The newcomer had the visage of a child yet hair as white as a crane’s feathers. Clad in moon-white robes, he soared through the air with sleeves billowing like clouds. A single roar from him sent tremors through this minor world.
Without a doubt, he was a supreme figure among the Heavenly Gods, surpassing even Ma Yuan and others. His very presence resonated with this small realm.
“Elder of the Soul Clan, why go this far?” someone spoke up, astonished that a top-tier Heavenly God had appeared to shield Shi Hao.
Several Heavenly Gods had already mobilized, confirming that the “Wasteland” had fled into this minor world. Just as they were closing in, the Centaur Clan, the Eight-Armed Soul Clan, and the Ancient Demon Clan intervened to protect Shi Hao.
“Do you not know? He is connected to the Ancient Ancestor Sacrificial Spirit—he once returned a golden branch!” the elder declared.
When Heavenly Gods spoke, even across vast distances within this minor world, their voices carried. Though they were not physically close, their words resonated clearly.
“The Ancient Ancestor Sacrificial Spirit? That is a matter too distant. This youth is merely an outsider. What connection could he have? At most, he coincidentally retrieved a branch from the Black Abyss—it proves nothing,” retorted another Heavenly God.
“We have verified that he indeed bears ties to the Ancient Ancestor. In the outside world, he once encountered the Sacrificial Spirit,” the elder said calmly.
“Lies! The Ancient Ancestor Sacrificial Spirit perished in the previous era. How could this outsider have met the Sacrificial Spirit?” another Heavenly God scoffed.
“You are mistaken. The Sacrificial Spirit still lives!” an elder from the Ancient Demon Clan stepped forward, his voice trembling with emotion.
“Brother, you cling too stubbornly to the past. If the Sacrificial Spirit still lived, why would it not return to its divine kingdom here? This must be an imposter,” a Heavenly God mocked.
“Rumors say some clans of the Immortal Ancient have forsaken their past, forgotten the Sacrificial Spirit, and renounced its authority. It seems true—you are such a clan!” the elder of the Eight-Armed Soul Clan said coldly.
“Perhaps you already suspect his connection to the Sacrificial Spirit and seek to capture him for answers, no?” the Ancient Demon Clan’s Heavenly God challenged.
“We know not what you speak of. Even if the Sacrificial Spirit lives, it must have undergone reincarnation, forgotten all, and begun anew. Why cling to the past? Some people and matters fade—let them be.”
“You have truly betrayed the Sacrificial Spirit!”
“Brother, look forward, not backward!”
“So, you refuse to let us protect this youth? Must we settle this with force?”
“You may think so!”
**BOOM!**
The minor world trembled as a supreme Heavenly God from the Eight-Armed Soul Clan unleashed his divine might, tearing through the void in fury.
**ROAR!**
A golden elephant emerged from distant mountains, its trumpet shaking the earth. Boulders rolled, ancient trees shattered, and its massive trunk lashed the sky, collapsing space itself.
“Brother, why persist for a long-dead willow? This youth possesses two strands of immortal energy—he may break our curses,” the Golden Elephant rumbled.
Amidst roiling blood qi, the golden beast stood amidst thunderclouds, lightning crackling around it—a terrifying sight!
“So, you show no reverence for the Sacrificial Spirit. Even if you no longer worship it, must you insult it? ‘A dead willow’? Would calling it by its true name cost you flesh?” The Eight-Armed Soul elder struck out with a colossal palm.
**CRASH!**
The palm clashed with the golden trunk, erupting in divine radiance. The shockwaves shattered mountains below, and chains of order wove through the air like a vast, luminous spiderweb.
Within that web, rules clashed, withering all life—unstoppable.
The Golden Elephant staggered back, its hide barely withstanding the blow. Blood trickled from its mouth, staining its ivory tusks.
Yet it laughed. “A supreme Heavenly God indeed! But I am still in my prime—my path is long.” It retreated, unwilling to press further.
**WHOOSH!**
A massive Flood Dragon, a Dragon-Sparrow, and several humanoid Heavenly Gods blocked the Eight-Armed Soul elder. The Golden Elephant had merely tested the waters—more formidable foes lurked.
