Chapter 733: Departure

The Ancient Covenant, just hearing its name sends shivers down one’s spine, carrying the weight of countless ages. What kind of oath could this be?!

Everyone sensed that it concealed a world-shaking secret, one that, if exposed, would likely shake the heavens.

“Six Heavenly Sovereigns, hailed as undefeated legends, yet only I returned alive. How could I forget?” murmured the old Heavenly Sovereign, his voice low and heavy.

The gathered powerhouses felt a chill. The so-called Ancient Covenant was indeed forged in that era, and it must truly be connected to the Six Heavenly Sovereigns—once so glorious…

“Not long ago, someone sent you a message, yet you did not respond. Hence, I came in person,” said Ye Qingxian, her snow-white robes fluttering, ethereal as an immortal.

“At that time, I had not yet awakened. I was nearly fading away,” replied the old Heavenly Sovereign.

“You already know my purpose—to call upon you to fulfill the Ancient Covenant. It is time to contribute,” Ye Qingxian declared.

Her voice was melodious, yet to the listeners, it struck like thunder. What kind of oath was this, that even after countless years, as the old Heavenly Sovereign neared the end of his life, he was still bound to honor it?

Even the old Heavenly Sovereign himself was stunned, his expression one of shock. “It has reappeared… I am nearly erased from this world, yet I must still fulfill this oath.”

The gods grew tense, all eager to know the truth, but neither of the two elaborated, unwilling to reveal more.

Only the leaders of the Heaven-Mending Sect, Qin Changsheng, the Netherworld Lord, and the ancient ancestor of the Demon Sunflower Garden seemed to grasp something, clearly having heard rumors and knowing some hidden truths.

“Do you refuse to go?” Ye Qingxian asked.

“I will go!” To everyone’s surprise, the old Heavenly Sovereign’s reply was resolute, ringing like the clash of metal and stone, firm and decisive.

“Ancestor, what is truly happening here?” Heavenly God Qi Tuo cautiously inquired, his heart clouded with confusion, desperate for answers.

“If one day, you can restore our Heavenly Race as the royal clan of the Three Thousand Provinces, then you will be worthy of knowing!” the old Heavenly Sovereign declared, his gaze profound as he looked to the horizon, as if piercing through the ages to a distant place.

“What?!” Everyone gasped, cold sweat trickling down their backs. What kind of covenant was this, so terrifying and eerie?

“The River of Immortals flows east, longevity fades, heroes fall. Through a hundred lifetimes in the mortal world, all geniuses perish, the setting sun stained with blood—where do we belong?” the old Heavenly Sovereign murmured, his voice filled with boundless sorrow, sensing his impending doom.

“Ancestor!” the Heavenly Race gods cried out, all seeking to stop him, unwilling to let him fulfill this so-called covenant.

The others grew even more solemn!

Ye Qingxian remained calm, saying nothing more, but the way the crowd looked at her had changed—she seemed even more fearsome and mysterious, hailing from the vast Forbidden Lands, here to deliver a message to the old Heavenly Sovereign.

Incidentally, their gazes toward Shi Hao also shifted. This youth might truly be under her protection now. Anyone who wished to harm him would have to think twice.

“The Ancient Covenant is solemn and sacred. Since it was established long ago, I trust you will not refuse. Very well, this matter is settled. Now, let us speak of him—unjustly humiliated by your Heavenly Race, he deserves an explanation,” Ye Qingxian said, pointing at Shi Hao.

“What more can be done? Take him with you. The Divine Form of the Immortal Path is not invincible—it is not your own power, after all,” the old Heavenly Sovereign replied.

“Given the circumstances, your clan must offer some compensation,” Ye Qingxian pressed, her large eyes shimmering with light. “I heard your clan possesses the Immortal Spirit Jade. Lend it to me for a few years, how about that?”

“Impossible!” the old Heavenly Sovereign sternly refused.

“If that is your idea of compensation, I believe it is sufficient. He has already spent many days comprehending the Flying Immortal Stone and can no longer continue,” Heavenly God Qi Tuo interjected at the opportune moment.

“It wasn’t me who spent days comprehending…” Ye Qingxian muttered, as if catching herself, then quickly stopped.

The crowd was stunned. Was she eyeing the Flying Immortal Stone? The Heavenly Race members looked at her with suspicion.

“As compensation, he may comprehend it for ten days, then leave immediately!” the old Heavenly Sovereign declared decisively.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

“Agreed. It is settled,” Ye Qingxian nodded.

“We know a little of the Ancient Covenant, but it has nothing to do with us. This boy, however, is someone we must capture. He cannot leave like this,” the Netherworld Lord stated.

“Are you certain you still wish to act?” Ye Qingxian turned, her form shrouded in a hazy light.

“This is the Upper Realm’s Three Thousand Provinces, not the vast Forbidden Lands,” the Netherworld Lord retorted.

“I believe you, too, will one day fulfill the Ancient Covenant,” Ye Qingxian said.

“Impossible. I made no such vow,” the Netherworld Lord replied flatly.

“The War Emperor never went to that place either, yet not long ago, I met him, and he acknowledged the Ancient Covenant,” Ye Qingxian countered.

The hall fell silent, breaths growing rapid. What kind of agreement was this, that even the ancient and mighty War Emperor and the old Heavenly Sovereign were bound by it?

“I do not understand. Why do you protect him so?” the master of the Demon Sunflower Garden asked, a black sun enveloping him, dark flames surging, exuding overwhelming pressure.

“Because I once met someone who asked me to look after him. Moreover, he can wear that tattered armor—that alone makes him worth my intervention,” Ye Qingxian answered.

“Let him leave. He was captured by my Heavenly Race,” the old Heavenly Sovereign interjected, stepping forward to avoid further entanglement on the matter.

