305-308

Chapter 305: Triple General, Guardian God for All Ages (First Update)

Twenty layers, thirty layers…

Days later, with the assimilation and comprehension of the cultivation techniques, the number of Dao Domains increased to forty-nine, with the addition of thirty-four new Dao Domains.

Each Dao Domain possessed unique rules, some subtly similar, seemingly indistinguishable, yet with minute differences.

Among them were numerous top-tier royal cultivation techniques. Except for the core, top-tier techniques of the General's Mansion, everything else that existed within the General's Mansion was present here.

With the increase in Dao Domains, Li Hao could clearly feel that the accumulation and enhancement of their number was gradually approaching a qualitative change, rather than a simple quantitative addition.

Previously, when facing Dao Law Realm cultivators, his Dao Domains could be easily infiltrated by their laws. But now, with forty-nine Dao Domains layered together, Li Hao could feel a distinct sense of impregnability.

He intended to seek out True Person Qin and have him test his Dao Domains with his laws.

But before that, he rummaged through the Dao Scripture Hall again, discovering that apart from cultivation technique manuals and some edifying Daoist scriptures, there were no collections of chess scores or famous paintings.

Li Hao chuckled wryly. In this world of martial prowess, finding famous paintings and chess scores was indeed difficult, and he could only collect them from the common folk.

Fortunately, with the Emperor Yu's assistance, gathering famous paintings and chess scores would be much easier.

Dusting off his robes, Li Hao pushed open the door of the Dao Scripture Hall and saw the two figures who had been waiting at the entrance for several days. He smiled, "I've kept you waiting. I wish to see your master."

"General Haotian, you're too kind. We thought you'd be staying for a month,"

Qingjingzi said with a smile.

The two seemed surprised that Li Hao had come out so quickly.

The Dao Scripture Hall housed cultivation techniques from across the land. Even if one spent a month inside without eating or drinking, they might not be able to read them all.

They guessed that Li Hao had probably only selected a few of the top-tier royal techniques from the Dao Scripture Hall to study.

These royal techniques were originally exclusive to the imperial family, but now, with the Emperor Yu's decree, Li Hao was allowed to cultivate them.

"Alright, I'll take you there now."

The young boy, Mingyue Jian, standing beside him, nodded immediately, appearing somewhat restrained, unlike the typical top-tier geniuses who exuded arrogance.

Led by the two, Li Hao found the old Daoist in a hidden chamber within the Qian Dao Palace.

The old man was seated before a memorial tablet, seemingly in mourning.

Qingjingzi brought Li Hao forward, gazing at his master's back and the memorial tablet of his eldest senior brother, and said softly,

"Master, General Haotian wishes to see you."

True Person Qin's distant eyes trembled slightly, gradually focusing. He slowly turned around and saw three youthful and vigorous figures behind him, with the young man in the center particularly striking.

His eyes flickered. Two years ago, when this young man's reputation first rose, he never imagined that the lineage of Emperor Yu would not fall upon his two most outstanding disciples, whom he had painstakingly cultivated, but rather upon this young man who had grown freely outside the imperial palace.

He was already aware of Li Hao's past experiences. He knew that although the resources of the General's Mansion were invaluable, they were still insufficient to cultivate such a top-tier, true dragon genius.

"For this assistance, gratitude cannot be expressed. The Emperor has already spoken to you about the matter of incense offerings, hasn't he?"

True Person Qin said softly.

Li Hao nodded and explained his purpose.

True Person Qin was slightly surprised to hear that Li Hao wanted to use his laws to test his Dao Domains. He gazed intently at Li Hao. The young man's terrifying battle prowess, displayed when he had slain six Dao Law Realm cultivators, had caused him to subconsciously overlook Li Hao's actual realm, treating him as a top-tier Dao Seeking Realm cultivator.

But Li Hao's true cultivation had not yet reached the Dao Seeking Realm.

True Person Qin chuckled inwardly. It was hard to imagine to what extreme level martial arts needed to be cultivated to transcend such a realm and possess such formidable power.

He readily agreed to Li Hao's request, and the two of them soared into the high sky outside the Qian Dao Palace.

Qingjingzi and Mingyue Jian, also curious, came to the sky above the Qian Dao Palace, looking up at their master and the young man.

During the previous battle within the imperial palace, they had only heard about it, not witnessed it firsthand. Their master had placed them within a hidden chamber protected by a formation to preserve the lineage and prevent them from being killed.

Now, looking at the young man, they couldn't help but stare in wonder. He was so young, yet he was already able to confront their master head-on, as if they were equals.

"Then I'll make my move."

True Person Qin said, and after Li Hao nodded, he suddenly unleashed his Dao techniques. In an instant, a force of law surged towards Li Hao.

Li Hao immediately unleashed his forty-nine Dao Domains, layering them one upon another, enveloping himself.

The law collided with the Dao Domains, as if abruptly plunging into a deep pool of water, its penetration slowing down, becoming increasingly sluggish.

However, it eventually reached Li Hao, albeit with greatly diminished power. Li Hao casually waved his hand, dispersing it.

It seemed that forty-nine Dao Domains were still insufficient to completely block the laws, but they could significantly hinder them.

Upon witnessing this, True Person Qin's pupils constricted slightly, and a hint of shock appeared in his eyes.

During the previous battle, he had seen Li Hao use fifteen Dao Domains and had assumed that was his limit. But now, it was forty-nine?

Could it be that he had gained insights within the Dao Scripture Hall?

He was filled with doubt. Was it possible in such a short time? However, forty-nine Dao Domains had shattered his understanding. It was the first time he had seen someone comprehend such a vast number of Dao Domains.

If he had focused on Dao Seeking, perhaps he would have already reached that realm.

Below, Mingyue Jian looked up, but saw Li Hao simply waving his hand. He looked at his senior brother in confusion, "Is it over?"

Qingjingzi's usually calm expression was lost, his eyes filled with shock. After a moment, he regained his composure and said softly, "It's over."

Having reached the Four Pillars Realm, he had only glimpsed the existence of Dao Domains. Although Mingyue Jian was extremely talented and second only to Li Hao in Emperor Yu's realm, he was still only a Heavenly Human Grandmaster, a realm far too distant.

Qingjingzi had counted the forty-nine Dao Domains, but his heart was in turmoil.

Was this the true nature of a genius prodigy? In comparison, he suddenly felt like an ordinary mortal. Could his martial path ever touch the edge of this young man's abilities?

This caused him to feel a sense of listlessness towards his own martial path, and his Dao heart wavered slightly.

"Qingjingzi, remember your Dao name. Adhere to your heart, purity is inaction. There are countless paths in the world, and you are yourself."

True Person Qin's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

Qingjingzi's body trembled, regaining his composure and breaking free from his previous gloomy and disheartened state. He paused for a moment, then respectfully bowed his head in acknowledgement.

Then, he looked at the young man again, his eyes complex but now calmer.

True Person Qin sensed that his disciple's Dao heart had recovered and chuckled inwardly. Just seeing the talent and strength displayed by this young man caused a fellow genius to have his Dao heart shattered. It was truly exaggerated.

But the young man before him was truly unprecedented.

At this moment, he couldn't help but wonder if Li Hao was truly a reincarnated sage.

The test concluded, Li Hao bowed to True Person Qin in farewell. Seeing that he was about to leave, True Person Qin said, "General Haotian, what are your plans for the future?"

Li Hao pondered for a moment and said, "First, I'll go see some old friends and bid them farewell. Then, I'll go to the Immortal Gate and deal with that Saint Son to prevent future troubles. After that, I'll return to the mortal realm and explore the places I haven't seen. I promised a friend that I would take her to see everything, from the mortal realm to the heavens."

Upon hearing Li Hao's intentions, True Person Qin nodded slightly. The departure of the Saint Son had left him with lingering worries, fearing that he might seek stronger reinforcements.

If he were to make another move, it would likely involve a Half-Sage.

A true Sage would not be so shameless as to personally descend to the mortal realm to compete for incense offerings.

Moreover, if a Sage descended to the mortal realm, their own incense offerings would be harmed. Sages needed to maintain a distance from the mortal realm.

Unless it was a Sage who had achieved Dao Ascension, but such beings rarely had any ties to factions and were solely focused on pursuing the Dao, seldom involving themselves in worldly affairs.

"Before General Haotian departs, I will give you a generous gift." True Person Qin said.

"Oh? What is it?"

"General Haotian does not yet have a suitable weapon, does he?"

True Person Qin smiled slightly, "This Qian Dao Palace is a fragment of a Dao Calamity Emperor Artifact. I will forge a sword from the palace and bestow it upon you."

Li Hao was momentarily stunned, a Dao Calamity Emperor Artifact?

He looked at the magnificent Qian Dao Palace below, and with a focused mind, he immediately noticed some subtle details.

"Unfortunately, this sword is only exceptionally durable. The might of the Emperor Artifact has long since dissipated."

True Person Qin sighed.

Li Hao nodded slightly. He did indeed lack a suitable divine sword. His initial Dragon Soaring Divine Sword was like a wisp of cotton in his hands, easily deforming and breaking if he used too much force. The other Sacred Heart Treasures were comparable to the hardness of his own body, making them essentially dispensable.

"It doesn't matter. As long as it's strong and sharp enough."

Li Hao said.

True Person Qin nodded and set a date with Li Hao.

Learning that it would take three months, Li Hao was not in a hurry. He still had many things to do.

After bidding farewell to the True Person and the two disciples below, Li Hao left the Qian Dao Palace.

When he returned to the imperial palace, the ruined buildings had already been repaired. After all, it was a world of martial cultivators, and constructing buildings was a simple task.

Seeing Li Hao again, Emperor Yu's expression became even more complex. "You little rascal, if it weren't for what the Wang family said, how long would you have kept this from me?"

Although his words were reprimanding, his tone was filled with affection.

"What?"

"Chong Er is actually you, and this Merit Treasure Vault was also created by you. You…"

When Emperor Yu learned of this news from the mouths of Wang Zhen Dong and the others who had come to provide reinforcements, he felt a shock, as if struck by lightning.

Although Li Hao was very strong, he knew that the situation in the River of Death was complex, and brute force alone might not be enough to solve it.

Saving the imperial palace and opening the Merit Treasure Vault for Emperor Yu, benefiting countless martial cultivators.

Emperor Yu looked at the young man before him, unsure of how to express his feelings.

"It's all trivial matters, just a matter of self-preservation."

Li Hao chuckled, not taking it too seriously, and said to Emperor Yu, "Your Majesty, are you still helping me collect those famous paintings and chess scores?"

Emperor Yu regained his composure and chuckled wryly, "I've already dispatched two departments to search for and collect them for you."

Li Hao nodded and then bid farewell to the Emperor.

Emperor Yu learned of Li Hao's plans and did not stop him, only saying, "Although you no longer lack merit or titles, for the sake of your future incense offerings, I will still grant you a title and announce it to the world."

"Mm."

Li Hao nodded, not objecting.

As Li Hao left the imperial palace, the imperial city issued a decree of bestowal, announcing it to the world.

The decree listed Li Hao's numerous achievements and also revealed his identity as Chong Er.

For this merit, he was bestowed the title of General.

Saving the three states, Liang, You, and Qing, his merits spanned three states, and he was also bestowed the title of General.

Saving the imperial palace and guarding the Daoist incense offerings, he was once again bestowed the title of General.

The merits of three Generals were bestowed upon one person. Emperor Yu broke a precedent set by the previous Emperor and bestowed upon Li Hao the title of Heavenly General of Emperor Yu, granting him a large state and establishing the Heavenly General's Mansion for him, proclaiming him the Guardian God for All Ages!

With the announcement of this decree, the nineteen states of the land were in an uproar, filled with shock.

All the General's Mansions and countless aristocratic families were also in a state of commotion.

The words of the decree, the achievements, the name of Haotian, resounded throughout the nineteen states.

The title of Heavenly General was equal to that of the Emperor, holding supreme authority over life and death within Emperor Yu's realm. Even the imperial family could be executed if they offended him.

His position was higher than that of the General's Mansions, able to command any military forces within the realm at will. All the General's Mansions had to respond to his call at any time and could not disobey!

As the details of the decree were revealed, countless people were stunned and speechless.

He was practically a God of War, and it was no exaggeration to call him the second Emperor of Emperor Yu.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 306: The Path of Enlightenment (Part Two)

As the imperial decree spread throughout the Nineteen Provinces, Li Hao returned to Tianmen Pass in Liangzhou.

The familiar city walls, the familiar banners – the news had not yet reached here, and the soldiers stationed within remained unaware.

Li Hao didn't disturb anyone, quietly returning to his small, fenced courtyard.

The young girl practicing swordplay within the courtyard sensed the boy's presence, startled from her training. She looked up at Li Hao, her face filled with joy:

"Master, you're back!"

Beside her, the Sword Demon, Jiang Lichun, glanced at Li Hao, his eyes narrowing instantly.

In just a short time, he felt that Li Hao's aura had become even more restrained, like an unfathomable, vast cosmos, standing silently. Yet, every movement he made seemed to contain the power to move stars.

Li Hao looked at Ren Qianqian. The girl was fifteen, a year younger than him, but she had already stepped into the Heavenly Man Realm.

"Did you teach her?"

Li Hao asked Jiang Lichun.

Jiang Lichun scoffed, "I can't teach the heart of a Heavenly Man. She achieved it through her own understanding. It's probably because she's been around you, this monster, for so long and gained some insight from you."

Ren Qianqian's cheeks flushed slightly upon hearing this. Originally, she had followed Li Hao with the desire to surpass her father and become a Heavenly Man Grandmaster. But this lifelong goal had been achieved in just two short years.

Her talent and strength now placed her among the top five on the Qiankun Ranking.

And this was only because she had kept a low profile, focusing on cultivation and avoiding conflict.

Li Hao nodded and smiled at Ren Qianqian, "Now that you're with me, your wish has come true. Do you still want to continue following me? You're still young. You can travel the world and see the sights while you're still in your prime."

Ren Qianqian quickly shook her head, "No, I want to continue cultivating. I want to accompany Master to see the scenery at the mountaintop."

Li Hao sighed, "But I don't want to climb the mountain. The view from the summit is only one kind, but the scenery at the foot of the mountain is diverse and vibrant."

Ren Qianqian was taken aback, immediately replying, "Then I'll stay with Master at the foot of the mountain and watch the smoke rise from the human villages."

"You're quite the poet," Li Hao chuckled.

Ren Qianqian's cheeks flushed again.

Li Hao didn't press further. Instead, he swept his divine sense around, but he didn't sense Feng Lao's presence. He then extended his awareness to encompass the entire city, but still found no trace. He couldn't help but be surprised, and immediately asked:

"Where's Feng Lao?"

By now, Ren Qianqian was well aware of Feng Boping's true name and identity. Seeing Li Hao's question, she quickly replied:

"Senior Feng, shortly after you left, suddenly seemed to regain his clarity, like a changed person. He told us he was leaving and asked me to tell you that he would be waiting for you at the Sacred Lands."

"Hmm?"

Li Hao was stunned, a little taken aback. It was quite sudden.

But soon, he recalled the events within the River of Death.

Feng Lao had gone to the Sacred Lands?

"Your old friend, he's most likely a Saint's incarnation, allowing his reincarnation to cultivate."

Jiang Lichun said to Li Hao, "While such things are rare, they're not unheard of. Among the peerless geniuses of our Great Yu Dynasty over the millennia, there have been such beings. They quietly cultivate, then suddenly disappear after a period of rising prominence, like meteors that flash brightly and then quickly fall."

Li Hao fell silent for a moment. Beings at the Saint Realm, wielding such power, were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

However, the world was vast, and there would always be opportunities to meet again.

It was just that one less familiar face would grace the human world.

Li Hao's gaze swept across the courtyard, and he asked, "And the other two?"

He was referring to Ying Xiaoxiao and the old man from the tea stall.

"They said they went to gather the resentment of slaughter."

Jiang Lichun asked, "Is there another war outside?"

Li Hao nodded, "The Imperial Palace was almost destroyed."

The Imperial Palace's plea for help hadn't reached Tianmen Pass. The pass was facing a swift attack by demons, and the soldiers stationed on the border were unaware of the situation.

Although Great Yu's intelligence network was relatively fast, the vastness of the territory was a major obstacle.

Upon hearing Li Hao's words, Ren Qianqian beside him was shocked. The Imperial Palace, the place she held in the highest regard, was almost destroyed.

Compared to her, Jiang Lichun merely raised an eyebrow, "Since you're back, the trouble there should be resolved, right?"

"Yes."

Li Hao said, "But it seems that many members of the royal family were killed. Don't you want to go take a look?"

Jiang Lichun's eyes flickered with indifference, "I have no children to worry about, nor a wife or lover. There's nothing for me to see."

Li Hao could sense a story in his heart, but didn't ask further. Some burdens couldn't be resolved with a few words.

With Li Hao settling into the courtyard, the imperial decree spread throughout the provinces. While the outside world was abuzz with discussion, Li Hao took Ren Qianqian to a demon lake hundreds of miles outside the pass to go fishing.

To Li Hao's regret, perhaps because he had previously purged the area too thoroughly, the deterrent effect was too strong. He sat by the demon lake for a day, and apart from eating four or five tangerines, he had no catch.

It seemed that all the demons had been scared away… Li Hao thought to himself, which was why he was fishing in vain.

He didn't use his divine sense to probe the depths of the lake. As a fisherman, he valued the pride of using his skills and understanding of the waters to make judgments. If he used his divine sense, it would be no different from casting a net, devoid of any sense of accomplishment.

As dusk approached, Li Hao returned with a wild demon he had hunted in the mountains.

"We'll have roasted demon pig tonight."

Li Hao returned to the fenced courtyard.

"Master, did you catch this while fishing?"

"Yes."

"But it looks like a mountain demon."

"It's amphibious."

"Oh…"

After a simple meal, Li Hao replenished his 180 chess pieces.

When night fell, he went to the mountaintop where he used to sit with Feng Lao, alone with a small pot of wine, drinking and admiring the cool moonlight.

When the wine was finished, Li Hao flipped his palm, and the golden paper from the River of Death appeared, listing his few River of Death merits.

Li Hao immersed his consciousness in the paper and quickly entered the Merit Treasury.

Countless meritorious treasures were displayed within, like golden orbs floating in the air, exchangeable with merits.

Li Hao looked at the Power of Defying Fate. This item was incredibly useful, equivalent to a second life. However, he was now facing beings at the Path of Enlightenment Realm, who could conceal the secrets of Heaven. It wasn't very useful to him.

Li Hao browsed through the items, and saw that in addition to Divine Power, he could also exchange for Heavenly Veins at the Apex Realm.

However, Heavenly Veins required 30,000 merits, while Divine Power cost 10,000.

There was no Heavenly Dharma Form, and the other Apex Realms were also unavailable.

The exchangeable items were quite limited. For others, they might be treasures that made their blood boil with excitement, but for Li Hao, he could only pick and choose.

The Fruit of Enlightenment could help one achieve the Path of Enlightenment, but it was only a probability, not a guarantee of success.

Li Hao planned to exchange for one, but not to use it for cultivation on the Path of Enlightenment. He intended to use it for cooking.

His Physical Dao was currently at the 8th Stage. When he tried to add more points, he was told that he needed to enter the Dao.

It seemed that to break through the bottleneck of his Cooking Dao at the 8th Stage, he also needed a Dao Heart to continue climbing. Using the Fruit of Enlightenment in cooking would make entering the Dao much easier.

The prerequisite was that he had to first raise his Cooking Dao to the 8th Stage, otherwise the probability of achieving Enlightenment would decrease.

Besides that, Li Hao found that he could also exchange for Poetic Heart, Carving Heart, and other mental states within the treasury.

Like the Sword Heart, they only cost 100 merits each.

Li Hao didn't hesitate and immediately exchanged for them.

However, there was no option to exchange for Spiritual Heart, which Li Hao found quite regrettable.

Otherwise, his current Chess Dao, Fishing Dao, and other skills could all enter the Spiritual Realm. By borrowing the Spiritual Heart Realm, he could raise his Sword Dao, Body Technique, and other skills beyond the 7th Stage.

Li Hao's current attributes were:

Physical Dao 8th Stage, Imperial Dao 7th Stage, Body Technique Dao 6th Stage, Sword Dao 6th Stage, Fist Dao 6th Stage.

And for his skills: Chess Dao 6th Stage, Music Dao 4th Stage, Poetry and Literature 3rd Stage, Carving 3rd Stage, Cooking 7th Stage, Painting 7th Stage, Fishing 5th Stage.

Remaining Skill Points: 1.

With the exchange of the two mental states, Poetry and Literature and Carving, Li Hao's Poetry and Literature and Carving immediately rose to the 4th Stage, breaking through the bottleneck.

He could now accumulate experience again until he reached the 6th Stage bottleneck.

His Skill Points also increased to 3.

The continuous battles had kept Li Hao from properly settling down to cultivate for a long time.

He didn't rush to exchange for the Fruit of Enlightenment, but instead focused on improving his Cooking Dao experience.

In the following days, everyone saw Li Hao bringing back a demon from outside the pass every day to feast the entire city.

The various demon-based delicacies, cooked into mountain and sea treasures, were served on the tables of the city's soldiers, allowing everyone to enjoy a grand feast.

Li Hao transformed into a chef, wholeheartedly pursuing his cultivation.

Months later.

With each successive cooking of a demon king, Tianmen Pass had become a culinary capital, attracting people from all over, vying to visit.

Now that the war was over, the top demon forces outside Great Yu had been largely wiped out. The Star Moon Academy demon forces, secretly controlled by the Emperor, had gathered various demons, forming the largest demon force in the region.

The Emperor controlled the dynasty, and he also controlled the demons outside the pass.

The various provinces that had experienced frequent wars in recent years finally had a chance to recover and calm down.

This stability led to frequent commercial trade and travel throughout the provinces. More and more people were traveling around, and many of Li Hao's old friends and disciples from the Tan Palace Academy came to Tianmen Pass to visit and explore.

In the fenced courtyard, Xi Yan, in the form of a red-skirted girl, followed Li Hao's side.

Song Qiu Mo also arrived. Li Hao had mentioned her to the Emperor, and she now enjoyed the honor of being a Great Yu's Town-Protecting Beast. A temple had been built for her, and her token contained markings of the formations in each province, allowing her to freely enter and exit the entire territory of Great Yu.

In Li Hao's spatial realm, Candlelight God and his wife had absorbed the Buddha's relic. The relic contained the power of a fusion of Buddha and Demon, and since Candlelight God and Yin Madam were originally twins, absorbing it caused their bodies to begin merging, forming a large sphere, waiting for an unknown time to awaken.

As for Li Qianfeng, whose cultivation had been destroyed and who had been left in the spatial realm, Li Hao had him sent back to the Li family. This old grudge was thus brought to an end.

