The mountains undulated, veiled in violet mist, with Immortal Peak standing tall and mighty. One mountain after another was shrouded in mist and clouds, faintly revealing ancient trees shimmering with flowing radiance, resembling a celestial paradise.
A distant sound echoed throughout the mountains, like rolling thunder, yet no response came from Qin Hao.
A streak of crimson stained Shi Hao’s lips, blood trickling down despite his effort to swallow. It was evident how grievous his wounds were.
Around him, the crowd exchanged uneasy glances, deeply sensing that Xiao Shi’s strength was waning. He had fought against a god, paying a steep price, and today might mark his end.
“There were rumors saying he went to face the strongest god. Could it be he truly slayed the last of them?”
At the thought, the hearts of the Immortal Peak disciples palpitated with trembling souls, astonished by such a terrifying outcome.
If proven true, it would be a miracle beyond imagination!
Precisely for this reason, they became even more certain that Xiao Shi’s life was nearing its end. Perhaps with just a little extra force, they could send him to his grave.
The group exchanged glances, gathering strength in secret. If necessary, they would join forces for a deadly strike at the critical moment.
Shi Hao remained indifferent. As his fingers tightened slightly, the bones in the Venerable One’s neck cracked and splintered, alarming everyone and changing their expressions in fear.
Immortal Peak could not afford much more loss. If the remaining Venerable One died, their influence in this world would be severely weakened.
“Imperial King of the Shi Clan, do not act rashly. Let us speak first,” an elder hurriedly stepped forward, bowing respectfully, begging him not to strike.
The others also restrained their auras and stepped back. Although Xiao Shi was gravely injured, if he lashed out, he could still slay the Venerable One in his grasp without difficulty.
With a mere gesture, Shi Hao unleashed his divine might, sealing the Venerable One and nullifying his power temporarily. The Venerable One paled, his body trembling involuntarily.
“Brother, are you there? Come out and meet me,” Shi Hao sent his voice again, drawing upon his fundamental divine energy, his bones cracking within his body—clearly fractured.
He resembled a broken porcelain figurine, hastily pieced back together, yet at risk of shattering with the slightest pressure.
A whistling sound split the air as a young boy clad in silver divine armor appeared, soaring through the sky. His radiant silver-white battle armor made him appear sacred and aloof.
Though only twelve or thirteen years old, he was quiet and composed, his piercing gaze revealing divine brilliance. His flowing black hair added to his noble and handsome appearance—this was none other than Qin Hao.
Frowning, Qin Hao asked, “What happened to you?”
Shi Hao suppressed his injuries and replied, “Tell everyone to leave. I have something to say to you.”
Qin Hao nodded. “Come with me into Immortal Peak.”
Though hostile, the group restrained themselves and made no move to stop them.
On a mountain peak, crystal springs trickled and pine waves rustled. The two brothers sat face-to-face. Shi Hao concealed nothing and revealed that his days were numbered.
Qin Hao looked at him and asked, “Can it not be cured?”
“My condition is known to me alone. Even a divine medicinal herb of the holy rank would be of no use,” Shi Hao shook his head.
Qin Hao fell into silence, then asked, “Then what do you want me to do?”
“Take good care of our parents. It is the only thing I ask,” Shi Hao said, rising to his feet. They had only recently recognized each other as brothers, and his younger sibling had always been rather taciturn, so he saw no need to linger.
“The world is vast. Perhaps there exists some ancient method to heal you,” Qin Hao spoke.
“I understand,” Shi Hao nodded and urged once more, “Promise me you will take care of our parents—they are my only concern.”
“Rest assured. They will live well. No one will dare provoke us even when we ascend to the higher realms,” Qin Hao assured.
Shi Hao sighed softly, his eyes filled with reluctant affection. “Then I can die at peace. Do not tell them about this. Say I have gone into seclusion. You all should ascend soon after.”
He knew Qin Hao had successfully rooted his Immortal Bone, destined to depart.
He neither wanted nor wished his parents to know his current condition. He did not wish to leave them in sorrow. He longed to leave alone, finding a tranquil place to rest forever.
Better to depart with a lie than allow his parents to suffer unbearable grief. Let them believe he had merely left temporarily to pursue cultivation.
Qin Hao gazed at him, speechless, silence settling between them.
“Very well,” Qin Hao finally nodded.
Shi Hao walked down the stone path, leaving Immortal Peak without a glance back. He pondered where to go—a quiet place to spend his final days.
Along the way, no one stopped him. He was free to depart.
Outside the mountain gates, the horizon stretched endlessly, the wilderness vast. Shi Hao stood there, gazing at the landscape, the roaring river rushing past. For a moment, he hesitated, uncertain of where to go.
“Returning to the village might not be good either,” he sighed softly.
“They will be heartbroken,” Qin Hao finally followed out, standing behind him. He spoke of Shi Zi Ling and his wife.
“Just keep it a secret. After all, you are ascending to the higher realm. Take them with you,” Shi Hao did not turn back.
He stood in deep thought, recalling past memories. Finally, he decided to return to the wilderness of Shi Village, to be buried dozens of miles away without letting them see. He wished to lie in the land where he had grown.
“Goodbye, I’m leaving,” he rose into the air, heading to the nearest great city to search for a ritual altar to transport him.
Hei Shi City was a vast metropolis built entirely of black stone, hence its name.
“The altar is damaged?” Shi Hao frowned. Yet he had no choice. These ancient altars were rarely maintained, frequently malfunctioning.
