C4 Submit or Die

Despite having listened to Faang Hee's incantations outside the cauldron for over ten days, Zhao Xiaoqi's grasp of the vast world's geography remained minimal. When it came to locating the Vreazia Kingdom, he was utterly in the dark.

At this moment, his only option was to seek out the Human Tribe and inquire about the whereabouts of the Vreazia Kingdom.

Hmm?

All of a sudden!

Zhao Xiaoqi was momentarily taken aback.

The Perfect Flesh was crafted from the mightiest treasures and bloodlines in existence, endowing him with the sharpest senses in the world.

Without a trace of cultivation to his name, Zhao Xiaoqi could still distinctly hear the clamor of battle up ahead. The commotion was intense, far beyond the capabilities of any ordinary being.

...

On the outskirts of the valley.

A fierce battle erupted!

Chaos reigned as smoke billowed!

"Surrender your possessions, and the King may grant you mercy!"

"Cease your futile resistance. You're merely at the Heaven Tier—no match for us."

"Relinquish the treasures..."

In the sky, three figures stood poised. Though humanoid, a closer look revealed their differences from the Human Tribe.

The individual at the forefront was tall and robust, sporting a single horn on his forehead, while the other two bore traces of mane-like hair.

Clearly, these were demonic beasts fresh from their transformation.

"Do not overstep. I am a disciple of the Grand One Holy Land. Harm me, and the elders will surely seek retribution!"

Tang Xin, with a long sword in hand, stood guard over a treasured box alongside other young disciples.

The Grand One Holy Land had been the first to act on this intelligence, fortunate at first to face no competition from other sects or holy lands.

Yet, on their return journey, they had not anticipated an encounter with these three formidable demons!

There are eight major realms: Flesh, Creation, Celestial, Bodiless, Saint, God, and Divine King.

Only demonic beasts that have ascended to the Bodiless Stage possess the power to assume human form, earning them the title of great demons.

Despite their numbers, the highest cultivation among them peaked at the Third Layer of the Celestial Realm.

Against three great demons in human guise, they stood no chance of resistance.

Surveying the young disciples encircling her, many bore grave injuries, their blood seeping through their garments—a harrowing sight.

These were her brothers and sisters in arms! Yet now, to safeguard her, the Saintess, and the precious item within the box, they might all meet their end here.

Should she relinquish the treasure?

But it was an object coveted by saints, now within her grasp.

To not surrender it... could she bear to witness her comrades fall one by one?

Boom!

A formidable demon from the trio in the sky unleashed a palm strike, its dreadful force cratering the earth before Tang Xin and her companions, spattering many disciples with blood.

"Surrender the dragon blood, and your lives will be spared!"

"And you, young lady, you could serve our Great Lord..." another demon began, but his words incited fury among the Grand One Holy Land disciples below.

Who was Tang Xin?

The untouchable Saintess of the Grand One Holy Land, subjected to such brazen insolence today!

Their hands clenched around their weapons, they fixed a defiant gaze upon the sky. Death was certain, but retreat was not an option.

"Saintess, take the dragon blood and flee. We'll hold them off for you!"

"Flee?"

The leading demon, silent until now, finally spoke with a sneer, "A mere Heaven Tier cultivator, where do you think you can escape to?"

Boom!

Amidst the standoff, a discordant voice interrupted, drawing the attention of both parties.

Zhao Xiaoqi emerged from the forest, stepping into the clearing.

He had followed the commotion, now witnessing the confrontation. The aftermath of a fierce battle was evident, with devastation all around. Despite their numbers, it was clear that the humans were at a distinct disadvantage, mere playthings in the clutches of the three shape-shifted demonic beasts.

"These three great demons..."

Zhao Xiaoqi's brow furrowed as he gazed at the demons overhead, a peculiar sensation stirring within him.

Although he hadn't yet mastered the ability to soar through the skies, and his body lacked any trace of elemental energy cultivation, the three formidable demons seemed laughably weak to him.

So feeble, in fact, that he believed a single palm strike from him could reduce them to ashes.

Were all the inhabitants of this world so frail? Or was his own physical form simply that overpowering?

Zhao Xiaoqi emerged from the forest, taking measured steps until he stood a short distance from the two opposing factions.

"That is..." The chief demon glanced over at Zhao Xiaoqi.

For some inexplicable reason, despite the human before him showing no signs of cultivation, the demon felt a palpable dread at the sight of this man, a terror so profound it stirred a desire to yield.

"Brother Dao, you must flee! They'll kill you!" Tang Xin cried out, alarmed to see someone stride into the heart of the fray.

She had noticed Zhao Xiaoqi's heavy footsteps crushing the earth as he left the forest, a telltale sign of a novice cultivator struggling to contain their own might.

What she didn't realize was that Zhao Xiaoqi's display of strength was due to the overwhelming power coursing through him.

"This girl..." Zhao Xiaoqi turned to see Tang Xin, her face etched with concern.

Weak!

Incredibly weak!

Even more so than the three demonic beasts!

He even suspected that a mere shout from him could be lethal to the young woman.

"You're in this state and still worry about the welfare of others? Surrender the treasure, and your life will be spared. Come with us to our Great Lord!"

The demon hovering above cackled with derision. But soon, his attention shifted back to Zhao Xiaoqi. Like the demon leader, he sensed an aura of sheer terror emanating from Zhao Xiaoqi, a pressure that seemed to originate from the very core of his bloodline.

It was laughable to him – how could a mere human invoke such a profound sense of ancestral intimidation?

How could that be possible?

"Treasure?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaoqi's gaze subtly shifted, focusing on the treasure box protected behind Tang Xin.

He detected a familiar pulse within the box.

"Let me have a look."

With a furrowed brow, Zhao Xiaoqi stepped forward and in a blink, he was right beside the treasure box.

Hiss —

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as Zhao Xiaoqi's speed left them breathless. So swift was her movement that onlookers caught only a fleeting glimpse of two ghostly afterimages.

Tang Xin, too, was momentarily taken aback. By the time she gathered her wits, Zhao Xiaoqi had already unlocked the treasure box, effortlessly bypassing the Grand One Holy Land's exclusive seal as if it were mere illusion.

"No!"

Tang Xin recalled the elder's warning: sealed within the jade bottle was the potent blood essence of a Divine King level Divine Dragon. Its power was immense.

A mere droplet could obliterate an entire mountain range, and those of lesser cultivation might be snuffed out by the mere presence of the dragon's blood!

But Tang Xin's exclamation was cut short, her words hanging in the air, as Zhao Xiaoqi had already uncorked the jade bottle inside the treasure box.

There, shimmering with life, were three drops of blood.

Three vibrant drops of the most potent blood essence.