That realm left Shi Hao with much pain. Before the Imperial Pass, countless heroes had fallen in battle, their bones buried in foreign lands, their souls extinguished on the battlefield—a scene of tragic sacrifice.
Compared to the beings of the Immortal Domain, the cultivators of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were limited by their cultivation environment, their attainments not as profound. Yet, they left an indelible mark on Shi Hao’s heart.
In that battle before the Imperial Pass, the old soldiers and commanders had fought fearlessly, using their flesh and blood to block the iron cavalry of the foreign realm. The memory still brought tears to his eyes.
“The foreign realm—I must set foot there!” Shi Hao clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with determination.
The Great Elder had withered there, never to be seen again.
He had fallen into darkness, having fought too fiercely, slaughtering countless enemies until he was too exhausted to overcome the tribulation of immortality. Enshrouded by ominous forces, he was ultimately taken away.
Shi Hao did not leave immediately. Instead, he headed for the star system where Pan King resided, wishing to reunite with old friends.
A massive continent floated in the cosmos, upon which stood an ancient city. Primordial energies swirled, and chaotic mists pervaded the air, lending the place an aura of profound majesty.
Shi Hao’s arrival sent shockwaves through the land!
His name was now renowned—who did not know of him? He had suppressed the three Immortal Kings, Ao Sheng, Yuan Chu, and Tai Shi, with unmatched valor.
Moreover, news had just arrived that he had ventured into the Boundary Sea and returned with two heads—both belonging to beings of Immortal King level!
The gates of Pan King’s city swung open, and his clan lined up to welcome Shi Hao. A golden path stretched out for hundreds of thousands of miles, inviting him to step upon it.
There was also a war chariot, weathered by time, bearing the marks of countless eras. Its origins were extraordinary—it belonged to Pan King himself, a vehicle he alone usually rode.
Today, one of his descendants personally welcomed Shi Hao, inviting him to board the chariot and ride into the city in this ancient bronze carriage of great significance.
Pan King appeared in person, standing at the entrance of his residence to welcome Shi Hao—the highest honor possible. Other Immortal Kings who had lived through multiple epochs would not receive such treatment; Pan King would merely wait for them in his abode.
“Such courtesy from Pan King leaves this junior humbled,” Shi Hao said, expressing his gratitude for Pan King’s protection of his kin and friends.
He knew that over the years, Pan King and Hun Yuan Immortal King had shielded the Heavenly Court’s faction. Without them, many would have been annihilated by the three Immortal King clans.
“You flatter me, young friend. You now stand at the pinnacle of the immortal path. There is no need for such deference—we may address each other as peers,” Pan King said with a smile.
He was a spirit born from a sacred peach tree, exuding vibrant life energy. Despite having lived through multiple epochs, he remained youthful, untouched by the weariness of time.
Of course, only a powerhouse like Shi Hao could perceive his true form. Ordinarily, Pan King remained shrouded in chaos, seated motionless in his abode, beyond the sight and daring of outsiders.
Shi Hao did not presume upon his status. He remembered Pan King’s kindness—the fact that Pan King had once intervened on his behalf was a debt he intended to repay.
“Fellow Daoist, you’ve slain two powerhouses from the Boundary Sea and returned with their heads so swiftly—truly awe-inspiring,” Pan King praised.
But then his tone shifted. “Yet, you needn’t hand those heads over to them. Keep them for yourself and refine them slowly. Any Immortal King-level being is a treasure trove.”
“Those two fought like madmen. I shattered their souls and gleaned most of their secrets. Moreover, I’ve taken all their collections,” Shi Hao said.
With a clatter, he laid out a dazzling array of treasures: a massive slab of Dark Immortal Gold, as large as a tabletop, which even made Pan King’s expression flicker.
There were also countless formation banners, crafted from supreme materials, forming an Immortal King-level grand formation.
A stone inscribed with runes reminiscent of the creation of heaven and earth—World Stone, a complete piece birthed only by a major world. In value, it might surpass even the Dark Immortal Gold.
A hammer exuding supreme aura, radiating Immortal King power—a true Immortal King artifact.
Alongside these were rare materials and numerous vials, all treasures hoarded by an Immortal King.
