At his words, a ripple passed through Thunder Emperor's heart. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, though he remained somewhat haughty. "Ancestor Wang, Thunder Emperor wishes to fight you."
Thunder Emperor disliked beating around the bush. That was simply his nature: direct and forthright, carefree by temperament, and fiercely proud.
"Oh? You wish to fight me?"
Su Li smiled but said nothing.
The residence was crowded with prodigies from every clan. They gathered around Thunder Emperor and Su Li, and were quite interested in Thunder Emperor's challenge to Ancestor Wang.
Ding!
As they chatted and laughed, mighty experts discussed the Dao. Their words flowed like a gentle stream, washing over everyone's hearts, while the Dao scriptures rang out in melodious, lilting tones.
Every word of the Dao scriptures was a pearl of wisdom. Each sentence held boundless insight and mystery, making it easy to attain enlightenment on the spot and gain a fortuitous opportunity.
Immortal energy billowed, and the phantom forms of Nine-Colored Divine Deer appeared and vanished. Their antlers bore jade trays and flasks that shimmered with radiant colors, a breathtaking sight.
Within the jade trays and flasks flowed jade dew and nectar. The immortal wine gleamed like crystal-clear jewels, giving off an enchanting fragrance.
The Nine-Colored Divine Deer carried jade trays and flasks on their antlers, laden with jade dew and nectar, fine delicacies, and immortal fruits—everything one could desire.
"Oh? You wish to fight me? Thunder Emperor, aren't you a little too arrogant?"
A teasing smile tugged at Su Li's lips, and a challenging glint shone in his eyes.
"Even if your talent is peerless and you style yourself an emperor, does that mean you can challenge me?"
A flicker of displeasure crossed Thunder Emperor's eyes, but he answered with unwavering resolve, "Whatever Ancestor Wang may think, Thunder Emperor will give it his all. In three months, I'll ask the Immortal King to open the Prodigy Arena. Thunder Emperor awaits your instruction."
With that, Thunder Emperor left Su Li's sight. No one knew where he had gone.
Su Li felt a pang of pity for Thunder Emperor.
He had yet to grow into his full potential, yet he was already so proud and unruly. No wonder that, in the ancient history of the proper timeline, he had died on the battlefield at a young age, his blood staining the borderlands.
Thunder Emperor was so relentless, insisting on fighting him.
But Su Li wasn't afraid. If anything, he was eager to see what would happen.
Did Thunder Emperor truly have the strength to justify his pride?
With a faint smile, Su Li said, "Then I'll see you at the Prodigy Arena in three months."
Su Li accepted Thunder Emperor's challenge, with the fight set for three months later.
The news spread quickly through the residence, sparking heated discussion among the prodigies of every clan.
In the vast palace on the island, three Immortal Kings sat in meditation, discussing the Dao. The laws of the Great Dao descended, concealing their faces in a mysterious haze that made them impossible to discern.
The mistress of the residence, a renowned female True Immortal, spoke calmly to Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation. "The Prodigy Arena in three months will be the stage for Su Li and Thunder Emperor.
"Their battle will be far more than an ordinary match.
"One is an Immortal King's son, Born Supreme, blessed with peerless resources and talent. The other is one of the Ten Fiends, who appeared out of nowhere and is said to mete out Heaven's punishment, his strength unfathomable.
"Their match in three months will surely ignite a wave of cultivation across the Ancient Realm, and our realm will flourish all the more for it."
Her voice brimmed with anticipation and excitement.
Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation nodded, a hint of reverence in his eyes. "My son and Thunder Emperor are both among the Ancient Realm's greatest prodigies. Win or lose, their clash is bound to stir up a storm that shakes the heavens and earth."
Immortal King Wuzhong chimed in as well. "Indeed. Their strength and talent rank among the finest in the Ancient Realm. Their match will undoubtedly be a spectacular contest unlike any before."
Immortal Kings, True Immortals, and Quasi-Kings alike were all deeply interested in the upcoming battle.
As an Immortal King's son, Su Li possessed extraordinary talent and peerless strength.
There were even rumors that Su Li would one day lead the Ancient Realm.
As one of the Ten Fiends, Thunder Emperor had perfected his mastery of thunder. He had forged a path of thunder unseen throughout history, and his talent was rare even in this age.
Across the entire Ancient Realm, only the Wang Clan's Immortal King Son and Fairy Qingyue could match him to some degree. They were among the realm's top experts.
Their battle was sure to be fierce and thrilling.
In a corner of the residence, Thunder Emperor stood quietly, his gaze resolute and keen.
He knew how much this battle meant. It would prove his strength, forge an invincible Dao heart, and lay a solid foundation for reaching an even higher realm.
Su Li, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. He believed he could suppress Thunder Emperor with little effort.
He wandered through the courtyard, admiring the scenery around him. He looked like the one who had arranged everything, relaxed and content.
Su Li strolled leisurely across the island, surrounded by lush trees and carpets of green grass.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell warmly upon him, lifting his spirits.
As he walked, he lost track of where he was.
Suddenly, he spotted a thatched cottage enclosed by a fence up ahead.
The cottage looked utterly out of place amid the island's scenery, like a forgotten corner left behind by time.
Su Li walked closer and saw that it was quite dilapidated. The thatch on its roof was disheveled, and moss covered the corners of its walls.
He couldn't help wondering: how could such a humble cottage have appeared on this island, as beautiful as if carved by divine hands?
Curious, Su Li stepped over the fence and headed straight for the cottage. He was interested in whoever lived inside.
Drip!
Ripples of the Great Dao, imbued with its divine essence, spread from within the cottage. They drew in Su Li's mind, emptying it in an instant as he silently contemplated their profound fluctuations.
Half an hour later, Su Li slowly opened his eyes. They were clear and bright as a spring, and an air of holiness seemed to surround him.
That half hour of quiet contemplation had purified Su Li's heart as never before.
The divine essence in those ripples of the Great Dao had flowed over his heart like a gentle stream, washing away the clamor and turmoil of the mortal world.
Now Su Li's eyes were clear and bright, like still waters, reflecting the essence of all creation.
His face, too, seemed touched by holiness. A faint golden radiance shrouded him, making people hesitant to approach, yet unable to resist seeking out the depths of his heart.
His figure had grown more upright, like a pine tree standing atop a mountain, unyielding and proud.
He carried himself with such calm composure that it seemed he had transcended the shackles of the mundane and reached a higher realm.
At that moment, Su Li radiated a fresh, pure aura, like a dewdrop at dawn, crystal clear and glittering with the light of life.
His spirit had ascended, as if he had become one with heaven and earth and reached a state beyond self and action.
This place was quite extraordinary.
That was what Su Li thought.
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