“The sects have deliberated, the myriad bells chime in unison, the grand event is about to begin—the glory of this era… The battle of the young supremes is about to commence, a hundred boats vying for supremacy, ten thousand paths competing for dominance, it is nearly upon us!”
On the grasslands, an old man leaned on his cane, leading a golden wolf, sighing softly.
“It won’t be long now, this day is finally approaching. The immortal ancient fortunes, preserved until now—perhaps this is the last chance.”
By the great river, an ancient boulder shook off the dust of ages and spoke.
…
On this day, the resonant tolling of bells pierced through mountains and rivers, from tribes hidden in the forests to the bustling metropolises, from the arid deserts to the shores of the vast sea, shaking the world.
Many knew that the great battle of the upper realm’s geniuses was about to begin, an era of glory soon to unfold.
This was the result of the sects’ deliberations, the most powerful clans gathering to discuss and finalize the matter. Now, the bells of each sect rang out, announcing it to the world.
From this day onward, anticipation could begin.
The Dao bells resonated, cutting through heaven and earth, awakening the secluded geniuses, reminding them to prepare—lest they miss this battle and opportunity that the entire world would watch.
Naturally, the Celestial Immortal Academy was in an uproar.
Many exclaimed in shock, voices rising in discussion.
“You should go back. If anything happens, I’ll come find you,” Shi Hao said. He didn’t enter the academy, knowing he’d likely face reprimand if he did.
As Yue Chan turned back, her grace eclipsing the world, she transformed into Qing Yi’s appearance, waving at Shi Hao before entering the academy.
The two had shared hardships; no words of gratitude were needed between them.
From this day forth, the young supremes of the world began their preparations. The future promised fierce battles, and Shi Hao needed to meditate on how to emerge victorious.
“You’re back. Look at you, covered in dust—you must have failed,” Qi Daolin said, opening his eyes and glancing at him from within the mountain gate.
“I succeeded, but I gave it away,” Shi Hao admitted without hiding the truth.
Qi Daolin gaped. What was this kid thinking, giving away something as precious as the Azure Moon Flame so casually? Was it boldness or foolishness?
“You prodigal! For the sake of chasing a woman, you gave away an ancient flame of peerless value. Do you even know what it represents? One of the rarest flames in history, hailed as an immortal seed—something countless sect leaders have sought for generations without success!”
Qi Daolin berated him harshly.
Shi Hao retorted, “Who do you think I am? Do I need to chase women?”
“Once the battle of the three thousand provinces’ geniuses begins, you’ll suffer dearly. Forget the ancient ‘number ones’ sealed in the forbidden ice mountains—even the prodigies of this era will find rare flames, igniting them to ascend to divinity. How will you compete?”
“What’s there to fear? I’ve said it before—those ‘number ones in history’ are all prey to me. When the time comes, I’ll capture the women to warm my bed!” Shi Hao boasted shamelessly.
“You must obtain an ancient flame—an ‘immortal seed.’ Otherwise, you won’t stand a chance, not even making it into the top hundred,” Qi Daolin said gravely.
He warned solemnly that only with a flawless “immortal seed” could one achieve the most complete evolution, perfect and unblemished, paving the way for a smooth future.
“It seems I’ll have to seize the Great Scarlet Heaven Flame for you,” Qi Daolin mused, showing his high expectations for Shi Hao, even if it meant reviving his “notorious” reputation.
Shi Hao refused, swearing he could rise without it.
He wanted to mention the nine dragon bones and the bronze coffin, as well as that mysterious flame, but feared the old man might recklessly open the coffin in excitement. He decided to wait.
“Go train in the Eight-Nine Heavenly Art!” Qi Daolin barked, exasperated by Shi Hao’s laziness, ordering him to carry a mountain and run.
“Master, at least teach me the technique! Running around with a mountain on my back is embarrassing—people will see!” Shi Hao grumbled, displeased.
“You haven’t met the requirements yet. Only when flesh, bone inscriptions, and spirit merge seamlessly will you be ready,” Qi Daolin said sternly, sending Shi Hao flying with a wave and then dropping a massive peak onto him.
**Boom!**
The earth shook as Shi Hao ran off with the mountain on his back, grumbling but not daring to defy openly—he truly feared this infamous old man might disown him.
Across the three thousand provinces, the bells of the sects rang out. From this day forward, all geniuses mobilized, preparing for the great battle.
In these final days, some meditated, others refined treasures, and some sought sparring partners to hone their spirits.
The Celestial Immortal Academy, renowned throughout the upper realm, naturally hosted many distinguished guests in the following days.
“Look! The elites of the Nine-Headed Serpent Clan, the Yin-Yang Academy, the Slanted Moon Ancient Cave, and the Sacred Feather Clan have arrived!” a student exclaimed in awe—these were all major sects and clans.
In these days, the outstanding disciples of various sects visited, discussing the Dao and sparring to adjust their states.
Moreover, due to the proximity of the chaotic Fire Province—a land rich in divine ores—young disciples were often sent to guard mines, leading to a mix of talents and constant visitors.
“Did you know? An imperial clan might visit our academy to study the Immortal’s Legacy Inscriptions, bringing bone scriptures of equal value for exchange.”
