“I see reluctance in your eyes, even sorrow and pity. Why is that?” asked the woman, whose beauty seemed to grow more striking the longer one looked at her.
“Unable to articulate, unable to clarify, unable to be understood, unable to communicate, unaware of the past… With all these combined, how could my heart not be in turmoil?” Shi Hao sighed softly.
At their level of cultivation, perception was effortless. The young woman could clearly sense his helplessness.
“Are you trying to speak of the devils from the other world?”
Shi Hao remained silent. He knew it was futile—deep-rooted beliefs could not be overturned by mere words.
What more could he say? Even if he tried, it would likely be in vain. He couldn’t pull her back, couldn’t make her turn around.
He even foresaw that even if he opened his divine sense, disregarding danger and consequences, allowing her to see everything, it would still be futile.
The fault lay not with one person, but with the entire world.
Even if Shi Hao presented evidence to the people of this world, they would likely dismiss him as a madman, incapable of understanding.
“You seem burdened, hesitant. Could it still be because of the devils from the other side?” the young woman asked with a smile, her perception keen.
At the same time, she was puzzled. What was there to doubt or agonize over when it was a truth known to all?
“At our level of cultivation, having refined three strands of immortal qi, with a tranquil heart, one should be able to perceive the truths of the mortal world. There’s no need for distress,” she continued, attempting to console him.
Shi Hao could only respond with another heavy sigh.
“I want to tell you a story,” he finally said, unable to hold back. Whether it would make a difference, he didn’t consider—he simply needed peace of mind.
A genius like her, with strength equal to his, capable of rivaling the Ten Crown Kings—if she were to stand on the opposing side, it would be a tragedy.
“Oh? What kind of story? Something you read in an ancient text?” she asked, clearly guessing his intent and offering him an out.
“Yes, from an ancient text,” Shi Hao nodded, recounting the events of another world, framing them as a tale from history.
“There were no devils, only a ruined world, oppressed for an entire era, its people buried with the end of an epoch,” he narrated carefully.
He couldn’t speak as a firsthand witness, so he claimed it was from an ancient record—detailing the fall of the Immortal Ancient Era and the current state of affairs.
“Fascinating. But I can’t help feeling you’re insinuating something. Do you despise this world? Ancient texts aren’t always reliable—don’t take them too seriously,” she replied.
After a pause, she added, “I wonder if someone from that world once came here and left behind that text?”
Shi Hao’s heart skipped a beat. Her intuition was terrifying—had she already suspected him?
“The beings of that world are pitiable. Unaware that they serve devils, they will surely suffer when they awaken,” she murmured with a sigh.
Her words struck Shi Hao. If applied to this world, they would fit perfectly.
But then, reversing the thought, he froze, his scalp tingling.
Because the inverse could also be true.
He concluded that this world was deceived, its truth buried in the past, a horrifying realization.
“Was the fall of the Immortal Ancient Era all a lie?” Shi Hao muttered.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought. Since the young woman had nothing more to say, it was time to part ways.
Another option lingered—to kill or seal her, resolving the conflict here and now, sparing future battles.
Though he concealed it, a flicker of killing intent arose in his heart. Yet, the young woman’s expression shifted subtly, her gaze locking onto him in silence.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Shi Hao asked.
“Earlier, your emotions were chaotic but honest. Now, there’s killing intent. Do you wish to strike me?” she asked calmly, unafraid.
Shi Hao was stunned. Could she truly perceive the depths of his heart?
“You must be mistaken,” he deflected. If nothing else, he could simply leave and face her another day.
“I’ve mastered the Heart-Reading Art,” she stated.
Shi Hao was shocked. The Heart-Reading Art—such an ability was rare, a mark of unparalleled genius.
This was only the second time he’d encountered someone with this skill. The first was a gray-robed woman with dual-pupils back in the lower realm.
Tense, he asked if she could see everything in his heart. If so, there’d be no need for words—she might already know the truth.
But her reply dashed his hopes.
“Our strengths are comparable, both with three strands of immortal qi. Even with the Heart-Reading Art, I cannot steal your memories,” she admitted frankly.
The art had its limits. Against equals, especially those guarded by immortal qi, its effects were muted. Still, it could discern emotions—anger, joy, sorrow—which was significant.
Thus, she sensed his killing intent but not its cause.
**Boom!**
The mountaintop trembled as radiant light erupted. A young man in blue armor ascended, no older than twenty yet exuding immense power.
Clearly, he too had refined three strands of immortal qi. His long hair cascaded to his waist, his azure armor gleaming, his gaze profound.
Spotting Shi Hao and the young woman, his eyes sharpened. He approached, greeting her warmly—evidently, they were acquainted.
“Shall we journey together?” he asked her.
“Not yet. We’re discussing something interesting,” she replied.
“Oh?” The young man turned to Shi Hao. “May I join?”
“We were speaking of devils and the other world. This brother found an ancient text with… Disruptive Records,” she explained.
“Intriguing. I’d like to hear it,” the young man said, his demeanor that of a top-tier genius—a formidable rival in Shi Hao’s eyes.
Shi Hao recounted the tale, hoping to enlighten him.
But to this world’s inhabitants, his story was absurd, instinctively rejected.
“You seem to champion this text. Are you justifying the devils or praising them?” the young man’s gaze turned fierce.
“It’s just a story. No need to overanalyze,” Shi Hao replied.
“Who are you? I’ve never seen you before,” the young man pressed, suspicious.
Though this ancient land was vast, major sects were closely connected.
“Let me test your mettle,” the young man declared, striking out. “Your obsession with the other world makes me suspect you’re a devil’s descendant.”
**Whoosh!**
Shi Hao had sensed hostility from the moment the young man appeared. This attack was no surprise.
**Boom!**
The young genius flicked his fingers, releasing a streak of cyan light that shattered the sky like a spear thrust.
As they clashed, the young man urged the woman to retreat, clearly protective of her.
Shi Hao understood—this was jealousy masked as righteousness.
**Bang!**
Shi Hao countered, his own aura flaring. The battle was fierce but brief, lasting only a dozen exchanges before the mountain itself intervened.
The so-called “Immortal Mountain” trembled, its power suppressing them.
“You’re not truly from that world, are you? A devil in disguise?” the young man accused coldly.
Shi Hao’s anger simmered. This wasn’t genuine suspicion—just petty rivalry over the woman.
“Enough. It’s time we left,” the young woman interjected, her voice like pearls scattering on jade.
“Next time, no one will interrupt. We’ll settle this then,” the young man vowed before vanishing down a golden path.
“Will you not depart as well, brother?” the woman asked Shi Hao.
“There are matters I must ponder,” he replied, remaining seated.
“Then farewell. May we meet again—hopefully not as enemies,” she said, stepping into a golden portal and disappearing.
Shi Hao’s heart raced. Her perception was unnerving—had she glimpsed the truth?
Yet she left without another word.
After a moment, Shi Hao descended swiftly. He wouldn’t take that ancient path—it felt too unreal, too perilous.
He needed to leave immediately.
Onlookers were baffled. Why had this overwhelmingly strong figure returned? Had he failed to reach the summit? Unlikely!
“Will those two report to the Immortal Mountain? Will they come to this world to hunt me?” Shi Hao’s heart weighed heavy as he tore through the void, vanishing.
“I must return to my own world. I’ve seen too much here—it’s becoming entangled and dangerous.”
**Boom!**
As he fled the Immortal Mountain, a deafening roar shook the heavens.
“Has the Immortal arrived?” Shi Hao paled, his blood churning.
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