Of course, failure would bring dire consequences!
At that point, even if one survived, life would be worse than death—worse off than an ordinary True God.
Everything comes at a price. Without sacrifice, how can there be reward?
The mountain path twisted and turned, winding deep into the peaks.
Ancient trees towered into the heavens, while the cries of apes and roars of tigers echoed through the air. Strange and exotic creatures lurked about, their mere roars capable of scattering clouds.
Shi Hao was startled. This place was far too dangerous, home to powerful beings that even Heavenly Gods would fear.
The old Heavenly God of the Soul Clan had followed him, acting as his guardian. Unable to rest easy, he had accompanied Shi Hao all the way to this legendary land rumored to house the Sagewood.
*Whoosh!*
A massive bird spread its wings, blotting out the sky like a dark cloud. Its enormous form made it impossible to see anything else, its crimson eyes like twin blood moons.
Its true length was hard to gauge—it had to be measured in *li*, not the usual *zhang*!
“The Sagewood is a rare treasure. The spiritual energy where it grows is astonishingly dense, which is why so many primordial beasts and ancient creatures dwell here,” the old Heavenly God explained.
He warned that this place was also home to some Heavenly Gods who had gone mad, like the monstrous bird in the sky—utterly terrifying, slaughtering all living things.
Some Heavenly Gods and sect masters, after suffering the curse, had either lost their minds or gone insane, just like the crazed bird before them.
Thus, provoking them was out of the question. Once enraged, they would pursue their prey relentlessly, making escape nearly impossible.
Before long, they stealthily made their way deeper into the mountains. Along the path, they encountered a colossal ox, taller than the peaks, its body covered in earth, rocks, and vegetation—clearly dormant for countless years.
Yet, as the two passed by, it stirred, unleashing an overwhelming aura.
The old Heavenly God hastily activated a secret treasure, concealing their presence as they vanished from the spot. The ox opened its eyes, crimson like pools of blood, scanning the area.
*A Sect Master!*
Shi Hao was stunned. He had just encountered a being surpassing the Heavenly God realm—this ox had lived for eons, its massive horns as sharp as heavenly blades.
Finally, it closed its eyes and returned to slumber.
Thus, they traversed multiple perilous zones, encountering either mad Heavenly Gods or bizarre beasts—all rulers of their respective domains.
For an ordinary person to recklessly venture here would mean certain death, with no hope of survival.
Fortunately, they had a Heavenly God accompanying them, wielding a secret treasure passed down through his clan. It masked their presence, allowing them to evade the ancient beasts and vicious birds—otherwise, they would have been doomed.
At last, they reached their destination—a grove of trees, where spiritual energy surged like dragons ascending to the heavens, rendering the place sacred beyond measure.
*Sagewood!*
Not only did Shi Hao’s eyes gleam with excitement, but even the old Heavenly God of the Soul Clan showed rare astonishment. Such a treasure land was something even they coveted.
Unfortunately, Sagewood was unique—it attracted venomous insects and fierce beasts, and transplanting it was nearly impossible, as it would die once uprooted.
These were not towering ancient trees. Each Sagewood stood only a little over a foot tall, shorter than most flowers and grass, yet their roots coiled like ancient dragons, gnarled and unyielding.
Each small tree radiated auspicious mist, capable of cleansing the soul and tempering the flesh. A sacred aura permeated the air, truly extraordinary.
The leaves of these trees varied in color—some pure white like mutton-fat jade, others golden as the sun, and some crimson as blood diamonds, all translucent and gleaming.
Thus, at a glance, the grove shimmered with mist and radiant light, exuding unparalleled sanctity.
*Hmm?!*
Shi Hao was startled—someone had beaten them here. A figure sat cross-legged amidst the trees, deep in meditation.
The Sagewood was scarce, numbering only forty-nine trees. Among them sat a figure clad in white, enveloped in sacred energy, resembling a divine king in cultivation.
*Ning Chuan!*
Shi Hao’s gaze turned cold. It was his rival, secluded here in an attempt to break through.
