Shi Hao’s emotions were complex. Upon learning of the return of the Double-Pupiled One, countless thoughts flooded his mind—from his birth to the present, every twist of his fate had been shaped by that mother and son. So many years had passed that he could face it all with calm detachment, far from the gnashing teeth of hatred, yet a fire still burned within him.
“My dear little brother, I’ve returned. Where are you?”
When Huo Ling’er repeated those words, Shi Hao’s eyes darkened with depth. He could sense the arrogance and nonchalance in that tone, laced with a dismissive scorn. Of course, this was a deliberate provocation, baiting him into a battle.
The theft of the Supreme Bone was now a thing of the past, and Shi Yi had never once shown remorse. His tone made it clear—he was brimming with confidence now.
Shi Hao remained silent, gazing into the depths of the Fire Domain. His face was calm, but flames flickered in his eyes.
“What’s wrong? What are you thinking?” Huo Ling’er asked softly.
In the distance, the big-eyed girl and a few youths stared in shock. They had just learned Shi Hao’s identity—this was none other than the infamous… the savage little terror?! They had heard his name countless times, never imagining they had been casually mingling with him all this while.
Truthfully, Shi Hao had been unkempt these past few days, his hair wild and his appearance altered. Even acquaintances might not have recognized him. Huo Ling’er had only been able to track him by his overwhelming presence, following the trail of destruction he left in his wake.
The big-eyed girl and the others’ hearts pounded. This legendary figure was one of the few they, as proud descendants of noble houses, truly admired. And now, here he was, standing before them.
“I’m thinking about how to beat him to a pulp,” Shi Hao murmured. A life-and-death battle would be exhausting—better to vent his fury with a good thrashing first. As for their enmity, that could be settled in a true duel.
No need to overthink it. Once a battle to the death began, it would be grueling, paved with blood and shattered bones—because Shi Yi was simply that formidable.
Huo Ling’er laughed, radiant as a crimson lotus blooming amidst the molten earth, her beauty intoxicating. “There’s no need to rush into battle now. You’re three or four years younger than him—you’d likely be at a disadvantage. Wait for another day.”
Shi Hao glanced at her but neither agreed nor disagreed, sighing softly before turning his gaze back to the horizon.
“You once issued a challenge and waited for him for a long time, yet he never returned. Now that he’s back, you can just as well leave him waiting,” Huo Ling’er suggested with a sly smile.
Shi Hao’s lips curled slightly, then widened into a grin as he finally nodded. “You’re right. Let him stew for a while.”
This duel was inevitable, destined to stir a storm. But the timing wouldn’t be dictated by Shi Yi. Did he think he could simply reappear and demand a fight? Impossible.
If Huo Ling’er had her way, the Double-Pupiled One would be left to gather dust, fuming in frustration while Shi Hao calmly cultivated, strengthening himself.
“This battle won’t be too far off,” Shi Hao murmured to himself.
Huo Ling’er sighed. She knew this stubborn fellow had his own mind and wouldn’t be swayed by advice.
“So, what are your plans now?” she asked.
“Train. Then face him in an honorable battle,” Shi Hao replied.
“That doesn’t sound like you. I thought you’d scheme and set traps for the Double-Pupiled One,” Huo Ling’er teased.
“Nonsense! Is that the kind of person I am? Divine might and righteousness—that’s my style,” Shi Hao retorted.
This time, he truly wanted a fair fight. He craved a grand, unrestrained duel. Even without the Supreme Bone, he could still dominate the world.
“You’re going to train hard now,” Huo Ling’er reminded him.
“First, I’m treating you to a meal,” Shi Hao said with enthusiasm.
The Flame Python—one of the ancient overlords, known as the Infernal Demon God, a creature of unmatched ferocity. Shi Hao hacked off a section of its crimson flesh and tossed it into the Heaven-Transforming Bowl to stew, leaving everyone stunned.
This was a young powerhouse from beyond their borders, a rare pure-blooded creature of immense strength, yet this guy had just slaughtered it like nothing.
“I see it now. If you’re not human and you make an enemy of him, you’re doomed. Once defeated, you’ll end up as dinner,” Huo Ling’er laughed, her fragrance intoxicating, her eyes mesmerizing.
“So delicious!” The big-eyed girl stuffed her face, grease dripping, completely abandoning decorum as she fought Huo Ling’er for the best bites.
Beside them, the youths ate the python meat in a daze. Just moments ago, this foreign genius had been an awe-inspiring terror—now he was their meal? It felt like a dream. Their admiration for Shi Hao surged like an unending river. This guy was truly savage!
“Are you really… the one who swept through the Void God Realm, crushing all sects? This feels like a dream,” one youth muttered, dizzy.
“Eat your python,” Shi Hao tore off a piece for him, grinning.
“It’s hard to believe. Is there anything we can help you with?” another asked.
“Later, take me to the lava lakes. I need to catch Sunfish,” Shi Hao said. This was his most urgent desire—to further boost his combat power.
