In the Land of Fire, the Ancestral Grounds.
The temperature was scorching, with waves of heat rolling in. This was a vast desert, seemingly on the verge of bursting into flames.
Although no vegetation could be seen, it was far from desolate. Recently, figures had been appearing frequently, with powerful beings and even entities from beyond the domain making their presence known.
At the edge of the desert stood great mountains, while on the other side were golden sand dunes. The terrain was complex and should have been very desolate, but now it was bustling with activity as many came here to undergo trials.
Shi Hao had returned. After the battle, he retreated, coughing up blood, his spirit returning to his physical body. He suddenly opened his eyes, his face somewhat pale. The battle had neither been won nor lost; there was no decisive outcome.
In the Realm of Illusions, injuries had an effect on the physical body in the external world. It wasn't just a matter of "repercussion"; it was as though the true body was participating in the battle.
He deeply realized that Shi Yi was formidable, perhaps even terrifying, with his reputation as a reincarnated divine being proving to be well-deserved.
If they were to continue fighting, they would both have to use forbidden divine powers, and a battle to the death would be dreadful. The cost of such a fight, whether winning or losing, would be enormous. This was a true unparalleled opponent.
Strictly speaking, this was the first true adversary Shi Hao had encountered since his emergence into the world.
"You’re injured," said the large-eyed beauty and a few young men, their expressions filled with concern. They were deeply shaken, having just witnessed the battle with their own eyes.
Shi Hao’s performance in the Realm of Illusions had been nothing short of spectacular. His brilliance overshadowed the sky, and he had defeated an ancient clan like the Rain Clan, penetrated the Demon Spirit Lake, and killed pure-blooded beings. It was almost mythical.
In that realm, the young man exuded an invincible aura, and no one could stand in his way.
Perhaps only the one with the double pupils could slightly impede his progress.
The double-pupil figure shook the world. Over the years, not only did people from the Stone Kingdom know of him, but also the Fire Clan understood that he was a future great enemy, already seen as a threat by the royal families and nobles.
The fact that this young man had lost his master’s bones and could still rival the top genius of the wasteland was astonishing.
Huo Ling’er handed over a pill, its fragrant aroma filling the air, glowing in her jade-like palm, like a precious pearl, emitting strange symbols.
Shi Hao didn’t hesitate. He took the pill and swallowed it. His bones crackled, like the roar of dragons and tigers, and soon his complexion became flushed.
In truth, these injuries were nothing to him. Even without the pill, his physique would allow for a rapid recovery, but the pill just accelerated the process.
"Shi Yi is very formidable. Do you feel confident a month from now?" Huo Ling’er asked.
"He is indeed powerful. They say the double pupils can open up the heavens. I am eager to see it for myself," Shi Hao replied.
"What do you plan to do next?" Huo Ling’er asked.
"Practice," Shi Hao said earnestly, his expression serious.
At this point, the most important thing was to focus on improving strength. After this battle, he and Shi Yi had assessed each other’s capabilities, and both would need to put in a lot of effort.
In fact, both of them were under pressure.
Shi Hao speculated that Shi Yi was at a critical point. Over the past few days, he had been reciting scriptures and taking walks, aiming for perfection, and was likely nearing the peak of inscription realms.
This was not good news. Shi Yi had practiced for several more years and now had a psychological advantage, feeling that he had traveled further on this path. Seeking further progress and achieving perfection would lead to greater confidence and fewer vulnerabilities.
Outside, things were boiling over.
Whether it was the Stone Kingdom or the Fire Kingdom, all were swept up in the news. The major ancient countries of the wasteland were discussing the outcome of the battle in the Realm of Illusions.
Even the Ancient Divine Mountains were unsettled. Adult pure-blooded beings discussed how the rise of two young human geniuses could overshadow all clans and claim the title of young supreme combatants.
From every angle, major forces felt the pressure, especially ancient divine mountains and forbidden lands, which should have been their honor.
Ripples appeared everywhere, creating unrest. Various sects were debating this matter, which had a significant impact.
Even some powerful beings from beyond the domain were alarmed, such as the Sky Filling Sect and the Sky Cutting Sect. Anyone entering the wasteland was closely watching this issue.
In particular, the Sky Filling Sect had dispatched experts to find Shi Yi and Shi Hao, believing these two had significant connections with their sect and hoping to converse with them.
Indeed, the Sky Filling Sect, the Sky Cutting Sect, and the Western Heaven Sect were some of the most terrifying major forces, far surpassing other sects. Their attention and urgency could trigger a major upheaval.
However, they did not take action but let those entering the domain handle it, maintaining a low profile.
Amidst the turmoil, the two main figures remained silent. After this battle, they had not shown themselves and seemed to have disappeared from the world for the time being.
Although their presence was invisible, their names were already spreading. It was clear that two new stars were rising, which might shake the wasteland in the future.
Shi Yi had vanished from the Martial King’s Mansion, wandering alone through renowned mountains and rivers, watching waterfalls and the sunset painting the sky red. He felt relaxed.
