**Scene Ninety-Five**
A Zhu Yan appeared, towering ten feet tall, its muscles bulging and fur gleaming with explosive power.
This was nothing like the chubby little furball from Stone Village. This creature was robust, with a white head and red feet, its black-and-crimson fur a foot long, exuding sheer ferocity.
Its arms nearly dragged along the ground, thick and powerful.
“Roar—!”
A deafening bellow filled with savage force erupted as the Zhu Yan leaped into the air, splitting the void. This was a mighty True God.
“King Zhu Yan, renowned among the first-generation elites, never once defeated!” someone whispered.
The crowd held their breath, watching nervously. Everyone knew Shi Hao’s body was in dire condition—he might cough up blood and collapse at any moment.
With so many experts challenging him one after another, his injuries would undoubtedly worsen. His life might even be at stake.
“Boom!”
The Zhu Yan’s power was overwhelming. As it lunged, its kick aimed at Shi Hao could shatter entire mountain ranges. Its body radiated light, fur bristling, utterly berserk.
The void trembled!
Shi Hao sat cross-legged, his blood qi burning like golden holy flames, illuminating the sky. He resembled a Nirvana Immortal, dignified and sacred.
“Thud!”
He raised a fist, striking upward to meet the Zhu Yan’s descending foot. The collision erupted with dazzling runes, shaking heaven and earth.
Shi Hao swayed—his condition was severe. But the Zhu Yan suffered worse. Its foot deformed, cracks forming as blood dripped. It recoiled as if seeing a ghost, its entire leg spasming, body trembling.
Zhu Yan was famed for its strength, one of the mightiest ancient beasts, second only to the Ten Fiends. Yet even in raw power, it was no match for a heavily injured Shi Hao.
“Die!”
The Zhu Yan roared, its body swelling instantly—a divine manifestation, a thousand feet tall. It unleashed the Three Heads and Six Arms divine ability, all six arms forming seals to suppress Shi Hao.
The void split. The Zhu Yan’s attack was terrifying, its Demon Ape Seals suffocating. An ordinary cultivator would be crushed instantly; even first-generation elites would struggle.
But Shi Hao merely flicked his hand. Golden willow catkins, not white, drifted down, landing on the Zhu Yan. It shrieked as the catkins took root, sprouting vines that bound it.
“Transform!”
The Zhu Yan shrank rapidly, turning into a mosquito, wings fluttering as it fled.
Shi Hao remained seated, stretching out a massive hand. With a smack, the mosquito was struck, reverting to its original form, bones shattered, sent tumbling away.
“Whoosh!”
Shi Hao flicked his finger. A sword beam pierced the Zhu Yan’s body, drawing blood. It staggered, nearly collapsing on the arena.
Terror filled the Zhu Yan’s face. It finally understood Shi Hao’s horror—even weakened, he was unbeatable.
“For the sake of Little Rascal, I spare you,” Shi Hao said, thinking of the furball from the lower realm.
Bleeding profusely, the Zhu Yan staggered off the arena.
The crowd tensed. Shi Hao was unstoppable—one victory away from a hundred consecutive wins!
“Even in this state, no one can challenge him. If he recovers, who could oppose him?”
“Not necessarily. An ancient invincible king might end him here!”
“I’ll test him!”
Deathly aura surged as a colossal white skeleton landed on the arena, divine flames burning in its skull. This was no Netherworld being but a skeletal deity.
“Crack!”
Shi Hao unleashed the Thunder Emperor’s Treasure Technique. Lightning flooded the arena, pure yang energy boiling.
The skeletal True God resisted desperately but was no match. A bolt pierced its brow, extinguishing its soul.
“Shi Hao attacks like a storm—he can’t hold on much longer!” Many realized.
Excitement and tension rose. Only four battles remained!
“Gu Jian Yun is here!” someone shouted.
All turned. An ancient king had arrived—one who had survived heavenly tribulations.
A supreme swordsman from Sword Valley, he had once challenged the Four-Crowned King, Chang Gong Yan.
Now, he was here. Shi Hao was in peril.
This man had cultivated immortal qi and endured tribulations—among the strongest of ancient freaks.
And now, Shi Hao was wounded.
Would Gu Jian Yun act?
Sword Valley, like Fire Cloud Cave and Demon Dragon Sect, suppressed the Sinful Province. Gu Jian Yun was born to oppose the Sinful Blood descendants.
The crowd held their breath.
“Brother, let me test him first!” a man nearby offered.
“No need,” Gu Jian Yun refused coldly, his divine sword sheathed.
“I wish to try. Even if I lose, I can escape,” the man insisted.
Gasps arose as he revealed his true form—a silver Teng Snake, massive as a mountain range, coiling into a serpentine peak.
It unleashed serpentine supreme runes, resonating with draconic roars, pressing down on Shi Hao.
“Hmm?”
Shi Hao was surprised. This Teng Snake surpassed ordinary first-generation elites. Its runes surged like a volcano, posing a threat.
Yet, it wasn’t enough. Even drained, he struck like thunder!
“Boom!”
He shattered the serpentine peak, then slammed a Heaven’s Hand downward. The Teng Snake coughed blood, rolling away.
It hissed, its tongue lashing like a whip, runes burning in defiance.
“Thud!”
Shi Hao seized the serpent, tearing it apart.
“Ah—!” The Teng Snake screamed, fleeing through the void.
But Shi Hao wasn’t done. He drew an ancient sword—the Great Luo Immortal Sword—and pierced the void.
“Ah—!”
The Teng Snake was dragged back, a bloody hole in its brow. Dead.
“So ruthless!” The crowd shuddered.
Shi Hao had spared many before. Now, he killed without hesitation.
All eyes turned to Gu Jian Yun.
The Teng Snake had claimed to test Shi Hao for him. Now it was dead.
Was this a warning?
Gu Jian Yun remained calm, his gaze fixed on the Great Luo Immortal Sword, burning with desire.
“A fine sword. I like it,” he murmured.
The crowd tensed. Was this a declaration of war?
“Come take it, then,” Shi Hao said, wiping blood from his lips, his body withering further.
“I will,” Gu Jian Yun said. “But I don’t fight the dying.”
He refused to battle a doomed man.
“Next!”
The ninety-eighth battle began—a black Mystic Tortoise.
“Whoosh!”
Shi Hao held nothing back. His condition worsened. The sword gleamed, a peerless edge slashing out.
“Crack!”
The tortoise screamed as its shell split in two, crashing to the ground.
“The Mystic Tortoise’s defense is unmatched this generation! How?!”
Shi Hao’s sword was unstoppable. The tortoise abandoned its shell, fleeing naked.
“I surrender!” it yelled.
Amused, Shi Hao spared it.
The ninety-ninth battle—an ancient freak stepped forth.
“You’re an ancient king, yet you waste your life testing me?” Shi Hao asked.
“I know my limits. I never cultivated immortal qi or endured tribulations. Better to trade favors than chase fate,” the man replied.
A fierce battle erupted. The opponent was a True God, perfected!
Shi Hao struggled, his blood qi depleted.
But when he forced his essence to surge, even an ancient freak couldn’t stop him.
“Thud!”
He didn’t use the sword. Instead, he formed seals—the Reincarnation Divine Ability. Time fragments swirled, aging his foe rapidly.
Finally, Shi Hao’s hand severed the man’s neck, sending his head flying. A finger pierced his brow—dead.
None could stop Shi Hao, not even ancient kings.
“Will you step up?” Shi Hao asked Gu Jian Yun. Only one battle remained.
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