The Ten Archaic Evils, God-Striking Stone

"Rotten wood, I have no grudge against you, yet you actually betrayed me!"

Beneath the feet of the Golden Lion, a stone cursed furiously.

The stone was only the size of a thumb, yet a complete face was etched upon it—mouth, eyes, teeth, and even ears, all exceptionally miniature.

"What did you say? Rotten what, wood what?"

The lush, ancient tree chewed on a wisp of solar divine essence gifted by Shi Hao, responding to the stone with extreme perfunctoriness.

"Again with this! Playing deaf and dumb again, do you really think your Stone Grandfather is easy to bully?!!"

The stone was instantly incensed; it was clear it had suffered under the old tree's attitude many times before.

"God-Striking Stone, you made me search hard, so this is where you were hiding."

A slender, large hand tore through the air and plucked the stone into its palm.

God-Striking Stone, one of the Ten Archaic Evils.

It was incomparably sturdy and possessed a one-hundred-percent hit rate when attacking enemies. Throughout history, only a few had ever existed; ancient sages had all dreamed of obtaining one for artifact refining, but alas, none had the fortune to see one.

Its innate divine ability—the God-Striking Stone Art—was renowned for never missing its mark.

Among the Ten Archaic Evils, if the Heaven-Horned Ant was the pinnacle of strength, the Kunpeng the pinnacle of speed, and the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass the pinnacle of sharpness, then the God-Striking Stone was the pinnacle of solidity.

The poetic line from the beginning of the Perfect World, "A single grain of dust can fill the sea," referred precisely to it.

"I am not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!!"

Upon hearing this, the God-Striking Stone turned pale with fright and denied it frantically: "I am just an ordinary stubborn stone in this herb garden, only able to gain sentience and speak human language after being enlightened by the Spirit-Connecting Divine Flower. I am truly not the Ten Archaic Evil you speak of."

"Oh, so the God-Striking Stone is one of the Ten Archaic Evils~"

Shi Hao rubbed his chin, as if he had discovered some earth-shattering secret.

If he had only been suspicious before, he was now entirely certain.

Because from start to finish, he had only mentioned the God-Striking Stone and had not uttered a single word about the Ten Archaic Evils; how could an ordinary stone in the Hundred Herb Garden know of such secrets?

Even in the outside world, very few cultivators could catch a glimpse of the full picture of the Ten Archaic Evils.

"I... I'm definitely going to be the one who dies of sheer stupidity!"

The God-Striking Stone's protests came to an abrupt halt, and it resigned itself to silence.

"Golden Fur, go finish it off."

Shi Hao smiled without a word, then gestured toward the ancient tree with his chin.

This fellow was the type to call anyone mother for a drop of milk; it was clearly a loose-lipped creature. Since it knew he possessed the God-Striking Stone and resided at the entrance of the Hundred Herb Garden where people came and went, it could not be left alive.

"Understood, my Lord!"

The Golden Lion gave a sinister laugh and immediately unleashed the formidable divine abilities of the Golden Lion lineage, launching a ruthless assault on the ancient tree.

"Well hit, beat that rotten wood to death!"

The God-Striking Stone watched with a flushed face, so excited it did several somersaults.

"What? Willing to speak again?"

Shi Hao couldn't help but chuckle and tease.

"Cough, cough, human brat, since you have captured me, then lay your cards on the table. Tell me exactly how you intend to deal with me."

"But let's get this straight first: This Seat is a descendant of the Ten Evils. No matter how the winds blow from the east, west, north, or south, I fear nothing. I will not bring shame to my ancestors."

The God-Striking Stone gave a sheepish laugh, then spoke with a bandit-like air.

However, despite these words, the small eyes that kept sneaking glances at Shi Hao's reaction betrayed it completely.

"Not afraid of death, are you? Good, I happen to like those who aren't afraid of death."

"I intend to refine a sacred ancient artifact and am just missing a primary divine material. I hear the God-Striking Stone is the best choice for refining throughout history, so I shall first extinguish your consciousness and then take your corpse back to refine the treasure."

