Chapter 1028: Reunion

She is Huo Ling’er!

Crimson mists rise, fire mulberry trees stretch endlessly, and the temperature is scorching. The air is thick with fiery haze.

The girl is simple in appearance, dressed in coarse linen, her skin as fair as snow. She has now revealed her true face—her bright eyes shimmer with mist, her long lashes trembling slightly.

Huo Ling’er is tall, standing a head above most women, with a flawless figure, graceful curves, and skin as lustrous as ivory.

Now that her true appearance is restored, she radiates an ethereal aura. Her heart trembles as she takes step after step toward the young man ahead.

“Are you alright?” Shi Hao asked, striding forward to meet her. Seeing Huo Ling’er here filled his heart with warmth, spreading quietly within him.

Some had sought Huo Ling’er with ill intent, yet she remained here, gathering mulberry leaves while waiting for his return. Shi Hao’s emotions surged—he wanted to say something, but words failed him.

“I’m fine. I just left the original place, afraid you wouldn’t find me when you returned,” she whispered.

“This place is too dangerous. How could you stay here alone? They burned down the thatched cottage and the little courtyard,” Shi Hao stepped closer, gazing at her.

“Those two saplings are still here, preserved. At least not everything was destroyed,” Huo Ling’er smiled, her beautiful eyes misty yet radiant.

“Don’t take such risks again,” Shi Hao said.

“I was afraid you’d return and worry that I was gone, so I waited here. I won’t do it again,” she murmured softly.

A wave of warmth and gratitude washed over Shi Hao. He reached out, wiping the sweat from her delicate, jade-like face. The heat was intense, and she had been gathering mulberry leaves all day.

Their reunion was simple, devoid of dramatic sorrow or joy—just a quiet warmth and genuine affection, a mutual care for one another.

“What happened in the Ancient Immortal Realm? Did you face many dangers? I didn’t expect you to return so soon,” Huo Ling’er said.

Over the years, she had been deeply worried, knowing full well what kind of place it was and the opponents Shi Hao would face.

Throughout history, countless heroes had fallen there, clashing with peers and ancient kings in battles of unparalleled ferocity.

In her eyes, though Shi Hao had been strong in the lower realm, it didn’t necessarily mean he could dominate the Ancient Immortal Realm unchallenged.

“Don’t worry. Since I’ve returned, it means all those enemies were defeated. There was no real danger,” Shi Hao laughed, avoiding heavier topics.

“I don’t believe it. The Ancient Immortal Realm is vast, with so many opponents. You must have fought bitterly. But as long as you came back alive, that’s all that matters,” Huo Ling’er said.

She didn’t know the full extent of Shi Hao’s journey, but she guessed he must have faced many formidable foes. She had never imagined he would truly claim the title of the strongest. For years, she had prayed only for his safe return.

Now, seeing him back unharmed, all her worries melted away.

“Come, I’ll treat you to some delicacies from the Ancient Immortal Realm. There are many rare dishes,” Shi Hao laughed heartily, taking Huo Ling’er’s hand and leading her to a quiet spot by a murmuring stream.

Huo Ling’er couldn’t help but smile, as if transported back to the lower realm, to the Hundred Shattered Mountains—just like old times, this guy would eat anything.

“Is this… a pure-blooded Azure Flood Dragon?” Huo Ling’er gasped, then paled. “It’s a Heavenly God?”

She shuddered, sensing the oppressive aura. Even in death, the dragon exuded a terrifying presence.

Heavenly Gods stood above all, and even ordinary deities would feel immense pressure in their presence.

“Don’t worry, it’s long dead. I’ll refine its ferocious energy, then cook it into something delicious,” Shi Hao said, handling the dragon as casually as one would a garden snake, skinning and cleaning it by the stream.

The sight left Huo Ling’er stunned. That was a Heavenly God, and here he was, casually preparing it for a meal.

“What exactly did you go through in the Ancient Immortal Realm?” she asked, sitting by the stream, her voice trembling.

“Aside from cultivation, it was just battles and warfare. Quite monotonous,” Shi Hao replied simply, hiding nothing.

“Did you kill many opponents? I remember the heir of the Immortal Palace, Ning Chuan, and many other prodigies wanted you dead,” she said.

“Some I defeated, some I killed, and some I ate,” Shi Hao grinned brightly. “Like I said, I dominated the Ancient Immortal Realm. In the end, no one was my match.”

“You… are the strongest in the world?!” Huo Ling’er was utterly shaken.

Back in the lower realm, Shi Hao had been formidable, but the upper realm was different—countless races, countless geniuses. Even the most exceptional talents could fade into obscurity.

Who could have imagined he would sweep through the Ancient Immortal Realm, standing unchallenged among the greatest contenders?

Shi Hao recounted his journey in detail—from the baptism of three thousand Dao flames, to battles against ancient kings, to being hunted by Heavenly Gods, targeted by sect masters, and surviving heavenly tribulations.

Huo Ling’er listened, enthralled, as if living through it herself—sometimes tense, sometimes joyful, sometimes frowning, her emotions rising and falling with his tale.

When she heard how he succeeded in the Sacred Sacrifice and slew a Heavenly God, her heart quaked. Her eyes widened, gleaming with awe.

She was overwhelmed. Shi Hao was only twenty, yet he could already kill Heavenly Gods of the upper realm. What kind of might was this?

Without a doubt, he was destined to stand above all, overlooking the three thousand provinces, becoming one of the most powerful beings in the upper realm!

But soon, she sighed softly, her gaze dimming. How could she ever keep up with Shi Hao’s pace?

Though Huo Ling’er was extraordinary, with the dormant Vermilion Bird blood in her veins awakening, her brilliance belonged to the lower realm. She could never shine across the three thousand provinces.

Even if a true Vermilion Bird were reborn, it might only match this young man before her. His talent was peerless, rivaling the descendants of the Heavenly Phoenix and the Kun Peng.

In terms of cultivation alone, she was already far behind him.

Thinking of the past and gazing into the future, Huo Ling’er felt a pang of sorrow. She feared the gap between them would only widen, becoming an insurmountable chasm.

“You can slay Heavenly Gods, while I…” She lowered her head, tears glistening in her eyes. She knew Shi Hao would one day ascend to the heavens, while she, no matter how hard she tried, could never reach such heights.

What would become of them?

A deep sense of loss gripped her. After waiting so long, she had finally seen Shi Hao return safely. She should have been overjoyed, yet after the initial happiness, this melancholy had settled in.

“What are you thinking? We came from the lower realm together, and our bond has lasted till now. Do you really think I care about your cultivation level?” Shi Hao said, taking her delicate hand in his.

“You are like a young Kun Peng, destined to soar into the boundless cosmos one day. I am but a fragile fire mulberry blossom, rooted to the earth,” Huo Ling’er whispered, tears in her eyes.

She knew that with Shi Hao’s talent and meteoric rise, no single realm could contain him. He would inevitably journey to greater worlds.

“I can take you with me, beyond the heavens!” Shi Hao declared, gazing into her eyes.