Chapter 1 The Nuisance

"Hehe, I didn't expect the monsters from the Five Gods Sect to come join the fun!"

A representative of one sect said.

Another representative beside him also sneered, "Those snakes and rats in the gutter... I almost forgot about them. They actually came out to seek a sense of existence again. How ridiculous!"

"Uh... but their disciple has already reached the semi-finals, and it looks like he has a good chance of advancing to the finals. Can you guys tone down your arrogance a bit?"

Another representative's statement seemed a bit more fair.

The others curled their lips, unconvinced, but had nothing to say.

Now the truth was obvious: this mysterious person in the black robe was from the Five Gods Sect.

And in the Xian Yin Realm, the Five Gods Sect was the most ostracized and unwelcome sect.

The Five Gods Sect was located on the edge of the Xian Yin Realm, bordering the southern and northwestern regions geographically.

But it belonged neither to the Di Zong (Earth Sects) of the southern region, nor to the Tian Zong (Heaven Sects) of the northwestern region.

It wasn't that they were mavericks who didn't want to be governed by anyone.

In fact, the Five Gods Sect had shown goodwill to both super sects.

But neither super sect welcomed them, and both kicked the ball to the other.

The biggest reason for this was that the Five Gods Sect's cultivation method was different from that of other human cultivators.

Human cultivators, in the end, entered the Hedao realm (Harmony with the Dao), becoming one with heaven and man, communicating with the Upper Immortals, gaining their approval, and finally ascending to immortality.

The Five Gods Sect's cultivation method wasn't particularly different, except that in the final step of communicating with the Upper Immortals, they communicated with the Five Gods, which were five animals.

Huang (yellow) fox, Bai (white) willow, and Hui (gray), representing weasels, foxes, hedgehogs, snakes, and rats...

In the eyes of human cultivators, this was obviously inferior. How could humans communicate with these dirty animals!

In their eyes, the Five Gods Sect was even inferior to demon cultivators. Even though demon cultivators weren't human, they worshipped the Seven Gods!

So, due to these historical reasons, the Five Gods Sect could be said to be a faction of its own in the Xian Yin Realm, or perhaps a forgotten faction.

So much so that even when their disciple broke into the semi-finals of the Heavenly Pride Battle, almost no one said good things about them.

All there was were disdain, contempt, and arrogance.

The disciple of the Five Gods Sect obviously knew this, which was why he had been wearing a black robe to conceal his identity... until this moment, when the Dharma Image of a giant snake appeared behind him.

"Hehe, so it's a monster from the Five Gods Sect!"

Hearing the discussions of the people on the stage, Duan Shikong also reacted. The fear that had been in his eyes was replaced by contempt. "Playing tricks, making me think you were really in the Hedao realm!"

"Since you're just a petty thief from the Five Gods Sect, then I'll show you today the true strength of the orthodox Daoist sect!"

Duan Shikong shouted loudly and prepared to attack.

At this moment, the disciple of the Five Gods Sect suddenly sneered, "Hehe, this is the reason why I came to participate in this year's Heavenly Pride Battle..."

Duan Shikong paused, slightly stunned. "What did you say? What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, I want to vindicate the Five Gods Sect!"

The disciple of the Five Gods Sect tore off his black robe with a tearing sound, revealing a pale and sinister face.

His eyes were like those of venomous snakes and fierce beasts, making people shudder even without being stared at!

"Hu Lifu, a disciple of the Five Gods Sect, vows today to trample you so-called orthodox Daoist sects under his feet!"

"Let you see who the real Heavenly Pride is!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was in an uproar, and discussions arose everywhere.

The representatives of the major sects on the high platform were even more shocked.

"What an arrogant little brat! What does he think he is, daring to say such things!"

"He regards the Three Sects as nothing. This son deserves to be killed!"

"Duan Shikong, just kill him directly. Don't leave him any chance!"

...

Duan Shikong didn't respond to the suggestions from the high platform, because what they said was exactly what he intended to do.

Kill this scum from the Five Gods Sect!

"If you admit defeat now, I'll give you a chance to live. Otherwise, this match will not only decide the winner but also determine life and death!"

Duan Shikong believed that he was kind, giving the last well-intentioned reminder.

"Hehe, what a 'decide the winner and determine life and death'!"

Hu Lifu smiled and said sharply, "Since you're courting death, then what reason do I have not to fulfill you?"

After saying that, the giant snake behind Hu Lifu opened its mouth wide, and a black beam of light, as solid as it was, shot out of its mouth.

The beam of light shot out at the speed of light, piercing through Duan Shikong, giving him almost no chance to react.

But, "almost no chance" meant that he was given a little bit of time...

In that little bit of time, Duan Shikong tensed up, and the golden muscles on his body immediately swelled up, like a golden armor protecting Duan Shikong.

