Shi Hao and Cao Yusheng walked forward, following a river into the Bihuo Lake, stepping onto a small boat that sent ripples across the water.
Around the lake stood numerous majestic and ethereal spirit mountains, shrouded in white mist and adorned with rare spiritual herbs, exuding an aura of divinity, as if they were ancient peaks of the immortals.
Others also entered Bihuo Lake, as the time for the gathering was near.
During this period, war chariots and divine beasts appeared one after another, bringing young geniuses from various clans. The crowd grew larger, a grand assembly of the young elites from all races.
“Hmm, shocking news—people from the Forbidden Zone might actually come. I think I saw someone enter the Imperial Pass. Could they have arrived after receiving the invitation?”
This piece of news caused an uproar, stunning everyone.
Had beings from the Forbidden Zone truly emerged and come to the Imperial Pass? This was earth-shattering—no one had ever seen them since ancient times. What did they even look like?
In an instant, this became the center of discussion.
Many were excited. If beings from the Forbidden Zone above the Nine Heavens were to attend, this would truly be an unprecedented grand event.
**Boom!**
At that moment, curtains of light surged from Bihuo Lake, waves soaring into the sky as a verdant island emerged from the water, enveloped in radiance. Even when submerged, no water could penetrate its boundaries.
An island within Bihuo Lake had now appeared!
For cultivators, floating or submerged islands were hardly surprising. But this one was special—rumored to be the ruins of a true immortal, once inhabited by a celestial being.
Though no caves or dwellings remained, only scattered rubble and lush vegetation, it was still immensely captivating.
Because wisps of immortal aura emanated from this island. Legends said that even an ordinary piece of iron, if handled by a true immortal for long, could transform into a treasure.
Thus, even if nothing tangible remained, the lingering essence of the immortal still permeated the place.
The time had come—the gathering of geniuses began.
People swarmed onto the island. Unsurprisingly, the Five-Spirit War Chariot drew massive attention, instantly surrounded by a crowd.
Meanwhile, figures like Little Heavenly King, Da Xutuo, and Tuogu Yulong also became focal points, encircled by admirers.
As for the Four Phoenixes of the Wei Family, their brilliance and beauty made them even more popular than the men. A group of young elites gathered around them, eagerly exchanging greetings.
“So many people,” muttered the Heavenly Horned Ant.
“Eh, it’s you?!” A cultivator spotted the ant and paled instantly.
It was the messenger who had delivered the invitation. He remembered this little ant’s terrifyingly bold words—even calling Wang Changsheng a “brat.” If it dared to say something outrageous here, it could get someone killed.
“Ah, you’re here too? What bad luck!” As he retreated, he caught sight of Cao Yusheng and immediately turned to leave, veins bulging on his forehead. Three days ago, he had been beaten up by this fatso.
The island was breathtaking—lush grass, towering divine trees, bubbling sacred springs, and radiant spirit herbs filling the air with intoxicating fragrance.
“Why the rush? You bumped into me,” a purple-haired youth scolded the messenger.
“My apologies, just now—”
“Just now what?”
“Someone came without an invitation,” the messenger said, glancing at Fatty Cao.
“Who dares disrupt this gathering?” The purple-haired enforcer immediately strode toward Cao Yusheng and barked, “You—leave. Now!”
Cao Yusheng narrowed his eyes. “Looking for a beating, huh? How dare you shout at a distinguished guest like that? Open your dog eyes and see this!” He waved an invitation in the air.
The enforcer hesitated, glancing at the messenger.
“Apologize to me. Even if I didn’t have an invitation, couldn’t you be polite? Beg for forgiveness,” Cao Yusheng demanded.
“He really doesn’t have one—that belongs to someone else,” the messenger interjected from a distance.
“You stole someone else’s invitation?” The purple-haired enforcer raised his voice.
The commotion drew many gazes. Who would dare cause trouble here?
“Not stolen—it’s my friend’s,” Cao Yusheng retorted.
