309-312
Chapter 309: Merit as a Sword, Ultimate Realm Test (Second Update)
Seeing Emperor Yu personally greet them, Jiang Ziyan and the others were astonished. They immediately recalled the person the Emperor had mentioned earlier.
Confident in their status, they did not come forward to greet him, merely observing with their spiritual senses.
Meanwhile, True Person Qin of the Qian Dao Palace sent a spiritual message to Li Hao, whispering in his ear,
"General, you have arrived. The sword I forged for you is ready. When will you come to collect it?"
"I'll be there shortly."
Li Hao replied.
"Very well. I await your arrival, General."
True Person Qin said warmly.
The spiritual message then faded.
Emperor Yu invited Li Hao to the rear palace of the imperial palace.
Ren Qianqian followed beside Li Hao, feeling somewhat restrained. This was the imperial city, the capital. Even though her father was a Grandmaster, she had never witnessed it before. And the elderly man before her was the Emperor of Emperor Yu, appearing so gentle.
"Your Majesty, have you found any trace of my little fox demon?"
Upon reaching the rear palace, Li Hao inquired about the little white fox.
He had previously entrusted Emperor Yu with finding it, but there had been no news.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yu shook his head slightly, "I've ordered the Demon Suppression Department to search for it with all their might. The department head has personally gone to look for it, but we haven't received any news yet. There's not much information to go on, and there are too many fox demons. It might take some time."
Li Hao sighed. Where on earth had that little creature gone? Could it be that something truly happened to it, that it had already perished in the maw of some other demon?
Thinking of this, his brows furrowed involuntarily. "Then I'll trouble Your Majesty to continue your efforts."
"Fox demons are adept at concealment. I've already had the Demon Suppression Department spread the news. Perhaps it will appear on its own one day, knowing that you're looking for it," Emperor Yu comforted Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded and then asked, "What about the calligraphy, paintings, and chess scores…"
Emperor Yu laughed, "We've already found quite a few for you. I'll take you to appreciate them later."
"Good."
Li Hao nodded, wondering what strange and unusual attributes he might gain this time.
At that moment, several figures approached from within the rear palace, Jiang Ziyan and the others.
Their eyes flickered as they saw the young man seated in the courtyard, conversing calmly with Emperor Yu. Before their departure for the Immortal Gate, they had never seen anyone, apart from the imperial descendants, dare to interact with their father so casually.
If not for their recent return from the Immortal Gate and the increase in their cultivation, they would have been trembling and fearful of his majesty in the Emperor's presence.
Emperor Yu noticed the arrival of his children, Jiang Ziyan and the others, as well as his royal siblings, and immediately introduced them to Li Hao.
Once Li Hao entered the Immortal Gate, with his aptitude, he would undoubtedly be able to enter the Sacred Mountain and could look out for each other in the future.
"...This is my daughter, Jiang Ziyan. Ziyan, this is the young man I told you about, the one who saved our Emperor Yu Dynasty. He is also a benefactor of our Jiang family."
Emperor Yu said. Although he didn't explicitly ask Jiang Ziyan to take care of Li Hao, his gaze was quite serious.
Jiang Ziyan observed Li Hao, realizing that although she was a Dao Law Realm cultivator, she couldn't sense Li Hao's aura at all. Only the faint trace he had deliberately revealed earlier allowed her to perceive that he was at the Dao Seeking Realm.
So young, and cultivating in the mortal realm, yet able to transcend realms and kill six Dao Law Realm cultivators?
Jiang Ziyan found it hard to believe, but she knew that her father would not lie and was very difficult to deceive. Moreover, she had visited Grandpa Qin in the past few days and had learned about the battle.
She had witnessed various extraordinary techniques, secret methods, divine abilities, and the existence of martial ultimate realms within the Immortal Gate. If all these were combined, there was indeed a possibility of fighting against the odds.
Furthermore, the young man before her was a reincarnated sage, and the techniques he possessed would certainly not be inferior.
"General, thank you for helping our Jiang family. Ziyan will remember this kindness,"
Jiang Ziyan said softly, "In three days, the three great sacred lands of my Cloud Mist Realm will come here to recruit disciples. This recruitment will primarily target those who have mastered ultimate realms, followed by top-tier geniuses. General, since you were able to kill Dao Law Realm cultivators, you must have mastered quite a few martial ultimate realms, right?"
Li Hao had already learned about these matters from Chu Jiuyue and simply nodded.
"If you master one ultimate realm, you can be chosen by a sacred land. If you master three ultimate realms, you can become a Half-Sage's disciple, or even attract the attention of a Sage. If you master four ultimate realms, you can become a Sage's disciple…"
Jiang Ziyan glanced at Li Hao and said, "If General can become a Half-Sage's disciple, I hope you'll choose my Primordial Sacred Land. Even among the Sacred Lands, our Primordial Sacred Land has a glorious reputation and is the number one sacred land in the Cloud Mist Realm."
Li Hao's eyes flickered, and he asked her about the situation in the Sacred Lands.
Jiang Ziyan did not hide anything from Li Hao and told him the general situation.
Li Hao then learned that the Sacred Lands were unimaginably vast, encompassing thirty-three small worlds and one hundred and eight sacred lands, no wonder they were called the Sacred Lands.
Sages, who were rarely glimpsed in the mortal realm, were like suns in the sky there, illuminating countless dynasties.
However, even in the Sacred Lands, it was extremely difficult to see a Sage. Only those with exceptional talent had a chance to witness one.
Occasionally, when a Sage imparted teachings, it would attract geniuses from all directions, a grand event.
After a brief exchange, Jiang Ziyan and the others left. They also needed to scout for some talented individuals from the royal family to see if they had the desire and qualifications to enter the Immortal Gate.
Li Hao, on the other hand, followed Emperor Yu to the royal treasury to select the calligraphy, paintings, and chess scores that had been collected.
Additionally, Li Hao took out 170 of his crafted war banners and gave them to Emperor Yu.
He only kept ten at the Heavenly Gate Pass, although ten were already sufficient.
Li Hao explained the uses of the war banners to Emperor Yu. The Emperor had already learned about them during the battle in Liang State. Li Hao's war banners contained formations and possessed extremely powerful destructive power. Now, seeing Li Hao gifting them, he was both surprised and curious.
"Where did you learn to make these?"
Emperor Yu couldn't help but feel that Li Hao was indeed a reincarnated Sage, as the various incredible techniques he possessed were difficult to explain.
"I just figured it out myself." Li Hao couldn't explain it, so he had to blurt it out.
Emperor Yu smiled and didn't press further. After all, it involved secrets.
He put away the war banners, feeling a little emotional. According to Li Hao, the deterrent power of these 170 war banners was probably stronger than the 10 Dao Talismans Jiang Ziyan had given him.
After all, besides their inherent destructive power, if used effectively, they wouldn't simply be 170, but many more.
Each war banner had a deterrent effect.
"If Emperor Yu faces another calamity in the future, we'll be sure to plant your war banners everywhere…" Emperor Yu said softly.
Li Hao felt a little helpless. Such words shouldn't be spoken, Your Majesty. What if they come true?
Emperor Yu brought Li Hao to the calligraphy, paintings, and chess scores and said, "These are all here. Choose whatever you want. I don't understand much about them. If you need anything, just call me. I'll go deal with some mundane matters."
Li Hao nodded. Emperor Yu turned and left, leaving Li Hao, an outsider, in the royal treasury, seemingly not worried that he would steal anything.
After Emperor Yu left, Li Hao's gaze swept over the numerous calligraphy and paintings, bringing up his panel and beginning to detect and collect them.
Soon, a collection prompt appeared on the panel:
Detected the famous painting 'Earth Howling at the Moon,' would you like to collect it?
"Collect."
Quickly, a new painting appeared in the panel's illustrated catalogue.
And the famous painting before him, a depiction of towering peaks, vanished.
Li Hao glanced at it and chose to embed the 'Earth Howling at the Moon' into his Flesh Dao.
Soon, the illustrated catalogue's attributes were generated:
Earth Howling at the Moon: Attack power has a piercing effect.
Li Hao was slightly stunned, a piercing effect?
This attribute was the first of its kind, but it seemed very powerful.
He wondered if his attacks could ignore the rough, crude flesh of dragon-kin or certain types of armor.
Would his attacks be able to pierce through indestructible Dao power and directly kill his enemies?
These questions could only be answered through practical testing.
Li Hao continued his collection.
Various chess scores and famous paintings were gradually added to the panel.
