The Nine-Eyed Daoist had a row of vertical eyes between his brows, each tightly shut, with wisps of mist swirling around his forehead, obscuring his features.
Tall and slender, he was an elderly humanoid figure clad in gray Daoist robes, exuding an overwhelming pressure. Standing there, he resembled an unfathomable abyss.
This was a formidable expert from the foreign realm, having cultivated the Nine-Eyes Divine Ability, his power surpassing those of the same rank. Among his generation, he was renowned!
Even such a figure had arrived, demonstrating just how much the foreign realm valued the wilderness—fearing that their younger generation might suffer losses, they had sent elders to personally oversee the Divine Medicine Mountain Range.
Of course, by this point, some beings suspected that this wasn’t solely for Shi Hao’s sake. They believed it might be a ploy to lure out major threats from the Imperial Pass, waiting for them to come to the rescue.
“Young man, even if you are strong, there’s no need to be so ostentatious. This world has never lacked geniuses, but few survive to the end. Even those hailed as the greatest prodigies throughout history—how many truly reached the final step? Most perished prematurely.”
The Nine-Eyed Daoist spoke, his tone far from friendly. Though he didn’t outright scold, his warning made his stance clear—his killing intent was undisguised.
“Old fool, spare me the condescension. You think surviving from your generation makes you special? If you die at this age, it’ll be even more disgraceful—hardly a peaceful end.” Shi Hao was utterly unyielding, meeting hostility with hostility.
“Silence! How dare you defy the Nine-Eyed Lord? Shi Hao, today you will not escape death!” a young man shouted angrily.
“Arrogant! Soon you’ll be begging for mercy as the Lord crushes you with his own hands!” another sneered coldly.
The foreign youths were indignant. While they acknowledged Shi Hao’s strength, his disrespect toward their revered elders enraged them.
“Tsk, it’s a pity the Gu Clan isn’t here, nor the ancestral-blooded Fearless Lion in this region. Otherwise, the younger generation alone would have someone strong enough to kill you outright—no need for the elders to intervene!” someone mocked.
Shi Hao remained unperturbed, stepping forward leisurely from the forest. “Then come at me. Don’t hold back!”
Beside the Nine-Eyed Daoist stood another elder, golden-haired and golden-bearded, who spoke, “The youth of today are truly conceited. In our time, though we were reckless, we never dared to underestimate the world. Hmph, you may be talented, but you’ve yet to achieve the Dao. Your ancestors—like the people of the previous era—were once just as proud, yet they were utterly defeated. Some now serve as slaves in our realm. Since you’re so brazen, I won’t hesitate to refine you into a battle servant, obediently serving in my estate.”
Two supreme experts stood here. The golden-haired elder, though short in stature, exuded an oppressive aura, his blood energy thick and fierce.
His words struck like a tolling bell, reopening old wounds for the cultivators of the Nine Heavens—the very truth those in the Imperial Pass least wished to face.
“Enough talk. Seize him!” the Nine-Eyed Daoist commanded coldly, stepping forward.
All the young cultivators advanced, encircling Shi Hao for a coordinated assault.
Shi Hao grinned like a blooming flower. His deliberate provocation was meant to prevent them from scattering—if they were too spread out, it’d be harder to eliminate them all!
His real concern was that the Nine-Eyed Daoist and the golden-haired elder might sense the presence of the Burial Guards and flee.
But he needn’t have worried. These newcomers had only just entered the mountains and knew nothing of the Burial Guards—how could they be prepared?
“Brother Daoist, allow me. I’ve already promised to refine this brat into a battle servant—I must honor my word,” the golden-haired elder said with a cold, cruel smile.
“Very well, he’s yours,” the Nine-Eyed Daoist nodded.
“Heh, the infamous Shi Hao will finally meet his end. A shame the young lord of the Imperial Clan isn’t here to witness it—I’d have loved to see him tear Shi Hao apart with his bare hands,” someone lamented.
“Spare me the condescension. I’m out of here!” Shi Hao feigned retreat.
“You think you can leave after coming this far? Stay!” The golden-haired elder’s voice was icy as he flicked his sleeve, unleashing a technique—Sleeve Cosmos—his robe expanding into a hazy world, aiming to engulf Shi Hao.
He intended to capture Shi Hao effortlessly.
“Since you insist, I’ll stay. But don’t regret it!” Shi Hao stood firm, unyielding even in the howling winds.
“Hmm?” The golden-haired elder suddenly stiffened. As his sleeve descended, a streak of black light shot into it—too fast, as if it had willingly entered his Sleeve Cosmos.
He immediately pressed down with full force, intent on crushing it.
*Splat!*
Yet, he suffered instant backlash. Blood sprayed as his hand rotted, his entire arm seized, and his Sleeve Cosmos shattered.
