Chapter 1920: The Curtain Falls

In the eyes of the world, Shi Hao had lived for nearly ten thousand years, yet he remained youthful. No one knew just how strong he was or how much longer he could live.

But those around him had grown old. Even those like Shi Zi Ling and his wife, the Crimson Bird, and others whose lives Shi Hao had extended once when they were over five thousand years old, had now entered their twilight years once more.

A gentle breeze swept across Demon Island, where a divine river flowed, carrying boundless curse energy that turned this place into a forbidden land.

The Immortal Tomb hovered above Demon Island, at the end of a long river, exuding an aura of endless curses. Nearly ten thousand years had passed, and this place had only grown more terrifying.

In truth, the entire island was devoid of life, and no one dared approach it anymore.

Today, Shi Hao arrived, bringing his parents, Yun Xi, and the white cauldron, following the cursed river toward the massive Immortal Tomb that loomed like a mountain.

Shi Hao’s body radiated light, shielding everyone. No curse could touch him, no evil could approach—his power repelled all.

This path was familiar to Shi Hao. It was not his first time here, nor even the first time he had brought his family. Now, he had returned once more.

Upon the Immortal Tomb, a young girl remained unchanged by time, her face untouched by the years.

And at the foot of the tomb stood Shi Hao’s grandfather, the Fifteenth Grandfather, Shi Zhong Tian. His hair was jet-black, his eyes closed, and he appeared even younger than the white-haired Shi Zi Ling.

“Grandfather, A’Man, I’ve come to see you,” Shi Hao called out, gazing ahead.

The Fifteenth Grandfather needed no introduction—he had always cherished Shi Hao, fought for him, and once wreaked havoc in the imperial capital of the Shi Kingdom.

A’Man had shown Shi Hao great kindness. When he was young and his Supreme Bone had been stolen, leaving him at his weakest, it was A’Man’s meticulous care that had kept him alive. Without her, he would have perished long ago.

“Child!”

“Little Hao…”

Two waves of divine sense reached Shi Hao’s heart—the voices of the Fifteenth Grandfather and A’Man.

This was not their first exchange. Two thousand years ago, when these two had awakened, Shi Hao had visited them and spoken through divine sense. That year, they had been overwhelmed with emotion.

“Grandfather, A’Man, are you well?” Shi Hao called out.

His heart trembled. He was still not strong enough. If he were truly powerful, these two would not be here—they would be with him, forever.

A’Man had stayed behind because of her destiny. Behind the Immortal Tomb lay a path, and a certain being had returned, intending to take her as a nominal disciple.

Over the years, A’Man had inherited this being’s teachings, meeting his requirements.

But according to A’Man’s speculations, this era was too cruel. Even that being, who had traversed the Boundary Sea unscathed, feared an unprecedented reckoning—a storm of blood and chaos beyond imagination.

Even one as mighty as him could not guarantee his own survival. He sought to leave behind another lineage, ensuring its continuation.

A’Man was one such thread he had laid down, a contingency in case all other inheritances were severed.

The Fifteenth Grandfather, unwilling to let A’Man stay alone, had insisted on accompanying her, treating her as his own granddaughter. That being had granted his wish, infusing him with the blood of a long-dead Demon Sovereign to temper his body.

Within this great tomb, though endless curses lingered, there was also an undying essence that had spared them the ravages of time.

“We cannot leave the Immortal Tomb, but now it is time for us to depart,” the Fifteenth Grandfather sighed softly.

“That supreme being has already reached the embankment, crossed the Boundary Sea. He will take us to witness that battle, for I am his nominal disciple,” A’Man said.

“Father!”

Shi Zi Ling’s voice trembled. Though he had come many times, he had never been able to take his father away, leaving him with deep regret.

Now, hearing that his father would journey to the embankment world, his worry deepened, his eyes filled with anxiety.

“A’Man!”

They called softly to A’Man, treating her as their own daughter, their hearts heavy with concern for her future. What trials awaited her under the summons of that supreme being?

“Grandfather, A’Man, can you not stay?” Yun Xi asked, her voice laced with sorrow. She knew how important these two were to Shi Hao’s life.

“I fear not. That supreme being’s will has already descended. We linger only to see you one last time.”

Shi Hao clenched his fists. He truly wished to keep them here.

“Wake Little Stone,” Yun Xi reminded him.

Shi Hao unsealed the white cauldron and lifted the child out, gently rousing him. “Call them Aunt and Great-Grandfather.”

Little Stone awoke, slightly dazed, before his childish voice rang out, causing the tomb to tremble.

“Good, good, good!” Shi Zhong Tian laughed joyfully, tears glistening in his eyes.

“Little Hao, take care of yourself. You must all survive. Once we reach the embankment world, I will pray for you,” A’Man said.

