Chapter Forty: Returning to the Platform of Life and Death

“Whoever touches my brothers, dies!”
The thunderous roar echoed like a grand bell, deafening to the ears. Then, to everyone’s surprise, two figures appeared at Luo Hao’s side. Seeing the two by his side, Luo Hao felt a wave of emotion surge in his heart. Some people can only share in your prosperity, but only true brothers will stand by you through peril!

“Yan Longyuan!”
“Sikong Xuan!”
“I heard these three share an unusual bond. I didn’t expect the other two would risk offending the Ziwei Pavilion for Luo Hao’s sake!”
Many disciples on the plaza looked on with admiration. One of the two was as elegant as jade, the other exuded a domineering aura—both were rare, exceptional talents.

Especially among the new disciples who entered this year, these two, the first to reach the summit of the Hundred-Thousand Stone Steps, were legendary. No one expected them to be sworn brothers with Luo Hao. Without a doubt, these three were the most outstanding new disciples this year.

“Now things are getting interesting. The three most exceptional newcomers this year are united against Ziwei Pavilion!” Someone in the crowd smiled with amusement. There was no way Ziwei Pavilion could recruit any of them this year.

“Brother, are you all right? Yan has told me everything!” Sikong Xuan spoke with concern, keeping a wary eye on the surrounding Ziwei Pavilion disciples.

“Notify Senior Brother Murong in secret!”

Li Long and Zhang Hu, seeing Yan Longyuan and Sikong Xuan standing protectively by Luo Hao, realized the situation was slipping beyond their control. At that moment, a twinge of regret crept into their hearts for provoking Luo Hao. Now, they had no way out.

“Luo Hao, leave some room for others; it’s best to think carefully about the consequences of offending Ziwei Pavilion.” Li Long’s expression was unfriendly. Although his words seemed to advise, anyone could hear the threat beneath.

“No need. Why would the living wish to meet the dead?”
As he spoke, Luo Hao stepped out from behind Yan Longyuan and Sikong Xuan, his murderous intent laid bare. The deadly glint in his eyes made Li Long and Zhang Hu feel a chill down their spines—it was as if some venomous serpent lurking in the darkness had locked onto them.

With a crisp crack, frost began to form under Luo Hao’s footsteps, and the temperature around him plummeted. Under his chilling killing intent, Luo Hao was a peerless fiend, devoid of all emotion.

“Arrogant brat!”
A furious shout rang out as one of the Tianhai Sect disciples encircling Luo Hao suddenly attacked, his hand slicing down like a blade toward Luo Hao’s head. Though there was no blade in his grasp, his hand gleamed white, sharper than steel.

With a whoosh, his palm landed, causing the very air to tremble. The void itself seemed to split apart, as surging spiritual power condensed into a blade of energy dozens of feet long, threatening to cut Luo Hao down.

“Begone!”
With a cold smile, Luo Hao let out a low growl. Golden dragon force roared forth, and at once, dragon might surged as if countless golden dragons soared. His golden right hand shot out, and to the astonishment of all, he caught the towering blade of energy in his bare palm.

Sparks flew and metallic clangs rang out where blade met flesh. Many disciples looked on in utter shock.

“What incredible physical strength!”
“Is this guy even human? His body is terrifying!”
A chorus of gasps echoed through the crowd. Among all living beings, the human body was considered weak; only ancient beast clans and barbarian tribes were known for legendary physical might.

Suddenly, Luo Hao grinned savagely, tightening his grip until the blade of energy shattered in his hand. Then, with his other fist wrapped in boundless dragon force, he struck down like a golden bell. His golden fist tore through the void with the power to shatter mountains and crashed brutally into the disciple’s chest.

A sickening crack resounded as bones broke. Golden dragon force pierced through, and amid the dragon’s roar, the Ziwei Pavilion disciple was sent flying like a deflated balloon across the plaza.

The disciple’s chest caved in completely, blood gushed from his mouth, and he was smashed into a pile of rubble—his fate uncertain.

A collective gasp swept the crowd. With a single blow, Luo Hao had crippled a ninth-level Qi Spirit cultivator—what terrifying strength! Li Long and Zhang Hu’s eyes were filled with terror. For the first time, they were truly afraid.

