The Three Thousand Dao Provinces, the borderlands are in crisis!
Upon hearing this news, Shi Hao’s heart was anything but calm. It had been several years since he arrived in the Nine Heavens, and he longed to return and see how his grandfather, parents, Huo Ling’er, and other old acquaintances were faring.
Perhaps this was an opportunity—could he return to the Three Thousand Dao Provinces and reunite with those familiar faces?
Yet, upon deeper reflection, he realized the chances were slim. The chaos in the borderlands meant he would be of little help there. This was no place for duels; it was a full-scale siege war!
Under such circumstances, taking up a precious return slot seemed inappropriate.
Though he hadn’t gone yet and hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, he could already imagine—even feel—the countless corpses littering the borderlands, the stench of blood thick in the air.
The most brutal battle had erupted!
“Woo woo…” War horns blared across the heavens as a messenger arrived.
“Honored Elders, disaster looms! The borderlands are under siege! The forces of the Otherworld are launching a full-scale assault, charging recklessly to breach the pass!” The messenger, drenched in blood, reported urgently.
This time, the Otherworld was sparing no cost, sacrificing countless lives to carve a path through the borderlands, determined to break through.
“What? What of that sealed, mysterious city beyond the borderlands? Has it not appeared?” an elder from an Eternal Clan exclaimed in shock.
“No, it has not!” the messenger confirmed.
Shi Hao’s heart trembled. He couldn’t help but think of the ancestors of the Shi Clan—the Seven Kings of the Borderlands!
“Go! Take the Ten Realms Diagram and the Ancestral Dragon Horn to the borderlands—there’s no time to waste!” roared an elder from the Sacred Academy.
Soon, arrangements were made. Ninety percent of their forces would depart for the borderlands of the Three Thousand Dao Provinces.
Only a small contingent remained behind, but they needed supreme experts to hold the line. After much deliberation, the Great Elder of Celestial Academy, Meng Tianzheng, was tasked with guarding this place.
Additionally, the Immortal King’s Shroud would remain to ensure no unexpected disasters occurred.
“This place has already seen the emergence of an undying being—though only a single massive hand could reach through. Who knows what other sinister methods they might possess? Can we truly defend against it?” A worried elder from an Eternal Clan frowned.
“Rest assured. If they could cross over, they would have done so already. There’s no need for hesitation now!” Great Elder Meng Tianzheng urged them to leave without delay.
The decision was made. The masses mobilized!
In the distance, a colossal spatial gate opened, supported by a skeletal altar, leading directly to the Three Thousand Dao Provinces!
At the borders of the Great Scarlet Heaven, countless warships—so numerous they blotted out the sky like clouds—set sail, surging toward the spatial gate.
“Woo woo…”
The Ancestral Dragon Horn sounded as thousands of massive warships embarked, heading for the next battlefield.
Undoubtedly, this time, many would perish—a great slaughter was about to unfold in the borderlands.
Shi Hao remained silent. Though he yearned to return, he knew this was no time for personal desires. Such a request was impossible to voice.
The sky was filled with warships—some even larger than stars—the invincible ancient vessels of the Eternal Clans, wreathed in immortal energy. These ships could tear through space itself, descending directly upon the Three Thousand Provinces.
Amidst the clamor and battle cries, ship after ship departed, singing war hymns that shook the heavens—a solemn, tragic melody.
They knew full well that many might never return, destined to fall in battle at the borderlands. Yet, none hesitated.
“One last look… Farewell!”
Some turned back as they stepped through the spatial gate, gazing one final time—even though this was the Great Scarlet Heaven, not their homeland.
Most had left. The place grew desolate. Though a tenth were supposed to remain, the Great Elder ordered nearly all to depart, leaving fewer than a thousand behind.
Among them, the majority were young cultivators—disciples of the three academies!
Shi Hao, Da Xutuo, Cao Yusheng, Lan Xian, and others all stayed. These rising talents could not be taken to the borderlands.
Their presence here had been to broaden their horizons—a goal now achieved, even including their participation in the great duel.
Without a doubt, Shi Hao shone brightest—ten battles, ten victories, representing the Nine Heavens and crushing the young kings of the Otherworld. Slaying ten kings single-handedly was an unimaginable feat.
On the opposite side, the cultivators of the Otherworld also retreated—shadowy figures, countless in number, emerging from the darkness and returning to it, vanishing into the abyss.
“Heh, we missed our chance this time. Next time, I’ll slay you myself!” He Ziming declared, issuing his challenge.
“Dare to stay, and I’ll cleave you apart right now!” Shi Hao retorted fiercely.
“Hahaha… We’ll meet again soon enough. Let’s see who kills whom!” He Ziming laughed, his body enveloped in golden light before disappearing.
The borders of the Great Scarlet Heaven were left in ruins—the immortal-bone city collapsed, its walls shattered, rubble strewn everywhere.
Silence gradually settled. The forces of the Otherworld had withdrawn into the darkness.
Yet, for a long time, the abyss remained—gaping, pitch-black, as if ready to devour souls whole.
The battlefield fell eerily quiet, save for the occasional cold wind whistling through bleached bones.
All were somber. The future would be grueling—everyone knew they faced a life-or-death struggle.
From this day forth, peace and tranquility were shattered. War had arrived, and slaughter would sweep across heaven and earth!
Yet, the disparity in strength was staggering, casting a shadow of despair. How could they fight? Was there any hope?
Even Zi Ri Tianjun and Lü Hong, bearers of invincible ancient seeds, had fallen—a crushing blow.
Many pondered the battle’s outcome, hearts heavy. The creatures of the Otherworld were too formidable.
The sole consolation was Shi Hao’s performance—his lone stand had turned the tide, slaying ten champions single-handedly.
“Great Elder, are we just to stand guard here?” someone asked.
“They will return,” Great Elder Meng Tianzheng replied, his gaze fixed on the dark abyss.
“How dull. Even a feigned retreat followed by an ambush would be better than this,” a withered figure emerged from the abyss—an ancient being, half-buried as if freshly unearthed.
This was one of the Otherworld’s strongest leaders from earlier!
“Pointless. If an ambush could wipe you all out, I wouldn’t hesitate,” the Great Elder said.
The Eternal Clans of the Nine Heavens had long suspected the Otherworld’s ulterior motives here.
Yet, they had no choice—the borderlands crisis demanded most of their forces. The Otherworld struck on two fronts, aiming to succeed in either location.
“Leave. We won’t cross here. This world still rejects us,” the ancient figure said.
Great Elder Meng Tianzheng shook his head. “Why not reveal what secrets lie here, worth such effort?”
“Very well. Let us enlighten you,” the ancient figure replied.
This was a supreme expert, one of the mightiest beneath immortality, with status and age beyond measure.
“But first, we must act—or risk missing our chance.” Calmly, he turned and bowed deeply toward the abyss.
With utmost solemnity, he erected an altar and began a ritual.
Around him, a hundred figures materialized—living fossils, each a terror beyond mortal reckoning!
The defenders of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths shuddered. These were beings only Eternal Clan elders could oppose—yet so many had appeared at once.
Their reverence and focus spoke volumes.
As they chanted ancient scriptures, their voices—grand and archaic—resounded across the world, shaking mountains and rivers.
“What are they doing?” Shi Hao felt a chill, sensing impending doom.
“Something’s wrong!” The Great Elder’s expression darkened, graver than when facing the undying earlier. His eyes blazed with chaotic light.
With a sweep, he unfurled the Immortal King’s Shroud like a banner, shielding all beneath its vast expanse!
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