Chapter 920: Enemies from All Ten Directions

The Mountain Realm, rumored to have once produced an elixir of immortality.

A pristine land filled with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds, where colorful mists swirl and the essence of heaven and earth is dense, home to all manner of divine birds and auspicious beasts.

“Ahhh—!”

A scream shattered the tranquility. Lunar Grace, immersed in a hot spring, scrubbed her snow-white body frantically, yet she couldn’t help but clench her fingers, her silky hair cascading over her glowing cheeks as steam rose around her. She was nearly driven to madness.

This state was a far cry from her usual dignified and saintly demeanor. At this moment, she felt as if she were losing her mind. Recalling what had transpired, she couldn’t suppress the urge to kill!

The Marsh Realm, a place of endless lakes and wetlands, shrouded in mist, rendering the world hazy and indistinct.

With a splash, Qing Yi plunged into a vast, azure lake, only to burst back out moments later, screaming as well. Her flawless, luminous body shimmered before she dove deep into the lake once more.

The Frost Realm, atop an icy, snow-covered peak.

Shi Hao also roared, shaking the very mountains, threatening to trigger an avalanche.

“Boy, what are you howling about?!” Little Rascal scolded, displeased. Not long ago, Shi Hao had even flicked her forehead, calling her a child.

“The one before you is now a man. Don’t disturb my enlightenment!” Shi Hao retorted, sitting cross-legged atop the snowy peak, his bare upper body steaming as it melted the surrounding ice.

“Enlightenment? With that expression of yours—one moment grinning like a fool, the next scowling, then looking utterly shameless—you don’t look like a good person at all!” Little Rascal sneered.

“Go find your Lunar Treasure. I’m going into seclusion!” Shi Hao snapped, his face darkening.

“Hmph, let’s just go and search for the treasure. You should know, men have their… peculiar days every month,” Divine Striking Stone chimed in.

“Go die!” Little Rascal roared, punching the stone, only to yelp in pain, shaking her hand as tears nearly welled up.

“Alright, my mistake. I mixed it up. You’ve been extra irritable these days,” Divine Striking Stone apologized.

“I’ll kill you!” Little Rascal shrieked, chasing after it. “You’re just as bad as Shi Hao!”

The icy land finally fell silent.

Shi Hao began to calm his mind, letting all distractions fade away. Now was the time to heal, not to dwell on the intoxicating memories of recent events.

This was the Immortal Ancient Era. Cultivation had to take precedence—otherwise, he might very well be slain by his enemies.

The competition among the Three Thousand Provinces, the battles of geniuses—this was the brutal reality. Without leaving this place, danger lurked at every turn, and death was a constant threat.

Only by transcending, by becoming one of the strongest, would he gain the power to stand above all. At that point, not just fleeting pleasures, but even establishing a formidable foundation in the Immortal Ancient Era and retaliating against the great sects of the Three Thousand Provinces would be within his grasp.

But first, he had to break the curse of the natives.

Pushing aside these thoughts, he focused on healing.

“This Dragon-Binding Rope is incredibly sturdy!” Shi Hao marveled. It was Lunar Grace’s secret treasure, used to bind his body, and now it had fallen into his hands.

Woven from the divine tendons of numerous ancient beasts, it was fearsome enough to restrain even powerful first-generation prodigies, making escape nearly impossible.

Shi Hao wrapped it around his waist like a belt.

“This Soul-Locking Tower is such a nuisance!” Shi Hao frowned. Even Qing Yi hadn’t been able to fully remove it, only loosening some of its seals.

Now, he had to rely on himself. Channeling a wisp of immortal energy into the freed portion of his soul, he worked to dismantle the tower’s restraints.

Half a day later, with a resounding clang, a radiant miniature tower dropped into his palm.

“A fine treasure—an incredibly powerful artifact!” Shi Hao grinned in satisfaction.

Then, he began consuming sacred medicines to further heal his injuries.

This time, his wounds were severe. The flames of ten thousand dao had scorched his body, nearly burning him to death. Had he not taken that critical step and cultivated a strand of immortal energy, he would have perished without a doubt.

