Chapter 1718: Sudden Turn of Life’s Great Matters

Shi Ziling was deeply moved. Having left the lower realm for many years, he was finally able to return today, filling him with joy and excitement.

However, his expression soon darkened. The Fifteenth Grandfather was still in the Immortal Tomb and couldn’t accompany them, which left him regretful—so much so that he even considered staying behind.

“If Grandfather emerges from seclusion, it will take at least a few years. Let’s return first. Now that we’ve found the ancient path, there will be opportunities to travel back and forth in the future,” Shi Hao said.

Shi Ziling nodded. There was no other choice. He also knew that every extra day his eldest son spent in the upper realm increased the danger, as many powerful figures had their eyes on him.

If not for the obstruction from the two great experts of the Immortal Academy and the Sacred Academy, supreme beings from the Nine Heavens would have descended upon the three thousand provinces to eliminate Shi Hao.

“What a pity. We haven’t visited the Netherworld, the Celestial Kingdom, or those other places yet. We still haven’t settled accounts with them,” Shi Hao lamented.

“Child, don’t dwell on it for now. Let’s hurry back to the lower realm. As long as everyone is safe, that’s what matters!” Qin Yining said, her voice filled with worry. She had been anxious all along, fearing unforeseen mishaps.

For her eldest son to return alive from the Borderlands was no small feat. She didn’t want any more accidents to occur.

Shi Hao nodded, temporarily setting aside these thoughts. He knew that remnants of immortals still lurked in the three thousand provinces, and he wasn’t yet strong enough to overlook them.

Shi Ziling and Qin Yining immediately left to gather their belongings and prepare for the journey home. Qin Changsheng did not stop them, allowing them to make their own decisions.

Surprisingly, Qin Hao remained motionless, standing in place with no intention of leaving.

Shi Hao’s heart stirred as he looked at him and asked why he wasn’t preparing to leave.

“Brother, I want to stay. With you watching over Father and Mother, I’m at ease. I wish to remain in the three thousand provinces and continue cultivating in the upper realm,” Qin Hao declared.

He expressed his desire to stay in the upper realm, where the spiritual energy was abundant and the laws of the Great Dao were complete—unlike the lower realm, which was barren and unsuitable for cultivation.

Hearing this, Shi Hao sighed softly and nodded in understanding.

Qin Hao’s concerns were valid. In terms of cultivation environment, the eight domains of the lower realm couldn’t compare to the three thousand provinces of the upper realm.

Shi Hao frowned and said, “Later, you should bid farewell to Father and Mother properly. They’ll likely be reluctant to part with you.”

“Brother, if you go to the lower realm, your cultivation…” Qin Hao voiced his concern.

His worry was genuine. By now, his elder brother had reached unimaginable heights, with limitless potential ahead. He was destined to shatter all records of this era.

If he descended to the lower realm now, it would be like binding his own hands and feet, hindering his progress—perhaps even stagnating his growth!

After careful consideration, Shi Hao replied, “There might be some impact, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will block my path.”

He raised his head and added, “For me, this might be an indispensable trial.”

Leaving the three thousand provinces for the lower realm wasn’t just about evading enemies—it could also be seen as an unconventional form of cultivation.

Undeniably, Shi Hao’s decision to return was driven not only by homesickness but also by the need to avoid threats from the Feng Clan, the Wang Clan, the Jin Clan, and the remnants of immortals.

Moreover, he intended to temper his true self in the extreme environment of the lower realm.

He had confidence in this path because his cultivation was unique—he sought to unlock the treasures within his own body, relying less on the external world.

In truth, the path of “cultivating the self as a seed” was the most arduous. The reason such a method existed was precisely because some believed that if the heavens and earth changed and the laws shifted, cultivators might find themselves in dire straits.

Shi Hao’s journey to the lower realm was a form of tempering—a test to see how he could survive, break through, and grow stronger in the most desolate of environments.

“What? Child, you want to stay in the upper realm?!” Qin Yining’s eyes reddened upon learning Qin Hao’s decision upon her return.

She was both sorrowful and surprised. She hadn’t expected her second son to stay behind, disrupting their family’s reunion in their homeland.

“What’s so good about cultivation? As long as you’re safe and we’re together as a family, that’s enough. We can stay away from conflicts and avoid the dangers of the upper realm,” Qin Yining pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.

Qin Hao wiped her tears and said, “Mother, I want to become strong. I don’t want to live an ordinary life. I know Brother won’t either—his descent is only temporary. Sooner or later, he’ll return. As for me, I’ll cultivate here in the upper realm and wait for him. In the future, we’ll bring you back with us!”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Shi Ziling looked at him. Naturally, he also wished for his second son to return.

