Three Years

As time flowed by, none knew how many years had passed. Flowers bloomed and fell; how many springs and autumns had come and gone.

In the Immortal Burial Forbidden Land, beneath the ten-thousand-zhang valley, silence descended once more. Just as before, the flowers held no fragrance, and the birds did not sing.

No one knew where they were, but the light had vanished for more than two years, and no one had emerged.

Over those two years, the younger generation on the Ancient Starry Road had crossed nearly a quarter of the journey. After a hundred battles, nine kings had risen side by side, invincible beneath the heavens.

In this glorious age, nine peerless young powerhouses, each as astonishingly gifted as the sages of ancient times, swept aside every opponent and shook the starry sky with their names.

As the nine kings burst into existence, more and more eliminated contenders left the Ancient Road, withdrawing dejectedly from this contest reserved for peerless geniuses.

In the third year, one of the nine kings fell, and a new king rose to fill the vacancy. The nine kings stood like tripods, their position unshakable.

Within the Immortal Burial Forbidden Land, three years passed. At last, movement arose beneath the silent valley. The mountain rumbled and shook as sword light cascaded like a waterfall, shooting up through the forest.

In an instant, the entire Immortal Burial Forbidden Land came alive. Black crows scattered across the sky, blotting out the heavens and sun.

"Finally, we're out! You lied to me—didn't you say it would be quick?"

From the depths of the Immortal Burial Forbidden Land came the little girl's voice, brimming with dissatisfaction.

"Three years is quick enough."

Within the dazzling radiance, the red-robed figure swung his sword. With a thunderous boom, the surrounding void