Chapter 1717: The Ancient Path Leading to the Lower Realm

“Found it, truly found it! Such a path exists within the ruins of a forbidden life zone!”

Shi Hao was overjoyed and exhilarated. His efforts had not been in vain—he had finally discovered the mysterious path leading back to his homeland.

In the distance, the Fearless Lion was stunned. Had Shi Hao really succeeded in finding it?

“Come here,” Shi Hao beckoned.

The Golden Lion was cautious, standing near the two great rivers, feeling the oppressive weight of the Great Dao. It dared not step into the waters.

“Would you dare to walk that ancient path?” Shi Hao asked.

The Golden Lion shook its head. Though it had seen the path, it remained wary. What if entering led to danger?

At the same time, deep in its eyes, there was a glimmer of hope—a wish that Shi Hao would enter. If misfortune befell him, it would regain its freedom.

“Whoosh!”

A divine rainbow shot forth, binding the Golden Lion like chains, wrapping it tightly before dragging it before the ancient gate.

Shi Hao was a cultivator at the Dunyi Realm, while the Fearless Lion had yet to reach this stage. The gap between them was vast, and the lion was easily subdued.

“You—” it growled in disbelief. It had not expected Shi Hao to be so powerful that even standing at the convergence of the two rivers, he could capture it effortlessly.

In truth, the intersection of the two rivers held no danger. Though shrouded in chaotic qi, the area was peaceful, as if the ancient gate itself guarded the place.

“Go in,” Shi Hao said, pushing open the gate and shoving the Golden Lion inside.

“Crack!”

In an instant, the sound of snapping bones echoed from within the lion’s body. An inexplicable force suppressed it, threatening to crush it entirely.

“Ah—!” it screamed in agony.

Beyond the gate, no visible threat existed, yet an invisible force field pressed down on all living beings, subjecting them to pressures beyond their limits.

Even the Golden Lion could not endure it. The moment it entered, its body nearly shattered.

Indeed, it lasted only moments before blood poured from its orifices. Cursing and howling, it was on the brink of death!

This was no suppression from an array or some divine technique—just an overwhelming, mysterious force pressing down with sheer might!

Shi Hao yanked it back out, for the chains of order he had placed upon it still held. A moment later, and the Golden Lion would have perished inside.

“Shi Hao, I’ll fight you to the death!” the Golden Lion roared, never having suffered so grievously. Countless bones were broken, its body deformed, nearly reduced to pulp.

It writhed on the ground, unable to rise.

“Relax, we share hardships together. I just wanted you to experience this with me,” Shi Hao said.

“Share hardships my tail! Why don’t you go in yourself?” the Golden Lion fumed, itching to bite him.

“Fine, I’ll go in!” Shi Hao set it down and stepped forward, pushing open the ancient gate and setting foot on the gray-brown stone steps beyond.

In that instant, Shi Hao shuddered as if struck by lightning. His bones crackled under immense pressure, his body on the verge of collapse.

This was terrifying—even someone as strong as him was assaulted, teetering on the edge of danger.

“Pfft!”

Blood sprayed from his lips as he felt as though a massive star had crashed onto his back.

Then, his chest, his skull, the back of his head—his entire body seemed bombarded by celestial bodies, enduring supreme suppression.

This was an extreme pressure, surpassing even his current peak strength!

Shi Hao understood—this gate was horrifying. Whether it was the Golden Lion, himself, or anyone else who entered, they would face a force beyond their own limits.

At his level, Shi Hao was already beyond the norm, having perfected every realm flawlessly. How else could he dominate his generation and sweep through the young elites of the foreign lands?

Yet here, he suffered greatly. This was an extreme suppression beyond his current endurance, causing blood to seep from his pores.

Every pore bled, turning him into a crimson figure. His bones creaked incessantly.

Such terrifying power!

No wonder the Golden Lion, with its prodigious talent, had nearly been destroyed upon entry.

