“The descendant of the invincible one? Who’s that?” muttered the Heavenly Horned Ant, not particularly concerned.
Especially since it had outright ignored the descendants of True Immortals, not even bothering to ask about them.
The messenger, feeling awkward, reminded, “There are also descendants of True Immortals!”
“Are descendants of True Immortals that impressive? I’ve seen plenty—Wang Xi, Jin Zhan, aren’t they all from immortal families, descendants of True Immortals?” The Heavenly Horned Ant scoffed.
“Uh… those you haven’t met belong to three immortal families within the Emperor’s Pass.” The messenger wiped his sweat, encountering such a brash ant for the first time—one who didn’t even regard the heirs of immortal families.
“Descendants? Not even the True Immortal’s own children. I’ve met Wang Changsheng, the real ‘immortal brat,’ so naturally, I’m not interested in those descendants. Remember, over a year ago, we even fought at the Wang Family. Wang Changsheng was all mystical and eerie—definitely scarier than his descendants!”
The messenger was speechless. What kind of monster was this? To disdain immortal families so much, even mocking Wang Changsheng—calling him an “immortal brat”? Who dared address an ancient being who had lived countless years like that?
“Quiet, lower your voice, or you’ll bring disaster upon yourself!” the messenger urged, wiping cold sweat.
“You don’t recognize me?” The Heavenly Horned Ant was surprised.
In the distance, Shi Hao approached, utterly speechless. The messenger flaunting True Immortal descendants in front of the little Heavenly Horned Ant? That was truly a mismatch.
Unless it was the True Immortal’s own child, how could anyone compare to this little golden ant? This was the offspring of one of the Ten Fierce!
Back then, though the Heavenly Horned Ant among the Ten Fierce wasn’t an Immortal King and hadn’t attained that Dao Fruit, its combat prowess was unquestionable, nearly reaching that level.
“You… who are you?” The messenger eyed the little golden ant on the envelope suspiciously.
He was still holding the envelope when this ant suddenly jumped onto it, now speaking in such a tone—it left him utterly baffled.
The little ant glanced at him sideways. “Kid, you’re not being honest, deliberately ignoring and mocking me, right?”
The messenger wiped his sweat. Just moments ago, this ant had called Wang Changsheng an “immortal brat,” and now it was acting all high and mighty, calling him a “kid.” He was about to faint.
“I just emerged from seclusion, having been cultivating these past few years…” the messenger explained.
Shi Hao walked over and chuckled. “This is the Heavenly Horned Ant, the offspring of one of the Ten Fierce.”
“This… ah, I… I’m leaving!” The messenger fled in panic. Truthfully, he wanted to observe the legendary Heavenly Horned Ant, but hearing it call Wang Changsheng a “brat” made him feel like his backside was on fire. He didn’t dare engage further, terrified it might say something even more outrageous and bring him calamity.
At the village entrance, he paused, handed the letter to a child from the tribe, then turned and bolted, thoroughly flustered.
“Three days later, at the Azure Fall Lake…” Shi Hao murmured after reading the invitation, tossing it casually onto a wooden table.
“Shi Hao, I’m out of seclusion! Heard you stirred up trouble in the desert, reaped great rewards, and killed two royal experts?” Cao Yousheng rushed over.
Separated from Shi Hao’s tribe by just a great river, he was the closest acquaintance in a neighboring clan.
Hearing his shout and that nickname, Shi Hao’s forehead darkened.
“Fatty, what’s all the noise about?” Shi Hao glared.
Cao Yousheng chuckled awkwardly, then added, “By the way, who was that guy who just ran out of the Shi Clan? Said he was delivering invitations to young geniuses. Damn it, he’d never heard of me—didn’t even have an invitation for me! I gave him a good thrashing!”
Shi Hao was speechless, staring at this fatty, unsure what to say.
