Gathering of Heroes

The Fire Orchid Tree was full of red light. Its branches and leaves were all redder than flames. Scarlet multicolored light surged, and there was a type of fragrance.

The road outside the courtyard was full of these trees. Because of the nature of the Fire Nation, these fiery red trees were very popular in the capital.

Shi Hao walked along the ancient bluestone path until he arrived in front of this manor that occupied an extremely large area. There were many people from all types of clans, many of whom were in strange shapes, but no one dared to say too much.

The bronze gate carried traces of time. Even though there were soldiers guarding it, no one stopped them because there was a formation gate. Those who could step on it could enter the courtyard.

“Well, that’s quite particular. This is a small transport formation commonly used when selecting elite disciples in ancient sects. Only when one’s cultivation reaches a certain level can one step onto it and be selected.”

Those who could come here were anything but ordinary, especially a few powerful clans from outside this region. They had arrogant looks on their faces, not paying much attention to this type of formation.

Most people entered, but some were stopped outside the formation and unable to get in

After Shi Hao stepped onto the formation, hexagonal starlight flickered, and hazy mists swirled about. He was transported into a courtyard.

Medicine fragrance wafted through the air. There were all types of spiritual plants, and the courtyard was full of exuberant vitality. As soon as one stepped into the courtyard, it was easy for one to mistake it for an ancient medicinal garden.

Shi Hao was shocked. This courtyard was full of strange plants, and some spiritual medicines were quite old. As a result, waves of medicinal fragrance wafted outward.

Right now, there were already many people in the courtyard, and they were all walking inside. They were walking in groups while chatting with each other.

Coming to this type of gathering allowed one to get to know many cultivators, expand their connections, and exchange treasures. It was a good place to visit.

Of course, disputes were unavoidable in this type of place. When cultivators gathered, if there was a disagreement, there might be a clash of weapons, and the battle would be determined by precious techniques.

“Hey, that short-haired man is so powerful. He’s definitely a great figure from Little Western Paradise.”

“That’s so powerful! It’s a White Jade Dragon Elephant, yet he actually carried it in his palm and brought it in.”

Someone discussed among themselves, staring at a middle-aged man who looked to be around forty years old. He had short hair that was less than an inch long. When he entered, his palm shone, covering a three-inch tall dragon elephant, which was snow-white and releasing a powerful aura.

Everyone knew that the White Jade Dragon Elephant was Little Western Paradise’s sect-protecting holy beast. It was rarely seen in other places. This one was definitely the descendant of that ancient existence, and now, it was that man’s mount.

Shi Hao nodded. This person is truly extraordinary. He has to have high status in Little Western Paradise. In fact, he really wanted to talk to this sect’s people about why they allowed a group of bandits to carry out a great slaughter outside Stone Country’s western border.

Even if it was to find the supreme divine treasury, they shouldn’t have done that. Too many innocent people were injured, and a lot of blood was shed. Shi Hao had previously wiped out several groups of bandits because of this.

A low roar rang out. A snow-white tiger walked in through the formation. From its eyes, one could see that it was quite old.

Everyone knew that it wasn’t anyone’s mount. It was from a powerful race and was a cultivator from the White Tiger bloodline. If such a creature was pure-blooded, it would definitely be incomparably vicious. No one wanted to provoke it.

“Fire Nation should give my clan an explanation. My clan’s genius entered your ancestral land, yet in the end, he was killed without a sound. That’s just outrageous.”

Shi Hao followed the cobblestone path through the garden. When he entered an even larger courtyard, he immediately heard those words. Many people looked up.

It was a scarlet-haired man with fiery light on his body. The strangest thing was that he didn’t have legs. Below his waist was a snake body that was dozens of meters long. It was scarlet red and scorching hot.

Shi Hao recognized them at a glance. They were people from the Flame Python Race, and they came from the Flood Region. He had previously killed a young pure-blooded Flame Python in the Fire Race’s ancestral land. He ate a portion of it himself and brought the rest back to Stone Village to eat.

“Before entering the ancestral land, we already said that it was extremely dangerous inside, that life and death were up to fate. This was something you all agreed to,” an elder from the Fire Nation said.

“If you don’t have the ability, then don’t enter the Fire Nation’s ancestral land. If someone dies inside, don’t blame others. That’s just too lame,” said someone else, defending the injustice.

“Hmph!” The Flame Python Race’s middle-aged man snorted. His head of scarlet hair danced about like snakes as he swept his gaze over everyone, wishing to find the one who provoked him.

“What’s that smell? It’s so nice.” Suddenly, everyone was shocked.

There were quite a few ancient trees in the courtyard, as well as a few spiritual plants. There were medicinal herbs as well, but when this fragrance pervaded the air, it suppressed all of the fragrance.

“It’s a stalk of Stellar Grass, and it actually has six leaves! The fragrance is so strong!”

Finally, everyone discovered a stalk of grass in the corner of the courtyard that was shiny and looked extraordinary. The fragrance originated from that place. This triggered a huge commotion. The four-leaf Star Grass was already a spiritual medicine, and under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for more leaves.

This stalk of medicine was extremely old, and its six leaves were hazy. They were covered in star patterns, and it was as if a Milky Way was flowing about. It looked divine and beautiful.

“Hey, that’s not it. It’s growing its seventh leaf, but it’s just a tender shoot.” Someone with sharp eyes saw the abnormality and couldn’t help but cry out in alarm.

Everyone focused their attention, all of them shocked. Sure enough, this strong fragrance was released by that tender bud. It was because it spat out auspicious energy and was still growing, which was why it released medicinal fragrance.

“Legend has it that the eight-leaf Star Grass is a holy medicine. The Fire Nation is formidable! In this courtyard, there is actually a seven-leaf Star Grass!”

