Chapter 344: The Buddha Lord’s Soft Words, Only My Sword Path (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Hearing Li Hao's words, Crimson Light raised an eyebrow. The smile on his face faded, and his body suddenly erupted with intense crimson flames.

"A hundred-layered Dao domain—seems like it's made you quite confident. Well, let's see it now. Show me how you'll defeat me in one move!"

With a leap, he soared onto the battle platform, apparently intent on clashing with Li Hao right then and there.

The crowd below gasped at this sudden turn of events. Were two top prodigies from the divine dynasties about to go head-to-head right now? Many eyes gleamed with anticipation.

At that moment, a half-saint from the Buddhist sect spoke up, his face stern. "Since this is a competition, there are rules to follow. You two mustn't disrupt them. If you wish to spar, settle it privately after the matches, or wait until the fight for first place. Right now, this is the battle for the top ten. The victor should leave the platform!"

His voice boomed like a thunderous bell, resonating across the entire city.

The eardrums of millions buzzed, feeling the majestic power of the sacred path.

Crimson Light's eyes grew cold, the flames around him unquenched. As a prodigy, he couldn't swallow the humiliation from Li Hao and wanted to teach him a lesson right there.

Seeing his words ignored, the Buddhist half-saint's expression darkened. His figure flickered, teleporting onto the platform with Void Return. Clad in a kasaya, his Dharma image exuded solemn dignity as he looked down at Crimson Light.

"Benefactor, do not break the rules!"

Though his words were polite, they carried a sharp edge, his gaze shimmering with the golden light of the sacred path, like a blazing golden flame.

Crimson Light's expression shifted slightly. He felt the layered, rising aura from the half-saint, realizing the other was determined to intervene. A direct confrontation with Li Hao was impossible now.

"Hmph, I'll let you off for now!"

A chill flashed in Crimson Light's eyes. His flames subsided, and he turned to leave the platform.

Li Hao, about to strike, saw him retreat. The sword energy in his palm dissipated, and he turned to leave without looking back.

Their seats were close, but once off the platform, neither spared the other a glance.

With the platform cleared, the Buddhist half-saint's expression softened. He gave Li Hao a deep, cold look before returning to his original spot, seated atop a blue lion.

"Such a pity, we almost had a great show."

"A hundred-layered Dao domain—that Qingfeng is so arrogant, claiming he'll take first and defeat Crimson Light in one move. I wonder if it's true."

"He might be able to beat Crimson Light, but taking first? That's probably not enough."

"Isn't he a demonic cultivator? Hasn't he shown any demonic techniques yet? This can't be his full strength!"

"Just because they say he's a demonic cultivator doesn't mean he is. With his strength, does he even need to be one?"

Demonic cultivators were reviled in many worlds across the heavens, making it harder to gather incense. For top prodigies, it wasn't necessarily advantageous.

Unless one hailed from a small world dominated by the demonic path, where might made right, survival of the fittest reigned, and the strong were revered regardless of righteous or demonic ways.

"The Buddhist holy son's words shouldn't be baseless slander."

"If he's really a demonic cultivator, why would the Buddha Lord tolerate it?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, doubtful of Li Hao's identity. Many turned their gazes to the Buddha Lord, seated on his lotus throne.

If a Buddhist holy son could see Li Hao as a demonic cultivator, the Buddha Lord surely could too. If he confirmed it, Li Hao's status would be cemented.

If he denied it, it would mean the holy son had maliciously slandered him.

Clearly aware of the chatter and the countless eyes upon him, the Buddha Lord remained calm, his thoughts unreadable. He spoke gently, "Though Qingfeng has fallen to the demonic path, this prodigy battle in the Canglan Realm is open to all. Even as a demonic cultivator, he has the right to participate. I only hope Qingfeng doesn't become lost in such petty paths. After the prodigy battle, if he's willing to join my Buddhist sect, I'll personally help him purify himself."

His words sent shockwaves through the crowd. Many looked at Li Hao with disdain and contempt.

The Buddha Lord himself had spoken—this was ironclad proof.

A cold glint flashed in Li Hao's eyes. He looked up, meeting the Buddha Lord's gaze. Those deep eyes radiated boundless brilliance, a mix of compassion and indifference.

Li Hao looked away, fury boiling within him. The Buddha Lord's words were clearly biased toward his disciple. If he could truly see, he'd know Li Hao wasn't a demonic cultivator. On the contrary, Li Hao was purifying and saving those slaughter怨念 (resentful energies), sending them to liberation—a virtuous act!

Only someone with divine blood could achieve this.

He didn't speak, knowing his rebuttal would be futile. A saint's authority outweighed his thousand words. Why would the world believe him over a saint?

Where there was good in this world, there had to be corresponding evil!

Even if they stemmed from the same source.

