Chapter Fifty-Eight: Making Enemies

"Luo Hao, be careful!"

The seven disciples of the Tianhai Sect behind Luo Hao spoke up in warning, their voices alert. Among them were members from the Hall of Thunder and the Purple Star Pavilion, each from different branches of the sect. The Purple Star Pavilion, in fact, had quite a bit of bad blood with Luo Hao. Yet now, whatever their past grievances, they stood united against the common foe.

Luo Hao's gaze was as cold as a blade, overflowing with murderous intent. The black-robed man felt as though he were being hunted by a primordial beast, and instinctively retreated a step.

That single step startled those behind him, especially Xue Yue of the Limitless Sword Sect and the martial artist from the Blood Condensation Realm of the Western Hills. They had not expected that a fellow practitioner in the Blood Condensation Realm would be forced back by a mere look from a disciple of the Tianhai Sect.

The black-robed man was completely shrouded, his identity concealed, but Xue Yue and the others knew full well that beneath that robe was none other than Yang Li, sworn brother of Sun Wutian, the leader of the Myriad Demons Sect in this expedition.

Yang Li’s expression was so dark it seemed to drip with venom. Yet what truly enraged him was that, upon squaring his gaze once more at Luo Hao, he discovered that the one who had forced him back with nothing but a glare possessed only the aura of a Spirit Qi Seventh Layer cultivator—a mere novice, judging by his attire, a new disciple of Tianhai Sect.

He, Yang Li, might not be invincible across the northwest, but within the Blood Condensation Realm, few dared provoke him—and certainly not some rookie at the Spirit Qi level.

Humiliation!

A surge of absolute shame made the veins on Yang Li’s forehead bulge. The powerful spiritual energy within him churned, threatening to erupt at any moment.

The pressure was so intense that the disciples of the Myriad Demons Sect around Yang Li fell silent, not daring to utter a word while he was in a rage.

Suddenly, a terrifying, obscure, and bone-chilling aura surged forth like a tidal wave, as if countless frost wyrms roared, seeking to devour Luo Hao. This frigid energy seeped into every crevice, and in the blink of an eye, a thick layer of frost formed over Luo Hao’s skin.

Seeing Luo Hao about to be frozen solid, the seven disciples of Tianhai Sect exchanged glances. At once, seven torrents of wild energy erupted from their bodies, instantly coalescing into a peerless divine sword.

"Strike!"

With a thunderous shout, the seven unleashed the divine sword, which cleaved through the heavens like the first light of dawn, piercing toward the demonically shrouded Yang Li with unstoppable force.

"Ha! You would pit the light of fireflies against the full moon? Die!"

Yang Li, worthy of his reputation among Blood Condensation experts, let out a cold snort. At the very instant the divine sword descended, an overwhelming black spiritual force surged forth, like a primordial fiend unleashed. The rolling, howling black energy morphed into a colossal black hand that blotted out the sky, slamming down upon the divine sword.

With a shattering crack, the black hand collided with the sword, dark clouds billowing and wailing. The divine sword was forcibly shattered, and the seven disciples of Tianhai Sect spat blood, their faces pale as death.

A shadow of utter blackness instantly enveloped the seven. As the black energy descended, they seemed to see the specters of the underworld beckoning them forth.

"Who gave you the audacity to harm disciples of my Tianhai Sect before me?" Suddenly, from within the thick encasement of ice, a cold, deathly voice rang out.

A dragon's ancient roar echoed, accompanied by blinding golden light that illuminated the entire mountain path. From within the brilliant radiance, a figure emerged, like a golden deity breaking through the frost.

With a thunderous boom, a palm swept forth, shaking the very firmament. The might of that strike was awe-inspiring—Luo Hao seemed to wield the power of sun, moon, and stars, the righteous dragonfire burning like a raging inferno, threatening to melt the very heavens and earth.

The golden dragonfire incinerated all, devouring the black spiritual energy as if it were mere tinder. The golden palm and the black hand clashed in midair, entwined in a fierce struggle.

With a sharp crack, the golden palm and the black hand collided. The black energy was helpless before the searing dragonfire, letting out bestial howls before the black hand disintegrated and the sinister energy was utterly swept away.

The dragonfire surged downward. Yang Li’s eyes flashed with shock as he barely managed to retreat, his wide black robe scorched, half a sleeve burned away.

