Cranes’ Cry Mountain was not particularly famous, yet its scenery was picturesque, a land of Daoist origins. Though modest in elevation, it deserved classification more as a hill than a mountain proper. Still, its terrain was strewn with peculiar rocks while crystal springs murmured through its valleys, rendering an air of serenity.
Upon the main peak stood a modest Daoist temple, now abandoned and in ruins.
The mountain had reached its height in ancient days, as it had given birth to a Sacred, though even the grandest legacies must one day fade away.
Shi Hao arrived, inspecting cliff inscriptions, learning about the mountain’s history. Unexpectedly, one mural especially seized his attention, sending tremors through his very soul.
It depicted a tree, known as Pu Mo!
In Bai Duan Mountains, he had heard its legend — he’d studied a little about it. In ancient times, many Sacred beings had perished at its hand, so much so, it was said to be invincible.
It resembled a dandelion yet stood as a tree, its white down drifting like snow, causing saints to wither and retreat, compelling even gods to flee.
“Haha, Shi Eldest Brother, you have come at last! Truly difficult indeed to gather you — we had no choice but to journey into the Shi Kingdom! Had you tarried further, we would have had to seek you at the Emperor’s palace!” someone laughed aloud — it was Bi Gu, who spotted Shi Hao studying the cliff carvings and called out joyously.
His frame was muscular, with long emerald hair and even green pupils, lending him an eerily mystical appearance. He was clearly in a fine mood.
“Earlier, we misunderstood, thinking you had captured Yue Chan and imprisoned her by your side. I come here to apologize,” Bi Gu smiled.
As a fellow Upperworlder, he had long expressed admiration for the Lunar Grace Goddess, desiring to meet her. Back in the Chaos Hall atop the Solar God Tree, he had briefly glimpsed the maiden inside Shi Hao’s treasure bag, causing suspicions.
“My pleasure!” Shi Hao smiled, though he wondered how the Goddess of Heaven-Repairing Sect would react upon meeting him.
Bi Gu led Shi Hao deeper into the mountains. Though modest, Cranes’ Cry Mountain spread wide, its inner parts even more picturesque, harboring traces of ancient relics.
“In ancient days, the Pu Mo Tree perished right here. Rumors suggest it isn’t truly dead — that it instead underwent rebirth, reducing itself to a mere seed. Driven by curiosity, we traveled here,” Bi Gu explained.
Shi Hao was stunned silent. How many years had passed? If such a seed indeed existed, someone else must have claimed it long ago. Now, only history remained.
“Never would I have thought the name of the Pu Mo Tree had spread to the Upperworld.”
“You’re mistaken,” Bi Gu shook his head. “The Pu Mo Tree originated from the Upperworld, only descending to the Lowerworld to evade calamity — it intentionally weakened itself to seek refuge here.”
Shi Hao was astonished. Such hidden knowledge!
“It was said that the tree originally sprouted from a seed that escaped a mysterious zone,” Bi Gu added.
Such revelations needed no further explanation. Naturally, one could imagine many possibilities — certainly, great figures in the Upperworld would be deeply interested in such a seed-born strongling.
“Hmm, the tree is actually hard to kill. Though legends say it perished in an ancient battle, some believe it cannot be truly destroyed, merely waiting for rebirth.”
Shi Hao thought of a little tree he once encountered and asked, “Is even a young Pu Mo Tree already powerful?”
“Not greatly at birth,” Bi Gu replied. “But its strength grows — able to root itself into an opponent, absorbing every ability they possess.”
Such an ability alone made it near-invincible. It possessed tremendous learning prowess, growing mightier over time, unbeatable in the end.
“Ah, Shi Eldest Brother is here!” someone greeted.
Upon the peak of Cranes’ Cry Mountain stood ancient pines, crystal springs flowing over stones, an oasis of quietude and elegance.
At this moment, the sound of a guqin filled the air, harmonizing beautifully with the bubbling waters. The fragrance of flowers and the verdant cypresses enhanced the tranquil atmosphere.
