Shi Hao broke free from his confinement. Having spent many days in the dark, underground mines, the sight of undulating mountains and bright daylight now felt like a dream.
The subterranean world was bizarre and filled with strangeness—an abandoned ancient mine that concealed endless secrets, remnants of immortals and undying relics.
There were corpses suspected to be those of immortal kings, ruins like the black hall, and countless other enigmas beyond comprehension.
The more Shi Hao pondered, the more he realized how extraordinary this place was. Even artifacts like the Nine Phoenix Furnace were casually buried in the earth. Who knew what deeper horrors lay hidden?
Unfortunately, he failed to find the legendary Life Stone during this expedition. He had come and gone in haste, never encountering the miraculous stone—or perhaps he had overlooked it.
The place was far too dangerous. A powerful, sentient undying corpse had nearly trapped him inside the black hall, forcing him to flee without delay.
The air above ground was far from fresh—instead, it was stifling and scorching. With no vegetation to shield it, the land was exposed to the relentless starlight and blazing sun, making the environment harsh and inhospitable.
Emerging from the depths, Shi Hao employed the divine ability of *Shrinking the Earth to an Inch*, vanishing into the soil and swiftly leaving the area without drawing attention.
After the recent upheaval in the region, even the elders of the Celestial Academy had been forced to retreat in alarm. Naturally, no major factions dared to linger nearby.
However, many still remained in the distance, keeping watch.
The most important figures had temporarily withdrawn, boarding star-faring warships and venturing into the cosmos to avoid further risks.
The Primordial Ancient Mine held too many secrets, and no one dared to be careless. Even a true Supreme Being would likely hesitate before entering recklessly.
The planet was vast, and Shi Hao concealed himself, biding his time and planning his departure.
Returning to Boundless Heaven by flight alone was an immense challenge. Now adrift in the cosmos, this star was far removed from that ancient realm. If he attempted the journey himself, it would take untold years to succeed.
Moreover, the path was fraught with remnants of ancient battlefields, endless arrays, and perilous obstacles—a treacherous route to traverse.
*”I can only wait!”* Shi Hao clenched his fists. Having delayed this long, a few more days wouldn’t matter.
All in all, his venture into the Primordial Ancient Mine had been perilous yet ultimately safe. His greatest gain was the ancient heavenly technique, which might become his foundation for standing firm in the Celestial Academy.
From what he knew, the most formidable prodigies there all possessed such techniques, making them exceptionally difficult to contend with.
Of course, obtaining the elixir of immortality and undergoing a great rebirth was also a tremendous boon. Now, both his physical body and spiritual power had surged to new heights.
This had effectively leveled the playing field between him and those prodigies. Otherwise, the most renowned geniuses—having undergone baptism in the Phoenix Blood Pool—would have been nearly impossible to catch up to.
*”The Celestial Academy is truly an incredible place. They even have a True Phoenix Blood Pool—such overwhelming resources! I can hardly wait to enter.”*
At the same time, he sighed. In the Primordial Ancient Mine, he had encountered a genuine immortal herb, yet failed to capture it—the creature was simply too swift.
This was a great regret. Such herbs were nearly extinct across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and yet one existed here. Possessing it would grant eternal life.
*”I didn’t even get a clear look at it—couldn’t identify which immortal herb it was from the ancient records.”*
He even suspected that the herb might have been the transformed remains of a fallen immortal king.
Ancient bone scriptures recorded that supreme immortal kings, upon death, could metamorphose into undying herbs, enduring eternally in the world.
*”So mysterious… the undying immortal herbs, the black ancient hall, the Nine Phoenix Furnace—that place conceals far too many enigmas.”*
For several days, Shi Hao lingered in the area, observing the bases of major factions. No large warships took off, nor did any personnel depart.
He needed an opportunity—to hitch a ride on one of their vessels.
All he could do was wait, testing his patience. Time stretched long and arduous, especially now that he was determined to leave.
He refused to waste a single moment here, for every second was precious. Otherwise, others wouldn’t have sought to suppress him for ten years.
