"Heh, I didn't expect a beast from the Five Divine Sect to come join the fun!"
A representative from one of the sects remarked.
Another representative beside him chimed in disdainfully, "Those rats from the gutters... I'd almost forgotten about them. To think they'd crawl out again seeking attention, how laughable!"
"Um... but their disciple has already reached the semifinals, and it looks like they have a good chance of advancing to the finals. Can you perhaps temper your arrogance a little?"
A third representative offered a slightly more balanced perspective.
The others pursed their lips, unconvinced, but had nothing to retort.
The truth was now evident: the mysterious person in the black robe was from the Five Divine Sect.
And within the Immortal Hidden Realm, the Five Divine Sect was the most ostracized and unwelcome sect.
The Five Divine Sect was located at the fringes of the Immortal Hidden Realm, bordering the southern and northwestern regions.
However, it belonged neither to the Southern Region's Earth Sect nor the Northwestern Region's Heaven Sect.
This wasn't due to their independent nature or unwillingness to be governed.
In fact, the Five Divine Sect had extended overtures to both major super sects.
Yet, both super sects showed them no favor, passing them off to each other like a hot potato.
The primary reason for this was that the cultivation methods of the Five Divine Sect differed from those of other human cultivators.
Human cultivators, upon reaching the Dao Integration stage, achieved unity of heaven and man, communicated with higher immortals, gained their recognition, and finally ascended to immortality.
The Five Divine Sect cultivators, while not significantly different in their cultivation methods, differed in the final step of communicating with higher immortals. They communicated with five animals.
Yellow fox, white willow, gray – representing the weasel, fox, hedgehog, snake, and mouse respectively...
This was clearly looked down upon by human cultivators. How could noble humans communicate with such filthy creatures!
In their eyes, the Five Divine Sect was inferior even to demon cultivators. Even though demon cultivators were not human, they at least worshipped the Seven Gods!
Thus, due to these historical reasons, the Five Divine Sect could be considered a sect of its own, or perhaps a forgotten one, within the Immortal Hidden Realm.
Even when one of their disciples reached the semifinals of the Heavenly Pride Battle, hardly anyone spoke favorably of them.
What they received was only disdain, contempt, and arrogance.
The disciple from the Five Divine Sect was clearly aware of this, which was why he had worn a black robe to conceal his identity... until this moment, when the Dharma manifestation of a giant snake appeared behind him.
"Heh, so it's a beast from the Five Divine Sect!"
Upon hearing the discussions on stage, Duan Shikong also realized the truth. His previously somewhat fearful gaze turned disdainful. "Putting on such a show, I almost thought you'd reached the Dao Integration realm!"
"Since you're just a nobody from the Five Divine Sect, I'll show you today the true strength of the orthodox Dao!"
Duan Shikong shouted and prepared to make his move.
At this moment, the disciple from the Five Divine Sect suddenly sneered, "Heh, this is precisely why I participated in this Heavenly Pride Battle..."
Duan Shikong paused, slightly taken aback. "What did you say? What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm here to bring honor to the Five Divine Sect!"
With a rip, the disciple from the Five Divine Sect tore off his black robe, revealing a pale, sinister face.
His eyes, like those of a venomous snake or a ferocious beast, sent chills down one's spine even without being directly stared at!
"I, Hu Lifu, a disciple of the Five Divine Sect, swear today to trample upon all of you so-called orthodox Dao practitioners!"
"Let you see who the true Heavenly Pride is!"
The moment these words were uttered, the entire venue erupted in a clamor of discussion.
The representatives of the major sects on the high platform were even more shocked.
"What an arrogant brat! Who does he think he is to say such things!"
"He dares to disregard the Three Sects as nothing, this child must be executed!"
"Duan Shikong, finish him off directly, don't give him any chance!"
...
Duan Shikong did not respond to the suggestions from the high platform, as they were precisely what he intended to do.
Eliminate this scum from the Five Divine Sect!
"If you surrender now, I'll give you a chance to live. Otherwise, this match will decide not only victory and defeat but also life and death!"
Duan Shikong considered himself benevolent, offering a final warning.
"Heh, 'decide not only victory and defeat but also life and death!' Well said!"
Hu Lifu said with a smile, then his tone sharpened, and he suddenly declared, "Since you're seeking death, why should I refuse to oblige?"
With that, the giant snake behind Hu Lifu opened its maw and spat out a black, almost tangible beam of light.
The beam of light shot towards Duan Shikong, leaving him almost no time to react.
However, "almost no time" implied a sliver of a chance.
It was within this sliver of time that Duan Shikong tensed his entire body, his golden muscles immediately bulged, like a suit of golden armor protecting him.
*Bang—Boom—*
The black beam of light struck Duan Shikong's body, the point of impact producing a piercing sound and a dazzling flash of light.