The most powerful sect leaders fell silent, offering no objection. This was the Heavenly City, and aside from the old Heavenly Sovereign’s formidable presence, the Chaos Formation laid by the Six Heavenly Sovereigns was terrifying.

“Prepare a super teleportation array for me immediately—one capable of crossing provinces,” Ye Qingxian demanded, determined to send Shi Hao away swiftly.

“Isn’t he supposed to comprehend the Immortal Spirit Jade?” Heavenly God Qi Tuo asked, his eyes gleaming with hidden intentions. Every extra day increased the possibilities.

“He has already comprehended it. I will handle the rest for him,” Ye Qingxian said with a playful smile.

The crowd was speechless, suddenly realizing how shameless she was. No wonder the old Heavenly Sovereign had relented—he was simply indulging her demands.

At the center of the Heavenly City stood an ancient, grand teleportation array, standing since time immemorial.

Shi Hao stood before the altar, turning back to look at Ye Qingxian, his expression complex.

Ye Qingxian smiled, her snow-white robes pristine, her beauty unparalleled. It was her arrival that had altered Shi Hao’s fate, saving him.

Shi Hao opened his mouth, wanting to express his gratitude.

“If you wish to thank me, become my battle servant. How about that?” Ye Qingxian teased, her dark crystal-like eyes sparkling with mischief.

All of Shi Hao’s words of thanks instantly vanished, replaced by a dark scowl.

“What, not happy being my underling?” Ye Qingxian giggled.

“Aren’t you coming with us? Or perhaps I should leave with you,” Kong Qiuji interjected, slinging an arm around Shi Hao’s shoulders before turning to Ye Qingxian. “Can I sign the Ancient Covenant now?”

“Someone like you would need another million years of training,” Ye Qingxian retorted, flicking her sleeve and sending him flying.

“Thank you, senior!” Shi Hao bowed deeply to the distant Peacock Deity, expressing sincere gratitude.

The Peacock Deity nodded, stopping Kong Qiuji from approaching.

“Aren’t you leaving?” Shi Hao asked Ye Qingxian, concerned for her safety. Those sect leaders were no saints—if provoked, they were capable of anything.

“I must comprehend the Immortal Spirit Jade and hide from a terrifying presence here,” Ye Qingxian replied.

“With that Chaos Treasure, you still need to hide from enemies?” Shi Hao was astonished. With the little pagoda by his side in the past, he could roam the world freely.

“The Divine Form of the Immortal Path is not my own power,” Ye Qingxian pointed outside. “There’s someone chasing me, wanting to use my ancient shield to repair his broken bell.”

Shi Hao was startled, recalling the Immortal Bell that had once manifested in the Lower Realm and recently appeared in the Heavenly City.

“Your ancient shield is related to that bell?” he asked.

“Mine is the Bell’s Soul, his is the Bell’s Corpse,” Ye Qingxian scoffed, boasting again that she would one day thrash him soundly.

“Will you be in danger?” Shi Hao pressed.

“It’s fine. With the old Heavenly Sovereign here and the War Emperor outside, it’s enough. Honestly, I just don’t want to run—it’s beneath me. Otherwise, who could stop me?” Ye Qingxian said.

“Must you always brag?” Shi Hao couldn’t take it anymore.

“What do you mean? Do I seem like someone who brags?” She shoved him onto the altar, waving her sleeve to send him off.

Suddenly, Shi Hao felt a mysterious talisman in his embrace, radiating an inexplicable aura, as if forged from chaos.

At the same time, he heard Ye Qingxian’s voice in his mind: “Once you teleport away, activate this ‘World-Breaking Talisman’ immediately. Otherwise, you’re in danger.”

Shi Hao tensed, then nodded.

The grand array lit up, constructing a radiant passage leading to an unknown destination.

“Beyond dozens of provinces, to the Purple Subtlety Province,” the old Heavenly Sovereign secretly informed Ye Qingxian.

“Good!” She nodded in agreement.

Shi Hao stepped into the passage, glancing back one last time. He saw many expressions—some filled with killing intent, others regret, and a few with concern, like Kong Qiuji.

“Next time you’re in trouble, just drop my name,” Ye Qingxian declared, leaving everyone speechless. Only the old Heavenly Sovereign sighed helplessly.

Yun Xi appeared, lips parting as she stood in the distance, whispering, “Take care.”

Shi Hao scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on the Heavenly Race’s powerhouses before turning away without a word.

At that moment, the Heavenly Gods felt a chill, and even the old Heavenly Sovereign frowned. Would releasing this youth bring calamity in the future?

The spatial passage closed, the light fading.

Following Ye Qingxian’s advice, Shi Hao immediately retrieved the World-Breaking Talisman and activated it.

Misty light swirled as the talisman erupted with brilliance, tearing through the passage and altering its course.

Simultaneously, Shi Hao’s heart clenched—a massive black hand appeared behind him, belonging to the master of the Demon Sunflower Garden.

A bloody edge flashed as the Vice-Leader of the Celestial Kingdom abruptly materialized within the passage, intent on capturing him.

Boom!

A pale hand wreathed in nether mist—the Netherworld Lord—was blocked by the Peacock Deity, delayed by a few steps.

Indeed, the supreme sect leaders had covertly intervened, sending avatars to shatter the void and enter the passage to seize Shi Hao.

Shi Hao even spotted Heavenly God Qi Tuo and the clan’s guardians among them.

But before he could ponder further, the World-Breaking Talisman ripped open another space, twisting the passage and whisking him away at incredible speed.

In an instant, he vanished, eluding all pursuit.

Behind him, the pursuers wore grim expressions. The World-Breaking Talisman was extraordinary, capable of piercing through worlds—unstoppable and untraceable.

And so, Shi Hao departed.