Chapter 359: Immortal Sword Path, Shadow of the Ultimate Sword

Before this stone wall, there were many futons, upon which sat numerous sword practitioners seeking enlightenment.

These sword practitioners either carried swords on their backs or had them thrust downwards into the ground beside them. Their swords were also diverse and unusual, including broadswords, rapiers, curved swords, and more. Some were sheathless, wrapped in cloth on their backs, while others had sheaths inlaid with pearls and jewels, extravagantly ornate.

Swords are like their wielders. Li Hao swept his gaze across them, then his eyes settled on the stone wall, his pupils instantly focusing.

He saw that the stone wall was as smooth as jade, and within it was a crescent moon-like sword shadow.

The sword shadow was slanted, like a beam of moonlight under illumination, solidified within the stone wall by some power.

Li Hao could immediately discern that this was someone's sword strike, the shadow left behind by the newly unleashed sword light.

A figure of the sword wielder standing and their composed, smiling expression seemed to emerge in his mind.

However, just as he touched upon the essence of the sword wielder, he felt a sudden palpitation in his heart, as if about to touch something extremely perilous, and a wave of warning signs arose.

Li Hao's heart tightened, and he quickly withdrew his thoughts, focusing only on the sword shadow.

His swordplay had already entered the Dao, placing him at the pinnacle among all sword practitioners. Even sword saints were only at the level of swordplay entering the Dao, never transcending it.

Now, gazing intently at the sword shadow, he quickly discerned some clues.

This sword shadow contained a profound and ineffable aura, seemingly not as simple as just the Dao. It was perfectly natural, as if it had been in the stone wall since its creation, nurtured by heaven and earth, rather than created by human force.

Swordplay directly connected to the depths of the Great Dao, the root of the Sword Dao.

Li Hao's eyes glazed over, a feeling of almost-enlightenment arose within him.

At this moment, a panel prompt jumped out before his eyes.

"Learned the basics, do you want to record it?"

The panel prompt suddenly appeared.

Li Hao's eyes lit up slightly, as expected, it could be recorded.

The panel couldn't assist with comprehending saintly Daos and the Final Realm, but observing sword techniques, even grasping only the basics, was enough for it to record.

"Record!"

As Li Hao confirmed, a new sword art instantly appeared on the panel.

[Immortal Dao Sword Art: Great Dream Nine Abyss Sword - Immortal Guides the Way (Intent)]

As the sword art's attributes appeared, waves of information surged into Li Hao's sea of consciousness. Although not vast, it was as if there was a ethereal divine figure practicing in his mind, imparting a certain sword intent.

At the same time, Li Hao also learned of the three higher levels of techniques beyond True State and Transcendent.

Intent, Extreme, Source!

Currently, with Li Hao's ninth-stage Sword Dao level, he could only barely comprehend the "Intent" of this sword art.

What surprised Li Hao the most was the grade of this sword art, it was actually an Immortal Dao Sword Art!

Could the legendary immortals and gods truly exist?

Li Hao couldn't help but think of the stars painted in the high heavens, those were most likely the handiwork of immortals.

He stood rooted to the spot, quietly digesting and absorbing the insights from the panel.

Lying Heaven Saint and Wind Wave Serene, who were about to move forward, noticed Li Hao's anomaly and stopped. When they saw Li Hao's eyes close without them noticing, completely isolating himself from external disturbances, Dao aura surrounding his body, actually in a state of enlightenment, they exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

The sword shadow on Moon Gazing Cliff was renowned throughout the heavens. After all, it was a peerless sword technique that even sword saints couldn't comprehend, and it, along with many other anomalous events, further confirmed the existence of immortals and gods.

But Li Hao had just arrived, and he had already gained some enlightenment from the peerless sword shadow within this stone wall?

Lying Heaven Saint was somewhat stunned. She had seen countless prodigies, but had never seen one as exaggerated as this. She couldn't help but look at Wind Wave Serene, her eyes seeming to say, "Just what kind of monster did you know in that human realm?"

