Not only Sin Province, but all three thousand provinces trembled in unison, with bells and drums resonating, shaking the Upper Realm—a sign that everyone had begun their journey!
One after another, colossal teleportation arrays activated, carrying the victors from each province toward that ancient land.
“Damn it, we must see him slain!” In Sin Province, the disciples of Fire Cloud Cave and the Demon Dragon Path Sect growled, unable to accept this outcome.
“Let’s go. We’ll wait outside that ancient land to witness the results,” someone said.
Of course, not everyone would go, as the journey was too long, and crossing over would only mean waiting. Who knew how many years the battle would last?
A babbling brook, lush greenery—this was a tranquil and beautiful world.
The ten thousand champions from Sin Province appeared, not clustered together but scattered across this boundless landscape, though they occasionally caught glimpses of one another.
They looked around, brimming with curiosity. Was this the vast, uninhabited wilderness? They had actually entered it!
Legends abounded about this mysterious land, where even sect leaders might perish—the most enigmatic and perilous place of all.
The old dean of Creation Academy, once hailed as the “Invincible Elder,” a peer of the Six Celestial Beings, had met his end deep within this wilderness.
Perhaps this was the only time they could enter, for the celestial flower had emerged, destined to bloom here, enveloping the region in “auspicious radiance.”
The scent of earth and fresh greenery filled the air. Shi Hao took a deep breath, finally relaxing after the fierce battle.
Within a few miles, about twenty other champions sensed his presence and recoiled in terror, swiftly retreating.
Each of them regarded him with awe—this was someone who dared slay a Celestial God. Who wouldn’t fear him?
“Am I really that terrifying?” Shi Hao flashed a bright, cheerful smile, but it only made the twenty champions shudder.
One woman couldn’t help but scream, “D-don’t kill me!”
“How dull. I was thinking of traveling with you,” Shi Hao sighed, turning away.
Hearing this, they regretted their haste. Traveling with such a demonic prodigy would make them nearly invincible—unless they encountered ancient freaks!
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, Shi Hao looked up, sensing something unusual in the distance.
A gentle, sacred ripple spread through the air, soothing and invigorating, washing away fatigue.
At the distant horizon, streaks of immortal light appeared—brilliant as dawn, pure as moonlight—showering the land in divine radiance.
“It’s here—the Immortal Dao Bud!” a champion cried out, trembling with excitement.
To enter the Immortal Ancient, one had to wait for the Immortal Dao Bud to bloom, for only then would the gate open, revealing the sealed path.
It had appeared—but when would it bloom?
The ten thousand champions from Sin Province waited eagerly. Yet, based on what they knew, there was also an opportunity here.
For most, this might be their only chance, as not everyone would enter the Immortal Ancient even after arriving.
This was the uninhabited wilderness, vast and untamed, filled with rare herbs and treasures beyond the reach of outsiders.
Rumors spoke of undying substances—just a drop could make even ancient sect leaders bow in reverence.
Thus, this place held its own fortune.
Historical records suggested the bud would bloom within hours, or at most three days, unsealing the Immortal Ancient.
“Now’s the time to seek our fortunes!” The ten thousand champions scattered, racing through the mountains and forests.
Shi Hao, however, remained unhurried, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
“Boom!”
A deep, resonant drumbeat echoed across the world, as if the very heavens trembled. The light in the distance grew even more dazzling.
At the same time, a majestic voice reached every champion:
“This time, across the three thousand provinces of the Upper Realm, fifty million champions have passed the trials and entered this wilderness.”
This announcement came from the highest echelons of the Upper Realm—sect leaders who dared not approach the bud but could still observe from afar.
Shi Hao’s heart sank. Fifty million? Two million more than he’d expected.
Some provinces must have allowed more to pass.
“History shows that millions will eventually enter the Immortal Ancient. When the bud blooms, seize your chance.”
Shi Hao listened intently. Though he knew much, he lacked the secrets of the great sects.
“Your sects have prepared escape talismans. If you fail to enter or face danger, use them to return. Remember—only when the bud appears is this wilderness safe. Otherwise, those talismans may fail.”
This startled Shi Hao. His master, Qi Daolin, had never mentioned this.
“You are divided into three thousand zones, each vast and separate. Do not breach the barriers between them, lest conflict arise. Stay within your own zone and enter the Immortal Ancient in order.”
This caused unrest among the champions. History told of those who crossed zones, seeking undying substances—and slaughter.
Shi Hao walked on, unafraid, simply waiting for the Immortal Ancient to open.
“Though the bud has appeared, bringing auspicious light, danger still lurks here.”
The wilderness was unpredictable. A step on yellow mud could kill a sect leader; a drop of rainbow-hued water could fell a supreme expert.
Such things had happened before.
Now, under the bud’s radiance, such horrors were unlikely—but caution was still needed.
The first day passed peacefully.
Fifty million champions were but a drop in this vast land, with ample space between them.
On the second day, countless powerhouses gathered at the wilderness’s edge, eager to witness the spectacle.
They dared not enter, for the bud repelled those above the champion realm.
“The Immortal Dao Bud has bloomed 2,999 times since this era began, each time exhausting one Great Dao. This final bloom will be the most perfect, with three thousand petals.”
“Each petal is extraordinary, reflecting secrets of the Immortal Ancient.”
This was why they came—though they couldn’t enter, they could observe through the petals.
Yet, activating even one petal required immense effort from a sect leader, across vast distances.
At this time, the mightiest of each province would gather, each controlling one petal to probe the mysteries.
By noon on the second day, the outer region was packed.
Chariots of light streaked across the sky, carrying supreme beings whose presence made even Celestial Gods flee.
“The war chariot of the Heavenly Kingdom! Their master has come in person!” someone gasped.
A blood-red chariot exuded endless slaughter, as if soaked in the blood of countless souls.
The crowd paled. The master of this realm of assassins was rarely seen—yet here he was.
As the Immortal Ancient faded and this era neared its end, even the most reclusive figures emerged, sensing this might be their last chance.
A bronze palace, pulled by nine flood dragons, rumbled forth, wreathed in chaos.
This sight stunned all.
The Immortal Palace had arrived—and with it, their ancient master, slumbering since time immemorial.
Had he awakened? The thought sent shivers down spines.
“Likely not. He’s here to wait, to be roused when the time comes,” some speculated.
Next came the Supplementary Heaven Sect, the Western Sect, and other top factions.
Imperial clans arrived, shaking the earth.
Representatives from Sin Province, Fire Province, Celestial Province, Demon Province, and more gathered.
From the Five Elements Province, the Eternal Youth Celestial arrived, surrounded by attendants.
“Haor has entered. I wonder how he’ll fare,” murmured Qin Yining, Shi Hao’s mother, her face lined with worry and regret. “And the other Haor… ah.”
Beside her, Shi Ziling had returned from his harsh training grounds to see their son, Qin Hao, off into the Immortal Ancient, to compete with the world’s prodigies.
“The Dual-Bone Supreme will be unstoppable. The ancestor used his treasured undying elixir to perfect both bones!” some from the Qin Clan boasted confidently.
Time flew. On the third day, the millions in the wilderness grew restless.
The deadline was near.
Some had already found undying substances, sparking frenzied chases, forcing them to flee with escape talismans.
“Boom!”
The horizon blazed with radiant light, more sacred than ever.
The Immortal Dao Bud was about to bloom!
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