Chapter 1034: Storm and Fury

The City of Heaven was filled with the sound of wailing that pierced the skies.

The Guardian had perished, his body and spirit shattered beyond repair. Not even the reincarnation of a True Immortal could save him. The passage of time had left too many scars on his primordial spirit, and now, struck by calamity, it had utterly dissipated.

For cultivators, the physical body could be repaired, even replaced through possession—a new vessel could be taken. But the primordial spirit could not be altered; it would inevitably decay with time.

The Guardian of the Celestial Clan had already reached the end of his lifespan, his remaining years few. The last time, outside the ruins of the Immortal Ancient, he had suffered grievous wounds, leaving him with little time left to live.

This time, the Guardian had forcibly invoked a supreme technique to deduce Shi Hao’s secrets, drawing down the wrath of the heavens and sealing his own fate.

The entire City of Heaven was shrouded in sorrow, wails echoing everywhere. Many wept bitterly—the fall of the Guardian was a loss too great to bear.

To Shi Hao, that old man had been detestable. But to the Celestial Clan, he had been a mighty protector. How could they not grieve?

Shi Hao departed, taking Huo Ling’er with him, for he knew he could not breach the city. Rather than linger and invite disaster, it was better to leave.

Yet, the repercussions of this event were far from over. Instead of fading with his departure, they only grew, stirring shockwaves across the land.

“Have you heard? The Desolate One stormed the City of Heaven, demanding justice. He slew two Heavenly Deities and even ground their Guardian to dust!”

“Is this true? It sounds too fantastical! The Celestial Clan’s Guardian was once a ruthless powerhouse, unmatched in strength. And now he’s dead?”

This was a tidal wave of news, crashing upon the world, leaving everyone stunned and disbelieving.

The former imperial clan, though fallen, should not have been humiliated so thoroughly. A lone youth had blocked the gates of the City of Heaven, challenging them openly—and achieving such a feat!

“Could this be a rumor? Even if the Desolate One is strong, would he dare provoke the remnants of the imperial clan?”

“Why not? The grudge between him and the Celestial Clan runs deep. This time, he acted decisively, standing there with a woman at his side, leaving the Celestial Clan powerless!”

The news spread like wildfire, causing an uproar everywhere, its impact profound and far-reaching.

“The Desolate One has truly come into his own. At just twenty years old, he wields such power and skill. In the future, who will be able to restrain him?”

“Hmm, a youth like this is worth befriending. I’ve heard some great sects are already making moves to recruit him—even their most dazzling pearls might be offered as brides.”

“I’ve heard the same. For instance, the most sacred and supposedly chaste Holy Maiden of the Heaven Mending Sect is rumored to have close ties with the Desolate One.”

Discussions raged on, growing ever more fervent.

Yet Shi Hao paid them no mind. With Huo Ling’er, he journeyed through famous mountains and rivers—not merely sightseeing, but seeking enlightenment.

The places they visited were steeped in legend: a frigid pool said to have been coiled by a true dragon, a phoenix’s roost atop a ridge of parasol trees…

Shi Hao was in the Sacred Sacrificial Realm. Until he ascended to the Heavenly Deity Realm, his cultivation would remain unstable. Roaming these ancient, storied lands was beneficial to him.

The Sacred Sacrifice was not a realm one could cross through mere arduous cultivation. It required inner peace, spiritual elevation, and the fullness of one’s will.

The mortal world was a crucible for tempering the heart.

After more than half a month traversing these famed landscapes, Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er entered renowned cities, immersing themselves in the myriad facets of mortal life.

Only after a month did their journey come to an end.

For, unwittingly, they had drawn near the Sin Province once more.

During this time, they had traveled ceaselessly via teleportation arrays, visiting countless historical sites and even venturing to the outskirts of the Netherworld, where black mist churned and deathly energy roiled.

At Sin Province, they halted.

“Let’s go see Emperor Huo,” Shi Hao suggested. He wished to meet Huo Ling’er’s father—the man who had aided him in the lower realm.

Now that he and Huo Ling’er had grown so close, it was only right to pay him a visit.

“Why the sudden thought?” Huo Ling’er asked.

“To greet my future father-in-law, of course. I want to marry his daughter as soon as possible,” Shi Hao teased with a grin.

Huo Ling’er blushed and punched him lightly.

Emperor Huo was no ordinary man, whether in bearing or cultivation.

A range of spiritual mountains stretched before them, wreathed in mist, ancient trees towering, and rare herbs abundant.

“Roar—!”

As they approached, a massive beast howled and charged toward them, its steps shaking the void, its aura ferocious.

“What has this thing been eating to grow so huge?” Shi Hao muttered in disbelief.

It was a giant wolf, its fur sleek and lustrous like satin, with wings on its back. It descended from the sky like a falling mountain.

This was the little wolf—now grown into a behemoth after several years.

“Ling’er!”

The wolf shrank rapidly to the size of a cub and rushed toward them, eyeing Shi Hao.

