Tomorrow's Fruit Distribution Banquet

Wang Hao glanced over the seven stronghold leaders.

Seven people.

Not a single one of them was decent.

But that didn't matter.

A mountain stronghold didn't need good people.

It only needed obedient ones.

Duan Tiantu leaned back in his chair.

“You've passed the initiation test.”

“However…”

“If you want to become the eighth stronghold leader of the Immortal Bandit Stronghold, you'll still have to prove your strength.”

Iron Buddha rose to his feet once more.

All eighteen Soul-Suppressing Nails began to tremble simultaneously.

“Let me test him.”

Duan Tiantu made no move to stop him.

The other stronghold leaders also wore expressions of anticipation, eager to enjoy the spectacle.

Wang Hao asked, “If you die, will I have to pay compensation?”

Iron Buddha grinned viciously.

“If you can kill me, my position as the Fourth Stronghold Leader is yours.”

“What about your possessions?”

“They'll all be yours!”

“Including your debts?”

Iron Buddha's expression darkened.

“I don't owe anyone a damn thing!”

Bai Wusuan gently waved his folding fan.

“Fourth Brother borrowed half a Dao Fruit from the First Stronghold Leader last month.”

Iron Buddha glared at Bai Wusuan.

“Fifth Brother, shut your mouth!”

Wang Hao thought it over seriously for a moment.

“Then I'd better not kill you.”

Iron Buddha flew into an uncontrollable rage.

He took a single step forward.

His body, massive as an iron mountain, charged straight at Wang Hao.

The full might of a fifth-layer Heavenly Immortal erupted from him.

All eighteen Soul-Suppressing Nails shot into the air.

Each nail dragged behind it a bizarre, ghostly soul.

The doors of the Hall of Brotherhood slammed shut.

All seven black mountains trembled simultaneously.

Wang Hao didn't summon the Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Pagoda.

Nor did he draw the New Emperor's Sword.

He understood perfectly well that this battle wasn't about killing anyone.

It was about making the seven stronghold leaders understand one thing:

If any of them faced him alone…

They would die.

First Palm!

A golden palm imprint struck Iron Buddha squarely in the chest.

His immortal body merely shuddered.

He burst into laughter.

“Is that all you've got?”

Second Palm!

Golden light surged into his bones.

Iron Buddha's steps faltered slightly.

Third Palm!

The circulation of his immortal power began to stagnate.

Fourth Palm!

All eighteen Soul-Suppressing Nails veered off course simultaneously.

Fifth Palm!

Iron Buddha had barely begun unfolding his Immortal Domain when a palm strike forced it straight back into his body.

His expression finally changed.

“What kind of palm technique is this?”

Wang Hao was already standing right in front of him.

“Sixth Palm.”

The palm strike landed.

The power left behind by the first five strikes erupted simultaneously inside Iron Buddha's body.

BOOM!

Iron Buddha's knees buckled.

The ground beneath his feet crumbled inch by inch.

He tried to raise his head.

But a palm was already pressing against the crown of his skull.

Another inch downward, and his soul would be shattered on the spot.

Wang Hao asked, “Still want to fight?”

Iron Buddha's face turned crimson.

“I refuse to accept defeat!”

“Then let's continue.”

Wang Hao pressed down slightly harder.

A thin line of blood split open on Iron Buddha's forehead.

“Wait!”

“Do you submit?”

Iron Buddha gritted his teeth.

“No…”

Wang Hao continued pressing down.

“I submit!”

The entire Hall of Brotherhood fell utterly silent.

Wang Hao withdrew his hand.

Iron Buddha gasped for breath.

When he looked at Wang Hao again, there was now a trace of wariness in his eyes.

Duan Tiantu began applauding slowly.

“An impressive palm technique.”

“From this day forward…”

“You are the eighth stronghold leader of my Immortal Bandit Stronghold.”

A black token flew from Duan Tiantu's hand.

Wang Hao raised his hand and caught it.

The front of the token bore an engraving of a black mountain.

