Chapter 124: The Terrifying Power of Hao

"These blade-like petals are truly sharp," Hao said, stopping at the edge of the Floral Waltz Formation. He looked calmly at the white-clad figure in the center. "They look quite magnificent, don't they? It’s just a pity they are so fragile."

"Is that so? Why don't you try them out!"

Hearing Hao’s words, Bai Ying did not back down. The Floral Waltz Formation would annihilate any enemy daring to trespass on its territory. If you dare take one more step, these sharp petals will tear you to pieces. Watching Hao, who seemed entirely unconcerned, Bai Ying felt his nerves tighten. A bead of cold sweat slid down his temple. Why hadn't his transformation triggered yet?

Hao seemed to pay no mind to Bai Ying’s warning. Glancing at the figure not far away, he took a bold step forward and began to walk toward him.

Sensing an enemy entering the formation, the Floral Waltz Formation launched its assault without mercy. Attracted by Hao’s aura, all the rose petals flew toward his body, as if determined to shred the intruder to pieces.

Prepared, Hao extended both hands. It was as if something surrounding his body protected him; the moment the rose petals approached, they detonated in mid-air. Each petal vanished into a puff of smoke with a dull pop.

"What?!"

Seeing Hao detonate the petals without even making contact, Bai Ying was deeply shocked. He had assumed Hao was injecting his demonic energy into an opponent's body to trigger an explosion, which was why he had used the Floral Waltz Formation to keep Hao at a distance and avoid physical contact. Given his current level, he couldn't see the form of Hao's energy, and fighting in such a state was undoubtedly suicidal. Yet, not only had the formation failed to restrain Hao, but it had been shattered in an instant. He still couldn't see the nature of Hao's aura; at this rate, he would be killed in seconds.

"Surprised, are you? Heh," Hao stopped about five meters away, not immediately launching another attack. "It seems you misunderstood my ability. You must have thought I was injecting my energy into your body before detonating it, right?"

"Isn't it?" Bai Ying stared at Hao’s movements, offering no answer.

"That means you truly cannot see the form of my demonic energy, can you?" Hao toyed with his hands as if testing Bai Ying. Seeing only bewilderment in the other’s eyes, a look of disappointment crossed his face. "It seems you really can't see anything at all. The gap between our levels is simply too vast. I'll ask you one more time: do you really intend to fight me in this state?"

"!!"

Before Bai Ying could answer, Hao flew toward him and reached out to grab him. Reflexively, Bai Ying flipped backward to dodge the claw. The moment he landed, his left shoulder suddenly exploded, as if something had detonated right beside him. The blast, while not fatal, left his shoulder a mangled mess. Just as he had seen in the arena before, Hao’s body hadn't touched him, and the explosion hadn't occurred inside him—it had happened right next to his arm. Something must have been following him when Hao attacked, but he simply couldn't see it.

"Ugh..."

"Bai Ying!" Qin Xiaochuan shouted from the sidelines, though as a spectator, he could only watch in helpless anxiety.

"Contestant Bai Ying seems to be in a crisis! He appears completely helpless against Contestant Hao’s invisible attacks!"

"Heh heh heh, I don't believe I touched you that time," Hao said, looking down at the crouching Bai Ying. He began to explain, though he seemed to have lost interest in Bai Ying's human form. He hadn't killed him yet because he was waiting for someone—someone who, during a previous duel, had excited him so much that even the roots of his hair had stood on end.

During the battle between Bai Ying and "Little One," he had felt it on the stage: the terrifying demonic energy belonging to a ruler of the Demon Realm. The owner of that aura was the guy right in front of him—Bai Ying. He hadn't encountered such a powerful and interesting opponent in a long, long time.

During that match, shortly after Little One released the smoke, he felt an unprecedentedly powerful aura fill the arena. It was the kind of terrifying energy only a ruler of the Demon Realm could emit. He never imagined a ruler-level demon would appear on a human arena. The sensation had invigorated his long-stagnant body.

That long-lost excitement had surged from the depths of his heart—an instinctive urge triggered by meeting an equal. It was, without a doubt, the first demon since Sikong Lang to make him feel so tense and thrilled. Although the smoke dissipated and the aura faded, he had caught a glimpse of a silver-haired demon in that moment.

Once the smoke cleared, the silver-haired demon was gone, leaving only Little One’s corpse and Bai Ying in his human form. From that moment, he concluded that the silver-haired entity was hidden within Bai Ying. He had to fight him. As someone who had also entered the realm of the rulers, fighting an equal was his dream. It made every cell in his body come alive—a feeling he had only experienced when fighting Sikong Lang.

*Why haven't I transformed yet?* Clutching his injured shoulder, Bai Ying stayed low. He didn't remain still out of fear, but to buy time. If he stood up and Hao attacked again, he might not be lucky enough to get away with just a shoulder injury.

He was perplexed. Based on the dosage he had taken, he should have transformed into his true Fox Demon form long ago. Why was there no reaction? Could his body have developed a resistance from frequent use? If so, he was in trouble. Without his true form, he was no match for Hao. He might be killed instantly in the next exchange. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead; Hao was so strong he felt completely helpless.

Watching the crouching figure, Hao continued, "It seems you truly can't see anything. Let me give you a hint." He held out his right hand, palm upward, as if cradling something. Looking into Bai Ying’s eyes, he explained, "Just as your ability allows you to control plants, I can control something else. I can manifest it according to my will..."

"Damn it, why won't Bai Ying transform?" Zhang Yang grew agitated. "Could the medicine Junfu gave him be faulty? This is maddening!"

"What I am holding in my right hand right now is that very thing." Hao gestured with his hand, looking into Bai Ying’s eyes, but saw only confusion. It seemed Bai Ying still had no idea what he had created with his energy. "Given your current level, you can't see what's in my hand at all." *Why won't it come out? You annoying brat.* Hao was losing his patience. "You disappoint me. It seems you won't become what I hoped for. I'm tired of talking to you. You can go ahead and die now!"

He paused, then clenched his right hand, adjusting his grip. "But to let you die in peace, I'll let you see what this is." Hao grabbed the air, and a time-delayed bomb materialized in his hand, crafted entirely from demonic energy. Though it looked different from a real bomb, it was packed with explosive power. A countdown clock was embedded in the center of the three bound charges, ticking away. The moment the bomb took form, the needle began to count down.

"A bomb!?"

"Exactly," Hao replied to Bai Ying’s startled cry. "This is a demonic energy bomb manifested by my will!"

Hao leapt into the air, his patience exhausted, and hurled the bomb at Bai Ying. He didn't want to wait for the transformation any longer; the attack was filled with destructive power.

The bomb didn't even touch Bai Ying; it detonated in his immediate vicinity. A massive explosion roared through the arena, causing the spectators to stare in horror. *My god, if you took a hit like that, you wouldn't even have a hair left! That Hao guy is a total monster.*