A single flirtatious remark caused the peerlessly elegant Lunar Grace to freeze in her tracks, her radiant smile instantly stiffening. Upon recognizing Shi Hao, her saintly aura wavered uncontrollably.
She had an overwhelming urge to grab a Heaven-Overturning Seal and smash it right into Shi Hao’s face—the impulse was almost unbearable.
But she knew that unless she merged completely with Qing Yi, she stood no chance against him. Any confrontation would only end in humiliation.
“So it’s Brother Shi of the Shi Clan. It’s been a while. I’m glad to see you in good health—truly a blessing from the heavens,” Lunar Grace said, her jade-like complexion flawless. Though inwardly cursing, she maintained a serene smile.
Had this encounter taken place elsewhere, they would have likely clashed immediately without a word exchanged!
Lunar Grace was grateful this was happening within the bounds of the Celestial Deity Academy, where conflict was forbidden. Otherwise, the consequences would be unpredictable—especially now that this “rogue” had grown even stronger than before.
“Does the Fairy Miss me so much?” Shi Hao grinned, knowing full well they were mortal enemies. She had once ambushed him during his seclusion—there was no friendship between them.
He had long wanted to help Qing Yi eliminate Lunar Grace so the two could merge, allowing Qing Yi to prevail. But upon deeper consideration, he realized that forcing such a fusion might not benefit Qing Yi at all.
After all, Lunar Grace was the dominant persona. If they merged, who would truly emerge as the dominant consciousness? It was impossible to predict!
The onlookers wore strange expressions, finding this young supreme being utterly different from what they had imagined—boldly teasing the peerless beauty they revered.
“Fang isn’t as dignified as I expected,” someone muttered under their breath, not considering the remark particularly offensive.
In truth, many wanted to ask—was this guy a scoundrel? His behavior clashed starkly with the image of a domineering warrior who had once stood alone against countless foes.
“Brother Shi, you do love to jest. Perhaps you should temper that habit,” Lunar Grace replied with a faint smile.
“Indeed,” Shi Hao nodded, then suddenly turned serious. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to seek your guidance. It’s been so long—perhaps we could spar sometime?”
Lunar Grace’s expression darkened. The academy encouraged challenges, but being targeted by this man would spell disaster.
“I’m afraid I have no time for that at the moment,” she flatly refused.
Qing Yi chuckled, radiant and captivating, biting her red lips as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger, watching Lunar Grace with amusement.
At such close proximity, their minds were linked—Qing Yi could read Lunar Grace’s thoughts clearly. Seeing her flustered brought Qing Yi immense satisfaction.
Had Qing Yi not used a secret technique to alter her appearance, the sight of two identical, breathtaking faces would have stunned everyone present.
“Hehe…” Princess Yao Yue approached with a sweet, alluring smile. “Brother Shi, you truly lack chivalry. How could you challenge such a peerless beauty so bluntly? Even I feel pity for her.”
“We’re old friends. Back in the Three Thousand Dao Provinces, we dueled constantly. My current strength owes much to her relentless battles with me,” Shi Hao said.
“Really?” A naive young man gasped, turning to Lunar Grace. “Fairy, if you don’t mind, perhaps we could spar as well?”
Snickers erupted around them. Some shook their heads, lamenting the young man’s simplicity.
“Is someone bullying the weak?” Just then, Lü Tuo, Wang Xi, and others approached, greeting Lunar Grace warmly.
Lunar Grace smiled faintly and moved to stand beside Wang Xi, chatting amiably—clearly, they were well acquainted.
“Green-Hair, our last fight in the Stone Furnace wasn’t satisfying. How about a rematch?” Shi Hao challenged Lü Tuo.
“Gladly. I was thinking the same,” Lü Tuo replied, unshaken and brimming with confidence.
Silence fell around them. Many of Lü Tuo’s allies tensed.
“Good. We’ll settle it soon,” Shi Hao said.
“Ah, the Pacification Sword Art is truly remarkable. Lady Wang, would you consider trading it? I’m willing to exchange it for my supreme techniques,” Shi Hao then turned to Wang Xi.
His fascination with the Pacification Sword Art was genuine—not just a provocation. He had even consulted the Fourth Elder about its legendary origins.
