The great demon of the Southern Ridge let out a long roar, flapped its wings, and stirred up a sky full of fierce winds. Each wind was as sharp as Heavenly Blade, cutting through the void.
" Demon-Vanquishing Vajra Pestle!"
The old monk from the Western Desert unleashed boundless Buddhist light from his Demon-Subduing Pestle, transforming it into a golden Vajra phantom that wielded the giant pestle and brought it crashing down upon him.
The other four also displayed their unique skills, using supernatural powers and magical treasures to block all of Lin Hao and Snow Empress's escape routes.
The seven of them joined forces, their power overwhelming, causing the entire small world to tremble, and rubble to fall from the distant ruins of the Azure Emperor Palace.
Those proud young talents who had retreated to a distance all paled in dismay.
"Is this the power of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm?"
"This is terrifying! With seven people joining forces, even a first-level expert of the Immortal Platform Secret Realm would have to temporarily retreat!"
"That young man in black was overconfident. If he had taken advantage of the situation to retreat earlier, he might have had a chance to survive. Now..."
Everyone shook their heads, as if they could already see Lin Hao being blasted into dust.
The Queen Mother of the West, the Yaochi Holy Maiden, sighed softly and turned her head away.
Ji Haoyue, Yaoguang Holy Son, and the others stared intently at the battlefield, eager to see how Lin Hao would respond.
However, faced with this devastating attack, Lin Hao simply took a step forward.
"Buzz--"
With one step, the world falls silent.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
The golden divine weapons flying everywhere, the Heavenly Blade tearing through the void, the Demon-Vanquishing Vajra Pestle smashing down in anger, and the magical treasures of the other four people all stopped three zhang away from Lin Hao.
It was as if an invisible wall had blocked all attacks.
"This... this is impossible!"
The black-robed elder's pupils constricted sharply as he frantically activated the Golden Divine Treasury, unleashing countless divine weapons that shone brightly in an attempt to break through the invisible barrier.
But it had no effect.
"A trivial skill."
Lin Hao spoke calmly, extending a finger and gently tapping it.
"Pop--"
It sounded like bubbles bursting.
The countless golden divine weapons shattered inch by inch, turning into golden specks of light and dissipating.
"Puff!"
The black-robed elder was struck as if by a heavy blow, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The golden divine kingdom phantom behind him collapsed with a roar, and he was sent flying backward, crashing into half of the palace ruins. His fate was unknown.
"Not good!"
The great demon of the Southern Ridge demon clan's expression changed drastically, and with a flap of its wings, it prepared to flee.
But Lin Hao's gaze had already fallen on him.
Kneel down.
Two characters, such as Tianxian.
"Boom!"
The great demon felt an irresistible force descend upon him, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to his knees, smashing two deep craters into the bluestone ground.
He struggled frantically, his demonic aura soaring to the heavens, yet he couldn't even move a single finger.
Upon seeing this, the old monk from the Western Desert turned pale with fright and turned to flee.
Did I let you leave?
Lin Hao raised his hand and made a loose fist.
"Snap!"
The protective aura surrounding the old monk shattered like glass, and he was grabbed by an invisible hand and lifted into the air.
"Spare me... spare my life..." the old monk pleaded with difficulty.
Lin Hao remained expressionless, gently squeezing his palm.
"Bang!"
The old monk, along with the Demon-Subduing Pestle in his hand, exploded into a cloud of blood mist, his body and soul annihilated.
quiet.
A deathly silence.
The remaining four experts at the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm stood frozen in place, their bodies ice-cold, as if they had fallen into an ice cave.
In the blink of an eye, he severely injured the Supreme Elder of the Golden Family.
With a single word, he suppressed the great demon of the Southern Ridge demon clan.
With a casual grasp, he crushed the old monk of the Western Desert Buddhist Land.
What kind of strength is this?
Can the Immortal Platform Secret Realm achieve this?
Perhaps only Mighty One at the Immortal Platform Second Heaven or above could possess such might?
"Senior... Senior, spare my life!"