Even a few experts from outside this region sighed with admiration.

“That’s incredible!”

“However, I’ve heard that a true eight-leaf Stellar Grass appeared in the Northern Sea’s Kun Peng nest. Of course, the eighth leaf has just sprouted, but it can already be considered a divine medicine.”

When the Northern Sea was mentioned, someone immediately thought of Shi Hao. They said softly, “Many people said that Shi Hao might have mastered the Kun Peng precious technique, but I don’t know if that’s true.”

When this topic was brought up, there was immediately an uproar. It was because everyone knew that Shi Hao had been to the Kun Peng nest, so there was a high chance that he would obtain astonishing benefits there.

“After the battle between the two Shi brothers, it has already been a year and a half. I wonder how that youth is doing. Why hasn’t he appeared yet? Could it really be as the outside world speculated? Shi Yi died, and Shi Hao was half crippled?”

“Several days ago, wasn’t there a youth who scared off the Feather Race’s emperor blood expert? He even defeated the Flaming Bull Race and Black Cloud Race’s geniuses, as well as slapping the descendant of a great figure from the Immortal Mountain. It might be Shi Hao.”

As soon as these discussions rang out, someone not far out immediately snorted.

The Immortal Mountain’s people were here. Among them, there was a middle-aged man whose eyes were cold. He swept his eyes over the cultivators one by one as if he were looking for something.

“Not everyone can trample on the Immortal Mountain’s dignity. Even in the ancient era when all the saints fought for supremacy, no one dared to offend the Immortal Mountain!” The middle-aged man said coldly.

The surroundings immediately became quiet. No one dared to talk about this secluded inheritance’s descendant being slapped in the face, fearing that they might bring trouble onto themselves. Everyone knew that the events from several days ago definitely couldn’t be settled peacefully. If that youth reappeared, the Immortal Mountain’s people would definitely take action to suppress him.

Shi Hao entered another courtyard. This place was extremely large, and the garden occupied an extremely large area with pavilions everywhere. Many cultivators were scattered in different areas.

His spiritual senses were extremely sharp, so he naturally heard Immortal Mountain’s middle-aged man’s words. The corners of his lips curled up slightly, but he couldn’t be bothered to do anything. As long as that man didn’t come looking for him, he would leave that man alone.

As for the big red bird, it was brought in by him in his sleeves because he didn’t want to draw attention as soon as he entered.

“I almost suffocated to death,” the bird grumbled. He crawled out from his sleeves, and with a whoosh, it turned into a streak of fiery light and ran elsewhere.

“Be careful. Don’t let others roast you!” Shi Hao warned the bird.

“Hey, isn’t that Heavenly Divine Mountain’s Fairy Yun Xi?” Someone cried out in surprise.

Yun Xi liked to wear purple clothes. She was quick-witted and beautiful. In the Archaic Divine Mountains, she was known as a goddess. Many pure-blooded creatures had come to propose marriage, and her popularity was extremely high.

There were more and more people in this manor. Not only were their pure-blooded creatures from the wasteland region’s Archaic Divine Mountains but there were also experts from other races as well. There were also quite a few old cultivators.

“Heavens, a golden lion! Did you all see that? It has nine heads! It’s a Nine-Headed Lion with an exceptional bloodline!” A few people sighed in admiration.

Even the experts from outside this region raised their eyebrows. Everyone knew about the legends of the Nine-Headed Golden Lion bloodline. They were too powerful in the ancient era, and their ancestors had previously eaten Archaic Divine Kings.

In addition, they were one of the ten great mounts of the cultivation world. Even deities would be tempted if they saw them, and subduing a Nine-Headed Lion was an honor.

In the ancient era, the pure-blooded Nine-Headed Lion was too powerful. Some deities wanted to subdue it but were killed instead, becoming the lion’s food.

If there were any races in this world that were well-known, this Nine-Headed Golden Lion bloodline would definitely be ranked at the forefront.

This was a young Nine-Headed Lion. Its golden fur was like silk, flickering with divine multicolored light that was bright enough to show one’s reflection. It was majestic and heroic. As it walked over, it released a terrifying aura.

“How formidable! There are almost no pure-blooded Nine-Headed Lions in this world. This divine lion has actually walked the path of pure-blooded evolution and is about to succeed. It’s extremely powerful!” Someone was amazed.

“Good, this is a golden bloodline that can continuously evolve. Soon, it’ll be able to display its world-shaking divine might.” Even the creatures outside this region sucked in a cold breath of air.

Once this lion successfully evolved, it would definitely far surpass many pure-blooded races here.

“Your Highness,” the golden lion greeted the princess of the Fire Nation.

Huo Ling’er replied with a smile, “After parting in the Hundred Shattering Mountains, it’s been many years since we last met. I never expected you to be this powerful. You’re about to evolve into a pure-blooded divine lion.”

“I was lucky enough to obtain some achievement, making my path much easier,” the Nine-Headed Lion said with a smile.

Everyone was astonished. It was clear that they were old friends.

“The Nine-Headed Lion is extremely strong. It looks like it is cast from gold. Once it completes its evolution, its bloodline will become noble to the extreme. If we can subdue it now, there will be endless benefits in the future,” an expert said quietly.

Many people’s hearts trembled. If it turned into a pure-blooded golden lion, then that meant that once it matured, even deities would take pride in subduing it. It would become one of the world’s most powerful mounts!

“Well, I heard that this Nine-Headed Lion and Shi Hao became sworn brothers. Is this true? If so, I will subdue it and use it as a mount!”

Someone laughed coldly and said these words, leaving everyone shocked.

He clearly didn’t only want to subdue the most precious golden lion as a mount but also to humiliate Shi Hao, taking his sworn brother as a mount.