The crowd nearby dashed forward, all shouting loudly in astonishment, utterly astounded, as they blurredly glimpsed the scenes etched upon the stone monument.
As for those farther off, they stood there dazed as well. Gazing from a distance, the monument’s summit shimmered with brilliance, where clusters of Dao-blossoms bloomed radiantly, exuding divine light that shrouded the heavens and earth.
It was as though a second sun had appeared across the sky—an individual inscribed upon the monument, illuminating the entire void and suppressing numerous legendary names that had long shaken the past and present.
The first batch of people rushed forward, lifting their heads in awe. Amazingly, the divine monument was still resonating at that moment, unable to calm itself, vibrating slightly while emitting a droning hum.
“Who is this person? Leading the charge at the apex, overpowering even the Heaven Sovereigns. It’s unimaginable!”
“This is truly a rising meteor—a sudden appearance of a heavenly defiance, destined to send tremors across every region!”
Their eyes stung from the blinding radiance. Undoubtedly, after countless eons of stillness, the combat-ranking had changed once more—someone now stood at the summit, dethroning the former champion.
It was not Qin Hao, nor the Dual-Bone Supreme Sovereign, but an entirely fresh mark shining forth, radiant and brilliant, casting all other names into shadow—”a sun hanging in the sky.”
Indeed, this was no mere name—it was a trace, a mark beyond words!
The glyph radiated a brilliant glow, exuding divine flame surging into the heavens, causing the stone monument to vibrate ceaselessly, shrouded in an aura of celestial Dao.
“It is said that even the interventions of great experts usually fail to awaken this stone monument. Now it actually roars in resonance! Could this newly emerged figure really be that peerless?”
“This is a humanoid engraving!”
After a long wait, when the radiant auspicious mist had receded and the Dao-blossoms had vanished, people could finally see the “mark” clearly.
Though the surrounding area had dimmed, the mark itself still radiated brilliance, towering above all, exuding a supreme presence.
“Truly a person!” Everyone’s hearts pounded wildly as they opened their spiritual eyes wide in an attempt to discern the details.
It was a figure seated cross-legged on the monument, facing away from the crowd, deeply mysterious without revealing its true appearance. Depicted with sparse strokes, it appeared vague and indistinct.
Yet, those few, simple outlines and blurred shapes still emitted dazzling light, so intense that no one could look directly at it.
Seemingly a careless, effortless mark, it had become eternal through the monument’s blessing, radiating a radiance that surpassed all other names upon the combat-ranking list.
Moreover, there was yet another fundamental reason for the shock of the gathered crowd—the seated figure stood tall and supreme, directly facing the name “Qin Chang Sheng” exactly, aligned vertically.
Everyone exchanged glances, puzzled by such a coincidence. This seemed exceedingly disrespectful—a powerful figure seated as though above the Heaven Sovereigns below.
Though there was still a certain distance between them, the visual impression remained that the mysterious figure was sitting atop Qin Chang Sheng.
In fact, precisely because of that distance, the situation became even more shocking. Could this be someone whose strength surpassed even the young days of the Heaven Sovereigns from the Upper World?
Below, there were three names aligned with Qin Chang Sheng, previously sharing the top spot. With this figure’s emergence, they had all been overpowered—especially the one directly beneath “Qin Chang Sheng,” which belonged to the Undying Heaven Sovereign.
“Who is this?!” Some figures from the Undying Mountain, witnessing the scene, seethed with rage.
“This is too arrogant! Utterly audacious!” They could scarcely contain their fury. That someone would rise suddenly and sit cross-legged above Qin Chang Sheng, as though suppressing him, was beyond humiliating.
“Such a disrespectful fool who thinks he will live forever—our Undying Mountain will be happy to oblige if he seeks a fate!” Someone snarled, his eyes dark with fury.
Many people instinctively stepped back, unwilling to get entangled in the conflict.
