Kill the Chicken to Warn the Monkeys

Jin Yunteng, who had already claimed the best position in the Blood Pool, frowned slightly and looked toward the mist.

He had no desire to make enemies of Demon Spirit Lake's younger generation or clash with them, but Shi Yi and Little Golden Spider had kept everyone waiting far too long.

This left him somewhat displeased.

Inside the dried-up Blood Pool, the two pure-blooded Pixiu brothers occupying positions near the front sneered. The corners of their mouths rose, and their scarlet tongues flicked out to lick their lips, as though they had already marked Shi Yi as their prey.

Among the other pure-blooded creatures, some wore their displeasure openly, while others remained expressionless, as if everything happening had nothing to do with them. Some who hated humans were already spewing curses, privately resolving to teach the human Demon Spirit Lake had slipped into the secret realm a lesson he would never forget.

Under everyone's gaze, Shi Yi appeared. Though he was only six, he was nearly as tall as a ten-year-old boy. His eyes were deep, his expression unruffled, and his black hair fell loosely over his shoulders. A faint halo shrouded his entire body, making him look like a young deity.

There was no denying Shi Yi's transcendent bearing. He possessed a poise that would put even adults to shame, and every step he took was unhurried and steady.

By comparison, the pure-blooded Little Golden Spider behind him fell far short. Completely eclipsed by Shi Yi, the spider merely followed him without a word.

The beasts of the Primordial Divine Mountain watched the human and spider emerge from the mist, each harboring different thoughts.

Some creatures could tell Shi Yi was no ordinary boy. They regarded him as a formidable rival and were unwilling to offend him lightly or provoke a clash.

The pure-blooded creatures that hated humans watched coldly. Their minds held rigid notions of humanity, and even the most outstanding human prodigies were beneath their notice.

As for the pure-blooded Pixiu, they had already made their plans. They were certain a race hostile to humans would strike first, so there was no need for them to be the birds that stuck their heads out.

Jin Yunteng and his younger brother occupied the best position all to themselves. He had neither the interest nor the intention to act; he only wanted the Blood Pool Baptism to begin quickly so he could undergo a transformation.

"How long have all our fellow cultivators here been waiting for you two? And you're still taking your sweet time. You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" one pure-blooded youngling said snidely.

The words had barely fallen before younglings from other divine mountains chimed in. They blew Shi Yi and Little Golden Spider's late arrival out of proportion, trying to rouse everyone's anger and prevent the human and spider from receiving the baptism.

Shi Yi had no intention of indulging them.

If he let himself be berated in front of all these pure-bloods without responding, the others would think him weak and useless.

Shi Yi's Double Pupils shone as he looked coldly at one pure-blooded youngling. This was the first of all the pure-blooded creatures to speak. The bird that stuck its head out took the shot; to kill the chicken and warn the monkeys, he would naturally make an example of this one first.

His eyes blazed with light. Order Divine Chains interwove with symbols within them, forming a terrifying secret art.

Crack!

A horrifying sound of splitting rang out, followed by the pure-blooded youngling's scream.

Since he meant to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys, Shi Yi would show no courtesy. Of course, he knew where to draw the line and would not actually strike to kill.

Without hesitation, he unleashed the secret art Heaven-Opening Double Pupils. It was terrifying: even across a great distance, it could descend silently upon an opponent and inflict devastating damage.

The pure-blooded youngling that had been the first to kick up a fuss suffered a calamity. The pure-blooded body it took such pride in was torn open by the power of the Double Pupils, blood pouring from its wounds.

"Aah!"

The pure-blooded youngling let out a wail of pain and involuntarily sucked in a cold breath, staring at Shi Yi's eyes with lingering terror.

Double Pupils!

It could not help recalling the many legends and world-shaking battle records associated with the Double Pupils. It no longer dared utter a word disparaging Shi Yi.

It was not alone. The pure-blooded younglings that had shouted the loudest shut their mouths faster than anyone.

Of course, there were also creatures unafraid of the Double Pupils, willing to face Shi Yi head-on.

Shi Yi swept his cold gaze over them. An unparalleled pressure emanated from his Double Pupils, as though an Ancient Era sage sat within them, gazing down upon the six directions and eight wildernesses.

A large portion of the pure-blooded creatures present were cowed by the might of Shi Yi's Double Pupils. Wherever his gaze fell, scarcely anyone dared meet it.

One pure-blooded creature that hated humans refused to submit and met Shi Yi's gaze. Its soul immediately fell into a daze. Shi Yi's eyes seemed like two bottomless demonic wells capable of devouring its entire consciousness.

Beyond that, terrifying visions of stars shattering and the universe collapsing rose and sank within the Double Pupils.

"Aah!"

Only when Shi Yi withdrew his gaze could the human-hating pure-blooded creature catch its breath. Its whole body was drenched in sweat, its breathing hurried, and cold sweat had broken out across its back.

This time, it behaved itself. It knew Shi Yi was far stronger, and provoking him again would only invite humiliation.

In mere moments, Shi Yi had used the power of his Double Pupils to intimidate eighty percent of the pure-blooded younglings present, leaving them afraid to act rashly or even look him in the eye.

The remaining twenty percent were mostly gathered deep within the dried-up Blood Pool, where the best positions for the baptism lay.

Here, the farther inward a creature sat, the stronger it was.

With a glance, Shi Yi saw the pure-blooded Pixiu brothers, whose hostility toward him was intense, as well as the two Golden-Winged Roc brothers monopolizing the best position.

Without the slightest hesitation, he strode straight toward the depths of the dried-up Blood Pool.

At first, the pure-blooded younglings he passed were all afraid of the Double Pupils, so none dared voice an objection.

Originally, the pure-blooded younglings had agreed to make Demon Spirit Lake's human and spider receive the baptism in the worst position, at the very outer edge of the dried-up Blood Pool. Once the Blood Pool opened, the blood richest in divine energy would be absorbed and devoured layer by layer by the creatures in front. By the time it reached the back, even if some essence remained, the baptism's effect would be greatly diminished.

Fortunately, Shi Yi had displayed the might of his Double Pupils, making eighty percent of the younglings pale. They dared provoke him no further and could only watch helplessly as he and Little Golden Spider walked deeper inside.

It was Little Golden Spider's first time witnessing such a grand gathering, and the spider was utterly shaken. These were the strongest members of the divine mountains' younger generation, all assembled here, yet Shi Yi had eclipsed them. Without question, he had become the focus of everyone present.

Now Shi Yi was heading deeper inside to contend for an excellent baptism position. A clash between him and the truly powerful pure-blooded creatures seemed unavoidable; there was bound to be a battle.

Deeply shaken, Little Golden Spider followed closely behind Shi Yi, with no intention of making a move. Before they entered the secret realm, Shi Yi had already told the spider there was no need to act, only to keep close.

Just as the human and spider were heading toward the depths of the Blood Pool, a pure-blooded youngling suddenly rose from its seated position. It looked coldly at Shi Yi and unleashed a terrifying surge of blood energy straight at him.

Pop!

Shi Yi did not move a single step. His gaze alone shattered the mass of blood energy, making it crumble apart.

Then, his eyes deep and unfathomable, he looked down upon the pure-blooded creature before him.