Chapter 929: The Summoning

A medicinal herb, referred to as “Great One,” wanted to speak with him—this left Shi Hao both astonished and bewildered!

“Where is it? What does it want to talk about?” Shi Hao asked.

Beneath the broken mountain, specks of dark light shimmered. This “messenger” was extraordinary, enough to inspire awe. It was a peerless divine herb, forged like black gold, with nine long leaves, each resembling the plumage of a phoenix.

“My Great One resides by the Immortal Spring and wishes to invite you for a face-to-face discussion,” the divine herb transmitted its message. Unlike cultivators, it merely emitted a peculiar vibration that allowed others to perceive its intent.

Shi Hao stared at it intently, suddenly recalling records from ancient bone scriptures. This was the Black Gold Divine Herb, its leaves like phoenix feathers, its entire body as if cast from black gold.

This treasure could rival the Tribulation Divine Lotus of the Celestial Immortal Academy—both were rare and coveted by sects across the land. Yet now, it was merely acting as a “messenger.”

Shi Hao’s gaze darkened as he pondered. If he could control this herb garden, how many treasures would he obtain? Just plucking a single herb and taking it outside would cause an uproar!

“You… what are you thinking?” The Black Gold Divine Herb shuddered. As a spiritual root of heaven and earth, it was highly sensitive and suddenly felt a chill.

“Nothing. Your Great One is too far away. Can it come here instead?” Shi Hao said, suspecting that the “White Turtle Bearing Immortal” seeking him out might not be a blessing.

Immortality herbs were elusive, capable of traversing the void between sun and moon, but their combat prowess was weak—they excelled only in fleeing.

“Could this be a trap to lure me into some deadly place?” Shi Hao muttered inwardly, refusing to be swayed by the seemingly grand opportunity.

“My Great One has caught a slight chill and cannot move,” the Black Gold Divine Herb said.

Shi Hao gave it a sidelong glance. A herb catching a chill? Who did it think it was fooling?

Even the herb itself seemed to realize how absurd this sounded and coughed awkwardly. “Ahem… well, you see, we are all herbs. Naturally, we fear outsiders who might harvest us, so we must take precautions and dare not stray too far from our dwelling.”

“What’s going on?” The Divine Striking Stone, having swallowed four Phoenix Blood Stones, rolled over with a round belly, appearing at the entrance of the Phoenix Nest.

“Can we go deeper?” Shi Hao asked, itching with curiosity. An immortality herb was right there, inviting him for a talk—he didn’t want to miss this chance.

“It’s difficult. This island is too mysterious, protected by genuine immortal-grade formations. Even with my abilities, I can’t reach the deepest parts. The remnants alone could kill a Heavenly Deity,” the Divine Striking Stone sighed, unusually humble for once.

Hearing this, Shi Hao fell silent briefly before sighing. Survival came first. No matter how precious the treasures, they were worthless without a life to claim them.

“I must decline. This island holds the remnants of an immortal’s formations. I don’t wish to throw my life away,” Shi Hao said.

“You won’t be harmed. This is nothing but beneficial for you. My Great One merely wishes to speak with an outsider. Choosing you is a great fortune,” the Black Gold Divine Herb insisted.

“Thank you for the honor, but I cannot go!” Shi Hao was resolute, unwilling to risk his life needlessly.

The Black Gold Divine Herb grew anxious. “Do you know what lies in the depths of this island? Immortal artifacts, treasures of longevity, peerless elixirs—obtaining even one would benefit you for life!”

Shi Hao’s expression grew even more peculiar. The more the herb insisted, the less eager he became. If he refused, why was the herb so desperate?

“If you’re worried, I can serve as your hostage. Keep me by your side—would that ease your mind?” the Black Gold Divine Herb said solemnly.

Shi Hao was speechless. It wanted to be a “hostage”?

“What’s really going on that requires such measures?” he asked, growing even more curious. A divine herb coveted by sects across the Three Thousand Prefectures was behaving like this. If the outside world knew, they’d be both envious and bewildered—since when did divine herbs act so proactively?

Shi Hao remained silent, staring at it.

The Black Gold Divine Herb grew even more urgent. “Time is limited. This herb island won’t remain here for long before vanishing back into the void.”

It added, “If you’re still hesitant, I can summon the Heavenly Deity Tree to serve as another hostage. Surely that would dispel your worries?”

This time, not only Shi Hao was stunned, but even the Divine Striking Stone was dumbfounded. Xue Lin, who had been meditating on the five-colored Dao platform within the Phoenix Nest, awoke just in time to hear this and was utterly shocked.

The Heavenly Deity Tree—what kind of existence was that? Though merely a divine herb and not an immortality herb, it was utterly heaven-defying. For many sects, its value surpassed all else!

Its fruits could instantly create a Heavenly Deity. With such a tree, a single harvest could elevate a sect to unparalleled glory.

Yet, as soon as the Black Gold Divine Herb finished speaking, a gnarled old tree in the distance began sprinting away, shouting, “Leave me out of this!”