As the number of cooking sessions increased, and the ingredients were all demon kings, Li Hao had killed all the demon kings outside Liangzhou, so he went to the Great Wilderness Sky to catch some.

In less than half a year, his Cooking Dao finally accumulated enough experience to reach the 8th Stage.

Li Hao didn't hesitate. Once the experience reached the bottleneck, he found a solitary peak and exchanged for the Fruit of Enlightenment in the Merit Treasury.

The Fruit of Enlightenment was like a jade-green glass, with patterns on its surface and a bright inner glow, emitting a strange fragrance.

Li Hao glanced at it twice, then directly bit into it and swallowed it down.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 307: Return from the Immortal Gate, Accepting Disciples at the Apex (Two-in-One)

The Dao Fruit possessed a unique, fragrant aroma that invigorated the mind, as if awakening every facet of one's consciousness and thought processes.

After consuming it, Li Hao's breathing became smoother, his perception sharper. He felt a faint sense of a towering gate emerging within his consciousness, a gate he could step through with a focused mind.

He immediately immersed himself in the thoughts of Culinary Dao. As his thoughts coalesced, he drew closer to the gate, until he finally crossed the threshold. In an instant, he found himself in a vast, chaotic realm.

His thoughts seemed amplified, his mind extending further, sparking countless new ideas.

At the same time, a figure began to take shape within the chaos before Li Hao's eyes.

The figure raised a hand, transforming the heavens and earth into a colossal furnace, and all things into blazing fuel, cooking the energy of the void…

Li Hao was stunned by this sight, experiencing a sudden epiphany.

Such grandeur, such power, and it was merely… cooking!

Soon, under the figure's control, the energy of the void churned like boiling water. It transitioned from a vast, hidden, and imperceptible state to gradually coalescing into visible currents, until it condensed into a brilliant pearl.

Without ingredients, energy itself became the ingredient.

"To eat" was not limited to a specific object, but encompassed all things!

Li Hao suddenly understood. He immersed himself in the figure's cooking techniques, deepening his comprehension of Culinary Dao.

What was cooking?

Ordinary cooking involved mastering the techniques of steaming, braising, and raw dishes, the common fare of earthly restaurants.

Heart-Level Cooking could elevate dishes to a level of meticulous care and refinement, pushing the palate to its limits.

Spirit-Level Cooking infused each dish with spiritual essence, giving it a unique flavor. While enjoying the food, one could experience a profound sense of harmony between body and soul.

These three levels represented a progression from mere sustenance to enjoying flavors and finally, achieving soul-soothing bliss.

But now, witnessing the figure cook the energy of the heavens, Li Hao realized that the essence of cooking wasn't about preparing or tasting dishes, but about refinement.

Removing unnecessary impurities from a dish and extracting its core essence to create the final product.

Like filleting a fish, removing scales and innards.

Braising pork required removing the spare ribs, even though they were edible. But for the braised pork dish, they were akin to "impurities."

The essence of food wasn't about enjoyment, but about satiating hunger.

And the essence of satiating hunger was to extract energy from food.

Therefore, the truly greatest cooking was to ensure that the essence of the ingredients was fully absorbed by the consumer.

Not elaborate carvings, rich sauces, or superficial stimulation of the palate and senses.

From complexity to simplicity, the ultimate truth.

Entering the Dao… was a return to the essence.

Li Hao's heart gradually understood, and he felt a deeper connection to the phrase, "People rely on food as their primary need."

At this moment, the figure demonstrating the Dao of cooking gradually faded, and Li Hao's consciousness, which had extended outwards, retracted like a spiderweb back into his mind.

Then, a force pulled him back into his body.

Li Hao saw the notification flashing on his panel.

Culinary Dao, 9th Stage…

[You have entered the Dao of Culinary Arts]

Li Hao glanced at the remaining experience bar and his lips twitched slightly.

Previously, leveling up from the 8th to the 9th stage required 1 million experience points. Now, to max out the 9th stage, it required 5 million!

Over the past six months, he had wiped out the Yao Kings beyond the border, and every day, he ventured into the Great Wilderness Heaven to "stock up," slaughtering the demons there until they trembled in fear.

What was once a forbidden zone for the Great Yu Dynasty was now a terrifying hunting ground for the demons.

The demonic aura in the area had thinned considerably, especially in the regions of the Great Wilderness Heaven near Liangzhou's Heavenly Gate Pass. Many Yao Kings had secretly relocated their lairs.

It was no wonder, after all. For the past six months, a monstrous young man had been hunting them down as ingredients every day – a nightmare!

"At this rate, if I continue hunting Yao Kings, it will take another two and a half years to max out…"

Li Hao's lips twitched again. However, if he could hunt down Dao-Realm demons, it might save him a lot of time. But Dao-Realm demons were rare and not something he could hunt down daily.

He looked at the bottom of the panel, at the Mind Realm section.

Mind Realm: Dao Heart (One)

Li Hao thought to himself, as expected. Then, his gaze fell upon the panel, and without hesitation, he embedded the Dao Heart into his Physical Dao.

Soon, as the Mind Realm was consumed, Li Hao chose to allocate points to the Physical Dao.

Allocation Successful!

The 8th stage jumped directly to the 9th.

At the same time, a vast and profound understanding flooded Li Hao's mind.

It felt like consuming another Dao Fruit, leaving him slightly dazed. Countless insights related to the Physical Dao were dissected and presented in his mind.

Simultaneously, the thousands of body-tempering techniques on his panel began to rapidly evolve and deduce. A massive influx of thoughts poured into his consciousness. If Li Hao's consciousness hadn't been strong enough, if he hadn't condensed his Yuanshen, the sheer volume of information and insights would have been enough to drive him mad.

Like a cultivator going astray in their practice.

After a long time, Li Hao finally regained his composure.

His realm, which was previously at the Tai Ping Dao Realm, had now advanced to the Dao Realm.

Although his Four Pillars Realm hadn't reached its peak, Li Hao felt it didn't matter. It was like cultivating the Yuanshen and the Abyss – as long as he obtained more techniques, he could continue cultivating.

Now, with his Physical Dao entering the Dao Realm, Li Hao immediately felt that the vital energy he absorbed was quietly transforming into Dao Energy.

And this transformed Dao Energy was absorbed by his body, merging into his flesh.

His body was undergoing a transformation, steadily increasing in strength from its previous level, which was comparable to a Sacred Heart Treasure.

It was a fundamental principle that Dao Energy was indestructible!

If he could integrate Dao Energy into his flesh, allowing them to permeate each other, like cement mixed with sand, his physique would reach an unimaginable level!

As the vital energy continued to permeate, the Dao Energy also continued to transform, and time quietly slipped away.

The Heavenly Veins channeled a massive amount of vital energy, which was constantly transformed and integrated into his body.

His physique was constantly tempered and strengthened. Compared to before, the parts of his body infused with Dao Energy were like sand mixed with cement, solidifying into an unbreakable whole.

If he encountered the six Dao Technique Realm cultivators again, Li Hao felt that even without entering the Immortal Transformation state, he could simply rely on his physical body to stand within their Dao Domains, unaffected by their laws!

While cultivating and transforming, Li Hao reviewed the techniques that had been deduced.

The first technique that caught his eye was the "Stone Skin Hundred Refinements"that he had randomly selected.

As his understanding of the Physical Dao deepened, this technique was continuously refined and improved. It rose from a common, low-grade technique to a top-tier body-tempering art, and now, it had evolved into an extraordinary Dao-level technique!

Its name had also changed to "Dao Body Forging".

The Dao Energy absorbed into his body circulated according to this technique, making his flesh even more condensed.

