These beings were not weak in cultivation, moving at incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, they had traversed thousands of miles before landing on a stone mountain, waiting silently.
As the sun dipped westward, the sound of horse neighing echoed from the dark region, rapidly approaching.
Shi Hao was shocked—could there truly be living beings within that terrifying darkness?
A monstrous black horse, its body covered in scales, opened its blood-dripping maw, exhaling a foul stench as black mist spewed from its nostrils. It was a horrifying sight.
Upon its back sat a knight clad in icy black armor, his face concealed beneath the visor. His chilling gaze marked him as a formidable expert.
“Have you brought what we asked for?” His voice was hoarse, grating like metal scraping against metal, deeply unsettling.
“Not yet, but soon,” one of them replied cautiously, fear evident in his tone, wary of provoking displeasure.
“Too slow. Our patience wears thin,” the knight atop the black steed said coldly.
Shi Hao’s pupils contracted. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon a secret transaction—beings from the dark substance, surviving and negotiating with those of this realm.
“That item is of immense importance. Though none can wield it, it has always been guarded by the Supreme Beings. Stealing it won’t be easy.”
These words sent a jolt through Shi Hao’s mind. This was no ordinary deal.
“I care not for excuses. If I don’t see it soon, don’t blame me for being merciless,” the knight’s voice grew even colder.
“We’ll hurry,” one of them forced out.
“Your clan has a Supreme Being, does it not? Surely, they can access that item,” the black-armored knight said icily.
“But that was something Shi Hao obtained from the wasteland. No clan has the right to trade it—only temporary custody.”
“Indeed, even our Supreme must avoid suspicion.”
This response weighed heavily on Shi Hao’s heart. The item in question was of monumental significance—these people were betraying their own!
“Know this—you are not the only ones seeking to trade with me. Others may soon reach out,” the knight warned.
“We understand!”
—
Shi Hao remained hidden, listening intently, piecing together the truth.
Finally, he learned the nature of the trade—the Rotten Wooden Box!
The very box he had risked his life to retrieve from beyond the frontier was now being secretly traded to the beings of the dark mist. This was outright treason, a betrayal of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Though its purpose remained unknown, the fact that even Yu Tuo and An Lan had once sought it proved its extraordinary origins.
After obtaining it, Shi Hao had entrusted it to the Supreme Beings of the Imperial City. But with the deaths of Great Elder Meng Tianzheng and Elder Qing Mu, the surviving Supremes had taken it to the Nine Heavens.
No doubt, those negotiating with the knight were from an immortal clan—one with a living Supreme Being, the only ones with access to the box.
Fury ignited within Shi Hao. That box was his, given to the Supremes for study, yet now it was being sold to the enemy for selfish gain.
Whatever the origins of the dark mist, one thing was certain—it was no ally. The devastation it had wrought upon the fifteen provinces proved its malevolence.
“Three days hence, return here with the Rotten Wooden Box. Succeed, and your clan shall endure eternally,” the knight declared.
“We’ll do our best!” The group bowed respectfully before vanishing into the sky.
Silence lingered long after their departure.
The dark knight spurred his steed into the mist, the thunder of hooves fading into the distance.
Shi Hao emerged, his face dark as he gazed at the dark lands and the sky above, rage simmering in his eyes.
“In the past, we bled at the frontier—for what? Now, even the immortal clans cannot be trusted, dealing with the dark!”
His fists clenched, bitterness swelling in his heart for the fallen like Great Elder Meng Tianzheng.
“I’ll reclaim what’s mine. Let the Upper Realm crumble—I’ll return to the Lower Realm.”
Disillusioned, he saw no point in staying. Multiple immortal clans were turning traitor—impossible to guard against.
Yet before leaving, he resolved to uncover the dark beings’ origins. Only by knowing the enemy could he ensure ultimate victory.
—
In the Nine Heavens, within the Wang Clan.
Wang Changsheng, his youthful face unlined, frowned with rare solemnity.
“Our ancestral seat in the Immortal Domain has been abandoned. The main branch once clashed with an ancient sect, lost, and fled deep into the uninhabited regions. No word since.”
This revelation, learned from an Immortal Domain envoy, was staggering.
“What? Our ancestral home, forsaken?”
“Then we have no refuge. Without the Immortal Domain’s protection, we’ll be hunted!”
Similarly, in the Jin Clan, an urgent meeting unfolded.
“Our ancestors in the Immortal Domain have met misfortune. We must find another way!” Jin Tai Jun declared.
Across the immortal clans, hushed discussions took place.
With the dark descent, all sensed impending doom, scrambling for survival.
Some clans vowed to enter the Immortal Domain at any cost. Others learned their lineage there had waned—or vanished entirely.
A few, however, thrived in the Immortal Domain, their power growing.
Thus, their choices diverged.
“Are we truly giving the Rotten Wooden Box to the dark beings? Elder, do you know their origins?”
In a secret chamber, a handful of a clan’s most critical members whispered.
“I’ve long suspected their nature. Only by offering the box can we survive. The fate of others is not our concern,” the elder replied.
“Survival is paramount—even if it means betraying this realm,” another agreed.
“But the box belongs to Shi Hao. Though surrendered, it’s under joint custody. If word leaks of this trade…”
“No matter. Others may act first. Only by securing the deal can we ensure our clan’s survival.”
—
Three days later, at the edge of the dark region.
Shi Hao lay in wait like a crouching tiger, ready to strike. The Rotten Wooden Box was his—he would not let it fall into enemy hands.
“They’re here. Let’s see which clan dares betray us.” His voice was icy, murderous intent suppressed but ready to erupt.
He sensed disturbances—streaks of divine light streaking across the sky, arriving early out of caution.
**Boom!**
Shi Hao moved, soaring upward, fists blazing as he struck without mercy.
Behind him, the phantom of a roaring demon ape materialized, its battle aura boiling—a combat art of the Chaos Ape lineage.
**Splat!**
Blood rained as one man exploded instantly, unprepared for Shi Hao’s overwhelming assault.
“Who are you?!” the others shrieked.
“The box isn’t on him. It’s with the rest of you.” Shi Hao didn’t waste words—action would break their will.
**Whoosh!**
His arms spread like fiery phoenix wings, holy flames engulfing the sky as he dove toward their leader.
A scream—then ashes.
As the man disintegrated, a Rotten Wooden Box tumbled free.
Shi Hao snatched it midair, gripping it tightly.
“Now, we wait for the dark ones. Let’s see what they’re made of.”
The remaining men meant nothing to him now.
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