Shi Hao was deeply moved by its words, so he raised his hand and unleashed a series of world-shaking divine arts, raining them down upon the God-Striking Stone in his palm like a torrential downpour.

"Human brat—no, Dao... Dao Brother, spare me! Dao Brother, spare me! Please, I beg you to spare this stone's life!"

Terrified, the God-Striking Stone wailed loudly, and the sky-filling divine arts dissipated instantly.

"Dao Brother, I was wrong, okay?"

"I shouldn't have bragged. Actually, I'm scared to death; my whole body is shaking. I hope Dao Brother will consider that I might be the last of the God-Striking Stone clan and let me go. I'll give you whatever you want."

"Besides, I am a grandmaster of formations. There isn't a formation in this world I cannot break. How about I teach you the way of spirit formations?"

The God-Striking Stone fought back tears and signaled its submission to the Great Devil King, Shi Hao.

"That's what you get for bragging!"

The Golden Lion snickered to itself, completely forgetting how cowardly it had been just moments before.

"Formations? No, no, I want the God-Striking Stone Art."

Shi Hao didn't even think about it; he asked for the most valuable thing immediately.

"Ugh..."

The God-Striking Stone instinctively wanted to refuse, but then it recalled the predicament of being "the meat on the chopping block" while Shi Hao held the knife. Refusing was impossible, yet not refusing was equally agonizing.

For a moment, sorrow welled up from its heart.

"Don't be in such a rush to refuse. I won't take advantage of you; I'll trade with you fairly. Follow me."

Shi Hao grabbed the God-Striking Stone and deliberately retreated outside the stone gate of the Hundred Herb Garden.

Precious techniques were forbidden within the Hundred Herb Garden, and Heaven Caves could not be opened there, so he had to avoid the coverage of the mysterious field.

Fair trade? Does he think the Precious Techniques of the Ten Archaic Evils are roadside cabbages? You can't just have as many as you want!

The God-Striking Stone muttered to itself.

However, in order to save its own stone life, it had already made up its mind: as long as Shi Hao brought out a divine object or a precious technique that wasn't too shabby, it would grit its teeth and make the trade.

At the very least, it would be "voluntarily" exchanging the God-Striking Stone Art, right?

In this way, it could still face the ancestors of the God-Striking Stone clan.

"God-Striking Stone, look at this."

Outside the Hundred Herb Garden, as three Heaven Caves rumbled open, a True Dragon roared, a True Phoenix danced, and a Nine-Leaf Sword Grass stood proudly, rooted in the void.

One rune evolved into a deity; one Heaven Cave nourished a supreme creature!

"True Dragon Precious Technique, True Phoenix Precious Technique, Grass Sword Art... Human, did you dig up the graves of the Ten Archaic Evils?!!"

The previously nonchalant God-Striking Stone's eyes suddenly widened, and it shrieked repeatedly.

If it weren't being gripped in Shi Hao's hand, it would have likely rushed forward immediately to swim amidst the three supreme creatures.

"My Master, my Master, this subordinate is willing to trade! This subordinate is willing to exchange all the divine abilities and precious techniques of my Golden Lion lineage, including all the divine treasures of Lion Mountain!"

"Awoo! My Master, I have rendered meritorious service for the village!!"

Before the God-Striking Stone could even agree, the Golden Lion let out a howl, leaped into the air, and lunged at Shi Hao's feet, spewing the most sycophantic words imaginable.

By the Ancestral Emperor, what kind of sacred being was this master of his!

In the future, let alone its grandfather, the Nine Spirits King, coming to its rescue—even if Shi Hao personally tried to drive it away, it would absolutely refuse to leave. It would rather die by its master's side!

"Golden Fur, get lost!"

Shi Hao was furious and kicked the Golden Fur that was hugging his thigh away with a heavy blow.

Did it really think the trashy abilities of the Golden Lion lineage were worth trading for his Ten Archaic Evils Precious Techniques?

This stupid dog must be tired of living, trying to take advantage of him!