Once, the sacred tree of the Fire Nation’s ancestral spirit took root here, its roots entwined with a pair of Vermilion Bird wings, forming a mystical gateway. Inside lay the golden coffin of an ancient sage-emperor, sealing a mysterious cavern. Such a sight was nothing short of astonishing. Shi Hao felt a chill run down his spine, realizing he had inadvertently stumbled upon a profound secret.
“The Fire Nation is no ordinary place. Rumor has it that several supreme sects have sent their disciples into the ancestral lands, as if searching for something.”
“Could it be the secret to attaining true divinity? Even if such a thing exists, it’s unlikely to still be there.”
Some young powerhouses from beyond the domain whispered among themselves, unafraid of being overheard. Shi Hao’s interest was piqued—were their words credible?
Others entered the grand pavilion, taking their seats and discussing similar topics, though their interpretations differed greatly.
“I believe those sects are seeking the origin of the great calamity. Perhaps it all began here in the Fire Nation.”
These words were perplexing. Even now, few truly understood the nature of the great calamity—why it had occurred in the first place.
Shi Hao took a deep breath, making one final attempt. He focused his gaze, willing himself to pierce through the golden coffin and glimpse what lay beyond the cavern. Channeling all his power, his divine eye shimmered, transforming into Dao patterns that merged with his vision, allowing him to peer through the void.
Both his divine eye and his own ached, blood trickling down. Yet he pushed his divine power to the limit, desperate to uncover the truth within the cavern.
At last, he glimpsed something—behind the golden coffin, the ancient cavern stretched into unfathomable depths, as if connected to an archaic world. Amidst the swirling mist, he saw scattered corpses and shattered weapons—a vast, desolate battlefield from antiquity.
But in an instant, the vision faded, replaced by a surge of sacred radiance, reminiscent of the luminous gate he had once seen near the Kun Peng’s nest, pulsing with enigmatic power.
“Ah, Princess Qianqian has arrived—one of the Ten Beauties of the Profound Domain, renowned among the younger generation,” someone murmured, admiration in their voice.
Shi Hao withdrew from his vision and turned his gaze outward, spotting the woman—the same ethereal being from beyond the domain he had seen upon entering the Fire Nation’s capital. Clearly not human, she bore a diamond-shaped mark on her forehead and a pair of jade horns, short yet radiant amidst her flowing hair, lending her an otherworldly allure.
Otherwise, she appeared human—tall, graceful, though her eyes occasionally flashed with sharp intensity.
“The Profound Domain?” Shi Hao’s eyes gleamed. His parents had ventured there, and his grandfather had followed. He yearned to learn more about that realm, though few from there had come to the Barren Domain—until now.
Princess Qianqian was accompanied by a retinue of formidable experts, clearly elites of their domain. They settled at a table, drawing attention.
“Princess Qianqian, we heard your prodigious cousin has completed his training under the Western Sect and returned. Did he not come to the Barren Domain? Given his temperament, he surely would have rushed here after hearing of the Twin Stones’ battle.”
Many shuddered at the mention. Though that madman had studied under the Western Sect, he bore little resemblance to its disciples. Every time he descended the mountain, he sought challenges, his temper infamous—a truly fearsome figure.
Rumors spoke of his indestructible Vajra Body, a path of physical ascension that had made him invincible in the Profound Domain.
The Western Sect—also known as the Western Heaven Sect—stood alongside the Heaven Mending and Heaven Severing Sects as an immortal legacy spanning multiple domains. The Vajra Body was one of its supreme techniques, bestowed only upon the most exceptional.
“I suppose he must have come,” Qianqian replied with a smile, her hair cascading like a waterfall, her delicate brows lifting.
The crowd tensed. Everyone from the Profound Domain knew of that madman’s prowess—and dreaded encountering him.
The Profound Domain was a land of unparalleled grandeur, vast and teeming with prodigies. The Western Sect’s roots lay deep within its soil.
“A mere lunatic, only fearsome in the Profound Domain,” a cold voice cut through the silence.
All eyes turned toward a jade table where a figure sat—unremarkable in appearance, yet unmistakably not human, with pristine feathered wings and a halo above his head.
“A royal-blooded Feather Clan expert!” someone gasped. Such beings were rare even among their kind, surpassing even kingly bloodlines. If nurtured fully, they could ascend to lead their race.
