Chapter 847: The Yellow Springs and Earth Mother, the Primordial True Realm (Combined)
Where did he go?
Su Muqing froze, suddenly recalling the strange expressions of Su Wanqing and her sister Su Wanxue, and her heart lurched with a sharp sense of dread.
Su Wanqing noticed the boy only now, and felt a bitter irony—her heart ached as if pricked by a needle: he had been by her side for so long, yet in her sister’s heart, he had never held even a single spot?
But… it’s better this way. Her sister never cared for him anyway; his departure spares him suffering here. They never saw each other in their eyes—this was merely a misunderstanding.
Just like the Immortal Rhythm Purple Osmanthus he gave her—it was merely plucked at random, carrying no other meaning.
But… why does my heart feel so sad?
Su Wanqing turned away, saying nothing, offering no reply to Su Muqing.
Su Wanxue, seeing Su Muqing finally notice the boy’s absence, sighed and said: “He’s gone.”
“Gone?”
Su Muqing’s body trembled slightly, a strong premonition of misfortune surging—she hurriedly asked: “Where? The Ancestral Grounds?”
Su Wanxue shook her head slightly. Li Hao and the Primordial Spirit girl had left; their father, Su Zhenyuan, had followed them. Though she and her sister Su Wanqing had stayed behind to care for Su Muqing, their projections had trailed to the Minghuang Palace, waiting there for their father, who revealed Li Hao’s whereabouts.
He had already left the Su family.
No one knew where he went—he was personally escorted away by the Ancestor.
Both Su Wanxue and Su Wanqing had witnessed Li Hao’s reunion with the Primordial Spirit girl; they understood now: his purpose in coming to the Su family had been fulfilled, so he had no reason to remain.
After all, with the boy’s talent, he was destined for great things. The Su family may be top-tier in the Northern Region, but to such a prodigy, it could never hold him.
“Not the Ancestral Grounds? Then where?”
Su Muqing was stunned, a hollow emptiness suddenly swelling in her chest—as if something immensely precious had been lost.
“We don’t know.”
Su Wanxue shook her head, sighing: “Even Father doesn’t know where he went. The Ancestor personally saw him off.”
“Saw him off? Why?”
Su Muqing frowned, asking: “Did he offend the Ancestor in the Ancestral Grounds and incur punishment? But he slew demons and saved the Northern Region…”
“Of course not!”
Su Wanqing, silent until now, couldn’t help interrupting, raising her head to look at her sister with an utterly alien gaze:
“Why would you think he offended or provoked the Ancestor? You have no idea how much the Ancestor adores him! Besides him, who among us—even you—has ever been summoned by the Ancestor? Who has ever paid him a visit? He’s been to the Ancestral Grounds four or five times.”
“And Fourth Uncle said the Ancestor adores him so much he doesn’t even need to report before entering the Ancestral Grounds—something neither you nor I, as direct bloodline heirs, have ever been granted! Even Father must report from the mountain’s base before being allowed to visit!”
Her voice grew more fervent, her eyes glistening with tears from emotion.
Seeing her expression, Su Muqing froze—suddenly struck by realization.
Yes… I’ve never even been summoned by the Ancestor.
Yet that boy was summoned to the Ancestral Grounds immediately after slaying the demons.
In the few years since, he left for the Ancestral Grounds multiple times—once staying three full years. Wu Ma said he was likely training there, receiving the Ancestor’s guidance…
But if he hadn’t offended the Ancestor, why would the Ancestor send him away?
Su Muqing felt her heart grow heavier, as if something crushing was about to surface.
She looked at her agitated sister and suddenly sensed something odd: “Wanqing… do you… like him?”
At these words, Su Wanxue sighed. It was obvious to anyone watching—only Su Muqing had failed to notice.
Yesterday, if her feelings had been exposed, Su Wanqing would have blushed and avoided her gaze. But now, she declared outright: “Yes, I admire him!”
She spoke with fierce intensity, her eyes locked on Su Muqing: “You yourself said you’d never look at him, that you ignored him, that your eyes were only on Lin Zhexuan. If so, why can’t I admire him?”
Su Muqing stared at her, as if seeing a stranger.
“But his eyes were only on you—only you!”
Su Wanqing clenched her fists, biting her lip until it bled—but soon, sorrow surfaced in her eyes, and she laughed bitterly: “But that’s not true either. His eyes never held you—not once. Only her. Only that person…”
When Li Hao embraced Shi Miao, their gaze locked—Su Wanqing saw it, and knew: this was a bond no one could disrupt or intrude upon.
Su Muqing’s face darkened with anger: “What are you talking about? I don’t blame you for admiring him. Just tell me—why did the Ancestor send him away? Was it his own choice?”
“We don’t know the reason.”
Su Wanxue pulled Su Wanqing back, stopping her from speaking further, shaking her head and sighing: “But one thing is certain: he chose to leave. Otherwise, how could the Ancestor, who adores him so deeply, have let him go?”
