Beyond the Imperial Pass, one decree after another soared into the sky, burning as if performing an ancient sacrificial rite.
In the golden desert, the sound of war horns echoed, as if countless mighty soldiers were advancing, ready to assault the Imperial Pass.
The Abyss of Heaven, like a colossal inverted funnel, spun ceaselessly with a thunderous roar, black lightning intertwining as blood rain poured down.
Moreover, the weeping of immortal beings faintly manifested amidst the storm, as though countless ancient creatures were awakening, all growling in unison.
The scene was utterly terrifying. As the decrees rose from the distant desert, the battlefield of sacrifice, astonishing changes unfolded beneath the Abyss of Heaven.
It was as if the end of the world was nigh—black lightning and crimson thunder intertwined, coiling together, while torrents of blood rain cascaded even more violently.
Heaven and earth trembled; the ground quaked.
The Imperial Pass, vast and ancient, was built from the remnants of stars, yet even it now shook as if on the verge of collapse.
An indescribable aura spread and reverberated, shaking the mortal realm across countless miles, unstoppable, sweeping through the heavens and the earth!
“Have the Undying Kings truly awakened in full? They are about to make their move!”
Within the Imperial Pass, an elder suddenly opened his eyes, two cold beams shooting forth. He had been seated in meditation for untold millennia, his body covered in dust.
Even his face was obscured by layers of accumulated grime, as if he were a statue molded from clay.
This was one of the invincible beings from the Ancestral Altar. Even when the Rotten Wooden Chest was brought back, he had not emerged. But now, sensing the changes outside, he was roused.
“The power of the Undying…” Others across the land sighed softly.
Even Jin Tai Jun was no exception. Standing atop an ancient mountain, she gazed toward the horizon. Despite the protection of the Imperial Pass, a tremor of fear gripped her heart.
For it was the aura of the Undying Kings, permeating the air.
Even with the defenses of the Imperial Pass, that mysterious fluctuation seemed to penetrate effortlessly.
Yet, it carried no destructive force—only a faint pressure that made even Supreme beings feel a pang of dread and oppression.
Only they could perceive it, for others remained oblivious, merely sensing that a great upheaval was coming beyond the borderlands. But without reaching that level of cultivation, they could not fathom the terror of the Undying Kings.
Like deer trembling at a lion’s roar, while ants remain unaware.
And the ants, undoubtedly, were those at the Dunyi realm and below!
Of course, this was not absolute. A rare few among lower-realm cultivators could still sense it—such as Shi Hao, whose heart stirred restlessly, as if a towering immortal mountain loomed before him, threatening to crush him.
The Imperial Pass was sealed; none could enter from the outside.
Only through teleportation arrays could one enter the city.
But now, a section of the city wall had opened, and a single figure ascended the ancient, towering ramparts that rivaled the heavens, gazing toward the foreign realm.
Every brick and stone of this wall was the remnant of a fallen star, a testament to its staggering height. Standing atop it was like standing at the pinnacle of the cosmos.
Gazing toward the foreign realm, this man’s eyes shone brilliantly.
He was Wang Changsheng, standing motionless, silently observing the golden desert.
In the past, few could ascend here to look upon the foreign realm, for the entire city had always been sealed, blocking the sole passage between the two worlds.
Soon, Jin Tai Jun arrived as well, standing there in silence at first.
“If they come this time, all who resist will perish,” a hoarse, aged voice echoed from the city wall—Wang Changsheng’s.
He appeared no older than sixteen or seventeen, his face unnervingly youthful, like a teenager. Yet his voice was ancient, his gaze filled with the weight of time.
“The tide of fate presses upon us; resistance is futile,” Jin Tai Jun replied.
Soon, three more figures appeared on the wall—invincible beings of the Imperial Pass, who usually meditated within the Ancestral Altar.
Shrouded in chaotic mist, their forms blurred, they too silently gazed toward the foreign realm.
In the golden desert, the vast fluctuations grew even more intense. Dozens, even hundreds, of decrees soared into the sky, each one radiant.
When the decrees reached a certain height, they suddenly ignited midair, constructing the most intricate runes, imprinting themselves upon the void.
The sound of sacrifice arose, as if countless souls wept, prayed, and prostrated, communing with an unseen force to open a terrifying passage.
“This time, we are truly in peril!”
One of the invincible beings spoke—the master of Qi Hong, the original owner of the Five Spirit War Chariot. Standing amidst chaos, he gazed toward the borderlands.
How could they survive this calamity? The Undying Kings had awakened, preparing to unleash world-shaking methods, sparing no cost to breach the barrier of the Abyss of Heaven!
Even Supreme beings felt their hearts tremble, waves of dread surging within.
None but they could sense that aura—the mysterious fluctuations of the Undying Kings, the terrifying power that spilled forth upon their revival, spreading across heaven and earth!
Soon, they saw the black tide on the horizon—an endless army of the foreign realm, advancing relentlessly!