“This has nothing to do with the newcomer,” explained an elder. “The monument only reveals blank spaces for imprinting, and the cultivator can only inscribe there.”
“That is correct. It is just how it is; the cultivator did not intend to do this,” another voice confirmed.
Despite these reassurances, the people from the Undying Mountain remained deeply upset. If it had been just a name, it might have been tolerable, but a pictorial carving seated above them was too much to bear.
The combat rankings etched on the ancient monument had changed forever, destined to spread across every land, sparking massive upheaval.
“Ah! Not only is there a seated figure, but there is also a single word—it carries the name of the one who left this mark!”
Only after this period of time did someone manage to discern the word hidden within the engraving—Huāng ( Huang), now integrated seamlessly into the shadowy figure.
“Incredible! A supreme warrior named Huang has risen, destined for greatness, destined to roar through Ten Provinces!”
Excited murmurs filled the crowd as all eyes locked onto the word, hoping to discern its secrets, for this was the name of a world-shaking existence.
From far-off places, more and more people arrived, already having witnessed the monument’s omen. From hundreds of miles away, the radiant glow lit up the skies, illuminating every direction.
Many stood stunned; everything had changed. For in the rankings of combat might, talent, and potential, combat prowess had always been considered the most fundamental and meaningful measurement.
Now, someone had broken this unchanging list spanning countless aeons, forging a new myth!
Huāng—the name that would soon dominate the tongues of men, destined to shake the Ten Provinces and prompt countless followers to gather at this place.
Undoubtedly, the Undying Heaven Sovereign himself would stir and descend here to investigate.
Likely, other Sect Masters would also make their way here, drawn by curiosity.
This location had erupted in excitement, and everyone understood its significance—it would become the epicenter of a world-changing storm.
As the noise swirled before the monument, Shi Hao was deep underground, panting heavily, nearly on the verge of spitting blood—though truly, it was all self-inflicted!
Having inscribed his “mark” upon the Heaven Stone, he had realized its profound value. If he could refine the monument, reduce its size, and carry it within his palm, he imagined wielding it as a treasure capable of crushing any foe with a single strike.
In truth, his mischievous nature had flared up again—The “Little Rascal” descended underground, attempting to uproot the divine monument to claim it as a weapon.
Had others known of his antics, jaws would have dropped in disbelief.
“I can’t do this anymore—I’m exhausted!” Shi Hao gasped, collapsing to the ground, utterly unable to budge the monument.
His actions earned scorn from the Divine Stone, who muttered, “Never have I seen someone so reckless—actually trying to steal a stone monument. You’ve left me speechless.”
“Mind your own business,” Shi Hao grumbled, his face flushed with embarrassment after his exhausting struggle. Finally, he slunk away dejectedly, using earth Art of Invisibility to escape the abandoned city.
“What a shame!” His mischievous side showed clearly now, his face dark with frustration.
The Divine Stone could only look on in silence at this expression.
Thankfully, the outside world hadn’t witnessed this moment. Otherwise, astonishment would reign—this was the one ranked first in combat might, feared across Ten Provinces, and yet he had just tried—and failed—to steal a monument, leaving with only a dejected look. Truly… asking for a beating.
Shi Hao followed the Tianhe (celestial river) toward the Fairy Grave (Immortal Mausoleum), seeking his chance at fortune and transcendence.
Behind him, unrest brewed. The Monument Incident erupted, drawing the attention of countless sects and warriors. Soon, the news shook the Five Elements Province, then rippled outward.
“What? Someone has defied the heavens and claimed the top spot on the ancient monument left behind by the Devil Patriarch?”
“A figure named Huang has emerged, outshining the mightiest names across Ten Provinces!”
The story spread like wildfire, reaching every major sect and causing a tremendous uproar. Soon, all Ten Provinces trembled with shock.
Hordes began hurrying toward Demon Island, desperate for confirmation. Since ancient times, the top rankings had remained virtually unchangeable. Now, they had been overturned entirely.