“Impossible!”
Su Muqing declared firmly: “He would never leave willingly—he’s been waiting here every single day—he…”
She said “he” twice, then her voice faltered.
The boy had willingly waited here every day—yet every day, all he faced was a closed palace door and your deliberate indifference.
Had he… given up?
Su Muqing suddenly felt a pang of panic, an indescribable ache.
Su Wanxue, seeing her utter ignorance, felt pity in her eyes: “Muqing, don’t overthink it. His departure is exactly what you wanted—without him clinging to you, you can finally be with Lin Zhexuan. Your betrothal won’t be disturbed anymore.”
In the past, Su Muqing would have felt triumphant, deeply agreeing. But now, it felt like a heavy hammer striking her chest—her face turned pale.
Her eyes filled with disbelief—and anger.
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”
“How could he leave willingly? He only waited a few more years—I, I…”
Her words choked in her throat, unspoken.
She had planned: after her seclusion ended… if he asked Father outright to marry her, she would have consented.
But… why couldn’t he wait?
She’d waited over a decade—why not wait a little longer?
He had willingly faced death for you before the demons!
He had defied seven realms to fight the top demon prodigies for your sake!
Why, now, after merely waiting a few more years, would he leave?
She clenched her fists, fingers taut, knuckles turning white.
“I’m going to ask Father for the truth!”
She suddenly moved, stepping toward the palace gate.
Su Wanqing stood numbly aside, offering no resistance.
But Su Wanxue rushed to grab her, her expression complex: “Don’t go—it’s useless.”
She didn’t want Su Muqing to learn the truth and be hurt.
“No!”
Su Muqing suddenly unleashed her Immortal energy, easily breaking free of Su Wanxue’s grip. She cast one final resolute glance at her, then stormed out of the palace without looking back:
“No matter where he went, I must know why—I must have answers!”
As she spoke, her figure vanished instantly, fleeing with a speed beyond imagination.
Su Wanqing said nothing, but stepped out of the palace after her, her form flickering and disappearing.
Su Wanxue immediately realized Su Wanqing had followed—and sighed inwardly. Why must it be this way? The boy had only been in the Su family for less than twenty years, yet left an indelible impression.
Clearly, Su Muqing was no longer the same person she once was.
She sighed deeply, but as she recalled the boy’s bearing, her gaze held only silence and complexity.
In an instant, the three sisters arrived one after another at the Minghuang Palace.
“Father!”
Su Muqing burst into the palace without waiting for announcement.
The guards followed in, immediately kneeling before Su Zhenyuan to beg forgiveness.
Su Zhenyuan waved them away, frowning slightly at the agitated Su Muqing below.
“Where is Hao Tian? Why did he leave?!”
Su Muqing demanded loudly.
“Muqing.”
Su Qingmei beside her frowned slightly, softly reprimanding Su Muqing’s boldness.
Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue entered behind her—Su Wanqing lowered her head in silence, like a shadow; Su Wanxue bowed respectfully to Su Zhenyuan above, addressing him softly as Father.
Su Zhenyuan’s face was grim: “Hao Tian has his own path. He’s merely returning to where he belongs—he was never truly of our Northern Region.”
“I know he’s not from the Northern Region—I only want to know why he left!”
Su Muqing gritted her teeth.
Su Zhenyuan glanced at Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue; Su Wanxue subtly shook her head.
Su Zhenyuan understood: they hadn’t told Su Muqing the truth. But with so many witnesses, silence was pointless—she’d learn eventually.
He spoke calmly: “Hao Tian came to the Northern Region to find someone. Now that he’s found them, he naturally leaves.”
He paused, then looked at Su Muqing: “His departure is better for you. My words during the demon-slaying match are void. You and Lin Zhexuan needn’t worry—your betrothal will proceed as planned. Ideally, you should conceive an heir before entering the Primordial True Realm.”
“Who did he come to find?!”
Su Muqing suddenly cut him off, voice sharp with emotion: “Didn’t he come here for me?”
Su Zhenyuan froze, seeing his daughter’s uncontrolled state—suddenly realizing something. He exclaimed in shock:
“You… have feelings for that boy?”
Su Muqing’s face shifted slightly at being exposed, but she didn’t blush—only bit her lip: “That’s irrelevant!”
Su Zhenyuan studied her for a moment, then said: “If you do, I advise you to bury it. Now is still early to turn back. Lin Zhexuan was born in the Northern Region, grew up with you—he’s a worthy match.”
Though he personally favored Li Hao, Li Hao could never be his son-in-law. Excluding Li Hao, Lin Zhexuan was unquestionably the best choice.
Su Muqing gritted her teeth: “I said—it’s irrelevant! Who did he come to find? Wasn’t he always with our Su family?”
Su Zhenyuan sighed lightly and said, “Look for yourself. You’ll understand after you see it.”
