The towering mountain stood majestic, its reddish-brown hue exuding an eerie aura, devoid of any vegetation. Even the stone steps bore a dull, blood-like tint.
Shi Hao ascended the mountain, searching for carvings on one stone wall after another, hoping to uncover the truth of history.
He had already seen over a dozen engravings, all depicting the so-called “Saviors”—also known as the “Immortals” by a select few in this world. The figures were indistinct, yet an overwhelming killing intent emanated from the stone, chilling to the bone.
Shi Hao’s expression grew solemn. The more he studied them, the more unsettled he became. These carvings were no ordinary relics—they seemed imbued with a soul. How else could they remain so terrifying after countless ages?
The mountain grew steeper, the pressure intensifying with each step. Even someone as formidable as Shi Hao felt suffocated by the time he reached the midway point. What kind of place was this?
Along the way, he encountered more stone carvings, his expression darkening further.
According to these records, the so-called Immortals were supreme beings who had once slain the so-called “devils” from another world, saving the inhabitants of this realm and taking them under their wing.
This shattered Shi Hao’s understanding. He refused to believe it!
The higher he climbed, the more glaring the engravings became, sending chills down his spine. What kind of power could distort history so thoroughly?
He had always suspected that the so-called Immortals were connected to the enemies who once ravaged the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—they had to be the same!
Yet now… they were hailed as saviors.
A sense of powerlessness gripped Shi Hao’s heart.
As he neared the summit, still some distance away, he halted. Before him sat a group of people, all drenched in sweat, meditating on the ground.
Though exhausted himself, he could still press onward. Yet he chose to stop, observing them.
To his surprise, all were young and vigorous—over a dozen in total—each wielding immortal energy, which allowed them to endure the climb.
Soon, he recalled the legends: this was a place of great fortune. Every time the Immortal Mountain awakened, the most exceptional youths from across the world would gather here, seeking unparalleled opportunities.
A flicker of curiosity crossed Shi Hao’s face. Could he, too, gain something here?
The group noticed his presence, their eyes widening in shock. Some even tensed, their pupils contracting sharply.
“You… ascended without releasing immortal energy?!” someone finally blurted out in disbelief.
Shi Hao’s heart stirred. So that was why the climb had been so arduous, nearly suffocating him. One needed immortal energy to scale this mountain.
Sure enough, when he released a strand of immortal energy, the pressure lessened considerably.
“Who are you? How can you climb without releasing immortal energy?” another muttered bitterly, clearly unbalanced.
A middle-aged man sighed. “I should leave. Even if I reach the summit, there’s no hope for me this year. The competition is too fierce.”
With that, the man rose, a single strand of immortal energy swirling around him as he staggered downhill, his expression desolate.
“I hail from the wilderness, far removed from the world. I know little of this Immortal Mountain. Could you enlighten me?” Shi Hao asked humbly.
He wanted to understand—what was this place truly? What fortune did it hold, and why?
“This is the Immortal Mountain, where the Saviors—recorded in ancient texts of the sacred lands—manifest. We come here hoping the Immortals will appear and take us with them,” a young woman explained.
She, too, had cultivated a strand of immortal energy, her aura transcendent. Unlike the man who left, she remained, her youth and potential far greater.
According to the sacred texts, the Immortals favored young prodigies—those with high malleability and promise.
A storm raged in Shi Hao’s heart. Would the Immortals truly manifest here?
If this were true, the implications were staggering!
The fragments of knowledge he had gathered now formed a horrifying, cruel picture.
Yet this chilling realization was his alone—the inhabitants of this world would never comprehend it.
“What kind of place have I come to? The enemies of immortality have become saviors!” Shi Hao sighed inwardly.
He prayed his judgment was wrong, that all of this was false. Otherwise, the situation was dire.
Those who had reached this point were all extraordinary—elite talents groomed by sacred lands, with a few lone cultivators among them.
They spoke little, their demeanors composed, silently acknowledging Shi Hao’s strength. The competition was fierce.
“The strongest have already ascended. You should hurry,” someone advised kindly—perhaps an investment in a future ally.