Otherwise, how could good be leveraged for profit?

Having been hunted by that Void Saint before, Li Hao had long shed his illusions about saints. He didn't hold much reverence for them, so this wasn't a disappointment—just anger.

He thought of Ying Xiaoxiao, labeled a demon race member, likely accustomed to such treatment.

The divine race, too, must have faced similar slander in the holy lands, enduring immense indignation.

Truth or falsehood no longer mattered; everything in this world boiled down to profit.

Li Hao took a deep breath, suppressing his rage. He felt the constant trickle of incense drifting toward him diminish. This was incense accumulated from temples built for him by the Canghai Emperor in various cities.

Now, it was waning.

Through the boundary stone's projection, countless people in those cities were watching this battle. Hearing the Buddha Lord's words, many who once believed in him had abandoned their faith.

Well, well, well… Cutting off someone's incense was akin to severing their path!

Li Hao had heard of saints fiercely vying for incense. Now, experiencing it firsthand, he felt the saint's might. As a non-saint, a single word from one could diminish his incense. Only by becoming a saint himself and debating them openly could he contest their incense.

The Canghai Emperor had raised his incense to 15 cities' worth. Now, in mere moments, it had dropped to 10 and was still declining.

"He willingly fell into depravity—who can step up and suppress this guy?"

"He shuns the righteous path for crooked ways."

"No telling how many innocent souls he's harmed."

The crowd murmured, princes and nobles sneering. Denouncing the demonic path was an easy way to assert their own righteousness.

The world didn't hate evil universally—only the hypocrisy it could mask.

Outside the crowd, Lin Qingying watched with worry, hoping these words wouldn't shake Li Hao's resolve. She knew him—someone who spent his days playing chess and painting, with a carefree and joyful nature, hardly driven by cultivation. How could he fall to the demonic path?

But with the Buddha Lord's decree, unless another saint vouched for him, it was set in stone.

"I never imagined the Buddha Lord would be like this…" Lin Shanhai, outside the crowd, sighed softly, disappointment and regret in his eyes.

As an older man, he'd always sought some light to believe in, harboring a fondness for Buddhism. Yet he hadn't expected the Buddha Lord to brand Li Hao a demonic cultivator.

Having spent a year with the boy, how could he not know his character?

"He really is a demonic cultivator?" Li Qingyi and others from the Literary Ancestor Sanctuary were shocked. As scholars, they despised the demonic path, their hearts filled with righteous energy. They hadn't expected Li Hao to truly be one.

In the Canglan Realm, where Buddhism reigned supreme, its long preaching had ingrained disdain for the demonic path in everyone, influencing even them.

"But he doesn't look the part… yet these are the Buddha Lord's words…" Li Qingyi's eyes wavered. Though reluctant, disappointment crept in.

Lin Shuhai remained impassive, unaffected.

The Twin Buddha Sons glanced at Li Hao, a faint smile tugging at their lips.

In the Buddhist hall, the Literary Saint and Sword Saint exchanged a glance with the Buddha Lord, their eyes carrying unspoken meaning, but they said nothing.

The Sword Saint's expression was cool. Had Qingfeng been his direct disciple like Haoyue or Bian Ruxue, he'd have spoken up to clear his name.

But the Sword Master had said Qingfeng came from the Supreme Saint's lineage, stranded here.

As for the Buddha Lord's claim of demonic cultivation… he couldn't see it and didn't believe it.

How could a disciple of the Supreme Saint fall to depravity? Yet with the Buddha Lord slandering him, if Qingfeng returned to his sect and inherited a saintly position, it'd spark a grand conflict—something beneficial to him.

The Buddhist sect's dominance in Canglan Realm was overwhelming. If it fell, he and the Literary Saint could vie for supremacy. Should the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary claim half of Buddhism's incense, he'd ascend further, perhaps challenging heavenly tribulations and overcoming the Three Calamities!

Amid the controversy, Li Hao's silence only solidified people's belief.

He closed his eyes, ignoring the external clamor.

He swiftly refined the slaughter怨念 sealed in his arms. The resentful energies wailed grotesquely, but under his divine blood's influence, they found peace, gradually dissipating.

The fifth match began, pulling attention from Li Hao back to the prodigies' clashes.

One battle after another concluded. By the end, the audience was fully engrossed in the later fights, and the top ten of Canglan Realm were finally determined.

As the qualifiers advanced, the ten stood on the platform.

They would represent Canglan Realm in the battle against the heavens.

Beyond the crowd below, countless gazes from across Canglan Realm converged on the ten onstage.

Li Hao felt a faint trickle of incense drifting toward him, though it was scarce—spontaneous offerings.

Without the Buddha Lord's interference, his fame from this battle alone could've drawn vast incense.

