The Dao-Uniting Flower is truly extraordinary, possessing heaven-defying power that allows one to directly unite with the Dao!
This treasure is effective even for Great Emperors and True Immortals, demonstrating its immense value. Yet, from ancient times to the present, there has only ever been one such flower, impossible to seek out.
It has only ever been recorded in historical texts, with almost no one having seen it throughout the ages. If not for a True Immortal from the previous era revealing the name of this miraculous flower, the mortal world would never have known of its existence.
“Where is it? Is there not even a single clue?” Shi Hao asked. He wasn’t placing his hopes on this flower—he was merely curious and wanted to learn more.
Shi Hao believed that true transcendence must rely on one’s own strength.
Only through genuine personal experience could one break through and comprehend that wondrous state. Otherwise, it would feel more like charity, making it difficult to achieve true enlightenment.
“In the past, Great Emperors searched for it, and dying True Immortals begged for it, yet none ever laid eyes on it. It is said that only two or three beings in history have been fortunate enough to consume this flower,” the Great Elder said.
Everyone knew of its heaven-defying nature, more precious than even the Longevity Medicine, yet none could obtain it. It remained a distant legend, existing only in the fading tales of the immortal path.
However, the Great Elder had not come away empty-handed. After excavating various ancient ruins, he discovered some clues on a stone inscription from the Immortal Ancient Era.
“Midway to immortality, in the depths of the Nine Nether, lies its trace.” This was the fragmented record the Great Elder had obtained.
It was a contradictory hint. “Midway to immortality” suggested something sacred, yet it was linked to the Nine Nether, a place that should be terrifying beyond measure!
One thing was certain—that place was likely inaccessible, harboring great horrors. Otherwise, the ancients would have long since harvested it, leaving no clue unexplored!
The two ceased discussing the topic, knowing it was unrealistic. The Dao-Uniting Flower was beyond their reach for now.
“Memorize this technique!” The Great Elder passed down a method inscribed on a piece of cyan bone, covered in densely packed tadpole-like glyphs, shimmering with crystalline light.
“Bone-Tempering Art!” Shi Hao was surprised. This was a method to temper one’s bones, strengthening the body from within, making the skeletal structure unyielding and unlocking the body’s hidden treasures.
“Do not underestimate this technique. It is the introductory chapter of the highest mysteries of the Body Refinement lineage,” the Great Elder said solemnly.
“Ah, just the introductory chapter?” Shi Hao curled his lip, unimpressed. He already considered himself a Body Refiner—why would he need an introduction?
The Great Elder admonished him, “Your physique is naturally strong, allowing you to force your way to this level. But without systematic training, this technique will elevate your constitution even further!”
Moreover, the Great Elder explained that this so-called “introductory chapter” corresponded to the Heavenly Deity Realm—far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators!
This time, Shi Hao was moved. If the starting chapter was already this profound, how astonishing would the subsequent sections be?
“Once you break through your limits, you may seek the complete version in the Sacred Academy. Only those at the level of Sect Masters or higher can cultivate it!” the Great Elder declared.
This time, Shi Hao focused on cultivating the Immortal Ancient Method, not prioritizing the Sacred Academy’s techniques. Soon, he would temper his bones solely to strengthen his physique and survive the life-and-death trial.
After two days of contemplation, Shi Hao memorized the technique and gained deep insights.
Then, the Great Elder imparted another method, inscribed on a golden bone in the script of the Immortal Ancient Era.
“Spirit-Forging Art!” Shi Hao was delighted. This was a rare technique for tempering the primordial spirit, scarcely seen in the present era.
“Your flesh must be strong, but your primordial spirit must be even stronger. Otherwise, during your life-and-death trial, you may lose yourself and perish!” the Great Elder warned.
This technique was also incomplete, but it sufficed for the Heavenly Deity Realm.
The Great Elder assured him that after his trial, he could seek the remaining parts in the Immortal Academy.
Ten days later, Shi Hao set out alone for a secret realm to search for the Evil-Warding Divine Bamboo and the Yellow Spring Fruit. The Great Elder did not accompany him as protection.
Shi Hao understood this was likely a test. If he couldn’t even obtain the divine herbs at the designated location, how could he hope to comprehend the Dao?
Boundless Heaven was vast beyond measure!
The Heavenly Deity Academy was located in Boundless Heaven, as was the secret realm. Traveling to other realms of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths would be far too distant.
Immortal Mound—this was the region the Great Elder had directed Shi Hao to, countless millions of miles from the academy, an astronomical distance.
Leaving the academy, Shi Hao embarked on his first relaxed journey through Boundless Heaven. He traversed one colossal city after another, crossing the void with teleportation arrays.
The Great Elder had forbidden him from using the academy’s altars, insisting he travel the land personally to familiarize himself with Boundless Heaven.
“In the coming war, ignorance of the land’s layout will be your downfall,” Shi Hao murmured.