“Unacceptable. Even if your friend didn’t come, you can’t borrow it. No invitation, no entry,” the enforcer snapped, clearly disliking Cao Yusheng.
“Oh? Then explain why Jin Zhan and Wang Xi brought extra people. I doubt their clans sent two invitations each,” Cao Yusheng sneered.
He had noticed Jin Zhan’s uncle, Jin Zhifei, and Wang Xi’s cousin arriving without separate invitations.
“You—” The enforcer flushed with anger. Many had indeed brought uninvited guests.
“And that old man over there—way past his prime. Why isn’t he being kicked out? Yet you come barking at me?” Cao Yusheng pointed at Jin Zhifei, who had recently clashed with Shi Hao and lost his mount. “Don’t you know I’m the second greatest genius of this era? The one who’ll bury me is number one—I’m number two!”
The enforcer scoffed at his theatrics. “Regardless, you’re not qualified to enter.”
“And they are?” Cao Yusheng gestured at the uninvited guests from the Wang and Jin families.
“You think you compare to them? They’re prodigies from eternal clans, brought by those who command respect!” the enforcer mocked.
The argument had grown loud enough to silence the surroundings. Many now watched intently.
“It’s… Fatty Cao!” someone whispered. Those from the Nine Heavens recognized him as Shi Hao’s close friend. If he was provoked, the “Wasteland” would surely step in.
“What qualifications are needed?” Shi Hao’s voice came from behind as he approached the purple-haired enforcer.
Some recognized him—Da Xutuo, the banished immortal, Dugu Yun of the Guardian’s lineage, Qi Gu, and others nodded in greeting.
“Who are you?” the enforcer asked.
The messenger hurried over and whispered in his ear.
The enforcer’s eyes widened. This was the Wasteland himself!
“A misunderstanding, Brother Shi. If you’re attending, of course you may bring a friend or two,” he stammered awkwardly.
“Who is this?” someone demanded, displeased.
Just then, a stir arose as the master of the Five-Spirit War Chariot, Qi Hong, approached from afar, smiling warmly. “Brother Shi, I presume? Long have I heard of you. A pleasure to finally meet!”
Gasps spread. Qi Hong, disciple of an invincible master, was personally welcoming this unassuming young man?
Earlier, crowds had flocked to Qi Hong—now he was the one greeting another.
“So you’re the Wasteland! We passed each other on the road. You look so refined, yet your feats are so wild. I imagined you with three heads and six arms, roaring like a beast,” teased one of the Four Phoenixes of the Wei Family, grinning.
The crowd was stunned. Even these four peerless beauties were approaching him with such familiarity. Who was he?
“Haha, the Wasteland—famed for slaying ten kings of the foreign realm at the Great Scarlet Sky’s border. A true legend. Finally, we meet,” declared Tuogu Yulong of an eternal clan, his purple hair flowing majestically.
His acknowledgment sent tremors through the crowd.
Now, everyone knew—this was the Wasteland!
Shi Hao was surprised. Why were these elites, some aligned with his rivals, greeting him so warmly?
The Four Phoenixes made sense—no conflict there. But Qi Hong had arrived with Jin Zhan, and Tuogu Yulong’s sister was close to Wang Xi. Why the sudden courtesy?
The island erupted. While those from the Nine Heavens knew Shi Hao, many in the Imperial Pass were seeing him for the first time.
“Heavens, it’s him! I traveled most of the way beside him without realizing!”
“Brother Shi, your deeds at the Great Scarlet Sky border—slaying ten kings—brought glory to our realm! We’ve longed to meet you!”
A tidal wave of admirers surrounded him, some young women gazing with fiery admiration.
In the Imperial Pass, facing the constant threat of the foreign realm, none understood the terror of those enemies better. To kill ten kings was nothing short of mythic.
The excitement was palpable—though not everyone shared it.
Jin Zhan remained seated, unmoving. Wang Xi, clad in snow-white robes, stayed aloof, not sparing Shi Hao a glance.
Others, like the Six-Crowned King Ning Chuan, also stayed silent.
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