Chapter Twenty-Five: Striking First for the Upper Hand

Primeval Mountain Stream!

A place fraught with danger, especially for Luo Hao, who braved it alone with cultivation not yet high. He was forced to constantly guard against disciples from the Purple Star Pavilion, which only heightened the peril. From the words of those two disciples just now, he could all but confirm that a vast net had been cast by their kind throughout these ancient ravines; each one sought to capture him and present him to that so-called Senior Brother Murong.

He shook his head in helplessness—who could have guessed that in just a few days, he’d go from a penniless beggar to someone so sought-after?

Now, if there were any safe havens in these ancient mountain streams, it would be the territories of ferocious beasts. Thus, hunting the Dragon Ape was imperative for Luo Hao. At least near the Dragon Ape’s lair, he wouldn’t need to worry about disciples from the Purple Star Pavilion.

Tap!

Luo Hao alighted lightly upon the branch of an ancient tree, leaving no trace, like wind passing through. This time, however, he did not immediately move on; instead, his gaze fixed intently ahead.

There, a sheer cliff stood, its rocks jagged and crevices everywhere. Amid fallen leaves, in the cleft of the cliff, a verdant sapling swayed gently in the breeze. At its crown hung a dazzlingly red fruit, the size of a dragon’s eye gemstone. A faint fragrance drifted toward his nose, and a single breath of it filled him with invigorating energy.

Red Luo Spirit Fruit!

Seeing the crimson fruit in the cliff's crevice, Luo Hao’s eyes flashed with delight. He’d only heard of the Red Luo Spirit Fruit from disciples chatting in the Contribution Hall. It rivaled a fourth-grade treasure, possessing astonishing healing properties. In the market, it could fetch over fifty spirit stones, and in the black market, speculation could drive the price to a hundred. If refined into a pill, it would become a lifeline, its value soaring beyond measure. Although Luo Hao hadn’t been in the Ancient Heaven Continent long, he was well aware of the esteemed status of alchemists.

His gaze burned at the Red Luo Spirit Fruit, but he did not act hastily; danger lurked everywhere in these ancient mountain streams.

He snapped a branch, using it as an arrow, channeling his strength until a noble golden aura wrapped around it. With a whistling sound, the branch became a golden arrow, shooting straight toward the Red Luo Spirit Fruit.

Crack!

The golden arrow struck true, knocking the fruit down from the sapling’s apex. Luo Hao, feet barely touching the tree, became a streak of gold as he darted toward the falling fruit, snatching it deftly.

Joy suffused his face as he held the Red Luo Spirit Fruit, feeling its vibrant life force. He’d planned to hunt the Dragon Ape directly, but fortune had smiled; barely entering the ancient mountain stream, he’d already claimed such a prize.

Hmm!

Suddenly, his smile froze. Luo Hao spun around, instantly stowing the fruit. His eyes turned cold as he regarded two figures clad in purple atop a nearby ancient tree; in their eyes, greed burned fiercely.

Heh, who would have thought someone could find the Red Luo Spirit Fruit here? Brother, looks like luck is finally on our side.

The speaker acted as though the fruit was already theirs. Luo Hao’s gaze turned icy; a savage aura crept into his eyes.

The two purple-clad figures floated down not far from Luo Hao, their lips curling into mocking smiles, like cats toying with mice.

Will you hand it over, or must my brother and I take it ourselves?

Their aura was weaker than Wei Wuyai’s, likely at the eighth tier of Qi Spirit. Luo Hao focused on the figure to the left, as the one on the right seemed to circle him.

The man was young, barely in his twenties, with a hint of softness in his features. Dressed in purple robes, he held a gleaming sword. He looked refined, but greed had utterly ruined any trace of noble bearing.

As Luo Hao studied them, the pair advanced, observing him in turn. When they saw the robe marking him as a new disciple of the Sea of Heaven Sect, they exchanged knowing glances and a flicker of murderous intent. Luo Hao caught it at once.

They approached, laughing, saying: Ah, so we’re fellow disciples of the Sea of Heaven Sect. Judging by your attire, you must be a new initiate. These ancient mountain streams are perilous, and our Purple Star Pavilion has sealed them off. But since we are fellow sect members, naturally, we’ll ensure your safety.

The speaker, the sword-wielding disciple of the Purple Star Pavilion, extended his right hand as if to pull Luo Hao toward him for protection.

Luo Hao eyed the outstretched hand, a cold smile curling his lips. In his indifferent gaze, murderous intent surged. His body trembled, unleashing a torrent of golden dragon force, wild as a flood released from a dam. The golden energy was vast and majestic; the roar of dragons echoed, and under its power, Luo Hao became a golden deity, striking without hesitation.

Tiger King Salutes the Moon!

His golden fist blazed, shaking the void—crushing all before it. The fierce roar of a tiger became the dominant melody of heaven and earth, as a tide of overwhelming force surged from his fist.

The terrifying aura stunned the sword-wielding disciple; breath caught in his chest, panic rising in his eyes as mortal dread enveloped him.

Quick, send the signal flare! Angry Waves Surge!

The sword-wielder shouted to his companion, his blade singing as he slashed downward. Countless sword energies surged like raging waves.

Break!

With a furious shout, the golden fist roared with tiger and dragon, piercing the roaring wave and smashing into the sword.

Crack!

With a brittle snap, the sword shattered into pieces, reduced to scrap. The disciple was sent flying by the forceful dragon energy, like a kite with a broken string.

Seizing the advantage, Luo Hao’s feet flashed gold, and his figure streaked after the sword-wielder, covering dozens of meters in a single step.

Die!

From above, Luo Hao’s voice was like a ghostly whisper from the abyss. His golden fist, divine and unstoppable, crashed into the disciple’s chest with mountain-shattering force.

Thud!

Blood erupted, the disciple’s eyes bulged, crimson spraying as he flew, his chest caved in. He landed like a dead dog, his vitality extinguished.

Killing the sword-wielder took but three breaths. The other disciple had just produced the signal flare, about to launch it, when a golden sea enveloped him like an eternal realm.

Heh, Mountain-Cleaving Palm!

Under the crushing golden domain, the disciple’s heart quaked. He never expected his opponent to be so powerful and decisive; he had no time to release the signal. With a roar, his eighth-tier Qi Spirit power gathered in his palms to resist the golden domain.

Luo Hao, spare me! I’m only following orders!

The ground beneath his feet cracked; he felt the ancient beast-like power in the golden domain, panic-stricken, begging for mercy—his earlier arrogance vanished.

Hmph, since you know my name, you intend harm. All must die.

From within the golden domain, Luo Hao’s voice was as merciless as an ancient demon god. With a surge of force, a golden fist marked with runes descended.

Bang!

Dragon force unleashed, the golden fist unstoppable. A shrill scream sounded as bones in the disciple’s hand snapped. Ten fingers connected to the heart; tears of blood streamed as he howled.

Dragon force rampaged, crushing all. Luo Hao descended, his foot piercing the disciple’s chest, sending flesh and bone flying.

He caught the signal flare in his hand, gazing at the blood mist and scattered flesh with a grim smile. Let me send this signal for you.