Chapter 604: Unceasing Vitality

“Oh, Xiao Hao, how I wish you could come back to life!” Da Zhuang and Er Meng arrived with several jars of wine and sat there. They poured a cup each time, then poured another cup in front of the grave.

They were slightly older than Shi Hao, but when they were young, Shi Hao’s body was already very strong. Initially, he followed them around, and later surpassed them.

“It’s hard to believe you’re gone. How can you be dead?” Er Meng’s eyes turned red.

Xiao Rascal, Hu Zi, and Snotty Kid were also sorrowful, continuously pouring wine and drinking cup after cup, then pouring the last of each on the ground. Over these past three months, they came here every few days to drink like this, as if the drunken haze might bring them a glimpse of Shi Hao.

Even leaving aside the sincere childhood friendship they shared, just considering all that Shi Hao had done for Shi Village, they could not forget him. Their hearts were filled with grief.

“It’s so unfair! Xiao Hao lies here all alone, while that other fellow is hailed as a matchless prodigy, said to soon become invincible in heaven and earth. That glory should’ve been Xiao Hao’s.” Xiao Rascal said bitterly.

Although they remained in Shi Village, they knew a little of what happened outside, for there had always been communication between the village and the Stone Kingdom’s royal palace.

Qing Feng had inherited the throne of the Stone Kingdom and constantly traveled between the two places.

“Tell me, do you think there truly exists a soul-returning herb in this world? If only we could find one, we’d give anything for Xiao Hao to come back to life.” Da Zhuang said gloomily.

“I’ve always felt he didn’t truly leave, as if he’s still here beside us.” Snotty Kid said, the only one among them slightly younger than Shi Hao, now already married.

Eventually, they supported each other, tipsy and emotional, and walked down the mountain back to Shi Village.

During these days, if one were to ask who in the village mourned the most, it was surely Elder Shi Yun Feng. Shi Hao had been raised by him personally, and their bond was like that of grandfather and grandchild.

He really struggled to accept this outcome. In just three short months, he appeared ten years older, his hair snow-white, filled with the aura of mourning.

The old man often sat alone at the village entrance all day long, not even acknowledging the greetings of villagers—seeing this, everyone else felt the pain too.

“Child, when you were brought to me at first, you were only this high”—he whispered, pointing to his knee—”so frail, nearly dead.” Elder Shi murmured, staring at the courtyard, as if still hearing the weak cries of the infant.

“Later, you survived, and we lived together, supporting each other. Those were truly joyful times.” He sighed, tears flowing from his eyes. For a moment, he saw that little boy with bright eyes and unsteady steps, pulling on the tail of the big yellow dog, making childish sounds.

“Elder, please come and eat.” Villagers approached with comfort, although each of them was deeply sorrowful as well.

“I have no appetite.” The old man lowered his head, rubbing a small clay pot that the young Xiao Hao used daily in secret, afraid others would discover him brewing beast’s milk to drink.

Of course, everyone already knew it. Those beast milks were brought by uncles and elders.

“Grand Elder, what lies beyond the great mountains? I want to see it. I want to leave the great wilderness.” When Shi Hao was a bit older, he already dreamt of exploring the outside world.

These words seemed to still echo in Shi Yun Feng’s ears. He blamed himself, shaking his head. “I shouldn’t have agreed. If only we had lived here always, never going out—it would have been so much better. Then this tragedy wouldn’t have happened.”

“We know it hurts, Elder, but you still must eat. Otherwise, we won’t eat either,” a group of tearful children approached, deeply worried.

“Alright then, we must live, and life must go on. We can’t always live in the past.” Shi Yun Feng stood up, a lost look in his eyes, saying thus.

But the villagers knew the truth—this grief would never leave him. In fact, no one could ever truly forget Shi Hao. Each time they thought of him, they felt a bitter ache.

In a small courtyard within the village, another profound grief existed—that of Shi Hao’s parents. They had remained in Shi Village for these three months, only departing two days ago after receiving urgent summons from Immortal Mountain, delivered through Qing Feng.

In the outside world, within Immortal Mountain, the Qin Clan debated furiously, urging Qin Hao to ascend as soon as possible, lest the Celestial Path be severed forever, losing the opportunity forever.

“I will stay.” Qin Yi Ning shook her head in anguish, determined to remain in the lower realm, never leaving Shi Village.

Shi Zi Ling, upon hearing this, suddenly blazed with fierce divine light in his eyes. “I will ascend!”

He had already kindled a fire deep in his heart, three months burning with rage. He must enter the higher realm, one day slaying those who had inherited the power, seeking answers.

For vengeance, he must enter the upper world, even if it filled him with reluctance and regret—he had no choice but to leave.

“Very well, you may ascend, and I shall remain behind.” Qin Yi Ning sighed softly.

“Mother, come with us. Your son wishes for your happiness, not sorrow,” implored Qin Hao.

Shi Qin Yi Ning shook her head, her heart filled with grief.

Finally, Shi Zi Ling returned to Shi Village, standing before that grave the entire night, then resolutely departed, carrying his golden war spear, determined to enter the upper realm.

“From this moment, I will immerse myself in cultivation, never wasting time again. Let my arrogance, my sharp edges, my true self—all burn away!” He roared bitterly.

Shi Zi Ling and Qin Hao departed, following the mysterious Celestial Path, vanishing from this realm.

Soon after, the noble ladies and talents from the upper world also left, returning fully to the upper realm, bringing even more detailed news.

Their elders were astonished and began discussing with them.

“So this Xiao Shi was extraordinary—had he ascended, he would have shone brilliantly, destined to dominate his generation?”

“Yes, he was formidable, but now his younger brother is even greater.”

…

“You’re saying Xiao Shi once defeated the undefeated legend—the twin-pupiled warrior?”

“Yes!”

“The twin-pupiled warrior was also hailed as peerless in the upper world, unmatched among his generation. Recently, a youth in his late teens emerged in Tian Yuan Province, sweeping all challengers. He entered Tian Yuan Academy, challenging one of their ‘first-generation’ disciples in a duel, seemingly emerging victorious, and was admitted into Tian Yuan Academy.”

Time swiftly passed, and more than half a year had gone by since Shi Hao’s passing. During this time, both the Western Sect and Immortal Mountain, among others, struggled increasingly to maintain contact with the upper realm.

As time passed, communication between the realms grew increasingly strained, nearly severed entirely.

The Qin family urged repeatedly, sending messages through the Stone Kingdom, begging Qin Yi Ning to ascend through the Celestial Path, or risk losing her last chance—but she refused every time.

“This grass just keeps growing back, no matter how much we pull!” Er Meng commented.

On the small hill, strange grass covered the ground everywhere, thick and tenacious roots, impossible to eradicate completely, sprouting again and again around the grave.

Moreover, the region now radiated a significantly increased amount of spiritual energy.

The villagers speculated that Shi Hao had consumed many heavenly treasures in life, along with various sacred herbs and divine wines, each brimming with essence, so even in death, he enriched this region with spiritual power.

“This grass is so odd, never seen it in the wilderness before. How did it appear here?” Xiao Rascal murmured in puzzlement.

“This is no soul-returning herb, unfortunately,” Da Zhuang sighed.

Months passed, and nearly a year had passed since Shi Hao’s death. Immortal Mountain again sent word, urging Qin Yi Ning to return—this time involving her husband, Shi Zi Ling, and their second son.

Qin Yi Ning prepared to depart, filled with sadness, standing before the earthen grave to say her farewells, weeping the entire night.

The Qin Clan sent messages: Shi Zi Ling had suffered severe wounds in the upper world, and even Qin Hao had run into trouble—they urged her to ascend.

“Shi Zi Ling has been wounded, and Xiao Hao would certainly be anxious in the underworld if he knew. You must go,” Elder Shi Yun Feng comforted her.

“I will send news of his father to the lower realm, so Xiao Hao can rest peacefully.” Qin Yi Ning wept.

She felt a profound sadness, leaving behind too many regrets in the lower world. On that day, she departed along an ancient Celestial Path of Immortal Mountain, ascending to the upper realm.

Days later, Immortal Mountain expended great effort to fulfill her request, reestablishing contact with the lower realm.

This time, the lower Immortal Mountain did not hide the truth.

“Uncle Zi Ling is safe; he merely went deep into cultivation alone. The upper realm merely exaggerated to encourage their holy maiden’s return,” Da Zhuang said by the grave.

“Qin Hao has made a name for himself in the upper world. His possession of two Supreme Sovereignbones could not be kept secret. When word spread, he shocked the entire realm with a stunning battle!” Er Meng added, sharing the news from Immortal Mountain.

Reportedly, even at the same cultivation level, Qin Hao defeated five heaven-bestowed geniuses, facing off against prodigies from various provinces. The battle shook the upper world, causing a massive uproar.

For this, the Immortal Tian Zun personally dispatched a divine avatar to guard his side, to prevent him from being secretly assassinated.

Qin Hao’s name reverberated across the southern regions; many ancient sects learned of him, and great sects began considering alliances through marriage, offering their own heavenly gifted beauties.

It is said Qin Hao continues to cultivate intensively, hoping to rise swiftly and participate in the upper realm’s great upcoming gathering. This grand event features the strongest youths from each province, a massive competition across many great provinces. It is a true battle among young heavenly sovereigns! Those who emerge victorious enter a secret sacred land, where unimaginable opportunities await!

“How tragic—Xiao Hao should have ascended to shine as well, but now…” Xiao Rascal and the others felt deeply disheartened.

A year passed, and the people of Shi Village increasingly sensed something unusual about the small hill. The spiritual energy around the grave had become denser than ever before, many times stronger than previously.

“Xiao Hao Uncle, we’re visiting you again.” A group of children climbed the hill. They often cleaned this grave, but the grass kept growing too fast to uproot.

“Hey, it’s that sparrow!—it’s carrying seeds again, dropping them here! No wonder so many strange grasses keep growing!” A child cried in shock, pointing ahead.

It was a five-colored sparrow, unafraid of humans, standing on the grave dropping several seeds. Then lazily, it preened its brilliant feathers.

“Oh no, you naughty bird! You’ve always been bullying Uncle Hao since he was little. Even now that he’s gone, you still act wild on his grave!” The children shouted angrily, rushing forward to catch it.

Clearly, it was futile. Even when Shi Hao, since childhood, chased it from small to big, never once managing to touch a single feather. He had even cried bitterly once, provoked beyond his limit by this bird.

This was one of Shi Hao’s rare embarrassing moments, something he seldom mentioned. Even when he grew up and reached the Formation Realm, he still harbored a grudge, determined to capture this elusive five-colored sparrow. Unfortunately, he never succeeded—the bird was far too cunning, always slipping away precisely when he was about to catch it.

“Chirp, chirp…”

The five-colored sparrow gave a few calls, finished preening its beautiful feathers, then flew off leisurely, unfazed. As it spread its wings, a brilliant five-colored glow surrounded it, flying toward an ancient jujube tree behind Shi Village—that was its nest.

“Too despicable! We pull weeds, and it replants them!”

The children shouted furiously, charging down the hill, running back to the village to capture the bird, which startled many adults.

“What happened?” When the adults of Shi Village learned of this, they were astonished.

Then they all went looking for the five-colored sparrow together, but the bird was far too sly—already long gone.

“I’ve never even seen this five-colored bird. It feels strange,” Mao Qiu said, nearly fully recovered from injuries.

Of course, he already knew of such a bird. Long ago, Shi Hao, filled with resentment, had even taken him along searching for that bird’s nest—yet the cunning bird simply disappeared, never seen.

Eventually, they returned to the small hill and were startled once more—the spiritual energy had increased even further, and the grave itself emitted faint glowing ripples.

“What… what is happening!?” The elder was most excited. He, as a cultivator himself, sensed a pulse of life stirring from the grave!

These past few months, the grass had grown more vigorously than ever, and now its roots glowed with a dragon-beard-like appearance, as if they were alive.

This grass was extraordinary—its roots especially thick and unlike normal grass; today, it appeared even more extraordinary, emitting dense, misty lights.

“Let me take a look.” Mao Qiu’s eyes gleamed with divine light as he gazed intently at the grave, then peered deep into the earth.

Soon, he was startled!

Mao Qiu sensed strange, fluctuating vibrations, as if caught in a cycle of reincarnation. His spirit trembled—it was fortunate that it was him; otherwise, another would surely have suffered severe harm.

“Do not act rashly!” He warned severely, then took out Shi Hao’s ancient bronze treasure box, opened it, and revealed the Twin-Pupiled Eye.

“That is…” He was deeply shocked, utilizing the Twin-Pupil’s sight to behold the glowing aura beneath the grave emitting a strand of life essence—precisely from the coffin below!

“Reincarnation… without experiencing death and life, how could one truly understand reincarnation? Could that be why?” Xiao Hong arrived, equally astonished.