Chapter 1169: The Legend of the Azure Moon

Yuan Qing, a name that left Shi Hao feeling deeply unsettled, had actually originated from the two academies.

Shi Hao finally understood why Yuan Qing, after committing such deeds, could still send his descendants into the Celestial Academy and have them become formal disciples. It turned out his background was astonishing.

As cultivation progressed, people couldn’t help but marvel at Qing Yi’s rapid advancement. Wherever the Azure Moon passed, the profound truths of the Great Dao contained within the ancient glyphs became comprehensible to her.

“Born to cultivate the ancient immortal arts!” exclaimed the Fourth Elder, astonished by her achievements, which were impossible to ignore.

During this time, Yue Chan remained composed, following behind, her body radiant and her white robes spotless, exuding an increasingly sacred aura.

Shi Hao knew she had also reaped immense benefits. Because she and Qing Yi were two halves of the same being, they could sense everything about each other—essentially, they were one person.

Especially at close range, there were no secrets between them. Thus, whatever glyphs Qing Yi comprehended, Yue Chan also mastered.

“Isn’t she from the Lower Realm? How can she be this strong?” Many wore expressions of surprise as they stared at Qing Yi.

In the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the Nine Heavens stood supreme, while the Three Thousand Dao Provinces belonged to the Ten Earths, hence referred to as the Lower Realm to signify the Nine Heavens’ transcendence.

Of course, this was merely a habitual term used by those of the Nine Heavens, not an official designation.

From that day onward, more and more people began paying attention to Qing Yi, including several elders from the academy who observed silently, frowning in contemplation.

Some, through ancient records and inquiries in the Three Thousand Dao Provinces, finally confirmed that the azure flame was the remnant spark left behind by the Azure Moon Fairy when she perished in the previous epoch!

“Extraordinary! This woman’s potential is limitless. Though she currently possesses only one strand of immortal energy, the Azure Moon undoubtedly nurtures others, which will supplement her!”

When this news spread in small circles, many took action. First, several women approached Qing Yi, hoping to befriend her.

Soon, young men followed suit—all outstanding talents from their clans, deliberately showcasing their brilliance with clear intentions.

“This woman must be brought into our family. There may be a great opportunity in the future!” declared the patriarch of an ancient clan.

This was no isolated case. Over the next month, numerous families made their moves.

Even the Eternal Families were no exception. For instance, the clans of Wang Xi, Princess Yao Yue, and the great power behind Lü Tuo solemnly instructed their descendants to win Qing Yi over.

“Why? Does she have more potential than those who’ve cultivated three strands of immortal energy?” Some young women, resentful of the favor shown to a Lower Realm girl, voiced their discontent.

The young men, however, harbored no such reservations. Qing Yi’s peerless beauty alone was enough to stir hearts, and many already coveted her.

“Remember, whoever brings her into our faction will have secured a treasure akin to an ancient immortal legacy—priceless!” whispered an elder of an Eternal Family to his disciples, his expression grave. “That flame is the spark left by the Azure Moon Fairy, and it clearly holds profound secrets—perhaps even the ultimate mystery of her demise!”

“What? Elder, please explain!” Those who heard this couldn’t help but gasp.

“There has always been a legend about the Azure Moon Fairy…”

The Azure Moon Fairy’s brilliance had stunned the ancient immortals. She had tirelessly researched the path to immortality, drawing inspiration from the Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King and the Endless Immortal King.

It was said she sought to cultivate a tribulation-transcending method—one that would allow her to return even after the collapse of an epoch and the ruin of heaven and earth.

This was a secret, a legend!

Back then, no one took it seriously. But now, witnessing the unique Azure Moon Flame and confirming it as her legacy, many could no longer remain calm.

With the Azure Moon’s reappearance, ancient families were stirred.

“Whoever succeeds in marrying Qing Yi may be considered for the next clan leadership!” declared the radical patriarch of one family, motivating his disciples.