He was not immediately harmed, but the power of the beam continued to exert pressure.
*Sizzzzzzzzzz—*
The black beam of light was being consumed, and in turn, the golden lacquer on Duan Shikong's body was also being worn down.
"Aargh—"
Duan Shikong let out a beast-like roar, whether from pain, a surge of pride, or simply to intimidate his opponent!
In contrast, Hu Lifu remained composed, as if he were merely a spectator.
Of course, this was only an appearance; in reality, the Dharma manifestation behind him was constantly draining his energy.
*Boom—*
Finally, the black beam of light was completely depleted!
And the golden lacquer on Duan Shikong's body developed a crack and faded in the size of a bowl, as if he had been wounded.
However, such a minor injury meant nothing to Duan Shikong.
He reached out and touched the wound, laughing heartily, "Exhilarating! You're the first person besides my master to break my Golden Body!"
"You've had your turn. Now, it's mine!"
Duan Shikong took a deep breath, and his muscles bulged again, reaching a terrifying extent.
The situation on the battlefield was changing rapidly. If not for this, Duan Shikong would have proudly showcased his physique.
However, now was clearly not the opportune moment!
"Brat, take this punch!"
With this roar, Duan Shikong shot forward like a cannonball.
This was the attack method of the Human Sect!
They cultivated their physical bodies, but not solely relying on them.
Although Duan Shikong shot forward like a cannonball, he was actually relying on his true essence.
Moreover, within this true essence, there was a subtle hint of intent!
The power of this punch was no less than a small asteroid colliding with Earth.
Hu Lifu's expression darkened, and a look of solemnity appeared on his face.
And just as Duan Shikong's fist struck him, Hu Lifu suddenly turned his back, and behind him, a patch of iridescent white spikes appeared!
Those spikes were like shimmering light, yet incredibly solid.
The punch, imbued with Duan Shikong's intent, slammed into the iridescent spikes!
Simultaneously, in the air behind Hu Lifu, a massive hedgehog, covered in sharp spines, manifested.
"Two Dharma manifestations! This kid from the Five Divine Sect has already communicated with two of the five divine beings!"
"Heh, in my opinion, it's likely more than two. This kid is clearly prepared. I bet he's communicated with at least three of the five divine beings!"
"If that's the case, then Duan Shikong is in danger..."
On the high platform, the representatives of the super sects began to discuss again.
Hearing their conversation, Duan Yanzhuo glared at them fiercely, causing them to immediately fall silent.
Duan Yanzhuo snorted disdainfully, "Utterly foolish. Even if this kid has communicated with three Dharma manifestations, so what? Inferior streams are still inferior streams. My disciple, Duan Yanzhuo, will not fear such a rat!"
*Boom—*
After a deafening sound, Duan Shikong was propelled backward, landing firmly on the ground, leaving two massive footprints on the stage floor!
It was important to note that the stage floor was not ordinary; it had been reinforced with spiritual energy.
The fact that he could leave footprints on the floor indicated the immense residual force of Duan Shikong's momentum.
Compared to Duan Shikong, Hu Lifu appeared somewhat disheveled.
Although he had summoned the hedgehog Dharma manifestation at the critical moment, forming a protective shield of spikes, the shield crumbled in an instant under Duan Shikong's punch.
The hedgehog Dharma manifestation in the air also showed signs of weariness, becoming less solid.
In this exchange, although Hu Lifu was not injured, his clothes were torn, and his Dharma manifestation was damaged, making him appear quite battered overall.
Especially when considering the previous exchange of offense and defense, Duan Shikong's response was clearly more composed.
A roar of cheers erupted from the audience, as they all supported the Holy Son of the Human Sect, and in their eyes, Hu Lifu was clearly at a disadvantage.
However, unlike the fervent spectators, Duan Shikong was much calmer. He did not believe he had gained much advantage, nor did he feel he held the upper hand.
Because he could tell that his opponent was holding back, concealing his true strength.
"Hmph, if you want to defeat me, show me your true abilities. Don't hold back, let me see your real strength!"
A fierce fighting spirit ignited in Duan Shikong's eyes!
He was not merely a brute who only showed off his muscles; in fact, his combat intuition was incredibly sharp.
After all, he was the Holy Son of the Human Sect; he wouldn't be so without reason!
"Heh, use my full strength against you? Then what will I do in the finals?"
Hu Lifu said with a forced smile.
The crowd was once again shocked and enraged. This kid was too arrogant! He hadn't even finished the semifinals, and he was already thinking about the finals? Who did he think he was?
Duan Shikong, however, stated with conviction, "Don't worry about the finals. The opponent in the finals is just trash. Whoever wins this semifinal wins the finals, understand?"