The massive tree stump, its withered bark and charred trunk, occasionally flickering with immortal lightning—this sight looked so familiar, as if seen before.
In an instant, Shi Hao froze.
**Willow God!**
The name surfaced in his mind instantly. There was no other reason for this fleeting thought—it was simply the first thing that came to mind when he saw the peerless figure.
But the Willow God was still alive, it *should* be alive. It couldn’t be this dead tree, its roots buried deep in this place.
After calming himself, Shi Hao shook his head.
“Elder, are there any legends about it?” Shi Hao asked carefully.
“Indeed. It is said that it was an Immortal King, a being of unparalleled might, whose power shook the ages. In the final battle of the apocalypse, it once charged alone into the other shore of the world, nine times in and out, bathing in the blood of its enemies, dominating heaven and earth. The fiendish gods of the foreign realm trembled at its name, their faces paling at the mere mention of it.”
An elderly sage spoke these words, recounting the exploits of this divine tree. Though mere legend now, unverifiable, it was still awe-inspiring.
To charge into the foreign realm nine times and return alive—such defiance of the heavens! That place was the source of great terror, akin to the depths of the underworld, where none who entered ever returned.
Yet this being had slaughtered its way in and out, striking fear into the hearts of the most savage enemies.
“Alas, in that era, the balance of power between the two realms was broken. The Infinite Perished, the Cycle was slain, and this ancestral sacrifice could only wither away in sorrow, leaving behind nothing but grief and regret!”
At that time, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths had already fallen, utterly annihilated. That divine tree, unwilling to accept defeat, rose in fury amidst despair. In a world where all were enemies, it launched its final battle against the foreign realm. After a blaze of glory came eternal darkness—ending in tragedy!
It had foreseen this outcome.
“Has it truly perished?” the Banished Immortal spoke, his eyes gleaming with divine light.
The hearts of the young cultivators present were unsettled. The tales of past heroes, ending in brilliance, dying in their prime—it stirred melancholy, their emotions surging like waves.
“Some say that for an immortal tree that has endured countless calamities without perishing, death may not be the end. There is a belief in this world that it may have severed its past, leaving behind its supreme immortal body here while starting anew elsewhere from a single seed. It seeks the secrets of the foreign realm’s origin, to uncover the past of that great terror. And one day, when it traces back its memories and fully recalls the ancient events of the Immortal Ancient Era, it will return—reborn through nirvana!” Even as a living fossil, the speaker grew emotional when speaking of this divine tree.
“Others say that is merely the wishful thinking of later generations, hoping it still lives, that it did not fall in battle. But reality is cruel—it is dead!” another elder added.
“Haha, welcome, fellow Daoists. Are these the outstanding talents of the new generation? Truly, each one is a dragon among men.”
Figures approached from the distance—beings whose ages were impossible to discern. They took human form but bore traits of other races: horns, divine wings, and more.
Several old knights stepped forward to greet them. Both sides were courteous, all of them supreme experts. Though the newcomers appeared middle-aged, the depth of time in their eyes revealed their terrifyingly advanced years.
They led the group into a sacred land, where mist and radiance swirled. Buildings stretched in clusters, silver waterfalls cascaded down divine mountains, and immortal cranes circled the skies—a scene straight out of paradise.
They arrived before a massive bronze hall, towering a thousand zhang high, within which hung a great bell.
**Dong!**
A single toll of the bell resounded, its divine sound echoing across countless miles.
“This is too much! These are just juniors—how can we use this bell?” an elderly sage quickly protested.
“Rest assured, I know the limits. A single toll is enough to inform the clans to come and receive their prodigies. It’s a grand gift, worth their journey,” a silver-winged middle-aged man chuckled.
Soon, the place grew lively. Streaks of light shot across the sky, and some even opened spatial gates within the city, stepping through in an instant.
“Haha, my clan’s Xi’er has arrived! I’d long heard you would come, but never expected to see you today.” A silver-haired man strode out from a spatial gate, laughing heartily, his voice distorting the air.
A supreme expert, his power profound, his gaze sweeping disdainfully across all!
Without a doubt, he was from the Wang Clan—and a figure of immense importance, the eldest grandson of Wang Da, his seniority within the clan terrifyingly high.
“Ancestor, why have you come?” Wang Xi hurriedly bowed. Though she was a descendant of Wang Jiu’s line, even she had to show utmost respect to this elder.
“Naturally, to receive the pride of our clan. Look, isn’t every clan doing the same? All have powerful elders coming to fetch their own.” Wang Changhe, the Wang Clan’s ancestor, smiled.
Then, his gaze turned to Jin Zhan. “Truly, the Immortal Qilin of the Jin Clan—your immortal bones and dao roots are destined to dominate the world, suppressing all rivals! Entrusting Xi’er to you puts our minds at ease.”
“You flatter me, elder. This junior dares not accept such praise.” Jin Zhan smiled, stepping forward to bow.
“Why not? With your talent, you *should* crush all opposition! Those who refuse to submit, suppress them! You must have this unyielding dominance!” Wang Changhe declared.
Qing Yi, Cao Yusheng, and the others frowned. Was this man deliberately elevating Jin Zhan to target Shi Hao?
Wang Changhe didn’t even glance at Shi Hao, but in the moment he turned away, a cold glint flashed deep in his eyes—though he said nothing.
The Wang Clan had a hundred thousand elite soldiers here, with the Five Dragons exiled among them—a formidable force.
**Boom!**
A giant foot descended from the sky—a titan had come to fetch his descendant, a young golden giant.
Soon, another spatial gate appeared, and figures from immortal families emerged to collect Lan Xian, Qi Gu, Yi Yi, and others.
**Boom!**
This time, a divine gate materialized, and several elders stepped out to receive the Little Heavenly King. His background was so immense that top-tier experts had come personally.
“Let us go, old friends. The clans can collect their disciples—we should catch up.” The one who had tolled the bell led the elderly sages away.
The rumble of a war chariot announced the arrival of the Jin Clan, pulled by nine different divine beasts—each one a monstrous terror that made experts shudder.
They had come for Jin Zhan, their display of grandeur overwhelming!
“Damn it, who’s coming for *me*? My master’s probably still sleeping who-knows-where, and who knows how many more years he’ll nap!” Cao Yusheng muttered, watching enviously as disciples were collected.
Next, Qing Yi, Yue Chan, the Witch, and others were fetched by their respective sects—for in the Nine Heavens, the Dao of Supplements and the Dao of Severing were both immortal traditions!
The Supplements Sect and Severing Sect of the lower realm were but powerful branches of these!
Then, even the low-key Chang Gongyan and the Dragon Maiden were collected—one a secret disciple of an ancient sect, the other the heir of the undersea Dragon Palace!
Another ancient monster appeared, sending a chill through the crowd. Many clan experts retreated as he took away the Ten Crown King, Tian Zi.
“No wonder, no wonder! So *he* is the one behind him!” someone sighed.
This old monster’s origins were too great—a legendary figure who appeared and vanished like a divine dragon, hailing from the Nine Heavens but dwelling in the Imperial Pass. His power was terrifying; some said he might be a descendant of the True Dragon!
“I’m starting to feel like we’re the poor ones here. Might not get picked up at all,” Cao Yusheng whispered to Shi Hao, his expression awkward.
They had declined invitations from the Lunar Jade Rabbit, Chang Gongyan, Qing Yi, and others, choosing not to leave with them. Now, it seemed no one was coming for them.
**Boom!**
A mighty figure arrived to fetch the Six Crown King, Ning Chuan.
“Of course *he* gets a big shot coming for him,” Cao Yusheng grumbled, disgruntled.
Group after group of beings appeared to collect their disciples, and even after most had been claimed, many experts lingered.
Great Xu Tuo, Princess Yao Yue—all had powerful escorts.
In the end, only a handful of youths remained unclaimed—among them Cao Yusheng, Shi Hao, Shi Yi, and Qin Hao!
“Haha, look—the three Shi brothers, truly without anyone to fetch them,” someone mocked.
“Who said that? What do you mean?” Qin Hao snapped, scanning the crowd.
Wang Changhe of the Wang Clan smirked, eyeing Shi Hao. “Ah, so this junior is a remnant of the Shi Clan, a descendant of the Sinful Blood. Yet in recent years, he’s dared to act arrogantly in the Nine Heavens. Only now do we see his roots are impure—a *major* problem!”
Many turned to stare at the three Shi brothers.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage