In the square, the Blood Wolf Ancestor's face twisted into the visage of a vengeful ghost.
"He Pingtian! You dare use me as a stepping stone!"
He roared. Blood-red energy surged around him, and the phantom of a giant crimson wolf swelled several times its size before throwing back its head and howling.
The howl shook the heavens. The entire Eastern Splendor Stronghold trembled, and countless martial artists' ears rang so fiercely they could barely stand.
He Pingtian stood in the square. The illusory ladder beneath his feet flashed once and vanished.
His face was pale and his shoulder stained with blood, but the pride between his brows had grown sharper than ever.
That last exchange had driven him to the brink. Yet there, at the edge of desperation, his Sword Dao Will had finally broken through its shackles and forced its way onto the Heavenly Ladder's second step.
It was only temporary, and he had yet to receive the baptism of heaven and earth. But he had taken that step.
"A stepping stone?"
He Pingtian gave a cold laugh and held his sword across his chest.
"Blood Wolf Ancestor, you think too highly of yourself. I climbed the ladder with my own sword. What does it have to do with you?"
"You're courting death!"
The Blood Wolf Ancestor bellowed and turned into a streak of blood-red light, hurtling straight at He Pingtian.
This time, he held nothing back.
The crimson wolf merged with him. Man and wolf became one, and his might soared.
As he struck with his palm, heaven and earth changed color. The stench of blood grew so thick it was almost suffocating.
That palm strike could gravely wound any Grandmaster of the same rank—even kill one!
He Pingtian's expression turned grave, but he did not retreat