He glanced at his arms; the slaughter怨念 was fully refined and absorbed.

Among the top ten were himself, Lin Shuhai, the Twin Buddha Sons, and three other Buddhist disciples.

His acquaintance Qiu Wuhen fell outside the top ten, defeated by a Buddhist holy son.

Su Yun from the divine dynasty freelancers also missed the top ten.

"You are all dragons among men. The true contest lies in the battle against the heavens. Your fights today represent Canglan Realm's expedition. I hope in the battles ahead, you won't tarnish Canglan's name," the Buddha Lord said gently.

"To prevent some techniques from being revealed too early, the top-ten battle ends here. But in literature, there's no first; in martial arts, no second. Next, we'll determine Canglan Realm's top prodigy!"

"Only first place will be chosen. Those confident in competing may participate. Others can conserve their strength for the supreme stage of the heavenly battle."

His words surprised the crowd, though they soon nodded in understanding.

It made sense. This was an internal contest to select Canglan's top ten for the heavenly battle. There was no need to fight too fiercely within.

The Literary Saint and Sword Saint watched calmly, seeing through the Buddha Lord's intent. The hundred cities' worth of incense was prepared for the Twin Buddha Sons. He'd paved every path for his disciple.

Choosing only first, with no second or third, essentially reserved the spot.

Once this battle ended, all eyes would focus on the Twin Buddha Sons, overshadowing everyone else.

"Buddha Lord, this is a bit much," the Sword Saint said softly. He hadn't expected Holy Son Haoyue to gain fame here, knowing his strength might not reach the top ten in the heavenly battle. But to have his edge dulled in Canglan Realm now irked him.

The Buddha Lord replied gently, "Your prized disciples may also vie for first. Let strength speak. All beings are equal. As a practitioner of the Path of All Beings, Sword Saint, you should understand."

The Sword Saint's expression cooled. The Buddha Lord meant they could compete too—by their own merit.

The Literary Saint gave the Buddha Lord a faint glance, perhaps a smirk, but said nothing.

Seeing the Literary Saint stay silent, the Sword Saint frowned, sighed inwardly, and spoke no more.

How much Haoyue could shine depended on his own ability.

Regardless, the greatest gain was Bian Ruxue's enlightenment, her sword intent nearing perfection. If she grasped the Dao through this, it'd outweigh this fleeting glory.

The path of cultivation was long; a momentary setback meant little.

"This is great—no fuss. I only want first; the rest doesn't interest me!" Crimson Light approved of the Buddha Lord's words. His eyes flicked to the Twin Buddha Sons, who weren't looking at him but at Qingfeng beside him. He raised an eyebrow, then turned to Li Hao.

"Time to take back your big talk!" he said to Li Hao, his tone cold and commanding.

Li Hao ignored him; Crimson Light didn't even register in his eyes.

"Those who wish to compete for first, step onto the platform. The rest, step back for now," a Buddhist half-saint announced loudly.

The ten exchanged glances, none stepping down. The three Buddhist holy sons looked at Li Hao. One said, "We cultivate our minds and natures, with no interest in vying for first—only in vanquishing demons and upholding the Dao!"

"Exactly. As a demonic cultivator, he should return to his demonic realm!"

"Chanting sutras and accruing merit is to banish demons and cleanse the world. I may not be first, but this demonic benefactor won't claim it either!"

Their eyes were cold, Buddhist light radiating from them as they stared at Li Hao.

Li Hao almost laughed, unsure if they were too engrossed in their sutras or had ulterior motives. "No need for chatter. Come at me together. If I'm a demonic cultivator, don't lose to me—or what sutras are you chanting, what Buddha are you cultivating?!"

His words enraged them. As top-ten prodigies and elite holy sons, they were being belittled by Li Hao.

"You're mine," Crimson Light said to Li Hao.

Li Hao glanced at him coldly. "Join them. One more makes no difference!"

Crimson Light froze, his sneer turning dark. "This time, even a Buddhist half-saint won't save you!"

As he spoke, dazzling, searing flames erupted from him, the platform's temperature soaring.

The Buddhist half-saint sighed helplessly. These prideful youths acted on impulse, heedless of rules or face.

Lin Shuhai smiled faintly, saying nothing, and flew off the platform, yielding it.

Others followed, stepping down, leaving the fray alone.

But Lin Qingying flashed to Li Hao's side, drawing her sword to stand with him.

Li Hao glanced at her, whispering, "Step back. Don't get dragged into this."

"Just a demonic cultivator? What's wrong with joining you in it?" Lin Qingying held her sword, her eyes fixed on the three Buddhist holy sons ahead.

Her words stunned them. Unlike Li Hao, she was a saintess of the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary, backed by a holy land.

Li Hao's heart jolted at her response. He looked at her amid the scorching flames, her hair fluttering, her eyes bright and resolute.