Along the way, he practiced the Bone-Tempering Art and refined the Spirit-Forging Technique, in no hurry to rush. Only by mastering both could he maximize their effects.
“Five-Element Mutton Skewers—a supreme tonic!”
“Dumplings stuffed with flood dragon meat—delicious and affordable!”
…
In a massive city, Shi Hao immersed himself in the clamor of mortal life. He felt a pang of disorientation—it had been so long since he’d experienced the world. Since arriving in the Nine Heavens, he’d been shuttling between the academy and ancient ruins.
After lingering for a few days, Shi Hao prepared to venture into the secret realm, located in the wilderness thousands of miles away.
The mountains and marshes stretched endlessly. Though the city was said to be a few thousand miles away, that was merely the periphery. As Shi Hao delved deeper, he felt like a leaf adrift in an ocean.
He retrieved a jade token, which began to glow, guiding him along a path toward a specific direction.
This token, bestowed by the Great Elder, was essential for locating the destination. Only a handful of ancient beings knew of this place.
Following the guidance, he finally arrived at his destination—a towering peak piercing the clouds, its height incalculable, majestic and imposing. Two colossal characters were carved into its face: “Immortal Mound.”
This mountain was unmistakably the one he sought.
Yet, without the jade token, the mountain would remain invisible, intangible—one could pass right through it as if it weren’t there.
Shi Hao was astonished. Was the mountain real or illusory? Why could it only be touched with the token?
“A mountain hidden in the void, approachable only with a token inscribed with a mysterious formation,” Shi Hao mused.
It was said that a range of hills should surround the peak, yet all he saw were endless mountains and this sovereign among them.
“Climb this mountain, and those with fate may glimpse the Hanging Temple, gaining entry to the Immortal Mound,” Shi Hao murmured, recalling the Great Elder’s hint.
He began his ascent. The moment he approached, the world seemed to tremble, and an immense pressure bore down on him, as though stars were crashing onto his body.
Immediately, he felt the urge to vomit blood, immobilized as if crushed by an invisible mountain of immortal Dao, suffocating him.
Each step was agony, each breath a struggle!
The mountain path was lined with steps, each a zhang high, as if built for giants. After just a few dozen steps, the pressure forced blood from Shi Hao’s lips.
He smiled bitterly, finally understanding why the Great Elder had sent him alone—this was a trial. Ordinary individuals would never make it.
In the end, he unleashed his sole Heavenly Passage and released three strands of immortal energy, straining every fiber to climb inch by inch.
Without rest, he trekked for half a month, counting each step—over ninety-nine thousand in total.
“One hundred thousand zhang high!” He sighed weakly. The summit was near, but his bones were on the verge of shattering.
Indeed, after half a month under such pressure, cracks had formed in many of his bones, threatening to break entirely!
“Bone-Tempering Art, hah!” Shi Hao realized—this was meant to shatter his bones, forcing him to nourish them at the summit.
Finally, he reached the peak—exactly one hundred thousand zhang high, no more, no less!
As he stepped onto the summit, golden light bathed him. A great sun rose in the east, resembling the corpse of a Golden Crow traversing the sky, its blazing radiance rolling like thick smoke.
He had arrived just as the sun crested the horizon, as if this very peak birthed the celestial orb!
For a fleeting moment, the land below seemed an ocean, the sun leaping from its depths into the sky—a breathtaking, magnificent sight.
“Dong!”
A deep, resonant bell tolled, shaking the soul, as if awakening enlightenment within.
The sound emanated from the golden morning mist, carrying the promise of Dao attainment.
Ahead stood an ancient temple, built entirely of golden bricks, radiant and serene, bathed in the dawn’s glow.
From body to mind, Shi Hao felt an overwhelming ease, as if weary days of sleepless toil had suddenly lifted. Golden light rained down, accompanied by the bell’s chime, as if he might ascend to immortality.
This was the Hanging Temple, its golden tiles exuding sacred tranquility.
Bathed in morning light, it hovered in the air. Before it, numerous figures sat cross-legged on the stone ground, immersed in contemplation, seeking enlightenment.
Shi Hao was startled—so many people were here!
They ranged from young to old, motionless. Some wore bone hairpins and animal hides, bare-chested and primal. Others donned armor woven with immortal gold, radiant and divine.
These were no ordinary mortals. Each exuded an aura that inspired awe, making one wish to kneel in reverence.
Shi Hao inhaled sharply. Even he felt insignificant before them. What manner of beings were these?
He noticed that whether young or middle-aged, their eyes held deep weariness—clearly, none were truly youthful.
Some carried giant bows, others wielded ancient spears—each bore a peerless weapon, like an invincible war god!
They sat like fossils, unmoving, as if they had existed for eons.
How bizarre!
Behind Shi Hao, a divine halo manifested. An ancient flame wreathed in immortal mist and chaos energy silently emerged, reflecting these beings and etching their Dao imprints into his mind.
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