The best outcome might be to carve out a forbidden zone of his own, guarding those who need guarding.
Accompanied by Shi Hao’s desolate expression and calm words, a wave of sorrow washed over everyone. A young man of great merit had been pushed to such a desperate step.
Some great cultivators couldn’t help but step forward, seeking to stop this.
But Jin Tai Jun cast a cold glance their way. The aura of a Supreme Being was invincible, like a dragon gazing down upon ants—the gap was simply too vast!
“Fang, what do you mean by this? Give us an explanation!” Nearby, a follower of the Jin Clan demanded.
He was a high-ranking commander, having long since entered the Dunyi Realm, a formidable figure. At this moment, he sat astride a nine-headed serpent, his gaze fixed in their direction.
In truth, this was what many in the Jin Clan wanted to ask. They found Fang’s words grating, unsettling them deeply.
“What do you mean by carving out a forbidden zone? Even if you have the ability to return, you won’t participate in future battles, is that it?” someone shouted.
“Are you nursing a grudge? Do you resent the Imperial Pass because you feel wronged?” another asked more bluntly.
The Jin faction, the Wang faction, and others all turned their eyes toward him, their expressions hostile yet laced with deep apprehension. If that day truly came, would Fang raise his blade against them?
Many shuddered inwardly. Fang’s talent was undeniable. If he were given time to grow, who could predict how far he would go?
“What right do you have to question Shi Hao like this?” Qing Yi spoke up. Other youths, like the Heavenly Horned Ant, were equally indignant, voicing their reproaches.
“Hah!” Shi Hao let out a light scoff, his eyes filled with disdain and resignation. “If I were selfish, I wouldn’t have fought so desperately against the other realm, risking death beyond the border. Nor would I have agreed to this suicide mission now.”
“Then… what do you mean?” someone from the Du Clan asked.
“You clearly implied it yourself just now,” a powerhouse from the Pixiu Clan added.
“If I enter the other realm and somehow survive, do you think they’d let me go unchecked? There will be blood oaths binding causality and other means. I’ll be barred from aiding you in the future,” Shi Hao said, his tone bleak. He sighed not just for the grim outcome but also for the coldness of being doubted.
The crowd was left speechless, awkwardly realizing they had been judging a noble heart with petty minds.
“Don’t go!” At this moment, the Heavenly Horned Ant, Cao Yusheng, Chang Gong Yan, and others crowded around, blocking Shi Hao’s path, refusing to let him leave.
This journey was fraught with uncertainty, impossible to predict.
Though they had earlier wished for Shi Hao to rebel, now that the moment had come, none wanted him to depart. Given a choice, who would willingly leave their homeland?
More than that, they feared for his safety. The Supreme Being in the black war chariot below the city, though of noble status—could his words truly be trusted?
Shi Hao had slaughtered countless enemies beyond the border. Alone, he had trapped and killed thousands, with over a hundred great cultivators among the fallen. Such a terrifying record.
Once he entered that realm, enemies would be everywhere. The number of grudges held against him would be staggering. Could he survive in such a hostile environment?
Perhaps the moment he arrived, a powerful figure from some clan would kill him without hesitation.
“Take care,” Shi Hao said, patting Chang Gong Yan and the Lunar Jade Rabbit on the shoulders. Those were his only words; the rest remained unspoken.
Years would pass, the future unknown. This might be a final farewell, never to meet again. And even if they did, the world would have changed beyond recognition.
No one wanted to see this. Even Shi Yi, once his rival, stepped forward and asked, “Is this worth it?”
Shi Hao didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at him and said, “As fellow members of the Shi Clan, you are destined for greatness. Please look after the so-called descendants of sin.”
“Descendants of sin? I see now—this is forcing rebellion!” Cao Yusheng growled.
Qing Yi stepped forward, gazing into Shi Hao’s eyes before embracing him lightly. Struggling to remain composed, her voice trembled as she said, “Take… care.”
“Elder, can this decision not be changed?” A great cultivator spoke up, astride a Devouring Beast, his tiger-like eyes blazing. These commanders felt deeply unsettled, wishing to stop this.
“Fellow Daoist Jin, if this proceeds, it will end badly,” an invincible powerhouse added, looking at Jin Tai Jun.
“I ask only this: if we can secure five hundred years of peace, await reinforcements, and alter the fate of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, would you refuse?” Jin Tai Jun countered.
“Are you certain there will be no mistake?” Shi Hao asked.
“I am certain,” Jin Tai Jun replied. Ordinarily, she would never deign to answer a junior, but today was different.
“Good. I’ll go to the other realm,” Shi Hao said, nodding decisively.
“I can’t take this! I’m leaving the Imperial Pass to seek help!” Cao Yusheng roared, the first to leap off the wall, unable to accept this outcome.
“We agree to hand over Fang!” At this moment, Jin Tai Jun transmitted her voice downward, communicating with the presence in the black war chariot.
The matter was settled.
“Hahaha… excellent!” came the reply from below.
On the city walls, many wore grim expressions. The war faction clenched their fists, humiliated. Today’s events would be etched into their hearts forever.
As for the Jin Clan, their followers, and those clans hoping for peace, they now wore expressions of joy and excitement.
“We are not heartless. Fang may take time to settle his affairs before departing,” came the voice from below.
“Do you need it?” someone beside Jin Tai Jun asked, looking at Shi Hao.
“I do,” Shi Hao replied coldly.
“Young friend, what wishes do you have? We will do our utmost to fulfill them,” an invincible powerhouse stepped forward. Normally stern, he now wore a look of shame.
Yet he had no choice. A bloody war would doom the Imperial Pass, while this path offered hope to preserve all clans.