Familiar faces greeted him — Lan Yu, Xuan Ming, Shui Yue, Hong Feng, and others, while also young faces unknown to him — handsome men and striking women, all extraordinary.
He learned that some of these newcomers hailed from the Upperworld, having only recently met Bi Gu and Lan Yu’s group.
Others were born within the Eight Realms, standing tall among their peers with great influence — like the Princess Qianqian from Xuan Domain or the monk Zhang Liu from the Western Sect.
They all looked toward him — for now the fame of “Xiao Shi” burned brightly across the realms. He had overturned the Immortal Mountain, sending shockwaves through the Eight Realms — who had not heard of him?
Most approached warmly, seeking alliance, eager to befriend.
But a few, though skillfully concealing it, still radiated subtle hostility, detectable to Shi Hao. Yet he remained calm — unfazed.
“Shi Eldest Brother, have you given it any thought? Will you join us on the Ascension Road?” Lan Yu smiled, her beauty radiant, a translucent halo gently surrounding her slender form.
“My attachments run deep — I cannot yet leave all behind,” Shi Hao shook his head. He intended to go to the Upperworld — but not alongside them.
“Cultivation is a path of self-questioning. Perhaps the time has not come. One day, Shi Eldest Brother, you will walk your own path, ascending to grasp the true self,” a voice offered insightfully.
As they explained, the Lowerworld bore incomplete laws, an incomplete Dao, making full realization of one’s self impossible. It confined the practitioners.
Shi Hao attentively questioned them regarding the Upperworld.
He finally understood why the Xiao Ta had referred to the rigidity of the Upperworld’s soil — thinking it once a jest, he now paused with surprise.
According to their words, the Upperworld possessed complete laws, a perfected Dao. The world itself was imperishable, and everything within it, solid. One might even argue inversely — that the Lowerworld was somewhat fragile.
Mighty beings capable of shifting mountains and filling seas in the Lowerworld might not find equal ease in the Upperworld.
Upperworld beings descending here, if strong enough, could, with a single palm strike, reduce mountains to dust and rivers to dryness.
Yet, wielding equal strength, such feats would be impossible back home. Here, however, they might gain a glimpse of the might awaiting them at higher levels, an early experience that might aid them in future cultivation, offering unexpected breakthroughs when returning home.
Shi Hao fell silent, at a loss for words.
“The Upperworld stretches boundless, where celestial geniuses emerge en masse — even the ‘Primordials’ rise here, the true birthplace of champions. Shi Eldest Brother, your talents wasted here in the Lowerworld are but pearls cloaked in dust! Ascend to the heavens — there, you shall battle among the elite, undergo transformation, find your true rival — your destiny awaits!” Shui Yue spoke, her radiant eyes and pearly teeth glowing beneath her silver-white robe, her bearing exuding sacred purity.
Shi Hao smiled bitterly, saying, “Were I to go up, chances are someone would immediately seek my death.”
After overturning the Immortal Mountain, peace above was unlikely.
“No worries, Shi Eldest Brother! If you ever desire the Upperworld, come to Zhu Lu Academy!” someone interjected amicably, offering support.
Little Shi was a “Primordial” — possessing an unparalleled celestial bone. With proper cultivation, even in the boundless talent pool of the Upperworld, he would shine uniquely.
In the Upperworld, celestial geniuses rise, Primordials clash — though powerhouses dominate, they each rule their own spheres. The world up there was expansive, offering ample space.
With Shi Hao’s talent, once rising, he could confront those beings on equal footing. Even if he came from the Lowerworld, weak by birth, only through battle would strengths be truly known.
For such an individual, Zhu Lu Academy was naturally willing to extend protection.
Shi Hao was astonished, a restless yearning swelling within him, longing for immediate ascent.
For according to their talk, the Upperworld held enemies like him — and fearsome adversaries even more formidable than himself. For years, he had crushed all opposition, aside from Da Shi and the Lunar Grace Goddess — how many could threaten or wound him? Now, he longed for a true opponent — to fight wholeheartedly.