The back was carved with the number eight.

Duan Tiantu said, “Tomorrow is the Dao Fruit Distribution Banquet.”

“I'll hold a welcome feast in your honor.”

Wang Hao put away the token.

“Sounds good.”

A short while later, he was escorted to the Eighth Peak.

This mountain had originally been an abandoned execution ground.

Desiccated immortal corpses hung from the cliffs.

Inside the room stood a bed stitched together from human skin.

The silver-haired youth took one look around.

“Master, the living conditions here leave much to be desired.”

Wang Hao replied, “It's free.”

“Then I suppose it's acceptable.”

Night fell.

There was no moon over the Black Mountain.

Yet white bone lanterns illuminated the seven peaks, one after another.

Wang Hao had only just sat down when a black-robed immortal bandit silently appeared.

“The First Stronghold Leader requests your presence.”

“What for?”

“To discuss how to eliminate the Second Stronghold Leader.”

The black-robed immortal bandit had barely left when a wisp of black smoke drifted in through the window.

The smoke transformed into the face of the Second Stronghold Leader, Yin Jiuzhu.

“Brother Wang.”

“Come to the Second Peak at midnight.”

“This lord wishes to discuss a major undertaking with you—the assassination of Duan Tiantu.”

The black smoke dissipated.

Then a blood-red paper crane flew in through the crack beneath the door.

It landed on the floor and transformed into Liu Hongyi's voice.

“Little newcomer…”

“Come visit Big Sister's room tonight.”

“Big Sister has something nice to show you.”

The silver-haired youth emerged from the sword.

“Master.”

“You've barely joined the stronghold, yet so many people are already seeking you out.”

Wang Hao looked at the three invitations.

“Being the king of a mountain stronghold…”

“Sure is busier than being an emperor.”

Before midnight, Wang Hao first visited the First Stronghold Leader, Duan Tiantu.

At the summit of the First Peak stood a black palace, weighing heavily upon the mountaintop.

Tens of thousands of skulls were piled outside the palace.

The crowns of every skull had been pried open.

Black flowers grew inside them.

As Wang Hao passed by, every single flower turned simultaneously, facing in his direction.

Inside the palace, Duan Tiantu was drinking wine.

The liquid was bright red.

Fingers floated inside the wine jar.

“Sit.”

Wang Hao took a seat.

Duan Tiantu poured him a bowl of wine.

“Drink.”

Wang Hao glanced at it.

“Is it poisoned?”

Duan Tiantu smiled.

“Yes.”

“What kind of poison?”

“Immortal Drunk.”

“It can't kill a Heavenly Immortal.”

“Then that's rather pointless.”

Wang Hao picked up the bowl and drained it in one gulp.

As the wine entered his mouth, the Immaculate Kindling flickered inside his body.

Every trace of contamination was instantly burned away.

Duan Tiantu's eyes shifted slightly.

“Quite the courage.”

“It's only wine.”

“Someone else might not have dared to drink it.”

“Other people are afraid of dying.”

“And you're not?”

“Of course I am.”

Wang Hao set down the empty bowl.

“That's why I neutralized the poison beforehand.”

Duan Tiantu fell silent for a moment.

Suddenly, the woman's face sewn into his chest burst into laughter.

“You remind me of myself when I was young.”

Wang Hao replied, “Were you handsome when you were young, too?”

The laughter from the woman's face abruptly stopped.

The smile on Duan Tiantu's face stiffened as well.

“Tomorrow is the Dao Fruit Distribution Banquet.”

“I want Yin Jiuzhu dead.”

“Why?”

“He betrayed the Black Mountain.”

“Do you have proof?”

“I don't need proof.”

“Then why ask me?”

“Because you're new here.”

Duan Tiantu looked down at Wang Hao.

“You have no ties to him.”

“You won't hesitate to kill him.”

“Is there anything in it for me?”

“After he dies, his Dao Fruits will belong to you.”

“All of them?”

“All of them.”

“What about you?”

“I want his life.”

