Chapter 966: The Storm Begins

The Tribulation Tide had indeed caused a massive uproar, drawing the attention of all factions and stirring the hearts of every descendant of the Immortal Ancient Era.

However, the strongest heavenly tribulation was not something just anyone could endure. To this day, no one had been able to break Shi Hao’s legend—even ordinary tribulations proved fatal, with nearly all who attempted them perishing.

“Young friend, this is a divine elixir, refined primarily with Soul-Guiding Lotus and supplemented by dozens of sacred herbs, meticulously brewed to perfection,” said the elderly deity of the Centaur Clan with an ingratiating smile, handing Shi Hao a jade vial.

Inside was a radiant treasure pill, its brilliance illuminating the three-inch-tall white jade bottle in dazzling hues. When the lid was opened, a medicinal fragrance wafted out, accompanied by a shower of luminous rain.

The Soul-Guiding Lotus was a divine herb, a rare treasure of the world, nearly impossible to find. A pill refined from it was naturally of unimaginable value.

Shi Hao did not accept it. Instead, he asked, “I heard that Ma Yue of your clan once mocked and scorned me, harboring deep hostility. Was he the one who ambushed me back then?”

The elderly deity of the Centaur Clan looked awkward. The purpose of delivering this divine elixir was to ease tensions and foster goodwill with Shi Hao. Yet, Ma Yue’s actions had clearly crossed the line, provoking his wrath.

The previous assassination attempt had not even been properly addressed, and now Ma Yue had aligned himself with those who bore hatred toward Shi Hao, speaking harshly and belittling him.

“Young friend, Ma Yue is a prodigy, not even a hundred years old yet already an Heavenly God. But his talent has made him arrogant. If he has wronged you, I beg your forgiveness,” the elderly deity said.

“Such arrogance is something I cannot tolerate. He acts as if he can take my life at will. To be honest, I’d like to show him some arrogance of my own!” Shi Hao replied coldly.

Ma Yue’s first attack had been driven by greed for the Immortal Dao Seed in Shi Hao’s possession. He had even attempted to kill those within his own clan who sought to protect Shi Hao—such audacity knew no bounds.

If that had been the end of it, Shi Hao might have let it go. But when Shi Hao merely inquired about who had attacked him that day, Ma Yue grew restless, showing no remorse. Instead, upon hearing of someone undergoing tribulation, he openly displayed hostility, mocking Shi Hao in veiled words.

Such a wolfish character would never receive Shi Hao’s Tribulation Liquid. In fact, Shi Hao now held reservations about the entire clan, fearing that any treasure given to them might fall into Ma Yue’s hands.

“Young friend, this old man has brought you something valuable,” said the elderly deity of the Ancient Demon Clan, arriving with a bronze spear said to be a relic from the Immortal Ancient Era.

Like the Centaur Clan, they too had an Heavenly God—Mo Luo—who had targeted Shi Hao, behaving almost identically to Ma Yue. This had put their clan in a difficult position.

“Elders, thank you. I’ll keep these gifts,” Shi Hao said. Outright refusal might provoke their clans’ resentment, so it was better to accept graciously.

He said nothing more. If he truly had Tribulation Liquid, he would never give it to Ma Yue, let alone help Mo Luo break his curse!

The two elderly deities left disappointed, having received no promises, but it was still better than outright rejection.

Upon returning to their clans, they immediately convened meetings to address the “curse crisis.” Unsurprisingly, Ma Yue and Mo Luo were questioned by their elders.

However, as Heavenly Gods themselves—rising stars of extraordinary talent—they could not be suppressed or even reprimanded harshly.

Moreover, both remained cold and unrepentant. Having once ambushed Shi Hao for the Immortal Seed, they saw no reason to apologize now.

“What’s the big deal? Let’s see if he survives his next tribulation. How many have ever succeeded? Most are struck dead by lightning, reduced to dust!” Ma Yuan scoffed.

“Fool! Everyone hopes for his success now. Are you actually wishing for his death?” the clan’s elder rebuked.

The Ancient Demon Clan faced the same issue. Mo Luo showed no remorse, instead sneering with undiminished hostility.

“If he survives the tribulation and knows his place, fine. Otherwise, I’ll take what I need myself. I won’t let the curse take me—I must break it!”

“You—you’d dare to rob him?!” the clan’s elder exclaimed in fury.

“I’m doing this for the clan. Once I break my curse, any extra Tribulation Liquid will go to our people!” Mo Luo said coldly.

Outside, factions debated as outsiders underwent tribulations, stirring immense waves.

In recent days, even among the natives, many prodigies had attempted tribulations, inspired by Shi Hao’s success.

Many young elites sought to emulate him, hoping to etch their names in history.

But reality was cruel. Over these days, countless had fallen, reduced to ashes by the tribulation. None had survived—this was the terrifying truth!

“Shi Hao is truly extraordinary. After all this time, the strongest talents of every clan have perished, unable to withstand the terrifying lightning.”

This only highlighted Shi Hao’s unparalleled brilliance.

Of course, Gu Jian Yun was also acknowledged. Though his tribulation was not the strongest, he had survived—the only one besides Shi Hao to do so.

Many powerful clans sought to recruit him, believing his potential was immense, perhaps even capable of enduring the strongest tribulation in the future!

“Chang Gong Yan, this is unbearable. That guy who once provoked you has now survived a tribulation. Don’t you want to outshine him?” the chubby Cao Yu Sheng goaded.

