Chapter 800: Then Come

"Jin Di, this is your own offspring."

Amidst the clouds and mist, the Empress of the Original Zun heard Jin Fengling's words, but her gaze turned to the Jin Di beside her.

The Emperor of the Yunjin Immortal Dynasty, Jin Di, wore an expression of profound depth, frowning: "They have a grudge? I was unaware."

"For an Immortal Lord to strike first is rather shameful."

Tian Zhao Di said calmly.

"It's not his fault. Since it's a grudge, if you were enemies with such a demon, you'd want to eliminate him too."

Jin Di said calmly.

Earlier, he had spoken highly of the youth, even showing appreciation for his talent—but now that the boy was entangled with his own son, his expression changed instantly, and his fondness for the youth vanished.

Hearing his words, others glanced at him, then fell silent, saying nothing more.

The Chi Di, clad in a brilliant red skirt and with skin whiter than snow, cast her gaze toward Chu Di—the youth was her Imperial Son-in-Law, had entered the contest under the banner of the Yan-Chu Immortal Dynasty, and had won glory for Yan-Chu—yet he remained silent.

Seeing the Emperor's cold, expressionless face, a faint smile slowly curled at the corner of her eyes, though deep within it lay sorrow.

At the Emperor's platform, Ming Yue saw Jin Fengling blocking Li Hao, her expression shifting slightly; she was about to speak, for Li Hao had a hundred-year pact with her, and even now that he chose to withdraw, she still had full confidence she could utterly defeat him.

But suddenly, her gaze flickered, and she held back her words.

She wanted Li Hao to understand: without a Supreme's protection, he would face many such incidents in the future.

Rejecting his Master would become a regret he'd carry for life!

"As an Immortal Lord, you challenge a True Immortal. As a prodigy, don't you even have the pride to fight an opponent of your own realm?"

At that moment, a figure suddenly flew forward, like a wisp of mist, appearing before Li Hao, revealing a hazy yet towering form, dignified and noble—it was the Master of Great Dreams.

Earlier, Li Hao's duel with Jian Xin had already tightened her heart, but she could not intervene; now, with Jin Fengling's challenge, she naturally could not stand idly by.

Although she recognized him as a member of the Jin royal clan, with immense background—so what?

"Hm?"

Jin Fengling saw the woman before him, his eyes shifting slightly—he immediately recognized her as a member of the Great Dream Clan. His face darkened: "Your words are truly ironic. You are an Immortal King—do you intend to bully a mere Immortal Lord like me? If so, what's the difference between you and me?"

"But you struck first."

The Master of Great Dreams said coldly: "If you withdraw, I won't trouble you."

"And if I don't?"

Jin Fengling narrowed his eyes, raised his brow—and as he spoke, ripples stirred in the void behind him. An old man in black brocade stepped forth, expression calm, silent, yet eyes sharp as an eagle's, radiating immense power that stood evenly against the Master of Great Dreams.

The Master of Great Dreams' eyes turned icy—his realm matched hers exactly.

She knew royal clans always had powerful guardians—some from the Immortal Dynasty's generals or imperial guards, others sent by the royal family's maternal side.

After all, the women who married the Immortal Dynasty's Emperor came from great clans themselves, each with formidable power.

"Boy, you say our Lord bullies the young? But we're of the same realm—I'm only a few years older than you. Dare you face me first?"

At that moment, several figures flew in—Li Tiemu and several other Yuan elders.

In the Nine Great Dreams Yuan, each Yuan's Master was an Immortal King; the elders were Immortal Lords. Among them, the elite, like Li Tiemu, had reached the tenth layer of Immortal Lord.

Yet Li Tiemu's talent was limited—he had remained stuck in the Immortal Lord realm for tens of thousands of years, unable to cross into Immortal King.

And in the Immortal King realm, each layer was a world apart—the gap between Immortal King Layer One and Layer Two was no less than that between True Immortal and Immortal Lord!

Hearing Li Tiemu's words, Jin Fengling glanced at him, immediately sensing his aura—and his face flushed with rage: "An Immortal Lord Tenth Layer old man? You dare say you're only a few years older? If you checked my soul lifespan, I'm only a thousand years younger than you—I'll fight you if you want!"

Li Tiemu was not just a thousand years older—he was at least seventy or eighty thousand years older.

Yet he didn't anger; he merely chuckled darkly: "If you're too afraid, why make so many excuses? My disciple dares challenge a True Immortal as an Immortal Lord—yet you, an Immortal Lord Third Layer, dare not even spar with this old man who's seven layers ahead?"

