With a whoosh, the Flying Immortal Stone emerged, transforming into a streak of radiant light that rippled outward like waves of immortal dao brilliance, shooting straight toward him.
In that moment, the void trembled, dense with countless dao patterns spreading like ripples. It carved out a divine path of light, arriving before him in an instant.
Shi Hao flicked his sleeve and casually stowed it away. He had long coveted this stone, never imagining it would fly out on its own. Why would he hesitate?
Once in his grasp, he could feel its immense weight, as if holding a massive boulder. But for the current Shi Hao, this was nothing.
“Ah… the Flying Immortal Stone!”
“Heavens! Our clan’s supreme treasure has been taken by Huang!”
The Celestial City erupted in chaos. This was their ancestral heritage, their sacred treasure—how could they accept its sudden loss?
“Just now, the treasure flew out on its own!”
Someone spoke up, for they had seen it clearly with their own eyes.
The city walls were inscribed with formation patterns, already fortified with a grand defensive array. No one could enter or leave easily.
Yet, the Flying Immortal Stone was intertwined with this place, unhindered by the barriers. It had escaped on its own, unopposed by the formation.
A true peerless grand formation had life, capable of distinguishing friend from foe. The formation spirit recognized allies and enemies—thus, the Flying Immortal Stone had slipped away.
Many were stunned, finding this utterly unreal. How could their clan’s supreme treasure abandon them and flee to Huang?
“Impossible! He must have used some secret technique to steal our ancestral treasure!”
“Wasn’t the Flying Immortal Stone meant for enlightenment? How could it have a will and escape?”
It was as if many were seeing the stone for the first time, finding it unbelievable. Yet, the reality was undeniable.
Even the Old Celestial was dumbfounded. He had never imagined such a thing could happen—he hadn’t even known the stone could move.
“Huang, return our clan’s treasure!” someone roared.
“Give it back!”
Many shouted. How could such a thing fall into another’s hands? It was impossible to let another clan take it—this was a sacred relic brought back by the six Celestials of the ancient era.
It was said that in the past, blood had flowed like rivers in the struggle for this treasure, darkening the sun and moon. Fortunately, the Celestial Clan had been the strongest in that era.
Now, Huang had come, merely beckoned, and the Flying Immortal Stone had fled?
This enraged the crowd so much they felt like tearing out their beards. How could they accept this?
“Hahaha…” Shi Hao laughed heartily, stroking the stone. Though rough and unadorned in appearance, it was undoubtedly a priceless treasure, a rarity beyond compare.
The stone was incredibly heavy—likely capable of crushing enemies with ease. Even experts struck by it would suffer broken bones.
Yet, upon closer inspection, Shi Hao sensed no consciousness within it. It wasn’t a living being.
Inside, there was something—the Immortal Exquisite Jade, not a will or the imprint of a supreme expert’s divine sense.
“Thank you!” Shi Hao laughed, waving toward the Celestial City.
In his hands, the Flying Immortal Stone first regained its ancient simplicity, then erupted in a rain of light, sacred and dazzling, stirring hearts uncontrollably.
“Such a generous gift—how could I refuse? I’ll reluctantly accept it,” Shi Hao declared with a booming laugh.
Many nearly spat blood, their eyes blazing with fury.
As Shi Hao caressed the Flying Immortal Stone, he realized it truly resonated with the Void Immortal Gold Slab.
“Hmm?” Suddenly, he was shocked, his eyes widening. On his other palm, the Void Immortal Gold Slab revealed a faint silhouette.
What… was this?
In the past, this slab had resembled a brick—silent, motionless, never displaying anything.
If it had contained scriptures, Three Treasures would never have given it away so casually.
After all, this was an artifact from the Emperor Fall Era. If it held scriptures, its value would be immeasurable!
Rumors said that one of the supreme beings of the Immortal Domain, hailed as one of its mightiest, had achieved invincibility precisely because they obtained a scripture from the Emperor Fall Era.
Such things were beyond seeking—how many clues could one find across the ages?
To Shi Hao, this slab had seemed fit only for refining into artifacts. Never had he imagined it would stir today, defying all logic.
“An anomaly!” He lowered his head, narrowing his eyes to scrutinize it closely.
The silhouette on the Void Immortal Gold Slab gradually took form—a humanoid figure standing motionless, as if reflected on a smooth mirror.
The rest of the slab remained hazy, shimmering with mist and radiance, while the figure emitted dao principles, accompanied by intricate patterns.
Shi Hao’s heart pounded, his hair standing on end—not from fear, but exhilaration. This thing held great secrets, unimaginable wonders!
He wasn’t lacking in scriptures now, possessing several supreme techniques awaiting mastery.
For instance, the Indestructible Scripture—this was the one he most desired to complete and cultivate to perfection.
