The ancient tree stood tall, its gnarled branches resembling aged dragons, adorned sparsely with crystalline leaves that shimmered with the essence of the Great Dao.
This was a tree of unfathomable antiquity, beneath which generations of deities had meditated, imbuing it with intricate Dao principles capable of interpreting the profound truths of the universe.
Deities had either passed away or ascended to the higher realms, yet the tree remained unchanged, its roots steadfast in this land.
“I wish to see my parents,” Shi Hao said, his heart turbulent yet his voice calm, neither shouting nor rising to act—merely stating his desire.
Here, he truly experienced the sensation of the Great Dao being as vast as the heavens and as deep as an abyss. He felt so close to the Dao, as though he could reach out and touch it.
Seated beneath the tree, his restlessness faded, his fury extinguished. His mind gradually settled into tranquility, deeply influenced by the ancient tree and the deity beneath it.
The deity beneath the tree sat in meditation, transcendent in demeanor. Though male, his beauty was otherworldly, as if he did not belong to the mortal realm—ethereal as a true immortal.
Shi Hao had never seen such a being before. Simply by sitting there, this figure could influence the entire world, transforming it into sacred ground.
Petal-like motes of light drifted down, and the figure exuded an aura that truly surpassed all mortal beings. There was no overwhelming divine power, no terrifying pressure—only a sense of absolute truth, the manifestation of the “True Self.”
“Human emotions are natural. You may see them,” the deity said, his eyes closed. His golden battle armor radiated a serene glow, neither intimidating nor oppressive, as if he existed beyond the mortal world.
Shi Hao was surprised. He had expected resistance, obstacles from the elders of Mount Immortal, yet the deity had agreed so readily.
“Then, please activate the formation,” Shi Hao requested.
“I disagree!” A thunderous voice suddenly boomed, resonating like a mighty bell, shaking the entire valley.
Even someone as strong as Shi Hao staggered. This was no mere Venerable—the surging mana was like an ocean, carrying an imperious, disdainful aura, as if looking down upon all creation.
Though he couldn’t see the speaker, Shi Hao knew this was an immensely powerful figure—one who held no goodwill toward him.
“Qin Wu, you remain as domineering as ever,” the deity beneath the tree sighed.
Mount Immortal’s five peaks stood like fingers pressed into the earth. On one of them stood a massive bronze hall, its surface weathered with verdigris.
The voice of opposition had come from within. Inside the bronze hall, a figure opened his eyes and rose from a meditation mat, his body wreathed in silver radiance, like an undying sacred flame.
“Qin Yi Fan, I acknowledge your unparalleled talent—one of the greatest prodigies in Mount Immortal’s history. But you have ascended to the higher realm and severed ties with our clan. Why interfere in the affairs of the lower world?”
Pushing open the rusted bronze doors, he stood atop the peak, gazing down at the Divine Valley. His eyes flickered with visions of creation and destruction, galaxies swirling within—a terrifying sight.
The Divine Valley lay beneath the five peaks of Mount Immortal, shrouded in mist and bathed in auspicious light. Rare herbs flourished, and sacred beasts roamed peacefully.
Yet, under his gaze, the valley seemed to wither, suffused with an oppressive, murderous aura.
Shi Hao was stunned. The thunderous voice had shaken his soul. Could the words be true?
He turned his gaze back to the figure beneath the tree—a serene, transcendent being, wreathed in translucent petals, untouched by worldly impurities.
Had this deity truly ascended? Why could he manifest here?
“I wandered the void and chanced upon this matter. I wish to guide him to the higher realm as my disciple,” the deity beneath the tree murmured, his golden armor glowing softly.
“Rumors say you may have perished. Is this your lingering obsession, or a projection from the higher realm?” Qin Wu demanded coldly from the bronze hall.
“You are not dead. With the great calamity approaching, you’ve come seeking opportunities, haven’t you?”
Shi Hao tensed. Today’s events were surreal. The deity he had encountered earlier was not his true form? And he hailed from the higher realm?
“Trouble arises. It seems I cannot take you with me,” the figure beneath the tree murmured, opening his eyes. Petals drifted down, each reflecting his image—a divine and magnificent sight.
The void trembled as the Great Dao resonated!
With a sudden motion, a golden scroll unfurled, attempting to envelop Shi Hao and whisk him away.
“No matter what, you will not take him! Let me see whether you are a lingering obsession or a projection from above!” Qin Wu roared, stepping forward from the bronze hall. The heavens darkened, thunder shaking the earth.
