Chapter 11: Hard to Stand

Even a master of the Great Dao realm would find it hard to withstand this strike; even an immortal would be gravely wounded.

Yu Qiang's expression darkened instantly, as if a storm were about to break.

She released the powerful aura of a Quasi‑Saint, fierce as a volcano, causing the surrounding air to tremble.

She lightly flicked her sleeve, and the surrounding mystic ice swiftly coalesced into a massive ice wall, crystal clear and biting cold, like a towering glacier standing before the slash.

When they collided, dazzling light instantly lit the sky, blinding everyone with a white glare.

After the light faded, the slash was gone, but the ice wall was riddled with deep cracks, as if it could collapse at any moment.

"How is that possible? I suppressed my cultivation, using only the early Quasi‑Saint power, and he actually caught it?" Yu Qiang widened his eyes, his face full of astonishment.

But how could Yao Yan give her a chance to catch her breath?

He swiftly formed seals with both hands, and a lotus blossomed in his palm.

At that moment, Hou Tu and Zhou Yi's expressions changed abruptly; they both knew the terror of that lotus.

Hou Tu, as a witness, fully understood its power; Zhou Yi, as a participant, still felt lingering dread.

The two immediately teamed up, the golden Human Race law manifestation and the heavy Earth Law instantly encircled Yao Yan, while hurling that lotus into the sky.

As the lotus rose, heaven and earth changed hue, and winds and clouds surged.

The sun's brilliance was eclipsed, and the whole world seemed to fall into a massive energy storm.

When the lotus burst, a raging force swept the surroundings, the sky trembled, clouds dispersed, and the earth roared.

"This time it's the Wu Clan's fault; I, as Shaman, apologize to you," Hou Tu said solemnly.

"Sister." Yu Qiang furrowed his brows, full of resentment, ready to argue, but was halted by Hou Tu's stern gaze.

She had witnessed the battle herself, especially the explosive power of that lotus, and was deeply shaken.

Recalling her earlier overconfidence, Yu Qiang couldn't help feeling her face flush.

She looked up and saw Yao Yan staring at her.

Yu Qiang pursed her lips and muttered reluctantly, "Hmph, I'll give you credit."

Hearing that, Yao Yan slowly withdrew his gaze.

That recent duel was a pinnacle clash of strength and technique, with the two vindicating their cultivation through real combat.

The battle was far from trivial; it held great significance.

Soon, the four gathered around the fire again, but the atmosphere had already shifted dramatically.

Yu Qiang and Yao Yan, like two silent boulders, each buried in the abyss of thought, silently gnawed the sizzling roasted meat.

Yu Qiang's brows twisted into a knot, full of resentment over the defeat. He wondered how, as an elite of the Wu Clan, he could be beaten by a mere mortal human.

Yao Yan fell into deep contemplation. Since founding the Endless Fire Realm, he hadn't felt being surpassed in a long time.

Yet this pressure did not discourage him; instead it ignited a stronger fighting spirit, urging him to break through himself and ascend another level.

On the other side, Zhou Yi and Hou Tu chatted merrily.

The surrounding clan members occasionally glanced at the two silent powerhouses, but hunger quickly dispelled their curiosity; they quietly moved the fire aside and devoured the delicacies.

While eating and watching Hou Tu and Yu Qiang, Zhou Yi couldn't help teasing, "You two have temperaments that practically inherit the demon god's line—act first, act fast; the Wu Clan really are hot‑tempered."

The remark made Yu Qiang and Hou Tu's gazes snap toward Zhou Yi, a flash of surprise in their eyes. They quickly composed themselves, and Hou Tu seized the initiative: "So, you've studied the Wu Clan quite a bit?"

Zhou Yi nodded without hesitation: "I have dabbled in all the Honghuang races."

Hou Tu wanted to retort, but recalling Zhou Yi's earlier composure, the words caught in her throat and she swallowed them: "Then tell me, what is the current state of our Wu Clan?"

Zhou Yi scanned the two and said bluntly: "The Wu Clan is plagued by internal strife, overly self‑important, the whole tribe is like a scattering of sand."

"You," Yu Qiang slammed the ground angrily, "who gave you the nerve to judge our Wu Clan like that?"

Zhou Yi's face remained unchanged as he stared at Yu Qiang, calmly replying: "Did I say something wrong?"

Yu Qiang burned with anger, nearly lunging, intent on proving that every Wu Clan member wields power that can shake Honghuang.

But at that moment, Hou Tu tightly seized his arm, stopping his impulse.

Hou Tu knew Zhou Yi's words, though harsh, were spot‑on. She sighed lightly, looked at Yu Qiang, and whispered: "He's right."

"Then what do you think, how should we solve this dilemma?" Hou Tu asked, brow furrowed.

Zhou Yi shoved another piece of meat into his mouth, glanced indifferently at Hou Tu, and said: "No solution; it's the Wu Clan's nature, deeply rooted."

In his eyes, Hou Tu was a rare gentle soul within the Wu Clan.

At least she doesn't rashly shout for battle like others, so he's willing to speak a few more words.

Even so, he noticed Yu Qiang's face turned ashen with anger, like a volcano about to erupt.

Hou Tu, after hearing Zhou Yi, fell into contemplation, worry filling her eyes.

She began silently weighing the Wu Clan's current predicament, a mix of emotions churning inside.

At that moment, Yu Qiang and Yao Yan's hands simultaneously reached for the last tempting piece of roasted meat in the fire.

Their fingertips brushed the meat, and both jerked their heads up, eyes locking, as if sparks leapt between them.

The battle unresolved, the roast became a battlefield again, this time a contest of pure strength.

Yao Yan was clearly weaker than a human; facing Yu Qiang's copper‑wall, iron‑clad physique, he could only watch helplessly as the roast was snatched away.

But Yao Yan was not one to give up easily; he suddenly exerted force, and with a crack, the branch supporting the roast snapped, sending the meat soaring.

Almost simultaneously, the two leapt, clashing in the air, clutching the roast tightly.

With a dull thud, the roast was torn in two.

Immediately after, they landed steadily, standing in the fire's center, their overwhelming force scattering the flames, extinguishing many tongues of fire.

Hou Tu, deep in thought, was startled by the sudden clamor; dust and sparks swirled, landing on her shoulder, and she shouted irritably: "What are you two up to now?"

Yao Yan and Yu Qiang remained silent, quickly stuffing the roast into their mouths, eating with relish.

Zhou Yi and Hou Tu exchanged a glance, realizing the gathering could hardly continue.

"That's enough roast; let's withdraw," Hou Tu stood, her expression grave. "Yao Yan, the Human Race is weak; you must find a way to protect yourself. The area around Mount Buzhou is unsafe; don't linger long."

"If the Demon Race offends again, Honghuang will surely unleash a storm of blood and gore. The Human Race is so weak that it will likely struggle to survive," she added.

Zhou Yi laughed, "The time is still early. I'll stay right here, craving grilled meat—come find me anytime."

Hou Tu and Yu Qiang stared at him, understanding that this fellow truly feared nothing. Especially Yao Yan, whose cultivation is low but whose tactics are numerous and not to be underestimated.