Chapter 438

The Tianhong Realm, a forest of jagged rocks.

Zhang Hao leapt like a spirit monkey, darting nimbly through the rocky forest.

The bandit cultivators had summoned a divine demon of the Chen ancestral clan; Zhang Hao had no choice but to keep fleeing through the rocky forest, relying on his miraculous Fei Chen Pearl and the land’s natural arrays and treacherous terrain to evade the divine demon’s pursuit.

Several times Zhang Hao narrowly escaped death, almost caught by the Chen ancestral clan’s divine demon.

Fortunately, at critical moments the Fei Chen Pearl erupted to protect its master, blocking the divine demon’s attacks—enraging the Chen ancestral clan’s divine demon, who grew even more greedy.

Zhang Hao possessed such a supreme treasure; if he obtained it, his combat power would surely surge.

In truth, after Zhang Hao killed Chen Xuan, the Chen ancestral clan had already suspected he wielded a supreme treasure or an invincible divine art—otherwise, how could he have slain Chen Xuan?

No one understood better than the Chen ancestral clan what kind of life-saving cards Chen Xuan carried.

Chen Xuan was the Chen ancestral clan’s future clan master heir; his life-saving cards were naturally not weak—this was known to all major immortal and demonic factions, yet they still underestimated Chen Xuan’s life-saving cards.

This was why no major immortal or demonic faction had probed Zhang Hao.

In their view, Zhang Hao had slain Chen Xuan because his life-saving card was stronger than Chen Xuan’s; yet Zhang Hao was Bai Yuanxian’s sole direct disciple, so it was normal for him to possess even stronger cards than Chen Xuan.

After all, Bai Yuanxian had only one disciple, so all the best treasures naturally rested with Zhang Hao, whereas Chen Xuan, though the future heir, was not the only possible heir—a great clan always had backups.

Of course, as heir, Chen Xuan deserved life-saving cards—but a great clan had countless talents; it could not give him all its life-saving cards. What if someone stole them? That would be a catastrophic loss.

Thus, the life-saving cards given to Chen Xuan were always within acceptable limits; no one would let a young prodigy roam freely with a supreme treasure. If any immortal or demon learned of it, theft would be inevitable.

Therefore, Chen Xuan’s life-saving cards were intended to counter divine demons; why not give him ones at the Xian-Mo level? First, Xian-Mo-level life-saving cards were exceedingly rare.

Second, the Chen ancestral clan was an ancient great clan; as long as Chen Xuan didn’t recklessly provoke trouble, no Xian-Mo would dare assassinate a Chen ancestral clan heir and incur the wrath of the entire clan.

Thus, all major immortal and demonic factions misjudged Chen Xuan’s life-saving cards—and by extension, underestimated Zhang Hao’s.

Only the Chen ancestral clan’s high elders knew Chen Xuan was not merely the current clan master’s son and future heir—he was in truth the secret illegitimate son of the clan’s ancient ancestor.

To avoid the scandal of an ancient ancestor fathering an illegitimate child, they concealed his true identity and passed him off as the current clan master’s son.

When Chen Xuan died, the Chen ancestral clan erupted in thunderous fury—especially the ancient ancestor, who was enraged that his most beloved youngest son had been killed.

Because Chen Xuan was the secret son, the ancient ancestor had granted him life-saving cards reaching the Xian-Mo level—equal to those of the clan master himself.

The Chen ancestral clan’s high elders knew this, deduced the terrifying nature of Zhang Hao’s card, and grew greedy, wanting to seize it for themselves.

Such a card—even the Chen ancestral clan coveted it—could become the cornerstone treasure of any major immortal or demonic faction.

Now.

Seeing the Fei Chen Pearl, the Chen ancestral clan’s divine demon no longer concealed his greed—he even wished to claim it for himself without reporting to the clan.

Zhang Hao knew this divine demon’s greed; that was precisely why he revealed the Fei Chen Pearl for self-preservation. In this rocky forest, only he and the enemy remained—there was no need to fear the Pearl’s secret spreading, because the enemy would never report it.

Of course, Zhang Hao had no other choice.

He was merely a Life Essence Fifth Layer cultivator; facing a divine demon’s pursuit, he could not survive without the Fei Chen Pearl.

“Zhang Hao, stop running. Your master, Bai Yuanxian, has been severely wounded by my clan’s ancient ancestor and other titans—he may be dead. Don’t count on him saving you. Hand over your treasure, and I may spare your life.”

The Chen ancestral clan’s divine demon spoke, a flash of cold light in his eyes.

His expression clearly showed no intention to spare anyone—it was the face of a murderer ready to plunder.

“If my master suffers even a scratch, I’ll make the entire Chen ancestral clan pay with their lives!”

Zhang Hao fled, his face no longer showing panic—instead, it grew colder, calmer, radiating an aura so chilling it made the blood freeze.

“Pay with your lives? Do you think you can escape? Let me tell you plainly: my clan didn’t send just me. Three other divine demons were dispatched—one on the verge of entering the Xian-Mo level. Do you really think you can escape?”