…

…

While Li Hao sat in meditation at the Heavenly Gate Pass, entering the Dao and cultivating, a strange disturbance erupted in the energy of the heavens above the distant Imperial Palace in the capital city.

Sensing this unusual fluctuation, the Great Yu Emperor, who was in the midst of a morning court session within the palace, felt a slight change in his expression. He looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the palace roof and reaching the sky above.

Soon, his expression shifted slightly, and he abruptly stood up.

The ministers within the hall, who had been discussing how to carry out the Anti-Buddha Movement, were startled by the sudden action of their Emperor. They quickly bowed and lowered their heads.

The two who had been arguing and debating were particularly shocked, breaking out in a cold sweat. They feared they had said something that angered the Emperor, and this reaction suggested that their entire families might be wiped out.

But the Great Yu Emperor ignored them, stepping out of the hall.

Meanwhile, at the Qian Dao Palace.

The palace had undergone a transformation, the original structure disappearing and being replaced by a new one that was largely similar.

At this moment, in a secret chamber within the palace, a single oil lamp illuminated the entire room.

An elderly man, who seemed to be asleep on a meditation cushion, suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of surprise in them. His figure flickered and disappeared, reappearing in mid-air outside the palace.

The other Four Pillars Realm cultivators, sensing the fluctuations near the Imperial Palace, also stepped out, gazing in astonishment.

They saw the energy swirling above the Imperial Palace, becoming increasingly intense. Then, a golden light suddenly emerged from the swirling energy, like a golden thread!

This golden thread rapidly expanded, creating a door-like hole in the void. With a whoosh, a figure clad in luxurious, ornate robes flew out from within.

Then, more figures emerged from the hole, one after another.

Outside the palace, the Great Yu Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, gazing upwards. Chu Jiu Yue, who had been chasing after him, saw the golden fissure and the figures emerging from it. Her face was filled with astonishment, followed by a joyful exclamation:

"The Immortal Gate is open!"

"They're back!"

Her voice was filled with excitement.

A thousand years ago, the Immortal Gate opened, giving many talented individuals of the Great Yu Dynasty the opportunity to enter and seek the Dao from the Saints.

Now, those who had entered the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago were finally returning!

Returning after completing their studies!

After a thousand years of cultivation, it was unimaginable how powerful they would be upon their return, and what kind of prosperous era the Great Yu Dynasty would enter!

"Father!"

"Elder Brother!"

Many of the figures who emerged from the Immortal Gate spotted the Great Yu Emperor outside the palace hall. They immediately flew towards him.

The Great Yu Emperor saw the woman who arrived first. She was dressed in luxurious robes, like a graceful fairy descending, her eyes clear and bright, as if capable of seeing through all the secrets of the world.

She floated down lightly, without a trace of dust on her, and her gaze instilled a sense of solemn pressure in those around her. In her presence, everything seemed insignificant and powerless.

Although her facial features had changed from the youthful appearance of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl to the exquisite beauty of a noble woman, the Great Yu Emperor recognized her at once. She was the most talented of his many daughters.

"It seems you've done well over there."

The Great Yu Emperor sensed the Dao Energy emanating from her, though it was restrained, it held a sense of boundless power, as if a slight release could unleash a colossal wave.

She had reached the Dao Realm… and it seemed she was even at the Dao Technique Realm.

Thinking back to when she was just a Heavenly Man Realm cultivator, a thousand years had passed, and she had become a Dao Technique Realm existence.

Moreover, to advance from the Dao Technique Realm to the Saint Realm required the use of incense offerings, which took a long time to accumulate. Perhaps she had already reached the Dao Technique Realm long ago but was unable to ascend to Saint due to limitations.

Seeing the joy and smile in her father's eyes, a smile also appeared on Jiang Zi Yan's lips. The coldness on her face softened, and she spoke gently, "Father, how has the Great Yu Dynasty been all these years? Have you been well?"

"All is well, all is well…"

The Great Yu Emperor laughed with unrestrained joy. The Dao Technique Realm wasn't something that could be achieved easily. Without talent, even two or three thousand years of cultivation might only lead to stagnation.

"This subordinate, Xia Yu Cheng, greets Your Majesty."

A tall and upright young man approached the Great Yu Emperor and bowed slightly.

His aura was restrained, but Dao Energy was faintly visible.

Yet, he was extremely polite towards the Great Yu Emperor.

The Great Yu Emperor looked at him, knowing that this was the most outstanding talent from the Xia family a thousand years ago, almost comparable to Li Jun Ye of the Li family in later years.

If Li Jun Ye had been born at a more opportune time, he probably would have entered the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago… The Great Yu Emperor thought of the fallen military genius and sighed inwardly. He smiled at Xia Yu Cheng, "It seems you've gained a lot."

Xia Yu Cheng smiled slightly and then glanced at Jiang Zi Yan beside him, bowing slightly to her as well, with a hint of even greater reverence.

The Great Yu Emperor noticed this detail and was slightly surprised, but his smile deepened.

It seemed his daughter had done very well over there…

At this moment, as more and more people arrived, Jiang Zi Yan, dressed in her luxurious robes, looked up at the Immortal Gate, soaring into the air, and said softly,

"Thank you, Master, for sending us back."

"It's nothing. Tomorrow, the other two Great Holy Lands will also come to choose disciples. You should prepare yourself."

"Disciple understands."

Jiang Zi Yan nodded, and then she saw the golden fissure slowly disappear, and the Saintly Intent within it gradually faded.

The Great Yu Emperor was surrounded by a crowd, but he also noticed his daughter's conversation. Hearing her words, he was slightly stunned, and a look of surprise and excitement flashed in his eyes. He transmitted his voice, "Child, have you taken a Saint as your master within the Immortal Gate?"

Jiang Zi Yan turned to her father and gently nodded, transmitting her voice, "Yes, but the situation is rather complicated. I'll explain later."

The Great Yu Emperor was taken aback, and the joy in his eyes turned to a hint of seriousness. He nodded and swept his gaze across the others.

Besides the royal bloodline, two disciples of Qin Zhen Ren from the Qian Dao Palace had also returned, and Dao Energy faintly emanated from them. But the Great Yu Emperor could tell that they were only True Person Realm cultivators.

However, for the current Great Yu Dynasty, two True Person Realm cultivators were a significant asset.

Moreover, there were a total of eighteen people who had returned, only five of whom were Four Pillars Realm cultivators, the rest were True Person Realm or Dao Technique Realm cultivators.

This power was simply terrifying, enough to put the Great Yu Dynasty on par with the powerful nations in the center of the Eastern Wilderness Continent.

This was the return on an investment made a thousand years ago. That investment had caused the Great Yu Dynasty to decline from its peak, becoming a turning point. But now, it had once again become prosperous, surpassing the era of the previous Emperor, reaching an unimaginable level of strength!

However, the Great Yu Emperor noticed that many familiar faces were missing, and the number of returnees was far fewer than expected. A thousand years ago, there were far more than just these individuals who had entered the Immortal Gate. His expression changed slightly.

Besides aiding cultivation, the Immortal Gate also presented both opportunities and dangers.

"Where are the others?"

The Great Yu Emperor asked immediately.

Xia Yu Cheng glanced around, and no one else answered, so he had to briefly explain the situation.

It turned out that after entering the Immortal Gate, they were selected by various forces and scattered.

When they reunited, it was a completely different landscape.

"The few from the Helian family, it is said that they went to challenge the Death River and perished there."

"The three from the Li family were supposed to return with us this time, but their sect encountered trouble, and they are now tied up."

"The Wang family, it is said that they were harassed by people from the Great Qing Nation and were secretly assassinated…"

Xia Yu Cheng recounted the information he knew one by one.

The Great Yu Emperor's expression changed slightly as he listened. Although he had anticipated that the competition within the Immortal Gate would be fierce, he hadn't expected that even the most talented individuals from the past would suffer so many casualties.

