The crowd stood frozen, speechless for a long while.
The revelations of the day had struck them too deeply. The old man had unveiled secrets they had never heard before, stirring their very souls!
Perhaps the higher-ups of the Imperial Pass knew a fragment of these truths, but they had never spoken of them—because doing so would serve no purpose now, only sowing panic.
Many of the younger generation felt dazed, as if the future had become too distant and illusory. Compared to what was to come, what was the present? The future seemed far more terrifying!
Even the masters of the Forbidden Zones had to lie low, not daring to involve themselves in karma, fearing annihilation. The mere thought of it sent chills down their spines!
Many found their breaths shortening, their hearts heavy. Where would they be when that day came? Would they even survive? What kind of dark era would that be?
“Now that I’ve seen what I needed to see, it’s time for me to return and report,” the old man said. He had already imprinted the map deeply into his mind, committing it to memory.
This object was extraordinary—likely something even the Forbidden Zones were searching for. Once he brought it back, whether anyone from the Forbidden Zones would come to the Imperial Pass was beyond his control.
“Farewell!”
Balancing on one foot, white qi surged beneath him as he strode outward. The molting rooster was already waiting outside the grand hall.
“Senior, please stay a while longer! Allow us to properly host you!” Qi Hong, master of the Five-Spirit War Chariot, called out.
Others also stepped forward, urging him to stay. Though the old man had occasionally exuded killing intent, overall, he was amiable—far different from what they had imagined a visitor from the Forbidden Zones would be like.
They longed to seek his guidance and learn more.
At the same time, messengers had already been dispatched, hoping that the great figures of the Imperial Pass would intervene and persuade the old man to linger for a few more days.
“Fellow Daoists, there’s no need to follow. This old man must depart!” The elder was resolute. Sensing the presence of powerful figures nearby, he spoke decisively.
With a leap, he mounted the back of the old rooster, treading upon the rippling waters of the Bihuo Lake as he vanished into the distance, unhindered.
Swift in arrival, swift in departure!
On Bihuo Island, the crowd remained unsettled, their hearts roiling with waves of emotion as they murmured among themselves.
This time, the surprise had been too great—someone from the Forbidden Zones had come and spoken with them at length.
“Young friend, keep the Thunder Pool safe. Do not lose it.” The old man’s voice echoed from the distant horizon, a final reminder.
With that, the gathering neared its end. There was little left to discuss.
The words of the Forbidden Zone visitor had struck too deeply, requiring time to digest—and to report to their elders.
“Let us part here, fellow Daoists. We shall meet again on the battlefield, and see who slays more enemies—ha ha!” one declared boldly.
“I must depart to cultivate in seclusion. If the great dark turmoil truly comes, and the most terrifying era arrives, I will survive to witness it—not to contend for supremacy, but to experience the cruelty and brilliance of that age, to see what peerless figures emerge and what heights they reach!” another sighed.
Thus, the gathering concluded, and the crowd dispersed.
“Shi Hao, let’s go drink! The taste of Thunder Tribulation Nectar is too divine—let’s indulge!” Cao Yusheng shamelessly sidled up.
Shi Hao smiled and nodded. Nearby, two other little alcoholics were already eyeing the prospect—the Lunar Grace and the Heavenly Horned Ant.
Meanwhile, the Imperial Butterfly flapped its wings, stirring ripples in the air, as if eager to partake.
“The Imperial Butterfly has emerged—this calls for celebration! Let’s go!” Shi Hao declared.
The butterfly’s strength was no surprise to him. He had long known of its heaven-defying abilities—this was the so-called Emperor of Insects, capable of commanding all crawling creatures.
“Ha ha, wonderful! Let’s drink our fill! Though I prefer vegetarian fare,” the Lunar Grace giggled.
“Cut the act! We all saw you eyeing the ten kings of the foreign realm that Shi Hao slaughtered. Just now, when the meat was roasting, you were stuffing your face, grease dripping everywhere—yet you still dare to claim you’re vegetarian?” Cao Yusheng exposed her mercilessly.
*Thud!*
The Lunar Grace hurled the slumbering little qilin in her arms straight at Fatty Cao’s face, resulting in two simultaneous yelps of pain.
“It’s a shame. Some are missing—our old friends aren’t all here,” Shi Hao sighed.
“They’re in seclusion. The pressure is too great—everyone wants to break through and reach greater heights,” Cao Yusheng explained.
The Enchantress, Chang Gongyan, the Dragon Maiden, and others had all secluded themselves for a long time. When they felt their conditions were optimal, they would venture beyond the pass in search of opportunities.
For that would be a grand adventure—one they had to prepare for meticulously.
