"What a creature! Its raw power feels even more immense than Daoxuan's!"
As the furious roar of the Water Qilin resonated across Tongtian Peak, shaking the very foundation of the ancient mountain, Lord Pig was secretly assessing the beast's spiritual reserves.
In this world of Zhu Xian, the hierarchy of cultivation was rigid: Yuqing Realm, Shangqing Realm, and the apex, Taiqing Realm. Daoxuan Zhenren was known to be at the peak of the Shangqing Realm, perhaps the ninth layer, with the other Peak Lords similarly situated within that high tier.
Lord Pig swiftly calculated his own standing. His system showed him at Level Four. Level Four, with all accumulated skills and power, is equivalent to the peak of the Shangqing Realm in this world. However, with his unique divine powers and the sheer tenacity of his ancient form, he knew he possessed enough raw might to decisively defeat both the Water Qilin and Daoxuan, should he need to.
But that's assuming Daoxuan doesn't unsheath that dreadful, ancient Zhuxian Sword.
If Daoxuan were to wield that legendary blade, the outcome would be far more complicated, the risks far greater. Even so, Lord Pig was confident in his ability to survive and escape even the Zhuxian Sword's full might, but a victory would be impossible.
"Lord Pig is the Grandmaster Uncle now. I must demonstrate overwhelming strength and authority to this sect!"
Feeling the surrounding air thickening with the spiritual presence of gathering Qingyun disciples, Zhu Hao reached a definitive conclusion. He hadn't just come to smack the Water Qilin for a quick experience boost; he was here to establish an absolute, undeniable foundation of power.
Only by showcasing a terrifying, invincible capability could he ensure that he would be allowed to wander, nap, feast, and accrue experience points across Qingyun without question or interference from the "little Fatty" and "Xiaoyueyue" of the world.
With a focused effort of his ancient will, Zhu Hao unleashed his full potential.
"As big or small as you wish: Five Thousand Times the Increase!"
"Immortal Golden Body!"
A blinding, thousand-foot-tall burst of golden radiance erupted from the tiny, formerly cute piglet. The golden sphere expanded with terrifying speed, its spiritual energy surging outward like a shockwave. In an instant, his body ceased to be a chubby, round ball and erupted into a colossal, majestic beast, standing a full ten feet tall—towering over even the massive form of the Water Qilin.
The entire body of Lord Pig now shimmered with an unbearable golden light, looking as if it had been forged from pure, molten gold. Every inch of his gargantuan, muscular form vibrated with explosive, untamed power. Each individual hair on his body stood erect, giving off an intense, almost physical feeling of terrifying spiritual oppression.
Most terrifying of all were the eight golden wings spread out behind him. They were now vast, spanning over ten feet, momentarily eclipsing the sky above them. They flickered with raw, unrestrained power—the terrifying essence of wind and thunder—and radiated an extremely sharp edge, as if they could cleave through the very fabric of existence.
"Hiss... this aura! This is the Taiqing Realm!"
Taoist Master Daoxuan and the heads of every peak watched the transformation, their eyes widening in visceral horror. They simultaneously shouted the revelation that confirmed their greatest fear: the creature they had treated as a nuisance was a true, living deity, standing at the summit of cultivation.
"Lord Pig is... so powerful!"
Shuiyue, Su Ru, and Tian Ling'er—the three women who had been cradling him just moments before—stood rooted to the spot, their minds reeling. They felt as if they were trapped in a fantastic, terrifying dream.
They had instinctively ignored the warning signs, treating the cute, furry, golden ball as a benevolent pet. The realization that they had been holding, rubbing the belly of, and pinching the ears of this terrifying, golden behemoth sent a shiver of profound dread down their spines.
"Is that... Lord Pig?"
Wen Min, Lu Xueqi, Zhang Xiaofan, and the scores of other disciples who were now arriving on their flying swords stared up in utter disbelief. It was impossible to reconcile the memory of the kitten-like figure who demanded roast chicken and naps with the golden, ten-foot-tall, divine beast who stood before them, eclipsing the Water Qilin. The cognitive dissonance was almost physically painful.
"ROAR!"
The Water Qilin felt the sudden, immense, and completely overwhelming threat from the golden giant. Its eyes widened to the size of millstones, and it unleashed a fresh roar of panicked rage. The colossal water column that had been circling in the air now shot toward Zhu Hao with endless, crushing momentum.
"Retreat!"
Taoist Master Daoxuan bellowed the command, instantly ordering every nearby disciple to flee backward. Simultaneously, he and the six other Peak Lords activated their most powerful defensive magic, working in concert to raise a massive, shimmering spiritual barrier that sealed off the battlefield, desperately trying to contain the imminent destruction.
The disciples scrambled backward. The seven Peak Lords poured their spiritual power into the defensive shield.
Gazing at the gigantic column of water hurtling down from the darkening sky with the weight of a crashing star, Zhu Hao's massive, towering figure stood perfectly still. He did not move. He did not dodge. He did not lift a finger to strike.
"What's going on? Why won't Lord Pig dodge or fight back?" The onlookers were filled with confusion.
"Is Lord Pig truly intending to withstand the Water Qilin's full-force attack?"
"This is sheer arrogance! Even a true Taiqing Realm expert wouldn't simply endure the Water Qilin's most powerful strike! Master, shouldn't we intervene now?" The Peak Lords pleaded, their anxiety mounting. They had already mentally accepted Zhu Hao as their new, albeit incredibly high-maintenance, guardian beast, and they couldn't bear to watch him be critically injured.
"Calm yourselves," Taoist Master Daoxuan instructed, though his own knuckles were white. "Given Lord Pig's nature, if he stands still, he is absolutely confident. Let us use this chance to witness the true extent of his strength!"
