Chapter 385: You Can't Touch Her
Upon hearing the Divine King's words, Ying Xiaoxiao bit her lip slightly, staring at Li Hao, her mind swirling with thoughts. Finally, she shook her head slowly, saying, "Maybe he's just passing by."
"…"
The Divine King fell silent. Her response felt like a harsh slap to his face, leaving him with a trace of self-mockery and bitterness.
He found it ridiculous to have such a foolish bloodline. Despite clear evidence, she remained blindly biased, undermining his authority as an ancestor.
"If that's the case, if he dares to set foot on the battlefield, I want you to kill him with your own hands!" the Divine King said, each word devoid of emotion.
Ying Xiaoxiao's face went pale, but after exchanging a distant glance with Li Hao, she took a deep breath, her gaze steady and resolute. "I will fight with all my strength for the Divine Clan!"
The Divine King had no patience for further arguments with her. His voice boomed across the Void Abyss as he addressed the Yuan Ancestor on the opposite side, saying, "The same old tactics? After all these years, still relying on the hands of others to do your bidding?"
His voice reverberated through the void, transcending sound alone and resonating with the power of laws, echoing in the minds of both the Divine Clan's millions of elite troops and the saints gathered at the Demon-Slaying Banquet.
The saints felt the Divine King's words pierce their protective Dao fields, resonating in their minds as an imposing threat. Even separated by millions of miles, the Divine King's power impacted them so strongly that if they were to fight, his attacks would likely be catastrophic within seconds.
"Demon Ancestor, back then, I spared you out of mercy, but today you come seeking disaster once more. You and your cursed bloodline will find eternal rest in this Void Abyss," the Yuan Ancestor replied coldly.
His voice, soft as a spring breeze, dispersed the Divine King's imposing power before transforming into a torrential rain that crashed toward the Divine Clan's forces, laden with thunderous momentum.
From beneath his helmet, the Divine King's eyes shot out icy beams that tore through the Yuan Ancestor's power, a silent probe of each other's strength.
"No need to be upset, Yuan Ancestor. I may not be a match for the Demon Ancestor, but should any of the Demon Clan cross the line, I'll be the first to strike them down!" said the black-robed saint.
Li Hao recognized him as the Nether Saint, an ancient saint who once bore the title of "Unmatched Below the Supreme Saints." With one foot already in the realm of the Supreme, the Nether Saint had spent countless years striving for that elusive step, growing only more fearsome in power over time.
"I'd like to meet that vile dragon myself," Star Saint commented with interest.
"If there's to be a fight against that beast, I wouldn't mind lending a hand," said a short, rotund man who had remained silent until then, still piling dishes onto his already full table.
Li Hao silently observed the Divine Clan army. The Yuan Ancestor glanced at him and said with a light smile, "If the Demon Ancestor dares to strike, I'll ensure he pays the price."
The other saints understood: any action by the Demon Ancestor against them would invite the Yuan Ancestor's wrath.
"Why is Haotian Zun keeping quiet?"
"The Nether Saint and Star Saint were both once unbeaten below the Supreme. He's made enemies of two legends just by speaking."
"He has the talent to back his arrogance, but his foundation is still thin."
The saints exchanged glances and whispered, their eyes occasionally darting to Li Hao.
Meanwhile, in the Void Abyss, the Divine King stood tall and motionless, while figures soared from the Divine Clan's ranks, including saints who had pledged allegiance to the Divine Clan and returning figures like Clan Head Ying Qingshuang.
With the Divine King's return and the clan's resurgence, Ying Qingshuang had relinquished her title as clan head and returned to her previous role as the Divine Clan's sword, cutting down their enemies.
"Form the Supreme Emperor Blue Array!"
Ying Qingshuang's expression was solemn as she commanded.
In an instant, the Divine Clan's forces moved, forming a massive array in the shape of a lotus, each "petal" radiating a golden glow in the void.
A fierce wind gathered within the array as supreme power pooled in its center. From this nexus, semi-saints of the Divine Clan emerged, their strength bolstered to shine like radiant golden suns.
"The ancient Emperor Blue Array. Even semi-saints can rival true saints in this formation," Nether Saint remarked coolly.
He stepped forward, his power spreading across the heavens as darkness surged around him, threatening to shroud the sky. His presence alone seemed capable of resisting countless soldiers.
The saints looked on, their expressions tense and awestruck.
"With power like that, he's nearly at the Supreme level."
"Shouldn't he be a Supreme by now? Why keep it hidden?"
"Isn't it possible that while he's not technically Supreme, he can still exchange blows with one?"
The saints murmured with a mix of trepidation and disbelief.
Ahead, Ying Qingshuang, knowing the Nether Saint's reputation, watched as he advanced toward her with a look of grim determination. She raised her voice to her allies, "Support me with the Supreme Reverse Dao!"
Six saints of the Divine Clan stepped forward, surrounding Ying Qingshuang and enveloping her in divine radiance.
Moments later, she reappeared, her armor blazing with golden flames, her power surging as she charged at the Nether Saint.
