Chapter 1583: The Ancient Land of the Gu Clan

No one had anticipated such an outcome—so brutal, so shocking. At the very last moment, Shi Hao was reduced to a cripple once more.

Of course, this time, it wasn’t the doing of men, but the heavens themselves claiming him.

“Perhaps his newly transformed flesh was too powerful, destined to be struck down by the world’s laws,” mused an Imperial Clan Supreme.

This was not impossible. Considering that Shi Hao hailed from the other side of the Imperial Pass, reforging his body here would mean compensating for the imperfections of his previous cultivation in a flawed world.

The Great Dao of this realm was complete. If he could reshape his true form here, tempering himself anew, he might emerge far stronger than before, birthing a potential that could shake the ages.

“Struck down by the world, huh? Heh, whether it’s true or not, this kid’s fate is truly wretched,” a Supreme chuckled lightly.

After all, they couldn’t be blamed—they had done all they could.

If Shi Hao were to meet his end, leaving only his primordial spirit behind, and if some Immortal King sought to assign blame, the Gu Clan would be the ones to answer for it.

Because this truly had nothing to do with them. On the contrary, they had gone to great lengths to save Shi Hao, even securing Phoenix Blood for him. They had done all they could.

Now, they were tearing through the void, traversing the heavens at breakneck speed, rushing toward the ancient lands of the Gu Clan.

This was their final attempt. If it failed, Shi Hao’s fate would be sealed.

The Gu Clan—a powerful and enigmatic race, capable of severing space with one hand and time with the other. These two peerless divine abilities were their signature techniques, the foundation of their dominance over all under heaven.

An invincible clan!

Their numbers were as scarce as those of the Imperial Clan, their reproduction difficult. But every member who emerged was a terror to behold.

A stretch of stone mountains, shrouded in mist. Though not towering, they exuded an eerie, oppressive weight, brimming with an indescribable, mysterious power.

Upon closer inspection, these mountains seemed condensed, as if containing the might of the cosmos itself.

This was the dwelling of the Gu Clan. Outsiders dared not approach, forced to halt at a distance.

The Supremes arrived with Shi Hao in tow, seeking to borrow the Yin-Yang Furnace for one last attempt. Perhaps they could truly reverse fate and rewrite the ending.

The Yin-Yang Furnace—a mystical immortal cauldron that nurtured the dual energies of yin and yang, capable of overturning the heavens, recreating great fortune, and granting a chance to alter destiny.

The reason for its immense power lay in its essence: the nurturing of yin and yang.

Because in this world, all matter could be interpreted through the lens of yin and yang.

The stone mountains stretched endlessly, vast and expansive, yet obscured by the mystical mist, hiding the true depths of the Gu Clan’s domain.

Immortal mist swirled, the aura of immortality diffused, and the potent presence of the ethereal Dao intertwined—this was the sacred land of the Gu Clan.

The moment they landed outside the mountain gates, the Supremes froze. Someone was already waiting for them, unsurprised by their arrival.

An elderly man, his white hair tinged with gold, short in stature, his eyes gleaming like golden lanterns—this was the Gu Clan’s Supreme, the very one who had once crippled Shi Hao.

“Gu Yi, were you waiting for us?” a Supreme asked hesitantly.

“Yes, for quite some time,” Gu Yi of the Gu Clan nodded in response.

“Did you… foresee this outcome?” another Supreme demanded, his gaze sharp.

“Gu Yi, was this intentional? Did you send us to fetch the Phoenix Blood, knowing this would happen?” someone accused.

“Of course not. I merely had a sudden premonition. You must understand, our Gu Clan is said to sever space with one hand and time with the other. We are particularly sensitive to matters concerning ourselves, so I naturally foresaw it,” Gu Yi explained.

Now, seeing Shi Hao’s wretched state, Gu Yi stepped forward, examining him closely and inquiring about the details.

“Heh, if he could succeed in one go, that would truly defy the heavens,” the Gu Clan Supreme chuckled, shaking his head. “The world beyond the Imperial Pass is flawed. To truly reshape oneself here, starting anew—it’s not so easy. There must be backlash!”

