The flames of war are about to ignite, and the battle of prodigies is set to begin!
A group of young and vibrant individuals strode forward with vigor. Some were filled with burning passion, others were confident in their formidable skills, and a few were simply unwilling to back down, eager for a fight.
Yet, amidst the excitement, discordant voices arose. As Shi Hao walked side by side with Wang Xi, he whispered, “How many will die if so many enter? Those with lower cultivation should stay behind, shouldn’t they?”
Someone nearby frowned at his words. The battle hadn’t even begun, and this guy was already showing fear?
By now, they had arrived before the towering black mountain, on the verge of stepping into the shimmering barrier. Beyond it lay another world—one where life and death were uncertain.
A mocking laugh rang out as someone glanced at Shi Hao. “How pitiful, still clinging to Wang Xi’s side, tsk tsk.” The speaker shook his head in disdain.
Unfazed, Shi Hao offered a well-meaning reminder. “Passion alone isn’t enough. If you enter, dying in vain would be a waste.”
“Are you planning to desert?” someone asked incredulously, staring at him. They had seen cowards before, but never one so blatant about it in front of everyone.
“If there are sect master-level experts inside, of course we should flee. Isn’t that obvious?” Shi Hao retorted.
To some, such words were disgraceful. In dire circumstances, one should fight to the death without surrender. Even if such thoughts existed, they shouldn’t be voiced aloud.
Princess Yao Yue chuckled lightly, glancing at Wang Xi. “Little sister, your companion here is quite amusing—already thinking of fleeing before the battle even starts.”
Wang Xi could only sigh, her sharp gaze cutting into Shi Hao like a blade.
The black mountain loomed grandly, shrouded in the radiant barrier. Ahead lay an entirely different world.
In the sky, the Ten Realms Diagram and the Cosmic Pouch merged as one, as if recreating the heavens and earth. Chaotic energy swirled around them.
Without hesitation, the group stepped forward from the mountain’s base, instantly entering a strange miniature world.
Of course, this passage was only possible because the Ten Realms Diagram had pulsed with divine light, illuminating their path with dazzling brilliance.
This wasn’t quite crossing realms, but it was close.
In an instant, the scenery transformed—fragrant flowers, singing birds, lush greenery, and purple mist curling around cliffs. The roars of auspicious beasts and the cries of divine birds filled the air, creating an atmosphere of serenity.
Everyone was stunned. This was nothing like the desolation they had seen from outside. Here, life thrived.
The two supreme treasures truly defied the heavens!
When combined, they had forged a mystical space—a living, breathing world.
Ancient trees towered, mountains stretched endlessly, and mist veiled some areas while silver waterfalls cascaded in others. The roars of beasts echoed in the distance.
This was no longer the black mountain they had seen earlier. It was an entirely new domain.
When they turned back, the people behind them had vanished. Only a hazy, chaotic boundary remained.
Likewise, those outside could no longer see them—only a blur of swirling immortal light.
“Are we trapped here with no way back?” Shi Hao frowned.
He tested the boundary with a finger, only to be repelled by a tremendous force. The barrier was resilient, nearly impossible to breach.
“Still thinking of running?” someone teased.
“Deserting isn’t a good look,” another added with a light laugh.
Wang Xi’s expression soured. This guy was utterly shameless, and traveling with him was downright embarrassing.
The others were equally puzzled. The path behind them was sealed, and the terrain ahead was unimaginably vast—completely different from what they had seen outside. What was happening?
“Perhaps we’re inside the Ten Realms Diagram—now mere figures in a painting!” someone boldly speculated.
“More precisely, we’re in a space created by a Chaos Supreme Treasure. It might not be much smaller than an ancient realm!”
After some discussion, they roughly understood their situation.
“Not quite. I’ve seen a replica of the Ten Realms Diagram—a peerless artifact—but the world it created differs from this one,” Xuan Kun interjected.
