Unfortunately for Shi Hao, he was completely unfamiliar with the Upper Realm, let alone knowing how to find anyone.
After wandering around the Upper Realm for several days, Shi Hao took out the willow branch he had received from the Willow God and activated it, informing the Willow God that he was returning.
Soon after activating the branch, Shi Hao was bound by the emerald-green willow branches, which then tore through the void to send him back to the Lower Realm.
Upon returning to the Lower Realm, Shi Hao immediately felt its laws suppressing his strength.
“The laws of the Lower Realm are incomplete, and the Venerable Realm is its limit. It is normal for you to feel this suppression,” the Willow God’s voice came from behind him.
She soon appeared by his side and helped him suppress his power to the Venerable Realm.
“Congratulations, Shi Hao. You have ignited the Divine Fire Realm and taken the most important step,” the Willow God said with a smile, looking at the successfully advanced Shi Hao.
Hearing her congratulations, Shi Hao smiled.
“It’s alright. After all, it is your years of nurturing that have made my foundation so perfect. All of this is thanks to you, Willow God.”
Hearing Shi Hao’s words, Willow God’s face flushed with a shy blush.
“You shouldn’t say such things out loud,” she murmured, her jade-like hand tapping his head lightly.
Shi Hao chuckled at her bashfulness.
“I’m at the Divine Fire Realm now. That should be enough to get you pregnant, right?” Shi Hao asked, his gaze burning with intensity.
Her face reddened further.
“It’s only a possibility,” she replied.
“You know my foundation is that of an Immortal King. Even though I’ve only recovered to the True Immortal level, I am still an Immortal King. Your Divine Fire Realm merely gives me the *chance* to conceive your child.”
Willow God’s words only made Shi Hao’s gaze burn hotter.
“Hehehe, that’s actually better. If you got pregnant too early, you wouldn’t be able to continue dual cultivating with me.” Shi Hao wasn’t in any rush for her to conceive; he hadn’t yet had his fill of his eldest wife.
Hearing this, Willow God shot him a coquettish glare.
“I knew you’d say that,” she sighed, looking at him.
She wasn’t human, after all, and lacked his single-minded obsession with procreation.
“No time to waste, Willow God, let’s go back and make a baby,” Shi Hao said with a smile.
He then stepped forward and swept the voluptuous and mature Willow God into a bridal carry, returning to their bridal chamber amidst her playful protests.
Faced with the ever-vigorous Shi Hao, Willow God could only comply.
After all, this was her duty as his wife.
What else could she do when her man was so obsessed with her body?
She could only go along with him.
After returning to Stone Village, Shi Hao resumed his original routine.
Every day was spent diligently producing offspring with Willow God.
During the day, he would occasionally go hunting to bring game to the Village Chief and the other villagers.
The rest of his time was spent indoors with Willow God, never leaving their room.
The villagers of Stone Village simply thought the Sacrificial Spirit was instructing Shi Hao, completely unaware that the two were actually making a baby.
If the villagers ever found out that the Sacrificial Spirit had become Shi Hao’s wife, it would surely shatter their worldview.
This was also why Willow God never appeared before the villagers.
Whenever Shi Hao engaged in dual cultivation with her, she would always be within her own small world.
As an Immortal King, she possessed her own small world, which had become the secret bridal chamber for her and Shi Hao.
Within the small world, Shi Hao had nothing to worry about.
He could focus all his energy on conceiving children with the Willow God.
The Willow God, too, could rest easy.
Here, she didn’t have to fear anyone discovering that she, the exalted Sacrificial Spirit, had already become Shi Hao’s wife.
Just as Shi Hao and the Willow God were diligently working on expanding their family…
A fierce battle erupted in the Primordial Mountain Range.
Four powerful beings were fighting over a supreme treasure, and the devastating shockwaves from their clash rippled all the way to Stone Village.
Sensing the terrifying aura, the villagers of Stone Village hastily returned home, none daring to venture outside.
Other villages and tribes also retreated into their shelters.
Many cultivators who had been training in the mountains were so terrified by the sudden battle that they fled the range immediately.
The next morning, as Shi Hao rose from the Willow God’s embrace, he sensed the aura of a powerful battle—one at the Venerable Realm.
“Shi Hao, go stop them,” the Willow God said, her voice lazy and seductive.
“Those creatures are ravaging the surroundings in their fight for the Mountain Treasure, and innocent people are already caught in the crossfire.”
“I’m on it,” Shi Hao replied.
Hearing about the four powerful beings, he immediately recalled the original plot—the event where they fought over the Primordial True Scripture.
Shi Hao thought of the Vermilion Bird.
He remembered that she was female.
Siring offspring with the Vermilion Bird was also part of his plan, especially since she was the Sacrificial Spirit of the Fire Country and would eventually cross paths with Huo Ling’er.
At the thought of Huo Ling’er, Shi Hao looked at the Willow God and said, “I’ll be back soon.” After saying that, he leaned down and kissed the Willow God a few times before getting out of bed, changing his clothes, and heading out.
As Shi Hao left, the Willow God let out a sigh of relief.
She hadn’t expected him to be so relentlessly active.
Soon, Shi Hao arrived deep within the Primordial Mountain Range.
There, he saw the four mighty creatures:
A black, ferocious bird that blotted out the sky and earth.
A fierce beast shaped like a tiger with wings on its back.
A divine ape covered in golden fur.
A fiery-red divine bird.
“Sky-Swallowing Sparrow, Qiongqi, Zhu Yan, Vermilion Bird… so it really is you four.” Seeing them, a smile touched Shi Hao’s lips.
“It seems the plot is just beginning. Did my presence cause the timeline to shift by more than a decade?” Thinking this, Shi Hao couldn’t help but smile.
“This means I can now confirm the current timeline for Qingyi, Yuechan, the Demoness, and Huo Ling’er.”
While Shi Hao was lost in thought, his appearance caused the four creatures to halt.
The human before them sent a chill running down their spines.
“Human… leave this place.” The Sky-Swallowing Sparrow roared, its voice now speaking the human tongue.
Yet, it only roared.
It dared not strike.
For some reason, it sensed only danger radiating from Shi Hao.
The Sky-Swallowing Sparrow’s roar snapped Shi Hao out of his thoughts.
He looked at the creature as it roared at him.
“How dare you! You refuse to kneel before me and dare to shout at me? You have chosen the path to your death.” Shi Hao extended his hand.
In an instant, a colossal palm appeared in the sky above the Sky-Swallowing Sparrow, blotting out the sun.
The immense Sky-Swallowing Sparrow looked like a tiny chick before this palm, which then seized it.
“A mere Venerable Realm creature… who gave you the courage to roar at me?” Without giving the Sky-Swallowing Sparrow a chance to retort, he immediately refined it.
Seeing the Sky-Swallowing Sparrow instantly refined, Qiongqi and Zhu Yan trembled violently.
They both descended to the ground and knelt before Shi Hao, begging for mercy.
The Vermilion Bird was also trembling with fear, but unlike Zhu Yan and Qiongqi, she did not kneel.
“I… I didn’t do anything! I only came here to stop them from harming innocent beings. Senior, I am the Sacrificial Spirit of the Fire Country. I am a good bird!” a crisp, melodious voice came from the Vermilion Bird.
Hearing the Vermilion Bird’s voice, Shi Hao confirmed she was indeed female.
*Since she’s female, I can take her back to breed little Vermilion Birds.*
“Change your form and let me see if you’re pretty. If you are, I might spare you,” Shi Hao threatened.
Startled by his words, the Vermilion Bird nodded frantically.
With a single flap of her wings, she transformed into a pitifully beautiful young woman standing before him.
She wore a fiery red gown, her features so exquisite they practically begged to be bullied.
Her expression, teetering on the edge of tears, pleased Shi Hao immensely.
“Not bad. You’re quite a beauty. Come here,” Shi Hao beckoned with a crook of his finger.
The Vermilion Bird obeyed, stepping to his side.
In the next instant, he pulled her into his arms.
“Hmm, not bad. Since you’re so pretty, I’ll reluctantly let you become my woman. Just wait here while I deal with them, then I’ll take you back to breed little Vermilion Birds.”
The Vermilion Bird froze, her mind reeling.
*Wait, Senior?
Your tastes are that… heavy?
I’m a Vermilion Bird!*