Chapter 822: Chapter 822: Many Ascend to Godhood

Immortal Ancient, Bluestone Path.

In utter silence, the three thousand ancient paths lay shrouded in mist. Only Shi Hao sat cross-legged, silently immersed in comprehension.

After meditating in one place, he would move to another, repeating this endlessly. For four months, the cycle continued, as he sought to comprehend the ancient Dao.

In the blink of an eye, another half a month had passed. He no longer sat; instead, he walked silently, ascending this stretch of stone steps alone, fully absorbed in his enlightenment.

The steps emitted a faint glow, the bluestones shimmering with hazy runes. He had completely forgotten the outside world. He resembled a “walking corpse,” ceaselessly moving day and night, unable to stop.

Out in the external world, some witnessed this scene and wore puzzled expressions.

“What does he intend to do? Comprehend the three thousand bluestone paths in their entirety? That’s clearly impossible. The time is too short, too rushed. Even if he dedicated his entire life to this, it wouldn’t suffice!”

“I think he’s gone mad, completely possessed. Look, his eyes have lost their light, wandering aimlessly. If he continues like this, his life force will surely dry up.”

A True One expert from the Demon Dragon Dao Gate spoke with a biting tone, laced with mockery. He bore deep hatred for Shi Hao, for Shi Hao had slain many of their kin, even causing the demise of one of their Celestial Gods.

“Until now, he hasn’t shown any extraordinary Ancient Flames. How can he ignite his inner self and lay the foundation of the divine Dao? I see no clarity in his path. He just wanders like a mindless corpse–clearly about to be consumed by madness. If he dies because of this, it will be a laughable tragedy!”

Someone from Fire Cloud Cave sneered as they watched Shi Hao endlessly navigate the bluestone path without any progress. Not to mention obtaining the “Immortal Seed” or renown across the Three Thousand States for wielding “Ancient Flames”–he hadn’t even claimed an ordinary Spiritual Fire. They couldn’t help but gloat.

“Others are breaking through their limits, achieving astonishing progress–an imminent, perfect leap ahead. But he, lost and aimless–does he wish to be hunted down?”

Across the external world, many people observed with varying attitudes, and among them were countless harboring enmity toward Shi Hao. The Celestials Clan, as well as several ancient sects overseeing Sin State, all hated him profoundly.

Furthermore, not to mention his other deeds–just from his time in the Lower Realm, when he slew the Seven Gods and ruined the grand plans of major schools–he had earned irreconcilable enmity.

Heavenly Kingdom, Netherworld, Beast Sea–each was an unfathomably terrifying force, their vast networks of power enough to send chills down anyone’s spine.

Another month had passed. Shi Hao had traversed all the paths, yet the bluestone steps behind him still remained veiled in hazy mist, faint glimmers occasionally flickering.

Meanwhile, within countless “bubbles” containing brilliant, multicolored worlds, pillars of firelight surged skyward, scattering the clouds!

These were people ascending to godhood. By now, six to seven-tenths of the participants had succeeded–meaning over three million Venerable Ones had transformed into Deities!

The scale was terrifying. These were all peerless talents, each destined to stun the world when fully unleashed!

Even some of the strongest Primordials and ancient monsters had made astonishing progress, frequently triggering unprecedented phenomena that caused uproars.

“Someone merged with a drop of Immortal Blood; another planted a sapling–both amazing feats. But now we can’t watch them anymore; their essence has been sealed off.”

These individuals were extraordinary, their insights too profound. The unique sacred substances they merged into their True Bodies caused mysterious transformations.

At this moment, even the petals of the Three Thousand Blossoms stopped reflecting them. Some speculated that this might be a hidden form of Dao protection and shielding.

“Look quickly–what’s he doing? What did he fuse with?”

Someone exclaimed. It was a True God, abandoning all pretense of composure, appearing as flustered as a young man in shock.

The rest turned their gaze toward a stone tablet and were all taken aback.

It was an ancient monster. However, what he retrieved was not some treasured flame but a blob of black liquid. As it fused with his being, the flames within him were extinguished.

