Shi Hao was taken aback. Had the elder spoken so much merely to probe whether he was truly a disciple of the Sovereign Hall? If so, he would naturally never join the Immortal Hall.
“I did wish to obtain the Transcendence Chapter, What a pity I lacked such fortune,” he said, shaking his head.
“Fate often appears unbidden. Given your talents, I hope you won’t one day become the heir to the Sovereign Hall and stand as my enemy,” the elder said gently.
“You flatter me,” replied Shi Hao, watching him closely. He sensed a dormant ferocity about this man—this being didn’t seem fully human, more likely a fierce bird or monstrous beast.
His name was Huang Yu. Could he be an ancient ferocious bird? Shi Hao pondered. He couldn’t see his true form, but there was a brilliance about him, like a blazing golden sun.
“The Immortal Hall must surely possess unparalleled cultivation and an extraordinary vision of its own. With so many extraordinary talents in the Upper Realm, how can I even begin to compare?” Shi Hao said.
“There are only four great masters within the Immortal Hall. I am nothing but a humble servant, unworthy of being called a true member,” Huang Yu replied.
“Just now you said you wished to bring me into the Hall. Why now this humility? I am starting to believe you suspect something,” Shi Hao said.
Huang Yu smiled. “Though my cultivation is weak and my talent unremarkable, I know how to judge people. Should I encounter an outstanding ‘first generation’ prodigy or a heavenly genius, I have the authority to recommend them for recruitment into the Immortal Hall.”
“I am not the kind to follow rules. I would likely break many if I joined,” Shi Hao declined.
“This is an opportunity; I will report upward. Success is not certain, but there is a sliver of hope. Will you truly let it slip away?” Huang Yu asked.
“Keep it. I just want a quiet life in the Lower Realm,” Shi Hao said.
For a time, neither spoke. The elder sat atop a wine house pouring himself a drink, calm and composed.
Seated atop the palace roof, Shi Hao remained over twenty miles away. Yet, through divine thought transmission, the distance was no barrier to normal conversation, and no one else noticed.
“Why exactly have you come seeking me?” Shi Hao asked, convinced this would inevitably lead to battle.
“Merely to seek peaceful coexistence. I have no wish to fight,” the elder nodded, taking a sip. He seemed to relish this simple meal, as though long removed from the mortal world.
“I have three conditions. If you accept them, you may be the Human Emperor, and I shall pursue my own path in tranquility,” Huang Yu said.
“I knew there would be conditions. Let’s hear them,” Shi Hao responded, prepared for trouble.
“First, my true form is that of a divine bird. I wish to study your Kunpeng method to strengthen my own Dao cultivation,” Huang Yu said with a smile.
“Continue,” Shi Hao remained impassive.
“Second, I wish to examine your Sovereign Bone. Fear not, I won’t break it—just a brief viewing with your physical form,” Huang Yu smiled warmly.
Shi Hao remained silent, watching him.
“Third, I wish to seal your power for a century, keeping you at the Sage King level, preventing further cultivation advancement,” Huang Yu continued, his tone now serious. “You grow far too quickly. Even if I desire peace, within decades you would surpass me, and we could not coexist.”
“If annihilation ends the matter forever, why not simply kill me now and be done with it?”
“Only this way can there be true peace between us. I always honor my word,” Huang Yu said with a smile, his aged features softening.
“And what freedom would I have? Trapped by your sealing art, my true form restrained, cultivation halted—my life and death dictated by another. Where is the peace in that?” Shi Hao rebuked.
“This is the only way to avoid battle. Believe me, it benefits both of us,” Huang Yu said.
“I see no benefit for me,” Shi Hao frowned.
“In return, I will help you unify the Eight Realms and become the Human Emperor, with an empire stretching thousands of miles,” the elder smiled, golden flames flickering around him.
“And then?” Shi Hao asked coldly.
“Then, we will join forces to seek the great fortune of this realm—such as the Sovereign Hall. We may enter together,” Huang Yu said.
“You’re after my blood,” Shi Hao’s expression darkened. He had learned from the minds of the Three Deities that entry to the Sovereign Hall required Sovereign royal blood.
Huang Yu’s aged wrinkles unfolded, as though he had aged decades younger. “This is mutual gain.”
“You force my hand,” Shi Hao sighed, his tone sharpening. “Do you truly think I would sit idle and let you manipulate me?”
“Young man, weigh your actions carefully. There is no turning back once certain paths are taken,” Huang Yu said calmly.
