Chapter 2191: Alliance

Zhao Hao's pupils likewise contracted sharply. Initially, he had believed it wouldn't be difficult to defeat his opponent, reasoning that without the aid of the dragon's脉 from the Myriad Dragon Tomb or the specific cultivation technique against the undead, and with no heavenly thunder to assist him this time as he wouldn't be undergoing tribulation, victory would be straightforward.

His earlier descriptions of Zu An's immense power had largely been exaggerations, intended to draw the Demon Emperor and Dragon King into the conflict. But now, it genuinely seemed that the full cooperation of all three of them was necessary.

This is outrageous!

The thought that the insignificant wretch he could have crushed with a single finger back then had now grown to such a formidable extent made him realize the true meaning of "raising a tiger to invite calamity."

Why didn't I kill that little bastard back then!

Rage points from Zhao Hao: 587,587,587...

Just then, the Dragon King roared, exhaled a stream of white dragon's breath, and slammed both palms onto the ground.

The ground around him transformed entirely into ice, which then spread with astonishing speed to appear directly beneath Zu An's feet.

As a member of the sea race, he was inherently proficient in water-based techniques, and his recent immersion in the hell of ice had allowed him to comprehend new powers.

Zu An's body frosted over visibly, but the very next second, a fierce flame erupted from him, melting all the surrounding ice.

Just then, Zhao Hao's figure flickered, appearing behind Zu An and delivering a punch straight towards his back.

The light around his fist blurred, a sign that space itself was twisting. If this punch connected, even space would collapse, let alone a human body.

Having been invincible in the human realm for so many years, his insight and combat experience were naturally unparalleled and acute, allowing him to keenly seize this fleeting opportunity.

At this moment, the opponent had no time to dodge and could only meet the attack head-on.

Yet, he had just exchanged blows with the Demon Emperor and was subsequently frozen by the Dragon King; his internal energy must surely be stagnant. How could he be my match if he rashly engages me head-on?

It was too late for Zu An to draw his sword; instead, he raised his hand and met the incoming fist with an open palm.

Zhao Hao's lips curled slightly. For years, he had been invincible, and while the world believed the Human Emperor Seal was his weapon, he knew best that he needed no such implement; his fists were his only true reliance.

Even the Demon Emperor back then dared not meet his fists head-on, relying instead on divine weapons to parry. This young man actually dared to face him with a bare palm—a perfect opportunity to cripple one of his hands!

When fist met palm, the imagined sight of a broken arm did not materialize. Nor was there any terrifying explosive aftermath. Instead, a profound silence enveloped them as the fist and palm melded together perfectly.

The Dragon King said grumpily, "Zhao Hao, are you shaking hands with him here!"

Zhao Hao, however, was acutely aware of his predicament. He felt his immense power dissipate as if a mud ox had vanished into the sea; his opponent's palm was like a black hole, completely swallowing his dominant fist energy.

And that wasn't all; a terrifying suction emanated from the opponent's palm, causing his entire internal energy to surge as if it would spill out at any moment.

It was the old Demon Emperor who realized something was amiss. In the past, seeing Zhao Hao suffer such a significant setback, he would have been content just not to add insult to injury. But this time, Zu An's strength far exceeded his imagination, and he couldn't stand by and watch Zhao Hao, a formidable combatant, be neutralized. Thus, he unleashed his Golden Crow Streamer and attacked Zu An.

At the same time, Zhao Hao also turned ruthless, shedding layers of skin from his hand to seize the opportunity and break free from his opponent's grasp.

Soon, the three once again surrounded Zu An. However, this time, their initial relaxed expressions were gone, replaced by fine beads of sweat on their foreheads. "How did this guy suddenly become so strong?" they wondered.

Zu An sighed inwardly, "If you had spent these days fighting terrifying demons day and night, you would also have grown stronger."

Apart from battle experience and mental fortitude, his absolute power had also increased considerably.

The Kunpeng ability from the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, combined with the Gluttonous Sky Devouring Art, allowed him to directly increase his cultivation by defeating powerful enemies.

During this period, he had slain countless formidable demons. In his previous world, his level had remained stagnant due to limitations imposed by that world's laws.

