“What kind of treasure technique is that?” Shi Hao inquired.
“A peerless technique of this world, and precisely the one you need most!” the Fine Jade Elder declared.
Shi Hao’s eyes blazed with fervor. The two bones before him were extraordinary—ancient and unadorned, yet faintly inscribed with mysterious glyphs that exuded an immortal aura.
“It doesn’t seem to be my clan’s treasure technique,” the Flood Dragon muttered, both uneasy and disappointed.
Under Shi Hao’s relentless “persuasion,” it had already begun to yield, even considering bowing to him as a master—for it yearned to become a true dragon, one who mastered its lineage’s supreme techniques.
But after arriving in the Netherworld, it realized its hopes might be dashed.
“The True Phoenix Treasure Technique,” the Azure-Scaled Eagle said with a sigh. “This divine art is infinitely powerful, capable of rebirth through fire and resurrection from ashes. It suits you perfectly.”
The two bones—one suspended in a black hall, the other within a cage—were phoenix bones.
To be precise, they were woven from phoenix bone inscriptions, naturally imbued with supreme power, purging the black miasma in this place.
“You cannot take them away. You can only learn here—but it will be perilous. You may succumb to corruption,” the Fine Jade Elder warned, his expression grave.
“With so many fleas, one more bite means nothing. I’ve already been struck by the Immortal-Severing Curse—what more can these black fumes do to me? How much worse can corruption get?” Shi Hao scoffed, unafraid.
“The Immortal-Severing Curse only cripples your cultivation. But this place can warp your mind, dragging you into darkness!” the Azure-Scaled Eagle said solemnly, sighing deeply.
Yet the greatest dangers here were not just those. Both the stone statues and the sealed jars were terrifying in their own right.
“Those jars contain beings. If you approach, they will strike—creatures beyond the pinnacle, horrifying beyond measure!”
The Azure-Scaled Eagle cautioned him to stay vigilant, for they could see Shi Hao’s resolve—he was determined to obtain the True Phoenix Treasure Technique.
Shi Hao refused to let this chance slip. Here lay the supreme divine abilities of the Ten Calamities. How could he leave empty-handed from such a treasure trove?
Especially this phoenix secret art—it fascinated him beyond measure. Aside from its devastating offensive power, the undying body it granted was what he coveted most.
Rebirth through fire, the immortal phoenix form—since ancient times, countless beings had yearned for it.
Now, the opportunity was right before him!
Only the Flood Dragon was displeased. It feared becoming a laughingstock among true dragons—without mastering its lineage’s divine abilities or inheriting its legacy, could it even call itself a true dragon?
Shi Hao moved, stepping into the black hall.
Clang!
At that moment, the chilling sound of rattling chains pierced his soul—sudden and utterly terrifying.
The stone statues, once lifeless, now stirred, each extending a massive hand to strike at Shi Hao.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Shi Hao’s expression shifted. These statues were no ordinary foes—their power defied reason, forcing him to fight with everything he had.
“A true monster, this kid. His strength is absurd, almost sinister,” the Azure-Scaled Eagle mused silently.
The Fine Jade Elder nodded in agreement. Shi Hao’s might had grown exponentially since his ascent to the Upper Realm, his post-pinnacle path now broader and deeper.
Here, cultivation realms were irrelevant—everyone was on the same level. The only measure was how far one had surpassed the pinnacle.
In a way, this place was forging the strongest of all time within a single realm.
From the first clash, Shi Hao was shaken. Since breaking through to his current level, he had never met a peer who could challenge him.
But here, he felt pressure. These statues were overwhelming, their massive hands dragging chains as they attacked with ferocity.
It was as if several invincible beings had descended from the ancient past to challenge him—a fated, bloody confrontation.
“What kind of beings are these?” Shi Hao retreated, unwilling to force his way forward, too deeply unsettled.
“Supreme existences, from an era lost to time. Once enshrined in temples, their imprints were sealed here by mighty ancestors,” the Azure-Scaled Eagle explained.
This was one of the few grand events he still remembered, its impact too profound to forget.
Shi Hao’s expression darkened as he stared at the statues.
“Even if you lose, it’s no shame. Surviving against one would already be defying the heavens,” the Fine Jade Elder said.
“Who says I’ll lose?” Shi Hao retorted, though he couldn’t deny the statues’ strangeness.
They had only extended a single hand so far. If their chains were fully undone, what then?
“I recall someone once said this place was meant to temper and forge the strongest,” the Azure-Scaled Eagle murmured.
Shi Hao’s pupils contracted. These statues were not just imprisoned—they were lighthouses, terrifying beacons to inspire future generations.
“I want to release one, undo its chains, and fight it at full strength,” Shi Hao declared.
“No!” The Fine Jade Elder paled in horror.
The Azure-Scaled Eagle also recoiled, waving his hands frantically. “Absolutely not!”
“Look at these markings,” the Fine Jade Elder urged, pointing to faint inscriptions on the ground. They warned against ever breaking the seals.
For each statue was truly invincible—none in this world could overcome them.
“What an intriguing place. I love it!” Shi Hao grinned.
He had found his ideal training ground. These statues would be his sparring partners. One day, he vowed, he would free them himself.
“If you insist on tempering yourself, go to the prison area. But heed this—once you enter, return swiftly. Do not linger,” the Fine Jade Elder warned.
According to them, the creatures sealed in the jars atop the prison’s altars were equally horrifying. Engaging them was folly.
“Perfect! I was just lacking worthy opponents. Who knew the Netherworld held so many?” Shi Hao laughed, utterly fearless.
Boom!
This time, he darted past the statues, avoiding entanglement, and reached the prison zone.
The moment he approached, a bloodied hand shot from a jar, striking with overwhelming Dao power.
Bam!
Shi Hao blocked it, frowning. Were all the beings here this formidable?
“Do not underestimate them. The strength of these sealed creatures is beyond imagination!” the Fine Jade Elder cautioned.
“Every one has surpassed the pinnacle!” the Azure-Scaled Eagle added.
Shi Hao’s heart pounded. The origins of these beings must be terrifying. What were they?
Boom!
Jars trembled as bloody hands and claws lashed out, each strike deadly.
Their power was absurd, weighing heavily on Shi Hao.
This place was extraordinary. If such beings ever emerged en masse, how could he possibly stand against them alone?
“This is but a fragment of the dark prophecy—a rehearsal. These are but a few imprisoned warriors, left to temper future generations.”
The Azure-Scaled Eagle spoke as if in a trance, startling even himself.
Clearly, these were buried memories, forgotten due to corruption, now resurfacing.
“Excellent. From now on, this shall be my training ground!”
Shi Hao felt that his time in the Lower Realm might prove more crucial than the Upper. Here, he had found the finest whetstones.
Swoosh!
In a flash, he seized one of the phoenix bones, studying it intently.
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