"Two years… It's time to go home. Returning empty-handed isn't great. I heard a mountain treasure is emerging deep in the Great Wilderness…"
Shi Hao's reasoning was simple. He felt embarrassed returning home with nothing. He'd left with bold flair, but going back empty-handed would be awkward.
So, he wanted to bring a gift, both to visit his family and to prove he wasn't a calamity star.
His logic wasn't flawed.
Over the past two years, Shi Hao's training in the Great Wilderness had been perilous but not deadly. He'd progressed smoothly, breaking through to nine Heavenly Passages, just a step from ten.
Had he not been determined to match—or surpass—his brother Shi Yi, his talent would've propelled him to the Spirit Transformation Realm long ago. Two years of training wouldn't have left him still in the Heavenly Passage Realm.
But sometimes, good intentions lead to bad outcomes.
_
Lower Realm, Eight Domains, Desolation Domain, Deep Great Wilderness
"Two years, and he hasn't stepped out. Could our fake mountain treasure scheme have been discovered?"
The speaker wasn't human but a hundred-meter beast.
Its form resembled a tiger-leopard, with long, muscular limbs, a dragon's head, and a dragon's tail. Its scales shimmered gold and jade, wings sprouted from its shoulders, and a single horn curved back from its dragon head.
This was an adult Pixiu.
"It's possible. While mountain treasures don't appear on a fixed schedule, two emergences in such a short time could easily raise suspicions."
Bi'an, with a tiger's body and dragon's head, coiled on the ground, its massive frame like a mountain peak. Its limbs tucked beneath its belly gave it an unwittingly endearing air.
"You're overthinking. Before an opportunity, all beings lose their principles. I suspect our fabricated mountain treasure simply lacks enough allure. Why would a meat-eater trek thousands of miles for a grain of rice?"
Ya Zi, with a jackal's body and dragon's head, gazed with intelligent eyes the size of trucks, pinpointing why their two-year ambush had yielded nothing.
"But a treasure too potent could draw the Great Wilderness's four ferocious beasts. We'd struggle against them. Humans aren't united, and beasts even less so," the adult Pixiu sighed, shaking its head.
"Sky Swallowing Sparrow and Qiong Qi are negligible, but Vermilion Bird and Zhu Yan…"
Bi'an bared its maw, rising from the ground. Its imposing aura erased its earlier charm, radiating menace.
Just as Bi'an was about to boast, the adult Pixiu leapt up.
It sensed an unexpected presence—someone it hadn't anticipated. Instead of luring Shi Yi, they'd drawn the true culprit.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, good news! We didn't trick Shi Yi, but we've successfully lured his brother, Shi Hao," the adult Pixiu said, its tone tinged with excitement.
"Shi Hao?" Bi'an asked, puzzled.
"Second Brother, this Shi Hao is the one who caused the death of Third Brother's only cub, Little Pixiu. He's also the grandson of the Great Demon Shi Zhongtian," Ya Zi explained slowly.
"If we can't bait Shi Yi, we'll start with his brother," Bi'an said coldly.
"Brothers, hold your impatience. I have a plan to make Shi Yi walk into our trap," the adult Pixiu interjected.
"Third Brother, what's your strategy? Speak quickly," Ya Zi urged.
"Third Brother, don't keep us in suspense," Bi'an said, irritation flickering across its face.
Ya Zi, jackal-bodied with a dragon's head, and Bi'an, tiger-bodied with a dragon's head, both carried true dragon blood, far surpassing the adult Pixiu in strength. Among the Great Wilderness's four ferocious beasts, they feared only Vermilion Bird and Zhu Yan.
These three pureblood beasts weren't just allies but sworn brothers from their youth: Ya Zi the eldest, Bi'an the second, and the adult Pixiu the youngest.
"The old plan: use kin as bait to hook Shi Yi."
Unaware, Shi Hao's casual decision was about to unleash a storm in the Great Wilderness, claiming countless lives.
He trekked eagerly toward the rumored mountain treasure, oblivious to the danger ahead. Two years had dulled his memory of his knack for attracting trouble.
_
Desolation Domain, Stone Kingdom, Martial King's Manor
Two years wasn't long, but the Martial King's Manor had slowly healed from its past wounds. The surviving Rain Clan youths had fully integrated into the manor.
Though Shi Yi was nominally the head, he shirked most duties, delegating management to Yuyue Xian and Qin Yining.
Over those two years, through the Sixteenth Princess's introductions, Shi Yi had grown close with Fairy Yue Chan and the Heavenly Fox Fairy.
Now, the four—Shi Yi, the Sixteenth Princess, Fairy Yuechan, and the Heavenly Fox Fairy—sat leisurely, discussing the Dao.
Beside Shi Yi, the sultry Heavenly Fox Fairy propped her chin, staring at him with sparkling eyes.
After half a day under her gaze, Shi Yi felt as if she'd stripped him bare but couldn't ask what she was looking at.
Across from him, the Sixteenth Princess's gentle aura inspired tenderness. She shared similar traits with Shi Yi mother, obeying Shi Yi unquestioningly—a true virtuous wife.
Lastly, Fairy Yue Chan, ethereal and aloof, seemed distant despite sitting nearby, as if she belonged to another world.
"Shi Yi, what is an immortal in your eyes?"
Fairy Yuechan's voice was clear and melodious, like a babbling brook soothing the heart, tempting one to kneel in reverence.
"Why does the Fairy ask?" Shi Yi frowned.
This Fairy Yuechan was truly a fairy.
Though he couldn't grasp why she wore a translucent veil, half-hiding her face like a coy musician, her allure sparked a primal urge to conquer. Upon first seeing her, Shi Yi was already picking names for their future children.
This wasn't shameless.
Nor despicable.
Shi Yi dared to dream and act if given the chance. Many, faced with beauty, didn't dare dream, wallowing in self-doubt—that was the true tragedy.
"Simple. Becoming a god is a matter of time for us. With the foundation of ten Heavenly Passages, we can reach the mortal Dao's peak. Our only concern is the tribulation of immortality," Fairy Yuechan explained softly.
Two years had passed.
She'd nearly forgotten her original mission in the Desolation Domain's Stone Kingdom: seeking a fragmented Taoist scripture. Now, she was consumed by one question—why was Shi Yi so captivate by her rival, the Heavenly Fox Fairy?
Unbeknownst to her, Shi Yi's appeal to the Heavenly Fox Fairy wasn't rooted in raw charisma but in his peculiar actions, which piqued her curiosity.
Curiosity didn't guarantee affection, but indifference ensured none.
Beyond cultivating, Shi Yi had done many odd things these past two years.
First, he studied every precious technique, good or bad.
Second, he proposed that humans should create their own techniques.
She sensed Shi Yi was attempting something new, something unprecedented.
This man… was intriguing.
"Immortality…"
The Heavenly Fox Fairy glanced at the Sixteenth Princess, marveling at her composure. No matter the time or place, she remained serene, unshaken by her modest talent.
Among the four, she alone would struggle to reach divinity, let alone immortality. Yet she was at peace, never showing a hint of inferiority over her ordinary gifts.
_
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