Chapter 173: Turbulent Winds

No one noticed—not even Huo Ling’er or the Nine-Headed Lion—so convincing was the transformation of the Little Rascal. Its mastery of the Seventy-Two Transformations was truly astonishing, capable of deceiving even the sharpest eyes. Though the Treasure Spell was incomplete, under the guidance of the featherless bird, the art of shape-shifting had been perfected.

At this moment, the holy terror looked robust and vigorous, his skin a healthy wheat hue. He mingled effortlessly among the crowd, calling out to friends and strangers alike, chatting as if they were old acquaintances. Unnoticed, he slipped away, blending into the throng of creatures before settling in as a mere “spectator.”

“Hmm, despite your injuries, your cultivation has advanced significantly,” remarked an elder wreathed in radiant light, eyeing the Nine-Headed Lion with satisfaction. The lion, having regrown four of its heads after being decapitated by the holy terror—a feat that showcased its clan’s legendary resilience—merely shifted awkwardly, unwilling to elaborate.

“Excellent! Few of our clan’s elites perished within, and you two brothers stand out among them, your cultivation greatly refined. Truly remarkable!” Nearby, the brothers of the Three-Eyed Clan also received praise.

Many creatures had emerged, but some races’ prodigies remained unaccounted for. The faces of several ancient descendants darkened, none more so than a white tiger—its jade-white fur adorned with golden streaks, its body pristine as if carved from glass, exuding overwhelming power. Standing atop an ancient war chariot, its expression was thunderous. This was a king from the Western Mausoleum Beast Mountain, awaiting its most cherished descendant—only to realize, with dawning horror, that its lineage had been severed.

“ROAR—!” The white tiger howled at the heavens, its body erupting with razor-shin golden energy, shaking the very sky. The Nine-Headed Lion, Fire Crows, and Five-Colored Luan Birds exchanged uneasy glances. Their elders whispered inquiries about the fate of the young white tiger and its killer. But none dared speak the truth—that they had devoured it. A single slip could ignite a catastrophic battle.

“Why haven’t our Rain Clan members emerged yet?” Nearby, amid swirling mist, a group of elders paced anxiously.

“Someone’s coming—Zi Mo!” Relief washed over them as they spotted a surviving genius. Surely, others would follow.

“Zi Mo, did you obtain the Taiyi True Water? Are the others hiding in caution? Fear not, we are well-prepared—let them come forth!” one elder urged eagerly, eyes blazing like torches.

“Grandfather… wuu…” Zi Mo burst into tears.

“What happened?” The Rain Clan’s faces paled. Dread settled in—had all their geniuses and four Seal-Bearers perished?

“The elders… all dead. Our clan’s talents… gone. Only I survived, seeking Cousin Shi Yi…” Zi Mo, a prodigy born with spiritual sensitivity, had sensed danger and hidden, narrowly escaping death. She never found Shi Yi but lived to tell the tale.

“WHAT?! Who did this?!” The Rain Clan erupted in fury. Their future, their hope—annihilated.

“That child from the Void God Realm,” Zi Mo sobbed, recounting the theft of the Taiyi True Water.

“AH—!” Many roared, some coughing blood in rage. A mere child had crushed an entire generation’s aspirations.

“Retrieve it!” someone snarled.

“The True Water was disturbed and fled. He drank some—without a proper vessel, he couldn’t keep it,” Zi Mo said.

“Wasted… a divine decree, ruined by that brat!” Elders beat their chests, wailing. The tragedy was unbearable—success had been within grasp, only for a vicious child to shatter it. Some even regretted provoking him, realizing too late that their focus should have remained on the True Water.

But regret was futile. Worse yet—was it truly the same child from years past? How could one so young slay their Seal-Bearers? The thought was terrifying.

“He must die!” they growled, teeth grinding in fury.

Nearby, others ignored their outbursts—similar laments were common. Too many geniuses had fallen.