The surrounding Ziwei Pavilion disciples scattered like frightened birds. They knew if they didn’t run now, they’d lose their lives. How could they not see how ruthless Luo Hao was?

“You...”

Li Long and Zhang Hu looked at their fleeing comrades in panic and fury, but what truly terrified them was Luo Hao, who now approached with a predatory smile.

“I’ll give you two one last chance: settle this on the Life-and-Death Platform.”
Li Long and Zhang Hu gritted their teeth so hard they almost cracked. Luo Hao was determined to end them.

“Luo Hao, don’t push us too far!” Zhang Hu shouted in anger. When had they ever been forced to this point by a newcomer?

“So what if I do? Life-and-Death Platform. Do you dare?”

Luo Hao’s voice boomed like thunder, sending a jolt through all the onlookers. Under his icy, merciless aura, Li Long and Zhang Hu could only force themselves to reply, “Fine. We’ll fight. On the Life-and-Death Platform, we settle it once and for all.”

With a cold smile, Luo Hao turned and walked toward the Life-and-Death Platform. Li Long and Zhang Hu felt utterly powerless—not that they wanted to agree, but faced with Luo Hao’s killing intent, they had no choice. If they refused, Luo Hao might just kill them on the spot.

“Hurry, notify Senior Brother Murong!”

After sending word in secret, Li Long and Zhang Hu, under immense pressure, climbed onto the Life-and-Death Platform, hearts bitter, for once on that stage, there could be no turning back—only life or death.

“Brother, finish those two pieces of trash without worry. If anyone tries to interfere or use power to bully you, we’re not to be trifled with either.”
Yan Longyuan clapped Luo Hao on the shoulder, his words laced with murderous intent. As his gaze swept across the Ziwei Pavilion disciples, an indistinct but formidable aura radiated from him.

“Good. After the battle, let’s drink till we drop!”

As soon as the words left his lips, Luo Hao’s figure vanished. On the Life-and-Death Platform, the instant his feet touched down, Li Long and Zhang Hu launched their attack.

Wild spiritual power surged like a vortex, enveloping the entire platform. Witnessing Luo Hao’s fearsome strength, the two dared not hold back, unleashing all the power of their Blood Condensation and half-step Blood Condensation realms.

“Despicable!”
Seeing Li Long and Zhang Hu launch a sneak attack, Ji Rou in the crowd cursed softly. She wasn’t the only one—many spectators frowned at such dishonorable tactics.

“Tyrant’s Fist!”

With a furious roar, Li Long unleashed his fist like a bolt of lightning, shaking the entire space. The spiritual power around the platform erupted violently, his overwhelming force sweeping the stage.

Boom!

Luo Hao’s gaze was icy as he retreated several steps. Then, eyes flashing like lightning, ancient golden light enveloped him. He was like a true god walking the earth. A god’s wrath spilled rivers of blood, and Luo Hao struck back without hesitation, meeting the attack head-on.

Bang!

The two fists collided in midair, spiritual power exploding like fireworks. At the heart of the explosion, Luo Hao suddenly sensed a terrifying force.

“Grand Qianyuan Palm!”

Amid the shockwaves, Zhang Hu’s roar thundered forth. With it came a massive palm of spiritual power, every line and whorl glowing as if starlight flowed within, suppressing the heavens.

The force was unstoppable. For a moment, Luo Hao felt trapped in a quagmire, as if the sky itself was collapsing onto him. The platform beneath his feet shattered, cracks spidering outward.

“Now! Grand Qianyuan Palm!”
“Tyrant’s Fist!”

With another roar, Zhang Hu and Li Long launched a dazzling flurry of martial techniques, engulfing Luo Hao in an instant. The torrent of spiritual power raged like a demon unleashed.

The Tianhai Sect disciples watching were forced to retreat. Even Yan Longyuan and Sikong Xuan showed wariness at the ferocity of the attack. Such terrifying spiritual power was beyond what Qi Spirit cultivators could imagine—even Blood Condensation experts would struggle to survive within it.

Countless eyes stared at the center of the platform—some with sympathy, some with disdain, some with regret for the loss of a promising disciple.

In the crowd, Ji Rou’s slender hands clenched tightly, her eyes fixed nervously on the heart of the storm.