He began inspecting the inscriptions. Having spent years with the Divine-Stone, he had learned something of formations and attempted to repair it, hoping to activate the passage.
He was out of time.
Half a day later, he succeeded. Pale as snow, he grew weaker by the second. He could not afford to linger—he had to return swiftly to the wastelands.
“Child!”
“Hao!”
Calls rang out from behind, filled with anxiety and urgency. Two figures descended from the sky—Shi Zi Ling and his wife.
Lately, they had been unable to eat or sleep, endlessly searching the wastelands for Shi Hao, enduring unimaginable pressure, fearing his demise, or worse—unexpected death.
But each time, they arrived too late. Shi Hao always vanished after every battle, moving elsewhere.
Day after day, their hearts withered, nearly suffocating in dread, fearing they would never see their eldest son again.
Because he was fighting against gods—beings who had ignited divine flames. To face seven deities singlehandedly meant certain death, barely a sliver of hope.
Consumed by anxiety and sorrow, they finally heard he had slain the last god. With relief, their worries only grew sharper—was he alright?
The entire world marveled at his heroic deed of slaying gods.
Yet Shi Zi Ling and his wife grew more anxious. Fortunately, they learned from imperial guards of the Shi Kingdom about his condition and traced him through residual coordinates left on the ancestral altar.
They rushed back to the Immortal Peak, only to find out Shi Hao had just left. Desperately, they pursued him.
Shi Hao wished to activate the teleportation and flee, but he had already been discovered. There was no way to hide anymore. To turn away now would only break his heart forever.
“Hao! What happened to you!?” Qin Yi Ning cried in terror, seizing his hand. Seeing his body riddled with countless cracks, blood spilling out, she shuddered with cold fear.
Qin Hao had led the way.
“Father, Mother,” Shi Hao opened his mouth into a smile, peace in his heart, but a sudden dizziness overtook him. He collapsed onto the altar.
“Quick! Take him back to Immortal Peak! Use every possible method. All the divine herbs and holy pills must be prepared. We must save Hao!” Shi Zi Ling roared, scooping him up in his arms.
“We’ve already lost him once. We won’t lose him again. We must bring him back!” Qin Yi Ning wept.
Holding Shi Hao tightly, they sped back to Immortal Peak.
That day, the world trembled. The news had finally spread to other vast lands—Shi Hao had resisted the gods and successfully slain the last of the seven deities, completing an unthinkable feat!
Undoubtedly, at his age, such a legendary achievement was unprecedented—perhaps not unique, but nearly so.
The entire world was stunned. No one could believe it. He had truly slain gods, wiping out the seven deities entirely. It was more incredible than myth itself.
“Xiao Shi truly did it. Unbelievable. This will be etched into cultivation history as an eternal legend.”
“This is a miracle beyond replication. Xiao Shi’s brilliance is unmatched. He is destined to become an unrivaled Emperor, his future limitless!”
…
The Eight Realms boiled in excitement as everyone spoke of Xiao Shi. His name shook the heavens, his reputation reaching unimaginable heights.
Soon, the news about his critical injury spread, shocking many.
“What? Xiao Shi is dying? Is he to live only a few more days?!”
Such news sent shockwaves across the world. Xiao Shi had achieved brilliance beyond imagination, yet his life was fleeting, leaving people stunned and speechless.
“What a tragedy! After so many years, only now has such a genius emerged—only for him to perish so soon! How unjust is the Heavens?”
Shi Hao had sustained mortal wounds battling the seven heavenly deities from the upper realms. Many sects respected him deeply, and if he perished, they would mourn him.
“Heaven envies brilliance! So young, yet surpassing all in genius, how could he perish so early?”
“Can this be true?” Many refused to believe.
This boy rose like a comet, illuminating the Earth, only to vanish too soon, leaving behind nothing but lament.
“This news must be accurate. Xiao Shi is truly dying. What a shame!”
“Right now, the elders of the Shi Kingdom are mobilizing every resource across the world, seeking every possible medicinal herb and remedy. They will pay any price to save him.”
The entire world was in uproar. Xiao Shi, who had conquered Four Directions and eliminated seven deities, had doomed himself. Everyone spoke of it.
After a day and a night, Shi Hao finally regained consciousness. He quickly realized that his parents had fed him the golden sap of the Sun Divinity Tree, the single drop they had saved for him. It had temporarily prolonged his life, but his time was still limited.
“Hao!” Qin Yi Ning cried, holding his head and shedding endless tears.
What else could be done? There was no method, no way to save him. According to calculations by many experts, even a True God could not change his fate.
His condition was dire, with barely a few days left.
In these two days, untold numbers of healers had arrived—some summoned by the Shi Kingdom, more drawn by admiration for Xiao Shi’s heroic deeds, yet all failed to revive him.
“There may be a way, but the cost is too great,” an old healer finally spoke to Shi Zi Ling and Qin Yi Ning after others had left.
“Please, save our Hao! Whatever the price, we will accept it!” Qin Yi Ning wept, no longer the sharp-witted Holy Maiden, but merely a mother, heartbroken and teary-eyed.
“I… it is hard to say,” the old healer sighed and shook his head.
“Please advise, do not hesitate! We will do everything to assist!” Shi Zi Ling urged desperately.
“I have learned that the second young master possesses an Immortal Bone implanted within him. Perhaps it holds the key to saving the Shi Emperor,” the elder finally spoke.
“What!?” Qin Yi Ning’s face turned pale, the bowl in her hand crashing to the ground with a loud, sharp crack, scattering its medicinal contents everywhere.
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