“On the battlefield, I will wash away this disgrace with blood, even if I die beyond the border,” another invincible said, also asking Shi Hao for his requests.
“I seek to absolve the so-called sins of the Shi Clan in the Imperial Pass,” Shi Hao said.
“Agreed. From this day forth, the ancestral sins of the Shi Clan are erased!” an invincible vowed.
“This… violates the edicts of our predecessors,” someone from the Du Clan muttered.
“Silence!” an invincible roared, glaring coldly until the Du Clan’s commander nearly collapsed.
“I pledge that the Shi Clan’s sins shall be erased,” said the master of the Five Spirit War Chariot, Qi Hong’s teacher.
Jin Tai Jun offered no objection, nodding in agreement.
“No need. My merits are sufficient. This border war alone should cleanse their so-called sins and punishments,” Shi Hao said.
He would tally his merits to absolve the Shi Clan in the Imperial Pass.
These words moved many, their expressions shifting—some ashamed, others shocked, their emotions complex.
Even now, Fang refused their aid, using his own merits to erase the blood and sins of the Shi Clan.
The matter was swiftly arranged. Shi Hao produced his Merit Token, a pristine white bone plaque glowing brilliantly, its radiance soaring skyward, ribbons of auspicious light rising one after another—proof of Fang’s achievements!
Even prepared, the crowd was stunned. How many enemies had this young man slain to amass such merits?
The beams of light were countless, the colors dense, forming a continuous tapestry. The elders recounted them, moved yet conflicted.
Such a prodigy, with such merits, was now being forced to walk to his death alone in the other realm. Countless lamented the tragedy.
Some were furious, believing Fang’s departure marked a great loss for the Imperial Pass.
The Shi Clan now numbered only a thousand, their cultivations weak. Fang’s merits were enough to buy their freedom, lifting the weight of their sins.
“Distribute my remaining merits to other so-called sin-blooded clans like the Shi,” Shi Hao requested, then turned to the invincibles. “Please lessen their so-called sins as much as possible.”
In the end, he sighed softly, making this plea.
“Granted. What else do you wish?”
“I hope my parents, family, and friends remain safe.” Shi Hao turned and walked alone toward the city gates, where an altar stood to send him beyond the walls.
His figure was solitary, his back desolate, evoking a profound sense of loneliness and sorrow.
“Since it is so, go now,” Jin Tai Jun said.
“Young friend, what… else do you wish?” An invincible stepped forward, guilt-ridden, wanting to do more.
“I belong to this world. If I die, I wish my bones returned, buried here,” Shi Hao said.
These words struck the sentimental youths hard. Fang’s journey was perilous; too many in the other realm hated him.
Moreover, the Supreme in the black chariot had given no guarantee of his survival.
“If I meet misfortune, I hope someone will retrieve my body and bury me in this land,” Shi Hao said.
At this, whether Chang Gong Yan, the Heavenly Horned Ant, the Lunar Jade Rabbit, or others like Da Xu Tuo, Lan Xian, the Wei Clan’s Four Phoenixes, and Tuo Gu Yu Long, all sighed, hearts aching.
Some, like Qing Yi, were deeply pained.
Even the great cultivators, the commanders, fell silent, mouths agape, powerless in the face of this scene, their hearts stirred.
Such a young man, walking to his death—it was too tragic, too regrettable.
“Who will accompany Fang? Given the other realm’s warlike nature, they may not harm his companion. If Fang falls… bring him back!”
An invincible spoke. His “if” clearly meant death in that realm.
Who would retrieve Shi Hao’s body?
After a brief silence, many roared, volunteering to go.
Shi Hao was surprised, touched. Turning back, he smiled faintly and pointed at one who had remained silent.
“Will you come with me?” He pointed at Jin Zhan. Instantly, the Jin Clan’s faces darkened.
Some nearly shouted in protest. Jin Zhan was their most outstanding genius in recent history—they would never permit it.
But the words died in their throats. Earlier, Jin Tai Jun had declared that if needed, she would send Jin descendants to die in the other realm.
Jin Zhan glanced at Jin Tai Jun, who remained silent.
“Fang, isn’t this too much? If the other realm is ruthless and kills Jin Zhan, wouldn’t we lose a prodigy and weaken the Imperial Pass?” someone from the Jin Clan finally spoke up.
“Hahaha…” Shi Hao laughed, looking at the Jin Clan, then Jin Tai Jun and Jin Zhan. “Forget it. I merely jested. How could I trouble the noble Jin Clan? I’ll go alone!”
Laughing, he turned and strode away, his steps resolute.
“Young friend, we can grant your wish. Someone will accompany you, to bring you back one day,” an invincible said.
“Unnecessary. A man wanders the world; every place is home. Where I die, bury me there. All green mountains are the same!” Shi Hao declared, not looking back.
A nameless emotion spread among the crowd, hearts aching with indescribable sorrow.
The world fell silent, words failing them.
Many youths felt lost and mournful, grieving for Fang, their hearts wounded.
The great cultivators, though silent, were clearly unsettled, fists clenched.
Only the Jin Clan wore grim expressions. Fang’s words had struck too sharply.
Shi Hao stepped onto the altar, alone, no longer turning back, no longer speaking, his back to them all, ready to depart.
The wind howled, the waters cold—would he ever return?
“Shi Hao, what will become of you? Will you return? If you live, will the other realm’s oaths bind you, making you forget us?” Qing Yi’s voice trembled as she asked.
The Lunar Jade Rabbit, the Heavenly Horned Ant, and others were already shouting, rushing forward.
“If I live, believe that in the end, none can restrain me. No causality will bind me. But I fear my heart may grow cold, no longer so fervent.”
This was Shi Hao’s reply. He did not turn back.
The altar began to glow, his figure blurring.
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