*Boom!*
Black mist surged outward.
The Burial Guard revealed its true form, gripping the elder, rendering him immobile.
The elder had been too careless, assuming he could capture Shi Hao with ease—never expecting a savage Burial Guard lying in ambush.
Moreover, the Burial Guard was overwhelmingly powerful. Capturing him was effortless!
“Ah—!” The golden-haired elder’s hair withered instantly, his body shriveling, flesh rotting—he suffered grievously in mere moments.
The scene unfolded too quickly, stunning everyone. They had expected Shi Hao’s capture, only to witness one of their own elders fall instead.
“You asked me to stay. Now, seeing your suffering, I’ll grant you release!” Shi Hao declared.
Drawing the Great Luo Sword Embryo, he swung it as if slicing a radish. *Thud!* The elder’s head rolled to the ground.
His spirit tried to escape but was ensnared by black death energy.
*Splat!*
Shi Hao pierced it with his sword.
Everyone was dumbstruck, chilled to the bone as if trapped in a nightmare. The speed of events left them reeling.
“Retreat! It’s a Burial Guard!” the Nine-Eyed Daoist roared.
But it was too late. The Burial Guard had lain in wait for this moment. Its rotting wings unfurled, blotting out the sky.
The term “eclipse” was embodied perfectly—its black wings, wreathed in mist, stretched endlessly, shrouding heaven and earth.
Death energy flooded the forest.
A powerful domain locked the area. Creatures wailed as their flesh decayed or they were immobilized, unable to flee.
*Swish!*
The Nine-Eyed Daoist acted instantly, his nine vertical eyes snapping open. Nine divine beams shot forth like a rainbow across the sky, tearing through the black mist, breaching the seal.
He sought to lead an escape.
Yet, the Burial Guard was too formidable. Despite the Nine-Eyed Daoist’s renown as a veteran royal, he was no match.
The Burial Guard’s wings swept toward the rainbow. Sparks flew, mist churned, and the divine beams shattered—his divine ability broken.
The wings pressed down, covering the Nine-Eyed Daoist’s forehead, sealing his nine eyes.
At this moment, the Burial Guard invoked an ancient art—Heaven-Sealing Earth-Locking. Everyone but Shi Hao was shackled.
“I can’t move! I can’t escape!”
“Disaster! The Nine-Eyed Daoist, with all his power, was suppressed before he could even fight back!”
Some endured the agony of rotting flesh, howling in torment.
“How dull. No sense of accomplishment,” Shi Hao sighed. This wasn’t his doing—the Burial Guard had unleashed its fury, immobilizing all.
“Tsk, why didn’t you run? Killing you now is no different from cutting down scarecrows,” he said, feigning reluctance.
Fury burned in their hearts. This brat was insufferable, gloating over their plight. Now at his mercy, they were doomed.
Some shuddered, realizing Shi Hao walked alongside a Burial Guard.
“I’m merciful—I can’t bear to see suffering. Since you’re cursed, I’ll send you on your way,” Shi Hao said, raising his sword.
Terror gripped them. This wasn’t a true battle—none could even display their strength before being sealed.
To die like this was humiliating.
Especially the Nine-Eyed Daoist—a celebrated genius of his era—now facing an ignoble end. Unacceptable.
“You first,” Shi Hao approached him.
“You little—!” The Nine-Eyed Daoist raged, only to invite further torment.
Shi Hao’s sword strokes were deliberately imprecise, hacking at him like chopping weeds, reducing him segment by segment before finally extinguishing his spirit.
The youths shuddered, pitying the Nine-Eyed Daoist’s wretched demise.
*Thud!*
Shi Hao showed no mercy. Heads rolled, blood pooled—all were slain.
Regrettably, the Celestial Deity Tree escaped.
Unfazed, Shi Hao pressed on, tracking its trail.
Along the way, he encountered more groups—all met the same fate.
“Ha, Shi Hao must be captured by now. With five or six groups entering, plus a few old-timers, he’s got no escape,” an elder outside the mountains chuckled, stroking his beard.
“Let’s hope they didn’t kill him by accident. The young lord of the Imperial Clan explicitly demanded him alive,” someone murmured.
“The Gu Clan also wants him—as a whetstone for their peerless youth,” another added.
“Disaster, my lords! A calamity!” a panicked voice cried from afar.
“What? Did they cripple Shi Hao by mistake?” an elder asked.
“Did the Hundred Calamity Ladder—our supreme treasure—fail to secure safe passage?” another questioned.
“Neither! The groups sent in—they’re all dead!” the messenger gasped, drenched in sweat.
“Calm yourself. Even if Shi Hao was accidentally killed, it’s no grave matter. I’ll explain to the Imperial Clan’s young lord,” a royal elder said dismissively.
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