Even so, it had been a close call—a brush with death. Coupled with Lunar Grace’s ambush and subsequent heavy injuries, his condition was dire.

This recovery took Shi Hao a full half-month, during which he remained utterly motionless.

For someone who had attained godhood, even grievous injuries typically healed within a day or two. This time, however, was beyond imagination.

Beyond the vast, uninhabited borderlands—

The leaders of various sects grew suspicious. Shi Hao had vanished from their sight, his whereabouts unknown.

Whenever he activated his immortal energy, it obscured the heavenly secrets, rendering even the immortal petals of the outside world incapable of reflecting his image.

“What happened when Lunar Grace went to kill that boy?” someone wondered aloud.

When Lunar Grace and Shi Hao were together, the latter’s immortal energy constantly circulated, shrouding even her presence from view.

By the time Lunar Grace left, no one had any idea what had transpired.

“Incredible. Could it be that Lunar Grace and Qing Yi have cultivated the legendary immortal energy mentioned only in ancient bone texts, making them invisible to the immortal petals?” many speculated.

“Indeed. Qing Yi’s azure moon is peculiar—it likely aided them in achieving this,” someone concluded.

“Hehe, the three of them disappeared for a while. Something must have happened. As a woman’s intuition tells me, the Heaven Mending Sect might have gained a son-in-law,” a green-haired woman remarked, her enchanting eyes brimming with mischief.

The crowd fell silent, hearts tightening. Few in the Upper Realm dared to jest about the Heaven Mending Sect so brazenly—only the truly terrifying would.

Soon, she was recognized—the female demon of the Sky Severing Sect. Many celestial deities averted their eyes, not daring to look further, well aware of her fearsome reputation.

Yet, many couldn’t help but ponder. This demoness’s intuition was notorious, having helped her sect evade catastrophe multiple times. If she said something, it was usually true.

Had something truly happened between those three?

Someone from the Heaven Mending Sect snorted. “You should worry more about your own little demoness. Rumor has it she had an ambiguous relationship with Huang in the Lower Realm. Now that she’s entered the Immortal Ancient Era, who knows if she’ll be whisked away?”

“Hahaha!” The demoness laughed heartily. “That would be a profitable deal!”

Many exchanged odd glances.

She continued, grinning. “If Huang steals a fairy from the Heaven Mending Sect, and my little demoness steals Huang back, isn’t that a buy-one-get-one deal? A guaranteed profit. Oh, wait—buy one, get two! Hahaha!”

Across the myriad minor realms of the Immortal Ancient Era—

The past half-month had been anything but peaceful. The Netherworld, the Celestial Kingdom, the Divine Temple—all had made major moves, deploying their elites to sweep across the land!

Moreover, an unseen, terrifying force seemed to be lurking in the shadows, possibly allied with the Netherworld and others, stirring undercurrents of chaos.

Luo Dao, Lan Yichen, and Louis were on the run. Having once fought alongside Shi Hao at Silver Grinding Mountain and ventured into the Nest of Calamity, they had since parted ways to gather intelligence on divine medicines for him.

Yet, someone was hunting them too.

Had Shi Hao not taught them the transformation arts of the Zhu Yan clan, they would have been doomed.

Even so, they had narrowly escaped death multiple times.

“The Netherworld and other factions are relentless this time, determined to hunt down Huang and eliminate him.”

“Word is, Jun Dao has made his move, personally heading to the Array Realm after rumors surfaced of Cao Yusheng—a close ally of Huang—being spotted there.”

Many minor realms were affected as ancient kings joined forces to eradicate Huang, sparking widespread turmoil.

“Damn it!” The chubby Cao Yusheng fled the Array Realm, seething with rage. His secluded cultivation spot had been discovered, and a hunting party led by Jun Dao had nearly cornered him.

“Once I emerge, I’ll settle scores with you all!” Wiping blood from his lips, Cao Yusheng vanished once more.

On the twentieth day, Shi Hao finally awoke, a strand of immortal energy coiling around him as his body radiated brilliance. All his wounds—even the dao injuries—had healed completely.