Bang—Boom—

The black beam of light hit Duan Shikong's body, and the junction produced a harsh sound and dazzling light.

He was temporarily unharmed, but the power of the beam of light was still continuing.

Sizzling, sizzling, sizzling—

The black beam of light was being consumed, but correspondingly, the golden paint on Duan Shikong's body was also being consumed.

"Ah—"

Duan Shikong let out a beast-like roar, not knowing whether it was because of pain, or to vent the pride in his heart, or simply to intimidate his opponent!

But in contrast, Hu Lifu looked calm, like a spectator watching a show.

Of course, this was only on the surface. In reality, the Dharma Image behind him was also consuming him at all times.

Boom—

Finally, the black beam of light was completely exhausted!

And on Duan Shikong's body, there was a bowl-sized crack and discoloration in the golden paint, as if he had been injured.

But this little injury was nothing to Duan Shikong.

He wiped his wound and laughed loudly, "Refreshing, refreshing! You're the first person to break my golden body besides my master!"

"You're done attacking, right? Now, it's my turn!"

Duan Shikong took a deep breath, and the muscles on his body swelled up again, reaching a terrifying level.

The situation on the battlefield was ever-changing. Otherwise, Duan Shikong would have shown off his muscles.

But now, it was obviously not a good time!

"Kid, take this punch!"

Along with this roar, Duan Shikong's body shot out like a cannonball.

This was the attack method of the Ren Zong (Human Sect)!

They tempered their bodies, but they didn't rely solely on their physical bodies.

Duan Shikong seemed to be shooting out like a cannonball, but in reality, he relied on the power of true essence.

Even, in this true essence, there was a faint hint of intent!

The power of this punch was as great as a small planet crashing into Earth.

Hu Lifu's face sank, and a solemn expression appeared on his face.

Just as Duan Shikong's fist slammed into him, Hu Lifu suddenly turned his back, and a patch of white barbs appeared on his back!

Those barbs were like glowing light, but they were incomparably solid.

The punch that condensed Duan Shikong's intent slammed into the glowing barbs!

At the same time, a giant hedgehog covered in sharp spines appeared in the sky behind Hu Lifu.

"Two Dharma Images. It turns out that this kid from the Five Gods Sect has already communicated with two of the Five Gods!"

"Hehe, in my opinion, it's probably more than two. This kid obviously came prepared. I guess he has at least communicated with three Dharma Images of the Five Gods!"

"If that's the case, then Duan Shikong may be in danger..."

On the high platform, the representatives of the super sects discussed again.

Hearing the conversation of these people, Duan Yanzhuo glared over with fierce eyes, and these people immediately shut their mouths.

Duan Yanzhuo snorted coldly, disdain in his heart: "Extremely stupid. So what if this kid has communicated with three Dharma Images? The lower class is still the lower class. My disciple Duan Yanzhuo will not be afraid of this kind of rat!"

Boom—

After a deafening sound, Duan Shikong flew backward and landed steadily on the ground, leaving two huge footprints on the arena floor!

It should be known that the floor of this arena was not ordinary, but had been blessed by magic power.

Being able to step out footprints on the floor, the remaining power of Duan Shikong's retreat was imaginable.

Compared to Duan Shikong, Hu Lifu was somewhat embarrassed.

Although he had sacrificed the Hedgehog Dharma Image at the critical moment, and a layer of protective shield like barbs had appeared on his body.

But under Duan Shikong's punch, the barb protection shield collapsed in an instant.

And the Hedgehog Dharma Image in the air also showed a look of decline, becoming less solid.

In this round, although Hu Lifu was not injured, the clothes on his body were torn to shreds, and the Dharma Image was damaged. Overall, he was quite embarrassed.

Especially in connection with the previous offense and defense, Duan Shikong's response was obviously more calm.

A burst of cheers erupted from the audience, because they all supported the Holy Son of the Human Sect, and in their opinion, Hu Lifu was clearly at a disadvantage.

But unlike those fanatical spectators, Duan Shikong was much calmer. He didn't think he had gained much advantage. He didn't even think he was in an advantageous position.

Because he could see that the other party was obviously holding back and hiding a lot of strength.

"Hmph, if you want to defeat me, show some real skills. Don't hide it. Let me see your true strength!"

Fierce fighting spirit burned in Duan Shikong's eyes!

He wasn't just a reckless man who only knew how to show off his muscles. In fact, his combat intuition was very keen.

After all, he was the Holy Son of the Human Sect. How could he be given for nothing?

"Hehe, use all my strength against you? Then what will I do in the finals?"

Hu Lifu said with a fake smile.

Everyone was shocked and furious again. This kid was too arrogant. The semi-finals hadn't even finished yet, and he was already thinking about the finals? Who did he think he was?

But Duan Shikong said with certainty, "Don't worry about the finals. The opponent in the finals is just trash. Whoever wins the semi-finals between us wins the finals, understand?"