Astonishing Image

Stone Village prepared a sumptuous banquet, and it began as soon as the sun set. A bonfire danced by the blue lake, and all types of exquisite delicacies emitted a fragrance.

The villagers were all full of smiles. They were incomparably enthusiastic as they welcomed the guests from far away. A group of children ran back and forth, startling the unicorns, four-colored cranes, and others in the grassy open space. It was extremely lively. The golden roasted meat was fragrant, and the alluring wine fragrance pervaded into the distance. Everyone raised their cups and exchanged toasts. The atmosphere was very festive.

Soon after, everyone noticed Shi Hao’s odd behavior. He was always distracted and muttering something to himself. He almost stuffed the fragrant dried meat into his nose.

“What’s he thinking? Don’t tell me it’s marriage syndrome? He’s about to leave his teenage years, and soon he’ll be like us. Is he still reluctant and nostalgic?” Pihou winked and said. He was already a father, yet he still acted like he was in the past.

“I think so too. He’s worried about personal gains and losses. Even though they didn’t officially hold a wedding, it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference now,” Ermeng said with a simple and honest smile.

Shi Hao was currently talking to himself. Only Qingfeng, who was the closest, heard what he said. He seemed to be talking about the Willow Deity, saying something about how it was unmatched from past to present and was looking down on the world. Shi Hao looked like he had lost his soul.

“What’s wrong?” Qingfeng asked softly. His features were delicate and pretty, and he was the number-one expert of Stone Village’s younger generation apart from Shi Hao.

When he was young, he encountered hardships and suffered in Stone Clan’s second ancestral land. After being rescued, he cherished everything in front of him and striving to become stronger. He was a teenager even in the great wastelands.

“Qingfeng, be a smart man. Why aren’t you moving out of the way? Let little Hao and his two young ladies sit together.” Dazhuang said.

“Right!” Qingfeng immediately got up, having Shi Hao sit with Yun Xi and Huo Ling’er. He didn’t want to be in the way.

“That brat is absent-minded. Look at him. He seems to have lost his soul.” Shi Linghu pursed his lips, indicating for everyone to look in that direction.

Many of the delicacies were wrapped in fragrant lotus leaves. They were brought to everyone’s front and placed on the lawn, which greatly stimulated their appetites. The Nine-Headed Lion and the others found Stone Village’s food delicious, and all of them praised this delicacy.

Meanwhile, Shi Hao’s stupid action made everyone roar with laughter.

When he frowned and muttered to himself, he didn’t realize that when he reached out for food, he took the sparkling berries from Huo Ling’er’s silver plate and sent them into his mouth.

“You…” Huo Ling’er was greatly embarrassed. How could he do that? She ate some roasted meat and felt that it was greasy. She bit down on a scarlet berry and only ate half of it. As soon as she put it down, it was seized by Shi Hao.

“That must taste nice! That’s something my sister-in-law just bit. You can smell her from that fruit.” Huzi, Pihou and the others began to jeer.

Shi Hao woke up. He was too engrossed in the Willow Deity’s matters. He looked at everyone in confusion, especially when he saw Huo Ling’er glaring at him. He was a bit confused as he said, “What’s wrong? Why are you in a daze?”

When everyone heard this, they all roared with laughter. The one that was daydreaming was blaming others.

“Little Hao, is it good?” Snotty giggled. He was a bit younger than Shi Hao, so he never chose his wording carefully.

“Yes, it’s sweet.” Shi Hao nodded.

“Haha…” Everyone roared with laughter.

Only Huo Ling’er’s face was completely red. That red berry still had her teeth imprinted on it, but Shi Hao ate it in two or three bites.

“Stop daydreaming! Can you concentrate a bit more?!” She berated in shame and anger.

“Yes, got it.” Shi Hao nodded, clearly half-hearted. The figure he saw earlier was too shocking. The instant they met, it left him with an indelible impression.

The Willow Deity was so extraordinary and looked perfect. Moreover, the most shocking thing was that there were streaks of divine flames jumping about its surroundings. Within every single flame, there was a deity-like figure, which was bowing in worship.

What kind of power was this? It was magnificent!

At that moment, the figure was immediately engraved in Shi Hao’s mind. Perhaps it would be difficult to erase even after many years had passed.

Was it a he or a she? Shi Hao had been pondering over this the entire time. He only saw that figure emit light. It was extremely tall and slender, but he couldn’t see it clearly. If it was a man, then he would definitely be as handsome as a jade statue.

And now, the more he thought about it, the more indistinct that face became. It was actually disappearing from his memory. Only that bright and shining figure was difficult to forget.

