Chapter 1535: The Return

The Imperial Pass loomed ahead, majestic and grand!

Ancient and weathered, its towering walls were built from countless fallen stars. Though worn by time, its imposing aura felt like the weight of the entire universe pressing down.

Meng Tianzheng stood tall before the pass, his golden battle armor shattered and stained with dark-red blood. His thick black hair cascaded down to his waist, and his deep, piercing eyes brimmed with restrained vigor. This was him in his golden prime!

“Elder, are you alright?” Shi Hao asked, deeply concerned. Just moments ago, the elder had fought a bloody battle alone, slaying two supreme beings—a feat of unparalleled brilliance.

Had circumstances not changed—had more reinforcements not arrived from the Beast Forest—Meng Tianzheng might have even killed a third supreme being. Before leaving, he had already cleaved his opponent’s body in two.

This was a world-shaking achievement, one that would send tremors across the land if word spread.

Perhaps this was the most astonishing battle of the current era, a clash at the pinnacle of mortal limits!

The elder said nothing, shaking his head slightly. A small altar, no taller than a fist, materialized in his palm. It glowed brightly before tearing open a spatial passage.

Whoosh!

In the next instant, Shi Hao and Meng Tianzheng vanished from their spot, stepping into the passage and heading straight for the Imperial City!

Meanwhile, in the vast desert, figures howled through the winds, their roars shaking heaven and earth. The golden sands churned violently, revealing countless skeletal remains beneath—fallen warriors of the past, their divine bones rising and falling in the waves of sand, a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Several figures stood before the Imperial Pass, their expressions icy and murderous. Yet, they could do nothing—this city was impregnable.

Further away, more figures loomed, their auras overwhelming, their blood energy so dense it blotted out the sun and moon!

The supreme beings from the foreign realm had pursued them here, but all they could do was seethe in frustration—entry was impossible.

“It won’t be long now. Our realm will breach this pass and fully unlock this ancient city!” someone declared coldly.

At that moment, light erupted from within the city gates—a vast plaza where armies usually gathered before marching out.

“Eh? Someone’s crossing through space, entering the city via a passage.”

“Ah, it must be another search party returning for Shi Hao. What a pity—the Beast Forest is surrounded. No one can get in.”

“Shi Hao’s fate is truly tragic. To perish so young, trapped in a dead zone with no hope of rescue.”

Whispers spread among the crowd. Clearly, news of recent events beyond the border had already reached the city, stirring widespread attention.

The foreign army had stationed itself outside the Beast Forest, their killing intent overwhelming. The Imperial Pass had long been aware, keeping a close watch.

But that place was a death trap, and the foreign creatures had gone mad. Though the cultivators within the pass wished to help, they were powerless.

Many had wanted to rescue Shi Hao, and dozens of teams had been dispatched. Most were persuaded to turn back by the elder, unwilling to let them risk their lives.

A few had insisted on going, only to return in despair upon seeing the endless ranks of armored soldiers surrounding the Beast Forest.

“Can Elder Meng Tianzheng succeed?” someone murmured hopefully, praying he could bring Shi Hao back alive.

By now, many knew that Shi Hao had obtained a wooden chest beyond the border—the very reason the foreign realm had gone berserk. Whatever it contained, it was of immense importance.

“Word has it that Shi Hao slaughtered countless enemies from the foreign realm, moving freely through the dead zone. It’s astonishing!”

Secret reports had caused a sensation upon their return.

The foreign realm’s hunt for Shi Hao had cost them many young elites, sparking cheers among the passionate youths of the Imperial Pass.

“They’re here! They’ve appeared!”

The crowd turned toward the plaza, where a massive altar stood.

Whether entering or exiting the city, all had to undergo strict inspection by the city’s formations—even their life imprints were scrutinized to ensure the pass’s safety.

Thus, whether a group or a single individual passed through, it always took a fixed amount of time.

“Heavens! It’s Elder Meng!”

“Am I seeing things? Who’s that with him? Shi Hao… he’s back!”

Shouts erupted around the altar as people stared in disbelief.

A towering figure clad in tattered golden armor, his hair streaked with blood, stood upon the altar with Shi Hao at his side—like a war god returning in triumph.

Many rubbed their eyes, confirming they weren’t mistaken, and burst into cheers.

“Elder Meng’s might is peerless! He actually fought his way back with Shi Hao!”

“By the heavens, this is truly divine valor!”

“The foreign army surrounded the Beast Forest, with multiple supreme beings guarding it, yet they couldn’t stop Elder Meng! He brought Shi Hao back!”

