Chapter 1080: Conditions

“The Longevity Clan?” Shi Hao stared at them, sensing an unusual abundance of experts within this clan. Just in a single mining zone, there were several extraordinary figures stationed. Now, he began to understand.

An elder chuckled, “Our clan once had individuals who achieved longevity, but that was in the distant past. Our progenitor has long since fallen in battle.”

There was no sorrow in his voice. Even if there were regrets or unwillingness, time had eroded everything. The glory of the past was just that—past.

“So, your clan’s young lady can be considered a descendant of an immortal, a true fairy?” Shi Hao asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Back when he had clashed with Lin Tian and others, such clans had been mentioned. The blue-eyed woman, Lan Ling, had even teased him, saying that if he were strong enough, he could challenge the true fairies in the Celestial Academy—or even take one as his wife.

Now, Shi Hao found the situation bizarre. He never imagined such a clan truly existed, and that he would encounter them in such circumstances. Yet, his position was utterly humiliating—he was merely a slave.

“Kid, you’ve got quite the ambition, haven’t you? Even as a prisoner, your eyes still gleam with ambition. Thinking of setting your sights on our clan’s young lady? Don’t overestimate yourself,” a middle-aged man mocked.

“I have no such thoughts,” Shi Hao shook his head.

“Good. That’s for the best,” someone else nodded with a smile before turning to him. “We can send you to the Celestial Academy, but you’ve missed their disciple selection. We’ll have to find another way.”

According to them, Shi Hao could be sent, but his identity posed a problem—he would have to enter as a battle servant of their clan’s young lady.

At this, Shi Hao’s brows furrowed. Entering as a servant? Unacceptable!

The reason he had revealed his two immortal auras was to draw their attention, to make them recognize his potential. Yet, in the end, they wanted him to go as a slave. This was an insult—he would never compromise!

Shi Hao fell silent, deep in thought. Since arriving in Boundless Heaven, he had suffered setback after setback—captured, imprisoned, enslaved. The frustration and humiliation were unbearable.

But now was not the time for defiance. He had to bide his time.

“You refuse? Don’t take it to heart,” an elder explained further.

This was merely a temporary measure. According to them, every disciple of the Celestial Academy could bring a few servants. If Shi Hao entered as one, he would still have opportunities to shine and eventually earn a true place in the academy.

Of course, the condition was that he would have to follow their young lady. Though he could eventually shed the servant title, he would be bound to the clan’s fate.

In truth, many young elites were taking similar actions. The Celestial Academy housed immortal caves, Phoenix Blood Pools, and other treasures—any one of which could transform a person. Many were willing to become servants just to get close.

These included the strongest youths of various clans, powerful prodigies, even peerless beauties who had struck agreements to enter.

“However, before heading to the Celestial Academy, there’s one thing you must do—something perhaps only you can accomplish,” an elder said.

Shi Hao remained silent. He understood—there was no such thing as unconditional goodwill. They valued his potential but wouldn’t help him selflessly.

Ultimately, his strength was meant to serve their young lady, to protect and follow her. They saw him as nothing more than a powerful “subordinate.”

“The competition in the Celestial Academy is fierce. Even our clan’s jewel faces immense pressure. She needs allies, opportunities,” the clan members explained.

Through their words, Shi Hao learned more about the academy’s current state, and it left him stunned.

The Celestial Academy had gathered the most outstanding talents from across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—each a supreme genius from their own ancient realms, without a single weakling among them.

With such a gathering of prodigies—princes, fairies, and more—everyone felt tremendous pressure. A single misstep could leave them eclipsed by others.

There, falling behind meant losing access to immortal resources.

The Phoenix Blood Pools, immortal caves, longevity medicines, and enlightenment platforms were reserved for the strongest. The rest had to wait.

This created a vicious cycle—the strong grew stronger, while the gap widened.

Shi Hao’s eyes turned cold. Now he understood Yuan Qing’s scheme—deliberately suppressing him, exiling him to the ancient mines, wasting his time. It was a slow execution!

This was the prime time for geniuses to rise, yet he had been stifled, sent to a death zone, robbed of his chance to compete in the Celestial Academy.

Even if he survived and returned, he would have missed the opportunity to vie for scriptures, immortal medicines, and rebirth treasures.

Yuan Qing’s malice was profound, and Shi Hao seethed with hatred.

“What do you want?” Shi Hao finally asked.

If there was something their young lady needed here, it might benefit him as well. Rather than resisting, he would probe first—perhaps he could use it for himself.

“In the Celestial Academy, the competition isn’t just about talent—it’s also about the backing of one’s clan,” an elder stated plainly.

They sought a Life Stone here, to give their young lady an edge in the clash of prodigies.

“Life Stone?” Shi Hao murmured. He had heard of it but didn’t know its exact effects.

He only knew it could extend the lifespan of those at the sect master level and above—a priceless treasure.

“You don’t need to know more. Just bring back one or two, and you’ll be free. We’ll send you to the Celestial Academy,” an elder said.

This was their condition. To shed his slave status, Shi Hao had to prove his worth by retrieving the Life Stones.

For most, this would be a death sentence. The Life Stones were rare, buried deep in the Primordial Ancient Mine—who would dare enter?

But Shi Hao saw opportunity. If this treasure was valuable to their young lady, it would be invaluable to him as well.

He had missed the initial chance at the Celestial Academy. Now, he had to make up for it elsewhere, catching up and surpassing others in the shortest time possible. This mine was worth the risk.

The Primordial Ancient Mine, if not for its dangers, would be the perfect cultivation ground—imbued with true immortal energy, unmatched by any other sacred land.

Of course, if others knew his thoughts, they’d call him insane. Who would dare cultivate inside the mine? It was suicide.

“You’re willing to retrieve the Life Stones?” The clan members were surprised. They had expected resistance, coercion, or bargaining—not immediate agreement.

Historically, those who ventured in rarely returned alive.

“You’ve cultivated two immortal auras, resonating with the mine’s mist. You’ll be safer than most—the perfect candidate!” a middle-aged man encouraged.

“Save the flattery. Just give me the tools and treasures I need,” Shi Hao said bluntly.

Since he couldn’t escape—Yuan Qing had exiled him here, and these people wouldn’t let him go—he might as well take the risk.

“Young man, you’ve got spirit. If you shine brightly enough, you might even stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our young lady someday…”

The elder was clearly dangling bait, but Shi Hao cut him off.

“Just prepare the artifacts.”

The clan experts exchanged awkward glances but quickly composed themselves.

“Straight to the point. We’ll arrange everything immediately.”

They removed all his restraints—except for a Vajra Circlet placed around his head.

This was their secret treasure. Once worn, it was nearly impossible to remove, tightening over time.

They admitted it was a precaution—with his seals lifted, what if he fled?

The circlet gleamed silver, inscribed with mysterious runes. Though shaped like a bracelet, it now encircled Shi Hao’s head as a suppression artifact.

The Primordial Star was barren, its mountains desolate. Yet, even here, factions had carved out territories.

Lately, all major forces had been active, sending slaves and experts to linger near the mine’s entrance—though none dared approach too closely, lest they be swallowed.

However, after each period of mine activity, there was a brief lull of relative safety. That was why everyone was scrambling now.

Shi Hao was ready. Though enraged by the circlet, he endured.

Since arriving in Boundless Heaven, nothing had gone right—captured, imprisoned, enslaved. He waited for his moment to break free.

In his preparations, he learned more about this clan’s might. Their surname was Wang, rumored to have survived since the Immortal Ancient Era!

Their ancestors had been immortal beings, though they fell in the final war.

The Wang Clan bore this name because their progenitor was said to have touched the realm of an Immortal King.

Shi Hao set out, equipped with the clan’s treasures. Everything was ready—he was entering the Primordial Ancient Mine!