Qin Hao grew anxious and agitated, insisting that he must go. He felt that in the past, he had been too aloof and stubborn, wounding his grandfather’s heart, and now he wanted to make amends.
However, Shi Hao shook his head and refused, not allowing him to go. The reason was simple—only one of the brothers could venture into such a perilous place.
His words were clear: one of them had to stay by their parents’ side. If Qin Hao went, Shi Hao would have to remain.
Qin Hao lowered his head and reluctantly agreed.
Shi Ziling and Qin Yining’s hearts clenched with tension and worry, fearing that Shi Hao might face danger again.
For their eldest son, they carried deep guilt in their hearts. Seeing him return safely had been a blessing, something they had prayed for endlessly. They couldn’t bear the thought of another mishap.
“Child, we know your cultivation has reached unfathomable heights, far surpassing even the most prodigious talents. But that place is where the Demon Venerable fell… You must be careful!” Qin Yining said tearfully.
Shi Hao’s return from the battle at the frontier, where he had clashed with imperial clans and survived, had filled her with boundless joy. These past few days had been exhilarating, but now they had to part again.
Had it not been for the search for the Fifteenth Master—their own kin—they would never have allowed Shi Hao to set out.
“Don’t worry, I have confidence. I once ventured there in the past, even climbed that great tomb. Now, I have even less to fear,” Shi Hao reassured them.
Back then, he had plucked lightning-infused herbs atop the Immortal Tomb, causing his thunder-based divine abilities to advance by leaps and bounds.
From a distance, Qin Changsheng sighed. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but marvel—how could a mere youth accomplish such feats? It was almost inconceivable.
That was the Demon Venerable’s burial ground. Who could approach that great tomb? Few dared to tread there—even Qin Changsheng himself had never risked it.
Yet, years ago, this very youth—barely a teenager—had ventured there and succeeded.
“To shine so brilliantly at the frontier, sweeping aside enemies of his generation from the foreign realm… It was no accident. The signs were there all along,” Qin Changsheng murmured to himself.
“Father, Mother, don’t worry. Wait for my return,” Shi Hao said.
They had already agreed that when the time came, they would all return to the lower realm—to Stone Village.
At the moment of parting, the Everlasting Heavenly Venerate Qin Changsheng appeared, presenting a suit of armor—gleaming silver, infused with the aura of the Great Dao, utterly transcendent.
As Shi Hao prepared for his journey to find the Fifteenth Master and A’Man, Shizi Ling, Qin Yining, and others followed him out, repeatedly urging him to be careful.
Many in the Qin Clan were astonished. None had expected Qin Changsheng to gift this armor.
“No need,” Shi Hao declined.
“Brother, wear it. It will enhance your combat power and protect your dharma body. With this, you’ll have few rivals in the mortal world,” Qin Hao insisted.
This was the battle armor taken from his own body—the Everlasting Battle Armor, belonging to the Everlasting Heavenly Venerate.
Shi Hao had learned of this armor many years ago. It was said to elevate the wearer’s cultivation by an entire major realm!
Such power was terrifying—almost heaven-defying.
Was there any armor more domineering than this? Forcing one’s strength up an entire realm was akin to bridging an insurmountable chasm.
Especially for someone like Shi Hao—a single realm increase would make his combat power horrifyingly formidable.
“Wear it. It will protect you,” Qin Changsheng said.
“Can this truly elevate one’s realm?” Shi Hao was genuinely curious. He took the silver-white armor, studying it intently—even considering dismantling it.
Immediately, Qin Changsheng and Qin Hao’s expressions darkened. Was he planning to destroy it?
“You must understand, the heavens cannot be defied. Nothing can surpass the ultimate order of the world—this armor is no exception,” Qin Changsheng explained.
The armor was indeed extraordinary, but its effects were limited to those below the Venerable realm. It could enhance strength but couldn’t allow one to break through the world’s natural limits.
In this world, immortality was unattainable. Even if one were a Venerable, wearing this armor wouldn’t shatter the shackles of the immortal path.
Even for those at the Dunyi realm, wearing it wouldn’t propel them into the Venerable realm—it only provided a limited boost in combat power.
Of course, for those at lower realms, the armor could indeed elevate their strength by a full major realm.
“So that’s how it is,” Shi Hao nodded. Some rules of the world were immutable, impossible to defy.
Clearly, the Everlasting Battle Armor, like the Little Heavenly King’s azure armor, had its limitations.
