Chapter 1607: The Path of the Buried King

Shi Hao did not speak immediately but instead gazed at them, his heart unsettled, though he concealed it well.

Though he found their words grandiose and somewhat hollow, he did not refute them. At the same time, he recognized that these two were extraordinary, possessing qualities beyond the ordinary.

At the very least, they were Buriers!

And not just any Buriers—they were the most mysterious and terrifying of them all: Golden Buriers.

Their status was no weaker than that of Chi Meng Hong or Yu Yu. If their origins were even more distinguished, they might even be more revered.

These were two dangerous individuals!

Shi Hao had never underestimated them. From their last encounter, he already knew they were Golden Buriers at the Dunyi Realm!

Their level of danger far surpassed that of Chi Meng Hong!

At the same time, Shi Hao harbored suspicions—even hidden worries—all because of these two.

Back then, they had explored the Burial Abyss together, facing a mysterious chest known as the Origin Ancient Artifact. Though they barely survived, the two seemed different afterward.

Shi Hao had heard from other Buriers that in the distant past, a Burial King had once explored the Burial Abyss. Upon returning, he was completely changed, as if he had become a different person!

To be precise, the original Burial King had vanished, and in his place emerged a new one—identical in form but utterly different in will.

One could only imagine how terrifying the Origin Ancient Artifact within the Burial Abyss truly was. Even Burial Kings dared not approach it!

And Shi Hao had witnessed endless darkness there, watching as souls struggled free from black fissures—a sight eerily reminiscent of a place he had once experienced: the Dark Prison.

When he had cultivated his second strand of immortal energy, his soul had once left his body, vanishing into the endless darkness where countless cages lined the banks of the River of Time. That time, he had nearly died, only barely clawing his way back to reality.

Shi Hao was certain that the Burial Abyss contained a small breach leading to the ancient land of the Dark Prison. Every so often, it would open, allowing a few souls to escape.

Now, seeing San Zang and Shen Ming again, he could no longer simply regard them as Golden Buriers. There was something more to them.

And if his suspicions were correct, their identities… might shake the heavens and earth, sending tremors through all realms!

Even an Immortal King might hesitate before them.

“My friend, what brings you here?” San Zang asked with a gentle smile. His talk of “hooking a cycle of reincarnation,” the so-called “three burials and three extinctions, three lifetimes of reincarnation,” bore an uncanny resemblance to his own name. Was it mere coincidence?

One had to admit, his appearance was truly striking—golden hair like the morning sun cascading over his shoulders, a face as flawless as jade, like the most sacred of deities.

Beside him, even the most beautiful maidens would feel inadequate, as if standing with him were a sacrilege, for he was too transcendent, too otherworldly.

Shi Hao sighed inwardly. This was a Burier, one who dwelled in ancient underground tombs—yet he radiated such purity. Was there no justice in the world?

He had to admit, this young man was more perfect than he was—too handsome, too refined, with an unparalleled grace that left no room for criticism.

“I was merely wandering, taking in the sights. This place is unique, so I came to see for myself,” Shi Hao replied.

“Shi Hao, it has been many days since we last met. You are even more impressive than before,” Shen Ming said with a smile, her earlier solemnity gone. Now, her beauty was radiant, enough to topple cities.

She was truly a rare sight—sacred yet seductive, her every glance and smile captivating. Her skin was like snow-white jade, smooth and glowing, her large eyes sparkling like pools of water, her long lashes fluttering, her nose delicate, her lips a vivid red.

Her teeth were like pearls, gleaming as she lightly bit her lip, exuding allure.

She was a woman of flawless beauty—tall, with long, straight legs, her every movement exuding temptation. A Golden Burier, yet more ethereal than an immortal, radiating holy light—at least when she was still.

But when she moved, she became enchantment incarnate, her every glance bewitching.

These two contradictory auras shifted seamlessly between motion and stillness.

“How could I compare to the divine Shen Ming? I am but a mortal before a celestial jewel,” Shi Hao said modestly, praising her while inwardly growing more wary.

He sensed that these two had grown even more extraordinary since their last meeting.

“An immortal? Heh, do I seem that pure and untouchable? Few have ever praised me so,” Shen Ming said with a bright smile, her fiery red hair cascading over her full chest and smooth back.

Shi Hao’s mind stirred. What was the Buriers’ stance toward immortals? Had he misspoken? Were they enemies, or simply indifferent? It was impossible to guess.

“Of course, you surpass immortals. Miss Shen Ming, your grace is unparalleled, transcending the mortal world. I have never seen your equal,” Shi Hao said.

