After some deliberation, Shi Hao decided to set sail with them in search of the Kun Peng Treasure Technique. However, when it came to the issue of meeting up, trouble arose.
“We’ll come to pick you up. No matter how far, just give us an exact location, and we’ll get there swiftly,” a divine servant said.
Shi Hao naturally refused. The location of Stone Village must never be revealed—it would invite disaster. That place held immense significance for him, a sanctuary of the soul, not to be trespassed by anyone. But if he didn’t let them fetch him, how would he get there himself? The Great Wasteland was boundless, spanning millions of miles. If he had to trek on foot, who knew how long it would take?
“Tell me the location. Wait for me there!” In the end, he left with those words.
Back in Stone Village, Shi Hao wore a troubled expression as he sought help from the Willow Deity. Otherwise, making the journey alone would take at least a year or two.
“That’s no issue at all. It’s simple,” the scorched black tree trunk remained motionless, but its dozen or so emerald-green willow branches swayed in affirmation.
“That’s fantastic!” Shi Hao cheered, relieved to avoid the arduous journey.
When the villagers learned he was leaving again, men and women, young and old, all came out to surround him, reluctant to let him go.
“Child, you’ve only been back for a few months. Why must you leave again? Can’t you stay longer?”
“The outside world is so dangerous. How can we rest easy knowing you’re out there alone?”
Their warm words filled Shi Hao’s heart with warmth. He patted his chest and declared, “Don’t worry! If I go out, they’ll see me as a menace—no one would dare bully me.”
“Hahaha…” The group of youths burst into laughter. They had recently ventured into the Void God Realm and learned much about the infamous “holy terror”—a troublemaker despised by both gods and men alike.
“You always try to reassure us, but who knows how much suffering you’ll endure out there? Be careful in all things, and always protect yourself first.”
“Child, you must come back safely. Your uncles and elders are still waiting to see you get married!”
Amidst their endless admonitions and reluctant farewells, many of the village women shed tears, their hearts aching for this orphaned boy they had raised as their own.
“Don’t worry! This time, I’ll bring back even more treasures!” Shi Hao said cheerfully, eager to bring gifts for his kin.
“Don’t trouble yourself. Our Stone Village lacks nothing now. Look—we have dozens of spirit herbs, quasi-saint medicines bearing fruit, and even Eight Treasures Chickens. This is already a heavenly blessing.”
The villagers urged him repeatedly to be careful and return soon.
The Crimson Bird, itching to follow, was firmly refused by Shi Hao—the journey was too perilous, filled with beings from divine mountains. Who knew what dangers lurked?
Er Meng, on the other hand, shook his head from the start. He absolutely refused to go, as if he had some unresolved history with the ancient divine mountains and wished to avoid those people.
“Take care, little brother!” Qing Feng waved as they parted, uncertain when they would meet again—perhaps months if all went well, but who could say if great peril arose?
At the village entrance, the lightning-scarred tree trunk was covered in glyphs, resembling coiled true dragons or roaring beasts—the scorched patterns pulsed with power. The Willow Deity glowed as its branches traced through the air, forming a radiant emerald passage leading to an unknown destination.
“Goodbye!” Shi Hao turned back, forcing a smile despite the ache in his heart. His eyes reddened, unsure if this parting would last years—the Great Wasteland was vast, the seas boundless, filled with countless unknowns.
“Whoosh!” A streak of golden light shot toward him—the Golden Furball leaped onto his shoulder at the last moment, determined to follow.
Shi Hao had meant to refuse, knowing the bloody storms that awaited in those distant seas. But recalling the creature’s possible origins, he relented and allowed it to come.
“Come back soon!” The villagers called after him, many with reddened eyes.
With one final glance, Shi Hao stepped into the glowing passage, his figure blurring before vanishing entirely.
Glyphs intertwined as the willow branches danced, their brilliant radiance seeing him off.
When Shi Hao reappeared, he found himself before towering mountains, their terrain vast and majestic—like an ancient dragon coiled in slumber or a sacred tortoise lying in wait. This was divine land. The moment he arrived, his body felt lighter, as the dense spiritual energy actively seeped into him.
In the distance, a grand mountain pierced the clouds—the Ancient Divine Mountain!
Shi Hao’s delicate face filled with awe as he gazed into the distance. Even the land beneath his feet, shaped like a tortoise and dragon, was extraordinary. Nearby, spirit waterfalls cascaded down cliffs, ancient herbs perfumed the air, and rare beasts roamed freely.
To his surprise, there were also thatched huts nearby—dwellings of powerful beings from various races who lived in seclusion, cultivating here.
“Are these the legendary pilgrims?” he mused. He had heard of mighty figures who sought to join the divine mountains, willing to live humbly in hopes of guidance. Some even offered themselves as servants for the chance to enter.
Of course, not all divine mountains were the same. Many were occupied by ancient ferocious beasts, devoid of true deities. In such places, no creature dared linger—any trespasser would be devoured whole.
It seemed the master of this divine mountain was relatively benevolent.
“You’ve arrived.” A serene voice spoke. An elderly figure appeared—silent, sudden, and overwhelmingly powerful.
Shi Hao turned to see a Golden Beast—a humanoid form covered in golden fur, its body radiant yet aged, hunched with an aura that shook the soul.
This was undoubtedly a supreme expert, so formidable that most would tremble and submit at first sight.
Yet Shi Hao felt no fear. Born with innate confidence, his ten heavenly passages flickered faintly, resisting the oppressive aura.