Unfortunately, parts of it were lost in the forbidden zones of the Nine Heavens, beyond reach for now. Venturing there would likely mean no return.
Yet even so, with multiple divine abilities and secret arts at his disposal, he was thrilled. The Emperor Fall Era concealed monumental secrets—if this was an ancient scripture, it might unveil a corner of that mystery.
“An unparalleled scripture? Or some historical record? Heh!” He was eager to find out.
With a flick, he stored the slab and the stone in a beast-skin pouch, slinging it over his shoulder.
“Young friend, you may borrow the Flying Immortal Stone, but what do you mean by taking it outright?!” the Old Celestial demanded, his face dark.
Now, he could no longer remain composed. This treasure had been retrieved by the six Celestials from an ancient ruin at great peril—how could it be lost?
“Today, I came to collect a debt. Your clan offered the Flying Immortal Stone—isn’t that natural? Or do you regret it now? I won’t allow that!” Shi Hao retorted.
“Brat, you go too far!” an elder snapped.
They had endured much, but losing their ancestral treasure was the last straw. They had to reclaim it.
“Huang, I advise you to return it immediately, or else—” someone threatened.
“Or else what? Come out if you dare, and I’ll crush a swath of you with a single swipe!” the Golden Lion roared, baring its fangs, its golden mane cascading majestically.
The crowd glared but was cowed. Who dared to fight?
Many knew this duo’s terrifying strength. Even the Old Celestial might not prevail unless a Supreme Being intervened!
Huang, at the Dunyi Realm, could sweep through all opposition. Without surpassing him by a major realm, none could rival him!
“Charge out! How can our treasure fall into another’s hands?”
“This is unbearable! We cannot tolerate it!”
Many clamored, refusing to accept this reality.
Shi Hao smirked coldly. Back then, he had been humiliated here. Seeing them like this now eased some of his resentment.
Return the Flying Immortal Stone? Not a chance. He would never hand it over!
“Any fellow daoists wish to spar?” Shi Hao taunted.
“You infuriate me!” some shouted, yet none dared step beyond the city walls.
All knew the consequences.
“Crush him with the ancient city!” someone muttered.
The ancient city glowed, awakening like a colossal beast, unleashing terrifying energy as it bore down on Shi Hao.
Shi Hao smiled, darting aside like a phantom, traversing tens of thousands of miles in an instant. He avoided the assault.
“Hold!” the Old Celestial commanded.
Though mighty, the city’s defenses were draining. Pursuing an enemy would exhaust it before landing a blow.
That day, news spread like wildfire, shaking the world.
Huang had gone to the Celestial City, challenging the Celestial Clan alone. None dared face him, stunning all observers.
“Hahaha…”
In the end, Shi Hao departed without besieging the city, carrying the Flying Immortal Stone and riding the Fearless Lion into the horizon.
He had no wish for bloodshed. Had he sought vengeance, only those who had wronged him would have paid. But since the Celestial Clan cowered, he saw no need for further conflict.
Thus, he left with their treasure.
“Are we just letting him leave so easily?” many gnashed their teeth.
“What would you have us do? Fight him and die pointlessly? Let me remind you—his golden age is dawning. The future is his. If we persist in enmity, our clan will face annihilation!” someone lamented.
This sent chills through the Celestial Clan.
“If not for past events, he should have stood with us!” someone murmured in regret.
Those responsible for his past suffering now wore grim expressions. Had they not pushed him, things wouldn’t have come to this. Too late for remorse.
“Yun Xi, do you miss home? After years in the lower realm, would you return?” the Old Celestial asked.
“Ah?” Yun Xi was startled.
“The Flying Immortal Stone is vital to our clan. You once had a good relationship with Huang. I hope you can mend ties between him and us…” The Old Celestial’s words sent shockwaves through the clan.
……
“Have you heard? Without a fight, Huang subdued the Celestial City and took their treasure!”
“Heavens! Huang grows ever more fearsome. Even the once-glorious Celestial Clan yielded?”
Outside, major factions buzzed with the news, causing an uproar.
The incident couldn’t be concealed and spread rapidly.
“What do we do? Our sect once ambushed Huang. Will he come for revenge?”
“Disaster! Some of our clan recently cursed Huang. If word reaches him, will he wipe us out?”
Fear spread. Huang’s ruthlessness was legendary—if he dared challenge the Celestial Clan, who was safe?
“Rumor has it the Celestial Clan regrets everything, now seeking reconciliation—even proposing a marriage alliance with their jewel.”
“Too little, too late. The Celestial Clan’s humiliation is complete.”
Everywhere, discussions raged.
Shi Hao left, heading for an ancient land—a path to the lower realm. He needed answers, and he would uncover the truth!
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