“What kind of lousy scripture is this?” To be honest, Shi Hao didn’t pay much attention to it. After all, he even possessed the Primordial True Solution, something that even the Willow God had collected—something most people in the Barren Domain had probably never even heard of.
“Who is this guy? His tone is way too arrogant,” muttered a big-eyed beauty nearby, accompanied by a few young men. As they entered this area, the crowd grew denser. A fierce battle was raging ahead, and everyone was scrambling to seize that single page of scripture, drawing countless powerful figures.
“These days, there’s no shortage of braggarts. Just ignore them,” said a sturdy young man with an imposing demeanor. Relatively speaking, these individuals were all quite formidable for their age—descendants of the Fire Nation’s nobility, the elite among their peers.
Shi Hao naturally had no intention of clashing with them. The two groups passed each other by, but a few overheard words caught his attention.
“Princess Huo Ling’er didn’t come in herself, just sent a few subordinates. None of them achieved anything significant,” one of the youths remarked.
The big-eyed girl sighed. “What a shame. Sister Ling’er missed this opportunity. Given the Fire Emperor’s favor, he might have bestowed divine treasures upon her, allowing her to seize that heaven-defying opportunity.”
“Enough. These are turbulent times. Whether the Ancient Sacred Imperial Palace will even appear is still uncertain. We should be careful ourselves. Maybe the princess stayed away to avoid the chaos and danger here. Look at those outsiders—though few in number, each is a formidable fighter, ruthless and terrifying.”
“Would they dare to act recklessly?” the big-eyed girl retorted, glaring.
“Several princes and princesses have been mingling with them. Who knows what agreements they’ve reached? Best we stay out of it,” another youth said.
Shi Hao listened quietly, stroking his chin. Where there are people, there are conflicts—even among siblings. These individuals seemed close to Huo Ling’er, especially the big-eyed girl. If the opportunity arose, he might lend them a hand.
“Hey, are you eavesdropping on us?” one of the youths snapped, noticing Shi Hao lingering nearby with a displeased expression.
“For Princess Huo Ling’er’s sake, if danger arises, shout for help. I’ll assist,” Shi Hao said before striding forward. Though he wasn’t overly eager for that scripture, he still wanted to see what was happening. Who knew? He might miss something crucial otherwise.
The group rolled their eyes at his words. Who did this guy think he was, acting as if he could dominate the ancestral lands?
“Who is he? Does he really think he’s some supreme prodigy descended from the Ancient Divine Mountains?” one sneered.
“Definitely not. But I’ve eaten creatures like that,” Shi Hao tossed over his shoulder before vanishing dozens of yards away in a single step, leaving them gaping.
“Such a braggart. His arrogance knows no bounds.”
—
On the horizon, a black dot raced across the landscape. Shi Hao followed, spotting trails of blood, chaotic skirmishes, and corpses along the way—not just humans, but bizarre creatures native to the ancestral lands, their divine essences harvested.
“Kill!”
Ahead, the clamor of battle shook the heavens. A dense crowd clashed fiercely. Shi Hao arrived just as the scripture changed hands for the ninth time. Over a thousand people were fighting for it—nobles, elites, and their chosen warriors.
Rumors had reached Shi Hao’s ears: this scripture was tied to the opening of the Sacred Imperial Palace. Legend spoke of an ancient Fire Emperor’s palace hidden within this domain, containing his life’s learnings. He was the Fire Nation’s founding sovereign.
“The human emperors of that era were far stronger than now—truly invincible!”
“The Ancient Sacred Emperor attained enlightenment here, grasping divine laws and order,” someone whispered.
In short, the Fire Emperor’s legacy originated from these ancestral lands.
The battlefield bordered a vast lake—one formed of molten lava, crimson and boundless.
“Why aren’t you joining the fight?” A youth approached Shi Hao as the crowd surged forward.
Shi Hao sensed something amiss immediately. Though humanoid, this was no human—a terrifying aura lurked beneath the surface.
