I apologize for the lack of updates over the past few days. Following my recent hospitalization, my schedule became unexpectedly overloaded, and I've been busy catching up on various matters. As a result, I wasn't able to upload new chapters during this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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The moment Xiao Hua appeared before Zi Yan, a ruthless and vicious glint flashed across the First Tianzun's eyes. With a sudden clench of his hand, all sound within a thousand feet vanished. It was as if the world itself had fallen into silence. Even time seemed to grind to a halt.
Such was the might of a Dou Sheng—capable of controlling the very fabric of space. Within this sealed domain, time and space could be distorted at will.
Bang!
"Scram!" Xiao Hua roared, his voice thunderous and filled with fury as he felt the oppressive sluggishness of space pressing down on him.
A burst of violently tyrannical force erupted within the stillness—five blazing flames of different colors intertwined with arcs of lightning surged forth, shattering the sealed domain and forcefully restoring the flow of space.
Yet, the First Tianzun remained unfazed. He had long expected that Xiao Hua could break free with ease. This move was never meant to restrain him—it was merely a ploy to hinder Zi Yan, preventing Xiao Hua from whisking her away to safety.
With Zi Yan behind him, Xiao Hua had no choice but to take the strike head-on. If he evaded, the blow would fall upon her instead.
That was precisely why the First Tianzun deliberately slowed his pace, feigning delay by the surrounding Dou Zuns and Ban Shengs—luring Xiao Hua in with a calculated scheme. Everything had been orchestrated to force him to appear the moment his technique was destroyed.
He could tell at a glance—the little girl was of utmost importance to the Ancient Void Dragon tribe. But he held no desire to kill her, nor to capture her. Doing so would only spark a full-scale war with the Ancient Void Dragon tribe.
Even if the Hall of Souls emerged victorious, the cost would be unbearable. Their vast reserves of Soul Essence, painstakingly gathered beneath each branch, might suffer irreparable losses.
But now that Xiao Hua had come, the First Tianzun would ensure he received this blow—no matter what.
The First Tianzun's figure flickered, reappearing before Xiao Hua the instant the sealed space collapsed. His hand trembled slightly, and the Dou Qi within his body surged forth without restraint. With the might of a Ban Sheng, his strike carried crushing force and terrifying pressure as it slammed directly toward Xiao Hua's chest.
No ornate technique. No elaborate move.
Just a single, merciless blow—meant to injure him severely and drag Xiao Hua back to the Hall of Souls.
Xiao Hua's expression turned grim. Gritting his teeth, he braced himself. With no time to retreat—and Zi Yan behind him—he had no choice but to receive the strike head-on!
Boom! Pu!
The strike landed squarely on Xiao Hua's chest, carrying a terrifying force that shook his entire body. His complexion turned crimson as he coughed out mouthfuls of blood.
A deep, palm-shaped imprint was etched onto his chest—bones cracked, ribs shattered, and internal injuries flared as his Qi surged chaotically, flowing in reverse and wreaking havoc within.
Zi Yan stood behind him. To protect her, he could not allow himself to be knocked back—not even a step. Even the residual shockwave of a Dou Sheng's attack could gravely wound her. Thus, despite the excruciating pain and the havoc within his body, he endured it all, forcing himself to remain rooted, unmoving!
Even after suffering such a devastating blow that left his insides in ruin, his eyes remained firm and unshaken. Teeth clenched, Xiao Hua stood firm. Energy surged violently behind him as he raised his head, eyes burning with madness, and locked onto the distant First Tianzun—who had already retreated, a savage smile of triumph curling across his lips.
"You are still not qualified to take my life, First Tianzun!"
In the next instant, five-colored Dou Qi erupted from his body. Five flames, each bearing a different hue, danced fiercely across his form as killing intent poured from him like a tide.
"Ancient Desolate Hand… Third Finger—Shatter the Infinite Sky!"
Heaven and Earth trembled violently. Natural energies surged into chaos—thunder roared, wind howled, and the space behind Xiao Hua twisted uncontrollably before collapsing entirely, revealing the vast, empty void beyond.
Within the vast, empty void, two colossal fingers loomed—silent and oppressive—before a third slowly began to emerge. Compared to the previous two, this third finger was far more majestic and incomparably massive.
Its ancient aura surged as it ascended, and the fluctuations it stirred were on an entirely different level—far more terrifying and profound.
As the third finger fully formed, Xiao Hua's already pale complexion turned several shades whiter. The Ancient Desolate Hand was a Tian-Class Dou Technique—each finger that manifested brought forth an exponential increase in destructive power and tyrannical might.