Fortunately, Shi Hao endured. Though bloodied, his bones remained intact.

After a long while, though he coughed more blood, his condition stabilized. He stepped forward, finding the path arduous in its entirety.

Finally, he stood still, contemplating deeply before retreating.

The Golden Lion was disappointed. Was this man truly born with an immortal physique? How could he withstand such torment?

It had hoped Shi Hao would perish inside, granting it freedom.

“I doubt there are one or two others in this world who could endure this,” Shi Hao murmured.

Then, his expression shifted. He stored the Golden Lion in a spatial artifact. “Forgive me.”

With that, he re-entered the gate, testing whether carrying his parents inside would be safe.

The Golden Lion, golden by nature, now looked green with fury. “Brat, you and I are not done!”

Luckily, it was unharmed. The artifact, stored within Shi Hao, shielded it from the external pressure.

“No danger. That’s a relief,” Shi Hao said, releasing the lion.

Then, man and beast leaped from the chaotic zone, where the great rivers still crossed, returning to their original positions.

“Mission accomplished. Let’s go!”

Once the Golden Lion fully recovered, Shi Hao mounted it, leaving the void and descending to the earth below.

As they departed, the two rivers in the sky vanished, along with their Dao runes.

Shi Hao then exited the ashen lands, speeding away without delay.

Having found the path home, he had no desire to linger in the Three Thousand Provinces. After settling some affairs, he would fetch his parents and return to the lower realm.

“What a pity. The people, events, and ruins of the Supreme Hall remain elusive,” Shi Hao sighed.

On his return journey, he shook his head. Despite inquiries, even to Qin Changsheng, he had found nothing.

“Never mind. If I return to the Three Thousand Provinces, I’ll search more thoroughly,” he murmured.

The lineage of the Supreme Hall had vanished, even his former master, Qi Daolin.

Swiftly, Shi Hao returned to the Qin Clan.

Upon arrival, he noticed many Qin clansmen eyeing him strangely, with a mix of awe and fear.

“Brother, you’re back!” Qin Hao rushed over, eyes blazing.

“What’s the matter?” Shi Hao asked.

“Brother, have you truly reached a point where even Supremes cannot intimidate you? The outside world is abuzz—the Feng Clan sought to kill you, only to be slaughtered in turn. Even a Supreme-level expert intervened but failed to harm you,” Qin Hao exclaimed.

Shi Hao was stunned. News of his battles with Feng Qiang, Yuan Qing, and others had spread?

Shi Ziling and Qin Yining arrived, visibly relieved. Their eldest son had clashed with a Supreme, filling them with dread.

Soon, Qin Changsheng arrived, confirming the rumors.

Many factions across the Three Thousand Provinces had heard, stirring unease.

Those who had conspired against Shi Hao now squirmed in discomfort.

“Word has it that the Feng Clan’s ancestor from the Nine Heavens intends to descend and kill you!” Qin Changsheng warned.

The ancestor’s two runic imprints had failed to slay Shi Hao, causing an uproar. Now, the Supreme himself sought to descend and finish the job.

At the critical moment, Supremes from the Immortal Academy and Sacred Academy blocked the Feng Clan’s gates, preventing his descent.

Shi Hao’s heart raced. The Feng Clan’s ancestor wished to act personally!

Thus, when the news leaked, many factions in the Three Thousand Provinces were shaken.

“Look, the gifts keep pouring in,” Qin Changsheng remarked with a smile.

Precious treasures and materials piled up in the clan’s halls—peace offerings from major sects seeking reconciliation.

“Son, did you find the ancient path?” Shi Ziling asked.

“Yes, it’s found. We can return home!” Shi Hao declared.

The announcement stunned everyone present.

“Let’s go home—today, now, back to the lower realm!” Shi Ziling said excitedly.

“Agreed. We leave immediately, onto that ancient path!” Shi Hao nodded. At last, they could return to the lower realm.