Hearing his mockery, Jin Fengling nearly cursed aloud—how could this be the same?

In that moment, his hatred for this old man surpassed even his hatred for Li Hao.

Disciple? Of course the master breeds the disciple—both must die!

He glared at Li Tiemu with icy fury, raised his hand, and the space of heaven and earth split open. From within, he drew out three talismans radiating divine aura and precious light—golden, azure, and purple—each etched with phantom figures.

"Country bumpkin, you're not worthy to fight me. If you want to fight, come try."

The three talismans simultaneously unleashed countless divine rays, like unraveling silk, drawing in vast amounts of immortal energy, gradually forming three hazy figures, each glowing with radiance, their faces indiscernible.

Yet the aura emanating from these three phantoms was unmistakably peak Immortal Lord—even stronger than Li Tiemu's by a third.

Li Tiemu's face changed—he immediately recognized the artifact. The original bodies of these three phantoms were Immortal Kings. Though now only capable of unleashing peak Immortal Lord power, their combat techniques, drawn from Immortal Kings, far surpassed his own.

Is this the royal prodigy's life-saving technique?

Not only Li Tiemu—his two neighboring elders also paled. In the Immortal Cities of the Southern Region, countless noble families stared in shock.

Compared to the protective talismans they granted their own prodigies, the royal clan truly wielded grandeur—casually pulling out three peak Immortal Lord guardians, always at their side.

"Today, no one will stop him!"

Seeing Li Tiemu and the others stunned, Jin Fengling smirked, his gaze sweeping toward Li Hao. He clenched his palm—and a supreme immortal weapon appeared, radiating crimson demonic aura and golden Dao patterns.

In Jin Fengling's Nine Sequences Dao, his mastery of the Golden Dao was deepest, reaching the fifth peak of ultimate cultivation.

Earlier, he went to the Source City to obtain the Dao Fruit of the Golden Dao's primordial tree, hoping to cross into the sixth layer!

Then, among Immortal Lords, he'd have the confidence to claim the top spot, looking down upon countless geniuses of the Southern Region.

But Li Hao ruined that step—and filled his heart with endless hatred for him.

"That's a terrifying immortal weapon—it feels like it's swallowed countless bloods."

"There's also a demonic aura on it—probably fed with ancient demons."

"This is definitely a supreme immortal weapon. No wonder the Southern Region War bans immortal weapons and treasures, along with many talismans—if not, these Immortal Lord prodigies could unleash terrifying power. He's only Third Layer, yet his weapon could easily obliterate an Immortal Lord Third Layer!"

"This is the true depth of a prodigy—terrifying indeed!"

"If a royal clan member is this powerful, what would the Supreme's direct disciple be like, wielding a supreme treasure granted by the Supreme? That would be unimaginable! Li Hao rejected the Supreme's offer to become his disciple—what a waste! What a squandering of talent! This is the opportunity countless souls dream of—there is no existence beyond the Immortal Emperor!"

Countless onlookers sighed in awe and regret, pitying Li Hao, mourning his folly.

At the Emperor's platform, the youth, surrounded by countless gazes, wore no regret—only cold, lethal intent.

"Li Hao, leave first. Today, even if I must reincarnate, I won't let them harm you even a hair's breadth!"

Before Li Hao could speak, the Master of Great Dreams' voice came—calm and clear.

Li Hao gazed at the Master of Great Dreams' broad, hazy back—and at Li Tiemu and the others, also turned away, refusing to look back.

He stared deeply, then said: "No need. If I don't kill him, I won't leave happily."

Hearing this, Ming Yue raised an eyebrow—just moments ago, she thought Li Hao had found a good sect; now she saw his sheer audacity.

"You're truly… lawless!"

Ming Yue couldn't help saying. With sect protection, Li Hao could have escaped now and sought revenge later—but instead, he insisted on showing off. He'd finally seen the youth's recklessness: facing an Immortal Lord wielding a supreme weapon, he still wanted to fight—and kill him?

"Li Hao, you!"

Li Tiemu, hearing Li Hao's words, spun around in fury: "Don't care about us! Leave! Our wish is fulfilled—after ten thousand years, the name 'Great Dream Nine Yuan' will echo again across the Southern Region. If we perish here today, we do so willingly!"

He spoke with iron resolve, eyes locked fiercely on Li Hao.

The two elders beside him also nodded, urgently urging Li Hao to flee.

Before Li Hao could speak again, another figure stepped forward, smiling lightly:

"Sorry, it seems he truly can't leave today. Not only does Brother Jin have a grudge with him—I also wish to test him."

The speaker was a white-haired youth, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, a teasing, half-smiling gaze fixed on Li Hao.

