“Could it be a reclusive clan transcending the mundane world?” Huo Ling’er asked, her large eyes blinking with curiosity. The outside world already knew that Shi Hao’s bloodline originated from the Stone Country, but he had suffered a terrible ordeal in his childhood—his Supreme Bone was gouged out, and he was cast aside as an abandoned child. Originally deemed a cripple with little chance of survival, he not only clung to life with tenacity but also grew step by step, now renowned across the Desolate Wasteland. It was nothing short of a miracle! Where exactly had he grown up? To the outside world, this was a mystery. Many wished to know what kind of place could nurture such a prodigious monster.
“You’ll find out when we get there. They adore beautiful, plump girls—can’t wait for me to bring back more. They’ll definitely give you a warm welcome,” Shi Hao chuckled shamelessly.
Both girls glared at him. Whether it was Yun Xi or Huo Ling’er, their flawless skin and ethereal beauty made them seem like celestial maidens stepping out of a painting, every gesture exuding an enchanting charm.
The group set off, swiftly traversing the primordial mountain ranges westward, experiencing the rugged wilderness. After crossing hundreds of miles and leaving the western borders of the Stone Country, where no trace of human habitation remained, Shi Hao had Huo Ling’er retrieve the Void Beast Hide to traverse the Great Wasteland.
“Let’s go! No one’s tailing us—we can depart now!” Shi Hao declared, cautiously scanning their surroundings with his dual-pupiled vision.
With a resonant hum, silver runes shimmered as the ancient divine beast hide tore through the void, plunging them into the spatial passage. Strands of mist swirled around them—chaotic energy hidden within the void—along with faint specks of light, said to be projections of deities.
Though they had traversed this path before, the eerie emptiness of the spatial tunnel still unnerved them. A mishap here would mean annihilation under the crushing force of the void. Fortunately, this divine beast hide bore innate void runes, a rare treasure even the Little Pagoda had once coveted, offering to trade for it—claiming that devouring it would grant Shi Hao one favor in return. Shi Hao had flatly refused. Unless absolutely forced, he wouldn’t deal with that swindler again.
“Eh? What’s happening? The void is distorting!” a fire crow screeched.
The path blurred, cracks spiderwebbing through space. The worst had come to pass—the void was collapsing! Their blood ran cold. To encounter such a calamity, a once-in-a-century disaster, was sheer misfortune.
“Impossible. This hide comes from an adult Void Beast, flawlessly refined and passed down since antiquity. It’s never malfunctioned before,” Huo Ling’er muttered, her face pale with confusion.
“Quick, think of something! The cracks are spreading—they’re engulfing us!” the Nine-Headed Lion roared, its golden mane bristling.
Yun Xi, hailing from the ancient Divine Mountain, understood more. “I believe we’ve inadvertently approached an unfathomable entity. Its aura is so overwhelming it destabilized the void. The hide’s passage was disrupted by its domain.”
The group shuddered. What kind of being could exude such power that its mere presence warped the fabric of space?
Shi Hao, as if struck by realization, swiftly retrieved a verdant willow branch. “Willow Deity… I’ve returned,” he murmured.
Instantly, the void stabilized. The cracks vanished as the divine beast hide glowed with mysterious runes, hurtling them forward. Soon, they emerged into the real world—rolling mountains, lush vegetation, and crisp air greeted them.
Everyone exhaled in relief, their faces still pale from the close call.
“That was too close… We almost perished,” the Five-Colored Luan Bird gasped, its heart pounding.
“Was that mysterious presence an elder from your village?” Yun Xi asked, deeply shaken. Could such a powerhouse still exist in this era?
Shi Hao nodded, a smile spreading across his face. Willow Deity’s might was now vividly clear to him, filling him with reassurance.
Hearing it was a guardian of Stone Village, the others relaxed, their tension melting away.
“We’re almost there. The interference caused a slight detour, but we’re only a few hundred miles from the village,” Shi Hao announced.
Such a distance was trivial for them. Riding their artifacts like streaks of light, they followed Shi Hao.
Soon, he landed, his expression softening with the warmth of homecoming. “Haha, I’m back!” he shouted.
Even from over a mile away, the “hidden paradise” was visible, leaving the Nine-Headed Lion and the fire crow wide-eyed in astonishment.
The scene was idyllic—emerald grass, azure lakes, auspicious beasts unafraid of humans. A small village lay ahead, wisps of spiritual energy rising, the air fragrant with medicinal herbs. It was a place of serenity, untouched by worldly clamor, as if bathed in a divine aura.
Most striking was the willow tree at the village entrance. Its lush green tendrils swayed gently, radiating a sacred light that elevated the entire land.
“This willow tree…” Yun Xi trembled. Coming from an ancient Divine Mountain, she had seen countless powerhouses, yet this left her awestruck.
“That’s our village’s guardian spirit,” Shi Hao said proudly, noting Willow Deity’s increased vitality—now with 108 branches.
The group was dumbfounded. A village guardian? It felt more mystical than a nation’s totem, its sacred presence beyond words.
Children’s laughter and the sounds of village life filled the air as they approached.
“Uncle’s back!”
“Look, Little Hao brought guests—first time ever!”
Even the adults, like Shi Linhu, noticed and came forward.
Shi Hao glanced back at his dazed companions, still gaping at Willow Deity. Grinning, he hoisted two of them onto his shoulders and dashed toward the village.
“Ah! Put me down!”
“What are you doing?!”
Huo Ling’er and Yun Xi flailed as Shi Hao carried them, their curvaceous figures suspended midair.
“Hah! Kid, you’ve outdone yourself! We’ve been urging you, and you bring back two beauties at once!” Shi Linhu roared with laughter.
“Wow! Uncle brought back two pretty plump girls—like fairies!” the village children cheered.
Soon, the entire village swarmed out, buzzing with excitement.
“Where’d you find such fair-skinned girls? They’re practically glowing! Been out wife-hunting, eh?” a matron teased.
The villagers, blunt yet kind-hearted, showered the two flustered girls with praise. Their delicate features and graceful figures were unlike anything the rustic village could produce.
“Little Hao, you’ve outdone yourself. Two sisters-in-law in one go—and so stunning!” Da Zhuang grinned, holding his own child.
“See? My kid’s already running around. You’re lagging—catch up!” Pi Hou added mischievously.
“Let go!” The girls struggled, cheeks burning under the villagers’ overwhelming enthusiasm.
“Ow!” Shi Hao yelped as both girls yanked his ears, forcing him to release them amid the villagers’ laughter.
“Grandpa Chief, Uncle Linhu, aunties—what do you think? Two plump girls, just as promised. No more nagging, right?” Shi Hao grinned, his shamelessness leaving the girls grinding their teeth.
“Marvelous! Rare as celestial maidens. Even in my youth, I’ve never seen such beauties,” a matron sighed.
The girls’ tall, curvaceous frames, porcelain skin, and captivating eyes left the villagers in awe.
“Aunties, you’re so pretty!” children chirped, clinging to them.
Blushing furiously, the girls retaliated by pinching Shi Hao’s waist.
“Look how affectionate they are—already fussing over our Little Hao!” a villager cooed.
“And look at those hips—perfect for bearing children!” another declared boldly.
The girls nearly combusted with embarrassment.
The Nine-Headed Lion and the fire crow snickered.
“Little Hao, you can’t mistreat them. Since you’ve brought them home, let’s arrange the wedding—today!” Chief Shi Yunfeng declared, beaming.
The girls’ faces turned scarlet. This was beyond endurance.
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