Chapter 376 The Mount

Dust surged across the arena but quickly settled.

What the crowd saw stunned them—Chen Fei’s fist was pressed firmly against the forehead of the Sky Kui Ox. His lean figure formed a stark contrast with the ox’s massive body.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

“He actually… blocked it?”

That single line echoed what everyone was thinking as they stared at Chen Fei with renewed curiosity.

Only now did they realize just how little they truly understood him. It was now obvious: Chen Fei hadn’t even used his full strength in his earlier battles at Tianqing Sacred Land.

The reason he could clash with the Sky Kui Ox on even ground was twofold: first, because he had undergone brutal body refinement training, enduring pain that would break most cultivators. And second—because of the Void Heaven Cauldron!

In the common understanding, artifact-type martial souls were generally weaker than beast-type martial souls.

But Void Heaven Cauldron defied that logic.

Especially after fusing with a Dao Mark, Chen Fei could distinctly feel another surge of strength coursing through his body—a power granted by the Void Heaven Cauldron.

As for the Sky Kui Ox, he stood frozen in shock, eyes wide in disbelief.

“What incredible strength!”

The Sky Kui Ox’s charge was something few dared face head-on, not even other demon clans. Yet Chen Fei had stopped it with nothing but a punch!

“Want to go again?” Chen Fei asked with a smile.

The ox, true to his bullish temperament, couldn’t believe Chen Fei had truly matched his brute strength.

“Fine! If you can stop me again with just your body, I’ll be your mount!” the Sky Kui Ox growled.

A hushed gasp spread among the demon cultivators.

They all knew the Sky Kui Ox clan had an infamously stubborn nature. Once they made a decision, not even a Demon Emperor could change their mind. If he really lost and submitted, it would be a slap in the face for all of them.

Tian Zhen frowned, but before he could speak, the Sky Kui Ox began to inhale deeply. His body expanded dramatically!

Seeing this, Tian Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah, I almost forgot that old ox clan’s signature move after all those years sealed away!”

He then turned to Liu Xu and sneered, “The Sky Kui Ox’s racial talent increases their strength tenfold! Enough to tear open space itself with brute force!”

The phrase “tear open space with flesh alone” sent chills through the onlookers—it made it clear how terrifying this innate talent was.

Even Liu Xu’s face changed slightly at those words.

Tianqing disciples turned to Chen Fei with concern.

Miao Yue unconsciously clenched her fists. Even as her knuckles turned white, she didn’t realize. Staring at Chen Fei, she muttered, “Husband… are you really going to hold on again?”

Chen Fei, looking at the now-bulging Sky Kui Ox—its nose flaring with steam—smiled lightly.

“If I hadn’t broken through to the Human Dao Realm, this would be hard to block. But now…”

He exhaled slowly—and his body shuddered.

A series of clanging echoes rang from within him.

With the same calmness as before, he extended his fist again, standing firm, showing no intent to retreat.

BOOM!

The Sky Kui Ox’s second charge arrived in an instant. With a thunderous bang, everyone felt their ears ringing—many mouths fell wide open, hearing only buzzing.

This impact was clearly more violent than the last.

A bloody mist began to fill the air, adding a feral scent of gore to the scene.

Everyone held their breath—who was still standing?

“What a thick blood aura! Hmph!” Tian Zhen was the first to speak. “Looks like I was right! Tianqing Sacred Land produces nothing but idealistic fools. I’m surprised.”

Liu Xu shot him a cold glare. “You’re awfully confident. Aren’t you afraid you’ll lose face in a moment?”

Tian Zhen merely sneered, clearly believing there was no chance Chen Fei had survived.

As the dust faded, blood sprayed in arcs across the field.

The massive silhouette of the Sky Kui Ox loomed—and Chen Fei was nowhere to be seen.

A few expressions darkened among Tianqing disciples.

“Don’t tell me… he really got turned to mist?” they wondered.

“Seems I was right after all,” Tian Zhen said smugly.

But the moment those words left his mouth—a formation lit up on the ground.

Everyone froze.

“Wait… is that a contract formation?!”

As the words fell, the massive Sky Kui Ox suddenly shrunk rapidly.

Chen Fei reappeared—calm as ever, one hand to his chest. Around him, the aura of the Void Heaven Cauldron formed a translucent protective veil.

As the ox returned to its normal size, it collapsed in the center of the contract array, groaning.

“I lost… Master,” the beast muttered gruffly.

The contract formation completed.

The Sky Kui Ox turned into a stream of light and entered Chen Fei’s body.

Chen Fei clicked his tongue. “He looks dumb, but he’s sneakier than anyone.”

Technically, a mount contract didn’t require the beast to enter the cultivator’s body. But the Sky Kui Ox had sensed something unusual in Chen Fei’s constitution and had chosen to hide inside his body to recover.

Tian Zhen, who’d been gloating a moment ago, froze. His expression darkened—a fierce, murderous look in his eyes.

“Anyone else?” Chen Fei asked casually, completely ignoring Tian Zhen’s threatening glare.

Even if Tian Zhen was a Heavenly Dao Realm expert—trying to crush him with pure pressure wouldn’t work.

Chen Fei’s relaxed challenge made the demon cultivators stir with unease.

The Sky Kui Ox had lost at its own specialty—strength. If even he failed, who among them dared to claim stronger bodies?

Let alone the fact that Chen Fei clearly had other tricks up his sleeve!

Now, even the demon clan looked at Chen Fei with fear in their eyes.

Tian Zhen’s chest heaved with rage.

Luckily, he still had enough reason left not to throw in his final trump card—something he’d been saving for the Ghost King Order. If he used it now, how would he compete with Tian Qi for the Demon Emperor title later?

“Boring!” Tian Zhen spat through clenched teeth. With a flash, he vanished from the arena.

He could no longer stay. If he remained any longer, he might really lose control and attack.

As Tian Zhen left, Chen Fei remained on the stage, his eyes sweeping across the field.

Wherever he looked, everyone instinctively avoided his gaze.

Even though the demon and evil factions had come well-prepared, the two crushing battles had left them too afraid to challenge him lightly.

But just because they didn’t dare look at him—didn’t mean Chen Fei was done with them.

“Well, well… it’s been a while, Fang,” Chen Fei said, smiling as he looked at Wang Fang.

“Wanna come up and play? But let me give you a friendly reminder—the price for your life has doubled since last time!”

Wang Fang’s expression darkened.

The Ghost King Order was the main objective of this gathering. If he fought Chen Fei now, it would mean giving up all hope of competing for it.

And Wang Fang… wasn’t stupid.