Chapter 613: Breaching the Sacred Land

An Azure-Bronze Warship, stretching thousands of zhang, soared across the heavens, stirring up numerous ancient heritages within the Hua Domain.

This divine warship belonged to the Stone Kingdom. It crossed the celestial expanse, penetrating the firm “Domain Walls” as it set course for other great domains, radiating immense pressure.

“Which domain are they headed to? The Stone Kingdom must be preparing for a major move!”

At this moment, the Hua Domain had already erupted into turmoil. Everyone was speculating whether Shi Hao had truly returned; no conclusion had yet been reached.

No one could count how many great powers were watching. When they saw the national treasure vessel set sail, everyone’s heart skipped a beat. This ship was rarely deployed, but when it did, it heralded a war between nations—declared to conquer an entire sect or country.

Legend had it that this was the Stone Clan’s greatest warship from ancient times. Once the horn sounded, all the nation’s experts would emerge, ready to do battle to the bitter end.

Many had long forgotten this ancient ship. Now it reappeared, crossing the celestial void. Which immortal heritage or ancient kingdom would it target?

“The ‘Domain Wall’ has been breached; they are heading for the Xuan Domain!”

The news spread instantly, causing shockwaves. This was no mere show—it meant a true inter-domain invasion, launching a grand campaign!

The Azure-Bronze Warship pierced through the void and arrived in the Xuan Domain, naturally throwing the area into chaos. Many were astonished.

The warship had grown from thousands of zhang to over ten thousand zhang in length, turning into a colossal entity that filled the sky, like a suspended city.

Standing at the bow was Shi Hao, gazing down at the mountains and rivers below. His hair fluttered in the wind, his expression calm, eyes clear and penetrating, while his robes flapped noisily in the wind.

Beside him stood War King, Ming King, and Peng Wang, along with thousands of elite guards, all formidable. Without mentioning others, these three Sovereigns alone could devastate entire sects.

In the Stone Capital, a spiritual projection of Shi Hao was left in charge; there was no cause for concern.

In fact, such overwhelming force was unnecessary. Yet since they had decided to strike at immortal sects, attempting subtlety was impossible. In that case, better to unleash a mighty show of power and Intimidation the world.

The divine warship, metallic and sleek, was rare not for its combat prowess or defense, but its speed—an ability to partially traverse the void.

Such artifacts were exceedingly rare!

Perhaps certain weapons could temporarily tear through space, but long-term travel through the void was practically impossible.

Bu Lao Mountain, with its towering peaks wrapped in purple energy, was said to be a land where dragons soared. However, in recent years, it had suffered repeated disasters.

This was precisely Shi Hao’s first destination. As soon as the warship approached, the mountain guardians were alerted; seeing the massive vessel cutting through the sky like a dark azure cloud, everyone felt an overwhelming pressure.

“Who could this be? Are they attacking our Qin Clan?” gasps echoed, as someone hurried into the mountain to report.

At the same time, atop a nearby peak, one of Shi Hao’s spiritual projections opened its eyes, soared toward the Azure-Bronze warship, and returned into one of Shi Hao’s inner sanctums.

Among Shi Hao’s many spiritual projections, this was the only one that hadn’t taken direct action, having silently monitored the scene outside the mountain gate.

“Could you really be from the Stone Kingdom?!” the Qin Clan leaders appeared, standing before the mountain gate, deeply shaken. Was this a full-out invasion on Bu Lao Mountain?

They felt uncertain and even fearful. At present, the Stone Kingdom had several Sovereigns, while they had only one. If war broke out, the consequences would be dire.

“We never offended you. Why bring such force upon our gates like this?” an elder shouted defiantly.

“Do we really need to explain further? Your Qin Clan colluded with several sects, leaking critical information. Do you think you can deny it?” War King replied coolly.

He held no goodwill for the Qin Clan. A year ago, Shi Hao had been gravely wounded here. While recovering, he had been repeatedly sabotaged—nearly costing his life.

Had it not been for Shi Zi Ling and Qin Yi Ning’s Face, they would have destroyed the entire mountain back then.

This time, although the Qin Clan had not acted outright, thanks to their complex ties with Shi Zi Ling, Qin Yi Ning, Qin Hao, and Shi Hao himself, they had learned some secrets of the Stone Kingdom and leaked them to rival sects. Greed for Void Gold had tied them to the great sects.

“You lie!” an elder shouted, waving a purple golden staff, his expression dark and shifting.

“Do you think, just because you’ve gained a few Sovereigns, you can act however you please? You’re merely a newly rising power. When our Bu Lao Mountain was feared across the world, you were barely a regional power!” snapped an old crone. Her eyes flickered with schemes as she secretly signaled the others. They planned to stall the warship and summon help from the great sects to counterattack the Stone Kingdom, before the threat could grow.

At this moment, the Azure-Bronze warship descended. The mist around its bow cleared, revealing a figure. A collective gasp rose at the sight before them.

“What?! That’s… Shi Hao?!”

Before the Qin Clan’s mountain gate, everyone was stunned, gaping in disbelief—the living proof before their eyes defied logic.

News had only just begun to spread in the Hua Domain. Bu Lao Mountain had only heard whispers, never truly believing it. After all, Qin Yi Ning had remained behind at the so-called “Stone Village,” unwilling to go to the higher realms. If Shi Hao had survived, how could she have stayed away?

As Shi Hao returned, mixed emotions welled within him, yet his expression remained calm. He said nothing, only scanning the elders of the Qin Clan with his eyes.

They all felt uneasy, chilled to their core, remembering the events of a year ago. At that time, they had nearly succeeded in killing him.

Now, he was alive—the harbinger of an immense catastrophe.

This place had once been breached, its protective arrays left in ruins. The Stone Clan had little to fear; War King and Peng Wang alone could seize the mountain.

“You should be grateful you didn’t push to the extremes this time, leaving yourselves even a sliver of hope,” Ming Wang declared. “Surrender your treasures now!”

“Impossible!” The Qin Clan elders brandished their weapons, anger flaring. Since ancient times, they had been the ones to spread fear across the world. Never had they been targeted like this.

“All those who colluded with the great sects must pay the price. If you value your lives, sever your cultivation immediately,” Ming Wang continued.

“And all who plotted against Emperor Shi a year ago, come forth now!” Peng Wang added.

In an instant, the Qin Clan was both shocked and furious, their tempers flaring. Had Bu Lao Mountain really fallen so far as to be threatened and lectured like this?

“Who dares act so brazenly before Bu Lao Mountain?!” a middle-aged man shouted, his eyes cold.

“An old, decaying Bu Lao Mountain dares to defy us? You still don’t see your own plight.” Peng Wang replied, his words igniting rage in the group.

When had they fallen so low, to be mocked and disrespected like this? It was a humiliation beyond words.

The very fact that the Stone Kingdom had struck first meant a slap across their faces.

In the past, they had even plotted to overthrow the ancient kingdom. Never had they imagined the tide would turn like this—being forced into submission or facing total annihilation.

“Seal the mountain gate, activate the grand formation. Any who dare trespass will face death!” the Sovereign of Bu Lao Mountain commanded coldly.

The Qin Clan’s leaders retreated, feeling humiliated. They would resist with their formations, making the invaders pay with blood.

“Do you really believe a few broken arrays can intimidate us?” Ming Wang laughed.

At that moment, a radiant glow flickered through Shi Hao’s hair. The Divine Punishing Stone soared downward, accompanied by three Sovereigns, landing directly before the mountain gate to break the formation.

“What?!” the Qin Clan cried out in alarm.

Within moments, the mountain gate collapsed. Under the guidance of the Divine Punishing Stone, the three Sovereigns smashed through the entrance in a short span.

Dust filled the air, rocks tumbled, and the fall of Bu Lao Mountain’s gate marked a monumental turning point. Someone had dared it—and succeeded!

“Attack!”

The Sovereign of Bu Lao Mountain’s face darkened. Grasping a divine artifact, he leaped forward, hoping to kill the three Sovereigns with his powerful weapon.

But fate had other plans. Each of the three Sovereigns wielded ancient divine relics, remnants of gods, that erupted with blinding light as they slashed forward.

“Just you wait. As long as I survive, I will destroy the Stone Kingdom one day!” he silently vowed, preparing to flee into the void.

But Shi Hao moved. With a single sweep of his sleeve, a deafening roar echoed, like a boundless ocean surging. He summoned the Silver Alchemy Cauldron of the Stone Kingdom, enveloping the fleeing figure.

“You…” the Sovereign of the Qin Clan gasped in shock. In an instant, his divine artifact was torn from his grasp, absorbed into the cauldron.

At the same time, Shi Hao’s sleeve came down like a hammer, sending him spewing blood and crashing back onto Bu Lao Mountain—escape was no longer an option.

War King and Peng Wang exchanged glances, perfectly in sync. Without hesitation, they unleashed the full might of their divine weapons, striking the Qin Clan’s sole Sovereign.

Divine artifacts erupted in radiant splendor—blinding lights, brilliant colors, overwhelming terror that left many onlookers paralyzed.

“No!” the Sovereign of the Qin Clan screamed, burning his own essence in a last-ditch effort to flee.

But against such divine might, his resistance was futile. Struck by the two artifacts, he exploded into a blood mist, his form and soul utterly annihilated.

Two ancient Kings remained indifferent. Once they had chosen to strike, there was no way they would allow this Sovereign to escape, for he would only become a future threat.

What followed was a massacre. The once mighty and glorious Bu Lao Mountain, now in ruins, had long since lost its protective formation and no longer had the means to resist.

“Daring to conspire against the Stone Kingdom! A year ago, you nearly killed Emperor Shi—now we settle the score!”

“Kill them all!”

Roaring cries echoed to the heavens. The three ancient Kings led thousands of elite warriors from the Stone Clan into Bu Lao Mountain, sweeping through completely. All who resisted were executed without mercy.

This battle shattered Bu Lao Mountain. Its leadership was completely wiped out. Blood soaked the soil.

…

All who had conspired against Shi Hao were hunted down by the three ancient Kings and executed. Every follower who aided the great sects in plotting against the Stone Kingdom was also slain.

After this war, the Qin Clan never recovered, erased from the list of holy lands, forever reduced to obscurity in the lower world, never rising again.

Had it not been because Qin Yi Ning was Shi Hao’s mother, their entire lineage might have been wiped out.

Unfortunately, the spoils were meager—aside from a few divine artifacts, there were nearly no divine materials or spiritual herbs, as both the Small Pagoda and the immortal beings had already consumed them all in the past.

“The Western Sect and the Sky-Repairing Sect are no ordinary foes, never previously breached. Since ancient times, they have accumulated immense treasures. There must be many divine treasures within!” Peng Wang mused.