"Your Majesty, how is my Chen family now?"

"Your Majesty, is my sect still there?"

"Your Majesty…"

Others also inquired about the situation in the Great Yu Dynasty, some with great urgency. Besides the royal bloodline and the five Divine General Manors, there were also talented individuals from once first-rate sects in the Jianghu who had entered the Immortal Gate.

But after they left, their sects gradually declined, and they clashed with other third-rate sects, causing numerous casualties. If the Great Yu Emperor hadn't remembered that these sects had talented individuals who entered the Immortal Gate and had secretly sent royal forces to protect them, they would have been destroyed long ago.

"Silence."

Jiang Zi Yan's voice rang out. It wasn't loud, but it was calm and cold, carrying an undeniable authority, showcasing the dignity and deterrence of a princess.

The scene immediately fell silent. Those who had been asking questions earlier changed their expressions slightly and glanced at her, not daring to speak again.

Even though they had now transcended in strength, some even reaching the Dao Technique Realm, they knew that as long as this princess of the royal family was present, they could not misbehave in the Great Yu Dynasty.

"Time here is ten times slower than within the Immortal Gate. You have five days to attend to your own affairs. If you want to know anything, find out for yourselves. Don't bother my father."

Jiang Zi Yan's eyes were calm, "Also, don't rely on your status and strength to wreak havoc in the mortal realm. The laws of the Great Yu Dynasty must still be obeyed!"

Although her words were gentle and unhurried, everyone's hearts trembled. They knew that with this princess present, they could not act recklessly in the Great Yu Dynasty.

"Yes."

"Your Majesty, we take our leave."

One by one, everyone bid farewell to the Great Yu Emperor and then vanished in streaks of light.

Xia Yu Cheng also bowed to the Great Yu Emperor and took his leave, intending to return to the Xia family to see how things were.

Soon, only the five members of the royal family, including Jiang Zi Yan, remained beside the Great Yu Emperor.

"Elder Brother, you sent me a signal earlier, so urgently. Was something wrong?"

A young man quickly asked.

The Great Yu Emperor saw him and a look of nostalgia filled his eyes. Sensing the Dao Technique Realm aura emanating from him, he couldn't help but smile, "There was something, but it's been resolved. You've returned a little late."

"As soon as I received your message, I immediately found Zi Yan and asked her to seek help from her master. Although it took half a month, it was the fastest possible speed." The young man said with a wry smile.

Half a month in the Holy Lands was nearly half a year in the mortal realm.

Jiang Zi Yan narrowed her eyes and asked, "Father, it's been over a hundred years. That thing can only be used in the most critical situations. What kind of crisis did we face?"

She enveloped the capital city with her divine sense but didn't detect any signs of disaster.

"It's been resolved."

The Great Yu Emperor said in a low voice, "Earlier, someone from within the Immortal Gate discovered the incense offerings of the Great Yu Dynasty and secretly coveted them. They wanted to seize them using demons, but they didn't want to reveal their identities. However, for some reason, they chose to reveal themselves and invited six Dao Technique Realm cultivators to try and plunder and destroy our Jiang family."

Upon hearing his words, the five members of the royal family's faces changed. Six Dao Technique Realm cultivators had come here?

They could sense that the Great Yu Emperor was at the Dao Realm and also perceived the Dao Technique Realm elder from the Qian Dao Palace observing from afar. But with just these, they clearly wouldn't be able to withstand six Dao Technique Realm cultivators.

Especially Dao Technique Realm cultivators who had come from the Immortal Gate.

"What about now?"

The coldness in Jiang Zi Yan's eyes vanished, replaced by a serious and even slightly murderous expression.

Seeing their nervous expressions, the Great Yu Emperor smiled, "Don't worry, it's all over now. A once-in-a-millennium prodigy has emerged in the Great Yu Dynasty. Through their own efforts, they killed all six Dao Technique Realm cultivators and even forced the mastermind behind it to flee. The mastermind escaped with the help of a Saint's power. Now, I'm worried that they won't give up and might send a Saint to intervene. Although the chances of a Saint directly intervening are low…"

As he spoke, his smile faded, and his brows furrowed with worry.

Jiang Zi Yan and the others were stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.

They had been in the Holy Lands for a hundred years, which meant a thousand years had passed in the mortal realm.

In this energy-scarce land, a prodigy had actually risen in a thousand years, cultivated to the Dao Technique Realm, and killed Dao Technique Realm cultivators from the Immortal Gate? And six of them at once? The force behind them must be incredibly powerful, likely a Holy Land.

Jiang Zi Yan knew that her father wouldn't exaggerate, and she was surprised, "They were all killed by that person? What about Grandpa Qin?"

"He…"

The Great Yu Emperor coughed lightly, "Neither me nor your Grandpa Qin were a match for them. That person possessed divine abilities. Your Grandpa Qin has been here for many years, and although he has cultivated the divine abilities of our Jiang family, he wasn't their equal."

Jiang Zi Yan looked at him with a hint of suspicion but didn't delve further. She simply pondered, "If that's truly the case, then this prodigy must be a reincarnated Saint. Otherwise, in such a short time, and under these conditions, it's impossible to reach the Dao Technique Realm and kill Dao Technique Realm cultivators from the Immortal Gate, especially six at once. The force behind them must be incredibly powerful, most likely a Holy Land."

The Great Yu Emperor chuckled wryly, thinking that the child hadn't cultivated for a thousand years, not even twenty.

Moreover, he knew that Li Hao had defeated them while still at the Tai Ping Dao Realm, transcending realms. His talent was beyond imagination, indescribable, and unbelievable.

Whether or not he was a reincarnated Saint, he didn't know.

"You must have also taken a Saint as your master, right?" The Great Yu Emperor asked his eldest daughter.

Jiang Zi Yan nodded slightly, "My master is an elder of the Holy Land, a Martial Saint."

"No wonder they were so respectful towards you." The Great Yu Emperor said with a smile.

Jiang Zi Yan nodded slightly, but her face didn't show much joy. Instead, she sighed softly, "Father, let's go to the back hall and talk."

The Great Yu Emperor nodded and said to Chu Jiu Yue beside him, "Court is dismissed for today."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Chu Jiu Yue was extremely obedient, lowering her head and eyes. She smiled at the returning royal talents and Jiang Zi Yan before turning to deliver the message.

The Great Yu Emperor and the returning royal talents went to the back hall of the Imperial Palace.

"You must have suffered a lot in the Immortal Gate all these years."

In the back hall, the Great Yu Emperor looked at them with a hint of pity in his eyes.

Jiang Zi Yan shook her head slightly and then said, "Father, we can't stay here for long after coming down. We need to return to the Immortal Gate."

"Hm?" The Great Yu Emperor was slightly startled.

Jiang Zi Yan seemed to anticipate his reaction. Her expression became serious, "The situation within the Immortal Gate is quite complex. We are outnumbered and our foundation is too weak. If we all return, the relationships we've built will be abandoned, and those who hold grudges against us might take advantage of the situation and interfere with the mortal realm."

"That's right, we owe it all to Zi Yan this time."

The young man, Jiang Bai Shan, nodded, "When we first entered the Immortal Gate, we were taken away by various forces based on our cultivation talent. Fortunately, Zi Yan gained the favor of her master and became a disciple of a Martial Saint. This time, she was able to unite with the other two Great Holy Lands and quickly open the Immortal Gate to return. Otherwise, we don't know how much longer we would have had to wait."

"The forces within the Immortal Gate are intricately connected. We must establish a firm foothold there. Even a small stone falling from above can cause a devastating earthquake in the mortal realm."

Another royal youth spoke.