As soon as he spoke,

Zhang Hao’s expression darkened.

Of course—the group chat lied again. Some of it was fake. It promised enemies would be turncoats, each one handing him experience points to boost his strength.

Fuck. Four divine demons? I’m only Life Essence Fifth Layer.

Reality is cruel—this is exactly what it means. The stronger the faction, the less likely they are to be foolish. They knew Zhang Hao had a supreme treasure, knew his abilities, knew his master was Bai Yuanxian—how could they possibly prepare nothing?

Their only goal was to ensure Zhang Hao’s death and the treasure’s recovery—without fail.

“The other three divine demons’ tortures are far crueler than mine. If you fall into their hands, you’ll beg for death. But I have mercy—if you hand over your treasure, I’ll spare your life.

Let me tell you: Chen Xuan’s death enraged the Chen ancestral clan, and the ancient ancestor is furious. Only I can save you now. Hand over your treasure, and I’ll find someone to kill in your place.

Otherwise, you’ll spend your entire life running from pursuit until you die.”

The Chen ancestral clan’s divine demon was cautious, never ceasing his verbal provocation during the chase.

He had no choice—Zhang Hao’s treasure gave him an instinctive threat; he dared not stumble.

Unfortunately, Zhang Hao ignored him, fleeing in silence.

After relentless pursuit, the divine demon’s patience wore thin. If he couldn’t catch Zhang Hao, his clanmates would arrive soon.

Yet reality rarely obeys desire.

The other three divine demons dispatched by the Chen ancestral clan arrived. Together, they finally trapped Zhang Hao.

“The Chen ancestral clan’s dignity cannot be defied! Zhang Hao, descend to hell and repent!”

The Chen ancestral clan’s divine demon nearing the Xian-Mo level opened his palm, as if grasping a starry sky and crushing it downward.

Yet at the critical moment,

“Who dares touch my disciple?!”

Immortal aura surged violently—the entire rocky forest boiled. The terrain trembled as if ready to shift mountains and fill seas; the fierce winds froze; the natural arrays quaked.

Then the Chen ancestral clan’s divine demons were horrified.

Above the nine heavens, Bai Yuanxian descended from the sky, followed by Gui Hong the Demon Ancestor and a host of terrifying beings equal to Bai Yuanxian.

BOOM!

Bai Yuanxian struck with one palm.

“My disciple is not for you to punish.”

Before they could scream, the three Chen ancestral clan divine demons vanished into ash—only the one nearing the Xian-Mo level remained.

That one was deliberately spared by the Miti Dasheng Army, to send word to the Chen ancestral clan: today, Bai Yuanxian would come to settle accounts for his disciple’s pursuit and his own ambush.

“The group leader brought us to the Tianhong Realm, and Zhang Hao is from the Initial Realm. We must do something, right?”

When asked why he sent word to the Chen ancestral clan to provoke a response, the Miti Dasheng Lord replied:

“The Initial Realm has lain dormant too long—so long that other realms have forgotten it, forgotten the sacrifices of its divine demons who fought on the original battlefields, forgotten the divine demons buried at Hangu Pass. It’s time for other worlds to remember the Initial Realm again.”

His words earned the approval of the First Immortal Sovereign of Jiuzhou and others.

…

The Tianhong Realm, Chen ancestral clan.

Upon hearing the news, the Chen ancestral clan erupted in thunderous fury—especially the ancient ancestor. Bai Yuanxian was treating him with utter contempt.

“Send word to the Ancestor of the Tian Shen Palace, Ling Xing the Old Immortal, and the Shen Ming Demon Sovereign.” The Chen ancestral clan’s ancient ancestor narrowed his eyes and sneered: “Bai Yuanxian, you think your wounds have healed enough to challenge me? You think Gui Hong’s help lets you defy the Chen ancestral clan?

You think gathering a few allies lets you fight three against three? Do you think I have no counters?”

The Chen ancestral clan’s ancient ancestor was meticulous—he would never fight without preparation. Even when Bai Yuanxian fled to the Hongmo Sect, they had already contacted Shen Ming the Demon Sovereign to assist them.

The Ancestor of the Tian Shen Palace, Ling Xing the Old Immortal, and Shen Ming the Demon Sovereign arrived at the Chen ancestral clan.

The moment they arrived and exchanged polite words with the Chen ancestral clan’s ancient ancestor—“Brother Chen, don’t worry, today we’ll make Gui Hong and Bai Yuan pay with their lives”—Bai Yuanxian and his party arrived.

“Perfect timing!”

Shen Ming the Demon Sovereign roared and burst out of the Chen ancestral clan’s territory; the Chen ancestral clan’s ancient ancestor and his allies followed closely behind.

Then…

They froze.

Wait—what’s going on? Did I hallucinate? Brother Chen, this isn’t what you told me! You said Bai Yuanxian would bring at most two Xian-Mo, and even in the worst case, it’d be four versus four—Bai Yuanxian was still wounded, so we’d have the advantage!

Where’s the advantage?!

Including Bai Yuanxian, the enemy has eight divine spirits and six-step Xian-Mo! Twice our number!

…