Although not all the paintings and chess scores were considered masterpieces and could be collected, he still gained over a dozen illustrated catalogue entries.
…
Meanwhile, in the nineteen states, geniuses from all walks of life gathered in the imperial capital.
The entire imperial palace was bustling with activity, with geniuses from various families eagerly anticipating the event.
"Do you think Brother Hao will also enter the Immortal Gate this time?"
"Mother told us to try. I wonder if we'll succeed."
In a tavern outside the imperial palace, several figures gathered. Li Wushuang, Li Yuanzhao, and the others had all arrived.
Currently, there were no selection criteria. They only knew that there would be recruitment. They considered themselves to be geniuses of the mortal realm. Although they couldn't compare to a monster like Li Hao, they were still exceptionally talented.
If they could be chosen by a sacred land within the Immortal Gate and cultivate under a Sage, even if they only heard a Sage's teachings once or twice, it would be incredibly beneficial.
"It's a pity that if Uncle Jiu were still here, with his talent, he would definitely be chosen."
Li Yuanzhao sighed, then looked towards the imperial palace. He had heard that Li Hao would also be there this time. Thinking that he would soon see his older brother, he felt a surge of excitement.
Li Wushuang and her younger sister, Li Zhining, had also come. Li Yun's talent was slightly lower, so he hadn't come along.
"I've heard that the recruitment this time is extremely strict. We might not be chosen," Li Wushuang's eyes flickered. Although she also wanted to cultivate within the Immortal Gate, she didn't have a strong desire for it.
Besides them, many other geniuses from the General's Mansions had also come, not just the younger generation. Many older individuals had also arrived. Although they were older, in the context of their long lifespans, they still had hope.
The geniuses recruited by the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago did not only include the younger generation. Many established experts were also chosen as disciples.
However, compared to the Li family, the other General's Mansions had many more descendants. After all, the demons had plotted for hundreds of years, primarily targeting the Li family, attempting to tear apart and destroy one of the General's Mansions first, using it as a breach.
While the imperial city was bustling, figures from the Great Wilderness Heaven at the border emerged and sped towards the imperial capital of Emperor Yu State to participate in this grand event.
Meanwhile, Li Hao finished collecting the calligraphy, paintings, and chess scores in the royal treasury and then went to the Qian Dao Palace.
True Person Qin had been waiting for Li Hao's arrival and handed him the Dao Palace Sword he had already forged.
The sword was dark and thick, completely dark and lusterless. It didn't have the Sacred Heart Essence of a Sacred Heart Treasure, like a lifeless object. It was simply heavy and sharp.
Li Hao held the sword, feeling like he was holding a mountain.
If not for the fact that his physical strength had easily reached nine million jin after his breakthrough to the Dao Seeking Realm, he would have found it difficult to wield it easily.
"A million-jin sword, the weight is certainly sufficient."
Li Hao weighed it, finding it quite comfortable to hold.
He effortlessly held the sword, and even if he stood on a blade of grass, he wouldn't bend it.
"What name does the General wish to give this sword?" True Person Qin asked with a smile.
Li Hao looked at it, thought for a moment, and said, "Since it's made from the Dao Palace, let's name it after the palace. Palace name, palace name… let's call it 'Gongming' (Merit)."
"Gongming (Merit)."
True Person Qin pondered for a moment, then nodded, "It truly befits its sharpness."
Li Hao put away the Dao Sword 'Gongming' and then returned to the imperial palace to play two games of chess with Emperor Yu.
At Emperor Yu's strong urging, Li Hao agreed to go to the Immortal Gate. Old Man Feng was waiting for him there to catch up, and he also needed to deal with the Saint Son.
"I'll be back after I kill him."
Li Hao told Emperor Yu.
Emperor Yu chuckled wryly, "I hope you become a Sage over there."
"I'll try my best."
Li Hao said.
Three days passed in a flash. Above the imperial palace, as the morning sun shone, the energy suddenly fluctuated, like boiling water.
Then, a golden light appeared and slowly opened, revealing endless rays of light.
The magnificent Immortal Gate opened at that moment.
The extraordinary and majestic aura startled all the powerful individuals within the imperial city, and their gazes were all focused on the sky above the imperial palace.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 310: Fourfold Trials, Peerless Talent (Long Chapter)
In the ethereal sky, a golden light slowly split open, standing tall like an unapproachable gateway.
The surrounding energy surged and billowed, spreading through the air like undulating water waves, exuding a faint, ethereal aura.
"Is this the Immortal Gate?"
"Are those who emerge from it as terrifying as real immortals?"
"More than that. Beyond that Immortal Gate lies the realm of the Sacred Beings from ages past, a truly brilliant and glorious world."
"I missed the last opening a thousand years ago. This time, I'm not going to miss it."
Among the crowd in the Imperial City, besides the excited young elites, there were also some elderly figures with fervent expressions, their eyes shining with a burning light.
Though they appeared old, in the face of their ten-thousand-year lifespans, a mere thousand years was still considered youthful.
They had reached the pinnacle of martial arts in the human world, and with their high moral standing and seniority, they had little motivation to continue cultivating.
But now that the Immortal Gate had reopened, the thought of the brilliant world beyond it rekindled a long-dormant drive within them. The passion and fervor of their youth, the desire to chase after greatness, seemed to surge back.
Within the Qian Dao Palace, Qin Zhenren stepped out from a hidden chamber, standing atop the palace, gazing into the distance.
Below him, seven or eight disciples leaped into the air, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Among them, Qingjingzi and Mingyue Jian were the most talented among the direct disciples. Their eyes now shone with bright light.
"You may all go on this journey. Rely on your own abilities to see if you can receive the teachings of the Sacred Beings. If you become a Saint in the future, don't forget the kindness of the Jiang family."
Qin Zhenren spoke softly to his disciples.
Though his lifespan was nearing its end, he did not restrict his disciples. Choosing a successor at this time, regardless of who it was, would be cruel, potentially fostering resentment in their hearts.
Therefore, he wanted his disciples to compete freely. If they failed, he would then choose from among them.
However, if that were the case, his successor would likely be the least talented among them, unable to lead the Qian Dao Palace to glory, perhaps even leading to its decline.
But it didn't matter anymore…
The Jiang family's ancestor would be reborn in ten years. By then, the Great Yu Dynasty would no longer need the Qian Dao Palace's protection.
"Master…"
The disciples, upon hearing his words, felt a pang of shame, but the glorious opportunity of martial arts was right before their eyes. They couldn't bring themselves to refuse.
Mingyue Jian and Qingjingzi exchanged glances. They had previously told Qin Zhenren that they didn't want to participate, preferring to stay in the human world and cultivate with their master. But Master had forced them to participate, unwilling to let them stay, saying it would hinder their growth.
This left them feeling helpless, and now they had no choice but to obediently participate.
However, deep down, they both harbored a great deal of anticipation for the mysterious world beyond the Immortal Gate. As cultivators, it was impossible not to yearn for such a place. It was just that they felt there were things more important than cultivation in this world.
Meanwhile, within the Imperial Palace, there was no morning court today. The vast palace was unusually quiet.
In the back palace, Li Hao and the Emperor of Yu were having breakfast.
The food within the palace was indeed delicious, prepared by top chefs. The Emperor had even asked the chefs to prepare a few of their signature dishes for Li Hao, which had impressed him. They were dishes that only a 5th Stage Cooking Dao practitioner could create.
Currently, they were enjoying a medicinal dragon meat porridge.
The dragon meat was cooked until tender, sweet and delicious upon entering the mouth, without any of the fishy or grassy odor usually associated with dragon meat.
"The Immortal Gate has opened."
Sensing the energy fluctuations above the Imperial Palace, the Emperor raised his head and glanced upwards, his eyes flickering slightly. He had witnessed this scene a thousand years ago, and even as an emperor, he couldn't hide his excitement.
But this time, his heart was much calmer.
Turning his head, he saw the young man beside him glance at the gate before returning to his meal.
This kid… The Emperor sighed inwardly. It was the Immortal Gate, after all. Why did it seem like he wasn't the least bit excited?
"Another bowl."
Li Hao handed his empty bowl to Chu Jiu Yue beside him.
Chu Jiu Yue quickly took it. In the fenced courtyard, he could be a little more casual, but within the Imperial Palace, beside the Emperor, he had to show respect for Li Hao's bestowed status. He was the only Heavenly General of the Great Yu Dynasty!
He could freely kill members of the royal family, which alone spoke volumes about his position.