Everyone knew Meng Tianzheng must have endured an unimaginably brutal battle to break through the encirclement and bring Shi Hao back safely.

It went without saying—this had been a clash at the supreme level, a battle beyond mortal comprehension.

The blood staining Meng Tianzheng’s shattered armor spoke volumes. To fight a supreme being and survive—that alone was the greatest victory!

“Spread the word!”

News traveled fast, though not as swiftly as Meng Tianzheng himself. A golden path unfurled beneath his feet as he and Shi Hao vanished into the depths of the Imperial Pass.

“A miracle! Shi Hao has returned, alive from the border’s dead zone!”

The announcement sent shockwaves through the pass, stirring uproar. Everyone had assumed Shi Hao was doomed, yet Meng Tianzheng had defied all expectations, emerging victorious from a blood-soaked battle.

The entire city erupted in excitement. Despite its vast size, word spread like wildfire, igniting fervor everywhere.

This was monumental.

Shi Hao had secured a priceless treasure—one that had driven the foreign realm to madness. And yet, he had survived.

“Did he bring back the rotten wooden chest?” Many were eager to know, especially certain powerful factions.

At the same time, awe spread regarding Meng Tianzheng’s prowess. What divine might did one need to breach a million-strong foreign army and rescue a disciple?

“Peerless and divine—Elder Meng is truly invincible! Had the times not changed, he would have long ascended to immortality!”

“Where is Shi Hao? We must see him—and Elder Meng!”

Voices clamored in excitement, all desperate for details about what had transpired beyond the border.

A golden path stretched endlessly across the city, but midway, the elder and Shi Hao suddenly descended.

“Ah! It’s Elder Meng!”

Someone spotted them and shouted, drawing a crowd that bowed deeply, their eyes blazing with admiration.

At this moment, the elder seemed like a battle immortal reborn, inspiring reverence in all who beheld him.

“Don’t disturb the elder just yet. He fought multiple supreme beings and is injured,” Shi Hao cautioned, his worry evident.

“What?!” The crowd was stunned. To battle several supreme beings alone—what unparalleled courage!

“What was the outcome?” Though they could see the elder had returned safely, their hearts still raced.

“The elder slew two supreme beings and severely wounded another. Had more foreign reinforcements not arrived, his triumph would have been even greater!” Shi Hao declared.

Boom!

The crowd erupted.

Blood surged through their veins as they gazed at the elder in his youthful prime, their eyes filled with fervent respect.

“Glory to the Imperial Pass! Elder Meng is a legend!”

Some roared in exhilaration.

“Come with me,” Meng Tianzheng said to Shi Hao.

Ahead lay a misty mountain range shrouded in chaotic energy. The elder led Shi Hao into the woods, where an ancient palace stood—one of his secluded cultivation sites.

The others halted, unable to follow.

“Elder, how are you really?” Shi Hao grew increasingly anxious, fearing the worst.

He quickly produced a jade vial containing a radiant leaf—a fragment of immortal medicine he had recently acquired.

The elder shook his head, refusing it. Cracks spiderwebbed across his body like fractured porcelain, as if he might shatter at any moment.

“A pity… just one step short,” the elder sighed.

Shi Hao’s heart sank.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine. I merely regret that the attacks and tempering weren’t more severe—it could have been an opportunity,” the elder explained.

He then revealed the unique ancient method he practiced.

“I once attempted to forge my body as a seed, but it nearly killed me. I was reborn from the ashes of calamity. This time, I sought to temper myself further, but the trial fell short…”

His words left Shi Hao stunned.

The elder was at a critical juncture in his cultivation. During the battle, he had deliberately engaged in direct clashes, forgoing finesse to use the supreme beings’ attacks as a crucible for his own transformation.

It had been perilous—every strike could have been fatal.

Shi Hao realized the elder might have been even stronger than he had shown in battle.

“The tempering was insufficient. I must seclude myself and attempt a breakthrough,” the elder said. His injuries were indeed severe.

With a wave of his hand, the rotten wooden chest appeared in his palm. Earlier, he had concealed its aura with his power. Now, he studied it closely.

After a long moment, he sighed. Even during the battle, he had scrutinized it but found nothing.

Returning the chest to Shi Hao, he admitted he couldn’t open it either.

“You’ve slain countless enemies, dealing the foreign realm a heavy blow. Don’t downplay your achievements. This time, your merits are immense—the Shi Clan in the Imperial Pass may yet be absolved,” the elder advised.

Shi Hao bowed deeply, his respect for the elder boundless. Without him, he would never have returned alive.

“Go now,” the elder said, closing his eyes. He needed seclusion—both to pursue his ultimate transformation and to heal his grievous wounds.