During the mid-era of the Ancient Immortal Epoch, a great crisis had emerged when powerful foreign beings invaded, wreaking havoc.
At the critical moment, a supreme expert had appeared, wielding an unparalleled sword art to quell the chaos, slaughtering the invaders and driving them beyond the borders.
That was the origin of the Pacification Sword Art!
Sadly, by the end of the Ancient Immortal Epoch, that legendary figure had perished from old wounds, never again displaying his might.
Though his descendants continued to wield the art, none could match his mastery. Some speculated that had he survived alongside the likes of the Endless Immortal King and the Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King, history might have unfolded differently.
Regardless, the Pacification Sword Art remained a peerless technique, renowned through the ages for its role in repelling the invaders.
Wang Xi snorted coldly, refusing to engage. There was no chance she would divulge such a critical heritage.
Most of those in seclusion had now emerged, their cultivation refined by ancient elixirs, making them more attuned to archaic techniques. Yet few dared challenge Shi Hao—even Wang Xi remained cautious.
“Let’s spar sometime,” a voice declared. A figure strode forward, exuding the majesty of an emperor—the Ten Crown King, shrouded in chaotic mist.
A master of the True Dragon Treasure Technique, he had honed his Dragon Fist to perfection, standing as Shi Hao’s greatest rival since the Three Thousand Dao Provinces.
“Anytime,” Shi Hao responded.
The crowd murmured in surprise. Even amid Shi Hao’s dominance, the Ten Crown King dared to challenge him—proof of his extraordinary caliber.
“Focus on deciphering these glyphs. Once mastered, I shall lead you to the Realm Tomb to seek your destined Immortal Seeds!” The Fourth Elder’s voice cut through the tension, serving as both encouragement and a warning.
Otherwise, Shi Hao and the Ten Crown King might have clashed right then.
“What’s your name?” Shi Hao asked. Even now, he didn’t know the Ten Crown King’s true identity—only that he hailed from an imperial lineage in the Three Thousand Provinces but had been brought there by his master years ago.
Like the Banished Immortal, he was rumored to originate from the Nine Heavens, brought down by ancient wanderers.
Though not public knowledge, it was no longer a secret.
“Celestial Emperor,” the Ten Crown King replied.
Gasps filled the air. Such a name—how audacious!
Only a select few, like Wang Xi, Lü Tuo, Xuan Kun, and Princess Yao Yue, had known his name—learned either through family connections or direct inquiry.
Most had never dared approach him, so the revelation stunned them.
“A name with grandeur,” Shi Hao remarked with a smile.
They passed each other without fighting—the Fourth Elder’s watchful gaze ensured no internal strife, reserving their strength for the battles against the Sacred Academy and the Immortal Academy.
“Qing Yi, let’s go decipher the million glyphs,” Shi Hao called out cheerfully.
Half a month later, everyone had made significant progress, their comprehension accelerating.
With Qing Yi by his side, Shi Hao’s progress soared—partly because he shamelessly held her hand, synchronizing their divine senses to decode the ancient script together.
“Could there truly be an immortal within the Azure Moon Flame?” Shi Hao whispered to Qing Yi.
She shook her head, trying in vain to pull her hand free. She disliked drawing attention, but none dreaded this spectacle more than Lunar Grace, whose saintly composure nearly cracked as she gritted her teeth in frustration.
Three months later, Shi Hao and Qing Yi became the first to fully decipher the million glyphs, earning permission to leave the sealed ruins.
“Stay within the academy. Soon, the elders will impart a true scripture from the Ancient Immortal Epoch,” the Fourth Elder instructed.
Shi Hao wasn’t overly eager—he already possessed immortal scriptures. Now that he could read the ancient script, he could study them independently.
“Let’s visit Cao Yusheng, the Jade Rabbit, Feng Wu, and Chang Gongyan,” Qing Yi suggested.
From what she knew, their friends from the lower realm hadn’t fared well—factional tensions ran high in the academy.
Cao Yusheng’s group had chosen the Path of the Present Era and trained in a separate area.
“Agreed,” Shi Hao nodded. He also wanted to check on the Enchantress, his younger brother Qin Hao, and the others.
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