Shi Hao’s heart was filled with endless questions. This mine was ancient beyond measure, its origins lost to time, rumored to predate even the Immortal Ancient Era!
Here lay the Six Paths Reincarnation Heavenly Art—who had left it behind? It was shrouded in mystery and enigma.
Outside, a crowd of people was equally astonished.
They were even more shocked than Shi Hao, for the Nine Phoenix Furnace had ultimately broken free, surged out of the earth, and returned alone.
Now, it blazed fiercely, emitting clear and resonant phoenix cries. Nine true phoenixes spread their wings and soared, trailing brilliant flames that engulfed the heavens.
The divine furnace roared, as if awakening, as though an artifact spirit had been reborn!
“Did you hear that? It sounds like chanting coming from the ancient mine!” someone exclaimed, unable to suppress their awe.
“Indeed, there’s a faint, elusive scripture echoing from within!”
This caused an uproar. No one could remain calm. Everyone knew this place was mysterious, burying countless secrets—even the Nine Phoenix Furnace, a supreme treasure from an unfathomably distant past, had been unearthed here.
The mine was veiled in thick mist, filled with too many unknowns and enigmas, stirring endless speculation.
Now, with ancient scriptures emerging, who wouldn’t be astonished? Many coveted them, itching to enter and claim them for themselves.
“But what about those geniuses? Why haven’t they returned? Only the Nine Phoenix Furnace came back.” Finally, someone snapped out of their daze, shifting focus from the scriptures to this pressing question.
The others exchanged glances and sighed. Truly, this was the Primordial Ancient Mine. Even with the Nine Phoenix Furnace, those geniuses couldn’t protect themselves—had they perished here? Dying before their master?
The two elders from the Celestial Academy looked grim. They had borrowed the divine furnace, yet it proved useless—the five disciples had still met with misfortune.
“They’re not dead yet!”
Suddenly, one elder’s expression shifted. Within his sleeve were five bronze lamps, their wicks flickering with soul flames—still burning, unextinguished.
“Hmm? What exactly happened? They’re alive, yet only the Nine Phoenix Furnace returned. Are they trapped?”
Hearing this, the others were stunned.
They weren’t dead? The two elders pondered.
“Could the scripture chanting be because of them?” someone suggested.
Many grew suspicious—this might indeed be the truth. The thought ignited a feverish glint in their eyes as they stared at the mine’s entrance.
Especially the geniuses of the Celestial Academy—they were itching to act!
Nothing unearthed from the Primordial Ancient Mine was ordinary. Each was a treasure of heaven and earth!
Take the Stone of Life—it could extend lifespan and alter destiny, defying the heavens.
Or the Nine Phoenix Furnace—now the supreme artifact of Boundless Heaven!
Other examples abounded. Every divine relic unearthed was unimaginable.
Now, an ancient scripture was about to resurface. How could it not stir hearts? Some strong cultivators trembled with desire, eager to charge in and seize it.
“Elders, we too wish to enter—to rescue our comrades and seize fortune and opportunity!” someone declared bluntly.
To venture in again, they would need the Nine Phoenix Furnace. Otherwise, it was pointless—entry meant certain death.
Once the idea was voiced, others were tempted. They knew the scripture’s value likely rivaled the Nine Phoenix Furnace. Obtaining it would be an unimaginable boon.
Soon, the Celestial Academy’s geniuses were clamoring to descend into the mine.
Nearby, forces from other factions also burned with desire. Were it not for their wariness of the Celestial Academy, they would have seized the Nine Phoenix Furnace and entered long ago.
“Very well. Since their soul flames still burn, they must be alive. It’s only right we rescue them. If you find the scripture, consider it your fortune—but be careful!” one elder relented.
The other added, “No more than five may enter!”
These geniuses were too precious to lose recklessly. If they flourished, they would play great roles in the future.
The Nine Phoenix Furnace hovered in the void for a long time before calming.
An elder beckoned, guiding it over and handing it to the chosen five, urging caution.
Meanwhile, Shi Hao had quieted, listening intently to the divine scripture’s echoes, contemplating its profound truths.
Yet, it was too elusive. The scripture’s voice was faint, and he couldn’t grasp it fully. Unconsciously, he stepped forward, drawn toward its source.
Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of dread surged within him—greater than any danger he’d faced before!
Shi Hao shuddered violently, snapping back to awareness. Ahead, the ancient cave was pitch-black, devoid of light.
He halted. Though the scripture tempted him, his instincts screamed of peril—one misstep, and his body and soul would be obliterated.
Wait.
He resolved to first absorb the Longevity Medicinal Liquid, undergo nirvana, and strengthen his body and soul. Only then would he seek the Six Paths Reincarnation Heavenly Art.