“What kind of power is this?” Shi Hao said to himself. He was greatly moved. He had clearly seen that face, but why was it disappearing from his memory?

He couldn’t remain calm at all. Why couldn’t he even remember a face? Was it because the magical projection of an unmatched existence couldn’t be blasphemed against?

Shi Hao was horrified. He had heard a few legends. Unless one absorbed the willpower of various clans, there were some taboo existences who weren’t willing to leave their true appearances in the minds of all living things and would whip the memory away.

“Little pagoda, did you see the Willow Deity?” Shi Hao asked in his mind.

“I saw it.” The little pagoda replied. It was extremely brief, not willing to say too much.

“What did you see? Is that a male or a female?” Shi Hao was extremely curious.

“This question requires you to prepare over a hundred types of heavenly treasures in exchange for an answer,” the little pagoda slowly replied.

“What? You might as well rob me!” Shi Hao rolled his eyes. When the pagoda was asking such a price when fighting against the mysterious magical disk swirling with chaotic energy.

The little pagoda was extremely calm as it said, “It’s worth this price. You don’t know what kind of chaos it will stir up if that face is portrayed in this world. I dare say that if someone descends into the lower realms and learns about news, it’ll create an astonishing wave that will sweep through the higher realms.”

Shi Hao widened his eyes. He became famous at a young age and had already experienced all types of great storms. He was always calm. However, right now, great waves surged within his heart, and it was difficult for him to calm down.

Meanwhile, he felt an aura with the sandalwood fragrance, but it was also hard to describe.

“Willow Deity!” Shi Hao turned around. Willow Deity appeared again, but he couldn’t see it clearly.

This tall and slender figure sat there, transcendent and otherworldly. Clusters of flames jumped about around him, suspended in the surrounding space. Every single divine flame was like a divine realm, containing all living things and paying their respects.

This was an incomparably shocking scene. It was as if three thousand realms surrounded him or her. The radiance was hazy, making this figure the only one in this world.

Shi Hao understood that the little pagoda wasn’t lying. If such a transcendent existence revealed its true appearance. It really could create a huge uproar.

It would shock the world!

Willow Deity came from the lower realm, which didn’t belong to the eight regions.

Shi Hao was extremely resilient. After being shocked for a bit, he quickly calmed down. He walked up and whispered, “Sister?”

That hazy halo released auspicious fluctuations as if only Shi Hao could see it. The others couldn’t sense it in the slightest, and the halo calmly floated to the side.

“Brother?” Shi Hao tried to strike up a conversation again. He felt like it was better than “Senior”.

“You have no shame!” The little pagoda mocked him.

“You are the one with no shame!” Shi Hao refuted righteously.

“I’m so mad!” An angry and embarrassed voice woke Shi Hao up, pulling him back to reality.

He discovered that he had become the focal point of attention again. A group of people were looking at him and smiling strangely. Only Yun Xi raised her eyebrows, and her beautiful eyes revealed a murderous glint.

She was extremely angry. This fella called her “sister” first. At first, she was happy, feeling that Shi Hao finally revealed his true colors after drinking a few cups of wine. He had lost his willpower and was trying to curry favor with a goddess like her. However, he soon called her “Brother”, and she was so angry she immediately became petrified. Was he doing this on purpose? She was just about to ridicule him, but in the end, Shi Hao slandered her for having thick skin.

That was truly outrageous. Yun Xi was so angry that she trembled. She had never seen such a hateful person!

Everyone wanted to laugh, but they were too embarrassed to laugh loudly. The expression on Shi Hao’s face immediately froze. Just now, his mind was wandering, and he made a fool of himself.

The Willow Deity’s origins and aura were too shocking. If news of this got out, it would be enough to shock the entire world!

Fortunately, the villagers were extremely enthusiastic. The group of people took turns to toast, and soon after, the awkward moment was over.

Apart from the wild animals of the great wastelands, there was also the pure-blooded creature Shi Hao brought back—Flame Python. The snake soup he cooked was sparkling and translucent. After drinking a mouthful, one felt comfortable, and the meat melt in one’s mouth. It truly was a delicacy in this world, and it was also very nourishing.

Without a doubt, the children of Stone Village shouted for an entire night because the effects of the pure-blooded precious medicine were too great. The greedy little things made up for it by running all over the village and tossing and turning the entire night. However, the benefits were also tremendous, allowing them to break through.

Early in the morning, Shi Hao and his people went on their way. They didn’t stop in the village because time was extremely pressing. The great calamity might descend at any time.

The void beast skin moved through the void. After a long time, it finally rushed out again, traveling at least several million miles.