This was a form of cultivation. Alone, he immersed himself in it, gaining profound insights. He had already broken through certain barriers, and what was needed now was a tempering of his state of mind.
Sometimes, intense practice and seclusion are not the quickest paths. When it comes to Dao and laws, it can be much more complex. Understanding the Dao in the midst of the red dust of the great wasteland might yield better results.
During Shi Yi’s travels, an old servant of Huo Ling’er in the Land of Fire also mentioned this issue, speculating and analyzing Shi Yi’s current situation, finding it remarkably similar to the truth.
"He has reached that step, which is very frightening. Now he is honing his state of mind and tempering his spirit. This is a kind of accumulation; just thinking about it is terrifying," the old servant, a skilled individual who should have held a significant position, said. Yet, he willingly served as a servant to protect Huo Ling’er. He continued, "Reciting scriptures and walking, this is a profound understanding of the Dao. Aren’t you worried? He’s still following a step-by-step cultivation method."
Shi Hao smiled, showing no anxiety or disturbance. Naturally, he said, "No matter which method is used, it is still cultivation. One can understand the Dao amidst the red dust or gain enlightenment through life-and-death trials. Each path is different, but the goal is the same. Just because he appears transcendent and walks a bright path does not mean I need to change anything."
The old servant was awakened. The young man’s calmness and understanding clearly showed that he knew what to do, advancing at his own pace. Perhaps this was the best approach.
"Indeed. His earlier recitations and walks, seeming detached from the world, might have been intended to pressure you," Huo Ling’er said.
Shi Hao did not say anything. There was no need to speculate about such matters. He only needed to focus on doing his best.
In the following days, Shi Hao remained consistent in his words and actions, without agitation or worry. He followed his own pace, doing things as needed and always moving toward his goal.
The large-eyed girl and others explored paths for Shi Hao, identifying locations with massive lava lakes and areas with powerful beasts, providing convenience.
He needed divine materials to quickly break through barriers.
In the following days, Shi Hao once again captured over a hundred solar fish. Their golden juice was dazzling. After refining it, it glowed in the Celestial Transformation Bowl. He drank it, refining himself and gaining insights into the Dao.
He seemed to have forgotten about the battle a month later, not pondering or worrying, and maintained a peaceful state of mind, steadily improving his strength.
"This upcoming battle in the sky will be in the realm of Transformation. You should consider how to handle it," Huo Ling'er couldn't help but remind him.
"The realms are interconnected. The insights from the Inscription Realm are also applicable to other realms," Shi Hao replied.
In recent days, his progress had been rapid. He had already reached the mid-stage of the Inscription Realm and his insights had deepened significantly. He began to explore different attempts.
Once again, he entered seclusion. Shi Hao closed his eyes and examined his flesh and bones. He began to inscribe patterns, and unlike before, his expression was solemn and extremely serious.
Within his body, divine light flowed like water, transforming into a heavenly sword, a divine furnace, and a cauldron, changing continuously.
Each form produced different effects. When the divine light transformed into a heavenly sword, his entire aura became imposing and fierce. When it turned into a divine furnace, divine power burned and his potential was fully released, surging continuously. When it transformed into a cauldron...
Finally, all the divine light converged. He began to calm his mind and focus entirely. He started to construct a living being.
At his forehead, a rune appeared, evolving from his spiritual power, constantly flashing with bright light like the sun. Eventually, a pale golden glow emerged, and from the light, a Kunpeng appeared.
This was not constructed from endless runes but refined from a strand of divine light.
Soon, Shi Hao began attempting to construct a second Kunpeng. He aimed to mold the divine light into various forms, like a cauldron, bell, or tower, creating one Kunpeng after another in his flesh.
However, this was extremely difficult.
The Kunpeng was one of the Ten Ancient Fiends, and its technique was reputed to be a world-shattering divine power. Shi Hao had not yet fully comprehended it. In fact, even if the gods were to reappear, they could not instantly grasp its mysteries. It required time to endure and experience.
Let alone condensing such a precious technique and constructing it on a large scale with basic divine light.
If successful, one strand of divine light could correspond to one Kunpeng. At that point, Shi Hao's body would be filled not with basic runes but with numerous small Kunpengs. Using this endless Kunpeng technique would be unimaginable.
The accumulation of such quantity would inevitably lead to a qualitative change. When the explosive power was unleashed, it would eclipse the sun and moon, causing a wail of ghosts and gods.
Despite Shi Hao’s countless efforts, success was elusive. The Kunpeng technique, when reduced to a single rune, was exceedingly complex, almost more so than the vast stars of the heavens.
A single rune contained so much; it was the result of countless changes condensed into one.
Shi Hao frowned. The path was difficult. He could only determine a rough direction and inscribe some crude Kunpengs, constructing them within his flesh.
At that moment, a figure appeared on the horizon, walking step by step. The very heavens and earth seemed to tremble because of him, giving an eerie and terrifying impression.
Why did such a person suddenly appear? Shi Hao opened his eyes, looking on with suspicion.
"Father!" On the horizon, Huo Ling'er rushed over, calling out.
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