He had started cultivating years later than most, lacking the necessary foundation. The pressure weighed on him, but perhaps here, he could compensate for his shortcomings.
Soon after, Huo Ling’er parted ways with him, leaving him to wander with the youths in search of Sunfish. Her presence drew too much attention, and lingering with him would risk exposure.
In the days that followed, Shi Hao threw himself into cultivation.
—
**Stone Capital, Imperial City.**
Half a month passed with no sign of Shi Hao’s response. People grew restless, eager for the clash of the two young supremes.
Shi Yi remained composed, waiting patiently.
“My dear little brother, where are you? I’ve come to challenge you. Will you show yourself?”
His words, spoken so casually, sent shockwaves through the realm.
Shi Yi’s open challenge drew the attention of all major factions. He resided in the Martial Prince’s Manor, spending his days reciting scriptures and strolling, exuding an otherworldly aura that unsettled even the elders.
Some discerned that his power had surged to terrifying heights. His scripture recitation was a return to simplicity—a sign of profound refinement.
A full month passed, yet Shi Hao still did not appear. Finally, Shi Yi rose and entered the Void God Realm. His arrival sent tremors through the space, igniting a frenzy.
Shi Yi’s return was a hurricane of upheaval—not only because of his overwhelming strength (having shattered numerous records in the past), but also because his duel with Shi Hao was a clash of legends.
—
**Ancestral Land of the Fire Nation.**
For over a month, Shi Hao had been immersed in cultivation. This fiery domain was a treasure trove waiting to be unearthed.
At times, he even considered tearing open the land to see what lay beneath—why this ancient place brimmed with such divine energy. But every attempt led only to endless magma, exhausting him without reaching the depths.
Eventually, he set that aside, focusing on what he could obtain.
He hunted five powerful creatures, nearly at the Marquis level, drying their marrow for later use. He was preparing for something big.
He also ground some of the Flame Python’s flesh into bait.
The big-eyed girl and the others led him to a boiling lake, vast and radiant with crimson light. The heat was unbearable even from a distance.
“This is a demonic lake. Strange things have happened here—many have died,” the youths warned.
Shi Hao suspected a mighty creature lurked within—perhaps a colossal Sunfish, one capable of summoning storms and slaying the strong.
He scattered the dried marrow into the lake and waited. Sunfish were cunning; if spooked, they wouldn’t return.
Two hours passed, and just as Shi Hao was about to give up, the lake stirred. A golden arc split the magma, suspending the marrow in midair as a golden Sunfish leaped up, devouring it all.
“So big!” the big-eyed girl gasped.
This one was over a foot long—far larger than any they’d seen before. And behind it swam a school of equally massive Sunfish, their golden scales dazzling.
One, two… over a hundred of them, a breathtaking spectacle of shimmering gold.
These were no ordinary Sunfish—each possessed considerable power, their effects as medicine multiplied manyfold.
Shi Hao had prepared well, sealing the lake’s perimeter with the Eight Fiend Sword Array and other treasures to prevent interference.
As the school approached, he unleashed the Heaven-Transforming Bowl and dove in, capturing the foot-long Sunfish.
A fierce battle erupted. The fish fought back, their scales glowing as runes erupted into golden lightning.
Shi Hao countered with his own lightning techniques, neutralizing their attacks.
Then, a golden flame erupted—Sunfire, terrifying even if impure, enough to make a Marked cultivator tremble.
Shi Hao’s eyes narrowed. Merging with his Indestructible Golden Body, he pressed forward. There was no time to waste.
The Sunfish sensed danger and scattered, but it was too late. Shi Hao activated his Ten Heavenly Passage, plunging into the magma and sealing the space.
Not a single fish escaped. The youths onshore cheered—this was unbelievable.
“A hundred foot-long Sunfish! Unheard of!”
But what shocked Shi Hao most were the three half-meter-long ones. Without his Ten Heavenly Passage, they would have been formidable foes.
He refined them all, distilling a small bowl of golden liquid brimming with divine energy, interwoven with runes and laws.
Shi Hao secluded himself, using this divine essence to cultivate and comprehend the Dao.
Half a month later, a violent tremor shook the area. The big-eyed girl and the others gasped—the savage little terror had broken through.
Shi Hao had reached the mid-stage of the Marked Realm at an astonishing speed. News of this would send jaws dropping everywhere.
At this time, Huo Ling’er arrived with news: Shi Yi had been active in the Void God Realm.
“What’s he doing there?” Shi Hao asked.
“Reciting scriptures, strolling, observing the records left by predecessors,” Huo Ling’er replied.
Shi Hao frowned. “Impressive.”
Clearly, Shi Yi had reached an extraordinary state—purifying his spirit and tempering his flesh in a profound, almost mystical realm.
“What will you do?” Huo Ling’er asked.
“Naturally, I’ll go to the Void God Realm and see for myself,” Shi Hao answered.
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