Every supreme treasure had replicas, just like the Cosmic Pouch. Shi Hao had seen many in the lower realm—crafted from dozens of divine beast hides to forge extraordinary artifacts.
While some replicas were exquisite, none could compare to the genuine article.
“Ah, this isn’t just the space of the Ten Realms Diagram. It’s also the world within the Cosmic Pouch. The two have merged to form this realm.”
Ahead, an ancient teleportation array emerged, shrouded in wisps of purple mist, creating an ethereal, dreamlike space.
“How do we find them? How do we fight? Is this teleportation array the path?”
They gathered together as more people entered behind them, heading in their direction.
Some speculated that this world was now governed by both the Ten Realms Diagram and the Cosmic Pouch, representing the fusion of two realms. It was likely balanced, without major traps. The teleportation array might be the means to reunite and battle the opposing forces.
“Let’s check it out first. The Ten Realms Diagram won’t harm us!”
The array activated, and in an instant, they vanished, reappearing in a vast expanse where crimson rocks stood out against the open terrain.
Dense forests surrounded them, but the central area was barren—a perfect battlefield.
Opposite them, a group emerged, each exuding transcendent auras, their eyes sharp as lightning. They strode forward, radiating immortal energy—every one of them a top-tier prodigy.
As the skeletal figure had said, they were all young.
Indeed, the beings from the other side were arrogant. Their disdain was palpable, as if they held an innate superiority.
Perhaps it was because, since ancient times, they had always been the victors.
Shi Hao observed carefully, searching for the most formidable among them. A few stood out—their blood essence concealed, yet under his Heavenly Eye, they burned like volcanoes, ready to erupt with terrifying power.
Lü Tuo, Wang Xi, Yao Yue, and the others also sensed it. Their expressions grew solemn. The opponents were overwhelmingly strong, imposing immense pressure.
“You’re not the true fiends from the other side. We’re of the same kind—why fight?” Shi Hao transmitted silently, avoiding attention.
Across the field, cold glares met his words. Some radiated blinding light, their oppressive auras surging forth.
“You dare call yourselves our kin?!” someone sneered, voice dripping with contempt and indifference.
On Shi Hao’s side, many were stunned. Who had spoken so timidly, inviting such scorn?
Yet, as they studied their opponents, doubts arose. The two sides were clearly similar—some were human experts, others were divine beasts like Pixiu, Peacocks, Chiwen, and Qiongqi—all of which existed in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
If they were truly kin, why were they enemies? Was this merely interracial slaughter?
“We share the same roots—our bloodlines prove it!” Shi Hao transmitted again.
Having visited the other side of the frontier, he knew of a super ancient realm similar to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, teeming with experts. But it wasn’t the true enemy’s domain.
He suspected that realm had once been part of their world, later seized by the opposing forces.
“You are devils, corrupted and forgetful of your true selves. You deserve annihilation!” came the retort.
Hearing this accusation, even the brilliant Yao Yue and the mighty Lü Tuo were taken aback. Why would they say such things?
Like Shi Hao before them, they were filled with confusion.
Even now, Shi Hao felt uneasy. He shook his head firmly, convinced that his side was the invaded world.
To think otherwise would be unimaginable—a nightmare worse than any horror.
At this moment, Shi Hao sighed. He refused to accept it, and neither would his opponents. To acknowledge his words would shatter their reality—a psychological apocalypse too dreadful to bear.
“Heh…” A chilling laugh echoed, cold and cruel. “Has someone visited our world? A forebear once sensed a little insect slipping away. It seems that traitor is among you.”
Shi Hao’s heart lurched.
“Fight me, and you might learn the truth!” the voice taunted again, still hidden.
Shi Hao’s hair stood on end. This person was terrifyingly dangerous—likely a true denizen of the enemy’s world.
“I’ll capture you alive, then kill you—after I uncover the truth!” Shi Hao vowed silently.
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