After all, those chosen by the Immortals were destined for greatness.
Shi Hao thanked them and resumed his climb, releasing another strand of immortal energy to lighten the burden.
The pressure grew unbearable as he neared the summit. Even with two strands of immortal energy, he struggled.
A cold realization struck him: only those with three strands could endure this path.
How many such individuals existed?
Narrowing his eyes, he spotted figures already at the peak.
Then, he noticed new engravings—not just the Immortals, but also depictions of the Kun Peng and the Willow God!
“Are we meant to fight the Immortals?” Shi Hao paused, studying the carvings.
After a long moment, he pressed on, finally reaching the summit under immense strain.
At that moment, he saw a radiant youth step onto a golden path that materialized from a stone wall, vanishing in an instant.
Shi Hao was stunned. Had that person gone to meet the Immortals?
His heart pounded. That youth had wielded three strands of immortal energy—a true powerhouse.
“You’re impressive to reach this point with only two strands. Why not release the third?” A melodious voice rang out, clear as a songbird’s call.
Shi Hao’s eyes flickered. The voice sounded familiar.
A young woman sat cross-legged before a stone tablet, studying its inscriptions. She didn’t turn, but her words were clearly meant for him—they were the only two left at the summit.
Shi Hao smiled and unleashed his third strand of immortal energy, the pressure easing instantly.
Soon, he recognized her. Months ago, when he first arrived in this world, he had seen a carriage pulled by eight silver centipedes—this was the woman inside.
She stood, three strands of immortal energy swirling around her, marking her as a peerless genius, on par with legends like the Banished Immortal, the Ten Crown King, or Ning Chuan.
At first glance, she was merely pretty, not breathtaking. Yet the longer one looked, the more her transcendent aura became apparent—her eyes lively, her bearing otherworldly.
She was extraordinary, her brilliance restrained yet undeniable, surpassing even the most renowned beauties.
“Oh, it’s you. We’ve met before,” she remarked, her flawless face showing surprise.
Shi Hao tensed. Their encounter had been brief, and he had hidden himself. Yet she had sensed him regardless—her perception was astounding.
“Destiny brings us together again,” Shi Hao replied calmly, asking how many had already entered.
“Only two so far. It’s unclear if more will follow,” she answered.
Several stone tablets stood here, inscribed with glyphs and carvings. Those strong enough could activate them with immortal energy, opening a path to the Immortals.
“Why haven’t you gone yet?” Shi Hao inquired.
“I’m reluctant to leave this world,” she admitted wistfully, gazing at the landscape below. In her palm rested a miniature carriage and eight tiny silver centipedes.
Shi Hao was amused. Even someone so formidable could be sentimental about her homeland.
“If one goes to meet the Immortals, how long before they return?”
“A long time. Until their cultivation reaches fruition.”
Shi Hao feigned ignorance, claiming he had lived secluded in the wilds. From her, he gleaned crucial insights:
The awakened Immortal Mountain bridged two realms, forming an ancient path only accessible to those with immortal energy.
It led to the paradise of the Immortals—a world of supreme beings.
To be chosen was an unparalleled opportunity!
Shi Hao suppressed a shudder. If he entered recklessly, who knew what awaited him?
“I’ve lingered long enough. It’s time,” the woman said, casting a final glance at the distant mountains. She turned to him. “Aren’t you coming?”
His mind reeled. If she entered that world, their next meeting might be as mortal enemies.
The Immortals were destined to wage war beyond the border, invading the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths!
With her talent, nurtured by the Immortals, she would become a terrifying force.
And she was human—not an enemy by nature. What a waste!
“Wait!” Shi Hao called out.
She paused. “Yes?”
“Do you truly believe the beings of that other world are devils? That they’ve stolen our homeland?”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Her eyes gleamed.
“Ancient texts suggest they’re our kin, no different from us.”
“Human in form, devilish at heart,” she countered.
Shi Hao frowned. He longed to stop her, to gain a powerful ally. But ingrained beliefs were hard to shake.
If his suspicions were correct, the cruelty was unbearable—the Immortals were grooming prodigies to slaughter their own kind.
The thought filled him with fury.
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