*Clang!*
Sparks flew as the stone proved to be many times harder than divine iron. If forged into a weapon, it would surely be a rare treasure.
This was astonishing—how could it be so unyielding? It seemed the young human had already exerted tremendous divine power, yet still failed to break it.
“Did you exhaust your essence in battle? If your mana is depleted and your body is heavily wounded, don’t force yourself,” Nuolan said with a smile, her gaze scrutinizing Shi Hao, carrying a hint of provocation.
Jin Yang also looked at Shi Hao with a peculiar expression, secretly hoping that his failure was due to injuries—it would offer him some comfort. After all, he had suffered grievous wounds in battle. If this human from the lower realm remained unscathed, it would only fuel his frustration.
“Ah, you guessed right. My cultivation is damaged. Fine, I’ll just carry this stone back and find a chance to split it open later. At least it’s a memento from the Immortal Domain,” Shi Hao said.
He wanted to take the stone away, unwilling to shatter it here, fearing that the denizens of the Immortal Domain might “intercept” it. The earlier emergence of the Void Immortal Gold Stele had already drawn the attention of some supreme beings.
“Let me help you split it,” the White Peacock Fairy offered brightly.
Shi Hao hadn’t expected this seemingly amiable girl to intervene, preventing him from leaving with the stone.
“No need!” Shi Hao laughed, expressing his gratitude but insisting that only he could split it for it to hold meaning.
“Don’t be polite, I’ll do it!” Nuolan declared, striking the stone with a palm that shook the heavens.
*Crack!*
The stone split into two halves.
The girl with the crimson mark on her brow possessed terrifying strength, effortlessly shattering the stone with a single motion. Everyone watched intently.
Even Shi Hao’s heart pounded. He knew there must be something inside—that was why he had held back earlier, unwilling to expose it publicly.
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, the stone was empty. No treasures, no remnants of blood or broken artifacts—nothing.
“Ah, my Immortal Gold Ancient Stele scripture—gone, just like that,” Shi Hao sighed, feigning disappointment. Everyone knew he was jesting.
“Fine, I’ll keep the fragments as a souvenir,” he said, gathering the pieces.
“Wait!” The youths of the Immortal Domain were nothing if not cautious. The purple-robed Huo Fudu stepped forward, unwilling to let it go.
Shi Hao’s heart sank. There was no avoiding it now. He waved his hand, signaling that he would handle it himself.
The larger fragment, still over three feet long, was riddled with cracks. Shi Hao examined it carefully before applying force.
*Crack!*
Black mist seeped out, accompanied by a foul, rotting stench that made everyone frown.
When a thick plume of dark fog emerged, the group swiftly retreated, wary of its potential danger.
Shi Hao’s expression darkened. This wasn’t what he had expected—no treasure, just decay.
As the rubble fell away, the object inside was revealed.
The black mist dissipated, and the stench lessened.
Everyone stepped closer to inspect it. Sanzang and Shenming stared unblinkingly, utterly transfixed.
“Pfft—” Nuolan was the first to laugh, her crimson mark glowing as she swayed like a divine lotus in the wind.
“What a priceless treasure! Truly magnificent—perfect for you,” she mocked.
Jin Yang and the others also smirked, relieved it wasn’t anything valuable.
Sanzang and Shenming exchanged glances before looking at Shi Hao with complex expressions.
“Later, I’ll help you pick a better stone,” Sanzang said, patting Shi Hao’s shoulder.
“You said yourself you couldn’t see through them—that it was all about instinct,” Shi Hao grumbled, his face dark.
He could hardly believe it. Inside the stone was… a rotten wooden sword.
And not just any sword—a child’s training blade, small and crude, clearly meant for toddlers.
Worse, it was decayed, crumbling at the slightest touch.
*Who the hell sealed this inside?!* Shi Hao wanted to curse. It felt like a cruel joke, mocking whoever found it.
Unless, of course, these stones weren’t man-made at all.
