“You must think carefully. Even those who bear the title of Little Immortal King have failed. Treading this path may mean certain death,” the White Tortoise cautioned.
On its back, the half-foot-tall woman in snow-white robes blinked her large, spirited eyes, wreathed in immortal mist, and nodded solemnly.
Shi Hao nodded gravely in return. He had no other choice.
In this era, one couldn’t simply choose any path they desired. Up to now, he had only managed to painstakingly deduce this single route.
In the Immortal Ancient Era, true immortals walked the earth, a time of flourishing diversity where myriad paths contended, an age of unparalleled prosperity.
In such an era, immortals were not mere myths—they coexisted with the world, naturally leaving behind countless paths for later generations to follow and draw inspiration from.
But what of this era? The people of this age must forge their own way. That Shi Hao could even tread this path and cultivate a wisp of immortal qi was already defying the heavens, an extraordinary feat.
What more could he ask for? To abandon this method and seek another path? That was unrealistic.
Understanding his thoughts, the White Tortoise sighed softly. “The Little Immortal King had such an opportunity—he could have abandoned this path and chosen another. Yet he did not.”
Because the Little Immortal King bore too great a burden. Only by becoming one of the most promising, the strongest, could he enter that vast battlefield and have the right to overturn fate.
Otherwise, in the end, he would only shed blood in vain, dying pointlessly on the battlefield.
Hearing this, Shi Hao recalled the scenes he had witnessed on the rough stone walls and felt deeply moved. “That person who bore the title of Little Immortal King was truly extraordinary.”
“Naturally, he was no weaker than those from the Land of Immortals!” the White Tortoise affirmed.
“Oh? There’s such a place? Where is it?” Shi Hao’s eyes sharpened as he pressed for answers.
“I don’t know. I wish to escape this place, leave the Three Thousand Provinces, and journey to that land of eternal life—but I don’t know the way,” the tortoise lamented.
Shi Hao’s heart trembled, his thoughts in turmoil. Yet no matter how he questioned or sought guidance, no further valuable information surfaced.
The Divine Striking Stone rubbed its hands eagerly, ready to give the old tortoise a beating, but the creature was slippery—it fled into the remnants of an ancient immortal formation, peeking out cautiously, refusing to emerge.
“In later eras, immortals cannot be seen, and no living beings attain eternal life. Could it truly be as the Little Immortal King said—that the world has changed, the laws of heaven and earth altered, with such profound effects that even immortals ceased to exist?” Shi Hao murmured.
He felt that the Little Immortal King possessed immense foresight, anticipating the great upheavals to come, and thus held himself to the strictest standards. Yet, in the end, he failed.
“For many beings, the impact was immense, and even immortals were shaken. But it shouldn’t have led to their complete disappearance. The primary reason must be the presence of an invincible enemy,” the White Tortoise interjected.
Shi Hao began gathering medicinal herbs, preparing for seclusion!
He had no choice. Having never inherited any remnants of immortal techniques, he could only grope his way forward, forging his own path. There was no turning back now.
Because this path—not just in the outside world, but even within the Immortal Ancient ruins—had already consumed over two years of his contemplation, leaving an indelible mark. Changing course was no longer possible.
“I want to know—what other paths can compare to the one of burning the myriad dao to transcend the true self?” Shi Hao asked as he gathered herbs.
He recalled the visions he had seen while meditating in the ten-zhang chamber. The Little Immortal King had said that only by walking this path could he stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a select few others.
“There are. The paths of the Land of Immortals, the true methods of the immortal dao—outsiders… cannot comprehend them,” the White Tortoise replied.
Shi Hao frowned, urging it to elaborate.
“You must understand, I suffered grave injuries, damaging my foundation. Much of my old memories are lost, many crucial things forgotten,” the tortoise sighed helplessly.
This only deepened Shi Hao’s suspicion—was this tortoise once a fallen Immortal King, buried in the Soil of All Things, only to awaken after eons and transform into a longevity herb?
Indeed, there were records of such occurrences—immortals perishing, only to be reborn as peerless immortal herbs.
“I know some things,” the woman on the tortoise’s back spoke up. Though only half a foot tall, her beauty was transcendent, as if a true immortal had shrunk herself into this form.
Shi Hao eagerly sought her wisdom, desperate for knowledge.
“For example, using the World Tree as an immortal seed, allowing it to take root and grow within one’s body, giving rise to endless dao principles.”
Hearing this, not only did Shi Hao shudder, but even the Divine Striking Stone gasped in awe. A tree capable of evolving into an entire world—its magnificence was beyond comprehension.
“Others have obtained seeds of nascent universes, merging them with their bodies to create all things, unfolding a supreme dao path,” the snow-robed woman continued, her voice magnetic and enchanting.
Yet to Shi Hao, these words struck like thunder. Such grand opportunities were unimaginable—the people of the Immortal Ancient Era were truly blessed, their environment incomparably favorable!
“Beyond that, the methods of the Land of Immortals are unfathomable…”
A long while later, Shi Hao’s expression was wooden, thoroughly stunned.
“Monstrous! The Immortal Ancient Era was so glorious, so resplendent—yet it was still destroyed. It’s truly inconceivable!” the Divine Striking Stone gnashed its teeth.
“In this era, can we still encounter those immortal seeds and inheritances?” Shi Hao murmured.
“Perhaps. Though the Immortal Ancient Era was shattered, its myriad beings perished like withered leaves, some things are indestructible. Their legacies may yet continue,” the White Tortoise speculated.
By its reasoning, the so-called greatest fortunes of this ancient land might very well include such things.
