“What a pity, the Marquis Hun Tian, what a lament!” War King and others, upon receiving news from the western frontier, were stunned and helpless, unable to utter a word for quite some time.
Shi Hao placed the Emperor’s Seal upon the Dragon Inscribed Desk, auspicious mist steamed forth, surrounded by hundreds of Heavenly Dragons. This treasure seal was extraordinary and could suppress the fortune of an entire kingdom, wielding boundless might.
“Has His Majesty truly decided to depart?” Peng Jiu asked. Others also opened their mouths but found no words. They all knew there was no way to stop him; he was fated to leave.
“I wish to ascend to the Upper World,” Shi Hao spoke, then prostrated himself before the others, requesting these venerables to oversee the nation and assist Qing Feng.
If Qing Feng proves unsuitable in governance, then there is nothing more to be said. Please War King and others to choose another ruler, let Qing Feng abdicate peacefully, thus regaining his freedom.
He believed that with several venerables as protectors, no force within the Eight Domains could threaten the Shi Kingdom, since all the races’ experts perished in the great calamity.
“Your Majesty, you truly intend to ascend to the Upper World now?” War King asked. Once gone, who knew how many years it would be before seeing each other again. Normally, it could be an entire lifetime.
“No, I will go to San Sheng Mountain for cultivation,” Shi Hao replied.
Unease stirred within him. The Heavenly Kingdom’s divine envoys and the flying serpent had perished—did this signal the end? Logically, after the Heaven-Sundering Incident, no living beings should descend into the Lower World anymore. Yet who could guarantee that absolutely no exceptions existed?
This time, an otherworldly consciousness and the serpent god managed to descend into this world, forcing the three great sects to pay an unimaginable price, tearing open a rift in the void.
If someone else was just as determined to send divines with ignited godly flames descending into this world?
Shi Hao did not wish to simply disappear. If he secretly ascended unnoticed, hiding in the Upper World and concealing his identity, he might be very safe. Even if he relinquished the throne now and secluded himself deep in the wilderness of the Lower World, he could live out his years without any danger.
Yet he did not wish for that. What if divine beings with ignited flames descended, attacking Shi Kingdom out of vengeance, targeting those he knew?
Thus, he decided to announce to the world that he would abdicate and retreat to San Sheng Mountain for hermitage, pursuing the Dao and cultivating in isolation.
By doing so, if there were indeed those seeking him, they would naturally go directly to San Sheng Mountain to confront him directly, without endangering those around him.
“Your Majesty, this is far too perilous!” Upon hearing this, War King’s face paled with concern and he immediately began to dissuade him.
Even those who had repeatedly attempted to retain him now voiced their opinions, urging him to ascend to heaven or retreat into the wilderness to secretly cultivate, rather than take such open action.
“How could I simply disappear?” Shi Hao shook his head. If a karmic connection exists, he would bear it himself, leaving no crisis nor risks behind. If there were none, he would tread upon the heavens and soar away.
Shi Hao left behind nearly everything on his person, taking only a few precious items, and embarked alone toward San Sheng Mountain.
On this day, the world trembled—the Stone Emperor abdicated the throne, retreating to a Daoist holy mountain to cultivate and transcend himself, leaving all in shock.
Indeed, he had only just ascended the throne not long ago, quelling various rebellions, steering Shi Kingdom towards stability, yet immediately he relinquished power—entirely unexpected.
All factions monitored the situation closely; even the secluded sects, such as the Sky-Repairing Sect and the Western Sect, sent people to verify the news.
“Shi is a prodigy unmatched—a feat only a great soul could accomplish. He advances into the domain of the Divine, unattached to imperial power, with an unshakable Daoist heart!”
Many people sighed in admiration.
If they were in his place, could they truly let go so simply? That position represented boundless honor and glory, the ultimate station in the mortal world, how could anyone relinquish it?
“The myth who never falls in battle—the Cyclops—slew many Venerables. Now, Shi treads his own path, destined for even greater glory.”
The entire realm trembled; all across the Eight Domains, people spoke in awe.
San Sheng Mountain lay more than twenty thousand li from the Shi Kingdom’s capital, a famed sacred land, with clusters of mountains and peaks shrouded in spiritual mist.
Shi Hao chose a secluded small hill, built a thatched hut, and fetched a large blue stone as his meditation seat—exceptionally simple.
He cultivated and contemplated the Dao here, not passively waiting for any formidable enemies, but meticulously studying the Myriad Being Scroll.
This was his path, his Dao; each viewing offered new insights. On this scroll dwelled beings of all kinds, from mighty Kun Peng to the humblest of ants, all with the potential to ascend.
“Why are the firstborn—those beings born with unique and awe-inspiring supernatural abilities—not depicted here?” Shi Hao mused to himself.
He held the crystalline bone fragment, viewing it repeatedly, gaining enlightenment and having questions of his own, silently pondering and analyzing mysteries.
According to Willow God’s words, the Supreme Sage bone was mighty, but ultimately, it could become a constraint, hindering final transcendence.
Studying the Myriad Being Scroll while reflecting on these words, Shi Hao began to contemplate his future path.
In the days that followed, he temporarily set aside the Myriad Being Scroll, continuously delving into the profound truths inscribed on his bone, attempting to imprint all of its symbols into his own flesh and blood.
