This immortal land was vast and boundless. Even with the arrival of so many young cultivators, there were still ample spiritual mountains and treasure grounds for them to choose their own exclusive training sites.
The most concentrated immortal energy lay in the central region, where ten majestic mountains stood out as the most extraordinary.
This was because the only remaining fragment of the ancestral vein from the Immortal Ancient Era was buried precisely there, continuously gushing forth pure white immortal mist.
It was astonishing—in the current era, such a place was exceedingly rare, effectively recreating part of the cultivation environment from the Immortal Ancient period.
The reason this era lacked true immortals and no one could achieve eternal life was due to the changes in the world itself. The environment had deteriorated, losing the fertile soil that once nurtured genuine immortals.
“Let’s hurry! If we’re late, the best spots will be taken!” Cao Yusheng shouted.
In the coming days, young cultivators from across the Nine Heavens would gather here to train, listen to the elders’ teachings, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the enemies from the otherworld. They would stay for a long time, making it essential to secure an optimal cultivation site.
The Little Heavenly King from the Immortal Academy, renowned for his formidable strength, had already set off toward a divine peak where spiritual herbs flourished and purple qi billowed.
At the sight of him, many hesitated, and in the end, no one dared to challenge him.
“Whoosh!”
Shi Hao moved. Since he was to cultivate here, he saw no reason to hold back—he would claim the best possible site.
Among the ten great mountains in the central region, four stood above the rest. From their roots, wisps of chaotic energy seeped forth, mingling with immortal mist that enshrouded the entire peaks!
Branches of the ancestral vein extended directly into these mountains!
The ancestral vein had always been considered a living entity, capable of growth and expansion. This fragmented vein had extended its reach into several of these mountains.
Shi Hao moved swiftly. Though he had started later, he was the first to ascend one of the great peaks, instantly enveloped in swirling immortal energy.
“You—!” Some were unwilling, having rushed forward only to find someone had beaten them to it. They were tempted to fight for it.
But upon recognizing Shi Hao, they immediately fell silent and hastily retreated.
If Shi Hao’s past achievements hadn’t been enough to fully establish his might, then the battle at the Great Scarlet Sky’s border had changed everything. His unparalleled dominance had shaken the world.
This was a true record of blood and bone—ten battles against ten kings, ten victories, restoring the Nine Heavens’ dignity. How astonishing was that?
In recent days, news of the events at the Great Scarlet Sky’s border had spread, stirring a massive uproar among the various clans.
Elderly supreme beings had fallen in battle, and even young geniuses who had fused with flawless ancient seeds had perished, causing no small amount of panic. Yet Shi Hao’s terrifying achievements stood out even more, alleviating some of the fear that the otherworld was invincible.
“Come here!” Shi Hao called out to Qing Yi, Chang Gongyan, the Witch, the Heavenly Horned Ant, and others, inviting familiar faces from the Three Thousand Dao Provinces to cultivate together on this mountain.
“There are too many of us—we’ve claimed another peak nearby,” Cao Yusheng and the Lunar Jade Rabbit called out from a neighboring mountain, waving. They had been quick, securing the tenth-ranked divine peak while others fought over the best.
However, many eyes were fixed on them, burning with envy.
And at that very moment, someone noticed with shock that even Shi Hao’s mountain was being approached by another group, seemingly intent on challenging him.
Who would dare provoke Shi Hao? The onlookers were stunned.
“It’s him—Jin Zhan!” someone whispered, realization dawning.
Jin Zhan, a disciple of the Sacred Academy, was hailed as a peerless genius, his strength transcendent. He had pushed the limits of the current cultivation system, surpassing all predecessors and standing invincible in his realm!
Beside him stood others, most notably Wang Xi, clad in snow-white robes, along with other Sacred Academy disciples—his followers.
People quickly understood. The Wang Clan and Shi Hao had clashed many times, their enmity deep. Was Jin Zhan stepping forward on Wang Xi’s behalf?
This sent shockwaves through the crowd. Jin Zhan challenging Shi Hao? This was monumental news, destined to shake the heavens!
“Shi Hao has rendered great service. His victories at the Great Scarlet Sky’s border brought glory to our world. For Jin Zhan to challenge him now—isn’t that inappropriate?” someone murmured disapprovingly.
