The altar glowed, its surface inscribed with ancient and mysterious runes, exuding an aura of primordial times as if connected to other epochs. Each symbol seemed to harbor a slumbering prehistoric beast.
Shi Hao’s figure grew hazy, as if he might vanish at any moment.
This was the highest-tier ancient teleportation array left behind from antiquity. Stepping onto it was akin to entering a dimensional rift.
Entering or leaving the city was strictly controlled, requiring the activation of the altar by the city’s high-ranking figures. Now, with the array activated, Shi Hao could depart at any moment, plunging into the enemy forces in the desert, never to return.
“I shall request their blood oath!”
The Golden Matriarch spoke, her tone still indifferent. With a single step, she left the altar beneath the city gates and ascended once more to the towering walls that pierced the heavens.
Many followed her—important figures of the Golden Clan and their followers.
Naturally, representatives of other great clans, such as the Du Clan and the Pixiu, also descended to witness the establishment of the so-called blood oath, eager to see the dawn of peace.
“Is that old witch in such a hurry?” The Holy Terror muttered angrily, unafraid of being overheard.
Nearby, the Golden Clan’s forces turned cold-faced, many casting icy glares in his direction.
One even snorted coldly in warning, a clear threat.
“What’s wrong with your throat? Why the noise?” The Holy Terror glared back.
“Do not push your luck!” someone from the Golden Clan snapped.
“Just looking at you people disgusts me! Are you even creatures of the Imperial Pass? You’re deliberately forcing people to rebel, yet you dare act high and mighty here? Scram back behind that old hag—you’re an eyesore! Watch out, or we’ll all turn on you!” The Holy Terror raged.
“Young man, do not be so reckless. Big words invite trouble,” someone said coldly.
“Scram!” The Holy Terror spat.
Even the usually composed Qing Yi grew furious, turning her gaze toward them.
At the same time, Chang Gong Yan, the Ten Crown King, the Witch, the Banished Immortal, and other youths from the Three Thousand Provinces who had come with Shi Hao stepped forward, glaring coldly.
Even Shi Yi opened his dual-pupiled eyes, releasing a surge of chaotic light as he stared icily.
Soon, Da Xu Tuo, the Little Heavenly King, Lan Xian, and even Tuo Gu Yu Long, Qi Hong, and the Four Phoenixes of the Wei Clan from the Imperial Pass joined, their eyes burning with anger.
Many cultivators and clan leaders also grew displeased, their expressions darkening as they directed killing intent toward the Golden Clan.
“Elder, you see—” someone from the Golden Clan turned to the invincible one.
“Silence!” Qi Hong’s master, the original owner of the Five Spirit War Chariot, roared. Instantly, those who had spoken paled, blood trickling from their lips as they nearly exploded on the spot.
Trembling, they dared not provoke further and soared upward to the top of the city walls, where those who had agreed to hand Shi Hao over had gathered.
Most of their like-minded allies had already gone to witness the blood oath.
“That old hag is truly despicable. In such a hurry to push Shi Hao into the fire,” the Holy Terror muttered, his temper flaring.
On the walls, the Golden Matriarch was indeed communicating with the enemy.
Soon, a crimson tide surged from the depths of the desert, like a sea of blood, overwhelming the sands with its terrifying might.
It was but a single drop of blood, yet it engulfed the entire battlefield, shifting from deep red to multicolored hues, its aura dominating the heavens.
Even within the city, protected by the Imperial Pass, everyone trembled, nearly prostrating under the supreme pressure.
Had it not been for the city’s defenses, all would have collapsed, unable to withstand such overwhelming force.
The drop of blood condensed onto a golden decree, emitting a deep and ancient voice, as if a demon lord were swearing an oath or an immortal king chanting scriptures.
The heavens responded with countless phenomena—rules of the Great Dao materialized as phoenixes spreading wings, true dragons coiling, and Kun Pengs tearing through the skies.
Elsewhere, sweet springs bubbled from the parched desert, golden seeds rained from the heavens, and divine lotuses bloomed in abundance, as if cycling through life and death.
Black and crimson lightning, entwined with chaotic energy, crackled ominously across the sky.
Soon, cheers erupted from the walls—the blood oath had been sealed, binding both sides with the power of causality.
