Chapter 441: Departure

Jin Luan Tian’s pupils were sharp as blades, flickering with a golden light that was both dazzling and intimidating. Staring at the young man before him, he suppressed his impulse and ultimately refrained from striking, fearing the wrath of the deity behind him.

Such treasures were considered invaluable even to the Peng Clan. A single terrifying Golden Roc could only nurture one such true feather in its lifetime, a treasure no weaker than an ancient primordial bone. The entire ancestral mountain held only three or four of them, sealed away in the clan’s treasury—not every Golden Roc ancestor could leave one behind, and over the long years, some had been consumed.

“Many thanks, Senior Jin.” Shi Hao’s bashful demeanor only served to infuriate Jin Luan Tian further. This shameless troublemaker truly deserved a beating.

“Brother Jin, let it go. Though it is a treasure, what does it matter compared to crossing realms? Once we reach the Upper Realm, what divine materials and rare treasures won’t we find?” Yun Cang Hai quietly advised.

The elder of the Hou Clan also nodded with a smile, stepping forward to “console” him—though his expression carried a hint of schadenfreude, which only deepened Jin Luan Tian’s displeasure.

In the end, Jin Luan Tian nodded grimly and ordered someone to return to the Peng Clan’s sacred mountain to retrieve the true feather. Naturally, it had to be someone of importance—ordinary clansmen would never be permitted to handle such a sacred relic.

“Senior, take the teleportation array. It’ll be faster that way. The great calamity is approaching, and time is of the essence,” Shi Hao kindly reminded.

“Hmph!” Jin Luan Tian snorted coldly and stormed off, refusing to show Shi Hao any courtesy even knowing a deity stood behind him.

Later, Shi Hao gathered Huo Ling’er, the Nine-Headed Lion, the Purple Marten, and others, informing them of the severity and urgency of the situation. The great calamity could descend at any moment.

Tension gripped their hearts. None wished to linger, all eager to return to their clans and deliver the warning, preparing for the impending storm.

“You’re not leaving the Desolate Wasteland?” The Nine-Headed Lion stared at Shi Hao in surprise. He and the Fire Crow had already decided to stay—their clans lacked a Supreme Being to lead them, making the journey too perilous alongside the likes of the Celestials, Golden Rocs, and True Hous.

Shi Hao nodded. “That’s right. I won’t leave. My parents and kin are still missing. If they don’t go, neither will I.”

“You… won’t leave?” Huo Ling’er’s eyes shimmered like water as she gazed at him.

Shi Hao confirmed his decision. Huo Ling’er fell silent. Their circumstances differed—the Fire Clan boasted mighty figures like the current Human Emperor, whose power could prove dangerous during the calamity.

What choice did she have? Perhaps only to take this ancient teleportation array. But stepping onto it would mean leaving the Desolate Wasteland, ascending to the Upper Realm.

It might be a grand opportunity—yet why this reluctance? Perhaps because some people, some things, were simply impossible to forget.

On the mountain, a teleportation array shimmered with radiant light. A Golden-Winged Roc descended from the sky, swiftly transforming into human form. In his hand was a stone casket, sealed with talismans.

“Many thanks, Senior Peng!” Shi Hao scampered over eagerly, his ingratiating yet bashful demeanor making the clansman wish to slam the casket into his face.

This brat—this insufferable little devil—was the unanimous thought of every Peng Clan member present.

Shi Hao peeled off the talisman, and a string of symbols ignited, burning the yellowed paper to ashes as the sealing spell dissipated. Carefully opening the casket, his heart raced—this was the third one. He already possessed the Azure Luan’s true feather and the Vermilion Bird’s. His goal was drawing nearer.

A brilliant light erupted, filling the sky with golden radiance as if a treasure trove had been unlocked. The dazzling brilliance was nearly blinding.

This was a golden Peng feather, a meter long, its surface shimmering with hidden runes that pulsed with astonishing power. Faintly, the roar of a Roc echoed through the heavens.

Shi Hao drew out the feather and lightly slashed the air. Space trembled, emitting a mournful hum as golden fragments scattered like stars, striking in all directions.

Accompanying it was a thick golden divine beam, resembling a sword aura or lightning, its destructive power awe-inspiring—a testament to the Peng Clan’s ferocity and might.

“What a treasure!” Shi Hao murmured. This was no weaker than a primordial bone. Even used as-is, it was a formidable weapon—let alone forged into the legendary Five Avians Fan of antiquity.

Not just him—even the Golden Roc Clan’s own members, as well as the Celestials and True Hou, coveted it. How could such a thing be given away? Normally, it would be kept within the clan to craft secret treasures.

Shi Hao closed the casket and stored it away, immensely satisfied. One day, he might truly forge a weapon capable of shaking the world.

With a single wave of that fan, mountains would crumble to dust, rivers would evaporate—its power unmatched.

Kong Qiu Ji returned, though none knew what he and Yun Meng Lan had discussed. Standing together, they exuded a quiet serenity, as if years of hardship had finally led to this reunion.

“I wish to stay,” Er Tu Zi declared.

Shi Hao was stunned. “Do you not realize how dire the situation is?”