Upon closer inspection, he found the figure familiar—he had seen this nearly toothless divine servant in the Void God Realm, where Shi Hao had once warned and threatened him.
“Heh, young one, are you afraid?” The divine servant’s grin was unsettling. His strength was such that even in ancient kingdoms, he would be revered.
“So you’re this powerful? That’s unbelievable. Why weren’t you anything special in the Heavenly Passage Realm?” The holy terror asked bluntly, devoid of reverence.
The divine servant’s cold smirk froze. Whether in the Void God Realm or reality, this brat’s confidence never wavered—daring to speak to him like this?
“Young man, this is not the Void God Realm. Before you lies the Ancient Divine Mountain.” The divine servant’s voice boomed with authority, his golden radiance blazing like the sun, his aura terrifying to the extreme.
Pressed, Shi Hao unleashed all ten heavenly passages, their resonant hum equally dazzling.
“What’s so great about the Ancient Divine Mountain? I come from the Deity’s Village. Don’t put on airs with me. Weren’t you all preparing to set sail? Lead the way already—stop dawdling.”
The divine servant had intended to humble him, lest his arrogance cause trouble along the journey. But the brat’s nature defied expectations—utterly unyielding.
Faced with the divine mountain, he remained fearless. Could he truly be the descendant of a deity? Yet according to their knowledge, he was likely the child of that Shi couple.
“Hurry up and take me to see the divine mountain. Time is precious.” The holy terror’s eyes gleamed, already eyeing the treasure-laden land.
“You—ah!” The divine servant sighed. He truly couldn’t control him—they needed his ten heavenly passages to open the forbidden path.
Grumbling inwardly, the divine servant unleashed a radiant glow, forming a brilliant channel that stretched forward, unimpeded by trees, rocks, or streams—like a divine bridge along the earth.
“You’re so strong, old man. Teach me a supreme treasure technique! I’ll repay you someday.” Shi Hao’s eyes sparkled, his delicate face brimming with desire.
The divine servant struggled to keep up with his shifting demeanor—defiant one moment, shamelessly begging for secrets the next.
“What a magnificent mountain! Was this truly a divine court forged by the ancient gods? It still feels so sacred.” Shi Hao marveled.
The mountain resembled a true dragon, soaring into the heavens, its peaks alive with flowing springs, cascading waterfalls, and rare herbs. Spirit pythons coiled on cliffs, massive trees housed avian nests, and divine martens darted among boulders. Deep pools hid mystical turtles.
This land teemed with astonishing spiritual energy, home to rare creatures and wondrous species.
Just past the mountain gates, Shi Hao’s eyes widened—he spotted a pair of Eight Treasures Chickens leisurely pecking at spirit grass. Immediately, he leaped off the radiant path and gave chase.
“Hey! Where are you going?” the divine servant called.
“Chicken hunting!” Shi Hao replied. These were one of the Eight Ancient Treasures—exceedingly rare. He never expected to find a pair right at the mountain’s entrance.
The divine servant’s face darkened. This kid was too much.
“Those are sacred birds of the divine mountain. Don’t touch them.”
“They’re still outside the mountain, aren’t they?” Shi Hao retorted.
“Just hurry along. If you can open the Kun Peng’s forbidden path, we’ll gift you not just these birds but the entire Eight Ancient Treasures.”
Shi Hao walked away reluctantly, muttering, “So extravagant. You’re not raising them just to eat, are you? What a waste!”
“Is this the human prodigy your Heavenly Deity Mountain found? How savage—he won’t even spare a chicken.”
A youth of about fourteen or fifteen strode forward, his body wreathed in azure divine light, a mocking smirk on his face. Behind him followed several elderly servants, each shrouded in holy radiance, exuding terrifying power.
“I wouldn’t spare even you if I had the chance.” The holy terror licked his lips, as if seeing through the youth’s true form.
“How dare you!” The youth’s eyes flashed like lightning, his azure hair whipping in the wind.
“You’re the one who’s daring! Looking for a beating?” The holy terror stomped forward, unafraid even in the heart of the divine mountain. The divine servant beside him was stunned—this kid was fearless everywhere.
“Ahem!” The divine servant coughed. “We’re allies on this venture. No infighting.”
The elderly servants behind the youth also hurried to restrain him.
The azure-haired youth glared coldly at Shi Hao before snorting in disdain.
“Behave. If you keep growling at me, I’ll eat you.” The holy terror threatened.
The divine servant was speechless. Just whose territory was this? The brat remained a thorn, utterly unyielding.
The azure-haired youth’s rage flared, his body erupting with azure light as he prepared to strike.
“Enough! Our alliance is for the sake of retrieving the Kun Peng Treasure Technique. We have no time for squabbles.”
A group of youths approached, each bathed in resplendent divine light, as if celestial beings had descended. Behind them trailed elderly servants, their holy auras overwhelmingly powerful.
Among them was the violet-robed maiden, descendant of the Heavenly Deity Mountain’s master. It was she who spoke, halting the silver-haired youth’s aggression.
“These girls—all thick-waisted and wide-hipped. Life in the Ancient Divine Mountains must be good, fattening them up like this.” The holy terror muttered under his breath.
A silver-haired maiden, her entire body shimmering with argent radiance, blinked in confusion. Her flawless face bore innocent curiosity as she whispered, “Who’s he calling fat?”
The violet-robed maiden’s face darkened. She opened her mouth but found it hard to explain—the holy terror’s aesthetic standards were severely skewed.
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