Many from the Golden, Wang, Du, and Pixiu Clans rejoiced, their gazes turning to Shi Hao below, waiting for him to step forward.
The city gates trembled violently.
The oath was complete. Shi Hao would soon depart, and nothing could stop it.
“Why hasn’t he come yet?” Qing Yi fretted. Chang Gong Yan, the Lunar Jade Rabbit, and others shared her anxiety.
When Cao Yusheng had left earlier, they too had acted—sending out spiritual avatars or divine senses to summon Meng Tianzheng for aid.
Yet, with the oath sealed, why had the Grand Elder not arrived?
They had stayed in person to watch over Shi Hao, fearing he might leave before help arrived.
“The oath is sworn. It is time for you to depart!” The Golden Matriarch descended, accompanied by a crowd of jubilant followers.
All that remained was for Shi Hao to step out, securing five hundred years of peace.
On the altar, Shi Hao never turned back, never spoke a word.
Clang!
A sword light erupted from him—the Great Luo Sword Embryo. Next, the Thunder Emperor Armor manifested, followed by other treasures.
Some, like the Myriad Spirit Diagram, remained stored in spatial artifacts.
Whoosh!
These artifacts transformed into streaks of light, landing before Qing Yi, the Holy Terror, and even Shi Yi, embedding themselves into the ground, trembling with power.
He left them behind, unwilling to take these treasures with him.
The sight made hearts ache, eyes stinging as they gazed at his retreating figure.
Then, Shi Hao began sealing his own soul, locking away his memories and abilities with the most brutal self-imposed techniques—even severing parts of himself.
The knowledge he possessed was too critical to fall into enemy hands.
“I… shall assist you.” Even the invincible ones’ voices trembled, knowing the pain of what he was doing.
“The strongest soul-sealing art. Once applied, even those far stronger than you will trigger the seal upon probing your mind—resulting in… self-destruction,” a Supreme Being explained.
Shi Hao paused but did not turn, nodding once.
“Now!”
Several invincible ones joined forces, performing an ancient ritual to reinforce the seal upon his soul, ensuring none could breach it.
“No!” The Lunar Jade Rabbit wailed.
This meant Shi Hao would die if the enemy probed his mind.
Qing Yi’s eyes reddened, tears spilling as she watched.
Chang Gong Yan, Lan Xian, the Four Phoenixes, and the other youths clenched their fists, their noses stinging with grief.
This farewell might be eternal.
Clad in simple robes, Shi Hao carried nothing, leaving all treasures behind. He faced away, silent.
“It is time to depart,” an elder beside the Golden Matriarch urged.
“The blood oath has a time limit. Delay risks its collapse,” a Du Clan member added.
“Young friend, do you have any final words?” Qi Hong’s master asked.
Shi Hao stood motionless, then shook his head.
“Then let us proceed,” the Golden Matriarch declared.
This time, the invincible ones personally activated the altar, their eyes heavy with remorse as they opened a spatial path for Shi Hao.
The altar blazed, its light piercing the heavens.
Shi Hao’s figure blurred, as if dissolving.
“Shi Hao!” The youths cried out, their voices breaking. Qing Yi and the Lunar Jade Rabbit wept openly.
This might be the last time they saw him.
At the final moment, Shi Hao finally turned, gazing at the familiar faces—filled with reluctance, gratitude, and resignation.
He did not wish to leave. Yet, he could not turn back.
His eyes swept over them, then seemed to pierce through time and space, looking beyond the Imperial Pass to the lands behind.
Memories flooded him—Stone Village, his carefree childhood, the elders who had raised him, his parents, grandfather, and even Liu Shen and the little pagoda.
Further still, his vision crossed countless barriers to a grove of fire mulberry trees, where a woman stood waiting beneath the blossoms. Year after year, she aged, her hair turning white, yet she remained, softly singing:
*”Gathering mulberries, dusk dew wets my robe.
Fire mulberries fill the sky, yet I know not when you’ll return.
When the blossoms fall, I too shall depart…”*
Shi Hao’s gaze spanned centuries, seeing far and wide. Then, abruptly, he turned away, never to look back.
Clang!
A radiant light erupted from the altar.
He was gone.
Alone, he walked into the unknown, never to return.
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