SACRED BODY OF THE IMMORTALS

Di Haotian was a proud man.

Even without being reborn, he was the proud young emperor of the Immortal Court.

Not to mention now, with the memories of an entire lifetime in his grasp.

Di Haotian never believed he would lose.

And even less so to a genius of the current age.

The setback in the Void Sky Realm was nothing more than a minor hiccup to Di Haotian.

It would not affect his plans or the bigger picture.

"What truly matters, is this."

Di Haotian produced that fragment of the Immortal Stone Disc.

It was precisely this shard that had brought him back to the early days of this golden age.

But the other three fragments were nowhere to be found.

"Ancient history, the secret of ascending to immortality, the chaos that arose because of it — I must find the remaining three fragments."

"Because this may be the greatest opportunity of the early days of this golden age!"

A divine radiance bloomed within Di Haotian's silver pupils.

He knew things others did not, which was why he could seize the initiative and advance step by step.

"Bai Luoxue." Di Haotian spoke.

"Young Emperor!"

A woman in white robes appeared, her features breathtakingly beautiful and her bearing ethereal — it was Bai Luoxue.

"This ancient artifact — I need to find the three remaining pieces. Mobilize the Immortal Court's forces to search for them."

Di Haotian said, holding the fragment of the Immortal Stone Disc.

"Yes, Young Emperor."

Bai Luoxue took a long look at the fragment.

She was clever, and asked nothing about what it was or what use it held for Di Haotian.

Sometimes, as a subordinate, all one needed to do was follow orders.

That was how one earned recognition.

As the strategist among the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders, Bai Luoxue naturally understood this simple truth.

"Also, keep this quiet — no big movements. I don't want anyone else to know." Di Haotian said.

"Understood." Bai Luoxue nodded.

"Luoxue, you are sharp, so I have no worries entrusting this matter to you." Di Haotian said with a faint smile.

"To have the Young Emperor's recognition is this subordinate's honor!" A look of joy appeared in Bai Luoxue's eyes.

"Go." Di Haotian waved his hand.

Bai Luoxue withdrew.

A contemplative look crossed Di Haotian's eyes.

"In the Void Sky Realm, the Cang Clan and the Forbidden Family appeared one after another."

"Barring any surprises, the Forbidden Family should start making their presence known — they are the vanguard of the Forbidden Zones of Life."

"Jun Xiaoyao was once an Ancient Holy Body, which by nature puts him in opposition to the Forbidden Zones."

"Furthermore, there are reports that he is the successor of the Luan Gu lineage, which means he should have a grudge with that particular Forbidden Zone — if that's the case……"

A new idea took shape in Di Haotian's mind.

He suddenly called out, "Ziyan Tianjun!"

Outside the golden palace, a flash of fire streaked past.

In its place appeared a man dressed in purple robes with a head of purple hair.

The man had a powerful build, his entire body wreathed in a mass of purple divine flames, his eyes looking as though they too were about to erupt with fire.

His aura was immensely powerful — standing there, he blazed like a radiant purple sun, impossible to ignore.

"What does the Young Emperor need?"

Unlike the other riders among the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders,

Ziyan Tianjun showed no trace of subservience toward Di Haotian — instead, a hint of challenge flickered in his eyes.

"Ziyan Tianjun, after all this time, your temperament still hasn't changed."

Di Haotian didn't mind in the least.

This Ziyan Tianjun ranked third among the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders.

He had once been one of Di Haotian's challengers.

Legend had it that Ziyan Tianjun had no father or mother — he was a being born from a purple radiant sun, with an innate mastery over all fire.

In that era, Ziyan Tianjun was an absolute dark horse among the geniuses, rising steadily and defeating the proud sons of countless immortal powers along the way.

In the end he met Di Haotian, and only then was he defeated, choosing to become a follower.

So his temperament differed from the other followers — he carried none of their humility.

"It's been a long time since I've sparred with the Young Emperor. My hands are getting a little restless, truth be told." Ziyan Tianjun said.

"Don't worry — once this matter is handled, I'll give you a chance to sharpen yourself." Di Haotian said.

"What matter?"

"Go and quietly investigate news of the Forbidden Family. Report to me at all times. When the moment calls for it, I will need to make contact with them." Di Haotian said.

"Fine." Ziyan Tianjun gave a slight nod, then turned into a streak of fire and departed.

"What comes next depends on what the Forbidden Family does — but no matter what, Jun Xiaoyao, you cannot beat me."

"Sooner or later, you will come to me yourself and ask to become my follower." A smile played at the corner of Di Haotian's lips.

"Right, I almost forgot something — go to the Huang Tian Immortal Domain and make contact with that little demon empress. Her background is no ordinary one."

Di Haotian was about to summon someone, but in the end shook his head.

"Never mind, I'll make the trip myself, as a show of sincerity for the cooperation."

With that, before Di Haotian, magical power intertwined and radiance surged.

A dharma body manifested once more.

At present, his true self's aura had yet to merge with the aura of this age, so it was temporarily inconvenient for him to venture out.

After Di Haotian's dharma body departed,

his true self remained seated cross-legged within the golden palace.

"Advancing step by step — my plan is flawless. Now, I simply wait for that place to open."

"That place is of immense importance to my Immortal Court. It concerns unification and consolidation, and not the slightest error can be permitted."

A brilliant light shone in Di Haotian's eyes.

All things, including the critical historical turning points, existed within his memory.

One had to wonder — how could Jun Xiaoyao possibly contend with him?

……

Di Haotian's arrangements and deployments did not stir anyone.

The Nine Heavens Immortal Domain went on as usual.

Only some cultivators noticed that certain forces of the Immortal Court had begun making frequent rounds through various star domains.

It gave the impression not of a patrol, but of a search for something.

Of course, this drew little attention.

Things were equally calm on the Immortal Academy's side.

After returning from the Void Sky Realm, no one foolish enough to provoke Jun Xiaoyao or those around him had appeared again.

Many disciples of the Immortal Academy, having gained their opportunities, had begun to cultivate diligently.

For the appearance of the Cang Clan and the Forbidden Family in the Void Sky Realm had left a quiet unease in their hearts.

It felt like the calm before a storm.

So they threw themselves into cultivation.

Every bit of strength gained was another bit of power to protect themselves.

As for Jun Xiaoyao, after returning to the Immortal Domain, he had specifically asked the Grand Elder to select a secluded retreat, cut off from the outside world.

He would not be disturbed by anyone.

And not long after Jun Xiaoyao entered seclusion,

a stunning piece of news arrived from the Huntian Immortal Domain.

In that domain, a strange blood-red star had appeared, flickering in and out, as though it sought to illuminate a certain place.

The star was called Yinghuo, rumored to be an ominous demon star.

But what astonished people was not Yinghuo itself.

It was its connection to one of the Seven Great Wonders spoken of in the legends of the Immortal Domain.

The Seven Great Wonders were the seven great taboos and eerie legends of the Immortal Domain.

Among those Jun Xiaoyao had personally encountered were the Bronze Immortal Palace, the Nineteenth Level of the Hell Star, and others.

And the legend tied to the Yinghuo demon star

was one of the Seven Great Wonders — the Forgotten Kingdom.

It was said to be an ancient forbidden land, forgotten by time, ordinarily invisible to the world.

Only when the Yinghuo demon star appeared would the place it illuminated reveal where the Forgotten Kingdom lay.

Then, even more astonishing news spread.

An important relic of the Ancient Immortal Court was said to lie within the Forgotten Kingdom itself.