The Great Yu Emperor was surprised. From their words, it seemed that they hadn't had a smooth journey in the Immortal Gate and were in a difficult position. He said, "With your talent and current cultivation, you should be pillars of various forces, even high-ranking members, right?"

Jiang Bai Shan gave a wry smile, "Elder Brother, it's not that simple. The Immortal Gate is never short of talented individuals. We are exceptional in the mortal realm, but there, we are only average. Although there are many ordinary people and mediocre talents there, the number of talented individuals far surpasses the mortal realm."

"That's right. Since a thousand years ago, the Saints have been searching for something, and they have all reincarnated. Some have even reincarnated in their original forms. They say they want to cultivate to the limit of each realm of Martial Dao. There's also the Ten Thousand Nations Prodigy War, presided over by the Saints themselves. Also, there's the Death River and the Merit Treasury in the Immortal Gate. Elder Brother, you won't believe this, but Merit has a wonderful use. You can exchange for many incredible things in the Merit Treasury."

"So, there's no shortage of geniuses there. Even if we are Dao Technique Realm cultivators, they value talent more. Even if someone is only at the Four Pillars Realm, their status might be higher than a Dao Technique Realm cultivator, as long as they have the favor of a Saint…"

The Great Yu Emperor was stunned. He hadn't expected that there was also a Merit Treasury there.

But considering that it was the Holy Land of the Saints, it wasn't surprising.

"You mentioned the Merit Treasury. The Great Yu Dynasty also has one. If we give the Great Yu Dynasty another thousand years, we can also cultivate a group of outstanding talents."

As the Great Yu Emperor spoke, he couldn't help but think of Li Hao, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly. But then he turned to the others and said, "This time, I might have brought you back for nothing. The disaster has been resolved. In about ten years, the Ancestor will be resurrected. You can stay there for another year, and when the Ancestor is resurrected, they will protect you."

The group exchanged glances, stunned.

The Great Yu Dynasty also has a Merit Treasury?

"You said the Great Yu Dynasty also has a Merit Treasury?" Jiang Bai Shan couldn't help but ask.

The Great Yu Emperor smiled and nodded, "That's a long story…"

He briefly explained the situation, and the group was stunned. They only knew that there was a Merit Treasury in the Death River within the Immortal Gate, but they didn't know how to open it. Now they knew that it required the emergence of someone with 100,000 Merit.

"Based on this, it's even more likely that that person is a reincarnated Saint. Perhaps they are a friend of the Ancestor who has reincarnated to help our Jiang family?"

Jiang Zi Yan's eyes showed a thoughtful expression. It wasn't impossible.

The Great Yu Emperor chuckled, "We'll know in time. There's no point in guessing now."

Jiang Zi Yan nodded slightly. Besides occasionally awakening some memories, reincarnated Saints generally have no recollection of their past lives. Otherwise, the meaning of reincarnation and cultivation would be diminished.

Reincarnation meant abandoning the path of the past and exploring a new one, attempting to reach a higher realm.

Occasionally awakened memories might provide guidance along the way, but the help would be limited.

"This trip wasn't entirely in vain. Master opened the Immortal Gate for us under the guise of recruiting disciples, not to have us come to the mortal realm to interfere. Otherwise, others would have stopped us."

Jiang Zi Yan said, "In the Cloud Mist Realm where we live, the other two Holy Lands also learned about the situation and will come to recruit disciples. If there are talented individuals in the Great Yu Dynasty, they can, like us a thousand years ago, ascend the Immortal Ladder and enter the Heavenly Gate to cultivate in the Immortal Gate."

"However, the requirements for recruitment this time are stricter. They primarily seek warriors who have mastered the Apex."

The Great Yu Emperor was curious, "What is the Cloud Mist Realm?"

"It's one of the Holy Lands within the Immortal Gate. It's vast and boundless, with thirty-three smaller worlds. The void between them is so vast that even Tai Ping Dao Realm cultivators need to rely on their Dao Domains to traverse it. Each smaller world is hundreds of times larger than the territory of the Great Yu Dynasty. Strong cultivators are everywhere."

Jiang Bai Shan explained, "The smaller world where we live is the Cloud Mist Realm."

The Great Yu Emperor understood.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 308: Inviting Him to the Immortal Gate (First Update)

"Another disciple recruitment…"

Emperor Yu furrowed his brows slightly. A thousand years ago, when the Immortal Gate opened its doors to disciples, countless prodigies flocked to it, leading to the gradual decline of the Great Yu Dynasty.

He had agreed to it back then because the opportunity was rare, and he had foreseen that when the ancestral incense was about to reach its peak, it might attract unwanted attention and attempts to seize it. Sending Jiang Ziyan and other members of the royal family was a hope that they would achieve the Dao and return to safeguard Great Yu.

But now, they had indeed achieved the Dao, even reaching the Dharma Realm, and upon their return, they could no longer remain in the mortal realm. Yet, another disciple recruitment was about to take place.

This time, Great Yu's fortune would likely dwindle further.

Although calamities had subsided and there were no wars, Qin Zhenren had suffered severe injuries and his lifespan could not be extended for another millennium.

Among Great Yu's prodigies, someone needed to emerge who could inherit Qin Zhenren's mantle and safeguard the dynasty. Or, perhaps one of the current Jiang Ziyan and others would be willing to stay and take over Qin Zhenren's role in protecting Great Yu.

As for Li Hao… Emperor Yu knew that a true dragon like him could not be confined within the cage of Great Yu. Even if Li Hao wished to stay and protect it, he hoped that he would venture into the Immortal Gate.

"If we are to recruit disciples, is there anyone among you willing to remain in the mortal realm and succeed Old Man Qin?"

Emperor Yu asked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziyan and the other five's faces shifted slightly. Jiang Baishan and the others looked towards Jiang Ziyan, who softly replied:

"Father, now that the calamities of Great Yu have been resolved, although we will not remain, we will never allow Great Yu to fall into peril again. During this trip, I obtained some invaluable treasures from my master, which can be entrusted to Grandfather Qin to safeguard Great Yu."

As she spoke, she reached out and retrieved several objects from the spatial fabric of the heavens and earth.

"These may appear to be mere Sacred Heart Treasures, but they have been refined by incense, making them incredibly powerful. Grandfather Qin is in the Dharma Realm, and with these weapons, he will not be significantly weaker when facing other Dharma Realm cultivators."

"This is a mid-grade divine skill, extremely precious. I completed three missions in my sect to exchange for this skill. Grandfather Qin can secretly cultivate it. As long as he doesn't flaunt it in the Sacred Lands, he won't be pursued."

"These are ten Dao Talismans, with terrifying power and varying effects. If used simultaneously, each one is comparable to a Dharma Realm cultivator's strike."

She presented all these items to Emperor Yu, saying, "With these, Great Yu's safety is essentially guaranteed in this mortal realm."

Upon seeing these treasures, Emperor Yu's face did not show any joy. Instead, he looked at his daughter.

Then, he glanced at Jiang Baishan and the others. Through their eyes, he perceived their intentions.

Clearly, they had already discussed and prepared for this, and none of them were willing to stay in the mortal realm.

He realized at that moment that, aside from consolidating their foundation within the Immortal Gate, the cultivation environment and opportunities within it must hold immense appeal for them, an appeal they were unwilling to abandon.

After a moment of silence, Emperor Yu nodded, having received his answer.

He didn't try to persuade or question them further. In fact, he had already wondered if, without the matter of the ancestor's revival, they would even have returned.

There was no answer.

But Emperor Yu knew that it was unwise to delve too deeply into the human heart. However, his mind involuntarily drifted to the young man who had played Go on the chessboard.

The carefree figure, like a gentle breeze, and the words he had spoken, "I haven't seen enough of the mortal realm yet," seemed to hold even greater weight in his heart now.