He didn’t waste words; he raised his hand and slashed the air, causing ripples to spread like an unfurling scroll.
The scene that had occurred earlier in the Exiled Immortal Academy reappeared, vividly projected.
From within the hall, an overwhelming divine power erupted, followed by Shi Miao’s appearance, her meeting with Li Hao, and the two embracing…
Inside the hall, silence reigned, broken only by the restrained, deeply emotional words exchanged between Li Hao and Shi Miao upon their reunion.
Su Muqing lifted her gaze, her pupils contracting slightly.
When she saw the two embrace, when she saw the boy’s sincere, familiar eyes, her face drained of all color, turning deathly pale.
So… the person he had gazed at for so long was not me…
But who is that girl?
Moments later, the light and shadow faded, and the atmosphere in the hall froze as if encased in ice.
Su Muqing’s face flushed crimson then ashen; she clenched her fists and asked, “Who is that person?”
“That is the one Hao Tian seeks—the ancient powerhouse who used your body to reincarnate.”
Su Zhenyuan spoke without concealment.
The truth may be a sharp blade, but it must be faced sooner or later. And if Su Muqing cannot bear this, her Dao heart still needs further tempering—otherwise, she will never achieve greatness.
Su Muqing felt a violent jolt in her chest. Is that the one he’s searching for? So this is who he’s been seeking!
And I… am just a vessel?
Her spirit trembled, and suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her.
So I’m just a substitute?!
But even if I’m only a vessel, it’s been me—only me—who spent these past ten years with him!
She bit her lip tightly. Even as the vision faded, she realized: in the boy’s eyes, there had been only that Primordial Spirit girl—throughout their reunion, through their departure—he never once glanced back at the hall below!
Not even a single glance!
Su Muqing bit through her lip; blood seeped out. The golden divine blood, sweet and rich, trickled into her throat, yet brought an unspeakable sorrow.
Suddenly, she remembered the moment before she fainted, when she had unleashed that hidden power.
So… she was that hidden power.
She bit her lip harder.
That means… I was the one who willingly released her!
At this moment, she felt something—an overwhelming, desperate urge—to reverse time itself!
But even though she controlled the Seventh Layer of the Time Primordial Source, she could not accomplish it, for the timeline she wished to reverse contained her father, Su Wanqing, Li Hao, and that Primordial Spirit girl.
Even if all other scenes rewound, they would remain untouched by her time manipulation.
Besides, she could not reverse a timeline so densely packed with powerful beings.
The hall fell silent, as if dead.
Long moments passed before Su Muqing spoke, her voice hoarse: “Even if he’s leaving… he should have said goodbye to me.”
“We’ve lived together for over a decade! He spent more than ten years in my courtyard!”
Su Zhenyuan sighed softly, saying nothing.
What good would a farewell do? None.
The greatest regret in life is parting.
“Say goodbye? And then sit alone in the courtyard, waiting for you to open the hall door?”
No one answered from the front. Instead, a cold voice came from behind Su Muqing—it was Su Wanqing.
Su Muqing felt as if a dagger had pierced her chest; pain flared. Her face changed color several times. She opened her mouth to speak, but found no words.
Suddenly, she realized: over the past ten years, she had never once given the boy a kind look.
Yet he had always endured it silently, never angry.
Was it only because he needed to use me to get closer to that Primordial Spirit girl that he tolerated me?
She suddenly felt absurd—how could she have ever thought he cared for her?
“Report!”
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the hall.
Su Zhenyuan looked up and called, “Speak.”
The messenger entered the hall, knelt, bowed, and spoke rapidly: “Lord, as you ordered, we’ve confirmed the identity and origins of Hao Tian!”
“Hmm?”
At these words, everyone in the hall perked up. Su Qingmei fixed her gaze on the messenger, deeply curious: which of the Hundred Ancestral Clans of the True World had produced such an extraordinary talent?
Su Zhenyuan’s eyes flickered. Li Hao’s identity was still a secret—his aid to the Northern Region would draw the attention of demons; it must not be widely known.
But these people here… if he didn’t tell them now, they’d pester him later.
Fortunately, they were his wife and daughters—he trusted them completely. “Just speak.”
“Hao Tian hails from the Southern Region. Thirty years ago, he emerged suddenly from the Daming Jiuyuan Sect of the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, one of the Seven Ancient Immortal Dynasties of the South. He rose to fame swiftly, climbing to the top ten prodigies of Yan Chu, and even reportedly sparred with the imperial family, defeating an Immortal Lord in the True Immortal Realm!”
“Then he represented Yan Chu’s prodigies in the Southern Region’s Grand Tournament, vying for a spot in the Original True World.”
“In the Original True World, he displayed extraordinary prowess, effortlessly breaking through trials and defeating the top prodigies of every clan—including the Ancient God Clan and the Ghost Clan, both ranked among the top ten in the True World.”