This man’s cultivation speed was astonishingly fast, and he, too, was on the verge of stepping into a new realm. This didn’t surprise Shi Hao—after all, Ning Chuan was known as the Six-Time Champion, having accumulated six lifetimes of experience. He had likely already mapped out his future path, perhaps even stepped into that realm multiple times in past lives.
*I must hurry!*
Shi Hao felt the urgency. His enemy was about to break through—he couldn’t afford to fall behind!
He yearned to strike but restrained himself. His instincts warned him of hidden dangers, of terrifying experts lurking in the shadows.
Soon, he sensed them, and the old Heavenly God of the Soul Clan signaled caution, urging him not to act rashly.
*Heavenly Gods from the Centaur Clan and the Ancient Demon Clan?!*
Shi Hao was shocked. Here, in this place, were Heavenly Gods from these two clans—and they were his “acquaintances”: Ma Yue and Mo Luo, both of whom had once ambushed him.
Shi Hao’s expression darkened. These two had tried to kill him before, yet he hadn’t held grudges against their clans. He had even given them Thunder Tribulation Liquid.
He had even planned to help their clans resolve their crises after his own tribulation.
Yet, here they were, secretly aiding Ning Chuan—his mortal enemy!
*What a cunning scheme.*
Shi Hao felt a chill in his heart. His gaze turned icy as he stared ahead, saying nothing more.
These two clans had also visited Soul Island, offering to protect Shi Hao and escort him to a secluded cultivation site. He had refused, fearing that Ma Yue and Mo Luo might strike again in secret.
Little did he know, these clans had cast a wide net, aligning themselves with Ning Chuan.
“Let’s go. There are two Heavenly Gods here, and I am but one. If a battle breaks out, we may not gain the upper hand,” the old Heavenly God advised.
Shi Hao nodded silently. They had come in high spirits but left in disappointment. Yet, before exiting the mountains, he made his move.
*Boom!*
He threw a punch, shattering entire peaks and startling all the ancient beasts. He even hurled massive boulders at the colossal ox!
*ROAR—*
A deafening bellow erupted, throwing the entire mountain range into chaos. Several mad Heavenly Gods roared in fury, and the Sect Master-level ox rampaged wildly.
“Go!”
Shi Hao fled at top speed, vanishing alongside the old Heavenly God.
In the following days, they searched relentlessly, venturing into one ancient land after another in pursuit of Sagewood—but with little success.
Some areas had already been claimed by Heavenly Gods from the outside world. Some had anticipated that figures like the Banished Immortal and the Ten-Time Champion might attempt breakthroughs, so they had secured the sources.
Only someone like Ning Chuan—backed by a formidable sect and profound heritage—could cultivate undisturbed, protected by his allies.
Soon, Shi Hao learned that the Banished Immortal had been trapped in the Sinister Nest, unable to emerge!
As for the Ten-Time Champion, he was being hunted by multiple Heavenly Gods, his whereabouts unknown.
“Those places with Sagewood are already occupied by Heavenly Gods from the outside world. This is bad!” Shi Hao frowned. At this rate, Ning Chuan might achieve the Divine King’s fruit before him.
“Centaur Clan, Ancient Demon Clan—you’ve done well!” Shi Hao muttered, his heart burning with anger. He had once aided their old Heavenly Gods, gifting them Thunder Tribulation Liquid, yet they had grown so close to his enemy.
“Where else can we find Sagewood?” Shi Hao pressed. This problem had to be solved quickly, or it would hinder his breakthrough.
“Well… perhaps only that place remains. But it’s perilous—even I would likely perish there!” The old Heavenly God’s expression was grave.
He hadn’t expected all the Sagewood sites to be occupied.
“Take me there,” Shi Hao demanded.
“Young friend, it’s far too dangerous—a forbidden land. Entering would mean a nine-in-ten chance of death,” the old Heavenly God cautioned, deeply troubled.
He emphasized that the area suppressed spiritual power. Even someone as strong as him would be reduced to a mere mortal inside, unable to wield his divine abilities.
“No matter. Just take me there. I’ll go in alone,” Shi Hao declared resolutely.
“Very well,” the old Heavenly God relented.
“Where are you, Shi Hao? Come forth and accept your punishment!”
That day, the roar of a Heavenly God echoed across the minor worlds.
