Shi Hao headed straight for the source, not to take direct action, but to reveal certain truths.
Thirty years ago, when he had secretly returned from the lower realm to the three thousand provinces and first approached the edge of the dark territory, he had witnessed, from the shadows, the immortal families colluding with dark creatures and engaging in transactions.
It was also during that time that he had recovered the Rotten Wooden Box.
Just how audacious had those people been back then? To dare trade something of such monumental importance with the dark creatures—their courage was truly earth-shattering.
In those days, Shi Hao had recorded some of their figures and conversations with divine crystals, preserving the scenes as they had unfolded. It was as if he had recreated the past in its entirety.
He had kept these records all this time, never releasing them.
At that point, the Immortal Domain had not yet dispatched its forces, and no one had descended upon this world. Revealing the events of the past prematurely would have been meaningless.
In that era, the immortal families of the Nine Heavens held absolute power. They had even dared to tamper with the Rotten Wooden Box—anyone who exposed the truth would have been swiftly silenced.
Later, though circumstances changed—the Immortal Domain sent its armies—Shi Hao was still not strong enough. Whether targeted by the immortal families of the Nine Heavens or noticed by the Immortal Domain’s forces, he would have been in grave danger.
Now, however, he had become a Supreme Being, unafraid of the Nine Heavens’ families. And with the Immortal Domain’s cultivators about to withdraw, it was the perfect time to make use of their final influence.
That day, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were set ablaze by a shocking revelation.
The Jin Family, the Wang Family, the Feng Clan, and other immortal families had been exposed for their dealings with dark creatures—close, secretive interactions laid bare for all to see.
A single divine crystal had ignited a storm.
This was an event of monumental significance. Though rumors had long circulated that certain clans might have ties to the dark creatures, there had never been direct evidence.
Even when a Dark Supreme Being had appeared shortly after Old Man Wang the Eighth at the Broken Sumeru Mountain, it had only raised suspicions—no definitive proof had emerged.
Some had supported Shi Hao, believing the Wang and Jin Families deserved execution, yet many still found it hard to believe they had truly consorted with the dark creatures.
Now, a divine crystal surfaced, bearing images from thirty years ago—clear figures, undeniable words—and the world trembled.
This was a cataclysm, a tsunami of revelations!
In the eyes of the world, the immortal families were sacred, mighty, and exalted—having produced true immortals. How could they betray the Nine Heavens?
Only a few knew the truth: that these so-called immortal clans were far more complex, rife with deceit, darkness, blood, and steel—far more ruthless than anyone imagined.
But the vast majority of the world remained ignorant, viewing them from a distance as sacred, lofty, the very pillars defending the Nine Heavens.
When the crystal was revealed, exposing the truth, many were stunned. Long-held beliefs crumbled.
“This is undoubtedly fake! A forgery! How can a mere crystal serve as evidence? What a joke!” someone immediately protested.
Clearly, some families were terrified. The timing was too sensitive, too precarious—right on the eve of their ascension to the Immortal Domain. This was nothing short of a fatal blow.
At this critical juncture, such a revelation could sever their path forward entirely.
If confirmed, the Immortal Domain would have no choice but to intervene.
Thus, almost immediately, a storm erupted. While the world reeled, certain families scrambled to suppress the truth.
“This is just one crystal—nothing more! It proves nothing! Someone is fabricating lies!”
A revered elder, known for his integrity and long-standing reputation, was summoned by one of the immortal families to denounce this “slander.”
“The immortal families have led the world, defending the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths for an entire epoch, spilling blood and tears! How could they betray this land, willingly becoming those abominable dark creatures? Impossible! Clearly, someone is smearing their honor!”
A well-known figure, famed for his impartiality and serving as the lord of a divine city, stepped forward, loudly condemning those who sought to twist the truth.
The world erupted into chaos, a cacophony of voices rising like a boiling cauldron.
Some doubted, some were horrified, some saw the truth, and others refused to believe.
Days later, a second divine crystal emerged, cast into a great city, revealing even more damning evidence—continuations of the first crystal’s recordings, with unmistakable clarity.
Many who witnessed it up close felt it could not be forged.
Moreover, the crystal showed familiar faces—prominent figures from the immortal families.
“Boom!”
The impact was seismic.
This time, the world was in uproar. If even the immortal families were corrupt, how deep did the rot in the Nine Heavens go?