“Before the Southern Region’s Grand Tournament even ended, he was universally recognized as the strongest True Immortal in the South—considered invincible in the True Immortal Realm.”
The messenger spoke rapidly, his words echoing through the grand hall.
The hall was utterly silent, save for the messenger’s voice reverberating in the chilling stillness.
Everyone except Su Zhenyuan stared in shock, eyes wide with disbelief, speechless.
Su Zhenyuan’s eyes held surprise too, but remembering Li Hao’s feats against demons, such achievements were not surprising.
“Strongest True Immortal of the Southern Region… hmm.”
He chuckled softly, then said, “Continue.”
But the messenger’s expression changed; he lowered his voice. “When he defeated the personal disciple of the Southern Region’s Supreme Sovereign and claimed the title of True Immortal Champion, his identity triggered ancient secrets of the Southern Region. He was suppressed by the Supreme Sovereign himself and nearly perished there.”
“What?”
Su Zhenyuan’s smile froze. He stared, stunned, at the messenger.
Such a prodigy nearly died in the Southern Region?
Secrets? Identity?
He asked, “What was the reason?”
Su Muqing and Su Wanqing, among others, snapped out of their shock. Their expressions shifted—they hadn’t expected the boy to have such a legendary past.
To be suppressed by the Southern Region’s Supreme Sovereign? That was horrifying.
The messenger explained: Li Hao was a disciple of Tianyang Immortal Emperor, and recounted the ancient upheavals involving the pursuit of traitors in the Southern Region.
Everyone listened, stunned.
What kind of nonsense was this?
What did this have to do with Li Hao? He was barely a hundred years old in soul lifespan!
And given the current state of the True World, would they really suppress and kill a prodigy with a Dao Source Immortal Seal over this?!
“And then what happened?”
Su Muqing couldn’t help asking.
“Afterward, Hao Tian was surrounded by enemies. The Imperial Clan’s Pretender Prince sought to kill him. But suddenly, a girl appeared, rescued him, fought the Supreme Sovereign on his behalf, and died. As he was about to perish before the Sovereign, the Dao Source Immortal Emperor of the Original True World intervened, saved him, and afterward, he left the Southern Region—by timing, he must have come directly to our Northern Region.”
The messenger spoke quickly, in few words.
Hearing this, Su Zhenyuan fell silent. He hadn’t expected the boy had come to the Northern Region as a fugitive.
Such a prodigy was rare in the world—yet he ended up like a stray dog. It was laughable. The Southern Region was truly such a place? The Southern Region’s Supreme Sovereign was truly so narrow-minded and vile, disregarding the greater good!
“I never imagined he endured so much…”
Su Zhenyuan sighed.
Hearing this, Su Muqing’s body trembled slightly. Now she understood: the boy had come here as a refugee.
He had achieved legendary victories in the Southern Region, yet barely escaped with his life.
He should have been cherished, pampered—yet he was cast out, wandering. She could imagine how agonizing it must have been.
And when he first arrived in the Northern Region, came to the Su family, he faced her cold stares, her disdain…
He had lost his home in the Southern Region—and now, in the Northern Region, he was rejected again…
Su Muqing felt as if a knife had pierced her chest. A suffocating pain surged, so intense she wanted to clutch at it.
What had I been doing all this time?
Her heart felt as if it were weeping. She didn’t know—when he faced her cold gaze, had he ever felt pain? Had he ever suffered?
She bit her lip. All her former resentment and anger dissolved. Suddenly, she understood: he owed her nothing. It was she who owed him an apology.
“So… that marriage contract was given to him by the Dao Source Immortal Emperor?”
In the silent hall, Su Wanqing’s voice rang out, calm and icy.
Su Zhenyuan nodded slightly. He now knew: the Immortal Emperor who had gifted the marriage contract was none other than the Dao Source Immortal Emperor, who had ties to the Ancestor.
“The Dao Source Immortal Emperor governs the Original True World. If he gave the contract, then… he must have also granted him access to the Original True World. Has he gone there?”
Su Wanqing fixed her gaze on Su Zhenyuan.
Su Zhenyuan nodded slightly. Though the Ancestor hadn’t said, and the boy might not yet be there, he would enter eventually.
After all, the Original True World was crucial for True Immortals and Immortal Lords. Mastering its powers there made a profound difference in breaking through to the King Realm later.
Su Wanqing said no more. She turned and left without a word.
Su Wanxue understood that the other must be rushing to cultivate, so she could compete with the other early-arriving prodigies in the Primitive True Realm they were about to enter.
“The Primitive True Realm…”
Su Muqing paused, then suddenly said nothing more and turned to leave.
Seeing both of them return, Su Wanxue also didn’t linger, politely bidding farewell to her parents before leaving Minghuang Palace.
“This child Muqing… her thoughts seem to have changed.”
Su Qingmei whispered, worried, only after the three sisters had left.
Su Zhenyuan nodded slightly, having sensed it too—he never expected that after only a decade or so, the centuries-old childhood bond between Su Muqing and Lin Zhe could be shaken.
He had previously feared forcing the marriage would provoke his daughter’s desperate resistance; now it seemed his worries were unfounded.
Yet, this current situation appeared to have plunged into another dilemma.
He frowned slightly, then shook his head, feeling these troubles were endless.
“To put it plainly, they’re still too young—they don’t realize that in life, it’s often happier to find someone who loves you than to search for someone you love.”
Su Zhenyuan sighed softly.
Su Qingmei, hearing this, raised an eyebrow and pinched his arm. “So you’re saying you chose me because I love you?”
“Well, of course…”
Su Zhenyuan had barely spoken when a sharp pain in his arm made him realize his mistake—but as a near-Imperial cultivator, his reflexes were swift; he smoothly continued: “Of course I did—I chose you because I love my Lady. Otherwise, why would you be so happy?”
“You…” Su Qingmei poked his forehead with one finger, exasperated.
…
Outside the Su family, beyond the Gusu Imperial Star.
At the edge of a secluded battlefield in the Northern Region.
Here, a crack appeared, and two figures stepped through it.
The fissure vanished instantly, its inner core brimming with terrifying Imperial might—untraceable, leaving no trace.
Li Hao looked up; distant stars filled the sky, yet among them glowed a patch of sandy debris, like the afterglow of sunset—light reflected from those stars onto the meteor fragments illuminated this desolate battlefield, painting everything in orange-gold hues, like twilight.
Around him, dark green grass spread like spilled blood, absorbed by the earth.
The oppressive deathly aura and metallic stench of blood made Li Hao survey his surroundings: this was an ancient battlefield, littered with colossal beast carcasses, their bones gray-white, as if aged through countless eons.
Li Hao recognized many as ancient demonic corpses; those of this scale included several Ancient Immortal Kings—essentially Demon Kings—who had perished here, their bones nearly fossilized, unable to withstand the cosmic sandstorms.
“Are you afraid?”
Shi Miao held Li Hao’s hand and turned to ask gently.
Li Hao smiled. “With you here, I’m not afraid.”
Shi Miao smiled too; a light breeze stirred around them as she walked slowly with Li Hao through this land steeped in death, as if two young lovers were strolling through a spring valley blooming with flowers.
“If not to slay ancient demons, I wouldn’t have chosen such a place to forge my body.”
She explained to Li Hao.
Li Hao shook his head. “No problem—I’ve eaten more ancient demons than you’ve seen here.”
Shi Miao laughed; she understood his peculiar abilities—he had no Imperial blood, no Chaotic lineage, no ancestral support of countless Immortal herbs or divine artifacts, yet he possessed his own unique power.
Though she didn’t know what that power was, she knew it was his secret weapon against the great clan prodigies.
But what she truly cared for, what she loved, wasn’t his special power—it was Li Hao himself.
And the distant, unforgettable experience yet to come.
“This was once one of the ancient demons’ ‘nests’ in the True Realm—we call it the Yellow Spring Valley!”
Shi Miao raised her hand, pointing to a nearby rise. “See there? That’s it—now shattered, split open by the ‘Master,’ who severed this nest and sealed the path through which the ancient demons descended.”
Li Hao followed her gaze and saw a hill, beneath which yawned a deep, dark cavern. Outside, the fundamental essence of space fluctuated—though the cave appeared only hundreds of meters wide, within its millimeters lay vast spaces as immense as stars.
“The Master?”
Li Hao asked, certain this must be the Imperial title of some Immortal Emperor.
“It’s Su Jiuzhe,” Shi Miao said. “He once called himself Master of the World; after his Imperial Ascension, the world honored him as the Master.”
Li Hao froze—he hadn’t expected it was him.
Recalling what Su Jiuzhe had told him about forging the ultimate realm—the “Myriad Worlds”—Li Hao now understood the origin of his Imperial title.
“This nest is now a dead spot, abandoned and ruined by the ancient demons—but the Yellow Spring energy still lingers here.”
Shi Miao led Li Hao to the foot of the hill, where space layered upon itself; for those who hadn’t mastered the fundamental essence of space, stepping here meant eternal loss—each millimeter concealed a vast realm, impossible to escape.
Shi Miao led Li Hao to just before the hillside, where the space layered upon itself; for those who had not mastered the primordial essence of space Dao, stepping here would surely lead to eternal loss, like a labyrinth—within millimeters lay vast realms, impossible to escape.
Shi Miao told Li Hao.
Li Hao worried: “Should I help?”
Shi Miao smiled at him. “No need. Don’t worry—I’m more afraid of something going wrong than you are.”
In her gaze, Li Hao understood: she wasn’t afraid for herself—she feared that if something went wrong, she’d never see him again in this life.
He nodded slightly; her Primordial Spirit energy was immensely strong—he sensed it was at the peak of Immortal Lord realm. He couldn’t have helped even if he followed.
He nodded slightly; Shi Miao’s primordial spirit energy was extraordinarily strong—he sensed it was at the peak of the Immortal Lord realm, and even if he followed, he might not be able to help much.
“Good.”
Shi Miao smiled—these words, in the future, would always be hers to say.
She released his hand and dashed toward the shattered Yellow Spring Valley.
The twilight glow from the distant stars lit only the side of the valley; its front remained in shadow.
Soon, Shi Miao had walked only dozens of meters before vanishing from Li Hao’s sight—like a nimble fish diving into the layered waves of space.
Li Hao stood still, motionless as a statue.
No chess, no carving—only gazing at the cavern.
True waiting for the one you love leaves no room for distractions.
Long, long time passed.
Suddenly, the cavern trembled slightly—then a thick, primordial yellow-gold light erupted forth.
Shi Miao burst from the cave entrance, her surrounding space waves unable to disturb or shake her; now she was no longer a Primordial Spirit form, but a flesh-and-blood body, radiating profound, heavy energy.
Quickly, Shi Miao crossed layer upon layer of space, returning impatiently to Li Hao’s side.
“Did you wait long?”
She asked first.
Li Hao shook his head, gazing at her physical form. “Your body… seems incredibly powerful.”
He felt it was no less formidable than his own Heaven-Immortal Body, even thicker and more terrifying.
“This body was forged from the Earth Essence of the Yellow Springs, wielding the power of death and decay—it holds great dread and lethality against ancient demons.”
Shi Miao glanced down at herself and smiled at Li Hao.
Li Hao sensed the murderous aura radiating from her body—like the condensed killing intent of countless vengeful souls—a terrifying, demonic killing body!
“In this life, do you plan to cultivate to a higher realm?”
“In this life, do you plan to cultivate to a higher realm?”
Shi Miao smiled and shook her head. “This life is for being with you. Slaying ancient demons is just a side matter.”
Li Hao’s heart skipped a beat—he knew she held deep feelings, but such words still stirred him deeply.
“Then let’s kill ancient demons together—while we’re at it.”
Li Hao said.
Shi Miao nodded; the two smiled at each other.
If any ancient demon had heard this, they’d have been furious enough to smoke their souls.
If an ancient demon were present and heard these words, he would likely be so enraged his soul would smoke.
Li Hao asked. “Where to?”
“My Primordial Spirit hasn’t fully fused with this body yet—I need to use the Yellow Spring energy here to bind them.”
Shi Miao said. “Three to five years at best, seven to ten at worst.”
“Then I’ll stay with you.”
Li Hao said without hesitation.
Shi Miao smiled slightly. “It will delay your journey to the Primitive True Realm, but this place holds ancient demon blood essence—useful for you too.”
Li Hao’s eyes lit up—ancient demon blood essence? Cooking blood essence would be far more potent than cooking an entire demon.
Shi Miao said nothing, instead taking Li Hao’s hand and walking across the desolate battlefield. Soon, she stopped at a patch of ground, then slashed open the earth, digging dozens of miles deep until she found a cluster of black crystals, radiating thick bloodstained stench and ancient demonic darkness.
“This is ancient demon blood essence. During the great battle, so much blood soaked into the ground here—this was their nest’s exit, saturated with Yellow Spring energy, which fused with the blood and solidified into essence.”
Shi Miao handed the dark blood essence to Li Hao. “To ancient demons, this is a supreme tonic—it refines their power and bloodline.”
Li Hao nodded, taking it; it felt extremely hard, like a gemstone—he’d need considerable effort to cook it, unsure if he could even dissolve it.
Shi Miao led Li Hao and found three more.
Though this battlefield was ten thousand years old, residual chaotic energies formed a peculiar order—even Li Hao’s Primordial Spirit was hindered here, unable to penetrate deeply; he relied entirely on Shi Miao to locate them.
Shi Miao’s Primordial Spirit was stronger than his, and she had forged far more True Divine Blood!
“That’s enough—let’s eat first.”
Li Hao said.
Shi Miao nodded; the two returned to the shattered Yellow Spring Valley, found a gentle slope, and Li Hao activated the Earth Dao’s fundamental essence to set up camp—he built no grand palace, only a simple, humble courtyard.
Earth and Wood Dao essence—construction was swift.
Earth and wood primordial origins, rapid construction.
Shi Miao was extremely pleased with this small courtyard, clapping her hands in delight, and crafted several small ornaments; soon, the courtyard became lively, with a tea table, wooden chairs, and a swing-like rocking chair hanging from a tree in the yard.
In the distance, the twilight projected from the stars never changed with day or night—it remained forever a fixed part of the sky.
In this desolate, ancient battlefield, ruins lay everywhere, yet only this small courtyard emitted wisps of cooking smoke, filled with a warm, comforting scene.