Beyond the pass lay vast battlefields, the Divine Medicine Mountain Range, ancient immortal lands—places of immense danger but also unimaginable fortune.
“Heh, I know who you’re really looking for—Sister Qing Yi, right?” The Lunar Grace grinned mischievously. Though she looked like a delicate porcelain doll, her smile now resembled that of a little demon.
“What does a child like you know? Stop spouting nonsense!” Shi Hao ruffled her silvery-white hair into a mess.
“Little Stone, I’ll fight you!” The Lunar Grace bared her teeth and claws.
From them, Shi Hao learned that Qing Yi had been taken to the Ancestral Altar—alongside Yue Chan. His heart clenched.
What was happening?
“Many now suspect that Sister Qing Yi is extraordinary—fused with the Green Moon Flame Seed. Some speculate she may have a deep connection to the Green Moon Fairy of the Immortal Ancient Era!” the Lunar Grace said.
Cao Yusheng nodded. “Indeed. But don’t worry—Elder Meng Tianzheng is also at the Ancestral Altar. Qing Yi will be safe!”
Shi Hao’s eyes flickered, but he remained silent. He wasn’t worried about her safety—he trusted she would be unharmed.
What troubled him was Yue Chan’s presence. Qing Yi and Yue Chan were originally one being split into two. If someone at the Ancestral Altar intervened, forcing them to merge back into one…
“Relax. Since Sister Qing Yi may be linked to the Green Moon Fairy, no one will force her. Everything must be voluntary,” the Lunar Grace reassured.
“Let’s hope so,” Shi Hao murmured.
Eventually, they returned to the Shi Clan’s territory. Gathered around a bonfire, they skillfully conjured Dao flames to roast their feast.
“Wow, this is the Golden Demon Bird—one of the foreign realm’s royal bloodlines! The wings are mine—don’t even think about it!” The little rabbit cheered, carefully roasting the golden, glistening meat until its fragrant oils sizzled into the fire.
“This is the Mantis Centipede. Looks terrifying, but once you peel the shell, it’s no different from lobster,” Fatty Cao declared fearlessly, tossing it into a cauldron to boil.
“A pity we don’t have He Wushuang or He Ziming. I’d love to devour them!” The Heavenly Horned Ant gnashed its teeth, burning with vengeance for its fallen siblings.
As they feasted, children from the tribe gathered around.
“Take this, but don’t overindulge. This is supreme nourishment for you—give it to your elders to refine slowly,” Shi Hao cautioned.
These children couldn’t handle such potent fare.
“I want Thunder Tribulation Wine,” the drowsy snow-white qilin mumbled, drooling.
The Imperial Butterfly also fluttered down, hovering above a wine cup.
“Very well—let’s enjoy it together!”
Shi Hao produced the cauldron, generously sharing the divine brew with them.
“I want to undergo tribulation too!” The Imperial Butterfly’s divine sense radiated joy—it had finally emerged, now stronger than ever.
“Ah, I wonder when this stone will wake up,” Shi Hao mused, touching the crystalline ornament in his hair.
“I bet if you placed the Thunder Pool next to it, this thing would wake up instantly and start gnawing happily,” Fatty Cao quipped.
The Imperial Butterfly nodded vigorously in agreement.
Shi Hao was speechless. Those closest knew each other best.
“For now, we can’t let it ruin the Thunder Pool. Though I believe the pool is indestructible, I can’t guarantee this stone won’t find a way,” Shi Hao said.
This object was too significant to risk losing.
“Let’s wait for Elder Meng. He can examine the Thunder Pool—and confirm whether there are truly three dragons inside,” the Lunar Grace suggested.
Currently, the pool was sealed. Only the elder could unveil its secrets.
As it turned out, they didn’t have to wait long. Elder Meng emerged from the Ancestral Altar, descending upon the Shi Clan’s territory via a rainbow-hued divine path spanning tens of thousands of miles in an instant.
“Elder!” Shi Hao and the others rose swiftly, bowing in respect.
“Sit. There’s no need for formalities with me,” Elder Meng smiled. Spotting the Thunder Pool on the grass, he summoned it with a wave.
*Whoosh!*
Multicolored light erupted as he unsealed it. Simultaneously, a beam shot out—the remnant radiance of the Immortal-Slaying Guillotine Blade, attempting to flee once more.
With overwhelming power, the elder suppressed it, preventing its escape.
Gazing into the pool’s depths, he occasionally glimpsed three creatures swimming like true dragons in the abyss.
“Release one of the Thunder Spirits and place it into the pool,” the elder instructed.
“What?!” Not only Shi Hao was stunned—Cao Yusheng, the Heavenly Horned Ant, and the others were equally shocked.
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