Indeed, the Upperworld was no ordinary place — vast, infinite, swarming with myriads of races. Each race’s prodigies clashed, with Primordials arising like comets streaking across the sky, illuminating the heavens.
“If Shi Eldest Brother desires to ascend, my Life Academy could ensure your safety and accelerate your transformation!” the girl Ying Ying spoke — someone he had known earlier.
The Eight Realms’ prodigies were stunned. Upperworlders were arrogant by nature — though they had invited them to the gathering, never would they have expected such humble, competing invitations aimed solely at pulling Shi Hao into their fold.
Shi Hao learned the noblewomen and prodigies who invited him hailed from powerful neutral sects, their ancestral founders never having descended into the Lowerworld.
“Don’t even think twice — if Shi Eldest Brother ascends, head straight for Chi Feng Palace!” Hong Feng declared. “After training here for a decade or so, you must undergo rebirth to complete your Dao. For this, our Palace’s Rebirth Method is unmatched!”
Bold and unreserved, she slapped Shi Hao shoulder, appearing both open and slightly unrestrained, but this red-clad girl was certainly no simple character.
They had a friendly history — in the battle atop the Solar God Tree, they had forged connections. Now, her pull held advantage.
This drew further stunned silence from the Eight Realms’ talents, a surge of frustration rising within them.
“I think joining the Heaven-Repairing Sect would suit you. After all, you two are now like old enemies who’ve come to understand one another,” a sweet, melodic voice added.
All turned — an elf-like girl approached, wrapped in a black gown that contrasted with her pale skin, making it shine like jade. Her beauty was pure, yet bewitching.
Behind, snow-white fox tails swayed, adding a strange allure.
She appeared both ethereal and irresistibly enchanting — her delicate eyes blinking, shifting her aura and demeanor in an instant.
“The Demoness!” Shi Hao narrowed his eyes.
From the pine grove, the guqin’s playing ceased. A white-clad woman emerged, otherworldly, her beauty beyond mortal comparison — a celestial being descended to earth.
The two women locked gazes — sparks flew.
Silence fell among the crowd — indeed, old rivals.
Even the Upperworld’s noblewomen and prodigies felt a chill, for they knew — both these peerless beauties hailed from the Upperworld, their statuses lofty beyond comprehension.
“Today’s gathering should be one of Dao discussions and law comparisons, verifying one’s cultivation — but let us not resort to conflict, lest we harm our harmony and spoil the occasion.” It was Lan Yu who spoke, her grace and beauty admired by many, who nodded in agreement.
“Indeed — let today not see any life-or-death contests!” Shui Yue, Hong Feng, and Ying Ying stepped forward. Their beauty was evident, smiles upon their faces, diffusing the tension somewhat.
“Of course not — we might say we’re kindred spirits, drawn by mutual admiration.” The Lunar Grace Goddess smiled, like a moon shining in the heavens — pure and sacred.
“Precisely! Who said we’d battle?” The Demoness smiled, her pearly teeth gleaming as she beckoned Shi Hao. “Little Shi, come quickly!”
Murmurs rose within the crowd.
The Demoness chuckled. “Recently, rumors claimed you had subdued the Lunar Grace Goddess, locking her away secretly at your side, bearing the blame long unjustly. Now that she’s emerged, your innocence may finally be cleared.”
Bi Gu laughed, nodding. “Indeed! I nearly mistook Shi Eldest Brother myself. I am truly ashamed — I must punish myself with a cup.”
Laughter rippled among the young talents present. All shook their heads — the rumor always seemed implausible. Who could desecrate a sacred goddess? The truth, once revealed, shattered the lie.
“I and the Goddess have always been rivals and could still share wine together. Xiao Shi, though you’ve clashed with her, why not toast the Goddess?” the Demoness smiled.
“Misunderstandings resolved — let us drink together!” Bi Gu laughed heartily. Many knew of his affection for the Lunar Grace Goddess.
“Fair Goddess, I drink to you,” Shi Hao smiled, clinking his cup with the Goddess, his grin bright.
She smiled in return, elegantly drinking from her jade cup, radiant and peerless, her smile ever-present.
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