This is a severed path, where heroes find no return. In that era teeming with geniuses and dazzling stars, one peerless hero after another perished along the way, falling midway.
Many died, and those who survived were left half-crippled, fading into obscurity, their glory forever lost.
As recorded in the ancient bone scriptures, this path was severed midway, cut off by an abyss of darkness. Beyond it, faint wisps of immortal mist beckoned, luring the ambitious forward. Yet, one prodigy after another ventured forth, only to plunge into the abyss, doomed to eternal damnation.
Shi Hao frowned. This path was far too treacherous—could it truly be conquered?
“In ancient times, how many supreme seeds could be found? They were few and far between. Occasionally, a peerless genius would reach that stage, only to find no suitable Dao Seed to fuse with. Unwilling to settle for mediocrity, they had no choice but to take this severed path,” the Grand Elder sighed.
Shi Hao fell silent. He understood the sentiment all too well—just like him, unwilling to be ordinary, yearning to fuse with the most ancient and powerful seed, refusing to fall behind.
He sought transcendence, aspiring to stand atop the pinnacle of the divine path. No matter the hardships along the way, he had to overcome them. He could not stop, could not hesitate!
“Precisely because seeds like the Yin-Yang Seed and the Myriad Dao Tree no longer exist, some have forcibly taken this path. Will you proceed?” the Grand Elder asked.
The journey was perilous, with death lurking at every turn, and hope barely visible. For prodigies without flawless treasures, this was the only choice—unless they wished to remain ordinary, they had to charge forward against all odds.
“I will walk this path!”
Shi Hao made his decision, his gaze resolute.
Better to let life burn brightly than to live in mediocrity. Death was but an end, but survival meant transcendence, breaking free like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
He understood the cruel reality of the future and feared not death, striving instead to forge a true self that stood above all.
At the same time, Shi Hao knew the Grand Elder would not truly guide him to certain doom. There had to be some measure of confidence—otherwise, why keep him in the Celestial Academy if death was inevitable?
“Good! Since you have the resolve to walk this path, I can rest assured. My greatest fear was that you would hesitate, torn between gain and loss,” the Grand Elder said.
His face brightened with approval. “Where there is no path, we shall forge one—surpassing the ancients! Otherwise, how can we hope to triumph over the other realms?”
The Grand Elder assured him he meant no harm.
The wisdom of past generations had accumulated over time, naturally bridging the severed path. By later eras, multiple methods had emerged to verify the Great Dao of using the body as a seed.
The Grand Elder had excavated immortal caves—more than one—and the Celestial Academy’s current standing was built upon the gathering of such resources.
Thus, he possessed many ancient secret manuals, some inscribed on jade books with unimaginable cultivation methods, taking unorthodox approaches.
The Grand Elder had tirelessly compiled various theories and practical experiences regarding using the body as a seed, consulting with supreme experts of the era. He had long since formed a plan.
Especially after seeing the peculiar seed Shi Hao possessed, his confidence grew. It was a cosmic placenta, capable of nurturing the self and transforming into a Dao Seed.
“Take these books and study them!” The Grand Elder bestowed a pile of jade scriptures, all inscribed in the language of the Immortal Ancient Era.
Shi Hao immediately sat cross-legged, delving into the texts. They did not contain secret techniques but rather various deductions and precautions regarding using the body as a seed.
“These books are merely an introduction. When the time comes to truly fuse the Dao Fruit, use the body as a seed, and attain the rank of sect master, there will be specialized jade scriptures!” the Grand Elder said solemnly.
Breaking through to the Heavenly Deity Realm was no easy feat, especially for Shi Hao, who sought an unconventional path. It required utmost caution—a nine-death struggle for a single chance at life!
“These will guide you in the general direction. Once all conditions are met, you may study the scriptures for breaking through, refining your true self to become a sect master-level powerhouse.”
Shi Hao studied meticulously, grasping the path’s hardships.
Yet he felt no fear—only excitement. Having once cultivated immortal energy along the most arduous path, he was unique. This time, he would build upon that foundation, undergoing profound metamorphosis.
Of course, when he reached the severed path’s end, there would be nothing left to rely on.
The Grand Elder solemnly warned that at the path’s forefront, bizarre and terrifying phenomena would occur—unimaginable, with each person experiencing something different.
Some, at the critical moment, would see a furnace suddenly appear, refining all creation. Others would witness endless feathers drifting, ancient figures ascending to immortality. Some would glimpse a pair of eyes—vast as the heavens—staring down at them. Still others…
It was all eerily sinister, impossible to describe. Most fell precisely because of these visions.
After three days of intense study, Shi Hao closed his eyes, pondering deeply before informing the Grand Elder he was ready.