Wind Wave Serene saw Lying Heaven Saint's gaze and couldn't help but smile wryly. He hadn't expected Li Hao to be so exaggerated either. No wonder he could leave his name at the highest echelons in the heavens.

"Just get used to it…" Wind Wave Serene gave Lying Heaven Saint a look, then surveyed the surroundings, guarding Li Hao, to prevent others from disturbing him.

After absorbing all the information in the panel, Li Hao also slowly opened his eyes. The peerless sword technique was now imprinted in his mind. The exquisiteness and brilliance of this sword were unlike anything Li Hao had ever seen, seemingly possessing a feeling of reaching the pinnacle of the Sword Dao.

To comprehend this sword, in addition to the Sword Dao, one also needed to grasp that Immortal Intent.

Immortal Intent was hard to find, Immortal Intent was hard to comprehend.

Li Hao's eyes flickered slightly. This sword was just a casual strike, yet it encompassed many Sword Dao changes he recognized, approaching the ultimate!

He looked at the stone wall again, but saw that the sword shadow on it was gradually fading. As the sword shadow faded, a shadow seemed to faintly emerge behind it.

That shadow resembled an ancient and upright figure, looking towards Li Hao, seemingly letting out a soft exclamation of surprise.

This sound was inaudible to outsiders, directly appearing in Li Hao's mind. His mind slightly vibrated, and then he heard a chuckle, the voice seeming to say something, but it was indistinct, like an illusion in a daze.

When Li Hao regained his senses, a series of exclamations erupted from outside the stone wall.

"The sword shadow, where is it?!"

"The sword shadow is fading, it's about to disappear!"

"What's going on, what's happening?!"

The numerous figures seeking enlightenment before the stone wall were all shocked, expressing disbelief.

Lying Heaven Saint and Wind Wave Serene also noticed that the sword shadow within the stone wall was gradually fading, and soon, it disappeared without a trace.

And without that sword shadow, the stone wall actually began to crack slightly, and was no longer crystal clear.

Bang!

In just a few breaths, the cracks on the stone wall rapidly expanded, and then suddenly burst open, turning into rubble, rolling onto the ground, actually turning into quicksand-like dust.

Such a shocking change stunned everyone seeking enlightenment before the stone wall.

The sword shadow disappeared, and the stone wall also shattered, and not into stone blocks, but into powder.

This stone wall, which had stood for countless years, seemed to be maintained because of that sword shadow. Now that the sword shadow had disappeared, the wind and frost erosion it had endured over the years instantly overwhelmed it.

Wind Wave Serene and Lying Heaven Saint exchanged glances, both couldn't help but look at Li Hao.

Undoubtedly, this bizarre event must be related to Li Hao.

"Let's go."

Wind Wave Serene didn't say much, quickly taking Li Hao away.

Not long after they left, powerful figures arrived at Moon Gazing Cliff to investigate the situation.

The news here spread, alarming the entire Orchid Fragrance World. Saints within the holy lands also came forward to deduce the cause.

There were many eyewitnesses present. The Immortal Shadow Stone Wall also contained the power of the sword shadow, making it difficult to easily destroy. After the saints took action to deduce, they gave a reason.

Someone had comprehended the peerless sword shadow, causing the sword essence to transfer and dissipate.

When this news was released, sword practitioners across the world were shocked.

The sword shadow of Moon Gazing Cliff was actually comprehended by someone!

This news spread rapidly, and the first to receive the news was Azure Wave World, Sword Ancestral Holy Land.

Upon learning that the sword shadow had been comprehended, the Sword Saint sitting in the courtyard was slightly stunned, then closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them again, the surprise in his eyes turning solemn.

Every hundred years, he would go to Moon Gazing Cliff to comprehend that sword shadow, but for many years, he had never been able to touch it.