Soon, a fresh bowl of porridge was brought over. Li Hao ate while casually glancing at the Immortal Gate. He saw waves of aura emanating from within, incredibly powerful, clearly belonging to Dao Realm beings.
And these auras weren't concealed in the least, naturally radiating outward, as if to demonstrate a certain level of deterrence.
"The powerhouses from the Three Great Sacred Lands have come to recruit disciples."
At that moment, Jiang Ziyan and others arrived, accompanied by several princes and princesses.
These were the most talented members of the royal family, having also studied at the Qian Dao Palace. Coupled with the top-tier royal cultivation techniques, they were among the best of their generation within their respective realms.
In the entire Great Yu Dynasty, the number of people who could suppress them at the same realm was very few.
Upon seeing the Emperor and Li Hao enjoying their breakfast, Jiang Ziyan was slightly taken aback. What was with the relaxed atmosphere surrounding these two?
The princes and princesses behind her felt a little apprehensive when they saw the Emperor. They knew that going to the Immortal Gate meant abandoning Great Yu, a decision they had contemplated deeply before making.
"Greetings, Father."
The princes and princesses quickly bowed and knelt.
At the same time, their eyes fell upon the young man sharing a table with the Emperor, a hint of strangeness in their eyes, a faint tinge of jealousy in their hearts.
But they knew that the young man was the Heavenly General of Great Yu, the one who had saved the Imperial Palace and the Imperial City. Without him, they, the royal family, would have been wiped out long ago.
Furthermore, he held immense authority. If they dared to offend him, he could kill them on the spot, and the Emperor would probably clap his hands in approval…
"Rise."
The Emperor said calmly.
Seeing the fervent yet nervous expressions of his children, how could he not understand their thoughts? They were like open books before him.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Comparison is the thief of joy. His own children were more obsessed with the Immortal Gate than Li Hao, seeking fame and fortune. Who could escape such desires?
Thinking of fame, the Emperor couldn't help but glance at the dark Xuan Sword beside the young man. The one who cared least about fame used it as a sword. Hopefully, this sword would truly live up to its name, becoming the object of pursuit for countless people in the world, shining with the most brilliant light in that realm!
A slow smile spread across his face as he said to Li Hao, "I hope one day I can see you at the mountaintop, shining brightly!"
Li Hao handed his empty bowl to Chu Jiu Yue again. Hearing this, he chuckled wryly, "Your Majesty, don't put pressure on me…"
"…"
The Emperor wanted to roll his eyes. He was too lazy to deal with this brat.
But with his children present, he maintained his composure.
He snorted softly and said to his children, "If you're going to compete, then compete and make a name for yourselves. Don't disgrace the Jiang family!"
With their father's permission, the princes and princesses were overjoyed, nodding and promising to do their best.
The Emperor saw more members of the royal family arriving, his gaze falling upon his younger brother, Jiang Qing Shan. His eyes flickered, and he said:
"Qing Shan, you should also give it your best shot this time."
Jiang Qing Shan shook his head slightly, "I won't join in the fun."
"You're not going?"
The Emperor was slightly surprised.
Jiang Qing Shan smiled amicably, "If I go, who will be here to chat with you?"
"…"
The Emperor looked at him, falling silent for a moment.
At that moment, the golden light from the Immortal Gate became increasingly intense, and several figures stepped out from within, a total of seven.
One blurry figure stood within the golden light of the Immortal Gate, his stature imposing, as if standing alongside Heaven and Earth. He was impossible to see clearly, but one could feel the supreme and vast aura of a Saint emanating from him, like waves gently spreading, permeating the entire Imperial Palace.
"I am Yu Zu of the Primordial Sacred Land. I now open the Immortal Gate, a path of creation and merit, allowing mortals to access the path of the Most Sacred."
"You, the talented ones, those whose qualifications are deemed adequate, may cross the Immortal Gate and seek great opportunities, listen to the Dao sounds of the Saints!"
The blurry figure's voice, though indifferent, was filled with authority. It echoed softly, yet each word was like a jewel, falling into the ears of everyone in the Imperial City.
It was as if it resonated within their very souls, causing a buzzing sensation.
Ordinary citizens, upon hearing this voice, instinctively felt a sense of awe, involuntarily bowing their heads in worship.
"That's my master."
Jiang Ziyan's eyes shone with admiration. Her master was a Half-Saint, not a Saint, but only after reaching the Dao Realm could one truly understand the difference between the Dao Realm and the Saint Realm.
It was like the difference between an ant and the vast sky, an insurmountable gap!
Li Hao put down his chopsticks and bowl. He had finished his porridge and was full.
He gazed quietly at the figure standing at the Immortal Gate. The aura was incredibly vast and imposing. Even from a distance, he felt a wave of pressure.
"Is that a Saint?"
Within the Imperial City, many of the powerhouses who had come for the Immortal Gate were excited, their eyes filled with awe, unable to see the figure clearly, but even more respectful.
"Those eligible to enter the Immortal Gate must pass through four trials: the Bone Reflection Mirror, the Apex Stele, the Dao Heart Tower, and the Ascending Ladder."
"Based on age, realm, cultivation, and Dao Heart, we will assess your qualifications."
"Now, let the trials begin…"
Yu Zu, standing at the Immortal Gate, finished speaking calmly and then gradually faded away.
The seven Dao Realm beings who had stepped out of the Immortal Gate quickly produced various items.
A large, dark mirror, over ten zhang tall, floated in mid-air, oval-shaped. The mirror's surface was dark, not reflecting the blue sky and white clouds.
In addition, there were eight Apex Steles, similar to the ones Li Hao had seen before, which were taken out one by one and floated in the air.
Then, a small tower, spinning continuously, floated above the Immortal Gate, emitting purple mist.
At the same time, a snow-white ladder, seemingly condensed from energy, extended from the Immortal Gate, with forty-nine steps.
The Apex Steles were lined up beside the ladder, one for every five steps, with the Dao Heart Tower at the end, after the last nine steps.
And outside the first step of the Ascending Ladder was the large, oval, dark Bone Reflection Mirror.
"Who will be the first?"
A Dao Realm being stood beside the ladder, looking around.
His divine sense had already enveloped the entire city, and he had sensed the numerous powerful auras gathered within. His voice, though not as ethereal and authoritative as Yu Zu's, carried a hint of cold indifference.
"That's Senior Brother Zhang."
Jiang Ziyan recognized him and immediately stood up, flying towards him.
"Junior Sister."
The Dao Realm youth had already seen Jiang Ziyan. Seeing her approach, he smiled slightly, his gaze lingering on her snow-white collarbone, as delicate as porcelain.
"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother Zhang."
Jiang Ziyan bowed slightly.
"You're too kind, Junior Sister."
The youth smiled faintly.
Jiang Ziyan exchanged a few polite words before turning to the princes and princesses, "Come, show them what the Jiang family's royal bloodline is capable of."
Though they were members of the royal family, accustomed to bossing people around, they now felt a sense of constraint, a nervous apprehension. They exchanged glances, each with a "you go first" look in their eyes.
Finally, a middle-aged prince, one of the older ones, stepped forward and said to Jiang Ziyan:
"Sister, I'll go first."
"Go ahead."
Jiang Ziyan nodded.
The middle-aged man then bowed to the seven Dao Realm powerhouses beside the ladder one by one, before stepping towards the ladder.
As he approached, the large, oval, dark mirror suddenly rippled with white light, like ink being dyed. The white light revealed the middle-aged man's outline and displayed some information.
Ancient characters appeared:
Age, 328 years old.
The middle-aged man was startled. He hadn't expected the Bone Reflection Mirror to truly reveal his age.
He took a deep breath, without hesitation, revealing his aura and stepping onto the ladder.
As soon as he stepped onto the ladder, he felt an overwhelming pressure envelop his entire body.
It seemed to be a kind of law!
His expression changed, and he no longer bothered to hide his strength, unleashing his full power.
Soon, his body moved quickly up the ladder. When he passed the fifth step, the Apex Stele beside it did not change.
Clearly, he had not cultivated Divine Power to the Apex Realm.
The middle-aged man didn't stop, continuing his ascent, his aura growing stronger and stronger, but his pace gradually slowed.
He unleashed his peerless cultivation techniques, charging forward like a wild bull, his eyes fixed on the Immortal Gate, filled with desire and determination.
Finally, he crossed the forty-nine steps of the Ascending Ladder and reached the Immortal Gate.
The small tower floating in front of the gate spun rapidly and suddenly shot out a purple beam, illuminating his body.