Pan King was astonished. This was indeed a top-tier trove, plundered entirely by Shi Hao.
“Pan King, please accept these as a token of my respect,” Shi Hao said, offering them all.
“I cannot. These are far too precious,” Pan King refused. The Immortal King artifact alone was enough to stir the world—not every Immortal King could forge such a weapon.
“Please take them. I slew two powerhouses in the Boundary Sea. This is only one of their treasures—I’ve kept another for myself,” Shi Hao insisted.
The remaining trove he intended for Mu Qing, Chi Long, and others, to fully arm the Heavenly Court and strengthen their forces.
After much persuasion, Pan King finally accepted.
“In truth, the treasures of Tai Shi, Ao Sheng, and Yuan Chu’s clans must be vast. Once I return from the foreign realm, I’ll open them and invite you to join me,” Shi Hao said.
Pan King felt complex emotions. Those were three supreme Immortal Kings, yet they had been suppressed by this young man.
Fifty thousand years ago, Shi Hao had been a mere cultivator, and Ao Sheng had sought to kill him in the Immortal Domain. Back then, Pan King had intervened across the stars to block that strike.
Now, after millennia, Shi Hao had grown to such heights!
Pan King couldn’t help but marvel. The speed of this young man’s rise was beyond belief.
“Yet, I’ve failed those elders, dragging them into calamity…” Shi Hao’s eyes reddened with sorrow.
He thought of the Forbidden Zone’s Master, the golden palm bone, the crystal skull, and the other old monsters.
In that battle, they had stood up for him, only to be shattered by Ao Sheng, Tai Shi, and Yuan Chu, their remains destroyed.
Seeing Shi Hao’s tears, Pan King was moved. At their level, emotions were usually tightly controlled.
Unless it was overwhelming grief or joy—or unless one retained a childlike heart, remaining deeply sentimental, unlike the typical cold and detached Immortal Kings.
As one’s cultivation reached a certain height, achieving the Immortal King realm, a single seclusion could span millennia. The world changed, civilizations rose and fell, and those around them came and went. Over time, their hearts grew cold and unfeeling.
“Life is full of regrets, Fellow Daoist. Do not grieve,” Pan King consoled.
But how could Shi Hao not mourn? The Forbidden Zone’s Master, clad in white, peerless and elegant, had guided him, aided him, and even fought to the death for him.
“Life has its ups and downs—not all is sorrow. Come, Fellow Daoist, let me give you a pleasant surprise,” Pan King said.
They entered Pan King’s secluded abode, an ancient cave.
“Elder!”
Shi Hao immediately sensed a familiar presence and cried out. He saw the Forbidden Zone’s Master, still clad in spotless white, transcendent and peerless.
Yet, his form was even more indistinct now.
Beside him were a fragment of a crystal skull, half of a golden palm bone, and a withered eyeball—all still present, but terribly weakened.
“Elders, you’re still alive!” Shi Hao’s eyes welled with tears. Seeing them again was a joy beyond words.
He had thought their sacrifice would haunt him forever, a regret etched into his soul.
Yet, they still lingered!
“We died in the previous epoch. What is there to speak of life or death now? All is but lingering will,” the Forbidden Zone’s Master said.
He smiled, though self-mockingly, and with joy at seeing Shi Hao again.
In truth, they had been stunned and elated when Shi Hao emerged alive. Witnessing his power had filled them with pride.
Though mere remnants of will, they had nearly dissipated in that battle. Over the millennia, they had slumbered, awakening only a handful of times.
“In my name, I sever the fortunes of heaven and earth for a million years!” Shi Hao declared, his words becoming law. He formed hand seals and struck toward the Immortal Domain.
A deafening roar echoed as vast, boundless dao energies surged forth, a majestic and benevolent force flooding the area.
“Who dares?!”
“Who steals the Immortal Domain’s foundational fortune?!”
Voices of Immortal Kings rang out from across the domain—only beings of their level could sense what was happening.
“I am Shi Hao!”
His voice carried the weight of his decree, severing infinite fortunes and drawing down heavenly blessings to envelop the Forbidden Zone’s Master and the golden palm bone.
At the mention of his name, silence fell.
