The treatment of those on the straw mat remained as cold and disdainful as ever, looking down upon Shi Hao and San Zang as if they were prehistoric mythical dragons floating in the heavens, gazing contemptuously at ants crawling in the dirt—aloof and full of scorn.
Even worse, there was an indescribable hint of disgust in their demeanor.
This attitude, this expression, sent a chill through Shi Hao’s heart. A surge of battle-blood boiled within him. *So what if this is the Immortal Domain? How dare they look down on outsiders like this!*
San Zang’s face darkened. His golden hair and handsome features seemed to dim slightly, his divine aura receding as anger stirred within him.
As for Shen Ming, a peerless beauty whose allure could topple kingdoms, when had she ever been treated with such contempt? Her eyes flashed with sharp divine light, her crimson hair flickering like flames.
Yet it was clear that the golden-robed man regarded Shen Ming differently—because of her breathtaking beauty, her alluring curves, and her exquisitely refined features.
Though she was a Golden Burial Knight, she resembled a fallen immortal, possessing a charm that could bewitch all who beheld her. Even the young men of the Immortal Domain couldn’t help but show unusual expressions upon seeing her.
“The Immortal Domain is a world shared by all cultivators, not the private domain of any single clan or group. Why can’t we enter?” Shi Hao demanded.
Suppressing his anger, his words were calm but carried an icy edge. Since the other side showed no courtesy, why should he bother being polite? There was no need for pleasantries.
“You’re mistaken. The Immortal Domain is *our* world, the sacred land of our people. As for you lot, you have no right to set foot here. This place has nothing to do with you!” the golden-robed man declared with arrogance.
His words were blunt, unapologetic—a clear statement that the Immortal Domain belonged to them, not outsiders, and had no connection to cultivators from other realms.
“How laughable. The Immortal Domain is the holy land of those who achieve immortality, the gathering place of the strong, the destination of those who have ascended since ancient times. How has it become *yours*?” San Zang sneered, no longer restraining himself.
He hailed from the Burial Earth, where the Burial Kings held supreme status and feared no Immortal Kings. Why should these young upstarts dare to look down on Golden Burial Knights?
“Ridiculous. After the Severing of Heaven and Earth, what mortal could possibly enter the Immortal Domain? This has long been common knowledge. Even those who achieve immortality must wait for the right time and place to enter, enduring an arduous process. Unfortunately, now is not the right time. You may leave,” the golden-robed man said coldly.
The others remained silent, but the young man in purple battle armor and the rest maintained their cold indifference, clearly agreeing with his stance.
The silver-haired beauty seemed hesitant, her lips parting as if to speak, but she ultimately closed them. The white peacock phantom within the halo behind her also shut its eyes.
“The Immortal Domain is vast and boundless, hiding terrifying experts and ancient secrets beyond the reach of even the forces behind you. How dare you arrogantly claim this as your sacred land?” Shen Ming challenged.
“Young lady, you’re being naive. While the Immortal Domain’s territories are indeed endless, that doesn’t mean we can allow outsiders to enter freely. At the very least, within the explored regions, the will of the Immortal Elders is unified—this has long been established,” the golden-robed man replied.
Behind him, a radiant sun stood at his height, within which a golden crow soared, exuding an oppressive aura like an emperor in hiding.
Clearly, his clan was immensely powerful, and the golden crow manifestation was the sacred ancestral image of his lineage.
At the same time, his attitude toward Shen Ming was noticeably better than toward Shi Hao and San Zang—such was the advantage of a peerless beauty.
Yet Shen Ming remained indifferent, her expression frosty.
The exchange between the golden crow youth and the Golden Burial Knight revealed startling information—things Shi Hao had never known before.
The Immortal Domain was so vast that even its native inhabitants hadn’t explored its full extent, concealing countless ancient secrets!
This was unexpected news, sending Shi Hao’s thoughts spiraling.
From their conversation, it seemed the Immortal Domain was filled with unknowns—mysterious clans, dormant supreme experts, forbidden lands, and more.
One could imagine that deep within its boundless expanse lay things even its own inhabitants didn’t understand.
Shi Hao wondered—were these so-called reclusive beings remnants of other epochs?
But dwelling on this was futile. The complexity was beyond his current concerns.
“What a grand ‘Severing of Heaven and Earth’ you’ve enacted. You’ve cut off our path forward—a grievous injury in itself. The land of ascension, the world of the immortal dao, belongs to all cultivators. Yet you’ve monopolized it, standing by as the outside world suffers bloodshed and chaos. How unjust is that?” Shi Hao said.
“The outside world has been tainted. If we allowed all beings to enter, it would lead to unimaginable calamity…” the silver-haired woman sighed, her beautiful face showing pity as she offered this explanation.
“White Peacock Fairy, such matters should not be spoken of to them,” the purple-armored youth interjected, stopping her. His eyes flashed like lightning as he scrutinized the outsiders, wary of them learning too much.
“Tainted? Hahaha…” San Zang burst into laughter.
“What are you laughing at?” someone snapped.
