The Stone Valley was not particularly large, with even the ground made of stone—hard, cold, and gleaming with a metallic sheen.
“Gu Yi, unless you give us a proper explanation for this matter, it seems impossible to proceed,” a middle-aged man spoke.
His status was transcendent, hailing from an Imperial Clan as a descendant of An Lan. He had previously negotiated with Gu Yi, seeking to place his grandson alongside Shi Hao into the Yin-Yang Furnace.
Gu Yi had been resolute, refusing to yield at the time. The middle-aged man, equally unyielding, wasted no words and directly arrived at the valley to obstruct the process.
Some were astonished, their expressions shifting.
The Stone Valley seethed with fiery energy, surging from beneath the earth. Moreover, the surrounding stone mountains radiated terrifying heat, forming a blaze of unparalleled intensity.
In short, this place was extraordinarily unique, with temperatures so high that ordinary creatures wouldn’t dare enter—lest they melt on the spot.
Thus, only those of significant power could enter the valley, with the weakest among them at least possessing the strength of the “Severing Self” realm.
“Hmph, I also believe some matters should be clarified,” another middle-aged powerhouse spoke, causing a stir among the crowd—for he was a being from the lineage of Chi King.
Not only that, but three or four other Supreme Elders also voiced their demands, pressing the Gu Clan for answers, their gazes icy.
Some were visibly shaken, and even the Gu Clan felt mounting pressure!
After all, those who had spoken were all from Imperial Clans, Supreme Elders who had arrived not long ago. Naturally, they feared nothing from the Gu Clan, remaining unyielding even within the ancestral grounds of the clan.
The Stone Valley was eerily quiet, the atmosphere tense.
At the center of the valley, the Yin-Yang Furnace hovered indistinctly, bobbing amidst swirling chaos. Shi Hao lay within it, the furnace brimming with the aura of the Great Dao.
Clearly, the refinement process had been halted, paused at this critical juncture.
Some narrowed their eyes in surprise—who would have thought that at the final moment, the Imperial Clan powerhouses would intervene? No one dared disregard their words, especially when they acted in unison.
“Too many people can lead to complications,” the elder of the Gu Clan, Gu Yi, remarked.
Others didn’t grasp his meaning, but the Imperial Clans understood—the so-called “too many people” referred to the competition for spots to place their descendants into the Yin-Yang Furnace for joint refinement.
“No matter, we are prepared,” the middle-aged powerhouse from Chi King’s lineage declared. As a member of an Imperial Clan, he was unwaveringly firm, his gaze frosty.
Of course, the term “middle-aged” referred only to appearance—his true age was unfathomable, his deep-set eyes betraying an ancient existence.
“Please,” Elder Gu Yi said, narrowing his eyes as he led the Supreme Elders of the Imperial Clans aside for a detailed discussion.
Clearly, compromise was necessary, and all parties would have to contribute—otherwise, there would be no agreement, nor success.
“The Yin-Yang Furnace is a supreme treasure. Under the right conditions, it can even capture and analyze the laws of the Great Dao. I can agree to let the descendants of you esteemed elders enter, but the required heavenly materials will be beyond extraordinary.”
These were Gu Yi’s words—direct and concise.
At this point, he no longer refused outright. Instead, he tasked the Imperial Clans with procuring rare and precious herbs to meet the exceedingly stringent conditions.
After some debate, they eventually reached a consensus, nodding in mutual agreement.
The efficiency of the Imperial Clans was remarkable. These were domineering figures—when they negotiated, it was either success or failure. Satisfied, they returned to the Stone Valley.
The Yin-Yang Furnace still hovered in place. Shi Hao had long been placed inside, along with numerous herbs and minerals—though the furnace’s opening remained unsealed.
“We shall each retrieve the necessary heavenly materials,” the middle-aged Imperial Clan powerhouse, a descendant of An Lan, announced.
Several streaks of light shot into the distance.
Others narrowed their eyes—what was happening? Many divine items had already been placed into the furnace earlier. Why fetch more?
Of course, the Supreme Elders had already discerned the truth. But aside from the Imperial Clans, none of the others could bargain within the ancient grounds of the Gu Clan, unable to secure such an opportunity for their descendants.
That day, several young individuals arrived at the Gu Clan’s ancient grounds, escorted by their elders.
And with them came even more astonishing heavenly treasures!
Yu Yu, Wu Kun, and Qing Kun all appeared, accompanied by three other young powerhouses—all prodigies of the Imperial Clans.
