Chapter 1325: Alarming News from the Border荒野

The decree of the Wang Clan was issued, shaking the four seas!

However, this time was different from the past—it was not to proclaim the might of the Wang Clan.

The battle between the Great Elder and Wang Changsheng shocked the world!

The name of “Huang” spread far and wide among all clans, drawing wary glances from all sides. Many factions sternly forbade their disciples from provoking trouble.

The effects of this battle became clear—under normal circumstances, no major clan would dare target Shi Hao again. Everyone had seen the Great Elder’s stance—unyielding and unprovokable.

“This is truly…” Cao Yusheng clicked his tongue in astonishment upon hearing the news, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The scale of this incident was too great. For Huang’s sake, the Great Elder had actually clashed with Wang Changsheng, mobilizing forces and even risking an all-out war.

Many young cultivators wiped cold sweat from their brows, a mix of envy and jealousy in their hearts. The strongest expert of the Heavenly Deity Institution, one of the mightiest figures across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, Meng Tianzheng, had openly declared his protection over his disciple. Who would dare provoke him now?

With such a master, one could traverse the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths without fear.

“The Wang Clan got what they deserved! They thought they were the overlords of the Nine Heavens, free to decide life and death as they pleased? This time, the Great Elder crushed their arrogance—truly a cause for celebration!” some murmured in discussion.

Within the Heavenly Deity Institution, many were exhilarated.

The exploration of the underground immortal manor had come to an end, and the young elites had emerged—including Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch, Great Xu Tuo, Blue Fairy, Qi Gu, and others.

At this moment, Wang Xi overheard the discussions, her expression darkening as she wished to leave immediately.

In contrast, Princess Yao Yue was overjoyed. Nothing pleased her more than seeing her rival clan humiliated—their feud ran deep.

Princess Yao Yue’s father, Xu Mingxuan, had lent the Ancient War Banner to the Great Elder this time, signaling an alliance between their clans. The Great Elder, wielding the power of the Corpse Wrapping Cloth, had stormed the Wang Clan’s ancestral grounds, allowing the Xu Clan’s treasure to unleash its might—indirectly aiding them against their ancient foe.

“Fairy Wang Xi, there’s no need to worry. Think of how extraordinary Patriarch Wang Changsheng is—renowned as an Immortal Embryo. He did not lose this time,” someone consoled her.

Many from the Sacred Academy gathered, mentioning that Jin Zhan was about to emerge from seclusion. When he did, he might engage in a decisive battle with Huang.

Jin Zhan was hailed as a peerless genius, a legend whose depths none could fathom. On the path of the Modern Method, he had surpassed all predecessors.

Yet, despite the reassurances, a heavy weight lingered in people’s hearts. Shi Hao had succeeded in the unprecedented feat of “using the body as a seed”—a talent too terrifying to ignore.

“Huang cultivates the Ancient Method, while Senior Brother Jin Zhan follows the Modern Method. Who is stronger? Only battle will tell.”

“Besides, I heard he has only just taken that step. He still needs time to explore. Even among young supremes, he may not rank in the top three.”

Some spoke thus, showing the Sacred Academy’s high regard for Jin Zhan.

“Shall we set a date for a duel? I can contact Huang, while you invite Jin Zhan?” Princess Yao Yue teased with a playful smile.

The Sacred Academy disciples glared at her.

In the distance, Purple Sun Heavenly Monarch remained silent. Once the center of attention, hailed as one of the strongest of his generation, his crushing defeat at Huang’s hands had stripped him of any claim to supremacy.

Great Xu Tuo, Qi Gu, and others fared better—though they had clashed with Shi Hao, none had fought him to the death.

“What era is this, and you’re still bickering over such matters? Focus on improving your own strength! The creatures from the other shore could attack at any moment,” an elder from the Immortal Academy reprimanded.

Just then, a mighty wind swept through the heavens as the Great Elder returned with Shi Hao.

In truth, they should have returned two days prior, but they had detoured to gather divine herbs—necessary ingredients to refine the Purple Mansion Grass.

