Nine Star Hegemon Body Art

Chapter 5896: Embarrassing

The cocoon containing Liu Minghao’s full power actually exploded. Thunderous lightning tore through the air. Qifeng’s body was gone—replaced by the giant Lightning Blaze Spider.

Everyone’s eyes snapped to where the spider had stood moments ago, only to see Liu Minghao’s wooden pillars in ruins. In the center of that crater was a battered, wretched-looking Qifeng.

Qifeng’s heart was pounding. If the Lightning Blaze Spider hadn’t escaped its seal in the nick of time, he wouldn’t have had the chance to swap places with it. That narrow escape had saved his life.

The Undying race’s killer techniques were nearly inescapable for anyone in the same realm. The only possible counter was to exhaust the user’s core energy—easier said than done when facing the Undying race, who were famed for their immense reserves. For someone from the Devil Eye Water Lily race to be caught in such a technique… it usually meant certain death.

But the Lightning Blaze Spider was different. As a mutated species born of primal chaos, it defied all norms. Its true power wasn’t measured by realm—it was measured by age.

Some Lightning Blaze Spiders reached the Demon Emperor realm in just a few hundred years. Others remained Heaven Saints even after millions of years. But for them, the slower the cultivation, the greater the potential.

The older they were, the deeper their pool of core energy, and the more terrifying their strength. So while Liu Minghao’s technique could have trapped anyone else of equal rank, it failed against the Lightning Blaze Spider. Its core energy utterly dwarfed Liu Minghao’s.

In other words, Liu Minghao had simply been countered. That stroke of luck narrowly saved Qifeng, and cold sweat dripped down his back.

“Damn you! Let’s see how you beat me now!” Qifeng roared.

Suddenly, divine light erupted from the spider’s body and surged into Qifeng. In an instant, his aura was fully restored.

The Undying race’s experts gasped. As long as the Lightning Blaze Spider existed, Qifeng’s power was limitless. Who could possibly beat him like this?

The Lightning Blaze Spider’s body was incomparably tough, with no weak points. Who could slay such a monster? Even the senior experts of the Undying race would feel a headache facing it.

They would be like a rat trying to bite through a tortoise shell. There was no way to tear through its defense.

Even if the Lightning Blaze Spider had a weakness, it would take time to uncover, and battles among real experts were won or lost in moments. No one had time for trial and error. And on top of that, there was Qifeng.

The Undying experts’ hearts sank. They weren’t sure if Liu Minghao could win. If they were in his place, they’d have already given up.

They wanted to say something, but they didn’t dare to. They feared their despair might seep into their voices. So they remained silent, their lips tightly sealed.

Meanwhile, the Devil Eye Water Lily race erupted with cheers. Seeing Qifeng rebound instantly, their morale soared.

“This is Qifeng’s true power! Little brats from the Undying race, despair and weep!”

“Who did you say were the frogs at the bottom of a well?”

“The Undying race’s glory is a thing of the past. Wake up!”

“The Devil Eye Water Lily race will lead the vegetative demon race to new heights once we are the sovereign race.”

Qifeng stood tall like an emperor now, his aura perfectly synchronized with the Lightning Blaze Spider. Meanwhile, Liu Minghao’s power had already started to wane after unleashing so many powerful techniques.

“What a pity,” said Liu Ruyan softly. “If his Eight Pillars Seal the Heavens had lasted just a breath longer—no, even half a breath—he could’ve killed Qifeng.”

If Liu Minghao lost, it wouldn’t be due to strength or skill. It would be pure misfortune.

“As I said before,” sneered Qifeng, looking down at Liu Minghao like a predator savoring the kill, “even if you're the Undying race’s top genius, you can’t escape your fate. You’re going to die.”

Qifeng had come close to death just moments ago, and he couldn’t forgive that humiliation. As a result, he wasn’t going to kill Liu Minghao quickly. He wanted him to suffer—slowly.

This duel, while presented as a challenge, was in truth a war for the future of their races. Neither side could afford to lose.

If the Undying race lost, their prestige would shatter. Most of their subordinates would start to waver, and the Undying race might never recover.

The same was true for the Devil Eye Water Lily race. If they lost, not only would their morale be crushed, but Lord Brahma and Yan Xu might deem them worthless and abandon them.

Without that support—and with the Undying race as enemies—they would be annihilated sooner or later.

Both sides were in a difficult situation, and there was no room for retreat. Although the Devil Eye Water Lily race looked arrogant, they were incredibly nervous inside.

They had already lost the first match. Even if Qifeng won this one, the third would decide everything.

“I’ve made a grave mistake. Aiya, how embarrassing!” exclaimed Liu Minghao.

The Undying experts’ expressions changed. Did that mean… he had given up?

“Hahaha! So you finally realize it? Too late!” Qifeng laughed triumphantly. “Your greatest mistake was accepting my challenge!”

However, Liu Minghao ignored him and turned to Long Chen.

He said, “Sorry, Boss Long Chen. This is my fault.”

The Undying race’s side was baffled, not getting what Liu Minghao was saying. Their gazes turned to Long Chen.

Long Chen shook his head. “Acknowledging your mistakes is good. Your mission is to give it your all and kill him. Even if you can’t kill him, you must survive. Don’t worry… I’ll win the third match.”

Liu Minghao nodded. After bowing toward Long Chen, he turned back to Qifeng.

BOOM!

Liu Minghao’s enormous willow manifestation suddenly ignited, its blazing heat incinerating a hole into the heavens. Just like that, Liu Minghao’s aura surged to a new level, startling the Devil Eye Water Lily race’s experts.

With a blazing spear in his hand, Liu Minghao charged at Qifeng, flames trailing behind him like a fiery comet.