He clearly felt that the sword shadow seemed to be from another dimension. If he could comprehend it, it would surely allow him to transcend, with the prospect of crossing into an unimaginable realm.

At that time, he could once again offer a sword to become a saint, his strength greatly increasing.

But now, this sword shadow had actually been comprehended by someone, and had disappeared from then on.

Moreover, the Sword Saint recalled the deep sword shadow in his mind, but found that it was also gradually becoming blurred, actually having a feeling of gradually forgetting it.

He was already a saint, virtually possessing photographic memory, but now, in his own memory, he couldn't clearly recall it!

Every time he recalled it, it would fade a little more, until it became blurred.

Such a change caused a sense of horror to emerge in the Sword Saint's heart. Such means, such swordplay, the level of this swordplay itself was unimaginable!

It was as if it was not something that could remain in the world. Once freed, no one would know, no one could restrain it!

But now, this sword shadow, this power, had been comprehended by someone else.

After years of comprehension and cultivation, at this moment, a trace of jealousy faintly emerged in the Sword Saint's heart, but it was quickly erased.

"Could it be him?"

The Sword Saint's eyes flickered slightly, and suddenly his figure swayed, disappearing from the courtyard.

When he reappeared, he was at the edge of the Sword Cliff in front of the Sword Tower.

Here, the Sword Master sat, but was not fishing, only watching the ceaseless waterfall, seemingly comprehending the splashing form of the water spray in the waterfall.

"Senior brother, is it you?"

The Sword Saint appeared behind him and said in a low voice.

The Sword Master's gaze shifted from the waterfall. Hearing this, he didn't turn his head, and said, "Is it about Moon Gazing Cliff? That sword shadow's Dao doesn't suit my Sword Dao."

The Sword Saint was silent. He knew that, apart from comprehending the mysteries of that sword Dao, the most difficult obstacle to overcome in that peerless sword shadow was the mysterious intent it contained.

Only by aligning with its intent could one overcome this obstacle and comprehend the sword shadow.

But they all had their own Sword Dao and sword intent. Wanting to align with that intent was extremely difficult.

That intent was ethereal, extremely difficult to pursue and capture.

"There are thousands of sword practitioners in the world, there will always be someone destined. No matter who it is, it won't be long before you and I will know."

The Sword Master said calmly.

The Sword Saint was silent for a moment, then his figure disappeared, returning to his own courtyard.

The Sword Master was right, no matter who comprehended it, they would soon become famous throughout the world.

As the Sword Saint returned to his courtyard, two figures hurriedly arrived here, precisely Bian Ruxue and Holy Son Haoyue.

They were both direct disciples of the Sword Saint. At this moment, Holy Son Haoyue hurriedly asked, "Master, the sword shadow of Moon Gazing Cliff has been comprehended, is it you, old master?"

The Sword Saint glanced at his disciple. Hearing this, a slightly uncomfortable feeling arose in his heart, and he said:

"Master hasn't been to Moon Gazing Cliff for a long time."

Holy Son Haoyue was stunned, then said, "Could it be Martial Uncle Sword Master?"

"It's not him either."

The Sword Saint shook his head.

Holy Son Haoyue and Bian Ruxue exchanged a glance, their expressions changing. Neither of the two Sword Dao Saints had comprehended it, so who could it be?

A figure suddenly flashed through their minds, but they quickly shook their heads in denial.

It couldn't be him, no matter how monstrous he was, he was only at the Dao Manifestation Realm. Saints hadn't been able to comprehend it, how could he, a mere Dao Manifestation Realm cultivator, comprehend it?

"Could it be a Sword Dao Saint from another holy land…"

Holy Son Haoyue's eyes flickered slightly. Although the Sword Ancestral Holy Land was the holy land of sword practitioners in the world, not all sword practitioners apprenticed here. There were still many sword practitioner experts outside, from other holy lands.