He spoke with absolute certainty, deeming this outcome normal. If anyone from the Imperial Pass could casually compensate for the imperfections of their cultivation in a flawed world, it would be far too trivial—utterly unrealistic.

“A journey through the Yin-Yang Furnace is an inevitable step. For this kid, it might be a blessing in disguise—a chance to temper a body unrivaled through the ages,” Gu Yi declared.

Glancing at the unconscious, blood-soaked, and chilling Shi Hao, he reached this conclusion.

“An unrivaled body through the ages? Let’s not aim so high. If he can just recover, or even grow slightly stronger than before, that would suffice,” a Supreme interjected.

“I was merely speaking hypothetically. Heh, to achieve that would require too great a sacrifice, and he’s not even a descendant of our Gu Clan,” Gu Yi laughed.

The others nodded.

“However, even if we revive him, it won’t be an instantaneous process. He’ll need rare treasures to aid his recovery,” Gu Yi added, making his demands.

According to him, Shi Hao’s crippled state was severe. Only the Yin-Yang Furnace could temper him back to health, but it would require rare medicinal herbs to be added to the cauldron.

“It’s troublesome. Only with meticulous care can we forge a treasure-like body,” Gu Yi said calmly.

The others exchanged glances. The Imperial Clan Supreme spoke bluntly, “What do you gain from all this effort?”

“If that’s what you think, then take Shi Hao and leave,” Gu Yi retorted.

But of course, they wouldn’t leave. Though they doubted his motives, only the Gu Clan could save Shi Hao now and reverse his fate.

News spread, and soon, all clans learned of the situation, stirring considerable waves.

Because rare treasures were needed—items that couldn’t be hidden from prying eyes.

Moreover, at the War God Academy, many had witnessed Shi Hao’s crippling firsthand. It was no secret; rumors had already spread far and wide.

Shi Hao’s downfall had been met with cheers from some factions.

Now, to save him? It left them bewildered.

But those privy to the details set out for the Gu Clan’s ancient lands, some to observe, others hoping to witness Shi Hao’s demise.

“The laws of heaven shattered within him, and you think he can recover? Stop dreaming! Let him remain crippled!”

In this foreign realm, few would speak well of Shi Hao.

Days later, the rare herbs listed by Gu Yi were indeed gathered, procured through the joint efforts of the Supremes.

Naturally, other events unfolded during this time—many experts arrived, including Supremes and even Immortals keeping watch.

Among them were envoys from various clans, as well as private dealings.

“The Yin-Yang Furnace may appear as one, but it houses two cauldrons—yin and yang. I ask for nothing else but to place my grandson in the yin cauldron, to be tempered alongside Shi Hao. Is that acceptable?”

This was the straightforward demand of an Imperial Clan Supreme. He had brought rare medicines to save Shi Hao, but he also sought to benefit his own kin.

“Impossible. The yin cauldron is reserved for a child of our Gu Clan. How could we yield this opportunity to an outsider?” Gu Yi refused firmly.

Another Supreme, passing by, overheard and was taken aback. “What’s going on?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“A struggle for fortune. The Gu Clan is being ungracious,” the Imperial Clan Supreme said coldly.

“Oh?” The passing Supreme frowned.

“When Shi Hao reforges his body, the shattered laws and divine chains within him will become a great opportunity,” the Imperial Clan Supreme explained icily.

Upon reflection, the passing Supreme understood. An ordinary person would have long turned to mist, but Shi Hao’s ruined body still bore those broken laws—only because several experts had sealed them within him.

If he were tempered in the Yin-Yang Furnace, those shattered divine chains would become invaluable!

“Gu Yi, was this all intentional? Did you foresee this?” a Supreme roared.

“Absolutely not,” Gu Yi shook his head.

At that moment, the true Yin-Yang Furnace was brought forth, escorted by many, and placed within a stone valley encircled by mountains.

Here, not only did chaotic energy swirl, but true immortal flames flickered—this valley was extraordinary.

“Add the medicines to the furnace!” Gu Yi commanded. The tempering was about to begin.

As for Shi Hao, he had already been placed inside the Yin-Yang Furnace.