“Bring out the wine…” Slurred amidst snores, this creature exuded vitality, possessing a powerful physique. From afar, one could feel its vigorous life force.
“What’s happening?” asked Shi Hao.
The Nine-Spirit King’s expression darkened as he glanced toward the ancient cave, his Lightlygolden hair flying wildly.
Jin Hong, the Nine-Headed Lion King, gritted his teeth and spat out, “He comes here to choose mighty warriors, intending to bring them to the Upper Realms to serve as mounts for the Sacred Ones.”
Xiao Tian, Xia Youyu, and the others were startled by the words, as it confirmed the rumors. The gods favored the Golden Lions greatly, cherishing them the most as mounts. But to this clan, it was a disgrace. They were a race full of limitless potential—how could they possibly accept being mere mounts?
Were it not for the Nine-Spirit King having just become a Zunzhe, unable yet to contend with a Zunzhe from the Upper Realms, the conflict would have already erupted. According to the nature of this clan, they would never have remained hidden and suppressed until now.
“Wake him up! Does he truly think the Lower Realm is nothing but farmland and a breeding ground for his picking? If he finds something he wants, does he really think he can just snatch it as he pleases?” Naturally, Shi Hao intended to intervene.
Not only did he share a close relationship with the Nine-Headed Lions, but even if they were merely acquaintances, he would still act. He harbored not a single ounce of goodwill toward these beings from the Upper Realms.
The ancient cave ran deep, a sacred place that normally served as the Nine-Spirit King’s retreat. Underground stone milk occasionally rose to the surface, though only pooling slightly, it was a natural spiritual medicine.
Moreover, rare golden essence filled the cave, constantly radiating golden light—this was the ideal cultivation place for the Golden Lions.
Upon entering the ancient cave dwelling, Shi Hao was immediately stunned.
The revered figure from the upper realms, condescending and imperious, who had been indulging in wine and feasting, turned out to be nothing more than a huge turtle!
This turtle lay sprawled on its back, its belly pale white, its shell gleaming with a black-gold sheen, utterly disgraceful in its posture.
Shi Hao could hardly believe his eyes. The appearance of this great turtle, lying so casually before him, was truly unique and far beyond his expectations.
He had expected a vicious, violent creature. But instead, it was merely a drunken turtle!
Even though he was merely a Zunzhe, as the others neared, he immediately became alert but still lay there with his eyes shut, mumbling, “Nine-Spirit King, you’ve just broken through—don’t go looking for trouble. Hurry and bring forth the most fragrant wines your clan has to offer, or else don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
The giant turtle issued threats while, with eyes still closed, stretching forth a giant claw to grasp a bronze cauldron. With it, he scooped some of the stone milk liquid and drank deeply with a loud gulp.
Shi Hao raised his hand and formed a golden handprint in midair, pressing it downward.
“Hey?”
In an instant, the giant turtle vanished backward with a swish, opened its eyes, sensing danger. It stood upright on its legs, staring at Shi Hao as though carrying a black cauldron on its back.
“Who are you?” the turtle asked with intense alertness and shouted.
“I’m here to take you down!” Shi Hao advanced forward, his Indestructible Golden Body Armor shimmering with dark radiance.
“Do you even know who I am?” The turtle glared, bellowing loudly, filled with arrogance.
“Just another turtle, isn’t it?” Shi Hao sneered. He raised his hand again, his palm turning golden, buzzing as it thrust forward, releasing terrifying fluctuations.
The turtle, surprisingly, was very nimble. Standing on both feet, in a flash, it dodged away, avoiding direct confrontation.
The Nine-Spirit King, Xia Youyu, and the others retreated from the cave. A battle between Zunzhers would be terrifying—one fierce clash could collapse mountains for miles.
“Dare you not kneel before me! I come from the Upper Realms! Who are you to defy me!” shouted the great turtle.
“A turtle still dares to brag? If even gods have been wiped out, how much more you!” Shi Hao’s golden handprint solidified, covering the entire void this time, slowly pressing down.