"That sword shadow looks simple, but in reality it contains supreme profound principles. Someone could actually comprehend it…"

Bian Ruxue murmured to herself. She and her senior brother Holy Son Haoyue had both been brought there to comprehend it, but there were no results. It was like looking at a bright moon, though one could appreciate it, they couldn't touch it, seemingly out of reach.

The Sword Saint was also in a bad mood at this moment. The sword shadow being comprehended by someone was also a huge loss for him. He hadn't thought that after being comprehended, the sword shadow would disappear, and even the memory of it would fade. He said calmly:

"Haoyue, the Supreme Heaven-Chosen Battle is about to begin. You and your junior sister spar more. Now that your junior sister's swordplay has entered the Dao, her strength may not be inferior to yours. It's a pity she missed this quota and can't participate in the battle. She can just be your sparring partner."

Holy Son Haoyue returned to his senses and nodded in agreement.

"There's no need to think about the sword shadow matter anymore, you will naturally encounter it in the future,"

The Sword Saint said, not wanting him to be distracted.

Holy Son Haoyue nodded, looking at Bian Ruxue beside him. Since Bian Ruxue's swordplay had entered the Dao, her strength was even three times stronger than his, but he had the Sun and Moon Divine Eyes, innate divine eyes.

"Junior sister, let's go."

Holy Son Haoyue said.

Bian Ruxue nodded slightly. Previously, her strength was far inferior to Holy Son Haoyue, but now, with a sudden enlightenment, she had already caught up. She could also use the other party's hand to hone her own Sword Dao.

That ultimate sword, she felt she was getting closer and closer…

It seemed she would see it soon!

…

While the Sword Ancestral Holy Land and sword practitioners throughout the world were in an uproar, other holy lands also learned of this news, but were only mildly surprised, without too deep a feeling.

And Li Hao, under the guidance of Wind Wave Serene, had already returned to the Heaven-Stealing Holy Land. They did not encounter any attacks from the Buddhist sect on the way.

After safely returning to the holy land, Lying Heaven Saint deeply looked at Li Hao, and once again invited Li Hao to visit Lying Heaven Holy Land when he had time, then left.

After she left, a smile appeared on Wind Wave Serene's face, and he also sighed in relief, saying:

"This time we didn't encounter any risks. The Buddhist sect and the Void Saint didn't detect our whereabouts. Thanks to Lying Heaven Saint deceiving the heavenly secrets, preventing them from deducing and detecting us."

Li Hao was stunned upon hearing this, only then realizing that this trip's safety was thanks to the secret assistance of that Lying Heaven Saint.

"You kid, you've caused a big commotion again. As expected, no matter where you are, your brilliance can't be concealed."

Wind Wave Serene chuckled lightly at Li Hao.

Li Hao smiled wryly. He hadn't expected that after his comprehension, the stone wall would collapse and the sword shadow would disappear.

He had originally wanted to secretly record and comprehend, quietly leave, as if nothing had happened.

Who knew…

"Elder Wind, recently my strength has improved, and I want to practice. Could you make time to spar with me in the sky?"

Li Hao looked at Elder Wind. That Immortal Guides the Way sword strike was peerless in elegance, and he had an urge to unleash it as soon as possible.

Wind Wave Serene laughed upon hearing Li Hao's words, knowing that Li Hao was inevitably itching to try out this peerless sword move he had just comprehended. He smiled and said:

"Of course I have time. You kid, nowadays, apart from saints, no one else can really be your opponent."

Even half-saints were suppressed by Li Hao's Dao Domain. Now, beneath saints, he was almost invincible.

Wind Wave Serene was overjoyed about this. The stronger Li Hao was, the happier he was.

Immediately, the two didn't need to prepare anything. Wind Wave Serene took Li Hao to a secluded location within the Heaven-Stealing Holy Land.

Then, he used saintly Dao power to set up a barrier around them.

After Wind Wave Serene had set everything up, Li Hao didn't stand on ceremony, and said to Elder Wind:

"Elder Wind, please be sure to take this seriously, otherwise I'm afraid I might hurt you."