“The treasures you’ve collected are truly extraordinary, Senior,” Shi Hao remarked as he donned the armor, sensing his power amplified to unprecedented heights.
Clad in gleaming silver, his metallic radiance chilling and imposing, Shi Hao resembled a war god—heroic and majestic.
*Clang!*
He removed the armor and stored it away.
“It’s all because of that bone,” Qin Changsheng sighed softly. Only he and Shi Hao understood the truth; others remained unaware.
Seeing Shi Hao’s questioning look, he shook his head and transmitted a message: “We’ll speak of it another time.”
Shi Hao nodded and departed. Compared to the armor, he was far more interested in the Five Elements Mountain—likely an immortal treasure of the highest order.
There must be secrets and stories behind it.
The azure battleship and all the children were left in the Qin Clan’s care, even the Golden Lion remained behind.
This time, Shi Hao only awakened the Imperial Butterfly.
Two beings accompanied him—the Imperial Butterfly and the God-Slaying Stone, both notorious for their endless slumber.
The God-Slaying Stone had been dormant for years, never waking.
The Imperial Butterfly had stirred in Emperor Pass, yet it remained lethargic, often curling into a golden orb of light.
Back in Emperor Pass, Shi Hao had left it with the Shi Clan before retrieving it when he departed for the three thousand provinces.
The butterfly had agreed—it hailed from the lower realm and wished to return, seeking traces of its kind.
The Imperial Butterfly race was shrouded in mystery. None existed in the three thousand provinces or the Nine Heavens—they had long vanished.
Some Venerables claimed that even in the Immortal Ancient Era, few Imperial Butterflies existed—they might belong to an even older epoch.
The Demon Island lay at the edge of the Five Elements Province.
This place was shrouded in mystery and fraught with danger.
It was the site of the Demon Venerable’s fall, steeped in ominous energy.
Shi Hao arrived, gazing into the distance.
Though called an “island,” Demon Island did not rest upon water—it floated in the void.
Grey mist enshrouded the area, obscuring vision even for those with heavenly sight.
“Young man, heading to the island?”
A boatman hailed him from afar, steering a small vessel.
This place was peculiar—veiled in mist, flight was impossible. The eight hundred miles surrounding Demon Island were a forbidden zone, where traversing the void was perilous.
Years ago, Shi Hao had come with a group of prodigies. Many, refusing to heed warnings, attempted to fly across—only to be devoured by ancient beasts or plummet to their deaths.
“No need,” Shi Hao declined. With a flash, he soared into the grey mist.
“What sorcery is this? He can fly in?” The boatman gaped in astonishment.
“Wait… he looks familiar. Ah! It’s him—it’s Huang!” the boatman exclaimed.
Years ago, Huang had caused an uproar here, his reputation immense. Many had seen his wanted posters.
*Swoosh!*
A streak of light erased part of the boatman’s memories. Dazed, he soon forgot what he had witnessed.
Shi Hao was cautious. He couldn’t afford trouble—not when his grandfather was here. Drawing enemies or inciting battle would be disastrous.
Even now, strong as he was, Shi Hao frowned. Demon Island’s strange force field suppressed flight, but it couldn’t restrain him.
Like a bolt of lightning, he pierced through the eight hundred miles, landing on the island.
*Crack!*
A silver fish, massive as a mountain, with crimson eyes, lunged from the void, jaws agape.
This was no ordinary fish—it was a void-dwelling ancient beast, bloodthirsty and savage.
In the past, Shi Hao would have fled. Now, a single finger sufficed—the beast exploded midair.
Shi Hao pressed onward, heading deep into the island.
The island was vast, more like a continent, stretching endlessly.
Along the way, frenzied beasts, lost to madness, hunted intruders with blood-red eyes.
The island was dim, perpetually veiled in mist.
*Boom!*
No matter how colossal the beasts or ferocious the birds, none could withstand a single strike from Shi Hao.
Finally, he reached his destination—the heart of the island.
Here, thunder roared, lightning crisscrossed the darkened sky in terrifying displays.
Some said these were remnants of the immortal tribulation that struck the Demon Venerable, leaving eternal lightning.
But this wasn’t the strangest sight.
Above, a river flowed—silver-white, shimmering with golden sparks, winding through the void, not upon the island.
Shi Hao’s expression turned grave. He had arrived.
Legends said this river was formed from the remnants of immortal lightning. Others claimed it was the Demon Venerable’s blood, coursing through the void.
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