Little Rascal and Divine Striking Stone were stunned. While Lunar Grace’s attacks were one thing, the dao burns from the flames of ten thousand paths had been truly horrifying. They had doubted he could ever fully recover, yet here he stood, unscathed.

“My foundation wasn’t damaged. That’s a relief,” Shi Hao explained.

True dao injuries would have paled even the sect masters, for such wounds were near impossible to heal—often fatal.

This served as a stark warning. The ordeal had been perilous, and though he had survived, it demanded reflection.

“Is the second strand of immortal energy truly unattainable?” he murmured before turning to Divine Striking Stone and Little Rascal. “Any news?”

“You’re finally out! The outside world is in chaos—countless are hunting you, seeking your life,” Little Rascal said.

“Fools courting death!” Shi Hao’s voice turned icy. He had long wanted to eliminate those people, and now they were volunteering themselves.

“Be cautious. These are formidable foes—several ancient kings have united!” Divine Striking Stone warned.

Little Rascal added that Cao Yusheng had come to warn them. He had been ambushed, nearly killed, and was now hiding in an obscure minor realm to cultivate.

“Seeking death!” Shi Hao’s killing intent flared. These people had truly lost their minds, targeting even those close to him.

Little Rascal was equally furious. Though she often bickered with Cao Yusheng, hearing of his near-death enraged her.

“Let’s take a stroll and see who dares oppose me,” Shi Hao said coldly.

“Good! Time to slaughter!” Divine Striking Stone, ever the instigator, relished the chaos.

After leaving seclusion, Shi Hao first visited the Three Thousand Blue Stone Path. Learning of recent events there, he burst into laughter.

Next, he traveled to the great cities of the Light Realm, the Verdant Spirit Realm, and the Origin Realm, searching for Luo Dao, Lan Yichen, and Louis—their agreed meeting spots. Yet, he found no trace of them.

“Days have passed, and Huang hasn’t shown himself. Could the rumors be true—that he’s too afraid to fight?”

“Nonsense! With several ancient freaks joining forces, who would dare face them? He’s wisely preserving his life.”

“Smart move, not shameful. Charging in would mean certain death.”

Outside, discussions ran rampant. The recent upheaval had stirred the world, and most believed Huang had retreated in fear. Even his famed boldness couldn’t withstand the combined might of ancient kings.

A minority, however, speculated he might simply be unaware, secluded in cultivation.

“Heh!” Divine Striking Stone sneered.

Little Rascal cracked her knuckles. “Let’s ambush them!” She agreed that facing the ancient freaks head-on was unwise—picking them off one by one was better.

“They’re likely waiting for me to walk into their trap,” Shi Hao said coldly.

He then arrived at the great city of the Kun Realm—the last agreed meeting place with Luo Dao, Lan Yichen, and Louis. Activating his Heavenly Eye, he finally spotted them.

“Glad you’re safe,” Shi Hao smiled.

Louis nearly jumped out of his skin at Shi Hao’s sudden appearance. “You—! They’re all searching for you! You shouldn’t be here!”

“Pfft!” Lan Yichen, though a metallic being, coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“You’re injured?” Shi Hao asked.

Lan Yichen and Luo Dao were powerful first-generation prodigies. If they were wounded, the battles must have been brutal.

“These people are insane. To find you, they’re targeting anyone connected to you—capturing or killing them. We barely escaped,” Lan Yichen sighed.

“Even unrelated people aren’t spared. Rumor has it the Divine Temple and Jun Dao teamed up to hunt a Snow Phoenix,” Luo Dao added.

“What?!” Shi Hao’s rage ignited.

The Snow Phoenix—Silver, also known as Xue Lin—had only briefly crossed paths with him. Yet, she too had been hunted. Unforgivable!

These people would stop at nothing to get to him.

“Is she in danger?” Shi Hao pressed.

“Whispers say she escaped, though gravely injured. But…” Luo Dao hesitated.

“But what?”

“They’re searching for your brother, Qin Hao, to kill him and draw you out,” Louis finished.

Shi Hao’s fury erupted before settling into a chilling smirk. “Force me into their game? I won’t play by their rules—I’ll flip the board!”

With cold determination, he prepared for a bloodbath.