“Who dares to subdue a divine fire-igniting expert who descends to the Lower Realms? Do not speak such nonsense!” the giant turtle rebuked.
Shi Hao was speechless. He assumed this fellow had simply been drunk for far too long, oblivious to everything, unaware of what had transpired in the outside world.
“Boom!”
The golden handprint slammed down with a thunderous roar.
The turtle’s expression changed. Glowing patterns illuminated its shell, forming a radiant and crystalline turtle-shell shield, blocking the golden handprint.
“Clang!”
The sound rang like a divine bell, echoing through the mountains and ringing in their ears, an extremely powerful force.
The turtle grunted, staggering backward but unharmed.
Shi Hao was taken aback. His golden handprint possessed incredible strength—any ordinary Zunzhe would be crushed and utterly destroyed!
The turtle’s defensive power was astonishing. This shield, indestructible and hard, had actually withstood Shi Hao’s immense power, blocking his fearsome physical attack.
The turtle was very fast, becoming a blur of black and white, crashing through the cave walls, bursting outward at lightning speed—it intended to flee.
“Come back!” Shi Hao roared. Using the Kunpeng techniques, he pursued, blocking the turtle’s escape.
The giant turtle opened its mouth, spitting forth a dark light that became a vast aquatic expanse. Within it, eighteen bone beads—each jade-green and crystalline—shone together, suppressing Shi Hao.
Shi Hao flicked his finger, releasing a sky-piercing sword aura. Each sword beam struck a bead. At the same time, he unleashed an ocean of blood energy, roaring fiercely while striking the giant turtle.
“Clang! Clang!”
The sound rang in their ears. The turtle’s armored shell was solid, and as it was struck, it retracted its head into its shell, too afraid to emerge.
With a thunderous boom, Shi Hao summoned the Kunpeng might, enhancing his physical body. Each inch of his flesh turned golden. This time, with his palm striking, the giant turtle finally could not endure.
“Hold on! Let’s talk!”
Shi Hao clapped. While his strike was muffled by the shell, the impact still caused blood to spurt from the turtle’s mouth, thoroughly terrifying it.
“I surrender!” The turtle, spineless and cowardly, curled within its shell, shouting frantically in surrender and quickly retracting the eighteen jade-green bone beads.
Shi Hao had no intention of killing it. This creature was such a sturdy opponent—keeping it nearby was not a bad idea. Moreover, he could now inquire about matters concerning the Upper Realms.
Before Shi Hao could speak, the turtle began speaking rapidly, blurting out everything like popping beans.
Everyone was astonished—the creature was far too cowardly.
“I come from Zi Fu Mountain. The mountain lord, known as the Six-Armed Daoist, raised me in the spiritual pool at the mountain gate. Originally, a brocade carp from the pool was to descend to the Lower Realm, tasked with finding some fine mounts for the sect. But I, driven by worldly desires, wished to come here to display my might, so I volunteered and replaced the carp.”
Without even needing interrogation, it confessed “utterly and hopelessly.”
The Six-Armed Daoist had indeed appeared before. During the second great calamity, he hunted gods and captured Zunzhers. He even entered the Western Church, issuing a warning. This resulted in the manifestation of the ZhangSix Golden Body, opposing him.
It was said that the Dao lineage of the Six-Armed Daoist in the Lower Realm declined, and this was related to the Western Church.
“You run pretty fast. From now on, you’ll be my mount.” Shi Hao declared.
“I am only a turtle, though I have indeed learned some Wind-Riding Techniques… but I’m unsuitable to be a mount!” cried the turtle.
Shi Hao’s breastbone glimmered as sweeping glyphic lights struck the turtle. Instantly, it shrank into something the size of a palm, causing it to scream frantically in terror.
Shi Hao grabbed its tail, holding it upside down, and warned, “If you misbehave again, I’ll stew you up immediately!”
