A hundred years had passed in the blink of an eye—swift as a fleeting moment in the vast river of time, barely a ripple in the grand scheme of epochs.
Yet, for mortals, it was a lifetime—birth, maturity, decline, and death. To them, it was an entire existence, extinguished like a lamp, leaving nothing behind.
Shi Hao emerged from seclusion, his gaze fixed on the distant sky. Perhaps the gates of the Immortal Domain were about to open, and someone would deliver an invitation to him.
He knew it bore no goodwill. More likely, it was a challenge—a display of power from the supreme beings of the Immortal Domain meant to intimidate him, or worse, a harbinger of death.
For most of the century, he had remained in the grand palace of the Heavenly Court, overseeing the upper realm.
Shi Hao still stood at the pinnacle of the Extreme Dao, his cultivation seemingly stagnant, as if he had reached a plateau where no further progress was visible.
Yet, he knew his efforts were not in vain. He could sense subtle transformations within him, though the metamorphosis was faint.
In this Age of Decay, ascending to immortality was near impossible. According to ancient prophecies, the path was severed—there was no way forward.
The only route to immortality was to force one’s way into the Immortal Domain, cultivating there for ages until one day, through sudden enlightenment, transcending into a true immortal.
Over the century, others had shown marked progress. Mu Qing, the Crimson Dragon, and others had refined their foundations, their spirits and essence brimming with vigor.
Yet, despite standing at the peak of the Dunyi Realm, they remained unable to breach the threshold of the Venerable Realm.
A single step separated them from a new world, but that final barrier remained unbroken.
They did not despair. Instead, they honed their bodies, tempered their souls, striving for perfection.
For they could feel it—their cultivation had advanced in this century, proving the path still lay ahead.
When would they cross that threshold, leaping through the nine heavens to transform into true dragons?
During this time, three perfect Dao Seeds had circulated among them, shared rather than discarded. None had abandoned their original foundations but had chosen to rebuild from the Heavenly God Realm.
The seeds were fused, cultivated, then passed on—each experiencing the unique vistas of the path.
Three seeds were too few, forcing them to share.
Yet, these seeds were extraordinary—unique, enduring countless uses without issue.
The Five Elements Seed condensed the essence of creation, dividing the world into its fundamental forces, allowing many to grasp the nature of heaven and earth.
The Myriad Dao Tree was even more wondrous. Planted in the Heavenly Court, it allowed enlightenment without fusion, guiding all who followed its path.
It did not belong to one but to an entire sect, elevating all under its influence.
When they cultivated, the Great Dao rumbled, descending from all directions, mending even the flawed laws of the world, immersing them in an endless ocean of enlightenment.
Most bizarre was the Heaven Seed. Apart from Shi Hao, few dared to interact with it. It was eerie, resonating with the clamor of countless battles, nourished by the slaughter of legions—a relic of a fallen imperial clan.
Over the years, Shi Hao had studied it. Could this thing allow him to ascend in this decaying era? Yet, despite his efforts, no breakthrough came.
Then, on this day, the heavens trembled. A terrifying aura rippled out, jolting all who were in seclusion.
**Boom!**
Like thunder splitting the sky, a streak of light descended upon the land.
“It’s here,” Shi Hao murmured. He knew—the gates of the Immortal Domain had cracked open, sending forth envoys.
Soon, visitors arrived at the Heavenly Court, demanding an audience with “Huang.”
In this era, few dared seek Shi Hao without reverence. Yet these newcomers were arrogant, devoid of respect.
Their appearances spanned youth to old age, though their true ages were uncertain.
“Huang, we bring an invitation to the Immortal Domain,” declared one, a young man with cascading violet hair, his demeanor haughty.
He raised a golden scroll. “Take it.”
Shi Hao remained unmoved, his expression serene.
Zhu Lin stepped forward, light-footed, reaching for the invitation.
“This is for Huang alone. None may touch it,” the violet-haired youth snapped, his gaze sharp. “If you accept, come with us at once.”
“Are you delivering an invitation or a decree?” the Crimson Dragon roared.
Zhu Lin’s face darkened. With a wave, phoenix cries echoed as crimson light surged—she would take it by force.
“Insolence! This is the Immortal Domain’s decree—only Huang may receive it!” The youth’s body erupted with violet radiance, exuding the aura of a Venerable.
Zhu Lin, constrained by this barren world, was no match.
Yet she was not repelled. A mighty force from within the palace shielded her.
A stone statue of Shi Hao glowed, unleashing boundless faith energy, locking onto the violet-haired youth.
Shi Hao’s true form remained seated, watching coldly.
“Insolent!” another envoy barked.
One, hot-tempered, struck out.
“Who dares?!” Shi Hao’s eyes flashed like lightning, piercing the void.
**Boom!**
Faith energy coalesced into a humanoid form, slamming a massive hand down on the white-robed youth.
The youth resisted—only to freeze in horror. He couldn’t move.
**Crack!**
Bones fractured as he was forced to his knees, sweat pouring, unable to withstand the pressure.
The envoys were stunned. This youth had become a Venerable after 23,000 years of cultivation, yet he was effortlessly crushed.
He had acted out of disbelief—how could someone from the lower realm ascend so young?
But now, he realized the gap was insurmountable.
The descendants of Ao Sheng had concealed the truth—how a true immortal had fallen to a mortal a century ago. Had he known, he would never have dared.
“Are you delivering an invitation or issuing a decree?” Shi Hao’s voice turned icy.
The white-robed youth, blood trickling from his lips, trembled under the pressure.
“Let me test you!” the violet-haired youth roared, breaking free. “I became a Venerable after 19,000 years—let’s see your worth!”
Shi Hao scoffed. “In this era, you’d have turned to dust long before achieving anything. Pathetic.”
The youth’s face flushed with rage.
Shi Hao sighed inwardly. In this decaying age, future Venerables would be legends—their paths far harder than in the Immortal Domain, where time and immortality made cultivation easier.
“Fight me fairly! Hiding behind faith energy is cowardly!” the youth spat.
“My faith avatar is but a shadow of my true self,” Shi Hao said calmly.
With that, the avatar’s other hand descended.
**Boom!**
The violet-haired youth roared, violet flames surging—yet he, too, was pinned, powerless.
“Leave the invitation and go,” Shi Hao said dismissively.
Zhu Lin snatched the scroll from the youth’s hand.
“You—!” The youth could only seethe, his earlier arrogance now humiliating.
The remaining three envoys exchanged glances, not daring to act.
“You took the invitation—come with us now!” the violet-haired youth gritted out.
The white-robed youth, barely standing, glared.
“Remember—this is merely an invitation. I go if I choose, or discard it if I don’t. The Immortal Domain holds no sway over me,” Shi Hao said coldly.
With a flick of his sleeve, he sent all five hurtling out of the palace, tumbling through the sky.
Stunned, they hovered in the distance, faces burning with shame.
“Is he some ancient monster reborn? How can someone so young be this terrifying?” one whispered, disbelief etched in his voice.
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