In the heart of the mountains, rivers of molten magma glowed crimson, sweeping away entire forests. Great warriors were locked in fierce battle.
For several continuous days, conflict raged across this region. The first generation of powerful cultivators clashed fiercely. Once they met, none would yield, leading to bloodthirsty confrontations.
“Hmm?” Shi Hao furrowed his brows. He had spotted even more formidable beings. As expected, the news of the Three Lives Bronze Coffin and the Sovereign Hall spread far and wide, drawing heroes from all directions.
Blue flames danced as a massive earthworm appeared, over fifty feet in length. This was a warrior who had lit the divine flame. As soon as it emerged, it directly launched a deadly attack against the young master of the Divine Temple.
Geniuses were often targeted and eliminated in the Upper World. If opposing factions harbored enmity toward one another, they would never allow the younger generation of their foes to grow unchallenged.
However, this was only a wandering cultivator, not a deity-level warrior from any major sect. It only coveted the Void War Axe and thus launched a surprise attack, aiming to seize it.
“Chi!”
The heir of Xian Hall pierced through space itself, vanishing instantly to evade the strike.
The fifty-foot-long earthworm coiled through the sky like a giant serpent, leaving behind a trail of shimmering blue glyphs before swiftly diving toward the earth, having failed its assassination attempt and unwilling to linger.
“Hmph, you actually dare act so recklessly, as if I don’t exist?” An elder appeared, his body wreathed in black flames as he extended a colossal hand toward the land below.
” Elder!” The main body of Yue Chan materialized, calling out in recognition. This was another warrior who had lit the divine flame, belonging to the Divine Temple of the Sky Menders, who had also arrived in this region.
The earthworm wriggled free, its entire body radiating light as half of its form sank into the mountains, acting with exceptional speed.
” Sealing!” roared the elder as he summoned forth a divine pearl, radiating yellow-gold light. It engulfed the forest below, causing the earthworm’s body to stiffen, making escape impossible.
This highlighted the difference between wandering cultivators and those from sacred sects. The former often lacked potent divine artifacts, while the latter wielded weapons capable of completely suppressing opponents of equal power.
This orb, the “Earth Traversal Pearl,” was specifically designed to counter creatures that relied on the earth’s power. The earthworm immediately lost its mobility.
“Weng!”
Space tore apart as the heir of Xian Hall reappeared, his long hair flowing and his tall, powerful body radiating dazzling light. Clutching the Void War Axe with both hands, he cleaved downward powerfully.
“Pu!”
Blood sprayed high as the war axe cleaved the earthworm in two. Then, with a twist of his powerful arms, he shredded the once-formidable lifeform into bloody mist, slaying a divine-flame warrior with a single strike!
Blood dripped from the axe, which gleamed ominously in the light. Everyone who witnessed the scene shuddered involuntarily—the death of a divine-flame lifeform, so easily ended.
Before long, more powerful beings appeared within the region, all elite warriors from various sects.
“It’s getting more chaotic by the minute. It’s time for me to leave,” murmured Shi Hao. There was no need for him to get involved in this tangled mess. As he spoke, he glanced at Yinzi—he needed nothing more than to take it with him.
This region grew increasingly turbulent. After the news of the Three Lives Bronze Coffin and the Sovereign Hall surfaced, a massive uproar swept through the land, prompting important figures from various sects to abandon their retreats.
Before leaving, Shi Hao visited the village of Mang Cun, fifty miles away. There, he encountered the malevolent figures mentioned by the elder, silently eliminating them to safeguard Zhu Cun from future threats.
“I will soar upward like a carp leaping into the heavens, breaking all chains, free to gallop across heaven and earth, never hiding from anyone again!” Shi Hao declared to himself. He longed for boundless strength, to no longer live under constant restraint or fear.
He resolved to seek power, to temper his body and soul, and temporarily distance himself from the chaotic vortex.
After all, Yinzi remained by his side. He suspected the great destiny would, in large part, rest on this silver-feathered phoenix.
Two days later, Shi Hao departed with Yinzi. However, just as he was about to leave the region of Huai City, something felt off—an eerie mist shrouded the horizon.
He treaded cautiously, attempting to bypass it, only to discover the entire area enveloped in the same phenomenon. This was an immense sealing formation!
Yinzi appeared visibly tense, its large, dark eyes darting about anxiously. Rarely silent, it clung tightly by his side.
“What a breathtaking feat! They’ve completely sealed off the region,” Shi Hao exclaimed in admiration. Clearly, a master from one of the great sects had arrived, locking down the area to track down the silver-haired woman.
He awakened the Divine-Striking Stone, and together they studied the formation, seeking an escape route. Two days later, ripples shimmered through the misty barrier, and they slipped away unnoticed.
Looking back, Shi Hao gave one final glance. That place was already becoming a “quagmire,” destined to entangle countless battling cultivators.
“Yinzi, do you know where the Three Lives Bronze Coffin is? Or perhaps you can tell me the location of the Sovereign Hall?” Shi Hao suddenly asked after their long journey.
Yinzi’s feathers flared upright, each strand standing on end, its brilliant eyes glaring at him with disbelief.
“Don’t worry, I was just asking casually,” Shi Hao chuckled.
Not long afterward, he arrived at a Prefectural City, only to discover the local Genius Battle had yet to commence, still some time away.
“Maybe I should choose another Prefectural City. It might be safer,” he muttered to himself.
Traveling tens of thousands of miles, he finally halted at a massive city far behind him. Entering it, he decided to stay briefly and gain a better understanding of his surroundings.
After all, Zhu Village was far too remote. Even elders like the Third Elder, who had journeyed abroad, possessed only limited knowledge of the outside world.
“This is Lei Province, right next to the Five Elements Province!”
When he learned this, Shi Hao’s heart swayed with emotion. Since arriving in the Upper World, besides cultivating, he had another unresolved mission—he had to find his grandfather.
The Five Elements Province was home to the Immortal Mountain!
Each time he thought of him, warmth and bitterness stirred within his heart. His grandfather had sacrificed so much for him yet had been unable to reunite.
When he was still very young, his grandfather had left in search of ancient beast blood for his sake. Tragically, he was ambushed by the Demon Beast Pi Xiu, losing an arm and left trapped for more than ten years.
Upon his return, Shi Zi Ling’s first act was to search for him, bringing divine pills to benefit his cultivation. Yet after returning to Stone City and learning the truth, he suffered a deep heartache, filled with fury, and waged battle with sorrow.
Later, Shi Zi Ling departed for the Immortal Mountain with A Man, only to be gravely wounded, spitting blood profusely, accidentally crossing into the Upper World.
“Grandfather, please take care of yourself!” Shi Hao whispered softly, his heart aching.
He did not overly worry about his parents, thanks to Qin Hao’s connection—there was no way the Immortal Mountain would recklessly harm them. However, his Great Demon King Uncle Shi Zi Ling’s arrival in the Upper World had been purely accidental, having used the Immortal Mountain’s teleportation array.
Although the Qin Clan insisted that the Upper World’s Immortal Mountain had not hindered Shi Zi Ling and had long since allowed him to leave, Shi Hao remained deeply anxious.
Although neighboring provinces, the distance between them was immense—each province was many times vaster than the entire Lower World, nearly impossible to traverse.
Even cultivators, solely by flying, would take countless years to reach such a destination given the sheer scale of the expanse.
Inter-province travel could only be accomplished through teleportation formations located in major cities. Without such means, anyone would feel dizzy at the astronomical distances involved.
Shi Hao spent a rare and valuable treasure he had brought from below—one of immense value. After waiting for several days, he finally boarded an ancient transmission formation, joining a group of cultivators who crossed the void together, heading toward the Five Elements Province.
Inter-provincial travel was exceedingly difficult. Even the cost of these transmissions was unaffordable to most.
Later, within this province, he used several more transmission arrays to cross vast distances until, at last, he neared the Immortal Mountain.
“One step at a time—cultivation, and at the same time, searching for Grandfather!” This became his resolute decision.
During this journey, Yinzi fell into a deep slumber, glowing from within, its feathers shimmering with intricate divine symbols, as if healing itself. Shi Hao placed it carefully into his Pouch of Eternity.
“Only ten thousand li remain to the Immortal Mountain,” Shi Hao whispered.
Upon arriving at the Five Elements Province and nearing the Immortal Mountain, Shi Hao overheard countless rumors spoken in major cities across the land.
“The Qin Clan is truly extraordinary. They’ve produced an unmatched prodigy—one who possesses two Immortal Bones! In battles at the same level, he overwhelms all adversaries!”
In the past year, Qin Hao had shaken the Five Elements Province, dominating all rivals. In equal-level confrontations, none could withstand three moves before being crushed.
“They say one of his Immortal Bones came from the Lower World—supposedly from his elder brother. I don’t know if it’s true.”
“Shh, speak softly! Such matters must not be discussed lightly. Some have already been reprimanded or even killed by the Immortal Mountain for spreading such words.”
Shi Hao fell silent. It seemed the Immortal Mountain was actively erasing all traces of him, unwilling to let the radiant brilliance of their extraordinary genius, Qin Hao, be overshadowed. They refused to let his name be mentioned.
“One day, return with the most glorious victories and show them you are back—a generation’s unrivaled monarch, even without the Sovereign Bone!” the Divine-Striking Stone proclaimed indignantly.
Others continued to gossip, though no longer mentioning the possible origin of Qin Hao’s Immortal Bone.
“This time, a grand talent gathering across the Three Thousand Provinces is about to occur. It will be an unprecedented spectacle. Let us watch and see how far Qin Hao of the Immortal Mountain will go in his path to glory!”
“Ah, look! Elders from Sacred Sects have appeared again. Truly, Qin Hao is extraordinary—he has attracted the attention of several Sacred Sects, and there are even marital arrangements being discussed involving heavenly gifted maidens.”
Shi Hao remained outwardly calm, listening carefully to their conversations while gaining deeper knowledge of the Immortal Mountain.
The Immortal Mountain was a colossal force, brimming with experts, its influence spanning the entire province. Although Shi Hao was eager to uncover more detailed intelligence, he had to proceed with utmost caution.
Once discovered snooping around the Immortal Mountain, he would surely face grave peril!
After half a month of relentless maneuvering, employing various methods, Shi Hao finally unearthed some crucial information that sent shockwaves through his heart.
While listening in on discussions about the Immortal Mountain, someone mentioned Shi Zi Ling. It was said that after ascending to the Upper World, he had caused great upheaval, openly challenging the Immortal Mountain in fury.
Upon hearing this, Shi Hao’s heart clenched tightly, filled with anxiety.
“How could Shi Zi Ling dare provoke the Immortal Mountain?” he couldn’t help but ask.
“It is said he comes from the Lower World, and is actually Qin Hao’s father. If not for that, he would have been slaughtered the moment he stepped foot here,” someone replied, continuing his tale.
Shi Hao listened silently, not interrupting.
After his rebellion, Shi Zi Ling was accompanied by many allies as they journeyed toward Demon Island, seemingly in search of someone—only to return empty-handed.
Hearing this, Shi Hao felt his heart stop beating for a moment, his fists clenching tightly.
He had recently learned that Demon Island was divided into two halves—one a cursed wasteland, the other a prison, imprisoning countless powerful beings and demonic beasts.
Instantly, thoughts flashed through his mind, and his blood boiled with rage.
“Is my grandfather there?!” Shi Hao muttered, unable to think of another reason for Shi Zi Ling’s fury.
“Grandfather… A Man!” Shi Hao’s heart trembled. Tears nearly flowed as he turned and fled the great city, running wildly through the mountains, letting out a furious, sorrowful roar.
“Grandfather! A Man! Please, be okay!” Shi Hao cried out, his blood surging within him, tears uncontrollably streaming down as he gritted his teeth: “Immortal Mountain! Qin Clan! We are far from over!”
Among all the figures in his life, Shi Zi Ling held a uniquely sacred place—just like Stone Clan Elder Shi Yun Feng, he was one of the most important people to Shi Hao, irreplaceable in his heart.
Because Shi Hao knew—his grandfather had loved him unconditionally, doing everything for his sake.
“Grandfather, where are you?” Shi Hao’s eyes brimmed with tears. His heart ached with worry, and hatred for the Immortal Mountain burned in his soul.
“I can no longer go by the name Shi Hao. From this day forth, I shall be known as Huāng Tiān. Even in the Upper World, I will dominate in all directions. I must rise swiftly!” Shi Hao vowed.
Though grief-stricken, Shi Hao felt deep down that his grandfather must still be alive. Although not yet found, Shi Zi Ling had returned in disappointment, not despair—this hinted at something more.
“Grandfather, A Man! Please endure a little longer. I will find you soon!” Shi Hao whispered, his voice filled with emotion.
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