A senior elder from a major sect in the Eastern Wasteland knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly. "This junior was blind and offended you, senior. I am willing to offer all my treasures, only begging you to spare my life!"
The other three also realized what was happening and immediately knelt down to beg for mercy, completely abandoning any semblance of their former strength.
Cultivation is no easy feat. Reaching the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm requires countless resources and immense hardship; who would willingly perish there?
Lin Hao glanced at the four men and said calmly, "Cut off your own arm and get lost."
Upon hearing this, the four men felt as if they had been granted a pardon. Without hesitation, they swung their hands and chopped off their own left arms. Blood spurted out, but they dared not utter a single complaint. They picked up their severed arms and scrambled away from the place.
As for the powerful demon clan member who was suppressed and kneeling, Lin Hao glanced at him and said, "You demon clan members, cultivation is not easy. Today, I will cripple your cultivation as a warning to others."
Having said that, he flicked his finger, and a burst of energy entered the dantian of the great demon of the demon race.
"No--!"
The great demon of the demon race screamed miserably, and the demonic energy around him collapsed like a burst dam. His cultivation level plummeted from the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm all the way down to the Bitter Sea Realm, and he was completely reduced to a mortal demon.
He collapsed to the ground, his face ashen.
Centuries of cultivation, all gone in a single day.
But at least his life was saved.
Lin Hao stopped looking at him and instead gazed at the prodigies watching the battle in the distance.
Anyone whose gaze swept over him would lower their head and bow, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Who else wants the Imperial Scripture?"
No one answered.
"If that's the case, then get out."
The word fell like a thunderclap.
Those prodigies felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and they all transformed into streaks of light, fleeing towards the exit of the small world, afraid that if they were a step too slow, they would follow in the footsteps of those Dragon Transformation powerhouses.
In the blink of an eye, the once crowded area in front of the Azure Emperor Palace was now only occupied by Lin Hao and the Snow Empress, and a scene of utter chaos.
Snow Empress stood silently to the side the whole time, her icy blue eyes rippled with emotion.
She knew His Majesty was strong, but she didn't expect him to be this strong.
Even the strongest experts in the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm were no match for him, like clay chickens and earthenware dogs.
Is this His Majesty's power?
Let's go.
Lin Hao turned around and walked towards the exit of the small world.
The Snow Empress hurriedly followed, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Your Majesty, why didn't you kill them all just now? Those people coveted the Imperial Scripture and harbored ill intentions; they might become a scourge in the future."
Lin Hao continued walking, saying calmly, "They're just ants. Killing them or not makes no difference. Besides, sparing their lives will serve its purpose."
"What's the use?" Snow Empress asked, puzzled.
"The news of the Emperor's Scripture choosing its master will soon spread throughout the Eastern Wasteland and even the entire Big Dipper Star Domain. Those holy lands, divine dynasties, and aristocratic families will not easily give up an ancient Great Emperor's Scripture."
Lin Hao said calmly, "They will come looking for you, whether by coercion, bribery, or underhanded tactics. This is a good opportunity for you to hone your skills."
Snow Empress suddenly realized.
His Majesty intends to use her as bait to lure out those with ulterior motives, using her as a whetstone on her path of cultivation.
" Snow Empress understands."
"You have entered the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm and obtained the Azure Emperor Scripture. You need time to digest and comprehend it. Next, I will take you to a secret realm for secluded cultivation. Once you have completely stabilized your realm, you can then emerge into the world."
"Yes."
As the two spoke, they arrived at the exit of the small world.
It was a portal of light, connecting to the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land outside.
Just as the two were about to step into the portal, an aged voice suddenly came from behind them:
Fellow Daoist, please wait.
Lin Hao paused, then slowly turned around.
Deep within the Azure Emperor Palace, a phantom figure appeared out of nowhere.
It was an old man in blue robes, his face indistinct, surrounded by a hazy blue light, as if he had merged with this small world.
He stood there, yet gave the illusion that he was not of this world, but transcended time and space.