“What’s he trying to do–extinguish his Divine Fire?” Everyone was bewildered, eyes filled with alarm.

Even some Sect Hierarchs were visibly moved. Watching the black liquid, countless major figures could not identify it, though they felt its astonishing uniqueness, its latent natural laws.

“Could this be a substance from the beginning of creation? When the world was first split into yin and yang–could this be primordial liquid formed from purest Yin Qi?” proposed the Heaven Mending Sect’s Hierarch.

Upon hearing this, hearts raced wildly, including those of other Sect Hierarchs. Their gazes burned with intensity as they fixated on the scene.

Such a thing was impossible to find now, long past the realm of seeking–yet he had managed to obtain it and was using it to ascend to divinity.

But if this was truly primordial Yin Qi liquid, could it really be used to ignite the self? Wouldn’t it snuff out one’s Divine Fire instead, preventing transformation?

Indeed, everyone could now see that the flames within him were dimming, as if about to extinguish completely.

“This person is extraordinary, taking an unorthodox path to divinity. If he succeeds, it will shake all of history.” On a silver war chariot, a woman from the Imperial Clan spoke.

Soon, the crowd witnessed the man enveloped entirely in inky radiance, his entire form disappearing from view. At this, no one could see further.

“Look–how is Six Crowned King Ning Chuan faring?” someone asked.

A stone tablet displayed his form–dressed in pure white, even his shoes and socks spotless and unstained. He seemed like a True Immortal descended into the mortal world.

His long silver hair flowed over his shoulders and back, gleaming brightly. His face was so handsome it seemed otherworldly, surpassing the beauty of most women.

Still unmoving, he sat beside a treasure box sealed tightly, with faint but inexplicable ripples occasionally emanating from it, perceptible even across the barrier of Immortal Ancient.

This left hearts trembling with alarm–what was inside?

What would Ning Chuan merge with to achieve his most transcendent transformation? To what unfathomable heights would he ascend?

“It’s been months–why hasn’t Ning Chuan acted? What is he waiting for?” People were curious, their interest piqued by the contents of the sealed box.

“That item might rival the sapling of the Ten-Crowned King. It’s surely peerless,” a Sect Hierarch remarked.

“This isn’t ideal. While we all believe that once he ascends to the Divine Seat, he’ll dominate unmatched, the delay poses risks. If others complete their ascension first, someone might hunt him down.”

This was not idle speculation but a harsh reality. Among the most powerful of the current era and the ancient monsters, a life-and-death clash was inevitable. Those who completed their ascensions earlier would not miss the opportunity to strike.

“He must have countermeasures. His hiding place should be secret enough that no outsider can find him.”

Suddenly, on another stone tablet, blazing light shot skyward, prompting startled cries from the crowd and the darkening expressions of several ancient schools, their eyes icy cold.

“Someone has started attacking–beginning the hunt!”

Powerful Deities who had ascended began consolidating their realms, moving through the mirrored ancient worlds to pursue their adversaries.

Some, driven by unparalleled ambition, targeted renowned young Supremes who had yet to emerge, determined to kill them.

Divine beings refrained from careless conflict with each other, for such clashes would bring chaos.

Yet, even so, undercurrents stirred–a seed of turmoil was sown, destined to erupt into great waves!

“Ah…”

Before a stone tablet, an elder roared with fury. In the distance, many from his sect howled in grief, while a middle-aged woman wailed in heartbreak.

“What happened?”

“A Primordial has fallen! Before they could fully ignite their Divine Fire, they were ambushed and killed by a newly ascended Deity at their secluded cultivation site.”

It was a tragedy–a dazzling figure, destined for great fortune in Immortal Ancient, had perished, leaving others in stunned sorrow.

“Who did this? Which sect was responsible? I’ll annihilate them!” someone bellowed in rage.

“It was a Loose Cultivator, identity unknown. They used strange methods to conceal their appearance, even as strong as some Sect Hierarchs. Across Immortal Ancient, no one could discern their true form.”

The deaths gradually mounted, and the atmosphere grew increasingly savage.

As the competing factions delved deeper in search of fortune, death became unavoidable. Immortal Ancient offered opportunities, but it also harbored dread’s abyss and countless hidden perils.

“What kind of beings are those? Does Immortal Ancient house formidable native races?” some asked in alarm.

In one Minor Thousand World, a colossal black city unleashed several soldiers akin to Celestial Beings, clad in fearsome armor. They charged forth, mowing down numerous outsiders, blood fog staining the sky.

Elsewhere, in a labyrinthine ancient world, swarms of insects appeared, transforming into streaks of light and devouring dozens of newly ascended Deities down to blood-streaked bones.

Immortal Ancient was rich in fortune, but equally, it was mercilessly lethal.

However, on the broader scale, most survived and experienced great gains.

The balance teetered–half fortune, half fatal risk. Otherwise, amidst such danger, who would willingly enter? Yet moths still flew to the flame.

“Heh heh… hahaha…” The Demon Dragon Dao Gate members laughed loudly. Many among them heaved a sigh of relief, joy evident on their faces.

“After five arduous months, our Primordial has succeeded–igniting their self, attaining the Divine Seat!” A Celestial God rejoiced.

To note, this Primordial was no ordinary figure. Exceptionally powerful, they had traversed many states unchallenged. Moreover, the “Ancient Flame” they obtained was extraordinary.

Clearly, the ascension of the Demon Dragon Dao Gate’s Primordial was secure. Not only did they have the qualifications to compete for the greatest fortunes, but they also now had the strength to hunt their rivals.

Fire Cloud Cave, Luo Fu True Valley, and other ancient schools, closely related through heritage, stood among the most dominant Dao lineages of the Upper Realms, tasked with overseeing the Descendants of Sinful Blood.

At their zenith, flourishing immensely, their brilliant disciples eagerly anticipated rapid ascensions, spurred by boundless hope.

“Hmph, our clan’s Primordial isn’t far from the Three Thousand Greenstone Path. If they discover the Descendant of Sinful Blood, they should strike and destroy him.”

“There will certainly be opportunities. After ascension, his Divine Sense will sharpen, and he’s already surrounded by followers obeying his commands. A concerted effort will surely unveil him.”

The Demon Dragon Dao Gate members’ smiles deepened, their anger toward Shi Hao radiating surging hatred–they yearned to see him slain.

At the same time, the Netherworld, Heavenly Kingdom, Beast Sea, and other sects erupted with cheers, for the successes of their prominent scions empowered their forces further.

Not long after, attention turned again to Shi Hao, eager to glimpse his current state.

Seeing Shi Hao’s stagnant progress brought the Demon Dragon Dao Gate great satisfaction. Their laughter brimmed with joy, for he had still failed to ignite his Divine Fire.

“How amusing. Barely a flicker of activity. I doubt our Primordial needs to intervene–just sending a few Deities would suffice to crush him.” They mocked with derisive laughter.

“Good, our lineage’s foremost young Supreme has emerged from seclusion too!” Luo Fu True Valley’s people were equally ecstatic, immensely pleased.

“Even better news. I bet they’ll find that Descendant of Sinful Blood soon–his death is certain,” someone declared.

Suddenly, a stone tablet flickered with activity. Observers were astonished as they noticed Shi Hao making progress. At last, he was taking action.

Sitting cross-legged, his body began to glow. What surrounded him wasn’t ordinary fire, but the symbols of the Great Dao, circling his flesh in clusters, burning intensely.

Everyone felt an odd tremor as they scrutinized the scene intently.

Soon, laughter erupted, for they noticed he had injured himself!

“Hahaha…” The Demon Dragon Dao Gate members roared with glee, their laughter grating, as one sneered, “He actually burned large holes through himself! After months of silence and struggle, he ends up doing something so foolish.”

“I doubt we need to kill him–he’ll end up incinerating himself on his own.” They jeered, thoroughly amused.

However, the elder leaders of the Demon Dragon Dao Gate, along with the Fire Cloud Cave Master and others, remained silent. Their pupils contracted as they watched the young man, their expressions turning grave.

Wishing everyone a happy and joyful Mid-Autumn Festival! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (wuxiaworld.site) to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.wuxiaworld.site to read.)