Shi Hao remained silent, his gaze cold as he stared at the man before him. It was clear this individual harbored ill intentions and sought to harm him.
“Why so silent?” the man asked leisurely, now standing right before him.
Undoubtedly, time had left no mark on his appearance—he still looked youthful and vigorous, exuding an air of heroic spirit. Yet, the faint traces of weariness in his eyes betrayed the passage of years.
A powerhouse of his caliber undoubtedly possessed an extended lifespan, having lived through countless eras. He was a figure from the older generation.
“What is there to say? We have no enmity between us, yet you seek to send me straight into peril. How magnanimous of you, senior,” Shi Hao retorted bluntly.
At this point, no amount of pleading or submission would make a difference—it would only invite scorn and ridicule.
The remaining prodigies who had yet to depart also felt indignant on Shi Hao’s behalf. This so-called senior was outright bullying, sending a mere youth into the Primordial Ancient Mine—wasn’t that tantamount to delivering him to his death?
Even they knew that not even seasoned experts could survive there. It was a death sentence with no exceptions.
Since ancient times, the mine could only be entered during specific periods, with exhaustive preparations, to excavate the Life Stones. Otherwise, death was inevitable.
“Hah, quite the temper. Should I just strike you down with a single palm, or would you prefer a trip to the Primordial Ancient Mine?” The man spoke with a smile, though his tone was icy.
The onlookers’ hearts skipped a beat. This man made no effort to conceal his hostility—he didn’t even need to send Shi Hao into the deadly mine. Was he planning to act right here?
“Senior, isn’t this going too far?” someone interjected.
“Oh? And how should I proceed? You’re from the Chen family, aren’t you? A rare talent, but this isn’t the time to stand out,” the man replied, utterly unperturbed.
“Senior, you are tasked with guarding sacred grounds. He has committed no offense—you have no right to punish him!” another voice spoke up in protest.
Shi Hao had helped them escape their predicament, and many were grateful, especially those from powerful super clans who dared to speak up.
“Hmm, you make a fair point. Rules must be followed,” the man said with a casual smile, his handsome face exuding indifference. “He was originally selected for the Celestial Academy but failed to arrive on time. Worse, he recklessly activated a teleportation array. Punishment is unavoidable.”
“That’s hardly a valid reason!” someone argued, defending Shi Hao.
“Do you know how many rare treasures it takes to maintain a cross-realm teleportation array? An astronomical amount! There are only a handful left in this world. How could a mere Saint Sacrifice cultivator like him be allowed to use it alone? It’s a waste—no, a crime! Do you realize how crucial this array will be in the future? His reckless consumption has burdened the Five-Colored Altar—this is a grave offense!”
The man’s voice was sharp and accusatory, his words laced with fury.
Everyone knew he was merely fabricating charges to justify his persecution of Shi Hao.
“Thus, following the rules, I won’t kill him—but he must be punished. He shall be sent to the Primordial Ancient Mine to excavate ore for a period!” he declared, his eyes glinting coldly.
The crowd’s hearts sank. They knew full well that such a sentence meant certain death for Shi Hao.
Legends spoke of corpses within the Primordial Ancient Mine, their origins lost to time, all having perished mysteriously. Some even claimed the remains predated the oldest eras imaginable.
Once, a group of sect masters ventured in together, only to be strangled to death by a corpse clad in ancient Daoist robes—not a single one escaped.
The incident had sent shockwaves through the world. These were mighty figures, yet they hadn’t fallen to divine techniques or supreme arts—they had been killed by a mere corpse.
It was unfathomable, leaving all who heard it stunned.
What chance did a mere Saint Sacrifice cultivator have in such a place?
“You can’t do this! This isn’t punishment—it’s murder! That place is fatal to anyone, even immortals would hesitate to enter!”
Someone argued vehemently, unwilling to watch Shi Hao walk to his doom.
“If the Celestial Academy learns of this, they will stop you! Persecuting a prodigy like this—you’ve gone too far!” another shouted.
Clearly, their clans were formidable, backed by powerful experts, which emboldened them to stand their ground.
“I never expected you all to be so stubborn,” the man remarked with a faint smile before nodding. “I, Yuan Qing, have never feared consequences. Today, I shall banish him to the Primordial Ancient Mine. Who dares stop me?”
Gasps erupted as the crowd recognized his name. Yuan Qing was a notorious figure—though not an ancient relic by any means, he was far from young.
If the timeline stretched from the Primordial Era to the present, he was still in his prime!
Yuan Qing—a renowned powerhouse who had cultivated immortal energy in his youth. After centuries of accumulation, his strength had soared to terrifying heights.
