The martial arena was thrown into chaos as the roar of the Azure Sky Divine Mountain’s venerable one caused many to cough up blood, leaving the crowd terrified. Yet, the young man in the center remained unyielding, still provoking, pointing at the sky and even daring to threaten to kick the venerable one’s backside—such audacity! The spectators dared not comment, fearing repercussions, but inwardly they wondered: *Is he trying to defy the heavens?* This level of provocation was beyond reckless.
The void trembled as a colossal gray hand, streaked with patterns, descended from above, covering the heavens and earth. It was boundless, like a celestial curtain descending, shaking the souls of all who witnessed it. The Azure Sky Venerable had struck, intending to crush Shi Hao in one fell swoop—no thought of capture, only obliteration. The dignity of a powerhouse from the Ancient Divine Mountain could not be defiled.
Yet, at that moment, the martial arena itself erupted with radiant light, forming a vast sea of stars. Countless celestial bodies rotated with thunderous roars, as if an entire starfield had been born.
“By the heavens, what is this?!” the crowd gasped, their souls trembling.
The stars, like bolts of lightning, numbered in the tens of thousands, arrayed across the firmament to form a majestic river of stars, blocking the colossal hand and preventing its descent.
“Shi Clan, what is the meaning of this?!” the Azure Sky Venerable bellowed.
“Venerable One, this is an ancient formation within the imperial palace. It activates autonomously in the face of overwhelming threat—your power is simply too great,” replied the elderly captain of the guards, his tone neither submissive nor arrogant.
“Stone Emperor, you owe me an explanation! Am I not even allowed to kill a single man?!” the Azure Sky Venerable raged, ignoring the guard captain as beneath his notice, directing his fury at the Stone Nation’s sovereign.
“You demand an explanation from *me*?!” A voice of thunderous authority resounded, shaking the entire imperial capital, surpassing even the Azure Sky Venerable’s roar.
“Venerable One, this is the Stone Clan’s imperial palace. Power exceeding that of a marquis is forbidden here—this rule was established to safeguard this sacred ground,” the gray-robed guard captain calmly reiterated.
This was the heart of a nation, where the imperial family resided. If a venerable were allowed to strike freely, a single slap could wipe out much of the clan’s leadership. Moreover, the Scripture Pavilion, the Treasure Vault, and the Ancient Medicine Hall all stood here. Should they be destroyed, the loss would be irreparable.
Duels were permitted within the martial arena, but the unleashed power was strictly regulated to prevent threats to the imperial city.
“Stone Emperor, do you truly intend to stop me from killing him?” the Azure Sky Venerable growled.
“Do you seek to trample upon the laws set by my ancestors?” the Stone Emperor’s cold voice emanated from the Central Heavenly Palace, accompanied by a surge of golden radiance.
“That insignificant human is nothing! Yet he dares insult me—he must die!” the Azure Sky Venerable sneered.
His words drew frowns from many human cultivators. Though humanity was weak, such blatant disrespect in the Stone Emperor’s presence was sheer arrogance.
“Stone Emperor, why do you shield this insignificant ant? He repeatedly provokes and insults the dignity of a venerable—he deserves death!” Another voice joined in, sending chills through the crowd. Many recognized it—the Great Spider of Demon Spirit Lake, a terrifying pure-blooded adult creature of monstrous strength.
“I have said it—these are the laws set by my ancestors after igniting their divine flames. Do you dare insult the Stone Clan’s forebears?” The Stone Emperor’s voice grew even louder, the Central Heavenly Palace erupting with golden light like a blazing sun.
At the same time, the elderly guard captain spoke: “Venerable Ones, do not force His Majesty’s hand.”
“And if I insist on killing that insignificant human?” the Azure Sky Venerable hissed.
“Then you will be challenging the Stone Clan’s dignity and face annihilation by the Divine Refinement Array,” the captain replied calmly.
The crowd shuddered. This was clearly the Stone Emperor’s tacit approval—a prelude to a cataclysmic battle.
Then, Shi Hao spoke:
“Your Majesty, today is your birthday—may your years rival the heavens. Since this matter arose because of me, it shall end with me. Let them come! Do they think the Supreme Hall is to be trifled with? He bestowed an ancient sacred artifact upon his descendant to kill me—his intentions are clear. Yet he feigns offense, claiming *I* insulted *him*? Today, I will not only kick his backside—I will stomp on his wrinkled old face!”
The crowd was dumbstruck. His words grew ever more brazen, as if he feared no venerable.