Unfortunately, some herbs proved too rare. Even the Great Elder, venturing into perilous lands, had failed to find them.

But there was no rush. The Purple Mansion Grass could fortify the soul, effective at any time. Shi Hao, having only recently broken through, had no need for immediate further advancement. It could be saved for later.

“Great Elder!” Many exclaimed, stepping forward to bow deeply.

Shi Hao was also surrounded—Lunar Grace, Long Gong Yan, Feng Wu, and others rejoiced, knowing he was now truly safe, beyond anyone’s reach.

“Hey, hey! Watch those hands—don’t slap his shoulders recklessly! This king is here—no insolence!” The golden ant on Shi Hao’s shoulder grumbled, dodging the enthusiastic pats.

Shi Hao smiled. The commotion this time had been far too great, and he felt deep gratitude toward the Great Elder.

Yet, his heart was unsettled. On their return, he had voiced a question—how could Wang Changsheng, with his peerless strength, compromise so easily?

After all, the battle had ended in a draw, not a defeat, preserving his reputation as a supreme expert.

The Great Elder had sighed gravely, explaining that Wang Changsheng was too perceptive—he had sensed something and used this incident to withdraw from the storm.

This battle might have given Wang Changsheng an excuse to retreat into seclusion, disappearing for a time.

Thus, on the journey back, Shi Hao felt an unease he couldn’t shake. Both the Great Elder and Wang Changsheng were unrivaled experts of their era—their instincts were terrifyingly sharp. If they sensed something amiss…

“Well, since everyone is here, shall we discuss where to establish the unified academy’s foundation after the merger of the three institutions?” an elder from the Sacred Academy proposed.

This was no sudden decision—talks had been ongoing. The Immortal Academy, Sacred Academy, and Heavenly Deity Institution were to merge, fostering exchange and competition among disciples to spur greater growth.

Moreover, several immortal sanctuaries had been discovered, their resources to be utilized in training the combined student body.

Earlier, the Great Elder had been absent, accompanying Shi Hao. Now that he had returned, his input was essential.

Thus, many elders had gathered, eager for his opinion—and perhaps to learn more about his battle with Wang Changsheng, a clash that had stunned the world.

“These ancient lands are all extraordinary—each a former abode of true immortals. If excavated and combined, they would form an unimaginable treasure trove,” the Great Elder mused.

“You mean to relocate and merge these sanctuaries? But the difficulty is immense. True immortals’ abodes are guarded by terrifying formations,” someone frowned.

As they debated the academy’s location, a sudden, overwhelming ripple shook the heavens.

The void split open—a battered warship emerged, shrouded in blood mist and an aura of slaughter.

“Who dares trespass upon the Heavenly Deity Institution?!” a elder roared.

The Great Elder raised a hand, silencing him, his expression grave as he studied the bronze vessel.

All eyes turned skyward, fixed on the bloodstained, half-shattered ship.

What had happened? Why had this broken vessel arrived here, its decks dripping with fresh blood?

“From the borderlands,” the Great Elder uttered solemnly, sending chills down every spine.

The ship’s design was unique to the frontier, its prow marked by the emblem of the Ironblood War Banner—a symbol permitted only at the border.

The bronze ship hovered silently, lifeless and still.

“Whoosh!”

The Great Elder soared upward, followed closely by several elders.

“Wake up!” Onboard, the Great Elder found a half-conscious man, his body severed at the waist, drenched in blood.

Channeling divine energy, the Great Elder revived him.

“Disaster… the border fortress has collapsed! The creatures of the other shore have appeared!” the man gasped weakly, yet his voice echoed across the skies.

“What?!”

Gasps erupted—countless voices cried out in shock. A numbing dread gripped all present.

This was earth-shattering news.

No—it was a calamity.

Nothing could be worse. The border had fallen—the nightmare they had long feared had come to pass.

All knew the day would come when the other shore’s denizens would invade again, plunging the world into chaos, bloodshed, and mountains of corpses.

That day had arrived—sudden, unbearable.

Hearts turned to ice. They were unprepared, yet the enemy had already struck.

Trembling, many realized—the darkest era had begun.