The crowd gasped, sensing the storm to come.
The geniuses of the world were in motion, winds and clouds gathering. All were preparing fervently—it was clear the coming event would be extraordinary, with battles shaking the heavens.
“By the way, has that guy from the little broken sect shown up? With so many elite visitors, if we all gang up on him, we’ll beat him to a pulp!”
“That trash appeared once and then vanished. Senior brothers from the academy tried to ambush him several times but found nothing—he’s long fled!”
They spoke of Shi Hao with disdain, looking down on his infamous sect. Yet, beneath their arrogance, they harbored wariness—knowing that despite its bad reputation, its disciples were anything but ordinary.
“Have you heard? A mountain god has appeared on the grasslands, running wild. Many have tried to catch it but failed.”
“Ah, I’ve heard. Maybe it holds a mountain treasure. Should we go take a look?”
“Let’s!”
In recent days, Shi Hao had suffered greatly, forced by Qi Daolin to carry mountains sealed with talismans that multiplied their weight tenfold.
“How exactly does one ‘plant the Dao’?” he pondered while running, nearing the Divine Flame Realm and needing to take the crucial step.
He trained on the vast grasslands of Fire Province, where the open terrain allowed him to run unimpeded.
This also let him ponder other matters.
“Look! The mountain god has appeared again!” A group spotted the running mountain on the horizon, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“Wait—could this be a powerful treasure, like the Earth-Overturning Seal, transformed into a mountain and running amok?” someone wondered.
The mountain bore towering ancient trees and flickering runes, an extraordinary sight.
“If it is a treasure, it’s masterless—awakened and roaming freely.”
They debated, drawing closer to inspect.
“Look! It’s gone mad—it’s crashing into the ridge!”
At that moment, Shi Hao, lost in thought about “planting the Dao,” collided headlong with a ridge.
**Boom!**
The impact buried him under rubble.
“Quick!” The group from the Celestial Immortal Academy rushed over, excited by the dust-shrouded mountain.
“Cough…” Shi Hao crawled out, covered in dirt, cursing his luck.
His appearance stunned the crowd, who gaped as if seeing a ghost.
“It’s… that guy from the little broken sect!” someone shrieked in recognition.
“Right! The one who bragged at our academy’s gate, offering to beat up seniors for a fee and bully juniors!”
“What a scoundrel!”
“He’s carrying a mountain? Is he insane?”
Mockery and confusion filled the air.
“Who’s a scoundrel?” Shi Hao, already irritated, darkened further at their words and charged.
“Your sect is infamous, hunted by the world for millennia! How dare you provoke our academy? Today, we’ll take you down!”
These were no weaklings—elite seniors confident in subduing the “mountain god.” But they underestimated Shi Hao, unaware he had slain prodigies.
The first to engage was sent flying, body cracked and bleeding—mercifully spared death.
The others paled, swarming him with treasures and runes.
Yet Shi Hao shattered bone artifacts barehanded, his strikes ringing like steel, reducing their treasures to fragments and sending them flying, blood spraying.
“Are you from the Celestial Clan?” Shi Hao eyed one youth.
“Indeed. I am of the imperial lineage,” the man declared, thinking Shi Hao feared him.
**Thud!**
Without a word, Shi Hao kicked him away, teeth scattering, then sent him soaring into the distance with another kick.
The onlookers froze, then scattered—this was no man, but a demon king.
At the Celestial Immortal Academy, elites gathered, even Feng Wu emerging from seclusion to discuss the Dao in the grand hall.
“Brother Kun Mo, one of the Celestial Clan’s Six Heroes?” someone greeted a youth respectfully.
The crowd murmured—even the Celestial Clan had sent envoys.
“I am unworthy,” Kun Mo demurred—in truth, he’d been ousted from the Six Heroes after Yun Xi and others rose due to the Fate Stone.
“Rumor says the Celestial Clan faced turmoil recently, with great figures converging. Is it true?”
“Yes,” Kun Mo admitted, unwilling to elaborate on the tangled events.
“Ah, it’s said the young demon king ‘Huang’ stirred chaos there. True?”
Eyes turned, intrigued.
“He appeared. But fame exceeds reality—a petty figure, nothing special. Had it not been for pleas, our elites would have slain him,” Kun Mo sneered.
“Really? Huang shook dozens of provinces, famed as a peerless hero who battled champions in the Primordial Secret Realm. How could he be so weak?”
“Exaggeration. Certain sects inflated his reputation. In our clan, he was humbled and subdued,” Kun Mo scoffed.
Doubt lingered—many had heard otherwise.
“I heard the Celestial Clan coveted his techniques and betrayed him,” Qing Yi—Yue Chan—said calmly, eyes clear.
“Slander! Investigate in Demon Province and Celestial Province for the truth,” Kun Mo deflected, adding, “Our top genius, You Yu, and rising star Yun Xi may soon inspect Fire Province’s ancient mines. Ask them.”
In truth, the Celestial Clan’s deeds were shameful, and Kun Mo sought to evade the topic.
“Good. We’ll await them,” Qing Yi said meaningfully.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage