The Celestial Immortal Academy was a breathtaking fusion of divine mountains and a grand city, with cascading waterfalls hanging like silver dragons from the cliffs, their mist shimmering under the sun. Towering ancient trees took root along the sheer rock faces, their canopies reaching for the heavens. The city itself was a marvel of majestic architecture, with wide streets and imposing structures that exuded grandeur.
“Eh? That person looks oddly familiar,” someone in the academy murmured, pausing to stare at a retreating figure, lost in thought.
“You feel it too?” another exclaimed, frowning before suddenly gasping. “Damn it, it’s him! He’s back again!”
The area erupted into chaos as many recognized Shi Hao—the same audacious figure who had once set up “business” at the academy gates, boasting that he could bully younger disciples and thrash senior ones.
Teeth clenched in anger, the crowd quickly pieced together his origins—the infamous and disgraced lineage from that dilapidated sect, a tradition passed down through generations.
The fury only intensified when they recalled how Lu Ming, Senior Brother Liu, and others had been humiliated during their “pilgrimage” to the Supreme Dao Grounds. The news had spread like wildfire, igniting public outrage.
“After him! Don’t let him escape!”
A swarm of students surged forward, determined to corner Shi Hao and rid the academy of this menace.
But their efforts were in vain. The man ahead was far too quick, weaving through the academy’s labyrinthine paths and vanishing into its depths within mere steps.
“The audacity! He dares to waltz into our academy after causing trouble? This is a blatant provocation! Everyone, spread out and find him!”
Some suggested mobilizing forces for a coordinated search.
In truth, many had already ventured out in recent days, heading to the overgrown ruins of the Supreme Dao Grounds to “pay respects.” Unfortunately, the place was deserted, with no trace of the sect’s successor.
“Someone spotted him ahead!” a senior brother announced, relaying the news. The crowd swelled like a rolling snowball, charging forward with renewed vigor.
Soon, expressions darkened as they realized his destination—the girls’ dormitory. Was he deliberately courting hatred?
“Disgraceful! How dare he trespass into the girls’ quarters in broad daylight? Truly a scoundrel cut from the same cloth!” someone fumed.
A few wore strange expressions, recalling rumors from days past—that the rogue had once strolled side by side with Qing Yi, a peerless beauty from the academy’s rankings, as if emerging together from a celestial pool.
The gossip had caused a stir in certain circles, though most dismissed it as the rogue’s delusional fantasies.
“Damn it! He actually went in! How did the wards fail to stop him?”
Shouts erupted as Shi Hao strode confidently into the sacred grounds, the defensive formations remaining inert, their runes dormant.
“This is intolerable! How dare he violate the sanctity of our academy? He must be punished!”
The outrage reached a boiling point, with enraged students demanding answers from the guardians of the dormitory.
“He possesses a special academy token, granting him unrestricted access. He broke no rules,” the guardians defended, feeling unfairly blamed.
Unconvinced, the crowd accused him of theft or coercion, their indignation flaring further.
Chaos reigned as even the disciplinary squad arrived, demanding entry to purge the “scum.”
Meanwhile, the disturbance had reached the girls’ quarters, drawing many out of seclusion to inquire about the commotion.
The area was serene—azure lakes, glowing ancient trees, and elegant residences nestled among cliffs and pine forests, exuding tranquility.
Shi Hao encountered no resistance as he entered, musing whether Qi Daolin had once used a similar token to nearly abduct the academy dean’s great-granddaughter.
Unfazed by the uproar behind him, he soon arrived at the spiritual mountain where Yue Chan resided. The air was thick with auspicious energy, peaceful and harmonious.
“Time to go,” he transmitted silently.
Emerging from the mist, Yue Chan appeared—her dark hair flowing, eyes like stars, skin like snow, and robes fluttering in the wind. She stood atop the mountain, radiating an ethereal, saintly aura.
“Wife, you’ve grown even more beautiful!” Shi Hao praised.
While others might tread carefully around such a divine beauty, Shi Hao was unfazed, his grin shamelessly wide.
Yue Chan remained composed, neither scolding nor correcting him, knowing it was futile.
“Fifteen years apart—I’ve missed you dearly,” Shi Hao said, stepping closer.
“What nonsense are you spouting now?”
“A day apart feels like three years. Five days? That’s fifteen.” He spread his arms, grinning. “To celebrate our reunion, how about a warm hug?”
Yue Chan retreated, her gaze serene yet captivating. “Behave yourself.”
Standing together on the mountain, bathed in violet mist, they made a striking pair—though Shi Hao’s roguish grin somewhat ruined the effect.
As they discussed retrieving the Blue Moon Flame, Shi Hao somehow managed to take her hand, pledging earnestly, “I’ll help you succeed, reviving the glory of the ancient immortal moon.”
Yue Chan sighed. Anyone else would have been struck down for such audacity. Yet despite her luminous, saintly aura, Shi Hao’s mastery of the Kun Peng’s movement arts allowed him to evade her subtle evasion, retaining hold of her hand.
“Isn’t that Junior Sister Qing Yi? Who’s that with her?” some girls murmured, spotting the pair.
Already airborne, surrounded by radiant mist, they looked like a pair of immortals ascending to the heavens.
“His profile resembles that genius who climbed the Celestial Staircase, though his face is different,” one girl mused.
Meanwhile, the commotion reached the disciplinary squad, who stormed the tranquil grounds in search of the rogue.
“What? Qing Yi left with someone? That’s the infamous scoundrel! We must rescue her!”
“Nonsense! That senior brother is no rogue—he looks like the prodigy from the staircase. Are you just jealous?” a girl retorted.
“Impossible!” the crowd protested, though doubts crept in.
Could they have mistaken him for the mysterious genius who had vanished after his staircase feat?
“Regardless, we must retrieve Qing Yi!” someone insisted, though their resolve wavered.
Most redirected their anger toward the Supreme Dao Grounds.
“Either way, that sect has resurfaced. Let’s besiege it again and capture him!”
Seeking an outlet for their frustration, they organized another expedition to the ruins.
—
**Fire Province, the Great Grasslands**
A haven for bandits, a paradise for criminals, and a playground for adventurers—this land attracted all manner of outcasts.
Rich in rare divine ores and ancient mines, it drew factions from across the upper realm, each vying for its treasures.
Bloodshed was common, with disputes over mines and resources erupting constantly.
“Rumor has it there’s an ancient immortal mine here, harboring Seven-Colored Immortal Gold?” Shi Hao asked.
Yue Chan nodded. The mine was infamous—its treasures legendary, yet its dangers had claimed even the lives of sect masters. Few dared approach it now.
“Feng Wu desperately needs that material, but the academy has had to seek alternatives,” she cautioned.
“Then I’ll steer clear—for now. But I might visit some other sects’ mines later to collect ‘interest,'” Shi Hao mused.
He had heard that many factions sent their disciples here for tempering, guarding mines amidst the chaos.
The grasslands they traversed were but a speck compared to Fire Province’s vast expanse.
“This is the place,” Shi Hao announced, arriving without incident.
Before them stretched a colossal chasm, dark and fathomless, like the maw of a primordial beast.
“Here?” Yue Chan marveled at the abyss, spanning nearly ten thousand li.
The area was desolate, devoid of notable mines or inhabitants, ensuring privacy.
Descending into the depths, they navigated fissures until they reached the ruins.
“An ancient immortal ruin?” Yue Chan gasped.
Dim light emanated from lingering runes, casting a dreamlike glow over the rubble.
“Time buries all glory,” she murmured.
Shi Hao agreed, but with the Great War of Three Thousand Provinces nearing, nostalgia was a luxury. They pressed on, searching for the flame.
Half an hour passed before they noticed a soft radiance bathing the ruins.
“The moonlight is so gentle tonight—” Shi Hao froze, looking up. Yue Chan followed his gaze, stunned.
Above them hung a blue moon, its glow ethereal and serene.
“The Blue Moon Flame!” Shi Hao cried.
This was no moon—it was the ancient fire itself!
Yue Chan trembled with excitement. “It’s real!”
Suddenly, heat surged as the moonlight touched them, their clothes igniting into ash.
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