Chapter 1688: A Fateful Encounter

Upon this vast land, true immortals lie dormant, yet none emerged during the Borderlands War—what can one say but sigh?

At the very least, Shi Hao knew one such being resided within the Immortal Palace, a fact already confirmed.

For a brief moment, Shi Hao lost himself in thought before lifting his head. His return to the Three Thousand Provinces would hardly remain a secret; many factions had likely already learned of it.

He remained cautious, refusing to let his current profound cultivation breed complacency.

As he prepared to depart, he wished to avoid any unforeseen disturbances.

During his time in the Nine Heavens, all had been tranquil—no one stirred trouble, not even the Jin Clan, despite their enmity toward him. They had remained subdued, never daring to provoke him.

This was partly due to Jin Tai Jun’s near-death state and her seclusion to recover. More importantly, Shi Hao’s fearsome reputation from the Borderlands War and his monumental achievements ensured that even Supreme Rulers wouldn’t dare defy the world’s will to challenge him.

*”The existence of surviving immortals is no small matter,”* Shi Hao sighed. Now in the Three Thousand Provinces, he had to remain vigilant.

*”Big Brother, where are we going?”* A child of four or five asked, his round, rosy cheeks resembling a ripe apple.

The children were all fond of him, though their terms of address varied—some called him uncle, others brother.

Their innate talents and potential were exceptional, each a rare seedling for cultivation. Shi Hao cared for them deeply, hoping one day they would grow into towering trees.

*”I’m going to meet some people and bring them home,”* Shi Hao replied.

After determining his location, he realized they weren’t far from Demon Province. He decided to head there immediately to find his grandfather, Shi Zhong Tian.

His grandfather, the fifteenth elder, was known as the Great Demonic God and was said to be in seclusion among the volcanoes of Demon Province.

Shi Hao’s heart ached with longing—he yearned to see his grandfather again after so many years. *How was he faring?*

Their time together had been fleeting, yet Shi Hao could keenly feel the old man’s devotion, how he had risked his life for him.

Whether it was the great battle in the imperial capital of the Stone Country in the lower realm or his stand against the Immortal Mountain in the upper realm, Shi Zhong Tian’s sacrifices moved and pained Shi Hao deeply.

Even in Shi Hao’s youth, his grandfather had lost an arm retrieving the blood of a divine beast for his sake—proof of his boundless care.

The azure warship soared through the skies, swift as lightning, piercing through clouds and mist without relying on teleportation altars.

Beneath the rolling mist, vast rivers surged and towering mountains stood, a breathtaking sight.

They had arrived in Demon Province.

The land earned its name from an ancient sect that occupied the Black Orchid Mountain, a place overgrown with demonic sunflowers—known as the Demon Sunflower Garden, home to powerful plant cultivators.

Moreover, this province had long been a land of chaos and strife, where demons frequently emerged.

As the warship slowed, Shi Hao’s heart grew restless. *Would his grandfather still be here? Had he left to wander the world?*

The desolate plateau stretched for hundreds of thousands of miles, devoid of life.

Soon, the warship entered a volcanic region. Shi Hao leaped down, scanning the area—but no trace of the Great Demonic God’s aura lingered.

Some volcanoes spewed molten lava, belching thick smoke like scenes from hell. Others had long since erupted and dried up, silent and lifeless.

*”Grandfather!”* Shi Hao called softly, yet his voice resonated across tens of thousands of miles, reaching every corner.

No response came. The Great Demonic God was nowhere to be found.

Shi Hao stood motionless, crestfallen. He had hoped to reunite with his grandfather immediately upon returning, but the old man had clearly departed years ago, leaving no trace of his presence.

*”Roaming the world.”*

Three simple words, left behind for him.

More might have been written, but volcanic eruptions had destroyed the rest.

Shi Hao sensed no urgency in those words—his grandfather had left at ease, likely to travel. The realization eased his worries.

With a sigh, Shi Hao returned to the warship, his heart heavy.

*”Uncle, didn’t you find Grandpa?”* a little girl asked, having guessed his purpose.

*”Let’s go. We’ll meet him another time,”* Shi Hao replied.

The warship glided away, its pace unhurried. Shi Hao gazed back repeatedly, hoping against hope to see his grandfather’s return.

**Boom!**

Ahead, space trembled violently as a crimson warship, drenched in blood-like hues and exuding a murderous aura, tore through the void, nearly colliding with Shi Hao’s vessel.

Clearly, someone had been traversing dimensions and emerged abruptly.

Shi Hao frowned, steering his ship aside.

Yet, to his surprise, a sword beam slashed toward them—cold, ruthless, and lethal.

*Clang!*

With a flick of his finger, Shi Hao shattered the attack. Standing at the prow, he glared icily at the intruders.

*”The Heavenly Nation’s warship crosses here—who dares obstruct us?”* a voice barked from the crimson vessel.

At the mention of the Heavenly Nation, Shi Hao’s expression darkened. This assassin organization was infamous for its blood-soaked history and countless atrocities.

In the past, they had targeted him, and their leader had even sought his life.

Their younger generation had once hunted him during the Three Thousand Provinces’ genius competition, only to be slaughtered by Shi Hao instead.

But beyond personal grudges, one memory festered in Shi Hao’s heart—the tragic death of Ghost Grandpa.

The founder of the Sky-Suppressing Sect in the lower realm had been slain by the Heavenly Nation in ancient times. His lingering spirit had accompanied Shi Hao for years.

**Boom!**

This time, Shi Hao struck without mercy. His finger flick shattered the crimson warship’s prow, reducing it to debris.

*”Who are you?!”* A furious roar erupted from within.

The entire vessel dimmed, vanishing swiftly—a hallmark of the Heavenly Nation’s tactics. When threatened, they concealed themselves before striking from the shadows.

**Crash!**

With a single shout, Shi Hao summoned a tempest of lightning, illuminating the void and forcing the crippled ship back into visibility.

*”Senior, this is a misunderstanding!”* someone aboard pleaded, hastily backing down.

A burly middle-aged man emerged, bowing. *”Brother, please calm your wrath. We meant no offense.”*

But Shi Hao wasn’t fooled. These killers had attacked without warning, seeking to annihilate his entire ship. Their sudden humility stemmed only from realizing they’d provoked someone beyond their reach.

Then, the man’s face paled. *”You… Shi Hao?!”*

Shi Hao’s image had once spread across major sects. As a high-ranking member of the Heavenly Nation, the man recognized him instantly.

Cold sweat drenched the man’s forehead. *Of all people, why had they crossed paths with this demon?*

*”Shi Hao?!”* Others aboard shuddered. Recent rumors spoke of his meteoric rise, his dominance in the Borderlands War, and his invincible might.

*”Where is the Heavenly Nation’s foundation?”* Shi Hao’s voice was glacial.

Since fate had delivered them to him, he intended to pay their stronghold a visit.

But the Heavenly Nation was notoriously elusive. While their nominal headquarters were known, their true ancestral lands remained hidden—understandable for an organization so universally despised.

*”I… don’t know!”* the man stammered, trembling under Shi Hao’s overwhelming aura.

*”Then perish.”* Shi Hao’s palm descended.

**Boom!**

The warship exploded, its occupants reduced to bloody mist. The middle-aged man unleashed his full power in a desperate counter—but it was futile. His body and soul were obliterated.

Shi Hao felt no remorse. These were assassins, their hands stained with countless innocent lives.

Had it been another sect, even one hostile to him, he might have shown restraint. But for the Heavenly Nation? No mercy.

*”Halt! Who dares wreak havoc in Demon Province?”* A deep voice rumbled from the distant horizon.

*”Who are you?”* Shi Hao asked.

*”The Second Elder of the Demon Sunflower Garden,”* the voice replied. *”I came to greet the Heavenly Nation’s envoy… and you slaughtered them?”*

Upon drawing closer, the speaker realized the gravity of the situation. His expression twisted in horror before he turned to flee.

A Heavenly Nation elder, slain in an instant—this was no trivial matter.

*”The Demon Sunflower Garden? Perfect timing.”* Shi Hao’s voice turned icy.

He remembered well—the garden’s master had once sought his life. Since he was here, why not pay a visit and measure the man’s strength?

In a flash, Shi Hao mounted the golden lion, shrinking the warship into his sleeve.

Then, he rode straight toward the Demon Sunflower Garden.