Li Hao spent his days in the courtyard studying how to cook Ancient Demon Blood Essence, while Shi Miao swayed gently on the swing, smiling as she watched him bustle about in the glow of the evening sunset.
After working all night, Li Hao still found no way to dissolve the Ancient Demon Blood Essence, so he first cooked the Ancient Demon flesh to fill their stomachs, and incidentally boost his Primordial Spirit.
Shi Miao, besides accompanying Li Hao in the courtyard, had gathered some flowers and herbs from an unknown place, weaving them into garlands to decorate the yard.
In addition, each day she would go to the cave’s entrance, vanish for hours, and enter the gap within to absorb the power of the Yellow Springs.
Time flowed silently.
Half a month later, Li Hao finally devised a method to dissolve the Ancient Demon Blood Essence and produced his first cooked dish of it.
But the taste was barely acceptable—an absolute failure in Li Hao’s eyes.
He began to devote himself more earnestly, constantly improving; apart from spending time with Shi Miao, he immersed himself entirely in refining this art of Blood Essence cuisine.
Six months later, he finally crafted a dish made from Blood Essence that satisfied him.
His culinary skill also drew ever closer to breakthrough, occasionally catching glimpses of the twelfth-level heart-state’s illumination.
Time passed day after day.
Yet in this battlefield, the twilight remained eternal, the scenery unchanged; still, Li Hao and Shi Miao found no boredom or weariness in it.
A year later, Li Hao’s speed in producing Ancient Demon Blood Essence improved—he could now make one every ten days.
The power granted by the Ancient Demon Blood Essence far surpassed that of the Ancient Demon flesh; a single portion healed over a hundred of the scarred, fractured bones of Li Hao’s previously burned Primordial Spirit.
Just eleven Blood Essences fully restored Li Hao’s Primordial Spirit bones to their original state.
After consuming more Blood Essence, Li Hao felt a purer form of Primordial Spirit energy begin to sprout within his Primordial Spirit bones.
This energy flowed like qi through his Primordial Spirit bones.
When he consumed ten Ancient Demon Blood Essences, this pure Primordial Spirit energy would condense into a single drop of True God Blood.
This True God Blood contained immense power, utterly distinct from the energy emitted by the Primordial Spirit bones—far purer; if the power of the Primordial Spirit bones was a fist, then the True God Blood was a blade’s edge.
Though minute in volume, its instantaneous burst of terrifying control and Primordial Spirit power was dozens of times greater than that of the Primordial Spirit bones.
When his entire body was filled with True God Blood, Li Hao felt it surpassed the power of tens of thousands of Primordial Spirit bones—it was a level beyond imagination.
Shi Miao, besides daily refining Yellow Springs power, accompanied Li Hao in searching for Ancient Demon Blood Essence; back in the courtyard, after eating and drinking, when they grew tired, Li Hao carved a guqin and played for her to ease her boredom.
His Music Realm had long remained at the sixth level, never given a chance to develop further; now, Li Hao treated it as a leisurely pastime.
After all, his allocation points were sufficient; even if he raised Music to the seventh or eighth level, his heart-states had no immediate use for it—better to channel that energy into his carving.
If he ever reached a point with no further advancement, perhaps he would consider slowly elevating Music and Poetry, bringing both arts to higher levels.
Ancient Demon battlefield, sunset glow, bamboo-fenced courtyard, wisps of cooking smoke, the soft chime of a guqin.
Time flowed quietly, gently, through this battlefield—feared by many, yet long forgotten by countless others.
To these two, it felt like home—a secluded peach blossom paradise beyond the world.
Both were rootless souls; wherever they were, that was home.
When the two were together, this place became their home.
In the blink of an eye, seven years passed.
Seven years had passed since they arrived in this Yellow Springs Ruin Battlefield; one day, as Li Hao cooked Ancient Demon Blood Essence, the heavens and earth trembled faintly, and a strange ripple appeared.
But the ripple vanished quickly, like ripples on water’s surface, fading as if an illusion.
Li Hao was startled and looked around outside the courtyard.
“No one comes here,” he said.
Shi Miao replied: “The outside has long been sealed by prohibitions.”
Without the Spring Severance Emperor Sword, neither of them could have entered.
“Then what was that?” Li Hao asked, puzzled, looking at her.
“It was a fluctuation from the Original True Realm,” Shi Miao said. “Someone must have ascended and stepped into the Original True Realm.”
Li Hao blinked in surprise. “So much commotion? Even here we can feel it?”
“That’s why the Original True Realm is the sacred foundation for immortals and gods,” Shi Miao said. “The Original True Realm is the primordial True Realm—its Daoic sources are everywhere, saturated with immense chaotic energy. When it opens a fissure to the True Realm, it’s like a red-hot iron bar plunged into ice water: the void energy of the True Realm floods into the Original True Realm, while the chaotic energy within leaks out—including the Original True Realm’s primordial consciousness.”