Instinct told him that the Celestial Academy held a monumental opportunity—one reserved for only a select few. That was likely why his competitors were so determined to hinder him.
Their underhanded tactics infuriated him.
Were the rumors true? Was it really the Feng Clan of the Eternal Family behind it?
Even before entering the Celestial Academy, he already sensed formidable adversaries—figures like Lü Tuo, or Feng Xing Tian of the Feng Clan. And the young lady from the Eternal Family’s Wang Clan might also prove a fierce rival.
Thinking of the Wang Clan, he unconsciously touched the Vajra Hoop on his head. The artifact remained tightly fastened, impossible to remove.
With his current strength, the gleaming metal talisman couldn’t truly restrain him.
Yet, removing it was troublesome. He had once considered using the Great Luo Immortal Sword to sever it, only to find the hoop’s bone inscriptions densely packed, threatening to explode.
The thing was willing to self-destruct!
Not daring to act rashly—given its proximity to his soul—he feared it might blast open his skull and damage his spirit.
Still, he was confident he could resist its influence, rendering it harmless. The only issue was its stubborn presence.
The Vajra Hoop shimmered with silver radiance, gleaming like a rainbow. Wearing it gave Shi Hao an eerie, almost demonic aura.
He let his hair down to conceal the artifact, though the effect made him resemble an ascetic monk.
*”No matter. I’ll find someone from the Wang Clan to remove it later. If they force my hand, I’ll just capture their young lady in the Celestial Academy!”* he muttered irritably.
The unjust imposition of this hoop left him grinding his teeth in frustration.
After many days of waiting, the Primordial Star finally stirred. A massive blue ship descended in the distance, drawing crowds eager to board.
Shi Hao’s heart raced as he surged forward, blending into the throng.
This was a slave ship, delivering eighty to ninety thousand laborers to excavate the surrounding mines. Naturally, representatives of major factions boarded to conduct business.
Hidden among the masses, Shi Hao watched as waves of slaves were herded off the ship and new cultivators disembarked onto the planet.
His eyes gleamed with calculation—he sought an opportunity to slip aboard.
The ship remained docked for two days, during which the area buzzed with activity. Many from major factions sought passage back, a common practice.
Any passing vessel would usually oblige, offering transport as a courtesy.
Seizing his chance, Shi Hao infiltrated the ancient ship amidst the chaos.
The vessel was crowded and noisy.
Blending into the disorder, he managed to board—though those of lower status had to pay exorbitant fees. Fortunately, he had looted treasures from the Celestial Academy’s prodigies.
To avoid suspicion, he handed over some rare heavenly materials as a bribe.
Slave ships often turned a blind eye to such transactions, accustomed to wayward nobles exiled here and later scheming their return.
Thus, Shi Hao’s passage was relatively smooth.
Of course, he first altered his appearance using the *Seventy-Two Transformations* to avoid potential threats.
With a resounding horn, the great ship launched into the sky, transforming into a streak of blue light as it vanished into the starry void.
*”Hmm… something’s off. I just sensed a ripple from the Vajra Hoop—it boarded that ship!”* A middle-aged man from the Wang Clan frowned, gazing at the departed vessel.
An elder soon joined him, peering into the dark expanse with suspicion.
*”Impossible. That youngster should have perished in the Primordial Ancient Mine. How could he reappear?”* the man muttered. In his view, even the Celestial Academy’s prodigies had suffered setbacks, and two elders had fled in retreat. How could *Huang*, who had ventured deep into the mine for days, possibly survive?
*”A pity. Had we delivered him to the young lady, he would have made a formidable servant—already cultivating two strands of immortal energy. Such a waste.”* The elder sighed in regret.
The ship traversed the cosmos, leaping through spatial rifts with astonishing speed.
Without such vessels, cultivators risked becoming lost in the cold, dark expanse—not only due to the vast distances but also the difficulty of finding their way back.
Finally, they approached their destination—the ancient continent of Boundless Heaven.
*”This time, I will enter the Celestial Academy… and rise to the top!”* Shi Hao declared, his gaze resolute.
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