Before the hall stood a peculiar bronze altar, its surface stained with glowing blood from recent sacrifices.
Qin Wu summoned a bronze seal, sealing the altar shut!
With a deafening boom, the connection between realms was severed.
Shi Hao had already drawn his sword, ready to resist the golden scroll. But as the altar closed, Qin Yi Fan and the scroll dimmed, their power waning.
“So it was a projection!” Qin Wu declared.
By sealing the bronze formation, he had cut off the higher realm’s influence, forcing Qin Yi Fan’s projection to fade.
“Why return after abandoning your clan?” Qin Wu demanded.
Shi Hao marveled at the deity’s transcendence. Even as a projection, his power was astounding—able to manifest across realms.
“Bzzzt!”
Suddenly, the dimming golden scroll surged back, wrapping around Shi Hao in an attempt to carry him away.
“Futile!”
Shi Hao refused to be taken against his will. He slashed with his sword, its golden blade splitting the air, yet the scroll seemed intangible—like striking at emptiness.
“Boom!”
Without hesitation, Shi Hao summoned the Imperial Seal. Dragon qi erupted, shaking the heavens, the valley trembling on the verge of collapse.
The imperial aura formed a protective barrier, shielding Shi Hao from harm.
“The Mandate of Heaven indeed holds unique power. Pity my projection weakens,” the deity beneath the tree sighed. He was one of Mount Immortal’s greatest prodigies.
Rising, he approached Shi Hao.
“Qin Yi Fan, dare you defy Mount Immortal?” Qin Wu roared from the peak, unleashing a silver beam toward the valley.
Yet the transcendent figure flicked a finger, shattering the attack effortlessly.
“Qin Wu, even as a fading projection, I am beyond your reach,” Qin Yi Fan said.
His golden armor gleamed as his fading form solidified slightly. “Will you accept me as your master? I shall take you to the higher realm.”
“No,” Shi Hao replied firmly.
“None shall defy Mount Immortal—not even you, Qin Yi Fan!” Qin Wu bellowed.
His body ignited with light as he retreated into the bronze hall, activating an ancient formation. A terrifying aura spread across the land.
Even Qin Yi Fan, peerless as he was, felt a chill.
“Whoosh!”
One of Mount Immortal’s peaks radiated brilliance, casting a beam into the valley. Qin Yi Fan recoiled, his golden armor blazing.
“You, who have not taken that final step, have gained the Five Elements Mountain’s recognition. No wonder no stronger guardians remain,” Qin Yi Fan muttered, wary.
“Only after the great calamity did I receive this boon,” Qin Wu said.
Chanting incantations, he knelt in worship. The mountain glowed, one peak turning translucent before unleashing a torrent of radiant light.
Qin Yi Fan’s gaze deepened. With a flick of his golden sleeve, he recalled the scroll, wrapping it around himself instead. Though a mere projection, he refused to perish here.
“Farewell.”
In a burst of golden light and falling petals, he vanished into the void.
Qin Wu remained vigilant, continuing his rites until the mountain’s glow subsided and the formations stilled.
Silver radiance flashed as Qin Wu descended into the valley, eyeing Shi Hao. “Your bones are indeed extraordinary—rare even in ancient times.”
Shi Hao remained silent, watching him calmly.
“Will you stay with the Qin Clan?” Qin Wu asked.
“No,” Shi Hao repeated, unwavering.
“Do you think you have a choice? Had you not come, I would have fetched you myself,” Qin Wu said coldly.
“Was the summons from Mount Immortal merely a trap?” Shi Hao questioned.
“The one who wrote it is no longer here. Had it been me, I would not have bothered with formalities,” Qin Wu replied icily. “You slew our disciples, even two Venerables. You crossed the line.”
“I wish to see my parents,” Shi Hao insisted, his longing undeniable.
“You may. And if you behave, I may even grant you opportunities,” Qin Wu said, waving his hand to activate a formation that transported Shi Hao away.
He found himself in a serene paradise, lush with vegetation. Five pools of crystalline liquid bubbled before him.
“Where is this? Where are my parents?” Shi Hao demanded.
“First, cultivate here. These are Nirvana Pools. If you are exceptional, you may undergo rebirth,” Qin Wu explained.
Each pool bore an ancient stele inscribed with a cultivation stage: Blood Moving, Cave Heaven, Spirit Transformation, Rune Engraving, and Array Formation—corresponding to the five sacred pools.
This was Mount Immortal’s true sanctum—a place of rebirth!
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