Chapter 1733: The Forbidden Zone of Life

The frigid wasteland, the lower eight realms regarded as a prison, actually harbored a forbidden zone of life?

Shi Hao’s muscles tensed. This was no ruin—it was perfectly intact, clearly inhabited by some ancient, taboo existence.

Beings of that caliber could face even the invasion of the otherworld with ease, carving out their own domain, untouchable by worldly conflicts, their power beyond measure.

Shi Hao had been to the Crossroads of Yin and Yang, but that place was now just ruins, no longer a true forbidden zone of life.

Now, back in the lower realm, he had the fortune—or rather, misfortune—to encounter one?

Legends spoke of such places as inescapable, where even heaven-defying geniuses would meet their end.

A bitter taste filled Shi Hao’s mouth as he sighed softly. After finally returning to the lower realm, he ran into this. Truly, fate was cruel.

The forbidden zone blocked his path, cutting off the vast desert.

Behind him lay the road—the stone staircase leading to the three thousand provinces.

Now, he had only two choices: press forward or ascend the steps back to the three thousand provinces.

But when Shi Hao turned around, his expression froze. Where was the road?

Behind him, there was only emptiness. The celestial ladder, the ancient stone path to the upper realm, had vanished without a trace.

Shi Hao’s head spun. Without that path, how would he return to the three thousand provinces?

He quickly steeled himself. Danger was at hand—no time to worry about the future. There was no choice now but to move forward.

The sky was dim, neither lit by the sun nor shrouded in darkness, like a quiet dusk tinged with blood.

Shi Hao stepped forward. With no other option, he advanced.

“Whoosh!”

Golden light flickered in his sleeve as a wild beast’s aura emerged. The Golden Lion appeared on the silent land.

Born mighty and rare in bloodline, the Fearless Lion looked around in confusion before exclaiming, “This is the lower realm?”

It could hardly believe it, already intoxicated by the scent of immortality herbs, so enchanting it felt its pores opening, as if ascending to divinity.

Without ceremony, Shi Hao mounted its back and urged it forward.

“Forbidden Zone of Life?” The Golden Lion yelped, spotting the stele with clear warnings: this was a forbidden land, not to be trespassed.

Unfortunately, it couldn’t read the first two characters—the name of the forbidden zone.

“I knew it. Whenever there’s danger, I’m always the first to charge,” the Golden Lion grumbled.

Shi Hao ignored it, studying the characters. They seemed more like unique symbols than ordinary immortal script.

The master of the forbidden zone was likely arrogant enough to name his domain with self-created symbols rather than conventional titles.

“Junior Shi Hao, passing through your esteemed land. Apologies for the disturbance,” Shi Hao called out. Regardless, he had to announce himself.

**Boom!**

The moment he spoke, the forbidden zone erupted with astonishing changes. Medicinal fields glowed, their fragrance intensifying as ancient herbs fled.

Could they all be divine herbs?

Even from a distance, Shi Hao’s heart raced. A single immortality herb, plus multiple divine herbs—this place was irresistible.

Pillars of light shot up, piercing the heavens like celestial pillars, their grandeur overwhelming.

Yet, despite the brilliance, the surroundings darkened, leaving only the immediate area illuminated—as if stepping into midnight, lit by scattered lanterns.

“Who disturbs the tranquility of the forbidden zone?” a voice demanded.

Shi Hao had barely arrived, yet someone responded, shattering the eternal silence.

“Junior Shi Hao, no offense intended. I merely wish to return home…”

Even with his pride, Shi Hao wouldn’t provoke a forbidden zone. He spoke calmly, explaining his presence.

“We erected a divine stele: trespassers in the slumbering lands—die. Rules are rules, not to be defied.”

The voice from the depths remained emotionless, yet to Shi Hao, it was thunderous. This being was ruthless.

Death just for approaching? No offense committed, yet already condemned?

To him, the forbidden zone’s ruler was tyrannical.

The Golden Lion’s fur bristled in terror. Offending a forbidden zone master meant certain doom.

“Where is this divine stele? I never saw it,” Shi Hao countered, unshaken.

Few dared argue with forbidden zone beings. The Golden Lion broke into a cold sweat—was Shi Hao courting death?

A brief silence. Then, a sigh from the depths. “Gone, truly gone. Time is merciless.”

As the voice faded, shattered stones before Shi Hao rose, reassembling into an ancient stele, its surface scarred with terrifying marks of power.

Shi Hao was awed. It felt as if time had reversed, the stele emerging from the river of ages.

“Though the stele fell, the rule stands unbroken,” the being declared, still intent on killing Shi Hao and the Golden Lion.

“However, those within you may be spared. They are innocent, brought here by you.”

This time, Shi Hao didn’t argue. If his parents and the children could leave safely, so be it.

With a roar, light erupted from Shi Hao’s chest as a warship emerged, expanding to full size.

His body and self-created void could both house the ship, protecting it when he crossed the Crossroads of Yin and Yang.

Inside, Shi Ziling, Qin Yining, and the children remained unaware of the outside world.

“Child, have we returned to the lower realm?” Qin Yining asked.

“Yes,” Shi Hao replied. “Go ahead. I must speak with an elder. Wait for me in Stone Country, in Stone Village.”

He dared not reveal the truth, fearing their worry.

Meanwhile, divine light unfurled in the forbidden zone, forming a silver path like a waterfall or galaxy, stretching beyond.

A road leading out.

“This place…”

Shi Ziling and Qin Yining, no ordinary folk, sensed the immortal herbs and were stunned.

“Go now. Don’t wait. Head straight to Stone Country, to Stone Village!” Shi Hao urged sternly.

Reluctantly, they nodded and set the warship sailing away along the silver path, vanishing in an instant.

The Golden Lion watched enviously before glaring at Shi Hao. It, too, could have left—had Shi Hao not released it early, dragging it into the forbidden zone.

“Who disturbs us?”

Another voice, clear and magnetic, gentler than the first.

“A man and a beast. They trespassed into our domain. Death is warranted,” the first voice answered respectfully.

“Child, your bloodlust still clouds your path to the Dao,” the gentle voice chided, soothing as a spring breeze.

Shi Hao was shocked. The first speaker, already formidable, was merely a servant?

The Golden Lion’s head spun in disbelief. That “servant” was surely an immortal-level entity, unfathomably powerful.

“Oh? Came from the three thousand provinces? Interesting, to have crossed that path,” the magnetic voice mused.

“Child, withdraw the formations. Bring them to me.”

The man wished to see Shi Hao.