Then, the purple light retracted, and the purple mist on the tower changed from purple to golden.
The middle-aged man glanced at it, without stopping, continued towards the Immortal Gate, but was suddenly blocked by an invisible force, pushed back.
"Hmm?"
The middle-aged man's expression changed.
"Three hundred years old, Yellow Dao Heart, qualifications: inferior, unqualified."
Yu Zu's indifferent voice echoed once more.
The middle-aged man was stunned, his face turning from shock to a ghastly pale. "How is that possible? I'm a Peerless Cultivator. Although I'm over three hundred years old, I entered the Defying Fate Realm when I was sixty. It only took me sixty years!"
"We only look at qualifications, not cultivation. Your Dao Heart is too weak, your future is limited. Go back to the human world and enjoy your retirement."
Yu Zu's voice was indifferent. An irresistible force enveloped the middle-aged man, transporting him away from the Immortal Gate, returning him to Jiang Ziyan's side.
Clearly, he knew that the man was Jiang Ziyan's younger brother, but he still didn't show any leniency.
The middle-aged man felt a little dazed. Once he regained his footing, he realized what he had lost. His face was pale and contorted.
Dao Heart too weak?
How was that possible? His Dao Heart was set on inheriting the throne of Great Yu, becoming a monarch!
How could such a Dao Heart be considered weak?
In his opinion, there was no greater ambition in the world, except perhaps becoming a Saint.
But was that something ordinary people could even dream of?
Jiang Ziyan's expression was also a little unpleasant, but she understood her master's nature. And a Yellow Dao Heart was indeed too weak.
How could he be so lacking in ambition?
"What is your Dao Heart?" Jiang Ziyan couldn't help but ask her younger brother. Though he didn't have any Apex Realms, he had reached the Defying Fate Realm in sixty years, which wasn't a bad talent.
The middle-aged man glanced at her, lowered his head, and didn't answer.
If he said it out loud, he was afraid that his father would hear and have him executed.
Seeing his expression, Jiang Ziyan guessed something and sighed inwardly. Inheriting the throne was merely inheriting a position. True ambition should be to create one's own dynasty, to be the founding emperor. That was a truly lofty aspiration.
"Forget it. Who's next? Don't embarrass yourselves anymore."
Jiang Ziyan said.
The middle-aged man's face twitched, but he knew that he had lost his chance at the Immortal Gate and his support. He dared not show any dissatisfaction, instead feeling a sense of fear.
He had risked his father's displeasure, and in the end, he hadn't entered the Immortal Gate. In the future, the throne would likely be even further out of his reach.
The middle-aged man's rejection was unexpected. The remaining princes and princesses didn't gloat, instead, their faces tightened.
The powerhouses gathered in the Imperial City also rushed to the square outside the palace. Seeing this, their expressions changed, becoming nervous and apprehensive.
The conditions for entering the Immortal Gate were too strict! Even a Peerless Cultivator had been rejected!
Soon, the second member of the royal family stepped forward, this time a princess.
Her age, reflected in the mirror, was only thirty-two years old.
Her cultivation was at the peak of the Three Immortality Realm.
She was one step away from the Four Pillars Realm and had not yet developed a Dao Heart.
Without a Dao Heart, there was no need to test it.
But to reach the peak of the Three Immortality Realm at such a young age showed her exceptional talent.
She stepped onto the Ascending Ladder and moved quickly, charging forward like the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man, seeing her speed, was incredulous, but then realized something and quickly asked Jiang Ziyan:
"Sister, is the pressure of the laws on the Ascending Ladder adjusted based on each person's realm?"
"Yes."
Jiang Ziyan nodded.
The pressure of the laws tested one's practical abilities, their cultivation techniques, and so on.
If one's cultivation techniques were poor, and their strength was average or even below average for their realm, they would be lucky to make it halfway.
At this moment, the princess was charging forward, using the royal family's top-tier Vein Opening Technique. Her entire body was filled with energy, and finally, she reached the Immortal Gate with difficulty.
The dark tower didn't react. She paused slightly before stepping towards the Immortal Gate.
This time, there was no obstruction. She stepped directly into the Immortal Gate.
Seeing her enter, the others' faces lit up with joy. The middle-aged man's eyes widened in disbelief.
She just went in like that?
He felt that he had better talent than his younger sister, yet he had been blocked.
Damn it, not having a Dao Heart saved her a trial.
The middle-aged man was filled with resentment.
Jiang Ziyan, however, looked at the Immortal Gate. Seeing that there was no movement inside, she sighed inwardly, knowing that though she had passed, she would likely be considered average in talent and would have difficulty entering the Sacred Land.
She saw the hidden resentment in the middle-aged man's eyes and shook her head, "Don't think too much about it. The talent selection is for your own good. If your qualifications aren't good enough to enter, there's a lot of hardship to face there. It's not as good as your life in the human world."
The others felt a little relieved upon hearing this, but no one was willing to give up easily. They all still hoped to give it their all and make a final push.
Soon, more people stepped onto the Ascending Ladder.
One by one, the trials began.
Some passed, some failed.
Out of seven members of the royal family, only three successfully entered, four were rejected, and none of them activated the Apex Steles.
Seeing the high failure rate among the royal family, the talented individuals gathered in the Imperial City square were nervous and complex. Their initial enthusiasm and drive were now dampened, like being doused with cold water.
The Immortal Gate wasn't something you could enter just by wanting to.
They considered themselves talented, but compared to the royal family, they were still lacking.
Once the royal family's trials were over, Jiang Ziyan didn't delay. She turned to the square and told the talented individuals from the Nineteen Provinces that they didn't need to compete, they could go one by one.
As soon as she finished speaking, a group of figures rushed out from the crowd, each exuding an extraordinary aura.
The leading youth was as handsome as a god, with a handsome face and an exceptional temperament.
He soared into the air, his gaze suddenly turning towards the Imperial Palace.
His gaze passed through the peach blossom branches in the garden behind the Imperial Palace, landing on the young man sitting at the dragon table in the hall.
A gentle smile appeared in his cold eyes as he nodded to the young man and said softly, "I'll go ahead and wait for you there."
Then, he walked towards the Ascending Ladder.
Jiang Ziyan was surprised. She glanced at Li Hao in the distance. Did these two know each other?
She could sense the youth's unique temperament and high realm. He was at the Great Peace Dao Realm, but she didn't know his age.
"Xuan Shen, go for it!"
"Show them what you're made of."
Others cheered and encouraged him.
They were all talented individuals from the Ji family.
In the void outside the square, Ji Tian Chao was also present, but he was only watching from the shadows. He had come to escort these youngsters.
With such a good opportunity presented by the Jiang family's opening of the Immortal Gate, they couldn't miss it.
However, he had instructed these youngsters not to be too ostentatious and to avoid revealing their Ji family surname. The Ancient Sacred Clans were accustomed to keeping a low profile…
Boom!
Ji Xuan Shen suddenly erupted with a vast aura, like a deity, his entire body radiating golden light.
Complete Strength Apex Realm!
The seven Dao Realm powerhouses beside the Ascending Ladder, who had been expressionless, all had their eyes light up slightly.
Finally, a true prodigy had arrived.
"What is that?"
"Why is his skin turning gold?"
"Such a powerful aura. I feel the heat radiating from his body, like a furnace."
"Who is this prodigy? I've never seen him before. What's his name?"
In the square, everyone was shocked to see Ji Xuan Shen's transformation and feel the immense aura, like a great sun.
At this moment, Ji Xuan Shen didn't waste any time with words. He simply took a large step forward.
As he stepped onto the Ascending Ladder, the force of the laws immediately enveloped him. He felt his shoulders sink, but then he strode forward.
On the Bone Reflection Mirror beside him, his age appeared.
Twenty-nine years old.
Seeing this age, everyone was shocked.
Only twenty-nine years old?!
Many of the older generation who had come to participate in the Immortal Gate were also stunned.
They could sense the aura emanating from the youth, clearly at the Great Peace Dao Realm!
In the Great Yu Dynasty, he was among the top powerhouses. Yet, he was only 29 years old?!
They suddenly had the urge to turn back. Could they even have a chance competing against such a monster?
At this moment, Ji Xuan Shen's aura grew stronger and stronger as he continued his ascent, resisting the increasingly powerful pressure of the laws.
After passing five steps, the Apex Stele beside him emitted a brilliant light.
Complete Strength Apex Realm, Divine Power!