“Shi Hao, you cannot hide! Even the vastness of the Immortal Ancient cannot conceal your sins. If you wish to live, surrender now!”
A Heavenly God from the Immortal Palace had arrived, his aura terrifying, his blood energy overwhelming. His power far surpassed that of ordinary Heavenly Gods, shocking all the clans of the Immortal Ancient.
It was worth noting that the core members of the Immortal Palace numbered fewer than five—and he was one of them.
From young disciples to Heavenly Gods and sect masters, this was the hierarchy. He was the core Heavenly God, once the strongest young disciple of his generation!
“Descendant of the Sinful Blood, you have slaughtered indiscriminately in the Immortal Ancient. Your blood is tainted, your nature wicked. You must be suppressed to prevent further havoc!”
Hearing this divine proclamation, Shi Hao immediately understood why Ning Chuan could cultivate undisturbed—his faction had entered.
At the same time, fury burned within him. How dare they speak of the Sinful Blood again?
“Anyone who provides information on Shi Hao’s whereabouts shall become an ally of the Heavenly Kingdom! Shi Hao is destined to be nothing but bones!”
A cold, sinister voice rang out, chilling the air like the depths of winter.
The crowd trembled. This was an assassin from the Heavenly Kingdom—one of the most ruthless and feared figures in existence.
Gods had entered the Immortal Ancient, all seeking Shi Hao’s death.
This was the consensus of many great sects. If given the chance to grow, he might one day become unstoppable. Thus, he had to be eliminated now.
“Everyone’s here, huh? Don’t blame me for giving you a surprise!” Shi Hao’s voice was icy with rage.
These Heavenly Gods acted so high and mighty, treating him with disdain before even capturing him.
“I will take that step, ascend to Divine Kinghood, and challenge all Heavenly Gods in the Immortal Ancient! I will make these sects regret their actions for a hundred years!”
His words rang with steel-like determination.
Finally, the old Heavenly God of the Soul Clan brought him to their destination—a stone forest. Even from a distance, the fluctuations of a powerful field were palpable.
*Hmm? It suppresses spiritual power?*
Shi Hao was astonished.
The old Heavenly God nodded, warning him that the suppression grew even worse inside.
Shi Hao acknowledged this and asked the old man to return, intending to proceed alone.
The old Heavenly God hesitated, fearing for his safety. After all, they still needed him to save their clan.
Seeing his genuine concern, Shi Hao grew even more resolute in refusing. He couldn’t let the old man risk his life.
Thus, he ventured forth alone.
Upon entering a valley—barren yet brimming with strange energy—he felt his spiritual power and cultivation vanish, reducing him to a mere mortal.
Then, a swarm of ants emerged from the ground, each several *zhang* long, their bodies pitch-black and gleaming, their strength immense.
*Boom!*
A single ant charged, its sheer physical force collapsing a mountain peak.
*Incredible!*
This was a brutal battle.
Relying on his lightning-tempered physique, Shi Hao clashed with the black divine ants, sparks flying and metal clanging.
Finally, he fought his way through the swarm and pressed onward.
*Buzz—*
The sound of fluttering wings made his scalp tingle. Ahead, a horde of centipedes—each several *chi* long, with silver wings—descended upon him like a storm.
This was an extreme challenge. These were venomous divine insects.
With no spiritual power, only his physical body to rely on, the danger was immense. Fortunately, his flesh was incredibly resilient, clanging like metal against the centipedes’ strikes.
In the end, the Imperial Butterfly awakened, its faint wingbeats startling the venomous creatures into retreat.
Without a doubt, the butterfly had saved the day.
Along the rest of the journey, dozens of other vicious insects appeared—each representing a different tribe, all crazed and impossible to communicate with.
Yet, their instincts remained. The Imperial Butterfly’s aura frightened them away.
Had Shi Hao relied solely on himself, the journey would have taken far longer, with near-certain death. Thanks to the butterfly, he passed through safely.
At last, he saw it—a vast grove of Sagewood, each tree as tall as a man, numbering in the hundreds. The entire forest glowed with radiant light.
“My path begins here!”
Shi Hao’s voice was firm.
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