"Black Dragon King!"
"Greetings, Black Dragon King!"
When the enormous black-scaled claw appeared in the sky, the higher-ups of the Holy Academy once again gasped in shock, bowing respectfully.
Meanwhile, Qin Zi's heart sank even further.
Two of the Beast Kings had arrived. This time, he feared that escape was impossible—even Jesus couldn't save him now.
"Hmph! Black Dragon King, the Beast God's Heart has already left the Beast God Mountain. According to the agreement, it can be taken away."
In the sky, a towering figure appeared. His skin was dark green, and atop his neck sat a hornless bull's head, exuding an aura of destruction like a god of ruin.
"You're mistaken. Our agreement was that whoever's descendant among the five of you obtained the Beast God's Heart could keep it. But none of your descendants were capable, and instead, this human has taken advantage."
On the other side, a tall man in a black robe appeared. He was fully human-shaped, but his forehead was covered in black scales, and two menacing dragon horns protruded from his head, radiating a sinister energy.
"What?!"
"Human? He's actually a human?!"
"This... how is this possible?!"
Countless voices of shock erupted, not just from the upper echelons of the Holy Academy, but also from its disciples. Everyone was astonished.
For more than half a year, they had seen Qin Zi many times, yet none of them had ever realized he was human.
"Human?"
The Kui Niu King's enormous eyes widened as he carefully scrutinized Qin Zi, a look of sudden realization dawning on him.
"I thought something was strange... Looking closely, he really is a human."
Speaking to himself, he added, "Since he's human and has such great talent, let's squash him first."
With that, he casually stretched out a thick finger and lightly aimed it at Qin Zi.
Boom!
As the finger descended, it rapidly expanded, resembling an enormous black pillar, thundering down with primal and wild force. It seemed as if it could pierce the very heavens.
"Stop him!"
A sharp shout rang out from the distance—Princess Bai Lu's voice.
In the next instant, three gray-robed figures appeared in front of Qin Zi, unleashing a surge of energy that transformed into an indestructible wall.
These were the three "wooden" protectors by Princess Bai Lu's side—each of them a powerful Martial Emperor!
"Foolishness!"
Kui Niu King sneered, and the massive finger continued its descent, without even adding any extra force.
Boom!
In the next moment, the finger struck the protective barrier, unleashing a deafening explosion. The sky itself seemed to crack.
The defensive wall created by the three gray-robed elders shattered like dry twigs, torn apart as if it was nothing!
Puff! Puff! Puff!
The three gray-robed elders coughed up blood and were sent flying, but even while retreating, they managed to grab Qin Zi, shielding him from the force that would have otherwise torn him to shreds.
"Haha, still not dead? Well, let's give it another go."
Kui Niu King chuckled heartily, like a child playing with a stray dog. Seeing the dog wounded and crawling, he approached it with innocent joy, ready to deal the final blow.
He lifted his finger once more, pressing it down toward Qin Zi, and the giant finger, like a mountain, descended again with crushing force.
"Stop!"
Princess Bai Lu swooped in, spreading her arms to shield Qin Zi, her gaze fixed firmly on the Kui Niu King with unyielding determination.
"Huh? Little Bai Lu?"
Kui Niu King hesitated, his finger pausing mid-air. He smiled kindly. "Be good now. Step aside and let Uncle Niu take care of this human boy."
"He's my friend. You can't kill him!"
Princess Bai Lu stated firmly.
"Huh?"
Kui Niu King was momentarily taken aback, then he looked a bit lost, glancing toward the Black Dragon King for guidance.
His thought process was simple: be ruthless to enemies, but lenient with friends. However, when a friend protects the enemy, he finds himself in a dilemma.
He considered Princess Bai Lu as one of his own, not because he was particularly fond of her, but because he feared the White Crane King.
The Black Dragon King, well aware of Kui Niu King's simple-minded nature, coldly glared at Princess Bai Lu and barked, "Step aside!"
Princess Bai Lu stood her ground, refusing to retreat.