Ji Xuan Shen didn't stop, continuing forward. Soon, he passed another five steps, and the second Apex Stele shone brightly.
Heavenly Veins!
Two Apex Realms, igniting two Apex Steles.
Ji Xuan Shen was only 29 years old. If he were given a few more decades, he would undoubtedly be able to comprehend other Apex Realms.
As a Dao Seed of the Ancient Sacred Clan, his potential was immense. He was truly among the top prodigies in the human world.
Soon, Ji Xuan Shen easily reached the forty-nine steps in front of the Immortal Gate.
No more Apex Steles were lit.
As he stood there, the Dao Heart Tower shot out a purple beam, illuminating his body before retracting.
Then, the tower shone with a silver-white light.
"玄级 Dao Heart!"
A voice echoed from within the Immortal Gate, as if someone was whispering, but it wasn't Yu Zu.
Ji Xuan Shen stood in front of the Immortal Gate, turned around again, and looked down at the Imperial Palace, meeting the young man's gaze. He nodded, conveying the words "I'll wait for you there" with his eyes, and then stepped inside.
Seeing Ji Xuan Shen pass, the other Ji family prodigies were overjoyed, relieved, but also a little unsurprised.
If even Ji Xuan Shen couldn't pass, then the Immortal Gate wouldn't make sense.
"Now it's my turn."
A prodigy stepped forward, looked towards the young man in the Imperial Palace before stepping onto the Ascending Ladder.
He was also very young, only thirty-two years old, already a Peerless Cultivator.
Soon, he activated the first Apex Stele, then continued his ascent.
His Dao Heart test also resulted in a silver-white light, but it wasn't as bright and dazzling as Ji Xuan Shen's.
"One Apex Realm, 玄级 Dao Heart. This one should be ours."
A voice seemed to come from within the Immortal Gate.
Some of the more powerful cultivators were stunned. Were they already vying for him?
Soon, after the second prodigy stepped in, the third, the fourth… they all came to the Ascending Ladder and nodded slightly to the young man in the Imperial Palace as a greeting.
Among them was Ji Qing Frost, the daughter of Ji Qing Yuan.
During the Dao Seed competition, she had been ordered by her father to defeat Li Hao and eliminate him. But in the end, Li Hao had used his fists to subdue all the prodigies on that mountain.
Defeating a Dao Domain expert at the Three Immortality Realm, creating an invincible legend, had made all the Ji family prodigies of this generation admire and respect him.
Ji Qing Frost nodded to Li Hao as a greeting, then began her trial.
The Bone Reflection Mirror showed her age: 27 years old.
Complete Strength Apex Realm.
Soon, Ji Qing Frost also easily crossed the forty-nine steps and entered the Immortal Gate.
In the Imperial Palace, the Emperor noticed the strength of these prodigies. They generally had Apex Realms, which was quite terrifying. It was clear that they weren't from within Great Yu.
He had a vague idea of where these monsters came from, but what surprised him was that they all seemed to know Li Hao.
"Do you know these people?"
The Emperor asked.
Li Hao nodded, "We've clashed before."
The Emperor understood and immediately thought of Li Hao's mother's surname, and his heart was clear.
Jiang Ziyan and the others also noticed that these prodigies were significantly stronger than the others. They all had Complete Strength Apex Realms, and the first one to step forward even had two Apex Realms, and he was only 29 years old. This was a little too exaggerated.
"These guys seem to all know him…"
Jiang Ziyan looked towards the dragon table in the Imperial Palace. The young man was chatting casually with her father, as if he had no sense of urgency.
As the Ji family prodigies entered the Immortal Gate one after another, the square fell silent for a moment. At the urging of Jiang Ziyan's Senior Brother Zhang, someone quickly flew out again to challenge the Immortal Gate.
But as the trials and challenges continued, some individuals, though under thirty years old and incredibly young, were only at the Three Immortality Realm. In the past, they would have been revered as top prodigies.
But after witnessing the Ji family's prodigies, who were generally at the Four Pillars Realm at similar ages, they suddenly seemed a lot less impressive.
However, as some individuals in their thirties, only at the Heavenly Man Grandmaster Realm, also stepped forward to challenge, the trials in front of the Immortal Gate became heated and intense again.
Most people couldn't even finish the Ascending Ladder, let alone reach the Immortal Gate. This showed that their practical combat strength was average within their realm, and their qualifications were clearly not up to par.
"So difficult!"
"The prodigy from the Chi Shui Lin family actually failed. He only made it to the thirtieth step of the Ascending Ladder."
"What kind of monsters were those who passed easily earlier?"
"Look, another Apex Realm. That seems to be the Wang family's True Dragon."
On the Ascending Ladder, the Apex Stele shone brightly again. It was a young man from the Wang family, with a noble bearing and cold eyes.
He activated the Complete Strength Apex Stele, his body glowing crimson gold, unleashing powerful physical strength. He charged forward, and soon reached the forty-nine steps in front of the Immortal Gate.
Then, without any surprises, he was admitted into the Immortal Gate.
"You all go as well."
Qin Zhenren, atop the Qian Dao Palace, said to Mingyue Jian and the others.
Mingyue Jian, Qingjingzi, and the others nodded and flew towards the Immortal Gate.
Seeing the Qian Dao Palace disciples, the momentum of the challenges from the various prodigies in the square paused briefly, giving them space.
"I'll go first."
Qingjingzi said.
Then, he stepped onto the Ascending Ladder. He didn't activate the first Apex Stele, but he did activate the second one, having cultivated Heavenly Veins.
Such a special case was rare.
Then, he easily entered the Immortal Gate.
Inside the Immortal Gate was a vast, empty void. As soon as Qingjingzi appeared, he saw everyone who had entered earlier, standing there, along with three imposing figures and numerous Dao Realm beings. Each of their auras made his heart tremble.
At the same time, he immediately felt that the energy of Heaven and Earth within this world beyond the Immortal Gate was dense and profound, as if it was automatically entering his body. It felt like he could improve without even cultivating.
This was too comfortable. Was this the Sacred Lands?
Qingjingzi couldn't help but be surprised and curious. He bowed slightly in greeting, then turned his gaze and found that he could easily see through the Immortal Gate and see what was happening outside.
But those outside couldn't see inside the Immortal Gate.
"Has he not come yet?"
Ji Qing Frost looked towards the outside of the Immortal Gate, seeing that Li Hao was not among the challengers. Her brow furrowed slightly.
Ji Xuan Shen's face was indifferent, his eyes flickering with a faint light, but he didn't speak.
Outside the Immortal Gate, Mingyue Jian and the others stepped out one after another to challenge the Ascending Ladder.
Their ages appeared on the Bone Reflection Mirror. Some were hundreds of years old, while the youngest, Mingyue Jian, was only fourteen, two years younger than Li Hao.
At the Heavenly Man Grandmaster Realm, as he stepped onto the Ascending Ladder, he didn't activate any Apex Steles, but as he ascended the forty-nine steps, the small tower shook, and a purple light shone upon him.
When the light retracted, a buzzing sound came from within the tower.
"Dao Heart Bell Tolling!"
A whisper came from within the Immortal Gate, "Could he be a naturally gifted individual?"
As Mingyue Jian stepped inside, exclamations continued, someone shouted, "This youth, the Void Sacred Land claims him!"
Those outside, hearing these whispers, were surprised. Was this youth's physique extraordinary?
The Emperor, seeing Li Hao sitting beside him, seemingly without any intention of moving, said, "You should go as well."
"Yes."
Li Hao nodded, no longer hesitating. He stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please find my little white fox for me. She's my companion."
"Understood." The Emperor nodded.
Li Hao then called out to Ren Qianqian, asking her to prepare.
Ren Qianqian felt nervous and apprehensive. Seeing so many people fail earlier had made her tense.
Seeing her body language, Li Hao smiled, "Don't worry. Take a moment to adjust. With your strength, though you don't have any Apex Realms, your qualifications are still quite good."
Hearing this, Ren Qianqian took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and then said seriously, "I'm ready, Master."
Li Hao nodded and then walked forward.
As they reached the square above, a figure rushed out from the crowd towards the Ascending Ladder.
"Kid, I'm going first."
This figure was Jiang Lichun.
He stepped onto the Ascending Ladder in a flash, quickly activating the second Apex Realm, Heavenly Veins, then charged forward, quickly completing the forty-nine steps.
At the same time, the small tower shook, and purple light shone upon him before retracting.
The purple light changed into a pitch-black color.
At the same time, a buzzing sound came from within.
"地级 Dao Heart?!"
A gasp echoed from within the Immortal Gate.
"And he's a naturally gifted individual. I wonder what kind!"
Someone else exclaimed.
Jiang Lichun's figure had already stepped into the Immortal Gate.
Confused whispers came from within, as if many people were startled and arguing about something.
The crowd in the square was stunned. Though they didn't know what had happened, they knew that something extraordinary had occurred.
Jiang Ziyan's face showed a hint of surprise. She vaguely recognized the figure, seemingly her royal uncle, but he had a 地级 Dao Heart?!
This was a Dao Heart only Saints possessed!
Though the common people didn't know how precious this was, in the vast Sacred Lands, it was extremely rare!
Jiang Ziyan never expected that such a monstrous prodigy would emerge from her royal family!
"Could it be that the Jiang family will produce two Saints in the future?"
Jiang Ziyan was stunned. Along with the reborn ancestor, if this royal uncle with the 地级 Dao Heart didn't encounter any unforeseen circumstances, based on the Saints who had possessed a 地级 Dao Heart in the Sacred Lands, he should also have the potential to become a Saint.
"Master, you go first. I'll adjust a little more."
Ren Qianqian said to Li Hao. The commotion caused by Jiang Lichun had made her nervous again.
A poor student wouldn't dare to follow behind a top student… Li Hao saw her expression and couldn't help but feel a little helpless. Though the girl's swordsmanship had improved significantly under his tutelage, she lacked practical experience and her mental fortitude was a little weak.
"Alright."
Li Hao didn't delay and walked forward.
Jiang Ziyan saw that Li Hao was finally about to enter the Immortal Gate, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
She sensed that this young genius was incredibly extraordinary. A Saint's reincarnation, capable of matching six Dao Realm experts. She wondered what his qualifications would be.
At this moment, Li Hao also reached the Ascending Ladder.
In the square below, many people immediately recognized Li Hao's identity.
"That's the Haotian General!"
"The number one Heavenly General of Great Yu. Is he going to the Immortal Gate as well?"
Many people looked up, their faces showing a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
At this moment, ancient characters appeared on the Bone Reflection Mirror.
Showing Li Hao's age.
16 years old.
Seeing this age, many people were momentarily stunned.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 311: Seven Apex Realms, Heavenly Dao Heart (First Update)
Although Li Hao's age wasn't the youngest among those who had been tested previously – like Ming Yue Jian, who was only fourteen – age was one thing, and cultivation was another.
Li Hao's strength was undeniable. Coupled with his various accomplishments, many older generations couldn't help but sigh and chuckle wryly. Some of them realized that a sixteen-year-old had already reached a height they could only look up to.
"Big Brother Hao is going up!"
"He's really going to the Immortal Gate…"
Outside the crowd, Li Yuan Zhao's face was filled with excitement. Li Wu Shuang and Li Zhi Ning's eyes were complex. The brilliant pearl that had emerged from the Mountain River Academy was now illuminating the entire Great Yu Dynasty.
After witnessing the challenges of others, they had realized that the Immortal Gate's selection process was incredibly strict, and they were unlikely to be chosen.
But for Li Hao, it should be incredibly easy…
As the Bone-Reflecting Mirror displayed his age, Li Hao didn't hesitate and stepped onto the Heavenly Ascension Ladder.
As soon as he stepped onto the ladder, a force of the Dao descended upon him, like a mountain pressing down on his shoulders, incredibly heavy.
Was this the pressure of the Heavenly Ascension Ladder?
Li Hao's expression remained unchanged, his footsteps unwavering. With a single stride, he reached the tenth step.
At this moment, the two Apex Dao Steles he had passed were activated, emitting a radiant glow and divine light.
"The Apex Dao Steles have been activated!"
"Two Apex Realms, he's moving so fast!"
Seeing Li Hao's ease on the Heavenly Ascension Ladder, exclamations erupted from the square.
Jiang Zi Yan and the others were slightly stunned, their expressions turning serious.
They knew that Li Hao was extraordinary, and this was within their expectations.
Within the Immortal Gate, the many talented individuals of the Ji family, including Ji Xuan Shen, heard the exclamations of the Great Yu royal family and others. A faint smile played on their lips.
They knew that this was far from the young man's limit.
Back in the Ji family, he had displayed four Apex Realms and gained the favor of a Saint.
Meanwhile, on the Heavenly Ascension Ladder, Li Hao moved swiftly. The increasing pressure of the Dao around him had little effect.
His Dao Energy flowed within him. Although he hadn't completely consolidated his Dao Realm, he was far stronger than ordinary True Person Realm cultivators.
Soon, the third Apex Dao Stele lit up.
The Third Apex Realm, Heavenly Dao Manifestation!
Before the exclamations could fully erupt, Li Hao continued his ascent, and the fourth Apex Dao Stele was activated!
Yuanshen Apex Realm!
Seeing the young man activate every Apex Dao Stele he passed, Jiang Zi Yan was stunned.
Four Apex Realms?
Her clear and bright eyes were slightly vacant. After spending a hundred years in the Holy Lands, she was well aware of the extraordinary talent required to achieve Four Apex Realms. It was enough to directly become a Saint's disciple!
No wonder, no wonder he could defeat six Dao Technique Realm cultivators.
Her slender fingers tightened slightly, and her eyes reflected the image of the young man.
Within the Immortal Gate, Ji Xuan Shen and the others were also stunned. They had witnessed Li Hao's test in the Ji family, and although he had activated four Apex Realms then, one of them seemed to be the Sixth Apex Realm.
But now, the Sixth Apex Realm hadn't been activated yet. Didn't that mean Li Hao had five Apex Realms?!
"This young man…"
While others were expressing their shock and astonishment, three towering figures standing not far from them also became serious and solemn.
"Four Apex Realms. The mortal realm has produced such a prodigy?"
"Could he be the reincarnated form of a Saint… Hm? Fifth Apex Realm?!"
At this moment, on the Heavenly Ascension Ladder, Li Hao's speed was incredibly fast. After passing the thirtieth step, the fifth Apex Dao Stele was activated.
Abyss Apex Realm!
Upon seeing this, the previous discussions in the square became even more fervent, erupting in a massive wave of shock.
Five Apex Realms!
Previously, the most Apex Realms they had seen activated was by Ji Xuan Shen, who had only lit up two Apex Dao Steles.
Although they couldn't fully grasp the significance of the Apex Dao Steles, with a total of eight steles, activating two was enough to attract competition within the Immortal Gate, a sign of extraordinary talent. Now that Li Hao had activated five, far surpassing everyone else, it was a clear demonstration of the gap between them.
Was this the talent of the Heavenly Emperor General?!
The various powerful individuals in the capital city widened their eyes, speechless in shock.
They had heard legends about the Heavenly Emperor General, knew he was strong, but now they were once again struck by the reality of his power.
Ji Tian Chao outside the Imperial Palace also recognized Li Hao and was stunned.
He recalled his third brother's words again: bringing that child back to the Ji family was his final contribution to the Ji family!
His third brother had spent his life fighting countless battles for the Ji family. Before his soul dissipated, he brought back an exceptionally talented prodigy for the Ji family. Unfortunately, the Ji family hadn't seized the opportunity.
Ji Tian Chao's fingers tightened, and he felt a sharp pain in his chest.
Meanwhile, on the Heavenly Ascension Ladder, Li Hao didn't bother to walk slowly anymore, and he sprinted forward.
Sixth, Seventh!
Two more Apex Dao Steles lit up.
Land Immortal Apex Realm!
Immortal and Undying Apex Realm!!
Wherever he went, the Apex Dao Steles lit up, as if offering flowers to the ascending young man, adding to his brilliance!
At this moment, the exclamations throughout the capital city abruptly ceased, replaced by silence.
Ji Xuan Shen, Jiang Li Chen, and the others within the Immortal Gate widened their eyes in shock, speechless.
The seven Dao Technique Realm cultivators outside the Heavenly Ascension Ladder, who had been indifferent and calm, now changed their expressions, staring in astonishment at the young man.
Jiang Zi Yan was frozen in place, dazed.
"..."
The heavens and the earth seemed to fall silent.
Such a sight was beyond everyone's belief.
The three towering figures within the Immortal Gate, who stood alongside the heavens and earth, now looked at him with shock instead of solemnity.
If they didn't know that the Apex Dao Steles couldn't be wrong, if they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed it.
Seven Apex Realms, unprecedented in history. Even they hadn't achieved it!