Hearing Li Hao's solemn words, Wind Wave Serene was slightly taken aback, then chuckled in spite of himself.

Although it was said that Li Hao was close to being invincible beneath saints, even the most monstrous half-saint was still a trivial matter in front of a saint, just a slap away. The gap in realm was simply too vast, not something that could be bridged by the realms before it.

However, the sword shadow of Moon Gazing Cliff was famous, so Wind Wave Serene didn't underestimate it, and nodded, saying:

"I will. Just go ahead and attack."

Seeing this, Li Hao took out the black Gongming from his heavenly space, his eyes becoming profound, his whole body revealing a hint of an aura about to transcend the mortal world.

It seemed to be an aura of ancient immortals and gods.

Immediately, Li Hao didn't hold back, unleashing all his Extreme Realms.

From Divine Power to Four Establishments Realm, Extreme Realms emerged one after another. At the same time, he also entered the state of Immortal Transformation, the Eternal Dao Domain revealing itself.

Seeing the imposing aura Li Hao displayed, surprise and solemnity appeared in Wind Wave Serene's eyes.

At this moment, Li Hao's hair was silver-white, sword qi rampant within the Eternal Dao Domain, his power awe-inspiring, making him impossible to underestimate.

Even as a saint, he vaguely felt Li Hao's terrifying power. If he were at the Dao Manifestation Realm, he suspected he might not be able to withstand a single move from Li Hao!

"It seems, you are indeed invincible beneath saints."

Wind Wave Serene sighed softly, his eyes filled with approval, and also some excitement.

"Elder Wind, I'm coming."

Li Hao said solemnly.

He raised the sword in his hand, the Dao Domain enveloping it, adding to its power. Then, that peerless sword strike suddenly shone forth.

It was like a world-shocking lightning flash. His silver hair danced wildly, like a banished immortal descending to the mortal world. That sword strike was like his casual wave, pointing forward.

In an instant, following the direction of the sword light, Wind Wave Serene's face instantly changed, feeling as if his heart suddenly skipped a beat. At this moment, the extremity of that sword strike actually made him feel unable to block it.

He quickly unleashed his saintly Dao, wanting to steal and convert this sword strike, taking its power for himself.

This was his attack method.

But the next moment, he found himself encountering resistance. His saintly Dao extended out, but was actually severed by the sword light!

Immortal Intent was ungraspable. He couldn't steal it, and could only watch as his saintly Dao was pierced through, the sword force suppressing him.

Bang!

Divine light suddenly erupted from Wind Wave Serene's eyes, and he suddenly and continuously struck out with his palms.

As a Thief Saint, his palm techniques were unparalleled. At this moment, terrifying palm prints layered and enveloped, but all dissipated.

A muffled sound suddenly rang out. Wind Wave Serene took a slight step back, looking down at his palm, surprisingly, a hole had been pierced through it.

His expression couldn't help but change, looking at Li Hao in shock.

Li Hao also sheathed his sword at this time, his face slightly pale. Just this one sword strike had emptied his entire body of energy.

Although he hadn't used his Qi Meridians, the power of this sword had already made Li Hao deeply realize its might.

Moreover, this first sword strike was originally a test, he hadn't truly unleashed his full power, worried about injuring Elder Wind if he was careless.

He had such concerns because he alone knew how terrifying this sword strike was.

Seeing the hole in Elder Wind's palm, not healing even after a long time, Li Hao's expression slightly changed, and he quickly sheathed his sword and rushed over:

"Elder Wind, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Wind Wave Serene waved his hand, the hole in his palm slowly healing. He raised his hand and wiped it, suppressing the residual power on it, and the healing speed of his hand suddenly accelerated.

"To actually be able to injure me, is this the sword technique from that stone wall? It can actually sever saintly Dao…"

Wind Wave Serene looked at Li Hao, his eyes filled with admiration and complexity, "You already possess the power to injure saints."