But with that power came a horrifying price.
The consumption of Dou Qi was monstrous beyond reason. Although Xiao Hua's reserves were a hundred times greater than most Dou Zun experts—thanks to the refinement of his body by Heavenly Lightnings and Primordial Heavenly Flames, as well as the silent support of the Celestial Ancient Frost—even such vast reserves were being drained at a shocking rate.
Just forming the third finger had already consumed over half of his Dou Qi.
And this was after he has released multiple techniques and operating under the third level of the Heavenly Tribulation Body. Naturally, the burden pushed his injuries further, and the heaviness of his body became nearly unbearable.
Even so, Xiao Hua had no choice but to use it.
He hadn't revealed this technique—not even when facing Gu You or the Heavenly Lightning Dragon Scorpion.
"Today, the Hall of Souls shall lose a Sheng!"
As the cold declaration left his lips, Xiao Hua thrust his fingers forward without the slightest hesitation. In that instant, the titanic, ancient three fingers tore through the skies like a meteorite streaking across the heavens, surging forth with boundless might as they hurtled toward the First Tianzun.
Rumble! Rumble!
The First Tianzun's previously confident expression twisted into one of sheer terror. The destructive force within the strike radiated a suffocating pressure—so overwhelming that even he, a Ban Sheng, felt the chilling scent of death brush against his soul.
He knew with absolute clarity—if he took this blow head-on, forget about surviving. Even the Chief of the Hall of Souls might not walk away unscathed!
He instinctively tried to retreat—but it was already too late.
His aura had already been locked onto by the colossal ancient fingers. Worse still, spatial escape was impossible—the surrounding space had been thrown into chaos by Xiao Hua's technique, turning wild and uncontrollable, sealing off any path of retreat.
Bang!
As the three ancient fingers slammed into the First Tianzun, Heaven and Earth quaked violently. A monstrous energy storm erupted on impact, sweeping across the entire mountain range with wild, destructive force. The rampaging shockwaves didn't stop there—they surged beyond the range's borders, tearing through the landscape in every direction.
Countless experts watching from afar were forced to retreat even further. At this point, none dared remain within even a thousand meters of the outer edges of the Lightning Mountain Range. The sheer pressure alone made their hearts tremble.
Even Ming Cheng and the others ceased their battle with Gu You and swiftly regrouped with Little Fairy Doctor, Zhu Li, and Hei Qing. With their combined strength, they raised a formidable barrier to shield themselves from the overwhelming storm of energy.
Surprisingly, Zi Yan was already nearby.
Before the energy storm erupted, Xiao Hua had managed to hurl Zi Yan toward Little Fairy Doctor's group. Unfortunately, he himself had no strength left to retreat. With barely any energy remaining, he was struck by the shockwave and sent flying, crashing heavily into the ground. The force buried him deep beneath the earth.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
When the storm finally settled, a lovely figure rushed over at once. With a wave of her hand, Little Fairy Doctor shattered the massive boulder that entombed him, then reached in and pulled Xiao Hua from the rubble. Without hesitation, she soared into the sky, carrying him with her.
Four figures shot through the air, surrounding Little Fairy Doctor as she carried the unconscious Xiao Hua. All of them wore grave expressions, their eyes filled with worry for his condition.
"How is he?" Zi Yan asked, her voice tense with concern.
The moment her gaze fell upon Xiao Hua's blood-soaked form, her heart clenched. His chest had caved inward slightly—a terrifying sight, considering how resilient and domineering his physical body was. For someone with such a powerful physique to be injured to this extent, one could only imagine the sheer might behind the First Tianzun's strike.
Zi Yan's expression darkened, her face turning solemn to the point of dread. This was the first time she had ever seen Xiao Hua suffer such severe injuries.
A full-force strike from a Dou Sheng... was not something any of them could hope to withstand.
Even if Xiao Hua had forcibly elevated his strength to the level of a Dou Sheng, it didn't mean he could withstand such an attack unscathed. After all, he is still considered as fake Dou Sheng, even more faker than Ban Sheng, which considered as half of a Sheng.
Ming Cheng quickly stepped forward and carried him as he placed his fingers on Xiao Hua's wrist, checking his pulse with a deep probe with his spiritual senses. As he examined further, his expression grew darker, and his heart sank heavily.
"That bastard First Tianzun… I swear, I'll make him die an agonizing death!" he said coldly, murderous intent flaring violently in his eyes.
Li Mei and the others felt their hearts tighten at his words. Seeing Ming Cheng, who was usually calm and composed, show such rage only made the situation feel even more dire.