“Is that so? Then it seems we share a natural affinity. If I were to invite you, would you join our lineage?” Shen Ming asked playfully.

“We are friends. No need for formalities,” Shi Hao replied.

“Wonderful. Then travel with us from now on. Hmm, I lack a most intimate companion—perhaps you are the best choice,” Shen Ming said, her tongue flicking over her lips in blatant temptation.

Shi Hao chuckled, showing no outward resistance. At the very least, he didn’t want to antagonize these two—they were far too dangerous.

They were Buriers. Why had they left the Burial Earth and come to the Foreign Realm? What was their purpose?

Were they truly wandering the world as they had claimed, or had something strange happened in the Burial Abyss, driving them to seek answers?

“My friend, meeting again, I sense your wariness. Do you doubt us?” San Zang asked, his voice still warm, like winter sunlight.

A man like him would be devastatingly charming to young maidens, but Shi Hao only felt his danger grow.

Yet that tension vanished in an instant, as if San Zang had relaxed, setting aside any unkind thoughts. Shi Hao’s heart tightened.

His instincts were sharp—he had truly sensed something just then.

“It seems there is some misunderstanding. You wonder if we are still ourselves,” San Zang said, astonishingly perceptive.

Shen Ming sighed softly, her seductive demeanor fading. Her eyes seemed to reflect the passage of countless years, carrying a profound, melancholic beauty.

“To walk this path, one must lose something. To gain, one must pay. But I can say—we are still ourselves,” she said.

“What path?” Shi Hao asked.

These two were too mysterious. He wouldn’t pry, only touch upon the key points.

“The Path of the Burial King!” San Zang declared.

Those words struck Shi Hao like thunder. They were walking the Path of the Burial King? That was terrifying—and shockingly direct.

Had they come to the Foreign Realm to tread this path?

“Why tell me?” Shi Hao asked.

This was too significant. If the Immortal Kings learned of it, they would surely interfere, unwilling to allow new Burial Kings to emerge.

“Because we cherish every being who can walk with us until the end of time—be they friend or foe,” San Zang said with a laugh.

“If one day, the heavens are buried, the earth perishes, and all things vanish, even encountering a familiar enemy would be a blessing,” Shen Ming said, her expression complex.

Such a notion?

What did it mean? Was an unimaginable catastrophe coming?

“You should know—the most terrifying era approaches. How many familiar faces will remain in the end? Few, if any,” San Zang said.

Shi Hao was deeply unsettled. It seemed the signs of change were felt everywhere, even in the lifeless Burial Earth.

“You think I can survive?” Shi Hao asked.

“Perhaps. After all, any being who can stand before the Origin Ancient Artifact and emerge unscathed is no ordinary existence. You give me a strange feeling, my human friend,” San Zang said with a smile.

So they already knew he was human, not a Golden Burier. Shi Hao’s mind churned.

“The Path of the Burial King—what are you experiencing? You seem different. Are you truly yourselves?” Shi Hao pressed.

“Yes.”

Shen Ming stepped closer, intimately taking his arm. Light erupted from them both, like ascending immortals, radiant and pure.

Soon, Shi Hao saw a vision—a different Shen Ming. One side of her face was bewitchingly beautiful, smiling brilliantly. The other bore tear stains, as if imprisoned in a cage, weeping in sorrow.

Shi Hao felt a chill. Was this her soul imprint? Why two conflicting auras?

“Gain and loss must balance. I am still myself. This is part of the price of the Path of the Burial King,” Shen Ming said.

Shi Hao tried to pull away, sensing unease, but she held firm.

Only after a long moment did she release him.

Shi Hao was now certain—something profound had changed within them.

“My human friend, will you walk with us?” San Zang asked.

“Your path is the Path of the Burial King. Mine is different,” Shi Hao replied.

“They may yet intersect. Perhaps one day we will summon you to the Guiding Ancient Hall, or you will guide us,” Shen Ming said.

Shi Hao’s head spun. These two were enigmatic, their depths unfathomable.

“Ah, what is he fishing for?” Shi Hao changed the subject, noticing another figure not far away by the Sea Cascade.

“He seeks to hook an unrivaled era,” Shen Ming answered.

“Who is he?” Shi Hao asked, intrigued.

“A disciple of one of the most ancient Immortal Kings,” San Zang replied.

Shi Hao was stunned, looking at the young man sitting motionless before the cascade, as if petrified by time.

“And you? What do you seek to hook here?” Shen Ming asked.

“I… came to fish.”