“I laugh because you think the Immortal Domain is so pure, while the outside world is ‘tainted.’ But do you even know your own origins? How you came to be?” San Zang sneered.
“You understand nothing, know nothing. Don’t play mysterious before us. We know far more than you—we see through everything!” the golden crow youth retorted, his eyes filled with disgust. He waved a hand as if fearing the place might truly be contaminated.
“Leave at once. This area will soon need purification, lest you defile the entrance to the Immortal Domain,” he added, wrinkling his nose at where Shi Hao and the others stood, as if it were filthy.
This made Shi Hao, San Zang, and Shen Ming’s expressions darken, veins pulsing at their temples. Such contempt—to be dismissed like this!
Given their status, they were considered prodigies wherever they went, praised and revered. Yet here, they were treated with such disdain.
The Thunder Spirits had already departed, carrying the figure on the straw mat into the Immortal Domain, enveloped in immortal light—cleansed as they entered.
The denizens of the Immortal Domain were cautious, wary of outsiders bringing contamination or sinister substances. Several radiant, supreme beings appeared to personally guide them.
The Thunder Spirits vanished, taken away, along with the Kun seedling.
Now, only three humanoid beings—Shi Hao, San Zang, and Shen Ming—remained, barred from entry.
Clearly, the young elites at the gate were targeting them, unwilling to let them pass easily. Earlier, they had scorned the Thunder Spirits, only for the corpse on the straw mat to glow with immense significance, shaking the stone gate and forcing them to allow entry. This had humiliated them—especially the two young men who had mocked and slighted them, only to relent in the end.
“How many times has the Immortal Gate opened since ancient times? Especially in recent eras. That you’ve witnessed its opening at all is already a stroke of fortune. Leave now,” one of them said.
Indeed, the Immortal Domain was mysterious, inaccessible. Without the gate opening, none could ascend to that realm.
To witness its opening was an event that, if known to the outside world, would be celebrated as one of the most astonishing occurrences of this epoch, recorded in history.
Yet the attitude of these young elites was unbearable.
What should have been a momentous occasion now left Shi Hao, San Zang, and Shen Ming seething—to be looked down upon so blatantly!
For Golden Burial Knights, this was an insult, an intolerable slight.
“The Immortal Domain is nothing to covet. What you revere as sacred, we see as mere vanity—hardly worth mentioning!” Shen Ming declared.
“It’s just the Immortal Domain—nothing special. If you were in the outside world, you might already be prey to other clans,” San Zang added, even more blunt.
“You dare belittle the Immortal Domain? Do you think your meager skills give you the right to spout such nonsense?” the purple-armored youth snapped.
“Well, it’s been many years since the Immortal Domain showed its might to the outside world. I’ve been meaning to gauge just how weak outsiders have become,” the golden crow youth said with a smile, his golden robes fluttering as he stepped forward.
“Warriors of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, step forward. Let me see how your cultivation fares,” he challenged, fixing his gaze on Shi Hao and San Zang.
San Zang had intended to act, but since the other wanted to test a cultivator from the Nine Heavens, he smirked meaningfully and glanced at Shi Hao. He knew just how ruthless this young human could be—what would happen when he faced a denizen of the Immortal Domain?
Shi Hao stepped forward coldly. Despite his youthful, delicate features, his black hair billowing in the wind gave him an air of transcendent aloofness.
“So young!” The golden-robed man narrowed his eyes, golden pupils shooting out beams like lightning. He scrutinized Shi Hao and confirmed his age matched his appearance—truly young.
Shi Hao said nothing, staring back icily. In truth, he had long wanted to act—even more than his opponent. Now was the perfect opportunity, and he wouldn’t miss it.
“I won’t bully you. One strike at the peak of the Severing Realm. If you can withstand it, I’ll let you leave,” the golden-robed youth said, eyeing Shi Hao.
“Anything to say?” he pressed, implying that if Shi Hao couldn’t handle it, he might lower his standards—further showcasing his arrogance and disdain for lower-realm beings.
“Go back and borrow a treasure from your elders to protect yourself. Otherwise, I might accidentally hurt you,” Shi Hao retorted, his words calm but razor-sharp.
“What did you say?!” The golden crow youth’s brows shot up, golden light flashing in his eyes. He was furious—how dare an outsider speak to him like this!
“I’m just concerned for your safety. If you get hurt, your elders might come after me,” Shi Hao said flatly.
“Hah! First time anyone’s spoken to me like this. Fine, let’s see what makes you so bold! Don’t worry—if I lose or get injured, no one in the Immortal Domain will hold it against you. No need to fear!” the golden crow youth sneered.
“Good to know. That means I won’t have to worry about your elders if I hurt you. Also, if I defeat you, do we get to enter the Immortal Domain?” Shi Hao asked.
The faces of the young elites darkened. This delicate-looking youth spoke so casually, his tone insufferable.
They, who always held themselves above others, now faced someone even more audacious—speaking with such confidence, as if defeating the golden crow youth would be effortless.
To them, this was sheer arrogance!
“Come on.” Shi Hao beckoned, his disdain growing.
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