Which domain did he hail from? The Feather Clan was vast, spread across many realms. If united, their power would be terrifying.
The Profound Domain’s envoys glared, tension thickening the air.
*BANG!*
The hall doors were kicked open as several figures strode in, their expressions dark with displeasure.
“Ah, the Flood Domain’s envoys. Looks like they were denied an audience with the Fire Nation’s princess again,” someone muttered.
Lately, Princess Huo Ling’er of the Fire Nation had grown weary of visitors seeking the “Little Stone” from the Twin Stones’ battle, forcing her to shut her doors.
“What’s so special about a human princess? The Barren Domain is doomed—how long can she afford such arrogance?”
The intruders—though not human, they had taken human form—radiated malice, their faces twisting with shadowy energy.
“Once the Barren Domain falls, the Fire Nation will vanish, and its so-called princess will be nothing but a weed!”
Murderous intent seeped from their words.
They were recognized as elites of the Black Cloud Clan from the Flood Domain—beings born of demonic mists, now in human guise, eerie and formidable.
The Flood Domain was infamous for its Black Cloud Demon Soil, which had once birthed an invincible conqueror who challenged even the Western Sect’s elder.
Few in history had dared oppose the Western Sect—only that monkey and the Black Cloud Clan’s ancient overlord had been bold enough to storm its gates.
“Are you here to challenge the Little Stone?” someone asked, eyeing the Black Cloud Clan’s warriors.
“Hmph!” one sneered. “We have no such intention. But our clan has someone who wishes to summon him.”
Whispers spread. The Black Cloud Clan had risen in recent years, producing several prodigious talents. Likely, they sought to test the Little Stone’s mettle.
“These outsiders are too arrogant, showing no respect for our Barren Domain,” a human cultivator muttered.
“The Barren Domain’s only depth lies in its ancient divine mountains—most of which will seal themselves during the calamity. As for its humans… they are weak,” a Profound Domain envoy scoffed.
Many nodded, including non-humans from beyond.
“If this land had figures like the Moon Fairy or the Witch, they wouldn’t be scorned. As it stands, there’s only the Little Stone—and even he may have perished in that battle.”
“Whether it’s the Big Stone or the Little Stone, if either still lives, a single finger could crush you all!” a voice taunted, its origin untraceable.
Shi Hao nearly laughed—he hadn’t said it. But before he could locate the speaker, silence returned.
“How insolent! If you dare, face me in battle!” a foreign youth roared, rising to his feet.
Coincidentally, Shi Hao chose that moment to step out of his private chamber—not to confront the challenger, but to approach Princess Qianqian for information about the Profound Domain and his parents.
Yet to the enraged outsider, it seemed like a direct provocation.
“Bold of you to stand! Seeking a duel?” the youth snarled, murder in his eyes.
“Your senses are dull. That wasn’t me. Wrong target,” Shi Hao said dismissively.
The crowd was speechless. The human youth’s casual demeanor bordered on mockery—was he ridiculing the outsider’s perception?
“You—insolent!” The foreigner, sporting fiery red bull horns even in human form, seethed with rage.
Shi Hao ignored him, striding toward Qianqian.
“Stop right there!” The bull-horned youth lunged, grabbing for Shi Hao’s shoulder.
“Looking for a beating?!”
On Shi Hao’s shoulder, a drowsy black bird—formerly crimson, now resembling a crow—snapped awake. Seeing the incoming hand, it flared its wings.
*CRACK!*
Two resounding slaps echoed as the bird struck the bull-horned warrior across the face.
The hall froze. A mere crow had just humiliated a foreign elite—twice!
“Don’t test me, or I’ll slap you to death!” the bird crowed, heart pounding. The moves Er Tuozi had taught it were frighteningly effective.
“You—die!” The bull-horned warrior trembled with fury.
*WHAP!*
The bird’s wing blurred, sending the warrior flying out of the hall with another thunderous slap.
“Er Tuozi’s techniques are this strong? I should’ve squeezed him dry before leaving!” the bird lamented. These were the “minor divine arts” taught to it before departing Stone Village.
The outsiders were stunned. If a mere pet was this formidable, how powerful was its master?
“Don’t provoke me, or I’ll slap you all senseless!” the bird sneered, scanning the crowd.
The spectators were petrified. Moments ago, they had scorned the Barren Domain’s humans. Now, a single youth’s pet had humiliated them with effortless ease.
The sheer audacity left them seething!
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