Meanwhile, Zhun Li and Hei Qing remained silent behind the group, quietly maintaining their vigilance and standing guard. Though they had only recently met Xiao Hua, their impression of him was already deeply favorable.
Especially after witnessing how he had shielded Zi Yan without hesitation—risking his life without the slightest thought of retreat—an unshakable respect and admiration had risen in their hearts. Now, seeing Ming Cheng's grim expression, even they couldn't help but feel a wave of unease and anxiety.
"Ming Cheng, how bad is it? Tell me everything," Li Mei asked, taking a deep breath to steady herself as she forced her voice to remain calm.
Ming Cheng inhaled deeply and replied in a grave tone, his face solemn.
"Nearly ninety percent of his bones are broken, and his meridians are all but shattered. The First Tianzun used his full strength in that strike… So, honestly, this result is not surprising."
He paused for a moment, then spoke with a ferocious glint in his eyes. "Hall of Souls… from this day forth, we will not rest until one of us is dead."
Zhu Li and Hei Qing's hearts trembled, stunned not just by his vow, but by what he had said moments earlier.
Most would have exploded on the spot, or had their internal organs completely obliterated, even if their outer body remained whole. And yet… this young man had survived. One had to remember—Xiao Hua was merely at the Dou Zong realm, even if he had forcibly elevated his strength to Dou Sheng for a short time.
A strike infused with the full might of a Dou Sheng… and all it did was shatter his meridians and most of his bones?
Just how terrifying must Xiao Hua's physical body be, if those were the only injuries he sustained?
Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan paid no mind to the others' reactions. Their faces had turned ghostly pale, horror and dread etched deeply into their pretty features. Their delicate figures trembled slightly, their faces drained of color. Seeing this, Li Mei quickly stepped forward, supporting them with a gentle hand.
Little Fairy Doctor and Xiao Hua had long since become lovers, their bond deep and affectionate. Of all those present, she was the one most shaken. She didn't care if Xiao Hua ended up crippled. She only wanted him to live—she couldn't bear the thought of him leaving her behind.
Zi Yan, too, was deeply affected. She understood exactly why his injuries were so severe. Xiao Hua had taken the full force of the First Tianzun's strike, suppressing every trace of energy to ensure that not even a ripple reached her. The pain he endured was unimaginable.
Just as despair settled in their hearts, a hoarse and weak voice suddenly broke the silence:
"Don't… show… that face…"
Though faint, the words were clear enough. Everyone's eyes lifted instantly—and there he was.
Xiao Hua had regained consciousness, a faint, fragile smile appearing on his blood-stained lips.
"Xiao Hua!"
Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan immediately stepped forward, kneeling beside him as they anxiously examined his condition, their hands trembling slightly as they checked for signs of worsening injuries.
"Are you alright?" Ming Cheng asked urgently, worry heavy in his voice.
"Barely…"
Xiao Hua replied with a helpless smile. His complexion was deathly pale, his aura so faint it was almost imperceptible. His entire body radiated weakness, as though a single breeze could extinguish what little life force remained.
Even so, he turned his gaze toward Little Fairy Doctor. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he said softly, "Xian'er… you don't need to… worry so much… I have my own ways… to recover…"
Then he turned to Zi Yan and added weakly, "Zi Yan… don't blame yourself for this… Protecting you… was something I chose willingly… I know… you'd do the same for me…"
Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan felt their hearts ache.
Seeing him in such a fragile state—hovering between life and death—yet still choosing to comfort them... it was unbearable.
"We understand… So just focus on recovering, please…" they said together, their voices choked with emotion as tears welled in their eyes, gazes fixed on him with deep pain and affection.
Xiao Hua merely responded to their words with a weak smile. But in the next moment, his gaze suddenly sharpened as he slowly lifted his head. Naturally, if he could sense it, so could the others. One by one, their eyes turned cold and focused, locking onto the same direction with piercing gazes.
It wasn't just them—even the experts who had fled earlier, but had now returned to witness the outcome of the battle, sensed the sudden shift.
A volatile and intense spatial fluctuation rippled through the air, emerging roughly a hundred meters away from Xiao Hua's group. The space there twisted violently before tearing open—revealing a figure stepping forth from within the spatial rift, entering their line of sight.
As the silhouette emerged, the expressions on everyone's faces shifted—some solemn, others complicated.
"First Brother!"
Gu You's voice rang out in alarm as he rushed toward the figure, his tone tinged with panic.
Closely behind him, the remaining experts of the Hall of Souls emerged one after another. But as the crowd got a clearer look at the figure at the front, their hearts trembled violently—and a deep, creeping fear began to rise.