The Six Young Emperors!
When the crowd learned of this, envy surged—especially among the younger generation. For the Six Young Emperors, this meant a grand opportunity.
He Ziming stood among the crowd, watching them with a sigh. Though his ancestor, He Wushuang, was peerlessly powerful, his talent shaking past and present, he had fallen just short of becoming a King.
A so-called Quasi-King was destined to ascend to supremacy, but it would take time before his lineage could be recognized as an Imperial Clan.
He Ziming believed he could rival the younger generation of the Imperial Clans. Yet, at this moment, he had no means to participate—his ancestor was still in seclusion, and none of his elders could negotiate on his behalf to secure a spot.
In truth, he was far from the only one with regrets.
Soon, even ordinary cultivators learned of what was to transpire in the Gu Clan’s ancient grounds.
“The Yin-Yang Furnace appears as one, but within, it is divided into Yin and Yang. Shi Hao will be placed in the Yang Furnace, while the other youths enter the Yin Furnace to seize fortune.”
Such rumors spread, stirring unrest.
The Stone Valley was packed with experts, the foremost positions naturally occupied by the Imperial Clans and others, all watching the treasure furnace intently.
Wu Kun, Yu Yu, and Qing Kun had already entered the furnace, taking advantageous positions and sitting cross-legged opposite Shi Hao.
Next, two young men and a woman followed—all prodigies of the Imperial Clans’ younger generation.
“That’s Chi Meng Hong!”
Someone recognized one of the young men as Chi Meng Hong, a descendant of Chi King, peerlessly powerful and once trained at the Immortal Terrace Mountain.
In general, the six Imperial Clans prioritized male descendants—otherwise, the Six Young Emperors would not have included only one woman.
“Let’s just say they were lucky to be at a similar cultivation level as Shi Hao. Otherwise, this opportunity might not have fallen to them,” someone murmured outside.
By now, many fully understood what was about to unfold.
The Six Young Emperors had entered, their cultivation levels close to Shi Hao’s, making them suitable for joint refinement within the furnace.
“Wow, that’s a Tribulation Transcendence Lotus!”
Gasps arose as an Imperial Clan member tossed a divine herb into the furnace—a golden lotus radiant with brilliance, exuding rich fragrance.
Next, a middle-aged man from Yu Tuo’s lineage added rare sacred materials, including not only divine herbs but also an extraordinary mineral.
“Heavens, that’s King’s Bloodstone!” someone exclaimed in shock.
The stone, initially blood-red, soon shimmered with five-colored light, exuding an immortal aura.
It was unmistakably the blood-soaked stone of a fallen Immortal King.
“By the heavens, those are Epoch Fruits!” Another cry rang out as several fruits were tossed into the furnace by Chi King’s descendants.
For those nearing the end of their lifespans, these were priceless treasures—capable of extending life and even reviving the dead, hence their name, Epoch Fruits.
Thus, rare herbs and minerals were continuously added, filling the furnace with radiant light and immortal energy.
The Six Young Emperors sat motionless, awaiting the refinement of the Great Dao imprints.
They appeared far more spirited than Shi Hao, who still lay motionless, grievously wounded.
Just before the furnace was sealed, another young man entered.
“Who is this? Can he stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Six Young Emperors?”
“That’s Gu Hong of the Gu Clan, the grandson of Supreme Elder Gu Yi—a prodigy of unparalleled talent!” someone whispered.
Gu Hong, of average stature, wore a calm expression, his pale golden hair tinged with crimson. With steady steps, he entered the furnace.
“Gu Hong is undoubtedly formidable, no weaker than the Six Young Emperors—a rare genius,” another remarked.
“Clang!”
The furnace lid sealed shut. No one else could enter now.
“Burn!”
At the same time, the Gu Clan’s Supreme Elder, Gu Yi, uttered a single command: “Burn!”
The next moment, the crowd retreated toward the valley’s entrance—only the Supreme Elders remained, capable of withstanding the flames.
For the entire valley erupted in divine fire, surging from the stone mountains and rising from the earth.
This was a valley of flames, nurturing extraordinary firepower—perfect for alchemy and refining the Yin-Yang Furnace.
“What exactly is happening?”
Though most had guessed, a few remained clueless, having only just arrived.
“Watch and learn. Alas, after today, the Six Young Emperors will likely ascend further. They are seizing Shi Hao’s fortune and destiny.”
“Don’t forget Gu Hong of the Gu Clan. They should be called the Seven Young Emperors,” someone corrected.
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