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"This spear thrust, he can't dodge it!"

"To take a direct hit from Ji Mingque, the genius of our day, can this youth withstand it?"

Seeing the terrifying spear brilliance, the onlookers were all frightened. This was an attack from the Tao Heart Realm, inescapable by any means.

Unless it was one of those top movement techniques from the Ultimate Study Realm, that might momentarily make even the essence of Tao unable to track one's movement.

But how old was this youth, and how much time could he have spent on his cultivation? Would he have mastered it?

Bang!

The destroying spear brilliance arrived in an instant, replacing the air in front of Li Hao, killing him instantly.

Surrounding the spear brilliance were lightning-like destructive arcs, lifting the floor under Li Hao's feet, with thin wisps like black spirals of evil aura, terrifying in might.

Li Hao did not dodge, but simply threw out a punch.

The spear brilliance collided with the fist, sparking a fierce aurora so bright it was impossible to keep one's eyes open, but immediately after, that destructive power dissipated, and Li Hao was left without a single injury.

Ji Mingque's expression abruptly changed, looking at Li Hao with a mix of shock and confusion.

He had not used his full strength in this spear thrust, but he had still exerted seventy or eighty percent of his power, enough to pierce through someone from the Three Immortal Realms with ease, yet it was blocked by Li Hao?

The other onlookers, upon witnessing this scene, were also shocked.

"That youth actually caught Ji Mingque's spear thrust!"

"Could it be that he has also stepped into the Four Stands Realm? But he does not appear old; he must be a genius as well!"

"No wonder he received high praise from War God Yunge. It seems he really is quite powerful."

"After all, he has the Ji Family bloodline. His mother is of the direct line, and his bloodline is rich. It might even be more distinguished than those of the collateral branches!"

Many people started discussing in astonishment, but the tone had changed from the previous disdain to some recognition for the youth.

Although the Ji Family had a serious divide between legitimate and collateral branches, they were unified in their tolerance of the strong. The harsh environment of the Great Wilderness Heaven also led to a culture that respected the powerful.

The strength displayed by Li Hao silenced many who had previously insulted and looked down on him, and they realized that regardless of whether he could join the Ji Family, he was indeed a genius!

In the Great Wilderness Heaven, a genius should not be insulted!

"It seems you do have some ability. In light of your escorting War God Yunge back, I won't hold this against you!"

Ji Mingque recognized that Li Hao indeed had genuine skill and sneered, indicating that he intended to stop.

"If you can catch my punch, I will acknowledge you."

Li Hao took a half step forward.

Ji Mingque was taken aback, his expression darkening as he said, "Are you challenging me?"

"One spear for one punch, that would make us even," said Li Hao calmly.

Ji Mingque couldn't help but laugh in anger, saying, "Don't tell me you really think you are qualified to fight me. I was just going easy on you, not using my full strength. If we were truly to compete, you would have been lying down by now!"

"I, too, can be merciful," Li Hao replied without arguing, calmly stating.

Ji Mingque's eyes blazed with anger, the first time he felt there was someone even more arrogant than himself.

"Then try me!"

His entire body erupted with a vigorous aura, his meridians activating, and his hair stood up in rage. He was genuinely angry now.

As Li Hao was about to make a move, suddenly a group of figures rapidly approached from a distance. One of them shouted, "Stop!"

Everyone in the plaza outside the Guest Reception Hall turned to look. When they saw the leading figure, they were greatly shocked, and many of them immediately knelt down in worship:

"We greet War God Qing Yuan!"

"We greet War God Qing Yuan!"

The progressively synchronized voices rang out, and all heads were bowed.

Ji Mingque and others in mid-air saw Ji Qingyuan and a group of elders arriving, and their expressions changed slightly as they stopped and bowed respectfully.

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Ji Qingyuan's expression was calm. Although he was a bastard child, he was held in the highest respect by all in the Ji Family, regardless of being legitimate or not. On this Sacred Mountain, among those bowing to him, most were legitimate descendants of the Ji Family, yet they regarded him as a deity, submitting at his feet.

He had grown accustomed to it.

The previous subtle contest with Ji Daoxin was merely a struggle for the interests of other collateral members.

After all, he was now the leading figure among the collateral branches and naturally shouldered some burdens.

Seeing the shattered entrance to the Guest Reception Hall and the situation within, Ji Qingyuan immediately grasped what had happened. When he saw Ji Yufen kneeling at the feet of the unfamiliar youth, a flicker of coldness crossed his eyes.

"What is going on?"

An elder stepped forward, scolding angrily.

His face was full of rage, seemingly directed at Li Hao, as if interrogating him.

Ji Mingque and the others kept their heads down without responding. Ji Boduan, realizing what was happening, hurried over:

"Elder Qing Feng, this is all a misunderstanding. Yufen, the proud son of heaven, came here to learn a thing or two from Master Le Ping, just a friendly exchange."

"What master? He's not even a member of the Ji Family yet!"

The elder immediately scolded him.

Ji Boduan's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly fell silent.

"Qing Feng, don't forget what your father is called!"

Several figures hurried over from afar. An elderly lady rapidly appeared above the Guest Reception Hall, positioning herself in such a way as to shield Li Hao:

"This is the Guest Reception Hall. Your behavior is outrageous. Since when is it proper to start fights in the Guest Reception Hall? Have we completely abandoned our rules?"

She glared at Ji Qing Feng with disdain before turning her gaze to Ji Mingque and the other young talents.

Seeing this elderly lady, Ji Mingque and the others' expressions changed slightly, as they quickly bowed in greeting.

Ji Qing Feng's face darkened as he said, "Fourth Aunt, since we're talking about rules, we shouldn't show favoritism!"

"Favoritism? When has my Ji Family ever lacked manners to the point of attacking others in the Guest Reception Hall?" The elderly lady, known as Ji Yun Yue, was visibly furious.

"It's good that I didn't kill him. Right now, he's not a member of the Ji Family!"

Ji Qing Feng said coldly.

"You're completely unreasonable!"

Ji Yun Yue was outraged, "By that reasoning, he is still your nephew by extension. Are you really prepared to kill your own nephew with your own hands?!"