196: Chapter 196 Conditions and Unexpected Gains

Jiang Hao nodded slightly, an approving look appearing on his face: "Good, you have not been tainted by blood sin. Very good."

He could naturally see it. The Immortal Platform divine soul of a Supreme Being who had initiated a Dark Tumult would be entangled with the indelible resentment of all living beings and traces of bloody baleful aura, which was different from normal ones.

"What is your name?"

The middle-aged Supreme Being completely retracted the radiance surrounding him, revealing a clear face. He cupped his hands and said, "My name is Shangyang. I attained the Dao in the Ancient Era. The world calls me Shangyang Huang (Emperor Shangyang)."

"Shangyang Huang..." Jiang Hao repeated the name, memories related to it naturally surfacing in his mind.

An Ancient Race emperor from the middle Ancient Era. During his reign, the myriad races were at peace. His imperial weapon, the Shangyang Wheel, once illuminated the starry cosmos.

Legend has it he passed away in his later years due to Dao injuries. It seems the legend was wrong; he entered a Forbidden Zone.

Many Forbidden Zone Supreme Beings are like this. Records say they perished, but in reality, they entered Forbidden Zones.

Legends are just legends; they are not necessarily true.

Shangyang Huang cautiously asked, "Celestial Emperor, what must I offer to enter the Two Realms Passage?"

Jiang Hao stopped tapping his finger, as if thinking, then said, "Since you are one who has not committed evil, the conditions will be simplified. Keep it simple, just two: First, leave behind the complete Imperial Scripture you created.

Second, contribute treasures—Immortal Gold Divine Materials, or undying medicine. Satisfy these two, and you will get a spot."

After hearing this, Shangyang Huang first felt a wave of relief in his heart.

These conditions indeed didn't sound harsh.

An Imperial Scripture was certainly precious, but if one went to a world more suitable for longevity, it wouldn't matter much. Moreover, leaving behind the Imperial Scripture could also be considered continuing one's Legacy.

Compared to waiting for the distant, elusive opening of the Path to Immortality and the risk of being liquidated at any moment, this price was completely acceptable.

But then, a trace of sadness welled up in his heart because most of his Immortal Gold Divine Materials had been 'requested as alms' during the last establishment of the Heavenly Court. Now he only had a little left.

As for undying medicine... he had none at all.

Shangyang Huang subconsciously began calculating.

Jiang Hao took in the changes in his expression, not urging him, just waiting quietly.

No immortal gold or undying medicine? No problem.

Jiang Hao knew the other party would find a way.

He could go search for it, borrow it, or trade for it.

Actually, Jiang Hao could also just destroy the Forbidden Zones and take their things.

But it was unnecessary. He, Jiang the Celestial Emperor, had always won people over with virtue, preferring them to willingly offer things up. He didn't do things by bullying others with his power.

Sure enough, after a moment of silence, a look of resolve flashed in Shangyang Huang's eyes. He looked up and said:

"The Celestial Emperor's conditions are fair. My 'Shangyang Ancient Scripture' can be presented immediately. It's just the treasure... could you grant me some time to prepare? I will certainly not disappoint the Celestial Emperor when the time comes."

Several names had already quickly flashed through Shangyang Huang's mind.

"Those old fellows next door seem to have hidden some good things. For the sake of my immortal path, I'll have to ask a few old fellows to bear a little hardship."

Jiang Hao nodded readily: "You can leave the scripture first. I'll give you time to prepare the treasure. Come again whenever you have it ready."

"Good, thank you, Celestial Emperor!" Delight appeared on Shangyang Huang's face, and he no longer hesitated.

A crimson-gold talisman flew from between his eyebrows, containing vast scriptural meanings and Great Dao insights. It was the complete inheritance of the 'Shangyang Ancient Scripture.'

He respectfully presented the talisman.

Jiang Hao accepted the talisman and waved his hand: "Go."

Shangyang Huang's projection bowed again and dissipated within the hall.

Jiang Hao toyed with that crimson-gold talisman and returned to the rear garden.

Heavenly Venerable Lingbao placed a white piece and sighed, "These conditions are very good. Not too difficult, yet not simple either. This way, those with clean hands will probably rush to be first."

Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi stroked his beard and smiled: "Not only that. Fellow Daoist Jiang's conditions seem simple on the surface, but they actually conceal a sharp edge. immortal gold and undying medicine—are they easy to obtain? Especially for Supreme Beings who have lain dormant for a long time and consumed greatly."

"If they wish to succeed, they will inevitably stir up some disturbances within the Forbidden Zones. Fellow Daoist Jiang Hao, you gain practical benefits, sow mutual suspicion among them, and show those with intent a clear path. Killing multiple birds with one stone. How clever."

Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi sighed with endless admiration. This Fellow Daoist Jiang's mind was too agile, able to think of all sorts of methods. If it were him, he definitely wouldn't be able to think of this kind of method in a lifetime.

Jiang Hao sat down, picked up his own cup of tea that hadn't cooled, took a sip, and said with a smile:

"You two Fellow Daoists overpraise me. I merely guided the situation according to its momentum, giving them a bit of hope. I can't just let them stay idle."

Jiang Hao actually felt his own actions weren't much.

Compared to the talented people online in his previous life who played all sorts of schemes to the extreme, his could only be considered plain and unadorned.

A month later, Shangyang Huang came again, and he even brought a good thing—something that even surprised Jiang Hao a little.

Because he brought an undying medicine—the peach immortality medicine.

Upon arriving, Shangyang Huang solemnly took out an object. It was a strange plant, no more than three feet tall, yet its entire body was enveloped in misty immortal radiance and auspicious energy.

The plant resembled a peach tree. Its branches were gnarled like dragons, its leaves a vibrant, dripping green, flowing with a rich essence of life.

Most miraculous was its crown, where three fist-sized, pink-and-white mottled fruits grew.

The fruit skin was crystalline, faintly patterned with Great Dao lines. The refreshing fragrance they emitted instantly filled the entire hall. Taking a single breath of it refreshed one's spirit.

This was precisely the peach immortality medicine, an outlier among the Immortality Divine Medicines!

Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised and somewhat happy. This was a truly good thing.

The Peach Tree. Among the many undying medicines, this thing was special, its traces elusive.

Shangyang Huang could actually obtain such a good thing. It seemed these old fellows in the Forbidden Zones indeed still had some treasures left.

Jiang Hao once again confirmed in his heart the correctness and potential of the 'utilize waste' policy. He must continue to squeeze them.

"Celestial Emperor, this is the peach immortality medicine." Shangyang Huang pushed the divine medicine, along with the lump of Chaotic Breath Soil it was rooted in, towards Jiang Hao.

"It meets your requirement for undying medicine. I presented my scripture last time. I wonder if this time, it counts as fulfilling the agreement?"

Jiang Hao reached out and took it. The Peach Tree seemed sentient, its branches and leaves trembling slightly, emitting a hazy consciousness that felt both dependent and somewhat uneasy.

But enveloped by Jiang Hao's peaceful yet supremely lofty aura, it soon calmed down.

"Naturally, it counts."

Jiang Hao would certainly not deceive people.

Upon receiving Jiang Hao's reply, Shangyang Huang finally set his heart at rest, feeling extremely happy inside. He was finally going to become an immortal.

To obtain this undying medicine, he had given his all, scheming against several old fellows to get it.

Now he didn't even dare return to the Forbidden Zone. Fortunately, it was all worth it.

"For the sake of becoming an immortal, it's worth it. I will remember you all!"

Jiang Hao placed the Peach Tree beside him for the time being and looked at Shangyang Huang.

"The opening of the passage involves the barrier between the two realms and cannot be done frequently. Maintaining this passage consumes immense resources. The next opening will need to wait a hundred years later."

Jiang Hao knew there would definitely be others besides Shangyang Huang who would come, so he had to wait for a period of time to send them all together.

Upon hearing this, Shangyang Huang's expression remained unchanged, but his mind raced with thoughts.

A hundred-year buffer? Although long, compared to withering away hopelessly in the Forbidden Zone, this hundred-year wait was completely worthwhile. He also needed time to further adjust his state to face the unknown Lesser Immortal Realm.

Shangyang Huang cupped his hands and said, "I understand. I've troubled the Celestial Emperor to take pains. In a hundred years, I will come on time. For these hundred years, I will wait with a tranquil heart."

"Good." Jiang Hao nodded.

Shangyang Huang said no more. After bowing, his figure slowly dissipated, beginning his final preparations for the Ascension a hundred years later.