The Black Dragon King's brow furrowed as he coldly scolded, "Bai Lu, as the daughter of the White Crane King, you've conspired with a human to steal the treasure of the Beast Clan. You've committed a heinous crime, yet you still have the audacity to defend him?"
Princess Bai Lu bit her lip, remaining silent.
From the Beast Clan's perspective, she had indeed made a grave mistake. But at this moment, she could only double down on her decision.
"If you don't stand down, do I have to personally suppress you?"
The Black Dragon King's voice carried an undeniable authority.
Yet, Princess Bai Lu did not move.
Qin Zi, gazing at her figure shielding him, smiled gratefully. Then, gently pulling her aside, he said, "Sister Bai Lu, thank you for your kindness, but I must take responsibility for my actions. Today… I will leave my fate to destiny!"
Though Qin Zi feared death and did not want to die, he couldn't let others risk themselves to protect him while he hid in silence.
It's kindness when others protect you.
But standing up for yourself is your duty!
"If I don't protect you now, you're as good as dead!" Bai Lu scolded in frustration.
"Thank you!"
With a loud shout, Qin Zi's body erupted with crimson flames, nine fire phoenixes spiraling around him, illuminating the sky.
Boom!
Encased in flames and carried by the nine phoenixes, he transformed into a fiery pillar, shooting toward the horizon in an instant.
So fast!
It was like a laser beam streaking across the sky, leaving behind a long, straight line that cut across the heavens!
"An imperial weapon!"
The Black Dragon King's eyes flashed with recognition, but he quickly sneered.
"However, thinking you can escape from a supreme expert with just an imperial weapon is far too naive."
He extended his right hand toward the distant line in the sky.
"Reverse time!"
Along the line that stretched into the distance, time seemed to flow backward, the entire world trembling as the force of time itself was reversed.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The crimson line of fire in the sky began retracting at a visible speed.
It was as if an invisible hand was erasing the line, and at the very end of it… was Qin Zi.
"How… how is this possible?!"
Qin Zi felt like he was driving in reverse, his face turning pale as he cried out in disbelief.
Humph!
The Black Dragon King snorted coldly, and an overwhelming force crashed into Qin Zi, tearing his clothes to shreds.
Thud!
He flew backward, naked, his body ravaged by destructive energy. His bones and meridians shattered, his internal organs damaged, and his skin cracked open, blood pouring from his wounds.
"Qin Zi!"
Princess Bai Lu's face turned pale in shock. She quickly flew over and caught him. Qin Zi was on the brink of death, his complexion ashen.
"Black Dragon King, as a supreme expert, how dare you strike at a junior in the Emperor Realm? Do you have no shame?!"
Princess Bai Lu's voice was filled with fury.
"Haha, you do realize I am a supreme expert, don't you? Then is this how you speak to one?"
The Black Dragon King's face remained cold, his voice authoritative.
"Bai Lu, your foolishness today was something I chose to overlook. But you, as a member of the Beast Clan, conspire with outsiders and show no respect for your elders. I wonder… who gave you this courage?"
Boom!
In the next instant, a wave of immense pressure surged toward Princess Bai Lu. Though it wouldn't kill her, it was enough to severely injure her.
"Princess!"
The three gray-robed elders rushed to shield her, but the Black Dragon King simply snorted, and they were blasted away by an invisible force, scattering like leaves in the wind.
The crushing pressure continued to bear down on Princess Bai Lu.
"Ah!"
Her face turned deathly pale, her body trembling uncontrollably under the overwhelming aura of a supreme expert.
Buzz!
Just then, a holy white light enveloped her, blocking the oppressive force.
Then, a middle-aged man clad in resplendent white feathered robes emerged from the light. He appeared graceful yet exuded an undeniable air of authority. His sword-like brows and deep eyes seemed to contain the mysteries of the cosmos.
With his hands behind his back, he glanced coolly at the Black Dragon King and said, "The courage my daughter has… was given by me. Do you have a problem with that?"