“We are cultivators. Since we’ve embarked on this path, we must see it through to the end. Only by standing at the pinnacle and becoming the strongest can we transcend, overlook all realms, and be truly free. Sooner or later, chaos will return to the world. This brief peace is merely an illusion. Brother and I must seize this uncertain period of tranquility to cultivate and rise swiftly, preparing for the upheavals to come!” Qin Hao’s voice was resolute.

Shi Ziling and his wife were at a loss for words.

Shi Hao was also surprised. He hadn’t expected his younger brother to speak with such maturity.

“Take care of yourself!” Shi Hao removed the Longevity Battle Armor and returned it to his brother.

After a moment’s thought, he added, “Come with me.”

He intended to pass on some life-saving techniques and secret arts to Qin Hao—methods and experiences forged through blood and fire.

Thus, Shi Hao stayed for two more days to instruct Qin Hao.

Qin Changsheng was pleased to see this. He had invested much effort into Qin Hao and naturally hoped he would stay, so he didn’t interfere.

During these two days, various sects came bearing lavish gifts—far more precious than before.

Clearly, Shi Hao’s recent battle had earned him great prestige. Even the imprint of a supreme being had failed to kill him, signaling his inevitable rise to supremacy in the future.

Of course, the battle in the Spirit Realm was also a major factor. Even the Immortal Court had suffered heavy losses, leaving all sects shaken and fearful.

“This is amazing! So many spirit medicines—even if we ate one each every day, it would last forever!”

“These weapons are all treasures, each with its own legend. I love that halberd!”

The children Shi Hao had brought back from the Borderlands were ecstatic, happily organizing the gifts from various sects.

The Golden Lion also supervised, categorizing the piles of treasures into different spatial artifacts.

During this time, many important figures arrived—high-ranking members of various sects.

Some were sect masters, others were supreme elders of their clans—individuals whose words carried absolute weight. They came to Mount Bujie solely to meet Shi Hao.

Some came to apologize, others to forge alliances. All recognized Shi Hao as a hidden dragon destined to soar.

“Young friend, you are truly a dragon among men. Your future achievements will be boundless,” someone flattered in the hall.

Over the past two days, Shi Hao had been busy teaching Qin Hao and hadn’t received many guests. But for the envoys of major sects, he had to make an exception.

“Nephew, do you have a Dao companion? My daughter is sixteen, peerless in beauty…”

In the hall, a sect master from an ancient and prestigious tradition made such a direct proposal.

“Not yet!” Qin Yining, who was present, answered even more directly, her eyes lighting up. She hoped Shi Hao would settle down soon and leave descendants.

Otherwise, with both sons being so unruly, she had endured years of anxiety.

Hearing this, Shi Ziling also felt moved. Both sons had lofty ambitions, aiming to “strike at the heavens.” He, too, wished to hold grandchildren soon, leaving the brothers free to pursue their paths.

“Wonderful! My daughter, Lü Zhu, is bright-eyed and lovely. She’s here today—let the youngsters meet first,” the master of the Jade Flower Sect said.

True to his word, he summoned a green-robed maiden—slender, graceful, and radiant—a rare beauty indeed.

Shi Hao was speechless. He glanced at Qin Hao, then at his parents, and said, “She’s around my brother’s age. They could marry, and she could take care of him. Leaving him alone in the upper realm worries us all!”

“My heart is set on the Dao. I have no worldly desires for now,” Qin Hao hastily declined.

“The child is shy,” Qin Yining chuckled, then glared fiercely at both brothers before warmly pulling the maiden closer.

With firm resolve, she secretly transmitted her demands: at least one of them must marry, or she wouldn’t relent.

“If you want to stay in the upper realm, you must fulfill our parents’ wishes!” Shi Hao glared at Qin Hao. Unable to oppose his parents directly, he pressured his brother instead.

In truth, Shi Ziling and Qin Yining most wanted Shi Hao to marry first and have children.

But they also knew their eldest son carried many burdens—his mentor, Meng Tianzheng, had just passed, and his beloved, Huo Ling’er of the Fire Clan, was lost in a foreign realm. Pressuring him seemed unfair.

However, when other visitors arrived, Qin Yining’s attitude shifted, her eyes flashing with anger.

“The Celestial Clan—they’ve come? And brought a maiden?!”

“Yes, it should be that girl named Yun Xi,” someone answered.

“Are the Celestials trying to mend relations? I see their intention. Let the girl named Yun Xi stay—the rest can leave!” Qin Yining declared.

Her resentment ran deep. She knew well how her eldest son had once escorted that very girl to Celestial City, only to be repaid with betrayal.

She held no goodwill toward that clan. Today, she intended to claim a maiden on her son’s behalf—as repayment of a debt!