Li Hao turned his head slightly, narrowing his eyes: "Who are you?"

He didn't recognize him.

"Forget me if you like. Since you've withdrawn today, I won't break the rules. Brother Jin—shall you go first, or me?"

He looked at Jin Fengling, asking casually with a smile.

Jin Fengling narrowed his eyes, glanced at him—he hadn't known Li Hao had a feud with this man. But he certainly didn't want Li Hao to die in someone else's hands—he planned to trap Li Hao's Primordial Spirit inside the Demon-Slaying Sword and torment it endlessly.

"I'll go first. But don't let these meddlers interfere. When I capture him, I'll hand him to you—you can slap him a few times to vent your anger."

Jin Fengling said.

The white-haired youth raised an eyebrow and laughed: "Fair enough."

As he spoke, he flicked his hand—and from the void behind him, another old man stepped forth. His body was stout, his eyes long and narrow, appearing gentle and easygoing—but now, in this setting, he didn't smile. His narrow eyes, instead, resembled twin willow-blade knives, radiating cold, star-like light.

Seeing this man, the Master of Great Dreams and the others paled.

Another Immortal King.

Now, even if they sacrificed their lives, they might not protect Li Hao.

Before they could react, another figure stepped forward from afar, speaking calmly:

"If there's still a chance, I wouldn't mind giving him two slaps—for repaying his false accusation against my junior sister."

Li Hao looked—this youth was the one who had stood beside the green-dressed girl earlier. He was an Immortal Lord, naturally also a contestant, born into a noble family—now he was adding insult to injury.

His appearance didn't surprise Li Hao. After one glance, his gaze returned to the white-haired youth.

He was certain—he had never met this man before.

Seeing Li Hao's gaze, the white-haired youth seemed to guess his thoughts, and a faint smile curled on his lips.

In Li Hao's mind, the youth's voice suddenly echoed: "Confused? I'll be kind—I'll let you die understanding. I merely wish to repay a favor to Tiangong. You rejected the Supreme—so the Supreme certainly doesn't want you alive. But the Supreme, bound by dignity, can't act himself. I'm simply following the Emperor's will."

Hearing this, Li Hao's eyes widened in realization—his doubts vanished.

He took a deep breath. When his eyes opened again, they held the deep, oceanic fury of lethal intent.

This killing intent was even heavier, denser than when he slew the ancient demons!

In a tavern of some Immortal Dynasty, a woman in black robes, Mi Xueyao, propped her chin on her hand, gazing at the celestial screen. When she saw the youth's expression, she dropped her hand—her eyes lit with excitement and amusement:

"Tsk tsk tsk—ready to go serious? Humans are indeed fascinating—far more interesting than Father said. Such a monster, trapped among his own kind, everyone wanting to kill him—how delightful!"

"If I'd known this, I'd have invited you to come with me back then—taken you home. Father would've adored you!"

She said, her eyes filled with regret.

Li Hao's culinary skill could make her own kind so delicious and even enhance their Primordial Spirit; if their Emperor Father knew, he would surely protect and adore Li Hao above all else.

But she knew, in this dire situation, the boy had no way to escape.

Yet how could these human beings, so absurd, have fought against their ancient demons for a hundred thousand years?

Could it truly be the last lingering light of the Immortal Emperors from a hundred thousand years ago, protecting them until now?

Thinking of her clan's many woes and other ancient demon royal lineages, she could not help but sigh deeply—it seemed their own kind were no better than these humans, sometimes even more absurdly ridiculous.

"Then come."

Li Hao's deep, pitch-black gaze fixed on Jin Fengling, filled solely with the coldest killing intent. "Master, let him step forward!"

The Dream Master's body trembled slightly; all the Dao patterns woven like ribbons across her body quivered, trembling as her heart did. She clenched her teeth—how many years had it been since she last felt this suffocating sense of helplessness?

But now, two Immortal Kings had locked their spiritual auras onto her; even if she sacrificed her life and Dao, she could not protect Li Hao for even a moment.

For a hundred thousand years, they had hoped, waited, yearned for their sect to produce an unparalleled prodigy who would restore its glory across the Southern Region and honor the ancestors who once died fighting for the sect.

But now that they had finally hoped for and received such a one, must they watch helplessly as he is killed before their eyes?!

He is still so young!

"Great Dream Clan, I, Wan Ning, may have to… be disloyal!"

She suddenly turned her gaze to the void—where only endless starlight stretched—but her eyes seemed to pierce to the farthest reaches, where the Great Dream Clan resided.

(End of Chapter)