Chapter 755: A Terrifying Opponent

“No!” Shi Hao was very clear about one thing—it didn’t quite align with what Qi Daolin had said, making it hard to believe.

“What’s the issue?” Qi Daolin asked, seated cross-legged on a large bluestone, his robes fluttering with an immortal-like aura.

Shi Hao replied, “The Great Decisive Battle of the Three Thousand Provinces’ geniuses has one prerequisite: participants must not exceed the Supreme Being Realm. This rule must never be violated. Precisely because of this, many powerful beings of this era are suppressing themselves, waiting to break through only after entering that immortal land.”

A divine gate blocks Supreme Being Realm cultivators from entering, but once inside, there are no restrictions. Even if one breaks through to the Heavenly Deity Realm, it would simply be considered their fortune.

Qi Daolin nodded. “You’re absolutely right.”

“If that’s the case, most of those freaks must have participated in this battle and taken first place. How did they do it? They must have broken through to the Divine Flame Realm—otherwise, how could they dominate the Three Thousand Provinces of the Upper Realm?” Shi Hao questioned.

Once they became Divine Flame Realm experts, how could they enter again in this lifetime? Clearly, they wouldn’t meet the conditions!

As for those who had participated multiple times, it seemed even more illusory. And as for the so-called “Ten Crowns” the old man mentioned—it seemed almost impossible.

Qi Daolin sighed softly. “That’s why I only asked you to secure the tenth place, not aim higher. Because they are too terrifying. In fact, I’d even be satisfied if you made it into the top twenty—just survive, accumulate experience, and grow. After all, you’re still too green.”

“Hey, Sect Master, don’t spout nonsense. You’re underestimating me too much. The so-called strongest in history—am I really that weak?” Shi Hao grumbled, though his tone was also somewhat narcissistic.

“The prerequisite you mentioned is naturally to be followed,” Qi Daolin first acknowledged, then looked at him. “But they didn’t violate the rules. Do you know why?”

“Don’t tell me they were buried in ice caves, frozen stupid, and ended up regressing in strength,” Shi Hao said, though a realization struck him.

Qi Daolin was momentarily speechless before sighing. “When you’re suppressed and on the brink of death, you won’t be so optimistic or confident. You’ll realize just how terrifying those people are.”

He paused. “These individuals possess immense resolve. After returning from the competition, they willingly shattered their Divine Flame Realm, dropped back down, and consolidated themselves anew.”

“Truly… a bunch of freaks!” Shi Hao knew it couldn’t be that simple. Indeed, these people were ruthless—daring to do such a thing.

It was widely believed that once one became a deity, they could not willingly regress—it was extremely dangerous. Shattering one’s divine foundation was fatal, something ordinary people would never attempt.

Yet these individuals could rebuild themselves repeatedly, just to meet the entry conditions.

“Some have rebuilt themselves multiple times. Can you imagine how terrifying their divine foundations must be, constantly evolving?” Qi Daolin sighed softly. Even he found it frightening—truly astonishing.

Shi Hao also frowned. This battle would be perilous, destined to be arduous, requiring bloodshed.

“Some go even further—after emerging, they slash themselves all the way back to the Blood Movement Realm, starting over!” Qi Daolin added.

Shi Hao’s expression truly changed at this. Repeatedly severing one’s foundation and starting anew was both freakish and terrifying. One could only imagine how solid and intense their Dao Fruits must be.

With a dark look, he said, “Old man, what’s your point? Trying to dampen my spirits?”

“Kid, I’m warning you—those people are too astonishing, peerless throughout history, with few equals unless they’re of the same kind. I want you to understand that if you encounter them, just focus on surviving. Don’t push yourself,” Qi Daolin advised.

Shi Hao pondered, his brow deeply furrowed. These people had indeed reached an extreme pinnacle. Whoever faced them would likely be in grave danger.

But he wasn’t discouraged. After some thought, he remained brimming with confidence. “They only do this because they feel they still have flaws—meaning they weren’t perfect to begin with. True strength isn’t determined by how many times you shatter your divine foundation and rebuild. Take me, for example—I’ve refined every realm to perfection, reaching the pinnacle. I don’t need to regress to suppress them!”

“Child, are you perhaps too narcissistic?” Qi Daolin was amused.

“Believe me—I will prevail!” Shi Hao declared.

“Ha, very well. I’ll wait to see you shine. As you said—suppress the men, capture the women to warm your bed,” Qi Daolin chuckled.

“Absolutely!” Shi Hao nodded.

“You’re getting carried away. Should I start spreading the word about your confidence?” Qi Daolin teased.

“Uh… I’d rather not become public enemy number one,” Shi Hao laughed awkwardly. Suppressing the men was one thing, but the women… if word got out, he’d definitely be mobbed.

Qi Daolin seemed to recall something. “Let me give you an example to illustrate their extraordinariness. One person only participated once, taking first place at the Supreme Being Realm.”

He explained that each of these individuals was unique, walking different paths—not all had to shatter their divine foundations and rebuild.