The onlookers fell silent, knowing full well that this man’s will was unshakable. No plea from juniors like them would sway him.
“He’s just one person, a mere Saint Sacrifice cultivator. His actions weren’t critical, yet he abused the ancient teleportation array. He broke the rules—punishment is due!”
With a sweep of his sleeve, Yuan Qing sent the prodigies flying.
A gale erupted, sand and stones whirling through the air. In an instant, they were flung tens of thousands of miles away, forcibly removed from the scene.
Furious but powerless, they could only watch.
“Let’s return to our clans. If we can lend a hand, we shouldn’t hold back,” someone suggested.
The implication was clear—they would seek help from their elders, though they knew the odds were slim. Yuan Qing was no ordinary figure, and few would risk offending him over an outsider.
“Since our friend here has cultivated three strands of immortal energy, his talent is unparalleled. We should notify the Celestial Academy—perhaps there’s still hope for intervention.”
With that, they set off on their separate paths.
Silence returned to the scene. Yuan Qing regarded Shi Hao with a faint smile. “I’ve always been decisive. Since we’re here, you might as well take a trip to the Primordial Ancient Mine.”
He clapped his hands, summoning a three-headed, six-armed creature.
“Take him away. Assign him to the mining zone.”
Throughout the ordeal, Shi Hao remained silent. There was nothing to say to such a man. With his current strength, any argument would be futile.
Without a word, Shi Hao turned and followed the creature into the distance.
“At someone’s request, I shall suppress you for ten years!” Yuan Qing’s icy voice echoed as Shi Hao disappeared.
“My apologies. If you survive a decade, you may try to catch up then,” he added mockingly.
Ten years—for a rising prodigy, it was a critical period. Falling behind even a step could mean being left in the dust by competitors.
In the Celestial Academy, this was especially crucial.
There, all scriptures, immortal medicines, and cultivation resources were earned through strength—particularly the immortal caves, which had limited openings.
Cultivating in such places offered immense benefits—nourishing immortal energy, reforging saintly bones, reshaping flesh, and undergoing continuous metamorphosis.
Yet, the competition was fierce.
To secure the best resources in the Celestial Academy, one had to fight for them.
Those ranked higher reaped greater rewards, growing ever stronger, while those who fell behind early faced an uphill battle.
“When the Celestial Academy first opened, the strongest prodigies were granted access to the Phoenix Blood Pool, gaining tremendous advantages. But you arrived late, already at a disadvantage. With another decade of suppression, how will you ever rise?”
Yuan Qing’s voice was indifferent, his words laced with disdain.
He knew the academy’s purpose was to nurture a select few seeds, not to treat everyone equally. Falling behind early meant the gap would only widen.
“The world has changed. Some techniques and divine abilities require more than just talent—they demand vast immortal resources!”
His words faded with the wind.
In the boundless heavens, a sacred land shimmered with radiant light, auspicious clouds swirling above.
From afar, the area pulsed with dragon energy and immortal mist—an unmistakable immortal abode.
Recently, the entire world had learned that the Celestial Academy had settled in the Boundless Heaven, sparking a sensation.
The academy had been the subject of rumors for years, with many proposing its establishment long ago.
Powerhouses from across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths had united to create this institution, amassing countless scriptures, supreme techniques, and even immortal arts.
It was a collaborative effort to forge invincible supreme beings.
Naturally, immense effort had gone into gathering scriptures, constructing immortal pools like the Phoenix Blood Pool, and securing the caves of immortal beings.
Even the mightiest figures of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths had been invited to lecture.
Everything was ready—only the academy’s location had remained undecided.
Now, with its establishment in the Boundless Heaven, the event had sent tremors through the realms.
Lately, the sacred grounds of the Celestial Academy had been bustling with activity as experts came and went.
Powerful clans and ancient families from the Boundless Heaven had tried every means to secure spots for their disciples, hoping to gain an advantage.
But the academy remained resolute, adhering strictly to its selection criteria and refusing outside influence.
“Ah, they’ve emerged from seclusion! Such intense life essence fluctuations!”
Within the academy, envious gazes turned toward a distant spiritual mountain, where blood light surged and divine essence roiled.
Those granted access to the Phoenix Blood Pool had completed their cultivation, emerging with immense gains.
“What a pity. There was one more who undoubtedly would have qualified, yet he missed his chance.”
Many nodded, knowing they spoke of Shi Hao. With his talent, he would have secured a prominent place here—even among descendants of true immortals and eternal beings.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage