Chapter 558: Reluctance

At the ruins of the Sky-Mending Pavilion, Shi Hao and the others stayed for a long time. Finally, their great vengeance had been fulfilled. Yet amid their joy, an infinite sorrow lingered.

Once a powerful sect, it was now overgrown with weeds, teeming with rabbits darting through the wilds, withered trees standing solemnly, and crows cawing mournfully—a desolate and decaying sight.

“People must always look forward. Though the Sky-Mending Pavilion is lost to time, from its ruins, something new shall rise. Everything will get better. I believe the elders resting in heaven would feel comforted,” one person remarked.

The group gazed into the distance, where many others were already clearing away stones, weeds, and rubble, beginning the task of rebuilding their sect stronghold and reviving the Sky-Mending Pavilion.

After paying their respects and performing a collective ceremony—burning incense and offering several jugs of wine—they departed.

In the imperial city, Shi Hao warmly hosted his fellow disciples, playing the role of the gracious host and inviting them to stay for a while.

Two days later, the Nine-Headed Lion arrived with companions—the Flame Crow, the Violet Sable, and the Five-Feathered Phoenix bird—coming to bid farewell in advance, as none knew when Shi Hao would ascend to the heavens.

Shi Hao became heavily intoxicated, memories flooding his mind. Joy and bitterness mingled in his heart—was this reluctance due to the impending departure?

“That guy Shi Hao, back when he first went to the Sky-Mending Pavilion for selection, was so unruly that he drove the elders nearly mad, almost pulling their beards out from frustration!” Xia Youyu laughed.

“Don’t talk about it,” Xiao Tian interjected urgently, since he too had been involved. Just recalling the heavy blows still made him furious to this day.

“Haha… Those were the days of innocent youth, truly a beautiful memory worth savoring,” laughed the War Goddess, her golden battle armor gleaming, her beautiful face flushed with wine, her eyes dreamy and bright.

“Some things are better left unremembered,” grumbled the Nine-Headed Lion, recalling the moment he first encountered Shi Hao in the Bai Duan Mountains.

It had been even worse for him—he had been chased around by a mere nine-year-old brat who had wanted to cook him into braised lion’s head and even make him a mount. The memory alone brought tears to his eyes.

“You all keep saying how wild Young Master Shi is, but I find him kind and sincere,” chimed in Qing Feng.

Spit-takes and coughing ensued, many people nearly choking on their wine as they struggled to accept such a notion.

“Still, only Qing Feng truly understands me!” Shi Hao roared in laughter.

With such a thick face, he was surely asking for it, the others thought with disdain.

Da Zhuang, Er Meng, Xiao Rascal, Hu Zi, Big Snotty, and others arrived as well—some were learning military tactics, some experiencing the secular world, and others cultivating. That night, all were invited to join the gathering.

“These are my childhood companions,” Shi Hao introduced them. Companionship from his youth, their friendship woven with threads of familial bonds.

They all knew that Shi Hao made this introduction before his departure precisely so they could recognize one another, and support each other in the days to come.

“Xiao Hao, is the Upper Realm really that great? Are you so eager to leave?” Da Zhuang murmured, visibly affected.

At his words, a quiet sigh swept through the group. This gathering might be their last meeting in life, for once separated by realms, it may be impossible to reconnect.

“I embarked on this path of cultivation,” Shi Hao softly replied, “and my heart burned with the desire to ascend. I want to escape this well and see the world beyond.”

In truth, there were other reasons. Having witnessed the Upper Realm’s warlords viewing the Eight Regions as a medicinal farm and grazing ground for their power, a fiery resolve burned within him. He wanted to break free and change all of this one day.

And also—he wished to follow the path of the Willow God and meet it again.

“It’s better to leave. This world is a cage, a prison for outlaws and great beasts. The Upper Realm is the true boundless expanse, where true freedom may be found,” said Xia Youyu.

“But freedom lies only in the heart. Conflict exists wherever you go,” sighed Peng Jiu, the aged guardian from afar.