Her peerless beauty etched itself into his gaze. He stared intently for a moment, then lowered his head, speaking to Xiyan on his wrist, "Return to the heaven-and-earth space."

Xiyan sensed the impending battle. "Be careful," she said, slipping into the spatial rift Li Hao opened for her. She knew staying would only hinder him.

Li Hao raised his head, facing the three Buddhist holy sons and Crimson Light, wreathed in flames like a fire deity. A faint smile curved his lips. "Seems I've given you too much, and you don't know to cherish it."

"Nonsense! What have you ever given us?" one holy son snapped.

Li Hao reached into his heaven-and-earth space, drawing out a pitch-black sword of merit. "Too much face!"

As he spoke, heaven-and-earth veins surged behind him like a pillar to the sky, enveloping the platform's aura.

He drew fiercely upon them. Having cultivated his physique to the Tongli Realm's peak, his divine blood could contain far more power than others in his realm. The speed and force of his vein extraction were immense, a tangible energy storm swirling behind him, encircling his form.

The crowd was stunned by the terrifying sight.

Though all used heaven-and-earth veins at the Second Extreme Realm, Li Hao's phenomenon was far more majestic and imposing.

Crimson Light's eyes narrowed, his expression growing serious. "Come on, let me see it!"

Standing in his fire domain, flames roared around him, faintly forming a phoenix shadow. A golden spear appeared in his hand, forged as if from magma, etched with cracking golden patterns.

"You didn't get to taste my true power before. Now, it's time you did!" Golden flames blazed in his eyes. His spear erupted in extreme fiery light—the Flame Path—dazzling and radiant, its tip like a condensed divine sun, capable of incinerating all.

"Crimson Light's spearmanship has entered the Dao!"

"What terrifying spear intent! Even outside the formation, I feel like I'm burning—my body's heating up!"

"What kind of spear path is this? I'm sweating all over!"

Through the boundary stone's projection, countless martial artists across Canglan Realm's dozens of divine dynasties felt their eyes burn and blood boil from the mere image of that divine spear in the clouds.

Just a trace of spear intent was so fearsome—unimaginable if facing it head-on.

Lin Qingying's face paled. She hadn't expected Crimson Light's spear path to enter the Dao, so terrifying. She felt scorched, flames rising in her mind. Recalling Li Hao's earlier words, she placed herself in the void, barely resisting half its force.

But she lingered at the "intent" level. If he struck, she'd be defenseless.

"Crimson Light is terrifying!"

Even the three Buddhist holy sons behind him paled, stunned by this dark horse's overwhelming power, far beyond theirs.

Below, Lin Shuhai's eyes flickered, his smile fading slightly.

On the platform, Li Hao's gaze was ice-cold, unchanging.

He raised his hand, his aura shifting. The disguise he'd worn tore away, revealing his true self.

The black sword blazed with void-splitting power.

"Hm?!" Crimson Light, brimming with confidence, felt his eyes narrow and an inexplicable chill grip his heart at the sword's fearsome charm.

Boom!

Li Hao didn't waste words, swinging his sword abruptly.

*Only I, Sword Path!*

In that moment, he unleashed his own sword path.

Where his gaze fell, where his intent reached—all would be cleaved!

What kind of sword was it?

A dark sword light rose from the platform. Where it passed, the void split into black fractures, space shattering!

The surrounding fire domain extinguished instantly, the ambient heat vanishing, turning into a cold domain.

The sword light reached all, unmatched!

Crimson Light's pupils shrank, sensing a terrifying rupture. His hairs stood on end, goosebumps rising, blood surging.

Facing life-and-death terror, he roared, hair flying wildly. "Break!!"

His spear burst with dazzling divine light, the Flame Path at its peak, burning all.

The searing firelight carried an ancient phoenix cry, shaking the minds of all. Even through the boundary stone, countless viewers felt the cry, their minds trembling, dazed.

Yet this mighty spear thrust melted like ice before the sweeping black fractures, collapsing and disintegrating rapidly.

Unimpeded, the sword tore through the platform, extinguishing Crimson Light's spear path, snapping his divine spear, slicing through his shoulder, severing an arm, and striking the formation.

The half-saint-forged formation trembled, then ripped open with a massive hole!

In the Buddhist hall, a glint flashed in the Buddha Lord's eyes. He pressed a finger down, and a Buddhist light imprint suppressed the sword energy spilling beyond the formation, letting it slowly dissipate.

Through the boundary stone, countless viewers across Canglan Realm felt their pupils split, crying out in agony.

That sword could cleave all—even the gaze!

This was Li Hao's true sword path: *Only My Sword Path!*

One sword drawn, heaven and earth held only his blade—all else perished!

(Chapter End)