Like a flood, they filled the ends of the earth, a dark, oppressive mass that sent chills down the spine, a murderous aura blanketing the world.
Boom!
The entire city wall shook as if struck by a massive impact.
“Indeed, this is the prelude to the final battle. They have summoned the foreign realm’s Dao aura, using the power of that world to assail us!” a Supreme being sighed.
But this was not the gravest concern. The most terrifying prospect was that the Undying Kings might soon act. If they were willing to pay any price, who could say the Abyss of Heaven would hold?
“Summon the leaders of every clan to the wall!” one of the invincible beings commanded. As an ancient Supreme being, his words carried immense weight, uniting all clans.
The Imperial Pass could no longer remain calm. The strongest of every clan, their leaders, all mobilized, gathering toward this section of the wall.
Shi Hao and the others were naturally alarmed. Even his illustrious achievements and the dazzling light he had summoned now seemed dim.
For a cataclysmic event was unfolding, drawing all eyes away. No matter how dazzling Shi Hao had been, in the face of impending doom, his brilliance paled.
Clearly, these youths had no right to ascend that special section of the wall.
But they had heard the news and gathered below, gazing upward, awaiting word.
In truth, the wall was so vast and imposing, its presence crushing the ages, that even standing near it felt like gazing up at the heavens.
“This time, the foreign realm’s extreme reaction must have a cause. If my prediction is correct, it is related to the Rotten Wooden Chest that Shi Hao brought back,” Jin Tai Jun said upon the ancient, weathered wall.
Now, figures gathered—the leaders of every clan, most at the Dunyi realm, the strongest cultivators among them.
All wore grave expressions as they looked beyond the city!
“Bring Shi Hao up as well. This matter stems from him; he deserves a place here,” Jin Tai Jun spoke again.
Silence reigned. The great cultivators of every clan remained solemn, their eyes glinting with sharp light.
Below the wall, Shi Hao was surprised by the order. He was to ascend the wall?
He had heard that only clan leaders and figures of that stature were permitted there.
“Whose command is this?” Qing Yi asked the messenger, puzzled.
“Jin Tai Jun’s!”
“What?!” Many youths exclaimed in shock—Cao Yusheng, Chang Gongyan, the Jade Rabbit of the Moon, and others.
Even members of the Jin and Wang families showed surprise.
“No, you mustn’t go up! That old witch is no benevolent figure!” Cao Yusheng whispered urgently, not daring to call her a witch aloud.
After all, she was a Supreme being, overlooking all under heaven. If she crushed him publicly, none would dare oppose her.
“Don’t go. There’s something amiss here!” the seductive demoness of the Jietian Dao also warned Shi Hao, shaking her head.
Many others echoed the warning, wary of Jin Tai Jun.
But how could he refuse a Supreme being’s command?
“I’ll go and see what this is about,” Shi Hao said, determined to uncover the truth.
“Then we’ll accompany you! We want to witness the spectacle of the foreign realm’s army!” Cao Yusheng and the others declared.
This time, many stepped forward, eager to see—even Shi Yi, who wished to behold the scale of the enemy’s forces.
Perhaps due to the day’s significance, or perhaps because no one cared to stop them, the group of youths ascended the wall unchallenged.
Among them were Da Xu Tuo, Lan Xian, the Little Heavenly King, the Ten Crowned King, and many others.
The wall was majestic, rivaling the heavens, shining alongside the sun and moon.
Its ancient, weathered surface bore the marks of countless divine weapons, yet it stood unyielding through the ages, sealing the passage to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
“So many of them!” A youth gasped upon reaching the top, his face paling.
Below, an endless black tide stretched beyond sight—the army of the foreign realm, advancing from the horizon, an oppressive sight unlike any before.
Never had such a force been seen.
Past battles, though fierce, paled in comparison. The desert was now filled to the brim.
This section of the wall was special. No matter how high or imposing, it allowed a clear view of the ground below, and the tremors were palpable.
An infinite army approached—black armor, gleaming blades, shadowy spears, massive halberds, bloodied pikes, and ferocious mounts.
This steel tide rolled forth, shaking heaven and earth!
Yet, despite their numbers, not a sound was made—no shouts, no beastly roars—just silent, relentless advance.
This silence only deepened the suffocating pressure.
The army was vast but impeccably ordered, advancing in perfect unison, their synchronized steps resonating like a single, oppressive drumbeat.
Then, they halted, still silent, stretching beyond sight, motionless before the Imperial Pass.
Only when a black war chariot slowly approached from the distance was the silence broken.
“Surrender Shi Hao and the wooden chest, and the Imperial Pass shall remain undisturbed!” A cold, authoritative voice rang out.
“You think we’ll obey just because you say so?!” someone on the wall retorted.
“Hand over Shi Hao and the chest, and our Undying Kings swear not to attack for ten thousand years. Otherwise, this city will drown in blood!”
These words sent shockwaves through all who heard them.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage