Shi Hao cast a sidelong glance. What was Lunar Grace Goddess up to? Did she intend to intervene as well? Had the recent battle prompted her to make a choice? His gaze swept over her, but she remained as composed as ever. He wasn’t afraid—despite his youth, he had weathered countless storms and even clashed with Venerables. Not even a major sect from beyond this domain could intimidate him.
Shi Zi Teng smiled faintly upon hearing this. Though middle-aged, he still carried an air of heroic vigor, more akin to a dashing young prodigy. “Yi might return,” he said. The crowd stirred. Was Shi Yi truly coming back? The imperial capital would certainly become lively then.
Lunar Grace Goddess gave a slight nod and spoke softly, “Let us put today’s matter to rest. I witnessed the conflict earlier—the people of Demon Spirit Lake were indeed in the wrong.” The onlookers were puzzled. Just moments ago, she had seemed to extend an olive branch to Shi Zi Teng, seemingly favoring Shi Yi. Yet now, her words suggested a different stance. Whose side was she on?
Shi Zi Teng remained calm, though retreating now would be a blow to his pride. If he couldn’t even rescue his junior, what would others think? “Goddess, those are people from Demon Spirit Lake. Isn’t this too hasty?” questioned a middle-aged man beside him.
Shi Hao scoffed. “Is Demon Spirit Lake so formidable? Or is it your own delusions that elevate them, making you willing to serve as their lackeys, forsaking your dignity?” His words were merciless.
“You’re far too arrogant!” the man spat, his killing intent undisguised.
Shi Zi Teng refused to back down. “Goddess, lives are at stake. Even if my junior erred, does he deserve such treatment?”
Lunar Grace Goddess turned to Shi Hao. “Brother, there’s no need to be so ruthless. Spare his life.”
After a moment’s thought, Shi Hao nodded. “Very well. For your sake, Goddess, I’ll spare him.” The crowd understood—this matter was likely settled, and no further conflict would erupt.
One of Shi Zi Teng’s kin sneered. “Then release him.”
“Who said anything about releasing him?” Shi Hao replied coldly.
The man stiffened. Shi Hao had only agreed not to kill, not to free the captive. “You deceitful—! What do you mean by keeping him?”
Shi Hao’s tone was icy. “A lesson must be taught. If I can’t even discipline a mere spider, how will I deal with the wolves and tigers that come next? I won’t kill it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let it go. It must atone for its crimes.”
The crowd was stunned. A mighty expert from Demon Spirit Lake was being dismissed as nothing more than a “mere spider.” Such audacity!
“Justice is justice,” interjected Heavenly Fox Goddess. “Even princes are not above the law. Demon Spirit Lake may be powerful, but arrogance must still be punished.”
With both goddesses speaking in Shi Hao’s favor, it was clear they sought to win him over. The warriors from Martial Prince Manor seethed—only Shi Zi Teng remained composed. “Very well. Let my junior endure some hardship. I’ll retrieve him in a few days. Perhaps the elder from Demon Spirit Lake also wishes to discipline him.” His words carried an unspoken warning—a pure-blooded elder had arrived in the capital.
Shi Hao grinned. “Rest assured, I’ll teach him well. Jade must be carved to become a treasure. Such insolent youths need a firm hand.”
The others beside Shi Zi Teng clenched their fists, veins bulging. With a final deep glance at Shi Hao, Shi Zi Teng boarded his bronze war chariot and vanished into the horizon. Two men remained behind, glaring daggers at Shi Hao.
“Remember your lineage,” Shi Hao said scornfully. “You are not slaves of Demon Spirit Lake. You share blood with the imperial clan. Don’t drag Martial Prince Manor into your disgrace.” His words were a slap to their faces, leaving them livid before they too departed.
“Heh, I didn’t know you had such a sharp tongue,” the Heavenly Fox Goddess teased.
“Respect begets respect,” Shi Hao replied. “But if someone steps on my toes, I’ll step back harder.”
“Why not hand that spider over to me?” she suggested playfully. “If I refine it into divine medicine, I won’t forget your share.”
The crowd broke into cold sweats at her boldness. Shi Hao merely smiled. He had already provoked Demon Spirit Lake—why give away such a valuable ingredient?
The gathering, meant for geniuses, had lost its original flavor. After Shi Hao’s display, even the most unruly attendees tempered their arrogance. The likes of Flood Dragon and Vermilion Bird watched intently, their thoughts inscrutable.
Shi Hao browsed for treasures, using his dual-pupil vision to uncover rare materials. Elsewhere, grudges flared into duels, but he paid them no mind.
Lunar Grace Goddess approached, her white robes fluttering like mist. To his surprise, she made no overtures—only idle chatter, leaving a favorable impression without commitment.
“Clever,” murmured the little fox beside Heavenly Fox Goddess. “She’s playing the long game.”
“If the Dual-Pupiled One returns as legend claims—comparable to ancient deities—things will get interesting,” the Heavenly Fox Goddess mused.
After feasting and gathering materials, Shi Hao left as the event wound down. His thoughts turned toward the world beyond.
“Do you know why the Barren Domain is in chaos?” the Heavenly Fox Goddess asked, falling into step beside him. Her ethereal beauty and devilish curves drew envious stares.
“No. Enlighten me.”
“Eons ago, this land was a prison—holding great evils.” Her words struck like thunder.
Even Shi Hao was stunned. “You’re joking.”
She smirked, blowing a teasing breath his way. “Scared?”
“No. Just shocked.”
“The upheaval stems from this,” she continued. “Though the ancient terrors should be extinct, some later beings fled here. Their descendants, tainted by sin, still draw outside attention.”
“Why are your sects so invested here?” Shi Hao pressed.
“Where there’s no eternal enemy, there’s eternal temptation. This conflict may birth true deities.”
“True deities?” The emphasis unsettled him.
“Not the kind you know—not those who merely ignite their divine flames, only to fade.”
His mind raced. If even godhood as he understood it was being dismissed, what lay beyond?
“How does one forge a true deity?”
“That’s a secret,” she teased. “Join us, and perhaps you’ll find out.”
“Can’t you say more?”
“This domain, though once a cage, holds something extraordinary. Even supreme sects covet it.”
Her words painted a grim picture—the Barren Domain was headed for cataclysm.
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