“You brat, that’s not honest!” Even the Heavenly Horned Ant couldn’t stand it. At least it had only reasoned with the man, not resorted to violence.
…
After learning the details, Cao Yousheng fumed. “Ignored me, dismissed me—what’s so great about them? Fine, I won’t go. No, wait—I’m definitely going. The more they exclude me, the more I’ll attend!”
“What’s there to fight over? Here’s my invitation—take it.” Shi Hao turned, ready to resume his cultivation and ponder his own Dao.
“Uh, this has your name on it!” Cao Yousheng pointed out.
“You brat, really going?” The Heavenly Horned Ant eyed him, never having seen such a shameless fatty, actually studying the invitation.
“Going! Definitely going! I’m coming with you!” Cao Yousheng grabbed Shi Hao.
“Not interested,” Shi Hao said.
“We’re in the Emperor’s Pass—they’re inviting us warmly. How can we refuse? Besides, we’ll be fighting alongside them in the future. Might as well get acquainted now, build some rapport.” Cao Yousheng wheedled relentlessly.
In the Emperor’s Pass, the younger generation was abuzz lately, especially the elites and strongest heirs of each clan, all awaiting invitations.
Sadly, many were destined for disappointment—no invitation, no chance to attend the rumored high-profile gathering of geniuses.
Word spread that a gathering of the younger generation would take place at Azure Fall Lake, featuring scripture discussions and Dao debates.
If people knew Shi Hao was reluctant to go, they’d be stunned. Many longed for an invitation, only to be left wanting.
“They say there’ll be exotic treasures brought back from the other side on display.”
“That’s nothing. The real highlight is later—rumor has it someone obtained clues about an immortal herb outside the Emperor’s Pass, with ancient maps marking its locations. They’ll be shown at the gathering for all to see.”
“I heard they’ll even discuss secrets of the forbidden zones!”
Throughout the Emperor’s Pass, young cultivators buzzed with excitement, even if they couldn’t attend.
“Which forbidden zone?”
“Obviously the ones in the Nine Heavens!”
“What?!”
This shocked many. Such places weren’t to be mentioned lightly—doing so could invite disaster.
“Rumor has it they even sent an invitation to one of the forbidden zones. No idea if anyone will come.”
This news caused quite a stir, leaving many astonished.
The forbidden zones of the Nine Heavens—what kind of places were those? True dragon’s dens and tiger’s lairs, where even the slightest misstep could cost blood and soul!
Moreover, for ages, these zones had been lifeless and silent. Sending an invitation—would any being actually emerge?
“This gathering… will be legendary!” someone marveled.
If a being from a forbidden zone attended, even if young and untested, it would send shockwaves through all clans.
People wondered whose idea this was—who dared such a thing?
The forbidden zones of the Nine Heavens were unimaginably terrifying and mysterious. In some ways, they represented a level no weaker than the legendary figures of history!
Fortunately, they were reclusive, remaining silent for eons.
Otherwise, had they turned hostile, the world would’ve plunged into chaos, and the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths might’ve been doomed!
Three days passed in a blink.
In a scenic, perpetually mist-shrouded part of the Emperor’s Pass, Azure Fall Lake shimmered like an emerald jewel, radiant and ethereal, exuding immortal energy.
Legend held that an immortal once dwelled here in ancient times.
Surrounding the lake were spirit mountains—some glowing with sacred light, others pitch-black yet emanating a profound Dao rhythm, and still others purple-gold, resembling imperial swords thrust into the earth.
Many peaks floated midair, wreathed in mist, like a celestial realm.
Shi Hao arrived, unable to resist Cao Yousheng’s pestering, leaving the Shi Clan’s territory for this distant gathering.
From afar, they saw the majestic scene—immortal mist swirling over the lake and surrounding peaks.
“Will there really be beings from the forbidden zones? I’d love to see what they look like!” the little golden ant said.
Shi Hao remained silent, but that was precisely why he’d come—his main purpose for attending.
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