“Heh! Someone sat right atop Qin Chang Sheng’s name. No matter the curses that might come, I have to see this with my own eyes!”
Among the crowds were even ancient elders, eager to witness the strange sight of someone towering over the Undying Heaven Sovereign, filled with schadenfreude and a desire to witness history unfold.
In no time, the name “Huang” shook the entire Ten Provinces!
“Hiss!” Someone gasped sharply upon arrival, staring in disbelief at the engraving before them.
“It’s the pinnacle!”
“Truly, no higher spot remains!”
A group of senior elders stood before the monument, exchanging glances. The figure on the engraving stood at the monument’s very summit, beyond which no name could rise.
Ordinary cultivators might overlook this, but these experts understood its implication—this cultivator might rival even the mighty Devil Patriarch!
“Remarkable! I thought some old master had come here to mock Qin Chang Sheng, but now I see otherwise. Perhaps a true prodigy has finally risen!”
“Incredible indeed! This cannot be the work of some ancient figure stirring up trouble. A new supreme being is among us!”
Batch after batch of figures gathered before the monument, marveling at the phenomenon, with several powerful clan leaders arriving in succession before departing once more.
They longed to follow the Tianhe, tracing the path of the mysterious Shi Hao, yet they hesitated, fearing the curses that might follow such pursuits. The severity of such curses often paralleled one’s cultivation level.
None had ever reached the end of the Immortal Mausoleum, despite countless attempts throughout history.
A strikingly handsome young man arrived, his eyes unfathomably deep, standing motionless before the monument, fixated on it.
Senior figures nearby shuddered in recognition, finally trembling with fear—they realized who he was: the Undying Heaven Sovereign himself!
Beside Qin Chang Sheng stood a youth, radiant in gleaming silver divine armor, exuding an aura of martial majesty. This was none other than Qin Hao.
“Ancestor, once my Two Supreme Sovereign Bones fully integrate and reach perfection, I will return here and shatter this engraving. I am the true number one under Heaven, and I will suppress this foe!” Qin Hao spoke, his voice firm and full of unwavering confidence.
In the next instant, they vanished into thin air, carried away by the Heaven Sovereign.
The Heaven Sovereign’s appearance created a massive commotion, and Qin Hao’s declaration stirred widespread discussion.
Needless to say, their appearance only amplified the monument’s influence, spreading throughout the land, not only shaking the Ten Provinces but even reaching distant lands.
Numerous Heavenly Geniuses and Firstborn descendants caught wind of this development, gazing toward the Five Elements Province’s Demon Island, sensing the emergence of a formidable enemy rising like a brilliant star destined to shine with eternal brilliance.
While the outside world buzzed with excitement and debate, Shi Hao had long since journeyed deep along the Tianhe, immersed in the path of thunder cultivation.
Half a month had passed since he left the monument, and he had persisted in his cultivation, holding a rare golden herb, studying its glyphic patterns, while immersed in the thunder-light along the Tianhe’s banks, uniquely suited to his cultivation.
“Boom!”
Lightning surged around him in dazzling brilliance, the river no longer calm, its waves rolling violently.
“Roar!”
A colossal Suanni burst forth skyward, only to shatter into pieces, forming strange lightning sigils that wove through the air.
The Suanni shattered, transforming into brilliant arcs of lightning swirling around Shi Hao, intensifying his radiant aura.
“Finally breakthrough!”
Shi Hao spoke softly. After days immersed in thunder study, he had shattered the constraints of the Suanni Battle Technique, advancing a single step that countless cultivators could only dream of achieving in their entire lifetimes.
Lightning had always been a fearsome power, controlled by the Heavens, utilized as divine retribution against all beings.
Shi Hao had long yearned for this power. Now, after days of deep cultivation, he had finally advanced to that formidable stage—embracing the path of thunder, forging a new step forward.
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