Everyone was startled—a true expert had arrived, and no ordinary one at that. Many wore expressions of shock.
It was clear that a formidable adversary had finally appeared.
Some had long believed that not everyone would submit peacefully. There would inevitably be those who harbored hostility toward Shi Hao before his departure, even confronting him directly. And now, in this very moment, it had happened.
In the sky, a surge of bloody waves billowed, illuminating the heavens like crimson clouds or the eerie bloom of scarlet spider lilies—sinister and unsettling.
“Heavenly Nation!”
Some gasped in recognition. That was the aura of a Heavenly Nation assassin. When important figures of that clan traveled, they often manifested in such a manner, heralding slaughter and conquest.
Of course, such displays were rare. They preferred to move in the shadows, striking from behind, seldom revealing themselves openly.
Only when they believed they could act without restraint, crushing their foes outright, would an important figure appear in such a manner—to assert dominance and establish fear.
“Fellow Daoist of the Heavenly Nation, what is the meaning of this? Have you come to stir trouble in my Immortal Mountain?” Qin Changsheng spoke, rising from his seat and gazing beyond the hall.
Outside the Qin Clan’s mountain gates, a bloody mist spread, its overwhelming divine power surging violently, nearly crashing into the entrance.
“Fellow Daoist Qin, you misunderstand. My presence here is not directed at the Qin Clan, but at that little bastard—Shi Hao. This has nothing to do with anyone else!”
A cold voice echoed through the void, accompanied by a thickening surge of bloody mist.
“You overstep your bounds. This is the Qin Clan, and that child is of my bloodline!” Qin Changsheng stepped outside the hall, his gaze piercing the depths of the crimson clouds.
Shi Hao had already risen and followed him out.
Everyone was stunned. The Heavenly Nation’s presence earlier in the hall had been cold and indifferent—clearly not for reconciliation, but to assess the situation. Now, they were making their move.
Yet, many wondered—could the Heavenly Nation truly subdue Shi Hao?
To many, if it was just the Heavenly Nation acting alone, this was far too reckless.
Unless the rumors about their origins held truth, this might end in disaster for them.
“The Heavenly Nation’s Deputy Sect Master!” someone murmured, sensing the aura and recognizing the newcomer.
Not the Heavenly Nation’s leader, but merely a deputy?
Some found this increasingly strange.
“The Immortal Mountain has its pride, and we have no wish to oppose it. However, Fellow Daoist Qin, you likely cannot protect him this time. No one can.” The voice from within the bloody mist continued.
Qin Changsheng’s expression darkened. A mere deputy sect master dared speak to him like this? With a flick of his sleeve, the heavens trembled as a gale surged forth, crackling with lightning.
Yet, the attack dissipated soundlessly, absorbed without a trace.
“Fellow Daoists of the Qin Clan, there is no need for anger.” An aged voice spoke—another figure had arrived.
“Who goes there?” some Qin Clan experts demanded.
They felt an oppressive weight, a shadow looming over their hearts. The aura was overwhelming, as if a ten-thousand-pound boulder pressed against their chests.
Even Shi Hao felt a pang of unease.
“Heh…” The laughter was casual, yet ancient. A figure emerged, shrouded in white mist—mysterious and formidable.
When he released even a fraction of his pressure, the entire Qin Clan’s ancient land trembled. Mountains and rivers threatened to collapse, saved only by the protective formations and divine runes.
Otherwise, everything would have been reduced to dust!
This was a Supreme Being—a terrifying existence who had personally come to the Qin Clan.
Gasps of shock filled the air. Everyone was dumbfounded, sensing that disaster loomed.
Behind the figure, an ancient hall materialized—covered in verdigris, grand and towering, both real and terrifying.
Many shuddered in recognition. That was—the Immortal Palace!
No explanation was needed. Everyone knew who had arrived—the master of the Immortal Palace, the oldest living being of that lineage, a Supreme Being.
It was said he had lived for countless years, his power unfathomable, yet he rarely appeared in recent times, remaining hidden within the Bronze Immortal Palace as his lifespan waned.
Who would have thought he would emerge today?
Moreover, the Bronze Immortal Palace was merely a projection, yet it exuded strands of immortal pressure.
Everyone realized—today’s troubles had just escalated.
“Fellow Daoist, to descend here for a mere junior—you honor him too much,” Qin Changsheng sighed.
This being from the Immortal Palace was beyond measure. In terms of one-on-one combat, no one in the current Three Thousand Provinces could suppress him within the Mortal Dao realm.
“My presence here ensures I will not leave empty-handed,” the Immortal Palace’s Supreme Being declared.
Qin Changsheng raised his head, studying the white mist. “Yet my Immortal Mountain is not a place to be bullied.”
Silence fell. When conflicts reached this level, none dared interfere lightly—entire sects could be wiped out in an instant.
It was known that while the master of the Immortal Mountain was not a Supreme Being, he had his reliance—an ultimate treasure, the Five Elements Mountain.
Its origins were extraordinary. Not only was it an immortal artifact, but it also held unimaginable secrets.
Rumors claimed it was discovered in a shattered ancient realm, where countless divine and demonic corpses lay upon it—all birthed from its essence, once carrying the gods of the heavens!
Some whispered it might be the very instrument of creation!
Of course, only a select few had heard such tales.
Such artifacts were rare, distinct from ordinary immortal treasures—they were born from the chaos of the primordial world.
Though not necessarily superior to immortal artifacts, they were tied to the origins of existence, ancient beyond reckoning, possibly predating even the Immortal Ancient Era.
When Qin Changsheng found it in that broken cosmos, the sight was horrifying—the five-peaked mountain was covered in the corpses of primal deities, all long dead.
Yet it proved one thing—the Five Elements Mountain had birthed them.
Had it not been partially sealed, it would have been even more formidable.
“I know you wish to unleash the mountain’s power, to break its seals. But this time is different—Shi Hao has offended a true immortal!” the Immortal Palace’s Supreme Being said coldly.
Those words sent chills down everyone’s spines.
All knew the truth—the Immortal Palace housed a crippled immortal, the true source of their lineage. Recent rumors suggested the crippled immortal had suffered an accident.
“Shi Hao, step forward and receive the decree!” the elder from the Immortal Palace suddenly roared.
With a thunderous crack, the void split. Beyond the Qin Clan’s borders, the heavens shattered as a golden decree materialized, radiating immortal energy and supreme pressure.
Even with protective formations, countless within the Qin Clan trembled, their souls quaking. Many collapsed to their knees, unable to resist.
Even sect masters were no exception!
Boom!
Shi Hao’s body blazed with light as he drew the Great Luo Sword Embryo, shielding his parents and loved ones. The divine weapon resisted the pressure, preventing them from kneeling.
Simultaneously, five beams of divine light erupted from the depths of the Qin Clan, spreading across the land and neutralizing the decree’s might.
Otherwise, none could have withstood it.
All were horrified. That was the decree of a crippled immortal—there was no doubt.
So overwhelmingly powerful—who could oppose it?
At this moment, only the Five Elements Mountain could resist. Mortal strength was no match.
“Hah, that crippled immortal—I slaughtered one of his imprints in the Spirit Realm. Now he dares summon me with a decree?” Shi Hao scoffed.
The crowd was stunned. Though rumors had circulated, hearing it confirmed was still shocking. Many were dumbfounded.
Had Shi Hao truly slain an immortal’s imprint in the Spirit Realm?
Some reasoned that the Spirit Realm must have suppressed the immortal’s power, forcing an equal-level battle where the immortal suffered defeat.
Yet even so, it proved Shi Hao’s terrifying talent—was even an immortal inferior in comparison?
Golden light shimmered as the decree hovered in the void, radiant as a sun, its ancient characters resonating through the air.
The message was clear—Shi Hao was to present himself at the Immortal Palace and accept judgment!
Going there meant certain death—no one doubted the outcome.
“Impudent brat! Do you dare defy the decree?” the Immortal Palace’s Supreme Being thundered.
“I’ve already slaughtered a crippled immortal’s imprint—why would I fear a scrap of paper?” Shi Hao declared, his resolve unshaken. There was no good end whether he submitted or not.
His words shook everyone to the core.
This was outright defiance against an immortal!
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