The sword was grimy, covered in what looked like tiny handprints—evidence of a child’s grip.
“Still, it’s an artifact from the Age of Emperor’s Fall. Some collectors might pay a few divine sources for it,” Nuolan teased.
“A true connoisseur might even offer immortal sources,” Huo Fudu added, deadpan.
But their words were laced with mockery.
Shi Hao was speechless. He had sensed an aura similar to the Great Luo Sword Embryo—how had it turned into this?
Was the similarity just because they were from the same era?
Refusing to accept it, Shi Hao examined the sword closely—only to accidentally snap off a piece.
“Careful! It’s still an antique,” Sanzang chided, feigning concern.
“Are you mocking me too?” Shi Hao wanted to punch someone.
“Keep it. Maybe it’ll absorb enough spiritual energy and transform into a sword even Immortal Kings would covet. Or pass it down to your kids,” Shenming said.
Shi Hao glared. *Some consolation.*
Just as he was about to toss it aside, a radiant figure descended—an elder in his fifties or sixties, exuding immortal energy.
A supreme expert.
“Young man, may I take a look?” the elder asked, his demeanor serene.
Shi Hao handed it over, realizing how seriously the Immortal Domain treated these relics.
As the elder inspected it, the sword crumbled further.
“Easy there, elder. That’s my brother’s priceless treasure,” Sanzang said.
“Yes, it’s a sacred relic. Break it, and there’s no replacement,” Shenming added.
Nuolan and the others burst into laughter.
Shi Hao shot the two a look. *Et tu, Brute?*
“Beware the rot—it may carry ominous energy,” the elder said, dropping the sword and leaving without a backward glance.
A supreme being, possibly even a half-step True Immortal, had dismissed it.
No one else dared touch it.
In the end, despite Sanzang’s efforts, nothing else was found.
Shenming’s attempt nearly summoned a monstrous stone beast that almost bit Shi Hao’s head off. Only the arrival of a supreme being scared it away.
“It’s time for you to leave,” the White Peacock Fairy said calmly.
Huo Fudu agreed—outsiders couldn’t stay in the Immortal Domain.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity. The gates haven’t opened in ages,” they said.
“No one has entered in an entire epoch.”
“No one can remain today.”
If not for his attachments, Shi Hao would have charged deeper into the Immortal Domain.
But the lower realm was his home—his family, friends, and unresolved matters awaited.
As they passed through the gates, the Golden Crow elder on the tower fixed Shi Hao with a piercing gaze.
“It’s rare to see a human youth so strong. Live well—I hope we meet again,” he said.
His words struck Shi Hao.
*So the Immortal Domain will act… but not yet. How many will remain in the Nine Heavens by then?*
Before the gates closed, the Immortal Domain’s experts purified the path Shi Hao and the others had walked—a blatant insult.
“Five hundred years from now, even in the withered lower realm, I will ascend to immortality. Just wait,” Shi Hao declared.
Nuolan and Huo Fudu scoffed.
*Boom!*
The gates shut, severing the connection.
It felt like a dream—entering the legendary Immortal Domain after countless millennia.
Shi Hao stood in silence for a long time.
“Let’s go,” Shenming tugged his arm.
“I collect antiques. Give me the wooden sword,” she said sweetly.
“I’ll keep it as a memento,” Shi Hao refused instinctively.
“It’s just a broken sword. What’s the point?” she grumbled.
“Brother Huang, as a Golden Burial Knight, I have a keen interest in ancient relics. I’ll trade you a divine weapon for it,” Sanzang offered.
Shi Hao’s eyes narrowed. “This *is* a treasure. I was just deceiving the Immortal Domain earlier. What will you offer?”
“What do you want?” Sanzang asked.
Shi Hao’s heart raced. *Is this rotten wood really valuable?*
“The Void Immortal Gold Stele,” he said boldly.
“Deal,” Sanzang agreed without hesitation.
Shi Hao was stunned. “One stele isn’t enough.”
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