However, in this Underworld, such restrictions were largely absent. He wasn't sure if his previously accumulated "experience" hadn't truly vanished, or if it was a direct feedback from the Underworld's essence, but he could feel his cultivation level steadily increasing.

Zhao Hao warned in a deep voice, "Be careful, he has an evil technique similar to 'Energy Absorbing Art'; try to avoid direct contact with him."

When he had fought Zu An years ago, he was aware that Zu An possessed such a technique, but back then, it was primarily for defense, dissolving attacks from higher cultivation levels. He hadn't imagined it could now be used offensively, and with such terrifying power.

Indeed, now that their cultivation levels were similar, or perhaps Zu An's was even higher, such an evil technique naturally possessed powerful offensive capabilities.

The Dragon King suddenly realized, "No wonder he has such terrifying cultivation at such a young age; it turns out he's practicing such an evil technique!"

Originally, in the entire world, only he, Zhao Hao, and the Demon Emperor were truly qualified to share a table, perhaps with the Libationer barely making the cut. But they were all old veterans, naturally gifted individuals who had painstakingly cultivated to their current levels.

Yet, was Zu An even twenty years old? His cultivation had reached such a stage. Didn't that imply they had wasted their many years in cultivation?

Now knowing the "truth," he immediately felt much better.

"Hmph, the vital energy absorbed by this evil technique is impure and mixed, and will certainly cause hidden troubles in the future. How can it compare to our solid foundation, built step by step through our own cultivation?"

The old Demon Emperor reminded him, "He also has a skill that can manifest fiery weapons. Those weapons are full of destructive power. When you see them, absolutely do not try to block them head-on."

That "Gatling" gun back then was one thing, but his later move, "The East Wind at night unleashes a thousand trees of flowers, blowing down stars like rain," had truly made him suffer greatly.

"What a terrible, long name!"

Zhao Hao also gritted his teeth and said, "He also has a move called 'yi ku yi ku,' which is particularly shameless. You must be careful not to fall for it."

The Dragon King paused, "What kind of skill is 'yi ku yi ku'? At least explain it clearly."

"It's hard to explain; you'll understand when you experience it yourself." Zhao Hao's face was grim. Being hit by that skill was utterly humiliating; how could he possibly tell his two old rivals that his mind had seemed to conjure images of being... *handled* by several burly men?

The old Demon Emperor also added, "There's also a skill called 'What are you looking at?', which easily interrupts people's thoughts. It particularly counters your Dragon Clan's spirit-speech abilities, Dragon King, you must be careful."

After their brief skirmish, he knew clearly that this was no time to hold back. He, Zhao Hao, and the Dragon King were, at the very least, opponents of the same realm, and any of them could potentially emerge victorious in a direct confrontation. However, this individual was far too enigmatic; none of them could defeat him alone.

Zhao Hao said in a deep voice, "He seems to have an immobilization skill that can prevent you from moving for a single breath at a critical moment."

He suffered a great loss under this skill during his tribulation, and ultimately died because of it.

Zu An sighed inwardly, lamenting that his "Flower Name Card" was gone, meaning the "Enemy of Zhang San" skill couldn't be used.

The old Demon Emperor spoke again, "My Sun-Shooting Bow was stolen by him. You must be careful."

Zhao Hao also said upon hearing this, "My Human Emperor Seal was also taken by him."

The Dragon King muttered, "I also seem to detect the aura of my Sea God's Crown on him."

The three: "..."

The Dragon King suddenly felt he had chosen the wrong side.

Perhaps being allied with a guy like him wasn't so unacceptable.

"Hmm, should I recommend my sister-in-law to him to ease the relationship..."

"Wait, Liu Yu seems to have an unusual relationship with him already."

"This guy takes the whole pot."

At this moment, the old Demon Emperor took a deep breath. "Zhao Hao, Ao Zhan," he said, "this fellow is even stronger than we imagined. If we continue to harbor petty suspicions and guard against each other, we risk being defeated one by one. Why don't we stop holding back, unite to kill this fellow first, and then the three of us can settle our differences?"

Zhao Hao said in a deep voice, "I second that!"

The Dragon King glanced left and right, then finally gritted his teeth and agreed, "Alright!"