“I’ll behave the best ever!” the turtle patted its chest earnestly.
“From now on, your name shall be San Hei (Blackie).” Shi Hao bestowed a name.
The Nine-Spirit King, Xiao Tian, Xia Youyu, and others were speechless. This turtle did not seem like a Zunzhe, and this individual’s naming skills were also quite unreliable.
The giant turtle muttered in dissatisfaction—it despised the miserable name and protested.
“Big Red Bird, Second Baldy, then San Hei—how pleasant the rhythm! Whether you like it or not, you’ll have to!” Shi Hao threatened.
The giant turtle nearly collapsed. What rotten names these were! Had it known of Zhu Yan the HairBall and the unicorn Xiaobai, it would have been even more bewildered—the boy certainly had a lousy taste for names!
By unexpectedly subduing the turtle, Shi Hao gained significant benefits. Since he was about to ascend to the Upper Realm, this new companion would prove invaluable in providing much-needed information.
“You plan to leap out of this ‘well’ and ascend the path to Heaven itself?” the Nine-Headed Lion King asked in astonishment.
“I came to bid you farewell.” Shi Hao nodded.
“Then I shall bring Flame Crows and Five-Feathered Phoenixes to see you off, to accompany you on your departure.” The Nine-Headed Lion spoke with sentimentality, showing a desire to ascend to the Upper Realms too.
“Very well. It would be wonderful to see those old friends again,” Shi Hao replied.
Nan Yun Divine Mountain, known as the land where gods hidden away dwelled, housed ancient deities, being a forbidden territory in the HuangDomain—far more terrifying than ordinary ancient divine mountains.
Saying goodbye to the Nine-Headed Lion, Shi Hao journeyed here with Xiao Tian, Yan Xin, and others, riding aboard a colossal black turtle.
“This mountain seems a bit ominous. Do you think we can enter?” Zhou Yu Hao was apprehensive.
Before them, the mountains were steep and majestic, covered in clouds and mist, as though exuding white ethereal qi.
“The times have changed,” Shi Hao said, allowing the Xuan Gui (Dark Turtle) to bear them forward, rushing inward.
Inside the mountain was thickly shrouded and misty, easy to lose one’s way after entering.
Shi Hao summoned his war chariot. Its rumbling sounded as it advanced—a divine artifact capable of navigating mists, and the Divine Stone glowing in his hair, knowledgeable about formations, guided their path.
Ancient trees rooted deeply on magnificent peaks, strange rocks standing alone, with silvery waterfalls cascading downward.
Yet the white mist was too thick, making everything seem hazy, adding an even greater aura of mystery and immortal essence.
“Sigh…” An aged sigh rang out.
Everyone was startled. In the tranquil forbidden realm, such a sudden sound near their ears felt eerie.
Shi Hao remained calm, unmoved, standing atop the turtle, gazing ahead.
“Young friend, I knew you would come. Indeed, cause brings consequence.” The aged voice echoed again.
“Go straight ahead for a hundred zhang, then turn left and ascend that peak.” Shi Hao instructed the Xuan Gui.
The mist parted, revealing a wholly black mountain that appeared oppressive. The group smoothly ascended without encountering resistance.
An old man appeared on the summit—his white hair like snow, his frame hunched, leaning on a green wooden staff, with dull eyes and loose, lifeless skin.
Behind him stood more than ten ancient graves, long overgrown with weeds, emitting a cold and desolate aura.
Shi Hao noticed the old man had just burned offerings here, honoring the dozen or so ancient tombs.
“These are…” Xia Youyu’s voice trembled with uncertainty, looking at the graves.
“This is the Hidden Land of the Gods. Naturally, gods are buried here—ancient beings who survived from the remote past. But one by one, they have since passed away.” The man sighed deeply, directing his finger toward those tombs.
Shi Hao’s gaze flickered. He hadn’t expected that upon arriving at Nan Yun Divine Mountain he’d be received in such a way, led to an ancient burial ground for deities. What did this mean?
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