Chapter 1290: Journeying Northward

“You’re not bad!” Xu Mingxuan strode forward with the imposing aura of an emperor, patting Shi Hao on the shoulder.

The golden little ant bared its teeth and quickly dodged, nearly getting squashed. It suspected this unrestrained imperial lord had done it on purpose—just to swat it.

Xu Mingxuan’s thick black hair framed a face as sharp as a blade, his eyes ablaze with the destruction of suns and stars, exuding an awe-inspiring presence! Though he appeared middle-aged, his vitality surged like a raging tide. His golden dragon robe radiated brilliance, illuminating the void like an invincible war god.

“Senior, your wisdom and might are unparalleled!” Shi Hao laughed, laying on the flattery.

“You little rascal, so fiery-tempered earlier, yet now you know how to butter me up,” Xu Mingxuan chuckled.

“Just speaking the truth. Watching you slap that ignorant brat from the Wang Clan was truly domineering. It moved me,” Shi Hao grinned.

Many onlookers wore strange expressions, especially those from the Wang Clan, who felt utterly disgusted. This was a blatant insult—Shi Hao was truly detestable in their eyes.

“Wang Clan members, I suggest you know your limits. Some words should not be spoken carelessly. Even if I haven’t yet decided whom my daughter will take as her Dao companion, even if I had, it’s not for you to disparage,” Xu Mingxuan declared.

Then, he turned his gaze to the Heavenly Horned Ant on Shi Hao’s shoulder, his expression turning odd. “Why are you glaring at me so hostilely?”

“What’s your problem? Flaunting a lizard on your robe—trying to show off in front of me? If you’re going to embroider anything, it should be a golden ant!” the little Heavenly Horned Ant huffed.

This clan had a deep-seated rivalry—competing with the True Dragons for supremacy.

The crowd burst into laughter, leaving Xu Mingxuan speechless.

With the Grand Elder’s return, no one dared act recklessly. Those who had coveted the underground Immortal King’s abode now behaved meekly, not daring to offend the old man.

After some pleasantries, the Grand Elder led distinguished guests into the bronze hall atop the divine mountain for discussions.

Meanwhile, many prodigies ventured into the underground world, seeking opportunities. News had spread that the subterranean immortal city was safe.

“Shi Hao, come here.” The Grand Elder’s voice reached him in secret.

Shi Hao had lingered, awaiting the Grand Elder’s summons.

After attending to important guests, the Grand Elder emerged from the grand bronze hall and led Shi Hao to a secluded area in the back mountains, where only a few refined cottages and ancient bamboo stood.

“Senior, what exactly did you unearth from that ancient cave?” Shi Hao had been burning with curiosity.

That place was too mysterious. The Grand Elder had dug out a living creature from beneath a mountain of bones—terrifying, considering how ancient the site was. Many skeletons had nearly turned to dust, remnants of peerless experts from ages past.

This implied the creature buried deeper was unimaginably ancient, surviving through eons—its tenacity defying comprehension!

Even in its weakened state, Shi Hao had sensed its overwhelming terror. A mere flutter of its wings could shatter heaven and earth! If it fully recovered, its power would be beyond reckoning.

“I called you here precisely for this. Bury this matter deep. Never speak of it to anyone—no one!” the Grand Elder warned gravely.

“What are you two talking about?” The little ant on Shi Hao’s shoulder was puzzled, as the Grand Elder had concealed their conversation with supreme techniques.

Then, the Grand Elder handed Shi Hao a ring—simple, unadorned, and dull in color, made of an unknown material, its surface rough like carved bluestone.

“What is this?” Shi Hao asked, perplexed.

“Wear it. It may prove useful someday. Ask no further. Remember—never reveal anything about that unearthed creature!” the Grand Elder reiterated sternly.

Normally, the Grand Elder would have celebrated Shi Hao’s unprecedented success in forging his own path. But the discovery of that creature had cast a shadow over everything, leaving the elder deeply troubled.

Shi Hao informed the Grand Elder of his urgent quest for the Indestructible Scripture. With the threat of the other shore’s creatures looming, he needed to grow stronger swiftly.

“Go, but be careful,” the Grand Elder advised.

“Will they still come after me?” Shi Hao’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Let’s go!” Once they left the back mountains, the golden ant cheered, greedily inhaling the fresh air.