A pure-blooded creature, likely from beyond this domain.
Shi Hao tensed, sensing multiple presences—some even stronger than this youth.
“No interest,” Shi Hao replied.
“You should. It’s a grand opportunity,” the red-haired youth insisted, his fiery eyes glowing.
Shi Hao ignored him, observing the battle.
“Go.” The youth shoved him forcefully, smirking.
Shi Hao dodged, frowning. Something felt off.
Suddenly, a terrifying energy surged. Hidden figures were activating an ancient formation, reviving something dreadful.
“Stop fighting! This is a death trap!” Shi Hao roared.
Beneath their feet, molten lines snaked across the ground—a sinister glyph array taking shape.
“You talk too much,” the red-haired youth sneered, attacking with fiery palms.
Shi Hao’s eyes narrowed. This pure-blooded creature, around seventeen or eighteen, was already at the Engravement Realm—stronger than him.
Simultaneously, the formation awakened, radiant light erupting skyward, crushing everyone within. An overwhelming pressure descended instantly.
“Viperflame Clan, this is too far! We had an agreement with the Fire Nation to explore these lands. Why this sudden slaughter?”
Several elders emerged—non-humans with horns, wings, or multiple eyes—all immensely powerful.
“If we unlock the Sacred Imperial Palace, won’t you all benefit?” the formation’s architects retorted.
“You’re reckless! The Fire Emperor is no trivial figure. Unless the great sect masters intervene, he could obliterate us with a single strike!”
The formation’s victims screamed as dozens were crushed into bloody mist, their essence siphoned toward the lava lake.
“A blood sacrifice array? You’d stoop this low to open the palace?”
“Join us, or perish.”
The massacre would claim thousands—an unthinkable loss for the Fire Nation, enraging the imperial family.
“May calamity be averted.”
Someone prayed, clutching a black stone and chanting before sending a message: “Fire Emperor, the pact is broken. The nation’s foundation is under attack.”
A massive banner descended from the heavens, impaling the formation and shattering it completely.
“The Fire Emperor?!”
The array’s architects shrieked, transforming into crimson serpents and fleeing.
The banner flapped violently, unleashing golden gales. The serpents disintegrated mid-air, reduced to bloody fog.
The crowd scattered in panic, realizing the scripture had been bait—a trap to lure sacrifices. The lake likely concealed the palace’s entrance.
The golden banner vanished into the sky as swiftly as it had come.
The red-haired youth paled and fled. Having survived, he had no intention of staying.
Shi Hao gave chase. Unlike the slain elders, this youth was pure-blooded—a living treasure.
The youth glanced back, smirking. Once away, he’d deal with this insolent human.
Behind them, the crowd dispersed in fury. The foreign elders also withdrew.
“Good. No witnesses now. You dare challenge me?” The youth halted.
“And you are?” Shi Hao scoffed. He’d devoured Green Luan, subdued Flood Dragons, and carved meat from Zhujian. A pure-blood meant little to him.
Their battle erupted. Shi Hao unleashed his Engravement Realm power, overwhelming the Viperflame youth, who realized too late that Shi Hao had concealed his strength.
The serpent fought fiercely, surpassing Shi Hao in realm and unique abilities. They clashed over a hundred rounds.
Finally, Shi Hao slew it, revealing its true form—a crimson serpent over ten yards long, gleaming like carved ruby.
Salivating, Shi Hao relished his prize. After feasting, he’d have plenty left for Stone Village.
While looting the corpse, he discovered a copper page—flexible yet metallic, impervious to elements.
“An actual scripture?”
Shi Hao was stunned. What he’d assumed was a deadly lie turned out to be real.
Studying it, his expression shifted from gravity to elation. This scripture was invaluable—possibly enabling rapid advancement here.
Its worth surpassed even grand divine abilities.
Laughing heartily, Shi Hao knew: this was a treasure beyond measure.
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