The ideological shock left many trembling with dread. Had the Immortal Domain not sent its armies, would those immortal families have truly defected?
“Despicable! This is shameless slander! The pure remain pure, the tainted remain tainted. Justice will prevail! The immortal families have defended the Nine Heavens unwaveringly, just as our ancestors did—heads may roll, blood may spill, but they would never betray us!”
Immediately, voices rose to vehemently denounce the “fabricators.”
The immortal families reacted swiftly. Before the second crystal could be widely copied, they seized control of it.
That very day, a Quasi-Supreme Being emerged to oversee the matter.
This figure had lived since the ancient times, his seniority awe-inspiring. Just a step away from the Supreme Realm, he commanded immense respect.
More importantly, he had forged connections with many great clans over the years, his influence vast.
That same day, he summoned other ancient figures—living fossils of immense prestige—and together, they solemnly declared they would investigate thoroughly.
“Did you hear? Elder Zheng De has emerged from seclusion! Even he has been stirred to action, uniting with other venerable experts to verify the authenticity of the crystals and deliver justice!”
“Elder Zheng De—a Quasi-Supreme who has lived since the ancient times! Some even say he once stepped into the Supreme Realm but was wounded by the Great Dao and fell back. A man of righteousness and impartiality, renowned for his virtue!”
The news sent waves of astonishment through the world. Many eagerly awaited the truth, trusting that such esteemed figures would uncover it.
“The truth will be revealed in two days!” declared one of the elders accompanying Zheng De, assuring the public of an impartial verdict.
For two days, the world was in turmoil. Everywhere, people debated the matter—an earth-shattering affair.
Within the immortal families, however, the mood was stormy. Faces darkened with dread. They sensed disaster looming.
Their only solace was their swift response—bringing forth Zheng De and other revered figures to “verify” the crystals and “restore the truth.”
This was not their final move. They had other aces, other renowned figures ready to step forward, their plans meticulously laid.
Their greatest fear was the timing. Whoever had released the crystals had struck at the most vulnerable moment—a potentially fatal blow.
If the Immortal Domain took notice, would they still be allowed to ascend? All their efforts might come to nothing.
“We must find the culprit quickly, before more crystals are released!”
The families seethed with hatred, mobilizing forces to monitor every corner of the world.
For two days, the world waited.
Then, the moment arrived.
Zheng De and the elders stood solemnly upon a grand altar, holding the two crystals on jade plates, ready to announce their findings.
“After thorough examination, we declare the imprints within the divine crystals to be forgeries—fabrications meant to slander the immortal families!” Zheng De proclaimed gravely.
Boom!
The declaration sent shockwaves through the world.
“I knew it! The immortal families would never do such things! They are the shields of the Nine Heavens, defending our world with flesh and blood!”
“May the immortal clans shine eternally, safeguarding our realm!”
The families’ prearranged supporters sprang into action, extolling their virtues and past glories.
Other renowned cultivators also stepped forward, staunchly defending the immortal families.
Yet, the shadowy figure behind the revelations seemed unfazed. Days later, a third crystal surfaced.
“False! Shameless lies! This person seeks to tarnish the immortal families, betraying the Nine Heavens with ulterior motives!” Zheng De thundered, denouncing the new evidence.
Other prominent figures echoed his words, standing firm with the immortal families.
Then, on the same day, a fourth crystal—the final one—was released.
Zheng De and the others felt a chill run down their spines.
The implicated immortal families were thrown into panic. They could no longer sit still.
For the fourth crystal clearly depicted one of the families delivering the Rotten Wooden Box to the dark creatures.
The world exploded.
The Rotten Wooden Box—an artifact the Immortal Domain itself had sought for thirty years!
At this critical moment, the fourth crystal struck like a comet, leaving the families reeling.
Even if the earlier crystals were dismissed as fakes, this one would force the Immortal Domain to intervene.
It was a merciless move.
Holding this crystal back until now—it was a calculated, fatal strike.
The immortal families realized they had been played. Their attempts to clear their names had only amplified the scandal, making the final revelation all the more devastating.
Without the uproar, would the world have paid such attention? Now, with all eyes upon them, the fourth crystal’s impact was maximized.
And with the Rotten Wooden Box involved, the Immortal Domain would have no choice but to step in.
If a true immortal investigated, the truth would be undeniable.
“How ruthless!”
Within the immortal families, many faces paled with terror.
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