“This foolish girl begged her master repeatedly to join the battle there, but only if he promised to protect her family,” Shi Zhong Tian added.

In truth, he too had gone with this intention—to follow that supreme being, hoping one day to seek his protection for their descendants.

“Grandfather! A’Man!” Yun Xi, Shi Zi Ling, and his wife cried out, their voices shaking.

Shi Hao’s voice was low. “How can I let you go to that battlefield? Wait for me. One day, I will stand upon it myself and bring you all back!”

The Fifteenth Grandfather left. A’Man departed. The Immortal Tomb fell into silence, becoming a land of death.

Upon his return, Shi Hao saw the Golden Lion standing alone in the sunset, gazing into the distance. It was now a withered shadow of its former self—its golden mane gone, its body skeletal, its once-majestic presence faded.

Shi Hao took out a vial of immortal blood, intending to forcibly extend its life.

“I am not like your kin or old friends. They refused to burden you, unwilling to waste your immortal medicines, choosing death instead. But I—I truly do not wish to accept this!” the Golden Lion declared.

“Very well. Go where you wish, and I will send you,” Shi Hao said, unwilling to force it.

“To the Borderlands!”

Two days later, the Golden Lion died. Shi Hao buried it in the Borderlands—a simple grave for a once-ferocious beast.

Even in death, it remained seated, its bones unbroken, its eyes open, staring toward the land of its birth.

This was but one example. Over the years, many others had passed away.

Nearly ten thousand years had gone by. Who could escape death? Who could endure forever?

“Boom!”

The heavens trembled as space was torn apart.

The laws of the myriad realms were thrown into chaos—something significant had occurred.

Shi Hao soared into the sky, rushing toward the disturbance.

In the end, he sighed softly. The Stone Bell had dissolved into the Dao.

Despite all efforts, the Stone Bell had failed to merge with the Heavenly Heart Mark. In the end, it collapsed, merging with the Great Dao.

Even Shi Hao could not prevent this. Cultivation was a path one must walk alone.

Failure meant dissolution—no one could save it.

“Bang!”

Light rained down as two of the three Thunder Spirits shattered, pouring their essence into the third, allowing it to succeed—just like the Heavenly Horned Ant—in fusing with the Heavenly Heart Mark.

Time was merciless, severing the path of cultivators.

To the world, Shi Hao was nearly twelve thousand years old. By now, the Heavenly Court had seen generations come and go—the old soldiers and generals of the past were long gone.

Shi Hao’s parents’ life force had withered. The Crimson Bird had lost all its feathers. The Azure-Scaled Eagles could no longer fly. The Black Tortoise’s shell had cracked.

Even the indomitable Zhu Yan—Mao Qiu—had grown frail, no longer able to lift his great iron staff.

Once, Shi Hao had extended their lives, but in the end, they could not escape the cycle of life and death. That day had come—their lives had reached their end once more.

Shi Hao had no more solutions. His true blood and immortal medicines had lost their effect—their bodies had grown resistant.

Yun Xi’s beauty remained, her face still youthful, but her life was nearing its end.

“I truly do not wish to leave,” Yun Xi said, her eyes red. It was not the mortal world she clung to, but the people in her life.

She looked at Shi Hao, her voice trembling. “You must protect yourself. Live well. Do not be reckless!”

Shi Hao gently smoothed her hair and nodded silently.

“In my last life, when my time was near, I told you to seek the one beneath the fire mulberry tree. I was not jealous. To have walked two lifetimes with you—I am content. I can leave with a smile.”

Yun Xi smiled, but tears still fell. She clung to Shi Hao’s hand, gripping it tightly. She knew her time had come.

“My only worry is Little Stone. He is still so young, not yet grown. You must take good care of him!” she wept.

Her sorrow was deep as she held the white cauldron tightly.

Shi Hao unsealed it, waking Little Stone and lifting him out.

“Mother…” the child murmured, reaching up to wipe Yun Xi’s tears.

“My child, I cannot bear to leave you!” Yun Xi sobbed, clutching him, unwilling to let go.

“Do not grieve. Think of it as a long slumber,” Shi Hao comforted.

……

Days later, a mournful roar shook the Eight Lower Realms!

Shi Hao stood alone before Stone Village, wielding heaven-shaking power to extract the essence of the world, condensing divine source liquid. He sealed the entire village!

He sealed everyone—his parents, Yun Xi, the Crimson Bird, Mao Qiu, the old chief, Da Zhuang, Er Meng, Qing Feng, Pi Hou, and the others.

“If one day I stand above all eternity, I shall share my years with you!” Shi Hao roared, his voice filled with sorrow.

That day, Stone Village vanished.