The forest was deep and serene, with undulating peaks and a winding cobblestone path cutting through dense bamboo groves. The gentle murmur of flowing water added to the tranquil atmosphere, creating a unique sense of peace.
Shi Hao and Qing Yi walked along the path. After emerging from seclusion, they had come straight to this area to visit old friends. Most of those from the Three Thousand Provinces had chosen the Path of the Present Era and gathered here.
“You’ve already perfected your Heavenly Passage Realm, achieving something unprecedented. You have an innate advantage on this extreme path of the Present Era. Have you considered continuing down this road?” Qing Yi asked, her ethereal beauty exuding calmness, bringing a sense of serenity.
“Of course, I will walk this path. But for now, I want to fully explore the Ancient Path and compare the two to gain deeper insights—only then can I seize the greatest opportunities,” Shi Hao replied.
He had cultivated three strands of immortal energy, a feat that had nearly cost him his life. Naturally, he wouldn’t abandon it. At the same time, born in this era, how could he forsake the Path of the Present?
In fact, he harbored an ambitious desire—a wild dream—to one day create an entirely new path, one that belonged solely to him!
That would be his own road, unique and truly transcendent.
Lost in thought, Shi Hao pondered how he would forge this extraordinary path.
“What’s on your mind?” Qing Yi asked.
“Nothing much. I’m just happy to see some old friends soon. I imagine they’ll be quite surprised—it’ll be a pleasant shock for them,” Shi Hao chuckled, snapping out of his reverie.
After such a long absence, many likely believed he had perished. With no trace of him for so long, rumors had spread that Yuan Qing had exiled him, leading to his death in a foreign land.
For now, only those who practiced the Ancient Path knew he had returned alive.
“Some will be shocked, but others must have guessed you were still alive and had faith in you,” Qing Yi smiled. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Lunar Grace Fairy and Feng Wu. I miss them a bit.”
Shi Hao was surprised. Whether as Yue Chan or Qing Yi, she was usually ethereal and detached, rarely displaying such girlish sentiments—her demeanor was often saintly and dignified.
“Back then, at the Celestial Immortal Academy by Fire Province, it was thanks to Feng Wu’s help that I could live in seclusion there peacefully,” Qing Yi sighed, recalling those unforgettable days.
Hearing this, Shi Hao also remembered many things, some of which amused him. He was supposed to enter the Celestial Immortal Academy but ended up being snatched away by Qi Dao Lin, becoming a disciple of the Supreme Dao Field instead.
“Speaking of which, Feng Wu and I also share an unusual bond,” Shi Hao nodded with a smile.
Before he had even arrived in the Three Thousand Provinces, his primordial spirit had ventured into the Void God Realm first, battling Feng Wu at the Bronze Sparrow Altar and emerging victorious.
Back then, Feng Wu had worn a yellow dress, exuding beauty and grace. She had even jokingly asked if he was a monster. Though they had clashed, there was no malice—just mutual admiration.
“Let’s go. We’ll see them soon anyway,” Shi Hao said with a smile.
“Halt! Who goes there?” An elder’s voice rang out from the mountain gate.
Recently, this area had been sealed off, restricting entry. The disciples inside were undergoing rigorous training—this place was reserved for geniuses who had chosen the Path of the Present Era.
“Greetings, Elder!” The two bowed respectfully, not daring to be impudent. This was a true elder, a guardian of the mountain.
Shi Hao and Qing Yi explained their purpose—they wished to enter.
“You practice the Ancient Path. You cannot enter for now,” the elder frowned.
“I also study the Path of the Present. I’ve reached the pinnacle in the Heavenly Passage Realm. Today, I came to exchange insights,” Shi Hao said, manifesting his sole Heavenly Passage. Radiant light enveloped him, making him resemble a battle immortal!
“So it’s you, young man!” The elder, though he had never met Shi Hao before, had heard of him—his achievements in the Heavenly Passage Realm were unparalleled.
The two were allowed in without further hindrance. The elder hoped this transcendent youth could inspire the disciples here.
“Elder, could you grant me some of the predecessors’ summarized experiences, manuals, or secret techniques?” Shi Hao suddenly turned back and asked after walking a distance.
“Only fragments remain. The true supreme mysteries lie in the Sacred Academy—that’s where the masters of this path gather. The best here will eventually go there for further training,” the elder replied.
Shi Hao nodded and, without lingering, followed Qing Yi deeper into the mountains.
Here, there were swamps thick with poisonous miasma and deathly energy, yet people trained within. There were peach groves with rotating formations, ancient demon peaks towering into the clouds, and silver waterfalls cascading down.
“Where are the Enchantress, Chang Gong Yan, the Little Rabbit, Cao Yusheng, Qin Hao, and the others? Should we split up to find them?”
Many from the Lower Realm had gathered here, but they were likely scattered.
“If you meet the Enchantress, will you fight again?” Shi Hao teased, glancing at Qing Yi.
“What do you think?” Qing Yi avoided a direct answer.
“I think you two could become good sisters and team up to mess with Yue Chan,” Shi Hao grinned.
“…” Qing Yi was speechless.
“Ah, isn’t this Fairy Qing Yi? Didn’t you choose the Ancient Path? Why are you here? And who is this?” Someone recognized Qing Yi but not Shi Hao, as he was appearing in his true form this time.
“We’re here to visit old friends. Brother, do you know where Feng Wu is?” Qing Yi asked.
The person’s expression changed slightly. “Her condition isn’t great.”
“What happened?” Qing Yi pressed.
“She was severely injured, and her Seven-Colored Immortal Gold Arrow was stolen,” the man whispered before hurrying away, unwilling to get involved.
“Where is Feng Wu?” Qing Yi’s brows furrowed as she called after him.
The man pointed in a direction without speaking and quickly left.
Qing Yi’s calm demeanor vanished, replaced by worry. Feng Wu had been her closest friend at the Celestial Immortal Academy. She glanced at Shi Hao.
“Let’s go see who dares to act like this,” Shi Hao said calmly.
For some reason, Qing Yi felt her anxiety ease. This young man had the confidence and courage to face any opponent.
Soon, word spread that someone was visiting Feng Wu. Many were surprised, whispering and pointing along the way.
“Qing Yi is back! She actually entered our Path of the Present domain. Is she trying to stand up for Feng Wu? She might suffer for it!”
More and more people were alerted, emerging from seclusion.
Some young men cautiously approached, kindly warning Qing Yi that the enemy was formidable and advising her not to provoke them.
Qing Yi’s peerless beauty and high reputation in the Celestial Academy made many willing to offer advice, urging her to stop.
The news reached Jin Yun and Yuan Teng by a distant waterfall.
“So that girl is here. Coming from the same Lower Realm, is she trying to avenge Feng Wu?” Jin Yun sneered. “Let’s go. No one is allowed to step foot there!”
*Boom!*
Along the way, battles raged. One person was sent flying, coughing blood.
“Such intensity. There’s fighting everywhere,” Shi Hao remarked.
“This is nothing. It was even fiercer before. By the way, many from your Three Thousand Provinces were injured. Be careful,” someone warned.
Soon, Qing Yi and Shi Hao arrived at a gentle slope.
Pine trees stood lush, and a clear spring murmured softly. A thatched cottage nestled among the pines.
“Who’s there?” The door creaked open, revealing a woman with a sallow complexion, her vitality clearly depleted.
“Sister Feng Wu!” Qing Yi gasped, recognizing her despite her haggard state.
Feng Wu had once been radiant, her skin like ivory. Now, she was a shadow of her former self.
Shi Hao frowned. The enemy had been ruthless. Despite her recovery time, Feng Wu’s condition showed how brutal the fight must have been—she had nearly died.
“It’s you two!” Feng Wu’s eyes lit up, especially at the sight of Shi Hao. “Monster, you’re alive!”
“Look at you, still laughing despite your injuries,” Shi Hao chided, taking out a drop of phoenix blood—a sacred treasure from the Celestial Academy, won in past wagers.
“I lost, but I’m furious!” Feng Wu, usually cheerful, now seethed with anger, clenching her fists.
“Sister Feng Wu, who did this to you?” Qing Yi asked.
“A woman named Jin Yun. We agreed to spar using only the Path of the Present, but she used two strands of immortal energy to cripple me and stole my Seven-Colored Immortal Gold Arrow!” Feng Wu fumed.
Clearly, she had gained much from the Path of the Present manuals here, provoking such a vicious response.
“How dare she!” Qing Yi’s anger flared.
“So, someone dares to visit Feng Wu? I wounded her—who thinks they can interfere?” A cold voice rang out.
A silver-robed woman approached, flanked by Yuan Teng and others.
“Jin Yun!” Feng Wu gritted her teeth.
“Well, if it isn’t Qing Yi?” Jin Yun smirked.
A woman beside her sauntered forward, circling Shi Hao, Qing Yi, and Feng Wu. “Brought some help? Think they can challenge us?”
“Get out. We’ll settle this later,” Shi Hao said coldly, ignoring the woman and handing the phoenix blood to Feng Wu.
“Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that?” the woman sneered arrogantly.
“Scram!” Shi Hao’s roar shook the void like a hammer, sending the woman flying, blood trickling from her lips as she crashed into a stone wall.
Everyone nearby was stunned.
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