before, it did not attack—only defended.

The Celestial City crashed down repeatedly, but every rune was repelled, its overwhelming force dissipated harmlessly against the pair below.

The Celestial Clan was stunned. Their ultimate treasure, invincible in their eyes, had been thwarted by a youth.

Some felt a chill in their hearts. This outcome was disastrous!

Those who had been cheering moments ago fell silent, their faces bitter with disappointment. The Sense of disparity was overwhelming.

“Why? Why can’t we kill him? In just a few years, he’s grown to this level. Given more time, will he wipe out our entire clan?”

Some faces twisted in fury, fists clenched, their hearts gripped by dread.

“No! We must end this!” someone shouted. If word of this spread, the entire world would tremble, and the Celestial Clan would become a laughingstock.

Yet, no matter how they drove the Celestial City, the Myriad Spirit Diagram remained unbroken, its gentle power an impenetrable shield.

The higher-ups’ expressions darkened. They sensed impending disaster.

“Even if we don’t lose, this will damage our clan’s standing. How will the outside world perceive us?”

“Does anyone have a way to subdue him?”

Silence.

The Ancient Celestial had departed to honor an ancient pact, and their guardian was on death’s door, grievously wounded. No one remained who could restrain Shi Hao.

Sustained assaults with the Celestial City consumed vast resources. Prolonging this would bankrupt them.

“Enough. Send Yun Xi to negotiate—ask him what it will take for him to leave,” someone sighed, defeat heavy in their voice.

Another Heavenly God, face livid, smashed a table in rage but ultimately nodded in agreement.

Yun Xi was summoned, given her orders, and then sent forth as a passage opened in the Celestial City.

The city retreated, its runes fading into silence. Crowds lined the walls, watching intently.

Yun Xi sighed softly. This was an awkward, bitter task. How had things come to this? Her heart was heavy.

Graceful and ethereal, she stepped forward, her purple robes fluttering, skin like jade, hair flowing like silk. Her gem-like eyes met Shi Hao’s from a short distance away.

“The Celestial Clan is bold, sending you out so close to me. Aren’t they afraid I’ll strike?” Shi Hao said, studying his old acquaintance.

Yun Xi’s delicate face bore traces of sorrow and shame—shame for her clan, for pushing her into this role.

“Have you been well?” she asked softly, avoiding pleas, offering only this simple greeting.

“Well enough,” Shi Hao replied curtly. He bore her no hatred—the past was not her doing.

Yun Xi’s heart ached at his distance. His reply was polite but devoid of warmth.

“Princess Huo, it’s been years. We meet again,” Yun Xi said, shifting her gaze to Huo Ling’er beside Shi Hao, studying her carefully.

“Indeed. Time passes swiftly. You’ve grown even more radiant, Lady Yun Xi,” Huo Ling’er responded, neither cold nor warm.