“I will return, someday,” Shi Hao declared.

“Do not wait too long,” the War Goddess said. Her fair face, usually composed, now bore a rare note of tenderness. “Time is merciless. When you one day stand at the summit, you may find the path behind you has little left.”

Shi Hao nodded solemnly, his eyes sharpening.

This departure might last many years. He had much he could not leave behind. And yet, he had no choice but to leave. He simply did not wish to return to a day when his friends were gone, and only the wind and crows remained.

Time is merciless. If one fully immerses oneself in cultivation, many bonds will be severed and forgotten. By the time you try to reclaim memories, those people and events may no longer exist.

“Xiao Hao, we really can’t bear to see you go. You’re heading to the Upper Realm—this is truly a separation beyond death. By the time we grow old and pass, you may still be a youthful immortal,” said Er Meng, his eyes reddening.

The people from Stone Village were sincere and humble. They had grown up together, shared nests in dangerous skies, and hunted beasts in the mountains. Their bond was true, and their hearts full of love.

“Don’t be sad. I will definitely return,” Shi Hao vowed.

“Once you reach the Upper Realm, returning will be near impossible,” Xia Youyu sighed softly, her beautiful eyes glistening as she clinked her cup against his. Whispering, she said, “We don’t want you to leave either. We hope you gather your companions and create a glorious future.”

“Let’s celebrate today!” Shi Hao declared. “Raise your cups, for there shall surely be a day when we meet again!”

With a gentle tinkling sound, wine spilled, and all raised their cups together, drinking deeply.

“Before you leave, can you meet with us once again?” someone asked.

“Yes!” Shi Hao nodded, his voice firm and solemn.

Because in his heart too lingered the same sorrow and concern. What if this meeting was truly the last, and the future remained uncertain?

The Upper Realm is a land of infinite races, where prodigies rise and fall, and generations of titans emerge. Even if he ascended, he might be lost among its countless stars.

Wherever people gather, conflict follows. Wherever there is conflict, there is enmity and emotion.

He believed the Upper Realm sounded like paradise, beautiful and radiant, but perhaps even more terrifying in its rivalries. It would be a grand stage where extraordinary geniuses clash, a boundless and magnificent expanse.

Shi Hao promised that if he truly had to depart, he would meet each of them, for one final farewell.

All became very drunk, caught in the tides of joy and sorrow, of meeting and parting, and eventually dispersed, leaving the imperial city of Stone Kingdom.

At dawn the next day, radiant with golden light, Shi Hao awoke with bright eyes. He packed away all his sadness and reluctance, his spirit renewed with vigor. His Dao heart unmoving, his resolve unshaken.

Since he had embarked on this path of cultivation, he must choose what to pursue and what to let go. He would not be delayed by fleeting emotions. He would climb forward resolutely, walking his own great path.

“Someday, when I look back,” he quietly asked himself, “will it have been worth it?”

“At the very least, I do not regret it now,” he answered, his voice firm.

He summoned Peng Jiu and asked how Qing Feng had been progressing in his teachings. How did Peng Jiu evaluate him?

“He is a fine student—intelligent, kind, and of excellent character,” Peng Jiu replied.

Qing Feng’s talent was extraordinary. Whether in cultivating treasure spells or helping manage affairs in the Stone Kingdom, he had always shown remarkable acuity.

But Shi Hao, upon hearing these words, fell into contemplation and slightly shook his head. “That is precisely what worries me. Because he is too kind. His character leans toward gentleness, and I fear he may become indecisive and hesitate in moments that demand strength, harming himself in the process.”

Peng Jiu nodded and replied, “That can be nurtured. Character determines destiny, and destiny can be changed. He’s still young; his nature may still be molded.”

Shi Hao wished to pass the imperial throne to Qing Feng, for in the past, Qing Feng had suffered in his place, imprisoned in the Second Ancestral Land. For that reason, Shi Hao greatly hoped he would become the Stone Emperor.

Yet, at the same time, he did not want Qing Feng to carry burdens. He simply wished for him to live joyfully and safely, doing what he truly loved. This contradiction unsettled Shi Hao, and he could not yet make a final decision.

In the end, he turned to Peng Jiu and asked, “How is his cultivation progressing?”

“He is currently learning the Stone Kingdom’s ancestral divine art—the Suanni Treasure Spell. His progress is quite good,” Peng Jiu answered.

“Regardless of other matters, for now, I shall assist him personally in cultivation,” Shi Hao declared.

He summoned Qing Feng and produced a Lightning Fruit—a rare medicinal marvel perfect for cultivating lightning-based techniques. The fruit contained naturally formed lightning rune patterns.

However, this fruit was not yet fully matured, so its power could not compare to the true Lightning Fruits of the Upper Realm. Furthermore, it carried traces of divine death energy—something ordinary cultivators could not refine. Attempting to consume it without the proper strength would lead to certain doom.

In truth, even those who had ignited the divine flame would find it dangerous to ingest.

Fortunately, Shi Hao’s Supreme Bone was extraordinary, and his innate talent could purify the death energy. Thus, he chose to help Qing Feng directly.

“Crackle!”

Lightning flashed. As soon as Qing Feng chewed on a fragment of the fruit the size of a fingernail, he nearly collapsed—its thunderous power was too fierce.

Shi Hao guarded beside him, activating the Suanni Treasure Spell with full force to neutralize the divine energy and guide it into Qing Feng’s flesh and blood, allowing the rune patterns to imprint onto his bones.

It was a long and arduous process, after all Qing Feng was not Shi Hao. His cultivation base was significantly weaker; even with Shi Hao’s assistance, the process needed to proceed slowly.

Days later, Qing Feng let out a loud howl. With each movement of his hands and feet, lightning danced fiercely all around him.

This was not an intentional activation of the treasure spell, but more like an innate ability—an instinct. With a mere wave of his hand, torrents of thunder erupted, capable of instantly annihilating his enemies.

“Excellent. With this as a foundation, further cultivation of the Suanni Treasure Spell will progress twice as fast. Perhaps one day he can even surpass the limits of the lightning Dao,” Shi Hao nodded approvingly.

Then, he headed toward a secluded palace garden.

Qin Hao resided there. Recently, he had become less visible, keeping mostly silent since arriving in the Stone Kingdom.

Shi Hao wanted to ask whether he had studied thunder techniques and, if so, planned on offering him a Lightning Fruit as well.

But Qin Hao had already left, leaving behind a letter stating he had returned to the Immortal Mountain in the Xuanyu Domain.

Shi Hao frowned deeply. He felt uneasy—would the Qin Clan view this as an insult or a threat now that he had taken Qin Hao away?

Taking Xuan Gui with him, he activated the Ancestral Sacrificial Altar and soared into the void. Of course, he could not directly cross realms, so he used his power to violently tear through the boundary layers.

Finally, Shi Hao arrived at the Immortal Mountain.

Using the 72 Transformations technique, he transformed into a mosquito and, with guidance from the Divine Striking Stone, stealthily entered the mountain’s secret formations.

“Strange, the sacrificial altar is glowing again!” the Divine Striking Stone exclaimed in shock.

Deep within the Immortal Mountain, an ancient sacrificial altar had been newly arranged, capable once more of resonating with the Upper Realm and nourishing the supreme treasure bone within Qin Hao.

Shi Hao had already sensed this when he had previously stormed this place with Xiao Ta.

“Brother, you came,” Qin Hao opened his eyes, his spiritual senses sharp.

Shi Hao had transformed into human form upon arrival, unconsciously revealing his aura. “I came to see you.”

“You walk your path, and I walk mine. You should go. I will not return to Stone Kingdom,” Qin Hao declared.

Shi Hao gazed at the formation array and sacrificial altar before him, his heart unsettled. Was there still a connection to the Upper Realm?