“You’ve returned from the Immortal Ancient?” the wolf asked, its voice filled with joy and excitement.

Shi Hao laughed and scooped it up. Back in the day, this little creature had clung to him relentlessly, even when Huo Ling’er tried to bribe it with spirit herbs. It had infuriated her to no end, earning the nickname “ungrateful little beast.”

But after all these years, it had grown inseparable from Huo Ling’er, having weathered many trials together.

“Oof, you’re so heavy! How much meat do you eat every day? You’re about to crush me,” Shi Hao joked, ruffling its head.

“Nonsense! I’m perfectly slender!” the wolf retorted, glaring fiercely.

“A female?” Shi Hao chuckled.

“Drop dead! I’m not talking to you anymore!” The wolf wriggled free and leaped into Huo Ling’er’s arms, turning its back on him.

“Where’s my father?” Huo Ling’er asked.

“Gone traveling again. Who knows when he’ll return,” the wolf replied.

Emperor Huo was a free spirit, often journeying far to comprehend the truths of heaven and earth, refining his own path.

Yet he never forgot his daughter. It was he who had rescued Huo Ling’er and the wolf from the Fire Mulberry Forest and brought them here.

But Huo Ling’er, fearing Shi Hao would not find her upon his return, had altered her appearance and returned to the area, disguised as a mulberry-picking girl.

“Ah, what a shame. I still haven’t met Emperor Huo,” Shi Hao sighed.

“You’ll see him eventually,” Huo Ling’er reassured him with a smile.

“I was hoping to discuss wedding plans with the old man, but he’s not here,” Shi Hao said with a grin.

“Stop talking nonsense!” Huo Ling’er’s face flushed.

The wolf’s eyes widened. “Are you planning something wicked?”

Shi Hao flicked its forehead. “Adults are talking. What’s a little wolf like you butting in for?”

“Who’s little?!” The wolf transformed back into its massive form with a thunderous boom, pinning Shi Hao beneath it.

An ordinary person would have been crushed, but Shi Hao conjured a giant golden hand and lifted the wolf effortlessly.

“I want to come with you!” the wolf demanded once subdued.

It had grown bored guarding this place and longed to leave.

And so, the trio set off once more, traveling across the great provinces.

Along the way, they heard many rumors, learning that the upper realm was no longer at peace.

“Beyond the three thousand provinces lies an ancient realm—the Great Alliance of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. What a grand and turbulent world!”

“Shi Hao, will you go? The gathering of talents from across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths is said to be establishing sacred academies, immortal institutes, and even a Heavenly Deity Academy. It’s astonishing.”

Both Shi Hao and Huo Ling’er were surprised. One had just emerged from the Immortal Ancient and had yet to fully grasp the changes outside, while the other had been secluded in the Fire Mulberry Forest, paying little attention.

They learned that the selection of talents had already begun, with standards said to be exceedingly strict.

Particularly daunting were the young powerhouses from beyond the realm, who had reportedly defeated countless geniuses of the upper realm.

“Heavenly Deities who have cultivated immortal energy? Unstoppable, sweeping through the three thousand provinces? These outsiders are terrifyingly strong, arrogant beyond belief.”

Though Shi Hao had heard whispers, he hadn’t delved into the details. The idea intrigued him—what kind of people came from beyond the three thousand provinces? How strong were they?

“I’d love to see just how powerful they are,” he mused, unafraid of a challenge.

“Haven’t you heard? The outsiders want to fight you, the Banished Immortal, and the Ten Crown King. There’s no stopping them,” Huo Ling’er said.

In recent times, these outsiders had been unstoppable, defeating countless experts, often within three moves.

The three thousand provinces were in turmoil. Many who had trained in the Immortal Ancient found themselves humbled, unable to match the outsiders.

“Will you take the trials? Will you leave the upper realm?” Huo Ling’er asked, gazing at Shi Hao with a distant look.

The Great Alliance sought to nurture true supreme talents, selecting from across the realms. The Heavenly Deity Academy might not even be established in the upper realm.

Huo Ling’er worried, for this could mean separation.

And she doubted she could enter the so-called Heavenly Deity Academy. Even the most formidable geniuses had reportedly failed the trials.

So far, not a single person had succeeded.

“Our information has been too scarce lately. Let’s find a place to learn more,” Shi Hao said.

The three thousand provinces were vast, teeming with experts. Naturally, there were gatherings and exchanges among them.

Shi Hao learned that in Qing Province, a grand assembly was being held, attended by the elites of various clans from multiple provinces.

It was said they all sought entry into the Heavenly Deity Academy, hoping to pass the trials and venture beyond the realm in pursuit of greater strength.

Many shared this goal, and discussions revolved around it.

Soon, Shi Hao discovered that the outsiders were sweeping through the land, and this time, they had arrived in Qing Province with great purpose.

Shi Hao decided to attend uninvited, entering a massive city to witness the spectacle firsthand.

Rumors spoke of powerful cultivators preparing diligently, hoping to be chosen for the fabled Heavenly Deity Academy.