“Impressive,” a voice echoed from the distant sky, revealing an ancient figure.
The Golden Elephant and others paled, vanishing without another word.
“That old monster still lives—at least at the Sect Master level. How can he leave his tribe?” the Flood Dragon muttered only after fleeing the minor world.
Even as Heavenly Gods, prolonged absence from their tribes exacted a heavy toll—let alone for an ancient relic like him.
“Not his true form—just an avatar. A warning,” the Dragon-Sparrow said.
“The Eight-Armed Soul Clan, Centaurs, and Ancient Demons are among the strongest. We cannot oppose them openly—retreat for now,” the Golden Elephant conceded.
Their clans were powerful but lacked a Sect Master-level figure to lead boldly.
They could act in shadows—just not too brazenly.
News spread across half the Immortal Ancient: several clans had allied to protect Shi Hao, thwarting his crisis.
Many shuddered—how had this outsider swayed such mighty clans?
“Where is the youth? He’s not in these mountains.”
After the Golden Elephant’s retreat, the Eight-Armed Soul Clan and others scoured the land but found no trace of Shi Hao.
“The little fox slipped away. Even without us, he’d have escaped,” an Ancient Demon Heavenly God remarked.
Shi Hao had fled long before the trap closed.
“Where did he run off to?” The little rabbit pouted, her silver hair gleaming like satin.
“How’d he escape so fast?” the Divine Striking Stone grumbled.
Their group—Xue Lin, Luo Dao, Lan Yichen—had sought aid from the Centaur Clan upon hearing of Shi Hao’s plight.
This rescue had been a grand mobilization!
“Send scouts to find him,” a Heavenly God ordered.
The news stunned many—few would dare move against Shi Hao now.
Even Shi Hao, still fleeing, heard the rumors and felt relief. He resolved to seek refuge with those clans.
But then—
“Someone’s following me.” Shi Hao sensed an Ancient Demon Heavenly God trailing him, a hulking figure armored in black scales.
Suddenly, a chill gripped him—danger ahead!
He spun and fled, slicing through space with his sword.
“Little friend, why flee? I come under orders to protect you,” the Ancient Demon’s voice boomed.
The danger only intensified. Shi Hao tore through a spatial rift with his sword, barely dodging a colossal black fist that shattered the void behind him.
A rupture talisman saved him—another moment, and he’d have been gravely wounded.
“Why would the Ancient Demons turn on me?” Shi Hao frowned.
Perhaps most of the clan meant well, but some coveted his immortal energies and sought to seize his body.
He fled deeper into the Immortal Ancient’s labyrinth of minor worlds.
“This land is too treacherous—every blade of grass remembers my steps. I can’t hide forever.”
Even his shape-shifting arts failed—the native clans knew this realm too well, armed with ancient mirrors that exposed his trail.
“Unless I grow strong enough to erase my traces… but I’m too wounded now.”
His decision was made: seek the Centaur Clan, still loyal to the Willow Deity. Their elder might shelter him.
Yet two days later, miles from their territory, a powerful divine sense locked onto him.
“Praise the heavens! You’re safe, little friend. Come with me,” a Centaur Heavenly God called.
But Shi Hao’s instincts screamed betrayal. He bolted again as a black arrow, thick as a spear, pierced the void behind him.
The shockwave sent him flying, blood spraying from his wounds.
“That nearly killed me!” Shi Hao gasped. The Centaurs’ archery was legendary.
“Even among allies, some covet my immortal energies.”
He realized—no clan was safe. A single hostile elder could doom him.
Nowhere in the Immortal Ancient could he hide.
His only path: grow stronger.
His rupture talismans dwindled. The divine protective rune was his last resort.
“I must heal. I must transcend this era’s forbidden tribulation. I must break through!” Shi Hao clenched his fists, eyes blazing.
Though death loomed, he saw this as tempering—a trial to emerge reborn, like a phoenix from ashes.
Only then would he control his fate.
No more fleeing. No more hunters.
Only strength.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage