Chapter 1899: The Slaughtering Intent of the Immortal King

The battle concluded, and no one dared to step onto the stage again!

All had witnessed it—Shi Hao was invincible. Even Pan Yi, Hun Tian, and Ao Qian had fallen before him. Who could possibly stand as his match now?

“The Immortal Peach of Longevity belongs to Shi Hao!”

Someone spoke, their voice soft yet carrying across the entire garden. Envy flickered in the eyes of the crowd—that was a supreme immortal medicine, the stuff of dreams, now claimed by Shi Hao.

No one could argue. This was the prize he had won through battle.

Deep within the Immortal King’s abode, an ancient tree lay coiled like a slumbering dragon, its bark cracked like scales, its lush foliage shimmering with emerald radiance. Upon its branches hung golden peaches, exuding an intoxicating fragrance—the true Immortal Peach of Longevity, bearing fruit that stirred the hearts of all who beheld it.

One fruit detached itself, landing upon a jade plate before flying outward, where it was caught by a True Immortal. Though his eyes burned with desire, he dared not covet it.

When the Pan King bestowed an immortal treasure, who would dare lay claim?

The True Immortal, guarding the golden peach, delivered it—a fruit born from the mother tree of the entire orchard, the true elixir of immortality.

All watched with fervent gazes, yet none could act. As the True Immortal descended, he presented the jade plate to Shi Hao.

“My thanks, Elder,” Shi Hao said.

With the golden fruit now in his possession, he carefully sealed it within a jade cauldron to prevent its immortal essence from dissipating. This was the true medicine of eternal life.

As Shi Hao stepped down, the crowd instinctively parted, clearing a path for him. No longer would anyone dare belittle him for his origins in the lower realm. His feats had spoken for themselves, drawing the attention of all.

Shi Hao returned, sitting beneath a peach tree with Qing Yi, sharing fine wine from a jade table. After a thousand years, the two finally had the chance to reunite.

Before long, the Banished Immortal, Da Xu Tuo, Princess Yao Yue, and others came to reminisce with Shi Hao. Meeting old friends in a foreign land brought a warmth unlike any other.

They inquired about the current state of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. Upon learning of the horrors of the Age of Decay, they sighed—countless ancient figures had perished, their paths cut short.

“You eradicated the Jin Clan and the Feng Clan?” they asked, stunned.

Yet, upon reflection, it made sense. With Shi Hao’s current strength, unrivaled even in the Immortal Domain, such feats were within his grasp. Naturally, he would be even more formidable in the lower realm.

Eventually, the old friends departed, understanding the need to give Qing Yi and Shi Hao their time.

“Have you been well these years? Did the crippled immortals resurface?” Qing Yi asked softly, her gaze tender.

“Life was simple, devoted to cultivation. I led the youths of Stone Village to purge the dark creatures, even slaying a crippled immortal,” Shi Hao replied.

“What? You’ve killed a crippled immortal?” Qing Yi gasped, shocked and concerned. Clearly, he had faced countless dangers.

She had much to say, much to ask, speaking in hushed tones as they conversed.

“I have taken Yun Xi as my dao companion,” Shi Hao suddenly revealed, withholding nothing.

Qing Yi’s expression froze. Her heart trembled, her face paling as she bit her crimson lips, her eyes misting over.

“Why…?” she murmured, lost in thought.

Shi Hao had no wish to deceive her, hence his honesty.

“When the crippled immortal ruined me in the Three Thousand Provinces, she chose to descend with me, vowing to care for my broken life. She stayed by my side in Stone Village for years—I could never betray her,” he explained.

Qing Yi’s face turned ashen. “Do you blame me?”

“No. When the crippled immortal came for me, you weren’t in the Three Thousand Provinces. Had you been, I believe you wouldn’t have abandoned me either,” Shi Hao said, shaking his head.

“Yet in the end, I entered the Immortal Domain, leaving you behind in the lower realm,” Qing Yi whispered, her eyes filled with regret, sorrow, and a complex mix of emotions.

“That wasn’t your fault. The Three Thousand Provinces had entered the Age of Decay—the path of cultivation was severed. Staying would have been like imprisonment. I, too, would have entered the Immortal Domain had I not been ostracized by certain factions,” Shi Hao reassured her.

“Even in the lower realm, you’ve surpassed us all,” Qing Yi sighed, her eyes shimmering with admiration for his achievements, yet tinged with melancholy.

“Do you wish to become an immortal?” Shi Hao asked, offering the jade cauldron containing the Immortal Peach.

“No, this is yours. I hope you ascend soon,” she refused.

Retrieving the cauldron, Shi Hao pondered silently. Was this his path—consuming the Immortal Peach to achieve immortality in an instant?

If so, his achievements would be forever limited. Without the enlightenment of self-attained immortality, what true power would he gain? Even as an immortal, he would likely be the weakest among True Immortals.

Though he possessed strength rivaling Immortal Kings, the path to ascension was fraught with contradictions.

Meanwhile, Qing Yi was lost in thought, her heart in turmoil—regret, sorrow, and endless longing filled her. Shi Hao and Yun Xi…

The news had struck her like a blow, draining the joy from her reunion. How could she not care?

All these years in the Immortal Domain, she had insisted on being called Qing Yi, not Yue Chan—a testament to her feelings.

Yet now, having finally reunited with Shi Hao, she was met with this outcome. The bitterness in her heart was overwhelming.

She regretted it. Had she stayed, perhaps things would have been different.

But if given the choice again, she would likely still have sought immortality, still yearned for the Immortal Domain.

All these years, she had strived to secure Shi Hao’s safety, hoping to bring him up from the lower realm.

Now he was here—but so was the shattering news of his union with Yun Xi. Her heart could not bear it.

…

Deep within the Pan King’s residence, chaos churned. The space was indistinct, where several Immortal Kings sat in silence, motionless as statues.

At last, one spoke.

“Bring Shi Hao to me. I wish to know the whereabouts of the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit.”

“Brother, your obsession runs too deep,” the Pan King remarked.

“I intend to kill Shi Hao!” Ao Sheng Immortal King declared abruptly.

“Why trouble yourself with a junior?” the Pan King dissuaded.

He knew Ao Sheng was not acting for the sake of Ao Qian—such so-called prodigies meant nothing to them. Without ascending to Immortal King, they were mere ants.

Over the ages, had there not been countless geniuses among the descendants of Immortal Kings?

Some perished; some became True Immortals.

Yet the Immortal Kings never intervened. Their hearts were as still as ancient wells, unmoved by the fates of their descendants. At their level, they were nearly devoid of mortal attachments.

Ao Sheng’s intent stemmed from one possibility alone—he had glimpsed a fragment of the future.

Indeed, another Immortal King spoke. “I share this intention.”

The others remained silent.

Only the Pan King objected. “I have promised an old friend to ensure his survival.”

“Now that the Great Dao is obscured and fate is in chaos, I cannot see his path or his future—but I sense he is a threat,” Ao Sheng stated.

“A mere ant is unworthy of concern. What you cannot see may have no connection to you,” the Pan King countered.

“Better to err in killing,” Ao Sheng replied coldly.

One thing he left unsaid—since they had already crossed the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit, its successor should not be spared, lest he become a calamity.

An Immortal King needed no justification for slaughter.

In another ancient cave, the Pan King, shrouded in chaotic mist, wore an aged daoist robe, his form indistinct. Before him lay half a snow-white skull.

His true self was with the other Immortal Kings, savoring the Immortal Peach.

This manifestation was but a wisp of his will, facing the master of the forbidden zone.

“Though I wish to protect him, two Immortal Kings seek his death. You know their will is law—I cannot shield him forever.”

The forbidden zone’s master, a peerlessly elegant man in white, sighed. “This is grave indeed.”

“You know the Immortal Domain is fraught with peril—one misstep, and all is lost. Why bring him here?” the Pan King questioned.

“To seek a place where he may enter,” the master admitted freely.

“You’ve gone to great lengths for this youth,” the Pan King remarked, then nodded. “Ah, yes. Given your ties to the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit in the Immortal Ancient Era, it is only natural.”

“Beyond his protection, I ask for three drops of your Immortal King’s essence blood. After this, our debt is settled,” the master declared, his white robes pristine, his bearing transcendent.

“Blood I may give, but Immortal King’s essence is no small matter,” the Pan King replied.

“Nothing less will suffice,” the white-clad man sighed.

“You seek the legendary place? Others have tried—and failed,” the Pan King said.

“That is between him and me,” the master answered.