Chang Gong Yan remained calm and silent.

Shi Hao nodded inwardly. This Four-Time Champion was indeed extraordinary, his mind unshaken by external distractions, his resolve firm. His future achievements would be unfathomable.

“I want to try a tribulation too,” Cao Yu Sheng said, having successfully cultivated a strand of immortal energy—though he had kept it secret.

**Boom!**

A terrifying aura erupted, shaking all the minor realms of the Immortal Ancient. Every being sensed it—a vast ripple spreading outward.

The Cloud Realm’s tranquility was shattered.

A colossal palace emerged from the void, surrounded by black fissures that spread like cracks in the world, threatening to collapse it—as if a prehistoric beast had awakened.

Majestic and towering, it slowly materialized in the sky.

Golden tiles, ancient carvings, auspicious lights, and swirling mist made it seem ancient and weathered, as if it had crossed the river of time from another era.

Before the palace, stone steps exuded the aura of the Great Dao, while massive pillars rose into the heavens, as if propping up the sky itself.

The Golden Dao Palace—the Summoning Ancient Hall—had reappeared!

Back when Shi Hao had just cultivated two strands of immortal energy, he had seen it. At that time, the Ten-Time Champion, the “Banished Immortal” of the Sinister Nest, Ning Chuan, and others had rushed to seize its fortunes.

In the end, only a mysterious soul—as if escaping a dark prison—had entered the hall.

“Heavens! The hall has truly manifested—not as an illusion, but fully emerged!”

News spread like a tidal wave, sweeping across the land!

All knew what this meant—the arena was about to appear!

Heroes would clash, geniuses would duel. Who would be the strongest under heaven? Who would reach the ultimate land of fortune? Who would be the supreme ruler? All would be decided on this ancient stage!

Since ancient times, the arena had always appeared alongside the Summoning Ancient Hall!

Sure enough, as the Golden Dao Palace emerged, a massive ancient structure materialized—a colosseum built from mysterious stone.

Vast as an island suspended in the sky, it stood beside the Golden Dao Palace.

The arena bore no luster, no immortal aura. It appeared dull and plain, stained with dark blood and littered with broken weapons, its surface marked by time.

Yet, the moment it appeared, an overwhelming killing intent surged forth. Ordinary beings shuddered, collapsing in fear just from looking at it.

Terrifying beyond measure, it seemed to devour souls. Even a glance made hearts tremble, bodies quake.

This was the ultimate battlefield of the Immortal Ancient, the arena for peerless geniuses!

Since antiquity, countless had died here—all the strongest of their clans, the most elite of prodigies. None without such qualifications could even set foot upon it.

If there was one place where ancient freaks perished most, this was it.

None could forget the battles of old. Even the descendants of the Immortal Ancient marveled at the memories.

Some still remembered Ning Chuan’s first emergence—his divine grace, his pride, his months-long slaughter of all rivals, standing alone at the pinnacle.

Others recalled the Ten-Time Champion’s unmatched valor, his hardest-fought battle against the Eight-Time Champion, a duel that set blood boiling, the crowd roaring as he slew his foe before all.

And who could forget the Four-Time Champion Chang Gong Yan, whose single arrow decided the battle, freezing the arena as all enemies exploded simultaneously?

In those days, heroes arose in every generation. Each grand duel ignited the Immortal Ancient, setting hearts aflame.

This era was different. Champions of all ages had converged, all appearing in this final age.

Would their brilliance remain? Would their supremacy hold? Many clenched their fists, blood surging in anticipation as they awaited the champions’ emergence for the ultimate clash.

“Years have passed since entering the Immortal Ancient, yet some champions remain unseen—those who left the most dazzling flames in history. May they all appear!”

“I believe they will emerge, showcasing their invincible might!”

Not only the geniuses of the three thousand provinces waited, but even the natives watched with bated breath. This would be a spectacle for the ages.

“The arena is almost fully manifested. The grand duel will likely begin within days!”

People sighed. This era was moving too fast. Mere years after entering, the ultimate battlefield of the Immortal Ancient had already appeared.

**Boom!**

A colossal lightning strike shook all beings.

“Another tribulation! The aura is overwhelming!” someone in the Nest Realm exclaimed, looking toward the Sinister Nest.

Undoubtedly, the Banished Immortal was undergoing tribulation, summoning unimaginable thunder far surpassing Gu Jian Yun’s tribulation clouds, engulfing the heavens.

Faintly visible above the Sinister Nest, a blood moon swayed, a crimson sun blazed—omens that shook the world.

All were awed, yet none dared approach. That place was a death zone, home to an ancient formation that had even slain Heavenly Gods.

**Crack!**

Lightning tore through the sky. In a cursed ruin of the Immortal Ancient, ten thousand bolts intertwined, forming a sea of electricity.

A white-robed man, his back bearing a celestial diagram, charged into the thunderous ocean—transcendent and sacred.

“Six-Time Champion—Ning Chuan!” someone cried, trembling at the name.

**Boom!**

Thunder shook the world. Above a black ocean, another tribulation unfolded, the entire sea drowned in lightning—a scene of utter terror!

“That’s the Sea of Death, where none dare tread. Yet now, heavenly punishment descends! That man is… the Ten-Time Champion!” voices quivered.

On this day, too much had happened. A storm raged through the Immortal Ancient!