She whispered: “On the Original True Realm’s side, someone deals with the infiltrating void energy to prevent contamination—but they cannot stop the leakage of chaotic energy.”
Li Hao half-understood, calculating the time in his mind: they had been in the Ancient Battlefield seven years, and seven years since leaving the Su family—so this must be the day the Su family and other northern realm’s top prodigies entered the Original True Realm.
This fluctuation must have been caused by them.
Shi Miao gazed at the distance, then slowly looked away, glancing at Li Hao without speaking.
Life soon returned to calm; Li Hao and Shi Miao continued their daily search for Ancient Demon Blood Essence, leaning on each other in the courtyard.
After seven years, Li Hao’s Music Realm had risen to the eighth level.
His Culinary Realm, through repeated insight, had also broken through to the twelfth level.
He obtained his fourth twelfth-level heart-state.
Aside from his Body Realm and Sword Realm, he could still elevate two more realms to the twelfth level.
Without question, his first choice was the Control Realm.
As for his second choice, he left the twelfth-level Culinary heart-state unused for now.
Two more years passed.
Ancient Demon Blood Essence became increasingly scarce; after half a month of searching, they found only one piece—Li Hao realized the battlefield’s supply was nearly exhausted.
Over these years, his gains were immense: besides breaking through to the twelfth level in Culinary, he had condensed a full 121 drops of Primordial Spirit True Blood.
Li Hao could not imagine what his combat power would reach if he burned both his Primordial Spirit bones and True God Blood to their utmost, combined with the Age-Blade of his Carving Realm.
Yet, staying with Shi Miao, he never thought of battle—he was utterly relaxed.
“There’s almost no Ancient Demon Blood Essence left here,” Shi Miao said.
Li Hao nodded, but showed no reaction.
Seeing Li Hao’s calm, indifferent expression, Shi Miao’s eyes softened with tenderness; she whispered: “Let’s go to the Original True Realm tomorrow.”
Li Hao froze. “Tomorrow? What about your body?”
“My body fully merged six months ago,” Shi Miao said. She met his gaze, her cheeks slightly flushed. “I didn’t say anything—I just wanted to stay here longer, to gather more Ancient Demon Blood Essence for you. Once we enter the Original True Realm, time will be precious, and we…”
Li Hao instantly understood. He took her delicate hand in his. “As long as you’re happy.”
Shi Miao was stunned; her gaze slowly grew tender. This was the man she had observed countless times through the years—unchanged.
She smiled. Li Hao smiled too. Many words needed no explanation.
Shi Miao met Li Hao’s gaze, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said, “I didn’t say it, but I just wanted to stay here a little longer, and while I’m at it, dig up more ancient demon blood essence for you—once we go to the Original True Realm, time there is precious, we…”
Li Hao and Shi Miao stood together outside the bamboo-fenced courtyard.
“I once stayed with you in the mortal world,” Shi Miao said, gazing at the courtyard, “but back then, I wasn’t truly myself.”
In that remote border town, her reincarnated self, Ying Xiao Xiao, had once visited; now, her eyes held nostalgia and reluctance.
Nine years of living here had made this courtyard feel truly like home.
Li Hao looked at the courtyard, nodded slightly, feeling an unspoken longing within.
“When we return from the Original True Realm, we’ll come back here.”
Shi Miao gazed at the humble fence courtyard; in that remote frontier city, her reincarnated self, Ying Xiao, had once visited, and her eyes held nostalgia and reluctance.
Li Hao nodded.
“I’ll protect it well—can’t let it get damaged,” she said, raising her hand to unleash thick temporal power, enveloping the courtyard in a complex temporal barrier.
Li Hao laughed. “Even if it breaks, I can fix it.”
“No, it can’t break,” Shi Miao said seriously.
“Mm.”
Facing her seriousness, Li Hao nodded seriously too.
Li Hao smiled: “Even if it’s broken, I can fix it.”
Shi Miao raised her hand; a glow appeared in her palm, as if communicating with some distant presence, calling forth a mysterious force.
Li Hao, seeing this, silently invoked the power granted to him by the Dao Source Emperor.
Soon, two fissures appeared above their heads—pitch black, radiating ancient, primordial energy, as if the will of some long-dead entity.
At the same time, thick, profound chaotic energy surged toward them, instantly causing Li Hao’s pores to open instinctively, greedily drinking in the chaotic qi.
(End of Chapter)
Shi Miao said, raising her hand as a glow emerged in her palm, as if communicating with a distant presence, calling forth some mysterious power.
Li Hao, seeing this, silently invoked the power previously granted to him by the Dao Source Immortal Emperor.
Soon, two cracks appeared above their heads, utterly black, emitting an ancient, vast, and primordial spiritual aura, as if the will of some long-dead entity.
At the same time, a thick and profound chaotic energy surged toward them, instantly causing Li Hao’s pores to instinctively open, greedily drawing in the chaotic qi.
(End of Chapter)
End of Chapter
