Qingcheng, with its broad bluestone streets and bustling crowds, exuded an aura of worldly vitality that soared into the heavens.
“Rock sugar hawthorns, big and sweet!”
“Flood dragon meat buns, thin skin and generous filling, rich and delicious!”
…
The moment they stepped into the city, Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er were greeted by a cacophony of hawkers’ cries, the streets teeming with life, carriages and pedestrians flowing endlessly.
The rock sugar hawthorns were indeed crimson, but these were no ordinary fruits—they were rare spirit herbs strung together.
As for the flood dragon meat buns, such a shop was certainly not something ordinary folk could afford to run. Flood dragons were fierce beasts, and few dared to hunt them regularly.
This spoke volumes about Qingcheng’s extraordinary nature. Though steeped in worldly hustle, it was home to many powerful cultivators, some of whom honed their hearts amidst the mortal clamor.
Recently, the city had been anything but peaceful. Many strong figures had gathered, debating the vastness of the so-called Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and the ancient lands beyond the Three Thousand Provinces.
The existence of beings from beyond the Three Thousand Provinces was a shock to the sects here. Had it not been for the outsiders sweeping through the Three Thousand Provinces’ Celestial Deities with unstoppable force, no one would have believed their claims about the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Now, the Three Thousand Provinces were in turmoil. Not only the young prodigies but even the older generation yearned to cross the void and witness the truth for themselves.
Yet, leaving the Three Thousand Provinces was no easy feat. Even reaching the other nine lands of the Ten Earths, let alone ascending the Nine Heavens, was nearly impossible.
The ancient teleportation arrays were damaged, requiring vast amounts of rare treasures to activate—a cost too great to bear.
Moreover, even if one could gather such treasures, the ancient realms beyond might not recognize the Three Thousand Provinces, subjecting cross-border travelers to intense scrutiny.
“Ah, if even our Three Thousand Provinces are just one of the Ten Earths, what must the Nine Heavens be like?” someone sighed.
As Shi Hao and his companions entered the city, they overheard many such discussions. He nodded inwardly—this was indeed no ordinary city, but a haven for cultivators, with few mortals in sight.
At the heart of the great city stood a charred black mountain.
Towering and majestic, though broken, it still exuded an overwhelming presence.
This mountain was one of Qingzhou’s famed sights, with an extraordinary origin.
“This was once a mountain god, surpassing sect masters. It’s said he attempted to transcend tribulation, drawing down celestial light, only to be struck by a thunderbolt that shattered his form and annihilated his spirit, leaving only half the mountain behind,” someone explained as Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er approached.
Indeed, this was a landmark that drew cultivators from afar, especially those passing through from other provinces, who would come to pay their respects.
Locals were eager to share its history, and merchants peddling spirit herbs and weapons enthusiastically elaborated to boost sales.
The area around the charred mountain was bustling, packed with shops and throngs of people.
As Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er began their ascent, onlookers watched with a mix of envy and awe.
The broken mountain, though blackened and truncated, still stood thousands of zhang tall, with a narrow path leading to its summit.
This was a peculiar place. Despite its ruined state, mysterious laws prevented flight, forcing visitors to climb on foot.
Moreover, only those who had reached the True God realm could even take a step upward.
Legends spoke of the mountain god’s immense power, having touched the highest realms before incurring divine wrath. Yet, even in death, his remnants held traces of immortal energy, offering benefits to those who walked upon them—though few could endure the climb.
“This place is impressive!” Shi Hao remarked, sensing a faint resonance between the mountain and the three strands of immortal energy within him.
Atop the mountain were open-air taverns and tea houses, along with scattered meditation mats occupied by experts.
A few exquisite pavilions hovered in the air, ethereal and otherworldly, wreathed in mist.
The gathering here was no small affair. At a glance, Shi Hao spotted several prodigies—all formidable figures.
He and Huo Ling’er chose not to join the main crowd, instead settling at a small tavern on the periphery to listen to the discussions.
The talk was dominated by the outsiders, who remained undefeated, having humbled countless experts from the Three Thousand Provinces.
“To be precise, only one of them has fought so far, yet he’s defeated countless of our champions. What a disgrace!” someone lamented.
A single individual overpowering the Three Thousand Provinces’ finest was a terrifying thought.
“How are the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths divided? Are the Ten Earths truly so inferior that one outsider can overshadow our entire realm?”
“That outsider must be a rare genius even among his peers. But our Three Thousand Provinces are not without their own unbeatable figures—like the Banished Immortal, Shi Hao, the Ten Crown King, or Ning Chuan. Each is extraordinary!”
“Speaking of Shi Hao, his exploits in the Celestial Clan were astounding—he even ground their guardian to death!”
Meanwhile, in the distance, the crowd was divided into several groups.
Those in the floating pavilions were clearly the most distinguished.
“Lady Xiaoyue, I heard you performed brilliantly in the Immortal Ancient Ruins, nearly obtaining a jade scripture?” a young man inquired.
On the pavilion, a woman in white sat serenely on a mat. “Alas, I fell just short,” she replied.
Many were astonished. Only the top few dozen in the ruins had glimpsed the jade scriptures, with barely ten securing them.
Shi Hao glanced at the pavilion. The woman seemed familiar—perhaps he’d seen her in the Immortal Ancient Ruins, though she’d likely ranked around the hundredth mark.
“Lady Xiaoyue is truly formidable, battling undefeated through Immortal Ancient, daring to challenge even the kings!” someone praised.
“You flatter me, Brother Li. Several here outpaced me in reaching the ruins, yet they too missed their chance,” she demurred.
The mountain crowd watched the pavilion elites with reverence.
“Do you know them?” Huo Ling’er whispered to Shi Hao.
“No,” he replied.
Nearby, someone overheard and scoffed. “Not everyone has the privilege of knowing such talents.”
Huo Ling’er frowned but held her tongue.
“Ah, and who might this fair lady be?” The speaker, noticing Huo Ling’er’s striking beauty, brightened.
“We’re just minor cultivators. You wouldn’t know us,” she retorted.
A few female cultivators nearby, eyeing Huo Ling’er’s flawless beauty, muttered with barely concealed jealousy, “At least she knows her place.”
Huo Ling’er ignored them, but Shi Hao had no such patience. Having slain Celestial Deities in the Immortal Ancient Ruins mere months prior, he was unimpressed by their posturing.
“Must one know those people to be noteworthy?” he said coolly.
“Ordinary folk have no business mingling with the elites of the pavilions—those who carved their names in blood during Immortal Ancient!” someone mocked.
“We too entered Immortal Ancient, but could only watch from afar. Lady Xiaoyue and the others were too formidable for the likes of us to approach,” another added.
Shi Hao smirked. “You entered Immortal Ancient? My apologies.”
“Wait, you two didn’t even set foot in Immortal Ancient?” someone challenged. “This gathering is for those who did. Are you unaware?”
“This lady may stay, but you, with your reckless tongue, should leave,” another sneered at Shi Hao.
Shi Hao merely chuckled and sipped his tea.
“Leave at once!” someone barked.
The commotion drew attention, even from the pavilions above.
“You—!” Lady Xiaoyue suddenly gasped, rising to her feet, her eyes wide as she stared at Shi Hao.
Others on the pavilion soon noticed, several standing in shock.
“Shi Hao!”
“He’s here!”
The strongest among them bowed hastily, their expressions respectful.
“Who is that?” the crowd below murmured in confusion.
Lady Xiaoyue and the others descended, greeting Shi Hao with astonishment. They never expected to encounter the legendary Shi Hao here!
“Greetings, Brother Shi!”
“No need for formalities,” Shi Hao replied.
“What? He’s Shi Hao? The undefeated champion of Immortal Ancient?” The crowd erupted.
Those who had mocked him earlier paled. The man they’d dismissed was someone even the pavilion elites revered.
Not everyone in Immortal Ancient had witnessed Shi Hao’s battles—only the privileged few.
“This is Shi Hao, the one who dominated Immortal Ancient!”
“Not long ago, he slew the Celestial Clan’s guardian!”
The mountain buzzed with excitement.
Lady Xiaoyue and the others toasted Shi Hao warmly, sparking lively discussions.
Shi Hao, gracious in return, clinked cups with them. A few, he noted, were indeed strong—ranking within the top hundred of Immortal Ancient.
“Tell me, what of these outsiders? How strong are they?” Shi Hao finally asked.
“Brother Shi, they’re formidable. Only one has fought so far, yet he’s crushed our finest,” someone admitted.
“Brother Shi, they’ve even called you out by name,” Lady Xiaoyue added.
“Some random nobodies want to fight me?” Shi Hao scoffed.
Silence fell. The crowd gaped. Only Shi Hao would dare dismiss the outsiders so boldly.
“Brother Shi, they might come today,” Lady Xiaoyue warned. Their gathering, once news spread, could attract the outsiders, who had been known to crash such events.
Rumors placed them nearby.
“Is that so?” Shi Hao mused.
Suddenly, radiant light split the sky, streaking toward Qingcheng!
Could it be? Had they arrived? The crowd surged to their feet, staring skyward in shock.
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