Wang Hao studied Duan Tiantu.

“You're being awfully generous.”

“It's making me a little uneasy.”

Duan Tiantu raised his hand.

A black insect egg landed on the table.

A faint trace of Yin Jiuzhu's aura could be sensed on its surface.

“Put this into tomorrow's Shared-Fate Wine.”

“As soon as Yin Jiuzhu drinks it, his Immortal Domain will be temporarily sealed.”

“That's when you strike and kill him.”

Wang Hao pocketed the insect egg.

“Deal.”

After leaving the First Peak, he headed to the Second Peak.

There was no palace at Yin Jiuzhu's residence.

Only an upside-down tomb.

Its entrance faced the ground.

Nine black chains hung down from it.

Wang Hao grabbed one of the chains and descended into the tomb.

Yin Jiuzhu was sitting inside a coffin.

His nine withered fingers were each writing immortal script on a separate sheet of human skin.

“Brother Wang.”

“You arrived sooner than I expected.”

“That's because I have another appointment to make.”

Yin Jiuzhu raised his head.

“Has Duan Tiantu already approached you?”

“He has.”

“Did he ask you to kill me?”

“Yes.”

Yin Jiuzhu's hands stopped moving.

“You actually admit it so openly?”

“Why wouldn't I?”

“Are you not afraid I'll kill you right now?”

Wang Hao took out Bai Wuchen's rotten Dao Fruit.

The aura of the Ascension Bureau spread from it.

All nine of Yin Jiuzhu's fingers tensed simultaneously.

Wang Hao said,

“Before Bai Wuchen died, he left me a message.”

“What did he say?”

“He said…”

“Yin Jiuzhu is one of us.”

Yin Jiuzhu stared fixedly at the Dao Fruit.

“What else did Bai, the Disciplinary Commissioner, say?”

“He said you agreed to the Ascension Bureau’s terms.”

“Open the Black Mountain Maze tonight.”

Yin Jiuzhu suddenly rose to his feet.

The nine chains rattled violently.

“Who are you, exactly?”

Wang Hao replied calmly,

“Wang Xiaobai.”

“I’m not asking for your name!”

“Then ask me properly.”

Yin Jiuzhu’s breathing grew heavy.

After a long while, he sat back down.

“Bai, the Disciplinary Commissioner, is already dead.”

“The people from the Ascension Bureau won’t believe you.”

“Whether they believe me or not is irrelevant.”

Wang Hao raised the Dao Fruit.

“They recognize this.”

From inside the Dao Fruit, a vague voice rang out.

“Yin Jiuzhu.”

“Open the formation at midnight.”

“The Ascension Bureau will pardon your past crimes.”

It was the black-robed artifact spirit, imitating the lingering aura of Bai Wuchen.

It was impossible to tell whether it was real or fake.

Yin Jiuzhu had clearly believed most of it.

He said in a low voice,

“Duan Tiantu already suspects me.”

“He’ll make his move at tomorrow’s Dao Fruit banquet.”

Wang Hao asked,

“What do you want me to do?”

“Help me kill Duan Tiantu.”

“Fine.”

Yin Jiuzhu froze.

“You agreed that quickly?”

“Because Duan Tiantu also asked me to kill you.”

“Whose side are you on?”

Wang Hao replied,

“I’ll help whoever wins.”

Yin Jiuzhu remained silent for a long time.

“What an impressive Wang Xiaobai.”

“Open the formation at midnight.”

“At that time, three Heavenly Immortals from the Ascension Bureau will enter Black Mountain.”

“Duan Tiantu will die.”

Wang Hao rose to his feet.

“Then allow me to congratulate you in advance, Second Chief.”

“Congratulate me on what?”

“Becoming the Grand Chief.”

A smile finally appeared on Yin Jiuzhu’s face.

Wang Hao left the Second Peak.

The third place he visited was the Red Embroidery Tower, where Liu Hongyi lived.

There were no maids inside the tower.

Only a number of male corpses stripped of their skin.

Liu Hongyi reclined against the bed.

Her bare feet were soaking in a bronze basin.

The basin was filled with blood.

“Little brother,” she purred.

“You certainly kept big sister waiting.”

Wang Hao glanced at the corpses.

“They were your little brothers too?”

Liu Hongyi smiled.

“They were disobedient.”

“So big sister killed them.”

“Then I’ll try my best to be obedient.”

“What a good boy.”

Liu Hongyi reached out.

Her fingertip gently traced the side of Wang Hao’s face.

“I heard you defeated Iron Buddha with just five palms.”

“Big sister doesn’t believe it.”

“Want to test it out?”

“How?”

“On the bed.”

The silver-haired youth inside the sword grew excited.

“Master, are we going to fight?”

Wang Hao sent a soul transmission.

“Why are you so excited?”

“She said we should fight on the bed.”

The black-robed artifact spirit said coldly,

“Idiot.”

The silver-haired youth asked,

“What’s wrong?”

“She doesn’t want to fight your master.”

“Then what does she want to do?”

“A different kind of fighting.”

The silver-haired youth grew even more excited.

“A new martial technique?”

Wang Hao expressionlessly sealed away the new Heavenly Son Sword.

At last, the world was quiet.

Liu Hongyi leaned even closer.

“What are you thinking about?”

Wang Hao lowered his voice.

“I know where your husband’s head is.”

All the amusement vanished from Liu Hongyi’s face in an instant.

The blood inside the Red Embroidery Tower began boiling at the same time.

The pressure of a sixth-level Heavenly Immortal locked onto Wang Hao.

“Say that again.”

“Three feet beneath Duan Tiantu’s chair.”

“How do you know?”

“Someone told me.”

“Who?”

“Your husband.”

The killing intent in Liu Hongyi’s eyes surged.

“He’s already dead!”

“That’s why he spoke so softly.”

Boom!

Liu Hongyi’s five fingers shot toward Wang Hao’s throat.

Wang Hao neither dodged nor retreated.

“If you kill me now,” he said,

“you’ll never find the evidence.”

Her five fingers stopped just in front of his throat.

Her razor-sharp nails had already pierced his skin.

Yet they did not sink any deeper.

Wang Hao continued,

“Tomorrow’s Dao Fruit banquet.”

“You’ll have a chance to see for yourself.”

Liu Hongyi glared at him.

“If you’re lying to me…”

“I’ll strip the skin from your body.”

Wang Hao turned and walked outside.

“Remember to start with the face.”

“Why?”

“I care about my appearance… I mean, I care about my image.”

After leaving the Red Embroidery Tower, Wang Hao did not return to the Eighth Peak.

Instead, he went behind the Gathering of Heroes Hall.

There was an extremely well-hidden underground passage there.

The Black Mountain Token grew slightly warm.

The entrance to the passage opened on its own.

The stairs descended all the way down.

Countless palmprints were carved into the stone walls on either side.

Some were only half an inch deep.

Others had pierced straight through the entire mountain.

The farther down he went,

the stronger the pressure around him became.

By the time he reached the very bottom,

even Wang Hao’s Earth Immortal Dao Fruit had begun to tremble.

A withered well appeared ahead.

The mouth of the well was only three feet across,

yet a vast, ocean-like pressure emanated from within.

Four ancient immortal characters were carved along the rim.

Heaven-Imprisoning Ancient Well.

Wang Hao approached the mouth of the well.

A system prompt appeared.

[Special location detected: Heaven-Imprisoning Ancient Well.]

[Would you like to check in?]

“Check in.”

[Check-in successful.]

[The host has been detected to possess the incomplete martial technique, Heaven-Imprisoning Earth-Covering Palm.]

[Fusing with the martial technique’s source aura.]

[Heaven-Imprisoning Earth-Covering Palm is beginning to advance.]

[Advancement complete.]

[Obtained: Immortal Emperor-grade martial technique, Heaven-Imprisoning Earth-Covering Palm.]