Shi Hao’s eyes gleamed, but he said nothing, preparing instead for seclusion.
Yet the White Tortoise’s next words halted him in his tracks—the stone hall would soon be sealed, barring entry.
Though he knew that even if he could enter, the ten-zhang chamber was no longer usable—its opportunity had been a one-time affair—he had still hoped its tranquility and safety would serve him. Now, that hope was dashed.
“This island cannot be lingered upon for long. Soon, it will drift into the void’s turbulence, beginning its crossing anew,” the White Tortoise said, admitting it didn’t even know the destination.
Clearly, Shi Hao could stay no longer.
“Won’t you consider coming with me?” he asked.
The tortoise shrank its neck, then shook its head vehemently. “I’d rather not end up as your meal!” It hid within the remnants of the immortal formation, refusing to emerge at all costs.
According to it, this would be the ancient land’s final opening. Once concluded, who knew what might happen? Perhaps the boundary walls would tear open, plunging into the Land of Immortals.
It would wait for that opportunity!
Of course, by its worst predictions, rather than entering a land of eternal life, the island might instead merge with the vast, uninhabited regions beyond.
“Since you’re leaving, won’t you give me a parting gift?” Shi Hao pressed.
“You brat! You’ve already extorted plenty from me—Radiant Immortal Gold, two drops of longevity liquid, entry into the stone hall. What more do you want?” the tortoise glared.
Shi Hao shot it a sidelong glance. “A tortoise should be honest. I took the immortal gold to save you. Two drops of longevity liquid? With your size, a whole pot of soup could be brewed! And the stone hall? I fought my way in myself.”
“You—you still want to brew a pot of soup?!” The tortoise vanished with a whoosh, thoroughly frightened.
“Hey, at the very least, you could spare some divine herbs—like that Black Gold Herb, or the Heavenly Deity Tree,” Shi Hao called after it.
“That rabbit and butterfly have already ravaged them! How can you still ask?” the old tortoise retorted.
“Then at least give me a few leaves from the Black Gold Herb!” Shi Hao demanded.
“One leaf. No more!” the tortoise relented.
The Black Gold Divine Herb was on the verge of tears. Not long ago, the Jade Rabbit of the Lunar Yin had already taken a bite, gnawing off a phoenix-feather-shaped leaf. Then the Imperial Butterfly had fluttered by, taking another. Now this youth wanted more—and it only had nine leaves in total!
Shi Hao obtained the essence of the Black Gold Divine Herb, sealing it in a jade vial, then began searching for the Heavenly Deity Tree.
“Don’t even think about that ancient tree. It suffered heavy damage—now it only blooms, bearing no fruit,” the White Tortoise said.
In the distance, butterflies fluttered. Upon the Heavenly Deity Tree, the Imperial Butterfly danced, absorbing the essence of the pollen and reaping tremendous benefits. Then… the ancient tree fled.
“By the way, aren’t there other divine herbs on this island?” Shi Hao asked.
“Hey, kid, don’t push your luck! Even if you did me a great favor—” The tortoise’s words cut off abruptly.
Because from afar came a shriek—a rabbit had latched onto a divine herb and was gnawing at it.
“Ah—!” Another divine herb panicked.
The Imperial Butterfly darted over as well!
Shi Hao stared blankly. Could it be that this rabbit truly had a talent for herb gathering? Divine herbs were sentient, after all, and notoriously swift.
“Let go! Let go!” the White Tortoise bellowed.
In the end, it shooed them away as if banishing a plague.
“So full! I’d love to live here forever!” the Jade Rabbit of the Lunar Yin cried, her ruby-like eyes darting about, unwilling to leave.
“Go! Get out of here! You’ve already picked ten baskets of herbs!” the tortoise snapped.
“I only took one leaf, one petal from each plant—nothing excessive!” the little rabbit huffed, insisting she’d make the perfect gardener for this medicinal paradise.
“I hate rabbits!” the White Tortoise roared.
Hum!
The void trembled. In the distance, the Phoenix Nest glowed, five-colored light soaring, ten hues shimmering amidst chaotic mist. The ancient phoenix nest upon the cliff shrank until it was fist-sized, then—whoosh!—landed in Xue Lin’s palm.
The White Tortoise gaped once more. “You band of thieves! Don’t let me see you again!”
Even Shi Hao was startled. That nest might contain an inheritance—something extraordinary!
“That was originally a treasure of the Phoenix Clan. Now their descendant has reclaimed it—only natural,” the Divine Striking Stone remarked.
“That’s… the Sacred Son of the Divine Temple. He’s leaving!” Xue Lin said, gazing into the distance. She nearly hurled the Phoenix Nest at him but held back, considering the instability of the void’s turbulence.
“I saw them too—gathering herbs at the outermost edges. That assassin leader even glared at me,” the little rabbit added.
The island’s ancient formations barred deep entry to most. Even if other experts could approach, they were limited to the fringes, unable to truly penetrate.
Shi Hao searched for the ancient freaks of the Heavenly Nation and others, hoping to settle scores!
Alas, he was disappointed—they were nowhere to be found.
Yet the moment he emerged, rumors reached his ears. Jun Dao had spread word far and wide—Huang had obtained a great fortune, plucking a longevity herb from the ancient medicinal garden!
This caused an uproar!
Simultaneously, the Divine Temple echoed the claim, testifying that Huang had not only obtained the White Tortoise and Immortal herb but also discovered the True Phoenix Nest and taken it with him.
“Seeking death!” Shi Hao’s eyes turned icy. This was an attempt to turn the world against him, to make him an enemy of all.
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