The atmosphere was tense and uneasy. Shi Hao stubbornly refused to reveal Huang’s whereabouts, calmly waiting for the heir of the Immortal Palace to arrive in person.
Opposite him, a group of people wore dark expressions. If not for the gravity of the matter, they would have already captured or killed him. Seeing that he was somewhat cooperative and hadn’t tried to flee, they held back from acting.
After a long wait, the attendants of the Eight Treasures Pavilion finally brought out the Eight Treasures Carp and Eight Treasures Phoenix, carefully placing them in two bone cauldrons on the table.
“You took too long,” Shi Hao complained.
“These are divine delicacies, requiring slow simmering with Dao flames. Naturally, they take time and effort,” the attendant explained.
The two bone cauldrons appeared ancient and unadorned, yet both were magical artifacts—otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to stew such rare treasures.
When the lids were lifted, an intoxicating aroma instantly filled the air, accompanied by radiant divine light, causing everyone nearby to react with awe. This was indeed a supreme delicacy.
Even deities would salivate at the scent, their appetites whetted by the irresistible fragrance.
“Worth every bit!” Shi Hao praised, grinning sincerely.
Having tasted the Eight Treasures Carp in the lower realm, he first turned his attention to the Eight Treasures Phoenix—a rare divine creature, an ancient avian species. Though small in size, its meat was exquisitely tender, nearly unparalleled among fowl.
Moreover, it contained astonishing medicinal properties, equivalent to half a sacred herb.
“Fellow Daoist, please settle the bill first,” the attendant said with a smile.
“Here.” Shi Hao casually took out a jade box containing a sealed sacred herb and handed it over.
Across from him, the Netherworld Clan and the Immortal Palace members twitched at the sight—this was their treasured herb, and this guy was spending it so freely!
Even the golden-haired man and the Netherworld Clan’s Second War General hadn’t ordered the Eight Treasures Phoenix, yet this scoundrel was squandering their sacred herbs here.
The group felt deeply aggrieved. How dare this “dead man” in their eyes act so brazenly?
“Fellow Daoist, you haven’t fulfilled your promise to reveal Huang’s whereabouts, yet you’ve already spent a box of sacred herbs. If something goes wrong, how will you repay us?” the golden-haired man asked coldly.
“The more I spend, the more it proves my information is reliable. I’m sitting here, calmly enjoying my meal—what more do you have to worry about?” Shi Hao retorted.
Then, with a bright smile, he invited Qing Yi over, acting as if they were old friends.
The golden-haired man was beyond irritated. He had been trying to impress her for a long time, yet this “dead man” dared to interfere.
Given his status, he could dominate any region within the Immortal Ancient, but today, he was utterly captivated by this peerless beauty, who seemed bathed in moonlight. He had done everything to showcase himself.
“Fellow Daoist, one must know their place,” the golden-haired man said.
“With just two of the Eight Ancient Treasures, you think you can invite the fairy over? Are you naive or just foolish?” the red-haired man sneered, his mockery blatant, almost pointing at Shi Hao’s nose to call him childish and stupid.
Their group laughed, teasing and ridiculing him without restraint, having long disliked Shi Hao and now seizing the chance to humiliate him.
However, what happened next stunned everyone—the peerless fairy, enveloped in azure moonlight, actually moved, rising and walking toward Shi Hao.
The Immortal Palace’s Second War General, the golden-haired man, was utterly dumbfounded.
The red-haired man nearly bit his tongue. No sooner had he spoken than the green-robed woman stood up, making him lose face as if slapped.
Qing Yi, with her bright eyes and pearly teeth, her lustrous black hair cascading softly, her robes trailing elegantly, approached with graceful steps.
Her tall, curvaceous figure, snow-white neck, flawless face, and lively eyes made her beauty unparalleled.
The crowd’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as she casually sat at Shi Hao’s table, picking up ivory chopsticks with delicate charm.
“This…”
Many were dumbstruck, especially the Immortal Palace’s Second Divine General and the red-haired man, who stood frozen, seething with inexplicable anger.
Two dishes!
That bastard had used just two dishes to “lure” the fairy they admired over to his side, nearly making them slam the table in fury.
What was most infuriating was that the scoundrel had used their sacred herbs to buy those “two dishes,” leaving them feeling as if they’d swallowed something vile.
The golden-haired man’s face darkened—he was beginning to lose his temper.
Given his status, he had patiently conversed with the woman, trying to impress her, already considering it a lowering of his dignity. Normally, as the Immortal Palace’s Second War General, he was surrounded by admirers wherever he went. Today, he felt humiliated.
As for the red-haired man, he wished he could kill Shi Hao on the spot. He was convinced this bastard was doing it on purpose—squandering their sacred herbs, buying the Eight Treasures, luring away the fairy by their side, then turning around to provoke them. Despicable and hateful!
The Eight Treasures Carp resembled a hornless dragon, over a meter long, shimmering with radiant light in the cauldron, its fragrance overwhelming.
“My second time eating this,” Shi Hao mused, reminiscing about his days in the lower realm, when he was full of vigor, triumphing over foes at every turn.
Since arriving in the upper realm, he had been constrained at every step, forced to conceal his identity. Even in the Immortal Ancient, he was hunted by the Immortal Palace’s heir, who vowed to make him a servant.
And this wasn’t an isolated case—there were also the Dark Divine Son, Ning Chuan, and others.
“If the tiger doesn’t roar, you’ll mistake it for a sick cat. Starting today, I’ll carve my path with battle and reclaim my former glory!” Shi Hao muttered under his breath. Then, sensing something, he suddenly looked up and exclaimed, “Hey, Fairy! Slow down—leave some Eight Treasures Phoenix for me!”
With a yelp, Shi Hao hastily grabbed his chopsticks to fight for the divine bird.
In the cauldron, a phoenix-like auspicious bird, carved as if from jade, emitted holy light and dense spiritual energy, its rich aroma overwhelming.
The meat was translucent and tender, almost melting into a broth. Upon entering the mouth, it transformed into runes, merging into the body to heal hidden injuries.
A single bite was not just a feast for the taste buds—it relaxed the body, made it glow, and opened every pore.
Moreover, a lingering fragrance, like orchids and musk, remained in the body. Legend had it that the Eight Treasures Phoenix could preserve youth, keeping one’s appearance unchanged for years due to its mystical properties.
Thus, as a woman, Qing Yi “competed” fiercely for the Eight Treasures Phoenix, a stark contrast to her usual saintly demeanor. Now, she seemed almost playful.
“Gone, all gone!” Shi Hao cried, having only eaten a small portion. “Boss, bring me twenty more!”
The entire tavern fell silent. Did he think this was duck meat? Ordering twenty at once was beyond extravagant—utterly shameless!
The attendant hurried over, wiping sweat, muttering inwardly about who this guy even was. “Apologies, Fellow Daoist. The last one is already here. This is a rare delicacy—only found in the Immortal Ancient, and even then, catching twenty at once is impossible.”
Shi Hao sighed, his lips still fragrant. He hadn’t had his fill.
Staring resentfully at Qing Yi’s rosy lips, he thought she was being very un-ladylike today, completely unlike her usual fairy-like self.
The surrounding crowd was speechless. Such a peerless beauty was sitting with him, sharing a table, and that was the look he gave her?
The Immortal Palace’s Second Divine General, the golden-haired man, nearly stormed over to curse him as scum and whisk the stunning green-robed fairy away.
But he restrained himself, mindful of his status.
Disgusting! Hateful! The others glared at Shi Hao, seething inwardly.
Qing Yi’s delicate, porcelain-like face glowed with vitality, her long eyelashes framing lively eyes that rolled at him in exasperation.
That look alone made the crowd burn with indignation, wishing they could kick Shi Hao aside and take his place.
Suddenly, Shi Hao’s expression shifted—the Divine Striking Stone had returned, slipping through the window into his sleeve.
“It’s in the Azure Spirit Realm!” it whispered.
His heart pounded. After a few more questions, he was overjoyed—the Divine Striking Stone had found a path to a mysterious place.
“Good. Since he wants to hunt me, I’ll go to him first and end this!” Shi Hao relaxed, leisurely sipping his drink.
Soon, he noticed something amiss—the golden-haired man and his group had also received news and were eyeing him coldly, ready to seize him.
“Friend, had your fill? Then come with us to meet our master,” the red-haired man said.
Shi Hao ignored him. The others exuded faint killing intent.
Looking at the attendant, Shi Hao asked, “If I bring my own ingredients, will you cook them?”
“Well… yes!”
“Good. Then prepare this dish for me—Braised Golden-Winged Great Peng!”
The moment he spoke, everyone paled. The Golden-Winged Great Peng was a fearsome creature—who would dare provoke it, let alone eat it?
Those in the know immediately turned to the golden-haired man among the Immortal Palace group.
“You’re courting death!” the golden-haired man roared, unable to hold back any longer. A massive peng shadow materialized behind him, radiating terrifying golden light.
“Attack!” the red-haired man shouted. The group lunged forward to capture Shi Hao.