"Mother, Lord Pig won't be beaten to death by the Water Qilin, will he?" Tian Ling'er clung to Su Ru's hand, her beautiful eyes clouded with genuine worry for the audacious creature she had adopted.
"Don't fret, child," Su Ru comforted, though her heart was pounding. "Master Zhu now possesses the aura of the Taiqing Realm. At most, he will suffer only minor injuries. He will be fine!"
BOOM!
The colossal water column slammed down with a deafening impact, hitting Zhu Hao like the central pillar of the heavens crashing to Earth. The force was unimaginable. Zhu Hao's immense body sank instantly, the ground beneath his giant feet fracturing violently. His colossal weight, multiplied by the force of the strike, drove his feet three full feet into the solid rock of the peak.
Cracks spread outwards from the impact zone like a sprawling spider web of destruction. The entire Tongtian Peak shook violently, and the protective formations that underlay the sect ignited in a brilliant, urgent display of spiritual light to counter the shockwave. Without the support of these formations, the sheer power of that one blow would have been enough to collapse the entire peak.
The water column exploded in a spectacular torrent, spraying water everywhere. Through the mist, everyone strained their eyes to see the result.
Golden light flowed like liquid over Zhu Hao's body. He merely shuddered, a slight ripple passing through his massive frame. He stood utterly, completely unharmed.
"How is that possible?!"
As the spray subsided, everyone's jaws dropped. Zhu Hao stood, perfectly intact, his golden form shining brilliantly in the epicenter of the attack. How could his defense be so terrifyingly robust that he was not only unharmed but barely even staggered by such a terrifying, life-ending blow?
They had no way of knowing that Lord Pig was not just physically stronger than the Water Qilin, but had also activated his Immortal Golden Body, boosting his defensive power by a thousand-fold. Standing still, a true, fully realized Taiqing Realm expert would struggle to inflict a wound, let alone the raging but inferior Water Qilin.
ROAR!!!
Seeing that his absolute best effort was completely useless, the Water Qilin was utterly shocked, his rage turning to a panicked fury. The water of the Bishuitan surged upward, and the beast coiled its body, preparing to unleash a second, more desperate attack.
"You big, stupid fool! Now, it is Lord Pig's turn!"
Zhu Hao bellowed, his voice booming with divine power. He clenched one of his colossal fists, a weapon now the size of a small sand dune. He looked down on the Qilin from his superior height. There were no flashy techniques, no elegant spiritual movements—just the raw, terrifying power of the universe concentrated in a single, simple, downward punch.
But in the panicked eyes of the Water Qilin, the moment Zhu Hao's punch began its descent, the very fabric of space and time seemed to freeze. All that existed in the world was a monstrous, golden fist mark, filling the sky between heaven and earth, unstoppable, unavoidable, and crushing all resistance.
BOOM!
The massive fist crashed heavily onto the Water Qilin's head. The sound was like two planets colliding, a cataclysmic shockwave that rippled across the peaks. Everyone's hearts shuddered, bracing for the bloody sight of the Qilin's head bursting into mist.
However, that didn't happen. Zhu Hao had no intention of killing the sect's venerable guardian. But the punch was more than enough to send the Water Qilin's mind into chaos. It saw stars, it felt profound dizziness, and its formidable spiritual defenses instantly crumbled.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
With that single, definitive punch, Zhu Hao stepped forward, his massive frame straddling the Qilin's neck. He mounted the beast like a champion riding a weary horse. His fists, now truly the size of sandbags, rained down upon the Qilin's head like a relentless, unstoppable downpour. Each blow landed with a sickening, heavy thud that sounded like a colossal bell being struck by a spiritual hammer.
On Tongtian Peak, from the Head Master Daoxuan and the Peak Lords to the newest disciples, every foot felt cold. Terror gripped them all as they watched Zhu Hao's brutal, savage display. They must avoid Lord Pig at all costs! they all swore in their hearts. They were not as tough, durable, or spiritually resilient as the Water Qilin. If one of those punches landed on them, they would be instantly reduced to a splattering of flesh and blood.
"Stupid Qilin! Are you convinced?!" Zhu Hao rode on the beast's neck, punctuated his question with a crushing punch, and roared.
"ROAR!" the Water Qilin roared back defiantly, "I refuse to accept!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Are you convinced?!"
"I don't accept it!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Damn it, why doesn't he ask the question again?!" the Water Qilin thought, its consciousness swimming. I already surrendered in my heart, but Lord Pig just keeps punching without asking for confirmation!
"Master, shouldn't we intervene now? The Water Qilin looks quite hurt!" The Peak Lords looked at Daoxuan with worry.
"No need," Daoxuan replied, his face now relieved. "The Water Qilin has clearly surrendered already, and Lord Pig is exercising restraint. I believe he is simply delivering a necessary lesson." He was immensely glad that Zhu Hao and the Qilin had established a clear hierarchy of power.
"How dare you refer to me as 'old man' in front of Lord Pig? It seems your hide is itching for trouble, and you still refuse to admit defeat!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Zhu Hao delivered a vicious final flurry of blows.
"Woo woo, Lord Pig! I am convinced! Please, spare your subordinate!"
The Water Qilin let out a pathetic, whimpering roar, its defiance utterly broken. It felt truly unlucky. It had been sleeping peacefully in its sacred pond, only to be dragged out and beaten senselessly for no understandable reason, with absolutely nowhere to file a complaint.
Experience +800
Magical Power Acquired: Qilin Leg!
System Prompt: Consume 500 energy and experience to fuse the Heavenly Residual Leg to upgrade Qilin Leg?
Lord Pig smiled, his golden body shimmering with satisfaction. Perfect. Authority established. Experience gained. And a shiny new skill to fuse.