Cao Yusheng sneered. “What’s this guy trying to do? Fight Shi Hao? If he’s got the guts, he should go to the border and rack up ten victories against the otherworld, proving himself a true hero. Picking fights within the Nine Heavens just to stand up for the Wang Clan—typical of a Wang son-in-law, always targeting his own people!”
While some sided with Shi Hao, others supported Jin Zhan, given his illustrious reputation and miraculous achievements. He had taken steps beyond the limits of the current cultivation system, earning deep admiration.
“Jin Zhan was in seclusion and couldn’t reach the Great Scarlet Sky’s border in time. Otherwise, those ten victories would have been his—he would have shaken the otherworld with his might!”
“Jin Zhan is a heaven-sent talent, praised by the ancient monsters as a once-in-an-era genius. Such high praise! Who can compare? Now is the perfect time to test Shi Hao and see who truly stands above. Hmph! The invincible path of the current era shall rise today, its brilliance eclipsing the sun and moon!”
Jin Zhan’s supporters spoke with fervor, convinced of his invincibility.
Many watched intently, for if the two truly clashed, it wouldn’t be entirely unexpected.
It was widely known that not long ago, Shi Hao had been locked in conflict with the Wang Clan, resisting them at the Celestial Deity Academy. Even the Five Dragons had been exiled to the border as a result!
The Wang Clan’s hatred for Shi Hao ran deep, and in the eyes of many, Jin Zhan’s intervention on Wang Xi’s behalf was only natural.
Atop the great peak, Shi Hao stood with his hands behind his back, calmly surveying the group before him—from Jin Zhan to Wang Xi to their followers.
Jin Zhan had halted, his gaze locked onto Shi Hao. A terrifying aura formed between them.
Was he truly going to seize Shi Hao’s cultivation site? The onlookers trembled with fear!
Jin Zhan, usually enigmatic and rarely seen, was anything but low-key now. Wreathed in chaotic energy, his eyes blazed like twin suns, as if shining with the light of creation itself!
**Boom!**
The space between the two powerhouses shattered violently!
Yet, contrary to expectations, no battle ensued. Jin Zhan nodded at Shi Hao. “I’ve heard of your achievements. Impressive. We’ll spar another time.”
With that, he turned and left, Wang Xi and the others following him to a nearby mountain.
A group of cultivators had already gathered there, but upon Jin Zhan’s arrival, they grimaced and quickly vacated the site.
“We can fight right now,” Shi Hao declared.
Jin Zhan paused, and the crowd tensed, watching with bated breath.
“There will be plenty of chances—at the border. Let’s see who slays more enemies there.” An elder’s voice echoed from a distant cliff.
The old monster had spoken. This duel would not happen—the elders forbade internal strife, urging them instead to compete on the battlefield.
Yet, some conflicts were inevitable. Even at the border, their rivalry would persist.
For now, the brewing storm dissipated, leaving some relieved but others disappointed at missing the clash of these two titans.
Soon, Da Xu Tuo, Qi Gu, Yi Yi, the Banished Immortal, Shi Yi, and others secured their own peaks. The best sites were all claimed.
Some eyed the tenth peak held by the Lunar Jade Rabbit and her group, eager to seize it. But when Shi Hao’s gaze turned their way, they quickly abandoned the idea.
What should have been a simple matter—selecting cultivation sites—reflected deeper tensions, even hinting at future power dynamics.
That same day, Shi Hao sat cross-legged in this immortal land and retrieved a scripture—an ancient text he had long desired to read but had been unable to until now.
Years ago, during the grand competition in the Immortal Ancient ruins, where all the young geniuses of the Three Thousand Dao Provinces had vied for supreme fortune, Shi Hao, the Ten Crown King, the Banished Immortal, Ning Chuan, and others had battled fiercely.
In the end, Shi Hao had been the first to breach the final treasure ground, carrying away an ancient coffin containing a jade scripture—a fact known to many.
But he had also obtained other treasures, unknown to outsiders.
Now, he finally opened that jade scripture!
Only upon reaching the Void Dao Realm could this scripture be read. In the past, Shi Hao had lacked the strength to even turn its pages.
“Hmm?!”
The moment Shi Hao’s divine sense touched the jade scripture, celestial phenomena erupted. Mystical symbols surged, engulfing him.
“Immortal Scripture!” many gasped.
The spectacle was breathtaking—figures ascending in radiant light, true dragons coiling, undying phoenixes crying out, and immortal radiance filling the heavens!
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