“Bring it on!” Shi Hao downed his last cup of sacred wine and shot out like lightning into the sky.
With a golden flash, the golden-haired man transformed into a Great Peng, his wings blotting out the sky as he unleashed dazzling runes, his power shaking heaven and earth!
The golden-haired man, the female prodigy, and others followed closely.
“Kill!” they charged.
“Pfft!”
Yet, with a single finger, Shi Hao sent out a silver beam like a true dragon, piercing one man’s forehead. Blood sprayed as lightning crackled.
Everyone gasped—who was this man, killing a powerhouse with one finger?
“Be careful!” the red-haired man warned.
But it was too late. With several “pfft” sounds, lightning spears shot out, impaling two others and reducing them to bloody mist in midair. Only three prodigies remained.
“You three aren’t enough!” Shi Hao declared, surveying them imperiously.
“What about me?” Dark Nether energy billowed as the Netherworld Clan’s war general stepped into the sky.
“You? Still not enough. Last time, I ate seven or eight prodigies in one go,” Shi Hao said coldly.
The crowd was stunned.
“He’s… the demon who struck in Radiant City?”
“Heavens! He’s Huang—he came himself!”
Uproar ensued.
“What? It’s… you!”
The Immortal Palace members trembled with rage, nearly vomiting blood. They had been fooled to this extent, even gifting him their sacred herbs!
Furious beyond measure, they howled at the sky.
“Your life is forfeit!”
Shi Hao soared, clashing with the Golden-Winged Great Peng. With Kun Peng wings unfurled, shrouded in mist and battle aura that split the heavens, he charged forth.
“Boom!”
The first collision alone produced blinding brilliance as both unleashed supreme divine abilities.
Though the Golden-Winged Great Peng was mighty, a celestial-grade species, blood still sprayed from its wings, nearly sending it crashing down as its body was wounded.
The crowd was shocked—even the Peng Clan’s peerless physique had suffered a major loss in the first exchange.
“Truly the Demon King Huang!”
The red-haired man panicked. Never had he imagined they’d run into the real deal. Though he attacked, fear gnawed at him.
“No retreat now. He has extreme speed—we can’t escape. Fight to the death!” the female prodigy said.
They soared into battle.
“I’ll join,” the Netherworld Clan’s Second War General said, regretting his involvement. He never expected Huang himself to appear, but there was no turning back now.
“I’ll spar with you,” Qing Yi said serenely, bathed in hazy moonlight as she floated into the sky like a fairy treading on waves.
Thus, the battle erupted on two fronts.
Shi Hao’s fight held no suspense. The Golden-Winged Great Peng was utterly suppressed by the Kun Peng technique, unable to fight back. Within dozens of exchanges, the golden-haired man was drenched in blood.
“Pfft!”
The female prodigy took a finger to her forehead, her beautiful eyes widening as she fell from the sky, blood trailing.
Moments later, the red-haired man screamed, horrified to find his head separated from his body by Shi Hao’s palm strike, blood gushing.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng’s face twisted in despair. Despite his utmost efforts, he couldn’t turn the tide. In the end, Shi Hao slew him, golden feathers scattering.
When Shi Hao turned back, he was stunned—Qing Yi had also finished her battle.
A blue halo enveloped her, incinerating the Nether energy. All that remained was ash—the Netherworld Clan’s Second Divine General had been utterly annihilated.
“This…” Shi Hao was astonished, as was everyone else.
Normally, after igniting the divine flame, such unique flames would depart, no longer staying with their host.
But this was… the Azure Moon Flame, resembling a blue moon—serene and pure, elevating Qing Yi’s transcendent aura. It hadn’t left her.
This was a flame left behind by a true immortal, coexisting harmoniously with Qing Yi.
“Fwoosh!”
With a point of her finger, Qing Yi engulfed the remaining Netherworld Clan members in azure flames, reducing them to ash.
The Peach Blossom Garden fell silent, everyone awed by the duo’s prowess.
“The Azure Moon Flame is still with you. If I stick around, will it burn me too?” Shi Hao broke the silence.
Qing Yi rolled her eyes at him, well aware of his teasing tone.
“Heavens! He’s Huang, and he just killed the Immortal Palace’s people!”
“This fairy is terrifying too!”
…
Shi Hao carried the Golden-Winged Great Peng into the Eight Treasures Pavilion. “Boss, prepare this properly—Braised Golden-Winged Great Peng. Make sure it’s delicious.”
Then, he turned to the distant sky. “Now, I’ll go kill the Immortal Palace’s heir. When I return, I’ll feast on sacred wine and Golden-Winged Great Peng!”
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