The Symbolic Embodiment Stage involved engraving various arrays into one’s blood and flesh. This process could continue even into the Venerable and Divine Flame stages.
Shi Hao chose a path—he would imprint the Supreme Sage bone’s patterns throughout his entire body, allowing every inch of blood and bone to possess them, not limited solely to that bone.
For Shi Hao, the ensuing half month was a period filled with hardships and challenges.
The symbols on the Supreme Sage bone had already been fully understood and acquired. Now, he Do your utmost. to replicate and embed them onto other bones and etched into every inch of his flesh.
He valued this process deeply. After experiencing several life-and-death battles, he had deeply realized that his own precious techniques were the strongest.
It was not that his techniques were the mightiest in the world. The Kun Peng Method was extremely powerful, hailed as one of the Ten Fierce Beasts of Antiquity, shaking past and present. However, it was a Kun Peng race secret, and for a human to execute it might not achieve peak strength.
Of course, recently he had cultivated the Seventy-Two Transformations of the Zhu Yan race, first transforming himself into a Kun Peng before executing the method, significantly amplifying his power.
Still, he believed this wasn’t the true peak capability of the Kun Peng.
Only his own methods, or newly created divine techniques, would truly suit him best. Thus, he discarded all distractions, devoting himself completely.
The purpose of this endeavor was also breakthrough into the Venerable Stage—constant symbol engraving would eventually result in sublimation and transformation.
He aspired to one day execute his techniques even without the Supreme Sage bone. If he could truly comprehend reincarnation thoroughly without needing this bone, perhaps the results would be even greater!
Then, regardless of whether the symbols remained on his flesh and bone, they could be summoned freely, unrestricted by frequency.
“So difficult!” Shi Hao sighed softly. He discovered that after etching these symbols into his flesh and other bones, after several days, most would be drawn back toward the Supreme Sage bone, embedding themselves there.
“The Supreme Sage bone contains some brilliant essence-blood. If I redirect this essence-blood to nourish the rest of my body instead of solely this bone, what would happen?” Shi Hao murmured thoughtfully.
However, he dared not act recklessly, as this was extremely dangerous. Careful calculations and study would be required before any decision.
The following month was crucial for Shi Hao. After prolonged contemplation and analysis, he felt this path deserved an attempt.
During this period, Jiutou Lion, Xiao Tian, Xia Youyu, and others came to visit, expressing deep concern, but seeing him in retreat, they did not disturb him.
Meanwhile, people across the world acknowledged that Shi Hao had relinquished the throne, wholeheartedly pursuing the Dao.
In the Upper World, within an ancient hall, chaotic energy filled the air, blurring details and cloaking the space in mysterious haze.
Here sat several figures on lotus mats, utterly motionless, like petrified remnants of eternity, exuding no vitality.
“Brethren, have you reached a decision?” A figure shrouded in chaotic mist spoke.
“This time differs from before. We must send down deities with ignited godly flames, not merely for days or decades, but to dwell there permanently until they succeed in finding the Ultimate Liberation Scroll and other treasures. We must challenge Heaven’s decree and win the favor of the Dao, allowing them to remain for thousands or even ten thousand years!”
“Then act! Challenge Heaven’s decree, oppose the Dao, and send some individuals down. To those of us with limited lifespans, the scroll of liberation is too important to ignore!” one replied.
“Whether we succeed or not, opposing Heaven’s decree may bring the Dao’s backlash upon us. This is our only chance!” another voice added amidst swirling chaotic mists.
Silence fell across the hall for a long while.
“The Heavenly Blood Ritual preparation is complete. Brethren, can you pay the price, project yourselves, contact your disciples below, and assist in this blood ritual?” The shadowy speaker’s voice was nearly ethereal.
“Our Netherworld possesses the skeleton of an almost Supreme Sage-level Void Beast, capable of breaking through worlds. But I have this condition—we must kill the youth named Shi Hao.” His black fog swirled, with chaotic light surging—a formidable presence.
“I agree!”
…
Below, in Hong Domain.
This was a vast swamp, perpetually shrouded in thick mist. Unknown when, a pitch-black altar had been constructed here, adorned with countless divine and demonic glyphs.
Even a mere glance from afar was enough to invoke unease, as though one’s very soul would be drawn uncontrollably towards it, provoking uneasiness and dread.
On this day, the altar saw the arrival of several figures, from different sects, none revealing true forms. They exchanged brief glances, silently nodded, and departed together.
“Uuuuu…”
Within a certain ancient kingdom in Hong Domain, Yao winds howled, thick fog covered the sky. A figure in wide sleeves swept his sleeve, lifting countless living beings from the ground. Within moments, the land was silenced.
In another direction, not within human territory, was Mu Clan’s homeland—flourishing and prosperous—yet today also met its calamity. A radiant figure stood high in the air, holding a blood-red gourd, swallowing all creatures across ten directions, absorbing them completely.
In another land, the same tragedy unfolded.
A powerful being wielded a Cosmic Bag, indiscriminately trapping all creatures below. One silver dragon struggled fiercely, catching a glimpse of the true identity of the attacker.
“You are… a newly ascended Venerable of the Immortal Sect! Why do you do this?!”
Unfortunately, no answer came.
This day would surely shake the world, destined for eternal records in the annals of history!
And in the Upper World, tremors erupted too—this might affect countless ages to come, with profound significance beyond calculation!
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