But just then, footsteps echoed in the distance, and he sensed the Nine Phoenix Furnace’s aura once more.
Shi Hao frowned. More geniuses from the Celestial Academy had arrived, disrupting his cultivation.
“Isn’t that the Moon Rhinoceros Clan’s genius girl? Why is she lying on the ground?!”
The newcomers gasped at the sight of the purple-robed girl, her horn shattered, a pitiful sight.
“Teehee, sister, what trouble did you run into? Don’t tell me you met that ‘Waste’ from the lower realm and got wrecked!” a girl teased.
She didn’t truly believe it—just baiting the Moon Rhinoceros girl into revealing the mine’s dangers.
“Wait—there’s someone else!” Among the five, a white-haired youth’s eyes flashed coldly, spotting a bloodied figure in a corner.
“Who did this?” the girl pressed.
“Waste,” the figure replied weakly.
All five captives were grievously wounded, their immortal energy scattered, unable to recover quickly.
The newcomers discovered them all, each in dire straits.
“Pfft, who’d believe that? Trying to trick us into danger?” The girl scoffed. “As if ‘Waste’ could cause such a stir in the Nine Heavens!”
“Speak truthfully. What happened? Why are you injured? The scripture chanting just weakened—why?” the white-haired youth demanded.
They doubted Shi Hao was responsible, their expressions haughty and dismissive.
The captives smiled bitterly. Even the truth wasn’t believed—how tragic.
But they didn’t bother explaining. Let these arrogant fools suffer the same fate.
“Hey, answer us! How could a nobody like ‘Waste’ survive and cause such chaos?”
“I bet he’s already dead!”
The second group of five remained skeptical, their words dripping with disdain.
Abruptly, steady footsteps rang out. They whirled around to see a calm yet sharp-eyed young man.
“Who are you?!”
“Waste.”
“Heavens, it’s really you! You’re not dead?!” The girl clutched her forehead in exaggerated shock.
They realized their blunder. The captives hadn’t lied—and their own disrespect would now cost them.
“I won’t waste words. I’m cultivating here. Seal yourselves, and we’ll have no trouble,” Shi Hao declared imperiously.
Strangely, the Nine Phoenix Furnace dimmed upon entering the mine’s depths, its glow fading.
“You think we’re pushovers? You order us to seal ourselves, and we obey?” the white-haired youth sneered.
“Your earlier insults I ignored. But now, you still act defiant? Fine—I’ll oblige you!” Shi Hao retorted.
He struck, leaping into the air as hundreds of golden willow branches shot from his back, transforming into chains that lashed toward the five.
The white-haired youth roared, unleashing his strongest techniques—only to be pummeled by Shi Hao’s fists, half his body shattered and bloodied.
The girl fared no better. Shi Hao restrained himself slightly before piercing her palm with a single finger, leaving a bloody hole.
The battle was one-sided. Even the youth with two strands of immortal energy was swiftly subdued.
In moments, ten captives lay on the ground.
Shi Hao hesitated. Killing them seemed excessive, but letting their arrogance go unpunished felt wrong.
So, he left them there, ignored, and stepped into the Longevity Medicinal Pool to cultivate.
Soon, the Nine Phoenix Furnace fled, soaring back to the surface in flames.
The crowd erupted. The artifact had shone brilliantly again—what was happening in the mine?
Twice now, people had vanished, yet their soul flames still burned. It was baffling.
This created a vicious cycle. Knowing they lived, the Celestial Academy’s geniuses grew restless, convinced their peers were deciphering the scripture.
“No more! Two groups are already lost inside!” an elder barked.
“But caution can prevail!” another argued.
Thus, a third group descended.
Yet again, silence followed.
Now, even outsiders sensed the strangeness. The Primordial Ancient Mine was like an abyss, swallowing geniuses whole. Over a dozen had vanished—a catastrophe with no solution.
“Enough! No more entries—there’s unspeakable horror within!” an elder thundered.
They had to stop. Losing more would be madness—these were invaluable talents!
In the mine, Shi Hao surveyed his captives but refrained from killing them, merely incapacitating them.
The dozen-plus geniuses seethed with humiliation. None had posed a challenge—all crushed effortlessly.
“Celestial Academy’s pests. If I can’t avoid you, I’ll beat you senseless!” Shi Hao grumbled, then pummeled them all—men and women alike—until their faces were swollen and disfigured.
Then, he departed, storing the Longevity Medicinal Pool in a spatial artifact, wasting no resources.
“Six Paths Reincarnation Heavenly Art, I’m coming!” He could resist no longer—he had to investigate.
Behind him, the immobilized geniuses fumed. To be discarded like trash was the ultimate disgrace.
Yet, their salvation likely depended on that very same young man.
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