Although he hadn't used his true power, it was enough to see how terrifying Li Hao was now.

A saint's strongest reliance was their own saintly Dao, but that sword strike could sever saintly Dao.

Li Hao also realized his current strength was even stronger than he had imagined, and moreover, he hadn't even used the power of the Second Final Realm.

This Second Final Realm, Li Hao called it the Celestial Star Meridian.

Taking the celestial stars as meridians, once unleashed, the Qi in his body would rapidly replenish and his power would increase to an unbelievable degree.

Currently, this Second Final Realm was not yet refined to its peak.

The power gathered by just the Terrestrial Meridian was barely enough for the consumption of this one sword strike. Without the Second Final Realm, every time Li Hao unleashed a sword strike, he would need a few breaths of weakness to adjust. In a life-and-death battle, this was a situation of either the enemy dying or himself dying.

If he could kill the enemy with one sword strike, that would be fine, otherwise, a few breaths of weakness would be enough to get himself killed hundreds of times.

"Beneath saints, among all the heavens, I can't imagine who else could be your opponent. The first place in this Supreme Heaven-Chosen Battle is yours for the taking!"

Wind Wave Serene's expression suddenly became serious, and he said, "This time's battle, we must participate. If the Buddhist sect and the Void Saint want to cause trouble, Lying Heaven Saint and I will handle it. You just need to participate in the competition with peace of mind. When you take first place and achieve sainthood on the spot through incense offerings, you will fear no one!"

Even if he just became a saint, Li Hao would have some self-preservation power. Combined with the cover of him and Lying Heaven Saint, he wouldn't be so easily killed.

Li Hao was slightly silent upon hearing this. He knew that Elder Wind would bear immense pressure for this.

If he missed this incense offering, relying solely on his own incense absorption speed would take one or two hundred years.

If he took the path of offering Dao to become a saint, it would depend on luck, but with the Crimson Resonance Bell, perhaps it wouldn't take too long.

Thinking of that Resonance Bell, Li Hao's eyes gradually brightened.

This small bell could still resonate. If he could comprehend the Painting Dao before the competition, reaching the tenth stage, and become a saint through offering Dao, then there would be nothing to worry about.

Thinking of this, Li Hao nodded to Elder Wind, said he was going to retreat into seclusion for cultivation, and hurried back to his courtyard.

Once back in the courtyard, Li Hao began to activate the Resonance Bell.

As the small bell vibrated, waves of spiritual light and thoughts surged and gathered.

Li Hao once again entered a state of enlightenment that was both real and unreal.

He focused his thoughts on the Painting Dao, and numerous insights poured in, his understanding of the Painting Dao constantly deepening.

However, after this impact, the color of the Resonance Bell became much fainter again.

Time flowed by.

The matter of Moon Gazing Cliff shook the thirty-three worlds, but after a few days, it gradually subsided. Only those sword practitioners were still discussing it, while other holy lands were discussing the upcoming Supreme Heaven-Chosen Battle.

This battle gathered prodigies from all heavens. Each holy land had participants entering the battle, making their final sprint in secluded cultivation.

"I heard that in the All-Heavens Battlefield, someone left their name. I went to see, that person is called Hao Tian!"

"What a grand name, daring to call himself that!"

"The Heavenly Stele can detect the origin. Is this person surnamed Hao? There has never been such a surname. Could he be the first person with this surname?"

"Most likely an orphan. The origin detected by the Heavenly Stele comes from the heart. Whatever name he believes himself to be, that name will be left behind."

"I heard that Hao Tian in Azure Wave World took first place in the quota battle, defeating a six-extremes realm prodigy."

"Six-extremes realm? Are you kidding me? A guy like that might even make the top ten in the heavens. How could a small world produce two such prodigies?"

Many holy lands were discussing, as the Supreme Heaven-Chosen Battle was approaching, giving a sense of storm clouds gathering.

(End of chapter)