“Wouldn’t your words of caution mean more if our positions were reversed? If you were the one being led to slaughter—what choice would you make?” Shi Hao rebuked.
“This world is ruled by power, not possibilities. Heed my advice—don’t provoke battle. Otherwise, you stand no chance,” Huang Yu said, his smile unchanged but his tone heavier.
“You’re so sure of that?” Shi Hao stood, his battle will blazing even across twenty miles.
“Age turns men cautious. I have visited the Sky-Mending Pavilion, sailed the Northern Sea, and even explored the edge of the Western Border. I have studied you thoroughly—I believe I can defeat you,” Huang Yu replied.
Shi Hao was silent. This elder had been truly cautious. To face such a young cultivator, he had prepared meticulously.
“Are you the strongest among those who crossed realms?” Shi Hao asked.
“Some were stronger, but they perished crossing. Even if a master of the Upper Realm defies heaven’s will and survives, their power has limits,” Huang Yu said.
In any case, he was the strongest among the seven gods who had survived.
Shi Hao took flight, leaving Stone Capital and heading toward distant mountains, unwilling for any battle to endanger this great city.
“Think carefully, for the people of Stone Nation if not for yourself,” the elder said calmly, following behind leisurely.
“You threaten me?”
“Not at all. My true form is a ferocious bird. Long ago, I indulged my appetite, devouring many lives. In recent years, I’ve restrained myself, especially since becoming a servant of the Immortal Hall. But now, crossing realms once more, I feel the urge to indulge my instincts, to taste flesh again.”
The elder opened his mouth, forming a golden vortex that sucked in all nearby essence. In a town dozens of miles away, screams pierced the air. Dozens upon dozens of figures were lifted into the sky, rapidly pulled toward him.
Within moments, hundreds of souls vanished into the vortex and into his mouth.
“You!” Shi Hao burned with rage. This elderly man appeared soft and harmless, yet he was ruthless beyond words, acting without hesitation.
“Human flesh is exquisite indeed,” Huang Yu wiped a streak of blood from his lips, his expression both gentle and demonic. An old man in Daoist robes, his smile serene and kind—yet moments ago he had devoured hundreds.
“You devilish bird, you are nothing but vicious. Even if I fail to destroy you today, there will be others to sever your soul one day!” Shi Hao declared, his expression dark.
“So, you truly insist on fighting me?” Huang Yu, his smile fading, said coolly, “Then you won’t live long, young fool.”
“Come!” Shi Hao raised his great halberd and pointed toward him, then soared further into the mountains, avoiding populated areas to protect the innocent.
“If you are so eager, I shall indulge you. But don’t think of luring me to the Western Border, nor escape carelessly. Otherwise, I may turn back to Stone Nation, first consuming a few million lives, then visit your parents, your younger brother at Immortal Mountain. Oh, and perhaps invite a few acquaintances of yours—like War King or Peng Jiu—for a little feast on mortal flesh,” Huang Yu said casually, as though describing a minor matter, yet thick with bloodthirst.
“You demonic fiend!” Shi Hao shot skyward, racing thousands of miles to a vast, desolate land.
The area was immense; mountains stretched endlessly, towering peaks stood side by side, and ancient woods bristled with danger.
Huang Yu followed at his leisure. “Since you insist on battle, I shall fulfill a wish from a master in the Upper Realm and end your life.”
“Is it that wretch from the Netherworld?”
Huang Yu shook his head. “No, the Immortal Hall does not concern itself with outsiders. This was the command of one of the Hall’s younger masters—someone not much older than you.”
“I don’t recall offending anyone from the Immortal Hall,” Shi Hao frowned.
“In his youth, this master traveled the world. At the earnest request of an elder of the Sky-Mending Sect, he shared an ancient scripture. Later, it was secretly passed down to the Lower Realm and obtained by Fairy Yue Chan. With it, she sought to cultivate both primary and secondary forms, achieving immortality. No one knows if she succeeded. Recently, rumors reached the Upper Realm—Fairy Yue Chan clashed with you and spread certain tales. This young master was most displeased.”
“And what is that to him?!”
“The Sky-Mending Sect seeks favors with our Hall, and Fairy Yue Chan is no ordinary being. Her birth was marked by omens, destined for a great fortune and cultivation in the future. She may even become my master’s destined bride. Hearing of your feud, he naturally grew displeased and ordered me to deal with you casually,” Huang Yu explained, his smile growing colder.
“What a careless remark—‘deal with you casually’—as though the Immortal Hall ruled all,” Shi Hao said, his voice freezing cold.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage