255

Chapter 255: Crushing Victory

Hearing Li Hao's thunderous shout, Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu's faces changed drastically. They had been planning to discuss sneaking around for a surprise attack, but Li Hao had directly exposed their presence.

They quickly scanned the battlefield, vigilant for the appearance of the Gluttony Valley Lord.

Meanwhile, behind the demon tide, four ferocious demon figures stood, staring intently at the chaotic battle, ready to join at any moment.

Behind them, a girl in a golden silk dress stood on a hillside. She had a golden curved feather on her head and a faint demonic aura around her. Her face was nervous, her hands hanging by her skirt, and she looked respectfully at the burly figure before her.

This burly figure, standing among numerous skeletons, was the Gluttony Valley Lord, known as the Taishou King. His entire body was covered in dense brown fur, with curved horns on his head and pale green eyes devoid of any emotion, radiating a cold demonic aura.

"Taishou King, are you really not considering retreat? The news from western Youzhou is mostly accurate. If that young man joins the fight at the Xia family's invitation, we might not gain anything from Youzhou," the girl in the golden dress respectfully advised.

The burly figure before her was the infamous Taishou King. Gluttony Valley instilled fear in many demons because they were a group of ruthless and indiscriminate killers.

"Hmph, do you think I will retreat just because of a rumor? How will Gluttony Valley maintain its reputation if I back down now?" The Taishou King's cold eyes swept over the girl, his gaze like sharp blades.

"You should stick to providing information, not giving orders," he growled, baring his fangs slightly. The girl trembled and crouched down, too scared to speak further.

The other four demons sneered at her fear. If not for her association with Tianji Hall, they wouldn't mind tasting her.

"Don't compare us to the Taixu Realm. Half-step Dao Realm and they couldn't even take down Liangzhou. Ridiculous!" The Taishou King crushed a cleanly gnawed skull in his hand, filled with disdain.

Hearing about Zhuhuo God's half-step Dao Realm had initially surprised him, but failing to kill a human boy made Zhuhuo God's half-step Dao Realm seem laughable.

The Taishou King secretly harbored a half-step Dao Realm himself, and he knew its dominance over the Absolute Learning Realm. This confidence had emboldened him to challenge the Xia family's God General Mansion.

At that moment, a clear and powerful shout from the sky reached them.

"Gluttony Valley Lord, come out!"

The Taishou King and his elders looked towards the source of the voice, their faces instantly contorted with killing intent.

"Is that the Xia family?"

"That's Xia Linglong! Is she not afraid of death?"

"Are they planning a final showdown with us?"

Recognizing Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu, the Gluttony Valley elders were enraged. They had briefly fought these two before but held back, wary of the Xia family's hidden powers.

Now, however, they were ready to fight without restraint.

"Just one human boy?" the Taishou King scoffed.

The boy's bold call out drew their attention. They had seen the Tianji Hall's intelligence reports—this was the Haotian General from Liangzhou.

Their expressions darkened, recognizing the boy's reputation. A match for Absolute Learning Realm, defeating Longmen's elder Lu Yuan—this boy was not to be underestimated.

"They're here!"

In the air, Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu spotted the Gluttony Valley demons approaching, their faces tense. The Valley Lord and his top elder were formidable foes, their bodies as tough as eight-forge divine weapons.

"Be careful…" Xia Linglong warned Li Hao through her spiritual connection, "The Valley Lord's body is extremely resilient. We need to deal with his subordinates first and then team up against him."

"You're the human boy Zhuhuo God failed to kill?" the Taishou King sneered.

Li Hao was surprised the Taishou King didn't recognize his steed, Zhuhuo God.

"Are you the only ones from Gluttony Valley?" Li Hao asked.

"Why do you care? We're not the Taixu Realm weaklings," a Gluttony Valley elder snarled.

Li Hao, tired of their posturing, released his Dao Realm domain like a sword.

With a sudden bang, the boasting elder's body exploded, his spirit barely escaping before being crushed.

It happened so fast that everyone, even the Gluttony Valley Lord and elders, was stunned.

"This…"

The remaining elders were shocked, failing to comprehend Li Hao's method.

"You… You're Dao Realm?" the Taishou King stammered, recognizing the domain marks.

Li Hao's expression grew impatient. "Answer my questions one by one. Who's backing you? What's your goal? Who orchestrated the attack on Liangzhou?"

Silence fell.

Everyone looked at Li Hao, who regarded the Taishou King with slight annoyance, like a butcher observing meat on the chopping block.

Seeing the situation, another elder's body exploded, his spirit screaming for mercy before being extinguished.

The remaining two elders fell to their knees, trembling, and begged for their lives.

"Seems like someone wants to compete to be my mount," Li Hao remarked to Zhuhuo God.

The fiery beast's flames flared. "Can I eat them?"

"Yes," Li Hao granted.

Zhuhuo God's domain extended, flames engulfing the two elders who screamed in despair as they burned.

"You... You're Zhuhuo God?" the Taishou King finally recognized the fiery beast, his face pale.

Both Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu were equally stunned.

Li Hao frowned at the Taishou King. "Stop wasting my time. Answer my questions."

Realizing he couldn't escape, the Taishou King's face contorted. "Fine, I'll talk."

As he spoke, his domain silently spread, attempting a final desperate attack on Xia Linglong and Xia Yuanwu.

"Half-step Dao Realm and you dare to show off?" Li Hao remarked, effortlessly suppressing the Taishou King's domain.

"You…" the Taishou King's face filled with horror.

"Enough. Time to die," Li Hao said, his domain crushing the Taishou King's body.

The Taishou King's spirit remained, stunned by the realization of his insignificance before Li Hao.

Li Hao didn't completely destroy him, instead leaving a fragment of his spirit for Xia Linglong to interrogate.

"Senior Xia, I leave the interrogation to you. I need to head to Qingzhou," Li Hao said, handing over the fragment.

Xia Linglong, slightly overwhelmed, quickly nodded. "I will. Be careful in Qingzhou."

Xia Yuanwu added, "Once we stabilize Youzhou, we'll join you in Qingzhou."

Li Hao nodded, then summoned a vast surge of energy. Sword qi formed above the battlefield, an immense sea of swords ready to rain down.

The Xia family members watched in awe as the boy unleashed a power beyond their comprehension.

"Kill."

At his command, the sword rain fell, annihilating demons with precise strikes, even amidst the chaotic melee.

Covering a range of over two hundred miles, the sword rain was devastating.

The battlefield fell silent, the demon roars replaced by the sound of falling swords, as Li Hao's overwhelming power cleansed the land.