“Your body and mind are prepared, but we must prepare for the worst. Failure could mean annihilation!” the Grand Elder cautioned.
“I am not afraid,” Shi Hao declared.
Better death than mediocrity—such was his mindset. If he remained ordinary, he would surely be slaughtered like crops in the coming war.
He knew all too well that the ancients had failed, even immortals had been slain. Without transcendence, history would only repeat itself.
“Still, preparations must be made,” the Grand Elder said, also to aid his breakthrough.
“What is needed?”
“Rare treasures of heaven and earth. If you fail, they may preserve your life. If you succeed, they will hasten your progress.” The Grand Elder’s expression was grave.
The treasures he listed were extraordinary, each priceless beyond measure. Shi Hao paled just hearing a few.
They were nearly impossible to find—Phoenix Blood, for instance. Fortunately, the academy still had some, albeit impure, which could be refined.
It was the Celestial Academy’s Phoenix Blood Pool that had once drawn countless prodigies!
“Solar Divine Vine, Heavenly Deity Tree, Revival Grass, Evil-Warding Divine Bamboo…” The Grand Elder listed over a dozen treasures.
Shi Hao’s face turned ashen. These were divine-grade materials—where could they be found? The extravagance was staggering, making his heart pound.
Beyond these, there were countless other rare herbs and ores, all priceless.
“I have Soul-Guiding Lotus, Heavenly Deity Tree, and Revival Grass,” Shi Hao forced out.
The Grand Elder was astonished. For Shi Hao to possess such items was unexpected—truly remarkable.
They were spoils from the Battle of the Three Thousand Provinces, looted from the Immortal Ancient ruins—his greatest harvest.
“Having even a few is impressive. Rest assured, we only need branches or leaves from the Heavenly Deity Tree—nothing that harms its core,” the Grand Elder reassured.
He added that most treasures had already been gathered, leaving only a handful for Shi Hao to procure himself.
“What remains?” Shi Hao asked.
“Evil-Warding Divine Bamboo—ancient stalks with at least twenty segments.”
This bamboo, white as jade, grew one segment every five hundred years. Twenty segments meant a ten-thousand-year-old plant—rare even as saplings, let alone mature specimens.
“Yellow Spring Fruit—grown for over nine thousand years in a land of extreme Yin.”
This legendary fruit was deemed by many to be a myth, underscoring its rarity.
“These two are all you need to gather. The rest, I can provide,” the Grand Elder declared.
Shi Hao took a deep breath. This generosity was immense—each treasure was enough to drive men mad, yet the Grand Elder had secured most with ease.
“My deepest gratitude, Grand Elder!” Shi Hao bowed solemnly.
“Rumor has it both the bamboo and fruit can be found in one place, sparing you extra travel,” the Grand Elder revealed, naming a specific region.
Shi Hao was stunned. If the Grand Elder knew the location, why not retrieve them himself? There had to be deeper meaning.
“That place is extraordinary. Merely going there marks the beginning of your breakthrough. There, you will temper your body and refine your soul, commencing your cultivation!” the Grand Elder said gravely.
“Understood!” Shi Hao’s heart raced. As expected, this was the starting point.
With these treasures, his chances would multiply. Even if he failed, survival was possible.
“I will not fail. There is no retreat—I must surpass the ancients, bridge the severed path, and forge an invincible Great Dao!” Shi Hao affirmed.
“Your confidence is heartening.” The Grand Elder gazed distantly at the sky, lost in memories of his youth.
With a sigh, he added, “Do not repeat my tragedy.”
“What?” Shi Hao’s eyes widened, fixed on the snow-haired elder.
The Grand Elder had walked this path—and failed!
Yet, most who failed died or were crippled. How had the Grand Elder remained peerless, unmatched in power?
It defied logic—his survival was nothing short of miraculous.
“I lived and achieved this much only by sheer fortune. Otherwise, like the ancients, I would have perished,” the Grand Elder mused wistfully.
Now Shi Hao understood why the Grand Elder urged him onward—he had walked this path himself, comprehending its depths. He had both ancient methods and personal experience to guide Shi Hao.
“Alas, the Harmony Dao Flower remains unfound. With it, all obstacles would vanish,” the Grand Elder lamented.
“Harmony Dao Flower? What is that?” Shi Hao asked.
“The foremost wonder of heaven and earth—not an herb of immortality, yet possibly more precious!”
This flower was reserved for supreme emperors and immortal beings, enabling true harmony with the Dao, achieving peerless enlightenment. Only one had ever existed.
Had Shi Hao consumed it while using his body as a seed, success would be guaranteed.
Even if he failed, the flower could revive him from the brink of death, ensuring triumph!
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