Others, though less overt, hinted that those who forged ties with Qing Yi would gain significant status within their clans.

Their restraint stemmed from fear—what if the true Azure Moon Fairy returned and saw them coveting her legacy? She might obliterate an entire Eternal Family.

Shi Hao, hearing these rumors, felt uneasy. Considering his complicated history with Qing Yi and Yue Chan, he wondered—could this really summon the Azure Moon Fairy?

The ancient families’ influence was staggering. Soon, they uncovered the truth: Qing Yi and Yue Chan were two halves of the same being.

This shocked them!

Each woman had cultivated one strand of immortal energy. If they merged, their power wouldn’t simply double—it would multiply.

Coupled with the immortal energy within the Azure Moon Flame, her potential was boundless.

Even disregarding the legend of the Azure Moon Fairy, this peerless maiden’s future achievements would be terrifying.

On White Jade Mountain, a million glyphs glowed night after night, illuminating the ruins for an entire month as everyone cultivated diligently.

One day, the Fourth Elder summoned a massive stone mountain with his powers, placing it atop the ruins with a thunderous rumble.

The crowd turned, intrigued by its peculiar shape—it resembled a furnace, albeit damaged and incomplete.

“Revive!”

The Fourth Elder channeled divine light into the mountain, causing it to tremble. Flames flickered at its base, as if forging the stone, while wisps of immortal mist seeped from its cracks, carrying a faint fragrance.

“Elder, what is this?”

“A pill furnace from the Immortal Ancient Era, excavated from an immortal’s abode. Though not a supreme treasure, it once refined immortal pills and retains potent medicinal properties,” the Fourth Elder explained.

“Why bring it here?” someone asked.

“To grant you an opportunity. The furnace’s residual energies have condensed into precious elixirs,” he replied.

The crowd stirred—after so many years, a broken furnace still held divine medicine?

“You guessed right. Amidst the ashes lie precious pills—specifically, the Meridian-Cleansing Pills, crucial for cultivating the ancient immortal arts. They refine the body, easing the path,” the elder said.

This sparked excitement. In the current era, cultivating the ancient arts was arduous, and such pills would reduce obstacles.

“Pills are limited. Strength determines who claims them,” the elder added.

With those words, tension ignited. The crowd dispersed, eyeing one another warily.

“Whoosh!”

In an instant, someone shot toward the stone mountain, aiming to enter the furnace’s mouth.

The Fourth Elder nodded approvingly.

“Boom!”

The Ten Crown King struck. His Dragon Fist, wreathed in three strands of immortal energy, sent the challenger crashing into the mountain, coughing blood.

He soared toward the furnace’s summit.

“Go!”

Others followed, surging toward the entrance in a flurry of motion and light.

Shi Hao, too, leaped onto the furnace’s rim, where white mist swirled, fragrant and thick.

Here, the elite clashed fiercely—Ten Crown King, Wang Xi, Lü Tuo, the Banished Immortal, Yao Yue, Xuan Kun—locked in stalemate.

When Shi Hao arrived, the others exchanged glances, silently communicating.

“Mo Dao, clear the path!”

Mo Dao, his three-strand-immortal-energy subordinate, charged forward.

“Stop him!” The other elites intercepted him, unwilling to let Shi Hao’s faction advance.

Shi Hao, hands behind his back, observed. The elites, while blocking Mo Dao, kept wary eyes on him.

“Fairy Qing Yi, this way,” Lü Tuo offered as Qing Yi arrived, her white robes fluttering as if ready to ascend.

“Qing Yi, let’s enter together,” Shi Hao smiled.

“I’ve long admired your profound skills, brother. Unfortunately, we’ve never sparred. Shall we now?” someone challenged.

Clearly, Shi Hao’s mystique had provoked curiosity. Since his return, rumors of his feats—slaying the Three-Headed King, defeating the Void Beast—had circulated, but none were confirmed.

Now, someone sought to test his limits within the Celestial Academy.