Many reincarnated Saints were striving to reach higher limits. Now… the distant legend had appeared in the mortal realm!
"Who is he?"
Yu Zu, who looked like a middle-aged man, had a towering physique, eyes like the sun and moon, radiating a powerful aura and the brilliance of the Dao. But now, his face was filled with shock, and he couldn't help but lose his composure.
The closer one got to the Saint Realm, the more one understood how terrifying Seven Apex Realms were.
No one responded. Ji Xuan Shen and the others were also stunned by Li Hao.
He had only shown four Apex Realms in the Ji family. Now, in less than a year, he had reached Seven Apex Realms?!
At this moment, the young man on the Heavenly Ascension Ladder was still moving forward.
When he passed the eighth Apex Dao Stele, many people's pupils constricted, their eyes fixed on the dark stele.
But this time, the stele didn't activate.
This outcome was like a sudden release of a clenched heart, giving them a moment to breathe. They were sweating.
Yu Zu's focused eyes relaxed slightly, as if relieved. If all eight Apex Realms had been activated, it would have alarmed the entire Holy Lands.
However, even Seven Apex Realms were enough to shake the entire Immortal Gate!
Once the news spread, countless forces would surely come to compete for him.
The Saints would likely personally intervene to try and recruit him.
Such a prodigy was too extraordinary.
How could the mortal realm produce such a being?
"Seven Apex Realms, only one short of Eight Apex Realms, and he's only 16 years old…"
Beside him, a woman whose body was shrouded in a hazy mist, with a graceful figure like a divine maiden, whispered in shock.
Her voice was elegant and melodious, echoing with the resonance of the Dao. Her words were as clear as spring water, delicate and ethereal, with a lonely and tranquil aura.
Hearing the words of Feng Zu, everyone regained their composure, but they were immediately struck by shock again.
Yes, the young man was only sixteen…
Unbelievable, incomprehensible!
Except for Ji Xuan Shen and the others, the representatives of the various forces from the Cloud Mist Realm who had come to recruit disciples were also shocked and bewildered.
They had seen reincarnated Saints, but even so, no one could have such a monstrous growth rate.
Unless he was a living Saint, but that was even more impossible. Saints wouldn't be so bored, and they wouldn't reveal themselves in the mortal realm.
At this moment, Li Hao walked towards the final nine steps, reaching the Immortal Gate.
Seeing the young man standing outside the Immortal Gate, although they knew he couldn't see them, for some reason, the representatives of the various forces who had come to recruit disciples felt a sense of tension, and some even swallowed nervously.
They had never felt this way before. They were representatives of powerful forces from the Holy Lands, coming to the mortal realm to recruit disciples, giving the mortal realm an opportunity.
But now, they felt like he was giving them an opportunity, and they couldn't grasp it. Such a prodigy would surely be the target of various Holy Lands, even the Saints themselves!
"This guy…"
Jiang Li Chen had regained his composure. Seeing the young man so close, he was stunned and speechless. Either he didn't show his abilities, or he made such a huge commotion that all the people who had been attracting attention suddenly lost their luster.
Ji Xuan Shen and the others exchanged glances, seeing the bitterness in each other's eyes. They had thought that by pursuing the Holy Lands, they would close the distance with Li Hao. But now, before they even started, they had been left far behind.
Besides bitterness, they also had a special premonition. Although being in the same era as Li Hao would overshadow them, they seemed to be able to witness the rise of a Saint firsthand.
With such talent, if Li Hao couldn't become a Saint, they felt that no one else in the world would ever be able to!
"It should be a Heaven-Grade Dao Heart as well."
Seeing the small tower rotate, ready to test Li Hao, everyone fell silent.
With such talent, the Dao Heart didn't really matter. But they knew that such a prodigy's Dao Heart wouldn't be bad, at the very least, it would be a Profound-Grade Dao Heart.
At this moment, outside the Immortal Gate, the small tower shone with purple light, having withdrawn from Li Hao.
As the purple light retracted, the tower didn't change. The purple light was absorbed, and the tower fell silent.
For a long time, a very long time, the tower didn't react.
This strange scene stunned many within the Immortal Gate.
"What's going on?"
"Is the Dao Heart Tower broken?"
Many representatives of the forces asked in astonishment.
The three semi-saint ancestors were stunned. They had never seen such an unexpected situation before.
No matter what kind of Dao Heart it was, the Dao Heart Tower would display it. But now, it was as if it had fallen silent, without any reaction.
After a brief silence, Yu Zu, who was standing in the center, suddenly changed his expression, his eyes filled with surprise:
"Could it be that his Dao Heart is unprecedented, surpassing even Heaven-Grade?"
If Li Hao hadn't activated seven Apex Realms, he wouldn't have had such an absurd thought. But now, he couldn't help but wonder.
Hearing his words, everyone fell silent again.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 312: Heavenly Will Against Saintly Intent (Second Update)
"In ancient times, during the era of immortal and divine legends, a four-character phrase circulated: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow."
"The Dao Heart is also classified using this phrase, but we have never heard of anything surpassing the Earthly Dao Heart. If such a thing existed, it would be the Heavenly Heart, the Heart of Heaven!"
"Countless saints have imparted their teachings and left their marks on history, yet they only possess Profound and Earthly Dao Hearts. Isn't this ambition already the limit of our imagination? Are there even greater goals?"
The individuals within the Immortal Gate exchanged bewildered glances.
Based on their understanding, it was difficult to imagine a Dao Heart that surpassed the ambition and Dao of the saints.
Such a thing had never been heard of. It was more plausible to believe that the Dao Heart Tower had made a mistake, as the probability of that was higher.
While they were discussing, the Feather Ancestor's gaze fell upon the young man outside the Immortal Gate. He said in a low voice:
"He's about to enter. This child, my Primordial Saint Land will spare no expense to recruit him. I hope none of you will compete with me!"
"Feather Ancestor, your words are rather domineering. Although my Heavenly Phoenix Saint Land is not as renowned as the Primordial Saint Land, we are also willing to dedicate all our resources to cultivate him!"
The divine-like woman beside him, her eyes flashing with a hint of sharpness, spoke calmly.
"If I'm not mistaken, your Heavenly Phoenix Saint Land is a demon clan, and you have many female disciples. This might not be suitable, wouldn't you agree?"
Upon hearing the woman's words, the Feather Ancestor glanced at her indifferently and coldly replied.
"What does it matter if we are a demon clan? We also have cultivation techniques suitable for humans. Our two races have long coexisted peacefully. Is the Feather Ancestor trying to incite conflict between humans and demons?"
The divinely-radiant woman said coldly, "Furthermore, having many female disciples might not be a bad thing for him."
"…"
The Feather Ancestor withdrew his gaze, too lazy to argue with her, but a cold smile played on his lips.
Since this young man was from the mortal realm, and he knew the situation of his disciple there, the young man likely had a close relationship with the Jiang family. Using this as a leverage, it would be difficult for others to compete with him.
Thinking of this, he glanced at an elderly man on the side. The man was the ancestor of the Void Saint Land in the Cloud Mist Realm. However, he remained expressionless and didn't speak, seemingly unwilling to compete.
This surprised the Feather Ancestor. Such a prodigy, and the Void Saint Land wasn't moved?
The other factions present, upon hearing the woman's words, were speechless. Before the young man had even stepped into the Immortal Gate, these two Half-Saint ancestors had already begun vying for him. It was truly excessive.
However, they also understood that they had no chance with such a prodigy. He was destined to enter a Saint Land to cultivate and would undoubtedly become a direct disciple of a Saint.
Ji Xuanshen and the others exchanged glances and smiled wryly. This fellow always stirred up trouble and left everyone in awe.
"Young man, come in."
The Feather Ancestor addressed the young man outside the Immortal Gate.
Outside, Li Hao was still waiting for the Dao Heart Tower to provide feedback, but it remained silent, causing him to feel puzzled.
However, he didn't pay much attention to how his Dao Heart was judged. Whether it was high or low, it was his heart, his path.
Hearing the call from within the Immortal Gate, Li Hao dismissed his thoughts. Looking at the Immortal Gate that was now within arm's reach, he knew that this step would separate him from the mortal realm.
Li Hao turned his head and looked towards the plaza, towards Ren Qianqian at the end of the Heavenly Ascension Stairway, towards Emperor Yu soaring into the sky, and towards the old Daoist who was flying towards him.
Their eyes met, and Li Hao nodded slightly to them, a temporary farewell.