Birds chirped. The vegetation was abundant, and the fragrance of flowers wafted through the air. This was a divine mountain region that was full of spiritual essence. One could see quite a few auspicious beasts and precious birds roaming about.

Yun Xi walked in the front, and the others followed. They traversed the outer region and quickly approached the true central region. They could see spiritual essence surging, and multicolored light surrounded the mountains. It became more and more divine and auspicious.

When he saw the three Octadic Treasure Chickens leisurely strolling about, Shi Hao really wanted to rush over and capture them all. After entering the Celestial Clan’s pure land, he saw countless rare beasts and precious medicines. He was so tempted.

In the end, they began to ascend the mountain. It was different from the last time he came. Yun Xi activated a formation, and a majestic mountain appeared.

It was surrounded by a formation. Under normal circumstances, it couldn’t be seen at all. The outside world didn’t know that this was Celestial Clan’s core divine mountain.

“Hey, Fairy Yun Xi has returned,” a silver flood dragon beast spoke. It coiled around a giant rock that weighed several hundred thousand kilos, guarding the mountain path.

Soon after, news reached the mountain. Several figures tore through the air and landed on the mountain path. The one in the lead stood on the bluestone steps and looked down.

“Good. Yun Xi, you actually brought him back. Did you use external forces to get someone to capture him?” The middle-aged man in the lead laughed loudly.

Yun Xi blushed with shame. How could she have caught Shi Hao? She was almost carried back to being a wife. Now that she thought of her experiences in Stone Village, she still felt ashamed and resentful.

“Fourth uncle, it’s not like that. You’ve misunderstood,” Yun Xi said.

“What misunderstanding? This little thief stole our ancestral magical artifact and never returned it. Now that he is caught by Heavenly Divine Mountain, let’s see how he tries to escape,” the middle-aged man on the green stone steps said. He didn’t have a good impression of Shi Hao.

“Why is there a stupid hairless bird?” Someone asked. Second Baldy was too strange. No one could ignore it.

“Hey, you bunch of brats, stop speaking nonsense. Get your dad here to greet me,” Second Baldy said arrogantly.

The middle-aged man was surprised. Everyone in the Heavenly Divine Mountain knew who he was. What kind of background did this strange hairless bird have? It dared to shout at him like this.

However, he didn’t dare act too arrogantly because after careful observation, he discovered that Second Baldy’s cultivation was almost nonexistent. He thought that Second Baldy had immeasurable power and was a bit uncertain. He thought that this bald bird helped Yun Xi capture Shi Hao.

“Senior, who are you?” The Heavenly Divine Mountain’s Fourth Master humbly asked.

“Fourth uncle, he’s that peacock from back then,” Yun Xi spoke. She didn’t have a good impression of Second Baldy and was extremely discontent.

“What? You old thief, how dare you come here?!” Fourth Master was furious on the spot. Many people in the Heavenly Divine Mountain knew how hateful that peacock was back then. It wreaked havoc here and committed all types of crimes.

Second Baldy laughed coldly and said, “Brat, you can’t speak randomly. Back then, I used to hold you in my arms, and you even pooped on my arm.”

The middle-aged man almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He pointed at Second Baldy, so angry he couldn’t say anything.

Yun Xi was even more stupefied. This hateful old thief used to be so popular back then!

“Old thief, if you dare spout any more nonsense, I’ll immediately kill you!” Fourth Master was so angry he began to tremble.

Second Baldy raised his head and said, “Brat, pay attention to your words. Don’t treat me with disrespect. Hurry up and ask your father to come and apologize to me. Otherwise, you won’t be able to figure out that formation. In this world, only I know its secrets.”

“Old thief, since you came today, you won’t be able to leave. Watch how I suppress you.” The middle-aged male’s anger surged.

“Brat, if you don’t understand the grudges of the past, then don’t say too much. If you dare show me disrespect, your aunt will slap you in the face!” Second Baldy said disdainfully.

“What did you say?!” Fourth Master’s eyes spewed out flames. That was outrageous.

“What I’m saying is that back then, your grandfather and father broke up the lovebirds, causing me to be separated from your aunt. I was even hunted down, so today, I came to collect my debt.” Second Baldy seemed to be extremely discontent as well and glared at the man.

The people of the Heavenly Divine Mountain were dumbstruck. What was going on? Even Yun Xi was stupefied.

Shi Hao, the Nine-Headed Lion, and the others were even more confused.

“Back then, you all owed me a marriage. This time, you’re going to pay with the girl. I’ve decided that I want to betroth her to my brother,” Second Baldy said loudly. He first pointed at Yun Xi, and then at Shi Hao.