Asura Emperor Venerable

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: Storm Needle

After each round of clearing the stage, one would be rewarded with that mysterious power, enhancing physique, strength, and soul holistically.

Shi Hao nodded, no wonder all these people were so eager to cram in, even without any gains beforehand, just being here was worth the price of admission.

However, in the first round, eight people would be rewarded, while there were only a measly thirty-two participants, making the “winning” probability remarkably high.

Now, still standing on the stone platforms were Shi Hao, Liu Shixuan, Ma Youfu, and Zong Hehua.

Among the Four Great Sects, White Cloud Sect had always been the weakest, but now it occupied two spots, which was nothing short of a miracle.

“Hmph, it’s only because the merging of the stone platforms is random that Zong Hehua and Chang Tianyu met early. Otherwise, how could Shi Hao still be standing there?”

“Right, the Four Great Geniuses aren’t something ordinary disciples can compare to.”

“It’s all luck!”

The crowd was full of envy, how they wished they were the ones standing there, not just for the benefits, but for the sheer cool factor alone.

When the four stone platforms rose to the same level, it wasn’t long before they started moving again.

The same pattern followed, merging two by two.

Ma Youfu couldn’t help but reveal a grim smile, for as soon as the platform moved, he realized his merging target was… Shi Hao!

However, when he saw Shi Hao’s beaming smile as he brought out the Ninefold Mountain, Ma Youfu’s grim smile abruptly ceased.

In open combat, he was already at a loss against Shi Hao, whose Ninefold Mountain was exceedingly heavy and sharp; he dared not confront it head-on. Now, on such a small platform, it became even harder to deal with.

What to do?

His brow furrowed involuntarily, it seemed his trump card would have to be played early.

It was reserved for life-and-death situations, and even when facing opponents like Liu Shixuan in previous years, he had never thought to use it.

After all, the reward for first place couldn’t compare with one’s own life.

Despite his nickname “Madman,” he was very rational.

But Shi Hao had killed his brother!

“Die!” he pulled out a small tube, aimed at Shi Hao.

This was the Storm Needle, which not only had springs but could also be infused with power; once triggered, it could instantly shoot out thousands of fine needles. Made from an extremely special metal, their destructive power was immense.

This was not crafted by the Kuangsha Sect, but rather a treasure he had previously obtained on this site and had been kept closely guarded.

Because it was a one-time use.

His eyes bloodshot with murderous intent, he pointed the Storm Needle directly at Shi Hao and pressed the trigger without hesitation.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh, in an instant, thousands of fine needles were launched, enveloping Shi Hao like a net, vicious in the extreme. Because they were as thin as cow hair, they could penetrate most defenses, entering the body through pores, traveling along the bloodstream, causing tremendous destruction.

Even for someone at the Nine Steps Soul Nurturing realm, this was a deadly weapon, as there were too many needles to block effectively.

If the Nine Steps couldn’t manage it, what chance did Shi Hao, a mere One Step, have?

Yet Shi Hao just smiled slightly, planted the Ninefold Mountain onto the ground, and activated a Rune.

Not the Weight Reducing Rune, but the Magnetic Rune.

Suddenly, those wildly dancing needles, like lecherous rascals spying a flirtatious beauty, turned heads with parched thirst and rushed toward the Ninefold Mountain.

Ding ding ding ding, the sound of tiny impacts was ceaseless, and the audience witnessed an unbelievable sight.

All the needles were attracted to the blade of the Ninefold Mountain, densely packed and not a single one missed.

How could this be!

Ma Youfu’s eyes widened in disbelief. This was his trump card, which he had intended to save for a life-or-death moment to turn the tide, yet now that he had used it, Shi Hao had effortlessly neutralized it.

This felt like an explosion of his worldview.

With a light flick, Shi Hao extinguished the magnetic Rune, and all the fine needles fell from the blade of the Ninefold Mountain, landing on the stone platform in unison.

This!

Ma Youfu’s mouth twitched, his emotions complex.

That was his treasured ultimate weapon!

“`

How is it that in front of Shi Hao, it seems no more than a toy?

That Spiritual Artifact!

He revealed an extremely greedy look, that was a Spiritual Artifact with Dual Attributes!

It was too rare.

Shi Hao smiled and swung his sword to chop down, “This is mine, you might as well stop dreaming.”

Boom, the Weight Reducing Rune worked its magic, instantly making Ninefold Mountain light as a cicada’s wing.

Faced with such a divine weapon, how could Ma Youfu dare to directly challenge its edge?

At least, he hadn’t figured out a way to do so yet.

So, he had no choice but to retreat.

But on such a narrow stone platform, where could he possibly retreat to?

With one foot stepping into the void, he fell from the stone platform, thump, crashing heavily into the lake and causing a huge splash.

Shi Hao sheathed his sword and looked down from his high vantage point.

Ma Youfu could only look up at him, his eyes full of hatred and madness.

“Shi Hao, I will kill you! You may have dodged this time, but you won’t escape the next!” he shouted hoarsely.

Shi Hao was unconcerned, but a murderous intent also rose in his eyes.

For those who thought of killing him, he would show no mercy.

Hmph, just give him a little time to break through to the Soul Nurturing realm, and even without using Ninefold Mountain, he could still grind Ma Youfu into the ground.

He was still confident about that.

By then, the two stone platforms had just finished merging, showing how quickly the fight was resolved.

Shi Hao withdrew his gaze, and the rewards kept coming. His strength had reached its limit and couldn’t be improved further; it was now his soul and physique that were growing, far exceeding the first step of Soul Nurturing.

As for what realm he had reached, there was no basis for comparison, and even Shi Hao himself couldn’t say for sure since it wasn’t as tangible as strength.

The battle between Liu Shixuan and Zong Hehua was much more intense and protracted; both sides were showcasing their splendor as contemporary geniuses. The fight was fierce with constant back and forth.

Gradually, Liu Shixuan began to gain the upper hand, and then firmly maintained that advantage until he finally forced his opponent off the stone platform.

In such a confined space, even a slight advantage could be infinitely magnified.

Now, only two people were left.

All present looked up, their expressions complex.

Who could have imagined that this final showdown would turn out to be an internal conflict within the White Cloud Sect?

If someone had claimed this before, absolutely no one would have believed it.

“Did I hear that Shi Hao has just recently joined the sect?”

“Indeed.”

“Impressive!”

“Pfft, it’s only because he got a powerful Spiritual Artifact.”

“You can’t say it like that. Could you get such a Spiritual Artifact? Forget you, even among Liu Shixuan and Ma Youfu, which of them has obtained one?”

“Right, this guy is really a freak.”

“Two heroes in one family, the White Cloud Sect is going to turn upside down!”

“Heh, not necessarily! Haven’t you ever heard a saying?”

“What saying?”

“One mountain cannot contain two tigers!”

Everyone lifted their heads, looking up at Shi Hao and Liu Shixuan as the two stood off, an image that seemed to validate the saying “One mountain cannot contain two tigers.”

“`