At the same time, Li Hao's divine sense noticed Ji Tianchao, the Ji Clan's War God, standing in the air in the distance outside the Imperial Palace.
Towards this old man, Li Hao held goodwill and affection, and he nodded to him.
Ji Tianchao, outside the Imperial Palace, felt a tremor in his heart upon seeing Li Hao's gentle and serene gaze. His previously sorrowful heart felt as if it had been gently soothed.
His eyes reddened slightly, and he smiled at Li Hao, giving him a thumbs-up.
Li Hao's gaze fell upon the crowd, where he saw Li Yuanzhao and the others with excited expressions. He smiled gently and waved to them.
"Brother Hao saw us!"
Li Yuanzhao became even more excited, his face filled with exhilaration.
Li Wushuang and Li Zhining were stunned. Seeing the young man's gentle demeanor, they suddenly smiled, but something seemed to flicker in the corners of their eyes.
Li Hao gave Ren Qianqian an encouraging look, then composed himself and turned to step into the Immortal Gate.
As soon as he entered, Li Hao felt a strange sensation.
The Immortal Gate, so close at hand, seemed to ripple like water, giving him a feeling of traversing time and space.
However, before he could adapt, the numerous blurry figures standing behind the Immortal Gate, instead of becoming clearer, suddenly seemed to recede into the distance.
At the same time, a wave of icy killing intent suddenly surged from the void, carrying immense pressure. It was a vast Saintly Intent!
Li Hao was startled, his pupils constricting as he looked up. He saw boundless chaotic void around him, but a blurry figure and will suddenly attacked him!
This killing intent came so suddenly and unexpectedly.
Li Hao's hairs stood on end, his blood seemed to freeze, and he felt an intense sense of danger, just like when he faced the Saintly Demon Corpse in the abyss, a feeling of facing death head-on.
Was this a Saint making a move?!
Li Hao was shocked and incredulous, but then anger surged within him.
He suddenly erupted, entering the Divine Power state. At the same time, the Heavenly Veins rapidly gathered the power of the heavens and earth, directly pushing him into the ultimate state of Immortal Transformation.
With a loud bang, his body suddenly exploded.
Under the overwhelming power, he was like an egg under a hammer, with no chance of withstanding it.
Behind the Immortal Gate, the Feather Ancestor and the divine woman, who were waiting for Li Hao to pass through, suddenly changed their expressions. Their gazes seemed to pierce through the Immortal Gate, sensing the subtle energy fluctuations within.
The two were shocked and abruptly looked up towards the unreachable sky. There, a blurry figure seemed to appear and disappear, a trace of Saintly Intent descending upon them!
It was a Saint making a move!
Moreover, they immediately recognized that it was the Void Saint!
The Feather Ancestor suddenly looked at the elderly man beside him. The man's expression remained indifferent, but a hint of a cold smile played on his lips.
The Feather Ancestor was both surprised and angry. No wonder the man hadn't competed from the beginning. He hadn't intended for this prodigy to come at all. He had planned to assassinate him directly!
Furthermore, to prevent them from interfering, the Void Saint himself had made the move!
The Void Saint achieved Sainthood through the Void Dao and had a mastery of spatial techniques that was considered top-notch. The short distance of the Immortal Gate could become a vast battlefield in his hands.
"Void Saint Land, you've gone too far!"
The Feather Ancestor couldn't help but roar in anger.
"Indeed, even if you can't win, you shouldn't destroy him."
The divine woman's face was also exceptionally cold. She didn't believe that the Heavenly Phoenix Saint Land had no chance of competing, but now it was completely gone.
"I apologize, but that young man offended our Saint Son. He must die."
Facing the two's angry questioning, the elderly man said calmly.
The other factions were also shaken by this sudden change. Upon hearing the three's conversation, they were all stunned.
Ji Xuanshen, Jiang Lichun, and the others were waiting to see Li Hao and greet him. However, after Li Hao stepped into the Immortal Gate, he disappeared without a trace, as if he had been transported elsewhere. He hadn't appeared yet, and while they were wondering, they heard the words of the three ancestors and were shocked.
Destroyed? What was going on?
Ji Xuanshen and the others looked at the elderly man in shock.
The elderly man instantly became the target of everyone's ire, but his expression remained calm, as if he didn't care.
Everyone knew that they couldn't do anything to an ancestor simply with anger.
"I will report this to the Primordial Saint. Your Void Saint Land must give an explanation!"
Killing intent flashed in the Feather Ancestor's eyes as he suppressed his anger.
The elderly man's face remained indifferent, without a response. When he had secretly communicated with the Saint earlier, he had already known the outcome.
The young man was indeed a monstrous prodigy, but a dead prodigy was no longer a prodigy. Moreover, he hadn't joined the Primordial Saint Land yet. Even if the Primordial Saint Land demanded an explanation, they could afford to compensate.
The other party wouldn't launch a Saintly battle for a dead prodigy. Eventually, it would all calm down.
In the world of the strong, right and wrong didn't matter, only interests did.
If the interests were met, even if they knew the other party was wrong, they would praise them.
Even if they knew they were slandering a good person, they would blame the good person for being foolish and not smart enough to avoid provoking those they shouldn't.
"You're too despicable!"
Jiang Lichun glared at the elderly man. He had already guessed the reason behind the "offending the Saint Son" mentioned by the other party.
Earlier, Li Hao had killed six Dharma Realm cultivators and allowed one to escape. Obviously, the other party was the one who had designs on the Great Yu's incense.
He hadn't expected the enemy to be right in front of him.
"Hm?"
The elderly man heard his words, his eyes cold as he glanced at him.
A vast will pressed down, and Jiang Lichun spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning pale. However, a buzzing sound echoed from within his spine. It was his Sword Bone, which had slightly resisted the Half-Saint's will.
The Feather Ancestor suddenly waved his hand, blocking the elderly man's aura and gaze, shielding Jiang Lichun and the others. He said with a cold face, "Are you forcing me to fight you here?!"
The elderly man's face was cold, and he withdrew his gaze. Now that things had come to this, he knew that the Void Saint Land had no chance in this disciple recruitment. These disciples were impossible to join their Saint Land.
However, it was just a loss of a batch of disciples. Besides, some of the outstanding ones might not have wanted to join them anyway. Losing them wasn't a big deal.
The vast Void Saint Land could recruit some outstanding disciples, which was good, but sacrificing them to eliminate a prodigy like Li Hao was an extremely worthwhile deal.
Otherwise, once he grew up and accumulated enough incense to become a Saint, he would be a major threat to the Void Saint Land!
Furthermore, although this incident was a loss, it could also establish the Void Saint Land's authority, letting people know that they were not to be trifled with!
"If other Saints learn about this, they will also make you give an explanation!"
The divine woman stared at the elderly man, her face cold. She had seen his confidence.
"That's none of your concern."
The elderly man said indifferently.
While they were talking, the void within the Immortal Gate seemed to stretch, and Li Hao's body, shattered into countless bones and blood, scattered in the void.
At this moment, these bones and blood were rapidly healing and reforming.
Li Hao heard the sounds of anger from behind the Immortal Gate. He suddenly realized that the elderly man's voice was familiar. It was the voice that had greeted the person who had fled into the Immortal Gate when he had killed Xu Yuan Saint Son half a year ago.
Exactly the same!
The man hadn't spoken the whole time, perhaps he had recognized him and deliberately waited for him to step into the Immortal Gate, using the Saint's power to attack him within the Immortal Gate's space.
The person who had attempted to steal the Jiang family's incense was in the Cloud Mist Realm, one of the three major Saint Lands. No wonder he had been able to spy on the Jiang family's incense in the mortal realm. Perhaps he had been planning this since a thousand years ago.
But knowing this didn't help now. Li Hao's consciousness returned to the void. As soon as his body had reformed, the Saintly Intent reappeared.
"Rebirth from blood? No wonder…"
A majestic and seemingly indifferent thought echoed, revealing a sense of aloofness. Then, the Saintly Intent descended again.
Li Hao's heart was filled with shock and anger. The other party hadn't appeared, but a mere thought was enough to kill him.
Li Hao roared, once again entering the ultimate state of Immortal Transformation, and the Heavenly Veins frantically drew upon the power of the surrounding void.
His body was covered in golden skin, his hair turned snow-white, and his consciousness merged with the void, once again perceiving the vast and supreme Heavenly Sovereign's will.
He borrowed a sliver of the Heavenly Sovereign's will and suddenly struck at the Saintly Intent.
(End of Chapter)