37: The incompetent Ao Haotian, the essence of the Golden-Winged Roc

In another corner of the Secret Realm, atop an ancient altar floating in the Void Realm,

Myriad rays of radiant light and thousands of streaks of auspicious aura shone.

Ao Haotian stood before the altar, grinning from ear to ear as he roared at the heavens.

"Hahaha! Heaven is helping me!"

"To think it's actually Golden-Winged Great Peng essence blood, the heavens truly have eyes!"

In the center of the altar, a thumb-sized drop of golden blood floated quietly, with the phantom of a golden Great Peng soaring within it.

It was exactly the Golden-Winged Great Peng essence blood Ao Haotian spoke of!

The Golden-Winged Great Peng is one of the ancient Immortal Beasts; an adult Golden-Winged Great Peng possesses strength comparable to a True Dragon.

There are even legends that this race dares to hunt True Dragons as food!

Its power was evident; it was an absolute top-tier Immortal Beast!

"Although I have a Jiao Dragon Bloodline, this single drop of Great Peng essence blood is enough to make me undergo a transformation and be reborn!"

"Its effect is far superior to that Ten-Thousand-Year Saint Heart Grass!"

Looking at the golden blood before him, Ao Haotian's gaze grew increasingly fervent, his nose constantly exhaling scorching breath.

But he didn't act immediately; instead, he looked around warily while his body shimmered with light as he equipped himself with various treasures and Talismans.

His golden dragon body was covered in a layer of dark-gold dragon-scale armor; his left claw gripped a hideous bone sword shimmering with rainbow light, while his right claw held a black shield.

Prison-Suppressing Dragon Armor, Blood Dragon Bone Sword, Black Dragon Shield!

He had equipped himself with all the highest-grade Magic Treasures available within the Secret Realm!

Not only that, he was surrounded by three layers of Protective Spiritual Light—all high-level defensive secret techniques obtained at a great cost, stacked layer upon layer like a wall of bronze and iron.

Cautious!

Steady!

Once bitten, twice shy.

He was truly terrified that Xu Jinhuan would intercept him again!

This was immortal beast essence blood that could elevate his life level; there was no room for error!

Only after finishing all this did he feel safe enough to move forward. He ascended the altar and cautiously extended his claw, intending to take the Golden-Winged Great Peng essence blood for himself.

"Xu Jinhuan! This time I am heavily guarded, let's see how you'll steal it now!"

However, at that moment, a palm as white as jade blocked his claw.

"Who?!"

Ao Haotian was startled. He looked down, and a peerlessly handsome face came into view.

Who else could it be but Xu Jinhuan?

"Fuck! You again!"

Just as his roar of shock and anger escaped, he watched helplessly as the golden essence blood in the center of the altar turned into a streak of light, flew into Xu Jinhuan's palm, and vanished.

"No!—"

Ao Haotian let out a roar of ultimate despair, his eyes filled with resentment and humiliation. His ten-thousand-foot golden body trembled violently, and his dragon might surged so strongly that the entire altar shook.

Incompetent husband x2... "Little Loach, you were quite well-prepared this time, but unfortunately, you got one thing wrong."

"All these arrangements of yours are for protecting yourself; they have no effect whatsoever on preventing an interception."

"Thanks to Little Loach for another offering. I'll be taking this Golden-Winged Great Peng essence blood."

Xu Jinhuan examined the golden blood floating at his fingertips and spoke with a smile.

The mockery was at its peak.

At this moment, Ao Haotian was overwhelmed with shock and fury, nearly driven to madness!

"Xu! Jin! Huan!"

Ao Haotian roared each word separately. The head of the massive Jiao Dragon looked hideous, his pupils were blood-red, and the heat waves exhaled from his nostrils were more scorching than the blazing sun!

"Die! For! Me!"

The massive bone sword, wreathed in rainbow light, suddenly slashed out, carrying a heaven-toppling rage.

