Rumble—
A dull, thunderous boom came from the edge of the sky, as though the heavens themselves had been forcibly torn apart.
A terrifying pressure, like mountains toppling and seas overturning, poured down from above the nine heavens, directly locking onto the area where Shi Hao stood.
The gale howled. The surrounding peaks trembled beneath that pressure, and countless boulders tumbled down.
The Heavenly Prides and Rogue Cultivators from the various sects who had not yet gone far felt as though their chests had been struck by massive hammers. They groaned, their legs bending uncontrollably as they nearly fell to their knees.
The void twisted, and a figure strode through the air.
The newcomer was not tall, but he was sturdy and powerfully built. His hair and beard were both white, yet he seemed brimming with vigor. His eyes were like burning golden lamps, shining brilliantly.
With every step he took, rings of visible ripples of law spread through the void beneath his feet, while the surrounding gale whirled and howled in time with his strides.
He was unmistakably a Heavenly God among the Immortal Ancient Secret Realm's native inhabitants, one who had broken free from the shackles of its rules.
"Young friend, please stay."
The old man halted in midair and looked down at Shi Hao from above.
When he spoke, his voice rang out like a great bell, making the air around them hum.
Shi Hao stopped and raised his head to look at the old man in the air, his gaze calm as still water.
He had long sensed several powerful divine senses spying on him from the shadows. This old fellow being the first to jump out was hardly unexpected.
"This old man is called Ma Yuan, a clan chief of this Immortal Ancient remnant land."