Though the underground cavern’s spiritual energy—even tinged with immortal qi—far surpassed the outside world, the little ant found the vibrant wilderness exhilarating compared to the monotony below.

“Where do we find the Indestructible Scripture?” the ant asked.

“North Sea Stone Forest!” Shi Hao declared. This legendary site had endured since antiquity, a labyrinth of stone pillars rising from the ocean.

Countless tales surrounded it. Throughout this era, achievers of great feats had left their marks there—names carved into divine cliffs, surpassing predecessors in brilliance.

Figures like Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch and Blue Fairy had inscribed their names atop transcendent peaks, their radiance lingering for days.

Half the young supremes had left their marks, resonating with the sea’s divine peaks, shaking the world.

Fortunately, the North Sea Stone Forest lay within Boundless Heaven, sparing Shi Hao the peril of crossing realms—a feat beyond ordinary means.

Boundless Heaven was vast, dotted with primordial swamps and colossal cities separated by tens of thousands of miles. Central divine cities were even more massive, requiring enormous teleportation arrays to bridge the distances.

Shi Hao traversed these arrays, leaping millions of miles northward toward the sea. Even with relentless travel, the journey took seven days to reach the northernmost region.

Here, the wilderness thrived—ancient beasts roamed, fierce birds soared, and the air echoed with primal cries. Even near the sea, colossal creatures lurked along the shores.

Only upon reaching the Void Path Realm could Shi Hao traverse such lands safely. Many beasts here matched his level, making reckless exploration fatal.

Yet, he remained cautious. One never knew when a dormant ancient horror might awaken in the mountains or a vile flood dragon emerge from the depths, its power unfathomable after millennia of cultivation.

The North Sea was vast and terrifying. Standing on its shores, one couldn’t help but shudder.

Ahead, the ocean stretched into a hazy, somber expanse—a ghostly sea shrouded in black mist, eerily silent.

Though teleportation arrays led deeper into the sea, they were unreliable, often stranding travelers in the abyss.

Instead, Shi Hao awaited a “Nether Boat.” Despite their ominous name, these vessels were safe, drifting through the mist like specters, their prows adorned with crimson lanterns.

Chilling as they seemed, few disasters had ever been recorded.

Soon, several boats appeared near the shore, floating soundlessly, their bloody lanterns casting ghastly light.

“Are these the Nether Boats?” Shi Hao murmured.

“Scary!” The golden ant shivered.

“Don’t you know? These boats have existed since the Immortal Ancient Era, drifting through the ages, guiding travelers across the sea,” Shi Hao explained.

“Nope, never heard of them,” the ant admitted, having been born in this era.

Shi Hao, too, had been baffled when he first learned of them. How could these indestructible boats navigate so mysteriously?

As one boat neared, its black hull showed no signs of decay despite eons of travel.

Could it truly be from the previous epoch? Shi Hao doubted, yet great figures who had studied such boats found nothing extraordinary.

“Let’s board,” Shi Hao said.

They embarked, heading for the sea’s depths, where a bustling realm of cultivators thrived.

“Hmm… this feels familiar.” Shi Hao frowned as he stepped aboard.

The boat stirred something in him, unsettling his heart.

Suddenly, he remembered—when he was ten, he had sailed the lower realm’s seas to the Kun Peng’s nest, where he’d seen…

Paper boats. Folded by someone’s hand.

This boat was identical in shape—but not paper. Cold and solid to the touch.

“A bone boat!”

Crafted from bone, unsinkable and eternal, it surely held profound origins.

As Shi Hao pondered, the boat glided into the black mist.

He sat, tapping the hull. Was it truly forged from the bones of the Netherworld’s ruler, as legends claimed?

Then—horror.

Blood.

Black-red liquid seeped from the boat’s walls.

He hadn’t noticed until his hand came away stained.

This… was unheard of. Others had sailed safely.

Shi Hao’s hair stood on end. What did this mean?

A bold guess struck him: Had he stumbled upon the true origin of the paper-folding woman? Was her real self somewhere in this sea?

The thought shook him to the core.

That woman had left an indelible mark on him, her mystery even surpassing the Kun Peng’s legacy.

If she truly dwelled here…

The implications were staggering.