“Why has none of our Kun Clan emerged?” At the exit, amidst thinning mist, the Kun Clan grew restless.

“Where are our Li Clan members?” Others shared their confusion. Even in brutal competition, total annihilation was unthinkable—they had deployed Seal-Bearers!

Then, the truth surfaced. From another direction came a roar: “Holy terror, I’ll flay you alive!” The Yuan Clan had learned their geniuses and Seal-Bearers had been slaughtered.

The Kun, Li, Meng, and Yuan Clans—all who had clashed with the holy terror in the Void God Realm and placed bounties on his head—now faced devastation. Their elites, beheaded by a child. The four clans seethed, hearts bleeding. How could a mere boy wield such power?

Elsewhere, whispers spread:

“Did you hear? A monstrous child rampaged through Hundred Break Mountain, even hunting young primordial beasts!”

“The four great clans are mourning—their experts were wiped out!”

“So brutal!”

Soon, all realized—the infamous terror of Hundred Break Mountain was the Void God Realm’s holy terror. Jaws dropped.

“Underestimated him… wherever he goes, chaos follows. The Sky-Suppressing Sect found a treasure…”

Tao Ye, an elder of the Sky-Suppressing Sect, stroked his gourd, his beard twitching. His eyelids hadn’t stopped jumping—had that child truly upended Hundred Break Mountain?

“Shi Yi has emerged—the Reincarnated Divine Double Pupil!” A shout drew all eyes to the exit.

There stood a tall, robust youth, black hair flowing, twin pupils gleaming. He dragged a colossal ancient beast behind him, shaking the earth.

“An… adult primordial descendant?!” The crowd was stunned. Slaying peers was one thing—but this? A feat bordering on divine!

Even elder human experts paled in comparison to primordial descendants. Yet here was a thirteen-year-old, radiant as a god, destined to dominate the wilderness.

Shi Yi, bathed in divine light, resembled a reincarnated deity. The massive azure flood dragon he hauled bore countless wounds, some deep enough to reveal bone. The sight silenced all.

“That’s the elder flood dragon who battled the Divine Monkey! It was gravely injured… but to fall to Shi Yi?” Even pure-blooded creatures were awed.

Witnesses of that battle murmured, and as the dragon’s might became known, astonishment grew.

“Even wounded, felling it proves Shi Yi’s strength and fortune,” many conceded.

“Shi Yi also claimed a segment of sacred herb. Had that vicious child not interfered, he might’ve taken the whole plant.”

A sacred herb! The crowd buzzed. Such a treasure meant rebirth—a breakthrough, a second life, healing any wound, even extending longevity.

“Who dared obstruct our Stone Clan’s fortune? Blocking Yi’er from the sacred herb?” a Stone elder thundered.

“That Void God Realm brat broke Yi’er’s record once—now he disrupts Hundred Break Mountain? Is this defiance?” another spat.

“Yi’er is heaven-blessed. Even without the full herb, none can surpass him.” The Stone Clan had sent elite guards, fearing ambushes on his return.

“Whoever challenges Yi’er answers to us!”

“That holy terror courts death with his antics!” Shi Yi’s staunchest supporters added.

In the distance, the holy terror stood alone, watching silently, his large eyes clear and bright.

The Stone Clan’s young geniuses swarmed Shi Yi, hauling the flood dragon, orbiting him like stars around the moon.

As Shi Yi strode forth, radiant and commanding, the crowd’s admiration was palpable. Yet, inevitably, talk turned to the boy who’d dared steal his sacred herb—proof of the holy terror’s terrifying potential.

Indeed, the vicious child had carved his name into legend, stirring storms in Hundred Break Mountain. Tales of his deeds left many awed and speechless.

Alone, the holy terror turned away, leaving the Stone Clan’s domain behind. His path was his own, unshackled by lineage or privilege.

Without the Stone Clan’s resources or protection, he had risen to these heights. Firm in his belief that he was the strongest, he steadied his resolve and strode into the horizon.