The First Tianzun's current condition was scarcely better than Xiao Hua's. His entire body was drenched in blood, his robes in tatters. The exposed skin beneath was mangled with torn flesh and open wounds. His sleeves had been completely blown apart, and blood dripped steadily from what remained of one arm—because the other… was gone.
He had sacrificed an arm.
Forced to push himself to the brink, he had barely managed to survive Xiao Hua's terrifying attack by abandoning the limb entirely.
Seeing the First Tianzun in such a pitiful state, even Zhu Li and Gu You were left utterly stunned. Their pupils shrank, and a sharp intake of cold breath echoed among them.
Then, as if following some unspoken signal, countless shocked gazes slowly turned to Xiao Hua—weakly supported by Ming Cheng.
This young man… actually forced a true Dou Sheng into such a miserable state…
Though the First Tianzun possessed the strength of a Dou Sheng and was not as heavily weakened as Xiao Hua, it did little to change the fact that he had been forced into such a miserable state—by a mere 9-Star Dou Zong.
Pu!
A violent cough escaped his lips as the First Tianzun spat out another mouthful of fresh blood. The crimson liquid was laced with fragments of internal organs—clear evidence that he had not only lost an arm, but had also sustained terrifying internal injuries. This time, the damage ran deep.
Many experts exchanged looks upon witnessing this scene, their hearts sighing silently. No matter how formidable the First Tianzun was, injuries of this degree would not heal without consequence. Even if he survived, the aftermath of such injuries would likely leave behind permanent sequelae.
It was not impossible that his future path of advancement had been severed entirely.
"Xiao Hua! I... I'll tear you into ten thousand pieces! You and I cannot exist under the same sky, you wretched brat!" the First Tianzun roared, his voice hoarse and venomous.
Blood-tinged foam continued to spill from the corners of his mouth, yet his bloodshot eyes remained locked on Xiao Hua, filled with boundless hatred. In that moment, Xiao Hua was the only thing he could see. His killing intent surged uncontrollably, monstrous and wild.
To suffer such a humiliating defeat at the hands of a 9-Star Dou Zong… how could the fury in his heart possibly be quenched?
Yes, Xiao Hua had appeared as planned and taken his full-force strike, resulting in severe injuries. But what the First Tianzun hadn't expected… was the ruthlessness of the counterattack. That terrifying technique had struck him point-blank, leaving him battered, broken—and humiliated before countless onlookers.
How could he claim his gamble had paid off, when the price had been so great?
Bang!
A brilliant burst of golden and azure light erupted, accompanied by a deafening thunderclap that tore through the skies. Everyone turned toward the source—only to see Xiao Hua, who moments ago was on the verge of collapse, suddenly radiating with surging energy.
Before anyone could react, he swiftly swallowed several medicinal pills. In the blink of an eye, the grievous wounds covering his body began to heal at an astonishing speed, the torn flesh and broken bones visibly mending.
The surrounding experts were stunned. It quickly became clear that Xiao Hua must have possessed a large number of high-tier healing pills within his storage ring.
Still, none of them were truly surprised. After all, the Moonlit Chaos Mansion boasted two eighth-tier alchemists within its ranks. Their wealth and resources were already well-known—envied by many but accepted as fact.
At this point, it felt as if reality itself had broken their ability to be shocked. After everything they had witnessed today, they were simply… tired. Tired of being surprised by the sheer unpredictability of this faction.
Yet, perhaps due to the distance—or perhaps because their senses had dulled from the repeated upheaval—none of them noticed the deeper truth.
They couldn't see what was truly happening to Xiao Hua.
Though Xiao Hua's injuries were healing rapidly, his complexion remained deathly pale. It was clear—his recovery was far from complete. Despite having consumed ten Phoenix Breath Pills, it still wasn't enough to restore him to his peak. Worse, his supply had already been depleted. There were no more left in his storage rings.
The only reason his Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength had recovered at all… was because he had activated the ability of the Lightning Beasts—specifically the golden-colored and blue-colored Lightning Beasts within his body.
Drawing in a slow breath, Xiao Hua parted his lips and transmitted a faint spiritual message, one so subtle that only Ming Cheng and Li Mei could hear.
"...You two..."
Upon receiving the message, Ming Cheng and Li Mei's eyes widened sharply. They immediately turned their heads toward Xiao Hua, only to see his face—still pale, but filled with firm, unwavering resolve.
Seeing that look, they clenched their teeth.
Though reluctant, they understood.
They had no choice now… but to follow through with his plan.
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