He glanced at the ruined sleeve, his expression turning ever more vicious, like a beast on the verge of madness. His icy eyes fixed on Luo Hao, who stood not far away, calm as the wind and clouds.

“Hmph. Training in the martial arts of foreign tribes, your methods grow ever more beast-like.” With an air of cool detachment, Luo Hao withdrew his dragonforce and cast a cold glance at the nearly deranged Yang Li.

"You—"

Yang Li was utterly enraged by Luo Hao’s words. He had indeed underestimated him just now—but who could have predicted the appearance of such a monster? Never before had he suffered such humiliation, and to have it delivered by a mere Spirit Qi cultivator—he could not restrain himself from charging at Luo Hao to settle matters by life or death.

“Gentlemen, is this really the time for infighting? Once we’ve dealt with the Wild Rhinoceros, you can settle your grievances however you wish—I, Xue Yue, will not interfere,” came a voice.

“The Western Hills feel the same.” Just as Yang Li was about to strike, Xue Yue of the Limitless Sword Sect and the Western Hills martial artist both spoke up. Yang Li, though seething, halted at their words, his venomous gaze sweeping Luo Hao with murderous intent. “Boy, what is your name?”

“The one and only Luo Hao.”

“Very well, Luo Hao. Remember this: I am Yang Li of the Myriad Demons Sect. Once the Wild Rhinoceros is slain, your life will be forfeit. I hope you’re prepared to withstand my wrath.”

“If you survive, I’ll be waiting,” Luo Hao replied coolly. Yang Li snorted coldly, then, under everyone’s watchful gaze, let out a furious roar. His black hair flew wildly, his spiritual power surged, and an arrow of black energy shot toward the Wild Rhinoceros perched atop the black boulder.

The Wild Rhinoceros, ancient and cunning, had watched the battle between the black-robed man and Luo Hao with glee, wishing both would perish and the others at the mountain pass die as well. Thus, it had not intervened.

Now, seeing Yang Li turn his fury upon it, the beast bellowed, its nostrils flaring, and its massive, blue-black body thundered toward Yang Li.

Yang Li, already infuriated by his clash with Luo Hao, met the charging beast head-on, unleashing his full might as they became locked in a deadly struggle.

The Wild Rhinoceros, though not as formidable as its ancestor, the Duel-Yin Rhinoceros—whose horn could pierce the heavens and split the earth—was still powerful. Its horn shimmered with a hazy glow, and with lightning speed, the beast lunged, its horn aimed straight at Yang Li. The swirling spiritual energy was pierced in an instant, leaving Yang Li open to attack.

“Will you just stand there?” Yang Li shouted. At once, Xue Yue of the Limitless Sword Sect and the Western Hills martial artist exchanged glances and leapt from the crowd.

Xue Yue’s black stone sword vibrated, unleashing countless sword energies that merged into a resplendent river of stars, clashing head-on with the beast’s horn.

The martial artist from the Western Hills was a middle-aged man in yellow robes, stubbled and sturdy, his presence as steady as a reef amidst the tempest.

“Break!”

The yellow-robed man extended a finger, pointing into the void. With a thunderous crack, ripples spread through the air, and a beam of yellow light tore through the space before the Wild Rhinoceros.

“Mastery concealed within power!” Luo Hao’s eyes gleamed as he observed the yellow-robed man’s finger. A true expert, without doubt.

Though only at the Blood Condensation Realm, few at that level could surpass him. Such mastery over spiritual power was the mark of a peak practitioner—perhaps one who had already set foot into the Celestial Firmament.

Xue Yue’s stone sword shimmered, sword energies flowing like rivers of stars. The yellow-robed man’s finger-glow, brimming with hidden power, struck with boundless might. Under the combined assault of three Blood Condensation masters, the Wild Rhinoceros, formidable as it was, could not help but bleed.

The golden finger-glow instantly pierced the beast’s horn. The Wild Rhinoceros howled in pain; Yang Li struck it with a palm, sending it flying, blood spraying. Xue Yue seized the chance, bringing his sword down in a flash of lightning, severing the beast’s head with a thunderous slash.

The fierce battle left Xue Yue, the yellow-robed man, and Yang Li all panting for breath. Yet of the three, it was Yang Li whose serpent-like gaze remained fixed on Luo Hao, twin blades of icy killing intent that made even the seasoned martial artists at the mountain pass shiver.