In recent days, his name had spread throughout the Immortal Domain. His might was undeniable—suppressing Ao Sheng, Tai Shi, and Yuan Chu, confronting six Immortal Kings, and venturing into the Boundary Sea to slay two foes.
Such a fierce reputation was earned through blood and battle. None dared underestimate him now.
Few in the Immortal Domain could seize foundational fortunes like this—only the mightiest overlords could, and not without cost.
The universe demanded balance; karma would exact its due.
Shi Hao’s actions would one day demand repayment.
“You must not do this!”
The remnants of will grew stronger, their forms solidifying as they sought to stop him.
“Fear not. All karma falls upon me. If one day the heavens themselves collapse, what is this small debt?” Shi Hao said calmly.
“Have you seen something?” Pan King asked.
At the moment of achieving the Immortal King realm, one’s spiritual senses peaked, allowing glimpses of hidden truths.
Later, Shi Hao met with Tianjiao Ant, Mu Qing, and the others.
“Roar—! You’re alive! It’s truly wonderful!” The Divine Striking Stone hurled itself at him, crashing into him repeatedly. After so many years apart, even this usually irreverent creature was moved to tears.
To live—such a simple desire, yet it carried fifty thousand years of hardship. The Heavenly Court’s faction had suffered greatly.
“Master!” Chi Long cried out.
“Elder Brother, Zhu Lin… she’s gone,” Mu Qing wept.
The Imperial Butterfly fluttered onto Shi Hao’s shoulder.
“You’ve endured so much,” Shi Hao said, urging them to sit and share their tales. He had long feared they might perish in his absence.
Fortunately, Pan King had brought them into the Immortal Domain, where the dense immortal substances had preserved them.
Yet, over fifty thousand years, battles had been relentless. They were no sheltered sprouts—they had fought in cities and starfields.
“Those three old bastards are suppressed. Once I return from the foreign realm, I’ll execute them and plunder their vaults. You’ll all come with me!” Shi Hao declared.
But some were lost forever. Even with his power, he could not bring them back.
“If reincarnation does not exist, so be it. But if it does, I will find every trace of will and lingering intent!” Shi Hao’s words shook the void.
Some denied reincarnation, as did he. He stood alone in the world, believing invincibility in this life could solve all.
Yet, human power had limits. Seeing those around him vanish one by one, Shi Hao grieved. Though he did not believe in reincarnation, he still hoped it existed.
“Will you truly go to the foreign realm?” Tianjiao Ant asked.
“I must,” Shi Hao replied.
“We’ve burdened you,” the Thunder Spirit said.
Mu Qing, Chi Long, and the others bowed their heads, weighed by guilt. When six Immortal Kings had confronted Shi Hao, he had stood firm, declaring he alone could replace Ao Sheng, Tai Shi, and Yuan Chu, refusing to yield.
He had even been ready to fight to the death, invoking the “He Transforms, Freedom Supreme Art” to summon mighty avatars.
Yet, when the six Immortal Kings softened, Shi Hao had taken the initiative to hunt enemies, compensating for the absence of the three suppressed kings.
All this was to protect Mu Qing, Chi Long, and the others who had arrived—members of the Heavenly Court, Qing Yi, Chang Gong Yan, and more. He feared they would perish in the battle.
“No, do not think that way. I intended to act regardless,” Shi Hao reassured them.
This was true. Though the Immortal Domain had seldom aided the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, they were broadly aligned. The enemies of the Immortal Domain were his enemies—the foreign realm, the dark beings of the Boundary Sea.
If those forces broke through, they would eventually ravage his homeland.
On a grand scale, he would have had to act sooner or later.
Had he fought the six Immortal Kings in a frenzy, the consequences would have been dire.
Instead, his display of the “He Transforms, Freedom Supreme Art” had cowed them into submission.
His subsequent hunt was both a test of his power and a warning to the Immortal Kings—to tread carefully henceforth.
For now, outright conflict was best avoided.
Next time, any provocation might truly ignite his killing intent.
Shi Hao left behind an Immortal King’s treasure and set off—for the foreign realm!
At the same time, the Moon Rabbit, the Banished Immortal, Qing Yi, Chang Gong Yan, and others were hastening toward Pan King’s dominion from other starfields, though they lagged behind.
Shi Hao chose to strike first, reuniting with all his old friends upon his return.
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