It was one thing for this human ant to intercept him again, but he even had the gall to mock him.

Most importantly, what he said was actually true!

It was enough to infuriate any Jiao Dragon!

Boundless sword light fell like falling stars, and dense Sword Qi instantly filled the entire altar!

This strike contained all his frustration and fury; the momentum of the sword was powerful enough to split mountains, sever seas, and tear through space!

But this strike delivered in rage landed on nothing.

Xu Jinhuan's figure was like a ghost; using some unknown secret technique, he left an afterimage in place, and the boundless Sword Qi couldn't touch him at all!

Only after the sword's momentum was exhausted did he reappear on the other side of the altar, his white robes fluttering, completely unharmed.

"How on earth did you follow me here?"

Ao Haotian's eyes were filled with anger, but he ultimately did not continue to attack.

Because he could feel that Xu Jinhuan's three helpers and followers had arrived.

He couldn't see through Xu Jinhuan's background to begin with, and now that the four of them were gathered, Ao Haotian didn't have a certain grasp of victory.

Furthermore, after that one strike, much of his anger had been vented, and his intelligence regained the upper hand.

At this moment, he finally realized that the other party seemed to have some special means to find him.

"Naturally, I saw you and came over."

Xu Jinhuan told him the truth.

The Double Pupils Divine Ability sees through all illusions and reaches the essence of things, allowing one to overlook the sea of stars within the square inch of a palm.

This Secret Realm was not large, and Ao Haotian had nowhere to hide under the Double Pupils.

But Ao Haotian clearly didn't believe it and let out a cold snort.

"Humph! Playing tricks, how utterly ridiculous!"

"This Secret Realm is filled with Great Saint-Grade Restrictions; how could a mere human like you see through them?!"

Ao Haotian looked at the golden essence blood in Xu Jinhuan's hand, still furious. He trembled with rage, his golden scales standing on end, yet he didn't dare to strike rashly again.

He could only curse in his heart.

Damn it! What secret technique did this human ant use?

I didn't notice a thing during both interceptions!

Forget it! Although the Golden-Winged Great Peng essence blood is good, it isn't a great Opportunity for me; Dragons and Pengs are naturally at odds.

Once I find the divine soul and Legacy of my race's Saint Demon King, that kid will meet his end!

With his thoughts racing, Ao Haotian suppressed the towering rage in his heart, glared fiercely at Xu Jinhuan, and said through gritted teeth:

"Human ant! You just wait! Next time, I will definitely make you pay a heavy price!"

With those words, he stayed no longer. His ten-thousand-foot golden body turned into a streak of golden light as he fled into the deepest part of the Secret Realm without looking back, his speed several times faster than before.

He was truly afraid and didn't want Xu Jinhuan to follow him at all.

What if he got robbed again?

On the spot, the moment Ao Haotian left, three graceful figures appeared and surrounded Xu Jinhuan, extremely alert.

Fang Qingyao scanned the surroundings warily but found no trace of the Golden Jiao, making her feel puzzled.

"Master, where is that Jiao Dragon?"

"Little Loach has already left; no need to be so tense."

Xu Jinhuan smiled and showed the golden blood in his hand.

Seeing this drop of essence blood, The Three Women instantly breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the Golden Jiao had indeed left.

"Protect me while I refine this drop of essence blood."

This drop of blood was useful to him, so Xu Jinhuan naturally wouldn't be stupid enough to hand it over to someone else.

He wasn't some simp who couldn't move upon seeing a beautiful woman!

On the contrary, every woman he met seemed to have designs on him.

"While I am in seclusion, you can look around nearby and collect opportunities.

That Little Loach looks like he's been scared out of his wits; he won't dare to continue collecting treasures for a while."

"Of course, stay safe. If you encounter an enemy you can't defeat, call me at any time."

"Yes!"

The Three Women obeyed the order and withdrew from the altar area.

On the spot, Xu Jinhuan swallowed the golden blood in one gulp.