Its emerald leaves shimmered like divine jade, its roots flailing like tentacles as it fled at astonishing speed.

“You… you betray our Great One, refusing its summons!” the Black Gold Divine Herb fumed.

“Little Black, don’t slander me! I’m not betraying anyone—I just don’t trust that kid. If he catches us, he’ll bolt faster than a rabbit and never meet the Great One!” the old tree rumbled.

Shi Hao was at a loss for words. He had indeed considered capturing the Heavenly Deity Tree and the Black Gold Divine Herb and making a run for it, avoiding any potential traps ahead.

“Hmm, is it injured?” The Divine Striking Stone noticed a nearly severed section of the old tree’s trunk, flickering with residual laws.

“Indeed, it was wounded. Otherwise, the Heavenly Deity Tree is no ordinary divine herb—it possesses formidable combat power!” the Black Gold Divine Herb admitted frankly.

“I’ll take my leave now.” The old tree didn’t linger, deeming Shi Hao too dangerous. It vanished in a trail of radiant mist, stirring up clouds of sacred herbs in its wake.

This scene was surreal—divine herbs appearing one after another, conversing with humans. It felt less like a herb garden and more like a sect.

What was the White Turtle Bearing Immortal planning? Why was it so extraordinary?

“How can it move freely through this garden?” Shi Hao wondered.

“That’s the work of an immortal—restrictions apply only to outsiders, not to spiritual herbs. It’s unfathomable,” the Divine Striking Stone sighed.

“Have you decided? If you still doubt, I can summon another divine herb to stay with you,” the Black Gold Divine Herb offered.

Shi Hao was deeply puzzled. After much deliberation, he finally agreed to follow the herb into the island.

The Black Gold Divine Herb possessed intelligence and was a peerless divine treasure. He trusted it wouldn’t gamble with its own life, and such sacred roots were rarely malicious.

“Are you really risking this?” the Divine Striking Stone asked, eyeing him. It knew Shi Hao was usually as slippery as itself—why the sudden recklessness?

“It’s fine. Wait for me,” Shi Hao said.

“Fine, I’ll come too. Let’s see what this White Turtle Bearing Immortal wants,” the Divine Striking Stone relented. It wasn’t fearless, but after consideration, it deemed the venture worthwhile. Shi Hao had a few tricks up his sleeve, like the Ten Thousand Spirit Diagram, which might prove useful in a pinch.

Shi Hao turned to Xue Lin. “Stay here. Wait for us.”

She nodded. “If you’re in danger, I’ll ignite the Phoenix Nest and raze this place!”

The nest was extraordinary, its runes only allowing those of phoenix bloodline to enter safely.

“Focus on your enlightenment. We’re off!” Shi Hao said.

This was a miraculous place for Xue Lin, one that could shape her entire destiny.

“I’ll meditate,” she agreed.

In the end, Shi Hao didn’t ask for another divine herb hostage. Instead, he followed the Black Gold Divine Herb, trudging forward step by step.

“You understand these formations?” the Divine Striking Stone marveled. Spiritual herbs could traverse the island, but guiding others was another matter.

“My Great One taught me,” the herb replied.

Along the way, besides the intoxicating fragrance of herbs, they encountered swirling mists, collapsed palaces, and drifting immortal auras—a breathtaking sight!

“What a place! This might be the only remaining immortal ruins!” the Divine Striking Stone exclaimed.

Yet, those areas were perilous, with remnants of intact formations exuding immortal energy.

The journey was dreamlike. At times, they passed through gates of light; other times, they traversed void channels. Clearly, this island was extraordinary.

After a long while, they neared an ancient land.

In the distance, the roar of a beast echoed, cracking the sky above!

“What kind of place is this?” the Divine Striking Stone shuddered. The creature’s power was terrifying—yet its roars hadn’t been heard outside the island.

“Clang! Clang! Clang!”

Next, sword energy pierced the heavens, each strand accompanied by immortal qi, chilling to the bone. The sheer force was overwhelming.

Faintly, they saw the sword energy obliterating small worlds above!

“Is this real?” Shi Hao’s smile stiffened.

“Don’t take it as truth, but don’t dismiss it either. Who knows what remains in those ruins? But back then, a single slash could cleave apart entire realms!” the Black Gold Divine Herb said.

Finally, they arrived. Ahead, mist swirled, and wisps of chaotic qi drifted over flowers and grass, lending an air of profound mystery. Broken bluestones and ruined structures evoked a sense of desolation.

“We’re here. My Great One awaits,” the herb said, gesturing ahead.

White mist billowed, as if they’d stepped into the homeland of immortals.

“May I ask why you sought me out?” Shi Hao inquired.

“All things wither, the world approaches silence. Everything will end, sinking into eternal darkness until the cycle begins anew,” a voice laden with age and sorrow echoed from the mist.

Shi Hao was stunned. Why such melancholic words upon arrival?