And because of this, he was even more reluctant to keep the young man here, hindering his path.

"Disciple recruitment… then let it be. With these treasures, unless they face a situation like the one before, Great Yu should be safe."

Emperor Yu's expression was somewhat listless. He summoned Chu Jiu Yue and informed him of the Immortal Gate's disciple recruitment, saying:

"Go personally and inform that fellow. Tell him that he absolutely must come. This is a rare opportunity. Tell him that I will be displeased if he doesn't come."

Chu Jiu Yue quickly nodded.

Upon hearing Emperor Yu's earnest instructions, as if afraid that the young man might not come, Jiang Ziyan and the others were somewhat surprised. Jiang Ziyan frowned and said:

"Such a matter holds a fatal attraction for prodigies. No one would refuse, right?"

Emperor Yu glanced at her, but said nothing more.

That child was unlike anyone else, frighteningly indifferent…

As news of the Immortal Gate's disciple recruitment spread through the returning cultivators, although Emperor Yu hadn't made a grand announcement, the news still circulated among the top powers.

And most prodigies came from these top powers. Therefore, upon learning of this news, the prodigies under the various factions became excited, rushing towards the imperial capital of the Sacred City.

In Liangzhou, within the Heavenly Gate Pass.

Li Hao was cultivating, transforming his vital energy into Dao energy, constantly refining and condensing it within his body.

His physique was continuously improving, growing stronger.

When Chu Jiu Yue arrived at this pass, Li Hao was in the courtyard, painting while simultaneously infusing Dao energy into his flesh and cultivating.

Returning to this city and courtyard, Chu Jiu Yue felt a profound sense of awe. It was both familiar and strange. Once, this place had been reduced to a small mound of earth after a devastating battle, but now it was thriving.

The small courtyard, however, remained unchanged, except for the fewer people within.

Seeing Jiang Lichun, Chu Jiu Yue was somewhat surprised and respectfully bowed to him. Jiang Lichun merely glanced at him and ignored him.

"…This is the situation. His Majesty instructed me to inform you that the General must attend." Chu Jiu Yue said.

His gaze, however, drifted towards the firewood in the courtyard, considering that it was almost mealtime.

"The Immortal Gate? Recruiting disciples?"

Li Hao raised an eyebrow slightly. He didn't feel much about it. If he were to go to the Immortal Gate, he could simply activate the Saint's imprint in his Sea of Consciousness and call upon the Saint who was willing to take him as a disciple.

The Saint would open a path for him and accept him.

He hadn't planned to enter yet because his affairs here were not yet concluded.

However, now that he thought about it, it was almost time. He should probably visit the Immortal Gate, kill someone, and then return.

It would prevent the person who had fled back to the Immortal Gate from causing further trouble. If the other party sought revenge, it would be troublesome to request the assistance of a Half-Saint again.

"Speaking of which, how many of the paintings and other items I asked His Majesty to collect have you found?" Li Hao asked.

Chu Jiu Yue was startled. He didn't expect Li Hao to inquire about these trivial matters instead of the Immortal Gate.

He glanced at the ink and brush in the young man's hand and chuckled inwardly, saying, "Many have been gathered. The General can go to the Imperial Palace and take a look at them while you're there."

"Good."

Li Hao nodded and said to him, "Thank you, Eunuch. You can return first. I will follow shortly."

Chu Jiu Yue nodded, then hesitated for a moment, looked up at the sun, and said, "May I stay a little longer at the General's residence?"

Li Hao was taken aback and looked at him curiously, "As you wish."

When it was time for dinner, Li Hao personally took charge of cooking. Now a Ninth-Rank chef, he cut a portion of the demon king's flesh he had slaughtered earlier, refined and cooked it, and the fragrant aroma instantly permeated the courtyard.

After refining the meat, a single dish became like a precious tonic.

Li Hao called Ren Qianqian over to eat and drink.

Chu Jiu Yue, who had been waiting for a long time, also came over with a cheerful smile.

Li Hao then understood why he had stayed and didn't hesitate to offer him a portion.

After they finished eating and drinking, Chu Jiu Yue left contentedly. Li Hao then tidied up his ink and brushes and took Ren Qianqian with him. If the Immortal Gate was recruiting disciples, Qianqian's aptitude should also be considered top-notch.

Xi Yan, with a flick of her skirt, transformed into a red ring that wrapped around Li Hao's wrist.

"Let's go."

Li Hao immediately set off.

The fusion of Candlelight God and his wife was not yet complete, so he could only travel himself.

Jiang Lichun also followed, his eyes filled with anticipation, "I missed the Immortal Gate last time, but I won't miss it this time."

Li Hao didn't respond, not surprised by his desire to go to the Immortal Gate.

As Li Hao and the others headed towards the Immortal Gate, in a certain part of the Great Yu Dynasty, several figures strolled through a city, overhearing the news.

"The Immortal Gate?"

The few exchanged glances, somewhat surprised that the Jiang Dynasty's territory would actually open the Immortal Gate to recruit disciples.

"Xuan Shen, this is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Our Ji Clan needs the intervention of our three ancestors to contact the Immortal Gate. Every three hundred years, we can send one Dao Seed to study there. Now, all we need is to be chosen by those within."

A woman couldn't help but say.

The young man in the center was exceptionally handsome. Although he deliberately restrained himself, the arrogance in his expression was extremely noticeable among the crowd.

They had followed the young man here, wandering around Great Yu, searching for his traces, traveling through various states, and hearing countless legends about him, all of which were incredibly shocking.

They had already decided to leave Great Yu and bid farewell to the young man before returning to the Ji Clan to cultivate in seclusion. Unexpectedly, they heard this news.

"Great Yu has a Treasury of Merit and the Immortal Gate. The Jiang Clan's departure from the Vast Wilderness Heaven to this place must have been a pre-planned move."

"This is a rare opportunity. Let's prepare quickly. We don't know what the Immortal Gate's recruitment conditions are, but we should be able to pass easily. If we can't, then no one else will."

The few quickly exchanged a few words and decided to bring the news back to the Ji Clan, allowing the Ji Clan's young elites to try their luck.

In the past, only Dao Seeds could enter the Immortal Gate, but now it was different.

Moreover, if they went, they could also seek the protection of the Ji Clan's foundation there. Whether it was cultivation or development, they would have an easier time than others.

Then, they could all shine brightly and catch up to the young man.

"Let's go."

After discussing, the few quickly returned, knowing that time was of the essence.

On the other hand, Li Hao had already arrived in the imperial capital.

As soon as he reached the Imperial Palace, Li Hao sensed several subtle yet powerful auras hidden within the palace.

He had already learned the situation from Chu Jiu Yue. They were the members of the royal family who had entered the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago.

Li Hao, with Ren Qianqian, floated towards the Imperial Palace. His status as a Heavenly General allowed him to ignore the imperial city's order and enter the palace directly.

"You've arrived."

Emperor Yu sensed the faint aura that Li Hao deliberately revealed and immediately flew out from the rear palace, personally coming to greet him.

At the same time, he noticed that Li Hao's aura had changed from the Great Peace Dao Realm to the Dao Realm.

He was stunned. How long had it been?

The secret reports from the Liangzhou battle had indicated that Li Hao's cultivation was only at the Three Immortals Realm. It had only been a little over a year since then, and he had already reached the Dao Realm…

Thinking of Old Man Qin's words about giving Li Hao another ten years, Emperor Yu couldn't help but smile wryly. He had thought ten years would be enough, but he had vastly underestimated this young man.

"The disciple recruitment will begin in three days. Stay here for a few days first."

Emperor Yu said to Li Hao with a smile.

At the same time, several divine senses swept over, belonging to Jiang Ziyan and the others.

(End of Chapter)