“And that oversized spider—you bullied my clan, drove my grandfather into exile. Today, I’ll not only kick your backside, I’ll chop off all eight of your legs! Let’s see how you strut then!”
The spectators nearly fainted. *This kid is insane!* The Stone Emperor was trying to defuse the situation, yet here he was, escalating it further!
“You, a mere Transformation Spirit human, are less than a moth or speck of dust in my eyes. Crushing you is no different from squashing a maggot!” A demonic spider, taller than a mountain, loomed in the sky, its aura terrifying.
“Enough talk, you overgrown arachnid! Come down here and let me kick your rear!” Shi Hao taunted, utterly fearless.
The scene stunned everyone. He wasn’t bluffing—he was genuinely challenging them. But how? What could he possibly rely on?
“The Supreme Hall shall not be insulted. Come!” Shi Hao declared.
Many were puzzled. This wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned this name. Wasn’t he from the Sky Mending Pavilion? What connection did he have with some “Supreme Hall”?
“The Supreme Hall hails from beyond this realm. Each generation has only one disciple—but each is a peerless supreme!” someone murmured, sending shivers through the crowd.
**BOOM!**
The Ancient Demonic Spider struck, a massive leg descending with overwhelming demonic might, black mist billowing. Yet the imperial formation activated again—tens of thousands of stars surged, each engraved with a glyph, forming a cosmic barrier that halted the spider’s leg.
“Demonic Spider, do you overstep your bounds?” The Stone Emperor’s voice boomed with even greater authority, the Central Heavenly Palace blazing like a golden inferno.
Silence fell. Even the beings from the Ancient Divine Mountains paled—what was this golden flame that made even *them* tremble?
“Venerable One, if you violate my clan’s ancestral laws, do not blame us for activating the Divine Refinement Array against you,” the guard captain warned.
“Fellow Daoist, descend. Why quarrel with a junior? If you must vent, go devour a few cities later—feast on blood to soothe your rage.”
The crowd blanched. Another venerable was offering the spider a way out—but his words hinted at future carnage. Where would this disaster strike?
“Very well. We shall settle this later.” The Ancient Demonic Spider withdrew, retreating to a distant palace without facing the Stone Emperor.
The Azure Sky Venerable, too, retreated with his sacred artifact, abandoning his assault on Shi Hao.
The Little Rascal was disappointed. *Blocked again?!* Indignant, he shouted:
“After this banquet, we duel outside the palace! Both of you, wash up—I’m coming for your heads!”
The crowd was speechless. *This kid fears nothing! Who* doesn’t *he dare provoke?!*
“Good. Let this banquet end. I shall see what storm a speck of dust like you can stir—can you even dislodge a star?” The Ancient Demonic Spider laughed coldly.
“It has been years since anyone dared speak to me thus. I, too, shall see if you truly are the heir of the Supreme Hall—and what peerless power you wield!” the Azure Sky Venerable added icily.
Both venerables radiated killing intent, resolved to personally erase him.
The crowd buzzed. A storm of unprecedented scale was brewing. Many now wished for the banquet to end quickly, eager to witness the coming upheaval. Some suspected Shi Hao had hidden backing—why else would he challenge two venerables? Did the Supreme Hall truly stand behind him? Had his master arrived?
Otherwise… he was simply mad.
Exiting the arena, Shi Hao strolled leisurely, utterly unfazed by the impending battle. He might as well have been walking a dog—or rather, a small wolf—his demeanor the picture of ease.
“You… you’re too much! What will you do when the time comes?” Fire Spirit Princess, having just offered her birthday wishes, approached with her slender waist, graceful stature, and radiant beauty—though now tinged with worry.
*This troublemaker never rests!* she thought. Yet, recalling his past exploits, he never acted without confidence. But this time was different—two venerables!
“Just escape,” she whispered, glancing around. “My father’s Void Beast Hide is still with me. Use it to slip into the void and flee the capital—you might survive.”
“Who do you take me for? A divine warrior, righteous and unyielding! Why flee? I’ll thrash them until they beg for mercy!” Shi Hao scoffed, continuing his carefree stroll.
Fire Spirit Princess rolled her eyes. *Does he not grasp how terrifying a venerable is? A finger could kill him a thousand times over!*
In the distance, youths from the Ancient Divine Mountains watched, murmuring in confusion. *What gives him the courage to challenge a venerable?*
Then, the violet-robed Yun Xi approached, her beauty ethereal, shrouded in a faint purple mist. Beside her, the lively Silver Snow added to the scene’s brilliance.
“Here to reclaim the Divine Armguard? I need it to survive. If you’re plotting my death, forget it,” Shi Hao quipped.
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