In the VIP cabin, several young maidens, none of them very old, each possessed an extraordinary grace, their figures enveloped in a misty, colorful glow—a celestial aura that shielded them from the turbid energies of the lower realm. Clearly, they all hailed from remarkable origins, resembling fairy maidens. Though their true visages remained obscured, their radiant charm was palpable through their auras alone.
“Brother Shi, you truly are astonishing,” praised the maiden in blue, her form wreathed in a thin mist, her water-blue radiance shimmering, lending her an ethereal and transcendent beauty. Her name was Lan Yu, her bright eyes gentle yet aloof, blue rain-like light swirling around her slender, flawless frame. Though her demeanor was warm, it carried an untouchable detachment.
Shi Hao smiled, his already delicate features now radiant. “Meeting such fairy maidens as yourselves, it is I who should be astonished. Your wisdom and beauty make this encounter an honor.” Though he harbored no fondness for certain factions of the upper realm, he saw no reason to provoke enmity with these courteous maidens.
The other young women studied him with curiosity. The lower realm’s laws were incomplete, its spiritual energy thin, making cultivation slower. Yet this youth, merely fifteen, had achieved such feats—truly extraordinary.
“His array formations are refined, his essence, energy, and spirit brimming, and his potential limitless. Such talent is rare even in the upper realm,” remarked a silver-robed maiden with a holy aura. Her name was Shui Yue, her presence as pure and transcendent as the moon, her every gesture bathed in sacred light.
“I dare not accept such praise. Your own cultivation is far more impressive,” Shi Hao replied humbly. Had others known the usually brash “holy terror” could be so modest, they would have been stunned.
“Elder sisters, why so reserved? Chat freely, even speak of descending to the mortal realm—how amusing!” interjected a fiery maiden, her form dotted with crimson light. Though barely older than Shi Hao, she was bold and unrestrained.
“I wouldn’t object. Which fairy would deign to stay in the mortal world?” Shi Hao grinned, his thick skin serving him well.
“How about me?” Hong Huang laughed coquettishly, her crimson radiance dazzling, her tone teasing.
“A thousand charms, a smile to topple cities—truly a fine candidate to carry home as a wife,” Shi Hao declared solemnly.
The other maidens burst into laughter, unused to such audacious banter.
“Dare you carry me?” Hong Huang challenged, her pearly teeth glinting as she eyed him sidelong.
“Why not? Would the fairy dare step forward?” Shi Hao countered, unfazed.
Hong Huang smirked and approached. “Try it.”
Shi Hao reached out, his hand nearing her slender waist even as he sensed the scorching heat of her fire-based cultivation.
“Bold indeed,” she chided, her delicate hands multiplying into countless shimmering afterimages.
Shi Hao calmly deflected them, attempting to draw her closer.
With a flick of her wrist, Hong Huang’s afterimages coalesced into a resplendent crimson phoenix, diving toward him with blazing majesty.
This was no mere jest—it was a test of his strength.
Unfazed, Shi Hao formed a seal, summoning a vermilion bird that clashed brilliantly with the phoenix, filling the space with scorching radiance.
The others cheered.
“Ah, the vermilion bird and crimson phoenix—a match made in heaven! Hong Huang, will you stay in the mortal realm as his bride?”
“Truly destined, even your techniques align!”
Hong Huang retreated with a graceful spin, shooting them an exasperated glance.
“Indeed remarkable. This young man is ripe for the picking—sisters, don’t hold back!” she teased.
“You little minx! Blaming us for your own desires!”
Their laughter was infectious, their beauty and charm overwhelming.
Though playful, Shi Hao remained measured, knowing boundaries.
Their conversation flowed easily, the maidens sharing insights and secrets, enriching Shi Hao’s knowledge.
“Brother Shi, your talent is wasted in the lower realm,” Lan Yu said gently.
Shi Hao frowned. “How so?”
“The lower realm is a prison, its laws incomplete, its order unstable. Prolonged cultivation here is detrimental,” Shui Yue explained.
“A prison?” Shi Hao was startled.
“Forged by ancient powers to imprison criminals. It lacks much,” added a newly arrived young man, his bearing noble, his aura formidable.
“The very stars are sparse—most are projections of the upper realm’s constellations,” another added.
Though these upper-realm elites were extraordinary, their tone carried condescension.
“What of the upper realm?” Shi Hao inquired.
“Vast beyond measure, with ancient sects dating to the dawn of creation,” Hong Huang enthused.
Suddenly, she paused. “Are you of the Immortal Mountain?”
“Related, but not directly,” Shi Hao admitted.
“Then of the Western Sect? Or the Heaven Mending Sect? Kunlun?”
“A rogue cultivator.”
“A rogue cultivator this strong?” The group was stunned.
Shui Yue’s glow dimmed. “That complicates matters. Without a sect’s backing, ascending is near impossible.”
“Indeed. The barriers are strict—only the vetted may pass,” Lan Yu sighed.
Shi Hao sensed a shift in their demeanor, some now dismissive.
“Perhaps you could marry into the upper realm?” Hong Huang joked.
“Spring has stirred her heart! Let’s wed her off!” another teased.
Laughter followed, though some men frowned, displeased.
Shi Hao pondered. Ascension seemed fraught with obstacles—both natural and man-made.
“Fear not. With your talent, a path can be forged,” Lan Yu reassured.
“Join my clan. My ancestor could secure your passage,” offered a golden-flamed youth, Xuan Ming, his tone patronizing.
“Recruiting a servant?” Yi Ying arched a brow.
“A brother,” Xuan Ming corrected, though his gaze was calculating.
“Join us instead,” Shui Yue interjected.
“Let me consider,” Hong Huang mused.
Such talent was rare—they sought to recruit him.
“There’s time. The upper realm is boundless—even immortal sects are but specks,” Lan Yu said gently. “Consider your path carefully.”
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