“Enough overthinking. I’ll face them at my strongest!” Shi Hao declared, firm in his resolve.

Of course, he didn’t forget to boast a little more.

Later, Qi Daolin taught him the Flame Bath Technique, Flame Seeking Method, Flame Worship Dao… all related to rare and precious flames.

In essence, the goal wasn’t to forcibly subdue divine flames—some were far more powerful than deities, making it nearly impossible for Supreme Beings to tame them.

Especially the “Ancient Flames”—they could incinerate Heavenly Deities with ease.

The Divine Flame Realm was about borrowing a flame’s power to ignite one’s divine source, ensuring it never extinguishes, thus laying an unparalleled Dao foundation.

This process wasn’t about enslaving the flame or merging with it—only borrowing its divine power to refine oneself and baptize the root of divinity.

There was another theory: igniting the divine flame was akin to planting a divine seed. The best flames would naturally yield the most bountiful fruits.

“Remember—it’s not about subduing, but communicating, earning its recognition, and promising future repayment,” Qi Daolin imparted various methods, with Flame Worship Dao being the most crucial.

The same flame had helped countless geniuses establish divine foundations since ancient times—it never fully merged with any one person.

“If you can find a top-tier ‘Ancient Flame,’ what I teach you next will be of great use,” Qi Daolin said.

What followed wasn’t a technique or bone inscriptions, but an ancient, mysterious, and solemn sacrificial language, chanted like scripture.

“What is this?” Shi Hao was astonished.

“It’s a language passed down from the Immortal Ancient Era, excavated from ruins and deciphered by later generations for sacrificial rites,” Qi Daolin explained.

Legends said Ancient Flames could be communicated with—even bound by contracts.

“This…” Shi Hao’s mind was unsettled.

“Even in the Immortal Ancient Era, people worshipped extraordinary divine flames,” Qi Daolin said.

“Which flames are you referring to?” Shi Hao asked.

“Those preserved from the Immortal Ancient Era—like the Heaven’s Blaze, the Sinflame… the most supreme flames in existence,” Qi Daolin answered, noting that only such flames could be communicated with using that sacrificial language.

He told Shi Hao that in the current Upper Realm, only the most ancient and supreme sects knew this language—kept strictly secret.

After digesting this, Shi Hao earnestly asked Qi Daolin if these “Ancient Flames” truly formed from fallen True Immortals.

“That’s one theory, but evidence is lacking,” Qi Daolin nodded.

He shared his own belief—that they were the final remnants of fallen True Immortals, hence usable as flames to ignite one’s divine source and forge the strongest Dao foundation.

Moreover, Qi Daolin speculated that in the Immortal Ancient Era, people took it further—perhaps even implanting True Immortal flames directly into their bodies, nurturing them with secret methods to empower themselves.

“What isn’t yours will never truly be yours,” Shi Hao frowned upon hearing this.

“Have you discovered any precious flames?” Qi Daolin asked.

“Azure Moon Flame.”

Qi Daolin was visibly shaken—this was one of the most renowned Ancient Flames, among the mightiest of “flame seeds.”

“From clues unearthed in ruins, it’s believed to be the remnant of the Azure Moon Fairy, a famed True Immortal of the Immortal Ancient Era.”

Shi Hao was now certain—the Azure Moon Flame was extraordinary!

Qi Daolin mused, “I was planning to fetch the Great Scarlet Heaven Flame for you. Never thought you’d find its equal in the Azure Moon Flame.”

Shi Hao said, “The Great Scarlet Heaven Flame? When the Celestial Immortal Academy traded Seven-Colored Immortal Gold with the Divine Cliff Academy, they seemed to offer clues about this flame.”

“After receiving word, I intended to retrieve it for you,” Qi Daolin admitted.

Shi Hao felt gratitude but also recognized the sect master’s notoriety—daring to snatch what two great academies had exchanged.

“Since you’ve found one, I won’t interfere. Obtaining it yourself holds more meaning,” Qi Daolin said.

Shi Hao hesitated but didn’t mention this was for Yue Chan. He didn’t want Qi Daolin risking conflict with the academies for the Great Scarlet Heaven Flame.

“The Great Scarlet Heaven Flame—formed from a fallen Heavenly Lord—has boundless wonders,” Qi Daolin lamented, unable to act.

He then urged Shi Hao to prepare thoroughly, setting aside time to focus solely on securing an Ancient Flame—no need for mountain-carrying training, bone inscriptions, or mental refinement. The Eight-Nine Heavenly Art could wait.

For days, Shi Hao secluded himself, mastering the flame techniques and ancient sacrificial language Qi Daolin had taught him.

Choosing a quiet spot, he avoided the commotion as many young experts gathered outside the decrepit gates of the Supreme Dao Field.

Five days later, Shi Hao emerged, heading to the Celestial Immortal Academy to find Yue Chan—they would seek the Azure Moon Flame together.

He was eager—this would be his first trial. If successful, he could then approach the bronze coffin for that even more mysterious flame.