The former Peacock Supreme Being, now Er Tu Zi, nodded, glancing at Yun Meng Lan. Clearly, he intended to remain with her, sharing life and death.

“You must understand—the Upper Realm and the future are filled with unknowns. Fortune and calamity are unpredictable,” Shi Hao warned.

For some reason, Liu Shen seemed inclined to grant their wish, offering a unique willow leaf—not jade-green, but pale gold—placing it in Er Tu Zi’s hand.

“Before the array is activated, you will have one chance to return to Stone Village with one person.”

The Peacock Supreme Being was deeply moved, bowing in profound gratitude toward the void. Though none could see or hear, they guessed the sacred presence had manifested.

“Meng Lan, I once proposed marriage on this boy’s behalf,” Er Tu Zi said, pointing at Shi Hao and then toward Yun Xi not far away.

Yun Meng Lan whispered with Yun Xi, resentful of the past arrangements by her father and brother that had separated her from Kong Qiu, nearly costing them their reunion. Thus, she intervened, questioning Yun Xi.

“What? You gave him your Spirit Resonance Earring long ago?” Yun Meng Lan was astonished.

“No! That little thief stole it!” Yun Xi flustered.

The Celestial Clan was shocked. Every adult knew—a Celestial maiden’s Spirit Resonance Earring was a token of betrothal. Yun Xi’s had been in Shi Hao’s possession for years?

“I understand. I shall decide this matter for you,” Yun Meng Lan declared.

“Grandaunt, it’s not what you think!” Yun Xi protested, but how could she explain?

Back then, that brat had bitten her delicate earlobe, and the earring was lost—but such things were impossible to speak of.

Moreover, she hadn’t fully understood its significance until recent years. The Spirit Resonance Earring was no trivial matter.

“Elder Brother, you heard it. Years ago, Xi’er gave away her earring. Surely, you won’t oppose the young ones now?” Yun Meng Lan addressed Yun Cang Hai.

Yun Cang Hai smiled wryly. His granddaughter had vaguely mentioned losing the earring, implying it wasn’t willingly given. But with Yun Meng Lan’s words—still bearing resentment over past events—how could he refuse?

“Ahem…” He coughed dryly.

“Good, it’s settled. Young man, since you possess the Spirit Resonance Earring, you may propose marriage whenever you wish,” Yun Meng Lan stated decisively.

“Eh?” Shi Hao scratched his head. This was too abrupt. A betrothal token? Getting married—how could it be decided without his say?

As for the Golden Roc, Azure Luan, and True Hou clans, they were dumbfounded. Just like that, the most renowned divine maiden of the ancient sacred mountain, Yun Xi, was betrothed?

Especially the younger generation—many howled inwardly, their murderous gazes fixed on Shi Hao, wishing they could pounce on him together.

“Why glare at me? I’m not going to the Upper Realm. Who knows whose bride she’ll end up being? The Upper Realm’s scoundrels won’t be few,” Shi Hao muttered.

“What did you say?” Yun Cang Hai narrowed his eyes.

“Nothing. Since we’re family now, Elder, how about gifting me more materials? Aside from divine ones, I need various treasures to repair the village’s array,” Shi Hao said, already resigned.

Even if she were a goddess, what use was there if they were separated by realms?

Unless he carried her off now—or she chose to stay.

Who knew what mysteries the Upper Realm held? Undoubtedly, it teemed with ancient, illustrious clans. With Yun Xi’s beauty and talent, she’d be the ideal candidate for political marriages.

“You little—!” Yun Cang Hai flicked his sleeves and left, but ultimately provided a trove of treasures, much to the envy of many within the Celestial Clan.

“Honored Seniors, if anyone has divine materials or an original true feather to spare, I’ll have the Peacock Supreme Being teach you the array diagrams. Then, anyone can repair this formation,” Shi Hao offered.

But by now, the various clans only ground their teeth, ignoring him. He’d already taken a significant portion of over a dozen divine materials—did he think they’d let him extort more?

Shi Hao chuckled awkwardly, clasping his fists in farewell. “The green hills remain, the blue waters flow. We shall meet again in the Upper Realm. Wife, take care of the baby!”

“Go die!”

Finally, Shi Hao and his companions departed, each using the teleportation array to return to their respective clans. The Nine-Headed Lion, Fire Crow, and others exchanged solemn farewells.

With Liu Shen’s divine power, there was no need for the sacred mountain’s array. A passage opened, and they vanished, leaving the clansmen pale with shock.

Suddenly, space twisted, the passage destabilizing—though with Liu Shen present, their safety was assured.

“Boom!”

A violent tremor, a ferocious aura—as if the void itself had been torn apart.

In a flash of light, they emerged from the passage to witness an unbelievable sight: a colossal claw, buried for countless ages, emerged from the earth, its fingers still caked in ancient mud.

It had disrupted the passage’s stability.

And they were still thousands of miles from Stone Village.

Shi Hao’s heart clenched. He had seen this claw before—years ago, when he left Stone Village to train in the Western Border, riding a unicorn, he had glimpsed this terrifying appendage.

At the same time, a blinding light streaked across the sky—a rift in space.

Someone from the Upper Realm was attempting to breach the barrier.