The Nether Saint's brows furrowed, his dark power turning the surrounding area pitch black. He met Ying Qingshuang head-on, unleashing the full might of his own extreme power.
A pitch-black sword appeared in his hand, emanating waves of destruction.
Li Hao watched with mild curiosity. He quickly realized that the sword technique was simply a saintly method, weaponized through a blade rather than a true swordsmanship style.
Boom!
The sky exploded as Ying Qingshuang's golden radiance was smothered in the Nether Saint's dark domain, but the shroud pulsed violently as a ball of golden flame burst forth from within, diving toward him.
Surprised by her resilience, the Nether Saint watched her approach, his gaze sharpening. A black star appeared above his head, within the depths of his dark domain.
This black star was a construct of absolute darkness and unleashed waves of power that surged through the Nether Saint's body, making him seem like an emperor of shadow.
With a powerful thrust, he clashed with Ying Qingshuang, their intense exchange shaking the entire Void Abyss.
The golden light split, shattering as it separated into two halves.
"Grandmother!!"
Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes widened as she sped toward her grandmother.
At the same time, the Divine King's dragon mount bared its teeth, releasing a savage growl filled with killing intent.
Seeing his mount prepared for battle, the Divine King didn't interfere, silently allowing it to engage.
"The dragon is loose. Let's see how it compares to the Dragon Saint," Star Saint said with a smirk.
Beside him, the short, plump man chuckled, his eyes glinting. "I wonder what Supreme Dragon tastes like."
Li Hao glanced at him, noting the man's friendly smile.
Star Saint shot Li Hao a cold look. He knew of Li Hao's strength but was confident he wouldn't dare to act.
As the dragon joined the fray, Star Saint and Food Saint moved to confront it.
Seeing Ying Xiaoxiao rushing to aid her grandmother, Star Saint turned to intercept her.
"Time to take your head, girl," Star Saint said coldly, raising his hand to strike.
He kept an eye on the Divine King, waiting for any reaction. But as he prepared to strike, a sudden chill crept up his spine.
He paused, feeling as though a blade had pressed against his throat, poised to slice it open.
Surprised, Star Saint turned, realizing the chill wasn't coming from the Divine King but from behind.
"You?"
Star Saint whipped around, spotting Li Hao entering the fray, moving toward him.
Ying Xiaoxiao, who was rushing toward her grandmother, also noticed him. Seeing Li Hao on the battlefield, his aura blooming, her anxious face grew paler.
Tears traced down her cheeks as she bit her lip, sorrow giving way to anger. She charged toward Star Saint with renewed determination.
Star Saint, sensing her advance, shifted his stance, glaring coldly at Li Hao.
"Are you planning to fight me?" Star Saint sneered.
If Li Hao answered yes, Star Saint would have relished it, as it would mean the Yuan Ancestor wouldn't forgive Li Hao—unless the Divine Clan won the battle.
"Leave her out of it. Anyone else, do as you please," Li Hao replied coolly, unwilling to let Ying Xiaoxiao risk herself.
"Hm?"
Star Saint was stunned. Ying Xiaoxiao, on her way to rescue her grandmother, also froze, then turned toward Li Hao in shock.
As she saw his power rising steadily, both she and Star Saint realized he was serious.
She paused, then wiped away her tears with a smile before rushing toward her grandmother.
"Grandmother."
Seeing her grandmother bloodied and battered within the remnants of golden light, Ying Xiaoxiao's sorrow welled up anew.
"Take my place… Protect the clan…"
Ying Qingshuang gripped her granddaughter's hand. Before she could finish, destructive energy ignited within her, consuming her body, the flames of destruction spreading toward Ying Xiaoxiao.
Ying Xiaoxiao stared in shock as her grandmother, who had raised her after her parents' early deaths, faded into nothing right before her eyes.
Swish!
A sword's sharp hum echoed, and a streak of sword energy severed the destructive flames, splitting the air and creating a barrier between Ying Xiaoxiao and the spreading energy, as if dividing two separate worlds.
"Don't space out."
A calm, steady voice sounded in her ear, breaking her daze. She recognized it immediately—it was Li Hao.
She turned toward him, her heart tightening with conflicting emotions as she watched him, now locked in a standoff with Star Saint.
Anxiety coursed through her as she realized the peril Li Hao faced. She quickly sent a message to the Divine King, pleading, "Ancestor, please help him! He hasn't joined the Yuan Ancestor's side!"
The Divine King's expression remained indifferent. Li Hao's intervention had barely raised his brows, and he showed no sign of being surprised.
Hearing Ying Xiaoxiao's plea, his gaze turned colder.
"Perhaps he's only doing this to get closer to me. If he wants my support, he'll have to offer up his loyalty himself," the Divine King replied, his tone unyielding.
Ying Xiaoxiao's mouth opened slightly, stunned by his words, her face paling.
She didn't believe Li Hao would deceive her like that, but her ancestor's harsh words made her realize just how dangerous Li Hao's situation had become.